BAKER S PATENT FARM GATE.-CANE-BRAKE LANDS. 
373 
leached ashes worth more per bushel for manure than 
leached ones ? [No.] If so, what is the difference 
in their value ? (d) How many parts of well rotted 
stable manure are equal to one part of unleached 
ashes, the ashes to be made from hard wood ? [Don’t 
know.] An answer to one or all of the above queries 
would be gratefully received by 
Salem, N. Y. A Subscriber. 
(a) We have no doubt they can be profitably 
applied at this cost in the location of our correspond¬ 
ent. Where produce is cheap and the land fertile, it 
would not be profitable to pay near as much per 
bushel. The profit or loss of such applications, 
however, can only be told after making a series of 
experiments with ashes by the person purchasing 
them. 
(b) A good effect doubtless, though we think that 
ground bones would answer better, for we are of opi¬ 
nion that the soil is somewhat exhausted of its 
phosphates, and the bones restore these to it more 
abundantly than the ashes. But we would advise 
an experiment, side by side, with bones and ashes, 
premising to our correspondent that he must not 
judge too hastily, because the bones do not act as 
quick as the ashes. Their good effect will be more 
apparent on pasture land the second year than the 
first; whereas with ashes it is the reverse. 
(c) Apply 20 to 100 bushels per acre. After the 
grain is sowed and harrowed in, sow the ashes broad¬ 
cast on the land. 
( d) We recollect reading some experiments which 
were made to test the difference in value between 
leached and unleached ashes, but cannot tell now 
where to turn to them. If potash is wanted in the 
land, of course the unleached ashes would be much 
the most valuable. Will some of our friends answer 
“ A Subscriber •’ on this point, especially if they 
themselves have made experiments between leached 
and unleached ashes ? 
BAKER’S PATENT FARM GATE. 
f 
The above is a cut ol a self-balancing farm gate 
invented by Mr. Anson Baker, of Western, N. Y., 
and is represented in the sketch as partly open. It 
has been in use some time in Western and the neigh¬ 
boring towns, and is much liked. It runs on rollers 
inserted in the posts, under the upper slat. It is 
opened by pushing it to the right and left. It may 
be made of wood or iron, and costs little more than a 
pannel of fence. When shut it has the appearance 
of one of the pannels. It is particularly convenient 
in winter, those using it not being obliged to clear 
away the snow in order to open and shut it, nor can 
it be swayed to and fro by the winds. 
Self Shutting Gate—Fig. 79. 
This is an admirable gate where small ones are 
wanted; it also runs on rollers, The slats being 
placed obliquely, the moment the hand lets go of the 
gate when opened, it instantly slides back and shuts. 
Models of the above gates can be seen at our 
office, and we are authorized by Mr. Baker to sell 
the patent right for the same, from $3 to $5 per farm, 
according to its size. Any person slightly acquainted 
with the use of tools may make these gates 
CANE-BRAKE LANDS. 
To open a plantation in the cane, and make a good 
crop of cotton and a full crop of corn, the first year, 
the hands should reach by the 15th of December, the 
proper quantity of cane be cut by the 15th of Febru¬ 
ary, and a good burn be had by the first of April. 
The earlier the cane is cut, the sooner and better it 
can be burnt; and as ten to twelve acres of cotton 
to the hand will be ample, the cane cut for cotton, if 
season and circumstances favor, can be burnt the first 
suitable spell of warm dry weather that occurs in 
March, and that intended for corn can be burnt later 
To make certain of a good burn, the leaves on the 
ground and the ground should be examined, as both 
should be dry as well as the cane ; and fire should be 
set to the windward side 111 to 4 o’clock, at dis¬ 
tances of 10 to 15 feet, as quickly as possible. In 
the course of a few days, say two or three, the plant¬ 
ing should commence. As the same method of plant¬ 
ing serves both for cotton and corn, I will state the 
one I have pursued, after observing that the rapid, 
neat, judicious, and successful cultivation of the first 
and second years with the hoe, can be assured only 
by having the rows straight, the hills equi-distant, 
and every foot of the ground, jam up to trees and 
logs* planted and cultivated. 
After squaring the field with stakes, as done for 
the plow, let one hand out of every eight or ten, a 
smart, active man, go ahead of the hands that open, 
and lay off with his weeding hoe guide lines for the 
latter. By keeping his eye steadily on the stakes, 
they keep him in line, and but little practice will be 
render him perfect in laying off. The marks are 
