wbmm 
TWO DOLLARS A YEAR.] 
“ PROGRESS AIN'I) IMPROVEMENT.” 
[ SINGLE VO. FOUR CENTS. 
Y0L. X. NO. 31. f 
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-F0R THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, JULY 30, 1859. 
{WHOLE NO. 499. 
MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
AN ORIGINAL WEEKLY 
telligent cultivators, we are satisfied that the 
former great staple of this section of the Union 
can still be successfully and profitably cultivated. 
EUROPEAN AGRICULTURE. 
Sorgho as a Forage Plant. —The Marquis De 
RURAL, LITERARY AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER, And yet, confident as we are in this opinion, we Vibrave communicates to the Journal of Practical 
- do not wish to excite hopes which may not be re- Agriculture his experience in feeding sorgho to 
CONDUCTED BY D. D. T. MOORE, alized —and would not advise those who have cattle. He says'“ Tbejmrgko is not a violent 
With an Able Corps of Assistants and Contributors, changed from wheat growing to other branches of poison for cattle; but if vhe-effects observed, not 
TERMS, IN ADVANCE : 
Two Dollars a Year — $1 for six months. To Clubs 
and Agents as followsThree Copies one year, for $3; Six, 
and one free to club agent, for $10; Ten, and one free, for 
$15; Sixteen, and one free, for $22; Twenty, and one free, 
for $20; Thirty-two, and two free, for $40, (or Thirty for 
$37,50,) and any greater number at same rate —only $1,25 
per copy —with an extra copy for every Ten Subscribers 
over Thirty. Club papers sent to different Post-offices, if de¬ 
sired. As we pre-pay American postage on papers sent to 
the British Provinces, our Canadian agents and friends must 
add 12% cents per copy to the club rates of the Rural.— 
The lowest price of copies sent to Europe, &c„ is only $2,- 
50—including postage. 
alized — and would not advise those who have cattle. He says:—“Tbe^orgho is not a violent 
changed from wheat growing to other branches of poison for cattle; but if the"effects observed, not 
husbandry in which they are now succeeding, to only in my cultivation, but also in that of many 
return at once or fully to the former staple. The of my neighbors, be frequently renewed, we 
soil of a large portion of this State is eminently ought necessarily to attribute to this plant a dele- 
adapted to the production of wheat, and in some terious influence. On a farm which I occupy my- 
sections—if the enemies of the crop can be evaded self, twenty-five horned^ cattle have been fed 
—it will probably long prove the most remunera- exclusively on sorgho during a month; and from 
tive crop that can be grown. Hence, we believe it the precise day on which it was introduced in 
advisable for those who own good wheat soil, and feeding the cattle, the journal of the farm shows a 
are not profitably engaged in other branches, to diminution of the profit of the dairy by one-half, 
try wheat culture again—returning to it gradually and the same decrease was exhibited every month 
and on a small scale, until satisfied as to the safety of feeding with sorgho. On the other hand, there 
and profit of a full resumption. 
The practical question which arises among cul¬ 
tivators is, How can we best evade the midge? 
was, in respect to one of the cows, a case of wind, 
that caused its death. Any other kind of food 
might have produced a similar accident; but 
iSSS®® 
IMs 
.s«g 
Many conjectural and some very plausible theories w * iat many of my neighbors have asserted is, the 
have hitherto been promulgated on this point, few sterility of the cow fed on sorgho. If these two : || 
of which have proved of any great value, being f ac ts, sterility on the one hand, and a diminution t 
either impracticable or too expensive. The result of half in the production of milk on the other, r- 
of careful experiments, by some of our most in¬ 
telligent, observing and experienced grain grow- 
repeated regularly in consequence of feeding the 
cows on sorgho, we must conclude from them that 
ers, however, proves that there are three requisites pl an t | 3 injurious ; since it hinders or dimin- 
to successful wheat culture in regions where the * s ^ e3 all kinds of production by interfering vith 
WHEAT GROWING-EVADING THE MIDGE. 
