«k* ' 
volume ii. no. 40 . }■ 
! MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER: 
A WEEKLY JOURNAL, DEVOTED TO 
Agriculture, Horticulture, Mechanic Arts and Sci¬ 
ence, Education, Rural and Domestic Economy, 
General Intelligence, the Markets, &c., &c. 
CONDUCTED BY D. D. T. MOORE, 
ASSISTED BY 
J. H. BTXBY, L. WETIIERELL, and H. C. WHITE. 
Contributors and Correspondents: 
L. B. Lanoworthy, || Chester Dewey, ll. d.. 
ROCHESTER, N. Y.-THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1851. 
William Garbutt, 
S. P; Chapman, 
David Ely, 
Myron AWams, 
H. P. Norton, 
T. C. Peters, 
F. YV. Lay, 
T. E. Wetmore, 
R. B. Warren, 
Archibald Stone, 
M. M. Rodgers, m. d. 
.1. Clement, 
D. W. Ballou, Jr., 
R. G. Pardee, 
I. Hildreth, 
Jas. H. Watts, 
W. H. Bristol. 
Wm. T. Kennedy, 
S. Luther, 
L. D. Whiting. 
Ami numerous others—practical, scientific, and literary 
writers—whose names are necessarily omitted. 
The Rural New-Yorker is designed to be unique and 
beautiful in appearance, and unsurpassed in Value, Purity 
and Variety of Contents. Its conductors earnestly labor 
to make it a Reliable Guide on the important Practical 
Subjects connected with the business of those whose inter¬ 
ests it advocates. It embraces more Agricultural, Horti¬ 
cultural, Scientific, Mechanical, Literary and News Matter 
—interspersed witli many appropriate and handsome en¬ 
gravings—than any other paper published in this Country. 
(FgF” For Terms, &c.. see last page, 
PKO«UESS AND IMPROVEMENT. 
NATURAL HISTORY AND RAISING OF SHEEP. 
TRANSLATED FROM THE FBENCH, by M. M. RODGERS, M. D. 
The Sheep is said to be descended from 
the mouflon; and there are some resem¬ 
blances of conformation between the two 
species; but domestication lias produced 
many modifications,—particularly in the 
head and tail, and above all, in the wool.— 
Thus Yvhile the mouflon lias only some small 
locks of wool covered with hair,—the sheep 
is covered with wool, among which a hair 
is only rarely found. 
Whatever be the origin, the sheep is a 
ruminant animal, with or without horns > 
and having, like the ox, eight incisive teeth 
by which one may know their age; these 
eight teeth are proportionally more long, 
thick and solid than in the ox. The two 
middle ones, called milk teeth, fall out, and 
are replaced at the age of one and a half 
or two years, according to the race and the 
time of birth, whether it be spring or au¬ 
tumn. The two next outer ones, are shed 
at three, the two next at four, and the two 
corner ones at five years; but the second 
sett often remain short and nearly in a rudi¬ 
mentary state. 
The characteristics to be sought for in 
sheep depend upon the end to be attained: 
if the flesh is the principal object in view, 
the animal ought to have a small head, wide 
forehead, short and small neck, breast wide 
and deep, back straight, sides full and round, 
hips wide, flank short, thigh thick and legs 
short: these are the qualities which the 
English have endeavored to impress upon 
their races, and which it will not be difficult 
to give to some French races, even without 
crossing; particularly the Artesian race and 
the sub-race of Berri. 
If wool presents, in a particular locality, 
the most advantageous speculation, and if 
the nature of the pasturage is agreeable to 
fineness of quality, without any circum¬ 
stance unfavorable to the health of the an¬ 
imals, the sheep are selected accordingly. 
If you try to make a sheep produce line 
wool, good mutton and a large quantity of 
fat at the same time, you are seeking for an 
impossibility. The Merino is always a very 
inferior race for fattening. When you would 
obtain the best superfine wool, it is neces¬ 
sary to see that there is the least possible 
difference in the different partsof the fleece; 
that of the sides being always the finest — 
The best means of producing this equaliza¬ 
tion is to obtain a superfine buck with an 
equal fleece to run witlLthe flock; in some 
cases hoYvever, when the fleece of the moth¬ 
er in unequal in quality, that of the off¬ 
spring is augmented, or at least made more 
apparent, by this means. 
