TWO DOLLARS A. YKAJJJ 



' I'KOGRESS AJSTD IMPROVEMENT 



[SINGLE NO. FOUR CKNT8. 



VOL X. NO. 37. f 



ROCHESTER, N.Y.-FOR THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1859. 



WHOLE NO. 505. 



MOORE'S RURAL NEW-YORKER, 



RITRAL, LITERARY AND FAITIXY NEWSPAPER 



CONDUCTED BY D. D. T. MOORE, 

 With an Able Corps of Assistants and Contributors. 



T* ADVANCR: 





sama rate-oulj 11,21 







otuTlilrtr. Club papm Mat tod! 



emit Posto Olc es, If Jt- 



Una. Aiwe pre-pay AmeHoon po 





ILifiriBihPrtrtnw 













poilase. 





BS-AUcommimlcatlMw.anaba 





addressed lo D. D. T. MOORE, Ro 



hesler. N. Y. 





KURAL LETTERS FROM EUROPE.-!. 



, Aug. ] 



. 1 ■■■■ 



I think my las', letter to the Rural New-Yorker 

 was written in Yorkshire. My chief business 

 ihere was to obtain a Cleveland-bay (entire \ horse, 

 Hud after a long search, I succeeded in finding a 

 very superior ouo, which I have shipped to Dr. 

 Jons It. Woor.';. of Joy Depot, Albemarle county, 

 Ya. If he reaches his destination in safety, I 

 think ho will prove a decided acquisition to that 

 section, especially for the purpose of breeding 

 large coach horses, which will be also calculated 

 to do much farm work. 



I attended the Show of the Highland and Agri- 

 cultural Society of Scotland, held at Edinburgh 

 from the 1st lo the 5th inst. It irM 1 1 

 hition of this " ancient and honorable" association 

 1 have ever attended, and, as I expected to be, I 

 was much grotiued. There were some things 

 la-re of which I hud nut previously a sufficiently 

 clear idea. Such, particularly, were the polled 

 Angus and Aberdeenshire cattle, and the Cheviot 

 sheep, of both which there was alargo display. 



The cattle alluded to comprised a class by 

 themselves— their congeners the Galloways, form- 

 ing another class. They are larger than the 

 Galloways, but not as compact, and especially not 

 as round in the flrst ribs. They are also thinner 

 in the hide and lighter in the coat— traits which 

 indicate that they are not as well adapted to espo- 

 sure and hard fare. Their quality of Uesh, though 

 generally good, appeared not equal to that of the 

 Galloways. The first and second prize bulls in 

 the Angus and Aberdeenshire ngtd class, each 

 months old, girthed, respect- 





the first i 



1 took these i 



rWly, feet and - reel -'inches. The first 

 bull in the aged class of Galloways, four years 

 s old, girthed 7 feet 9 inches ; and 

 bull in the next class, two years 

 is old, girthed 7 feet 2 inches. As 

 leaaurcnii-nU myself, I kDOw them 

 lo he correct, The xaighU of none of these ani- 

 mals were given, bui thoy were certainty heavy 

 in proportion to their girih. 



There was a pretty large show of Shorthorns, 

 but less good ones in proportion to the number 

 than at Warwick. There were some that would 

 stand well in Iho breed anywhere, but as a class 

 decidedly inferior in symmetry and 

 quality to the pulled cattle. The leading p,;^. 

 taker was Mr. Douglas, of Atheist aueford, who> 

 however he may have failed of obtaining justice at 

 id I>undaU, (Ireland,) I think obtained 

 it in moat cases here, though be got no more tin 



merit actually indicated. 



■ The Ayrshire* made nothing like the dispL. 



they did at Glasgow (of which Show I have given 



you an account,) owing chietlv to the mnoteneu 



People who hare not seen this fine dairy breed on 

 » territory, would have been likely to form 



a very Inferior idea of it from the specimens shown 

 at Edinburgh, although several of the prize ani- 

 mate were of superior character. 



The West Highland breed comprised upwards of 

 sixty head, and many of the coirs and heifers were 

 of almost unexceptionable ebapc and quality, 

 though I was somewhat disappointed at nol find- 

 ing more good bulla in the class— there being Done 

 equal to some which I mentioned as being at the 

 Glasgow Show. I will just nay, in passing, that 

 while walking, some weeks since, through Ihc old 

 Cadiow Park, the property of the Duke of Hamil- 

 ton, I saw a West Highland bull and two heifers 

 which the Duke was about to send as a present to 

 the Emperor of the French. They were fine— one 

 of the heifers almost perfect Hut I have spoken 

 so fully of the characteristics of this breed in a 

 letter, that there is no necessity of fur- 



irk*i, 







Great numbers of sheep were exhibited, cempris- 

 of the two Scottish, and the lending 

 English breeds. The Cheviots were the only class 

 that I was particularly desirous of examining. I 

 had previously seen the breed in considerable 

 numbers, in various localities, but never so large 

 a collection at a show. They are a long-bodied 

 race, and in comparison with the Black-faced 

 breed, the old namo by which the former were 

 called—" the Long Sheep"— was not inappropriate. 

