i 
!’S RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
the most experienced add very profitably to their 
stock of knowledge. We are pleased that this 
question is attracting such marked attention. Few 
of us know on how small a piece of land and with 
what an amount of labor one hundred head of cat¬ 
tle can be kept. The late discussions on Roots and 
Corn, and their comparative value, have been inter¬ 
esting, and must result in good. Let the motto be 
“try all things, and hold fast that which is good.” 
The raising of stock, and the dill'erent kinds of 
food for their sustenance, will occupy much of the 
attention of the farmers of Western New York du¬ 
ring the next five years, and we expect to gain 
some light on the subject. Thi3 adverse Provi¬ 
dence which seemed for a time to blast their fond¬ 
est hopes, may yet result in the greatest good. It 
will make active, thinking, practical men, ready to 
take advantage of every propitious bieeze, of those 
who, but for this would never have known more 
than enough to grow a fair crop of wheat under 
favorable circumstances. We urge all who can 
aid in solving this important, yet difficult question, 
to give us the benefit of their opinions, or the 
teachings of their experience. 
ton) at their lower parts. The ox possesses a like 
number, and these are divided in the same manner. 
The horse has eighteen—seven true and the remain¬ 
der false. 
In the ox and sheep the ribs form a more perfect 
arch than in the horse, springing from the back in 
a more horizontal manner. “ This form,” says the 
authority before quoted, “is characteristic of the 
most improved breeds both of cattle and sheep. It 
is evident such a form in the skeleton affords a 
much larger space for the laying on of both flesh 
and fat, than when the sides are Cat.” The ribs of 
the horse take from the beginning a more slanting 
direction than those of the ox. Being more nume¬ 
rous, they also give greater elasticity and ease of 
motion by their multiplicity of joints, the necessity 
for speed; the withers, back and loins are nar¬ 
rower for the convenience of the rider; but in the 
ox, where speed is not wanted, neither is the back 
designed to be pressed by the saddle, the bones are 
fewer and larger, and spring out laterally, giving 
that permanent capacity of chest which the ox 
requires. The increased number of ribs possessed 
by the horse lengthen the cavity of the chest and 
give greater facilities for the respiration demanded 
by the exertions this animal is required to perform. 
AX ORIGINAL WEEKLY 
Agricultural, Literary and Family Newspaper. 
Tnz Rural New-Yorker Is designed to be unsurpassed n 
Value, Purity, Usefulness and Variety of Contents, and unique and 
beautiful in Appearance. Its Conductor devotes his persona) atten¬ 
tion to tlie supervision of its various departments, and earnestly labors 
to render the Rural au eminently Reliable Guide on 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, Educational. Literary and 
News Matter, interspersed with appropriate and beautiful Engravings, 
than any other journal,—rendering it the most complete Agricultu¬ 
ral Literary and Family Journal in America. 
SPECIAL CONTKIIIUTOKS: 
Prof. G DEWEY, Dr. M. P. MAURY, 
T. C. PETERS, H. T. BROOKS, 
T. 8. ARTHUR, Mrs. M. J. HOLMES, 
Uisa E. C. HUNTINGTON, Miss C. A. HOWARD. 
JENNY MARSH PARKER. 
SMALL BUBAL DOUBLE (COTTAGE 
The fine engravings of a small rural cottage are 
from Villas and Cottages, by Calvert Vaux. Those 
we gave in the Bubal of February 6th, were from 
the same source. This plan was designed for a 
double cottage, to be used as a residence for a coach¬ 
man and farmer or gardener on a large place. It 
is quite convenient for the purpose, having two 
fronts, both of which are shown in the drawings. 
With a little change it might he made a very fine 
suburban cottage, suited to the requirements of a 
moderate family. 
“The engravings and ground plan show a de¬ 
sign for a cottage for two small families. Under 
the farmer’s living-room is a basement-kitchen, 
with the windows considerably out of ground, and 
under the coachman’s kitchen is a cellar—the en¬ 
trances are, as will be perceived, quite distinct.— 
Up stairs the farmer has three bedrooms; the 
coachman but one, according to instructions.— 
Such a cottage would cost about $1800, neatly fin¬ 
ished. 
“Such a plan would not he unsuitable for a 
lodge, in which the families of a gardener and 
gate-keeper could live, or it might he fitted up a 
little more completely, and offer convenient ac¬ 
commodation to two friends who felt inclined to 
build it on some agreeable rural lot for a few 
months’ quiet residence in the summer. 
