MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER: AN AGRICULTURAL AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER. 
MARCH 27. 
Oxygen is the chief part of water, or is eight- 
ninths of all pure water by weight, the other ninth 
being Hydrogen. When hydrogen is burned by 
oxygen, or the two unite by chemical attraction, 
water is formed. These two elements then consti¬ 
tute water. Hence, one might call oxygen one 
•element of water, and hydrogen the other element 
When hydrogen is alone it is a gas, as oxygen is a 
gas, and is a much lighter substance than oxygen. 
Hence comes its use in filling balloons. Hydrogen 
forms a part of all animal and all vegetable matter, 
besides being one-ninth of water. It is abundant 
on the earth. 
Now, let us define the composition of wood with¬ 
out using either of the three scientific names of the 
simple matter composing it, by employing the 
shortest language from the account given of Oxy¬ 
gen, Hydrogen, and Carbon. Then wood is com¬ 
posed of the three simple substances, vital air or 
the heaviest element of water, the lightest element 
of water, and the element that remains when all 
others are removed from wood or flesh. Or, 
would you prefer to say, wood is a compound 
of vital air, the lightest element of water, and pure 
charcoal, or diamond? What shorter definition 
occurs to you? except the scientific one, the mean¬ 
ing of which is as easy to be learned and under¬ 
stood, namely, oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon?— 
Then, in writing and speaking, you have need of 
notone half the number of words, and present your 
thought in time far shorter and in definiteness 
much clearer. 
Scientific terms must and will be used, and must 
therefore be learned as the necessity requires.— 
They obviously aid in the progress and diffusion of 
knowledge in a very great degree. Indeed Chem¬ 
istry was not a science till the terms were formed 
and its language greatly improved. The knowledge 
of Chemistry has been diffused with the learning 
of its language. c. d. 
March 19,1858. 
WHAT’S TO BE DONE? 
Winter has come and gone, and spring is once 
more upon us. The winter has been uncommonly 
mild and genial for the business of the farm. Stock 
has generally wintered well, and the barns will not 
be entirely empty when the cattle and sheep no 
longer need their dry food. Sheep, perhaps, have 
suffered more this season than any other stock, 
especially yearlings. Almost every farmer com¬ 
plains of a greater loss of this class than is usual. 
The cause can probably be found in the wet, bad 
season of last year. The lambs came into the yard 
thin and weak, and have thus suffered badly on 
dry feed. 
Debts have been slowly paid this winter. All 
kinds of property have tumbled down. Capital has 
accumulated in the great commercial centers, and 
is laying there idle, because there is no way to use 
it safely. As soon as the farmers have anything to 
sell, and begin to realize upon it, money will 
gradually get into circulation—the payment of 
one debt will lead to the payment of many more. 
Economy and labor will be the order of the day, 
and better times will come slowly. But after all it 
will depend very much upon the farmers. Every 
farmer should make up his mind that he will put 
his farm to its utmost capacity of productiveness. 
Do not allow it one moment’s repose. Plant or 
sow every improveable acre — fill your barns and 
granaries—make up in quantity what you lack in 
price. If you can’t grow wheat, grow barley, or 
spring wheat, or corn. Put in some flax, and grow 
more of every available crop than you ever grew 
before. Raise more calves, and pigs, and lambs, 
and be prepared next winter to stall feed a few nice 
sheep, or fine steers, or oxen. Get just as much to 
sell this coming fall as you possibly can, and then 
sell it Don’t wait for high prices. They won’t 
come back again for some time; sell and take the 
money and pay your debts with it. If your are so 
fortunate as not to owe any body, then lend it to 
your neighbor, to enable him to pay off his press¬ 
ing debts, and help him to get another crop. 
One of the best crops to put in this spring, will 
be corn. Plant all you can, attend well, and send it 
to market next winter in fat cattle, sheep, or hogs. 
Sell all you can, buy nothing that you don’t pay 
down for, and good times will soon come round.—r. 
