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THE NEW GENESEEFARiMER, 



Vol- 



On the liret of June commenced planting, and ihie 

 was ihe manner in which it was done: 



First, a line was stretched across the field, then fol- 

 lowed a man making a trench under the line with a 

 hoe. The potatoes were then dropped in the trench 

 one foot apart, and a gill of air-elacked lime was 

 thrown upon each potatoe. Then followed two men 

 with hoes, drawing the enrth from each side, and cov- 

 ering the potatoes ',i or 4 inches deep. The rows were 

 just three feet apart, all straight, and the whole looked 

 KB smooth and handsome as an onion bed. The a- 

 mount of land planted was 126 rode, and the quantity 

 of seed was 30 bushels. The after culture was 

 merely pateing between the rows with a cultiva- 

 tor, often enough to keep the ground loose, and free 

 of weeds. During the first two months, the crop 

 looked finely, but the very dry weather in the latter 

 part of summer and fall, checked their growth and 

 spoiled the crop, the whole amount of which was only 

 180 bushels, being merely at the rate of 220 bushels 

 to the acre. 



And now for the conclusion of the whole matter. — 

 The only error I have been able to discover in the 

 whole process, was in planting them too shallow. Had 

 I, with some instrument like a mattock or grub-hoc, 

 cut! through the turf, and placed the seed potatoes so 

 that the tubers would have been under the turf, I 

 think the crop would have been as large again. The 

 season wae so dry. and the manure covered so deep, 

 end the crevices entirely filled, so that the first crop 

 derived little or no benefit from it. The lime, I think, 

 improved the quality of the potatoe. 



Yours, &c. M. M. 



Ontario co., Jan. 25, 1840. 



For the yew Genesee Farmer. 

 Important Considerations for Farmers in the 

 Genesee Country and the West. 



Messrs. Editors — When it was first announced 

 that the Genesee Farmer was to be discontinued, or 

 removed to Albany, I felt that I and my brother far- 

 mers had lot^t a friend; and the Geneaee coitntry had 

 lost that which had done the most to promote its great- 

 ness and prosperity, and which was well calculated 

 to develope its resources. The Genesee Farmer had 

 its birth and education amongst us. We gave it our 

 name, and regarded it as a part of ourselves which 

 would remain with us during life. We nourished it 

 in infancy, and trained it up to manhood; taught it our 

 habits, our wants, and our resources, and prepared it 

 for a glorious career of extensive ueefulness. When 

 lo! at the time of our greatest need — and without our 

 leave or consent — it forsook us fur the sake of prom- 

 ised gain; and not only left us destitute, but betrayed 

 our interests by exciting prejudice and suspicion a- 

 gainst any successor which might be appointed to 

 take its name and place. 



It is true we were promised a subatitule from Al- 

 bany, but that is nearly three hundred miles off, and 

 a vjry dilfcrcnt country from Western New- York. — 

 Tae paper from there, nUhough of higher price, 

 cannot possibly be as uaelul to us as one written anti 

 published in our midst. The very name of Albavy, 

 grates harshly on my ear. It always reminds me of 

 8 indy barrens and political eliifc, rather than the beau- 

 tiful and peaceful ccenes of agriculture. I can scarce- 

 ly believe that even an agricultural paper can long 

 breathe the pestilential atmosphere of Albany, with- 

 out being injuriously alTected by it. 



I rejoice, however, that our loss is made good — 

 a successor has been appointed, and that, too, not a 

 "spurious" novice, or a stranger, bitt a real genuine 

 New Genesee Farmer, brought up and educated a- 

 mongst us; one of the same iamily and school as our 

 tormer servant, but I trust more strongly attached to 

 boms. It is assistsd by the same friends, and gives 



full assurance of as good talents, and as great useful' 

 ness as the old one; and, what is more, will serve us 

 at the same low price, (which is a consideration not to 

 be overlooked Oiesc times.) 



Of the complete success of the New Genesee Far- 

 mer, I will not suffer myself to doubt. I cannot be- 

 lieve that the intelligent farmers of the Genesee and 

 Western country, will so mistake or neglect their own 

 interests, as to refuse to patronize, read, and circulate 

 a paper so eminently conducive to their prosperity. 

 Nor yet, that many of them will substitute in its place 

 a paper, which, while it costs them double, is not 

 more than half as useful at least in this section of 

 country. 



The mercantile and political interests of thie coun- 

 ty alone, support three or four daily papers, and as 

 many weekly, at prices from two to eight dollars each 

 per year; and if the cultivators of the soil, who con- 

 stitute eight-tenths of our population, cannot sustain 

 one paper devoted to their interests, even at the low 

 price of fifty cents per year, it presents a sorry picture 

 indeed, and will not speak well for this farming com- 

 munity. Some farmers will excuse themselves from 

 taking even this paper, by the plea of hurtl times; — 

 but in my estimation, instead of this being a reason 

 for declining, it is the very first reason I would urge 

 why ercn/ fanner in the La7id shovild take it; and why 

 increased and united eflbrts should be made for the 

 promotion of agriculture. If, as was formerly the 

 case, our wheat brought us about two dollars per bush- 

 el, we should have nothing to fear, there would be no 

 cause for special effort or alarm; we might continue 

 to sow our wheat and our clover, with full confidence 

 of reaping a rich reward, and of soon acquiring com- 

 petence or wealth. But now our golden prospects are 

 darkened, our wheat only brings; seventy-five cents 

 per bushel, which is not adequate to our expenses, 

 and the interest on our land. We need, therefore, to 

 look around us for new resources, and new objects of 

 cultivation. New departments of agriculture must 

 be studied and engaged in. Consequently, there is 

 more need thon ever, of circulating information on 

 these subjects. Not mere book-knowledge, manufac- 

 tured by Lawyers, Doctors, &c., but plain, practical 

 facts, written by farmers themselves, through their 

 own paper, giving an account of their experiments 

 and practice, and their most successful modes of in- 

 creasing their profits. 



