tnnuflft*. 
Another objection is that these trials of speed 
are a great cruelty inflicted on the animals 
themselves. Racing is a barbarous practice, 
and brutalizes the feelings. Trotting for pre¬ 
mium or wager is akin to it. The race-horse 
has dropped dead soon after the trial; or, in 
other cases, it has taken weeks and months to 
recover from the effects of the mighty muscu¬ 
lar exertion. Stand by that trotter which has 
been urged to his greatest speed at any time ; 
look at his trembling limbs ; see his panting of 
the lungs ; ask why he is so uneasy, and cannot 
stand still, or tries to rest on the ground. It is 
cruel, cruel. But—the spectators have been 
delighted with this cruelty, and gloated over 
the barbarity, and the owner has won the pre¬ 
mium of ten or twenty dollars, or the wager, 
however great or small, for all this barbarity. 
Glad was I to read the declaration of Mr. Wild¬ 
er, the President of the barbarous Boston As¬ 
sociation, that the last exhibition had probably 
been made, of this kind, by that Association. 
Another objection is, that many other barbar¬ 
ous and corrupting amusements are just as ap¬ 
propriate for a farmer’s festival. Some of these 
have quite as close a relation to the objects of 
an Agricultural Association. The mention of 
boxing, gambling in numerous common ways, 
cock-fighting, and bull fighting, will be enough, 
without reference to some polite amusements 
which should have no place in the farmer’s hol¬ 
iday. Most of these objections apply with 
greater force to feats of lady-horsemanship on 
these occasions. Besides, there is too great a 
departure from the propriety and decorum and 
modesty by which our wives and oaughters 
should be distinguished. Let my female friends 
keep themselves free from any such ambition, 
and uncorrupted by such a practice, and let 
them not even consent to witness such eques¬ 
trianism of any females. My own feet must 
bear my eyes far away from the sight. 
It has been a matter of great amazement to 
many pure and noble men, that the officers of 
Agricultural Associations should have tolerated 
any such practices. It is ardently to be hoped 
that they will resist all attempt to continue the 
practices, or any like them. o. n. 
MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER 
AN ORIGINAL WEEKLY 
AGRICULTURAL, LITERARY AND FAMILY JOURNAL, 
SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS! 
H. T. BROOKS, Prof. 0. DEWEY, 
T. C. PETERS, L. B LANGW0RT1IY. 
HIRAM C. WHITE. 
The Rural New-Yorker is designed to be unique and 
beautiful in appearance, and unsurpassed in Value, Purily and 
Variety of Contents. Its conductors earnestly laborto 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. Me¬ 
chanical, Literary and News Matter, interspersed with many 
appropriate and beautiful Engravings, than any other paper 
published in this Country,—rendering i a complete Agricul¬ 
tural, Literary and Family Newspafer. 
Ug'* All communications, and business letters, should be 
addressed to D. D. T. MOORE, Rochester, N. Y 
For Terms, and other particulars, see last page. 
[Our views on the subject of Agricultural 
Societies, and the proper manner of conducting 
their exhibitions in order to render them most 
beneficial and creditable, are perhaps well un¬ 
derstood, as they have been frankly expressed 
in the Rural and otherwise. We have long 
feared that matters not strictly Agricultural, 
though by many considered appropriate—such 
as trials of the speed of horses, and female 
equestrian performances—would work injury to 
the cause of Rural Improvement, and such has ; 
in the estimation of many of its best informed 
advocates, been the result of the recent exhibi- 
tionsof several prominent associations. Though 
such features have proved attractive, and pecu¬ 
niarily beneficial to the Societies, they have been 
highly objectionable to many, as fostering or 
encouraging that which possesses an injurious 
tendency—an immoral influence. And yet we 
would not entirely condemn trials of horses, 
equestrianship, and driving, at our Fairs : the 
evil arises from the abuse, or extreme latitude 
and speed, allowed on such occasions. A proper 
distinction should be made and exercised 
between what is useful and appropriate, and 
that which is of a “fast" and sporting charac¬ 
ter. The following article on the general sub¬ 
ject, from the pen of one of our Special Con¬ 
tributors, is timely, and will have great weight 
with conservative progressionists.— Ed. Rural.] 
PLAN OF A STOCK BARN.— ELEVATION 
Wn present above an engraving of a barn, 
constructed, about sixteen years since, by L. F. 
Allen, Esq., for his own use and which, occu¬ 
pation for that long period, has proved so satis¬ 
factory that Mr. A. says “ha would not, for a 
stock barn, alter it in aDy degree, nor exchange 
it for one of any description whatever.” To 
the farmer who possesses but a small amount of 
stock, the extent of the one above represented 
is no hindrance to the erection of a barn of any 
size—the general desigu is the feature worthy 
of adoption. 
The main body of this barn stands on the 
ground, 100 by 50 feet, with eighteen-feet posts, 
and a broad, sheltering roof,of 40° pitch from a 
horizontal line, and truncated at the gables to 
the width of the main doors below. The sills 
stand 4 feet above the ground, and a raised 
driving way to the doors admits the loads of 
grain and forage into it. 
