2S0 
TAPLIN'S HORSE POWER, ETC. 
SHORTHORNS vs. THE NATIVE BREED. 
Much has been written and much more said since 
the improvement of our native cattle commenced in 
this country by a cross with the shorthorns. I have 
been surprised at the apathy, and I might say, total 
indifference of most of our farmers on this impor- 
tant subject ; to say nothing of the opposition of a 
few of them to any improvement whatever as being 
necessary in our native breeds. 
My mind has been directed to this subject by 
having seen and compared many of the droves 
which have passed from the west on their way to 
New York, since the 1st of March, up to the 1st 
August. Mr. George Stewart, of Morristown, 
New Jersey, has furnished me with a list of each 
drove, which he obtained from the drover, as the cat- 
tle passed, and they amount to 10,983 head. Of 
these, the greatest part were from the state of Ohio, 
fattened in the Scioto Valley ; and the remainder, 
were from Kentucky, mostly a cross with the short- 
horn descendants of the old importations of 1817, 
together with all the later importations by Mr. Clay 
and others. Those from Ohio were from the Ohio 
Company's importation, and others brought in from 
different sources, which have been bred from. Be- 
tween the blood cattle, in the states of Ohio and 
Kentucky, there is no great difference. I have vis- 
ited the principle herds in both states, and where 
attention has been paid to the selection of the best 
bulls, there appeared to be about the same degree 
of excellence. But what surprises me most, is, that 
every man who calculates to raise a calf does not 
put his cow to a shorthorn bull, whether it is in- 
tended for the shambles or the pail. The value of 
the animal is increased at maturity, on an average, 
ten dollars, and in many instances much more, over 
and above that of the price of the animal crossed 
upon. I speak advisedly on this point and will appeal 
to a test at the Bull's Head, in New York, for a con- 
firmation of my assertion. 
Great expenditures have been made and are still 
making to procure this breed of cattle from Eng- 
land, and the stock may now be had at reasonable 
prices in sufficient numbers to cross with our na- 
tive stock in all those parts of the country where 
it would be advisable to be done ; that is, only 
where feed is abundant. In short pasture, the De- 
vons do much better. Samuel Allen. 
Morristown, N. J., August, 1849. 
TAPLIN'S HORSE POWER. 
One of the best horse powers with which we 
are acquainted, is that more commonly known 
among us as the circular, or Taplin's. Fig. 70 gives 
a good idea of it. It has a wooden rim, or circle, from 
18 to 20 feet in diameter, to which iron segments are 
bolted on the under side. These gear into a cog wheel, 
hung upon a shaft on which, also, a drum, or wheel, 
is attached. This shaft, revolving, moves the machin- 
ery by a belt. If preferred, the drum and shaft can be 
Fig. 70. 
dispensed with, by gearing a cog wheel, attached to 
the machine to be propelled, into the cog wheel of 
the horse power. The horses are attached to 
whiffletrees, hooked to the arms, close where 
they join the rim, and thus move the power as they 
travel round. It can be transported easily from 
place to place in a common farm wagon, and may 
be set up in twenty minutes, and taken down in 
half that time. It is simple in its construction, not 
liable to get out of order, and when so, is easily 
repaired. It may work in the open field, though it 
is better to have it under cover, when stationary, 
especially during stormy or very hot weather. 
When the team is to be attached to this power, 
take the pin out of the standard which keeps the 
rim upon a level, and lower one side of the rim to 
within two feet of the ground; now step a horse 
over ; then swing it round to the next hook for a 
whifnetree, and step over another horse, and so 
continue till as many are put on as are wanted. 
For efficiency, durability, and simplicity, we pre- 
fer this power to all others. Price $75 to $80, 
according to size and quality. For sale by A. B 
Allen & Co., 189 and 191 Water street, New York. 
Raising Sweet Potatoes fhom Seed. — The 
yam-potato vines bloom in August. In about a 
month after, they form a pod. The seeds are then 
formed of about the size of sage seed, and of the 
same color. The pods should be noticed and gath- 
ered wmen ripe, or else the seeds will soon drop. 
In the spring, at the usual time of sowing, they may 
be sown in the same way as with cabbage seed. 
They will not come up quite so soon, but will con- 
tinue doing so through the spring. The plant is 
small and delicate in appearance, and should be 
drawn in a wet season, with a little dirt attached to 
it. and transplanted. The leaf and vine have a 
different appearance from the potato, and the tuber? 
will be found to grow larger and smoother than 
when cultivated the usual way. —Recorder Supple- 
ment, Georgia. 