“ It seems strange that this idea should not he 
more frequently acted on than is the case at pres¬ 
ent, Far away from the fashionable watering- 
places, but easily accessible from the cities—in the 
heart of Vermont, for instance—may be found 
bold, beautiful scenery, pure air, and a pleasant 
neighborhood. Land is cheap, timber cheap, liv¬ 
ing cheap, and all of the best. These are the spots 
that should attract the attention of heads of fami¬ 
lies who wish to give their young people the bene¬ 
fit of country life in the summer. A long trip of 
three months may, in this way, be taken at a less 
cost than will be incurred for a brief, glittering 
three weeks at Saratoga or Newport, and with real, 
instead of nominal, advantage to the health of the 
juniors who join in it 
C3T All communications, and business letters, sbonld be addressed 
to D, D. T. MOORE, Rochester, N. Y. 
For Terms and other particulars, see last page. 
COMPARATIVE ANATOMY. 
The neck of the ox, sheep, horse and hog is formed 
of an equal number of bones, (seven) all, except the 
first two, bearing considerable resemblance to each 
other, though differing in length and shape. The 
neck of both the ox and sheep is relatively shorter 
than that of the horse. In the latter we find it 
arched, in the ox straight, and in the sheep, if it va¬ 
ries from a straight line, it is the reverse of the 
shape exhibited in the horse, and to this peculiarity 
is owing the term ewe-neck. The first bone is 
jointed upon the bone of the skull—the occipital— 
and this jointure possesses motion vertically.— 
The first bone forms a connection behind with the 
second, termed d-mtata, having on its front part 
a process resembling a tooth, which affords a late¬ 
ral motion to the head. The centre of all the bones 
of the neck is perforated, and through the opening 
thus made the spinal marrow passes. Small holes 
are formed at the sides, and through these pass the 
nerves and arteries. On each side and on the 
upper part of the bones of the neck will be found 
projections to which the muscles are attached. The 
remarkable freedom or flexibility of the neck 
which most animals possess, is attributable to the 
fact that each bone is jointed both before and 
behind. 
The back or chine, is formed by a number of sep¬ 
arate bones called the vertebral, (see skeletons of 
horse and ox, B. B.) In the ox and sheep these 
number thirteen, and in the horse eighteen. All of 
these are perforated in similar manner to the neck; 
the large central opening forms the passage of the 
spinal cord, the small one at the side gives exit to 
the nerves. The projections or processes attached 
to the bones of the back are much longer than those 
found on the neck, and are also longer in the horse 
than in the ox or sheep. It is this formation which 
gives the high withers of the horse, and its want, 
or rather decline in size, that gives the lowness ob¬ 
servable in the sheep at the juncture of the shoul¬ 
der-bones with the neck. In reference to this 
peculiarity in the anatomical structure of the sheep, 
the Cyclopedia of Agriculture says these projec¬ 
tions are “shorter in the improved breeds than in 
the wilder iaces—a channel between the shoulders 
and along the bacl$ being justly regarded as a sign 
of a disposition to fatten.” The projections of the 
bones of the back meet the same requirements of 
those of the neck; the muscles are attached to them, 
and also a strong elastic suhstance, — the latter is 
fastened to the bones of the neck and the occiput,— 
that materially serves in supporting the head, very 
much relieving the muscles. 
ENGLISH AGRICULTURE. 
In looking over onr English Agricultural papers 
we find many things interesting, and some that 
would doubtless be instructive to our readers. We 
have determined, therefore, to give occasionally, 
the cream of these. 
War Among the German Agricultural Pro¬ 
fessors. —There is, at present, a warm controversy 
in progress between Baron Liebig and Dr. Wolf, 
Director of the Agricultural School at Ilohenheim, 
in Wurtemberg. Ltegkig lately took occasion to 
publish some strong animadversions upon the ag¬ 
ricultural schools of Fuij- pe, aud designating them 
as teachers of “ruinous and irrational systems of 
Agriculture.” Dr. Wolf replies and argues the 
points in dispute with ability. The professor finds 
it very difficult to keep both practical and scientific 
men straight on his “ mineral theory.” 
