VOLUME III. NO. 38. 
MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER: 
A WEEKLY HOME NEWSPAPER, 
Designed for botli Country and Town Residents. 
CONDUCTED BY D. D. T. MOORE, 
ASSISTED BY 
J. H. BIXBY, L. WETIJERELL, AND IT. C. WHITE, 
With a numerous corps of able Contributors and 
Correspondents. 
The Rural New-Yorker is designed to be unique and 
beautiful in appearance, and unsurpassed in Value, Purity 
and Variety of Contcnss. Its conductors earnestly labor 
to make it a Reliable Guide on the important Practical Sub¬ 
jects connected with the business of those whose interests 
it advocates. It embraces more Agricultural, Horticul¬ 
tural, Scientific, Mechanical, Literary and News Matter — 
interspersed with many appropriate and handsome engrav¬ 
ings— than any oilier paper published in this Country. 
SOU” For Terms, &c., see last page. 
,%'iniltimil Dfjjnrtnmrf. 
PKOGKESS AND IMPROVEMENT. 
WHEEL CULTIVATOR-PUTTING IN WHEAT. 
Messrs Editors : —In my last communi¬ 
cation I said I had several subjects for the 
“editorial mill,” and as my first met with 
sufficient approbation to be deemed worthy 
of publication, I now send you another, in 
order to suggest, through the medium of 
your valuable paper a few ideas in regard 
to the use of “ Inn’s patent wheel Cultivator” 
in putting in wheat. It is not my intention 
to find fault with this very valuable imple¬ 
ment, and if it were, it is too late, in this 
our day of agricultural improvements to 
convince any man, perhaps, who lias tested 
their qualities, that the cultivator referred 
to is not a valuable implement in preparing 
fallows for wheat, eradicating Canada this¬ 
tles and numerous other pests that infest 
our soil. For theso purposes, I would say 
to every farmer, got one. 
And now to the subject of getting in wheat 
with them—last year 1 procured one, hav¬ 
ing heard them highly recommended for 
tho purpose, and after preparing my fallow 
with it, and the plow and harrow, I sowed 
my wheat and then put on tho cultivator, 
gauged to run about five inches deep (ac¬ 
cording to directions.) and when finished, 
the field looked fine, the ground before sow¬ 
ing having been thrown into beds about 
twenty feet wide and the cultivator ran 
across or at right angles, that tho surplus 
water might bo readily conveyed by tho 
ducts, formed by the teeth of tho cultivator 
into tho dead furrows. This to appearance 
was as it should be, but like many other 
theories, it did not in this caso hold good in 
practice, for within two days after sowing, 
one third, at least of the wheat sown was 
upon tho surfaco of tho ridges, in conse¬ 
quence of a heavy shower upon it. This 
was unexpected, and iny faith in cultivating 
wheat (though strong before) now began to 
falter, and I began to look for means of 
remedy and believe I have found one in 
which I have sufficient confidence to induce 
mo to practice it, at least till I am satisfied 
that it is no remedy. 
All who have examined aro aware that 
tho cultivator referred to, is constructed 
with seven teeth, set in a frame and mount¬ 
ed upon wheels—and there aro threo teeth 
in the front, and four in tho rear part of 
tho frame. The front teeth, when tho cul¬ 
tivator is in operation, form two perfect, 
and two semi or half ridges, and the four i 
rear teeth follow, dividing those ridges made 
by tho front teeth and forming threo per¬ 
fect and two half ridges. Now it is plain 
that if wheat be sown before the cultivator, 
tho front teeth in performing their labor 
cover it in the ridges formed by them, and 
then tho teeth in tho rear, in dividing those 
ridges expose or bring tho wheat again to 
tho surface. Now for tho remedy :—Re¬ 
move tho front tooth from tho frame, let 
the teeth in the rear do tho work and then 
thcro will be no rear tooth to undo what is 
once done. This remedy, or improvement 
as I am disposed to call it, has not been 
tested practically by any ono to my knowl¬ 
edge, but is what 1 am satisfied to present 
to tho consideration of thoso who aro about 
to put in their wheat with a cultivator to bo 
tested by them or not, as their judgment 
shall dictate. 
