VOLUME IV. NO. 29. I 
1 WHOLE NO. 185 
MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER: 
A QUARTO WEEKLY 
Agricultural, Literary and Family Newspaper 
but the excellent quality produced when 
thus treated, is convincing evidence that the 
practice can be tolerated without serious 
detriment to the quality of the article,— 
though it is generally conceded the butter 
longer retains its freshness and sweetness 
when no water is used in its manufacture. 
The quantity of salt used seldom exceods 
an ounce to a pound, and often not quite as 
much. Buttor made under ditforent cir¬ 
cumstances requires different treatment, and 
the taste will, from experience, soon become 
the best guide. The salt used should bo the 
purest that can be obtained, and in all parts 
of our State the Ashton’s Liverpool is most 
in use. The Broome county dairymen use 
the same. Wo have heretofore said, and 
are still of the opinion, that it is used in the 
place of that mado at Syracuse, more from 
a prejudice than on account of its greater 
purity. 
The butter sent forward from Bingham¬ 
ton is packed in what are known as the 
Orange county tubs, .barrel-shaped, of heart 
white oak, having half-round hickory hoops 
with tho bark on. Wo havo been again as¬ 
sured that buttor thus packed, commands 
not only a more ready sale, but better 
prices than when packed in other tubs.— 
They hold about eighty pounds, and cost 
about seventy cents each. 
Tho Broome county butter is selling 
readily in Now York, at 22 to 24 cents, while 
hero good butter commands not over thir¬ 
teen conts, and often, when packed in tho 
large open tubs and sent to Now York, sells 
for a less sum. We find no difficulty in get¬ 
ting a supply of good table butter at loss 
than fifteen cents, while the samo butter 
packed in the kind of firkins used in the 
counties named, could r< 
farming, and is tho means of placing crops 
in a situation to bo seriously affected by 
every change of tho weather—a little too 
much rain, or a little too umch sunshine, 
diminishing or porhaps destroying the crops 
altogether. It is astonishing that mon will 
so tenaciously cling to an error whon count¬ 
less subjects are boforo them for examina¬ 
tion, which, if examined, would at onco pre¬ 
sent proof sufficient to remove their errone¬ 
ous impressions. 
That tho natural tendency of tho roots 
of the plants wo cultivate, fruit and forest 
trees is downward, and that they will peno- 
trato tho soil to almost an unlimited extent 
if thoy meet with no obstruction in their 
progress, is a theory that I have long and 
earnestly contended for as tho truo theory. 
To satisfy my own mind and convinco tho 
unbelioving tho spado has often been called 
into requisition, and tho result of every ex¬ 
amination was that tho roots of grass, grain, 
vegetables, fruit and forest trees have in¬ 
variably occupied all tho soil, no matter 
what was the the depth of tho samo. The 
proof that is brought forward by ’IIiel to 
sustain his hypothesis, is inadmissible, and 
not of a character to convinco an old digger 
that works with his eyes open—for within a 
few days I have taken out stumps where the 
roots penetrated a hard clay more than eight 
feet, and have gathered wheat roots by the 
hand full from the conduit and from among 
tho stones of a drain more than throe feet be¬ 
low tho surface. 
Although II. has labored to maintain (by 
a strange course of reasoning it is true) that 
the roots of " plants do not strike down,” 
must be decidedly out of place, as all three breeds 
are to have the same width of back, hips and loin. 
Look at this, ye men of Devon, and tell me 
whether you admit such wide, disproportioned 
rumps “as a point of excellence.” Why should 
a Hereford on this valuable point “show more 
aptitude to fatten” than the others ? I consider 
it a very strong “point of excellence,” as there 
must be quality to produce such a covering; and 
ought to be allowed “ 15 ” in addition to what is 
already allowed by Mr. Botch. 
