TWO DOLLARS A YEAR.] 
PROGRESS AND IMPROVEMENT 
[SINGLE NO. FIVE CENTS. 
MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
AN ORIGINAL WEEKLY 
AGRICULTURAL, LITERARY AND FAMILY JOURNAL 
ist that without the personal attention and 
SPECIAL, CONTRIBUTORS: 
H. T. BROOKS, Prop. C. DEWEY, 
T. C. PETERS, L. B. LANGWORTHY, 
H. C. WHITE, T. E. WETMORE. 
telegraphic eye, and the talismanic words, 
“Come, Boys !” are powerful aids in prosecuting 
whatever is undertaken with vigor and success. 
Such generalship, accompanied with the prac¬ 
tice of a system of management founded upon 
the most reliable knowledge, because derived 
from the best sources — those sources being 
experience, observation and reading combined 
— enables him, extraordinaries excepted, to 
perform every operation in its appropriate 
season. Hence, his soil is prepared and crops 
planted at the most favorable periods—so that, 
the season being auspicious, he is generally 
certain of a commensurate reward for the labor 
and capital bestowed in cultivation. 
— Rural readers who belong to the class of 
progressives menti ned—as do, we trust, the 
great majority herein addressed—require no 
special advice or admonitions relative to the 
labois and duties of the present season ; while 
those of a different classification are wont to 
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 Subjects connected 
with the business of those whose interests it advocates. It 
embraces more Agricultural, Horticultural, Scientific, Mechan¬ 
ical, Literary and News Matter, interspersed with many appro¬ 
priate and beautiful Engravings, than any other paper published 
in this Country,—rendering it a complete Agricultural, Lit¬ 
erary and Family Newspaper. 
For Terms, and other particulars, see last page. 
THE SEASON AND ITS LABORS. 
AMPHITHEATRE FOR AGRICULTURAL EXHIBITIONS. 
After a Winter of extraordinary severity 
and continuance throughout a large extent of 
country, Spring-time has at length arrived, 
though (as we remarked in the Rural on a 
similar occasion aforetime,) there are few posi¬ 
tive indications in either earth, air or sky of its 
advent in reality. The snow drifts are still 
'abundant, and almost mountainous, in many 
sections of this State ; and it will require mauy 
days, if not weeks, even with favorable melting 
weather, to completely evaporate the “ fleecy 
Tanks” which are neither “few nor far be¬ 
tween ” all over Western New York. However, 
the prospect for a speedy disappearance of snow 
and ice is encouraging. As we write (April 2) 
the evaporation is rapid, and we are enjoying 
the first rain that has fallen in about one hun¬ 
dred days, in this locality. Under its “genial 
influence ” the aforementioned extensive banks 
are discounting freely — a “ higher law ” than 
the Court of Appeals having removed the “ pro¬ 
hibition ”— while the ice-bound Genesee is 
becoming mollified, though still so firmly 
bridged by the congealed state of a certain 
element, that the canny milkmen are constrained 
to be honest, or look elsewhere for supplies !— 
And yet the season is so far advanced, (accord¬ 
ing to the Almanac,) that the sun must soon 
shine genially, the birds sing joyfully, and the 
earth rejoice and be clothed in verdure. 
Though this is the usual period for active 
operations on Jhe farm, little has yet, or can 
soon be, accomplished in this region of country 
— albeit farmers should immediately prepare 
for, if they cannot commence, the Season’s 
Campaign. The judicious, progressive farmer 
will ever “ take Time by the forelock,” wher¬ 
ever located or by whomsoever surrounded.— 
Whether tillers of the steep and rocky hills ol 
New England — the alluvial and easily culti¬ 
vated prairies and valleys of the West and South¬ 
west—the light aud sterile portions of the “ Old 
Dominion,” or the more productive localities of 
the South — the rich and fertile, and rapidly 
improving districts of Canada West—or situated 
iu our own Eden-like and justly-renowned 
Western New York — our progressive friends 
and readers are, we trust, generally prepared 
for emergencies, aud hence enabled to apply 
their skill, labor and capital to the very best 
advantage, and with comparative ease, notwith¬ 
standing unfavorable seasons and adverse cir- 
sumstance3. Believing that the wise adage, 
“ in time of peace prepare for war,” is as appli¬ 
cable to individuals as it is to nations, the 
progressive farmer has prepared, during the loug, 
peaceful Winter, for the active operations—the 
so-to-speak practical warfare — of the ensuing 
Spring and Summer. With the foresight of an 
experienced commander and conqueror, he has 
considered and matured, while at leisure in 
winter quarters, the general if not detailed plan 
of the approaching season’s campaign,— and is 
thus prepared to bring his forces into action at 
the earliest practicable moment, and to increase 
the same whenever reinforcements are necessary 
to insure the success of important operations. 
