150 
VALUE OF AGRICULTURAL JOURNALS.-IMPERIAL OATS. 
The lower part of Mr. Girdwood’s farm is nearly 
level, and has a rich alluvial soil. His course of 
rotation for the whole farm is one of six years, being 
one year of grass and the other five of potatoes, bar¬ 
ley, turnips, wheat, and oats. Manure is added both 
with the potatoes and turnips, or once in three years, 
so that with the year of grass, this may be considered 
a liberal rotation. He does not, however, tie himself 
strictly to it, but varies when circumstances seem to 
require it. 
Immense quantities of potatoes are raised on the 
farms near Edinburgh. On this, I saw one heap 
which contained about 4,800 bushels, and yet it was 
only about a third of the entire crop. They are generally 
placed in a long shallow pit, about 8 feet wide, heap¬ 
ed up as high as possible, and then covered with 
straw and earth, the latter thrown lightly on to the 
thickness of about 8 inches. Wisps of straw are 
placed on the top as ventilators, and drains run on 
each side, and the whole rises about 6 feet above the 
surface. 
Mr. Girdwood, in common with all of the best 
Scottish farmers, feels the necessity of scientific know¬ 
ledge, and in his zeal for obtaining it, has been attend¬ 
ing courses of practical chemistry. The information 
already thus acquired must be of very great advan¬ 
tage in his daily pursuits, and his spirited example in 
this respect can scarcely be too highly commended. 
John P. Norton. 
Edinburgh, March 1 , 1845. 
VALUE OF AGRICULTURAL JOURNALS. 
Any improvement made in the agricultural depart¬ 
ment of business is truly matter for congratulation, 
since more are dependant upon agriculture for subsist¬ 
ence than any other branch of business whatever. 
That man, then, who is instrumental in improving 
the system, or in any way giving an impulse to its 
interests, is in truth a benefactor to mankind. At 
present it is evident there are errors in the farming 
system. Since my acquaintance with the American 
Agriculturist, I have not only read its columns with 
delight, but with an unusual degree of interest, and 
am led to conclude, it is an instrument well calculated 
to strike an effectual blow at the root of some (at 
least) of the errors now existing in the general sys¬ 
tem of farming. 
Like a philanthropist, you are making efforts to 
correct errors that have long existed, and though 
your labor may appear like “ casting your bread on 
the waters,” I am confident you will find it again, 
even if not until “ after many days.” You have rea¬ 
son to take courage, for already your efforts have 
been crowned with a degree of success. 
In some sections of our country, where a few 
years since agricultural papers were strangers, and 
where the people were far from being “ careful to en¬ 
tertain ” them, your paper has found friends and is 
hospitably received, even in old Connecticut. Though 
some have hesitated to have their names enrolled on 
your subscription list, in consequence of having been 
disappointed in the merits of a periodical of a similar 
character published for three or four years in this State; 
yet I take pleasure in having it in my power to say, 
these difficulties have in many places in this State 
been overcome, and the reading of your work has 
removed objections that might have been considered 
insuperable. I have recently learned with pleasure 
that you have quite a respectable list of subscribers 
here. This is an indication that all interest in agricul¬ 
tural improvement has not subsided in our State. I 
am truly glad to find there is an interest in this thing, 
and I trust there is a waking up to the subject of agri¬ 
cultural reading. As a proof, permit me to state one 
fact. 
I learn that an acquaintance of mine, a respectable 
farmer, on being solicited to patronize the Agricul¬ 
turist, declined on the consideration that he then 
was, and for two years had been, a subscriber to an 
agricultural paper, and had not been profited by it at 
all. However, on learning that the Agriculturist was 
edited by a 'practical farmer —one who understands 
the business in all its departments, and who is 
thoroughly acquainted with stock breeding, &c., he 
requested his subscription to be forwarded, commenc¬ 
ing with Vol. IV., remarking at the same time, “ Such 
a work is entitled to my patronage, and the patronage 
of all who desire to see agriculture improve.” After 
reading Nos. 1 and 2, he manifested in high terms his 
approval, inquiring where he should leave his sub 
scription for Vol. V. 
This gentleman is a thorough farmer, and possess¬ 
es an extensive influence. I am sensible that you 
are not in want of commendatory paragraphs, yet I 
presume you will excuse me for this one, as it is only 
one out of many that I might give. 
The practical matter with which your paper 
abounds has a tendency to open the minds of its 
readers to a sense of, not only the possibility, but 
also the propriety of improvement in this most im¬ 
portant branch of business. The farmer is unwilling 
to admit that agriculture is susceptible of less im¬ 
provement than the mechanical arts, while at the 
same time it is far behind in this country. They ask 
what’s to be done ? Why, up and at it with the same 
untiring industry that the mechanist has displayed. 
Connecticut , March 5, 1845. Br C. D 
Imperial Oats. — I am pleased to see that you 
offer this valuable grain for sale. I commenced rais¬ 
ing them four years ago, with half a bushel of seed. 
They are now my principal oat crop. Their weight 
is 40 to 45 pounds per bushel. They yield as many 
bushels per acre as the common oat, but should be 
cut when the straw turns yellow near the root, for if 
left till the head turns entirely so, they are apt to 
shell, the chaff being light and weak, while the grain 
is heavy. I am satisfied they are the best oats I can 
raise for stock feeding and general farm use, as I pro¬ 
duce none for sale. From my own experience I can 
freely recommend them for general cultivation. 
Black Rock, N. Y. L. F. A. 
We sold every barrel sent us of these oats early 
in March, not being able to supply more than half 
the demand. 
Connecticut Oxen.— Having received two orders 
the past month for Connecticut working oxen, we 
wrote to Mr. Wm. K. Townsend, of New Haven, 
requesting him to execute them. This he has done 
with great satisfaction to the parties concerned ; se¬ 
lecting one pair from Old Guilford, and the other 
from North Middletown. They are finely formed 
and of medium size, yet possess great muscular 
power, and have such a quick step, that either pail 
will plow an acre and a half per day with ease. 
