Thorough-bred. “The English thorough - bred,— 
with which the American is identical,"—says Her¬ 
bert, “ contains a larger proportion of Barb than pure 
Arabian blond," and to one or the other of these, 
doubtless, may be traced the origin of the trotter. 
The Clydesdales are represented at the base of our 
engraving, by the right hand figure. These horses 
are found most extensively in the neighborhood of 
the Clyde river, in Scotland, after which they are 
called, where their services in the one-horse carta of 
the districts are well appreciated. Indeed, there is 
no description of horse that appears better adapted 
for single horse carts, or that can get through more 
work in the course of the day. They are for the most 
part powerful horses, standing about sixteen hands 
high, and are extremely active. 'Jheir iaulta are 
a tendency to light bodies and long legs: and Bomc 
of them are hot workers. When free from these de¬ 
fects, they are certainly a most valuable kind of ani¬ 
mal for agricultural purposes. As regards their ori¬ 
gin, we are told that an Earl of Huntingdon imported 
Boine Dutch mares, a breed once much thought of, 
into the district of the Clyde, and being crossed with 
the native breed, (probably the ancient pack-horse,) 
thus became the founders of the now highly appreci¬ 
ated Clydesdale. The prevailing color is blaok; but 
there arc also many browns, and some grays. These 
horses are susceptible of much improvement, by care¬ 
ful selection in breeding, and avoiding the evils 
which we have pointed out as those to which the 
breed are prone. 
We come now to the Farmers' Brood Mare ,— the 
left lower figure of our picture,— and though we can¬ 
not say whether royal or plebian blood flow in her 
veins,— whether she is of high or low degree,— there 
is a good look about her which calls up memories of 
“ lang syne,” when she carried us after the cows, or 
took the grist to mill. We never thought of her ped¬ 
igree,— she possessed kindness and gentleness, with 
a dignity of movement becoming her years, and was 
not that enough to fill the heart and win the affection 
of a hoy? We thought so then,— we think so yet,— 
aud he who could turn out upon the road to starve 
the noble animal which had so carefully borne his 
Johnnys and Tommys, in her palmier day, because 
she can no longer satisfy his cupidity, has a lump of 
silex in his bosom. 
THE DAIRY.-NO. V. 
THE COW AND HER KEEPER. 
The conclusion to he arrived at from Mr. Horsfall’s 
experiments, is the important fact that it is in the 
power of the dairyman to so feed his cows that they 
will maintain their condition and a full flow of milk 
at the same time, and that the highest value of the 
cow Is only obtained by supplying her with special 
food, rich in the elements which constitute the vain 
able portion of her product. 
We further find that the essential element of 
success consists in properly blending this food, 
cooking, and feeding it warm to the animal, which 
in winter should be kept in a warm stable. I 
neglected to state in the last number, that he keeps 
his cows in stables where the temperature is kept at 
60°, as near as possible. 
His system of high-feeding combines the advan¬ 
tages of the dairy and stall-feeding, as be does not 
pormit his cows to lose condition, but, on the con¬ 
trary, compels a gain until they go out fat to the 
butcher. In this process, lie usually Keeps a cow 
from one to three years. 
But the question very properly arises, can his 
plan he adopted by all farmers with equal success? 
To this I answer, very decidedly, that it cannot; 
for everything depends npon location. Near cities 
or large towns, where there is a ready market for 
beef at all times, as well as lor milk and butter, it 
would no doubt pay to adopt a plan of high-feeding 
as he has done, but in the larger portion of tho dairy 
region, a modification will he required. Thus, where 
grain cannot be grown to advantage, us in many of 
the more elevated dairy regions, or where, by reason 
of expensive transportation, it could not be had at 
remunerating rates, high-feeding would not be 
desirable. Still it would be well to consider whether 
an improvement upon the present system could not 
be made. In the winter keeping, iu particular, very 
many farmers everywhere, who keep stock, could 
imitate Mr. Horsfall iu the keeping of their ani¬ 
mals iu warm and well ventilated stables. 80 
important do I consider warmth to a cow in winter, 
that unless I could keep her in a stable where the 
manure would not freeze in cold weather, I would 
not keep one at all. 
