RURAL UF£ 
XoBlCULTUa 
ROCHESTER, N. Y.-F0R THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, I860, 
hopes which may not be realised—and would not advise 
those who have changed from wheat growing to other 
branches of husbandry, in which they arc unto sueceed- 
ing, to return at once or fully to the former staple. Thu 
soil of a large portion of this State is el doeutly adapted 
to the production of wheat, and la some sections —If the 
enemies of the crop can be evaded-it will probably long 
prove the most remunerative ernp Unit can be grown. 
Hence, we believe It advisable for those who own good 
wheat soil, and are not profitably engaged in other 
branches, to try wheal culture again—returning to it 
gradually and on a email scale, until satisfied as to the 
safety and prolit i f a full resumption.” 
In this article front which the above is quoted, 
we enumerated and discussed three requisites to 
successful wheat culture in localities where the, 
midge prevails. The first waB “to securo and 
sow seed of early and hardy varieties— such as the 
Mediterranean, Golden Drop, Daytou, Ac.” Our 
Becond suggestion related to the time of sowing — 
wherein wo said that “whatever seed is used, it 
must be sown early to escape the midge. Wo should 
prefer the early varieties, such as those above 
named, and would sow as early as possible after the 
26th of August—my the last week iu August or 
first in September.” Our third essential requisite 
referred to Soil and Culture, and we here reiterate 
our remarks on the subject:—“Early varieties 
and early sowing will prove of little avail without 
a rich, dry wheat soil and good culture. The great 
cereal cannot bo produced advantageously on 
poor, wet laud, in any part oT the Union, and 
especially in sections where the midge prevails. 
To produce wheat abundantly and profitably, the 
soil must contain the proper elements, and be in 
In many cases uuderdratn- 
MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
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AuKIuCltu&aa, |,mciiAKx awn Familt Nawsraratt in 
America. 
For Terms nml other parti colors, see last page. 
SHORT HORN COW “ SNOWSTORM 
N. J., the property of David Crocker, Lansingville, Tompkins Co., N. Y., calved 
tilip, 85,—Lilac 4tb, by North Star (4963,)—Lilac 3d, by Whisker (5639,)—Lilac “H 
by North Star (460,)—Aurora, by Comet (155,)—by Henry (301,)—by Danby (190.) 
WHEAT CULTURE IN NEW YORK: 
IT8 RESUMPTION. REQUISITES, PROSPECTS. Etc. 
the right condition, 
ing is of the utmost importance, even on farms 
where it is not considered nee-essary. No one 
need expect to gTow good wheat, and evade the 
midge, unless ho has a rich, warm and compara¬ 
tively dry soil, and gives it good culture,—but 
with these, aud attention to the requisites above 
named, we believe wheat, can again be cultivated 
successfully in Western and Central New York, 
and other midge-infested sections of the country.’’ 
The result of the recent harvest, so far as ascer¬ 
tained, has fully confirmed the opinions we ex¬ 
pressed last season. The crop just secured iB of 
superior quality, while the yield is remunerative, 
and generally greater than hud been anticipated. 
We believe farmers are now satisfied that, if they 
discharge their duly, as good crops of wheat will 
lie produced here as were previous to the preva¬ 
lence of the midge—aud, indeed, that much of 
the loss to whielj they havo been subjected may 
be attributed to the carelessness of cultivators. 
Years ago they were making money fast, thought 
their soil inexhaustible, and sure to yield a crop 
iu any event. Hence, the neglect in selecting 
seed, preparatory culture, und cnrichiug of the 
soil, Ac., and the consequent destruction of their 
grain by the incited e nemy. 
That experience Js the best teacher, though 
very expensive, holds true in this matter. The 
farmers have been taught a lesson which will not 
soon be forgotten -for, like other mortals, they 
must feel aud heed what touches, and even de¬ 
pletes, their pockets. Many a man who endeavor¬ 
ed to grow wheat without bestowing proper 
attention and labor, realizes that he attempted to 
obtain goods—or crops—under false pretences, 
aud has been justly punished. Not only that, but 
their punishment wua visited upon others—for 
the man who, by late Bowing, poor tillage, &c., 
encouraged und propagated the midge, injured 
his more careful neighbor in like manner as be 
would by allowing foul weeds to ripen on his 
premises and scatter their seeds to the four winds 
of heaven. Mindful of the past, let us be wise 
in future, for it is unreasonable to expect to reap 
abundantly where we have not sown good seed, 
in due season, on property prepared, rich soil. 