CULTURE OF CARROTS. 
Messrs. Eds. :—I have been much interested in 
the discussion on Root Culture in the columns of the 
Rural, and have thought that perhaps I might add 
a few items to the stock of knowledge collected in 
this manner. In writing, however, I shall confine 
myself principally to the carrot, as I have found 
it the most profitable of anything in the root 
line that I have raised for feeding purposes. 
The first thing I wish to speak of is the prepara¬ 
tion of the ground. I have tried several modes 
which, with some reading and observation on the 
subject, have satisfied me that the best course to 
pursue is to plow the ground as soon as it is in 
order in the spring, harrow it down and then let 
it lay until after planting corn, or about the first 
of June. By this time, if there is any weeds in the 
soil, they will be pretty well started, so that with a 
plow or wheel cultivator, the worst crop of weeds 
of the season may be completely exterminated._ 
Then with the deep and thorough preparation 
and manuring of the soil in which all appear agree 
I think it is ready for the seed. The best time to 
sow is the first week in June. I have sown carrots 
the first week in May and also the first week in 
June the same season, on the same kind of land, 
giving the same cultivation, with the exception 
that those sown the first week in May required an 
extra hoeing, i. e., they required hoeing at the 
time or soon after the last were sown, and after re¬ 
peated trials I have always found the late sown 
the best. The reason why the late sown were the 
best was easily seen in the tops, those sown early 
appearing to ripen and die off, sometimes in the 
latter part of the season, except a few leaves in the 
centre of the plant, together with a corresponding 
check in the growth of the root, while the late 
sown would keep up a vigorous growth into No¬ 
vember. The next important thing is to hoe, as 
soon as the carrot begins to show the rough leaf, 
with a good, light, sharp hoe, one that has not had 
the corners worn off—I can hoe carrots thoroughly 
without taking my fingers to pull a weed. After 
this, I hoe my carrots when I have time, being 
careful not to let the weeds get the start of the 
crop. I always sow carrots on dry, sandy land, and 
generally near the house, so that the most of the 
work in tending them is done at odd spells and 
after rains, when it is too wet to attend to other 
kinds of work. By this means, I can raise quite a 
piece of carrots and not feel it much. By pursu¬ 
ing the above course, I think I have raised and can 
raise carrots at a cost varying from five to eight 
cents per bushel, although a poor or neglected crop 
might cost much more. 
Now, a few words in relation to the value of the 
crop or feeding purposes. I raise carrots princi¬ 
pally to feed milch cows, although I sometimes 
feed them to horses and oxen. With good corn 
fodder and plenty of carrots I can keep over cows 
in a very satisfactory manner, and with such feed 
we find no difficulty in making good butter in the 
winter. Of this fact we have had a very fair trial the 
present winter. In the early part we fed corn- 
fodder and carrots, with cabbage leaves occasion¬ 
ally, then we made fine yellow butter, of good rich 
flavor,—now we feed hay and mill feed with a little 
grain, and the butter made from the milk, of the 
same cows, is an entirely different article, being 
deficient in color and flavor. Although corn-fod¬ 
der is, perhaps, better for making butter than hay, 
still I have no doubt but carrots would greatly im¬ 
prove the quality of butter if fed with either, while 
the increase, in the quantity of butter and improve¬ 
ment in the condition of the cows, would well pay 
for raising them. 
In feeding carrots to horses or oxen I think they 
are more profitable when fed with hay and grain 
than when fed instead of either. For instance, in 
the spring when working oxen are on dry feed, or 
in warm weather, a mess of carrots at noon seem¬ 
ed to be a decided benefit I also think that if 
horses, cattle, and sheep were fed once a day, or 
once every other day through the winter and 
spring, with a good mess of carrots, they would be 
benefited much more than any experiment in feed¬ 
ing carrots alone, or any analysis would seem to 
indicate. f. 
Orleans Co., N. Y., 1868. 
BLOAT IN CATTLE, CAUSE AND REMEDIES. 