Next to equality in the fleece, comes the 
form and size of the animal: abundance of 
feed produces sheep of large size at the ex¬ 
pense of fineness of wool, and vice versa— 
very large sheep should be excluded from 
a flock intended for fine wool. Those ap¬ 
pendices of the form, such as the dew-lap, 
the folds of skin about the neck, &c., are 
deformities which indicate a superabun¬ 
dance of nourishment, and are unfavorable 
to fineness of fleece. When one has pastur¬ 
age on which it is difficult to avoid large 
size in the animal, he must content himself 
with wool of medium quality, and make in¬ 
creased quantity compensate the difference: 
in this case, there is not, necessarily, any 
more inequality of the fleece. But to di¬ 
gress, and return to the choice of sheep for 
mutton: it is necessary to observe that, 
a paleness or blueness of the veins and con¬ 
junctiva of the eyes, indicate weakness and 
bad health; while a red or violet color, in¬ 
dicates good health and robust constitution: 
pale gums, a fetid breath, and soft wool 
which is easily pulled out, and tenderness 
on pressure over the kidneys, all indicate 
feebleness of constitution. 
The Merino Race.— This race is more dis¬ 
tributed over France than any other. Their 
first introduction is due toDAUBENTON, who 
established a flock at Montbard in 17G6. — 
Twenty years later, Louis XVL, founded 
an establishment at Rambouillet—new im¬ 
portations took place under the director of 
this establishment, and afterwards, under 
the direction of Napoleon. Among those 
of the different importations there are two 
types, viz: the Rambouillet and the Naz. 
At Rambouillet they have endeavored to 
reunite the two qualities of fineness and 
large quantity of wool, and still to main¬ 
tain a sheep of such size as would be fit for 
the butchers of Paris. At Naz, they at¬ 
tach the first importance to the fineness and 
evenness of the fleece, without regard to 
quality, or size of the animal. 
The Rambouillet type are scattered over 
the rich countries Of Normandy, Picardy^ 
Beauce, and Brie. The Naz type is adopted 
in Champagne, ivliere the pasturage is favor¬ 
able to fineness of fleece, but not to large 
size of the sheep. The first is much the 
largest, and produces more wool and heav¬ 
ier mutton,—but the latter has much the 
finest fleece, and is the handsomest animal. 
In both, the bucks are found with and with¬ 
out horns. 
The Roussillon Race.— This race is 
evidently of Spanish origin; but climate 
and treatment have produced great changes 
in their character. This sheep is less in size 
than the Merino; its body is more slender, 
it lacks the folds and deiv-laps,—its horns 
are smaller and less spiral: the wool is 
shorter, coarser, less impregnated with oil; 
undulating equally from the root to the ex¬ 
tremity where it is generally spiral. This 
race is of a more robust constitution, more 
easily fattened, and more esteemed as 
mutton. 
The Berri Race.— This race after the 
Roussillon, furnishes the finest wool in 
France: they are of small size, usually des¬ 
titute of horns, legs without wool from the 
hams down to the foot: they have long 
necks, no folds or dew-laps,—shoulders nar¬ 
row: they are fattened sufficiently easy, 
and yield a very juicy flesh; but their small 
bine, and the narrowness of the loin, gives a 
quarter too small to he much esteemed.— 
Another variety of this race, called the 
Crevant, is of larger size and more value 
for mutton, but has wool of coarser quality. 
The Sologne Race.— The sheep of this 
race are nearly the same size as those of 
the Berri: the wool is coarser and grows 
rather thinly; the head and legs are cover¬ 
ed with hair of a reddish hue without mix¬ 
ture of wool: they have no wrinkles, dew¬ 
laps or horns: the breast is rather wide and 
the legs long. The flocks of the Sologne, 
are kept exclusively on heath, and most 
generally receive no provender or hay, even 
during the winter: they are fattened with 
great facility when removed to good pastures. 
Race of the Centre Mountains.— 
This race, known among butchers as the 
“false or spurious sheep,” is a little superi¬ 
or in size to the two last named races; then- 
wool is extremely coarse; the head is often 
black or spotted with black; the neck rather 
short, breast wide, shoulders thick, loins 
well developed, thighs thick and legs short: 
their mutton is of superior quality. 
Race of Poitou.—T he height of this 
race is greater than that of the preceding: 
the wool is long and coarse: the head is 
short, Yvhite and destitute of wool; the fore¬ 
head is rather large, the lips thick, breast 
wide, body and legs long: this sheep is 
easily fattened and yields a mutton which 
is much esteemed. 