Indian Corn in England.— Some attention is 
now being given in England to the cultivation of 
the early varieties of corn, those being the only 
kinds that will ripen there. A Southampton seed 
merchant sent to the editor of the Agricultural 
Gazette, specimens of corn, (probably some of our 
Western varieties,) which will not ripen, hut ’s 
represented as being excellent for green fodder,— 
he having raised at the rate of ninety tuns to the 
acre. To this, a correspondent, who signs himself 
“ Canada," and professes some knowledge on the 
subject, replies that the green stalks are never fed 
in this country, as they “ blow” cattle, and that he 
believes it impossible to grow ten tuns of green 
stalks to the acre. This is another evidence that 
“a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.” Green 
corn stalks are not as liable to bloat cattle as clover, 
and not more so than the vetches of England, or 
any other green food. One of our “special con¬ 
tributors” says be is willing to show John Bull that 
he can raise over one hundred tuns of green food 
to the acre from corn. 
Forking Cheaper than Plowing.—Mechi, the 
well known English Agriculturist states in the 
London Gardeners' Chronicle that he has found 
forking land to be not only much better, but cheaper 
than plowing. In one case, the land being heavy, 
three large horses were put before the plow, and 
this was followed by another with two horses.— 
The five horses aud two men plowed in a day three- 
fourths of an acre, eight and one-half inches deep. 
An adjoining field of similar soil he had contract¬ 
ed with laborers to dig eleven inches deep, at ten 
dollars per acre. The work was well done, and 
those engaged in it, earned sixty-three cents a day. 
Mr. M. says:—Comparing the quality of the work 
in each field and the cost, the balance of advantage 
is evidently in favor of digging. The consolida¬ 
tion by horses, the glazed surface caused by the 
plow sole, the long tenacious unbroken furrow 
slices, and the many times trodden headlands, con¬ 
trast wofully with the broken, lightly lying, and 
well mixed earth left by the diggers. The land 
looks differently when torn up and crumbled with 
the fork, the plowed field having asqueezed, glossy 
and more tenacious appearance. It is easy to im¬ 
agine what a gain there is to drainage by the rough 
unequal bottom under the foik. 
Great Snow of Poultry.—A large show of 
poultry was made at the Crystal Palace, during the 
the second week of January. Some idea of its 
extent may be formed when we state that nearly 
two thousand pens of choice birds were exhibited, 
arid among these about, tour hundred cages of 
fancy pigeons. The Dorking and Game fowls were 
the favorites, yet Cochin and Spanish fowls were 
well represented aud much admired. 
Sulphur and the Potato Disease. — Within 
the influence of sulphur from the smelting furnaces, 
which has proved so injurious to vegetation gene¬ 
rally, it has been found that the potatoes are uni- 
A SUBSTITUTE FOR WHEAT. 
The great question before the farmers of Western 
New York is, what shall we grow as a substitute for 
wheat? What system of farming shall we pursue, 
now that wheat, ottr principal and best paying crop, 
has failed? Up to within a few years wheat has 
been our staple crop. On this the farmer depend¬ 
ed for money to meet payments, make impr»ve- 
ments, or enlarge his domain. This resource has 
failed. The culture of wheat has been abandoned. 
This has not been done hastily, on the first or 
second failure, for the farmers of Western New 
York have stnek to their old and favorite crop as 
one friend should Btand by another who bad done 
him good service in days past And truly the 
wheat crop has been the early settlers.’ friend.— 
When no other crop would bring the cash, and 
trade and barter was the order of the day, wheat 
never failed to produce him gold—it paid his 
taxes, cleared off his mortgage and gave a clear 
title to house and lands. To be pronounced “ as 
good as wheat” was the best recommendation that 
could be given. We say, then, the farmers have 
stood by this favorite crop with commendable per¬ 
tinacity, and have only yielded to the conviction 
that it must be abandoned, after the most disas¬ 
trous and oft-repeated failures. More than a score 
have told ns that they ceased to cultivate wheat 
only when they failed to reap the seed sown. 
In answer to the great question, what shall be 
substituted for wheat, we will say that no single 
crop can take its place. As soon as any one crop 
is cultivated generally as a substitute for wheat, the 
market will become flooded, and as a necessary 
consequence the price will depreciate. Many in 
Orleans, Niagara and other counties last season 
raised large quantities of Beans. At this time last 
year the price ranged from SI to $1 26, now from 
63 to ib cents. They have not sold for less than 
$1, we think, for many years. A greater quantity 
have been consumed, no doubt, the present winter, 
than ever before, especially by the poor in cities, 
a3 they are really the cheapest food that can be 
used. Barley was substituted for wheat, very gen¬ 
erally in this section, the Jast season, and the con¬ 
sequence is it now sells at from 50 to 56 cents, 
though bringing $1 and over for many years pre¬ 
vious. This depression, in part, may have been 
occasioned by the “hard times,” but in our opin¬ 
ion, it is in a great degree owing to the large quan- 
toies raised as a substitute for wheat We are fully 
^Hkffied that no one crop can be grown generally 
to take the plaee of wheat We must depend upon 
COACHMANS 
KITCHEN 
14X11 
VERANDA 
FARMER'S M 
LIVING-R. “j 
l6 0X12-9 H 
COACHMAN’S 
LIVING R. 
i6oxi4o 
HALL 
PORCH 
PRINCIPAL FLOOR. 