Eds. Rural:— Seeing an article in your paper of 
Feb. Gth, by “P. H.” upon this subject, I am 
prompted to give my experience and opinions up¬ 
on it First, What is it that bloats cattle ? Many 
people seem to think that it is the large amount of 
clover that they eat My opinion is that clover 
does not bloat a creature, any more than a potato 
when an animal gets choked with one. What 
then? I think that it is not the quantity that is 
eaten, but the rapidity with which it is swallowed 
that causes it; and not clover, but air that bloats 
them. I have seen an animal bloated in 30 minutes 
after being turned into fresh clover, and believe 
that they are quite as likely to bloat in that period 
as in a longer time, and that a hat-full is sufficient 
as a cause. Wherefore? The animal is hungry, 
swallows the clover rapidly without chewing, a 
large quantity of air goes with it, the consistency 
of young clover is such that it operates as a stop¬ 
per or valve upon the entrance of the stomach, 
preventing the air from escaping, but allowing 
more clover and cold air to pass in. In a few mo¬ 
ments the heat of the animal warms the air caus¬ 
ing it to expand, the creature continues to swallow 
more clover and air, (which goes down like a soft 
paper wad into a gun,) until the expansion within 
causes pain, when the creature stops, and the trap 
is sprung. The cause continues to operate. To 
illustrate:—Take a bladder partially filled with cool 
air, tie the neck or choke it with young clover 
heat it and you have the same result from the same 
cause; cool or give vent, and you apply the remedy. 
A bottle of soft soap and milk, poured down a 
bloated animal, will relieve ordinary cases in a few 
minutes. Why? I think that it works down into the 
clover making all slippery that it touches, so that 
the pressure of the heated air, together with the 
fretting of the animal, will cause the wad to move, 
the air escapes, and the cow is well, and will look 
as though she had not eaten anything in some 
time. Driving into cold water will relieve, and 
why? because it cools—the cause is mechanical, 
the remedies are mechanical. A fact that goes to 
prove my position is, that cattle seldom if ever 
choke upon clover that has a stalk, and there is no 
danger when it is in blossom, for the reason that 
stems mixed with the leaves prevents their form¬ 
ing an air-tight stoppage. A preventive is to sow 
half and half clover and timothy for pasture. 
Wellington. 
Elbridge, Onondaga Co., N. Y., 1858. 
Remarks. —A new theory—a very strange one— 
what think Rural readers? If the idea of Well¬ 
ington is correct, why is it that clover dry (not wet 
with dew) or in the least wilted, does not bloat cat¬ 
tle. Is it not the excess of moisture and the green, 
immature juices producing, when heated, rapid fer¬ 
mentation that cause this disease? —Eds. 
CORN FODDER FOR CATTLE. 
Eds. Rural: —Last spring, in my orchard,—con¬ 
sisting of one and one-fourth acres of land—I 
planted about twelve quarts of seed corn in drills, 
four feet apart, (planted the first week in May,) 
tended it thoroughly, and the 25th of June planted 
between each two rows another row by making a 
shallow furrow, dropping the seed very thick and 
covering with the plow. The first of July com¬ 
menced cutting for my cows. The corn was rather 
small, but a row eight or ten rods long would feed 
three cows very well. I cut every alternate row, 
thus giving the last planted crop the sun. In a 
very few days the first cutting commenced to grow, 
and to satisfy myself I let it stand. The first of 
October it was a heavy growth of stalks, and a 
good crop of matured ears. After cutting every 
alternate row, I commenced cutting the remaining 
row of the first planting. The growth was heavy, 
and the first of October, I had the satisfaction of 
knowing that my three cows had been well fed for 
three months — that they had given more than 
double the amount of milk they would have done 
without it—that they were all fat enough for beef, 
when, without the corn, they would have been poor 
—that my orchard had done better than usual on 
account of having the ground shaded during the 
dry season — and, lastly, of having four tuns of 
choice fodder for winter use, and all from one and 
one fourth acre of land. n. c. n. 
