VOLUME III. NO. 12. 1 
Jkfmttorat 
PKOGUESS AND IMPROVEMENT. 
SPRING-TIME HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS. 
The bright sunshine and balmy air of the 
past few days,—the appearance and music 
of tho “sweet songsters of Spring,” and 
ROCHESTER, N. Y .-THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 1852. 
Maniae should bo kept under shelter, or The kitchen garden should receive early VALUE OF “BOOK FARMING.” 
other unmistakoablo premonitions herald loach()d 01 . un l eached a8 s00n a * the grew BAEtEY, BOOT CROPS, COSH to. paper is it, md what "(IoTou'm forit^Ei- * YZ “Z frl ; ol J'folding six head of cat- 
the near approach of seed- .me, of all sea- 6tarts> „ tooreMed yicld will be tho r “ ult . -- , . pUntog its obje ets, and stating its terms ,*^, W f 0, ‘‘ *• *«M, 
sons the most welcome and important to the T ~ , Eds. Rural: — Farmer D. s comm umca- T ., T i-, i • LS LC11U! ’ vested nine hundred bushels, which with those 
husbandman. Though old Boreas sends . “ already at ended to, look to your tion on the value of the Barley crop, is well "'hdol exh.b.ted aspectmen; sa.d ho,“Kath- fed to the stock and not measured must 
forth an occasional moan, his power is fast ' ,n !’ 1 moots am too s of all kinds. .See that worthy tho attention of tho farmer,—but ' .'.''ll " "" 1 11 have made tho yield nearly if not fully 
waning, and the dominions of earth and sky, 10 y ai0m g 0(K oh or, and each in its place. Barley will not grow bountifully on poor, ‘ mnil L> U1<> " '. l tK \ canto mo now. , twelve hundred bushels, 
so long held in his stern embrace, are pass- ‘ c P au t 10 Jloken ’ and get new ones it ne- nor worn-out soil, and a poor crop impover- ,° U S< ?.. m fl 111 ^' <U1 0 ( man( 10 i\as past By this t ; me j ba j t j 10 ]. ui0 .p a p on m 
ing under the sway of a mild and gladsome f essai Y t 18 economy to have tho most ishes the ground, and enriches not the cul- ’ U ' m0l , U ' an, )‘ uu ia '° ai tn0( lta .my days side, and my neighbor became a strong con- 
sovereign. “Now is the winter of our dis- im P 10v0< too s, and large implements and tivator. Previous to entering extensively ^°\ C , n . ain an > nng 10 m youi agger- vert to book farming. Before this he could 
content” indeed passed, and made glorious macimcs ; Every former cannot afford to into the cultivation of Barley, many of our cu ‘ ela P‘ l l )US - j not be induced to take any publication But 
Spring by evidence most tangible and con- ! ? Wn and movv,ng macbines ’ drills > farmers ought to learn the art of making , h " s } l ^ shod ’ , cultlvated fields, j he soon became a re o U ]ar subscriber'for , 
in heaps, to avoid waste by leaching, until attention. Prepare the ground well, and 
you are ready to use it. Those who use sow lettuce, early peas, onions, &c. The 
.plastei, and other fertilizers, should have extent of operations must bo governed by 
them on hand, ready for application when tho weather,—but no man who likes to live 
wanted. A thin coating ot plaster on your well, and enjoy the luxuries of the season 
manure heaps will be beneficial in prevent- “ in season” should neglect to provide for a 
ing tho ammonia from escaping. If your plentiful supply of vegetables, etc. 
meadows receive a top dressing of ashes, —-.-—-— 
leached or unleached, as soon as tho grass BARLEY, ROOT CROPS, CORN &c. 