The pelvis seems to cqrrespond ; all are to be 
“wide.” The twists “ all broad” Mr. B. gives 
the Devon that beautiful point of excellence, “small 
bone below hock and knee,” but does not to either 
Short-horn or Hereford. Now, I contend that 
the Hereford will produce more weight in propor¬ 
tion to fineness of bone, than any other animal of 
any breed , (Mr. Corning’s heifer proved that 
satisfactorily,) and I consider this point of excel¬ 
lence worthy of the highest praise, as it is a mark 
of good and true scientific breeding. The quarters 
(I suppose he means all four,) are most mysteri- 
■ously described ; my impression is that they em¬ 
brace the whole animal in six points of a hundred 
according to Mr. B.’s doctrine. 
CONDUCTED BY D. D. T. MOORE, 
WITH AN ABLE CORPS OF ASSISTANT EDITORS. 
Botch’s “Points of Excellence” in Cattle have 
passed the Ex. Com., and their thanks are pre¬ 
sented to him for the very able and carefully 
prepared report which he submitted on that diffi¬ 
cult and important subject. I cannot let this pass 
without making a few remarks; neither shall I 
scruple in doing it, while endeavoring to make my 
views plain, as I think such a paper is of vast 
consequence to the public, and very important to 
the Society to have it thoroughly investigated. 
I ask, where would be the difference in the head, 
and eye, of a Short-horn, Devon, or Hereford, if a 
short curved horn was put upon the two latter, and 
all of the same “color V’ I claim a fine muzzle 
and bright eye for the Hereford ; the rest will cor¬ 
respond. No one ever saw a large “bony ” head 
with a fine muzzle. I think Devon breeders claim 
very much the same. The “ beautiful orange col¬ 
ored ring” round the eye of the Devon reminds 
I me of the Berkshire pig story, with its curly tail 
and the white tip on the end to make it pure. Again. 
Why should the neck of these three breeds vary ? 
One neck only can be a “point of excellence from 
whence does Mr. B. claim his “authority” to 
make them differ ? Two out of the three must be 
imperfect —what the Society ought not to sanction ; 
anil the rule will hold good throughout the whole. 
The chests are equally various, having claimed 
something extraordinary and novel, for the Devons. 
“A springing rib.” This must cause much 
laughter among practical men, Devon breeders, 
and those appointed judges. Is this “ springing 
rib ” made of bone or muscle ? This is the ques¬ 
tion. I observe the Devons have a large share of 
the latter given them “round the shoulder;” a 
very singular place, truly, for so much, without 
getting into tins “ springing rib.” Please explain 
its mode of action, as it may be an object to breed 
it into Herefords and Short-horns. If deemed a 
pointy excellence in describing the briskets of the 
three breeds, they ail come to one point; which of 
the three deserves that “ of excellence ” is left to 
conjecture; but I think it is rather difficult to dis¬ 
cover what kind of one is intended for the Short¬ 
horn. There is nothing definite in it. 
The shoulder of the Short-horn, says Mr. B., 
“ should be somewhat upright, and of good width 
at the points.” I ask him whether he ever saw 
an animal upright in its shoulders that was level 
in the crops, which he admits is one of the most 
difficult points to breed right in a Short-horn ; and 
such will always be the case if breeders are 
instructed to breed upright shoulders. A very 
glaring evil. Can it be possible that a “scientific 
breeder” should advance such doctrine as “a 
point of excellence,” destined for the instruction 
of judges ? 
Again.—The idea of “wide shoulder joints.” 
There can be no truer criterion of a low bred ani¬ 
mal than projecting “ shoulder points,” and are 
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 the business of those whose interests 
it advocates. It embraces more Agricultural, Horticul¬ 
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interspersed with many appropriate and handsome engrav¬ 
ings— than any other paper published in this Country. 
53?” For Terms, &c., see last page. 