Granville, N. Y., 1858. 
CONDENSED CORRESPONDENCE. 
To Destroy Canada Thistles. —In one of the 
back numbers of the Rural, since the first of Jan¬ 
uary, a gentleman wished to know how to destroy 
Canada thistles. Sow hemp seed two successive 
seasons and it will destroy the majority of them.— 
Sow thick.—J. H., Westfield, Chant. Co., N. Y, 1858. 
Good Yield of Rye—Weighty Pigs.—John P. 
Emtie, of this town, raised from 10 bushels seed¬ 
ing of rye 231 bushels. He also killed 3 pigs, 8 
months and 4 days old, which weighed 909 pounds. 
They were common breed—the largest weighed 
345 lbs. I don’t know as I have seen anything to 
beat this in the Rural. — Sylvester Lehman, 
Sharon Center, Sco. Co., N. Y., 1858. 
Setting Fence Posts. —Four years ago last fall, 
I rebuilt a piece of post and board fence on ground 
where posts, (set in the ordinary way,) had before 
heaved from 3 to 4 inches a year. I dug the holes 
2£ feet deep, bored a two-inch hole through the 
bottom of each post, and put into it a good hard¬ 
wood pin, as long as the post hole would admit I 
then put a few flat stones on the pins, and filled in 
on top of them with dirt They now stand as low 
in the ground as when set— B. S. Carpenter, 
Elmira, IV. Y., 1858. 
Coal Ashes.—A Syracuse correspondent of the 
Rural says that coal ashes spread on meadow, was 
more effective than a top-dressing of stable manure. 
Fresh manure must have time to decompose before 
its elements can be taken up by the roots of plants; 
whereas a single heavy shower is sufficient to leach 
out the soluble elements of coal ashes. When coal 
is kindled with hard wood, potash is added to its 
chemical value, but without it, its value must be 
very little. But coal ashes is a good mechanical di¬ 
visor for a heavy tenacious Boil as its greatest 
bulk is sand.—S. W., Waterloo, N. Y., 1858. 
Blackbirds Pulling Corn. —During the period 
of incubation, and while there are many plows 
going, turning up a supply of insects, blackbirds 
are not so voracious as they are later in the season; 
consequently early planted corn — if the season 
favors its early growth — is measurably exempt 
from their depredations. Planting very deep, and 
treading both feet firmly on the hill, I have fully 
tested as an effectual remedy where blackbirds 
were very numerous and very destructive. The 
birds will break off the sprouting corn for a while, 
and then leave discouraged.—P. H., Milan, Ohio. 
Posts Heaving out by Frost. —If your corres¬ 
pondent “A. 0. P.” will take a two inch auger, and 
bore a hole near the bottom of the post through 
which to put a good white oak pin, sixteen or 
eighteen inches long, anu set his posts well down, 
with the pin in the hole as described, he will not 
be troubled with his posts heaving out I have seen 
fence thus made, stand until the posts rotted off at 
the surface of the ground, although it stood where 
the water was several feet Above the top nearly 
every season during heavy freshets in the Susque¬ 
hanna, and I have no doubt it will stand frost as 
well.—I. F. 0., Athens, Bradford Co., Pa., 1858. 
Knots in Cows’ Teats. —I notice in a late num¬ 
ber of the Rural, an inquiry by a correspondent 
relative to bunches in cows’ teats. My experience 
with regard to this matter is, that it is caused by 
stripping the milk from the teat, instead of the 
usual method of squeezing. It most frequently 
happens to young cows, those that come in at two 
years old. The first season that a cow of that age 
is milked, the teat is not fully grown, and conse¬ 
quently, is often short and unhandy to get hold of, 
except by stripping. As a remedy, I would recom¬ 
mend that the cow be milked without stripping at 
all; and, if not of too long standing, the remedy 
will prove effectual.—K., Wilson , N. Y., 1858. 
