arTGRICULTURT 
ROCHESTER, ». Y.-FOR THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY n, 1864 
I WHOLE NO. 737, 
MOORE'S RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
AN ORIGINAL WEEKLY 
RURAL, I.ITERARY AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER 
| papers. For we have seen C. D. Roberts, of 
I Jacksonville, III,, put mush in a linen bag, and 
by washing it with pure water, produce, in a 
lew moments, a sample very nearly or quite as 
good as this sent us by Mr. Reynolds. An d 
there is no chemical as cheap as water. 
'/Tie difficulty in the tray of making Sorghum 
Sugar is not removed by M r. Riggs. Let our 
readers remember that. He does not make 
sugar. lie cauuot. lie simply cleanses it after 
it is made. And this is not, non has it ever 
been, a very difficult matter. AVc advise our 
readers, therefore, to spend no money to pro¬ 
cure this process—at least, be not deceived by 
the announcement that with it sugar is made; 
for it is false. 
— The foregoing was written for last week’s 
Rural, but crowded out. Immediately on 
receiving the letter from Mr. Reynolds, from 
which we have quoted above, we wrote ‘him 
substantially what we have above written con¬ 
cerning the value of this discovery, rewwing to 
his memory Mr. Roberts’ process of Washing 
the mush. To-day, (Feb. 18th,) we have his 
reply, in which he says: —“The process of 
Roberts’ is identical with Riggs’— accom¬ 
plishes just as much and no more. Both make 
good sugar in a small i cay. The remaining 
question is, can a pressure be formed to expel 
the molasses, Ac. 
HYDRAULIC RAMS, 
MERCURIAL OINTMENT FOR ‘‘PICKING.’’ 
In our article on “Sheep Work in February,” 
we recommended the application of the blue 
mercurial ointment of the druggists’ shops, 
mixed thoroughly with five or six equal parts of 
lard— with caution in respect to the amount 
used—to sheep which bite or “pick” their own 
woo* to a seriously injurious extent. In our 
recent visit to Vermont we learned from Wil¬ 
liam R. Sanford, of Orwell, one of the most 
experienced shepherds of that State, that he 
was in the habit of applying this remedy, and 
always with successful results, lie uses apiece 
of the size of an ordinary chestnut to each 
sheep, if necessary—rubbing a little of it with 
the end of a finger thoroughly into the skin 
whereon the wool is started. This is repeated a 
second time if the picking is not discontinued. 
Mr. Sanford does not.attribute the supposed 
irritation of the skin which occasions “'{licking'’ 
to the sheep lying on beds of heating dung; for 
he says, “they are as apt to pick in the fall 
when they are out as when they are housed.” 
He attributes it to some change in the skin 
occasioned by an improvement in condition, and 
says “it is the oily sheep which pick themselves 
most.” 
Another distinguished Vermont flock-master 
informed us that he killed two sheep by apply¬ 
ing to them the mercurial ointment of the shops, 
without weakening it bv any additions of lard, 
lie thought, too, he used a piece on each rather 
larger than a chestnut. 
A third flock-master of the same State ad¬ 
mitted to us that he killed several valuable 
sheep by applying red precipitate in tbe samJ 
way and for the same purpose. lie did not 
state the amount used. 
We have conversed with others who eoneur 
with Mr. Sanford in saying that their sheep 
sometimes pick when running at grass. But 
tor ourselves we never have seen an Instance of 
this, in the case of sheep not summer-housed at 
night or from storms. 
CONDUCTED BY D. D. T. MOORE. 
€®LA.I£LE8 IK I{RA(«JK)\, Annotate Editor, 
KEEP HUSBANDRY 
HENRY S. RANDALL, LL. D„ 
Editor Department of Sheep Husbandry. 
SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS: 
P. BARRY, C. DEWEY, LL. D., 
H. T. BROOKS, L. B. LANGWORTHY 
To Correspondents. — Mr. Randall’s address is 
Cortland A Mage, Cortland Co., N. Y. All comnitiulcsi- 
tlons intended for tills Department, and all Inquiries 
relating- to sheep, should be addressed to him as above. 
