ME. SHEAFE S SALE OF SHORTHORNS. 
241 
whole of their length, and the sloping sides of 
the beds covered with a thin sheet of running 
water, which the lower drains will collect, and 
carrv off in the waste drain, w. 
There are other cases, also, which occur 
along the borders of streams, where the land is 
level, and too low to be irrigated by any means, 
except bv inundation. As a familiar instance 
of this, let a, Fig. 68, denote a dam thrown 
across a river or brook, where there is a fall of 
four or more feet ; b, b, &c, a ditch running 
along the base of a hill, or the upland, adjoin- 
ing a level, swampy piece of ground, kept con- 
stantly wet by a number of springs, which this 
ditch 'will cut off, and give the low, boggy 
ground a chance to dry ; c, c, &c, are lesser 
ditches, running nearly at right angles with 
the main ditch, b, b, &c, to carry off the spring 
water, and aid, also, in draining the meadow, 
on either side. An embankment is thrown up 
along the margin of the stream, to prevent it 
overflowing, except at very high water. Gates 
are constructed at each end of the lateral 
ditches, as at b, b, &c. and c, c, &c, which can be 
opened or closed, at pleasure. When it is re- 
quired to draw off the water from the meadow, 
the gates at c c, &c. are kept open; but when 
it is wished to inundate, or irrigate it, they arc 
shut, and the gates at a, and b, b, &c, ; re open- 
Irrigation. — Fig. 68. 
ed, which immediately causes the whole 
meadow to be overflowed. Hence, when the 
meadow is too wet, the water can be drawn off, 
and when too dry, it may be let on, so that a 
orop of grass may be insured, whether the sea- 
son be wet or dry. The earth taken out of the 
ditches is to be employed in making the em- 
bankment along the margin of the stream, and 
for raising the centre of the panes, or beds. 
This latter mode is peculiarly adapted to rice 
fields, wherever the nature of the surface will 
permit, and the means of irrigation are at hand. 
To Destroy Weeds in Walks. — Saturate 
water with chloride of sodium, and pour it boiling- 
hot on the weeds. Be careful you get the right 
article. It is not expensive. You will find a 
description of this substance in almost any 
chemical work. We recommend you to look 
for it and satisfy yourself that it is not a danger- 
ous substance to have about. 
MR. SHEATE'S SALE OF SHORTHORNS. 
This will positively take place at New Ham- 
burg, on Thursday, the 29th of August, as ad- 
vertised at page 264 of this number of our paper 
— rain or shine. The stock will be tied up and 
arranged according to the numbers in the cata- 
logue the day before the sale, and on sales day. 
Thus every one will be able to examine them to 
entire satisfaction. When the sale commences, 
an ample r'ing will be staked out and roped. 
Into this circle, each animal will be brought 
when it is put up for sale, and walked round 
for inspection. As all persons will be kept out- 
side the ropes, this again will give every one 
present an opportunity of close examination. 
If there be any unsoundness or vice in any ani- 
mal on sales day, the public will be informed 
of it. It is my intention that everything shall 
be conducted in the most honorable manner ; 
and in doing this, I am happy to add, I shall 
only carry out the express wishes of the owner 
of the herd. 
Taking their great milking properties into 
consideration, I doubt whether so valuable a lot 
of cattle were ever before offered for sale in this 
country. This is the eleventh year of their 
breeding, at the High-Cliff Farm, and unbound- 
ed pains have been taken with them. Every 
heifer which did not prove a good milker was 
invariably immediately disposed of by Mr. 
Sheafe. A short account is given of their milk- 
ing qualities in our July number, page 226. 
Conditions of Sale. — In order to save time in 
bidding, and ensure dispatch, the cows and hei- 
fers will be put up at a price varying from $25 
to $100 each, dependent upon the animal. If 
bid off at the price named when put up, or any- 
"ling above, it will then be the property of the 
person bidding, otherwise it will be considered 
the property of Mr. Sheafe. The bull calves 
will be put up a $25 each, and Exeter at $300. 
The sheep and lambs will be put up at $5, $6, 
and $7 per head, as above. The swine at $5 to 
$10 per head, according to age. The working 
oxen at $100. 
After an animal is bid off, it will then be consid- 
ered at the risk of the owner ; but it can remain 
on the farm free of expense, one week. 
Terms. — For all sums amounting to one hun- 
dred dollars and upwards, approved endorsed 
notes will be taken at six months, or a discount 
of five per cent, for cash. 
How to Reach New Hamburg. — It is on the east 
side of the Hudson River, ei«;ht miles above New- 
burg and about the same distance below Pough- 
keepsie. A train of cars runs to and from the 
city of New York five times each day, and per- 
forms the distance in two to three hours. Steam- 
boats from Albany run four times each day, and 
land at Poughkeepsie, whence cars run to New 
Hamburg in 15 minutes ; thus rendering the 
place easity accessible for gentlemen coming to 
attend the sale, from either the east or the west. 
The fare of each passenger does not exceed 
eighty-five cents to one dollar, from New York 
or Al bany to New Hamburg. 
A. B. Allen. 
New York, August 1st. 1850. 
