RURAL LIFE 
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ROCHESTER, N. Y.-FOR THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1859. 
1 WHOLE NO. 477. 
MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
AN ORIGINAL WEEKLY 
RURAL, LITERARY AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER. 
must be kept up against the weeds, for if they get 
the start it will be almost impossible to eradicate 
them without destroying the plants. Some burn 
brush over their seed beds just before sowing, for 
the purpose of destroying the seeds of the w T eeds. 
Soil and Planting. — To grow a good crop, 
coming near to a tun an acre, requires very rich 
land. "Well rotted stable or hog manure should be 
used in abundance and the ground be well pre¬ 
pared by plowing and dragging. From the first to 
the fifteenth of June the plants will be ready to set 
in the field, and this work should be done on a 
damp day if possible. In taking up the plants, 
care should be exercised so as to injure the roots 
as little as possible. A few should be reserved in 
the seed bed to replace those plants that may not 
grow, or be killed by the grub. The best distance, 
perhaps, is two feet in the rows, and the rows three 
feet apart, so as to admit of the use of the cultiva¬ 
tor one way. 
Culture, Topring and Cutting.— The after cul¬ 
ture is similar to that for corn—keeping the ground 
light, and the weeds destroyed. The hill, if any, 
around the plant must be low, or it will interfere 
with the lower leaves. The tobacco worm some¬ 
times makes its appearance about the time of the 
second hoeing, eating holes in the leaves, and 
must be searched for on the under sides of the 
leaves and destroyed. 
As soon as the flower buds appear, the tops must 
be broken off three leaves below the buds, which 
will increase the growth of the lower leaves. This 
topping causes shoots to start out at the base of 
each loaf, And them shoots must be broken off in 
about eight days after the topping, or they, too, 
injure the growth of the leaves, and still further 
injure them in curing. 
The time for cutting the crop is from the 5th of 
September to the loth, in about 12 or 15 days after 
topping. The plant should be cut with a hatchet 
between the lower leaves and the ground, and be 
allowed to lay on the ground long enough to wilt 
the leaves, so that they may be handled without 
breaking, but not exposed to the noon-day sun, or 
they will become scorched and worthless. It is 
necessary, therefore, to cut early in the morning 
or the evening, and in either case it should be 
housed before noon. In all the operations care 
must be taken not to tear or injure the leaves. 
Curing. —This operation requires great care. As 
soon as gathered it must be hung on poles in a to¬ 
bacco house or shed, the butts being fastened to 
the poles and the points hanging downwards. The 
plants are fastened to the poles with twine, about 
six inches apart, and the poles about one foot 
apart. It will be necessary to have a circulation 
of air through the building, but when the wind is 
high, unless the building is closed, the leaves will 
be injured. As soon as sufficiently cured, it may 
be taken down and the leaves stripped from the 
stalks. It will generally be in this state, about the 
first of December. If, on a dry day the leaf stalk 
will break from near the butt, it is sufficiently 
cured to take down and strip. The tobacco grower, 
while stripping assorts into different grades, the 
largest, soundest and best colored leaves being put 
in the first class, and the narrow, torn and light 
colored leaves make the second class. Some 
growers make three grades. There is a good deal 
of difference in the value, the price ranging from 
five to twelve cents a pound. After the leaves are 
assorted, they are made into “ hands,” by taking a 
large handful, with the butts even, and binding a 
leaf around, so as to hold them together. These 
“ hands” are then packed away iii a stack, with the 
butts and the points of the leaves over-lapping 
each other, and in this way the leaves will be kept 
soft and pliable, and the butts be more thoroughly 
cured. Tobacco should not be handled when it is 
dry and harsh, and all handling is better done on a 
damp day. 
Sweating.— The last and most important opera¬ 
tion is sweating. This operation is thus performed. 
Boxes are made about two feet four inches by three 
feet six inches. Into these boxes the “ hands” of 
tobacco are placed, lengthwise of the box, the 
butts at the end. In this way the box is filled. A 
heavy “ follower” of two inch plank, just made to 
fit the inside of the box, is then pressed upon it 
with a lever or screw. The top or “ follower” is 
then removed, and more tobacco put in and pressed, 
and so on until the case is full of pressed tobacco, 
and these cases will generally contain from three 
to four hundred pounds. After the box is full the 
“follower” is removed, and the cover nailed on, 
and the cases packed away in a dry close building, 
where they must remain during the next summer, 
until fall, when the tobacco is fit for market. When 
packed for sweating the tobacco should be soft and 
pliable without being wet or sticky. Any that ap¬ 
pears too damp may be packed at the top or sides 
of the box, or dried. 
