110 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
least expectation, that the disease will recur to any ex¬ 
tent, so long as this diet is adhered to. Permit me to 
add, that I have for years, been in the practice of giving 
my horses each an ounce of fine salt every other day : 
and that I have good reason for believing that their 
health is greatly promoted by it. In reference to stalk- 
fodder for horses, I should like to inquire, through your 
paper,_ of southern gentlemen, whether in that part 
of their country where hay is not made, they ever have 
heaves amongst their horses. If they do not, I shall 
consider my experiment conclusive. 
Very respectfully yours, A SUBSCRIBER. 
Jesse Beel, Esq. 
P. S. Our crops of hay will he rather light. Oats 
were checked in mid career, by a sharp little drought 
which we had last month ; and from present appearan- 
ces.will be nothing to brag of. Wheat has looked pro¬ 
digiously fine, but we are now a little apprehensive of 
rust. Corn, what the worms have left, is very promis¬ 
ing. In sandy soils, these worms made great havoc, 
while in loam, little harm was done. The difference 
here named, is obvious; even in the same field, some 
of our corn has been planted over three or four times; 
the last time we used the Dutton, hoping it may mature 
notwithstanding the advanced state of the season. 
Remarks —The objection of our correspondent is more plau¬ 
sible than substantial. 'J'he object of curing clover in grass 
cocks, is to preserve its intrinsic good properties; and although 
the exterior of the cocks may become blanched by a long ex¬ 
posure, the interior will not sutler deterioration, if they are 
properly constructed, by a week’s exposure, but will be bright 
and fine. And it makes but little difference on the score’of 
economy whether the hay is housed the second or fifth day 
after cutting. 
We have this year varied our practice somewhat, and we 
think to our advantage. The grass cut in the forenoon, has 
been turned in swath directly after dinner, and put into grass 
cocks the same day. If rain has threatened, the cocks have 
been opened the second day, and the hay finished ; but we 
prefer to leave them to the third day. when a slight opening, 
to evaporate the external moisture, suffices. The grass mown 
in the afternoon is turned the same day in swath, or if not 
wilted enough, in the forenoon of the second day, and in the 
afternoon put into cocks. We deem itimportant, 1st, that clo¬ 
ver should stand in cocks some time in order to equalize the 
moisture—to sweat—that is, that the moisture contained in the 
thick stems may have time to disseminate itself upon the sur¬ 
face, and into the thin ieavesand blossoms. Ifasliglnfermenta- 
tion takes place in 'he cocks, so much the belter ; as the hay, 
in that case is not likely to undergo a second fermentation in 
the barn. Secondly, that the curing process should be car¬ 
ried on as much as possible without the aid of the direct rays 
of the sun, which certainly impair its nutritive properties. 
Expose a lock of clover two days to the direct influence of the 
sun's rays, and it becomes blanched and valueless, and cat¬ 
tle will reject it.— Concl. Cull. 
Draining—Prairie Barrens of Ohio. 
Chillicothe, Ohio, June 12, 1S38. 
J. Beel, Esquire—I am much pleased that you have 
so thoroughly taken hold of the subject of draining 
lands. It is a subject which has been but little thought 
of in this section of the union, though one in which 
we are so deeply interested; and I am confident that 
some of our lands, heretofore but little thought of, will 
by this operation be found among the best in the coun¬ 
try. We have done but little in top draining; and un¬ 
der draining, to my knowledge, has not been introduced. 
On many of our lands in the Sciota valley, I presume 
it would answer a good purpose; hut the scarcity of 
stone seems to he a difficulty in the way of its introduc¬ 
tion, pottery would be too expensive, and wood, though 
sometimes used in Europe, I fear would be of too 
short continuance, as it rots sooner than in Europe or 
in the United States east of the Allegany Mountains. 
We must, therefore, I presume, be principally confin¬ 
ed to top ditches. By the application of this, I am con¬ 
fident, that some of our lands, .heretofore hut lowly va¬ 
lued, will be found in reality, to be among our most va¬ 
luable. The greatest quantity of our land in this sec¬ 
tion of the state, which needs the drain, is high and ve¬ 
ry level; a great portion of it bordering on the heads of 
the streams, and in many places, with the naked eye, 
you could scarcely decide, which way the water runs. 
