VOLUME I. ^ 
ROCHESTER, N. Y.-THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 1830. 
NUMBER 23. 
MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
PUBLISHED WEEKLY. 
Office in Burns’ Block, corner of Buffalo and State 
streets, (entrance on State,) Rochester. 
CONDUCTED BY D. D. T. MOORE. 
(Late Publisher and Associate Editor Gen. Farmer.) 
L. B. LANGWORTHY, Associate Editor. 
Corresponding Editors: 
ELON COMSTOCK, (former Ed. Central N. Y. 
Farmer,) of Oneida County. 
T. C. PETERS, (Editor of the Wool Grower,) 
of Genesee County. 
Educational Department by L. WETIIEREI.L. 
ILF Eor Terms, &c., see last page. 
PROGRESS AND IMPROVEMENT. 
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE. 
Cleveland, Ohio, May 27, 1850. 
Mr. Moore: —With your permission we 
propose to state briefly our impressions from 
a hasty and imperfect glance at the Agri- 
tultural condition of the south shore of Lake 
Erie. Having recently traversed the shore 
from the east part of Chautauque County 
to this place, some opportunity was aflbrded 
us for witnessing the condition of the crops, 
and forming some opinion, erroneous though 
it may he, of the capabilities of the soil, 
and the cultivation which it receives at the 
hands of its occupants. 
High as has been our opinion of the dis¬ 
trict bordering on the Lake, for agricultu¬ 
ral purposes, there is one portion of it Avhich 
far excels our expectations, and deserves a 
much higher rank than we have been ac¬ 
customed to accord to it. Others may have 
had, and those who have visited the district 
in question, of course have<intertaincd more./ 
correct views; but to us, who had never be¬ 
fore visited Chautauque Ooimty, the surprise 
has been a most agreeg,blo one, and wo has¬ 
ten to correct any error which may exist up¬ 
on the subject. Although something of a 
traveler, especially in our own State, we had 
never before been favored with a sight of 
the beautiful tract of country bordering on 
Lake Erie, and embraced in the Lake towns 
in Chautauque County. We had, in com¬ 
mon with many others, rfinked that beauti¬ 
ful portion of our State, far below its time 
position. Perhaps no section of New York 
is more desirable for farming purposes, or 
better calculated to please the eye of a 
farmer who desires to locate in a section of 
country already .settled, and affording all the 
advantages of society, climate, beauty of 
scenery, and fertility. The Lake towns are 
well adapted to the wheat crop, and also to 
fruit, as well as the other principal crops 
cultivated in this section of country. Sel¬ 
dom have we seen the wheat look better in 
any part of the country than it now does in 
the section of Avhich Ave arc speaking—and 
as to fruit, unless the late frosts have 
injured it, (and Ave think they have not,) it 
Avill bo abundant The peach trees promise 
a liberal return, and the peach orchards 
here, as Avell as further Avest on the Lake 
shore, are extensive and generally flourishing. 
That pai’t of Chautauque more remote 
from the Lake shore, is, Ave believe, quite 
different in soil and climate, and is noAv de¬ 
voted quite generally to the dairying busi¬ 
ness, to Avhich its soil and .situation better 
adapt it than to other branches of farming. 
In this business they have generally been 
quite successful, the butter and cheese from 
this and neighboring counties noAv com¬ 
manding a good market, and comparing fa¬ 
vorably, as to quality, with that made 
in other sections of country Avhich have been 
much longer in the business. But upon 
this point Ave may speak more fully at another- 
time, if indeed our other engagements ever 
permit us to resume our articles upon the 
subject 
The drive from Silver Creek to the State 
Line, aud thence to Erie, Pa, is certainly 
one of the finest in this or any other country. 
The road folloAvs the ridge on the Lake shore, 
distant from tAvo to five miles from the 
water, and frequently commanding a beau¬ 
tiful view thereof. The soil is of that ma¬ 
terial best calculated to Avear well under 
constant use, and never gets muddy or so 
much rutted as to make very bad travel¬ 
ing; and as the road passes the entire dis¬ 
tance, through beautiful farms and agreea¬ 
ble scenery, dotted every few miles Avith beau¬ 
tiful little villages, and admits, moreover of 
a high rate of speed, Avhether in stage coach 
or private conveyance, the traveler cannot 
fail to enjoy that pleasure Avhich such a 
state of things is so Avell calculated to in¬ 
spire. If any of our readers doubt upon 
the subject, they will do well to make the 
journey for once at least, and satisfy them¬ 
selves of the correctness of our vicAvs. 
