ROCHESTER, N. Y.-FOR THE AYEEK ENDING SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 1861 
{WHOLE NO. 596 
ray grass, (or, instead, ,J bushel Italian and J bushel 
perennial,) 8 lbs. trefoil, 4 lbs. white clover, 2 lbs. 
alsike, and 1 lb. of parsley. 
“ for cutting—half a bushel Italian ray grass and 
11 lbs. red clover.” 
Mr. Wilson was acknowledged to be very success¬ 
ful in his grass crops. Others, however, objected to 
the use of ray-grass. Mr. Durik said that less ray 
grass seed was used now than formerly, and that 
whilst his father sowed a bushel and a half per acre, 
he never sowed so much ns one. He condemned 
perennial ray grass altogether, char¬ 
acterising it as “a weed,” which 
k “ought not to be-sown at all; for 
P 1 no beast would eat. it, if it could 
get any other kind.” Instead of 
BY ; ~ - -1^ perennial, he used annual ray grass, 
and in this he waB supported by 
Air. Douglas, who does not believe 
in perennial, and has “not sown 
it for the last live years.” He con¬ 
siders “ the annual a quicker grass, 
more succulent, and of better qual¬ 
ity.” The mixture used by Mr, 
r Douglas “for all purposes” is “ 10 
lbs. red clover, 4 lbs. white, 2 lbs. 
cow grass, 2 lbs. alsike,” with 14 
pecks annual ray grass and 2 pecks 
Italian. Mr. Douglas stated one 
important fact relative to his mua- 
agernent of the clover crop which 
^ a is too frequently overlooked, name- 
ly, the importance of top-dressing 
v. it; “he had tested it every year at 
au expense of about 90s. an acre, antf 
every year lie hail beta well repaid .” 
So much diversity of opinion was expressed by 
members, that the Club resolved to leave open for 
further discussion a question so important. 
Flint, in Grasses and Forage [’Ian A., gives an 
interesting chapter on this subject, from which we 
make a few extracts: 
“ It is difficult to over-estimate the importance to 
the farmer of a good selection and proper mixture of 
grass-seed for the various purposes of cultivation, 
for mowing, for soiling, for permanent pasturage, or 
for an alternate crop. I>oubtless the varieties of 
seed usually sown in this country, consisting almost 
exclusively of timothy and red top, with a mixture of 
I red clover, arc among the best for our purposes, and 
their exclusive use is, in a measure, sanctioned by 
the experience and practice of our best farmers; yet 
it would seem very strange, indeed, if this vast 
family of plants, consisting of thousands of species 
and varieties, anil including, as already intimated, 
nearly a sixth part, of the whole vegetable kingdom, 
could furnish no more than two or three truly valu¬ 
able speeieB. 
“ When we consider, also, that some species are best 
adapted to one locality, and others to another, some 
reaching their fullest and most perfect development 
on clay soils, and some on lighter loams and sands, 
we cannot but wonder that the practice of sowing 
only timothy and redtop on nearly all soils,—clays, 
loams, and sands, indiscriminately, both on high 
and low land, Bhould have become bo prevalent. 
“ It is equally remarkable that while hut very few 
of our grasses, and these for the most part species 
peculiar to sterile soils, flourish alone, hut nearly all 
do best with a mixture Of several species, it should 
so constantly have been thought judicious to attempt 
to grow only two prominent species together, with 
merely an occasional addition of an annual or bien¬ 
nial clover, which soon dies out. When this course 
is pursued, unless the soil Is rich and in good heart, 
the grass is likely to grow thin and far between, 
producing but half or two-thirds of a crop; whereas, 
the addition in the mixture of a larger number of 
species would have secured a heavier burden, of a 
better quality. These considerations, it seems to me, 
indicate the true direction in which the farmer who 
wishes to ‘ make two spires of grass grow where one 
grew before,' without impoverishing the soil, should 
All fowls will sit, at least we have never kept any 
that did not under some circumstances show such a 
desire, although we have kept about all the known 
breeds. The Poland fowls usually show no disposi¬ 
tion to sit until three years old. The Hamburgh 
fowls, called sometimes Dutch Every-day Layers, of 
which there fire several varieties, differing mainly in 
color, arc rarely known to sit. These everlasting 
layers we think will not produce many more eggs, 
during a year, than other breeds. Although they con¬ 
tinue longer, they do not lay as rapidly. 
MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
AN ORIGINAL WEEKLY 
agricultural, literary and family journal. 
they, asbitherto, will beblamable. If the producers of 
the staple in this State, Pennsylvanin/.Vermont, Ohio, 
Michigan, Ac., will generally act upon this sugges¬ 
tion, we think, if dealers are really in earnest, (and 
their interest evidently accords with their declara¬ 
tions,) that better prices will he obtained, and a 
better system inaugurated among both parties. 
and he was so confident of this that if he had $100,000 
to spare, he would invest it in wool. We think this 
was a candid opinion, and though somewhat privately 
expressed, we violate no confidence in making it. 
public. The other dealer—a very careful and honor¬ 
able business man—was less sanguine as to the 
future. He admitted that much coarse and medium 
wool would be required to supply ordinary wants 
and the extra demand for soldiers’ clothing, (being 
satisfied that 9boddy, etc., would not be endured by 
those in authority,) — yet'argued that the supply of 
wool on hand, the scarcity of money, and depression 
of trade and manufactures, would cause the market 
to be depressed, as purchasers must be few on the 
start, eliciting little competition. His estimate for 
coarse grades was a trifle lower than those above 
given, whilo he thought fine wool would rule 15 cents 
less than last season. 
— We have thus briefly given the views and figures 
of dealers here, in order that our wool-growlug 
friends may be enabled to compare notes with them. 
Of course the most, honorable manufacturers and 
dealers wiBh to purchase the staple to the best advan¬ 
tage, and will cite their losses last year, the present 
hard times, etc., as reasons for non-action and low 
prices. They will not he likely to say much about 
the new tariff, which is considered quite favorable to 
manufacturers and wool growers; or bint that the 
large amount of woolen goods which were imported 
into the country before the tariff went into operation 
will soon be exhausted, when prices must advance. 
Our last Wool Circular from Europe (issued by Abram 
Gartsidk, Wool Broker, Liverpool,) has this signifi¬ 
cant. item:—•• Since the alteration of the American 
Tariff, few Woolen Goods have been exported to the 
United States, which has caused the manufacturers 
engaged in this trade to diminish producing to some 
extent, but. those who are making for the Home trade 
are fully employed, and Upon the whole the consump¬ 
tion of Wool is considerable.” The same Circular 
says:—“ From the time Jfjie present, line weather set 
in a better disposition has been manifested, causing 
prices to be better maintained than was expected at, 
the commencement ot the present series of Public 
Sales, which began on the 2d instant and closed this 
evening, (May 10,) consisting of 18,510 bales offered, 
15,123 bales being sold. The attendance of buyers, 
both Home and Continental, was numerous, the latter 
having purchased freely,” 
In determining as to the value of wool, and whether 
to sell at once or wait for an advance, our producers 
will, of course, he governed by their own judgment 
and circumstances, after considering the facts and 
probabilities. We may err, but think prices will 
advance from the opening of the market, thus revers¬ 
ing the action of last season. Those who can hold 
this year’s clip awhile will not be likely to lose, 
while the prospect is certainly favorable for an 
advance. As already indicated, oar own impression 
is that prices will, this season, (or for some months,) 
rule from six to ten cents per lb. less than last. 
The market may open much lower thai> our figures, 
but we think good wool onght to reach them in a few 
months.. If the market opens at low rates, it is more 
than probable that money will soon be forthcoming 
from heavy dealers and manufacturers, causing au 
advance in prices. Hence we are moved to advise 
wool growers to take things calmly, and not be 
anxious to dispose of the present clip at once, unless 
their circumstances render it necessary. 
