MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER: 
A QUARTO WEEKLY 
Agricultural, Literary aiul Family Newspaper 
CONDUCTED BY D. D. T. MOORE, 
WITH AH ABLE CORPS OF ASSISTANT EDITORS. 
theranco of tho best interests of our readers 
and community. And wo frankly ask all 
who approve the Rural, and desiro to aid 
in promoting its objects, to lend a portion 
of influence to enhance its usefulness 
OHIO STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
The Rural New-Yoricer 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 Sub¬ 
jects connected with tho business of those whose interests 
it advocates. It embraces more Agricultural, Horticul¬ 
tural, Scientific, Mechanical, Literary and News Matter — 
interspersed with many appropriate and handsome engrav¬ 
ings—than any other paper published in this Country. 
H3' i ™ For Terms, &c., see last page. ^23 
plural other. 
w ^_ GO 
Progress and Improvement. 
• THE NEW YEAR AND VOLUME. 
Your attention a moment, reader. This 
number commences tho Fourth Volume of 
the Rural New-Yorker, and in presenting 
it we would fain arrange preliminaries with 
friends and strangers. Our remarks are 
penned in haste, amid preparations for tho 
new year and volumo,— yet, though some- 
wha impulsive, may not prove altogether 
inappropriate. 
lho Rural enters upon a new year and 
volumo under the most favorable auspices, 
having already received substantial invita¬ 
tions to visit numerous former and many 
new acquaintances throughout the United 
States and British Provinces. The realities 
and indications are most gratifying,—indeed 
far more positivo and encouraging than we 
had anticipated. Hence, we feel particularly 
well pleased with the public, ourselves, and 
tho ‘Vest of mankind,”—just liko wishing 
everybody and all their friends a “ Happy 
New Year,” as wo do you, reader, most 
sincerely. As wo have said on a similar 
occasion, May “ you and I, and all of us”— 
the mombers of every Family Circle in tho 
land — taught by the experience and obser 
vation of the past, this day turn an unsullied 
page, and inscribo thereon a preface em 
bracing rules of guidanco and action which 
shall lead to such performances as will 
naturally secure tho essentials of happiness 
and prosperity. 
To those who are already familiar with 
tho pages of tho Rural we have little to 
offer in addition to what has been said in 
late numbers. Wo look to former and 
continued friends and agents for favorable 
reports at this season, and confidently an¬ 
ticipate largo accessions to our subscription 
list through their exertions and influence. 
Reader, are you of this number ? If so. 
now is tho time for action. We need not 
put words in your mouth, for you can 
speak of the Rural from your own knowl¬ 
edge. The question is whether you can and 
will give the matter a little attention. Wo 
trust your response will be in the affirmative 
— for you can do much in little time, and 
with few words. The Rural is becoming 
so well and favorably known that it is now 
far easier to obtain subscribers than for¬ 
merly. Of the truth of this assertion we have 
received abundant evidence, recently, and 
trust you will furnish additional. 
A word to roaders unacquainted with the 
Hi ral those to whose sight and attention 
it is now first introduced. All strangers 
into whose hands this numhor may bo placed, 
aro respectfully invited to give it a careful 
examination — and to compare its contents, 
appearance and price with thoso of other 
papers. IVe invite such examination and 
comparison — not only becauso it is the most 
proper manner to judge of its morits, but 
for the additional reason that we believo the 
result will bo a conviction that, in all the 
essential requisites of a good Agricultural, 
Literary and Family Newspaper, tho Rural 
New-Yorker is not excelled by any in its 
sphere. Friendly stranger, please give it 
an examination, and if considered worthy, 
oxtend in its behalf your support and 
encouragement. 
To All:—Wo are resolved to uso every 
essential requisite in our possession in fur- 
TIIE SLACK HAND AND THE HAND OF THE 
DILIGENT. 
He becomefli poor that dealeth with a slack hand; but 
lhe hand of the diligent maketh rich.— Solumon 
It is a quiet evening following one of the 
early days — perhaps tho earliest — of 1853, 
when you take up this number of the Rural 
New-Yorker. A farmer, seated by your 
own comfortable fireside, its perusal is one 
of the pleasures you can afford to enjoy — 
at least wo may safely presume so—and 
you look over its varied contents with a 
varying interest as tho subjocts may speak 
to your tastes and feelings. This quaintly 
entitled article may be the last, or possibly, 
tho first which attracts your attention. Bo 
that as it may, you will not refuso to ponder 
on tho declaration of Solomon— to meditate 
tho contrast of the Slack Hand and the 
Hand of tho Diligent. 