That portion of Pennsylvania and Ohio 
bordering on the Lake, or at least that por¬ 
tion of Ohio east of Cleveland, partakes to 
a considerable degree of the characteristics, 
both as to soil and crops, of the Lake towns 
in Chautauque County. Pennsylvania has 
but a small territory bordering on the Lake, 
and Ave think the inhabitants there would be 
much better pleased Avith annexation to N. Y. 
than their present connexion Avith the Key 
Stone State. All their business intercourse 
and travel is in that direction—<and they can 
reach Philadelphia much easier, and the 
capital of their State quite as etisily, by Avay 
of the NeAV York Railroads, as by anj' com¬ 
munication through their OAvn State. The 
farmers in Erie County seem very prosper- 
■. ous and substantial, as they indeed Avell may, 
Avith the advantages Avhich they enjoy.— 
Their cultivation, if not superior, is at least 
respectable — their buildings and fences in 
fair condition, and everything betokens com¬ 
fort mid independence. 
The counties of Ashtabula, Lake and 
Cuyahoga—the only ones through which 
Ave have yet traveled in Ohio—although 
noAv suffering in common Avith the Avhole 
Lake shore from severe drought, are gener¬ 
ally so far as the farms are concerned, in a 
flourishing condition. We may remark here 
that the Avhole section of which Ave have 
been speaking, shoAvs a remm-kable_contrast 
betAveen the country and the towns—a con¬ 
trast directly the reverse of what we are ac¬ 
customed to see in many parts of the coun¬ 
try. ' While the country looks generally pro¬ 
ductive and flourishing, and the farms neat 
and Avell cared for, the villages seem to us 
dull, and in too many instances devoid of 
that enterprise, and especially of that regard 
for the cleanliness of streets and side walks, 
Avhich we find in many, and Ave may per¬ 
haps with propriety say most of the New 
York and New England villages of corres¬ 
ponding size. We could pardon this neglect 
in Pennsylvanians, but hoAV the citizens on the 
“Western Reserve,” descended as they gen¬ 
erally are from Noav England stock, can 
have so far degenerated in this respect, we 
iire at a loss to judge. 
Ashtabula County has of late been much 
devoted to the darying business, principally 
cheese Ave believe, and is acquiring a fame 
in that line, or at lesist for the manufacture 
of large cheese, beyond any other part of 
the countiy. Of the quality-of the article 
made Ave cannot speak from personal knoAvl- 
edge, for our time did not alloAv a personal 
examination of any of their celebrated dairies. 
Every body has heard of the mammoth 
cheeses made in Austinbiu-g or in that vicin¬ 
ity, Aveighing some 1800 pounds each—not 
a single isolated monster cheese, but a uni¬ 
form dairy of that size, so large that the 
only mode of Aveighing is'to drive the Avagon 
onto the hay scales as Avith a load of hay. 
These of course are not made from the coavs 
kept on a single farm, but by the purchase 
of curd from several dairies in the neigh¬ 
borhood. This practice Ave think prevails to 
some extent there, it having become a regular 
business to purchase the curd every morn¬ 
ing, and make it up into cheese of any re¬ 
quired size. The dealers do not, hoAvever, 
all make the mammoth cheese, but prefer 
for market the smaller sizes more suitable 
for family use. By this method the farmer 
is enabled to dispose of his dairy products 
daily, and is relieved from the care and la¬ 
bor requisite for curing the cheese for market. 
We should judge that a considerable part 
of northern Ohio would, ere long, be devo¬ 
ted to this business, to which the climate and 
soil seem to be well adapted, and which the 
increasing facilities for reaching market will 
render more profitable. There Avould seem 
to be no good reason why butter and cheese 
of a good quality, and perhaps we may say, 
of the best quality, should not be made here. 
The farms seem to be generally well Avater- 
ed by the several large streams Avhich flow 
to the Lake, and their numerous branches, 
traversing the farms in almost every direc¬ 
tion. These larger streams, as the Cuyahoga, 
Grand and other rivers, as they approach 
the Lake, are generally in deep ravines, the 
shore being considerably above the level of 
the Lake, and as they cross the shore road 
at right angle.s, the hills are formidable for 
carriages, and perhaps in some places almost 
dangerous. These deep ravines are the on¬ 
ly obstruction to the Railroad Avhich is soon 
to be built around the south side of the Lake, 
and to overcome them constitutes the only 
heavy item in the cost of construction, which 
in the aggregate is very U.glit. 