 They are inclined to bo loose about the shoulders 

 and hollow at the chine. But it is evident ibol 

 an attempt has been made to correct this defect, 

 and the perfection of some of the sheep shown here, 

 proved that the attempt has been to some extent 

 successful. The superior quality of the wool of 

 the Cheviots, considering that they belong to a 

 mountainous district, is quite remarkable. It is 

 of medium length, and as fine or finer than that tff 

 the Leicester, and of nearly uniform quality over 

 the whole carcase. Tbey are very white in their 

 faces and legs, generally without horns, though 

 some of the rams have little knobs an inch long, 

 which might, perhaps, be cultivated into horns. 

 I mention these two last points, because some 

 people in America have thought they had Cheviot 

 sheep, though their faces were speckled, and their 

 horns of considerable length. 



The meat of the Cheviots is not so good u that 

 of tho Black-faced breeds— so at least I am told by 

 several butchers to whom I have spoken on the 

 subject, and they say, also, that the cross of the 

 Cheviot and Black-faced does make as good meal 

 as the crosB of the Leicester and Black-faced. 

 Still the Cheviots are a bnrdy (though less hardy 

 than the Black-faced) and vnluable breed. They 

 are kept chiefly on the bills from which they take 

 their tihiik-, and along the lower parts of the South 

 Highlands. 



I did not make a critical examination of the 

 implement department, but I neither saw nor 

 heard of any special novelty in it, although il was 

 alargeaud fine display. The reaping and mow- 

 ing machines, as usual, attracted much attention. 



attend a set trial of these machim 

 So for as I can judge from what I have Been and 

 heard, McCormick's Reaping Machine, with the 

 apron and screws added by Buroess & Ket, is 

 beat adapted to heavy grain, especially when it 

 does not stand upright. Hanxy's Machine with 

 Wood's Improvement, maintains a good position 

 as a combined machine, and baa given good satis- 

 laction in most cases as a mower. The particular 

 causes of its failure at Warwick, I have not 

 learned. The Allen machine which took Ihe first 

 prize as a mower there, is said to have had an 

 important improvement added to it since it came 

 into tbe hands of BirgOBSJ A Key, by whom it was 

 exhibited. 



I might i 



many things which have inter- 

 ligbborhood of Edinburgh— the 



beauty 



—the quaint stylo of the 

 narrow streets, " closes," " wynds," and houses of 

 ten stories in heigh)— the neat style of the "new 

 town." its broad streets lined with buildings of 

 tasteful architecture, and the general aristocratic 

 appearance of the place and its inhabitants— the 

 numerous monuments to the great men who have 

 aided to render the city worthy the undisputed 

 appellation of "Modern Athens"— the beautiful 

 public Garden which occupies what was once a 

 gulf of the sea, and separates the city into the 

 two main divisions before alluded to — the former 

 Parliament-House of Scotland -the ancient Castle 

 where the regalia of the Kingdom is still kept aud 

 shown to the people, and where the unfortunate 

 Mary gave birth to that Prince on whoso brow 

 was flrst placed the royal diadem of both Scotland 

 " (1 _ ED 2 lttnd_lhe old palace of Holyrood, with 

 of the former rulers of the 

 particularly those relating to the beau- 

 n whose fate is still mourned by many a 

 magnificent Abbey 



lidcn — the r 



s of the o 



Villi 1 



<3 the mighty 



dead of olden time— the splendid 



modern times devoted to tbe teuching of science 

 in all its branches, or tbe still more splendid ones 

 founded by liberal philanthropists for the benefit 

 of the poor;— all these I have visited, and might 

 apeak of at length, but it would hardly be appro- 

 priate tn the original design ol these letters, and 





,..i I,,-. 



From Edinburgh I passed via Stirling over the 

 classic land and water of (he Trosachs and Loch 

 Katrine and Loch Lomood to Glasgow and Green- 

 ock, tbenco to Belfast, (Ireland,) thence to Dublin, 

 and thence to Killorney, the neighborhood of 

 which is so noted for its mountains, lakes, and 

 Kerry CtiUU: I purchased eouie of the latter, of 

 which as well of other matters relating to Ihe 

 Emerald Isle, I may give some account in a future 



KOHL-RABI AS FEED FOR STOCK. 



