RURAL LIF£ 
if ERA'LL R& 
XCR'CUTURKilli 
iS^m. 
FOR TIIE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 18G0. 
fWHOLE NO. 524. 
MOORE'S RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
JiS ORIGINAL WEEKLY 
RURAL, LITERARY AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER. 
The inquiry how and where to begin, generally 
comes from those who are in debt, or possess lim¬ 
ited means. The. rich or amateur farmer can 
afford to begin anywhere, and spend three or four 
hundred dollars experimenting. Hut the farmer 
who has to get hia living by farming, has to be 
more careful; and especially one who ia in debt 
for hia farm, ia naturally, and we think properly, 
cautious about spending too much money on land 
lor which he has not, and may never have a 
perfect title. Wo say ‘properly cautions, for a 
great many improvements, especially the more 
expensive ones, which will pay very well in the 
long run, will not pay in three or four years, and 
will not add half their cost to the value or price 
oi his farm. Nor is this any disparagement. It is 
just so with everything ciso. You go into a jew¬ 
elry store and purchase a watch for one hundred 
dollars, and admitting that, you were not unrea¬ 
sonably cheated, (which was probably the case)— 
admitting that you got it very cheap—you prob¬ 
ably could not step out into the streets live min¬ 
utes after and sell it for seventy-flvo — or even 
fifty. Yet you can a fiord it, and feel pretty well 
satisfied with your bargain. But the man who is 
in debt must make all bis improvements with a 
view to their possible sale. That mortgage 
hangs over him night and day, like a drawn 
CONDUCTED BY D. D. T. MOORE, 
With an Able Corps of Assistants and Contributors, 
Tun ItcR.ii. Nkw-Yorkkr in degijrnrt! to he unsurpassed 
in Value, Purity, Usefulness and Vnriety of Contents, ami 
unique and beautiful in Appearance. Its Conductor devotes 
bis personal attention to the supervision of its various de¬ 
partment*, and earnestly labors to render the Ui iiai an 
eminently Reliable Guide on nil the important Practical, 
Scientific and Other Subjects Intimately connected with the 
business of those whose interests it zealously advocates. 
As a Family .Tonnwi. it is eminently Instructive and 
Entertaining— being so conducted that it call be safely 
taken to the Hearts and Homes ot people of intelligence, 
taste and discrimination. It embrace* more Agricultural, 
Horticultural, Scientific, educational, Literary and News 
Matter, interspersed with appropriate and beautiful En¬ 
gravings, than any other Journal, -rendering il the most 
complete AGRICULTURAL, LtTKRAftY AVP FAMILY NEWS¬ 
PAPER in America. 
Foil Terms and other particulars, ivo last page. 
lUM.NTDIUC’.S EMPIRE STATE 
A1NTD PliYYTrilB 
Tins above engraving represents a new and 
novel Corn and Kean Planter, recently patented 
by 1). It. I’iundle, of Hast Bethany, Genesee 
county, N. Y. The invent^- claims that it pos¬ 
sesses superior advantages overall other planters, 
and challenges the world (o produce its equal 
without infringing upon Ms patent, which is 
bused upon four distinct dfaims. In describing 
its operation and advantages, .Mr. Puindlb says: 
“This machine plants Corn, Beans, Ac, in hills 
by horse power—easily planting twenty acres of 
corn per day, and doing the work of thirty men 
in planting beans, corn for fodder, &e. It was 
thoroughly tested last season in planting both 
corn and beans. The machine holds and tracks 
itself, requiring only one person to operate it, 
and he can either ride or walk as desired. It 
plants two rows of corn, uml three or four of 
beans, or any other crop which needs close plant¬ 
ing, and the rows catl be made any required dis¬ 
tance apart. It marks the furrows, and drops, 
covers and presses tlm soil uputi the seed at any 
required pressure or depth, while the machine, 
from its peculiarity of construction, conforms to 
uneven as well as level surfaces. On good ground 
the driver can row and check both ways, with 
only one mark ut the outside of the field. One 
peculiarity and great advantage of this planter 
over all others, ia its adjustable axle-tree, which 
always enables the operator to guide the machine 
HOW AND WHERE SHALL WE BEGIN? 
