MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER : 
A QUARTO WEEKLY 
Agricultural, Literary and Family Newspaper. 
CONDUCTED BY D. D. T. MOORE, 
WITH AN 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 Guido on the important Practical Sub- 
jects connected with the 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 Couutry. 
ETI?” Foil Terms, &c., see last page. 
Progress and Improvement. 
COMPARATIVE VALUE OF LARGE AND 
SMALL ROOTS. 
From an interesting paper by W. Iv. Sulli¬ 
van and Alphonse Gages, Chemists to tho 
Musoum of Irish Industry, wo condenso the 
following results of an investigation of the 
relativo amount of dry matter contained in 
large and small roots. Continental chem¬ 
ists have long since shown that small roots 
of sugar boot contain more sugar thaivlarge 
roots, and this fact was confirmed by recent 
experiments by our authors. 
In tho present investigation, 450 roots, of 
every kind, including Swedish turnips, car¬ 
rots, different varieties of boots, &c., have 
boon examined. With a very few exceptions, 
it was found that small roots contain a 
larger per contago of solid matter than 
large roots,—in some cases ovon to tho 
extent of 50 per cont. Thus tho moan por 
contago of solid matter in threo roots of 
sugar beet, varying from 3 lbs. 11 ozs. to 
4 lbs. 2 ozs., was found to bo only 10.4, 
whilst in threo small roots varying from 1 lb 
3 ozs. to lib. 11 ozs., it was 17.4—or, in 
other words, 100 tons of tho small roots 
would bo equal to 167 tons of the largo.— 
To take another oxamplo:—Threo roots of 
largo red Mangel Wurzol varying from 6 lbs. 
14 ozs. to 9 lbs. 3 ozs., contained only 11 por 
cont- dry matter, whilst three small roots, 
varying from 6.J ozs. to 7$ ozs., containod 
15.6 por cent.—that is, 100 tons of tho small 
contained a3 much solid matter as 142 tons 
of tho large. The rule applies equally to 
ruta baga. Thus, throe turnips varying 
from 6 lbs. 5 ozs. to 6 lbs. 12 ozs., yielded 
13.7 por cent, of solid matter, while three 
small roots, varying from 1 lb. 2 ozs.. to 1 lb. 
5 ozs., gave 16.2 per cont. or 100 tons of tho 
small would bo equal to 118 tons of tho largo. 
In 17 roots of sugar boot there were 
4 roots of from 6 to 8 lbs. in weight, which yielded 
as a mean per cent, of solid matter ,. . .12.511 
5 roots, between 3 and 5 lbs. 14 197 
7 roots under 3 lbs.,.15.756 
These results clearly indicate, that with 
incroase of weight tho solidity of roots di¬ 
minishes. 
On tabulating tho results it was found 
that, taken as a wholo, small roots, no mat- 
tor how or whore grown, were superior to 
largo roots in tho amount of solid matter. 
The following table contains a summary of 
tho mean results, as far as they huvo been 
able as yet to reduce them: 
Size of Roots. 
White Silesian 
or 
Sugar Beet 
L 
'O 3 
K* 
|1* 
o . 
0*5 
u 
o z 
u ss ; 
52 1 
E 
O 1 
Red Globe 
Mangel. 
Swede Tur¬ 
nips. 
Average of 
roots. 
| 8.704 
Above 7 lbs. 
10.204 
10.017 
10.785 . 
10.735 
5 lbs. 
11 633 
11.475 
11.028 
10.113 
11.257 
From 3 to 5 lbs 
15.708 
14 924 
13.974 
i2.e-»u 
12.810 
Average of all 
roots. 
14.522 
1 13.635 
12.615 
11.188 
12.041 
Dry matter, Red Carrots, 13.370 ; in average. 
Do. White Belgian Carrots, 12.990. 
From this tablo it is soon that sugar boets 
contain more solid mattor than any other 
roots cultivated, and that rod and white car¬ 
rots are little bettor than Swedes (ruta baga.) 
As a general rule it was found that those 
roots of a particular variety of tho boots 
which had white flesh woro superior to those 
exhibiting a colored flesh. That part of tho 
root which grows out of the soil containod 
less solid matter than that grown fully in 
tho soil. 
These results are interesting, and, if con¬ 
firmed, will load to an entire chango of tho 
present system of root culture. 
