THE SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
189 
capable of affording, in dry weather, the neces- 
sary nourishment to the plant. The sources of 
its fertility are obstructed. This may be better 
undersiood by some of our readers, when we 
state on the authority of Sir Humphrey Davy, 
that a soil in the greatest degree absorbent, e.x- 
posed to the atmosphere till it becomes dry to 
the touch, still contains moisture equal to one- 
eighth part of its whole weight. This is disco- 
verable by subjecting it to a heat indicated by 
300 degrees of Farenheit’s thermometer. Now 
all water not chemically cotubined, but only ad- 
hering to parts of the soil, is in constant use in 
vegetation: and the one-eighth part referred to 
is of tn is kind. If we estimate common fertile 
soils, however, as containing only one-twelfth 
part, then in 400 pounds of soil, even when it is 
dry to the touch, we shall have 33 pounds of wa- 
ter in store for the use of vegetation; and it is 
particularly worthy of notice, that such soils, 
when deprived of a portion of this by plants, 
. procure a fresh supply by constantly absorbing 
vmtcr from the atmosphere, where it exists in the 
state of vapor. In effect a good soil is a perpe- 
tual fountain, even in dry weather. 
“From these statemen.s it must be evident, 
that unless the ground is frequently cultivated 
and kept mellow, so that between its particles 
the air can pass in, the latter cannot impart the 
moisture which it holds in solution; but when 
the soil is freshly broken, minutely divided, and 
prevented from conglomerating, these invisible 
surings are preserved in order, and plants that 
drink from them will long resist the drought. — 
Let the hoe, then, be freely and frequently used. 
Mississippi Volley Farmer. 
Wll.vr IS THE BEST MODE OF HARNESSING 
OXEN! 
Mr. Breck — In yourpaperof last week, there 
is an article taken from the “Miss ssippi Valley 
Farmer,” on the “Value of Oxen,” wdiich I 
have read with great pleasure. I find in that 
article the following paragraph: 
“The value of the ox for labor is much in- 
creased by substituting the collar and traces for 
the common wooden yoke and bows. The 
horse collar reversed, or turned the bottom up, 
makes an exact fit for the neck of the ox, if it 
be made of a suitable size. We have been as- 
sured by those who have adopted this method 
of gearing, that it has with them a decided pre- 
ference over the common method. The follow- 
ing are some of the advantages: Whether the 
oxen be geared singly or in pairs, they travel 
with more ease to themselves; and there is con- 
sequently an increase of speed in travelling; 
there is less liability to chafe and gall, and 
what many would consider the most important 
advantage, there is an addition to the strength 
of draft of at least tea per cent.” 
I have often wondered when seeing the patient 
ox with his head bowed down, and his neck 
oveiioade 1 with a heavy yoke, why this barba- 
rous and inconvenient mode of gearing him 
was kept up — the most awkward and ungainly 
mode of tackling, if it may be so called, m the 
whole economy of farming. 
It seems that gearing with a collar has the ad- 
vantages mentioned by the intelligent editor of 
the Farmer, and it strikes me there are others 
that he has not mentioned: they are, that the 
collar allows more perfect freedom for the head, 
and therefore there must be greater ease m tra- 
velling. The collar, too, spreads the draft over 
a greater surface, and brings the draft in the 
right place; and if the gearing has also breech- 
ing straps behind, the load is prevented from 
coming on the heels of the cattle in going dowm 
hill. 
I wish soma one of your intelligent and ob- 
serving correspondents would enlighten us on 
this subject, and, if possible,%give us the results 
of their experiments. I believe a better, safer, 
more comfortable, more convenient, and in the 
long run, cheaper mode, could be devised, for 
tackling this useful animal. Many a time 
when he is goaded along and vexed with vitupe- 
ration, he is suffering from a chafed neck, ren- 
dered callous almost by the constant action of 
he .heavy yoke, but not so callous as not to be 
galling and oppressive to his neck. 
If this mode, too, will allow of working him 
single, and his gait can be improved, so that he 
will walk fa.ster, and release his head from the 
pounds of wood he carries, (and I think such 
improvement can bo ma ie,) why not adopt it? 
Why will not some agriculturist who has a 
yoke or two of oxen, try the experiment? Why 
will not others start in this matter? What are 
the objections to the collar for oxen? What are 
the advantages of the old mode, or rather pre- 
sent mode of attaching him to his load? Why 
should it be persisted in? Will some of your 
correspondents, I ask again, enlighten us on this 
subjrci? Yours, truly, 
A Cultivator. 
Remarks by the Editor . — The customs and 
usages of our fathers, in relation to the modes 
of operation in farming, have been followed by 
the children with as much obstinacy as though 
their usages and opinions were infallible and 
could not be improved upon, and to doubt the 
soundness of their views, would be denounced 
almost as heresy; but it is gratifying to know 
that a spirit of inquiry is abroad, and that not 
only the children but the fathers, are beginning 
to look around and inquire, how can we im- 
prove upon the past and the present mode of 
cultivation? How can we add to the comfort, 
and increase the profit and improve the beauty 
of our animals? &c. “A Cultivator” has made 
some interesting inquiries, which we hope some 
one who has experience in the management of 
oxen will answer. We have often been inclin- 
ed to believe that an easier mode of drawing 
than by the wooden yoke, might be adopted, but 
as we have had but little experience in this mat- 
ter, it does not become us to suggest the im- 
provement. It would be rather hard, we think, 
to bring into general use any other fashion than 
the yoke, even though it should be proved that 
the collar was the best; but will not some one 
make the experiment of the collar, as well as an- 
swer the inquiries of “A Cultivator.” 
