MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
AS OtUGIMAL WKEKLr 
AGRICULTURAL, LITERARY AND FAMILY JOURNAL 
casiou, “our object from the commencement of the 
liuRAL Nkw-Yorker has not been to furnish either 
an Agricultural, Horticultural, Scientific, Mechan¬ 
ical, Educational, Literary or News journal,—but 
rather to combine all these, and thus present a paper 
unequalled in Value, Variety and Usefulness of 
Contents. Our earnest desire has ever been to 
make it an hottest, independent, reliable and emi¬ 
nently useful Rural, Literary and Family News¬ 
paper —correct in its teachings on Practical Sub¬ 
jects, instructive and entertaining to members of 
the Family Circle, of high moral tone, and entirely 
free from deception and quackery even in its ad¬ 
vertising department/' Such wc intend this vol¬ 
ume shall be,—for the fulfillment of which we have 
secured the best assistance and facilities, mental 
and physical, obtainable. 
CONDUCTED BY D. D. T. MOORE, 
WITH AN ABLE CORPS OP ASSISTANT EDITORS. 
SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS: 
ri. T. brooks, prof. iiewkv. 
T. C. PETERS, Li. M. F. MAURY, 
L. It. LANtnVORTIIY, T. S. ARTHUR, 
EDWARD WEBSTER, MRS. S. J. HOLMES. 
Tins Rural Nkw-Youkkk is designed to bo Hnmrpassod in 
Value, Purity. Usefulness and Variety of Contents, and unique 
and bountiful in uppeiimnee. I la Conductor devotes Ids personn] 
attention to tho supervision of Its various departnuOita, and 
earnestly labors to render the Rural an eminently Reliable 
Guide on the important Practical, Scientific and other Subjects 
intimately connected with the business of those whose interests 
It jealously irdroeatC9. It embraces mom Agricultural, Llorti- 
CUitnral, Scientific, Mechanical. Literary and News Matter, 
interspersed with appropriate and beautiful Engravings than 
any other Journal.—rendering it tho most complete Agricultu¬ 
ral, Literary amo Family Newspaper In America. 
t37" Ail communications, and business letters, should be 
addressed to D. D. T. MOORE, Rochester, N. V 
For Terms, and other particulars, see last page. 
JANUARY-HINTS FOR THE MONTH 
With the present number of the Rural a new 
year of labor and duty opens before us. The time 
is a fitting one to cogitate about and comment 
upon the varied operations of the farm, and though 
many of the subjects to be treated, in brief, at the 
present time, have been frequently laid before our 
readers, there may be some individuals in our 
pariah who will bear a great deal of preaching .— 
“Two heads and art application,*’ read the recipe 
for sermon-making, as given by a celebrated divine, 
but we will reverse the order, and begin with the 
application. How is ic with you ? do you need a 
never-ending reminder on account of sins of omis¬ 
sion and commission ? Are your fields like unto 
those so graphically described by Solomon : 
I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of 
the loan void of understanding ; 
And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles 
had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was 
broken down. 
Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and 
received instruction. 
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the 
hands to sleep : 
So shall thy poverty come as one that traveleth ; and 
-Pkdv. xxiv., 30—SI. 
A NEW YEAR AND VOLUME 
FARM - HOUSE ELEVATION 
in the attainment of knowledge, but, never pin 
your faith to the ipse di:> t of any individual—think, 
experiment and judge for yourself. 
Stick to the farm , Amid your plans for the fu¬ 
ture, never, for one moment, harbor the idea of 
bettering your conditp n.b.y entering the arena of 
commercial life. * o *ot Exchange a home of 
quiet, real enjoj ment for the turmoil and illusion of 
a city residence. Harter not sweet repose for vis¬ 
ions of empty wallets, nor let notes due on the 
morrow assume tho prerogatives of the nightmare. 
Very poor comforters for care anti anxiety arc 
these little realities in the commercial world.— 
Stick to the farm. What though hard labor be the 
every-day command, it is noble, healthful and con¬ 
ducive to the full development of the whole man. 
Institution. In the Report (Agriculture) of the 
Latent Office for 1853 are Summaries of Meteoro¬ 
logical Observations, made at these hours at sixty 
stations iu twenty-three States. These hours of 
The illustration given above, which we take 
from Allen’s “Rural Architecture,” published by 
C. M. Saxton & Co., presents a fine example of a 
Farm House of the higher order. Its dimensions 
are ample, its style solid and respectable, and its 
general air satisfactory, and ia keeping with what 
we imagine to be appropriate to the wants of an 
intelligent practical farmer, who superintends his 
own acres, and yet reads somewhat, and enjoys the 
society of intellectual men. For a description of 
the i uterior arrangements, we must refer our readers 
to the book itself. 