Progress and Improvement, 
x uc ccucasr,, i snouict say, was miicfi m the same 
situation. Those of the Short-horn and Devon, 
“are to be long, straight and well developed;” 
how this is to be summed up in 3 points is a very 
singular mystery, comiug from a “ scientific breed¬ 
er r The flanks all about the same. The Devon 
has no plates; so I say nothing about the others. 
I suppose the springing rib answers for plates for 
them. The carriage I consider a fashionable point. 
The udder—to be thin in its texture, and with this 
it is “ to reach well forward, roomy behind, and 
teats standing wide apart.” It can never be 
“ thin in its texture ” in such a shape. A fleshy 
udder could not bo better described. Look at this, 
ye men with your cheese and butter, and tell me 
whether you ever milked a good cow with a fleshy 
bag. I hope this is not set forth as an example 
for Devons and Herefords, as I see they are “ to 
afford the best promise of capacity and product.” 
Quality, for which he allows “ 15,” is just the re¬ 
verse of what it should be, of which I see all 
breeds are equal. Its handling “is too soft.”— 
There is only one point of excellence in it, and 
that is “elastic,” but Mr. B. has injured the char¬ 
acter of that by connecting it with “ ccllidar sub¬ 
stance.” I am, dear sir, yours truly, 
„ Wm. H.’y Sotham. 
Piiiard, Liv. Co., N. Y., June, I«53. 
•eadily bo sold in 
market for not less than twenty cents a 
pound, being a loss to the butter-maker of 
not less than five cents, merely for want of 
attention to tho rules which govern thetrade. 
Tho dairymen on tho New York and Erie 
road send butter to New York every eve¬ 
ning, by the American Express Company, 
and it is dolivered early tho next morning. 
We are assured tho cost of the tub, sending 
to market and commission for selling, does 
not exceed two conts a pound, which at 
present prices leaves some twenty cents as 
tho nett price obtained for tho butter. This 
is a price at which the dairymen of all the 
southern tier of counties can make more 
from blitter, than can bo made by raising 
wheat in the best wheat counties of this 
State. t 
KOW TO DESTROY TICKS. 
Ticks, when very numerous, greatly annoy and 
enfeeble sheep in the winter, and should be kept 
entiiely out ol the flock. After shearing, the 
heat and cold, the rubbing and biting of the 
sheep soon drive off the tick, and it takes refuge 
DEPTH CE ROOTS, &c. 
Ens. Rural.— I observe quite an interest¬ 
ing controversy is being had between Mr. 
Redpatii and ’IIiel,— interesting, from the 
originality displayed in expressing ideas, 
and as an item in natural history; also by 
the contrast exhibited between tho ability 
displayed and tho importance of the subject. 
Utility is the truo test of the valuo and im¬ 
portance of all things, and, in my opinion, 
wero the whole matter in difference between 
them, laid in her balance, a feather would 
cause it to kick the beam. If thoy would 
apply their ability and talents to ascertain 
how near tho surface, instead of how far 
below, the roots of plants extend, they 
would find ample room for exerciso. on a 
much more useful and important subject to 
farmers. 
HOW DEEP DO THE ROOTS OE TREES 
EXTENDI” 
The above question stands at tho head of 
an articlo in tho Rural of May 21, and as 
tho writer entertains an opinion entirely 
different from my own upon tho subject, I 
will present a few thoughts for considera¬ 
tion. 
Thoro is probably no class of men that 
adhere with such obstinacy to opinions onco 
formed, as the farmers. Tho method of 
tillago practiced by tho previous generation 
is believed by the great majority to be tho 
truo method, and if any havo the prosump¬ 
tion to reccommond a different system, and 
evon furnish abundant proof of the advanta¬ 
ges of tho same, they are at onco set down 
as novices who are attempting to instruct 
othors when they have very little knowledge 
of the subject themselves. I havo not taken 
up pon to wago a war with your interesting 
correspondent, ’IIiel, nor to dofond Mr. 