W. T. KENNEDY, Jr. Assistant Ontee Editor. 
The Rural Nkw-Youkkr Is designed to be unsur¬ 
passed in Value, I’urlty, and Variety of Contents, aim 
unique and beautiful In Appearance. Its Conductor 
devotes Ills personal attention to the super vision of Us 
various departments, and earnestly labors to render 
the Rural an eminently Reliable Guide on all the 
Important Practical, Scientific and other Subjects Inti¬ 
mately connected with Uie hu si ness m those whose 
Interests it zealously advocates. As it Family Journal 
It Is eminently Instructive and Entertaining— being so 
conducted that It can be safely taken to tile Homes ot 
people of intelligence, taste and discrimination. It 
embraces inure Agricultural, Horticultural. Scientific. 
Educational, Literary and News Matter, Interspersed 
with appropriate Engravings, than any other Journal,— 
rendering It the most complete Agricultural Lite¬ 
rary and Family Nkwsi-aueu in America. 
TO ANONYMOUS CORRESPONDENTS 
We have recently received two or three 
anonymous letters asking information for the 
especial benefit of the uriters . If our opinion 
is worth having, we must in all cases know for 
whom and to whom it is given. If the ques¬ 
tions involve circumstances of delicacy, which 
the public are not concerned with, let the 
writer, after giving his name and post-office, 
requesFthat the former be withheld from pub¬ 
lication. 
In regard to communications intended for the 
public information, the rule of this Department 
Will be substantially the same. The name and 
post-office of the writer must be made known to 
us, as a guaranty of his good faith. Here, too, 
the name of the writer need not necessarily be 
published. Some very able and reliable con¬ 
tributors to periodicals occasionally have a fancy 
to appear incognito, for the purpose of striking 
perhaps some lighter key than usual, or to pro¬ 
voke some amusing but, at the same time, not 
unprofitable discussion — like Knights of old 
sallying out with visors down and shields dis¬ 
playing no armorial devices, in quest of adven¬ 
tures— ready to tilt with all comers. This is 
not objectionable as a sprinkling among graver 
writings. But as a common thing, and espe¬ 
cially in the serious discussion of serious topics, 
we confess we can see no good reason for with¬ 
holding the proper signature of the writer. An 
agricultural newspaper should embody the 
pairs. It requires a fall of 18 inches and a sup¬ 
ply of at least a half gallop of water per minute 
to operate a ram. The ram is placed in a po¬ 
sition below the fountain from which the water 
is to be raised, and usually in a box or pit be- 
Ibw the surface of the ground, where it may be 
secured from frost. An inch and a quarter or 
half, heavy lead pipe is required to connect the 
fountain with the mm, and supply .the latter 
with water. Usually a heavy half inch lead 
pipe is sufficient to convey the water from the 
nun to the house or barn where it is wanted. In 
all eases the size of these pipes must depend 
upon the amount of water supplied by the foun¬ 
tain, and that required by the farmer. The 
amount of water elevated by the ram in a given 
time must depend upon the capacity of the 
fountain fur supply, and upon the fall that can 
be obtained, or the distance the rant can be 
placed below tb-' founhilnj The greater the fall 
and the supply, the nmre wateY will be raised. 
Both the supplying and conducting pipes must 
be put so far under ground as to be protected 
from frost. The price of these rams depends 
upon the size, ranging from ten to twenty-five 
dollars. The cost for pipe will depend upon 
size and quality used. One and a quarter inch 
pipe, heavy, .weighs about three" pounds and 
fourteen quotes per foot; one and a half inch 
pipe, heavy, weighs six pounds eig ha ounces to 
the foot. . Best half inch pipe wcighsnne pound 
8 ounces to the foot. Knowing these weights, 
and obtaining the price of pipe per pound, near 
you, you can soon estimate the cost. We think 
that for ten or fifteen dollars you can get a ram 
that will furnish you with 300 or 400 gallons of 
water in twenty-four hours, if you have such a 
supply at the fountain. 
It is better to get some good plumber who is 
used to putting up rams, to do it for you. 
from the large quantity ?— 
which must be pressed at once if the- process is 
to be made available on a large scale. Or, can 
it be rolled out. There is no trouble with a 
pound or so, but as yet there is trouble with 
large bulk.” 
So says Mr. Reynolds. "When he says 
“ both make good sugar. Sic,,” he means that 
sugar K ctantbtti, not nude, by both processes 
equally well. Our readers will be able to de¬ 
termine whether it Is profitable for them to pay 
for the use of this patented process when water 
will answer as well. 