Having thus disposed of this matter I 
ROCHESTER, N. Y.—THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 6, 1 852. 
now proceed to compare tho cultivator with 
the drill for the purposo of putting in wheat. 
Will it compare favorably ? I think not in 
some respects — especially on lands free 
from obstructions and well pulverized.— 
Ono great object of the wheat grower is to 
prevent the root of tho wheat plant from 
being thrown out by tho heavings of the 
soil by frost in winter and spring. The 
cultivator deposits the seed in ridges upon 
and abovo tho surface. Theso ridges, of 
course, contain the roots of the plant, and 
are doubly exposed to tho influence of the 
frost, being above tho surface, and when 
frozen expand, and the soil is loosened from 
tho root and at tho next thaw is ready to 
fall from them into the ducts formed by tho 
teeth of the cultivator, leaving the root up¬ 
on the surface unprotected, to die for want 
of nourishment. On tho other hand the 
drill deposits the seed below tho surfaco, in 
a duct between two ridges. Now the action 
of tho frost upon the soil is tho same as in 
the other case, and instead of the root of 
the plant being exposed upon the surface, 
it receives an additional covering of soil to 
protect and nourish it, 
I am aware that much more might bo 
written upon tho merits of the drill and 
cultivator, but as I havo written perhaps 
more than you will publish, I leave the sub¬ 
jects, trusting they will be dealt with accor¬ 
ding to their merits, either by you or your 
correspondents. Irondequoit. Jr. 
Monroe Co., Sept. 3d, 1852. 
THE RECENT TRIALS OF IMPLEMENTS 
j BY THE STATE AG. SOCIETIES OF OHIO AND NEW YORK. 
i . _ - 
The trial of Implements at Geneva, un- 
j der tho direction of the N. Y. State Ag.’l 
; Society, and the trial of Reapers and Mow- 
i ers at Springfield, Ohio, under that of the 
; State Board of Agriculturo of Ohio, have 
i excited much interest, and are doubtless 
: among the most important exhibitions over 
got up by either of theso truly useful asso¬ 
ciations. They aro efforts in the right di¬ 
rection, and wo may expect to seo them re¬ 
peated ; for in no way can these associations 
render moro material service to the cause 
of Agriculture, in the improvement of im¬ 
plements, than by bringing them together 
for thorough practical tests. 
I was much interested in observing tho 
difference in the manner of conducting the 
two trials referred to, having been present 
at both. And a statement of this difference 
may be of servico to those having charge 
of such trials hereafter and not uninterest¬ 
ing to many others. 
The committees on both occasions were 
competent men, well qualified for the duties 
assigned them. And they manifested the 
greatest desire to have the trials thorough 
and impartial. Tho opinion was expressed 
at Geneva, that that would be tho most 
thorough test of Reapers and Mowers that 
had ever been made. IIow this was wo can 
better judge after having a knowledge of 
the Springfield trial. 
At Springfield, the field was prepared for 
the trial of Reapers, by cutting around it a 
breadth of some two rods in width. When 
they were ready to commenco tho trial, tho 
thousands of spectators who had assembled 
to witness tho same—a largo portion of 
whom were farmers, feeling much interest 
in what was doing—were requested to place 
themselves around tho field in tho space cut 
for that purposo, that they might have the 
better opportunity to obsorvo tho operation. 
Then tho Reaper most convenient was 
called on to start, and a policeman wont 
ahead and announced the name of the ma¬ 
chine. Tho committeo followed it two 
rounds— the most of them on horseback, 
closely observing its whole operation. Then 
that machine was taken out of tho way and 
another called on, and tried in the same 
manner, and so on until all tho Reapers 
present had their turn. Then they were all 
called on again, ono at a time, and cut sev¬ 
eral rounds each, followed by tho com¬ 
mittee. This occupied tho first day, and 
most faithfully it was occupied too. 
