RURAL HEW-YOR&ER. 
would not be worth £5 in another where the water 
might be impregnated with various acids, which 
would injure the quality of the flax. It would not 
cost much for the manufacturers of Belfast to send 
out a competent person to Canada to try the experi¬ 
ment, and see how far it might be advisable to 
attempt the cultivation of the flax in Canada. I he 
flax prepared in the establishment of the Messrs. 
Pekim waB principally spun to make shoemakers 
thread. In Boston the shoemaking trade was carried 
on to a great extent. The shoes and boots manufac¬ 
tured there were sent to all parts of th® States, ami 
even to South America. Ship loads of shoes and 
boots were s nt off from Boston from time to time; 
and it was to Bupply them for that trade that the flax 
in Canada was principally used. It was also used foi 
sail cloth, and such coarse fabrics. He believed that 
the flax in Canada, if properly prepared, would be as. 
good as could he produced in this country. He 
would recommend at first the flax not to be ripened 
too much, with the view of saving the seed: for when 
the flax was allowed to ripen to such an extent, the 
fibre was not so flue or so useful as an article for 
spinning. 
In answer to inquiries, Mr. M. said that the land in 
Canada would grow excellent flax, and the water was as 
good for rotting as any in Ireland. He also expressed 
the opinion that the scarcity of labor was no objec¬ 
tion, as machinery could be used to a great extent in 
preparing flax, and the flax crop came in between 
hay and wheat harvest. The proposition to send an 
agent to Canada to advance this interest was received 
with general favor. We hope our readers, not only in 
Canada, but in the States, will wake up to this interest. 
In conclusion, Mr. M. exhibited some Illinois soil, 
and described the way in which wheat was cut and 
harvested on some of the large prairie farms. 
WINTERING SHEEP. 
Ens. Rural New-Yorker:— Having noticed an 
article in your excellent paper of May 11th, on the 
subject of Wintering Sheep, I trust, in answer thereto, 
you will give an insertion to the following remarks, 
though it is late in the season to discuss the question: 
I have been a constant reader of your valuable 
journal, and have paid particular attention to the 
thoughts of others recorded in your paper under this 
head; and having had some experience in sheep 
raising and wintering, I deem it not amiss to impart 
my experience. I was brought up east of the Hudson, 
among the hills, where the practice among farmers 
in the preparation of fodder, was to top the corn 
stalks, and when properly cured, to stack them on 
the highest place in the field, where the sheep for 
wintering would bo driven and kept for feeding 
therefrom without grain. In this way my father 
managed with very great success. Those of his 
flock that had lambs, were in good heart, and the 
lambs vigorous and smart, while those without 
lambs, after shearing, were lit for the butchers, who 
were generally after them. 
The more rango or proper liberty sheep have in 
the winter, I deem the better. To keep sheep fenced 
or too circumscribed in the winter, is detrimental to 
their health. There should be a place or shelter for 
them, in stormy weather and for night, leaving it 
optional for the sheep to seek it or not; for they are 
in this particular like a turkey — they want their 
liberty. My father, who was a very successful sheep 
grower, never allowed shelter for them. 
The mode of preparing corn stalks, since I have 
been here, is to cut them at or near the ground, into 
which practise T have fallen, and then, like my 
iatber, usually stack them in the field, and feed from 
it. This has been my course, although on a rather 
small scale, for about twenty-five years — my flock 
ranging from ton to over sixty. My present flock 
of forty, including wethers, ewes, and yearlings, all 
fare alike through rain and storm, ami are fed from 
the stack, not having driven them up once on account 
of storms. The ewes are now having their lambs - 
both ewes and lambs being fine and healthy. My 
sheep ran at largo and among my cattle, faring the 
same, feeding once a day stalks, and letting them 
eat as much straw as they would. 1 sometimes gave 
bay once a day and managed the same as with the 
stalks as long as the straw lasted, but T gave them no 
grain. I think my sheep have been wintered cheaper 
than those of my brother farmers, referred to in the 
said number of May 11th. 
AY lie n the sheep are not fed grain, I always find 
their lambs finer and stronger. My sheep are now 
fine and healthy, and not inferior to any. In market, 
their wool brings as much as my brother farmers’. 
You may look upon the shearing as rather light, hut 
of tate years the average has been five pounds a head, 
and last year the average was five and a half pounds. 
My flock last year was SO, and the wool in market on 
an average yielded me $-.50 a head. Wm. J. Titir. 
