THE CULTIVATOR. 
109 
move. The present is emphatically an era of improve¬ 
ment ; hut to the ignorant man all the advantage to be 
derived from this improvement is lost. Improved modes 
of culture may render land doubly productive; labor 
saving machinery lighten the fatigues of labor ; change 
of circumstances unfold new sources of profit ; all be 
delineated with fidelity, and spread before the public 
by the winged "messengers of the press; but to him it 
is a sealed booh. "* He has imbibed a prejudice against 
“ book farming,” and. nothing short of a miracle will 
turn aside his steps from the beaten path of his fathers ; 
nothing make him believe that those “ gentlemen farm¬ 
ers,” who sometimes hold a pen as well as a plough, 
can instruct him who*has worked at farming all his life¬ 
time. 
Nor are the moral and religious tendencies of agri¬ 
cultural pursuits, in connexion with a good degree of 
knowledge, to be overlooked. In no branch of science, 
in no employment of art, are there more numerous or 
interesting circumstances to call forth the sympathies of 
the soul, to purify and exalt the best feelings of the 
heart, to direct attention to the objects of nature, and 
through them to nature’s God, than are to be found in 
agriculture. To him, who in every opening flower, 
and ripened fruit, in every sighing breeze and singing 
bird, and purling rill, can behold and recognize a boun¬ 
tiful Father, sources of enjoyment are continually mul¬ 
tiplying. 
He who can behold the fertile earth m spring beauti- 
fyed with flowers, and carpeted with springing grass; 
the lavish abundance of autumn, its delicious fruits and 
golden grain, and feel his breast expanded by no joyful 
emotions, his heart quickened by no sentiments of gra¬ 
titude to the great Author of all_these blessings, is sure¬ 
ly neither to be envied nor admired. If “the undevout 
astronomer is mad,” the undevout agriculturist is dou¬ 
bly so. S- 
Dublin, (N. II.) Dine, 1838. 
To increase the Wheat Crop. 
It is not the writer’s intention to dictate, nor can he 
claim to have imitated the Emperor of China in even 
annually giving demonstrations of his veneration for 
the plough, by entering the field to follow and hold with 
his own hand that honored and useful implement of ag¬ 
riculture; still he considers his observations for fen 
years past over the wheat growing district of Jefferson 
county worthy a passing notice. Winter wheat maybe 
considered the staple grain crop of the middle, western, 
part of the eastern and southern states; in northern la¬ 
titudes, it has to encounter many enemies. No doubt 
the one most formidable, is the prevailing winter or 
spring night frosts, and thawey drying days, the ground 
being"left in a flat state or in lands too wide and with¬ 
out sufficient cross furrows to carry off the surplus 
moisture; large fields are thus drawn by the frost and 
wilted by the sun. It has been observed, and I assert 
the rule to hold good, thatwheat ploughed in from 20th 
Aug. to 10th Sept, in narrow lands, shallow furrows 
and"well cross drained, to a great extent escapes the 
injury of the heaving frosts of winter and spring; the 
ground preserving a more uniform moisture sufficient 
to facilitate a proper growth, and in clay soils does not 
become baked. Good crops is the consequence. I 
would recommend ploughing in wheat in lands of six 
furrows wide, (about six feet,) leaving the furrows be¬ 
tween the lands open, making cross furrows in all low 
parts of the field, that it may be properly drained. 
Some object, as it leaves the ground rough for gather¬ 
ing the wheat, and subsequently the grass, if it is seed¬ 
ed down; but I would not seed down upon winter wheat 
when the frost so materially affects it. Seed with spring 
crops.* 
Many farmers do all the hard work of raising a good 
crop, the operation of putting in the seed is done slo¬ 
venly, as all work is done in a hurry and without care. 
