MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER: AN AGRICULTURAL AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER 
HORSE EXHIBITIONS IN WESTERN NEW YORK 
on its first introduction, and even as late as 
the first of the present century, the cultiva¬ 
tion was very limited. It is within the recol¬ 
lection of the writer, when half an acre of po¬ 
tatoes were considered quite a large crop for 
a fanner. 
It is a matter of history, that Sir Wal¬ 
ter Raleigh, in the latter part of the sixteenth 
century, introduced the potato into Ireland. 
After trying it in his garden, (from the seed- 
balls we conclude,) and observing no ocular ^ 
demonstration of good promise, he ordered his c »§ 
gardener to extirpate It as " a useless weed/’ 
On doing this, he found unexpectedly, at the ^ 
roots, a bushel or more of fine potatoes. After Iq 
this, it was cultivated os an esculent root in 
Ireland about one hundred^ years, when it was, 
with some improvement, returned to this country, 
and introduced as a curiosity upon the table of 
the Governor of Massachusetts. 
There is, probably, no kind of food that has a 
more just and healthful proportion' of bulk and 
nutriment. Its proportion of soluble and nutri¬ 
tious matter, is said to be 25 per'cent.; whereas 
that of the beet is 14, of barley 83, of wheat 85, 
and of peas 93. This fact renders it easy of diges¬ 
tion, and unlikely to over-charge the system, and 
produce dyspepsia: a matter by no means unworthy 
of sober reflection. There is another good quali¬ 
ty in the potato; it does not too highly excite the 
human appetite, which is a grand affair in the 
province of temperance and health. Even the 
best table varieties are not liable to be eaten to 
excess. The potato, like milk, contains a just pro¬ 
portion of aqueous substance, combined with the 
nutriment—it is for man and beast, both food and 
drink. 
The potato is very easily grown and cooked; of 
course, a very cheap article of food. It does not 
exhaust the soil like most other vegetables, es¬ 
pecially oats and turnips, and leaves it in a good 
state for some other crop. It will grow apon al¬ 
most any kind of soil, provided it be not too wet 
and clayey; but light, dry and friable loams or 
sands of tolerable consistence, are the most ap¬ 
propriate. Reclaimed bogs and peat land, when 
well drained, produce large crops, and some of the 
best qualities are grown on alluvial soil. 
Culture. With regard to cultivation, there exists 
much prejudice and misconception. There is 
hardly any crop about the management of which 
a greater diversity of opinions exists than this — 
whether we regard soil, seed or mode of planting 
and culture. The following is the method which 
we usually adopt. Let sward ground be generally 
used; and if convenient break the sod in the fall; 
if not, as early in the spring as possible. After 
the Bod becomes well rotted, spread on from 25 to 
30 wagon loads of well decomposed manure, to the 
acre; plow deep and pulverize the soil just before 
planting; we then run furrows two and a half feet 
apart; very lightly; place the sets in the furrow 
from ten to twelve inches asunder, and cover with 
a hoe, that the ground may be left level; cover 
lightly, and just as deep as will canse the plants to 
come np, and no more. As soon as the leaf ap¬ 
pears above ground, we run a light harrow, upside 
down, crosswise of the drills to destroy the weeds 
which generally appear about the same time. In 
harrowing, we are oareful not to turn too short, or 
some of the plants will be pulled up. If, however, 
some of the plants are palled up, wo consider the 
loss nothing, when compared with the advantages 
of killing the weeds, loosening the soil, etc. As 
Boon as four leaves appear, we always go through 
them with the cultivator, and stir the earth with a 
hoe, cutting the weeds between every stalk. When 
Bix inches high, we go over them again the same 
way, leaving the ground nearly leveL If wo earth 
up at all, we make the ridges broad and a little 
dishing to the plant, to turn the water where it is 
most needed. It has been very justly observed, 
that on all very dry sands, the lands should be 
laid flat, and the plants should be hoed by hand, as 
the only means of preserving the ground suffi¬ 
ciently moist to promote the growth of the crop; 
but io every situation where there is no danger of 
the land being too dry, and on all thin soils, one 
bout through with the cul tivator has the advantage 
of every other method. 
