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APRIL, \fiiD. 



Editorial Arrangements. 



Some (if our correspomlents and pergonal fricmls wish in 

 formation respecting our editorial arranpenients — we there- 

 fore state as fultows : — 



M. B. Batkham resides at Hociiester, and is tlic pultlish- 

 ing Editor. He receives all letters and communications, re 

 viscfl some fur publication, raaltcs selections, assists in cor- 

 recting, &c. lie writes short notices and other matters 

 which will hereafter have no marii or signature. 



J. J. Thomas resides in Macedon, Wayne county. He 

 examines and revises, or rcmar]tson,sucti communications as 

 are Rent out to iiini, makes sc!e:tions, and writes Hints for 

 the Montlis, and otiicr seasonable articles, wlitch \vill liere- 

 nf;er be rnarj^cd tfiua, * 



Uavid Tho.mas resides near Aurora, Cayuga county. He 

 will write on Horticulture, Floriculture, and the -Natural 

 Bcicnces, answer Inquiries, &c. His articles will l.'C signed 

 T. or marke.l thua, f 



Other gentlemen may occasionally contribute Editoral ar- 

 ticles; thsac will liavc various marks. 



To Corre-spondents. 



AVe are constrained to offer renewed acknowledgements 

 for the vuluaide assisiance we liavc received. Cvery sucees- 

 flivc nurn'er of the Farmer adds new, and liighly respecta- 

 ble names to our list of corresponilents; and the consequent 

 increasing interest of the paper must afford great satis- 

 faction to our readers. 



Several valuable communications arc omitted for want of 

 room; and others were received loo lale for this number, 

 ehall appear ncxtiiionth. We have received several, on tlie 

 ■Winter .Alannirenieut of rljtock, dec. ; but as we liave already 

 published considerable on this subject, and as our space is 

 ne'-e^sarily limited, wv hope our correpondents will excuse 

 Ob f"r deferring those at prercnt. 



(iaidcnev's Work for April. 



Wc had prepaix'd 6omc dircetiona for pcrl'onning 

 the principal operations in the garden this month, but 

 our eoluninslmd nliendy become so full that wc have 

 only room lor a few brief hints. The tvenlber in this 

 euction is usually chnnijeablo, and frequently wet and 

 cold durinu' this month; so that seeds and plants put 

 into the open ground vcr-y early, are often destroyed. 

 It is not advisable to bow or i)lanl many, except the 

 most hardy kinds of vegetables, and such as are want- 

 ed for early us?, until the weather has become fine 

 and settled, and the ground a little warm. 



Teas, I'arsnips, Lettuce and Salsify, are very hardy 

 plants, and will not suffer from a little wet or cold — 

 BOW them ns early as possible. Sow some Marrowfat 

 Feaa at ibe same time as the smaller earlier kinds, and 

 they will come into use in succession. 



Plant Onion sets as early as possible — sow the seed 

 about the last of the morah. Beets and Carrots lor 

 summer use should be sown now, but those for winter 

 will be better if sown later. Peppergrass, Parsley 

 and Endive, should be sown this month. 



Cabbage, Cnulillowcr, Broccoli, Celery and Toma- 

 in, if not sown on a hot-bed, as directed, may be sown 

 this month, on a warm border of fine earth, where 

 they can be protected by a mat in severe weather and 

 frosty nights. 



Beans, Corn, Cucumbers, Melons, Squashes, &c., 

 wdl not bear fr-'Sl, and shotild not be planted till ne.\t 

 month. (Some of these seeds will invariably rot, if 

 the weather be cold and wet.) 



Radishes and Turnips are hardy plants, but need 

 to grow rapidly in order to be good; and therefore 

 should not be sown till warm weather. 



Flower stcds may be sc)wn the latter part of the 

 month, if the ground is dry and the weather warm. — 

 The foUowmg remarks on this subject, are by one 

 whose experience and success in the culture of fiow- 

 ers, entitles him to much deference: 



Sowing or Plantins; FloAVer Secd.s, 



For large seeds like the Bean or the Pea, a coarse 

 eoi! is well adapted, as they can force their way to the 

 surface from any moderate depth; but small seeds re- 

 quire difi'crenl treatment; and we lay it down as a 

 iifo rule, the finer the seed, the finer should be the 

 eoil. 



How iiaea Nalurc, exemplifying Supreme Wisdom, 

 BOW her more delicate seeds ? She scatters them on 

 the shady ground, trusting to the rain or the fropt to 

 (Mver them, (of course slightly,) and they gcrminnte 

 bef tre the sun has acquired power enough to Hcoreh 

 them. The dua-ldte seeds of the Orchis and ('ypri- 

 pf^flium sometimes grr.vw in beds of damp niofs. 



Common gtrdtn loam, whether clayey or sandy, is 

 much impro'-'sd by n dressing of v<"gclab!« earth fp'ni 



tue wooas, wen inixea oeiore pinntmg. It prepared 

 in the preceding autumn, and pulverized by the frost, 

 all the bettor. 