Tite few thoughts expressed last week 
were suggested to my mind by one or two 
incidents, which, as they strongly exemplify 
tho value of “book forming,” I will relate. 
f WHOLE NO. 11C. 
troubled by any insect whatever. But in 
the adjoining field of my neighbor, tho little 
pests soon came in myriads, making riotous 
work, sweeping tho.tender things down so 
clean that hardly ono was left. And what 
sons the most welcome and important to the 
husbandman. Though old Boreas sends 
‘ ’ r '™ luu 1WU1U Eds. Rural :-Farmer D.’s communica- 
f not already attended to, look to your tion on the value of the Barley crop, is well 
paper is it, and what do you ax for it T Ex¬ 
plaining its objects, and stating its terms 
while I exhibited a specimen; said he, “Rath- 
forth an occasional moan, his power is fast ™P lc ™nts and tools of all kinds. See that worthy the attention of the formc’r,-but f ^ ” 0t ’ »on’t want any your book 
waning, and tho dominions of earth and sky, T” , ! oluer ’ 5 
so long held in his stern embrace, are pass- ! GpaU 1 10 n> ~ en , ant * 
they are in good order, and each in its place. Barley will not gr 
m eacn in ns place. Barley will not grow bountifully on poor, 
get new ones if ne- nor worn-out soil, and a poor crop impover¬ 
farming—know all they can tell me now.— 
You see I’m quite an old man (ho was past 
content” indeed passed, and made glorious 
Spring by evidence most tangible and con¬ 
vincing. The indications of the season’s 
cultivated fields. 
&c.,—but they may bo owned and used 
strife and duty are certain, and ’tis time thus i in over y neighborhood. A tool house tance in producing bountiful crops. 
, ... .... . ° and the go-to-ruin look of his promises, told 
manuie, and become sensible of its impor- ,, , , A , . . 1 ’ 
t„npn the tale that antiquated notions ruled there 
early to sound the note of busy preparation. 
Hundreds, perhaps thousands of our readers, 
may be as familiar as ourselves with the re¬ 
quirements and labors of tho season, and 
or room, and a shop whore you can repair Au , vho wish t0 be sl , ccossful in raisi 
some .mplemente and make others, arc mat- barley would do well t0 commcllcc tho oul * 
ters of importance to every farmer. 
Attend to your wheat fields. Ope; 
‘ tivation of roots, (viz: beets, carrots, or ruta- 
Opon the bagas, whichever their soil will best pro¬ 
file water duce,) and feed them to their stock in win- 
and led the man along the worn-out paths 
of olden usages. 
As I turned to leave him, said he—“Don’t ! !’! 3 C0WS to fcccl d,,vvn the to P s > he Pitched 
care if I take your paper, though, if you've his t0am toa three cornered harrow, adding 
a mind to let me have it for six shillings j wei g ht enough to make the timbers hug the 
cause I can get tho-(naming a city pa- oundj wben h° started it through tho field. 
per whose badly printed columns were filled j ^ be . wiu S s wouId P ims the turnips out, and 
j cum my nuigiioor oecame a strong con- 
I vert to book farming. Before this ho could 
; not be induced to take any publication. But 
he soon became a regular subscriber for a 
j a half dozen.” 
Mr. Lowers method of harvesting his 
j turnips was new to me. After turning in 
his cows to feed down the tons, he bite her! 
have, wo trust, already buckled on their dead furrows and gutters, and let the water duce,) and feed them to their stock in win- ‘ ” m< T ,"!? , . S1X . Iings ’ 
armor for the spring campaign—determined- start before the sun gets sufficient power to ter, and it will increase tho quality and ' C<U ! 10 . (naming a city pa- 
to achieve, with tho aid of Nature, a decided in J ure the cr0 P in the wet P Ia cos. Standing quantity of manure sufficient to compensate L\ * IT^v 7 P ^ mtcd ®° lum “ were fiIIed 
though bloodless victory. And yet perhaps water will prove fatal, under a hot sun, and for the expense of raising the roots. Apply to i lU °° • °, WCOTOred 
we may, without presumption, be permitted should be removed in time to prevent the the manure to hoed crops —corn and roots r n . ° r ’' d a . P 1 ‘ ce ’ anc lts a bigger pa- 
to jog the memories of our friends, by drop- dan S er of loss. Fields of winter grain, —keep them perfectly free from weeds, and un '° m n » °°‘ 
ping a few Spring-time hints and suggestions. es POcially if partially winter-killed, will be the ground will be in excellent condition for lhat ’ t0 me ’ wa s proof enough that the 
As tho Spring opens, and especially after * ,0 j 1(ddcd by harrowing. As the season tor barley tho next season. 
