MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER: AN AGRICULTURAL AND FAMILY JOURNAL. 
latioii. Ei.on Comstock. 
Rome, N. Y., Dec. 25, 1849. 
AGRICULTUKAL IMPROVEMENT. 
We live in a day Avlien very much is said, 
and not a little actually accomplished, for 
the improvement of agriculture. 1 am not 
one of those who believe, that eveiy fanciful 
EDITORIAX CORRESPONDENCE. not, a desire to secure for publication, arti- 
, ' , • cles “on the agriculture and resources of 
Mr. Moore My name having been an- ^ ... ^ 
+ oc Central ISew York, including brief notices 
nounced in your Prospectus, as one ot the • r . • . • • +• 
,• -I-1-^ f 4.1, T) .r Ar„,.r of farms and farming districts m this section 
Corresponding Editors of the Kuh.\l iNew- ui i i n + 
^ ° At +1,4. fJic State,’ although i^ou remark that 
Yorker, a proper regard for the engage- P J 
ment,.iuch lod t„thatan„om,cc,«o„t,re- »" agnculturo and tod od 
qtoc-s, at tost, an n.tmductorj- a.ticte for ‘jes «.! b„ appropnate and accoptablc. 
your fi..t number. The engagoment thus How far I may be able to meet th <^xp e- 
^ +4. r,fl„4.+; sr. +4, tations of vour readei’s, and contribute to the 
made, seems on more mature reflection, to - > , u + • 4I , i 
’ j . , ^ . .1 „ „.av,<4;4i interest of yom- pages, can be best judged 
have been entered into without the consid- . li +1 •, i,-1 4,. 
, 1 r Un+'4, hereafter; but, with the aid which mav rea- 
eratioiidue to .such a relation, and 1 ha\o ’ +-k + i,, 
.. j 4i 4 ■+ ^- i,+ ,a,.4„r4, It, +1,4, sonabH' be expected from contributoi-s m 
sometimes feared that it might prove in the .. ^ ^ ^ . 
, . , . . , this ncinitv, some assistance to the common 
end a disappointment to your subscnbei-s, . ’ 
„ + mu:,,,, +4, m,' 4,+Lr.r CRUso may perhaps be reasonably expected, 
as well as too great an addition to mj othei J i i . 4/ 
. , mi I 44 • i4.,.,+:4,r. Jc 4,114, m The little time allowed me for the prep- 
laboi-s. The latter consideration is one in , , 
, . , , IT 1 i;++i4. ;,,+4,v.'.ct Kill oration 01 matter for vour first number, iuus 
which the pubhc has ven^ little interest. Put , . ,• 
, ~ 1 1 -j .,0 it ic wifi, prevented more than tins veiv general m- 
the former, closely identihed as it is w itli ^ ,11 
tho success of your enterprise, and the great troduefon, but m future munbers and when 
interests to tho promotion of winch the an opportumty has been afforded for a prop- 
Rukal Nkw-Yomcuk is to be devoted, mav interclumge of new-s and opinions among 
iustly create in the minds of vour readem, as Editors and Contributors, sometl.mg more 
wcll as in my own, some degtie of solicitude. Ptac'™! “"d interesting m.ay bo furnished. 
, . , , , . , Permit me to express the hope that the as- 
So important are the subjects to which . J' ^ 
1 j sociations, and the new relation.s, now en- 
your paper is to be devoted, and sudi lu.™ 
been the adiancemeto in ‘ticrj epai p^j-ties interested, and not 
ment of Aoricultural Science, that he who ■L4 ,1 4 4i ■ 44-4 4 1 • i 
luoiib Vo unprohtablc to the important interests Avhich 
undertakes the duties and responsibdities of 
conducting a journal devoted to Agilcul- york and else- 
ture and its kindred subiects sliould be 4 j j- i 
4 r 4i where, I would respectfully extend a cordial 
conversant with all the improi'ements ot the . ^ 4 -u 4 4 +1 1 t 
^ . , r , invitation to contribute to the columns of 
dav. and familiar with every branch ot rural , „ „ i r 
urtj',aiiu laiit 4 4.41 • the Rural ^ew-Yorker, and, as far as 
industry. Such is my estimate ot the posi- 1 '4 ir 4 4i • j • a 
4 • i4 1 11J-4 it may commend itself to their good judg- 
tion and duties of an Ap-icultural Ldilor, ^ 
that without the more enlarged experience, ■ Ei.ox Comstock. 