— The subject of Preparing Wool for Market was 
discussed somewhat in the Rural of the 1st inst., but 
we wish to add a few words in this connection. As 
our readers are aware, moBt of the wool through the 
country has heretofore been purchased by agents of 
manufacturers and heavy dealers. These agents re¬ 
ceive a commission of a certain per cent, on all the 
wool purchased, and are usually instructed to get up 
a lot at an average stipulated price for each section. 
Thus the wool of different sections is known in mar¬ 
ket as Western New York wool, Ohio wool, Michigan 
wool, Ac., each lot having a distinctive character. 
The buyer, who works for a commission, rarely dis¬ 
criminates between poor and good lots as he should; 
and hence, if he pays for certain had Iota 5 to 10 
cents per pound more than they are worth, he must 
purchase some superior lots, in good condition, at 
much less than their real value, in order to secure his 
commission and make his average price. Thus, 
while the manufacturer secures his wool at a stipu¬ 
lated and satisfactory price, and the buyer receives 
bis commission, the most careful and painstaking 
wool growers are losers and the careless ones gain¬ 
ers—for, as we said two weeks ago, lack of discrimi¬ 
nation on the part of buyers encourages carelessness 
and deception. 
But we think this course will not be continued — 
that dealers have discovered the error of their ways, 
and have resolved to reform. We are assured by 
wool buyers that proper discrimination will be made 
this season, so that those who put up their wool in 
proper condition will obtain the best prices, while 
those who are slovenly, or use deception, will not be 
likely to sell their clips at the market price. This is 
as it should be, and if dealers will only practice what 
they proclaim, a long-needed reform will be insti¬ 
tuted— one which will prove beneficial to all parties 
interested. We trust the wool growers of the country 
will second the efforts of dealers by putting up the 
present clip in the best manner; and then, if the 
buyers still pay a premium for careless and slovenly 
management, by refusing to make proper discrimina¬ 
tion between merchantable and unmerchantable wool, 
CONDUCTED BY D. D. T. MOORE, 
With an Able Corps of Assistants and Contributors, 
Tbe Rural New-Yorker is designed to be imsnn>#«*ed in 
Talne, Parity, Usefulness and Variety of’Contents. and unique 
and beautiful in Appearance Its Conductor devotes his per¬ 
sonal attention to tbe supervision of its various departments, 
and earnestly labors to render the Rural an eminently 
Reliable Cnide on all the important Practical, Scientific and 
other Subjects intimately connected with the buiincaa of 
those who* 10 ; nterests it jealously advocates. As a Family 
Journal .cis eminently Instructive and Entertaining —being 
so conducted that it can be safely taken to the Hearts and 
Homes of people oY intelligence, taste and discrimination It 
embraces more Agricultural, Horticultural, Scientific, Educa¬ 
tional, Literary and News Matter, interspersed with appropriate 
&nd beautiful Engravings, than any other journal,—rendering 
it the most complete Agricultural, Literary and Family 
Newspaper in America. 
THE POULTRY YARD 
Considerable time Las elapsed since we last pre¬ 
sented our readers with a diaper on Poultry, and a 
dozen or more pressing inquiries warn ns that 
further delay will cause a good deal of anxiety, and 
perhaps some disappointment to our friends. These 
inquiries we have not space to answer in detail, but, 
will endeavor to give all the information sought in 
this article. 
Although there was a good deal of humbug in the 
Shanghae excitement, yet it was not all evil. Previ¬ 
ous to the importation of the largo breeds, our 
common fowls had. been neglected, bred without 
system and care, until they were small, ill formed, of 
all colors, Bizcs and shapes. It is true, occasionally 
a few Dorkings, or Polands, could be found preserved 
with tolerable purity; but these were scarce, and the 
little inquiry for fine fowls gave no encouragement 
to careful breeding. During tjio height of the 
chicken fever, miserable, long-legged Shanghaes ob¬ 
tained unmerited favor; but good birds, with short 
legs and heavy bodies, though rather large boned, 
could always bo procured. They have much im 
proved the size of the common fowl, and the effects 
of the cross can be seen in almost every barn-yard, 
as well as in onr markets. 