Macedon, N. A'., 1861. 
channel. This may be removed by inserting a catheter 
and crowding it back. If the difficulty is below the 
incision, the animal may ever after continue to dis¬ 
charge the urine from the orifice made, without any 
detriment to the health of tbe animal. There is a 
case of this kind near here, which has been in this 
situation for three years. John I. Knapp. 
Adrian. Mich., May, 1861. 
SEED CORN MIXTURE. 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker: —In your issue, Vol. 12, 
No. 17, Mr. Kendall gives a mixture in which to 
roll seed corn to prevent its too early sprouting. 
Since Mr. Kkndall is an older and more experinced 
man than myself, I do not wish in an ipse dixit man¬ 
ner to contradict his way of treating seed-corn, but 
only to produce a reliable, practiced fact to the con¬ 
trary, disapproving of his plan, which may be of 
some materiality to many persons. He says, “ Three 
pints of common gas tar, thoroughly stirred into a 
bushel of seed corn, until every grain receives a 
coating of the tar, and then the whole mixed with 
plaster, wood ashes, or dry loam, until it is no longer 
sticky, is the best possible preparation for seed corn.” 
Now, any person possessing only proficiency in the 
rudiments of Chemistry would immediately deduce 
that corn with a tar coating would, in all likelihood, 
not sprout at all, since the tar has a strong disposi¬ 
tion to entirely exclude the oxygen of the air, which 
is indispensable to make the seed sprout. 
Here, at Farm School, a certain portion of corn 
ground in I860 was planted with corn, previously 
rolled in the identical mixture prescribed by Mr. 
Kbndai.l, and tbe consequence was that full three 
weeks passed before Mr. corn made his exit from the 
ground — and, what Is more lamentable, only about 
one-half ever did come to the surface; so that it had 
to be replanted, which is a very provoking operation 
to the farmer. 
Another plot was planted with the .sheer corn ft 
week luter, and this came up a week earlier than the 
plaster and tar rolled corn. The students, with their 
lively fancy, styled this “delinquent plat’’ the tarred 
and feathered corn, and indeed this expression became 
quite proverbial over the neighboring country. 
Mr. Kendau. remarks, also, tbat it is a good pro¬ 
tection against the depredations of the “cut-worm,” 
insects, Ac.; still the havoc they would have created 
among the raw corn would not, in our case, have 
equalized the loss sustained by planting tar-coated 
corn. f. h. s. 
Farm School, N. Y., 1861. 
FARMING AND VOLUNTEERING. 
GRAVEL IN OXEN-A REMEDY. 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker:— During the latter part 
of March 1 had a very noble ox taken suddenly sick, 
giving signs of great pain and an evident desire to 
discharge urine. Frequent pulsations of the l reihra, 
(always observable when cattle are voiding their 
urine,) were noticed, which continued for several 
hours, the ox frequently lying down or standing in a 
stretching posture. After twelve hours, the pain 
with which he was first taken appeared to somewhat 
abate, but there was no discharge of urine. Various 
remedies were administered,—such as spirits of nitre 
in large quantities, and liquor of pumpkin seeds,—but 
all of no avail. On the eighth day my ox died. He 
remained standing until he drew his last breath, 
when he fell to the ground. Not a muscle was noticed 
to move after his fall. 
Upon a post mortem examination, the cause of his 
death was very apparent. It was, as I had supposed, 
an obstruction of the Urethra. A stone had formed 
in the bladder, and passed down the natural channel 
of discharge until it reached the cod; here it became 
lodged, shutting up all passage for the escape of urine. 
The stone, which was of an oval, oblong shape, was 
not larger than an ordinary cranberry bean. It is 
composed of lime, similar in appearance to the crust 
collected en the inside of tea-kettles, but was covered 
with a membranous substance, doubtless formed after 
it became lodged, in consequence of inflammation 
taking place. 
Since losing my ox. I have learned of several that 
have died of the same cause. Also, of two cases 
where cures have been effected in the following way: 
AVhen yon are sure there is an obstruction, the animal 
should he thoroughly examined by feeling the whole 
length of the Urethra, if possible, to ascertain where 
the obstruction is. But if you fail to find where the 
obstruction is located, make an incision into the 
Urethra where the pulsation I have spoken of is ob¬ 
served. If then the animal does not discharge his 
urine, yon may be sure the obstruction is higher up, 
and so large that it cannot pass down the natural 
near eight inches as possible, and let not a weed 
grow- in the field. When the topB begin to turn yel¬ 
low, gather the lower leaves for the'cows, and yon 
will be well paid for the trouble. I have cultivated 
them in this way for two seasons, on the State Farm, 
and with such success tbat I shall pursue the same 
conrse for myself, nnlesB some of yonr readers can 
show me a better way. I would add, the mangel is 
excellent in the spring of the year for working oxen, 
and swine eat them greedily, whether raw or cooked. 