A continuous lean-to, 16 feet wide, is attach¬ 
ed to the posts of the barn, strongly, by girts. 
These ranges of lean-to stand on the ground 
level, nearly —high enough, however, to let a 
terrier dog v nder the floors, to keep out the rats 
—but quite 3 feet bllow the sills of the barn. 
The outer posts of the lean-to’s should be 12 
feet high, and 12]^ feet apart, from center to 
center, except at the extreme corners, which 
would be 16 feet. One foot below the roof- 
plates of the main building, and across the 
rear gable end, a line of girts should be framed 
into the posts, as a rest for the upper ends of 
the lean-to rafters, that they may pass under, 
and a foot below the lower ends of the main 
roof rafters, to make a break in the roof of one 
foot, and allow a line of eave gutters under it, if 
needed, and to show the lean-to line of roof as 
distinct from the other. The stables are 7 feet 
high, from the lower floor to the girts overhead, 
which connect them with the main line of barn 
posts ; thus giving a loft of 4 feet in height at 
the eaves, and of 12 feet at the junction with 
the barn. In this loft is a large storage for 
hay, and coarse forage, and bedding for the 
cattle, which is put m by side windows, level 
with the loft floor—as seen in the plate. In 
the center of the rear, end lean-to, is a large 
door, corresponding with the front entrance to 
the barn, as shown in the design, 12 feet high, 
and 14 feet wide, to pass out the wagons and 
carts which have discharged their loads in the 
barn, having entered at the main front door. 
Entering the large door, (a,) at the front end, 
14 feet wide, and 14 feet high, the main floor 
( g ,) passes through the entire length of the 
barn, and rear lean-to, 116 feet—the last 16 feet 
through the lean-to—and sloping 3 feet to the 
outer sill, and door, (a,) of that appendage. On* 
the left of the entrance is a recess, (e,) of 20 by 
18 feet, to be used as a threshing floor, and for 
•5 feet next 
machinery, cutting feed, (fee., (fee. 
the end being cut ofF for a passage to the sta¬ 
ble. Beyond this is a bay, ( b ,) 18 by 70 feet, 
for the storage of hay, or grain, leaving a pas¬ 
sage at the further end, of 5 feet wide, to go 
into the further stables. This bay is bounded 
on the extreme left, by the line of outside posts 
of the barn. On the right of the main door is 
a granary, ( d ,) 10 by 18 feet, two stories high 
and a flight of steps leading from the lower 
into the upper room. Beyond this is another 
bay, ( b .) The passages at the end of the bays, 
(e, e ,) have steps of 3 feet descent, to bring 
them down on to a level with the stable floors 
of the lean-to. A passage in each of the two 
long side lean-to’s, ( e , e,) 3 feet wide, receives 
the hay forage for cattle, or other stock, thrown 
into them from the bays, and the lofts over the 
stables; and from them is thrown into the 
mangers, ( h , h.) The two apartments in the 
extreme end lean-to, (/, f,) 34 by 16 feet each 
may be occupied as a hospital for invalid cattle, 
or partitioned off for calves, or any other pur¬ 
pose. The stalls, (i, i,) are 6% feet wide, and 
back of them is the passage for the cattle, as, 
they pass in and out of their stalls. The sta¬ 
ble doors, ( j , j,) are six in number. Small 
windows, for ventilation, should be cut in the 
rear of the stalls, as marked, and for throwing 
out the manure, with sliding board shutters. 
This completes the barn accommodation—giv¬ 
ing twenty-eight double stalls, where fifty-six 
grown cattle may be tied up, with rooms for 
! twenty to thirty calves in the end stables. 
Thf, year is growing old—but a short period 
will elapse ere it, with its hopes and fears, its 
reverses and successes, its labors and rewards, 
will have passed hence forever, and the new, 
with the germ of future life in its possession, 
will spring joyously into being. Each season 
has its peculiar influences and particular duties 
for the farm. Seed-time augurs of harvest days, 
and harvest days speak of comparative ease and 
a generous supply of the comforts of life.— 
Physical labor is the requirement of the season 
of activity ; mental action is the prerogative of 
that time when the great mother of us all seeks 
her annual repose. We have traveled with the 
year, month by month,and it has voyaged with 
us, till now the last station is reached and fare¬ 
well to 1856 is almost ready to fall from the lips. 
Among the many wanderings in which the 
mind, at the present time, may indulge with 
both pleasure and profit, is one that will lead us 
to deal with the past. “ Look not back when 
thy hand is on the plow” was the text of many 
a paternal discourse in our youthful days—and 
the triteness thereof, in a confined sense, is not 
now contested,—but in the everyday walks of 
life an occasional application of that portion of 
mathematical study classed amid the “excep¬ 
tions” will have its practical value. 
