I 
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VOLUME IV. NO. 6. >■ 
ROCHESTER, N. Y. - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1853. 
MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER: 
A quarto weekly 
Agricultural, Iiiterary and Family Newspaper, 
CONDUCTED BY D. D. T. MOORE, 
WITH AX ABLE CORPS OF ASSISTANT EDITORS. 
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 Sub¬ 
jects connected with tlio 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. 
S'lf’ For Terms, &e., see last page. • 
Jurat |Jefo-|pjr!ier. 
Progress and Improvement. 
FEBRUARY.-FARM AFFAIRS. 
“ At length grim Auster with his snowy head 
And gloomy countenance, and sable wings, 
Forth from tlte cave of Eolus hath sped, 
And o'er the land his varied winter tiings. 
Along the pathway of the storm lie wends, 
Sometimes onwraped deep in his dusky clouds, 
Anon a treaeli'rous sunbeam forth be sends, 
And the next moment all again enshrouds — 
With scudding mists he hides the mournful moon, 
That weeps behind them for a glimpse of earth, 
Then for awhile reveals her, and as soon 
Makes the night dark as ere creation's birth. 
Thus’tis with Man—now bright—now dim appear 
The hopes aud joys of each succeeding year.” 
February was tho second month added 
by Xr.UA, and named Febuca, Februara, or 
Februadis, in honor of the heathen god¬ 
dess, Juno, to whom the Romans offered 
sacrifice for purification. Our Saxon an¬ 
cestors called it Sprout-Ivelo, because Kale 
usually begins to sprout and grow in Eng¬ 
land during this month. In later times 
they called it Sal-month, or Pan-cake month, 
because cakes were offered to tho sun.— 
The Flemmings called it pruning month. 
The weather during this month, taking 
Olio year with another, is usually cold and 
stormy—tho temperature generally being 
quite variable—tho mercury frequently fall¬ 
ing lower, as well as rising higher, than in 
either of the preceding months. The bar¬ 
ometer is also quite variable — the prevail¬ 
ing winds are SVY. AY. and NW. 
The farmer, who, for tho past two months, 
has not felt tho pressure of hard labor, now 
begins to bestir himself. Tho days are 
lengthening, and his cares and toils are mul¬ 
tiplying with the increasing hours. Ilis 
ewes will begin to lamb and his cows to 
calve, all of which must bo carefully at¬ 
tended to. Tho lambs, some of them, will 
need a little extra nursing, and perhaps, 
sometimes will require a little cow’s milk 
for a few days. The owes that have lambed 
should bo separated from the flock and fed 
on rowen, with some potatoes or turnips.— 
Do not confine them in wet yards. Let 
them he kept dry and warm—not too warm. 
All live stock require especial attention 
through this month. Do not forget to uso 
plenty of litter, so as to keep clean as well 
as comfortable, in all other particulars. If 
you have not litter enough, provide more 
by purchasing of your more provident neigh¬ 
bor, who may have more than ho needs for 
his stock—for by so doing, you will increase 
both the comfort of your stock and the 
qualities of manure. 
\ cry little, if any thing can be profitably 
done this month with tho soil of either the 
garden or the farm. Rails and other ma¬ 
terials for repairing and making fences, may 
now he distributed, if it has not already been 
done. So tho finishing up of wood-drawing 
should be attended to—for March will soon 
come, when you will have something else to 
do — and this is not tho only, nor tho chief 
reason for attending to it at this time. It 
is generally a better time now to transport 
over your farm, and your team is not need¬ 
ed for other work, as it will bo then. Ma¬ 
nures may ha removed to tho fields, where 
they will be required, or where they are 
destined for use the coming Spring. 
Do not delay tho work of this month, 
though the weather is a little cold and other¬ 
wise disagreeable—for you will find it moro 
agreeable to attend to February’s work in 
b ebruary, than to do tho work of both 
b ebruary and March, in March, or neglect 
it through the year.—w. 
FRENCH MERINOS. 
Mr. Editor :—I had the good fortune a 
few days since to get a glimpse at a couple 
of the newly imported French Merino ewes, 
of the celebrated Vermont stock. A glimpse, 
I say; for, owing to the politeness of the 
gentlemanly proprietor, I had only a 
glimpse: just sufficient to discover, that 
they wore not bears, which they somewhat 
resembled in color, but veritable sheep.— 
Expressing great curiosity to see them as I 
had heard so much about them, tho proprie¬ 
tor, tbon checking up his horses at the 
pump on the side walk, replied : “ I have no 
time to talk, sir—I cannot stop a minute.” 
“I ask to detain you, sir, but just half a 
minute, that I may see the quality of the 
wool,” I said, having reached tho hip of ono, 
by passing my hand through the crate that 
covered them, and beginning to part the 
fleece with my thumb and finger. But ho 
had now regained his seat, and his fine 
horses were off in a dash. 