Cultnre of Tares. 
The Canadian Agriculturist having called for 
the experience of such of its readers as have culti¬ 
vated tares, “A Subscriber” replies as follows: 
“Having for some time resolved to sow a small 
quantity of land with tares, as an experiment, I pro¬ 
cured from Mr. Fleming, Toronto, a peck of seed, 
and, on the 16th of May, I sowed it on a quarter of 
an acre. The land was plowed, and well manured in 
the fall, and thoroughly cultivated in the spring. 
Shortly after they came into pod, I cut them, and 
found, when aired, there was at least three-quarters 
of a tun. It made excellent fodder; in fact the 
horses, cattle, and sheep devoured it with avidity. 
Had tbe seed been sown at tbe proper season I am 
confident there would have been twice the quantity; 
but, as it was, before the tares had grown enough to 
cover and shade the ground, the weather came very 
dry, and scorched the land, so that, at one time, I 
thought they would prove a total failure —a few 
showers, however, settled that point.” 
Mbssbb. Editors: —Reading an editorial in a late 
number of the Rural, headed “AVar and Agricul¬ 
ture,” I thought there was a great deal of truth in it, 
and many good hints for us in the West to till and 
sow as large an area of land as possible, under the 
present state of thingB, as probably all will be needed. 
TbftTO are not a few farmers who have all of their 
last year’s crop of wheat on hand, yet waiting for 
the “mighty dollar,” I’resent circumstances indi¬ 
cate that they will realize it. It can hardly be ex¬ 
pected that our wheat crop will be as heavy as that 
of last season, but thcro is a greater quantity sown 
this spring than ever. According to statistics, this 
county alone (Fond du Lao) raised over two million 
bushels of wheat last year. 
We have already raised twelve companies of vol¬ 
unteers in this county—036 men, and many mr.ro arc 
ready if needed. Bo far our companies have been 
formed mostly of young, unmarried men, and but 
few who produce grain. Our Governor says we 
farmers onght to stay at home and raise the necessa¬ 
ries of life for the numerous army that will be called 
to the field of action. He says there* are men that 
follow other occupations who c»d go, and that we 
can do as much good fighting in the harvest field as 
in the battle field. Oscar Berry. 
Near Fond du Lac, Wit... May 17, 1861. 
♦ » ' ♦ 
gturat spirit of the 
mixing Soils —An Experiment. 
A. A. Pierce writes to the American Agricultu¬ 
rist, detailing an experiment of this character, as 
follows:—“ I had a piece of ground which had be¬ 
come reduced by a succession of crops, so that it 
produced only five hundred pounds of hay to the acre. 
I wished to dig a cellar under my barn, and conclud¬ 
ed to try an experiment with the earth which was 
taken out. I measured off one acre of the tide, above 
mentioned, and drew the earth from the cellar upon 
it, covering tbe piece to the depth of two or three- 
inches when it was evenly spread. This was turned 
under the same autumn, to the depth of six inches. 
The next spring it was harrowed thoroughly, and 
one-half planted to potatoes, and the other half sown 
to oats. The vesnlt was one hundred and twenty- 
five bushels of potatoes, of as fine a quality as I ever 
raised, and thirty bushels of oats. 1 again plowed it 
in the autumn, going two inches deeper than the 
previous plowing. In the spring I thoroughly mixed 
and pulverized the soil, and sowed to wheat, and 
seeded to clover and timothy grass. 1 had a stout 
growth of straw, but owing to the weevils, the yield 
was but fifteen bushels of wheat. 1 have since cut 
two tuns of hay to the acre for two years. I think 
the four crops have well paid me for the trouble- of 
trying the experiment, and the result has been, thus 
far, quite as good as though I had applied thirty 
loads of manure to the land. The soil was clayey; 
the earth applied was a yellow loam. I think the 
mixing of soils, as clay upon sand, or sand upon clay, 
will prove of great benefit where the materials for 
making an abudance of manure are scarce.” 
Tlic Mangel Wurzel. 