“This cottage is proposed to he constructed of 
wood, filled in with brick, and covered with clap¬ 
boards. The upper view shows a rear addition to 
the coachman’s part of the house, which is not in¬ 
dicated on the plan, and which might he included 
in the design, if thought worth while, although the 
house is complete without it. The verge-boards 
and porch are proposed to be slightly ornamented.” 
SMALL RURAL DOUBLE COTTAGE. 
formly healthy. The turnips are suffering from a 
disease very similar to the potato rot 
English Weeds in America.— An English 
botanist writes that in his travels in this country 
he found American gardens and fields full of Eng¬ 
lish weeds, and that they were improved very mucli 
by the change. Copying from notes taken at the 
time, he says:—“June 23: Stuck fast on a sand-bar 
in the Ohio river. Went on au island in the 
evening; good crop of Wheat and Indian Corn.— 
Plants (wild) where European, twice the size of 
British specimens. Bromus secalinus abundant in 
the corn, (and I remember the enormous size and 
height of this grass.) The Chrysanthemum leucan- 
themum, commonly called Daisy in America, is as 
much as a yard high in the meadows, or rather 
where it occurs—an apology therefor. In fact, I 
quite came to the conclusion that even tlje plants 
as well as the men became attenuated in the States, 
and yet with this it may be a question whether 
both are not more prolific. I have no means of 
knowing from observation whether imported seed 
of an aboriginal species in America prevails over 
the native, but I noticed that in the States agrarian 
cultivation was affected by the same weeds, with 
but few exceptions, as our own, and these certain¬ 
ly appeared to me to lose nothing from growth in 
a new country, but, on the contrary, were larger 
and more prolific.” We have sent so much corn 
and wheat to England that we would suppose that 
country could show a good assortment of Ameri¬ 
can weeds; but perhaps they obtain from ns un¬ 
mixed good, while we get from them both good and 
evil. 
Steam Plowing. —No subject seems to be at¬ 
tracting so much attention in Europe, at present, 
as steam plowing. That plowing can be done by 
Steam, all admit, but to do it economically is a 
more difficult matter. These difficulties appear tc 
arise—1st. From the necessity of moving about, 
over bad roads, a ponderous implement, as well as 
the fuel and water to furnish it with power. 2d. 
The great amount of power expended cither in 
moving the engine (if a locomotive) over a soft 
soil, or otherwise dragging a metallic rope of vast 
weight from one end of the field to the other. 3d. 
The great expense incurred by the large amount 
of machinery required in either case, whether in 
reducing quick motion to slow in the steam horse, 
or in the construction and moving the anchorage 
and windlass required by the single engine. The 
acknowledged advantage of autumn tillage, and 
the vast impetus it will receive from steam powe% 
if successful, will continue to operate in stirn mat¬ 
ing renewed efforts. We rather think tba*if ever 
land is pulverized by steam power, as ft general 
thing, it will he done by digging— rsrhaps a rota¬ 
ry digger. 
ATTACHMENT OF THE RIBS TO THK DORSAL VERTEBRA?. 
a, a. The bodies of the dorsal vertebrae. 6, b. Their 
spinous processes, showing also the ligumentory substance 
between them, c, c. The ribs, each having a joint-hke 
connection with two vertebras to which they are attach¬ 
ed by ligaments which admit a certain amount of motion. 
The preceding illustration exhibits the manner 
ir. which the ribs are attached to the bone of the 
back. One rib is fastened to two vertebral, and 
thus is permitted a limited movement. In the 
sheep thirteen ribs, eight true and five false, are 
found upon each side. The true ribs are attached 
to iho breast-bone—the false are fastened to the 
former by the costal cartilage (G. in plate of skele¬ 
TWO DOLLARS A YEAR.] 
“PROGRESS AND IMPROVEMENT.” 
[SINGLE NO. FIVE CENTS. 
VOL. IX. NO. 10J 
1 
ROCHESTER, N. Y.,—SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1858. 
1 WHOLE NO. 4U. 