as tho team advanced leave them ii 
such a Winter as the past, tho farmer finds 1 1S °P eratl0n 1S near > wo Wl11 111 a w ook or I consider corn as profitable a crop as any 
enough to do on every hand. Yet if he be- t " ? le ‘P u bb^b an article on the subject, the farmer can cultivate. When the ground 
gins aright, and in season, with proper sys- wlllch was g lv en in our first volume. is well manured, frequently worked, and 
tern and prudent management tho first Eook to the security and saving of your kept free from weeds, it yields most bounti- 
month’s labor will put all things in order, P otat °cs, for use and seed. For planting ful crops of grain and forage. It is a grass 
character,) at that price, and its a bigger pa- r ° WS ’ t ' veen which he drove wit!l bis wag- 
per than your’n, too.” 011 and dun S them in. This method not 
rpi, , , „ , . only savod him a good deal of time, without 
I hat, to me, was proof enough that the • • , . . Ll ’ uul ' 
moral soil of tho m:uTs heart needed a groat- ZZunflmTI T ^ ^ 
c ,. ,, .., , . , ° ground m fine order to receive a seedim* - of 
of fomhlt WfC SySt ° m Wheat ’ Which 1 u » d ^tood him to say ho 
TI.x,_, r , , . g av e it. x. e. w. 
of farming. 
The other incident was related to mo not 
long since by a mechanic friend, Mr. W. 
Tower, who a few years since, for a time car- 
FENCES WITHOUT RAILS. 
Three years ago last September, when I 
and pave the way for a result sure and prof- uso the best early kinds—and those which feeder of coarse manure, and is tho best ' J V ’ aS ] a su bscriber to commenc ^ ffu-rnino-' 1 ^ r 
itable. There are numberless matters and j aro the Ieast affected with tho rot. Plant preparation of tho ground for a large crop ° rCncse0 j arme1 ’; > aid 110-1 ‘I 110 * 0 tho wiref j t , | ^ T r ° 3 ° f 
things requiring attention, and he who would ' earh J’ of whatever variety, as all kinds will of barley. ' 3ubstai ; ce of his verbal rclation-«That lit- “ tbo fi ! st P la ?° 1 budt * 
n : 45 . _ ’ wuuiu ..... , J . . tip work nntns o-nnd no tKono Lxfxx—__i„i. Dy plowing and scrapmff twice on eap.h shin 
proceed pleasantly and safely must take time tbus be safer from tho rot. Tho White I cannot convey my views more correctly f lc ' vork P u t as good as $200 mto my pocket, 
, ta , . ii. , , ^ , ... J m onn snasnn it wnc nfYnv . 
by the forelock in all operations. The early ^ ercer Potato ,—a seedling produced a few than to state the plan I have followed with m ° n ° scason ‘ was aitcr this WIS « : 
days of warmth and sunshine should be occu- y° ars a g° by Mr. II. N. Lang worthy, of success for many years. I generally culti- My neighbor D. and I were getting in a 
pied to the best advantage in field and gar- ; Ironde qu°it, near this city,—is becoming vate about three acres of roots, commonly C1 ’°P of Ruta Bagas. At the commencement 
den, where ready and skillful eyes and hands I ( l uite P°P ular in this region, on account mangel wurtzel or white sugar beets,— of the year, when I renewed my subscrip- 
by plowing and scraping twice on each side 
of the intended lino of fence, making a 
ditch about one foot or fourteen inches in 
depth, and the dyke about eighteen inches 
above the natural surfaco. I then set posts 
X* mm skuii ui eyes anu nan as i - ivgmn, un accounc ui sugar Deets,— . ^_- 111 j e j„ ht feet aDart thrpp f + ’ +i , 
will find abundant employment—various its freedom from the rot, and long keep- I stable all my cattle and hoi’ses, in win‘er tl0n ^ g ave him an invitation to subscribe f miT . i " ’ , m . 10 S r °und, 
.. . . „ 1 . . ’ t. •. x. , . .... ®. 1 tt„ _ . i • .... ! lour ieet above, nut on four wires of NA o 
and important. On every large form, where ! bl S- It is of good size, and fair quality, as and feed them with roots once a day, lit- 
But no. He was not agoing to fool 
i mur teet above, put on four wires of No. 9, 
and at tho top a board 3J inches wide. The 
rods to a large wrought spiko, and attached 
to the other posts by wedge-shaped iron 
pins made of common nail rods, with a hole 
'imothy Prepare your ground for spring crops.— or four tim es during the winter, and in mor ' rocomm ending tho soaking ot turnip through the head thrmio-L '' m’w/ ^ . 