Again, the steaming of food, and feeding it warm, 
is another important consideration, and one that no 
farmer, w ho has any considerable number of cow r s, 
can overlook without a total disregard of profit.. If 
the cow be well kept in the winter, she accumulates 
in her increased condition, a surplus of material 
which, when she comes into milk, will help to keep 
up the increased flow far beyond what one Hint has 
been kept lean can do. The difference in the yield 
of milk from a cow that has had generous keepiug 
through the winter, and one that but barely comes 
out in the spring lean, with scarcely strength to get 
up alone, can only he appreciated by those w ho have 
tried the experiment. My own opinion is, that tile 
increased product of the one is equal to the full 
value of the other, when they both eotne to the pail. 
80 well is this understood by experienced dairymen, 
that they expend large sums of money to procure 
grain for the winter feed of their cows. Summer 
feeding may not pay, yet 1 have found it customary 
among those fanners who were making the moat profit 
from their cows, to prepare for feeding their cows 
with grain food as soon as their pastures began to 
fail, and the favorite food for this purpose seems to he 
Indian corn, sown broad-cast.. Tt lias been shown 
that whatever will assist the cow in obtaining the 
requisite amount of food at the proper times, will 
abundantly recompense the owner, and lie is a serious 
loser if he neglect to make that provision. 
Where corn cannot be grown with profit, roots and 
cabbages can, and a supply of green food can be 
kept up with little expense until the dairy season is 
over. And roots can be cultivated to advantage in 
every locality where good grass grows, and where 
corn is not a safe or reliable crop. But to make the 
winter feeding of roots profitable, warmth is indis¬ 
pensable. 
It is truly gratifying to notice the improvement in 
barns and stables that are now being built in all sec¬ 
tions of the State. Perhaps some of the best can be 
found in Lewis County. There are barns and stables 
in that County which, for convenience, and for pro¬ 
tection to the animal, cannot he inatohed in the most 
favored portions of the State. But model barns are 
by no means confined to that County. They can be 
found through the whole dairy range, and their 
frequency ia a trusty and safe indication of the 
prosperous condition of the community around 
them. Still there i 6 yet a sad neglect by the dairy¬ 
man iu this imjmrtant department of bis business. 
Said a successful dairyman, whose herd consisted | 
of some 80 cows, “I am never satisfied, unless, when 
I pull off my boots at night, and put on my slippers, 
and sit down by the fire, I feel that my cows are as 
comfortable as I am.” And this, I apprehend, is the 
key to the profitable wintering of our cows and other 
stock. 
Special rules are not purposed to be given, but 
only suggestions drawn from a few important facts. 
To be successful with the cow, she must he at all 
times well fed with proper food, and in winter, fur¬ 
nished with warm shelter, dry and well ventilated, and 
in summer an extra supply of food must be prepared 
to supply her wants when the pasturage fails. Ih other 
words, so treat your cow that you will feel she is 
comfortable and happy, and she will fill your pail, 
and, what is quite as well, your pockets.— p. 
MINNESOTA-SOIL, CLIMATE, &c. 
Messrs. Editors: — In the Rural New-Yorker of 
March 9th, 1 saw a notice that in one stable, near St. 
Paul, six horses were frozen to death in one night. 
The injury done to this State by the press East, in 
publishing such humbugs about the severity of the 
winters, is enormous, and, with your permission, I 
would like to give through your paper a few facts 
about Minnesota, obtained from a four years resi¬ 
dence, to all those who contemplate emigrating West. 
Four years ago this spring I left “old Chautauqua,” 
New York, for this State, and took a farm from 
“ Uncle Sam ” of 300 acres, all prairie, at government 
price. Most people from a timbered country, when 
they get here, are afraid of our naked prairies, and 
will select their farms among the groves of oak brush 
and grubs, with now and then a tree; but experience 
soon teaches them their mistake. The expense of 
grubbing, and preparing the land for the breaking 
plow, is from five to tern dollars per aere; that 
expense saved, by taking clear prairie, will fence it 
with a good post and hoard fence, as good fencing 
(pine) can be had for $10 per thousand feet, and oak 
posts for from $3 to $4 per one hundred. 
Good prairie land, near timber and water, and on 
good rouds leading to the river towns, can be had for 
from $3 to $6 per acre, and wood land for fuel, from 
$l> to $10 dollars per acre. The soil for the main 
part consists of a black sandy loam, with a clay sub¬ 
soil. One man with a good team will, with a Li-inch 
plow, turn over one acre of the sod in a daj-, with 
ease, or you can hire it done for $3 per aere. The 
proper time for breaking is from the first of June till 
the middle of July. The spring following you can 
put in your crop with or without plowing again, 
as you see fit. 