Ringbone — Another Remedy. —Seeing in your 
valuable paper a number of recipes for the cure of 
ringbone, I send you mine. The friend from whom 
I obtained it says it has cured the ringbone after 
it has continued for two years, making the leg per¬ 
fectly sound and healthy. Take 2 oz. oil of spike; 
1 oz. oil origanum; 1 oz. corrosive sublimate; £ 
oz. epium; £ oz. camphor gum. Mix together, and 
it is fit for use. Apply ence a day with a brush or 
feather. I deem it to be a duty that we owe each 
other to communicate, through the columns of the 
Rural, anything valuable which we are in posses¬ 
sion of. I should be glad to see a recipe from some 
one how to make a good sticking salve.— James 
Smith, Ray, Macomb Co., Mich., 1858. 
Egyptian Millet. —In answer to J. S., in the 
Rural of March 13th, I would say, that Egyptian 
Millet will grow on almost any soil, but requires a 
deep rich soil to produce a heavy crop. It should 
be sown about the last of May—six quarts of seed 
per acre is sufficient where sown for the seed, or 
twelve quarts for soiling. Good clean seed, raised 
expressly for seeding purposes, and free from foul 
matter, is worth about a dollar a bushel. The seed 
weighs about 50 lbs. per bushel—its value for feed 
is about the same as oats or com, by weight I 
will send by mail, to any one sending stamp for 
postage, a package from which, with careful culture, 
they can raise plenty for next year. I will also 
furnish, on the same terms, Blackeyed Peas, Tea 
Wheat, and King Philip Corn, to all applicants.—J. 
W. Beard, Poplar Ridge, Cay., Co., N Y., 1858. 
Another No-Patent Fence. —If farther remarks 
on the fence question are in order, I will give a 
description of a no-patent fence, which has some 
advantages over ordinary fences. The sections are 
made like those of Sheldon’s patent, described in 
the Rural of Feb. 13th; the posts are 11 feet apart; 
the sections are held in place by a wooden or iron 
hook driven into each post, on which the upper 
rails rest. A section can be easily taken out to 
admit teams—the sections may be used for stack 
fence, or as a crooked fence without posts, by 
wiring together at the corners; or, if a patent fence 
is desired, Sheldon’s hinges may be used. I use 
locust posts and hooks. Crooked or winding posts, 
which are unsuitable for board fence, maybe used. 
Where the posts heave or lean, the sections can be 
taken off and the posts re-set—J. W. Beard, Poplar 
Ridge, Cay. Co., N. Y., 1858. 
INQUIRIES AND ANSWERS. 
Rouen Ducks —( Inquirer, Conn .)—We don't know 
of any ducks of this breed for sale, but presume 
there are plenty. Those who have any they wish 
to dispose of should advertise. 
Plantain.— Can you, or any one of your corres¬ 
pondents, inform me what will prevent or destroy 
that very common and very pertinacious nuisance, i 
the lawn-yard plantain?—B. C. J. 
Remarks.— The Plantain seems to flourish under 
any ordinary hard usage, and the only way to de¬ 
stroy it, that we know, is to root it out 
Egyptian Millet.— I see that one of the Rural 
writers speaks of the Egyptian Millet as being the 
best to grow for stock to be fed green. I grow 
corn for my milch cows, but I would like to try 
some of the millet if I can get the seed, and would 
like to know something of the manner in which 
it is cultivated.— Clark Coon, Fairfax Station, 
Fairfax Co., Va., 1858. 
Remarks.— W T e are not aware where the seed of 
the Egyptian Millet can be obtained in any quantity. 
J. W. Beard, of Poplar Ridge, Cayuga Co., N. Y., 
(see preceding column,) offers to supply Rural read¬ 
ers with a small amount upon certain conditions. 