Tho forenoon of the next day was occu¬ 
pied in testing Mowers, which test was con- 
j ducted on the same plan. Tho afternoon 
| was spent by the committee in hearing, from 
: thoso having; charge of the various machines, 
j o o 
explanations of their construction and par¬ 
ticular arrangement and the advantages 
they were claimed to possess. 
Notice was then given that tho Reapers 
would be tested again the next morning, in 
a field of wheat a mileand a half distant 
from the first. This field was on aside-hill, 
the grain on tho lower side was heavy and 
considerably lodged, on the upper side short 
and light. Here the machines Were all test¬ 
ed again, in the same manner as in the first 
field,—one at a time followed by the com¬ 
mittee. The machines were then taken to 
another field a little distant, whore the wheat 
was very heavy and badly lodged, and tested 
again in the same manner. This occupied 
the third day of the trial, until about three 
o’clock, P. M. The committee then wont 
into private consultation to determine on 
their awards. They, as has been before sta¬ 
ted, awarded the first premium to Dens- 
more’s Self Raking Reaper, but were for 
some time equally divided between Hussey’s 
anc. Seymour & Morgan’s for tho second 
premium, but finally gave it to Hussey’s.— 
The first premium on Mowers was awarded 
to Ketcitm’s machine, the second to Hus¬ 
sey’s improved Mower. 
This arrangement afforded not only the 
committee, but the farmers in attendance 
an opportunity of getting a pretty good 
knowlege of those machines, and of their 
comparative merits. The machines were 
not tried in barley, tho only piece in that 
vicinity ripened too soon for the trial, and 
was cut the week previous. 
At Geneva the field was fitted for the tri¬ 
al of Reapers by laying it off into separate 
lots of about threo acres each. These lots 
wore something like a hundred rods long, 
and lay side by side, separated by a single 
cradle swath. They were numbered and 
each competitor informed what number he 
was to cut. When the Reapers were about 
to be started the spectators were all ordered 
out of tho field and a police stationed to 
keep them out, which was not very satisfac¬ 
tory to tho farmers that had congregated 
there at that busy season, on purposo to wit¬ 
ness the trial. The machines wero called 
on, one after another, started as fast as they 
coukl bo got ready, and cut their pieces 
nearly simultaneously, and in about two 
hour's time. During this time the commit¬ 
teo had the opportunity of witnessing tho 
operation of the machines by passing from 
one to tho other. Beforo the cutting was 
finished the spectators were admitted to tho 
field. The machines wero tested in barley 
the next day in tho samo manner, though 
tho quantity of barley cut was considerably 
less. 
By this arrangement perhaps more grain 
was cut by each machine than was cut at 
Springfield, but it did not afford as good an 
opportunity either to the committeo or to 
tho spectators to judge of tho machines as 
was had at Springfield. They did not seo 
the machines run as much, — neither did 
they see them run under so nearly the same 
circumstances. These lots cut by different 
machines at Geneva differed materially as 
to the height of the grain, and tho depth 
and number of ditches in them, while at 
Springfield tho machines were made to con¬ 
tend with tho same obstacles, whatever they 
wero. I think wo shall havo to own up that 
the Buckeyes in conducting their trial, went 
ahead of us. A New Yorker. 
KETCHUM’S MOWING MACHINE. 
A private trial was made of this machine 
on tho farm of M. Powers, Esq., in Farm¬ 
ington, Ontario Co., on tho 23d and 24th of 
August last. Tho field selected contained 
thirty acres, having a heavy growth of 
clover, many parts of which was very much 
lodgod. Tho work commenced at noon of 
tho first day and was concluded at tea timo 
on tho second. Tho object was to test tho 
capacity of tho Mower and to exhibit the 
manner in which it performed its work.— 
Two teams wero used, changing them in the 
middle of tho half day’s work. At noon of 
the second day, or at tho close of ono day’s 
work, something moro than two-thirds, or 
over twenty acres had been mowed. 