It is nearly ten years since a full crop of Wheat 
has been produced in this State—the prevalence of 
the midge (miscalled weeivil) in those sections 
which formerly produced *the great staple most 
abundantly, and the consequent partial or entire 
destruction of the crop, having caused a great 
change in agricultural operations and materially 
depreciated the value of farming lands in many 
localities. Farmers who had mainly cultivated 
and depended upon the wheat crop for a long 
series of years, were suddenly confounded by the 
appearance and ravages of a myriad-headed enemy, 
and knew not what to do to alleviate the calamity. 
In some districts of Central and Western New 
York, wheat culture was given up with scarcely 
an effort to head or counteract an enemy which 
seemed more numerous and devouring than the 
locusts of Egypt, and attention directed to other 
crops, stock breeding, grazing and dairying—thus 
inaugurating a comparatively new system of hus¬ 
bandry over a large extent of country. The change 
was of course somewhat difficult and expensive, 
so that the profits of the farm were, for a time at 
least, greatly diminished. In some localities, how¬ 
ever, many farmers continued to sow and harvest 
wheat, though generally with little success until 
recently and after adopting a change of varieties 
and other requisites. 
The ordeal has been a severe one, but the skies 
are brightening, and we believe that wheat can 
again be abundantly and profitably grown in sec¬ 
tions where the midge has prevailed and proved 
so destructive for several years. Indeed we think 
the experience of wise and prudent cultivators 
has already demonstrated the correctness of this 
opinion. Last year many farmers succeeded in 
evading the midge, and growing excellent and 
profitable crops of wheat — and their success in¬ 
duced others to sow somewhat extensively last 
fall, from which a good yield has been obtained 
the present season. This result has been achieved, 
mainly, by a change of varieties, time of sowing, 
and mode of culture. Though the weather has 
been remarkably favorable for the growth and 
maturity of the wheat plant this season, the suc¬ 
cess of our cultivators is in a great measure 
attributable to their wisdom and foresight in man¬ 
agement—for the midge was not destroyed by the 
June frost, as many suppose, but appeared in 
myriad swarms at the usual period, ready to at¬ 
tack and destroy the staff of life. The wheat plant 
escaped only for the reason that it was so far ad¬ 
vanced at the period when the insect usually ope¬ 
rates as to be invulnerable. 
Within the past month we have devoted no little 
time and attention to the investigation of this 
subject, visiting various localities in this region 
for the purpose of examining the growing wheat 
of different varieties, and ascertaining as to time 
of sowing and culture. We have seen as fine 
fields of wheat in various parts of this county as 
were grown previous to the appearance of the 
midge. In every instance where early varieties 
were soivn at the proper time, on good, dry and 
properly prepared soil, we have found the crops 
good —excepting only where the severe June frost 
proved injurious. As remarked two weeks ago, 
we are aware that “one swallow does not make a 
summer ”—that the present season has been re¬ 
markably favorable for the growth and maturity 
ol the wheat plant—yet, from information obtain¬ 
ed, last season and this, from observation and in¬ 
midge prevails, and these we will briefly enume¬ 
rate and discuss. 
1. Varieties .—The most important requisite is to nature » 
secure and sow seed of early and hardy varieties— ’ - 
such as the Mediterranean, Golden Drop, Dayton, Feeding Cows iN^fe 
Ac. Those who have grown these, and ^experi- authority on,^th 4|HA 
mented with more recently introduced varieties, Chronicle, is &r. lioAY 
the past year, have been quite successful. The ifo under great oblifov] 
Mediterranean has improved in quality of late lication of his expe.l 
the secretions, which must necessarily provoke a 
perturbation in the animal organism; all morbid 
causes having their ori'^Ri in suppressions of this 
nature.” 1 
PORTRAIT OF A PRIZE COTSWOLD. 