We think this house, in the main, a good one, 
especially for our Western friends, who have 
reached that degree of prosperity which warrants 
the erection of a residence which may be at once 
a home, and a monument of fine taste to those 
whom they will leave behind them. The upper 
part of the cut represents the front view; the lower, 
the rear view of the same house, with its surround¬ 
ings. Almost the only modification we would 
suggest in this plan, is the omission of the “ ginger¬ 
bread work,'’ which is intended as an ornament to 
the friezes of the roof. This decoration is not in 
keeping with the simplicity of pastoral life. It is 
liable to be warped out of shape by the suns and 
rains in which a Western climate abounds, and will, 
therefore, require an amount of repairing which 
will test the patience of the owner; or, what is 
more likely, it will fall into dilapidation and 
decay. Indeed, we think that Farm Architecture for 
the West requires special study; for some peculi¬ 
arities in Western climate and Western scenery, 
must be understood before a proper style of 
architecture will be adopted. Some of these 
peculiarities are the following: 
1. The Summers ere intensely hot. —On the level 
plains of the West, the sun pours a tide of Sre for 
several months, almost w ithout interruption. 
2. The Ula/ers are intensely cold. —This remark 
applies to all the territory north of the 41stparallel. 
These wide, open tracts, give ample “scope and 
verge ’* to the winds which sweep from the far off 
north, and the cold is much more severe than in 
regions in the same latitude, sheltered by forests 
and hills. 
Both in summer and winter, this whole region 
is liable to gales and tornadoes, which are almost 
resist less. And even less violent winds often severe¬ 
ly test the buildings which inexperienced architects 
have reared on this battle-ground of storms. 
We might mention other peculiarities of the 
West, which should influence the style of building; 
but these arc sufficient lor our present purpose. 
Besides, wo wish to be brief. 
We have just said that the West is liable to 
severe gales. No “cob-house” structure will be 
permanent, if it stands alone on these open plains. 
We say, then, that every exposed farm house or 
barn, should be low rather than high, should 
rather spread itself over the ground, than lift itself 
towards the stars. This is. we think, In good taste 
everywhere in the country; but it ia an absolute 
necessity in a region where hurricanes are born, 
and where, in their giant gambols, every “high 
thing is likely to be brought low.’’ Not only should 
houses, in a windy country, be low; they should 
also bo very firmly aud rather heavily built. They 
should also present as few needless projections on 
root’and cornice, ami even w indows ami doors, as 
possible—for all these projections arc only so many 
levers with which the winds may, as it were > 
wrench and rack the edifice, where they do not 
absolutely tear it in pieces. 
twenty-three State! 
observation arc very widely used in our country. 
For the Posts the hours have been selected, which 
giw riehJkly the «•••■'n temperate 1 ': cl*thedn v The 1 
uniformity and regularity in making the observe-1 
tions are complete. We arc now able to ascertain 
far more of our varying climate than had been ! 
anticipated, as these Posts extend from Maine to i 
the gulf of Mexico, from the Atlantic to the Pacific 
ocean, and from the level of the sea to an elevation 
of s,3<;5 feet at Fort Massachusetts in New Mexico, 
North Lat. 37.) r . These Posts are widely scattered 
over the country. Hence it is. that the ‘Army 
Meteorological Register,” filling sot) pages quarto, 
is far the most important work on the Meteorology 
of our country that has ever issued from the press. 
It has received the high commendation of the cele¬ 
brated Humboldt. Though it embraces a period 
of twelve years preceding 1855, it contains “ Con¬ 
solidated Tables and Summaries'’ for the observa¬ 
tions of thirty-five years, and must present very 
close approximations to the truth. 
The charts,showing the temperature by Iso-ther- 
lual Lines, or lines of equal temperature, present 
to the eye a great amount of Climatological knowl¬ 
edge for the four seasons as well as for tho annual 
mean temperatures. The Charts are maps of the 
local mean temperature over the country. Great 
honor is due to the Medical Department of the 
Army for the work accomplished by it, and to L. 
Blodbet, Esq., to whom is credited the planning 
and construction of the Charts and the Climato¬ 
logical arrangements and reasonings. Other im¬ 
portant results from the same observations are 
being prepared. 
The “Now York Meteorology ’’ is a quarto vol¬ 
ume of results of the observations at the Acade¬ 
mies and Colleges of the State, made under the 
direction of the Regents of the University, from 
1-2'.; to 1850. These are the most extensive obser¬ 
vations on temperature made by any State. The 
reductions and statements were wrought by Dr. 
Franklin B. Hoi gu, who is well qualified for the 
work. A lew of the sixty-two places have not 
made the observations long enough for reliance; 
but more than fifty most be close approximations, 
w orthy of confidence. Two charts show the “Com- 
parative Range of Temperature ” at the different 
stations auil for the different years. Had Iso-ther¬ 
mals been drawn on the map of the State for the 
mean annual temperature of the stations, the rela¬ 
tive temperature would have presented a very in¬ 
teresting aspect to the eye of the examiner. 