Tub above inquiry is frequently made by some 
who have newly awakened to the importance of 
“PrOgnfi.s and Improvement," but who do not 
know exactly what to do first. And, in the mul¬ 
titude of recommended improvements, such are 
apt to become confused and discouraged, and too 
often conclude to go on in the same old beaten 
track as before. As the subject is an important 
one, wc propose to devote an article to it for the 
benefit of those interested. 
It cannot, of course, be expected that we can 
give any definite directions which would apply 
equally to the improvement of every farm, w ith¬ 
out regard to kind of soil and other controlling 
circumstances. The old adage, “What is one 
man’s meat is another man’s poison,” true of 
advice generally, is especially true of agricultural 
advice. The course of treatment which greatly 
improved one kind of soil might produce very 
little elfcot on another, and some things which 
pay very well near a good market, might be of 
very doubtful expediency in other localities, in 
fact, this whole question of farm management is 
so modified by the varying circumstances of each 
particular case, that we despair of giving any 
explicit directions, and shall Content ourselves 
with throwing out some general hints, which each 
reader must use his own judgment in applying. 
In the first place, let each beginner proceed 
gradually and even cautiously at first, carefully 
noting the result of each experiment. Let him 
find out just where lie stands before going ahead 
too far. 
Sombrero do. do. 
Peruvian do. do. 
Swan Inland > do. do. 
Barn-yard manure, one shovelful to a hill. 
Hunkers (lisli) three to a hill. 
Nothing (as a stand-point.) 
Islip, Long Island, Oct. 6,1859. 
Till* day I gathered the above lot of experiments, with 
the following result*, viz: 
On the plot planted with American guano the 
yield of husked corn was .,666 tbs. 
Peruvian do. do. '.„. 558 a 
Sombrero do. do. .497)£ “ 
Swan Island do. do. _399 « 
Barn-yard man. do. • do. _488 “ 
Bunkers (three) do. do. .576 “ 
Nothing (as a stand-point.) On the last there 
were a few sound ears. .271,1a lbs. 
The land on which the above test was made was of 
uniform character and exposure, being composed of a 
sandy loam, and very poor. The number of pounds of 
guano used was 140 of each kind. 
The first thing that strikes us as extraordinary 
in this experiment, is the very largo amount of 
guano used, about twelve hundred pounds to the 
acre, while every body who uses guano knows 
that from three to four hundred pounds is a 
heavy manuring with Peruvian Guano. Three 
times this quantity would be sure to destroy the 
seed, especially if put in the hill as this was. 
Half a pound of guano to a hill of corn! No 
sane man would do it! If the plants survive this 
extraordinary dosing, we would expect au extra¬ 
ordinary crop, but here is another surprising 
thing, the product of the plot manured with 
Peruvian Guano was only at the rate of about 70 
bushels to the acre, while the first cost of the 
guano would have been some $8C. The plot 
manured with American Guano produced at the 
rate of about 88 bushels to the acre, or 51 bushels 
over that which was unmanured, while the first 
cost of the guano, at $40 per tun would be $24, 
not a very encouraging result, as the manure for 
this increase, without cost of applying, harvest¬ 
ing, &c,, cost 14 cents a bushel, and this without 
deducting anything for weight of cobs. 
Having tried some experiments with the differ¬ 
ent guanos on potatoes, we give the results. The 
guano was carefully weighed out at the rate of 
350 pounds to tho acre, and applied in the rows, 
the potatoes being planted in rows GO feet long, 
two feet apart, with sets of two or three eyes one 
foot apart in the rows. The result was as fol¬ 
lows: 
L0 rows without guano. 7 bush. 45 lb*. 