Some skill is requisite to plough in wheat in the man¬ 
ner here suggested. The furrows should be straight, 
so that the last one will be of even width and have no 
balk. It is much to be regretted, that many, priding 
themselves upon their spacious acres and chance fine 
crops, do not possess the knowledge of ploughing well, 
or at least omit to practice it with skill. How beauti¬ 
ful to the observing traveller appears a field of wheat 
newly sowed, upon ground in all respects properly pre¬ 
pared and ploughed in, as here suggested; how agreea¬ 
ble to the farmer to hear, borne upon the wind, the tra¬ 
veller’s remark, “'This man is a farmer, his work is 
done neat.” Such an one is “ a farmer.” He needs not 
sow a second time but gathers a crop, not in patches 
but a full one, 25 to 40 bushels per acre. This notion 
some have of leaving wheat land fiat to make better 
harvestingoftliatand subsequent grass crops,evidently 
has reduced the wheat crop millions of bushels annually. 
* The winter killing of wheat is to be principally ascribed 
to the expansive power of frost upon a wet soil ; and the evil 
is annually increasing, by the diminution of the vegetable 
matter in nevt r settled districts, by bard cropping. Tins dimi¬ 
nution causes the soil, especially where clay predominates, 
to become more compact, and consequently more liable to 
be affected by frost. The remedy suggested is a good one ; 
and yet if furrow draining was introduced, the ridges might be 
laid 13 or 20 feet broad, and thus the objection to six feet or 
narrow ridges obviated. The land would thus be always 
comparatively dry, and in condition to work early, and the 
crops would be certain, and upon an average one third more, 
on a field of stiff clay, than they are now. An increas¬ 
ed product of ten bushels an acre, would remunerate 
for the outlay in two or three years. We know that under 
draining almost effects miracles.— Conductor. 
TO BEAUTIFY THE COUNTRY. 
Since the settlement of the American continent the 
primitive forests have been removed from vast portions 
of its fertile and diversified surface. By a few, primi¬ 
tive trees have by chance or accident been suffered to re¬ 
main near intended dwellings and by the way side; 
many have planted their tree in early youth, and in 
age reclined beneath its grateful shade. Such are now 
more dear to descendants, recollecting their enjoyments 
in this respect were provided for by time honored ances¬ 
tors. 
The “ ne w beginner” in a wilderness country seeks to 
remove the impediments to cultivation. In most cases not 
a tree is suffered to grace the yard of his isolated log ca¬ 
bin; his fields are rendered alike barren as to natural or¬ 
nament. Now it is quite as easy in clearing new lands to 
leave a few trees of moderate size and in suitable pla¬ 
ces upon the road side, about building grounds, and clus¬ 
ters where division fences are intended. Thus we may 
have beauty without cost, and that too at least twenty 
years in advance of planted trees. It may be proper 
here to remark, that such trees being natives, will uni¬ 
formly live if left uninjured, which is less certain with 
planted trees; in this way you may have a variety, and 
every tree standing upon soil the best adapted to its 
growth. But reader, if you have a farm without trees 
to leave, by all means plant and raise them. Natives of 
the farm look well; scarce any are better. 
In suggesting this mode of raising good crops of wheat 
and of beautifying the country, I am aware neither is 
new with many tasty farmers; but the fault or neglect, 
if it may be so termed, prevails to a great extent in both 
respects. 
Let him who prepares his ground well, sow clean 
seed in season, and plough it in as by the writer sug¬ 
gested; or him who is by these suggestions incited to 
save from the devouring axe a few trees for his shade, 
place the good or evil consequences to the account of 
OLIVER CHILD. 
Carthage, N. Y. July 6, 1838. 
P. S. As the Cultivator is not read by but few of the 
active farmers, comparatively speaking, I have to re¬ 
quest that the good suggestions every number is made 
to contain, may be treated as Indian history, handed 
from one to another in conversation, and from lather 
to son transmitted to posterity. Country papers dry of 
news, would greatly improve the value of their sheets, 
by more frequently copying essays upon agriculture. 
Remarkable abstinence in a Calf. 
Washington, D. C. July 13, 1838. 
