MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER: 
A QUARTO WEEKLY 
Agricultural, Literary and Family Newspaper 
CONDUCTED BY D. D. T. MOOSE, 
WITH AN ABLE CORPS OF ASSISTANT EDITORS. 
Tar Rcr.al New-Yorker is designed to be unique and 
beautiful in appearance, and unsurpassed in Value, Purity 
and Variety of Contents. IC3 conductors earnestly labor 
to make it a Reliable G uide on the important Practical Sub- 
jects connected with Cue 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. 
£ 3 ?" For Terms, &c., see last page. ^P| 
Progress and Improvement. 
SAVING- AND APPLYING MANURE. 
None of our Agricultural readers should 
fail to peruse an article under this heading 
on the first page of last week’s Rural, for 
it is one full of excellent suggestions, and 
worthy of their careful consideration. That 
the course recommended is a successful and 
profitable one, they can be assured by re¬ 
reading a communication entitled, “ Farm¬ 
ing a Paying Business,” in the 8th No. of the 
present volume, in which the result of the 
writer’s practice is shown to be a good living 
and thirteen per cent, profit on tho capital 
invested in his farming operations. Such, 
always, are tho returns of well-considered 
and thoroughly-applied plans for the feed¬ 
ing as well as the cropping of the soil, and 
such always will bo their character. 
It is important, too, as calling the atten¬ 
tion to procuring, as far as possible, the 
necessary supplies of manure upon the farm. 
While so many of the home-sources are 
neglected, and so many valuable fertilizers 
remain unemployed — although within the 
reach of every farmer — any thing which 
will awaken them to this subject is of value, 
and should bo given place and prominence 
in our Agricultural journals. To turn, as 
far as possible, every resource to economical 
account, is one secret of success in this, as 
in every other business. It should indeed, 
bo “ a prominent part in tho farm-work, to 
manufacture as much manure thereon as 
possihlo.” It should ho a subject of careful 
study, to so apply tho manurial resources, 
and so vary tho course of cropping, as to 
givo every fiold its duo share—that thus the 
whole farm may become alike fertile and 
productive, and tho wholo pay a fair profit 
to tho owner for his outlay of capital and 
labor — of thought and attention. 
That farming, as it is too often practiced, 
does not pay as it once did, is a conceded 
fact. But there are very good reasons for 
this fact, and they wore well stated by our 
correspondent. Land can he worn out —and 
unless some means aro used to restore again 
what is continually taken from it by crop¬ 
ping, it will wear out. And the cultivation 
of land exhausted by long tillage—its culti¬ 
vation on tho same system which has ex¬ 
hausted it—is truly a hard, unprofitable and 
unpleasant business — enough to givo “ tho 
blues,” even to tho most shiftless and un- 
energetic of those who plod along in its 
practice. Tho best thing they can do is to 
“ move west,” or better, to quit farming al¬ 
together,—for assuredly such farming will 
never pay, either in pleasuro or profit. 
But Nature is over provident of resources. 
Farming may bo made profitable even upo 11 
soils such as theso. There scorns to us no 
greater triumph of science and skill than to 
take a sterilo, unproductive farm, and by 
the application of simple means — means, 
perhaps, furnished in abundance within its 
own hounds — to restore it to fertility and 
productiveness, such as shall make it truly 
profitable, and its cultivation an easy and 
pleasant task. 
Saving and applying manure, combined 
with thorough cultivation and a judicious 
system of rotation of crops, is the true way 
of producing and keeping up fertility in tho 
soil. Shall it not bo thought of, studied, 
and attended to, by thoso so closely inter¬ 
ested in tho subject — thoso whoso welfare 
ar.d position dopond so essentially upon 
the success with which it is accomplished ?— 
But wo need scarcely ask this question. It 
is evident on every hand, that it is attract¬ 
ing thought and study, and becoming a great 
practical fact in every farmer’s plans and 
operations. And it is one of the leading 
designs of the agi’icultural department of 
the Rural to “push on the column,”—to 
furnish in every issue somo fact or sugges¬ 
tion which shall aid in the good work. Give 
us the material, ye men of progress,— give 
us your experiments and experience in 
farming, and tho lessons which they teach 
shall bo made available to thousands, and 
thus help on tho glorious march of Im¬ 
provement. 
HOW SHALL MANURE BE APPLIED TO 
THE SOIL? 