When assistant in tho Rothamsted Labor¬ 
atory, wo found tho following por contago 
of dry matter in various root crops grown 
under ordinary cultivation on tho farm : 
Long red Mangel Wurzel,.12.7 
Yellow Globe do. .... -11.34 
Common Swede (name unknown,).12.20 
Skirvings Swede, purple top,.9.40 
Do. do. green top,.9 10 
Green common turnip,..7 9 
Norfolk white,.7.83 
Early common turnip, (a very large crop,).7.03 
It will bo seen that we found moro water 
in tho roots than did Messrs. Sullivan and 
Gages, which is easily accounted for from 
tho fact that tho roots they examined woro 
sent from a distance while our determina¬ 
tions woro made in a laboratory on tho farm 
and tho roots woro weighed a few minutes 
after they woro taken from tho soil. 
Tho Skirvings Swedes woro a good crop 
—20 tons 10 cwt. por acre—tho average 
weight was only 2 lbs. 3 ozs., yet 10 of tho 
largost weighed 112 lbs. Tho “common 
Swodo” was a small, hardy variety, and wo 
should ostimato tho crop and average weight 
to ho one-third less than tho Skirvings.— 
Ilonco tho higher per centago of dry matter 
in this common Swodo, is in accordance 
with theso moro recent results. How far 
small and largo roots of tho same variety 
differ in tho por contago of dry matter wo 
have never determined. Wo have always 
attributed tho ditforonco in dry mattor in 
roots rather to tho nature of tho variety and 
the degree of maturity, than ‘to tho effects of 
soil and manuring. 
THE STATE FAIR-REFORMS NEEDED. 
Under this hoad, tho Ohio Cultivator 
points out soveral deficiencies in the man¬ 
agement of tho Ohio Stato Agricultural So¬ 
ciety. First. It thinks tho premium list is 
made up to suit tho oxhibitors of stock 
whilo tho manufacturing interests aro not 
consulted. Secondly. Too little caro and 
discrimination is exorcised in tho selection 
of judges. Thirdly. An inadequate diffu¬ 
sion of information respecting tho premi¬ 
ums and regulations of tho Fairs. Fourthly. 
Enough care is not taken to create and pre¬ 
serve good fooling on the part of tho crowd 
at the Fairs. 
That there is grievous mismanagement 
in relation to our agricultural exhibitions 
wo well know, yot wo do'not think the Cul¬ 
tivator has boon particularly happy in 
pointing them out. Tho first objection is 
tho only one worthy of much consideration. 
It is one wo have ropeatodly heard made in 
roforonco to our own Stato Fair. Abstract¬ 
ly considered, wo think it right that higher 
premiums should bo offered for tho best 
Durham hull, than for tho best plow or cul¬ 
tivator ; not that ono is of so much moro 
importance than tho other, but bocauso a 
good implement, when known, soon brings 
ample remuneration to tho inventor. Not 
so tho breeder. To produce a superior an¬ 
imal, groat caro, judicious selection and 
skillful brooding aro required, not for a 
week or a month, but for long, weary yours. 
You have to wait, to exerciso patience and 
this is what, in tho present go-ahead a"e, 
few Amorican farmers can do. Tho im¬ 
portance of good stock all admit. Wo must 
have it. Encourage the breeders, then, by 
offering largo premiums. Practically, how¬ 
ever, tho matter exhibits another phaso, and 
anothor sot of objoctors rise up. All our 
blood stock say they, “ is in tho hands of 
some half a dozon amateurs. Gentlemen 
who have groat and undue influence on tho 
officers of tho Society; in fact, many of 
them aro ollicors themselves, and by work¬ 
ing into oach others hands, appointing 
judges, &c. &c., they manage to securo all 
tho premiums.” Thero is, perhaps, moro 
truth than poetry in those objections, yot 
we trust that, with tho more general diffu¬ 
sion of improvod stock the difficulty will bo 
removed. Judgos we believe to bo, gener¬ 
ally, honorable and much abused raon. In 
the stock departments it is almost impossi¬ 
ble to got competent judgos that are not 
stock mon, for the very reason that none 
but stock mon aro good judges. 
PAINT YOUR IMPLEMENTS. 
— 4 - 
Tiie primary agent iji all decomposition 
of organic matter is oiygen. Without its 
presence under normal circumstances, no 
change takos place. But this oxygon, in at¬ 
mospheric air, is everywhere present, and 
decay under its destructive influence is al¬ 
ways going on. To exclude tho air, then, 
from all bodies wo wislj to preserve is tho 
first requisite. In nothing is this rule of 
moro practical importance than in tho pres¬ 
ervation of wood. Fillijng tho exterior cells 
of wood with paint is perhaps the cheapest 
moans of retarding its dbcay. This is well 
understood and geueraljy actod upon in tho 
construction of all new implements. There 
is, however, ono point whidli appears to ho 
forgotten, or at least to |bo generally disre¬ 
garded. Paint by tho action of air and 
rain is washed out of tljo pores, and when 
this is tho case, tho work of destruction pro- 
coods, wo boliovo, more rapidly than though 
tho wood had nevor been painted. English 
implements aro much moro costly than 
American, and this may, be tho reason why 
thoy take hotter caro of them. Though paint 
is moro expensive than ^ith us, thoy aro in 
the habit of thoroughly washing and cleaning 
wagons, carts, harrows, cultivators, and in 
fact ovory wooden implement on tho farm, 
every other year, and giving them a good coat 
of red-lead paint. It is astonishing how long 
their implements last. Many of thorn look as 
though thoy had boon handed down from 
father to son for soveral generations. In no 
matter of economy do farmers miss it moro 
than in allowing their irnji.vmcnts to go with 
a deficiency of paint. Wo venture to say, 
that a wagon frequently washed and clean¬ 
ed, and recoiving a coat of paint ovory fall, 
will last twice as long as one never washed, 
except by being allowed to remain out in tho 
rain, and never repainted except with dirt. 