and extended observation of those with 
whom you have done me the honoi to as¬ 
sociate my name, and especially without AGRICULTURAL IMPROVEMENT. 
your own controlling services as home Edi- - 
tor, I should hardly have connected myself We live in a day Avhen very much is said, 
with the enterprise which you have so bold- and not a little actually accomplished, for 
ly undeitaken, and which, I trust, may the improvement of agriculture. 1 am not 
prove in the highest degree successful. one of those who believe, that eveiy fanciful 
When we consider the rapid advances theoiy, or one single wonderful yield of 
which liave been made in almost every de- grain, accidental perhap.s, constitutes im- 
jiartment of practical agriculture—in the provement. Neither do I believe, that the 
cultivation of the soil, in the breeding and lucubrations of an agricultural chemist in 
management of stock, in the improved con- his laboratory—who has never in liis life, test- 
dition of farm buildings, the cultivation of ed his theories upon the farm—is of course 
fruit, and in all the details of farm manage- improvement. Nor would I say that all the 
—we are led to in(j[uire into the causes, writing in our agricultural jouiTials, on the 
and what has led to the. adoption of all subject, is certainly improvement. But that 
these improven\ents. To such inquiry vari- there is such a thing as improvement mak- 
ous answei-s would be given; but all will ing, and in many cases made, I believe;— 
agree that while proper credit should be that more will be done in that direction, and 
given to the influences of Agricultural So- that ere long, I ha^'e great confidence.— 
cieties, which have so happily sprung into What then, you ask me, is to be imdenstood 
existence in almost every county—to the by improvement in agriculture ? I answer 
spirit of inquiry, and emxvlation for which, it is not toiling on with the old plow, scythe 
as a people,, we are so much distinguished and tools of the Revolution, because they are 
_to the inventive genius and ability of our old. It is not by sowing the same crop year 
mechanic.s, who have so largely contributed after year upon the same field,the}aeld dimin- 
by improvements in machines and imple- isliing, because it was so done in eai-lier days, 
ments, to relieve the toil, and lighten the It is not by removing the barn, rather than 
4 labors of the farmer—^to the press, and the manure around it, which has been done 
especially to the agricultural press, are ag- ever since the Revolution. None of these 
riculture and its kindred occupations indebt- things, in my judgment, constitute improve- 
ed for the rapid strides which have been ment. Neither is it improvement to raise 
witnessed in the past few years. immense crops on land manured with guano, 
Connected with the agiicultnral press in or any tiling else which costs as 
this country. I.avc been many devoted much as the crop is worth, after it is ra«d 
friends to the cause, men who have labored -or ■» so preparing the land and working 
with a zeal and fidelity far beyond any it as to produce a similar result, 
pecuniaiy rewai'd wlxich they could expect But this I consider improvement. As- 
to realize, but whose efforts have contributed certain in the first place the nature of the 
in no small. degree to awaken that spirit of soil to be cultivated, the crops best adapted 
improvement, by wluch we are eveiy where to it; select implements which, from their 
surrounded. Some of the ablest and most character established by trial, will be most 
devoted of those to whom reference has economical and effective in their use; the 
been made, have been arrested in tho midst course of tillage which will, at the least ex- 
of their usefulness, and in the vigor of their pense, place the land in good condition for 
intellect, when prospects the most flattering the crop; select the very best of seed, have 
have seemed to await them, have been re- it put in in first rate condition, and let every 
moved from the scenes of their labors.— weed that interferes with the full develop- 
Those who remain, constitute a coiqis of la- ment of the grain be extirpated if practica- 
borers in the field of improvement, at once ble; let the crop be gathered in good time, 
able, efficient and persevering. In such by good implements and at the least e.xpense 
hands the interests we advocate, and the im- —aird then my impression would be quite 
provements we urge upon the notice of the strong that something was begun, at least, in 
public, will receive due attention, Avithout the way of improvement WhencA’cr the land 
the aid of one, who like the writer, has for is suffering from excess of moisture, let the 
a time been engaged in other and different drain tile be used—the ditches be opened— 
duties. In resuming my connection with the surplus water disposed of—that the land 
the agi-icultural press, I have been guided once nearly if not entirely useless, may be- 
in a great degree, by the allurements and come the most valuable. This Bthink would 
pleasures, with which many years experi- be improvement. Let the building-s be con- 
ence as a practical farmer, and a more brief structed so as to fully accommodate, not 
connection with the agricultural press, have only the family and the workmen, but also 
taught me to regard agricultural pursuits, the stock and the implements. 