I greatly regretted his haste, and hope 
his time may never bo loss valuable than it 
was at that moment. I discovered at a cast 
of the eye, that they were very large sheep ; 
well formed, long bodied, and very tall, and 
that the wool was thick sot upon the car¬ 
cass, and of fine length. As to quajity, I 
had no opportunity to form any judgment. 
I can easily imagine, from the si/e of the 
animal, the length and thickness of the 
wool, and the dark complexion of the sur¬ 
face, (which I supposo is peculiar to the 
Vermont atmosphere,) that tho weight of 
tho French Merino fleeco should ho great. 
It is however, questionable, in my view, 
whether their progeny hero, will maintain 
the present si/e of the imported stock, and 
their consequent weight of fleece. It is 
very questionable I think, whether the cli¬ 
mate and soil of Vermont, and of tiffs State 
both in regard to winter circumstances, and 
summer pasturage, will prove as favorable 
to them, as the fine soil, and genial climate 
of France. The reported weight of their 
fleeces is much greater than that of our best 
fine wooled Saxons or Merinos; and prin¬ 
cipally for the reason, that thoy are much 
larger sheep. Tho fact of their si/e, is no 
doubt owing to the mild climate, rich pas¬ 
turage, and high care and keeping, to which, 
for thirty or forty years, thoy have been ac¬ 
customed in their native country. 
These imported sheep are a selection from 
decidedly the host flock in that country.— 
They are bred by gentlemen aiming at tho 
highest improvement,—men of science and 
skill in their profession,—understanding and 
having at command, all tho elements of suc¬ 
cess in such an enterprise; and who have 
givon their undivided energies to this ob¬ 
ject, for a long period. It is no wonder 
then, that their efforts to enlarge tho size, 
improve the form, and enhance the weight 
of fleece of their sheep, should be eminent¬ 
ly successful. That tho unusual size and 
excellence of their sheep, is owing to these 
causes, is conclusively proved by tho fact, 
that intelligent Americans who have visited 
France and Germany the past year, for the 
express purpose of purchasing Merinos, re" 
port that they found the flocks of those 
countries generally inferior to American 
sheep. It is only where such extra care 
has hee.n bestowed, united with science 
and skill incompassing desired results, that 
sheep of such size and character have been 
found. Now, if they could continue to re- 
alizo, in all respects the same circumstances 
here, I can see no reason why thoy should 
deteriorate. But since a change of coun¬ 
try and climate renders this impossible, it 
will ere long have to bo decided, whether 
they can maintain their present character, 
under less favorable circumstances. The 
common sense decision, before hand, would 
bo, that they cannot. 
It is important, in comparing those im¬ 
ported Merinos with our best American 
flocks, to recollect, that a sheep weighing 
150 to 200 lbs. will necessarily ho twice as 
costly to sustain as ono weighing 75 to 100 
lbs. In tho rage for foreign shoep, our best 
Saxons soem to be wholly overlooked. At 
recent large sales in New York, tho Saxon 
wool averaged ten cents a pound more than 
the best Merinos. In Europe, tho Saxons 
are Merinos, improved with special refer¬ 
ence to tho quality of tho fleeco. In this 
country, efforts have been made to enlarge 
their size, and tho consequent weight of 
fleece, still retaining its original fineness. 
There are now flocks of improved Saxons 
hero, roared and sustained with no extra 
care, where tho ewes weigh from 75 to 100 
lbs., and yield 4£ to 5if lbs. of clean washed, 
superfino wool. It must be a splendid ewe 
of any size, name, or country, that shall 
yield twice this amount, of like quality and 
condition. It is safe to assume, that sheep 
of this character aro nowhere to be found, 
unless from tho flocks from wiienco tho 
Vermont importations have beeri selected. 
These flocks have boen reared by intelligent 
breeders; devoting to their improvement 
all their onergies,—enjoying tlie most fa¬ 
vorable circumstances, in all respects, for 
the attainment of the highest perfection. 
Now it is not for a moment to be imagined, 
that New York farmers will apply the same 
care and skill to their culture. Thoy think 
too much of wheat and other subjects, to 
give sheep and wool growing, any other 
place, than that of a secondary, or collate¬ 
ral object. Tho fair and legitimate infer¬ 
ence seems, therefore, to be, that French 
Merinos of tho present time, will bo quite 
a different article, from tho American-bred 
French Merino, a few years honed. 
Farmer D. 
Rochester, Jan. 15, 1853. 
FARMERS’ HOMES.—PLANTIN'.;- TREES. 
Messrs Editors : —Your articis on “Far¬ 
mers’ Homes,” in a recent number of the 
Rural, has suggested some reminiscences 
of years past, which you can publish if you 
think they will advance tho cause of rural 
embellishment. 