Mixing Corn and Oats. —It is but a little over a 
year ago since I left the hills of Old Connecticut, 
for this prairie land. I bought me a farm of 200 
acres, there was 15 acres broken up and I broke 60 
more last year, making this year 75 acres under 
cultivation. I grow wheat, oats, corn, potatoes, 
onions, carrots, Ac., but the prices are very low 
this year and we shall not make our fortune. We 
work horses mostly on the farm, and they are fed 
with corn on the cob from ten to twenty ears, 
morning, noon and night, with some oats now and 
then. Would it be better to shell the corn and mix 
some oats with it?—as horses have to work hard 
every day, they want the food that will give them 
the most strength. Any information that you or 
any of your correspondents can give, will be hap¬ 
pily received.—W. W. C., Cedar Co., Iowa, 1858. 
Remarks.— There would be no advantage in mix¬ 
ing corn and oats. It would be far better to grind 
or crush the corn. 
Nankin Sheep. —I have been requested to for¬ 
ward to the Rural a few queries concerning the 
Nankin Sheep owned by Mr. R. L. Pell. What is 
the size? What is the texture and quality of their 
wool? Will they stand a Canadian winter? Can 
any be obtained? What is the selling price?—W. 
J., Toronto, C. W, 1858. 
Remarks. —Tn regard to this breed of sheep we 
are not possessed of any definite information.— 
They are said to be hardy, having passed a winter 
in Massachusetts without detriment. The fibre of 
the wool is also said to be strong and the fleece 
heavy. D. J. Browne, Esq., of the Patent Office, 
Washington, we believe, is entitled to the credit (?) 
of first giving publicity to the wonderful stories 
concerning them. The editors of the New England 
Farmer, published at Boston, Mass., say they “know 
nothing about the breed and never have heard of 
such a man as ‘ R» L. Pell, of Massachusetts.’ ”— 
Perhaps Mr. Browne can give agriculturists some 
enlightenment upon this subject? We will see. 
Color Sorghum Seed. —Will you please, Messrs. 
Editors, read the enclosed letter which I received 
from a gentleman in East Troy, Wisconsin, and 
enlighten him, and “the rest of mankind,” as to 
what is the true color of Sorghum Seed: 
East Troy, Walworth Co., Wis. 
Dear Sir :—I received the hundred pounds Sorghum by 
express, but the trouble now is, every one here says 
it is the black seed, and good for nothing. Now, I know 
nothing of the seed, myself—I relied entirely on your 
advertisement. Write and let me hear what you say, for 
without some responsible endorsements, I can't sell it. It 
would be well to notice it in the Rural Nkw-Yorkkr, as 
it is extensively taken here. John Mather. 
To whom or what shall we look but the disinter¬ 
ested and independent press to settle such questions? 
—I. W. Briggs, West Macedon , N. Y., 1858. 
Remarks. —The Sorghum seed is covered with a 
jet black, shiny husk, which parts more or less 
readily from the true seed, according to its ripe¬ 
ness and dryness. The seed proper is of a drab 
color, though generally stained reddish by the 
coloring matter from the outside covering. We 
have just received specimens of the Imphee seed, 
much more colored than any Sorghum seed we 
have seen. 
Stretches in Sheep. —“Subscriber” wishes to 
inquire through your valuable paper, a cure for 
“ Stretches in Sheep.” I think my sheep are troubled 
with the above disease. I will describe it as nearly 
as I can, and if it is not, I should feel greatly 
obliged if you, or some of your subscribers would 
name it, and give a remedy through your paper.— 
The symptoms are, stretching the feet much further 
apart, that is, “fore and aft” than usual, both when 
walking and standing—dropping down after driv¬ 
ing a short distance—groaning—throwing the head 
to the side like a horse with bots—and, occasion¬ 
ally, sitting upon the haunches—jaws partially set 
— slime in the mouth, and utterly refusing food or 
drink. Perhaps information concerning the above 
disease may enlighten some brother farmers as well 
as myself, and greatly oblige—J. J. P., Medina, N. Y. 