The severe and long protracted drought, 
to Avhich we have referred, is disi^ouraging to 
the prospects of the farmers. Their wheat' 
passed the winter Avell, but Avitli all other j 
crops, is backAvard, and Avithout speedy rains ' 
must produce a much less groAvth than usu¬ 
al. The grass too is late, and fears are en¬ 
tertained that the crop Avill be light, as the 
pastures are, even noAV, short. With this 
single exception Ave see no reason Avhy the 
prospects of the famers on, the “ Reserve” 
are not quite flattering. 
In this letter, which is already too long, we 
have said nothing of Cleveland, or of its 
horticultural advimtages—its fine gai’dens, 
and nurteries—its beautifid residences, and 
many other things Avhich might bo likely to 
interest those of our readers avIio take an 
interest in such matters. Perhaps these 
subjects may form the text for a separate i 
article, at some future time, and after do- j 
sing our journey. c. i 
CAST IRON DIRT SCRAPER. 
There are several kinds of scrapers in 
use, made in difterent forms. The above 
cut represents the cheapest and best—made 
of cast iron for bottom, sides and edae, Avith 
wood back and handles, and wrought iron 
bail. They are extensively used for exca¬ 
vating and filling up for buildings, and for 
making and repairing roads. The prices 
vary, according to size and Aveight, from 
$4,50 to SlO. They can be procured at 
the Agricultural Warehouses in Rochester, 
Albany, and other principd towns. 
To Protect Fruit, »fec. from Birds.— 
Suspend, in the trees or vines, pieces of 
looking-glass by a string, so as to turn free¬ 
ly in ev'ery direction. No bird Avill come 
near, after a trial or two, unless very tmne. 
NOTES FOR THE MONTH. 
Madamoiselle May — beautious, joyous 
May—entirely failed in her design of pro¬ 
curing the means to exhibit to her expect¬ 
ant friends at the north, the rich displays of 
magnificent drapery, foliage, flower and fruit 
promised on taking possession of her beau¬ 
tiful terrene domicil; owing to the opposi¬ 
tion exerted by the lingering insurgents — 
the Goth and Vandal troops of old Winter 
—disputing every inch of ground claimed 
by the lawful tenant She has been obliged 
to shut up shop, and assign all her right, 
title and interest for this year, to the incom¬ 
ing tenant, Miss J une, a hot-headed, warm¬ 
hearted, rosy-cheeked lass, who takes pos¬ 
session of all the effects and good will of the 
establishment under favorable auspices, to 
bring out and fulfil all of May’s* engage¬ 
ments—together with a grand disply of her 
own peculiar, luxuriant articles. All those 
who desire to enjoy the general 'benefits of 
her sway, must be up and doing, and make 
up the time lost by unfortunate May’s de¬ 
linquencies. 
Those that have not planted their corn 
and potatoes, should not fail of doing it, in 
all the first week of this month, to be safe; 
although large crops have*been made, when 
planted from the 10th to the 15th—depend¬ 
ing upon a favorable summer and late frosts. 
Cucumbers, beans, squashes, (fee., planted 
now, Avill be quite as forward, and more lux¬ 
uriant than those put earlier in the ground. 
Beets and mangel wurtzels, should noAV be 
sown, and bagas from the 10th to the 15th, 
and not earlier, as they are liable to iieck 
tip and make bad shaped bottoms. 
It is still in time to weed wheat fields of 
cockle and red root. In all cases, Avhere 
red root is noticed for the fii-st time, don’t 
fiul to Aveed it thoroughly, or it is taken to 
the barn Avith the straAv, and from there in¬ 
to the manure, and eventually the Avhole 
farm is in possession of the enemy-—an ene¬ 
my Avorse than Canada thistle, tory Aveed or 
John’s-Avort. 
Cut doAvn Canada thistles in meadows 
Avith the hoe, about an inch under the sur¬ 
face ; in moAving they are cut doAvn again, 
and tAA'O cuttings more before frost, Avill 
nearly eradicate them. 
Now is the time to sow plaster for this 
year; all that has been sown before is near¬ 
ly lost, OAving to the wetness of the season. 
Mix plaster and ashes for a top dressing for 
corn and potatoes, and distribute on the hills 
before they break ground. 
Look over the orchards immediately and 
destroy worm’s nests. 
Fine early cabbage, tomatoes, pepper and 
lettuce plants, may be protected from the 
ravages of the cut Avorm, by laying around 
them the green tops of onions, or young 
green clover, with a flat stone laid upon it. 