Redpatii from his attack,—for, judging from 
Mr. R’s writings in tho Rural and else¬ 
where, ho is ablo to maintain tho correct¬ 
ness of Ins theory and substantiate the truth 
of his statements, 
or either of their breeders to admit them as “points 
of excellence.” 
I see Devon shoulders differ from the other two 
breeds, and are somewhat singularly described. 
“ High withers” in cattle. If Devon breeders are 
willing to admit this, I have no objection, but it 
canuot justly be called a “ point of excellence,” 
There is but little difference in back, loin, and 
hips ; all three breeds are to be “ broad, wide, and 
level”—allot' which I admit to be “points of 
excellence” corresponding, to make the whole 
animal perfect; and how this is to be established 
witli so'many standards in view’, is beyond mv 
comprehension. In aiming and attempting at the 
whole, he effects nothing; and that is endorsed bv 
the Ex. Com. of the N. Y. State Ag. Society “ as 
a very able and carefully prepared report” 
Thu rumps of the Short-horn, says Mv. R„ 
should be “laid high.” Those of the Devon 
“ lying broad apart, high and well covered.” The 
Hereibrd “quite' level with the back, and their 
covering abundant, mellow, loose, and freelv mov¬ 
ing under the hand.” I hope ho does not mean 
to infer that it should be “ out-spread; and resting 
on a soft■ telhdar substance.” If so, uotlung cjui 
be further from their character; there is not the 
least sign of soft spongy meat in either a Hereibrd 
or Devon. It is elastic and moderately fion under 
the skiu^ and as firm as a mackerel when ripe.— 
Mr. E. gives the Devon the widest rumps, which 
DIPPING BOX. 
in the long wool of the lamb. Wait a fortnight 
after shearing to allow all to make this transfer of 
residence. Then boil refuse tobacco leaves until 
the decoction is strong enough to kill ticks beyond 
a p-qradventure. . This may be readily tested by 
experiment. Five or six pounds of cheap plug 
tobacco or an equivalent in stems Ac., may be 
made to answer for 100 lambs. The decoction is 
poured into a deep, narrow box, kept for tins our- 
pose, and which has an inclined shelf one side, 
covered with a wooden grate, as shown in the cut 
One man holds the lamb by the bind legs, another 
clasps tho fore-legs in one hand, and shuts the 
other about the nostrils to prevent the liquid en¬ 
tering them, and then the lamb is entirely im¬ 
mersed. It is immediately lifted out, laid on one 
side on the grate, and the water squeezed out of 
its wool. It is then turned over and squoezed on 
the other side. The grate conducts the fluid back 
into the Box. If the lambs are annually dipped, 
ticks will never trouble a flock.— Randall. 
They would be able to prove 
positively, (and those interested could ex¬ 
amino the witness for themselves,) that the 
roots of corn and potatoes at this time (25th 
June,) extend horizontally, from one to 
three inches below tho surface and from one 
to two foot in length, with many small fibers 
extending from them to tho surface, But 
perhaps they estimate tho valuo and im¬ 
portance of facts by tho labor and depth 
of research required to find them ; otherwise 
why dive six, soven or fifteen feet below the 
face of mother earth, for them, when they 
are so plenty at the surfa^o, of real value ? 
If thoy would display their ingenuity and 
skill by devising some easy and effectual 
method of destroying weeds, (that otherwise 
will steal the nourishment from the cherish¬ 
ed plant,) without injury to its roots; by the 
operation, they will morit the gratitude of 
all cultivators. s. g. I 
■but to make an effort to 
show the falsity of tho theory that the roots 
of a tree or a plant do not strike downward, 
but ” run ramblingly off noar tho surface in 
search of their proper nourishment.” 
I am aware that most cultivators of the 
soil in this country believe that tho roots of 
plants we cultivate do not take a downward 
direction, and honco pursue a system of 
shallow tillage. But, to my mind, this is an 
error that strikes at the root of all good 