For Terms and utlier particulars, see last page. 
SORGHO SUGAR MADE IN A FEW MOMENTS 
Our readers will remember a paragraph in 
the Rural of the Cth Inst., copied from a 
Washington paper, announcing the discovery of 
a process for making sugar from Sorghum sirup 
in a few moments, and stating it bud actually 
been done in the Department of Agriculture. 
And it will be remembered that we doubted 
that any such thing had occurred. And now 
we are confirmed in our unbelief. 
We have just received a note from John P. 
Reynolds, Secretary of the Illinois State Agri¬ 
cultural Society 
THE WISCONSIN SORGHUM GROWERS, 
Tins body of men, at tlicir recent meeting in 
Madison, passed sundry resolutions making sun¬ 
dry recommendations, some of which we hav e 
given our readers. A resolution was adopted 
recommending the application of plaster, ashes 
and lime to the hill, after planting, as a stimulus 
to early and quick growth, especially on clay 
soils. We are glad to see this recommendation. 
It indicates that the rich gypsum beds in Michi¬ 
gan are appreciated by the Badgers. But will 
not the litne be found more useful if Incorporated 
with the soil before planting—if applied as a 
manure? We think so. And then apply the 
plaster and ashes, as proposed, to the surface, 
about the hill. This, we think, will insure the 
largest results. 
It was also given as the opinion of the Con¬ 
vention that, for the manufacture of sirup, it is 
not essential that the cane be fully ripe; but if 
sugar is desired, the cane must be mature. This 
is well established. There are many persons 
who are prevented from planting Sorghum be¬ 
cause, knowing that it will not mature its seed 
in their latitude, they suppose it valueless to 
them. But such persons are in error. Good 
same 
kind of matter that would be communicated 
from person to person, in a meeting of highly 
intelligent farmers, specially convened to dis¬ 
cuss and “compare notes’* on agricultural -ob¬ 
jects. W ould it add to the value or dignity of 
such intercommunications to have the lights 
blown out and each speaker use a feigned voice, 
so that the audience would not know who the 
speakers were? When a statement of facts is 
made, or a theory offered, do we not want to 
know' on whose veracity the first, or on whose 
judgment aud experience the last, rests? Is it 
not. in fact, this knowledge which gives much 
of their value to such communications? If, for 
example, such a man as Lewis F. Allen 
attacks the popular ideas on the subject of in- 
and-in-breeding, we read his views with deep 
interest and respect, and whether convinced or 
not, we weigh all his statements with care. 
Why? Because we know him —the public 
knows him—to be a man of strong intellect and 
judgment and of ripe experience on the very 
topic he discusses. Messrs. Pieters and Geo¬ 
des engage in a discussion in regard to the com¬ 
parative profits of two leading branches of 
agriculture. All will listen to that discussion 
with eager interest — because the disputants are 
known, aud because they are known to be able 
men, thoroughly acquainted with the subjects 
they discuss. Take away their mines from 
their papers, and very much of that interest 
would be gone. Who would know how much 
weight to attach to the opinions or statements 
of the w itness who should decline to give his 
name or show his face to the jury? True, 
reasoning may be as sharp from an anonymous 
source as any other—but reasoning without 
experimental knowledge, without the support 
of observed facts, can profitably occupy but a 
small space in agricultural literature; and the 
moment the latter are cited, we want the author¬ 
ity of a name to give weight to them—or, in the 
case of a new or comparatively little known 
writer, to demonstrate his sincerity and his wil¬ 
lingness to assume all the responsibility of his 
statements. 
While, therefore, we shall not reject all anon¬ 
ymous contributions, (if the writer’s address is 
communicated to its, J we decidedly prefer, and 
respectfully request, that every correspondent 
attach his name and that of his post-office to 
all articles of serious import intended for this 
paper. 
informing us that he hits 
received a visit from Mr. RiOGS, who is the 
reputed discoverer of this new- process of mak¬ 
ing sugar from Sorghum. Mr. Reynolds says 
he’tMr, Biggs) called for some mush t, e., 
undraincd sugar— upon which to experiment in 
his presence. The mush was provided, and, Iti 
the course of live minutes, an article was pro¬ 
duced, a sample of which Mr. Reynolds for¬ 
wards us. Ho says, “ No chemical of doubtful 
healthfulness or great cost is used. The process 
frees the granulations from all sticky, gummy 
matter. The mistake made by the statement in 
the Republican, as you quote it, is in saying t hat 
the sugar was produced from the sirup. The 
crystallisation must haw taken place before 
sugar can fie obtained by the process referred to. 