The moan temperature of the State for the whole 
period is 40.74 degrees, varying but little from the 
mean temperature of our city; and the annual av¬ 
erage of water, from rain and snow, is 34.30 inches. 
On the whole, the thermometer is leading to 
great results in Climatology. It is good to find 
the application of observations, made for so many 
years, to the elucidation of interesting relations. 
How often have observers felt as they made their 
toilsome records, what will ali this labor avail? 
When w ill tho time come, and who will be the per- 
jsons, to show that all this labor has been far from 
in vain? These questions have begun to receive 
their answer, and more extensive and important 
results will be the stimulus to, and the reward of, 
more particular observations. c. d. 
thy want as an armed man. 
now do you plead, “guilty or not guilty:” If tho | 
former is to lie the plea, are there no "extenuating I 
circumstances ?” If you have been traveling in 
the wrong direction, the present is a favorable 
opportunity to rectify all errors, and by your future 
coarse redeem your character as a practical and 
skillful agriculturist 
Plan for the Future. —Tho means afforded by the 
past for accumulating experiences, if they have 
been judiciously and thoughtfully used, will enable 
you to contrive for the operatioi t and investments 
of the future. You can shun losing speculations, 
and work in a clearer path—avoid disaster, (such 
as is man's own work,) and labor for profitable 
returns. Manage to have everything in readiness 
at the very hour jvheu its assistance is required in 
tho furtherance cl' your objects. 
Keep an account book. —The balance sheet of 
your accounts during the past year has been 
drawn—everything is, or ought to be, settled, and 
the now books are being opened. Those who have 
never kept, in detail, a record of the income and 
expenditure of the farm, will find the present just 
the period to commence an operation of this 
nature. You ought to know, at the expiration of 
each year, the amount that has passed through 
your hands—the receipts, ttiul what lias been paid 
out—what purchased, and what sold, and the 
exact state of your finances. Any person doing 
business without a full knowledge of this depart¬ 
ment, is working in the dark. 
lie systematic. Here we have one of the first 
principles of successful agriculture, let all your 
transactions be conducted iu a business-like man¬ 
ner. Take noto of every operation, whether you 
buy or sell, receive or disburse, sow or reap, make 
a promise or a bargain. To do this, it will be 
necessary to keep a diary, and we would say, do 
so, if for no other object thau as a ready means of 
comparison. 
lie thorough. Never lialf-do anything yourself 
nor permit your men to glide over their labors.— 
"If it is worth doing at all. it is worth doing well,” 
would prove a golden maxim to thousands of farm¬ 
ers if they would not only adopt it as a portion of 
their creed, but exemplify its teachings in tlieir 
daily life. Away with these snatchers —men that 
go beneath the surface are the kind wanted. 
I.eace your land in good heart. It should Vie the 
object of every tiller of the soil to leave his land 
in good condition after the removal of a crop, and, 
at the same time, obtain as remunerating returns 
as possible. This cun be done only by husbanding 
all the sources of fertility upon the farm and ad¬ 
ding thereto in every available manner. This is 
| the Alpha and Omega of progressive agriculture. 
Never boast of a “bank account” if it is obtained 
at the expense of your farm. 
Study your profession. It is not alone the energy 
that wields the spade or holds the plow that insures 
success. There is a “higher law,” tho culture of 
the mind, aud it must go hand in hand with the 
culture of tho soil. The relations of science to the 
farmer’s calling are intimate. Good books arc aids 
people of various classes aud sections—nor ever 
before so largely, widely aud substantially appre¬ 
ciated us at the prescut, to us, most important and 
interesting period of its existence. Although 
comparatively successful from the publication of 
its first number, aud eminently so of late years, it 
never entered upon a campaign so prosperously 
and triumphantly as it docs upon its Eighth. In¬ 
deed, with such favorable indications and gratify¬ 
ing realities as our daily experience is now devel¬ 
oping, we have ubundaut reason to feel well satisfied 
with that much-abused, though often bepraised, 
chartered institution, yclept Tub Public— and our 
confidence in Humanity, always unwavering, is 
constantly augmenting. In truth, to speak in all 
frankness, we arc inclined to feel, aye and do feel, 
especially well pleased w ith the People, tho Rural, 
"and the rest of mankind ” — very like wishing 
everybody, and all their particular friends, a pros¬ 
perous aud “Happy New-Year,” as we hereby do 
most sincerely every genuinely initiated member 
of our Rural Circle, ol' whatever age, sex or con¬ 
dition. 
