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[ SINGLE NO. FIVE CENTS 
MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
A If ORIGINAL WEEKLY 
Agricultnral, Literary and Family Newspaper, 
application of seed, it was to be supposed that be¬ 
ing similar in soil and receiving similar treatment 
the coincidence would be carried out to the end. 
The result is, that while the forty acres will yield 
considerably over eight hundred bushels, the ten 
would have been quickly sold to any one offering 
fifty bushels. The dampness of the soil bad re¬ 
tarded the growth and hardening of the grain and 
the midge had levied upon and appropriated al¬ 
most the entire crop. Between the two fields there 
was nothing but a narrow cattle-path leading from 
the pasture. In conversation with the cultivator 
he remarked that “when he had completed the 
course of draining which he intendod to give the 
ten acres, he would not pay any man a premium to 
insure his crops.” In water-soaked 3oils the nec¬ 
essary heat cannot be generated—vegetation does 
not receive a tithe of the benefit it ought from 
stimulants applied—the air is shut out, aud half- 
drowned roots will not support anything more 
than a half grown crop. 
Again, prodnciive labor is that which raises 
maximum crops in the- most economical manner. 
As the agriculturist occupies the most extensive 
department of human industry, how important it 
is that he should avail himself of every means by 
which this end may be attained. Whether the 
production of cereals, the dairy, stock raising, or 
fruit growing be best adapted to his farm, the ob¬ 
ject he should always keep in view is the attain¬ 
ment of the highest standard of returns with the 
least expenditure. To accomplish this the hus¬ 
banding of all the sources of fertility—the thor¬ 
ough preparation of land—care in the selection of 
seed—obtaining the best stroma of blood for do¬ 
mestic animals—in fact, the exercise of all the 
means and agencies that can be brought t.o bear 
are necessary. Without this, compute success is 
among the impossibilities—with It, obstacles ap- 
parcr !>y mouDnotiu able aie p^ssei. over with ease, 
and the Harvest Home iB rendered a season of 
plenty and rejoicing. 
season, was produced, and we were much interest¬ 
ed in its examination. We give the principal 
items, ranging them according to their relative 
importance:—Potatoes, peaches, apples, strawber¬ 
ries, barley, oats, batter, cheese, calves, turnips and 
carrots, with Borne other minor articles, all footing 
up a good round profit, to the intelligent and in¬ 
dustrious owner of a well managed small farm.— 
With such a diversity of crops, it is impossible 
that all should fail in one season, or even enough 
seriously to inconvenience the cultivator by their 
loss. 
We were quite interested in an attempt to grow 
the cranberry. Two plantations had been made, 
one on a wet piece of land that in ordinary sea¬ 
sons is dry enough for turnip sowing, the other in 
a sandy swamp where nothing bnt rushes ever 
grew. The plants were pat oat this spring, grew 
well, and at the time of onr visit were finely in 
blossom, giving every prospect of a crop, even the 
first season. Those in the rushy swamp looked 
the best. The swamp was prepared by merely 
skinning off the surface, so as to get rid of the 
coarse, reedy grass. The only difficulty in the 
cultivation of the cranberry seems to he to keep 
the weeds down until the plants can take care of 
themselves, if they ever get in a condition to do 
this. But the crop will well pay for all necessary 
labor and expenditure. 
the crowd, broken up into little knots, some dis¬ 
cussing the prospect of the crops, or the best 
breeds of sheep, or cattle and horses, while occa¬ 
sionally an old veteran was giving his experience 
of the hardships of the pioneer, and the great 
contrast which is shown between the country of 
to-day and as it appeared twenty-five and thirty 
years ago. On the other side of the road. In a 
little grove partly natural aud partly artificial, and 
in front of the house, a long table was being spread 
and preparations making for a substantial feast._ 
Unfortunately for the comfort of the hostess, just 
before placing the victuals upon the table it began 
to sprinkle, with the premonitory symptoms of a 
heavy shower. Tables were soon extemporized in 
the house, and the older portion of the guests 
were invited to seat themselves and partake of the 
bounties heaped upon them. My huDgry reader, 
if in yonr memory there lingers any recollection 
of the last Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, 
then I need not tell you of the roast turkey and 
chicken pie, and all the appropriate accompani¬ 
ments which loaded the tables, nor with what 
rapidity they disappeared. Tour experience is 
better than my pen, and I leave you to your im¬ 
agination. After ail had been fed to their utmost 
desires, the company assembled In front of the 
piazza, and was addressed by several of the gentle¬ 
men present, and hearty cheers given for Mr. and 
Mrs. Langdon and Mr. and Mrs. Stewart, with a 
sincere wish that they might live long to enjoy 
these annual festivals, which afforded so much 
pleasure to their guests—of which there were some 
two or three hundred present. 