E. C. Brigham has written an article upon the 
culture of this root, to the New England Farmer, from 
which we make the following extract:—“ This root 
will grow on almost any good soil, but I prefer a deep 
sandy loam, and the more free from weeds the better. 
Plow well, nine or ten inches deep, and break lumps, 
thoroughly with the harrow and bush. Then begin 
on one side, and, with a horse plow*, make five deep 
furrows, as straight as a line, and just three feet 
apart. Fill those furrows with stable manure or good 
compost, at the rate of twenty-five to forty ox cart 
loads to the acre, according to the strength of the 
manure, scatter salt upon the manure equal to two 
bushels per acre, turn two light furrows upon each 
row of manure, rake the ridges thus made length¬ 
wise, then make five more furrows, and proceed in 
the same way till the whole field is finished. Sow 
with a machine, and be generous with the seed. 
Thi 3 method gives just room to pass between the 
rows with the horse-hoe, and as the plants stand 
higher than the spaces, this may be done when they 
are very small. Turn the mold from the plants lirsfl 
then towards them, keep it stirring, and very little 
hand work will he necessary. Thin the plants to %s 
Premium Corn Crops. 
Mr. Ellis It. Lake, of Marion county, Indiana, 
received the premium of the Indiana .State Board of 
Agriculture, last year, for the largest crop of corn on 
one, five, and ten acres. He raised on a single acre 
263 bushels, and on five acre? the produce averaged 
247 bushels. Mr. L. had four competitors, whose 
crops on one, five, and ten acres ranged from 210J 
bushels down to 116. The chief points of culture are 
given in the Indianapolis Journal, and may be thus 
stated:—The kind of corn used by Mr. Lake Wft9 the 
large yellow, but whether flint or gourd seed he does 
not say. It was harvested and weighed between the 
5th and the 10th of October. As to soil and cultiva¬ 
tion, we give his own statement: 
Quality of soil, a sand and loam based on clay. 
Broken up about ten inches deep, by the first of May, 
and planted from the 10th to the J 6th of the same 
month, In rows one way three feet apart, and the 
plants from five to six inches apart in the rows. 
Plowed with a Bhovel-plow three times. The whole 
cost of cultivation and seed, $4.85 per acre. 
The ten acre field soil was exactly of the same kind 
as that of the one acre, and the product of both was 
equal — 263 bushels —hut the mode of culture was 
different. On the ten acres he plowed but six inches 
deep — “planted in rows three feet and a half each 
way, with four or five grains in a hill,”—how many 
stalks were finally left is not mentioned — plowed 
four times with a shovel-plow, and hoed over after 
the first plowing—which was ODe plowing and 
hoeing more than the single acre got. The cultiva¬ 
tion of the five acres was, in every respect, similar to 
the last, but the land was plowed eight inches deep. 
Description of soil not given. 
be more relentless. The farmers therefore have a 
double foe to fight. They are commissioned to feed 
the world and protect mankind from famine. Greater 
exertion than usual will be necessary to do this, and 
the farmers should at. once understand it. Let every 
patriot and lover of his country’s liberties, do all in 
bis power to increase the production of tie staple 
crops. For a large front door of egress, let there be 
a still more ample back door of ingress, and so will 
the horrors of civil war be partly alleviated. 
Rural Notes anb Stems. 
Stone Wall vs. Wooden Fence. 
A writer in the New England Farmer supports 
his preferenews for sboiicuftralls with the followinc 
arguments:—“Some farmers are not very much in 
favor of stone wall as a farm fence, because the cost 
is so much. It is true that stone wall would cost 
much more than wooden fence, where timber is 
plenty and rocks are scarce; but where rocks are 
plenty and timber scarce, stone wall is not always 
the most expensive fence. For example, suppose a 
farmer to have a piece of land which he wishes to 
inclose and cultivate. The measurement is twenty- 
five rods on each of the four 6ides. It would take 
one hundred rods of fence to inclose it, and there 
are rocks enough on it to build one hundred rods of 
w'all. The rocks, or a part of them at least, must be 
taken off before the land can be cultivated to advan¬ 
tage, and when taken to where the fence is wanted, 
they can be laid into wall for thirty-three cents per 
rod; the digging and drawing should not be charged 
to the wall, but to the land as improvements, so 
there are one hundred rods of wall for $33. 
To inclose the same piece with rail fence, three 
rails high, rails twelve feet long, and making a rea¬ 
sonable allowance for splifee, it would take nearly 
one hundred and forty-four posts, and four hundred 
and thirty-two rails. 