As may be supposed, this trial drew to¬ 
gether a large number of the farmers of the 
neighborhood, all of whom are much inter¬ 
ested in the perfection and adaptation of 
agricultural, labor-saving machinery. It 
was universally conceded that no field of 
the samo character could have been as well 
and closely cut with the scythe, as this had 
been done by tho machine. 
Ketciium’s Mowing Machine unquestion¬ 
ably stands at the head of the list of imple¬ 
ments of’ that character, and is overy way 
worthy the attention of farmers and dairy¬ 
men who have a largo amount of grass to 
cut. The cost, with an extra sot of knives, 
is but 8110, it is well built, not liable to get 
out of repair, and may be operated by one 
team and driver with all ease. They are 
receiving, as they deserve, tho patronage of 
farmers in all parts of tho country. The 
general introduction of tho mowing and 
reaping machines may havo the effect to 
cheapen the cost of producing wheat and 
other grains and grass, thus enabling far¬ 
mers to reap a better reward for their toil, 
and save tho back-aches that have so often 
followed the uso of the cradle and scythe. 
We commend them to tho attention of thoso 
most immediately interested. f 
INQUIRY ABOUT HOGS. 
We have been aware for somo timo past 
that hogs wore fulling into disrepute with 
too many of our farmers. Tho subject of 
tho best breeds, or indeed of any breed of 
hogs has rarely been alluded to in tho Ru¬ 
ral, and is seldom mentioned by those with 
whom we converse or from whom commu¬ 
nications have been received. 
Our attention has boon called to (he mat¬ 
ter by a series of questions coming from 
Jno. Lovering, Esq., Corresponding Secre¬ 
tary of Tippecanoe Agricultural Society, 
Indiana, which liavo been placed in our 
hands by the gentleman to whom they were 
addressed, Hon. E. Harmon, of Wheatland. 
Mr. L. inquires,—“what is the most profita¬ 
ble breed of hogs in this State, their color, 
form and size at twelve to eighteen months 
old, their usual health and habits as feeders. 
Whether they are prolific breeders, should 
run at large, or be penned, and the cost of 
a pair of first quality at six months old.”— 
He would like also to elicit something upon 
tho comparative merits of tho different 
breeds, also whether red clover is a good 
feed or pasture for hogs, together with such 
other information as may be of interest to 
thoso engaged in raising and fattening hogs. 
It is to be hoped some of our correspon¬ 
dents, who are posted in such matters will 
respond to theso inquiries through tho col¬ 
umns of tho Rural. + 
TIME OF CUTTING SEED WHEAT. 
Messrs. Editors :—Last year you pub¬ 
lished an article urging early harvesting, 
except that portion of tho crop designed for 
seed, which was recommended to bo left 
until fully ripe. As I then wrote you, the 
reason in favor of early cutting for bread, 
seemed to me equally in favor of early cut¬ 
ting for seed. I then suggested a trial of 
seed oarly and late cut, from the same field, 
continuing to sow tho early cut produce of 
tho former, besido the late harvested fruit 
of the latter, as a very slight difference 
might, in throe or four yoars show results of 
some importance. 
It is very easy to say “ I would do this 
myself, were I a farmer.” July, 13th I pluck¬ 
ed a couplo of heads, the straw just turned 
at tho bottom, and a good deal of moisture 
to bo pressed from tho grain. On the 22d, 
I selected from a sheaf just cut in the same 
spot two heads of the same size, bent down 
and fully ripe. They wero sown beside 
oach other August 2d, and on tho 11th 
wore about one and a half inches high. If 
either had greater vigor, or a darker color 
than tho other, it appeared to mo to bo that 
from the early gathered seed ; but perhaps 
the deeper color was in my prejudiced eye. 
s. s. L. 
WHOLE NO. 142. 
THE STATE FAIR. 