The company now adjourned to the shearing 
floor, which hail been swept out and putin as i;ood 
order as a barn floor could well be, when the dan¬ 
cing commenced. I obtained a partner, the ac¬ 
quaintance of the hour, and may 6he never in her 
d r, n«’ f if-' K ?ree Anythin? to give her greater 
trouble than a rough barn floor and an old grey¬ 
headed man for a partner. I went through the 
mazes of the cotillion in that barn, with its large 
doors open, through which came the rays of the 
declining gun and the cool, delicious breeze, for 
the rain was over, with as much zest and pleasure 
as I ever felt in the mo3t magnificent halls, deco¬ 
rated by the lavish hands of wealth and art.— 
Pleasure is always near us, if we do but possess the 
talisman to evoke her presence. When I came 
away, which was before 6undown, the youngsters 
seemd enjoying themselves in the highest degrse, 
nor did they disperse till quite into the small hoars. 
Commend me to this kind of sheep-shearing. Care 
loses a wrinkle when he comes in contact with such 
festivals. Aud while I wish Mr. Langdon many a 
one as pleasant as that of yesterday, I cannot but 
hope they will be more generally adopted through 
the country.—p. [July nth. 
The Italian Rye-grass has lately been introduced 
here, and has not, perhaps, been thoroughly tried. 
It is highly recommended in England and Scotland 
as being adapted to the soiling system of stock- 
feeding, and especially as producing a great growth 
nnder the application of liquid manure. With 
this treatment it is said to have been cut five times 
in a season, producing a crop equal to 10 or 12 tuns 
of hay to the acre. In Buch cases the Bward receiv¬ 
ed a liberal supply of liquid manure after each 
cutting. This species is Baid to be only biennial. 
CONDUCTED BY D. D. T. MOORE, 
WITH AN ABLE CORPS OK ASSISTANT F.DITOR& 
SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS I 
Paor. C. DEWEY, T. C. I'ETKRS, 
Lt M. K. MAURY, H. T. BROOKS, 
Dr. ASA PITCH, EWD. WEBSTER, 
T. 8. ARTHUR, Mrs. M. J. HOLMES, 
LYMAN B LANGWORTHY. 
Tn* Rural New-Yorker is designed to bo unsurpassed in 
Value, Purity. Usefulness and Vaiiety of Contents, and unique 
and benntifnl In Appearance. Ite Conductor devotes his per¬ 
sonal attention to tbe supervision of Its various departments, 
and earnestly Inborn to render the Rural an etuineutiy Reliable 
Guide on the Important Practical, Scientific and other Subjects 
Intimately connected with the husiuex of those whose Interests 
it sealously advocates- It embraces more Agricnlturai, Horti¬ 
cultural. Scientific, Mechanical, Literary and News Matter, 
Interspersed with appropriate and beautiful Engravings, than 
any other Journal,—rendering it the most complete Aartt cultu¬ 
ral. Literary ar» Family Journal in America 
K37*AT1 communications hu> 1 business letters, should be 
addressed to 1). D. T. MOORE, Rochester, N. Y. 
For Terms, and other particulars, sea last page. 