| Cotswold Siieep, —if their appearance in our He sold in December last five wethers, 21 months 
tter Dairy. —The great markets, and the prices paid by butchers form a old, at $14 each. The expense of rearing them to 
i , says the Gardener’s sufficient basis for correct judgment,—are fast ob- that age, including pasture, hay, turnips, and 
l, who has laid the pub- taining popularity as a mutton bmjd among Ameri- grain, was $42,13. They produced 40 lbs. of wool at 
f to himself for the pub- can farmers. The Cotswold is a long-time bred 31 ty cents, amounting to $12,00, making the whole 
mts and views on this sheep in England. Like the New Leicester, the income from them $82,60 and leaving a clear profit 
years, and also in productiveness. In some in- interesting question, /jjis method of feeding is care and judicious selections of English breeders of a fraction over $8 each.” 
stances, last year, from thirty to forty bushels per the following:—In Ma’fhis cows are turned out have done much towards their improvement, and This account, though very satisfactory, is want- 
acre were produced in this county, the grain being on rich pasture near tht’pomestead; towards eve- although the size has been somewhat reduced, yet ing in one important point—the live weight of the 
of excellent quality, and we presume (from the ning they are housed for the night, when they are the aptitude to fatten and mature early has been sheep. If we suppose they weighed 200 pounds, 
fields we have examined) that the yield and quali- supplied with a mess of a steamed mixture, to be greatly increased. Wethers are often fattened at then they sold for 7 cents per pound. Or if we 
ty will both prove good the present season. The afterwards described, and a little hay each morn- fourteen months, when they weigh from 15 pounds suppose their live weight was 175 pounds, which 
Dayton variety was grown in Genesee county last fog and evening. During June mown grass is to 24 pounds per quarter, and at two years from may be nearer the truth for sheep of that age, then 
year, and gave good satisfaction—escaping the given to them instead of hay, and they arc also 20 pounds to 30 pounds. The experiments of Mr. they sold for 8 cents per pound. There is also a 
midge and producing thirty-five bushels per acre, allowed two feeds of steamed mixture. This Lawes “ou the comparative qualities of the various profit of $40 in feeding $42,13 worth of feed. 
The success of the experiment induced several treatment is continued till October, when they are English breeds of sheep,” demonstrate that the 
farmers of Wheatland, in this county, to procure again wholly housed. After this they receive Cotswolds will lay on fat with greater rapidity, and 
In the Market Report of the New York Tribune, 
Feb. 6th, 1858, is an account of the sale at Albany 
(from Ohio) and sow seed of this variety last fall, steamed food ad libitum three times per day. more in proportion to the amount of food consumed, of 45 Cotswold sheep at $16 ahead, the live weight 
the product of which escaped the midge and looked After each meal cabbages are given, from October than any other breed. The following table gives of which was 188 pounds each. Forty of them 
con- were from the farm of Wm. Hallock, Monroe Co., 
N. Y. These sheep sold for nearly 8}^ cents a 
nips, pound, live weight. The age is not given, hut the 
live weight would seem to indicate that they were 
3,941 young sheep. 
In the Rural of Jan. 22, 1859, is the following: 
very promising two weeks ago — when nearly till December; Kohl Rabi till February; and the pith of the results of these accurately con- were from the farm of Wm. Hallock, Monroe Co., 
ready for harvesting. As we stated in the Rural ma ngel till grass-time—the supply of each of these ducted experiments: N. Y. These sheep sold for nearly 8}^ cents a 
of the 16th, (after examining about seventy acres varieties of green food being limited to 30 or 35 Oil-cake. Hay. Turnips, pound, live weight. The age is not given, hut the 
on the farm of Hon. Elisha Harmon,) “ it is a very lbs. per day for each cow; 4 lbs. of meadow hay f i ntawnl ^ oz. live weight would seem to indicate that they were 
fine variety—a white bald wheat, with stiff straw, are also allowed after each meal, or 12 lbs. per day Hampshire . . . . . . 294 259 12 3,94t young sheep. 
and if it acclimates as well as the Mediterranean f 0 r each cow, aud water is placed before them Leicester.........202 8 251 3J59 In the Rural of Jan. 22, 1859, is the following: 
will prove invaluable in this region.” Other new twice a day, of which they partake as much as Ualf -bre e d wethers.. .264 251 3. i25 « Good g be ep and Good Prices _ In t h e Market Re- 
varieties have been tried on a small scale this year they feel inclined for. The steamed food consists Sussex.314 4 304 3 4,0S6 port of the Albany Journal, we read, J. B. Crosby, 
— such as the Boughton Wheat, (seed from Yir- of “5 lbs. of rape-cake, 2 lbs. of bran, for each Jn our own country, those who have imported brought in eight head, fed by Wm. Hallock, of 
ginia,) by Mr. Wray, near this city, and the Early cow, mixed with a sufficient quantity of bean- and bred the Cotswold hold them in high estima- Rush, Monroe Co., N. Y., which averaged 240 lbs. 