10 “ Sombrero guano..8 “ 00 “ 
10 “ American guano. ...8 “ 30 “ 
10 ” Peruvian guano_ 9 “ 40 “ 
10 “ without guano. 8 “ 00 “ 
The ground was very uniform, a light loam, but 
at one corner of the piece, occupied by the last 
ten rows, there had been an old drain to carry off 
the waste water from an adjoining house, and 
here the crop was better. 
The experiment was repeated with about the 
same result: 
10 rows no guano. .. . 7 bush. 45 lbs. 
10 (l American guano. ...8 “ 35 “ 
10 >‘ Sombrero guano .... ...8 “ 00 “ 
10 “ Peruvian guano _ 9 « 53 u 
The increase by the Sombrero Guano over that 
unninnured, is at the rate of 9 bushels to the acre, 
while the coHt of the guano, at $30 per tun, would 
be a little less than $5, not a very cheap way of 
making potatoes, as they would cost 55 cents a 
bushel, besides all extra trouble. The increase 
by the use of American Guano was 30 bushels to 
the acre, while the guano which produced this 
increase, at $40 per tun, would cost about $ 7 , or 
some 23 cents per bushel. Wo paid higher tiian 
this for what we used, and cannot state its present 
price, therefore we take the lowest figure in our 
estimate. The increase where the Peruvian (lnano 
was used over the unmuuured lots was at the rate 
of 72 bushels to the acre. For the guano wo paid 
SfiO per tun, and the quantity usod to produce 
this result, would cost $ 1 ( 1 , or about I I cents per 
bushel. This is, of course, without adding cost of 
transportation, applying, digging, marketing, &o. 
From these figures our readers may learn some¬ 
what of the advantages to he gained by the use of 
the different guanos, and govern themselves 
accordingly. 
Since the above was written we have received 
tho Homestead, containing an experient with dif¬ 
ferent special manures on corn, the result of 
which is given in the following table. The rows 
contained 28 hills each. 
HOW MILK IS CONDENSED, 
...j. luiuumj w visit, unu uirotign l.lie cour¬ 
tesy ot the gentlemanly proprietor, was allowed 
to examine and understand the process. 
Tho establishment lias been in operation about 
two years, and is the only one of the kind in tho 
country. I lie proprietor is the originator of'the 
Texan Meat Biscuit, and has, it seems, a peculiar 
faculty for contrivances to effect a condensation 
of the nutritions qualities in food und drinks. 
fli:s meat biscuit was good for the purpose, and 
was used by Dr. Kavk, and for other long voy¬ 
ages, but the demand lor it lias never been suf¬ 
ficient to warrant its extensive manufacture. 
With his condensed milk the case is different; he 
is not able to supply the demand. 
His factory is situated near Wllisted, the north¬ 
ern terminus of the Naugatue Railroad. The 
milk is furnished by the farmers at 2 ets. per 
quart, in the summer, and 3 iu winter. When 
delivered at the factory, it is first scalded slightly, 
in tin cans, placed in warm water, to remove cer¬ 
tain impurities which would otherwise adhere to 
the largo cast iron holler iu which the process of 
condensing is curried on. This boiler is made of 
a partially circular form, and is air-tight. After 
the milk is poured in, it is raised to a temperature 
of 140", and no higher, and is made to boil by 
exhausting tho air. This is done by an air pump, 
the machinery of which is turned by a water¬ 
wheel. By this means the evaporation of tho 
watery portion ol tins milk goes on very rapidly, 
the temperature being so low there is no danger 
of burning or injury from heat. The process 
requires constant watching. The state of vacuum 
and the heat of the milk are both ascertained and 
regulated hy ingenious contrivances; the air pump 
also removes the vapor as fast as it is formed, 
condenses it by passing it through cold water, 
when it runs away in a constant stream. When 
i.j per cent, of the milk has been evaporated, the 
process is completed, and the milk occupying 
only one-quarter its original bulk, in a semi-fluid 
state, is ready for market. It is sent to the office 
of the Company, Canal street, N. Y., every day by 
tiic cars, and is used by the Ocean steamers and 
other vessels, beside being sold to some extent to 
consumers in New York and other cities on the 
route. Mixed with sugar, and put up in sealed tin 
Let him get some experience in small 
experiments before proceeding on a larger scale. 
