AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST, 
FOR THE 
Farm, Grarden, and. Household.. 
"AGRICULTURE IS THE MOST HEALTHFUL, MOST USEFUL,- AND MOST NOBLE EMPLOYMENT OF MAN. , '-\v i ., m .oToii. 
ORAKdE JIT»I>, A.M., ) 
EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. > 
Office, il Park Row, (Times Buildings.) ) 
ESTABLISHED IN 1842. 
Published both in English and German. 
t $1.00 PEE ANNUM, IN ADVANCE 
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( For Contents, Terms, etc., see page 330. 
VOLUME XXII— No. 10. 
NEW-YORK, OCTOBER, 1868. 
NEW SERIES— No. 201. 
Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1S63, by 
Ot'.ANnE .Tlrnn, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of 
the United States lor the Southern District of New- York, 
f^ - Othei Journals are invited to copy desirable articles 
freely, (fetich article be credited to American Agriculturist. 
tf?mv-ari:ic - 
Suggestions and Notes for the Month. 
m 
The glory of the year is at its night. There 
is a gorgeous display of color in the woods, 
which beautifully contrasts with the sombre 
hue of the cleared fields, though it is the hec- 
tic flush that betokens the completion of the 
decay which is already marring the landscape. 
The sun looks askant upon the changing scene, 
and is slowly transferring his favors to other 
lands ; the birds, like gay courtiers, follow to 
enjoy his smiles; the hum of insects is no 
longer heard, they have sought safe quarters 
for their winter repose ; a gentle haze fills the 
air, and all things inspire thoughtfulness. The 
reflections of the husbandman will naturally 
turn to a survey of the year's operations. In 
the main, the season has been one of average 
fruitfulriess, though some complain of a late 
Spring and a too fervid Summer. The drouth, 
and the August frost completed the failure 
threatened in the early months. In some sec- 
tions this was undoubtedly unavoidable. Human 
skill cannot make up for all deficiencies of 
weather. There will always be some contin- 
gencies depending on this cause, and these 
should be taken into account in estimating for 
future operations on the farm ; a wide margin 
should be left on this score, when operations 
are contemplated requiring the outlay of large 
capital. He is an unskillful cultivator who 
depends entirely upon favorable seasons for 
making farming profitable. He is at the mercy 
of the elements, and will often have reason to 
complain of their inclemency. It is equally 
unwise to conduct agricultural operations with 
reference only to a single year or a short term 
of years. The successful man looks into the 
future, and lays his plans to make his land in- 
creasingly productive. He who merely strives 
to realize the largest returns, year by year, 
without keeping the future in view, may be 
selling the fertility of his land piece-meal, which 
is in reality parting with his capital for what 
should be the basis of a large interest on that 
capital. The end of such management must 
ultimately be failure. — There is no operation 
upon the farm more fully justified than drain- 
ing, in view of its immediate and permanent 
benefits. A thorougly-drained field, though not 
independent of the weather, is provided with a 
regulating apparatus that will enable it to suc- 
cessfully withstand extremes which would de- 
stroy crops on undrained land. If the season 
be wet, there is a ready outlet for the surplus 
water ; if drouth parches the surface, then the 
air permeating the cooler soil, leaves a supply 
of moisture for the wants of the growing 
plants. The atmosphere also contains ele- 
ments needed for the building up of vegetable 
structure, and when the water has been drawn 
off, these find ready access to the roots. By the 
same means, deeper layers of earth are acted 
upon and prepared to furnish nutriment to the 
fibres, which will soon penetrate a soil thus 
fitted for their nourishment. Happily these 
views are no mere theories. They have been 
sustained by the most extended experiments in 
our own and in foreign countries. The English 
are so fully convinced of the benefits of drain- 
ing, that it has been made a subject for legis- 
lation, and Government wisely aids those de- 
sirous of improving their estates, by loans on 
the most favorable terms. Most of our adult 
readers can remember when drain-tiles were 
first introduced in this country, as necessary to 
the best cultivation, and now there are thou- 
sands of acres made more productive by their 
use, and large manufactories, though working 
continually to supply the demand for tiles, are 
unable to keep up with the calls for them, and 
new parties are embarking in the business. We 
predict that in twenty years, or less, he will be 
generally considered an antiquated farmer, who 
has not introduced this improvement. The 
time may seem short, but we are a fast people, 
and are universally considered to be bent on 
" running things into the ground." The present 
is a favorable time for commencing or con- 
tinuing this work. We counsel, as we have 
previously done repeatedly in the columns of 
the Agriculturist, that the work be begun, at 
least on a small scale, and there is little fear 
but that the results will so commend the opera- 
tion that it will soon be very greatly extended. 
Work for tbe Farm, Household, etc. 
Take time by the forelock this month. But 
little growth will now be made by any summer 
crops, and without seasonable attention, some 
of them may be destroyed or injured by frost. 
In addition to gathering the corn, sorghum, 
roots, etc., preparations may be needed for 
safely storing them. To save a crop often re- 
quires as much forethought as to raise it. 
There should be a general clearing up before 
the weather becomes inclement. The stable 
and cellars should be put in readiness, ma- 
nure drawn out from the yards, ripened weeds 
gathered and burned, stock looked over and the 
surplus disposed of, tools safely housed, and 
everything made snug : then, when the blast 
comes whistling from the North, the farmer 
will be prepared to answer it with a cheerful 
whistle from within doors, surrounded with 
comfort and rejoicing in the sense of security. 
Beans. — Thresh out as soon as sufficiently 
cured, and preserve the stalks for feeding to 
sheep or horses, for which they are good fodder. 
Buildings will soon be subject to searching 
winds and driving storms, which will find 
entrance through all neglected crevices : one 
dollar's worth of lumber used in making them 
weather-proof will save many dollars in fuel 
and feed. See that eaves-troughs and leaders 
are free from leaves or other obstructions, and 
drains in order to carry off water. Apply 
paint where needed. If manure is to be thrown 
out of stable windows, build a shield of boards 
to keep it from contact with the sills and sides 
of the building and thus prevent their decay. 
Butter.— Increase the quantity and quality by 
feeding the cows with pumpkins, surplus cab- 
bage leaves, beet, carrot, and turnip tops, etc, 
as the pastures fail. Pack a full supply for 
winter use. If properly made, thoroughly 
worked, and stored with care, butter made now 
will command an extra price before Spring. 
C&bbarjes.— Secure the late crop before injured 
by frost. Lay head downward in trenches, 
with rails at the bottom to keep them from the 
ground, cover with straw and then with earth, 
laid up in wedge shape and packed smooth, to 
shed rain. Feed out the surplus leaves. 
Cattle. — Commence to feed with stalks or 
other fodder before the pastures are entirely 
bare. Grass partially nipped by frost loses 
much of its nutritive qualities, and will not 
fully supply their wants. Commence stall- 
feeding early. Provide shelter before the in- 
clement season commences. 
Cellars. — Prepare against freezing weather by 
banking up, if needed, but allow proper ven- 
tilation. Cement floors are neat, and will aid 
in preventing dampness and excluding vermin. 
Carrots. — Harvest early and store in the barn, 
cellar, or other secure place, for feeding to 
stock in Winter. The tops, if in good order, 
are excellent for milch cows or other cattle. 
Corn. — Cut up, bind, and stook for husking, 
or husk at once in the field, if it be not an ob- 
ject to save the fodder. See article on page 304. 
Exhibitions. — Many of these are yet to be held, 
as will be seen by reference to the list pub- 
lished in another column. Strive to make that 
of your own vicinity one of the most success- 
ful. Those who might contribute on such 