The thorough intermixture of the manure with 
the soil, cannot be too highly recommended for 
potato culture. The advantage of covering the 
sets In a dry soil, with manure, is somewhat doubt¬ 
ful. Coarse, unfemented dung, would do more 
barm than good on dry sandy land, in a dry sea¬ 
son; good compost on sandy land, might help to 
keep the soil moist, besides furnishing the plants 
with appropriate food in a proper condition for 
direct assimilation. 11) then, manure must be used, 
let it be thoroughly decomposed. 
In this latitude, the potato is better, both as to 
product and flavor, when grown on a moist and 
cool soil than when grown on one warm and dry- 
better on a loose and friable, than on a hard, com¬ 
pact soil. They do better on a grass ley than on 
stubble—and better on short muck, than on long, 
unfemented manure. Drills or rows should be 
adapted to the growth of the tops, and the condi¬ 
tion of the soil —the small-growing tops nearer, 
and those having larger tops, further apart —so 
that thesunmay not be excluded from the intervals; 
and whore the soil Is stiff, or the Bod tough, hills 
are considered preferable to drills. If the ground 
is well prepared, and the Beed well covered, they 
are not benefited by heavy earthing; plowing 
among them, or earthing them, after they come in 
bloom, is prejudicial* 
Seed. It is a mooted point, we believe, among 
practical farmers, whether large or small potatoes 
are better for planting. The simple theory re¬ 
specting the matter, we have never seen advanced 
by any writer upon the subject. The error in the 
reasoning lies, we think, in the assumption that 
the potato, itself, is the seed. But the tuber is not 
the seed, it is simply a root propagated — not by 
reproduction, but by continuation, and the only 
advantage which we can conceive the large has 
over the small potato, is the nutriment its greater 
bulk would supply to the germ. If this reason is 
satisfactory, wc hope small potatoes may hereafter 
he regarded ae of some value, and, at least, be 
preserved for planting in times of great scarcity. 
As to the manner of seeding, we plant from 
twelve to fifteen bushels to the acre, cutting the 
large ones to save seed. After trying repeatedly 
the planting of large and small, ent and uncut, we 
could never discover any difference in the results. 
The Exhibition op Horses by the Wayne Co. 
Ag. Society—at Lyons, June 3il, 4th and 5th—was 
highly creditable to the Society'and exhibitors.— 
Though cool, the weather was veiy favorable, the 
display in most classes-excellent, and the attend¬ 
ance large for the busy season—including many 
Officers of Ag. Societies und prominent farmers 
from other counties. The arrangements and gen¬ 
eral management, of the Show were admirable, and 
reflect credit upon Mr. President. Tnojifts and his 
associate officers. The following premiums were 
awarded: 
CLASS I.—nOBSEB FOR ROAD. 
Hr.u. mows— l yeura old—Best, Edward .’ones, Clyde, Dip. A 
$15; 2d, Norman I lay loll PoU*<lum, “Kit Carson," (Black 
Httwh,)$lU; 3d. Robert Emits, Lyon*, ft. Three years old—Best 
.0. MiirsaUnnn, West .Itiuius, •* Voimjr Consternation," $10; 2d, 
Wtu, Van Ostium, Oijtlc, •• Black Brink," ft, 
Matcuku Ttossss—Uridines—Best, Jo*. Wtighl, Waterloo, 
Dip. A-$lft; 2d, John BenintU, l.jon., It); 3d, l,.p. Hpwir, Pal¬ 
myra, ft. Best pair inittCUi'd Mure*, tVui, Reynolds, l.yoiiB, Dip. 
mid $12 ; 2d, llarvcy Warren, do, 8. 
I'PIim Commuted respectfully report that the display was well 
desorviny yri'iil commandalioti. which Riven tniir.li credit to tlaj 
Society ol Old Wayne. There were tsvelve pairs of Cue horses 
onion'd turret pi which Were worthy of prei-e.] 