For we have noticed that a little experience, if 
rightly used, is worth as much as more, audit often 
comes a good deal cheaper. It don’t pay to get 
your experience by wholesale, or to try to do 
everything at once, at first But because you can¬ 
not do everything, you are not, therefore, O, 
Reader, excusable lor not doing what you can,— 
You do not propose to underdrain your whole farm 
this A. D. I860, arid we do not advise you to make 
the attempt. Yet you might, nevertheless, put a 
drain of about thirty rods in length through that 
wet springy place, in the hark lot, where you pro¬ 
pose to sow wheat next fall, or plant corn this 
spring, but where your wheat always would “ win¬ 
ter-kill,” and where corn always turned out “ nub¬ 
bins,” and in a very wet season hardly that. You 
can put an uuderdrain there before spring's work 
fairly sets in. It won't coat much, and will save 
nearly an acre of your best land. You need not 
raise five or ten acres uf carrots or sugar beets 
for your stock next winter, but you can raise a 
small patch without very much trouble, just for 
“old mooly ” and the two yearlings, with an occa¬ 
sional “dose” for the rest And if you don’t 
want to buy ten tuns of guano next spring, to sow 
on all your wheat, oat, barley and corn ground, 
and ue advise not to, you might buy a little, just 
to see how it works and find out if you want more. 
(But, Progressive Reader, if you, having bad some 
experience in such matters, have concluded to do 
any of those things herein disadvised, we would 
say to you, privately, “ Go ahead!■’ We would not 
discourage you in your good work, for anything; 
but we are not writing this article for your par¬ 
ticular case!) 
EFFECTS OF GUANOS. 
A great effort is now being made to induce 
the farmers to believe that they will advance 
their own interests, and largely increase their 
profits by purchasing of the dealers what is called 
American Guano, from Jarvis Island. Now, if 
this American guano could be used with as good 
success and with us much profit as Peruvian, we 
would prefer that our own people should pocket 
the profits of the guano trade. But we are not 
willing that farmers should be robbed of tlieir 
hard earnings for the purpose of enriching guano 
speculators, nor are wc prepared to believe half 
the wonderful stories told of this wonderful 
manure. VV r e scarcely take up a paper but 
what contains a report of some experiments iu 
which the American always comes out ahead. 
Among them is one which we have met so many 
times that it looks quite familiar, und we will 
give it a few moments attention. 
American Guano. —The following ia the result of an 
experiment of the value ami results of American guano 
taken from Jarvis Island, compared with other guanos 
ami manures now iu use: 
Islip. Long Island, May 14,1859. 
This day I planted eight separate plot* of land, with 
the following fertilizers, each plot 50 liy 100 feet, contaia. 
ing 286 hills, 23 hills one, and 11 hills the other way, with 
American guano, two handfuls to a hill 
Fertilizers. 
$uan- Cost Sound sound 
tity. IV Tcorn. (corn. 
13—14Sombrero guano 
15—lfi American guano 
17—18 Coe’s superphosphate 
19—20 Mapca' improved do. 
21—22 Nothing 
23—24Castor pummace 
It is to be very much regretted that the city 
and country press allow themselves to become 
the dopes of designing dealers, by publishing 
wholesale puffs and ridiculous experiments, 
which are only calculated to mislead. Nothing 
but carefully tried and oft-repeated experiments 
will establish the true value of special manures, 
or satisfy the muss of farmers that they can afford 
to pay for them from $40 to $G0 a ton, for grow¬ 
ing ordinary farm crops. These experiments may 
be tried on a small scale, and all should feel a 
pride in adding to the stock of general knowledge. 