It is well koown that our climate is no 

 favorable as that of England for the cultivation of 

 the turnip— our hot, dry weather often making it 

 a partial failure. It has often occurred to us that 

 in tbe Kokl-raU we have a plant that is peculiarly 

 suited to our climate, and that may prove as 

 valuable to the farmers and slock growers of this 

 country as the turnip is to those of England 

 Even in England it is somewhat taking tho place 

 of the turnip for heavy lands, and is lonnd lo suc- 

 ceed much better in dry Bummers. Morton says, 

 " Kohl-rabi is the bulb for dry summers— beat 

 and drouth are congenial to it, and the plant 

 grows, prospers, and jields 









lips and 



Swedes could bnrely 

 that so few fnrmcrs avail themselves of a plant 

 that in the driest seasons, if properly treated, will 

 rarely fail to bring the largest return of sound and 

 excellent food. During the parching summer of 

 1847 the plants grew on, and retained tbe highest 

 verdure. Sheep were found to thrive particularly 

 well upon tbe plant in tbe succeeding winter; and 

 we know that ever since thai year beasts have 

 been fatlened upon the bulbs. The horse-hoes 

 muatbeput in requisition several timea, so aa to 

 keep tbe spuccs clean and open, till the expansion 

 of tbe leaves renders their operation impossible. 

 Labor and pain?, directed by a vigilant eye are 

 indispensable; but, where these conditions are 

 etrictly observed, the weight and quality of tbe 

 bulbs ore astonishing. Perhaps it would not be 

 too much to estimate the average of the former at 

 eight pounds per root; and, certainly, the weight 

 of some has, in many cases, amounted to from 

 fourteen to sixteen pounds. Aa to disease, who 



Stephens says, in the Book of the Farm :— "The 

 Kohl-rabi is an excellent food for cows and horses, 

 and, when boiled with grain tor their use, will 

 afford them true nourishment. Tbe leaves may 

 be also used, having entirely the character of a 

 true cabbage ; but they should be removed with u 

 sparing hand, else tbe enlargement of the bulb 

 will be prevented. The advantages which it is 

 said to possess over Swedish turnips, by those who 

 have cultivated it in England and Ireland, are 

 those :— Cattle, and especially horses, are fonder of 

 it; the leaves are better food ; it bears transplant 

 ing better than any other root ; insects do not in- 

 jure it; drouth does not prevent its growth, it 

 stores quite as well, or better; it stands the winter 

 better ; and it affords food later in the season, 



Few, we think, wiU read these statements with- 

 out feeling that this plant is peculiarly adapted to 

 this country, where our hot summers make our 

 turnip crop uncertain, and where cheap food for 

 stock is so much needed. Of the amount or weight 

 of bulbs that can be produced on an acre, we can- 

 not state, but it must be enormous, as we lately 

 saw a crop Ibat exceeded anything in the way of a 

 crop or bulbs that we ever beheld. They were as 

 thick upon the ground as they could well stand, 

 many standing out of the ground from eight to 

 twelve inches, and one specimen measured over 

 eighteen inches in circumference. The fact is we 

 never sow a failure with this crop, under any 

 reasonable treutment. Then it will bear trans- 

 planting better than anything of the kind we know 



OTVEWS POTATO DIGGER. 



Above we give a representation of a Potato 

 Digger, recently patented by Mr. Itm- kt Nm \. 

 or Gates, near tins city, and which has been tried 

 to the general satisfaction of the inventor and 

 others who have witnessed its operation. The 

 inventor furnishes the following brief description 

 of the machine, its capacity and operation: 



"This machine is light, portable, economical in 

 cost, yet very strong and durable— making it relia- 

 ble and valuable. With one man and a team from 

 five tocight acres of potatoes can easily be dug in H 

 day. Tbe operation of the machine is very snu;>l< 



Tbet. 



nek ■.■,!..■..!■'., 



I the i 



eploi 



s between tbe 

 e hills. 



toes— the dirt dropping through the screen, while 

 the potatoes are carried to the rear of the machine 

 and left upon the ground. The screen, composed of 

 iron bars, is very effectual in separating the dirt 

 from the potatoes while passing from front to rear. 

 By means of a lever, the operator can easily raise 

 the working apparatus (plow and screen) from the 

 ground and throw it out of gear whenever desired. 

 It can be guaged so as to go any desired depth." 



Any further information relative to this Digger 

 may be obtained by addressing the patentee and 

 manufacturer, Hobbrt Nivkk, Rochester, N. Y. 

 We shall endeavor to witness a trial of the ma- 

 chine soon, and report the result for the information 

 ■ readers. 



of. Seed may be sown early, in a bed as for cab- 

 bage, and the plants grown in this until about six 

 inches in height, and then transplanted like 



THE WORN OUT LANDS OF VIRGINIA. 



In.. 



ofyour paper 



Ens. Ri 

 I noticed some inquiries 



out lauds ol Virginia," and as I formerly resided 

 in the " Old Dominion " over four years, 

 some practical experience in reclaiming those 

 lands, I am willing to contribute my small stock 

 of information if it will prove of any value U 

 persons disposed to locate there. 