In the spring of 1S2G, soon after I bought 
my small place and commenced house-keep¬ 
ing, Mrs. Wilcox planted a black walnut in 
the door-yard. It failed to vegetate the 
first season, but the frosts of the second 
winter opened the nut, and next year thero 
was a fine shoot growing, to which we gave 
some care,—cutting off the side shoots, and 
so causing a more rapid upward growth.— 
When it had attained a height of ten feet, 
a late spring frost nipped the top, and we 
then allowed it to send out branches to form 
the head, and kept its slender trunk sup¬ 
ported by a stake, in the growing season. 
It has grown finely and its circumference, 
ono foot abovo the ground, is now noarly 
four feet. It has a straight unmarred trunk 
and a well-balanced top, which covers a 
space of thirty-four feet in diameter. Some 
have told mo if they had it in front of their 
dwellings, they would not take £25 for it, 
and several times that sum would not se¬ 
cure our consent to its removal. It is pleas¬ 
ant in summer, to go out beneath its shade 
among the flower borders, whilejthe soft air 
rustles its pendant leaves, and the song¬ 
sters make their varied music among the 
branches. And, in autumn, the fruit which 
loads its branches, gives ample return for 
all the care which it has required. 
It is about eighteen yoars since I set 
some sugar maples in the high-way, in front, 
i of my house—leaving room for the sido 
walk between them and the fence. Fre¬ 
quently have I heard people say, while pass¬ 
ing by one of them, “ that is tho handsomest 
shade tree I ever saw.” Several years since, 
I extended tho row of maples tho entire 
front of my place, some 25 rods. While I 
was setting tho trees and putting boxes 
around them, for protection, some said thoy 
would not amount to much; I told them 
that I thought different, saying, “ let them 
attain the size of those I first sot, and if I 
wanted to sell my place, a row of such trees 
would enable mo to realize £100 more for 
it than I could sell for without them.” To 
the observing man, who wishes to locate 
himself with a pleasant home, there is some¬ 
thing more attractive in such things than 
most farmers suppose. 
To transplant the sugar maple, select 
straight and smooth ones from 1 £ to 2 inches 
in diameter; trim all the limbs off and the 
top also, leaving tho body about 10 feet in 
length. Do not sot them very deep, as the 
sugar maple strikes its roots near the sur¬ 
face of the ground. If they grow, the sap 
seldom fails to force out buds near tho top. 
All the shoots should remain two or three 
years. Then to form handsome tops trim 
off all except ono, and they seldom require 
more trimming to make handsome trees. I 
came near losing one of my largest trees by 
leaving two shoots to grow. The result 
was, it mado a crotched tree, and a heavy 
wind split it over three feet, down the body. 
If the balsam fir trees aro taken from the 
swamp, sot them first in a moist place, un¬ 
der the north side of a tight hoard fence, 
to protect them from the hot summer sun. 
In a few years they can be set where want¬ 
ed, with little risk of loss. 
I have frequently had people hitch their 
teams to my maplo trees, though there was 
a good hitching post but a few feet distant. 
Now I would like to give a gentle hint to 
thoso who forget that a shade tree in front 
of a man’s dwelling is not set there for a 
hitching post. 
In conclusion I would urge every man to 
set a few shade trees in front of his dwel¬ 
ling. Let him select such kinds as best 
suit his fancy. Do not place them too 
thick, as a few of different kinds, with large 
and well-spread tops, look better than a 
thicket, and give a better chance to the 
flower borders. An Isabella grape vine, 
trained over a summer house, or upon a 
trellis, with proper care, in a few years will 
be laden with fruit, and add to the beauty 
of the rural scene. Every farmer will re¬ 
ceive ample and ever increasing satisfaction 
for the care bestowed on tho embellishment 
of his home. Alvin Wilcox. 
West Bloomfield, N. Y., Jan., 20, 1833. 
THE RED CEDAR FOR FARM FENCES. 
The scarcity of timber makes us begin 
to think that some substitute must be used 
for fencing, and ono inquiry is, What kind 
of tree will mako tho best hedge when 
planted for that purpose ? The merits of 
the different varieties used, thus far, have 
been fully discussed, but I have never heard 
of the Red Cedar tree being spoken of as 
suitable for a farm fence, yet I believe that 
this, after all, is the variety of tree which 
will yet bo used for such purpose more than 
any other, and does in reality possess more 
good qualities to recommend it for such 
purpose for our climate. 