Large fowls are not as mischievous in the garden 
as small ones, and they can be confined with less 
trouble, as they are not expert.. J^uli the 1 vugs. A 
IItll^old hen is a perfect mii-iaru e in' a gaVien. It 
seeing us if fowls learn nothing but mischief after 
they get to be about two year , old, and one or two 
old ones will spoil a whole brjoc! and lenru them 
more mischief in an hour than they would acquire in 
a year without such teachers. Chickens are a great 
assistance to the gardener, destroying a large number 
of insects. I’laco coops in the walks, but be careful 
that the hen is well secured, or she will bury herself 
in your choicest beds. The form of these coops is 
not important, but It Is important to have thorn so 
constructed as to protect the hen and her family 
from rain storms, and it is especially necessary that 
the bottom should be dry. They should, therefore, 
be placed on high and dry ground. 
Entered accnnllnv to net. of CongTPHs. in the year 1861, by 
[). D. T Moore, in tbe Office of the Clerk of the District 
Court for the Northern District of New York. 
C3~ Our only object in copyrighting this paper Is to secure 
what every honorable journalist will freely grant,—proper 
credit for articles selected from its pages- Any and every 
journal is at liberty, and invited, to copy freely, by crediting 
each original article or illustration to Rural New-Parker■ 
ABOUT WOOL: 
PROSPECTS, PRICES. PREPARING FOR MARKET. &o. 
HAMBURGH FOWLS, 
The Wool Clip of 1801 is uearly ready for market, 
and there is no little anxiety among growers as to the 
prospects. The opinion generally prevails that wool 
must. mi 0 T3 ry low this season, and it is by no means 
confined to dealers and manufacturers. Though this 
opinion founded upon the losses of dealers, the war 
excitement, and consequent depressed state of trade 
and manufactures—has been almost universal for the 
past two months, we think there aro some indications 
that the market will open at better prices than have 
been expected, and improve as the season advances. 
Recent conversation with dealers proves that they 
are more confident than a month ago—that, though 
they think prices must rule low on the start, com¬ 
pared with last year, the prospects are that there will 
be an advance, especially on coarse and medium 
wools, (luring the ensuing twelve months. 
Thongh manufacturing has been temporarily 
depressed, we believe operations must ere long bo 
resumed to supply the ordinary wants of the country, 
and the extra demand for Boldiers’ clothing. And 
here let us say that those who suppose such miserable 
clothing as has been provided for some of our volun¬ 
teer regiments is to be renewed, and supplied to 
others with impunity, will be mistaken. The flimsy, 
rotten stuff, made of foreign rags and waste, will not 
be endured—for both soldiers and people insist that 
our troops shall be well elothed—and the result will 
be a large demand for woolen goods, suitable for 
those who have volunteered to defend our flag and 
preserve the Union. This will give employment to 
many manufacturers, and cause an increased demand 
for a good staple —so much indeed that we should 
not be surprised if coarse and medium wools were 
soon worth nearly as mnch as last autumn. Fine 
wool must rule lower, compared with last season — 
probably ten cents less. 
An extensive wool dealer with whom we conversed 
a lew days ago, spoke quite discouragingly of the 
prospects, and disparagingly of wool growers—dwell¬ 
ing particularly upon their carelessness (we thiuk he 
said wickedness) in preparing wool for market. As 
one reason for his opinion that prices must rule 
exceedingly low, (from ten to twenty cents less than 
last season.) he mentioned the manner in which our 
volunteers were being uniformed, and cited the fact 
that orders had been sent to Europe for large quanti¬ 
ties of like miserable material for clothing. But we 
think that argument will not hold good — for if 
there is any patriotism in the people, and honesty 
among those who control affairs, the supplying of 
waste and shoddy clothing to soldiers is about 
finished. It jg too generally and strongly condemned 
on all hands to be continued with impunity. Aside 
from the disgraceful injustice of the practice—insult- 
The Ilamburghs are very beautiful, lively birds, 
when kept clean, and with a good range, but they 
suffer in close- confinement, and them have a shabby 
genteel look, that is very disagreeable. Indeed, this 
is the case with all fancy fowls, and no one should 
attempt to keep them who bus not proper oonven- 
ieuees, plenty of room, and time to devote to their 
care aud admiration. The Han turns are pretty, but 
not profitable. We must defer notice of the different 
breeds for the present. 