It is now pretty generally conceded that 
manures may he wasted both by leaching 
and evaporation, and hence “ surface ma¬ 
nuring ” and “ plowing in,” are both in part 
right, and in part wrong. The advocates of 
the two systems have long discussed their 
several advantages, bringing forward various 
reasons in support of their favorite systems, 
and inducing the conclusion — at least on 
tho part of the unprejudiced observer—that 
the best mode of applying manures was, 
“to keep them near the surface, well mixed 
with earth, as in that situation they were 
most readily brought into a solublo condi¬ 
tion, and rendered available to the support 
of plants — their valuable qualities being 
neither liable to be dissipated by the atmos¬ 
phere, or washed too deeply into the soil.” 
These conclusions are induced by tho fol¬ 
lowing considerations : 
1. That manure is lost by going down¬ 
ward — by its sinking into the soil beyond 
the reach of plants — is proved by experi¬ 
ment and observation. Most farmers have 
observed this in their barn-yards and be¬ 
neath manure heaps. The soil after a time 
becomes perfectly saturated with tho ma¬ 
nurial elements for a depth of several feet, 
— and such soil may be employed as a fer¬ 
tilizer with nearly equal results with tho 
manure itself. This shows that it will 
“leach.” And 
2. That it is lost by evaporation is equal¬ 
ly evident. Its chief value resides in cer¬ 
tain gases — some of them of a highly vola¬ 
tile nature. Tho nitrogen exists chiefly in 
the form of ammonia, and that this will es¬ 
cape is readily perceived by tho smell when 
any body of manure is undergoing decom¬ 
position. Tho “ surface manuring” which 
pastures recoivo from cattle and horses, is 
of littlo value compared with what it would 
bo were there no loss by evaporation. The 
liquid droppings which are immediately 
absorbed, alono produce any marked effect. 
Hence 
3. Tho true point to bo observed in the 
application of manures seems to be, to 
“ place them where none of their value 
shall bo wasted, and at tho same time in a 
situation to be acted upon by the agents of 
decomposition.” Ileat, air, and moisture 
are the chief agonts in this process. With¬ 
out heat there can bo no action or change, 
or without air and its great decomposing 
element, oxygen ; and moisture is required 
to aid in the perinoation of heat and air. 
Light also is useful, and in some degree 
necessary. Tho same influences essential 
to the germination of seeds, aro necessary 
to tho decomposition and action of manure. 
Both will remain inert if buried too deeply, 
both require to be brought within the influ¬ 
ence of heat, air and moisture. 
Manures applied as ameliorators—with a 
view to their mechanical action upon tho 
soil—are excepted from theso rules. To 
render a heavy soil more friable by tho use 
of muck or other partially decomposed veg¬ 
etable matter, it should bo doeply plowed 
in, that in subsequent cultivation it may be 
thoroughly mixed with tho soil. So too of 
tho application of clayoy composts to light 
sandy soils. 
— But no special rule can apply in all 
cases. Tho farmer must carefully consider 
tho stato of his manures, of his soils, his 
HORMAN HORSE, “LOUIS PHILIPPE.” 
The above portrait from “Randall’s 
Youatt on the Horse,” is a good represen¬ 
tation of the Norman Horse “Louis Pbil- 
lippo,” owned by R. B. Howland, of Union 
Springs, Cayuga Co., N. Y. He was bred 
by Edward Harris, Esq., of Moorestown, N. 
J., (in 1843,) from his pure imported Nor¬ 
man Stock. “ Louis Phillippe ” is an ex¬ 
cellent characteristic specimen of tho Nor¬ 
man Horse; is a dapple gray, fifteen hands 
one and one-half inches high, and weighs 
twelve hundred pounds, when in good con¬ 
dition. 
His sire was exhibited, when four yeai-s 
means to work with, and the result lie would 
arrive at. Coarse or long manure, all agree, 
should bo given greater depth than that 
composted and well decomposed, and it is a 
conceded fact, also, that the latter is more 
immediate and active in its effects. 
MR. REDPATH ON DRAINING- 
IIOW PEEP DO T1IE ROOTS OF WHEAT EXTEND? 
Mr. Editor :—I believo it was that emi¬ 
nent chemist, Sir Humphrey Davy, who 
said that “ nothing is so instructive in ex¬ 
perimental science as the correction of mis¬ 
takes.” If he is correct in regard to experi¬ 
mental science, is it not very important to 
“ correct mistakes” in experimental practice? 