LANGLON’3 SHEEP-8 HEARING FESTIVAL, 
Reason a3 we will the impelling power in the 
accomplishment of any design is reward. A re¬ 
turn in some form is what actuates laborers in all 
conditions of life, and amid the multifarious em¬ 
ployments pursued by the human family, the 
gratification of some peculiar development of 
mind, or the supply of some want, is the incentive 
that Inspirits the v>il-woi*n and urges the task to 
completion. Were it not for tins ‘•mecil to be 
won/’ enterprise would lie down and die—the cul¬ 
tivated fields become desolate, silence brood where 
now Is heard the hum of the busy wheel and the 
click of the shuttle, ships would rot and ocean in¬ 
deed be a 41 waste of water,” while despuir, mant¬ 
ling the human face, would reign supreme. We 
prate about the “infringement of our liberties” 
when we discover, or think we do, some aggres¬ 
sion, but if ever any one should endeavor to 
wrench from the people the liberty to labor, the pe¬ 
riod has then arrived to drop all words, and pat in 
play arguments noted for the proclivity to hori¬ 
zontally by them imparted to the object against 
which they are brought to bear. 
Work is the necessity of a healthy man and one 
who would remain so. Physical strength is given 
ns to use, and mental powor is furnished to guide 
and direct that we be not “blind leading the 
blind” and meeting with the fate inevitable under 
such circumstances. Work is to a community what 
the heart is to the physical system —the engine which 
not only gives circulation to the sources of life 
but prepares them for use by abstracting whatever 
is pernicious and infusing whatever is needed to 
sustain, luvigorate and fully develop. The edict 
In the sweat of thy face ahalt thon eat bread” 
has proved to man, constituted as he is, his 
When I sit down to write an article for the Ru¬ 
ral, it often occurs to me to ask you. Colonel, 
whether yon prefer to have it very brief, or a little 
spun out—whether yon prefer truth, naked, or in 
a dress hanging distrs*singly straight and close 
to her 1—imb8, or expanded with crinoline and 
boop3 into a beautiful t-rnloal form—abroad base 
rcsliug open nothing be i. t?o 2 ittU fa. te, Ca . • :u, fa 
your admiration that they are able to sustain so 
large a superstructure. For my own part I prefer 
naked truth. I am willing, upon an emergency, 
to go to the bottom of the well after her, though 
I have never been able to understand the necessity 
of her keeping herself in such a damp and inac¬ 
cessible situation. I think she would he doing a 
much greater service to be round among folks a 
little more freely, so that people coaid sec and 
converse with her occasionally, and become more 
attached to her. Still I am aware tastes differ, and 
as it’s yonr duty to cater for a great multitude, I 
feel bound to defer my own predilections to your 
better judgment in these matters. All this, there¬ 
fore, is in the way of a parenthesis, and for your 
especial consideration. 
Mr. Langdon is my neighbor, that is he lives 
only some seven or eight miles south of me, in the 
town of Bennington, Wyoming Co. He has long 
been known aa a wool grower and breeder of fine 
Merino sheep, bnt it is only within a few years 
that his operations have Bwelled into the magni¬ 
tude they now disclose. Last year he had shorn 
over two thousand head; this year’s clip only 
reaches to some seventeen hundred fleeces. He 
has probably one of the largest flocks in the State. 
Last year he instituted a sheep-shearing festival, 
which, not belngadvised of, I did not witness. Yes. 
terday, however, he had his second annual festival, 
and having been duly bidden thereto, I attended. 
What the first one was, I do not know, but cap 
affirm that thiB was very pleasant indeed. At the 
time of our arrival there were but few present— 
The shearers were busy at their work; some caught 
the unshorn sheep, others marked the shorn and 
put them out, while others placed the fieocesttpon 
the folding table and rolled them up, ready for 
market. Much of this was done by Mr. Langdon 
in person, and to our surprise he does not, use the 
folding or fleece-box at all, bnt carefully rolling up 
the fleece preparatory to putting it into a box, 
proceeds to tie it by hand. He prefers this meth¬ 
od, and certainly makes his fleeces look very well, 
but does not give them so handsome and tidy an 
appearanco as when the box is used. 