141 posts ready to set, at 10c inch-$14 40 
432 rails ready to set, at He each--- 25 92 
Setting up 100 rods rail reuee(at 2c per rod- . 2 00 
One hundred rods rail fence.j---$42 32 
It will be seen by the ahive figures, that the cost 
of the rail fence Is a fraction over twenty-eight per 
cent, more than the cost of the walls; that, perhaps, 
is more than an average, bit there are many fields 
here on the granite hills of tbe Granite State that are 
plowed and sowed, raked find mowed, year alter 
year, over rocks where, if they were taken out of the 
way, the plow, tbe harrow, tie mowing machine and 
horse rake would work enough better to pay the 
cost. And when drawn to Jhe place where a fence 
is wanted, they can be laid ip into wall for less than 
the cost of a suitable wooden fence.’’ 
-X—— 
Effects of War on Agriculture. 
The Springfield Repubican has been surveying 
the field of agricultural hbor, reasoning as to the 
influence of the war tberetpon, and closes up with 
the annexed paragraph: 
More than a hundred tlousand active Northern 
men have recently forsakei the ordinary pursuits of 
agriculture, manufactures, :tid trade, for the defence 
of their country, and the eitire body of those left at 
home are giving much tinunnd thought to the same 
object. The result must le a greater oemand for 
farm labor, a diminution ^f crops for the coming 
harvest, and higher prit ejjfor farm produce next 
year. The teeming millitcs of earth and all its 
armies depend solely npol agriculture for bread. 
Food is the first and daily requisite of every human 
being. In time of war the* is always a sad waste of 
food, and more is needed Dr the same uurnber than 
in time of peace. Buyers tVi the army may by whole¬ 
sale empty the markets, ibd thus seriously affect 
prices. The demand for b*ad and meat will conse¬ 
quently greatly increase. The States most likely to 
be the scene of conflict willflo but little for their own 
support, for the spirit of mV gives a feeling of inse¬ 
curity unfavorable to agfcultural pursuits. The 
South, the present season, Vll produce but little, for 
both blacks and whites ha?e something else to do. 
Added to this the account! from Eugland of a wet 
spring, rendering planting impossible in many cases, 
will, it is thought, even withtfutnre favorable weather, 
reduce the crops fully one-third below the average. 
Famine may tread closely t»n the heels of war and 
Renovating; Pasture Lands. 
The Boston Cultivator contains a lengthy article 
on this subject. AVe condense a few paragraphs on 
the causes of the decline in these lands, and the 
remedies to be applied. 
]. There is more stagnant water in the soil than 
formerly. AVhen the land was first cleared from the 
forest, the roots of trees tended to conduct the water 
into the earth, and after the roots decayed, the 
spaces they had occupied in the soil formed channels 
for the descent of water. This would continue for 
some time, till by gradual consolidation from the 
tread of animals and other causes, the soil and sub¬ 
soil become more impervious. 
2. In some instances, from the slow descent of 
water into the earth, or its being retained near the 
surface, mineral substances are deposited which are 
injurious to vegetation, and at the same time increase 
the obstruction to the discharge of water. The 
“hard-pan,” as it js called in some parts of this 
country, and “moor-band” in England, will be 
recognized as producing this effect. The earth be¬ 
comes cemented by a precipitation of iron, with, in 
some instances, other substances. 
3. In consequence of the check to the discharge of 
water from the soil, the better kinds Of herbage are 
liable to be winter killed — they are “hove out,” as 
the farmers say, by the frost—the expansion pro¬ 
duced by tbe freezing of the water in the soil, break¬ 
ing the roots, which being exposed on the top of the 
ground, die. 
4. In consequence of the decline of grasses, wild 
plants, shrubs and trees have sprung up, which have* 
still further checked the growth of grass. 
5. It is probable that tbe soil has become actually 
exhausted, in some instances, of some of the ele¬ 
ments essential for grass. The most important of 
these are probably alkalies and phosphates. 
The remedies suggested are as follows: 
The first remedy is draining: that is for snch cases 
mentioned under the first and second heads. Make a 
few drains, o! tiles or stones, not less than two and a 
half feet deep, in such places as seem to need them 
most. Carrying away the water will let the air into 
the soil, and this will decompose the substances 
which to the more valuable kinds of plants arc 
unwholesome—as the compounds of iron, acids, Ac. 