Wheat and Wool are to be the great staple products 
of Minnesota, and probably no State in the Union is 
as well adapted to either pursuit. The last year’s 
wheat crop of this State excels any thing of the kind 
on record, and places Minnesota at the bead. Our 
wheat weighs on an average 63 lbs., and the average 
yield is set down at 30 bushels per acre. The varie¬ 
ties of spring wheat, known as Hoosic and Scotch 
Fife, seem to succeed best in this vicinity. The corn 
crop through this section ranges from 30 to 50 bushels 
per acre. All varieties, except the Southern Dent, 
are raised here, and mature well if planted by the 
first of June. Oats are heavy, and yield well. 1 
have always had 50 io 00, and sometimes ttS bushels 
per acre, but I think the average should be put at 
about 40 bushels per acre. We get iu Home cases as 
high as 00 bushels of barley, but not often. Our 
Potatoes are the finest I ever ate, seldom rotting, and 
yielding well. Our surplus grain finds a market in 
Milwaukee and Bt. Louis. The last season, freight on 
wheat to Milwaukee was 20 cts. per bushel, including 
all expenses. When we get our railroad through to 
Lake Superior, we shall have another market to 
depend on, and shall feel ourselves one hundred and 
fifty miles nearer the seaboard. 
Tho raising of stock of all kinds can be success¬ 
fully prosecuted, with an abundance of pasturage 
free from cost, and hay put into stacks at a net 
cost of $1,50 per ton. The climate is peculiarly 
adapted to the growing of wool. The winters being 
dry, still and cold, with seldom any rain from early 
fall till spring, the sheep are healthy, with heavy 
fleeces. Judging from the past four years, I am very 
much pleased with the climate, there being more 
pleasant weather, and less severe storms, than at any 
point in which I have resided, having lived in Ver¬ 
mont, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Northern, Southern 
and Western New York. When I left Now York. I 
expected to he frozen every winter, and blown back 
to Dunkirk every summer; but here I am, never 
having frozen even the “tip” of an car, and perfectly 
satisfied with climate, soil, and locality. The home¬ 
stead low of the State ia very gracious, allowing a 
man 80 acres of land, with all improvements, all 
household goods, all faming implements, one yoke 
Of oxen, and one horse, or one span of horses, 3 
cows, 10 swine, 20 sheep, forage for same for one 
year, aud food for family one year: free from all 
liabilities, except on mortgage given for purchase 
money. As Mr. John Johnston is good authority, I 
would like to ask him if he calls January lambs at 
shearing time that weigh from 90 to 100 pounds, as 
good as his will average? My sheep are Leicesters, 
and we have all our lambs come iu January, Feb¬ 
ruary, and March, and have never lost one In conse¬ 
quence of the cold. A neighbor has sheared, from 
yearlings, 9 pounds and 10 pounds of washed wool, 
and from his imported “Lester” buck, 22 pounds of 
two year’s growth of clip. But, as this is already 
much longer than I intended, I will close. 
Eagle Prairie, Goodhue Co., Miun., 1861. .T. D. Wheat. 
Remarks.— If we were at fault i» innocently giving 
a two-line item of news relative to the supposd effects 
of the weather upon horses in Minnesota, we trust 
the publication of the above commendation of the soil 
and climate of that young and thriving State, will 
procure our full absolution. tVe certainly had no 
thought of injuring the State or its people, and think 
the course of the Rural heretofore ought to free it 
of any such design as that intimated by our respected 
correspondent. 
PRACTICAL SERMONS ON SHORT TEXTS. 
“Every kernel of grain and every ounce of meat taken 
from the farm removes what the soil cannot continue to 
spare without ultimate barrenness.”— H. T. Brooks. 
Unpkr the present system of American farming, 
there is a fair prospect of the above somewhat sweep¬ 
ing and illogical assertion becoming transformed 
into a fact. Constituted as our country is, we must 
continue to depend on our exports of agricultural 
productions for many years to come, as our only 
legitimate means of obtaining wealth, and through 
that wealth the luxurious comforts of modern life, 
it i6 literally “root hog or die ” with ns. 
Rather than frighten the farmers with the bugbear 
of “prospective sterility,’’ I would say. keep more 
stock well, aud raise more grain better. To keep the 
stock well, raise more roots and grass; to raise more 
roots and grass, apply more manure, aud better culti¬ 
vation to the soil. 