The first question asked is, "Would it be ad 

 visahle to go there with email capital only.'' 

 Most of the Northern men who have settled then 

 were men of small means, and their success bos 

 been in proportion to their sagacity and woll 

 disectcd efforts. A great mistake with many 

 them was in investing all their capital in land, 

 and not reserving sufficient means for making 

 improving n(V, and hence they could made no pro 

 gres3. No man should t;xprnd mure than half hh 





. lauds;" he i 



; for improvei 





ewellr 





Northern pe< iplc in Fairfax 

 than in any other enmity in the State, and perhaps 

 in all others together ; in fact, I believe a majority 

 of the inhabitants of that county are from the 

 Northern States. There are a few in the adjacent 

 counties of Prince William and Loudoun. I am 

 acquainted with some who have been in Fairfax 

 over fifteen years, and are doing remarkably well 

 The next inquiry is, "Are t hese cheap lands over- 

 grown with weeds, or grass, or are they barren V 

 And can they be ' brought to' by raising clover to 

 eurich them?" In the first place, these lands were 

 mostly owned by Lord F*h;ka\, nod rented to set- 

 tlers who raised tobacco, corn, oats, Ac, following 

 theexhaustingsysteni until they became barre 





s lam 



s thirty lee 



.1 height, 



there is now a gn 

 and frequently tl 

 distinctly traced. Other lands that have been 

 more recently " turned out," have a growth of tall 

 coarse gross, called " brown sedge," and much of 

 the land is almost entirely uuked. and whareitul 

 uneven is badly washed and gullied, Some of 

 these lands can bo reclaimed with clover and 

 plaster, but at the commencement the best way is 

 to purchase some good fertilizers, and with tbem 

 vou can at once raise good crops on the poorest 

 iands. For a crop of wheat use 200 lbs. best Peru- 

 vian Guano per acre, mixed with a half bushel of 

 plaster sown broadcast and plowed in, which will 



cost about rive dollars per acre. Then, if you wish 

 to seed your land to grass and have a good crop, 

 sow broadcast about five dollars worth of bone 

 dust per acre and barrow it in ; sow timothy seed 

 in the fall and clover in the spring, and if the 

 season is favorable you may expect a good crop of 

 wheat and grass, and my word for it that field will 

 not soon forget its treatment. I have seen fair 

 crops raised without any manure on some of the 

 lands, and on others with less than half the 

 quantity named ; but the treatment I have recom- 

 mended above is for the poorest land, though il 

 ndl not injure the best. There is a great variety 

 of soils, from light and sandy to the heaviest cloy, 

 and they vary in color, being white, bloajt, red, 

 gray, Ac. Some of the best crops of corn and 

 grass that I ever saw were on tbe " bottom lands" 

 that had been cropped continually for fifty years. 

 The Northern people there are engaged in various 

 occupations. Some arc gardening and raising 

 fruit for Washington, Georgetown and Alexandria 

 markets, with good success. Others have pur- 

 chased timber lauds, and are clearing and selling 

 wood at remunerative prices in the above named 

 cities. A few are engaged in the nursery business, 

 which is said to pay well. Some are clearing tbe 

 "old field pines," and converting them into char- 

 coal, which sells readily in those markets. Others 

 still are keeping cows and selling milk to advan- 

 tage Good butter can be sold at Washington by 

 contract for twenty-five cents per pound during 

 the whole year, (if carried regularly to market,) 

 and by keeping cows and feedingthem the produce 

 of tbe farm, tho laud is constantly improving. By 

 sowing corn a good supply of feed through the 

 summer can be kept up, and turnips, carrots, 

 beets, ruta bagas, Ac, grow remarkably well on 

 land that is well manured. A few bogs can always 

 be kept to advantage on a dairy farm, i 



the refbj 



materially h 



bringi iiu'- 11 - 1 

 husbandry c 



milk, and they will aid 

 enriching the soil. 1'oultry always 

 price in Washington market Sheep 

 i be carried ou profitably, tbe only 

 eiog the dogs, but they arc rather 

 'hose living within a few miles of 

 a fact farmers in most parts of the 

 their produce to market with their 

 >es. There is one railroad in opera 





diverging from Alexandria in various directions, 

 and when these are completed the facilities for 

 marketing must be good. 



There are some first class Seminaries in Virginia, 

 particularly in Alexandria, but Common Schools 

 iieen much neglected. The law of the Slate 

 furnishes means to defray the expense of tuition 

 of indigent children, if they will avail lbems*Jv"« 

 of the benefit of it, yet but little attention is paid 

 to the subject, except in neighborhoods Wttlfld 

 by Northern people, where there arc some good 

 schools. 



The time hot own when those who labored w. 



Hisidered as belonging to the second class, bu 

 different feeling now prevails. An honest, 



scz 