StNot.K (ixuuxcs — 4 years and over—Bod, C. .1. Perrin, 
Palmyra, $10; 2d. <!. Thompson, Clyde,H; Goo. Gantr, Lyons, 5. 
Thaw years old— Ileal, D. V. Teller Lyons, $3. 
StKULE Mares— 1 years and over—Best, John S. Balter, Mar- 
ecllns, $-; 2d, E. Dapper, Aubnrn, "Jenny Lind," 11; 3d, C. B 
lliugtmm, Palmyra. -I. Three ) rs old—H w. Dwight, Best, Au¬ 
burn, $S; 2d, John Bradley, Lyons, 5, 
CLASS 11—HORSES FOR ALL WORK. 
Htai.i.iosb— 1 years and Over—Heal, L, P. Speer, Palmyra, 
Dip. A $15; 2d, Betij Whitlock, Lyons. h>: 3d, Job Travlce, do, 
6 . Three years old Best, U W Simmon, Marlon, $3. Two 
year* old—Best. A. Hale, Lyons, "Jnek*on Black Hawk,” ti, 
2d, 11 R Westfall, do. 1. One yeat old— Best, R. A. Dovluny, 
do. $5; 2d. M D, Beadle, Mu route), .3 
Matched Gbldi.kiIS—B eal pair, II, <3 Hotchkiss, Lyons, $10; 
2d, Wm. B. Moore, do $; 3d, itobt Ennis, do, ft. 
MATCintn MABRS—Best pair, Enoch Granger, Joy, $3; 2d, T 
McCurdy, Seneca Palls, II; 3d, H. Vi. Bundle, Lyons,-I. 
Gkuoiros—B est rluglc, Jos. London, Phelps, $7; 2d, Bonj. 
Westfall, do. ft. 
Makes—B est Single, E N. Thomas, Rose, " Fanny Porter," 
$6; 2d, C. Mussulman, West Junius, 4. 
| A bay Gelding, entered by K. P Cass, of Bristol, was not 
present when thu examination took place, but one of the Jndges 
examined Mr. Case’s horse nftorwnrds and has no doubt that If 
the horte Und hem ou the ground at Ibe proper timo a premium 
would have been awarded to him.] 
(DtnoiStis—3years old—Best, K. If Crosby, Phelps, $ti. Two 
years old—Best, J. S. Rich, Marlon, $5. 
Pa.biES—2years old Best, Sani’l J. Cole, Lyons, $5; 2d, R. 
S. CTutc, Newark, 3, 
CLASS IIL-DRAFT HOR8K8. 
StALUONS 1 year* and over—Best, John G. Hermans, Falr- 
villo,I)b>. A $12. 2d, Henry Jennings, 2d, Lyon*, 8; 3d, Erastus 
Seeley, Williamson, “ Black Sampson," 4. 
Matchup Glmusks- Best pair. Wm. Myers, Lock Berlin, 
Dip. Jc$10; 2d, Wm.H. Cleon, Lyons, 8. 
Gvu» 9C08—3 yours old—John Bradley, Lyons, $8; 2d, Dan'l 
JeutiLon, Lock Berliu, l 
Bcst Filly, 2 yean old, Mnrrin C. Wetehcr, Newark, $1. 
CLASS IV.-SPEED. 
Trotting in Hamer*—3 rear* old and under, that have never 
trotted (or money—Best, John llradloy, Lyons—time -1.32, $10 ; 
2d. II. W Dwight, Auburn—time ■••37, $ft. 
Pacing In Harness, that have never Paced for monoy—Best, 
Harvey (leer, Lyon*—timo 3.12. $IU; 2d, Morris D. Beadle, Ma- 
lenKO—Ome S. 18, $5. 
Trotting in Harness—Stallions, •! year* old and -indor—Ed¬ 
ward Jones, Chile, (no competlon.) time 4,15. 
Trotthup—4 yean, old and under, that have never trotted for 
raotuty—Best, Jos. Wright. Waterloo — lime 3.10, $15; 2d, P. 
Mark Dcrnng, Clyde—time 8.65, $IU. 