Tho different good qualities aro : It bears 
pruning to any extent, and at any season, 
and is improved thereby. It is subject to 
no diseases. It grows equally well in poor, 
thin soil as in rich. It is not affected by 
long drouth or tho coldest weather. Grain 
or other plants will grow even among the 
branches, so that no barren land is caused 
by the growth of its roots. It will be a pro¬ 
tection from tho sweeping winds that blow 
across our country in winter. It will form 
an agreeable shade for all domestic animals 
and by a general adoption of this tree for 
fence, our whole country will be beautified 
by tho cheorful appearance of these over¬ 
greens. 
I would be glad to awaken all readers of 
the Rural to this subject, for none, certain¬ 
ly, is more worthy of their attention. I have 
hundreds of these trees under my observa¬ 
tion—some standing singly—some in groups 
and other, in lines, and nune can be more 
ornamental. I. Hildreth. 
Plaster on Wheat. —A Michigan farmer 
turned under a five years clover sod for 
wheat, plowing deeply and harrowing thor¬ 
oughly beforo sowing. The wheat grew 
well in autumn, but in spring turned yellow. 
The last of April, plaster was sown upon it, 
and in a few days it turned a dark green 
color. It yielded, where plastered, 28 bush¬ 
els per acre; where none was applied,about 
18 bushels. 
The best investment for a farmer is live 
stock and plowshares. 
i WHOLE NO. 
GOOD FARMING,-MR. HARMON’S 
STATEMENT. 
Mr. Editor :—I have read your paper for 
some time, and as a general thing, prize 
most highly tho recorded experience of 
brother farmers; thinking a little practical 
experience is worth an indefinite amount of 
theory,— bo it scientific or otherwise.— 
Should farmers more generally publish their 
various systems of farming, it would be 
greatly useful. 
ho act upon the above suggestion, and 
to induce others to do likowise, I mako the 
following statement: 
Ono year ago last spring, I may say that 
I commenced farming. Although horn and 
bred a farmer—yet previous to that time, 
with the exception of ono year, I had not 
managed a farm on my own account; I am 
therefore a new beginner. At that time my 
farm consisted of 254 acres, 22 being in 
wood land, 32 meadow land, roads, yards, 
&c.; the remaining 200, good wheat land— 
mostly a clayey loam— some of it inclined 
to be springy. I have dug, this season and 
last, 350 rods of underdrains and filled the 
most of them with small round stone, (and 
I wish I had done so with all of them.)— 
Thus much by way of premises. 
I harvested this last season, from ninety 
acres of summer fallow, and ten acres of 
corn ground in whoat, three thousand and 
fifty-six bushels. Seventy acres were Flint, 
and thirty were Soule’s—and I think I 
might have had from three to five hundred 
bushels moro had I sown fifty acres more to 
Soule’s instead of Flint wheat. 
Fifteen acres of the land was pastured one 
season—ten acres were mowed two seasons, 
the remainder was in wheat the season but 
one befoi'8, excepting the corn ground, 
which had been mowed two or three seasons, 
and I put on thirty loads of manure to the 
acre. The summer fallow was plowed hut 
once—hut before harvest. It was cultivated 
with the wheol cultivator, three or four 
times, beforo sowing. I plowed in all the 
clover the land \yould grow, and it was well 
plastered early in tho spring. I plowed, as 
a general thing, not less than nine inches 
deep, which I consider as shallow as land 
ought to be plowed for wheat. 
Now, taking into consideration the size of 
the farm, (there being only 254 acres;) and 
that I sow the same land “ every other 
year;” and that so much of it was Flint 
wheat; and that it was not quite as well 
prepared for wheat as it ought to have been, 
I would challenge any reader of the Rural 
to beat it. I shall expect a good many of 
thoso who have raised the big yields , of 
which we have heard so much the past fall, 
to present their cases. Should they beat 
me, I suppose I shall have to wait till an¬ 
other season before I can givo them another 
challenge, when, as I have another hundred 
acres of wheat growing, I shall not tail to 
do so. 
I have usually kept from sixty to eighty 
sheep—but I made up my mind this last 
summer, that they did not pay, and I do not 
now own one. Instead of sheep, I intend 
to keep cows; not so many as to prevent 
the clover from growing, but enough to 
work into manure the straw, hay, &c., which 
grow on the farm — say twenty or twenty- 
five; which will yield a clear profit of £20 
per head, besides partly fattening from 
twenty to thirty hogs. In this manner I 
hope to realize a far greater sum than I did 
from the sheep, and in the mean time en¬ 
rich tho land. 
Can any of your readers who sow only 
one third of their farms to whoat, and keep 
sheep, show an equal profit with the above? 
I have been thus minute in my statement 
J in the hope that others, who may give us 
I their mode of farming, may be equally so. 
Should any of them convince me that there 
is a more profitable way of farming, I shall 
be most ready to accept it. 
A. E. Harmon. 
Wheatland, N. Y., Dec. 16, 1852. 
The grateful soil yields back with interest 
all that is lavished upon it. 
