199 
white, wet up the clay and lay on again, which may be 
repeated till the sugar is as white as loaf, (the sample 
sent was clayed only once.) This will whiten about 
one-third of a tub, say two and a half feet deep, which 
may be taken off, and the rest clayed as before. 
I estimate the expense of raw sugar at live cents per 
pound, and of clayed at eight cents, in good seasons 
like the last, when from 300 trees we made 1500 lbs. 
raw sugar. 
If the premiums in the April number are offered by 
any society, please to present the sugar to them; if 
they are only the private offers of your deceased father, 
present it to his afflicted family, as a testimony of the 
high respect in which the name of Jesse Buel is held 
by myself, as well as the agricultural community. 
Respectfully yours, &c. 
HENRY MUSSEY. 
Durham Cattle. 
It has been conjectured by many, that the apparent 
high prices at which the “Improved Durham Short 
Horned” cattle have been held, could be maintained but 
for a few years. This has been the burthen of the song 
of those who were desirous of possessing them, but 
were unwilling to pay but a trifling sum over the price 
of the common cattle of the country. And if perchance, 
a farmer who has a little more enterprise and liberality 
than his neighbors, should venture to purchase a bull of 
an improved breed, at one or two hundred dollars even, 
he is pretty sure to incur the ridicule and sneers of his 
less enterprising neighbors, instead of encouraging him 
and benefitting themselves by the introduction of a su¬ 
perior breed of cattle. 
This feeling, I am happy to say, is losing ground, and 
the importance of improving our cattle is more apparent. 
Several Durham Bulls were purchased in this vicinity 
last spring, ranging from one'hundred to four hundred 
dollars each, and taken into Vermont, which I am inform¬ 
ed, cleared themselves the first season. This is as it 
should be. 
Now, I will venture to assert, that the owners of the 
heifer calves from either of these bulls, and a common 
cow, could not be prevailed upon to part with one short 
of from twenty-five to thirty dollars, when they would 
jump at five dollars for one of the common breed. 
Some have been patiently waiting, with an idea that 
the country would soon be filled with them, and the pri¬ 
ces would fall; but from some late sales made by auction 
in this country, as well asinEngland, it is feared they will 
have to wait some time longer, before they will be gra¬ 
tified with an opportunity. 
In a late (October) number of the “Farmers’ Maga¬ 
zine,” I observed the sales, in September last, of the 
stock of three noted breeders. The first was the stock 
of the Earl of Carlisle, at Castle Howard, near York. 
The attendance of gentlemen from all parts of the 
country was very numerous, and the sale excited much 
attention amongst breeders, graziers and others from 
the well know superior quality of the stock always 
raised at Castle Howard. 
The prices paid for cows and heifers, forty-seven in 
number, ranged from 20 to 320 guineas each, and ave¬ 
raging $310. There were twenty-four bulls and bull 
calves, which ranged from 16 to 120 guineas, averaging 
over $226 each. The whole proceeds of the sale were 
near $20,000. 
The second sale immediately after the above, was of 
Mr. Henry Edwards, of Market Weighton, and the sales 
effected, (above £50,) were for eight cows from 61 to 300 
guineas each: averaging over 110 guineas, and ten 
calves from 20 to 100 guineas, averaging over 39 gui¬ 
neas each. 
The third sale was the property of John Colling, Esq. 
of White House, near Gretna Bridge, and, says the wri¬ 
ter, “ a more splendid display of these beautiful animals 
has rarely been witnessed. The animals were of a su¬ 
perior order, both as regarded symmetry and condition, 
and the prices will fully prove their superiority.”— 
Twenty six cows, heifers and calves, ranged from £18 
to £200 averaging £71 each. Seven bull calves ranged 
from £13 to £82, averaging over £38 each. 
From the above sales, we are led to believe, that the 
“ Improved Durham Short Horned” cattle maintain pret¬ 
ty fair prices at the present time in England ; and in 
this country, this description of stock appears to be still 
on the rise. This is owing to the great demand for tho¬ 
rough-bred animals in all the Western States, and the 
present impossibility of supplying that demand by the 
natural increase, of the number of animals now in this 
country. 
At a late sale of Win. A. Warner, Esq. of Kentucky, 
his bull Frederick, was struck off at $1,625. Several 
of his cows sold at from $900 to $1,100. 
A sale of Durham Short Horned Cattle recently took 
place at Powelton, Pa. where eight cows, heifers and 
calves were sold at auction, averaging $458 each ; the 
highest price paid being $610, and the lowest was for a 
eaif only ten days old, at $200. 
I am also advised by a late number of the “Franklin 
Farmer,” that Mr. L. Sherley, of Louisville, Ky. lately 
sold at private sale, his imported Durham Bull “Veloci¬ 
pede,” at the high figure of $1,500, after taking premi¬ 
ums in plate the past fall, of the value of $105. 
The same gentleman also sold his imported roan calf, 
“Liverpool,” for $1,000. He was exhibited only at the 
Jefferson County Fair this fall, where he carried off the 
$20 premium, as the best yearling calf. 