The profits to be derived from the culture of to¬ 
bacco depend entirely upon the management.— 
Farmers who grow an acre or so will, as a general 
thing, find more trouble than profit from its cul¬ 
ture, as it will interfere very much with other work, 
and in consequence be neglected at some critical 
point which will very much lessen its value; or 
the injury done by neglect of other crops will de¬ 
stroy more than the profits realized from the 
tobacco. Without a suitable building, one erect¬ 
ed for the purpose, it i3 almost impossible to 
cure it properly. This is an expense that a small 
business will not warrant. Those who engage 
largely in tobacco raising, take pains to learn all 
that they can from the experience of other, and 
erect suitable buildings, if they are careful, enter¬ 
prising men, and not discouraged, though at first 
they fail, will no doubt find it a very profitable 
business. 
NLoon Tlieories, Again. 
Perhaps this is not quite the right season to talk 
about “ planting and sowing in the moon,” hut I would 
like to hare some of those who call the influence of the 
moom on vegetation, all “humbug,” or “moonshine,” 
tell me which would be more likely to be affected by 
the gentle influence of Luna, in her changing moods, 
the sturdy hemlock that has withstood the blasts and 
storms of ages, or the tender plant that shrinks from 
the chill winds, and falls before the first frost of autumn ? 
It is a well known fact (at least to those who spend part 
of the summer peeling bark for tanneries,) that the new 
moon is the best time for their business, and that during 
the old moon in latter August, near the close of the peel¬ 
ing season, the bark begins to adhere firmly to the wood, 
but in the next new moon will peel easily. Now, if it 
is all “ moonshine ” that causes this, is it fair to call it 
all “ humbug ” to believe there may be a difference in 
the growth of some plants, according phase of 
the moon, when the seeds begin (ogf rminate?—8*8. 8.', 
Windsor, 2f. Y., 1859. A 1 I 
Our own views in relation to this subject, are 
well known to Rural readers, and to again pass 
over the whole ground, merely for the sake of argu¬ 
ment, -would be fruitless. We would be pleased, 
however, to ask “S. S. S.” a few questions. If 
the influence of Luna is so “ gentle ”, why attribute 
so great an effect to so slight a cause ? Why choose 
the “close of the season”—the last of the summer 
months, when hot and dry is the rule? Will the 
bark peel more readily during the new than the 
old moon in the preceding months of June and 
July? The moon does not require a full month to 
wax and wane — and in process of time the last of 
August has its new moon —does our correspondent 
consider himself most governed by the date of that 
particular month or the condition of the moon ? Is 
not the fact that the hemlock peels readily in early 
September more attributable to the “ midsummer 
flow of sap” than to any influence lunar rays can 
exert? Our nurserymen, in ordinary seasons, can¬ 
not bud at the very season when “S. S. S.” finds 
so much difficulty in procuring tan-bark aud for 
the same reason—the external covering of the fruit 
trees adheres so strongly; but in September, 
new moon or not, the renewed flow of sap ena¬ 
bles them to operate. If the advocates of the 
theory in which our correspondent seems to be so 
firm a believer, will arrive at some tangible con¬ 
clusions in reference to the action of the moon on 
vegetation—attribute it to heat, light , or some 
other of the known necessary agents of growth in 
the vegetable world—we will endeavor to meet the 
subject,—we have neither time nor space “ to beat 
the bush” in the columns of the New-Yorker. 
Feeding Grrain to Colts. 
Having several young colts keeping through the win¬ 
ter, I would like to know whether it is best to give them 
any grain. Experienced breeders say they should not 
have any, while all books on the subject say they should 
have from a pint to a quart of oats per day. Now, 
which is right?— An Old Subscriber, Ogden, N. Y. 
If the “ books " are wrong, we must say we be¬ 
lieve their error is on the side of right. At no af¬ 
ter period in the life of the foal will liberal feeding 
become a principle of so great importance as du¬ 
ring the period of growth —and for the first few 
mouths after weaning this is particularly the case. 
Starvation — or short-allowance, if the latter term 
is preferred — is the last mode to make fine ani¬ 
mals. Had keep never made a good colt; good care, 
i. e., judicious treatment, we do not think is a sure 
road to ruin. When quite young the oats ought 
to be bruised, thus aiding the digestive organs in 
the full performance of the duties the economy of 
nature has assigned. 
To Prevent Over-Reaching. 
I wish to inquire of you, or the readers of the Ru¬ 
ral, if there is any way to prevent horses clicking their 
hind shoes against their fore shoes iu traveling?— P., 
Pultney, N. Y., 1S59. 