Trotting in Karnes* —(Double)—that can trot ninllo In 4 min¬ 
utes—Rost, Jo* Wright, Waterloo—time 32591a, *10; 2d, P. Fen- 
tie r, F*tr Haven—time 3.5'.), $t>. 
Trotting, open to all horse* that have never trotted for money 
—Men, C. J. Fortin, Palmyra—timo 3.0ft. 1 ;, 3.0J£, $20; 2d, John 
8 . JJakor, Marcidlnv time S.06k, S.Q& $10. 
Pacing In Harness, open to ail hotter— Best, 11. Furgerson, 
Brno—timo 3,10, $16; 2d, M. Caldwell, Newark—time 3.Ulk, 10. 
Trotting In Harness, Open to all hoY*es, best" Inft—Best John 
S. Baker, Marccllns-tlmo 2ft3,\. 2.5% 2,52*,. $25; 2d, A. S. 
Mallory—Unto 2,’,%, 2.5SJi'. 2.5b, $U; 3d, Z. Williams— time 
2.61, 2,r.%, 2All. _ 
The Palmyra Union Ag. Society’s Exhibition of 
Horses ie to be held in Palmyra on the lGth and 
17th inst, and the Seneca Co. Horse Fair at Wa¬ 
terloo, on the 17th, 18th and 19th—both next week. 
Trials of Harvesting Machines. —The Mon¬ 
roe Co. Ag. Society announce a Trial of Mowers, 
Reapers, and other harvesting implements, U> take 
place on the Fair Grounds near this city, July 1st. 
The location is a capital one for the manufacturers 
and farmers of Western Mew York, and we trust 
the trial will be well attended by both classes, ami 
that the result will prove mutually beneficial and 
satisfactory. See premium list, Ac., in our adver¬ 
tising department. 
A Trial of Reapers and Mowers, under the au¬ 
spices of the Ohio State Board of Agriculture, is 
to take place at Hamilton, twenty-five miles north 
of Cincinnati, on the first day of July. Competi¬ 
tion is invited from all the States, The premi¬ 
ums, &c., have been advertised in a late Rural. — 
Presume our Buckeye, Mends will have a spirited 
trial, as they are becoming noted for their energy 
and thoroughness in such matters. 
The Trial of Reapers, Mowers, Ac., under the 
auspices of the United States Agricultural Socie¬ 
ty—to take place at Syracuse, in July, as hereto¬ 
fore announced—is designed to be very thorough 
and complete, and if properly conducted, ;.s the 
public are assured will be the case, must produce 
valuable results. At a recent meeting of the 
Executive Committee of the Society, held in Al¬ 
bany, the following named gentlemen wore consti¬ 
tuted a Board of Judges for the Trial:—J. Stanton 
Gould, New Y'ork, Chairman; Seth Scammon, Me,; 
Brooks Shattuclr, N. H.; Edwin Hammond, Yt; 
Sanford Howard, Mass.; Stephen H, Smith, R. t; 
T. 8. Gold, Conn.; B. R. Kirtland, N. Y.; Geo. 
Uartahorue, N. J.; Juo. Jones, Del.; Francis P. 
Blair, Ind.; Fred’k Watts and J. L. Darlington, Pa.; 
Gen. J. T. Worthington and Wm. A, Gill, Ohio; 
Joseph A. Moore and W. L. Underwood, Ky.; Jo¬ 
seph A. Wright, Ind.; Horace Capron, III; J. C. 
Holmes, Mich.; Wm. C. Rives,Ya.; H.K.Burgwyn, 
N. C.; A. G. Summer, B. C.; Richard Peters, Ga.; 
Lewis Worcester, Wis.; Wm. Duane, Iowa; Joseph 
E. Holmes, General Superintendent and member 
ex officio 
A Large Importation or CnoiCK Stock has 
just been made by the Illinois Cattle Importing 
Association. In noticing the shipment the Liver¬ 
pool Times says the Btook comprised thirty-two 
head of Short horn cattle, three valuable horses, 
twenty-five sheep, and twenty-five pigs—and that 
“ all the animals are of the best breeds, having 
been selected without, regard to expense, in Eng¬ 
land, Ireland and Scotland.” Most of the cattle 
have taken prizes at various shows, and the horses 
are from celebrated studs. High prices were paid 
for the animals, and the Times remarks that “the 
shipment is, in fact, the most valuable ever sent 
from this port.” We congratulate our Western 
friends upon this valuable accession of breeding 
stock. 