Remarks. —Your sheep, doubtless, have the 
“Stretches”—more commonly known as “Consti¬ 
pation.” In England this disease is almost un¬ 
known, because sheep are there fed green succulent 
food, such as roots, Ac. The cause is feeding upon 
exclusively dry hay or other dry fodder. A close 
and confined atmosphere is another fruitful cause. 
Dr. Dadd recommends the following course of 
treatment:—“The disease is to be obviated by 
proper attention to diet, exercise, and ventilation; 
and when these fail, to have recourse to bitter lax¬ 
atives, injections, and aperients. The use of salts 
and castor oil creates a necessity for their repeti¬ 
tion, for they overwork the mucous surfaces, and 
their delicate vessels lose their natural sensibility, 
and become torpid. Scalded shorts are exceed¬ 
ingly valuable in this complaint, as also are boiled 
carrots, parsnips, Ac. The derangement must be 
treated according to its indications, thus:—Suppose 
the digestive organs to be deranged, and rumina¬ 
tion to have ceased; then take a teaspoonful of ex¬ 
tract of butternut, and dissolve it in a pint of 
thorougliwort tea, and give it a dose. Use an in¬ 
jection of soap-suds, if necessary. Suppose the 
excrement to be hard, coated with slime, and there 
be danger of inflammation in the mucous surfaces; 
then give a wine-glass of linseed or olive oil, to 
which add a raw egg. It is scarcely ever necessary 
to repeat the dose, provided the animal is allowed 
a few scalded shorts. If the liver is supposed to be 
inactive, give, daily, a teaspoonful of golden seal in 
the food. If the animal void worms with the 
fteces, then give a tea made from cedar boughs, or 
buds, to which add a small quantity of salt” 
Our Contributors for the present week repre¬ 
sent New York, Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, 
Pennsylvania, Michigan, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, 
Virginia, Connecticut Massachusetts, and Canada. 
Thirteen of the States, republican—and our friends 
across the line, monarchical,—cosily talking to 
each other about the peaceful pursuits of Agricul¬ 
ture, Horticulture, etc. May the strife be ever thus 
friendly—may we emulate each other only in the 
advancement of our noble vocation, and in scatter¬ 
ing the fruits of right thoughts and good deeds 
throughout the land. 
To the Friends of the Horse.—A lover of 
horse flesh says:—“When a horse has fallen, from 
the slippery state of the ground, the readiest 
method of enabling him to rise is to place a piece 
of old rug or carpet under his fore-feet, and he 
will be able to get up at once. Many horses are 
seriously strained by their efforts to rise on slip¬ 
pery ground; and this is most particularly the case 
with those of high spirit, and frequently those of 
greatest value are so frightened by the fall that 
greater injuries to themselves, as well as danger to 
those in the carriage, ensure from vain efforts to 
get up than by the fall.” 
Premiums for Plans of Farm Buildings.— 
Those of our readers interested, are reminded that 
the period of competition for the premiums we 
offer for plans of Farm Houses and Barns, will ex¬ 
pire the last day of this month. The following are 
the premiums offered: 
Premiums for Farm Houses.— 1st For the best plan of a Farm 
House, with all necessary information as to cost, manner of construc¬ 
tion, Ac, we will give a premium of Twenty-Five Dollars. 2d. 
For the second best plan, furnished as above, Twenty Dollars.— 
3d. For the third, Fifteen Dollars 
Premiums for Plans of Barns.— 1st For the best plan of a Barn, 
famished with ail necessary plans, information, Ac, as required for 
Farm House, we will give a premium of Twenty Dollars. 2d. Foe 
the next best, Fifteen Dollars. 3d. For the third. Ten Dollars. 
All plans must be received before the first day of 
April, and the elevation drawn so as not to occupy 
over two columns, in, width, of the Rural. The 
competitors should state any advantage claimed 
for any improvement over the usual arrangement 
or manner of building. All plans submitted, to be 
at our disposal, to publish or reject. The plans 
will be carefully examined, and the premiums 
awarded by a competent Committee. 