It has been stated in many of the agricultural jour¬ 
nals, that the climate of America is not adapted to 
root crops — being too hot and dry. We, in Canada, 
at least, do not find it so, except in the case of the 
common white, or English turnip. Our main depen¬ 
dence for roots is on the purple top Swede turnip, or 
ruta-baga, and the crop of this root, wherever any 
fair amount of attention and care has been bestowed 
upon it, lias been so great that it is found to pay even 
where used upon the farm to feed the stock in order 
to add to the manure heap, not doled out. grudgingly 
like meal, but given at the rate of from one to three 
bushels per dien to each head of cattle. Let any 
man who is ambitious of being considered an 
enlightened farmer/Kuv the experiment of raising a 
few acres of ruta-bu®, applying the manure In the 
unfermented state at tpe rate of from fifty to seventy 
cart-loads per aere, and give a liberal supply of seed, 
say three pounds per (tore, to make sure against the 
fly, keeping the horsc*hoe busy all summer, and he 
will ever afterwards lodk upon it as one of the staple 
crops of the farm. The main point in successful 
farming is to have a plentiful supply of good manure, 
manufactured on the farm, and applied to the grain 
crops through the medium of a fallow crop. j. m. 
Hamilton, C. W., 1861. 
CORN STALKS FOR FODDER. 
In the Rural of Feb. 2d, I noticed an article taken 
from the Germantown Telegraph, in reference to the 
winter care of cattle. The writer states — referring 
to cutting up his stalks for feed, — “ My cattle eat it 
up clean, hard huts, stalks, and all, and one ordinary 
bundle of fodder — such as would be generally given 
to a steer at one meal lasts an animal a whole day.” 
He further adds, “ I can winter ten head of cattle 
on cut fodder now, where I only wintered five bead 
last year.” 
From these statements I concluded that it would 
be well to make a trial of so cheap a plan to econo¬ 
mize in feed, especially, as I Btabled my stock, and 
had the proper troughs for feeding. A patent straw 
and stalk cutter was brought into requisition, two 
nice bundles of stalks selected, run through the 
cutter, aud the cut feed placed in the feed troughs 
for four bead of cattle. They were then placed in 
their stalls, and I retired to figure out how much 
longer my stalks would last by this new method. 
The next morning I was somewhat surprised to find 
nearly one-half the stalks remaining. Thinking they 
might have objected to the length, I cut them fine, 
and added to each mess t wo quarts of meal. Even 
this would not answer,—the meal and leaves were 
selected out, the rest left. 1 next wet the stalks, and 
mixed the meal with them. Rather than eat the 
“bard huts and stalks,” they would leave the meat 
which adhered to them, deeming the pay too small 
to compensate for such a disagreeable job. My 
experiment ended here, with the conclusion, that if 
cattle will cut corn stalks, they must be prepared in 
some other way, or else starved to it. 
Another advantage, “my manure is all short,” and 
yet bis cattle eat them up clean. I can hardly recon¬ 
cile the two statements. 
If any one beside the writer in the Germantown 
Telegraph has succeedodlin making his cattle eat 
cornstalks, “hard bu^yjj^U,” fo simpl y cutting 
them up, uud baa foWv TBr'theJnid not require 
more than one-half the amount when led in this way 
to keep them In better order, I should like to know 
it, - the way managed — the cutter used — the length 
cut —whether the stalks were raised from corn sown 
or planted, and any other fact which may throw 
light on the subject, and dispel the clouds of unbelief 
which at present surround it. Rpsticus. 
Meadow Brook Homestead, Cayuga Co., N. Y., 1861. 
gunrt of Ute 
Feeding Horses—A Common Mistake. 
The Southern Homestead says that, “The prac¬ 
tice of regulating the food of horses by the amount, 
of work they are required to perform, is a good one 
if properly followed. For example, a horse when 
lyiug comparatively idle, as in winter, should have 
less solid food than amid the bard work of spring 
and summer. Again, if ahorse is about to perform 
a work of extra labor, it is well to fortify him with a 
little extra feeding beforehand. But the mistake we 
refer to is the practice of over-feeding him an hour 
or so before putting him to work. If an extra ser¬ 
vice is required of a horse on any particular day, and 
an extra feed is to be given him, let him have it the 
evening beforehand, rather than in the morning, au 
hour or two before being put to work. Why so? 
Because if ho is put to work so soon after eating, biB 
food does not become digested, and he is obliged to 
cany about with him a large mass of undigested 
fodder, which is rather a burden than a help to him. 