Knowing the exact condition and capacity of 
the forces and elements at his command — his 
laborers, teams, implements, and the soil to the 
culture of which his and their energies are to 
be directed — his initial Spring onset, leading 
and directing in person, exhibits an energy and 
wisdom which give more than a prestige of 
superior management during Summer, and 
profitable results in Autumn. Observation and 
experience have taught our progressive Rural- 
At no period since the institution of Asso¬ 
ciations for the promotion of Agriculture and 
Horticulture in this country, has so much atten¬ 
tion been bestowed upon the subject as at pres¬ 
ent. The interest which has been awakened 
seems to be very general throughout many of 
the States and the Canadas, at I is resulting in 
the adoption of measures whifi? prove that Pro¬ 
gressive Farmers in various sections are more 
than ever before aroused to the importance and 
necessity of associated effort as a prominent 
means of advancing the cause of Rural Improve¬ 
ment. This is especially true in regard to New 
York, several of the Western States, and Can¬ 
ada West. In our own State, in particular, the 
County Societies are in a most prosperous and 
progressive' condition. An impetus has been 
given to many of our best and most influential 
Societies, by the introduction of improvements 
in the management of their exhibitions—con¬ 
sequent upon their re-organization in such man¬ 
ner as to hold real estate and other property ; 
thus enabling them to purchase Fair Grounds, 
and erect thereon suitable structures for the 
accommodation of exhibitors. Among the Coun¬ 
ty Societies which have thus secured permanent 
locations, fixtures, Ac., are those of Cortland, 
Dutchess, Jefferson, Livingston, Madison, Onta¬ 
rio, Onondaga and Wayne — while Monroe, 
Genesee, and several other counties are making 
commendable progress in the same direction.— 
According to the reports of the Societies which 
have given it a thorough trial, the plan of per- 
' manent location has proved eminently success¬ 
ful, and given entire satisfaction. 
The Ontario County Society was one of the 
first—indeed, if we mistake not, the very first— 
in Western New York to"purchase and prepare 
grounds for the permanent location of its An¬ 
nual Fairs. And the Society has been so suc- 
1 cessful since this reform was instituted, that, it 
now proposes to lead in another improvement— 
the construction of a spacious and durable Am¬ 
phitheatre. Plans have been procured, and the 
officers of the Society are, we believe, making 
arrangements to erect the proposed structure, 
or at least a part oi it, during the ensuing season. 
As the improvement is an entire novelty in this 
section of the Union, (we believe there is not 
an Amphitheatre for similar purposes in this 
country, except in Kentucky,) and as other So¬ 
cieties may wish to adopt the same, we give 
above two diagrams, which, with the following 
description, will convey some idea of the pro¬ 
posed structure : 
The general idea is to have the exhibition 
ring surrounded by a building which shall be 
under cover, and contain seats from which per¬ 
sons can see the Stock, Ac., within the ring.— 
The building also to embrace rooms for the 
exhibition of Fruits, Vegetables, Domestic and 
Mechanical Manufactures, and other articles. 
Also business rooms for the officers, committees, 
Ac., and refreshment stalls. The first of the 
above cuts represents a ground plan of the 
building surrounding the entire ring. The 
other is a sectional view of the same, showing 
the elevation of the upper and lower rooms and 
of the seats. No. 1 designates the promenade 
in rear of the seats, 12 feet wide and 8 feet 
high, with a table or counter upon which to ex¬ 
hibit ladies’ work, Ac. From this promenade 
persons can overlook the seats and see every¬ 
thing in the ring. No. 2 Represents the large 
room, 20 feet broad, 11 feet high and 620 feet 
long, in which will be held the general exhibi¬ 
tion of Fruits, Vegetables, Mechanics, Ac. No. 
3 shows the seven tiers of seats, rising above 
each other, all under cover, and capable of seat¬ 
ing 3,000 persons. No. 4 (in ground plan) is the 
passage ways to enter the ring, and main en¬ 
trances to seats. No. 5 is the exhibition ring, 150 
feet in diameter and nearly 30 rods in circum¬ 
ference. It is estimated that the proposed build¬ 
ing will shelter, from rain or sun, at least ten 
thousand persons. 