For my own part, I think it more important 
in the latter case than in the former; for if 
a mistake occurs in science, (theory.) it calls 
for no positive action, and may not do much 
harm ; whereas a mistake in practice often¬ 
times involves a man in irretrievable ruin. 
I was led into this train of thought by 
observing in your 158th number, the first 
part of an “ Essay on Draining” by Mr. 
Redpatii, in which he says that shallow 
drains aro liable to be clogged by “ the roots 
of wheat, which will frequently strike down 
six or seven feet below tho surface,” &c.— 
It is possible that there is a “ slip of the pen,” 
or a typographical error, in this matter.— 
If neither, I must confess to much astonish¬ 
ment in regard to it. How it may be in Mr. 
Rs.’ native country, I do not know, but in 
tho country where I reside, I will venture 
to say that no forest tree, even of a hundred 
years growth, ever “ struck its roots down 
below the surface six or sevn feet,” or much, 
(if any) more than half that depth. 
I am aware that there is a very general 
opinion prevalent in our country, in which 
I concur, that, usually, the roots of a tree, 
or plant, are about as long as the stem and 
branch. But those long roots do not “ strike 
down 6 or 7 foot below the surface;” they 
run ramblingly off, near the surface, in search 
of their proper nourishment. I believe it is 
generally understood that in tho ordinary 
soils of tho Genoseo country, neither root 
nor seed, over did, or would gi’ow, if buried 
to the depth of 6 or 7 feet below the surface; 
because of the lack of thoso indispensable 
requisites, air and heat —without which 
nothing vegetable, can grow, or live —even 
tho roots of the Canada thistle (a plant most 
tenacious of life,) has been destroyed, in a 
singlo season, by monthly cutting just be¬ 
low the surface of the ground. 
Tho facts I have mentioned seem to af¬ 
ford sufficient proofs that the roots of the 
moro tender wheat plants could not grow, 
at such a depth, oven if the strength of the 
old, at the Fair of the N. Y., State Agricul¬ 
tural Society, in Albany, in 1842, and won 
high commendation from the committee. 
They report this horso, “ one of unusual 
substance and symmetry for tho breed, the 
whole conformation betraying immense 
strength. He also displayed free and spir¬ 
ited action. Tho committee believe, that 
in its pure state, this variety of horses would 
prove most valuable for heavy draught; 
and there is littlo doubt that if crossed with 
tho light mares of our country, would pro¬ 
duce a peculiarly hardy and active race of 
horses, fit for the road or plow.” 
plant enabled them to “ strike down” as far 
as Mr. R. asserts. Indeed, it must be ut¬ 
terly impossible that a weak plant, having 
a “ natural” life time of only lOor 11 months, 
could striko clown its roots more than a 
fourth, anu »x.~st probably not more 
a sixth or seventh part of six or seven feet. 
There aro several other matters in the “ Es¬ 
say,” upon which I should like to have in¬ 
formation ; but, as I observe that that good 
practical fanner, Linus Cone, has noticed 
them, it is unnecessary for mo to mention 
them. A long experience had long sinco 
led me to the same conclusions with Mr. 
Cone, in regard to deep plowing and cul¬ 
tivation. I will only remark further, that 
I should not have troubled you, or Mr. R., 
in regard to this matter, hut that I feared 
the young and inexperienced might be led 
into a mistake by Mr. Rs.’ error, and I did 
not know of any more efficacious mode of 
conveying instruction than by the “ correc¬ 
tion of the mistake.” ’Kiel. 
CONDENSED CORRESPONDENCE. 
The Cultivation of Carrots. 
Mr. Moore : —I have seen in your pages 
recently, several communications upon rais¬ 
ing carrots; but do not think the subject is 
yet exhausted. I have seen as yet no plan 
for digging or sowing them, which I perfer 
to mine. I have for a few years past prac- 
1 ticed digging with the plow, and I think it 
saves at least two-thirds of the labor. Tho 
rows should be sown straight as possihlo, 
and when ready to dig commence on ono 
side of tho piece—plow one furrow about a 
foot from the first row, turning tho dirt 
from the carrots—then commenco again at 
the first place of setting in, and plow the 
next furrow deep, the same way, with tho 
landsido of the plow as near the carrots as 
possible, this leaves them all exposed, and 
they can be taken out by hand very oasily. 
The tops may be cut with a hoe, before dig¬ 
ging. but I generally leave the tops on until 
after they are dug. 