If he is well fed the evening before, the food is 
assimilated—changed to flesh and blood—and sends 
health and vigor through all the system. As a gene¬ 
ral rule, a working horse should be fed regularly, 
both as to the time and the amount. 
should we Wash our Sheepf 
A writer in the Ohio Farmer has opened the 
discussion, and takes the unpopular, (judging from 
custom,) or negative side of the question. Let 
Rural readers consider hi3 arguments, and then let 
us hear their views, pro or con. He propounds the 
query, and then answers: 
“ Humanity, at least, says No! With the natural 
fear a sheep has for water, it must be cruel to subject 
them to such treatment ss they sometimes get by the 
process familiarly called ‘washing’; yet, in truth, it 
is not only a detriment to the wool, but to the sheep. 
We take it for granted, that what is good for the 
health of man in the way of care, holds good with 
the sheep; aud who among all our shepherds would 
think of following his sheep home from a mill pond, 
without a change of clothes, when sometimes it is 
cold enough to make his teeth chatter. How can 
we then expect it to benefit our sheep, especially 
when we have a week’s rainy weather just after wash¬ 
ing, and very often, in this climate, it is cold and 
unhealthy for man and beast. Yet some will say it 
does the sheep no harm; but facts prove that this is 
not the case—both your sheepjand lambs sutler mate- 
uially. But this is only one feature. It costs a great 
deal of time and money, which could be applied to a 
better use in cultivating onr spring crop. It is no 
trifle to wash three thousand sheep every year. 
But the most potent argument in favor of not 
washing our sheep is, we can shear from three to 
four weeks sooner, and thus give the more time after 
shearing for the growth of wool, to protect them 
from the fall rains and from the cold in winter, which 
is no inconsiderable item. How often do we delay 
washing on account of the water being too cold, 
when the weather is abundantly warm to shear. The 
sheep will not suffer with the cold in May, if they are 
cared for during the three days immediately after 
shearing. We would gain one-sixth more clothing, 
to protect our sheep from the cold of winter, besides 
a stronger constitution and a healthier sheep, than if 
we had frozen our sheep in May, by washing them. 
Finally, manufacturers would rather have the wool 
unwashed. They have to re-wash it after ns; why not 
let them do their own washing, and then if it is not 
well done, they will know who to complain of. One- 
half of the wool in some sections of country where 
they have no clear running water, is actually 
damaged by the attempt to wash it on the hack. It 
is made a hug-bear of in market, and thus the pro¬ 
ducer is forced to take less than his wool is really 
worth. Wool-growers! we stand in our own light 
upon this subject. Bat taking unwashed wool to 
market cannot be practiced by one here and there. 
It must be a general reform. How then shall we best 
and most directly get at it? Tt can be done by 
‘County Organizations.’ Shall we make the 
attempt? By so doing we shall practice humanity, 
save labor, save time and money, improve our sheep, 
benefit ourselves, and benefit the manufacturer.” 
Fork vs. Spade. 
The time honored spade is falling into disgrace. 
Look at yonder son of Erin as he drives the shining 
blade into the moist loam, and heaveB out a square 
compressed mass, two sides of which are smooth 
and compressed as possible. If you are standing 
near or working by his side, he will hit it a rap and 
crumble the top of it a little, while the mass probably 
remains intact. The ground will be leveled off with 
a rake, and the lumps will bake slowly, and remain 
likely enough, hard and impervious all summer, if 
the ground is not deeply worked again. When spad¬ 
ing is done in very dry weather, it is not liable to 
the same objection in degree, yet it leaves the soil 
always more or less lumpy. 
How diflerent it is with the use of the fork. The 
spading fork is found of various forms in the shop. 
We prefer one of narrow tines, rather long and very 
thick, made Of good steel. A good quality of steel 
is very important, for often a single tine striking a 
stone or stick, has to take instantly the whole force 
of the blow or shove. The tines should be thick, as 
considerable prying power is often required; aud 
they should be narrow, that the earth may he no more 
compressed than is necessary, A fork like this may 
be driven much deeper with the same force. It will 
lift the earth quite as well as a spade, and without 
packing it. If roots of trees, bo lbs, or anything of 
the kind are present, there is little probability that 
they will be Injured, if care is used, and the ground 
may be loosened sufficiently in many cases without 
lifting the earth at all, in a way to hare the roots. 