Bushes may be destroyed by mowing; in many cases 
it is the only way they can be destroyed. Much pas¬ 
ture land is so stony that it cannot he plowed, and if 
it could be, it is not likely that it would be thus ben¬ 
efited for grase. Cutting the bushes strengthens the 
growth of the grass, and thiB in turn hastens the 
death of the bushes. In some instances it is desira¬ 
ble to aid the grass by some top-dressing. Plaster 
has been used in the way with great advantage on 
some soils, and as we have before stated, it is the 
cheapest application that could be made. On the 
soils to which it is adapted, it produces so firm a turf 
that nothing else can grow in it. 
Sheep may be put <>n bushy paq*nw»« ‘>- , T-antii£r<* 
If the bushes are cut every year, the sheep will crop 
the tender sprouts to snch a degree that it greatly 
weakens their vitality, while at the same time the 
grazing increases the growth of the grass and white 
clover, which, as before remarked, tend to extermi¬ 
nate the bushes. It is a somewhat singular fact, but 
one well established, that land grazed by sheep 
rather improves in fertility. ’There are thousands of 
acres of land in Wales and Scotland on which sheep 
have been kept for thousands of years (for aught that 
is known to the contrary), without the application of 
any other manure than that dropped by the animals, 
and yet the growth of grass is undiminished. There 
are instances in our own country, of sheep being 
kept a long time on land with no diminution in the 
growth of grass. 
It would be well also to make some experiments in 
the application of substances as top-dressings. AYood 
ashes, leached and unleached, may bo tried, but it 
should be remembered that they* will not do so much 
good on wet land. Superphosphate of lime may 
prove to be a cheap fertilizer on some pastures. Any 
of these things may be sown at first in narrow 
breadths across the fields. A dollar’s worth used in 
this way will afford a pretty fair indication of the 
profit or loss. 
- 4 ■ # « •- 
gfttflttirM aucl 
Hkst Fmcd hok Horses in Rritixo. — Will you. or some old 
experienced former, please inform me, through the columns 
of the Rural, what kind of feed is best for a horse team 
while working hard in the spring? About how many acres 
can a good train properly lit. in season to sow to spring 
wheat, of corn stubbier If some one will answer, they will 
much oblige—A Tocxo Farmer, Shelby. X. Y., 1861. 
Sbadk Treks in Plstiirhh fob COWS.—I have often beard 
it a-serted that cowa will give more milk and do bitter where 
there are no shade trees for them to lay under. Will you. or 
some or the readers of the Re ha l. pleas., inform me, through 
the columns of the same, in regard to the above? By so doing 
you will oblige—A Young Farmer, Ottawa Co., Mich. 
This a mooted point, even among the best dairymen; how¬ 
ever, we throw the subject open to discussion — probably 
something new may he elicited. 
Iron rs. AYoon Water-Rich.— Having noticed in your 
Rural an inquiry with respect to iron water-pipe, the sub¬ 
scriber can recommend one made of wood, which is both 
pure and lasting, and hereabouts the cost would not exceed 
fifteen dollars.—T. J. Mann. Tioga, Tioga Co., Pa. 
Cork for Horn Distemper. —In a late Rural, “O. F. B,” 
wants to know what to do for his cow. 1 could not say what 
to do lor her, for I fear it is too late in the day. But for the 
horn distemper, if taken in time, I will give a cure 1 have 
never known to fail, which is garden rue and fresh butter. 
The rue to he simmered in the butter until the strength is 
out, and ponred into the ears milk warm. About a table- 
spoonful ia sufficient for each ear at a time. It should he 
administered once in twenty-four hours. A half a dozen 
applications will generall effect a cure.— Henry D. Edgkrton, 
Watson, Allegan Co., Mich., 1861. 
A Word a nour Con MEAL.— Most farmers hereabouts use 
cob meal, and I think, with favor, especially for certain pur¬ 
poses. On our light soils, we raise mostly corn and rye. 
These are the staples for feeding. The rye being sticky when 
wet or scalded, is not convenient to feed alone; hence I 
generally have it ground with the corn, well mixed in the 
hopper, OBe-foUith rye. This gives more nutriment than the 
cob meal alone, at the same time is convenient to use. This 
mixture I regard superior for milch cows, especially given 
with well chopped roots or pumpkins. For growing shoate, 
too. it may ho better than clear corn meal. It should, 
however be scalded and salted. The best way of feeding 
meal to horses, that I hare fonnd, is to sprinkle it over hay, 
previously wei with a watering pot — stir it gently, and the 
whole will mix and adhere to the hay. Be sure that the 
manger is tight. Scalded cob meal is excellent for fowls, but 
for fattening either hogs or cattle, I should not think it good 
economy —T . Dighlon , 1861. 