The labors of the past year will form a theme 
from which every farmer may draw sound, prac¬ 
tical conclusions. The variety of manures used 
and mode of application, the preparation of soil 
for the reception of seed, time of sowing, rou¬ 
tine of culture, general results, (fee., &c., form 
the points for elucidation. Where a “palpable 
hit” has been made, take note thereof for future 
reference, and -where “ you’ve missed it,” let it, 
too, be kept in view as a warning. There is no 
calling employing one-tenth of the time, capi¬ 
tal and labor so hidden in mystery as that of 
the farmer. Who will give the needed light? 
Editorial pens may theorize and vague dreamers 
speculate, if the agriculturist himself comes 
not up to the work—will not add his item of 
intelligence—it will be worse than useless._ 
Retrospection and close observation are among 
year. A new and a dangerous pleasure has 
been proposed. True, a vast number have been 
attracted by it, especially of those who have 
very little sympathy with the farmer. 
This is my first objection to the introduction 
of the speed of horses, or horse-racing, by agri¬ 
cultural associations. It is a gratification for¬ 
eign to the legitimate objects, as is shown by 
the most eager approvers of it. They are the 
men, and women, too, who are admirers of the 
race-courses, and who waste their time and 
throw away their money in this excitement—an 
excitement which wages a terrific warfare on 
the noble powers of man. 
The second objection is, that this trial of 
speed has no beneficial influence upon the 
farmer’s pursuits. It is not fast trotting, or 
rapid.speed, which agriculture needs, but that 
speed and that activity which are permanent, 
and which will endure through the labors of 
the day, and for days in succession. What ra¬ 
cing of horses befits the business of the farmer? 
Rone at all. It insults the intelligence of ag¬ 
riculturists to represent the trial of speed as 
profitable to them, or as advantageous in any 
respect 
There might possibly be a slight advantage 
in a trial of draught by horses or oxen. But 
how few of those who love the race would at¬ 
tend it ? It would be called a low pleasure 
though having a far more,t valuable influence, 
than that of speed and of facing. But the trial 
of draughts is"wholly unnecessary. Let it be 
that my friend’s horse or oxen can draw a 
heavier load than mine ; it has no good efffict; 
mine is powerful enough for the objects I havt 
to accomplish. 
INTERIOR ARRANGEMENT. 
therewith, who will calculate the benefits that 
might accrue from his individual effort? Com¬ 
bine these results and who shall estimate the 
amount of good thus wrought ? 
your account books will answer. Strike a bal¬ 
ance sheet and you can know to a certainty 
what is the amount of income and outlay, and 
to which side must the surplus be carried.— 
Fathom your own mind for a reply to the lat¬ 
ter, and a response can be readily given. 
The present also is the period for laying 
plans and devising experiments to be carried out 
in the future. After the definite formation of 
a course to be pursued has been determined 
upon, do not trust to memory for a jog when the 
time for action arrives, but indite the leading 
measures which are to form the base of your op¬ 
erations. As the process approaches comple¬ 
tion, note each peculiarity and the final result. 
All aggregates are but the combination of par¬ 
ticles—the “ littles ” are what form the sum of 
human knowledge and happiness. If each 
farmer would devote himself to the study of the 
soil, or of any crop which he raises, and by dil¬ 
igent, patient, and accurate investigation evolve 
a new or hitherto unknown principle connected 
avenues in which to labor for knowledge and 
its legitimate rewards. By a review of the field 
of labor ; by a strict scrutiny into all proceed¬ 
ings connected with our business ; by a com¬ 
parison of results and a careful and critical ex¬ 
amination of fruitful exertion or barren toil, we 
can obtain not only some definite idea of the 
value of our labors, but the errors detected and 
avoided, together with the insight acquired, 
will assist in the formation of judicious plans 
for the future. 
We have also our duties for the present. A 
system for the performance of the transactions 
of the farm is as necessary, and as vital to its 
success, as in any other branch of business.— 
The questions for each agriculturist now to solve, 
are, what has been the issue of my toil during 
the past season ? Has any advancement been 
made pecuniarily, and are there any worthy 
additions to the fund of knowledge possessed 
at the commencement of the year ? The former 
query an examination of the Dr. and Cr. on 
“ Winter Butter” carries to most minds the 
idea of a white, bitter, unsavory article, as dif¬ 
ferent from that made in June, as two things 
with the same name can be. And there is 
generally much difficulty in producing a prime 
article in cold weather—without special care 
and particular management. Let us offer some 
hints on the subject. 
The care and food which the cows receive is 
not without its influence. The change from the 
green and succulent pasture to dry unsavory 
fodder, should be modified by supplying them 
with a portion of grain and roots—with the best 
substitutes for green food attainable. Carrots, 
turnips, sugar beets, cabbages, parsnips, or po- 
■I.O./'W’LOO’wM.M,/' 
TWO DOLLARS A YEAR.] 
“ PROGRESS AND IMPROVEMENT.” 
[ SINGLE NO. FIVE CENTS.i^ 
YOLUME YII. NO. 50.} 
ROCHESTER, N. Y.-SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13. 1858. 
1 WHOLE NO. 382. 