Young horses frequently over-reach so as to 
strike the toes of the hind-shoe against the fore 
ones, causing the clicking mentioned by our cor¬ 
respondent. The fact should be made known to 
the smith, and, if he is the right man in the right 
place, he will remedy it by shortening the toes of 
the hind-shoes and widening the web. “ P.” may 
try what tightening the check-rein will do—eleva¬ 
ting the head of the horse will sometimes obviate 
the evil. 
CONDUCTED BY D. D. T. MOORE, 
"With an Able Corps of Assistants and Contributors. 
The Rural New-Yorker is designed to be unsurpassed 
in Yalue, Purity, Usefulness and Variety of Contents, and 
unique and beautiful in Appearance. Its Conductor de¬ 
votes his personal attention to the supervision of its various 
departments, and earnestly labors to render the Rural an 
eminently Reliable Guide on all the important Practical, 
Scientific and other Subjects intimately connected with the 
business of those whose interests it zealously advocates. It 
embraces more Agricultural, Horticultural, Scientific, Edu- 
eational, Literary and News Matter, interspersed with 
appropriate and beautiful Engravings, than any other jour¬ 
nal-rendering it the most complete Agricultural Lit¬ 
erary and Family Newspaper in America. 
£59“ All communications, and business letters, should be 
addressed to D. D. T. MOORE, Rochester, N. Y. 
For Terms and other particulars, see last page. 
INQUIRIES AND NOTES, 
in the usual way. Many, to be of any value, not 
only require immediate answers, but those of some 
length, partaking more of the character of essays 
than simple answers and inquiries. We have de¬ 
termined, therefore,• to devote a few extra columns 
to this purpose. 
Culture of Tobacco. 
Can you give some information on the Culture of 
Tobacco —what soils are best adapted to it, and the time 
of planting—whether it must be started in hot-beds—if 
the frost ever injures it, and how to cure it ? Whether 
it is to bo cut up when green or ripe, and how far apart 
are plants to be in the rows ? Also, where seed can be 
got, and whether the seed will ripen in this latitude?— 
A Subscriber, Naples, N. Y., 1S59. 
Please oblige me by giving a little information in 
regard to the Tobacco Plant —the sort raised in Conneo- 
icut and Massachusetts ? Can it be raised successfully 
in Ulster Co., and where can the seed be procured ? 
Please inform me of the manner and time of planting. 
—C. 15., Brooklyn, N. Y, 1859. 
Tiie above are specimens of the inquiries we 
have received from nearly all parts of the country, 
on the subject of growing Tobacco, showing a great 
demand for information, and a disposition in very 
many to engage in its culture. The growing and 
curing of tobacco, like the raising of hops, flax, 
and sugar from the Chinese cane, is somewhat of a 
manufacturing operation, requiring some skill and 
experience, and the necessary fixtures and con- 
ieniences for curing and packing. Hence, many 
who engage in these operations will fail. Indeed, 
nearly all will be likely to fail in a great measure, 
in the first attempt, for however well the theory 
may be studied, much must be learned by expe¬ 
rience. The extent of our experience in the busi¬ 
ness has been confined to a few plants in the gar¬ 
den, but we have watched very carefully the ope¬ 
rations of the largest and best growers in this 
section of the country, and the facts we have 
learned are cheerfully given. If what we say shall 
We take pleasure in giving the accompanying 
illustration and description of a Hop and Hay 
Press invented by one of our subscribers, whom 
we have long known as an active friend of Rural 
Improvement. The inventor claims for this Press 
many advantages, such as great simplicity, porta¬ 
bility, &c. Among other things the patentee states 
that “when, as often happens in presses, the fol¬ 
lower in its descent takes an inclined position, the 
press will not of course operate with entire free¬ 
dom, but in the Hop and Hay Press this difficulty 
has received special attention, and been successfully 
overcome.” We copy the following description 
from the Scientific American : 
“ The accompanying engraving is a perspective 
view of the Hop, Hay or Cotton Press, invented 
by Lincoln L. Cummings, of Munusville, Madison 
county, N. Y., and patented by him June 15,1858. 
A, represents a case or box of rectangular form, in 
which is fitted a follower or plunger, capable of 
working freely up and down. C, is a bar that is 
placed on the top of the follower and longitudinally 
with it, the ends of the bar projecting beyond the 
ends of the follower, and having a T-shaped slot, a, 
made vertically in each end. On each end of the 
bar, C, a cap, D, is placed, having oblong slots 
made through them. These caps are provided at 
each end with a handle, c, aud on each cap a plate, 
E, is placed, passing between guides, d, which 
form part of the cap, D. The plates are adjusted 
by crank handles, F, mid screws, e, which pass 
through a central opening in E. 