Cucumber and melon hills are effectually 
protected against these depredations, as well 
as the yelloAv bug, by a box made of six 
inch siding, tAvo feet square, and covered by 
millinet, or thin brown shirting, Avhich ad¬ 
mits sufficient light, heat, and air. 
All overplus manures should noAv be piled 
in compact masses, and if mixed Avith the 
black muck of 'Swamps or, the mud ponds, 
charcoal dust and plaster, will make an ex¬ 
cellent and safe compost for Avheat falloAvs. 
Cut June grass before clover, or it is 
Avorthless. If cut early, while in blossom, 
no hay is better relished by horned cattle. 
Hoe out your carrots as soon as you can 
see the roAvs, to kill the Aveeds and get that 
job out of the Avay of haying; for it must 
be done, hay or no hay, or they will be in 
the predicament of the sheriff’s prisoner— 
non comatihus in swampo. 
See that the kitchen garden is attended 
to—fences up—and that your animals have 
free access to water, salt, and good pastur¬ 
age. Work, watch and pray, and with a 
blessing all may yet be Avell. 
Prompter. 
WHEAT. 
The formation oj thewheat kernel.—Its incipient sta¬ 
ges aend development. 
We have often dissected and examined 
the wheat plant in the fall, to settle at what 
period, and in Avhat position, the future 
head and embryo seeds were formed. 
Very early sown wheat at the close of its 
growth in the fall, exhibits the cell in which 
the spike or wheat head is produced on the 
top of the first joint, filled with a transpa¬ 
rent, albuminous substance. Early in May 
in ordinary seasons, there commences to 
grow from the bottom of the cell, a whitish 
short spike, indented on its sides correspond¬ 
ing with the future kernels, and usually by 
the middle of the month the foetus of fu¬ 
ture, grains are complete—and if of the 
bearded varieties every beard is as distinct 
under the magnifying glass, as when arri¬ 
ved at maturity, and of a semi-transparent, 
greenish hue. The forming of the incipient 
head this year, from the backwardness of 
the season, has been retarded in this stage 
of its growth fully ten days. 
It is of the greatest importance to the 
productiveness of this crop, that the heads 
should be fully developed, and not by any 
cause shortened in the number of houses, 
or setts. We have seen heads that had fif¬ 
teen houses on each side, Avith four kernels 
in each; but the aA^erage of ordinary wheat 
crops will not exceed eight. What effect 
the retarding of the development of the 
embryo kernel, by the cold and wet weath¬ 
er may have, it is impossible yet to say; 
but Ave conjecture that there will be a 
greater number of setts, than if it had been 
prematurely forced out, by hot weather, and 
a dry May. 
One thing is quite evident—the impor¬ 
tance of a strong, healthy growth and ex¬ 
panded roots in the fall, to enable the plant 
to form and organize a large and well filled 
head. After this period no culture, or sys¬ 
tem of top dressing, can add to the num¬ 
ber of kernels; yet stimulating compounds 
may have a tendency to assist the plant to 
carry out nature’s design, and perfect its 
embryotic intention. 
ROOT CULTURE-AGAIN, 
Messrs. Editors;— In my communica¬ 
tion on Root Culture, I omitted some neces¬ 
sary suggestions, fearful of making the ar¬ 
ticle too long—for short stories are more 
generally read, and better remembered, than 
long ones. 
Those who have not experience in raising 
roots, had better sow a variety, and thus as¬ 
certain by experiment which is best adapted 
to their soil, and the most profitable for them 
to cultivate. I have frequently profited by 
mixing the various seeds together when 
planting, Avhich gives a better chance for a 
bountiful crop—for if one fails the other 
may not — and at the last hoeing or thin¬ 
ning, leave the mo.st tlirifty plants. 
Ridging the ground is not much benefit 
to the crop, for they generally grow equal¬ 
ly as Avell on the level surface; but it is a 
great convenience in hoeing, for the small 
plants being on the ridge do not get so much 
covered up with the Aveeds. 
The Ruta Baga is a veiy^ precarious crop 
on dry soils, for the flies are very destruc¬ 
tive to the young plants, in spring, and the 
cabbage lice often ruin them in autumn. — 
Tliey are as valuable as any other for fat¬ 
tening neat cattle, but for milking animals 
and horses they are not so nutritious as car¬ 
rots, or beets and wurtzels. The beet vari¬ 
eties are much less, subject to injury by in¬ 
sects then the baga, but the carrot is the 
most hardy ; it is seldom that anything in¬ 
jures them, but they are so small when they 
germinate that it is very troublesome weed¬ 
ing on the first hoeing. 
Wheatland, May, 1850. W. Garbutt. 