It is now about thirty years since the Messrs. Col- 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
lings’ sale of Durham Short Horned Cattle took place 
in England, when the famous bull Comet, was sold 
under the auctioneer's hammer, for 1,000 guineas, and 
some of their cows sold from 300 to 410 guineas. 
That these extraordinary high prices will be main¬ 
tained, I will not contend ; but that they will command 
fair prices for some years to come, will be readily ad¬ 
mitted by those who are best acquainted with their me¬ 
rits. C. N. BEMENT. 
Three Hills Farm, December, 1839. 
Devonshire Cattle. 
Mr. Buel —Sir—It appears to be the general opinion 
among the northern farmers, that the Durham cattle 
are not adapted to the climate, that the pastures are not 
sweet or rich enough, and that the winters are too cold 
and severe. Why would it not be a good plan to buy 
some other breed that will keep on short pasture and 
stand our severe winters? 
The Devonshire cattle I think will suit those persons 
whose opinion is against the Durhams. I do not say 
that the Durhams will not do, for I think I have seen 
as fine cattle of that breed in some of the northern coun¬ 
ties as will be found: they were not entirely full blood¬ 
ed, but were bred up from the native stock, which is the 
only true way to get a good breed of cattle adapted to 
our climate. 
Our native cattle are hardy and can stand our cold 
and rigorous winters, and their produce from an im¬ 
proved bull, will, I think, do better than the pure bloods. 
The Devons are said to be a hardy race, are classed 
as middle horns, and celebrated for their beauty, activi¬ 
ty at work, and aptitude to fatten. They are of a ma¬ 
hogany colour, white horns, the nose and circle around 
the eye yellow. 
For working cattle they are allowed to be the most 
active, having a quick walk, and in a light cart or wagon 
will trot at the rate of four or five miles per hour.— 
This is not requisite, but it shows that they can use their 
limbs to good advantage. I have seen a yoke of them 
that drew a large load of grain nine miles, as quick as 
a span of horses would. 
The disposition of the Devons to fatten stands almost 
unrivalled, and in a given lime, with less food, they will 
acquire more flesh than most any other kinds. They 
are by no means a large sized cattle, the bulls are small¬ 
er than the ox, and the cows still smaller than the bull. 
The cows for milk are considered inferior to some 
other breeds, but the quantity they give is richer in pro¬ 
portion to that of other breeds, and I believe were they 
thoroughly tested, they would rival almost any other 
breed in quantity and quality. 
I have seen on the farm of C. N. Bement, at Albany, 
some fine specimens of this breed, also some half De¬ 
vons, and half Durhams which were really beautiful 
cattle. The half bloods resembled the Devons in color 
and form, except being broader across the hips than the 
pure Devons, thus making up that deficiency which has 
so long been an objection by the amateurs ol fine stock. 
Mr. Rotch, of Butternuts, has imported within a year 
a couple of fine heifers of this breed, and I think much 
credit is due him, as they were procured at great ex¬ 
pense to benefit the stock of this country. 
Some other gentlemen have fine specimens of this 
stock, and it is gratifying to look into their barn-yards, 
and see the improvement that has gradually crept in of 
late years. 
Public opinion has great weight with many people, 
and when a prejudice is once formed it is hard to over¬ 
come it. I am in hopes, however, that people will soon 
begin to think and act for themselves, and through the 
medium of agricultural papers let the world know what 
they have done, and by so benefitting one another, we 
may soon begin to look up and mend our old ways. 
PHELIM. 
December, 1839. 
Rohan Potatoes—China Tree Corn. 
Gusiavus, Trumbull co. O. Nov. 13, 1839. 
J. Buel, Esq.—Sir—When in New-York last spring, 
T purchased of Mr. G. Thorburn, a few Rohan Potatoes, 
and on the 29th of April planted two of them, weighing 
eleven and a half ounces. 
I cut them into 30 pieces, leaving but one eye in each 
piece, and planted them in 12 hills, 3 feet apart each 
way. On the 16th of October, I dug from those 12 hills 
175 potatoes, measuring two bushels, heaped measure, 
and weighing 118£ pounds. 
I cannot say that any extraordinary means were used 
either in planting or hoeing. I put manure in the hill 
before planting, and hoed them three times, and I be¬ 
lieve had the season not been unusually dry, the pro¬ 
duct would have been greater. As it is, if you think 
the notice of it worth a corner in the Cultivator, you 
are at liberty to give it. 
I planted an ear of the China Tiee Corn on the 15th 
of May, but it did not get ripe. I am not, however, en¬ 
tirely discouraged, as the Dutton Corn planted at the 
same time, in the same neighborhood, was also injured 
by the same early frost. The superior appearance, ex¬ 
traordinary growth, and great number of ears to the 
stalk and hill, induces me to think of giving it another 
trial. 
I am fully persuaded, that if it will ripen in this cli¬ 
mate, it will yield more abundantly than any other kind 
of corn. 
Respectfully yours, &c. 
GEORGE HEZLEP. 