“ To the bottom of the case or box, A, a bar, G 
is attached. This bar projects beyond the box at 
each end, and to it a chain, H, is attached. To the 
upper end of the chain a screw, I, is secured, and 
these screws pass through the inner part of the 
slots, a, in the bar, c, through the slots in D, 
through E, and a nut is fitted on to each screw 
above the plate, E. Each nut is surrounded by 
teeth, g, into which a spring pawl, K, catches.— 
These pawls are fitted in sockets, L, that can move 
freely upon the nuts. In these sockets, L, hand 
levers, M, are placed, to operate the press. 
“Each side of the case or box, A, at its upper 
part is formed a series of slats, h, which are placed 
one over the other between proper guides, so that 
they may he withdrawn as the follower descends, 
and the substance within the box is compressed. 
The operation is as follows:—The follower is de¬ 
pressed upon the hops, hay or cotton, by turning 
the hand levers, M, and consequently the nuts, so 
that as they are made to descend on the screws, I, 
they carry C, and the follower with them. Should 
the follower become inclined, the screws, I, have 
room to move in the T-shaped slot, a, so that it will 
operate the follower when inclined, and gradually 
make it level. Many of these presses are in use for 
hop pressing, and give general satisfaction.” 
We may add that this Press has been awarded 
the First Premium at Fairs in three of the most 
noted hop-growing sections of this State — Otsego, 
Madison aud Oneida. For price, Ac., see adver¬ 
tisement in this paper. 
AGRICULTURE IN OHIO. 
large proportion of the arable soil of Ohio. is of 
that kind to be especially benefited by the process, 
viz., a clayey loam, or stiff clay. 
Stock-growing is a very important branch of our 
farming. In 1856 Ohio shipped to the New York 
market over forty-three thousand cattle for beef; 
in 1857 over thirty thousand. 
Wool is another of our staple productions, but 
greatly diminished from what it has been, and still 
rapidly diminishing, from the want of suitable pro¬ 
tection against dogs, which do far more injury to 
the flocks in this country than wolves ever did. 
The expense of fencing is here, as everywhere, a 
great tax upon farmers, and annually increasing, 
as the timber suitable for the purpose is diminish¬ 
ing. It is estimated that over eighty million of 
dollars is actually invested in this State in fences 
on farms. Many experiments are making with 
hedges. 
The culture of the grape is attracting considera¬ 
ble attention. The amount of land now devoted 
to the culture of the grape in the State is estima¬ 
ted at three thousand acres. As an instance of the 
remunerativeness of the grape culture it is stated 
that Mr. Chas. Carpenter, of Kelly’s Island, sold 
in 1854, as the product of one acre of vines, 800 
gallons of wine, at prices ranging from §1,25 to 
§1,50 per gallon,—grapes to the amount of one 
hundred dollars,—roots and cuttings to the amount 
of one hundred and thirty dollars. Thus did one 
acre return to its proprietor §1,330 in one year. 
The agricultural population of the State does not 
Messrs. Eds.: —Some of the statements and facts 
contained in the Ohio Agricultural Report for 
1857, recently published, I have thought might 
very profitably have a wider circulation through 
the pages of the Rural. 
From this report it appears that Ohio has of 
laud, actually cultivated, 11,583,731 acres, of which 
about 6,500,000 are plow land, and 3,500,000 
meadow land, the remainder being in orchards, 
gardens, yards, &c. 
The great crops of the State are Wheat and 
Corn. The wheat crop is first in importance, so 
far as the grain market is concerned, though for 
domestic consumption, in feeding cattle, swine, &c., 
the corn crop should, perhaps, take the precedence. 
The average of wheat per acre is about thirteen 
bushels, aud of corn thirty-four bushels; the num¬ 
ber of acres devoted to the former is yearly be¬ 
coming less, while the area of corn land is as con¬ 
stantly increasing,—showing that the corn crop is 
considered more reliable and profitable. The wheat 
crop for 1857 is estimated at twenty-eight milliou 
bushels—the corn crop for 1857 is estimated from 
sixty to ninety million bushels. Not only has the 
area of land devoted to wheat been gradually 
diminishing for several years past, but also the 
average yield per acre. 
Underdraining lias done wonders here, as it does 
everywhere, so far as it has been practiced, which 
is as yet to a very limited extent, although a very 