My method of sowing is this :—Turn un¬ 
der a good coat of manure, deep, and use 
tho sub-soil plow at tho same time; drag 
the land smooth,—then strike straight 
furrows through the piece from eighteen 
inches to two feet apart, and drop manure 
in those furrows; cover tho manure by turn¬ 
ing a furrow each way with a light plow. 
The ridges thus made will bo tho same dis¬ 
tance apart as tho furrows first drawn. 
Rake off the top of these ridges with an iron 
toothed rako, which leaves them free from 
stones and other impediments to tho use of 
the drill. Tho drill which I used last soa- 
son, and which I prefer to any other I have 
1 WHOLE HO. 
used, was got up by E. D. Hallock, of your 
city. 
i make the rows that distance apart to 
admit of a light plow and horse in cultiva¬ 
tion. At the last hoeing I scatter turnip 
seed in the middle of the space botween the 
rows, to till up the ground. If tho hand 
hoe or hand cultivator is used, tho rows 
might bo nearer togother, say sixteen inches. 
I consider carrots a valuable crop to raise, 
either for feeding or to sell. My store hogs 
have done well on them this winter. In¬ 
deed there is scarcely any animal which 
will not eat and thrive on them.— William 
Hodges, Brighton, JY. Y., May, 1853. 
How Farmers may use Chemistry. 
Messrs. Editors:— In No. 13 of tho 
present volume, is an article on Agricultural 
Chemistry, in which it is well said, that “ it 
would seem to any thinking, reilecting mind, 
that the science and art which treats of. and 
explains the laws of growth and nourish¬ 
ment, whether of plants or animals, would 
bo of the deepest interest to all who are en¬ 
gaged in Agricultural pursuits.” If this bo 
the case—if chemistry, can be of so much 
benefit to the farmer, (and I firmly believe 
it can)—it is for his interest that it be bro’t 
into use as soon as possible. A few scien¬ 
tific farmers receive some benefit from it 
now, and it should bo spread throughout 
the country, that every farmer might do tho 
samo. Then wo might behold a rapid im¬ 
provement in the quality, and an increaso 
in the amount of grain, roots, &c. 
The first question that arises, is: How 
can the science of chemistry be made avail¬ 
able ? or, how can every farmer receive the 
benefits arising from it? We have as yet, 
no agricultural . . where he might gain 
a thorough practical knowledge of chemis¬ 
try. And if we were blessed with these in¬ 
stitutions of learning thoro are hut few of 
the great mass of farmers who could im¬ 
prove tho chance. The lato Prof. John P. 
Norton, in his address before the Now York 
State Agricultural Society, in 1851, said— 
“ Do not encourage your young farmers to 
indulge in the idea of becoming chemists, 
or thoroughly scientific men. There is 
much in the way of science that they may 
most profitably study and practice upon, 
but they cannot usefully or advantageously 
go beyond the more elementary depart¬ 
ments ; he who cherishes tho desire to do 
moro than this, must mako chemistry his 
chief pursuit for a long period of timo, and 
under good advantages for instruction.”— 
As Prof. Norton has said, there is much in 
the elementary department upon which the 
farmer may study and practice, but lie can 
not gain a knowledge of chemistry that will 
enable him to analyze soils, &c., readily. 
On tho 126th page, of tho present volume 
of the Rural, is a fine classification of ma¬ 
nures, which every farmer reader ought to 
preserve, and with this classification ho 
should have an analysis of the different 
kinds of grains and roots. Then, knowing 
what crops have been taken from the soil, 
and what he wishes to take from it next, ho 
can turn to his analysis of grains, and class¬ 
ification of manures, and soon determine 
what to apply to restore the fertility of the 
soil, and bring forth a good crop. But, I 
think the farmers may receive more benefit 
from chemistry than this. Why is it that 
every man is not his own physician ? Be¬ 
cause ho has not the timo or means, and 
even if he had it would bo cheaper to pay a 
person who has made it a study for years. 
If this be tho case in medicine, why not in 
agricultural chemistry ? Why not have 
practical chemists, on whom the farmers 
may call, to have their soils, grains, ma¬ 
nures, &c., analyzed. This is the most fea¬ 
sible plan that I see, to introduce agricultu¬ 
ral chemistry to the farming community.— 
E. A. B., Medina, JY. Y., April 2D, 1853. 
Care of Harness—Again. 
To tiie Editor :—I wrote for tho “ Zaties- 
ville Aurora,” an article which was copied 
into your papor, on the “ Preservation of 
Harness,” to which your correspondent “ H.,” 
replies April 30th, objecting to the method 