“ He becomcth poor that doaloth with a 
slack hand,” says tho wise man. This is 
indisputably truo when applied to the far¬ 
mer. In tho culture and management of 
the soil and its varied products, such dealing 
over tends to poverty. Tho implements of 
agriculture are sturdy implements — tho 
axo, tho plow, the scythe, and tho flail, need 
a firm hand and a steady purpose to make 
them tell in forest, field and granary — 
Dallying with them, with a slack hand and 
a faint heart, will accomplish nothing. The 
forest long casts its circling shadow round 
the hut of such a pioneer; tho fallow of 
such a farmer lies half-subdued in autumn, 
with numerous baulks and ample margin ; 
and his scanty crops lose still farther in 
value, in their tedious transfer from field to 
market place. His domestic animals, and 
everything with which he has to do, feel and 
show the influences of such unfaithfulness 
for dealing with a slack hand, leaves an 
unmistakable mark upon its victims — effa 
cing slowly but surely, every ovidence of 
comfort and prosperity from the home and 
premises. 
But this is an unpleasant subject for con 
templation. And, there aro few who have 
not seen it exemplified in many and varied 
instances and in every calling of life, for the 
Slack Hand trios all, and fails alike in all. 
Tho second head of our meditations, that 
“the hand of tho diligent maketh rich,” is 
also especially true in agriculture. Specu¬ 
lation never turns its thousands in a day in 
raising grain or growing beeves for market. 
Both thoso enterprises are safe and profit¬ 
able ones, hut time is required, and above 
all the hand of tho diligent must direct and 
perform the work. Tho farmer needs to be 
earnest and active in his calling. He can 
not givo his attention to “saving tho coun¬ 
try,” or tho concerns of other men, and at 
the same time raise crops and breod stock 
which take premiums and command best 
prices. He must bo diligent in plowing and 
manuring, in planting and tilling, in sowing 
and reaping, in feeding and tending,— all 
seasons, oven winter, having their appropri¬ 
ate demands upon his labor and attention. 
The Hand of the Diligent, directed by tho 
active and intelligent mind, gathers wealth 
on every sido. Comfortable homes rise in 
tho midst of fertile and well-stocked fields, 
and prosperity declares its presence in evo- 
rything that meets tho eye of tho beholder 
Ibis is tho result not only of work but of 
thought, — not tho thought of abstruse 
thomos and impracticable theories, but the 
study ot work and its ovory-day require¬ 
ments. Ho who is diligent to know and to 
carry out tho truo principles of productive 
labor, creates wealth by every blow ho 
strikes, ovory furrow he turns, and every 
crop he cultivates. And to accomplish such 
an end as this — will it not reward the am 
bition and stimulate the energies of every 
man, of every truo working man, in tho 
country Lot us deal no longor with tho 
Slack Hand, but tako hold on tho tasks set 
before us with tho firm grasp of the Diligent. 
This Society held its annual meeting at 
Columbus, on the Sth of December, 1852, 
the President, Arthur Watts, Esq., in the 
chair. On calling tho roll, delegates from 
sixty-three counties presented thomselves, 
and handed in reports upon the progress of 
agriculture in the districts represented. 
The Secretary presented an abstract of 
tho financial condition of the Society, from 
which it appeared that the receipts from all 
sources, during the year, amounted to $23,- 
823 69. Expenditures for the same period 
$17,524 18. Leaving a balance in tho treas¬ 
ury of $6,299 51. Tho Society is thus 
shown to bo in a very prosperous condition 
financially, for which much credit is given 
to tho Fair at Cleveland, and to tho citizens 
of that fine city, for their arrangements and 
liberality. Tho Corresponding Secretary, 
Professor Mather, road an abstract from 
his report of the operations of tho Society 
in securing a chemical analysis of soils, and 
otherwise promoting tho causo of agri¬ 
culture. 
The Legislature having appropriated the 
tax on traveling exhibitions and from es¬ 
cheated estates to the funds of tho Society, 
it is expected that $4,000 will bo realized 
from this source. Resolutions were adopt¬ 
ed, for more accurate statistical information 
respecting the amount of annual crops; to 
provide for the incorporation of County Ag¬ 
ricultural Societies; also recommending the 
passage of a law authorizing County Com¬ 
missioners to subscribe, for tVo purchase of 
permanent sites for County Fairs, an amount 
equal to that subscribed by tho citizens.— 
A resolution was also adopted to increase 
tho premiums on farm crops, and place them 
at tho head of the list. J. G. Gest, R. W. 
Steele. W. II. Ladd, David McIntosh and 
J. T. Worthington were elected members 
of the State Board. A resolution was 
adopted for memorializing the Legislature 
for a law for the better protection of sheep 
from dogs, a law for which many of our read 
ers in Ohio would ho duly thankful. 