In inditing this prefatory article—an incumbent 
duty which i* necessarily performed in haste, amid 
the temporary perplexities and arduous labors al¬ 
ways attending a change of dress and the inaugu¬ 
ration ol a new volume—we purpose to address 
but few remarks tu former readers, or such as are 
familiar with the pages of the Rural. Judging 
from the manner and spirit in which this journal 
has heretofore been conducted—and knowing that 
our Motto, “ Excelsior,” and Objects, “ Progress 
and IM^RovESlKNT, , have over been kept iu view 
in its management—they will require no assurances 
as to its course in the future. They know it is in¬ 
dependent and fearless in exposing and condemning 
whatever is deceptive ami humbugeous —earnestly 
seeking to promote the best interests of its readers 
and community. Regardless alike of temporary 
popularity or pecuniary gain, the Rural not uu- 
froquently characterizes men and things in very 
plain and unmistakable language. While zealously 
advocating and encouraging whatever tends to 
decided progress and improvement, it is equally 
the duty us it is the right qf lhe public journalist 
to discourage every false light, doctrine or practice 
which may be commended (perchance by interest¬ 
ed or ambitious parties) as progressive and praise¬ 
worthy—and this duty and right we shall continue 
to exercise w ith conservative discrimination. 
To the thousands w hom we now have the pleas¬ 
ure of addressing for the first time as Subscribers, 
wo may say that we hope to do you good—to en¬ 
hance your interests, and promote the welfare of 
your families. For, while endeavoring to give 
nothing In the Practical and Scientific departments 
but what is reliable, we shall constantly strive to 
ho conduct and till the other pages that they shall 
from week to week Instruct ami Entertain, without 
proving injurious to correct Taste and Morals, or 
vitiating the Mind or Heart of the most susceptible 
reader. Indeed, as wc have said on a similar oe- 
Thermometer — Climate—“Army Meteorological Regis¬ 
ter "—“ New York Meteorology, 1826—1850.” 
The graduation of the mercurial Thermometer 
by Fahrenheit in 1720, was a great philosophical 
l'aet. The relative temperament of placed and 
things could easily bo ascertained, within the com¬ 
mon ranges of heat. L'limate, so far us dependent 
on the temperature, one of the great elemental 
causes of change in air and earth and sea, was ac¬ 
cessible. The only requisite was the appropriate 
observation ot the thermometer for adequate times 
and places. The different graduation of Reaumur, 
used on the continent, made no special difficulty, 
as the two scales aro so readily convertible. 
Still, little progress was made in determining the 
climates of different places for one hundred years, 
lhe influence of proximity to the sea, of latitude, 
aud of elevation above the ocean, on the tempera¬ 
ture, was ascertained; hut, no systematic and uni¬ 
form plan ot observations was adopted, even in one 
country or State, for none was held to be necessary. 
Observers selected their times of taking the tem¬ 
perature as they thought most fit, aud they greatly 
varied of comse. 
It is obvious, that for the purposes of comparison, 
the observations should be made at the same hours of 
the day atall the localities. Besides, as the mean tem¬ 
perature is desired, the hours of obscrmUkm should 
be those, let them be tiro, or three, or more, which will 
give this mean. These two thingsareall-important. 
When l began meteorological observations more 
thau forty years ago, the first point had not been 
extensively adopted, and the second had tiotbeen 
accomplished, so far as could be ascertained. The 
hours for the moan temperature of the day, could 
only be determined by hourly observations day ami 
night. Iu 181G and 1817 l m.ule these twcutv-four 
hourly observations at the different seasons for 
many days, that 1 might have an approximation to 
the mean temperature of the day. From these ob¬ 
servations it. was seen that one-third the sum of the 
temperatures at VII A. M., II P. M. and IX 1\ M., was 
near the mean of the twenty-four observations ; and 
that half the sum of the temperatures at X A. M. 
and X P. M., was hardly a degree below that mean. 
I pointed out to the Secretary of War, Mr. Cal¬ 
houn, this ascertained, result; for he was then in¬ 
stituting that series of observations at the Military 
Posts of the United States, which has led to most 
important results. 11c fixed upon those three 
hours, at which the observations began to bo made 
iu 1810, and were continued at the Posts till 1842. 
Since that time four hours of observation have been 
taken at all the Military Stations, one ol which is 
at sunrise. 
At these hours, VII A. M. and II and IX P. M., ex¬ 
tensive observations are made for the Smithsonian 
Both erudition aud agriculture ought to be en¬ 
couraged by government; wit and manufactures 
will come of themselves. 
TWO DOLLARS A YEAR.] 
“PROGRESS AND IMPROVEMENT.” 
[ SINGLEJNO. FI YE CENTS. 
Y0LUME YHI. NO. U 
ROCHESTER, N. Y. -SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 1857. 
» 
\WHOLE NO. 365. 
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