POLLED CATTLE. 
125 
ishing effects: it seemed to require something in 
addition to its own merits to make it sell. You 
may suppose, and it is the case, that, under the cir¬ 
cumstances, I was not over particular in using it. 
On the 1st of April I mixed a quantity with damp 
coal ashes, which immediately caused such an 
escape of gas as my eyes and nose never before met 
with from manure (a). This began to give me a 
better opinion of my guano, and although I was 
well aware some of the best of it was fast depart¬ 
ing, I felt glad of it, for it was some satisfaction to 
know from experience that it w T as formed of such 
material. I immediately spread some of the mix¬ 
ture over a piece of winter wheat, on the poorest 
gravelly hill in the field, at the rate of 180 pounds 
of guano to the acre. I thought if it would show 
itself there, it would anywhere. For grass it was 
used in the same way. For corn, mixed the same, 
and put in the hills, at the rate of 300 lbs. guano 
per acre. 
As the experiments were not commenced with a 
view to test its value minutely, none of the crops 
were measured; but from a careful examination at 
harvest, I think the wheat was increased one-half , 
and the straw lengthened some six dr eight inches, 
over that adjoining on the same kind of soil. The 
heads were well filled, indicating heavy weight of 
grain; whilst their neighbors stood erect as if wait¬ 
ing for a further supply. The increased growth of 
the grass was very perceptible in ten days after the 
application, and the crop of hay increased at least 
one-third. 
The corn, although not more than two-thirds of 
it came up, was better than any adjoining, treated 
with same value of poudrette, ashes, and sugar- 
house dirt, all of which, from previous experience, 
I hold in high estimation. On some rows near I 
tried some urine, which has surpassed either of the 
others; but as I did not know its cost, could not as¬ 
certain its comparative value. I obtained enough 
for an acre in return for a little work and an outlay 
of 50 cents; and plenty of it may be had on most 
farms at the same rate. 
I do not anticipate lasting effects from these 
applications of guano, from its not being properly 
mixed before sowing, and then used as a top-dress¬ 
ing (except on corn) on a loose soil, with everything 
to facilitate the speedy evaporation of its soluble 
parts, and little to prevent it; it would be singular 
if it proved beneficial for a longer time. I gave half 
a handful to some hills of corn when they were 
about 18 inches high, but saw no effect. 
To sum all up, I have no doubt of its importance 
as a manure, more valuable than any in general 
use, requiring only a few judicious applications to 
bring it into the good graces of even old-fashioned 
farmers We look to you as head master for direc¬ 
tions ( b ). Issue the order, we will obey, only don’t 
talk about too small quantities, we are not accus¬ 
tomed to that in this land of moss bankers and 
muscles. D. K. Y. 
Syopeth (late Oyster Bay), Long Island. 
la) By reference to our March number, page 76, 
line 22, and on, our correspondent will see that by 
mixing ashes or lime with guano, it rapidly expels 
the ammonia, the most valuable part of it. It was 
this which so affected his “ eyes and nose” as he 
speaks of above. 
(6) Our correspondent had not our last number 
when he wrote the above article. In that he will 
find the requisite directions. 
polled" cattle. 
I must ask the favor of you, to look out at your 
leisure, for the polled dairy cattle for me. It is not 
desirable that they be large. My own observation 
satisfies me that large breeds usually are not as rich 
and copious milkers in proportion to size, as small 
breeds. An inquiry in your paper might lead to 
the discovery of the desired stock. Color is also 
unimportant, though red or roan is preferred. 
Whether foreign, grade, or native, is immaterial. 
The only requisites are to be polled , with high dairy 
qualifications, and good form and constitution. 
We have a good many polled cattle in this region, 
usually small, some of which are called here good 
milkers. I have three of them, which, if fat, would 
weigh only about 450 nett—that is, 112! per quar¬ 
ter. In the height of the milking season, upon clover 
pasture, they will yield each 16 to 20 quarts daily. 
Is this good milking in proportion to size? [Yes; 
very good indeed. Ed.] How does it compare with 
your best dairy stock at the North, not forgetting 
their small size ? [The comparison is highly favor¬ 
able to the South; we have few such good animals 
at the North, we regret to say.] From such ma¬ 
terial as these three cows, can I reasonably hope 
to breed a tribe of polled cattle valuable for dairy 
purposes ? [Yes; if put to a bull bred from a good 
milking strain.] Your answers fully, and in detail, 
to these interrogatories, will materially oblige me. 
It is very important, as you know, to start in 
breeding with the right sort of stock. G. W. J. 
Milton, N.C., Feb., 1846. 
Can any of our readers inform us where w*e can 
procure polled cows, which are not only themselves 
good milkers, but have been bred from milking 
ancestors ? We w r ould also like a bull or two at a 
moderate price. We were always greatly in favor 
of polled cattle, as the horn is of very little use. It 
consumes considerable food to make it grow, and 
keep up its waste. Besides, horned cattle are dan¬ 
gerous to themselves and to men. They cannot be 
packed in yarding, in stable, or in transportation, as 
close as the polled cattle, nor are they so easily 
handled in any position. Why, then, should we 
cultivate the horn ? Some contend that a horned 
animal is the handsomest. Why, we know not. 
To our taste utility is beauty in growing the domestic 
animals. If we were keeping sheep, we would soon 
have a flock of Saxons and Merinos wuthout horns. 
But to cattle again. How long and how often 
must we ask the farmers of this country to pay 
more attention to the dairy qualities of their cows ? 
How few, in breeding, ever regard this point, or 
indeed any point at all / Pray do awake to your 
interests, and take some pains in this matter. When 
asked to purchase good milking cows (which we 
frequently are), we scarcely know where to look 
for them, except among the high-priced Durhams. 
This is disgraceful to the country, and shows an 
apathy in breeding good milkers, among the great 
body of our farmers, which is really astonishing. 