The fork, iu fact, may bp used wherever the spade 
can he, and a shovel is not more desirable—we do not 
claim for it superiority in shoveling sand or gravel- 
ami It may he used in many places where a spade can¬ 
not be used. About trees, in raspberry, currant or 
vine-borders, especially, will the fork be found of in¬ 
calculable service, and the spade should be banished 
forthwith. So Bays the Connecticut Homestead. 
gnqmmss and gtotfwrtf. 
Draining Si’adk.— Can you inform me, through the 
columns of your paper; where I can procure a narrow spade, 
,>r “graft,” a. tUu English call it, axf.reHSljr for-tile 
draining; and at what price?—G. N. Lawrence, Vrrrton, 
A. 1861, 
There has been so little call for these spades that manu¬ 
facturers, we think, have not generally made them. They 
are manufactured to order in this city, hut we do not find 
them exposed for sale. It is about time that manufacturers 
got up a supply of all draining tools, as the demand is now 
good, and will be constantly increasing. 
Culture Or Pa itSNirt*. - Will you, or some of your sub 
scribe rx. inform through the Rural, of the best mode of 
cultivating parsnips; whether Meant ground is adapted to 
their growth? Also, whether they will bear transplanting; 
and, agaiu. at what time should they be planted?—A. S. Hak- 
RINOTON, Horodino , A. Y.. 1861. 
We would not plant parsnips on sod ground, unless we 
were compelled to do so. It would be better to have parsnips 
follow corn or potatoes. The parsnip requires a deep, well 
pulverized soil. Sow in drills about, eighteen inches apart, 
just as soon as the ground can he got ready. Frost will not 
hurt the parsnip, Thin out in the rows, so the plants will 
stand six or eight inches apart Where labor is dear und 
scarce, they may ho planted far enough apart to admit the 
use of the cultivator oue way. If the seed is fresh, it will 
readily germinate. 
Fatality among Cai.ves—Inflammation of the Liver.— 
My calves are dying off, and I cannot determine the nature of 
the disease, nor find a remedy. Their feed has been plenty 
of good hay. They are fat. strong, and In good condition, 
until taken with the disease. Symptoms as follows:—They 
arc taken With trembling and shivering all over The first 
one affected was taken in the night, w-as found dead in the 
morning, aud badly bloated. The next. 1 presume, died im¬ 
mediately alter being taken, as lie was perfectly well at night, 
and dead in the morning. Be appeared to lmve died in great 
distress, with the head thrown straight back to the shoulder, 
and ruptured inwardly. On examination, found their galls 
yellow, with very little In them. Can you. or any of your 
readers, tell me the disease, the remedy, ana a preventive?— 
T. O Hrirn, New, Alley. Co.. A- Y. 1861. 
It if probable that the difficulties mentioned by our corres¬ 
pondent arise from a diseased condition of the liver, Dr. 
Dadd gives the following mode of treatment where this 
organ Is suffering from inflammation: 
“ The most rational method of treating this disease, is to 
endeavor to mitigate tho inflammatory diathesis, and restore 
the normal functions ol the liver. In view of accomplishing 
these desirable results, I recommend the following prescrip¬ 
tion—Glauber Salts, 16 ounces; Powdered Mandrake, 2 
dyaclims. The salts should be dissolved iu one quart of tepid 
water; then add the mandrake, and drench the animal by' 
means of a common porter bottle. This drench should be 
poured down the oesophagus, in a gradual manner, so as to 
prevent its being received into the rumen, or paunch. The 
patient should, if possible, be dieted on green fodder; if such 
cannot be procured, some sliced cabbages, turnips, or carrots, 
may be substituted. A teaspoonful of mandrake should be 
given daily in the food. Until the risible surfaces assume their 
natural color. A curable case trill generally yield under the 
above treatment.” 
8trktciiks in Sheep.— Can you or any of your readers 
give me a recipe for the cure of stretches in sheep. For two 
nr three winters past I have had more or less sheep die by 
this disease, nud I would be very thaukful for some informa¬ 
tion on the subject.—E. C., Owaseo, A r . )' 1861. 
The last issue of the Rural contained a remedy for this 
disease, furnished by a correspondent, and we now give the 
treatment recommended by Mr. Morrell, in liis American 
Shepherd; 
This disease very commonly- occurs in flocks which are kept 
exclusively on hay, or other dry food, and is fatal very often, 
unless an early application Of medicine follows the attack. 
