1864. 



NEVr ENGLAND F.AJIMER. 



23 



while in first bloom, is decidedly in favor of the [ grass grow among the trees. Another cause of 

 early cut. No fodder on mv farm was so eagerly fair fruit may be the feeding of the windfalls to 

 eaten by horses and cattle as our early cut Hun- , the cattle and pigs daily. But I consider the 

 garian grass last year. This year the same ani- main cause of our fair fruit was owing to manor- 

 mals hesitate till they find out whether it is hay | ing the trees, and eradicating every intruding 

 or straw before they commence eating. I believe , trespasser. For some years past, we have been 

 many fanners have formed their opinions and | in the habit of conve)'ing our suds and sink 

 prejudices about Hungarian grass from the cir- , water to the trees nighest to the house, and occa- 

 cumstance of delay in cutting it after it is full sionally appljnng a load or two of meadow muck 

 seeded; all except the seed is ver)' litde better J about their roots. 



than rye or oat straw thrashed. Whether the j Whether my opinion is worth anything or not, 

 seed is of more or less value than the early cut I ask nothing for it. I think our farmers — some 

 grass for fodder, I have formed no opinion for, of them— labor under a grand mistake in plant- 

 want of experience. ing trees in large orchards, unless they are pre- 

 Potatoes on dry or wet land in this vicinity were pared with foresight, manure and money enough 

 inferior in quantity and quality this season. Our to cultivate them as they would a garden. With- 

 early ones, called "crackers," were planted on dry , in my recollection, in numerous instances, 1 have 

 ground in the garden ; though fully supplied with seen large oichards planted with great pains and 

 rain, were less than half a usual crop of indiffer- , accuracy, and for a few years the owner would 

 ent eatable potatoes. Our main crop was upon a feel sufficiently interested to give it a start and 

 piece of reclaimed meadow, formerly a duck pond, make a fine show ; but after a while other cares and 

 a most unpropitious season for planting on such hindrances would step in, and of necessity the or- 

 land. The meadow was plowed on the 24th of | chard would be neglected. A coat of thirsty grass 

 OcL, 1862, with meadow plow, and was planted \ would infest the ground ; the hordes of caterpil- 

 witn the white kidney potato, on the 27th of May, , lars and cankerworms, like Goths and Vandals, 

 after being well haiTowed with the cultivator and would make their irruptiofts the moment care was 

 dunged in the hill with manure from the horse's neglected, and by the help of cattle the victory 

 stable. The field was hoed onee. On the 26th of would be won by the invaders without "foreign 

 August, a great fall of rain submerged the pota- intervention ;" and the poor orchard, besides "go- 

 toes for a short time. They were harvested the ing to grass," would display rotten, worm-eaten 

 last of September and proved a better crop than trunks, dead limbs, and the want of good calcula- 

 those planted in the garden ; they were free from tion in the owner. 



Our cranberries are equal to the Cape variety 

 this year ; something like sixty or seventy bushefe 

 are the production of our farm. Silas Bkowt*. 



Wiimin'jton, Xoc. 14, 1S63. 



F r fA«> Se^r Eiigl.irsd Faraur. 



AGRICUIiTUBAIi SCKHETIES. 



rot at the time of digging. It is seldom we have 

 too much rain for potatoes planted on dry land, 

 but the present season has proved an exception. 

 During my eighty-four years of sojourn among 

 potato fields, I have never known sandy fields, in- 

 stead of dust transformed into so much "mud and 

 mire," as has been the case the last summer. 

 Our winter wheat was sown Sept. 2, 1S62, It j In an article quoted in your last paper thtf ques- 

 came up well, survived the winter and aflforded a tion is asked, "What will become of the Agricul- 

 handsome yield. Thanks to friend Poor, this is , turul Societies ?^ Agricultural Societies were es- 

 the third season we have raised winter wheat , tablished to encourage those departments of agri- 

 enough of good quality to supply our family with \ culture that need improvement- To collect f sets, 

 that kind of bread. On the 4th of September, ] To diffuse iarormaiion. To promote discus^on. 

 1863, our winter wheat was sown on old pasture ' To make useful suggestions. To advanc-e all these 

 ground turned up -in June ; after a dressing of 1 objects, large premiums have been ofiered. Lib- 

 compost was applied the seed was plowed in with \ eral appropriations have been made by the State, 

 a horse plow — looks well. I But as agricultural Societies kive been managed 



Our grass crops were much diminished by the I for some years past have these objects been pro- 

 winter-kill of 1S61-2, but upon newly laid down , moted ? Are not premiums now paid for objects 

 lots it was uncommonly tall, full of sap, and des- ! that no longer need encouragement.' Wtial ad- 

 titute of that gummy matter which adheres to the ; vantage is now gained by offering premiums for 

 scythes in drier seasons. The summer of 1S09, i the best apples, squashes, potatoes and beets? 

 and several seasons since, were remarkable for 1 Does not the interest of cukivators afford suffi- 

 copious rains and damaged hay; but for more than j cient stimulus in this direction ? What advan- 

 half a century, such pereistency of rainy weather tage now results from premiums on plowing? 

 through all the summer months has escaped my i This whole matter is now well understood, and 

 recollection, if it ever happened. | competition amoug the manufacturers of plows is 



The odd year — reminds me of that good man, ( doing all that can be done-for the improvi-mentof 

 Mr. Cole, — has always been the bearing year with ' plows. The object of late has been ralher to make 

 our little orchard. This fail, from some cause or a fine show than to promote real improvement, 

 causes, our apples and pears have been uncom- | and in too many cases, to induce those who have 

 naonly large and free from scars and worm holes, , good articles, to exhibit them at the show. To 

 which go to confirm ideas previously entertained | accomplish this end premiums have been awarded 

 in regard to raising fruit. In the first place, the to men rather than to products ; with a certain 

 great abundance of rain has been sufficient to sup- class, it has now become a mere matter of money- 

 ply the thirsty grass with a competency of mois- making. Their object is to get the premium, 

 tore, and allow the roots of the trees a grudging without regard to any real improvement. Is not 

 pittance, which it could not imbibe itself in or- the raising of a good breed of swine, of good neat 

 chards where we manage so badly as to let the , stock, whether for the dairj- or the shambles, of 