An Amphitheatre combining such conven¬ 
iences and advantages as above stated, would not' 
only be of great practical benefit, but prove an 
attraction which would induce thousands to at¬ 
tend the annual exhibitions of the Society. Its 
construction would at once place Ontario far in 
advance of other counties — though we opine 
the example would ere long be emulated by 
Barley now ranks among the most profitable 
farm products of Western New York ; its high 
price and generally fair yield for the last few 
years having given it a more prominent place 
in our system of agriculture. That it deserves 
such prominence we are pretty well convinced, 
for the cost of raising compared with that of 
other grains is less than most of them, 
ing also its market and farm value. 
compar- 
Its present 
high price has probably been produced and 
kept up by the demand for malting purposes_ 
but with the question of the value or injury of 
malt liquors to those who consume them we 
have nothing here to do. We believe that, 
aside from this demand, barley can be made a 
profitable crop to the producer for use as food 
for horses, and for fattening pork, beef and 
mutton. 
An experienced farmer, who raised barley 
extensively before prices came above 60 cts. per 
bushel, said that barley could be grown much 
cheaper than corn, as the same quality of land 
would produce it, and the labor was much less, 
and that its value for feeding, especially when 
ground and cooked, is as great as that of Indian 
corn for all domestic animals. He estimated 
the straw as worth more than that of wheat, and 
nearly equal to common meadow hay r . We 
know that if cut at the proper stage and well 
cured, cattle eat it very readily. 
to be sown, it would be a good plan to plow 
with the Michigan or Double Plow, as that 
would ensure a better prepared seed-bed.— 
Some plow as deeply as possible with the com¬ 
mon plow, and then cover the seed with the 
gang-plow, harrowing and rolling afterward. 
Barley should be sown as early as the season 
will admit of the requisite preparation. The 
amount usually given to an acre varies from 
two to three bushels ; poor and mellow soils 
and early sown, requiring least. If drilled in’ 
also, a less quantity is required; and rolling 
are not as unwholesome, yet it is best not to be 
too near them. Do not build on a high spot 
amidst low lands, thinking to be safe thus._ 
Experience proves that in most localities through 
the West, elevated places thus surrounded are 
unhealthy—especially if on the east side of the 
low land—the miasma seems to rise and hang 
around the hills. If you build a log house, peel 
the logs, hew them, and chink up snugly, raise 
the floor high from the ground, and thus secure 
warmth and dryness, and avoid the dirt and 
dampness of unhewn logs If a framed house, 
make a good cellar il possible, line with side¬ 
boards under your clap-boards, or fill vour 
walls with brick. Something, in short, to make 
your home more comfortable than the balloon 
houses in which so many roast in summer and 
freeze in winter. I have seen several gravel- 
wall houses, built in octagon form, substantial 
and convenient, as well as cheap. Brick and 
stone can often be had. 
If you are on the prairie, plant locust trees 
the north and west side of your dwelling, to 
grow fast and give shade and protection from 
wind—meanwhile let the orchard be growing in 
the same direction to take place of the locusts 
in a few years, and furnish the invaluable fruit. 
If breaking up new land, build on the west or 
south-west side of the farm. The most preva¬ 
lent summer winds are from those directions, 
carrying the miasma from the decomposing soil 
newly turned up east and north. Living on the 
opposite side, you escape it. For the same rea- 
Cctnmiuritatiflits 
WESTWARD HO! 
SUGGESTIONS ABOUT EMIGRATION.—NO. IL 
Having said something as to what class of 
people might well stay at home, and who emi¬ 
grate, I would now make some practical sug¬ 
gestions to those who have decided to seek a 
new home in the West. 
So far as price of land and other expenses 
will allow, keep as far east as possible, the 
nearer the seaboard the better—for the farmer 
especially—other things being anywhere near 
equal. People pour on far westward, constant¬ 
ly passing by rich and cheap land on their 
route. It were wise to stop and see if they 
cannot locate nearer the old home, friends, and 
market. In Michigan, for instance, near the 
Grand River, are yet large tracts of excellent 
land—opening and timber—for sale cheap.— 
Why should it not attract attention ? It is be¬ 
ginning to, instead of being passed by almost 
wholly. Locate near some railroad or river— 
railroad is best often, for health and other rea- 