Grain Drills, Ac.—Of late we have received 
several inquiries relative to Grain Drills. The 
most recent is from Mr. D. B. Paine, of De Kalb 
Centre, De Kalb Co., 111., who writes as follows:— 
“Permit me t.o inquire through the Rural, where 
I can obtain one of the best Grain Drills now in 
use, and the price. Also, a one-horac drill for 
drilling in corn, peas, and carrot seed, Ate. I would 
say as the Grain Drill is much needed in this 
country, that I would like to procure a good drill 
—and will act as agents for the manufactui er, in 
this county.” 
— It would probably pay the manufacturers of 
the most approved drills now in use, were they to 
inform the readers of the Rural where and by 
whom said implements are made and sold, the 
price, Ac. _ 
Potato Meal. —At a recent meeting of the 
American Institute Farmers’ Club, Mr. M. B. 
Southwick, of Canada West, exhibited some spe¬ 
cimens of meal made from dried potatoes. For 
one shilling a bushel of potatoes can be turned 
into meal. It keeps any length of time if pre¬ 
served dry—with three times its weight of water 
and boiled five minutes, a tolerably fair sample of 
mashed potatoes is presented. Some of it was 
prepared and tasted by members; the preparation 
seemed to form a very good apology for mashed 
potatoes. 
A Steam Plow was recently tested at Fran- 
cisville, Ind. The soil was quite wot, and decided¬ 
ly unfavorable for the trial, yet the Lafayette 
Courier states, on the authority of a gentleman 
who was present, that the practicability of the in¬ 
vention was satisfactorily demonstrated. A num¬ 
ber of plows were attached, and the soil laid open 
to the depth of eight or ten inches. From the ex¬ 
periment made it was thought that two men could 
plow twenty acres a day with the steam plow. 
Tbe Grasshoppers are proving very destruc¬ 
tive in some parts of Minnesota. A St. Anthony 
paper hears appalling accounts of their ravages 
in Wright, Washington and Hennepin counties, 
where the ravenous insects have appeared In great 
numbers, and threaten " the entire destruction of 
every green thing.” It is feared that the farmers 
will Buffer severely, unless the backward spring 
and wot weather check the hatching and energy 
of the rapacious enemy, 
HUBBARD’S “YIELDING FINGER BilLR muvviftit. 
Tub above cut gives a fair representation of a new Mowing Machine, invented and patented by M, 
G. Hubbard, Esq., of Penn Yan, N. Y.,—a legal gentleman who has successfully devoted considerable 
attention to the mechanic arts, and Invented several improvements in Agricultural machinery. The 
machine was on exhibition at the recent Sheep Show, and attracted considerable attention from its 
novelty and supposed advantages. It combines some new features and apparent improvements 
which promise well The yielding finger bar is a good idea; and the machine is so constructed that 
the driver can readily adjust the height of the cutting apparatus—another good feature. It certainly 
has a good look, yet we arc unprepared to express a decided opinion as to its merits, not having seen 
it in operation. We trust it will be tested at, the Trials of Mowers in this city and Syracuse, in July. 
See announcement of the Patentee in our advertising department. 
into the animal’s ears, would generally effect a 
cure. This I tried, but the sheep became rapidly 
worse, and in less than an hour laid down to die; 
and, in the course of the night, did die, much to 
tbe grief of her lambs, whose pitifulbleatings were 
enough to touch any heart. 
“Staggers in sheep” is said to he caused by the 
sheep-fly, (Cephalemias ovis,) which deposits its 
eggs in the nostrils of sheep during the summer 
as the goad-jly does in the skin on the backs of 
cattle. These eggs hatoh into maggots, which 
usually eat their way out and fall to the ground 
without injuring the sheep. Sometimes, however, 
they work their way upwards into the passages of 
the nose, and produce an inflammation which af¬ 
fects the whole brain, rendering the animal blind 
and helpless. 