If any advantages can be derived from the these thing's which I consider im- 
labors devoted to the objects of your publi- portant are being done on many a farm in 
cation, or any benefits accrue to the pur- York, and the result tells in the bal- 
suits of rui'al industry, the time thus oc- sheet at the end of the year. There 
cupied will not have been misimproved. however, many other things that are in 
The principal consideration which has operation in our State, wliich show that 
led to my selection as one of tho Editors of real improvement is going forward and 
the Rural New-Yorker, has been, I doubt perhaps I may, at a future time, say to the 
readers of the Rural New-Yorker what THE FARMER IN A W INTER’S DAY. 
they are, and then ask them if improA’e- q’nE bitter bla.st blows loud and chill— 
ment in agriculture is not only important, the di'ifting snoAV is piling up, and makes its 
but actually going forAvard, so that we can >yay through every crack and crcATCc an un- 
as farmers take courag’e, and renoAv our welcome guest, and coa'OI's all AA-itli the Avin- 
efforts for the adA'ancement of this great tor’s mantle. The farmer puts on his A'est- 
Gaa'lord. 
HINTS FOR THE MONTH. 
ji ,JilY 
1-—' V -, 
interest in the Empire State. ment Avarm, and goes forth to see that all j .-6 - 
Gaylord. sheltered from the storm, and Avell sup- 4 p 
_.4^^^,-,-,__ „ , -1 TT • li L 
plied with forage for the night. He vioavs z^o\ °r 
HINTS FOR THE MONTH. shecp; they are busy around the Avell 
Old Boreas now, with distended cheeks filled racks nibbling fast the precious meal; 
and nose of icy hue, is peering about, seek- they welcome him Avith an innocent bleat, 
ino- for an entrance into the poor man’s knoAving that from him they receive their 
hut, and the careless rich man’s cellar.s, bountifid store. The meal being finished SMITH’S V ERTIC AL GATE, 
sheds, stables ai\d out-houses; —Avith his they lie down, sheltered from the blast be- attention of the public is requested 
seething blast and tempestous hoAvl, he is neath the hovel well littered with clean dry to this unique Gate, recently invented and 
importunate and imperious. It needs all straAV, and begin to ruminate their food, and patented liy Lorenzo Smith, of Easton, 
vour care and Avatchfulness to defeat his immolested enjoy the pleasure designed Mas!<. I he aboAC cut lepresents a ai ge 
r • 41 1 4, • n 4 gate open and a smaller one shut I his gate 
msidious attempts. The mereiful man is them by their Creator. does not but opens by par- 
merciful to his beast, and as a corollaiy, to qq^o cattle next are vicAved. The door moA'cment of rails. Its superiority to 
his own kind also. House, bed down, and being opened they look around, but again the gate in common use may be readily 
protect from the rain and the cold, the horse, resume to them the more important task of seen. As it does not sA\dng, thei e can be 
cow and “ the ox that treadeth out the corn,” emptying their well filled mangers. With 110 sagging; thus avoiding a great objection 
fi«m tho pcitingo of tho pitiloss storm.- them all is right; thoy feci not tho hitter ‘ 
SMITH’S VERTICAL GATE. 