The over rolling year has again brought 
a recurrence of this annual jubilee of the 
farmers of the Empire State. Tho occa¬ 
sion was one of great interest, drawing to¬ 
gether vast numbers of the peoplo of our 
own, and tho adjoining States, and from 
Canada. Tho grounds were ample, and in 
most excellent order, reflecting great credit 
upon the Society, tho citizens of Utica, and 
the various committees; indeed tho arrange¬ 
ments and management elicited the warm 
commendation of tho thousands assembled. 
Owing to previous engagements, we did not 
reach tho ground until the morning of 
Thursday, but an early start enabled us to 
take a satisfactory view of the many points 
of attraction before the grounds wero 
thronged. 
After a survey of Floral Hall, of which 
wo shall speak in another place, wo thread¬ 
ed our way to tho long line of Cattle, which 
were attracting deserved attention. Somo 
idea of the number may be formed from the 
fact, that there was some 1.50 different en¬ 
tries, many of them embracing whole herds. 
In many parts of tho State, the severe dry 
weather has been hard upon stock, yet very 
few of them looked as though they had been 
neglected. 
Tho Durhams or Short-horns, as usual, 
wero out in numbers, and very fino. The 
herds of Messrs. Ratiibun, of Otsego; Char- 
man, of Madison; Sherwood, of Cayuga, and 
Sotham, of Livingston, attracted crowds of 
admirers. Also, very fine animals were ox- 
| hibited by others, who have no largo herds, 
but are using proper means to improve their 
i stock. The show of Devons was unusually 
| largo, and wo heard the remark that they 
! were growing into favor with the public and 
i good breeders very fast. There were no 
very large herds, but many excellent ani¬ 
mals, brought forward by farmers from all 
parts of tho State. The Devons seem to bo 
moro generally disseminated among far¬ 
mers and homo breeders than the Durhams. 
; Messrs. Van Rensselaer and Washburn of 
i Otsego, Colby, of Cayuga, Beck, of Wyom¬ 
ing, and others, made a fino display. Of 
I Ayrshires and Ilerefords, the stock was light, 
but select, and rather in advance of former 
years. Messrs. Prentice and White, of Al¬ 
bany, and Brodie, of Jefferson, were com¬ 
petitors in this class. Ilerefords were 
exhibited by Messrs. Clark, of Otsego, Har¬ 
mon, of Monroe, Allen, of Erie, and E. 
Corning, Jr., of Albany. Roswell L. Colt, 
of Patterson, N. J., exhibited a small herd 
of Alderney cattle. Neither of tho threo 
classes last named, seem to bo raised to any 
extent,from which it might be inferred they 
were not as well adapted to general breed¬ 
ing and use as the other improved breeds. 
In looking over tho list of entries wo 
found largo numbers of native and grade 
cattle, and a ramble through tho field con¬ 
vinced us they wero not only fairly repre¬ 
sented, but compared very favorably with 
thoso of moro boasted “ blood.” It is a 
quostion which still admits of much experi¬ 
ment, which breed of imported cattlo mako 
the best cross for agricultural and dairy pur¬ 
poses. There may bo great profit in grow¬ 
ing Durhams, Devons, &c., for sale at ex¬ 
travagant prices, but farmers of small 
means are more interested in knowing what 
cross is best adapted to general use. The 
State Society has long overlooked this im¬ 
portant point and unquestionably will, as 
long as controlled by those interested in im¬ 
ported breeds, unless the outside pressure 
should act as a corrective of what too many 
feol as a growing if not overpowering evil. 
Tho display of Working Oxen and Steers 
aro very large and fino, moro so than wo 
remember to havo seen at any former Show. 
J. S. Wadsworth, Esq., had ten pair work¬ 
ing oxen, L. Comstock, Kirkland, ten, S. M. 
Mason, New Hartford, twenty. The number 
of threo years old was very largo. J. W. 
Taylor, of Lima, had forty head, and F. D. 
Blacicstone, of New Hartford, twenty. Of 
cows, calves and two years old, the number 
was larger than usual, making on the whole 
a display, of which the State may well be 