We have heretofore said so much on the subject 
of sowiug early, on good and well cultivated soil, 
that It is unnecessary to reiterate views with 
which our readers are already familiar. Rut 
many farmers who are about resuming wheat out- ] 
turn, desire information as to the best varieties — 
those which are most promising and best adapted 
to their circumstances — that are “midge proof,” 
or will ripen before the advent of the insect, and 
yield well. This is an important matter, and one to 
which we bavo devoted no little attention, in the 
hope of being able to give some reliable advice 
previous to the time of sowing. But we are not 
entirely satisfied an yet that any one of the several 
comparatively new varieties Is “worthy of gene¬ 
ral cultivation” (as tho fruit growers say) in 
preference to others, and again solicit the opinions 
of growers, with the results of their experiments . 
Were we, however, asked to name the three most 
promising vaileties in this region, (or vicinity of 
Rochester,) we should say the Mediterranean, Day- 
ton, and Golden Drop. Though others, (such as 
when the midge was very 
Bomb years ago 
destructive to wheat In Western and Central New 
York—a distinguished U. 8. Senator remarked 
to us that the scourge was a wise dispensation of 
Providence, uh he believed our farmers would 
find it more advantageous to turn their attention 
to fruit culture. He cited the high price of pears, 
and particularly spoke of the profits of their cul¬ 
ture as compared with wheat. Our reply was 
that Providence had given ns a soil with the 
proper constituents for producing wheat, and 
good culture and attention would, we hoped, en¬ 
able ns to continue its growth successfully, as it 
was certainly more reliable for the mass of culti¬ 
vators tbftu so perishable au article as the pear. 
We admitted, however, that there werecansus for 
the visitation ol the scourge, and that farmers 
needed the lesson—for they had been abusing the 
soil, und the Giver of Good, by carelessness, poor 
culture, and extravagance in living. Perhaps they 
were too prosperous previous to the advent of the 
midge; and should the evil be stayed, and the 
great staple be produced abundantly again, the 
blessing would be appreciated, and the increase 
properly husbanded. 
At that period, and subsequently, we feared tho 
midge would, for some years at least, preclude 
the profitable culture of wheat iu i his region, and 
we were constrained to express our fears and 
misgivings. Lust year, however, we became con¬ 
vinced, from the successful experiments of care¬ 
ful cultivators, (who had sown early vaiieties, and 
adopted other requisite changes,) that wheal 
growing could be successfully resumed in Western 
and Central New York, provided proper paius 
were taken, and advised our readers accordingly. 
For example, In an article published on the 30th 
of Jaly, 1859, upon the subject of Wheat Culture, 
its prospects and the requisites to success in the 
midge infested districts, we remarked: 
“ The ordeal Iub been a severe one, but th« Mew are 
brightening, and we believe that wheat can again be 
abundantly aud profitably grown in section* where the 
midge haa prevailed and proved so destructive for several 
years. Indeed, we think the experience of wise and 
prudent cultivators has already demonstrated the cor- 
reclnetu* of this opinion, foist year many farmers suc¬ 
ceeded in evading the midge, aud growing excellent and 
profitable crops uf wheat—and Iheir success induced 
otheir to sow somewhat extensively lost fall, from which 
a good yield has been obtaioed the present season. This 
result has been achieved, mainly, by a change of varieties, 
time of Bowing, and mode at culture. • • • Within 
the past month we have devoted no little time aud 
attention to tbu investigation of this subject, visitiDg 
various localities in this region for the purpose of exam- 
Ing the growing wheat of different vaiieties, and ascer- 
ta ning as to time of sowing and culture. We have seen 
as fine fielt^ of wheat In various parts of this county as 
were grown previoun to the appearance or the midge. 