Such a soil ia farorahlc to seeds of almost any kind, 

 but essentuU to the finer and more delicate sorts. The 

 preparation of the soil alone, however, is not enough. 

 Fine seeds may be smothered if covered more than 

 from one-eighth to half an inch deep: and iheir short 

 roots may be parched if exposed to the sun except in 

 morning and evening. To a Jinc soil, therefore, wc 

 must add the protection of shade, aiwl in time of 

 diought, a regular supply of moisture. Tf the seeds 

 are sown in an open border, a sprinkling of water in 

 the evenings is best, but carefully abstain from apply- 

 ing so much as will bake the ground. 



In gardens of considerable extent, wlien new seeds 

 are to be sown, and nothing is known in regard to 

 their germination, it would be prudent to try them in 

 difiercnl soils and situations. We have succeeded in 

 one spot and failed in all the rest. 



It is generally safer to plant or sow when the dan- 

 ger from severe frost is over. Deposit the seeds in 

 shallow drills made by pressing down the edge of a 

 board on the loose siil, and cover by sprinkling the 

 earth over them. Drills have two advantages: we can 

 better determine how deep the seeds are covered, and 

 we know where to look for the young plants, as we 

 watch for their appearance from day to day. 



IVlarkiniielicks, or labels, are conveniently made 

 from shingles, and may be made one inch wide and 

 a foot long, with one end sharpened, more easily to 

 penetrate the ground. For amuiah, nothing more is 

 wanted than to moisten the part to be written on, and 

 draw it across a dusty sleeve. The fine grit tiius im- 

 parted will wear off the black lead as the pencil passes 

 over, and it will be legible for the season at least. — 

 But where the mark is wanted for two or more years, 

 the stick should be painted, and then the letters will 

 be durable. 



Some plants are coarse feeders, and do best when 

 well supplied with manure from the stable. Of this 

 kind is the beautiful Cypress Vine, so rei. at' itle fo- 

 the delicacy of its leaves, and the brightness of itu 

 flowers. T. 



The First Flowers of Spring. 



0.\ THE 20th. of L.IST MO.NTH. (MARCH.) 



The snow drops are early risers — in the season; and 

 for more than a fortnight have hung out their white 

 bells over the cold or frozen ground. Closely follow 

 ing in the order of time, is the Winter Aconite with 

 its tuft of green leaves and yellow bloom; and next the 

 little Crocus (cloth of gold) just peeping above the 

 soil. It is of a deeper yellow than the Aconite, and 

 on the outside it is striped with dark purple. 



A few days more of this fickle season pass away, 

 and the Scotch Crocus appears. Its fine ichite cvp is 

 alsi striped on the outside with purple: and soon after 

 the large yellow Crocks opens. To this succeeds the 

 Siberian Squill, just raising its beautiful blue above 

 the earth. 



Again the garden is whitened with snow, which 

 melts in the morning beam, and the purple Crocus 

 striped with white, the large rich blue-purple, and the 

 purcwhite Crocus, stand together iii colors beatifully 

 contrasted, while the rosy corols of the Bulbo-codium 

 increase the variety. But we will not go in advance 

 of the season. 



The pleasure of viewing those stars of the earth — 

 the first flowetB of the spring, — iea rich reward for 

 cultivating them, and truly they belong to a class 

 "that asks but little room." A bed, three feet wide, 

 and twelve or fifteen feet long, would exhibit them in 

 masses, nearly all at the same time, from which no 

 well balanced inind, no correct taste, and no well-or- 

 ganir.cd vision, can turn away with indifTeionce. t 



Sprint; Rye. 



Wc are linppy to say there is not mtvlt really poor 

 land in this section ; but if any of our readers should 

 happen to have a piece " too poor to grow beans," we 

 would advise them to try Spring Rye. The seed can 

 be obtained at the Seed Store, of a quality superior to 

 many samples of the \Vinter variety. It should be 

 sown ns early as the ground will readily admit (p-ay 

 the middle of April or before); and at the rate of o 

 pecks of seed to the acre. The produce will depend 

 on the quality of the soil — but 20 bushels per acre 

 may be railed an Bvcrn!.'c crop on |ioor land. 



Grass Peas. 



These peas we believe will be found vtduable to 

 farmers, as soon as their proper use is understood. — 

 They are not liable to be injured by bugs or mildew; 

 and the straw being fine and sweet, it makes excellent 

 fodder for sheep or cattle, whether fed in a green or a 

 dry state. A good way to use them, is to mow them 

 as soon as the peas begin to ripen, and before the straw 

 is dead, and after curing like clover, put them into a 

 Mow or Stack, and feeil them out wiihont threshing, 

 to Sheep and Cattle in Winter. They will eat them 

 readily, and the grain being in the straw, it makes 

 very wholesome and nutritious food. 