Agriculture in California.—T he Reports of 
the Assessors of California, in accordance with 
Legislative enactments, are being handed in, and 
we gather the following, in respect to the products 
of thirty-four counties. The number of acres un¬ 
der cultivation in these counties is 508,267, yielding, 
Wheat,. 2,172,818 bus. 
Barley,. 4,449,581 « 
Oats,. 36,894 “ 
Rye, .. 31,967 “ 
Corn, . 410,293 « 
Buckwheat,_ 30,445 “ 
Peas,_ 54,938 “ 
Beans,. 10,068 “ 
Irish Potatoes,. 1,523,397 “ 
Sweet Potatoes,... 98,567 “ 
Onions,_ 107,804 “ 
Hay,.... .. 84,887 tuns. 
Tobacco,_'_ 1,800 lbs. 
Butter,. 1,942,861 « 
Cheese,. 1,067,418 « 
Eggs,--- 1,043,500 doz. 
Wool,...' 843,577 lbs. 
Grapes,-- 51,467 tuns. 
Native Wine,_ 238,400 gals. 
Fruit Trees,.-. 1,737,252. 
Profits of Farming.— At the late meeting of 
the Ontario Co. Ag. Society, they awarded the first 
premium on farms to Mr. Paul F. Bill, of Seneca. 
The Committee who awarded the prize, say:— 
“When they take into consideration that Mr. Bill 
purchased his farm of 70 acres for $3,000, went into 
debt for nearly the full amount, and that he has 
paid off that debt from the actual proceeds of the 
farm, and the condition of the farm has been all 
the time improving; they look upon these circum¬ 
stances as a very fair test of good management, 
and therefore feel fully justified in awarding to Mr. 
Bill the first premium.” He has not only paid for, 
but greatly improved the farm by underdraining, 
the removal of stone, Ac., and erected a substantial 
barn, and all from the proceeds of the farm itself. 
What he has done, any other man of equal energy 
and intelligence may do. “ The farm has been all 
the time improving.” That’s the doctrine. Un¬ 
profitable farming deteriorates the value of the 
farm, while profitable farming improves it. 
New York College of Veterinary Surgeons. 
—An act of the Legislature was passed (April, 1857) 
incorporating this Institution, with power to hold 
real and personal estate to the extent of $100,000. 
We learn from the N. Y. Times that the College has 
been organized under appointment by its trustees 
of Capt Ralston as Veterinary Principal and 
Professor of Theory and Practice; Thos. D. An¬ 
drews, M. D., as Professor of Anatomy and Physi¬ 
ology; and John Bcsteed, M. D., as Professor of 
Surgical Anatomy and Surgery. The Principal 
was an officer of Cavalry of the British Army, and 
was selected to study and graduate at the Royal 
Veterinary College, in order to proceed to India, 
as an officer of the East India Company, to organ¬ 
ize the Veterinary Department of the Madras 
Army. His colleagues are both graduates of the 
University Medical College, whose practical atten¬ 
tion has been turned to veterinary science, through 
the kindred pursuit of comparative anatomy and 
physiology. The president and two professors, re¬ 
spectively, of the Faculties of the College of Physi¬ 
cians and Surgeons, the New York Medical Col¬ 
lege and University, constitute the Board of Cen¬ 
sors. This is following in the steps of the Royal 
Veterinary College of London, wherein Sir Astley 
Cooper, Sir Charles Bell, and others of the emi¬ 
nent teachers of the London Medical Schools 
formed, for thirty or forty years, the Examining 
Board. « 
County Fairs. —Several of our County Agricul¬ 
tural Societies have already designated the times 
of holding their Annual Exhibitions. The Monroe 
County Fair is to continue four days —Sept. 14,15, 
16, and 17,—in State Fair style. The Ontario Co. 
Fair is to he held Sept 29th and 30tb, and Oct 1st. 
We shall announce the times of holding other 
Fairs, as soon as ascertained. 
TnE Advertisements in this No. are various, 
and generally of interest to Ruralists. Read them! 