In every iustaaoit where early varieties were sawn at the 
proper time, on good , dry and properly prepared soil, we 
la^e found the crops goud-ex cepting only where the 
t*v»re June frost proved injurious We ure aware that 
' one swallow does not make a summer’—that the pres¬ 
ent season has been remarkably favorable for the growth 
and maturity of the wheat plant—yet, from Information 
obtained, last season und ibis, from observation and 
Intelligent cultivators, we are Kali-fled that the former 
great staple of this section of tho Union can still be 
successfully and profitably cultivated. And yet, confi¬ 
dent as we me in this opinion, we do not wish to excite 
the slightest I MR. FLOWHANDLE AND THE STATE FAIR, 
hardly in any ease is there seen even 
appearance of mildew. The Peach 
Albert and Western Red, when not planted closely, 
nor forced with manure, are also free. Those 
who are digging tho early sorts for market, find 
occasionally signs of disease on the tuber. Should 
the dryer and cooler weather of yesterday and to¬ 
day continue, there is still hope that even the old 
and feebler varieties will mostly escape.” 
Our crop is very thickly planted, and well 
manured, as we were trying to grow five hundred 
bushels to tho acre, though we have some grow¬ 
ing on a poor soil without manure, by way of 
experiment, and others on which only piaster line 
been used. We have about a dozen of Mr. Goon- 
men’s seedlings, as well as most of the leading 
good sorts, a few seedlings from other sources, 
j and some early varieties from England, affording 
us a good opportunity for investigation and com 
parison, bo that while, with our rcadore, we shall 
much regret to see tho potato disease prevalent, 
wo shall rejoice that it found us well prepared to 
get a little good out of the general eviL 
The tubers of almost all varieties we find larger 
and further advanced toward maturity thau usual 
at this season of the year. Where the tops are 
much injured, growth Beerns to ho checked or 
entirely suspended. We have yet seen no evi¬ 
dence of rot among the tubers, even under the 
most favorable combination of circumstances for 
its development. 
the Early May from Missouri, and Bonghton’s 
Early Virginia—which some think are identical,) 
may prove equally valuable, their reputation is 
not yet well established In this immediate sec¬ 
tion. We are of opinion that cither of the three 
varieties first named — und perhaps the Early May 
also — will yield remunerative crops if the culti¬ 
vator “aots well hiB part,” and without such 
action no one need expect any vnriuty of wheat 
can be profitably grown in the midge-infested 
districts. Lot this be borne In mind by the thou¬ 
sands who are preparing to sow wheat this fall. 
Prudence Is the mother of Safety in thiscuse, quite 
as much (and far more) than “Eternal Vigilance 
is the price of Liberty” in political and govern¬ 
mental affairs. 
[Tub following amusing, suggestive and instructive 
letter, by our esteemed and fast-becoming celebrated 
correspondent, Maj. John Flowiiajuii.*, was first pub¬ 
lished in the Rural of Doc. 6,1867. It attracted consid¬ 
erable attention, and was widely copied and commended 
at the time. Since then wo have had many request* for 
copies of the paper containing It, er » republicatlun of 
the Mujor’a account uf “Smith's Hull 1 '—mol, inasmuch 
as this is tho season for appointing Committees, while 
State and County Fairs are soon to take place, we think 
the rn-appearanco of the article quite timely and appro¬ 
priate. It will be read with interest by those who never 
saw it before, while thousands will eojoy its re-perusal:] 
Con. Moore: —Some years ago I gotacqualnted 
with ono of your contributors who edited tho 
Wood Grower, and he used to put me In print 
I must Hay my vanity was Battered by seeing my 
name printed in the paper,wl*h some things I said, 
and some I didn’t say, and we’ve kept tho papers 
ever since. After all, everybody likeH a little 
fame, but some are satisfied with a smaller amount 
than others. Well, I have not the editor any 
more to set mo out, so I have been thinking I 
would just try and ace if you would not put me 
into the Rural on my own hook —especially as 
I want to tell you all about my going to tho State 
Fair, at Buffalo, the other day. 
CONCLUDES TO 00. 
As it was not so fur but what wc could go with 
our own team, mother and I concluded wo would 
hitch up and have a week to see the sights and 
some cousins we had not Heen for a long time. 