A proposition for a law authorizing Hor¬ 
ticultural Societies to send delegates to the 
State Society, with the same privileges as 
agricultural delegates, met with little favor 
Tho State Board was instructed to commu¬ 
nicate with the Boards of other States, with 
a view to having a meeting of delegates at 
Columbus, to digest measures for a general 
Industrial Fair at such points as may be 
agreed upon. It was inado the duty of thi 
President to deliver an address at each an 
nual meeting. Tho State Board were re 
quired to provide for premiums on spring 
and fall grains. 
No place was designated for the holding 
of tho annual Fair. After the adjournment 
of tho Society tho new Board elected the 
following officers for tho current year :— 
Samuel Medary, President; Joseph G 
Gest, Secretary; Michael L. Sullivant. 
Treasurer, and designated S. Medary, J. G 
Gest, and R. W. Steele as the Executive 
Committee. 
These proceedings aro full of interest and 
instruction. The operations of tho Board 
for tho past year have been upon a large 
scale, and will undoubtedly result in much 
good to the cause of agriculture in Ohio.— 
Although first organized in 1846, their re 
ceipts and expenditures are much ahead of 
any other State Society in tho Union, while 
the funds on hand and tho available means 
ensure success for the coming year. “In 
the multitude of counsellors there is safty,” 
and wo might add, the prestige of success. 
The Ohio State Board consists of over fifty 
persons, to which may bo added tho Presi¬ 
dent, or ono delegate from each County 
Society. These constitute the “ State So¬ 
ciety.” Business transacted by them has 
more influence and character than it can 
have where the Society is made up of all 
persons who choose, for any purpose, to be¬ 
come, for the time being, members. It ef¬ 
fectually prevents centralization of power 
in the hands of a few interested persons, or 
tho retaining of office, year after year, by 
the same set of men. + 
AN ESSAY ON DRAINING. 
BY N. DAVIDSON REDPATH. 
Draining is that operation in husbandry 
by which wet lands or retentive soils are 
freed from their superabundant moisture, 
and reduced to that proper degree of dry¬ 
ness which renders cultivation easy and 
profitable. In some countries, however, the 
ground is so very dry and the climate pos¬ 
sesses so vory little moisture, that instead 
of draining, tho land would require, at cer¬ 
tain seasons of the year, to ho bountifully 
irrigated. But, in our northern and tem¬ 
perate latitudo there are few farms on which 
drainage would not bo attended with com¬ 
plete success, and therefore, a thorough un¬ 
derstanding of the most approved modes of 
conducting this department of agricultural 
economy, is desirable. To aid the young or 
the inexporionced farmer in the principles 
of this important branch of agriculture, is 
the object of the present essay. 
It ought to bo kept in mind that tho ne¬ 
cessity of draining is twofold, arising in the 
first instance, from water issuing from 
springs beneath to tho surface above; or, 
secondly, from stagnant rains, or other sur¬ 
face water, being unable to penetrate into 
the strata beneath, owing to the impervious 
quality of the sub-soil. In many instances 
these two causes are combined. In each 
case, however, thorough draining is the 
great remedial measure, and according as 
either cause, or, a combination of each, 
predominates, must the operations be con¬ 
ducted. 
All soils, with few exceptions,caro subject 
to ovenvetness, either from their own reten¬ 
tive nature, or from the retentive nature of 
the sub-soil. Even sandy and gravelly soils, 
in many cases, would require draining, when 
lying, as they sometimes do, on an indura¬ 
ted and impervious sub-soil. Clay, on the 
other hand, whether on the surface, or be¬ 
neath, owing to its adhesive nature, is al¬ 
ways retentive of moisture, and consequent¬ 
ly to such soils draining is essentially ne¬ 
cessary. The necessity of draining is equal¬ 
ly strong, although not so apparent, in what 
may be called composite soils, or such as are 
composed of a mixture of clay, sand, iron, 
&c. Theso ingredients readily combine and 
render the substratum very impervious.— 
Loamy soils, in their several varieties, read¬ 
ily imbibe, but usually retain too much 
moisture, especially when lying on clay, 
and it is therefore of the first importance 
that drains bo cut in proper directions for 
its removal. -» 
That great crops have been raised on wet 
soils is not to be questioned, but this must 
depend on the state of the seasons, more 
than on the quality of the land, a contin¬ 
gency that every judicious farmer would 
endeavor studiously to avoid. It may be 
fearlessly maintained, that undrained lands 
will not give an average of crops over a se¬ 
ries of years, but must fall fearfully short 
as regards either the quantity or the quali¬ 
ty of their produce, when compared with 
other lands, all other things being equal, 
which have been subjected to a thorough 
system of drainage. The truth of this as¬ 
sertion, if, to some, not self-evident, may 
be verified by simply observing the autum¬ 
nal results of a drained and an undrained 
farm. Or. its truth may bo tested by ob¬ 
serving the difference of appearance and 
produce of a drained over an undrained 
field, upon the samo farm, although lying 
contiguously, and differing in no respect 
tho one from the other, except, that the 
overwetness has been removed from the 
former while it remains on tho other. Wet 
soils aro continually water-sick, and conse¬ 
quently produce stinted and sickly crops.— 
Do we wonder at the sickly mother produ¬ 
cing the sickly child ? 