From twelve to fifteen fowls may be kept in a 
house eight or ten feet square, with a yard attached 
about twice that size, and with profit, as we know by 
experience. The house must he kept eleau, the 
inside occasionally whitewashed, aud the nests 
frequently changed. The yard should have partial 
shade from treeB or buildings, otherwise shade must 
he provided. Dig up a few feet of the yard every 
day for the fowls to work among and dust themselves. 
After if is all worked over once Or twice, remove the 
surface, and use it in the garden, and give the fowls 
a load of fresh earth. That removed 1st worth all the 
trouble it causes, as manure for the garden. It is 
unequalled for flower beds. The house, if it lias no 
other floor than the earth — and this Is bettor than 
boards — should be served in the same manner. 
Fowls in almost all cases become diseased by neglect. 
In a week or two we will resume this subject. 
TENT COOP. 
The above engraving shows a very good form, 
quite common, and if the front only is open, afford¬ 
ing pretty good protection from tic weather. The 
following is an English style. Bythis arrangement 
the chickens, when very young, m[y he confined in 
the little front yard, where their food is kept; or 
by changing the position of the yard, they may be 
allowed to range within call of the mother. 
BEST MIXTURE OP GRASS SEEDS 
Much attention is paid in Europe to the best 
mixture of grass seeds to obtain the desired end, 
whether it be for pasture or hay, and also to ascer¬ 
tain which Is host for the different variety of soils. 
A little attention to this matter in America, we think, 
would be productive of the best results, and wo ask 
our readers to give us information of any reliable 
experiments they may have conducted. The “ Best 
Mixture of Grass Needs ” was discussed lately before 
the East Lothian Agricultural Society of Scotland, 
at one of their monthly meetings, and we will 
endeavor to give the chief points in the discussion. 
Mr. SniHuiKK, who introduced the subject, com¬ 
plained that they were not as successful now-a-days 
in raising good grass crops as they were “long ago, 
before the guano islands were known”—referring, 
we suppose, chiefly to the liability to failure which is 
now a predominating complaint in the case of red 
clover, where the Boil iB highly cultivated. In his own 
experience, he had found uo mixture that produced 
perfectly satisfactory results; and with the view of 
laying before the meeting the practice in different 
districts, he had obtained information on the subject 
from various farmers in several of the Scotch comi¬ 
ties. The first example he adduced was that of Mr. 
Hope, of Fenton Barns,'whoso young grass was 
generally better than any other in East Lothian. 
Mr. Hope’s mixture for pastures and cutting, 
respectively, per Scotch acre — a measure of land 
about midway between the imperial and the Irish acre 
—are as follows: 
“ For pasture—either for one or two years—M lbs. 
red clover, 4 lbs. white do., 2 lbs. alsike do., 2 lbs. 
yellow do., 2 pecks Italian ray grass, and 1 peck 
KNGLISTl FEEDING OOP. 
We have experienced one diftUulty with all these 
coops, and one which wc think kvill be felt by all 
who live in or near cities and viliges. The mother 
being confined, and unable to afford protection to 
her defenceless brood, they becone the prey of cats, 
and every day the number dcoeases without any 
known cause, until perhaps by ascident or through 
watchfulness the enemy is diseov»red. In the coun¬ 
try there are other enemies equally and perhaps more 
destructive, that seize their preyln the night, some¬ 
times destroying both the mother and her family. 
Cats generally do their work eady in the morning, 
and we have seen them watchingnntil the first chick 
made its appearanoe outside otthe coop, when it 
was immediately seized. To prelect the brood front 
such enemies, we made a coop with two apartments, 
SAFETY cook. 
as shown in the engraving, one of which is tight, 
with the exception of a few augur holes for ventila¬ 
tion. Into this the hen will a ways take her brood 
for safety during the night. The slide-door is then 
let down and all is safe until murniug. 
B'.- wj 
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