The attention of the public is requested 
to this unique Gate, recently invented and 
coAv and “ the ox that treadeth out the corn, 
from the peltings of the pitiless storm.- 
Irom the peltings ot tne piiiiess smim.— them all is right; they teei not the outer ^ ° consequentlyitcanbe open- 
Your interest as well as humanity, two of blast 'I'hen to the stable where stands the while teams, carts, or carriages 
the most imperious mandates, demand it— old gray mare, Avith her two stout and sturdy arc standing close to it, or with a snow bank 
Animal heat is the result of the change nags, Avhich fear not the snoAV drift Avhen tug- on both sides of it. It is opened and shut 
food undergoes, in its assimilations to sus- p-ing home the Avood, nor Avearies Avhen much (quicker than the ordinaiy gate, and a 
tain life. The Avhole animal economy, from harnessed at the ploAV. The old mare knoAVS manonhorsebac ' can open it ^ 
the honey bee to man, is obedient to this law. his step and with a Avhinny asks for tho com- weights attached to the ends of the 
It is a condition of existence. It is immu- ing meal; he gives the measure a little assLst in raising them; but gates 
table. The more animal heat is wasted by heaped. “Here, take this, thou true and of ordinary size do not require weights.— 
exposure, the more nutriment is necessary faithful servant—the night is cold and thy This gate is more especially intended for 
to sustain their condition. coat is thin, and thou needest a little better carriage Avays, but is admii ably calculated 
The bee will only consume one-half the tint; and fear not now, when thou art old common gate cannot be used, and 
honey, during the cold months Avhen kept and past thy labor, that thou wilt be neg- single for foot paths and 
warm, that it does unprotected. The colder lected. We have toiled together for tAventy narroAv passages. It costs no more than 
and more open and exposed your dAvelling summers, and thy useful days Avill not be the SAving gate, (including the post,) and is 
is, the more Avood must be consumed to keep forgotten. No ruffian’s hand shall CA^er less liable to get out_ of 01 dei, an moie 
up the heat. The two cases are analagous. abuse thee, nor hold thy tether, nor grovel- p^^'^J^^^cpc^ra tYrtTcal Gate has 
TAVO-thirds of the food Avill keep an animal ling aA^arice ever tempt me to begrudge been thoroughly tested, and, so far as knoAAm, 
in good heai-t, that is Avell housed and bed- thee thy well earned pittance.” meets AAnth univeisal favor. —Wezo England 
ded, that aatII sustain it, if exposed to the cold ^jj being right he steps out to vieAv the Farmer. 
and storm—Avading in mud—cripling on majesty of the storm; and looking around. Remarks. —Since the aboA'e gate has 
hubs, or coAvering behind a rail fence, the sees his neighbor’s stock across the Avay, been brought before the public, avc have 
best shelter it has. GareZesmm is the thief sluA^ering Avith cold and weak for want of seen one put in operation, and it AA^orks Avell. 
of therefore mind what the Prompt- .yyjtb up-humped backs, all covered To hinder hogs from hfting them, they re- 
er says and keep his fingers out of your .^y^^b the snow, they stand exposed to the quire a slide bolt, on the upper rail, sliding 
pockets. piercing blast, ti-ying to pick a scanty meal through staples on each half of the gate, to 
NeA’er feed your stock upon the ground; from among the snoAV. Oh, slothful and connect them together. Its being patented 
one-halfis trampled on and spoiled. If they unfeeling man, did you but realize Avhat is a serious objection to its use and the pat- 
are not housed, have feed racks, or deep those poor animals suffer from cold and hun- entee ought to be set doAAUi as a non-bene- 
troughs, with slight dmsions betAveen, so gd-, or did you but realize the HeaA^enly factor to Ids kind. This gate is a little 
that the master cattle cannot get the ad- pleasure of making all around you happy, expensive, but a curiosity for a front gate 
A'antage and abuse the underlings. you Avould not now be resting on the easy for carriages; and as Ave go the death on 
Salt is more important in winter, than in couch, when your stock are so destitute of bars and our life on gates, of almost any 
summer, if your hay is not salted; as diy food and shelter. But, had you no other kind —try it. —Ed. R. N. \. 