The channels are in many places to a considerable 
distance closed. In all these places Ihere is sufficient 
declivity, as soon as a channel is opened, to carry off 
the water. I have had a little experience of the effect 
of slight top draining upon_a stock farm, which I have, 
called Wahoo Glade, about 24 miles west of Columbus, 
in what is called in this country the “Barrens.” It 
consists of prairie and very open barrens. The prai¬ 
rie is a deep black soil, founded upon a hard pan or 
stratum of dark yellow clay and limestone gravel; and 
the barrens a dark yellow clay soil. When I commenc¬ 
ed the farm, my principal object being grass or grazing, 
I went to work to put the prairies into tame grass, with¬ 
out breaking the sod. The large glades were then con¬ 
sidered so wet that corn or grain could never be raised 
upon them. This I find a great mistake, and one which 
has cost me money, and the sacrifice of much time in 
the improvement of my farm. Experience has taught 
me, that those .glades by proper draining are capable of 
making some of the best and most durable tillage ianda 
in the country; and that the plough is the best instru¬ 
ment for subduing the prairies and barrens, and for put¬ 
ting them into tame grass. I manage it in this way; 
I run a large ditch through the glade, near the natural 
direction which the water takes in passing off. Then, 
before breaking the sod, I turn about three furrows 
down each swell to the main ditch, and throw them out 
about 18 inches deep, so as to make a flaring passage 
or ditch to the main ditch. I then commence breaking 
up the sod, extending my lands across those swale pas¬ 
sages, and making them only from one to two rods 
wide, and cut about nine inches deep. This throws 
the face of the land into ridges, and gives drains to con¬ 
duct the water into the swale passages, and thence into 
the big ditch. The next year observe the same order 
of ploughing, and keeping open the swale passages, and 
so on until laid down to grass. After it is laid down to 
grass, the swale passages sward over, and there is no 
loss of the use of any of the land. After thus prepar¬ 
ing, and throwing the surface of the land into the afore¬ 
said shape, I can raise upon it a good crop of corn, 
wheat, &c. After laying it down, it swards over thick¬ 
ly, and the grass seems to be of a more substantial qua¬ 
lity than the tame grass produced upon the land before 
draining and ploughing. 
I have suggested to several gentlemen of mechanical 
genius the great utility of a machine for digging ditch¬ 
es,* but have never seen any invention. 
Very respectfully, &c. 
NATH. SAWYIER. 
Singular Effects of Gypsum. 
J. Beel, Esq.—Sir—No doubt your are pleased to 
hear any remarks that will benefit the agricultural com¬ 
munity. I therefore remark, that on Saturday the 16th 
of this month, we commenced applying gypsum to our 
corn; we commenced late in the afternoon, and only 
plastered about one-third of the field, which contains 
about4£ acres. The ground was dry when we applied 
the gypsum. On Sunday, we had a very heavy show¬ 
er. On Monday we plastered the remainder ofthe field. 