Jesse Buel, Esq.—Sir—A fact, singular to me, came 
to my knowledge a day or two since, which I cannot 
forbear communicating for the benefit of such of your 
readers as may be curious on such a subject. 
A gentleman sent liis cow. among his other cattle, in¬ 
to my brother’s pasture, a few miles from this city, to 
feed. After a few days, thinking the cow near the sea¬ 
son of parturition, he had her driven up into his barn¬ 
yard. She remained in the yard with other cattle near¬ 
ly ten days, when, no signs of “ labor” appearing, the 
owner began to wonder at the cause. It finally struck him 
that the cow must have calved vffiile in the pasture. 
He therefore, after the laps of eleven days, sent the cow 
back to the pasture, and his u r onder ceased on perceiv¬ 
ing the cow hastening to a little copse, where, much to 
the gentleman’s surprise, he found the calf alive, but in 
a most miserable emaciated state. The mother revived 
her offspring, with the help of the owner, after a little 
time, and strange to say, the little creature is doing ap¬ 
parently as well, as if he had been ushered into the 
world under different circumstances and attended with 
ordinary care. 
The cow was fat, and we may hence infer that the 
calf, when first born, was in good condition. It is pro¬ 
bable it never suckled until after the lapse of the eleven 
days. 
I have no time for comment. 
In haste, very respectfully, your ob’t servt. 
THO. ALLEN. 
✓ The Strawberry. 
New-Haven, Conn. July 4, 1838. 
Hon. J. Buel —Dear Sir—I am glad to see that you 
propose giving, in your next number, some directions 
for the culture of the strawberry. Before preparing 
your article, I take the liberty to suggest for your in¬ 
quiry, -whether it is necessary to intermix the two sex¬ 
es.* If it is not, great trouble, expense and eventual 
disappointment will be spared to the cultivator, by plant¬ 
ing females only. I have cultivated what is here called 
the Chili strawberry, which has no stamens in its blos¬ 
soms, for nineteen years, wholly by itself, without any 
mixture of males; and have never failed to have fine 
fruit. For five years, I have cultivated, also unmixed, 
the Methven and a seedling strawberry, both with fe¬ 
male blossoms only, with entire success. It is true, I 
have had, at the same time, in my garden, a few plants 
of another strawberry, whose flower is of both sexes, 
but at a distance from the rest, and so few in propor¬ 
tion to the others, (say one square rod in eighty,) that 
I can hardly suppose them to have had any fructifying 
influence. 
From these facts, I have been led to doubt the neces¬ 
sity of mingling the different sexes. That would doubt¬ 
less be indispensable to the perfection of the seed, hut 
"We possess no evidence that this is necessary except with 
one variety of the hautboy—but we think the rule will apply 
to some other varieties of this fruit. 
please consider whether it is to the perfection of the 
fruit. 
We have analagous examples of perfect fruit from 
female plants alone, in the fig, and if I am not mista¬ 
ken, in the mulberry, at least the black mulberry. 
I make these suggestions with no small diffidence ; for 
I know the universal opinion of nurserymen and garden¬ 
ers is against me. But if I am right, the cultivation oi 
strawberries may he greatly simplified, and success will 
be certain to the careless as well as the vigilant—an im¬ 
portant consideration, especially to the farmer who has 
other cares enough upon his hands. 
Yours, &c. NOYES DARLING. 
P. S. My practice has been invariably to plant out my 
strawberries in the spring. I lose none by dry weath¬ 
er; the perennial weeds and grasses are easily extirpa¬ 
ted by the hoe the summer following; and the next year 
brings the beds into full bearing. 
National Agricultural Association. 
Lake C. H. Ia. June 19, 1838. 