These pens are small and hard, and grow so crowd- 

 ed in the pods as to flatten the groin aitd give ita pecu- 

 liar nppeorance. The plants tiller very freely, and 

 one bushel seed is sufficient for an acre. Sow early in 

 the Spring — and the crop will comeofl' in season, and 

 leave the land in good order for wheat. 



Planting Early Potatoes. 



A soil is rendered warmer by a fresh dressing of 

 stnl'le manure; and also more loose for the roots to 

 spreatllthrnugb, &. the potatoes toexpandin. This iaof 

 great necnunt in obtaining them early. There is an- 

 other thing, however, of great moment. Full-sized 

 potatoes should be selected for planting; and of these, 

 only three or four of the most prominent eyes should 

 be jiermitted to grow, the rest to be carefully cut out 

 or destroyed. Thie precaution will hasten the growth 

 of the stems, by turning all the nutriment of the tu- 

 ber into them, and by preventing its being wasted on 

 the feebler shoots. 



Two or three years ago, we obtained a rare sort of 

 potatoes; and desirous to make the most of them, we 

 cut each of them into several pieces, and planted them 

 in rows without having assorted them. The result 

 was a great inequality in their growths. Some were 

 six incheshigh before others appeared, especially those 

 that were from buds near the stem end of the potatoe; 

 " H the prospect wa3 rather discreditable to the gor- 

 iffner. But this was not all: there was quite as much 

 ditierence in the time of their producing potatoes. 



In a light rich soil, not much infested by weeds, we 

 have had the hills made at the time of planting; but 

 the hilling can be done afterwards if care be taken not 

 to cut or disturb the roots when the young potatoes 

 are forming. It shotild be remembered, however, that 

 this plant, though impatient of stagnant water, re- 

 quires much moisture to mature a good crop; and as 

 its leaves turn off the rain from the base of the stems, 

 the hills sh-'uld be made disliing, that is, hollow in 

 the middle, in order to collect the rain and turn it in- 

 wards. 



Now who will have the first mess of early potatoes? 

 It is always a fine treat; but to have them, we must 

 have the earliest sorts as well as horticuliural skill. • 



Seed Store .\gencies. 



The Agents for the Rochester Seed Store, (as mentioned 

 on our last page,) are now all supplied with fine assortments 

 of Garden, Field, and Flower Seeds. The Garden Seeds are 

 put up in small papers, and the Field Seeds in packages, by 

 weight or measure. Any Seeds which they may not have 

 on hand, may be ordered, through tiiem. from the Rochester 

 Seed Store. The proprietor pledges his reputation, and that 

 of his establishnienT, for the good quality of the seeds fur- 

 nished by liim this season. Seed Catalogues, and back num- 

 bers of tile \ew Genesee Farmer may be had of the agents. 



Agents and Correspondenia for this paper, who wish to ob- 

 tain rare seeds for trial, (gratis,) will please inform the pro- 

 prietor of the ScedStorein what way they can be sent; and 

 name what particular kind would be preferred. Or whether 

 Grain, Grass, Vegetable, or P'lower Seeds, would be most 

 accceplable. 



M. B. BATEHA.M. 



Seed Store Correspondence, 



The subscriber is always willing to communicate informa- 

 tion to all those who desire it by letter, (except those who 

 tax him with postage,) but at this season of the year he re- 

 ceives siK-h a multitaite of letters of inquiry, (beaides or- 

 ders,) that it is sometimes impossible for Itint to bestow that 

 immediate and particular attention which is desired ; and hiu 

 answers may sometimes be rather too brief to give satisfac- 

 tion, or too' abrupt to appear courteous. Notwithstanding 

 he has good assistance, lie is often compelled to burn the 

 mnlvighl ml in writing letters; and he legs, therefore, 

 Ihtit liis friends will not attribute a little delay, or a short re- 

 plv, to any want of.tttenlion or courtesy on his part. 



Information which is often asked of him by letter, is pub- 

 lished in the New Ciencsee Farmer, and therefore persons may 

 recei\'e a jiapcr when they expect a tetter. l( any man can- 

 not .-ilVord to pay fifty cents a year for the information which 

 this paper contains, I cannot nflbrd to write letters for his 

 especial benefit. 



IVrsona sending Newspapers to the SuliHcrier, are re- 

 quested to address ihem to the ".\ew f:eiie.>.ee Fi.rmer," aa 

 be then receives them free of postriire. He is always tliank- 

 ful for papers conlaiitiiic any uu't'ers of interes' to him or 

 the agricultural community. ' I\I. B. BATEHAi\T. 



Correction. — (_>ii page .^1, (ibis number,) ^it. coUiinn, at tbc 

 brad of the article on the culture of Bufh Cranl-errie-:, Va- 

 'urrnun :hnul I read yxlv^nvm. 



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