le rise,” Plow deep (whether sluggards sleep or not) s P r mg, (as soon as convenient after turning seed for 24 hours in fish oil to prevent in- . Wh ’ & . ^ 11C ' U ' 1V . 
lavo no and manure well, if you farm formas » ut t0 pasture,) pile up the manure, and j« r y to the young plants, by files or bugs, the pins'wero driven inZZjuZZZZt 
several persons are engaged, the owner must I we can testify from using it as a table potato toring very plentifully with straw, (always away bis mone y so. He could get along j w - worc fa |, t , j nc CS ^ e ’ . 10 
needs be at his post,—for “the eye of the j for tho P ast th,, ee months. It is a late having abundance of it) so as to absorb all wed enou gh fanning from his own head i rc)( i sto a i. lro .\ w . 1 la ulc ? 0IK 0 10 sixty- 
master will do more work than his hands * g rowin g potato, but should be planted early, the urine, and droppings of the animals. I without book farming it. In the course of , t(J thc 1 ^ ^ W1 ° U ® 1 SP j’ ^attached 
Those who havo not already done so will and is eminently worthy of a trial. spread a little plaster over the manure three tbo season 1 noticed an article in the Far- j • g ^ L ,! P ° S S y w e< ” 0 ' s ia P cd iron 
do well to obtain their Clover and Timothy Prepare your ground for spring crops._ or * our times during the winter, and in m01, re commending tho soaking ot turnip through tho head tl • n< o 4 .^°i ^ l 1 ^ b °^ 0 
seeds at once, as the market is “on the rise,” Plow deep (whether sluggards sleep or not) s P ri ug, (as soon as convenient after turning seed for 24 hours m fish oil to prevent in- weret ] rawn W( ’ 110U S 1 " 1K ' 1 k 10 wires 
and those who desire to sow early havo no and manure well, if you farm for profit as out to pasture,) pile up the manure, and j ur y to the young plants, by flies or bugs, the i>ins were dri ’ 10 '' llcs W0l ° s * rained 
time lo lose. For a permanent meadow, we well as pleasure. Spring wheat, oats, rye, § iv0 ifc a good covering of plaster—using I "mentioned it to my neighbor, at the same i vt0 bind th ' ,\ 0n in 0 10 pos s sat lclcnt ' 
should use the largo kind of Clover, which peas, barley, &c., should be sown as early as 111 ad about ono ton of plaster to eighty time intimating I should give it a trial. A euuesan pi eient s ippmg. 