Mother (that's wife, you know,) thought wo ought 
to take something to the Fair. I told her to take 
a tub of her butter, but she said she didn’t think 
it was good enough, but thought I might take 
some of the stock. But I though^ it would he a 
great bother. However, Ham was pretty strong 
in the faith that we could beat everybody on 
horses, and wanted to take old Nance. She’s a 
right smart beast, is that old mare, you may 
depend. 
TAKES THE MARK. 
Well, we packed off Sam, for I was willing to 
give the boy a holiday. It does the boys great 
good to attend these kind of Fairs, I do believe, 
after seeing all I saw there. 
GOES IN. 
We got safely to towu Monday night, and Tues¬ 
day I went up early to the Fair grounds to see 
what was going on. I got in and hunted up Ham, 
and found he’d got the mare entered, and had got 
his curd ou her head and a good stall, and all 
thinga comfortable. The anlm; 
THE POTATO CROP AND DISEASE. 
It Is not for the purpose of making complaint, 
or causing uneasiness or alarm, that we ask the 
farmers to examine their potatoes, and see if th<*y 
can find evidence of disease, and if so, to watch 
its progress. Our object is to obtain information 
in regard to tho nature of this strange malady. 
Up to July 24th, our potatoes never looked better, 
never gave promise of a more abundant crop. 
After this we began to notice a change; first iu 
the loss of that healthy dark-green color which 
denotes a healthy, vigorous growth; gradually, 
the tops assumed ft yellowish, sickly hue. Then 
the lower leaves began to die, while hero and 
there a plant entirely perished. Others retained 
a few sickly yellow leaves on tho top, while the 
mass of plants only exhibited disease by the yel¬ 
low color of the leaves and stems, and the drying 
up of those leaves nearest the ground. 
Chaoncky E. Goodrich, of Utica, writing to 
the Country Gentleman on the 23d nit., stated that 
the weather of the present summer has been pre¬ 
cisely such as has raoBt commonly preceded and 
attended the potato disease in former years; and 
expressed the opinion that before many days 
nearly all the old varieties of potatoes would 
exhibit indications of disease. Mildew, he says, 
already begins to manifest itself here. Even 
should tho weather immediately become dry and 
cool, yet, as au Impulse has already been given to 
morbid elaborations iu tbe plant, there will be 
unavoidably a considerable development of dis¬ 
ease in coming weeks. But should the present 
moist and warm weather continue, that develop¬ 
ment will he rapid, and advance from the foliage, 
to which it is at present confined, to tho tuber. 
Mr. G. earnestly solicits the attention of cultiva¬ 
tors to the state of the weather and the progress 
of disease, especially with reference to different, 
sorts on various soils. On the 28th, he says:— 
“Since tho above dato, the weather haa been 
variable, frequent warm rains having been min¬ 
gled with very cool nights. Tho mildew has 
developed pretty rapidly on the Early Pink Eye, 
Early Mountain June, Ash Leaf Kidney, Carter, 
and In the Western Rod and Peach Blow, where 
planted closely. On such of my seedlings as have 
been thoroughly tested, and Bent out to the publio, 
NOXIOUS WEEDS, 
Bad Weeds abound in all partR of the country 
that we vUit; they line the road-sides, encroach 
upon the meadows and grain fields, and but little 
effort seems to he put forth for their destruction. 
We never saw a finer season for Canada Thistles. 
Indeed, had tho Japanese paid us a visit they 
might have supposed them some very valuable 
crop, and considered the wheat and grass and 
oats merely intruders. We discovered a new va¬ 
riety tho present season, with white flowers, but 
as we do not consider it of any particular value, 
we will not recommend its cultivation. It will 
doubtless spread over the country soon enough 
without such advice. It is too late to save the 
spread of the seed, and yet, every farmer should 
ul arrangements 
were first-rate generally, and during ail the time 
of tho Fair the supply of fodder was good. I 
think that Maj. Patrick, who was everybody in 
managing things, a trump sort of a mau. 
HEARS SOMETHING. 
As I was standing up near the business office in 
the crowd, I heard a couple of meu talking about 
premiums. One said to the other: 
“Are you an exhibitor?” 
“ Yes.” 
IRVING. N Y 