“Get the Best ” Stock, Seeds, anp Implkmbjtts—W hy? 
Because they are the most profitable, pecuniarily and morally 
_iu paying best and keeping you in good temper. If y 0 jj 
are raising stock, breed from the best. “Blond will tell," 
whether in horses, cattle, sheep, or swine; and by taking 
pains, and paying a little extra to secure the service* of 
superior sires, yon may obtain animals which will sell for 
double tbe price of common stock. The first cost is the only 
extra, the cats snd cost of keeping being about the same. 
Think of this, for now is the time to decide and act. The 
same is true, to a great extent, of Seeds, Trees, and Imple¬ 
ments. The aim of every cultivator should be to secure the 
best seeds and trees of the best varieties (for his location,) 
and then plant and cultivate in the best manner. Don’t 
hesitate between a superior and ordinary or inferior article, 
because the former costs a little the most—for if you do your 
duty, the first crop will more than pay the difference. So, 
also, of lahpr-eavlng implements and machines. If you need 
such at all, get the best obtainable. You can't afford to 
bother with poor implements in the busy season of planting 
or securing crops—losing time, temper, and money. There¬ 
fore, get the best, on the start—for machines which combine 
the latest improvements, that work well, and ate durable, 
will be found the cheapest, in the end, though the expense 
may seem objectionable. Aside from tbe pecuniary advan¬ 
tages of having the best Stock, Seeds, and Implements, every 
farmer ought to receive good dividends in the pleasure they 
afford him, compared with the vexation and delay so often 
experienced by non-progressives. 
The Season and Crops. — The farmers of this region were 
ablo to make some progress in plowing, planting and sowing 
last week, the weather being fair and warm. An unfavorable 
chaDge has checked operations, however — a heavy thunder¬ 
storm on Sunday night being succeeded by cold, rainy sod 
windy weather. As we write (Tuesday, A. M.) the Bun shines 
again, yet the high winds and chilly atmosphere render over¬ 
coats and fires indispensable to comfort. Comparatively 
little corn has yot. been planted in this section. Grass is 
looking well, and promises a good crop. Our reports from 
the West complain of the backward spring, but speak favora¬ 
bly of the crop prospects. We subjoin two or three letters 
relative to the Weather, C’ropa, Ac 
Conk Co., Ml-, May 16.— Tbe season here is quite late. It 
has been very wet. Crops look promising. Some COfn is 
already planted. I finished planting the 13th. There is great 
promise of fruit, (especially apples;) trees are filled with 
blossoms. The weather is fine now. but cooL Many volun¬ 
teer are returning from camp with bad colds, owing to the 
rainy weather.—M. H. Buck. 
Sturgis, Mich , May 17.—1 have traveled over five counties 
in Northern Indiana, and the same number in Southern 
Michigan, this spring. Never saw the wheat look as well. 
The cool weather ha' served to make it thick and healthy. 
On some fiat, clay lands, where farmers have not taken tbe 
precaution to plow in narrow lands, and clean out the dead 
furrows, sons to lot off the water, the wheat ia injured.— C. 
Hoyt. 
Salem, Mercer Co.. Pa., Afoy22.—While writing on business, 
I would say that we have a very cold, backward spring—frost 
more or leas every week—while wilting this the fences are 
white with frost. Reaches and cherries are all killed, though 
we have a prospect of apples plenty now The prospect of 
wheat is rather gloomy. I tliiok we will not have more than 
half an average crop in this section.— John M. Dumars 
Whereabouts of Noted Stallions. — The famous horse 
“ Cruiser," recently imported from England by J S. Rarey, 
is to he kept for service this season at the farm of W. H. 
Barky, Groveport, Ohio, at $100 for thorough-bred mares. 
“ Geo, M J'atchen ” is advertised to stand at $100, near 
Kiugsbrfdge, New York. The Seward Arabians are each 
advertised at $60. and kept at the stables of Bathgate A 
Co., Fordham, N. Y. Imported “Consternation " stands at 
Syracuse this seafiOD, and “Henry Clay” at Honeoye Falls. 