Reader you have a paint can and brushes; 
at least, it is to bo presumed you have, for 
noi ntolligent farmer would be without thorn, 
and an unintelligent farmer would not bo 
found reading the Rural. If you have not 
done so already, get your paint and 
brushes, wash your implements, scrapo off 
all tho blisters, stop up every hole with put¬ 
ty, and then givo your wagons, drags, cul¬ 
tivators, plows, wheel-barrow, (for of course 
you have one.) roller, seed-drill, nock-yokes, 
and whiflletrees a coat of paint. The ex- 
ponso will not bo much. Tho implements 
would look as good as now, your hired men 
will take moro care of them, and you will 
save by this single operation, from the in¬ 
creased durability of your implements, moro 
in tho course of a dozon years than would 
make you a life subscriber to half a scoro 
of tho best Agricultural papers published. 
THE SAW-BUCK FENCE. 
Messrs. Editors :—Among tho various 
plans for fenco which I have seen in your 
paper, I havo never observed tho “ Saw 
Buck” fenco, as I call it, though I think it 
worthy your notico. It is constructed as 
follows:—Posts, 2 by 6 in., 5 foot long, and 
of any timber aro set on top of tho ground, 
spread at tho foot to suit the taste—put a 1 Jin. 
pin through whore thoy cross—mortice for 
14 inch bars or rails, as near togotbor as you 
ploaso, suiting tho length to tho description 
of timber used for rails—nail a strip across 
tho foot of each pair of posts, thon put in 
your rails on altornato tides of tho posts 
and your fonco is complete Its advantages 
are : Posts do not rot—saves digging post 
holes—gives you a portallo fenco—will not 
blow down—can bo made so as to stand on 
side hills by lengthening posts on tho lower 
side—can bo made of aiy kind of timber 
you chance to havo—of rail or plank—tight 
or open, and takes only one half tho timber 
required for a worm fenco. Where the 
posts can bo bored and morticod by ma¬ 
chinery, it can bo built very cheaply. J. 
ARCHIMEDEAN ROOT WASHER. 
We recently saw ono of theso machines 
on exhibition in the N. Y. Crystal Palace. 
It is manufactured by Croskill, tho cele¬ 
brated English agricultural implement ma¬ 
ker, and is admirably well calculated to 
wash roots with great facility. Tho washing 
apparatus is a drum-shaped cylinder, having 
its circular surface composed of iron bars 
placed about an inch apart; this cylinder 
is half immersed in water. Internally it is 
divided into two apartments—ono in which 
the roots, by turning the handlo in one 
direction, aro confined and washed, whilo 
by turning the liandlo in tho opposite direc¬ 
tion, the root3, by means nt an Archime¬ 
dean screw, are cleanly washed for uso. 
Where potatoes aro extensively used for 
fattening hogs, or where ruta bagas are fed 
to horses, as in England, this machine is of 
great value. We think there is no neces¬ 
sity for washing turnips or other roots, 
except potatoes, when fed to cattle or 
sheep; they can be cleaned sufficiently and 
much more readily with a root knife. When 
fed to horses or to hogs, however, they 
should bo washed, as dirt is much moro 
injurious to theso animals than to cattle and 
sheep, such at least is tho opinion of prac¬ 
tical English farmers. Tho cost in England 
is about Si7. 
RYE vs. CLOVER AS A FERTILIZER. 