Symptoms. —The sheep will alternately lie down and rise at 
brief intervals, frequently stretching, and refuses every kiud 
of food. It is now generally admitted that it proceeds from 
costiveness, by being deprived wholly of green food The 
disease is uukuown to Great Britain, where succulent proven¬ 
der is so bountifully led. 
Treatment.— Two tablespoonfuls of castor oil, or ono ounce 
of Epsom salts, will he effectual. A small quantity of hog’s 
lard has also been used with success. A neighbor adminis¬ 
ters a large quid of tobacco; and he recently informed the 
w riter that he had never lost a sheep by the stretches after 
administering this nauseous potion. 
Preventive .— Give the flock green food once a week or 
oftener — such ns apples, potatoes, or turnips. Pine or hem¬ 
lock boughs are also excellent. 
Rural Notes nttii Stems. 
The Season — Wheat Crop, efe. — The weather of the last 
two week* of March was quite unfavorable for wheat through¬ 
out this region, especially that on henry soils. We hear 
complaints of the wheat being injured by hearing of the 
ground in some localities, while the crop generally has an 
unpromising appearance. An intelligent Ohio farmer — 
Frank Granger, Esq., of Toledo — who has recently been 
visiting friends i n this county, informs us that, so far as his 
observation baa extended, our wheat crop looks poor indeed, 
compared with that of Northwestern Ohio. But we trust 
more favorable weather will revive the crop as the season 
advances, so that, if the wheat-midge scourge has passed, 
(as many confidently believe,! a profitable yield will be 
obtained. The comparatively heavy fall of snow on Monday 
(fiom four to six inches in this locality.) will prove beneficial 
to wheat, though many regard the storm ns an unfavorable 
opening of April. The lateness of the oTrival of warm, 
seasonable weather will of course retard out door operations, 
and farmers may be obliged to push on the spring work, 
when once commenced, with unusual energy. However, we 
may yet have plenty of favorable weather to perform all 
operations properly and in season. 
- 
What of tiik Crop Prospects*— If our friends at a dis¬ 
tance— in all the States, Canada, Ac. — will advise ub as to 
the prospects of the leading crops, they will confer a favor, 
and perchance thereby enable us to impart information which 
will prove of great value to producers. If some plan could 
be adopted whereby its growers could be informed of the 
amount of wheat likely to be harvested, the producers of that 
important cereal conlil make calculations for themselves, and 
not be subject to the dictation of middle men. The recent 
advices relative to the unfavorable prospect of the winter 
grain Of Europe, indicate an increased foreign demand for 
our breadstuff*, and hence the prospect and probable yield in 
this country must be regarded with importance, both at home 
and abroad. In writing, please state the condition and pros¬ 
pects (compared with last season) of the staple products of 
your section, with such risks or enemies to the crops as are 
anticipated before harvest. 
Plant Shade Treks — A Qood Example — Now is the time 
to plant out shade tree*. Residents of both country and 
town can easily increase the attractiveness and value of their 
homesteads by a trifling expenditure at this season. Farmers 
should plant a few shade and ornamental trees, — about and 
in front of their dwellings, at least, — for the benefit of their 
families and friends, to sny nothing of the duty incumbent 
upon all good citizens to aid iu rendering their locality more 
beautiful in the eyes of both friends and strangers. ADd 
every one who ha* a village homestead should surround it 
with appropriate trees and shrubbery. In some of our vil¬ 
lages societies have been formed to encourage this praise¬ 
worthy object by associated effort — an example worthy of 
imitation all over tho land. And here Is another good exam 
pie by a worthy citizen of Palmyra — a man Of taste and 
means. We learn that Carlton H. Rogers, Ksq., offers to 
present a horse-chestnut tree to every Palrnyran who will 
plant and protect it as a shade tree. Air. R. has purchased 
four hundred trees for the purpose. How many village capi¬ 
talists will enhance the public weal by doing likewise? 
AIkdjna Union An. Society.— We have inadvertently 
omitted to notice the recent- proceedings of this spirited and 
very progressive organization. At the late aunual meeting 
tho following officers were elected for 1801: President—\oh 
sky A. Acer, Shelby. Vice President —G C. Cook, Ridgeway. 
Ere. Secretary— S. C. Boweu, Medina, Cor Secretary— Wm. 
Hoag, Ridgeway Treasurer —W. W. Potter, Medina. Direc¬ 
tors—Ur, A. B, Edmonds, and Messrs. Ilardweil and Scott. 
The Society is in a llourishingcoudition—having an increased 
amountin the treasury, after paying all expenses of last year. 