Staples’s Patent Straw-Cutter, 
Is a new invention on a new principle, for which the 
subscriber has received a patent. 
Convinced of the great economy in cutting up every 
description of rough feed to be fed out, and the impor¬ 
tance of a good and efficient straw-cutter to every far¬ 
mer, the subscriber turned his attention to inventing one 
for his own use, free from the many objections to the 
various implements of this kind, and he has succeeded 
in perfecting a machine which is pronounced by good 
judges to be the end of improvement in these things.— 
It is as perfectly simple, durable and efficient a machine 
for cutting up every description of rough feed, as can 
be asked ; the wear of any part will not prevent its do¬ 
ing its work well. This machine has two knives, which 
from a drawing motion peculiarly adapted to cutting, 
will cut well without that keen edge that all other straw- 
cutters require, and will therefore want less grinding or 
sharpening, and for this purpose they are very easily 
taken off and replaced, as no screws are attached to 
them, and no nice fitting on required. There are two 
bed shears which support the feed on each side as it is 
cut by the knives, and not a straw will ever escape un¬ 
cut, or be bruised or mashed off, let the knives be dull 
or sharp. These machines require little power, and are 
easily made or repaired by any common workman. 
To try how much could be cut in a given time with 
one of these machines, one hundred pounds of sheave 
oats were weighed out, and they were reduced to pieces 
in two minutes and a half. 
These machines are manufactured at the subscriber’s 
shop, near Lynchburg, Va. price $20. 
To persons disposed to purchase the right of making 
and vending these machines, they offer great induce¬ 
ment, as an examination of them will not fail to induce 
every one to purchase who is in want of a straw-cutter j 
and to introduce them abroad, the rights for the diffe¬ 
rent states or counties will be sold low; and for tha 
same reason, where three or more machines are order¬ 
ed, a considerable discount will be made, in proportion 
to distance, and the machines delivered in Lynchburg. 
For further information, address the subscriber at 
Lynchburg, Va. WILLIAM A. STAPLES 
Lynchburg, Nov. 25, 1839. 
Rohan Potatoes. 
Jluburn, Nov. 14 th, 1839. 
Jesse Buel —Dear Sir—While reading the Franklin 
Farmer, (a paper published at Frankfort, Ky.) I ob¬ 
served the following notice or inquiry: 
“ Rohan Potatoes. —If any of our readers have been 
successful in the cultivation of this root, we should like 
to hear from them. We got a very large one from Bos¬ 
ton, which we planted with some of our friends. We 
planted two hills in excellent soil, worked them well, 
but did not get a tuber as big as a pin head. One of our 
friends, from one hill, got five little things, neither as 
big as a partridge's egg; while he says, 'our common 
potatoes yielded prodigiously, the finest and largest we 
ever saw.’ ”—Franklin Farmer, Vol. III. No. 11, p. 83. 
With respect to this, I should like to ask, (if this 
should chance to meet the eye of the Franklin Farmer,) 
whether there might not have been some mistake in the 
kind of potato? (as there probably has been here in re¬ 
spect to the Chinese tree corn,) or if the reproducing 
qualities of the potato might not have been injured in 
its conveyance from Boston to Frankfort? for it is ge¬ 
nerally believed that good old Kentucky is celebrated 
for its fertility of soil. 
Last spring I purchased four Rohan potatoes from 
Walker’s seed store, Schenectady. These, with a few 
other small ones given to me by Prof. Jackson, of Union 
College, I planted about the middle of April, and dug 
from them, the first of October, eight and a half bushels. 
From one of them, which was kept separate from the 
rest, I dug two bushels, the tubers in general being very 
large, none of them as small as our common potato; it 
was said by a gentleman who saw them, that they were 
larger and fairer than most exhibited in New-York.— 
The potato I planted had twenty-two eyes, I put them 
in eleven hills, three feet apart. 
A gentleman residing in this vicinity raised three 
bushels from one potato, sent to him by a relation in 
Rochester. 
I should also, in connection with this, like to ask, 
whether it is profitable to spade up a garden in the fall 
and let it lay till spring, or wait till spring, then to do 
it? And whether a difference of treatment should be 
used on a dry sandy, and a dark clay, soil? The rea- 
son of my inquiry is this—while spading a week or two 
since a garden of dry sandy 6oil, I was asked why 1 did 
it now? I answered, it was generally the custom to 
spade a garden in the fall. He said he did not believe 
the custom was in accordance with good policy, and did 
not believe that those who acted thus could give a rea¬ 
son for it to sustain the position. I should like, further¬ 
more, to ask, whether it is preferable to put manure 
(not entirely fermented,) on the ground after spaded in 
the fall, and let it remain till spring, or put it on in the 
spring? 
Should this meet your approbation, an insertion in 
your paper would be exceedingly gratifying, with in¬ 
formation respecting the inquiries. 
Respectfully yours, 
HENRY H. HOPKINS. 
Ruta Bagas and Sugar Beets for Hog-Feed. 
About the 15th of November, 1838, I shut a pig by 
itself that weighed 821bs. and fed it on boiled ruta bagas, 