food is more constipating than green. motive than the love of gain, that ought to ----- 
If we covild ove^i'come early habits, and prompt you to proA'ide for their comfort — FALL PLOWING, 
get rid of tho custom of tumbling out hay fo, t,,e better you feed, and the more performed too late 
by the cart load and resort to cutting, mois- comfortable you can make them, the gn-eator ^ winter plowing, in 
temng and feeding in tubs and troughs, it will be your reward, and it would be well ^ preferable, and there are 
would mend some holes in our purses. It if you did but realise the truth of the poet's ‘ 
would oven pay to cut corn stalks; a much appropriate linos: important work for man or team. 
gTCater portion AVOuld be consumed, and the (< fm.fners to your flocks and herds be kind, _ » , 1- + . , f 1.1+4. l4x ■ 4.,'a 
refuse after absorbing the liquid manure, be And oft deal out to them -with liberal hand; One of the adt antages of ate p OAvmg , 
C 41 0+0+41 +41 7 . 4141 ^/ ninno’ the summer Shelter them, too, from winter’s blast scA'erc, worm, that great and increas- 
jn a fine state to boost along me summei ^^d they wdl nchly pay you for your tod. _ 1 1 • .1 • 4-1 
' mo- ne.nt nf oTuss and. is then m a tomid 
would mend some holes m our ptu-ses. it jf you did but reahse the truth ot the poet s 
would even pay to cut corn stalks; a much appropnatc lines: work for man or team. 
greater portion AVOuld be consumed, and the (< fm.fners to your flocks and herds be kind, _ » , ].+.,+’ 1 . 1 + 4 . I 41 ■ 4 .,'a 
refuse after absorbing the liquid manure, be And oft deal out to them -with liberal hand; One of the adt antages of ate p OAvmg , 
C 41 41 + 0+41 +41 7.4141^/ ninuo’ the summer Shelter them, too, from winter’s blast scA'erc, worm, that great and increas- 
jn a fine state to boost along me summei ^^d they will nchly pay you for your tod, _ 1 1 • .1 • 4-1 
' . mg pest of grass land, is then m a toi-pid 
r -e rnrts tn focfl oivo them after him; each one h^ his _ 
you laA . f 4 ,, oiiimals • ^ ’ reach its Avinter quarters. Another i.s, that 
thehay,tomilcl.oowc ai,dtotonmg a^^^^^ all are made comfortable; oft' torthe.hoo^ that propagate 
It coaxes the appetite.. 1 ^ “ "o they go, fearless of the drifung snow. Ike ^ ^ and quack varieties 
bagas will keep them respectably, caiiots ^^^yg^ yo^tj^ful freaks, oft stumble doAvn ^p^^^ p^^^ 
well, and parsnips and potetoos sumptously; jhe pleasure of rolling in the drift, j^^othcred, bleached and weakened, during 
therefore save your CO. to fold IS a ^ ^^od bo.x receives its ample the cold months, and are not as forward and 
to make, and a shy custome. to keep the „„ning fire, of t„ublesome to subdue in tho spring, 
granaiy. seasoned fuel from the well filled house. • ■ ..r + 144 . „+ivi 4 i 4 .+ ;Tvin 4 i.-+ari 4 i 4 i 
the cold months, and are not as forward and 
troublesome to subdue in the spring. 