May, (seed from Southern Illinois,) by Mr. Jas. straw, oat straw, and shells of oats, in equal pro- tion, for both mutton and wool. The wool is strong, each — one weighed 268 pounds. They were full- 
White of Wayne county. We hope to hear soon portions, to supply them three times a day with as mellow, and of good color, though rather coarse, six blooded Cotswolds, 2 years and 8 months old; 
from these aud other gentlemen who have experi- much as they will eat. The whole of the materials to eight inches in length, and averaging seven to purchased by McGraw at $25 per head.” It was 
mented with new varieties, and that they will state are moistened and blended together, and, after eight pounds the fleece. further stated in the Journal “that McGraw said, 
time of sowing, yield per acre, quality, &c., for being well steamed, are given to the animals in a A few facts and figures in regard to the estimate any one having any more such sheep could draw 
the benefit of the public. warm state. The attendant is allowed 1 lb. to 1]A placed upon this breed of sheep by both breeders on him for $25 a head for them.” 
warm state. The attendant is allowed 1 lb. to 1 % placed upon this breed of sheep by both breeders on him for $25 a head for them.’ 
2. Time of Sowing .—The general opinion among lbs. of bean-meal per cow, according to circum- and butchers may prove of interest, hence we ex- Our engraving gives a good representation of a 
our best farmers is that, whatever seed is used, it stances, which he is charged to give to each cow tract from the Rural the following items: prize Cotswold Buck, the property of Mr. Geo. 
must be sown early to escape the midge. Some are in proportion to the yield of milk, those in full “ R. G. Coffin, of Dutchess Co., gives his pre- Hewer, Ley Gore, Gloucestershire, Eng., and win- 
of the opiniop that the Soule’s wheat can be sue- milk getting 2 lbs. each per day, others but little; ference to the Cotswold over any other breed when ner of the First Prize of £125 at a meeting of 
cessfully grown—as it has been this past season— it is dry, and mixed with the steamed food on its looked upon as a wool-producing and mutton sheep, the Royal Agricultural Society some years ago. 
by sowing as early os the 1st of September on being dealt out separately.” This is certainly — - -- 
rich, dry and well prepared soil. It should be high feeding, but it is amply repaid by the results; j tried the bean-meal one season, at the rate of 3 ABOUT CORN AND SOME OTHER THINGS. 
remembered, however, that the present season has for while cows fed in the ordinary way seldom lbg . a day> boiled> for each milk cow> with ma ngel, - 
been more favorable for wheat in tins region than produce milk which yields more than 1 oz. to every turnjp and hay By February one of them was Can Indian Corn be cultivated too much ? Eng- 
any other for perhaps twenty years, and hence quart, Mr. Horsfall’s milk gives upwards of 1)4 f a t, but I may say dry; and the others with about lish writers make mention of land being harrowed 
that the result this year is not a safe index lor ozs. for every quart. It is also an important part ba jp tbe q ua ntity of milk they had when com- to excess, until it becomes, to use their phrase 
ordinary seasons. We should prefer the early of his system never to allow his cows to fall off in meucing> I tried, for two winters, oatmeal, the “deaf.” English agricultural nomenclature, I hat 
varieties, such as those named above, and would condition. He considers the maintenance of the same quantity in the same way, and each cow often thought, partakes somewhat of the gibberi 
sow as early as possible after the 25th of August— condition essential to a large yield of milk. There three times the auant itv of milk and butter, of their uneducated peasant laborers. In this c 
ABOUT CORN AND SOME OTHER THINGS. 