There was a drain that led from the highway into 
the field, which conducted the water into it. A few 
perches of the land were in puddles; hut when the last 
plaster was applied, the water had subsided, but yet 
the ground was soft where the water had stood; in those 
spots we soon after discovered that the corn was evi¬ 
dently perished! and all over that part of the field last 
plastered turned yellow, ceased to grow, and now looks 
miserable. That part first plastered Looks black, thrif¬ 
ty, and is twice the length of the latter! It is to me a 
full evidence, that gypsum applied to wet, or moist land 
is a damage in lieu of a benefit; and never ought to be 
applied to corn after a rain, until the ground gets dry 
and warm. It is proper to observe, that the two parts 
of the field are about as equal as to moistness as you will 
find generally on high, hilly land; not any of it wet, hut 
dry land. The odd appearance of the corn commencing 
at a row, and continuing through the field, is so con¬ 
spicuous that people travelling by, will stop, wonder 
and inquire. No doubt it is generally understood by 
farmers, at least by those who have read the Cultiva¬ 
tor, that gypsum is a damage applied to wet, or moist 
land.f The circumstance of the application of it, evi¬ 
dently proves, that it never ought to be applied, even 
on the dryest land, even in time of a drought, when 
there has been a dew during the night, until the grass, 
if applied to mowing or pasture lands, or grain, until 
the dew be vyholly evaporated from the earth. I should 
say not till afternoon. I am convinced the usual prac¬ 
tice of applying it promiscuously, is the cause of farm¬ 
ers saying that it will not have the same effect every 
year. It is common to commence early in the morning, 
before the wind rises, and also to escape the heat of 
the sun, having no consideration to moist effect. Hence¬ 
forth I shall never apply it only when the ground is dry 
and warm. I am, sir, yours respectfully, 
JN. SEELYE. 
Sherman, Connecticut, June 25, 1838. 
The Times. 
Agricultural Brethren —Eor some time past, we 
have seen much written, and heard much said, about 
scarcity of money and hard times. Great complaints 
have been made by merchants, manufacturers and me¬ 
chanics, in every town and state, in this extensive coun¬ 
try ; and no doubt there has been much difficulty and 
cause for alarm. The currency has been, and is still, 
much deranged. In consequence of this, our money 
concerns have been brought into such a state, that con¬ 
fidence between man and man has been, in a measure, 
lost. On this account, a vast amount of money has 
been kept from circulation. On the eve of our late 
prosperity, many in their eagerness to become rich, 
took, as it were, a leap in the dark. They w T ere not 
apprehensive of a change of times, and undertook ma¬ 
ny things without counting the cost. In this way, 
thousands have been ensnared; and from their toils 
have not been able to extricate themselves. Though I 
deprecate this change, and pray not for a recurrence, 
yet, in many respects, I think it wiil eventually be for 
the good of the people. The change of times has 
brought folks to see on what they must depend for sub¬ 
sistence. I hope it will have a tendency to check wild 
speculation and headlong extravagance. These had be¬ 
come very prominent, and needed a powerful restraint. 
The times have tried men, as a severe drought tries our 
wells. When this happens, wells, without good bot¬ 
toms, fail. - So fail men in a great money pressure. 
These things are bad; but may they not be productive 
of much good in after life, and to future generations'? 
Will it not make them more cautious and provident? 
* A machine of this kind has been patented by a gentleman 
near Baltimore, and one has been sent by Mr. Ellsworth to 
the valley of the Wabash for trial.— Cult. 
f We have not supposed that gypsum is a damage to wet 
ground, but merely that it produced no benefit.— C. Cult. 
I very much rejoice, brethren, that I ain able to say, 
that no class of people have withstood the times so well 
as the farmers. “ The rain descended, and the floods 
came, and the winds blew, and beat upon their house; 
and it fell not; for it was founded upon a rock.” Yes, 
we have irrefragible evidence, that agriculture is the 
groundwork of living. In the many complaints made 
by the people, we cannot altogether exclude the farm¬ 
ers. We occasionally hear some exclaim, “ O tempo- 
ra! ” It is true, they have been somewhat affected by 
the currency, and the seasons of late have been rather 
unpropitious; yet, as a whole, the tillers of the soil 
have had great occasion for thanksgiving. Providence 
has frowned, hut she has also greatly smiled. Almost 
every thing that the husbandman has furnished for the 
market has commanded an enormous price. While la¬ 
bor and articles of merchandise have been falling, arti¬ 
cles of living have been rising. I very well know, that 
some of our brethren have met with embarrassments, 
but I believe it was not so much owing to the times, as 
other causes. But on thorough investigation, I find, that 
this trouble is brought about very much by conform¬ 
ing to a cruel and tyrannical fashion. Yes, it is a stub¬ 
born fact. Extravagant fashions are introduced, and 
folks, whether they be rich or poor, must follow them. 