Hut that accomplished, freeing it from the 
grape-sugar, &c., is. by this method, perfectly 
simple, cheap and expeditious.” 
Now let us sec what this “ discovery" amounts 
to. We assume the responsibility of telling our 
readers that it is likely to amount to a grand 
swindle. The manner in which its birth was 
announced in the Washington Republican, 
which we quoted, proves this. In the Depart¬ 
ment of Agriculture, in a few moments, sugar 
had been produced from Sorghum sirup I That 
is the announcement. By whose authority was 
it made? By the sapient and profound lsv.vo 
Newton? Or by the inventor of the “pro¬ 
cess,’ Mr, Riggs, himself? In cither ease the 
people were to bo deceived. If the latter made 
such an announcement, it w as the duty of the 
Department, to correct it. staling the facts at 
once. If thu Department authorized the an¬ 
nouncement, it only proves What a consummate 
ignoramus is at. the head of the Department. 
1st, L hen, Sugar Was not made from Sorghum 
sirup by Mr. Riggs. 
‘•id, He cannot make sugar from Sorghum 
K torup by this process. 
Jd, Uc has a chemical by which he cleanses 
the sugar after It is made. 
And that is all this “discovery” amounts to. 
And it is to be patented! We say, let Mr.-It. 
patent it, and then prey with it upon the cre¬ 
dulity of those who do not take agricultural 1 
results of a rich experience, aided by a matured 
judgment. In no way can he render the world 
more service than in your Department. Let us 
hope we are to hear from him often during the 
year. 
I do not mean to say wool growing is not 
profitable, even in this State, but I do mean to 
say that it is not as profitable in any given 
locality within the State, as growing sheep for 
mutton, and making wool only a subordinate. I 
mean also to say, that, where grain growing is 
not profitable, sheep husbandry is not as profita¬ 
ble as the dairy. 
This State, in many respects, assimilates 
England, especially in the multiplicity of its 
local markets, and a general market, which is 
capable of absorbing all the surplus not con¬ 
sumed in the local markets, aud in the facilities 
for reaching these markets from all parts of the 
country. 
England has also its corn or grain growing 
districts and its grass districts, though the pro- 
TOBACCO, THE COTTON OF THE NORTH, 
Gen. Loudon, of Brown Co., Ohio, in a 
speech before the State Board of Agriculture of 
Ohio, discussing a resolution pronouncing it 
iuimleal to oue of the best interests of the State 
to tax tobacco in the hands of the producer, as¬ 
sured gentlemen who bad sneered at tobacco, 
that it is the Cotton of the North—that as Cot¬ 
ton has been King in the South, so Tobacco 
would become King in Ohio. He said it w as 
surprising to know the amount of money 
tobueeo brings to the State. The tobacco 
growers of the borders have a more valuable 
crop, on each acre, of tobacco, than can be pro¬ 
duced from any other staple. The hill-sides of 
Brown county were advertised for sale a few 
years ago. and nobody would bid over ti2j cents 
per acre; now this same land is worth $500 per 
acre. The Germans have made these shale hills, 
by their skill and industry, the best producing 
lands in Ohio. 
Ho said if Congress taxed tobacco in the leaf 
twenty cents per pound, as it proposed to do, it 
would (Hit an end to tobacco culture in Ohio. 
This done, the producer, in order to get present 
prices. 15 cents per pound, will have to add 20 
cents per pound to its cost, making it 35 cents 
per pound. The commission of the me re bant 
handling it would bring it up to (0 cents per 
pound, more than it would pay a foreign dealer 
after exporting it. This will be fatal to this 
great agricultural interest. Properly encour¬ 
aged, tobacco will pay the government a greater 
revenue than corn. It had been asserted that 
Ohio could never compete with Kentucky in 
raising tobacco. Gen. L. asserted that Ohio 
can, and does beat Kentucky in the production 
of this staple. And he further asserted that it 
would be found that the best tobacco sold in the 
i 'iucinnati market—sold at 40 cents per pound 
as from Mason Co., Ivy.— was really raised in 
Brown Co., Ohio. 