The Farmer’s Companion, under the head¬ 
ing “Fall manuring to pay for itself,” dis¬ 
cusses, in a clear and practical style, tho 
relativo value of clover and ryo as food for 
sheop and as a fertilizer. It lays down tho 
following proposition : 
“So far as Michigan is concerned, we lay down 
the following as tiuths that are now distinctly 
ascertained :—1. That our best wheat lands will 
not stand many successive crops without deteri¬ 
orating in value ; 2. That under very few circum¬ 
stances is the yield of grain as large as it should 
be ; nor is it, one year with another truly profita¬ 
ble ; 3. But clover, by affording pasturage to 
sheep, and, when plowed in, a certain quantity of 
organic and inorganic manures, keeps the land up 
to its original fertility, and in some instances tem¬ 
porarily improves it; 4. Therefore, to grow grain 
profitably without immediately injuring our farm, 
it is quite necessary to.combine sheep farming 
and clover growing with wheat raising ; 5. Sheep 
farming is, in itself, extremely lucrative, and is 
likely to continue so for a long course of years ; 
6. But to the present system of wool and clover 
growing there are serious practical objections, 
which deduct from the farmers profit; and which 
objections, we believe, may to a great extent be 
obviated by the following plan. These objections 
are that clover seed is expensive, and apt to fail in 
giving a good crop. That it requires plaster, it¬ 
self expensive, to be added to it. That it must 
be some time in the ground to produce its effect. 
That it is impossible, uuderordinarv circumstances 
to keep sheep or other stock in robust health, on 
dry food during our long winters ; that we have 
generally to turn them to pasture before the gras¬ 
ses are fit to afford nourishment; and therebv not 
only are our pastures injured, but our wool is al¬ 
tered in its character, smaller in quantity, and 
the lambs less apt to be healthy and vigorous.” 
To avoid theso evils, and to supply green 
food without the oxponso of growing roots, 
the following plan is proposed : 
“ The plan we propose—a plan to be habitually 
carried out year after year —is to plow, as early iu 
lall as convenient, the land intended for spring- 
crops the next season, and to sow rye heavily, twice 
as heavily as if intended to seed. By frost there 
will be a fine growth of rich fodder, and the sheep 
may then be turned upou it whenever there is no 
snow ; or, what is preferable, for three or four 
hours in the middle of each clay, being fed at the 
barn with dry food morning and evening. Or 
this rye may be kept for early spring food when 
the stock begin to tire of hay. In most seasons, 
as iu the last, there are two or three weeks in the 
spring when sheep will not eat hay, and there is 
no grass for them; and the ewe, large with lamb, 
wanting the richest nourishment, is seriously in¬ 
jured by this forced abstinence ; the vessels that j 
should secrete the milk, shrink up ; and the young 
lamb either dies of starvation, or is stunted and 
unhealthy throughout life. Thousands of lambs 
ate annually lost in the North Western States 
from this cause. Then, when time to plow for 
spring crops comes, plow in the rye, with all the 
manure the sheep have left on the field ; and you 
cannot fail to have a large spring crop. 
An analysis of red clover, and of ryo is 
given with theso remarks : 
There is more mineral matter in Clover and 
more organic or vegetable matter in Rye. The 
| former acts best as an immediate manure, but for 
many reasons exhausts the soil more rapidly; 
while rye contains sufficient of both to render it 
as rich in its per centage, and more effective than 
most of our baruyard manures as at present saved 
and applied. 
Wo cannot seo what the analyses have to 
do with the question, for in tho case sup¬ 
posed, both tho clover and the ryo, or their 
elements after passing through tho bodies 
of animals, aro retained on tho farm. It is 
said that rye straw contains more organic 
matter than clover. What if it does ? Pino 
saw-dust contains much more than either. 
Is it, therefore, more valuable ? The or¬ 
ganic matter of the rye-straw is nearly all 
woody fibre, and consequently of little 
valuo either as food or as manure. The 
organic matter of clover contains about 18 
per cent, nitrogenous matter, or “ the flesh 
forming principle,” while ryo-straw contains 
only 3 per cont. We will not say that tho 
relativo nutritious quality is in accordance 
with these figures ; but we will affirm, with¬ 
out the slightest hesitation, that tho manure 
made from ono ton of clover hay will bo 
worth as much as that mado from three tons 
of rye-straw. 
Clover “acts best as an immediate ma¬ 
nure, but for many reasons exhausts tho 
soil moro rapidly.” That a crop of clover 
will produce a larger yield of wheat than a 
crop of ryo, when plowed in or eaten on the 
soil by sheep, and thus more readily ex¬ 
haust tho soil, wo admit; but the same ob¬ 
jection, in proportion to the increase ob¬ 
tained, holds good in respect to rye. If 
i ye exhausts tho farm less than clover, it is 
bocauso ryo produces a less increase of 
wheat. We can seo no other reason, and 
feel confident thero is none. 
The article closes by comparing clover 
growing to whiskey drinking, and thinks 
the one is as injurious to tho soil, as tho 
other is destructive to the body. The 
remedy is substituting ryo for clover. We 
VOLUME IV. NO. 44. >■ 
ROCHESTER, N. Y. — SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1853. 
4 WHOLE NO. 