J. Buel, Esq.—Dear Sir— I cannot but feel a proper 
degree of pride to perceive what universal approbation, 
my proposition for an “ American Society of Agricul¬ 
ture” meets with. Not pride for myself, because I hap¬ 
pened to be the first to make the proposition ; but pride 
for my country, to perceive that there is so much of the 
true spirit yet alive in the land. I have received seve¬ 
ral letters and papers containing notices of the proposi¬ 
tion, which indicate to my mind, that “ something can 
be done.” Organization is all that is lacking. That 
“must he clone,” and then the last affirmative in the 
proposition is sure to follow. For if all the friends to 
agricultural improvement are once united, “ something 
will be done, to elevate the character and standing of 
the cultivators of the American soil.” There is a charm 
in the very name of “ The American Society of Agri¬ 
culture,” which is sufficient to enlist thousands. Some¬ 
thing so ennobling in the thought of being known to he 
one of the members of such a union of all the most emi¬ 
nent agriculturists in the whole country, moved and ac¬ 
tuated by one impulse, and mutually interchanging their 
views, experiments, improvements, and newly acquired 
information. 
What an immense influence would this have upon the 
whole country. Look at the influence upon mechanics 
of the American Institute. Greater still would he the 
influence of such a union of agriculturists. Look at the 
influence of agricultural schools and pattern farms. 
This would, be one great agricultural school upon a 
thousand pattern farms, the annual exhibitions from 
which would do wonders towards inciting others to go 
and do likewise. 
We cannot lock to legislative action, for that encou¬ 
ragement and protection which the agricultural interest 
is entitled to, until the tone of public feeling is further 
awakened to the importance of the subject, by the im¬ 
mediate action of the cultivators themselves, and until 
the subject can be made popular, and then it will lack 
no assistance. 
Can any plan he devised that will have a greater ten¬ 
dency to create that popularity than the formation of 
the “American Society of Agriculture?” II'so, let it 
be done. I enrol myself one of its friends and sup¬ 
porters. But the time is fully come that “ something 
can be done,” and I shall lay my grey hairs sorrowing 
in the grave, if the whole country does not respond, 
“ something must, something shall be done.” and done 
quickly, to promote the great, and good object in view. 
' Yc-urs, &c. " SOLON ROBINSON. 
On Curing Cioyer Hay in Cock—Heaves in Horses. 
Queens County, July 4, 183S. 
Sir —There is one objection to your plan for curing 
clover hay in grass cocks, which lias always struck me 
as insurmountable, viz: that it must be so long out o’ 
doors. In the Cultivator for this month you say, “ leave 
them (i. e. the grass cocks,) undisturbed at least 48 
hours.” If we could be certain of good weather, this 
would do well; but suppose that before the 48 hours are 
expired, we get a heavy shower of rain, what then? 
Why the grass after a pretty good drenching, is to be 
thoroughly cooked in the sun, during which process, its 
fragrance will most assuredly take wing, to return no 
more ; and next a considerable portion of the leaves will 
crumble off’, before it reaches the mow. My plan has 
long been to rake and cock in the afternoon what was 
cut early enough in the same dayAo have taken a nice 
wilt—next morning as soon as the dew is gone,, these 
cocks are turned over, and if necessary opened a little. 
In two hours they will do to cart. Hay made in this 
manner, saves perfectly, and is of the very best quality 
and appearance. If there happens to be a brisk drying 
wind through the night, the cocks will sometimes do 
well to cart without opening. I may be mistaken, hut 
I cannot help believing that this process is, on the whole, 
preferable to the one which you recommend. I know 
it is not very grateful to have our cherished and pro¬ 
claimed opinions, successfully assailed ; but I have mis¬ 
taken your character, it lair and manly discussion, is 
not invited by the Cultivator. We will change our sub¬ 
ject. Do you know of any effectual remedy for heaves 
in horses ? If not, perhaps you may consider what fol¬ 
lows worth noticing. I have a valuable horse—one of 
a pair—which threatened more than a year ago, to be¬ 
come utterly useless in consequence of this complaint. 
At the expiration of the last grass season, I was in¬ 
duced to try top-stalks instead of hay, and the result has 
been that the animal is entirely relieved, nor have I the 