Everything about the shearing floor went on 
with great regularity and order; especially wag U 
noticed in the rapid evaporation of moisture from 
most of the guests, as was shown by their repeated 
calls upon the water department, which was duly 
flunked with lemonade single, and lemonade with 
a rye stick in it. Both kinds had their admirers, 
though it is due to the company to say that among 
thorn all there was no Indication that it had in a 
singleinstance been used to excess. Mr. Stewart, 
the partner, who presided admirably in this de¬ 
partment, produced some very excellent currant 
wine ot his own manufacture, which, diluted with 
considerable of the cold water that gushes out. of 
the spring by the house, wub imbibed by an inti¬ 
mate friend of yours, dear reader,—just by way of 
testing its quality, nothing more,—and it was cap¬ 
ital; you may take my word for that 
Company now began to arrive quite freely._ 
Fanners with their wives and daughters, mer¬ 
chants and lawyers, young men and women, and 
many of the leading farmers of that oounty and 
from the counties of Genesee and Orleans, were in 
In consequence of the frequent and heavy 
showers about “ haying time,” great difficulty has 
been experienced, not only in curing hay so as to 
preserve its nutritive qualities, and delightful 
aroma, but even in getting it dry enough to store 
away in tbo mow with safety. It is sometimes a 
nice point with the farmer during a “catching 
time,” whethc^it is the part of wisdom to run the 
risk of the showers, which the dark, threatening 
clouds warn him are rapidly approaching, or to 
put on all available force and hurry the hay to the 
bam in its wet state. 
On one of onr late excursions among the work¬ 
ing farmers we took shelter in a barn from a heavy 
thunder shower. The owner, anticipating the 
storm, had labored for the last hour or so to se¬ 
cure all the grass and clover that had been cut. 
and just ua the large drops began to fall, happily 
drove the last load under cover, and the “ boys” 
sent up a shout of triumph as they threw them¬ 
selves upon the mow to enjoy a rest 
“Rather wet for mowing,” we remarked, taking 
up a handful. 
“Yes, rather moist,” replied the farmer, “bnt 
we can save it I never lose any hay after I get it 
under cover.” 
This introduced a conversation on the various 
methods he had tried, and his present practice in 
saving wet hay. Once he used staked lime and 
salt, scattering it over as the hay was put away in 
tho mow, but after repeated trials came to the 
conclusion that if the lime was not injurious to 
the hay and the stock, it was at least unnecessary. 
Formerly, he put with the new occasionally a layer 
ol old hay. This answered very well. When con¬ 
venient he would throw the hay as brought in on 
one side of tho mow, and after a few days remove 
it to the other side, forking it over well. This 
generally put an end to all disposition to heat— 
Ilis great reliance at present, however, was upon 
salt The quantity used depeuded upon the damp¬ 
ness of the hay when put *way. This is a surety 
against “ musty" hay, as it invariably keeps it 
sweet. It is little trouble and no expense, as the 
Btock will need the salt in sortie other form if not 
given with the hay. 
The Chinese Sugar Cane hardly meets expec¬ 
tations here, thus far. Planted at the same time, 
aud treated in every way like corn, it has not 
made half as much growth, so far as we have seen. 
On first coming up it is very slender aud grows 
but slowly for a long time, so that unless weeded 
by hand it becomes nlmOBt smothered before the 
rows arc sufficiently diatiuct to use the cultivator. 
The farmers in this section are very wisely ex¬ 
tending their range of crops. It is no uncommon 
thing tor a farmer here to sell in one Bcason a va¬ 
riety of produce that would surprise farmers in 
other parts of the country where one or two crops 
are tho principal dependence. As this was the 
subject of conversation while we were enjoylug 
the hospitalities of a friend, and lounging in the 
farmer’s summer parlor, the shade of a tine chest¬ 
nut tree, the account book, showing the sales last 
DACTYL1S GLOMERATA. 
Dactylis.— The Dactylis glomerata — Orchard- 
grass, Cocksfoot—is considerably cultivated in 
some parts of the United States, taough it does 
not appear to be as highly esteemed here as in its 
native country — Europe. In some of the Middle 
States, however, it is preferred to Timothy (Phleum 
praiense) for mixing with clover for hay, as it ri¬ 
pens earlier and at the same period as the kind of 
clover ('IVifoliuta medium?J there cultivated. But 
it is not so valuable for hay aa for pasturage. 
When mixed with other plants it stands in tus¬ 
socks, above the general surface, making the sward 
uneven and not easy to be mown smoothly. As a 
permanent meadow grass it is best by itself; and 
seed enough should be sown to have the plants 
cover the whole ground and make a thick, even 
sward. On account of the lightness of the seed, 
not less than three bushels is required for an acre. 