Fall ploAA'ing is of the utmost importance, 
in renewing and invigorating the soil. In 
5**^'"**'^v seasoneo. iiici iiuia mu nuu ,, ,, i . • r i. x • x 
Look to your potatoes and root buiyings. ^p ^p^ I all ploAvmg is of Bie u most importance, 
If the ground is frozen and you have fears, gtove, and enjoy the conscious renewing and invigorabng the soil. In 
slap on a coating of coarse manure, wet ^ ^^11 spent day; nor is their clays the action of frost is the mo.st 
straw, or mulch; there is no gains Avithout ^ annoyed with the thoughts of a bank apparent-disintegrating and rendering it 
pains., note that inust be paid to-morroAV, nor the loose and friab e. n c ayey, oamj an 
Then, if your cattle are all comfortable- g^^e keeper’s call for the past year’s bill, ^haly soils,, a decided decomposition takes 
11 - 4^11 T +•_J Li 1 ^ . Ill.14141 \iv wntov PYnaTisinn and f.ontrac- 
shaly soils, a decided decomposition takes 
X null, n jfuui .... Store keeper’s call tor tne past years Dill, -'-'v ^ ^ -At 
your wood-house filled-beef and pork in ^ ^p along, and however P^ace. Air, water, expansion and contiac- 
the barrel—farm implements housed—the small their income may be,°their expenses tio" by changes of the temperature, perform 
cellar safe against frost—cluldren at school, jItovs kept within it, so that what they important agencies m comminuting and pul- 
and a spare-rib distributed to all your poor p . ,1 .p^jj. verizing all the materials of the soil denved 
- o _ clic euwetyo 
and a spare-rib distributed to all your poor p^^^ 
neighbors, not forgetting him whose mid- ^ ^ 
night slumbers are at your call to cure the ^ 
body, nor him who has the cure of that more 
” J’ . . . 1 biisinfiRs;. and is 
AU being made comfortable and warm, 
the cultivation of the mind is the eA'ening’s 
from the primitive rocks, and the slates and 
limes of the sedimentai-y class; Avliile the 
Avhole mass derii^es important elements, by 
body nor him who has the cure of that more ,1 o+i-invinri+41-1= Avhole mass aeriA^es impoiiam eiemenis, py 
■; -■■ ■ - sir 
meriy beUs and rattle over the ice bound ° Suto^nd be sfeasily and so topotont auxihaiy to vegetable life than 
plain, in all the conscious superiority, that a i and stored with useful knowl- ““ "“Y®' T 
good horse and jumper, and a conscience perience, that a good snow is as good as a 
voidofoffence,confers Donpyomcousm- K ' ^ ^ 
;_ fviiim'lc un(\ vp.vaI in rnaG;t *^0 _ , ,. ^ Thcrc is no ouc Gffcct, tlic rcsult of fall 
void of offence, confers. Do up your cousin- 
fog_visit youi- friends, and revel in roast 
goose, mince pies and dough-nuts—sau. 
ages, flapjacks and maple molasses. So 
I their daily business, butothei things die not , j incompatiable with strict practical 
neo'lected. A general knoAvledge of the arts 1 ' ' • +• ++i „ i .. 
ayes, napiacKs anu nictpiu muicusaua. kjkj ° ^ p 4 +• usefulness and economy , in fact the advan- 
says and so ends the first chapter of the sciences, the wants, and comforts of so- j ^re so self-evident, and practiced by so 
whim-whams and opinions of the ^ dignity o uman practical farmers, that there 
Prompter. nature, and increases the rational enjojonent hardly be tAvo opinions on the subject 
_—-— and usefulness of man, and ought to bo 
Coen Cows FOR Cattle. -If corncobs attended to by all. The duties of the evening —- 
be soaked in salt water, cattle will eat them P^^t ‘bey retire to rest and enjoy the blessing Reader, if you like the New-Yorkel 
readilv and thrive. Half a peck to an ox of calm repose, made sweet by labor. please show the paper to your Iriends and 
• • X 4 +1 +•+ ' Farmer. ueiohbors, and ask them to subscribe, 
every morning, is about the quantity., iwi^uuuis. 
Farmer. 
Reader, if you like the New-Yorker 
please sIioav the paper to your friends and 
neighbors, and ask them to subscribe. 