The Artois or Artesian Race.— This 
race is scattered through Normandy and 
Picardy: its size is superior to those of the 
south of France: the flesh is more coarse, 
redder in color, and less agreeable in taste 
than those of the centre. The head is large 
and destitute of wool and horns; the ears 
are large, short and someivliat horizontal; 
the breast full, no dew-lap, —loin straight, 
body round. Their wool is abundant and 
long, but nevertheless unfit for combing. 
This sheep is robust, and fattens well, but 
requires high feeding. The race of Arden¬ 
nes, which is little else than an offspring of 
the Artesian, does not differ much from it 
except that it is smaller in size and its flesh 
more savory. 
The Flemish Race.—T his is the laro-- 
O 
est sheep in France. Its head is small in 
proportion to its body, and destitute of wool; 
the lips are thick and the ears horizontal, 
and sometimes pendant; the neck long, 
breast rather full, and the legs long. The 
wool is coarse and long, and the flesh little 
esteemed; it is usually light colored, and not 
sufficiently juicy; their weight however, and 
the fine appearance of the different parts, 
give the mutton a value which is not con¬ 
firmed by the taste. 
[ To be Concluded next week. ] 
MICE IN BARNS.—AGAIN. 
Eds. Rural: —“A Young Farmer’s” ar¬ 
ticle on this subject in a late Rural New- 
Yorker, induces me to send you this com¬ 
munication. I have noticed that hay-mows 
having spearmint in them were free from 
rats and mice, while others in the same 
barn, having none of this herb, were near¬ 
ly destroyed by these animals. Since my 
attention Yvas called to this subject, I have 
talked with a Mr. Soles, yvIio says he was 
troubled with mice as bad as man could be, 
and like a “ Young Farmer,” found every 
effort unavailing, until he tried spearmint. 
He gathered a wagon-load of mint and 
scattered it through the grain mow; and 
this, or some other cause, has kept it free 
from their depredations. I have tried it in 
my granary, and found it beneficial. 
Elmira, N. Y., 1851. YV. YV. R. 
Orleans Co. Calf.— The calf “ John 
Bull,” raised by S. G. Sanford, of Barre, 
N. Y., has before been noticed in our paper. 
He is a cross of Durham and Devon, and 
weighed at five months and five days old, 
650 lbs. His height is 4 feet 2 inches; 
girth 5 feet 2 inches, and his length 7 feet 
He was exhibited at the State Fair. 
FARMING IN NEW ENGLAND. 
In the Rural of the 14th of Aug., a 
correspondent at Smithfield, R. I., speaks 
of Farming “as it is and as it was in New 
England.” A Massachusetts farmer de¬ 
sires to gainsay in your excellent paper, 
what is said of New England, so far as it 
applies to the Bay State, and some of the 
other New England States. He says that 
the soil has greatly degenerated during the 
last 25 years. In Massachusetts, within 
the time mentioned, the soil has improved 
and is more productive than it was 25 or 30 
years ago. With manure and proper cul¬ 
ture the farms produce better crops, so far 
as my observation extends, than formerly. 
This is true of both my native State and 
Vermont. I am astonished that any man 
should say that the soil with manure does 
not “produce plants” as formerly, Yvitliout 
manure. 
Again he says: “Every cord of manure 
made by the farmer costs him from two to 
three dollars a cord.” What is bought 
may cost that —Yvhat is made here does not 
cost any such price. I speak from experi¬ 
ence and observation. 
“ The chance,” he says, “for the farmer 
here,” that is in New England, “with a 
small capital, is any thing but encouraging.” 
Whether this be so or not, let facts answer. 
Many a young man here has, within the 
past few years, bought a farm on credit, 
with no more capital than was necessary to 
stock it, and by skill and industry has paid 
for it. Cases like this are numerous. Why 
should such leave the home of their fath¬ 
ers when they can lh T e here as well as man 
need live any where ? 
Having travelled over New England, 
the Middle States and the Western, I do 
not hesitate to say that some of the most 
independent farmers that I have ever seen, 
as well as the happiest, reside in New En¬ 
gland, the home of the Brave and the 
Free. Brave enough to “dig and delve” 
in the soil— ; and free enough to enjoy all 
of life’s richest temporal blessings, which 
cluster around the industrious path and 
home of the diligent and frugal husband¬ 
man. 
The broYvn hand made hard by labor, 
the face made dark by exposure to the life- 
giving rays of the sun, and the homespun 
dress, are tokens, here in my neighborhood, 
of one of Nature’s true noblemen. And 
here, it matters not whether a man Yvork on 
the farm or in the shop, in the study or in 
the counting-room or store—the question 
is not where he labors, but does he labor? 