“ Lapidist,” said to be the only son of English Touchstone 
on this side of the Atlantic, has left Canada for Long Island, 
where lie is to stand this sessou. “ Enrelui," a son of Lobe 
Island Black Hawk, stands at Flshkill Plains, “Prince 
Royal," a son of old Bellfounder, is kept for service at 
Columbus, Ohio. “Major I.ow 1 and “New Jersey," both 
8An« a v>* « ♦ T>-- u 1 ■ . n a 
—f 50 each Imported “Sovereign" and “Revenue" stand 
near Versailles, Ky., each at $100 to insure. “Slasher" is 
at Holmdpt, N. J.—$60 the season. “ Star Davis ” stands at 
the stables of J. M. Clay, Ashland, Ky., at $50. “ Silver 
Heels” is kept at Gen. Singleton’s, near Quincy, Ill., at $50. 
N. Y. Agricultural College.— Tbe friends of this insti¬ 
tution will be glad to learn that the temporary absence of the 
President will not Interrupt the studies of students, or mate 
rially affect the management of affairs The Journal of the 
State Society announces that the College is in successful 
operation with its summer class, and that Major Patrick, 
the President, has arritu ged satisfactorily as to the teachers, 
so that Instruction will he uninterrupted during the PreBi 
dent's temporary absence in the service of the State. Ilia 
duties will not prevent him from being at the College fre¬ 
quently duriug the term, so as to give all matters connected 
with it his genera! supervision. 
Profit of ShreV — At a recent agricultural discussion, 
Paoli Lath HOP, of South Hadley, Moss., stated that, without 
regard to any profit from tbe wool, a pound of mutton could 
be made cheaper than a pound of beef—adding tbat, “in 
fatting sheep, one great advantage was, they could take their 
grain iu a crude stale and would thoroughly digest it, whereas 
the grain for cattle had to he ground, and a sixteenth part 
paid for that operation. He thought the English mutton 
breeds of sheep most profitable His preference was for the 
South-Dowus. They fatten easily, and their meat is very 
fine. It is with sheep as with cattle —tbe large breeds are 
most profitable on rich land, and the small breeds are best 
fitted for poor lands ” 
A Damp Plaok best for Sitting Hens. - A correspondent 
of the London Poultry Chronicle says hens should sit in 
damp rather than dry places, for the following reasons: 
“ The germ of the egg floats uppermost within and against 
the shell, in order that it may meet the genial warmth of 
the breast of the fowl, We must, therefore, in hatching, 
apply most warmth to thai part only; the egg being supplied 
with only a limited quantity of moisture, is thus arranged to 
prevent evaporation from a large surface, aa the egg is only 
very warm at the part in contact with the fowl, until the 
btood-scarching nourishment for the embryo has surrounded 
tbe inner surface of the shell, when the whole egg becomes 
gradually warm, and eventually of an equal temperature.” 
Noble Horse. — Writiog to a New York paper, Grant 
ThOBBURN says:—“1 once saw a horse, in the neighborhood 
of New York, drawing a load of coal of twelve hundred 
weight, in a cart. The lane was very narrow —the driver, 
some distance behind, was conversing with a neighbor. The 
horse, on a slow walk, came np to a little child sitting on his 
hind quarters, in the middle of tbe road, gathering up dust 
w ith his little hands, and mating mountains out of mole 
hills- The horse stopped — he smelled of tbe child — there 
was no room to turn off. With his thick lips he gathered the 
frock between his teeth, lifted the child, laid him gently on 
the outside of the wheel track, and - went on hia way rejoic¬ 
ing.' And well might he rejoice—he had done a noble deed 
A Hoksb Show is announced to he held by the “ Metropol 
itan Fair Ground Company, ' at Westfield, N. Y., on the 6th 
and 7th of June iust. The premiums offered are liberal, and 
include the various classes of horses. The most prominent 
prizes are for the beet walking and trotting horses, and ladies 
equestrianism. Elam C. Bliss, Esq., ia President of the 
Company, and Simon Collins the Secretary. 
Minor Items. —The Michigan Agricultural College com¬ 
menced its present term with sixty students —about one- 
third more than were in the institution last summer — 
Rev. C. E. Goodrich, of Utica, has originated 1800 varieties 
of seedling potatoes within the past ten or twelve years, 
nearly all ol which have proved unworthy of cultivation. 
Cowing tc Co., of Seneca Falls, have sent os handsome 
Descriptive and Priced Catalogues of their Lift and force 
Pumps, Hydraulic Rams, Garden Engines, ka., kc. The 
Indiana State Board of Agriculture have determined to boh 
no Fair this year.-The Society of Acclimation at Paris ha--, 
lost its flock of alpacas, and is taking measures to replace them. 