ripens the same time as Timothy; but for a the weather will allow. Carrots should also, Ioads of manure. ° " bttlo rivalry had existed between us, as our 1Gn . 18 fence Was completed, I was 
rotation for wheat, the medium variety, sow- ho sown early. Read the articlo on this Ia autumn I spread the manure eveidy fields joined, and the more so, as he w-as f >0 , Ut ‘ l . s ' P 01feon as Y 011 °tten find. It 
ing liberally—at least eight to ten pounds page relative to tho culture of Barley, Root over tho ground intended for hoed crops; b)nd oi crac king his jokes at the expense of 00 01 1 v0 t . 10 sltai ^ ow of nothing, and I did 
per acre, and four to six quarts of Timothy. Crops, Corn, &c. It was written by one of next year in tho spring, harrow and culti- book farming. So this determination of "° f u PP 0Se lt J VOuld he good for any thing, 
As a general thing, we think formers err by the best farmers in Western New York. vate, until it is thoroughly pulverised, and mine, only subjected me to a greater degree , U 1 t U | S S ^° 0( J" 10 b st . thiee )eats and a- 
being too sparing of grass-seed. For some Scions for grafting should be cut during planfc as earI y as tho season will permit. I his railery. He’d show me turnips as a ’ anc n0t iai . to ” 10inutes repairs. The 
valuable suggestions on sowing grass-seed, this month. Those to bo procured from a harrow or cultivat o the corn and roots, fre- were turni P s > and heat me out of sight and most oreacky -animals tail to make any im- 
see article of E.D, in No. 10 of this volume, distance should bo ordered without delay, flatly, and keep them free from weeds, hearm g- Guessed I’d get satisfied with book pression on it. I never have knownany- 
Attend to your fences and form buildings. S°uio valuable directions on packing and ant ^ ff the season is favorable have a bounti- tanning. i f t except ho e s, and it is 
Repair damages to board and’rail fences, sending grafts (communicated by a distin- ful « ro P of g™n and forage, which are as However, I kept quietly on, determined 1 “ ' F' vke anT' ’°h ‘ V ° ‘° "®* 
and put all in ship-shape order.' Those guished horticulturist,) may be found in profitable to the farmer as any thing he can ‘oo'l-soat my seed, knowing I could rc-seed 5 e yke, and crawl under. 
mins in the stone-wall vender sLnnld vnooluo the annronriate do.nnri.nent-. nf produco. Wlth the fiat turnip it the ruta bagas should ! 1 “tend to make more the coming season. 
As a general thing, we think farmers err by the best farmers in Western New York, 
being too sparing of grass-seed. For some Scions for grafting should bo cut during 
valuable suggestions on sowing grass-seed, this month. Those to bo procured from a 
seo articlo ot E. D., in No. 10 of this volumo. distance should bo ordered without delay. 
Attend to your fences and form buildings. Some valuable directions on packing and 
distance should bo ordered without delay ( l uen tly, and keep thorn free from weeds, 
rs, . if 4.1.x.-* X*_ .1.1 1 
Repair damages to board and’ rail fences, sending grafts (communicated by a distin- 
and put all in ship-shapo order. Those guished horticulturist,) may be found in 
gaps in the stone-wall yonder should receive the appropriate department of this number, 
attention as soon as the frost is out of tho who have orchards of natural or common 
ground. Good fences not only indicate good t' ruifc , should procure scions of the best va- 
farming, but insure you against loss of time Eoties and see that they aro properly graft- 
Somo valuable directions on packing and an( ^t’ the season is favorable have a bounti- 
sending grafts (communicated by a distin- ful cr0 P of S rain and fora g e > which aro as 
guished horticulturist,) may be found in P robtab * e to t h° farmer as any thing he can 
produco. with the flat turnip it the ruta bagas should j f intend to make more the coming season, 
After the corn and roots, thoso who would balk In the character of the soil, our ground j an( I shall put a board one foot wide at the 
pursuo my course—may plow in the fall. was ver y nearly or quite alike. His had j bottom, and the rest wire, and that will stop 
deep and well, leaving none of tho ground been cropped once, wliilo mine was newly 1 anything commonly kept in an enclosure. 
and crops, and save you from much vexation ed. It is shameful to grow th« poor, good- unmov e d —next spring, harrow once over, broko - We both expended considerable la- Now as to the expense. The dyke was 
of spirit. The most substantial and durable for-nothing sorts, when the most choice and then sow barley and harrow and culti- bor and got the ground in high tilth. Iliad two days work of three persons and one 
fences pay tho best,—and in building new- valuable varieties are so easily obtained vate it, until the ground is made fine, then °no and a quarter acres, which, after I had yoko ot oxen, $8; posts, 120 pieces at 75 
or repairing old ones, it will bo economy to Trim apple trees; thin out the dwarfed ^ ** Sm °° th ’ aud if thc season is favora - thorou S' llI y harrow0d , I burned every grub, cents each, ^9; setting, 2 days work, $2,60; 
do the work in tho most complete manner, limbs, cross wood and sprouts • shorten and y ° U WlU haV0 a hcavy cr0 P of barl ey— root ’ stlck and tmd of S rass > antl removed wire, $14; top board, $2; putting on wire 
And if you would save time, which is equiva- lighten heavy branches on the leaning sides th ° barley ’ prepare tho S round and f StGnCS ’ f akm f tbe §T° Und wifch a fiae and boards > 2 da Y s ^2;—making the entire 
lent to money, and preserve an unruffled tem- Clean tho bark of unthrifty trees. ° Plant 80w 11 Wlth wheat, and it will generally pro- va-o a ter w nch, I pulverized it with a heavy cost, $37,60. 