The sheep died Saturday night, and Monday 
morning 1 found decomposition so far advanced 
that to get the wool off and bury her was enough 
for ub, without making any post-mortem examina¬ 
tion. So I am not sure it wo* “ Staggers,” or that 
its cause was grub in the head, anti I want to lay 
the case before your farming readers, in the hope 
they may be able to throw some light on it, 
as well as to furnish other remedies useful in dis¬ 
eases of sheep and lambs, prevalent at different 
seasons of the year. 
1 find it impossible to learn the lambs at their 
present age, to suck milk— but they eat the heads 
and leaves from good clover hay, and will cat 
bread soaked in milk if put into their mouths, so I 
expect to raise them, and if grass ever grows to 
have two fine Bheep, notwithstanding their early 
orphanage^ b. 
Niagara Co., N. Y., 1857- 
But among numberless experiments which have 
been made with a view to compare the produce of 
plantations of different sizes of cuttings, those of 
entire potatoes were generally stated to be superior. 
It has been found that the crop was in some meas¬ 
ure proportionate to the weights of the sets; and 
that it was more profitable to plant small potatoes 
than small cuttings. Others, however, found that 
the difference in produce per acre, between large 
and small, cut or uncut, potatoes for sets, was quite 
immaterial; but. that the saving in the quantity 
planted, was so much in favor of the cut ones as 
to require only fifteen bushels, while whole po¬ 
tatoes consumed one-third more bushels per acre. 
It has been ascertained by repeated trials, that 
every variety of the potato, when propagated dur¬ 
ing a series of years, either by cuttings of the tuber 
or by tbe whole tubers, is likely to degenerate; 
in some, the quality remaining good, after the 
produce in quantity has become defective, while 
with others, it disappears with the vigor of the 
plant. C. N. Bement. 
Springside, Po’keepsie, May, 1857- 
State Fairs for 1857.— The following State 
Agricultural Societies have designated the time 
for holding their exhibitions: 
New Y'ork, at Bufialo, .....Oct. 6, 7, 8, 9. 
Ohio, at Cincinnati,__..Sept. 15,10,17,18. 
Canada West, at Brantford,.Sept. 29, 30, Oct. 1,2 
Canada Emit, at Montreal,..Sept. 16,17,18. 
Ea»t T-'iin.-PM-o, at Knoxville,..Oct. 20, 21, 22, 23. 
Illinois, at Peoria,.Sept. 21, 22, 23, 24. 
Iowa, at Muscatine,__..Oct 6, 7, 8, 9. 
Kentucky, at Henderson....Oct. 32,13,14, 15,16. 
Maryland, nt Baltimore,__..Oct. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25. 
MaMacUuietts, at Boston--Oct. 21, 22, 23, 24. 
Pennsylvania, .. .. .Sept- 20,30 It Oct. 1,2. 
U. 8. Ag. Soc’ty, at Louisville, Ky.,.Sept. 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6. 
Vermont, at Montpelier,.....Sept. 30 A Oct. 1, 2. 
Virginia,..Oct. 28, 29, 30, 31. 
Wert Tennessee, at Jackson,.Oct. 27. 28, 20, 30. 
Wisconsin, nt Janesville,.. .Sept 29, 30, Oct. 1, 2. 
New Jersey, at Now Brunswick,... Sept. 20, 30, Oct. 1,2. 
Indiana, at Indianapolis,.Oct. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10. 
New Hampshire, at Concord,.....,.Oct. 7,8, 9. 
Connecticut, at Bridgeport,.Oct. 13,14,15,16. 
North Carolina, at Raleigh,.Oct 20,21, 22, 23. 
Alabama, at Montgomery,.Oct 27, 2S, 29, 30. 
South Carolina, at Columbia,.Nov. 10,11,12. 
