AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST, 
FOR TIIE 
FbjTth 9 Gra^rcLen, and Household. 
" AGRICULTURE IS TIIE MOST HEALTHFUL, MOST USEFUL, AND MOST NOBLE EMPLOYMENT OF MAN."-w.i„n.oTo». 
ORANllG .II i>J>. A.m., 
EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. 
Office, 41 Pnrk Row, (Times Buildings.) 
ESTABLISHED IN 1842. 
Published both, in English and German. ( 
I $1.00 PEE ANNUM, IN ADVANCE 
SINGLE NUMBER, 10 CENTS. 
For Contents, Terms, etc., see page 388. 
VOLUME XXII— No. 9. 
NEW- YORK, SEPTEMBER, ! 1863. 
NEW SERIES— No. 200. 
Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1S63, by 
Orange Jtrnn, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of 
the United States for the Southern District of New- York. 
jy Othei .Tonrnals arc invited to copy desirable articles 
freely, (/"each article, be credited to American Agriculturist, 
Suggestions and Notes for the Month. 
September might properly be placed first in 
farmer's Calendar. Although each month 
brings it labors, this witnesses the commence- 
ment in cultivation of the great crop of the 
world, wheat, which for ages lias taken pre-em- 
inence among cereals, and upon which more 
than any other depends the most important in- 
terests of society. No man could estimate the 
results of the entire failure of this grain for 
only a single year : it would incite greater revo- 
lutions than history has yet recorded. The farm- 
er may with honest pride often revert to the fact 
that he moves the great balance wheel of 
society, and it should be his constant en- 
deavor to labor with a zeal and an intelligence 
befitting his station. Success in his calling is 
not merely a matter of personal gain, it brings 
a benefit to society, and its influence is felt in 
every sphere, from the mechanic in the work- 
shop, to the statesman in the National Council. 
The progress of agricultural science, though 
slow compared with achievements in other 
fields, has contributed very largely to the pres- 
ent position of America among the nations, and 
enabled her thus far to resist a revolution which 
would have torn many other existing common- 
wealths to fragments. While we have bread to 
eat and to sell, our strength is untouched, though 
temporary reverses attend our arms. 
The sower should go forth cheerfully at this 
time. The past three years have yielded unpre- 
cedented plenty. Scourges of drouth, of in- 
sects, and other inflictions ruinous to the wheat 
crop, have been confined to limited areas, the 
great aggregate has filled to overflowing the 
store-houses of the world, and the pockets of the 
producers. He must be perversely blind who 
fails to see in this the hand of that Providence 
that guides the affairs of nations. Without 
sucli abundance the aspects of our great inter- 
"necine struggle might have been very different. 
Foreign nations lifcfe not cared to raise their 
arms againsi a power to which, from scarcity at 
home, they-were compelled to look for bread. 
It may perhaps be too much to expect that 
another abundant harvest will fill our granaries 
and coffers. Yet, whether this be decreed, or it 
shall occur that the land shall withhold a large 
increase, there is every reason for sowing wheat 
largely, for improving every acre that can be 
well tilled. The prospects abroad are darkened 
with a gathering storm of war. Should it burst 
upon Europe, then what was experienced during 
the Crimean campaign will be felt again; the 
demand for our breadstuffs will absorb all the 
surplus we may raise. In view of this contin- 
gency, and also of the fact that there are rarely 
four successive years of plenty, we advise a 
large investment in this direction. It should 
not be forgotten that effort may often be more 
profitably directed to securing increased return 
from the number of acres usually cultivated, 
rather than by enlarging the area put under cul- 
tivation. The former course requires less cap- 
ital, less labor, and at the same time prepares 
the land for better returns in future. One hun- 
dred dollars properly used in draining, or other 
needed improvements, may increase the yield 
from ten to twenty per cent for a term of years. 
Work for tbe Farm, Household, etc. 
There will be little leisure on the farm this 
month. In addition to sowing winter grain, in 
many sections the corn will be ready to be cut 
up by the ground, early potatoes to be dug 
and marketed, and early apples to be gathered 
and disposed of. At the West, the great sorghum 
crop will demand attention, and those who have 
cultivated tobacco will find ample employment 
in cutting and curing. Much labor and vexation 
will bo saved by having all necessary' buildings 
and implements in readiness for each crop. 
The markets should be closely watched at this 
season, to determine when to dispose of grain, 
wool, etc. Very favorable contracts for future 
delivery may often be secured during the pres- 
ent month. Taking one year with another, it 
is safe to accept a price which will give a good 
profit on capital and labor invested. 
Barns, and Outbuildings, particularly those in 
which hay and grain are stored, should be fre- 
quently examined, to secure their contents from 
injury by storms, vermin, etc. A good coat of 
paint will pay more than the interest of its 
cost in the preservation of wood-work exposed 
to the weather, and in the improved appearance 
of buildings. Autumn is a good time to apply 
it. Keep all buildings well insured, and pro- 
tect houses and bams with lightning rods. 
Beans properly harvested will command a 
good price. Cure and save the haulm or straw 
and the unripe pods for feeding to sheep. 
Buckwheat should be harvested before ripe 
enough to waste by shelling. Save the straw 
for litter; it is of little value for feeding. If 
there be a good mill in the vicinity it will usually 
pay to have the grain ground for market. 
Butter made this month and next, if properly 
worked and packed, may be kept for use or for 
marketing any time before next Spring, when 
it will command better prices. A good milk- 
room, clean utensils, good salt, and sufficient 
workiwj are the essentials. Much labor will 
be saved by the use of a good butter worker. 
Cabbages. — Market those which are mature, 
and keep the late crop well hoed to promote 
rapid growth and early heading. 
Cattle. — Keep them well fed, especially milch 
cows, and those intented for fall beef. Give 
them corn or millet from the soiling patch, 
roots and tops from the beet and turnip field, 
and extra leaves from the cabbages, etc. Com- 
mence stall feeding early. The same amount 
of grain will make from ten to twenty per cent 
more flesh, if fed out before cold weather re- 
quires a large part of it to be used in keeping 
up the animal heat. Salt at least once a week, 
and allow free access to water. 
Cellars. — Thoroughly cleanse and prepare for 
the reception of roots, apples, etc. Make rat 
proof by cementing the floors. Where many 
vegetables are to be stored, it is desirable to 
have a cellar under the barn for them. 
Cisterns. — Cleanse before the fall rains, and if 
good well or spring water be not obtainable in- 
troduce a filter. Clean rain-water, even unfilter- 
ed, is the most wholesome for all purposes, and 
after a short experience is agreeable to the taste. 
Cfo™.— Mark the earliest and most productive 
stalks to be reserved for seed, and leave it to 
fully ripen. Cut the stalks by the ground as 
soon as the grain is glazed, cure the stalks for 
fodder, and store under cover to be husked 
when time allows. See article on page 2G9. 
Draining. — Attention is called to this item 
month by month, because it is believed to be 
one of the most desirable and best paying im- 
provements to be introduced on most farms. 
It will be beneficial, not only by reclaiming 
swamp lands, but it will render any compact 
soil more productive by taking out the surplus 
water, giving access to the air which will bring 
nourishment to the roots of plants, and making 
the soil lighter, so that the rootlets can more 
easily make their way through it in their search 
lor food. Try it according to plans described 
from time to time in former volumes, upon a 
single acre, if no more, and note the results. 
Finish off all winter grain fields with deep drain- 
ing furrows to carry off surplus surface water. 
Eggs. — Pack in salt those laid now, for winter 
use, and for selling about the holidays, when 
they are in large demand at the best prices. 