Orohard-grass is well adapted to slaty soils, and 
will grow on all tolerably dry, friable soils of 
medium quality, lt is very tenacious of life, and 
when once fairly established will sustain itself a 
long time. It starts with the first warmth of 
spring, is less checked by drouth than almost any 
other species, and grows till the ground freezes.— 
As a pasture grass it is highly valuable. It shoots 
vigorously immediately after being cut or eaten 
off It mases but few stems or seed-stalks, but its 
leaves are numerous, and they grow during the 
whole season, reaching the length of two feet or 
more, and forming, when untouched, a thick cov¬ 
ering to the ground. Perennial. 
Avkna.— The species Avena elatior — Tall Oat- 
grass—has been cultivated in some parts of the 
country. It has sometimes been highly extolled, 
but has not, on actual trial, supported the claims 
which some have set up for it It is a coarse 
light, strawy grass, not well relished by any kind’ 
of stock, as is proved by its being left in pastures 
when other species are eaten down. It grows 
three feet high, but stands thinly on the ground, 
and its bulk consists almost wholly of long, hollow 
stems. 
Festuca. —This genus comprises several valua¬ 
ble species, the most common of which in this 
country ia the Festuca pralensis— Meadow Fescue. 
This abounds on rich old grass-fields in some 
neighborhoods, although it is seldom purposely 
sown. It ripens at the same period with the Juue- 
grass, and as most cultivated grasses arc act at 
that time sufficiently matured to cut for hay, the 
Meadow Fescue stands till itshedsit st-eda and thns 
propagates Itself. It is a good early pasture grass, 
producing abundance of long leaves and but little 
weight Of atoms — and is readily eaten by stock.— 
It is conspicuous from its glossy green color. The 
Ohio Cultivator states that this is the “Randall- 
grass” of Virginia. Perennial. 
Bromus.— The Bromus Secalinus — C hess, or 
Cheat— ia a well known pest in most wheat dis¬ 
tricts of this country. As illustrating the want of 
THE GRASSES: 
CONCLUSION OF MR. HOWARD’S PRIZE ESSAY 
country. Sinclair describes two varieties of this 
species—major and minor—the latter differing 
from the former “in the dagger-like points which 
terminate the husks, these being longer and more 
recurved or bent outwards; the husks longer in 
every respect, and less ciliated.” The larger is the 
kind commonly grown in the United States, aud is 
too well known to need any further notice. 
Tkiticum. —The Iriticum repens — Witch-grass, 
Couch-grass, Ac.—is well known in many parts of 
the country, and is commonly regarded as a pest, 
from the difficulty of destroying it, and the injury 
it does to other plants by choking their growth. 
When left to itself it soon monopolizes the soil.— 
Yet lt will not make a very large crop; it is too 
thin as it stands and too strawy to give a heavy 
yield, and where the ground is rich and moi&t it 
lodges down and turns yellow before it is fully 
grown. Stock will eat i t pretty well, both as grass 
and hay. It is a good grass for blowing sand?, 
which are not to be plowed, the strong lateral and 
perennial roots bindingthe surface. A committee 
of an agricultural society in a neighboring State, 
reported that this is a very valuable grass, aud 
earnestly recommended its cultivation. This is 
the only instance recollected where its cultivation 
has been advocated. Dr. Darlington says, “It is 
desirable to keep our farms as clear of it as possi¬ 
ble,” a decision in which a large proportion of 
good farmers would readily acquiesce. 
Lolium.— Under the name of Rye-grass, Ray- 
grass, Ac., various species of thia genua have been 
introduced into this country. The Lolium permne 
—Perennial Rye-grass—grows from a foot to two 
feet high; starts very early in spring, but shoots 
up rather thin and spiry. On warm loams it 
makes good early pasture for sheep and lambs. It 
ripens early, about the time of tho June gras- 1 , 
(Poa prutensis,) but does not make as much leaf- 
herbage as the latter. It does not, by itself, pro* 
duce a large crop of hay, but the quality appears 
to be good. 
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