New England Farmer. 
SMALL FARMS. 
We are glad that the farmers throughout the 
country are discussing this subject with so much 
interest and earnestness. 
For a long time we ha”e indulged in extrava- 
gant fancies in every thing. Large possessions 
and large wealth — these are counted essential, 
and few weie the men who could toil contented- 
ly on small farms, and be satisfied with a limit- 
ed busiues'=; but the experience of the last few 
years has taught us all that money, beyond that 
point which secures us independence, is not an 
element of happiness or progress. When sought 
for, for its own sake, it is ever a means of evil. 
Nor can it be otherwise if grasped at to gratify 
a low, sordid ambition. These truths have 
made slow, but sure, progress among all classes; 
yet among none more than the agricultural in- 
lerests of the land. 
We may mention the growing disposition on 
the part of farmers to possess only as much 
land as they can cultivate well, as proof of these 
remarks. And ive cannot but rejoice at it. — 
For, if rightly directed, their influence will ever 
be exerted for the substantial good of all — since 
it possesses, from a variety of causes, that ad- 
mixture of wisdom and prudence, which is un- 
willing to run foolish risks, or try hazardous ex- 
periment in governments, or the policy of go- 
vernment, yet which is never backward in mak- 
ing changes whenever, in reason, they are call- 
ed for, or urging reforms when existing evils 
demand them. Just views at home insure just 
views generally, with regard to every thing else. 
And when the farming interests practise on 
their own soil whatever a wise economy, com- 
fort and real independence may demand, we 
may feel assured, not on'y that their influence 
will be rightly directed, but that they will see to 
it that those virtues aie practised in our public 
affairs. 
And as a general rule, the possession of as 
much land as may be well cultivated will help 
to e.stablish these virtues. First, the farmer 
who is so situated can apply his industry better; 
second, he can employ all his capital, he can do 
no more, and obtain a surer and steadier return 
from both; third, he can secure more of those 
comforts which tend so much to improve and 
civilize all of us — a good dwelling, good out- 
houses, good fences, good cattle, greater fertili- 
t}' of soil, and better knowledge of his business. 
Nor is this all. When men mea.sure them- 
selves thus, by what they can do, and are zeal- 
ous to do it, they are not so apt lo be led astray 
by speculation, by avarice, by social display, or 
any of that class of evils which so much dis- 
turb and distress society. They love the earth 
they till, they are content to till it, being proud 
of the labor of their hands; they find and feel 
under these circumstances, that they can do 
more good to others, and enjoy themselves bet- 
ter, because necessarily the}" will look more to 
what is in a man than what is a.round him, to 
character, rather than to the number of acres he 
may own, or the wealth he may po.ssess. 
It is a national blessing, in every way, to mul- 
tiply small farms. Show us a state that has the 
most of them, and we will guarantee to find 
there the greatest amount of substantial wealth 
and real happiness. Economy, it is said, is a 
mine of wealth. Energy is the means to supply 
this mine; and as the truest economy and the 
stoutest energy are employed on them, the more 
small farmers we have, the greater will be the 
strength and wealth of the nation. — Ex. paper. 
Gre.\t Yield of Wheat. — The following 
note from from Mr. Dickinson, of Onodaga 
Hollow, will show the course adopted by him 
in producing his crop of 52^ bushels of wheat 
per acre, the present season. There can belit- 
tle doubt that much more labor is expended in 
producing the wheat crop generally, than would 
be necessary if the grounds were properly pre- 
pared once lor all, made clean, and kept clean, 
so as not to requireJTallowing as cleaning pro- 
cess. We have as yet heard of no yield this 
year that has exceeded this. 
W. Gaylord, Esa. — 1 send you a hasty ac 
count of the preparatory treatment, nature of 
the soil, &c., in the case of the wlieat crop to 
which allusion has been made. Two years 
since, this month, 1 purchased the farm on 
which I reside, and commenced working it the 
next spring. There had been no clover seed 
used on the place by the occupant before me, 
except on the lot where the wheat was grown by 
me. The field had a crop off oats taken off, 
and was then seeded to clover. In t.he spring 
when I came on the farm, the clover was small 
and thin, anH I sowed on it H bushels of plas- 
ter per acre. The second week in July, I mow- 
ed off the clover for hay. The last of August, 
I plowed in a large growth of clover, and har- 
rowed it thoroughly. On the 6th and 7th of 
September, I sowed on one bushel and three 
pecks of Canada flint wheat to the acre, and har- 
rowed it in. The soil is a friable black slate or 
loam. The wheat in the whole field was re- 
markably equal, and the crop per acre as stated. 
It ours, truly, O. Dickinson. 
Omndaga, September 12, 1843. 
Albany Cvdlivator. 
We have always thought that the product of 
wheat, per acre, wa s susceptible of being brought 
up to from 40 to 50 bushels, and the occasional 
yields which v?e hear of above that standard, 
serves but lo confirm us in our opinion; and we 
are sure that by proper care in the pulverization 
and preparation of the soil, and a liberal sow- 
ing of seed, that that amount of product can be 
attained . — American Farmer, 
Hardened round us, encasing wholly ever}" 
notion we form, is a wrappage of traditions, 
hearsays, mere words: we cal! that fire of the 
black thunder-cloud electricity, and lecture 
learnedly about it, and grind the like of it out'of 
glass and silk ; buf what is it ? Whence comes 
it ? Where goes it ? — Carlyle. 