Consulting ability is out of the question. As I was fol¬ 
lowing my plough, the other day, my meditations were 
disturbed by the cracking of a whip, and rattle of a 
chaise. Raising my eyes, I saw a yonng man passing 
in the road, in the greatest possible style. Who can 
that be, said I ? Has Crockett come among us ? Moving 
in such uncommon style, I had the curiosity to find him 
out. And, on inquiry, found him to be a man destitute 
of property and the materials that constitute a good 
character. By following the extravagant fashions of 
the day, he became embarrassed ; and embarrassment 
led on to bad habits. He expended much to decorate 
the body, but nothing to improve the mind and heart. 
Here he was unwise. On this rock thousands and tens 
of thousands split. To this thing, brother farmers, I 
wish to direct your attention. Is it not a lamentable 
fact, that we are too much under the dominion of this 
hydra, fashion ? Do not these wild extremes injure and 
even shipwreck a vast many ? We, as a body, can boast 
of a competence, but not of affluence. It is not in our 
power to do as some do, and, if it were, it would not be 
proper to do it. Persons of real merit appear much 
the best in a plain, neat and simple dress. “ Loveliness 
needs not the foreign aid of ornament; hut is, when un¬ 
adorned, adorned the most.” Simplicity of living is far 
preferable to epicurism. A snug, decent style of mov¬ 
ing is much more commendable than extravagance. 
Would it not, brethren, be well for us to retrench our ex¬ 
penses, in some particulars, and do m ore for the improve¬ 
ment of the mind and heart? While we are providing 
for ourselves and households, and improving our farms, 
let us not forget the cultivation of the mind. Let us not 
forget the minds of our children. Laboring people may 
be reading people. Laboring people may be intelligent 
people. In this land of free schools and exalted privi¬ 
leges, let no one say (of common intellect) that he can¬ 
not get a good education. For every thing there is a 
time and season. There is a time for manual labor; a 
time to eat and a time to sleep; so there is a time to 
improve the mind. Farmers may read much every day, 
and digest it when about thSir work. There can be no 
reasonable excuse offered, why* they should not pro¬ 
gress daily in useful knowledge. I contend that a man 
may accumulate property as fast, to read some, every 
day, as to be all the time plodding. Likewise, that a 
student may labor some with his hands, without detri¬ 
ment to his education. This alternation, experience, 
(the best of teachers) has proved to have the most sa¬ 
lutary eifect. It is absolutely necessary, that both body 
and mind be exercised, in order to be healthy. It is a 
pleasant consideration, that while the manual laborer is 
resting his xveariedlimbs, he maybe improving and en¬ 
riching the mind. That while the student lays aside 
his books, to relieve the mind, he may, by manual la¬ 
bor, be invigorating the body. Thus,, has a kind Pro¬ 
vidence ordered things for our happiness and interest. 
And it is astonishing, that people do not more regard 
her dictates. I have written some, respecting the ty¬ 
ranny o H fashion. I am very sensible, that people do 
not consider, what dupes it makes of them. How it 
picks their pockets , beggars their families, sterilizes 
their minds, and makes them perfect slaves. I hope 
the time will soon arrive, whence can say the times 
are changed, and we are changed with them. 
AN AGRICULTURIST. 
Westborough, Mass. June 1838. 
U iider^Dralning. 
Countsville, S. C. July 8th, 1838. 
Hon. Jesse Buel —Dear Sir— I again intrude with 
my queries. I have a wet lot of land in which, on a 
line of springs beneath the surface, I have cut a ditch 
which has not absorbed the water as I anticipated. 
My intention now is to underdrain it. As stones are 
net in any abundance about the place, and tile not to he 
procured, I wish your advice as to whether an under¬ 
drain, constructed of boards of good pitch pine, (which 
I can procure in abundance,) would serve to carry off 
the water, and render my land arable? These boards 
will last, perhaps, a century, when excluded from the 
air. How would it answer to lay two straight logs and 
cover the top with a board? As I have never seen an 
underdrain, on a farm, I would respectfully solicit your 
valued opinion on these matters. I shall be mindful ol 