Drains are of several kinds, varying in 
their dimensions, according to the nature 
and situation of the soil, and receive their 
designation from the materials with which 
they are filled. Rut of whatever descrip¬ 
tion, to work efficiently, mains, sub-mains, 
and tributary drains are required. One of 
the most experienced writers on the subject 
in describing a main and an inferior drain, 
says:—“The main drain should bo directed 
along tho chief hollow or valley of the 
grounds, where tho whole or greater por¬ 
tion of tho drains can be led into it. If any 
losser hollows occur in the field they must 
also have their proportional mains or lead¬ 
ers. 1 he bottom ot the main drain should 
bo at least 3 foot, and, if possible, 3£ or 4 
feet under the surface where it passes along; 
and it should have throughout as uniform a 
fall as the nature of the ground will admit. 
It should bo flagged in tho hollow, or, 
where flag-stone are expensive, built as an 
inverted arch, to prevent tho possibility of 
washing away under the sido building._ 
Tho dimensions necessary will depend on 
tho fall or declivity, and the area of land 
from which it has to receive water. With a 
fall in no place less than one foot in 100 
yards, a drain 10 inches wide and 18 inches 
deep, will void the rain water from 100 acres. 
It is of great importance to make the open 
area of such drains narrow and high, as 
smaller bottoms and covers will suit and bo 
less liable to give way; and the current of 
water being more confined, mud and sand 
will be less apt to settlo in the bottom.— 
Let the sidos be smoothly and securely 
built with flat stones, either with or without 
mortar; and let strong flat covers be placed 
over, or, where such are not to he found, 
rough simple arches may be built with thin 
stones and mortar, for the bottom and cov¬ 
er, packing tho haunches of the arch well 
up to the sides of the cut. Where lesser 
hollows occur, crossing the fields, it is ne¬ 
cessary to cut sub-drains along the bottoms, 
about 3 or 3| feet deep, and having open¬ 
ings of suitable dimensions formed by in¬ 
verted stone couples, or withal rain tiles, or, 
where a very large flow of water haS to be 
provided for, with an inverted tile, and a 
covering-tile, placed above the bottom one, 
with larger tiles made on purpose. 
There should be a cross sub-main at the 
bottom of every field, or stretch of drains, 
to receive the water from all the parallel 
drains; and such drains should always be 
cut six inches deeper than the drains run¬ 
ning into it, that the water may have a free 
drop, which will prevent the lodgment of 
mud or sand at their junction or mouths.— 
Open cuts or ditches, either as mains or sub- 
mains, should never, except from necessity, 
be adopted, being apt to get filled with mud 
and grass, by which water is thrown back 
into the drains, which often chokes them; 
besides, the loss of land, annoyance in plow¬ 
ing, constant expense of cleaning, and the 
unsightly appearance of the thing, are so- 
rious objections. 
Having thus provided for a main drain, 
with sub-mains flowing into it, matters are 
prepared for setting off and executing the 
parallel, freqent drains in the body of the 
field. The drains can be executed at any 
season, when the weather will permit, but 
the spring and summer are most suitable 
for the work. It is best to execute the 
drains when the field is in grass, as it can 
then be done in all weathers, in a more 
cleanly manner. 
In laying off the drains, tho first object 
for consideration is the nature of the sub¬ 
soil. If it consist of a strong, stiff till, or a 
dead sandy clay, then tho distance from 
drain to drain should not exceed from 10 to 
15 feet; if a lighter and more porous sub¬ 
soil, a distance of from 18 to 24 feet will be 
close enough ; and in very open subsoil, 40 
feet distance may be sufficient. When the 
ridges of the field have been formerly much 
raised, it 6uits very well to run a drain up 
every furrow,* which saves some depth of 
cutting. The furrow being afterwards made 
over the drains, the hollow is filled up. and 
the geneyal surface ultimately becomes level. 
When the field is again ridged, the drains 
may be kept in the crowns, or middle of tho 
ridges; but if it is intended to work the 
field, so as to alternate the crowns and fur¬ 
rows, then the ridges should be of a breadth 
equal to double the distance from drain to 
drain ; and by setting off the furrows in the 
•Hence called furrow draining. 