Eds. Rural: —As the introduction of the weevil 
into our midst has exploded all hopes of wheat 
growing for the present in Niagara Co., farmers 
are beginning to calculate on a change of pro¬ 
cedure which, at the best, cannot be effected with¬ 
out considerable inconvenience and loss. The na¬ 
ture of our soil appears not to be well adapted to 
spring crops on account of the severe drouths that, 
usually occur in summer; however, some are in¬ 
tent on trying Barley for, in the absence of a Pro¬ 
hibitory law, it will require considerable Ale, if 
not some Rye, to keep up the spirits of the tippling 
multitude. 
The present high prices of stock at a glance 
might Bcem to offer a sufficient inducement to give 
that branch of husbandry a trial for a business, 
but let us count tbe cost first by comparing the 
fall price with the spring, and the expense of 
keep, and see how it will foot up. Now I know a 
good farm stock inthistown, consisting oflhlrteen 
head of cattle, six horses and sixty sheep, of lull 
average quality, all young and growing. I find by 
estimating according to the general price of like 
property at the commencement of foddering, say 
first of December, would amount to 51,120, and 
then again tbe middle of May following, $1,425; a 
nett gatn of $3U5. The estimated value of feed 
consumed $364, calling hay $9,00 per ton, straw 
and corn fodder In proportion, aside from the la¬ 
bor of taking care and feeding. If brother farmers 
make their calculations from estimates and figures, 
1 for one would like to see their figuring in the 
Rural, (for that we call the farmers dictionary 
here,) so that all interested may know how much 
their profits are. Prom my experience in the 
matter I find the only way to have it pay well is to 
Becure the best animals, then give them the best of 
care; in this way the demand will secure prices 
that will pay a good profit, while the medium or 
inferior animal will leave the producer in debt. 
Cambria, Niagara, Co., 1857. L. B. D. 
Heaves in Horses—Exemption at the West, 
—The opinion, in this vicinity, is prevalent, that 
horses never have the heaves in Wisconsin or Borne 
other of the Western States, and also that horses 
taken from Canada or from the East, are perfectly 
cured in a short time. A friend informed me that 
the remedy was supposed to be a peculiar kind of 
weed, but could not state positively. If you or 
any of your numerous readers will inform me 
(through your columns) the facts, nature of the 
weed (II a weed) and whether or no it can be im¬ 
ported with same results, you will oblige me as 
well as many other of your readers in Canada.— 
Z. B. Lewis, Drummondoille, C. IV. 
Remarks.— The statements made to our corres.’ 
pondent we believe are correct. The heaves, we 
think, arc unknown at the West. We sojourned 
several months in Illinois and other Western 
Slates last summer, and never saw a horse affected 
with this disease. A gentleman who raises a great 
number informed us that he would not consider a 
horse brought from the East with the heaves of 
any lesH value on that, account, as pasturing for a 
month or so on the prairies would insure a cure.— 
This is supposed to be effected by a weed which 
abounds on moBt of the prairies called the Rosin 
Weed. It Is relished by both horses and cattle, 
and it is very evident from the manner in which 
they pick it ont of their hay that they prefer it to 
the prairie grass. We do not know that this weed 
has ever been tried hero or in Canada. We in¬ 
tended last season to prepare and seud home a 
bale, but circumstances prevented. Here is a fine 
opening for some enterprising genius to get np a 
patent horse medicine. We shall only claim five 
per cent, on the profits for the hint. 
Discussion on Potato Culture. —The mem¬ 
bers of the Connecticut Legislature are holding 
weekly meetings for the discussion of Agricultural 
topics. At tho first meeting, held a few evenings 
since, Potatoes aud other Root Crops formed the 
subject of discussion, (the same that was to have 
been talked about at, the last meeting of our Mon¬ 
roe. Co. Farmers' Club,) and much valuable Infor¬ 
mation was elicited. A matter worthy the consid¬ 
eration of the “assembled wisdom” of Connecti¬ 
cut, ought certainly to receive some attention from 
our people, aud wo presume that, had those inter¬ 
ested been prescut at our “ Potato Meeting,” tho 
result would have been highly beneficial in “teach¬ 
ing one-another” and community, relative to the 
best mode of culture, varieties, Ac., of this impor¬ 
tant and profitable esculent. At the discussion 
above alluded to, one gentleman said that he had 
planted potatoes at three different times in the 
Barne season, say early in April, May and the 15th 
of June; that the first planted were dug In Sept., 
and nearly all rotted; that the latest planted were 
dug late in October, and appeared sound when 
dug but rotted during the winter, lie also stated 
that when he had manured the hill the same year 
of planting, Hint ho had almost invariably lost his 
crop. Another gentleman remarked that when ho 
had planted on pasture land, and put ashes and 
plaster in the hill, be had a good, sound crop.— 
Nearly every speaker had his favorite variety, 
among which were the Dover, the Merino, the 
Pink-Eye, the Peach-Blossom, English White, ^'C. 
