406 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Sept. 



increased the rye-grass to such an extent, "that 

 the clover plant M'as choked, and came up very 

 thha in tlie aftermath." One hundred and twelve 

 lbs. of sulphate of ammonia, costing $4,50, gave 

 an increase of 1,524 lbs. of hay per acre ; 224 lbs. 

 of Peruvian guano, costing §6, an increase of 1,260 

 lbs. ; 112 lbs. nitrate of soda, costing $5, an in- 

 crease of 1,540 lbs. ; 280 lbs. of superphosphate of 

 lime, costing $5, an increase of 292 lbs. ; while 

 sulphate and muriate of potash gave an increase 

 of only 30 lbs. — Genesee Farmer. 



HEALTH OF COWS. 



Good health in domestic animals is always a 

 matter of primary importance. As bad health in 

 parents transmits a tendency to disease in the off- 

 spring, it is important that every kind of animal 

 we desire to continue on our farms should be kept 

 vigorous and healthy. 



As domestic animals are a source of human 

 food, it is a matter of great im])ortance to pre- 

 serve them in a healthy condition. Diseased 

 meat carries its qualities into the stomachs of the 

 consumers. It is a serious objection which vege- 

 tarians urge against the use of animal food, that 

 the bad treatment they receive renders them un- 

 healthy. 



As an unhealthy animal cannot consume food 

 to as good advantage as a Avell one, it is again 

 economical to avoid disease. 



Each of these circumstances is sufficient reason 

 for guarding with scrupulous care the health of 

 the animals we feed ; but when we derive milk 

 from animals, it is doubly important that they be 

 kept free from every objectionable taint. A sick- 

 ly cow not only yields a diminished profit, but she 

 yields sickly milk, and sickly in a higher degree 

 than her flesh. 



If a cow eat anything that has a strong or disa- 

 greeable odor, it appears in her milk. 



If she eats anything medical, it comes out in her 

 milk. 



If she is feverish, her milk shows it. 



If she has sores about her, pus may be found in 

 her milk. 



If slie is fed upon decayed or diseased food, 

 her milk, since it is derived from the food, will be 

 imperfect. It is as impossible to make good milk 

 from bad food, as to make a good building from 

 rotten timber. 



If there is anything wrong about her, it will ap- 

 pear in the milk, as that is an effective source of 

 casting filth from her organism. — Hallowell Oaz. 



American Exhibitoks in London. — The 

 London Times, an habitual slanderer of this coun- 

 try, in an article on the American department of 

 the great exhibition in London, closes with the re- 

 mark, — "Taking the American exhibition as a 

 whole, there is no department in which the exhib- 

 itors will reap more profit from their pains, and 

 perhaps this is as high praise as we can pass upon 

 it." There is a trite saying that Ave should "give 

 the devil his due," and we are glad to award to 

 the Times proper credit for this instance of faix'- 

 ness and candor. 



For the New Eiigland Farmer. 



CAN FABMING BE MADE PROFITABLE ? 



Can those who farm, thereby a profit make .' 

 Wliy not, if they but farm for profit's sake ? 

 For when our thoughts in one direction tend, 

 We, as a rule, attain the sought for end. 

 If, then, the object sought is merely gain, 

 The course to be pursued is pretty plain. 

 We first of all must keep our end in view, 

 In what we think and say, as well as do, 

 Nor ever from 'our purpose turn or swerve. 

 But make all things to that conform, subserve. 

 If farmers thus would live 'till life shall cease. 

 Would not their wealth from year to year increase .•■ 

 But would the wealth thus gained or purchased, pay 

 For other things they lose, or throw away? 

 Perhaps it might, but for myself, I fear 

 'Twould be like Franklin's whistle, much too dear. 

 How much of money, what amount of wealth, 

 Will compensate a man for loss of health ? 

 How great must be a farmer's yearly gain, 

 To counterbalance after years of pain ? 

 How high — to what per cent., should profits rise, 

 To pay for disregarding social ties .' 

 In footing up, what balance must we find. 

 To set against a starved and shrivelled mind ? 

 How many bills, how large must be the roll. 

 For which an upright farmer sells his soul .' 

 Can any sum attain sufficient size. 

 To justify so great a sacrifice .' 

 And yet, for gain or profit even small, 

 ■We sometimes see them cffired, one, or all. 

 But cannot those who cultivate the soil. 

 Without debasing, unremitting toil. 

 Obtain therefrom a compensation fair. 

 Acquire of worldly wealth their part, or share ? 

 That is, if they conform to nature's laws. 

 And when results are wrong, remove the cause ; 

 Against all wrong, adverse results contend, 

 And from intruding loes their farms defend. 

 'Tis true, as soon as plants begin to start, 

 The birds and bugs and worms will claim their part,— 

 Not only claim, but take "the lion's share," 

 Unless we guard and watch with constant care. 

 'Tis true, the growing crops are sometimes lost, 

 Cut down, destroj'ed by late or early frost ; 

 And when in rich and fertile vales they grow. 

 Are washed away, if streams their banks o'ertlow ; 

 Or if on land that's light, or hill-sides high, 

 May suffer drought in seasons hot and dry. 

 'Tis true, the farmer's fruits will sometimes fail, 

 Or be at least unsuitable for sale 5 

 His stock may sicken, die of some disease, 

 The fox and birds of prey his poultry seize. 

 And greater trials too, at times, may come, 

 And throw their shade of sadness o'er his ly^me. 

 The farmer's faith and patience thus are tried — 

 But farming hath a bright and sunny side, 

 For e'en its darker clouds are "silver-lined," 

 And though their pockets all may not thus find, 

 (At least may not be lined so soft and thick. 

 As those of some who line them very quick,) 

 Still, by a process slow, but safe and sure. 

 They can be lined to last, through life endure. 

 Just how 'tis done, I don't pretend to know. 

 Nor by ray practice other farmers show. 

 But some, at least, the process understand, 

 And make a yearly profit from their land. 

 What some hare done, why may not others do. 

 If they a corresponding course pursue .' A. C. W. 



Leominster, 1862. 



Amekican Hopefulness. — One of the Ameri- 

 cad characteristics which most surprises the good- 

 natured Mr. Trollope in his recent journey 