It originally embraced only two towns—Ridgeway and Shelby 
—but nine towns were added last year; and now the. Society 
has decided to “ annex ” all of Orleans, Genesee and Niagara 
counties, three towns in Erie, and that portion of Atouroe 
Co. bordering upon Orleans. Our Medina friends are spread¬ 
ing themselves in proportion to tb«ir strength atul ail ta r, 
The Western N. Y. Ag'I and Hort’l Association will do well 
to look to Its territorial rights. 
Victory Ag. Society.— At the annual meeting of the 
Victory (Cayuga Co.) Ag. Society, It was resolved that the 
entries at tho next Animal Fair shall he free, and the pre¬ 
miums honorary, The following officers were chosen for the 
ensuing year: President—ItKxson Kfickkrman, Vice Presi¬ 
dents —Benjamin Jakway, Ephraim Cummings, Hiram Hise- 
rodt, D. W. Telford, Matthias Hager, lire. Secretary —S. 
Hiram Plumb. Cor. Secretary —Isaac Lockwood. Treasurer 
—Walter H. Sayre. Executive Committee —Harvey S. Harris, 
Smith Benedict, Chauucey G. Kimball. 
Grain in Canada.— The good crops produced in Canada 
last season have made better time* iu both Provinces. 
Though much of the surplus has been sold by tho farmers, it 
has uot yet been shipped to market. A late Alontreal paper 
says:—“ We are informed that the amount of grain, flour, 
and other agricultural produce, accumulated iu storehouses, 
iu ITppper and Lower Canada, ready for transportation, as 
ascertained by insurances effected thereon with the various 
offices doing business in Canada, greatly exceeds the largest 
quantity ever known in previous years. We also hear that 
arrangements have been made nt the American Lake ports to 
ship largely by the St. Lawrence route. Forwarders will 
have a busy time when navigation opens. 
Sorghum in Iowa.— In a recent letter, Mr. Rodman Lewis, 
of Van nnren Co., Iowa, writes:—“As we are accused of having 
nearly all of tho Sorghum this side of the Mississippi, we 
want ali the information we can get about manufacturing to 
the beat advantage, 1 helped make about 2 OCX) gallons of 
molasses last fall. Of some forty different lots, l noticed 
that the cane that was turned a little yellow at the joints, 
and was well trimmed, made the best molasses The top 
joint should be all cut off, as there are frequently large 
quantities of plant lice lodged on it between the leaf stalk 
and the seed stalk." 
Valuable Hint about Underdraining.— At s* recent 
Legislative Agricultural meeting in Boston, Air. SiiKnn, an 
agricultural engineer, said “he had drained a lot in Alilton 
where there was only two inches of fall to the quarter of a 
mile, and the drain worked well. If there is a fall of three 
inches to the hundred feet in Land, a tile drain or two inches 
diameter, with forty feet apart, four feet deep, will take off 
all the water, and he would guarantee it would work satis¬ 
factorily All soils resting on a tenacious subsoil, can be 
advantageously drained.” 
Early Seeding at the West. —While shivering from the 
effects of a cold blustering snow storm, on this first day of 
April, we have the pleasure of reading that the farmers west 
or Fox- River, Wis., were putting in their grain two weeks 
ago. Also, that “the farmers of the Southern tier of 
counties in Minnesota, have commenced sowing wheat. A 
large proportion of the crop of Fillmore Co. is already in 
the ground.” 
Early- Vegetables. —The editor of the Lockport Journal 
has just been luxuriating upon fresh vegetables grown in a 
hot-bed by Air. H. AIoCollum, of that village—viz., “acucum- 
ber seven inches long, together with pie-plant, asparagus, 
lettuce and radishes. ’’ 
A Simple Cure for Scratches is given by J. C. Stewart, 
of Framingham, Mass., in the A. E. Parmer. He says he 
has always succeeded in curing scratches in horses by a few 
applications of molasses. 
Orleans Co AIakkkt Fair. —The Orleans Co. Ag. Society 
holds its first Market Fair for the season April 6th — on the 
Fair Grounds in Albion. 
A Word in Season. — The large number of persons who 
have written us letters in praise of the Rural during the past 
three months — and the thousands of others who believe it 
worthy of encouragement for the good it is accomplishing in 
families and communities— are reminded that the present is a 
favorable season to increase its circulation aud usefulness, aud 
that any and every effort in that direction w-ill he gratefully 
appreciated. Please read our inducements on last page. 