per, substitute gates for those warping bars, out young trees—not by sticking them in a duce as wel1 ’ and sometimes better, than coal rake, to the dopth of tour inches. I This brings the expense at something 
Domestic animals require particular at- hole, but by giving tho roots “ample room J be summer-fill iow.. Sow Timothy seed in soaked my seed m the oil tor 48 hours, roll- over fifty cents a rod, but the actual expense 
tention at this season. Look well to all and verge enough.” See articlo on this sub- the fal1 W1 * h the wheat, and clover in the cd t icm m ashes and sowed broad cast, cov- to mo was much loss, as I had some boy help, 
your stock, and guard against disoaso of all joct in our last number. spring, and the next season you will have enn 6 b S htl y ; aftcr which 1 bestowed no and the prices in this estimate of work aro 
kinds. See that your teams are well fed Prune grape vinos judiciously and care- * laxu |' iant P asture » or a g ood crop of hay. moro care upon them till they were bar- higher than I paid. The scraper used in 
and in good heart for the spring work—for fully—shortening down to three or four AlK thUS y ° U Wil1 roahze . four bountiful vested as the ground was free from weeds, making the dyke was made of inch stuff 
it will not do to have this strong arm of farm oyes of the thrifty shoots of last years’ cr0 P®’ to compensate for raising the roots, ^ eig nor D. sowed ns in like manner, but about six feet long, two feet wide, and edged 
labor unfit for service. And don’t neglect growth. If tho vines are subject to the Stablmg tbe stock ’ aud makin g nuinuro. Wlfc K)Ut soa iin g, and one day earlier. They with an old mill saw; it would scrape very 
milch cows, especially thoso that como in ravages of insects do not prune closelv It generally has an injurious effect to hold came up so evenly and looked so finely, he rapidly, and do its work better than an 
early. A little extra care now will bo a good Prune and shorten in peach trees Look 0at . to ° S reat “duoementsto new beginners. could but indulge m his old propensity Irishman with a shovel. The actual ex¬ 
investment, and ere long give you abundant after the peach grub at the roots of the trees 5 Ius 8eason and last ’ barle y was very high a g am - ‘' ee > neighbor Tower, how nice pense of such a fence need not exceed 40 to 
uso for milk pails and natures “patent After destroying all the erubs make a small tor this S0ctl0n > b «t there is no reason to ex- they look- don t you think 111 show you the 45 cents per rod. 
milkers” which, though used ever since coneofashes or earth around the tree, which P ec * ^prices win continue, especial- J urni P 80ver there ; ‘®® tter wait and see This fence, with the wires well painted, 
Adam’s time, are tho best extant. The will enable you more easily to head tho in- I T 8®°®^ raise it extensively, what the bugs say to it, I suggested will last longer than any other fence usually 
prices of butter and cheese need only be sects in subsequent operations. * S ™ n f ° r 1 thmk lfc more vak , Mm ° . Cam ° Up ? S °> m S ood ^ , th ° built on a form, requires less repairs, and is 
cited to provo tho importance of attention Cuttings of tho grape, gooseberry cur- ^ any ° f the COarSe grams ’ p0UIld sll0 ' ving a darker color ’ which they i tbiak> a mie sa j er or more g0 
to this suggestion. rant, &c. should be planted out early! t M „ 1R » FARMEE W * ^ A Farmer. 
y Monroe County, March, 1852. Their growth was rapid, as they were not Erie County, Ohio, Feb., 1852 . 
rant, &c., should bo planted out early. 
Monroe County, March, 1852, 
Their growth was rapid, as they were not 