Such are the objects of the New Genesee Farmer, 

 and such will be its influence, if farmers will do their 

 duty, by extending its circulation, and writing for its 

 columns. Yours, &c. Monroe. 



January 24//i, 1840. . 



An Appeal to the Fanners of Monroe— Propo- 

 sed Agricultural Society. 



Br.oTHER Farmers of Monroe Cou.ntv — 



It is high time for us to awake. Troublesome 

 times have coms upon us, and our harvests, although 

 abundant, no longer bring us in our accustomed reve- 

 nue. Our expenditures are going on continually, 

 but the Banks and the Millers have "stopped our 

 supijlies" of cash, and the consequences to us are 

 the most disastrous. The truth is, our wheat for sev- 

 eral years past, has brought an extravagant price, and 

 in consequence we have become rather too extrava- 

 gant in our expenece. Our wheat crop hao supplied 

 us with cosh, and we have accustomed ourselves to 

 purchase nearly every thing we desired — much of 

 which we might have produced ourselves, or done 

 without. So that our money has been expended as 

 fast as obtained, leaving uebut little the richer. At the 

 same time, our exclusive attention to the culture of 

 wheat has prevented the general improvement of agi- 

 culturc, and left ua entirely at the mercy of the fiuctun- 

 ting waves of commerce; prepared to feel the full 

 force of 'hard limes,' wheneter, as at present, a ecar- 



IHIM 



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cty of money, or a glutted market, should stop'*". 

 demand for our only staple, wheat. '^* 



Now, every farmer will admit that these thi '*'''' 

 ought not BO to be. The owners of this rich i *"=' 

 possessing such resources ai\d such advantages, o« *' ' 

 to be much more independent, and less expoaei *■ 

 the effects of 'panic' or 'pressure' in the money n '"''' 

 ket. This can be done by improving our agricull 

 so as to produce a greater variety, larger quani ' 

 and better quahty of articles on our farms, and I *' 

 lessen our need of money, while, at the same ti ^'' 

 we increase our means for obtaining it. Monrof** 

 one of the richest agricultural counties in the state, 

 possesses advantages superior to almost any other; 

 at the same time it is behind many others in agricu "■'-' 

 ral improvements, particularly with reference to sU 

 As one evidence of this, I would refer to the disj 

 l)ortiun which exists in the Rochester Market, 

 tween the prices of different agriculturol producti 

 A few days ago, when wheat was selling at slxf ~ 

 lings a bushel, I asked the price of a joint of beef, 

 was told ten cents per pound. We have need, th J"? 

 fore to increase the quantity aa well as improve 

 quality of our stock. 



As the first means of improvement, a more gen 

 circulation of information among formers is indis; 1 

 sably necessary. Let every one subscribe for 

 New Genesee Fanner, (all can afford it,) and t 

 let all viho feel an interest in the subject, write 

 its columns, giving an accctint of their success 

 stimulating others to effort. I would particularly 

 mind those who have choice stock, of the imports 

 of giving information of it through the Farmer, 

 show that something has been done on this subjec 

 would mention that there are in this county sev 

 short-horned Durham Bulls, (which are better t 

 any other to mix with our common cattle,) and y 

 does not seem to be generally known; at least but i 

 few try to avail themselves of the opportunity oflft 

 for improving their stock. 



Breeding of horses, too, is most shamefully negl 

 ed. The majority of farmers do not seem to refi 

 that it costs no more to raise a good colt than a i 

 one. Oliver Cidver, Esq., of Brighton, owns a < 

 sired by the celebrated Henry, which cost him $2, 

 — a most perfect animal; and yet some farmers in 

 vicinity, patronize the miserable cream horses, insi 

 of availing themselves of the best blood ever intrc 

 ced into Western New York. 



In sheep we are also for behind the age in impr< 

 ment, os any one at all familiar with our morket 

 admit. In the breed of hogs thcie has been cons 

 rable improvement within the few past years. ( 

 Sawyer, of this city, has some as fine specimen! 

 can be found in any part of the country . Mr. I( 

 Moore, of Brighton, has also taken some pains to 

 troduce a very fine breed. Many otherss might 

 mentioned who have lately done much lo impr 

 their farm stock, but I leave them, in hopes that u 

 will soon speok for themselves. • 



I mention these things to show that there is a die 

 sition on the part of many at the present time to i 

 prove the agriculture of this country, and I truly 

 licve that the time has come when vigorous and vni 

 eflbrts are called for on the part of the friends of 

 cause. I say united, because I believe that no otl 

 means would be so effectual as the organization of 

 efficient Agricultural Society. I believe that eucl 

 society would now be well sustained, with the m 

 beneficiol results. Nearly all other professions and i 

 cupations have their societies and associations for n 

 tual benefit and improvement. But the cultivator; 

 the soil, the great mass, and very foundation of i 

 community, have nothing of the kind in thiscoun 

 No united or systematic eflorts have been made 

 six years past, to promote the great art ef agriculti 



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