THE 
Agriculture is the most healthful, the most useful, and the most 
noble employment of Man.— Washington. 
VOL. II. NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER, 1S43. NO. VI. 
A. B. Allen, Editor. 
RYE FOR SOILING. 
Crops for soiling during the early spring months, 
before grass is advanced; in the drought of sum¬ 
mer, when it has become parched up; and late 
again in autumn, after it is injured by frosts, are 
beginning to be thought of as of more consequence 
than formerly, and considerable attention is at 
length directed to their cultivation. For green 
food in the spring, we know of nothing that comes 
forward so early as rye, and till it begins to head, 
there are few grasses more nutritious, especially 
for milch cows. It is important, therefore, that 
still greater attention should be paid to the culti¬ 
vation of this grain for pasture or soiling. From 
the 1st to the 15th of this month is the best time 
to sow rye in the latitude of 40° and farther 
north, and we trust that every farmer will prepare 
at least a few acres for the early feeding of his 
stock. As soon as the mild weather of spring 
opens, cattle are sure to hanker for green food, and 
this is the time if it be withheld from them, that 
they seem to suffer most for the want of it, and 
thrive the least. A dry gravelly soil suits it best; 
but it also flourishes in thin sandy soils, and on stiff 
clay, when these lands are in good heart. For 
soiling, an extra quantity of seed should he sown, 
so as to ensure its coming up thick and covering 
Saxton & Miles, Publishers, 205 Broadway. 
the ground well. One and a half to two bushels 
per acre is better than less; and on stiff clay soils, 
where all the seed is not so likely to take, three 
bushels is still better. But above all, get it in 
early, so that it may have a good growth before 
winter approaches; it will then start much quicker 
in the spring, and make a thicker and more rapid 
growth. 
VENERABLE PEAR-TREE. 
On the corner of the Third avenue and 13th 
street, in this city, stands a pear-tree, planted 
about two centuries since by the celebrated Gov. 
StuyvesanL The trunk and branches are in good 
preservation; the latter reaching as high as the 
eaves of the three-story buildings before which it 
stands. It has borne a considerable quantity of 
fruit this year, which is of a good quality. We 
remember having heard of older fruit trees than 
this existing in Massachusetts and Connecticut, 
but have forgotten their locality. Will any of 
our correspondents give us information on this 
head ? We have a great fancy for old trees, for 
they are about our only antiquities; and many is 
the mile we have trudged for the express purpose 
of looking at them, and taking their admeasure¬ 
ments. They would make, with the circumstan 