half the quantity of milk they had when com¬ 
mencing. I tried, for two winters, oatmeal, the 
to excess, until it becomes, to use their phrase 
“ deaf.” English agricultural nomenclature, I ha’ 
varieties, suen as tnose named aoove, ana wouta condition, tie considers tne maintenance ot the same quantity in the same way, and each cow often thought, partakes somewhat of the gibberi 
sow as early as possible after the 25 th of August— condition essential to a large yield of milk. There gave three times the quantity of milk and butter, of their uneducated peasant laborers. In this c 
say the last week in August or first in September, can be no doubt of the soundness of this opinion. and turned out full better the following summer. I know not exactly what is meant by the word d 
Ibis is the opinion of our best farmers, and those A cow low in condition cannot give the same j tried the same quantity of yellow Indian meal but conjecture that it is intended to denote a £ 
who have experimented most, and been most sue- quantity of milk, as much of the nourishment of last wint er, and I think it good for both milk and powdered road dust condition of the soil, 
cessful in wheat culture, since the prevalence of the food is drawn off to make up the condition of butter . j tried bran for three win ters, at the rate I have this year a field of seven acres, r 
the midge. the animal. And when a very lean cow is put on ^ j bg> every n jg b t for each cow; it was equal sandy loam, lying contiguous to my door y 
3. Soil and Culture. — Early varieties and early r * c ^ f° 0C L it is some weeks before the full benefit ^ be oa tmeal, while using, and my cows turned along the public highway, without sturm 
sowing will prove of little avail without a rich, dtp *h e f° oc * cau obtained in milk for the reason ovd; be tter the following summer than on any other obstacle to cultivation, aud which has b 
wheat soil and good culture. The great cereal can- stated above. lu Scotlaud bran is not very often f eed j n g. The bran not only keeps them healthy, years past a cow pasture. This sprir 
not be produced advantageously on poor, wet land used as an ingredient in any mixture of food for acd gives them a greater relish for their food, but it well with barnyard manure, pic 
in any part of the Union, and especially in sections milk cows; but it will be seen from the foregoing tbere j s some combination of qualities in it be- with three horses abreast, then, bar 
where the midge prevails. To produce wheat that it forms an important part of Mr. Horsfall’s yond w hat any writer I have seen attributes to it.” oughly—crossing the harrowing d : 
abundantly and profitably the soil must contain the mixture. The state in which the food is given has also a ferent directions—until a surface t 
proper elements, and be in the right condition. Some time ago we came upon the following ex- great effect in the production of both milk and nice for planting, then marked it 
In many cases underdraining is of the utmost im- tract, we believe from the Irish Farmers' Gazette, butter. We have observed more than once that a ledger is ruled for straightr 
portance, even on farms where it is not considered which gives some valuable hints as to the use of the yield of butter and milk is never so great way, then planted it with corn 
necessary. No one need expect to grow good different substances in the feeding of milk cows:— when we give cows boiled turnips, with beans so that nearly every hill need 
wheat, asd evade the midge, unless he has a rich, “ In reading over the experiments on feeding in boiled quite soft amongst them, as when they get stand of four plants to ee ;i 
warm and comparatively dry soil, and gives it Stephens, a difference of opinion exists as to the the boiled turnips and the same weight of beans tablespoonful of unleac’ h 
good culture,—but with these, and attention to the comparative fattening qualities of linseed cake, made into meal and mixed raw with them. Again, President Buchanan sa - eg i 
requisites above named, we believe wheat can bean and other meal; and in the “Report of the there is more milk and no taste of the turnip in it, best, so I make a peri aecc 
again be cultivated successfully in Western aud Larne National Agricultural School for 1853,” 1 lb. when the turnips are pulped and mixed with cut was visible I plaster' ebari 
Central New Y r ork and other midge-infested sec- of beans is said to be equal in fattening qualities straw or chaff and fermented, than if the same to the seven acres e dug i: 
tions of the country. 
| to 30 lbs. of turnips, and nearly 3 lbs. of oatmeal, weight of turnips are given whole and raw. 
every hill that e 
;d a 
hill, 
as are 
ae corn 
e barrels 
e dug into 
worms, and 