No labor that needs to be performed is de¬ 
grading—all toil is alike honorable—all 
may not be alike lucrative—though the 
maxim is, the diligent hand makes rich. 
I do not like to hear my brother farmers 
conceding that their vocation is any less 
honorable than any other calling; nor am 
I any better pleased to hear them claim 
for it, that it is any better, or that it affords 
any more contentment and health than 
other necessary vocations. 
Labor is honorable, whether mental or 
physical, and it will, when well performed, 
secure as a general thing a competency, 
and thus secure joy, peace and happiness 
in the mind and state of him who lives for 
the Yvorld to come, as well as for that which 
now is. A man who is not contented with 
the lot of the industrious and skillful New 
England tanner, is destined to be longing 
for the flesh-pots of Egypt, no matter where 
his tent may be pitched, whether in the 
rich Y T alleyof the West or in New England. 
n. e. f. 
One hole in the fence will cost ten times 
as much as it will to fix it once. 
-i WHOLE NO. 92. 
fgriraltural /aits. 
NOTES ON THE WAY *AND AT 
THE CANADA CATTLE SHOW AND FAIR. 
| By our own Reporter.] 
Leaving Rochester at 12 P. M., we pro¬ 
ceeded doYvn the lake, touching at the va¬ 
rious ports of Oswego, Sackett’s Harbor, 
Kingston, &c., and owing to several deten¬ 
tions, did not arrive at Brockville until after 
9 P. M., on the second, or “ great ” day of 
the Fair. At the time of our arrival two 
steamers were loaded with animals belong¬ 
ing to the unsuccessful competitors for pre¬ 
miums, who Yvere returning homewards. 
After leaving Kingston we passed down 
the St. Lawrence, the scenery of Yvhich, 
both in diversity and beauty, is magnificent¬ 
ly grand. The Islands are of every size, 
from those of 18 or 20 miles in length by 
1 in breadth, to those of only a few rods in 
circumference, —dotting the surface of the 
river,—narrowing the channel, so that you 
could easily toss a stone to either shore, and 
as suddenly diverging, giving in their stead 
an expanse of water miles in width. The 
larger of the islands are well inhabited and 
some of the finest farms in this section are 
to be found upon them. 
The lumbering interests of this region are 
immense. All the islands are more or less 
wooded,—even those upon which there is 
hardly any deposit of earth, the trees seem- 
ingly growing in the crevices of the rocks- 
The smaller and least valuable of the wood, 
serve the steamboats for fuel, which can be 
obtained for $1,25 per cord, consisting of 
beech, maple, &c. On the American side, 
steam saw-mills are numerous, by the side 
of Yvhich may be seen vessels lading with 
the prepared timber for an eastern market. 
Brockville is a very pretty village, con¬ 
taining about 4,000 inhabitants. At pres¬ 
ent it is full to overflowing. Many are glad 
to have the privilege of sleeping in a barn, 
while others willingly pay their half dollar 
for the opportunity of upholding a wall, if, 
in return, said Yvall will but shelter them 
from the cold cutting Yvind. Numbers go 
to Ogdensburgh aud Prescott to spend the 
night, while a larger portion have unwil¬ 
lingly returned to their homes. On this ac¬ 
count there is a decided objection to hold¬ 
ing exhibitions of this character in so small 
a place; the mass cannot meet for the free 
interchange of sentiment and experience, 
consequently detracting from the general 
interest in the exhibition and the beneficial 
results Yvhich would otherwise accrue. 
The ground selected was admirably suit¬ 
ed to the occasion. It contained about 14 
acres, fenced in, slightly undulating, and 
well shaded. 
A very large quantity of stock was en¬ 
tered. In the opinion of those yvIio have 
attended all the Provincial Fairs there was 
a greater collection of fine animals present 
than on any previous occasion. The Dev¬ 
ons are superior in quality and the Short¬ 
horns, Ay reshires, Durhams, &c., <fec., were 
well represented. The first premium two 
year old Durham heifer was one of the 
finest animals of that breed we ever saw. 
Unfortunately in attempting to place her 
on board the Princess Royal, at Kingston, 
she fell into the hold of the America, and 
was brought to Rochester considerably in¬ 
jured. 
The display of Horses was good—most¬ 
ly of the Canadian breed, strong, compact- 
built, heavy animals. There were a few 
very excellent blood animals—among which 
we noticed one bearing the first premium 
of the N. Y. State Society, 
We noticed but a small collection of 
of sheep, principally of the Leicester and 