Arrival op a Grand Turk. —By the last arri¬ 
val of the steamer Washington, Mr. Samuel 
Thorne, of Dutchess County, the most extensive 
breeder of first-class Short-born cattle in tbe 
Eastern States, received from England a very 
celebrated and valuable bull of this breed, called 
the “ Grand Turk.” Ilia highness was forwarded 
to his new residence, where a harem of cowb 
awaits him, immediately alter his arrival. 
• 4 - «-— 
Aiiout Breaking C’oi.tb, an exchange pithily 
remarks:—General principles should prevail here, 
as elsewhere. These are—1. Begin early. 2. Be¬ 
gin by degrees. 3. Be gentle and patient. -1. Be 
firm. 5. Feed well with generous, bnt not too 
stimulating food. 6. Be very sure neither to over¬ 
task the strength, or crush the spirits of a colt. 
WHAT AXLBD THE 8HEJ3P P—STAGGERS. 
Eds. Rural. — Last Saturday afternoon, when I 
went to carry a half-blood Merino ewe some 
water, I found her sick—the symptoms as follows: 
Violent trembling of tbe whole body, aud shaking 
of the head; appearing nearly blind when walking, 
and although quite tame, as if terribly frightened at 
my approach. I had kept her shut by herself in a 
comfortable shed, in order to feed her better, as she 
had fine twin lambs about two months old. Her 
food had been what bay she would eat, with about, 
one pint of scalded oatmeal per day, and both the 
ewe and lambs were doing welL 
The question with me was, “what ailed the 
sheep?” I consulted “ A llen’s Domestic Animats, v 
but found no such symptoms described — save in 
the name of one disease—the “blind staggers.” T 
then turned to the Rubaj. Nkw-Yobkku for 1855, 
and found a description agreeing very well with 
the case in question, the writer stating that spirits 
| of turpentine—fifteen or twenty drops — poured 
Late Sown Wheat.— This season has been so 
remarkably backward that very much grain will 
be bowu late. Oats, as is generally known, are 
quite likely to be Injured by rust if sown late, but 
wheat in this (Oneida) county, docs much better.— 
The early sown wheat, In this vicinity, last year, 
was not half a crop, while that sown about tho first 
of J une gave a very satisfactory yield. Some far¬ 
mers solved part of thoir ground early, leaving the 
remainder till much later. The.lr late sown was 
greatly superior. By late Bowing it seems to come 
on at an unpropitious season for tho various in¬ 
sects which have for a number of years Infested 
our wheat fields, and they are compelled to look 
elsewhere for food, or die from hunger.—L„ Farm 
of the Willows, May 20,1867. 
The Foreign Grain Crops. —The latest Euro¬ 
pean advices state that the growing grain in Great 
Britain and on the Continent presents a highly 
promising appearance. The weather iu I'jngland 
was genial _ __ _ 
Tub Orleans Co. Fair is to bo held on tho 1st 
and 2d days of October, on tho Society’s Grounds 
in Albion. 
The Grass Crop promises to be abundant, the 
present season, in this region. The weather is 
favorable for a largo yield. 
A Prolific Bubep. —In Somerset county, Me., a 
sheep owned by F. K. Farrar, 0 years old, bas bad 
12 lambs. At first two, three and four years old, 
two each time; then one, and Oils spring five, 
which are “all alive and doing well” 
