■L^TICI'U 
ROCHESTER. N. Y.-FOR TOE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, OCTOBER 
. MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
AN ORIGINAL WKKKI.Y 
AGRICULTURAL, LITERARY AMU FAMILY JOURNAL 
4. For hoed crops, ahd especially corn, manure 
can be applied deep to better advantage than for any 
other crops. 
WEDNESDAY EVENING. 
This evening D 
Mr. Stanley, of Lewis, after seeding land, mows 
one or two years before turning into pasture. 
Thought his pastures improve'! every year after seed¬ 
ing. The best pasture he has is sixteen years old, 
and it now gives mnch more feed than that seeded 
three years since. His land is flats, and in part 
overflows. 
Mr. Hawley, of Syracuse, was not a farmer, but 
was well acquainted with the dairy business hi Cort¬ 
land and Chenango counties. Had known old pas 
tores where it required three acres to keep a cow, 
broken up, when t he same land would keep twice the 
number. Fluster was indispensable to the dairy 
farmer. The best way to apply manure is on the 
surface, early in the autumn, and bush it in. 
Mr. Ellison, of Herkimer, found that by the 
application of plaster, old pastures may be made to 
produce as much ns by plowing, lie sowed a great 
deal. Eradicated white daisies completely by its 
application, and could got rid of them in no other 
way. The cattle always prefer pasture laud where 
plaster has been applied. Hoes not think frequent 
plowing beneficial. White clover produces the best 
butter and cheese. Makes meadows improve with 
age, and has them first rate thirty years old. Applies 
his plaster early in the spring. 
Solon Robinson, of Westchester OOunty, had grass 
land on primitive rock, which, three years ago, 
grew more white daisies titan all things else com- 
those mentioned by Mr. Thomas. One of bis neigh¬ 
bors made from COO to 700 pounds of cheese from 
each cow kept. They were crosses between Ayr- 
shires and Devons. A good cow costs no more to 
keep than a poor one. The town of Fairfield, in 
Herkimer county, plows less land than any other 
town in the United States, and produces more but¬ 
ter and cheese. 
Mr. Cornell, of Ithaca, had taken pains to pro¬ 
cure the agricultural statistics of Tompkins county, 
and these went to prove that the farms of that comity 
paid an annual interest of ten per cent, on their 
value. We think these figures will need some 
revision before they will show the facts. Statistics 
are worse than useless unless they are prepared with 
the greatest care. Mr. C. said the farmers o| Tomp¬ 
kins county were growing rich, living in better 
houses, riding in better carriages, sending money to 
the West, and loaning it on bonds and mortgager. 
Solomon W AlfWUATll, of St. Lawrence, bad kept 
an account of all he raised, and expenses, for ten 
years, but farmers do not generally do so, ami when 
they make statements of crops or profits, they usually 
guess at it, and always guess too high. Farmers of 
St. Lawrence are prosperous. Farms have risen In 
the last fifteen years from $15 to SCO per acre. 
.to iin J. Thomas said that farmers sometimes 
think they do not get the interest on their farms, 
but forget they are getting a living for themselves 
and families from their land. 
Mr. Vick, of Rochester, thought the farm should 
pay interest on its value besides giving a living. The 
farmer, and his hoys, and his wife, earn their living 
by their labor in the way designed that man should 
get his bread, by the sweat of the brow. The same 
labor in any business or trade, would afford a living; 
therefore whatever capital the farmer lias Invested in 
land ami buildings, should give a profit equal to sim¬ 
ple interest, above an economical living. 
Tub President, in closing the discussion, said 
that in estimating the value of a business wo must 
not forget to look <u it« aciunno. jl Vinainess 
that affords a large profit lor a year or so, and then 
nothing until the profits of previous years are sunk, 
cannot, bo called profitable. He also stated that after 
expenses, taxes, Ac., aro deducted, the ordinary 
rate of interest falls far below seven per cent. 
The meeting decided the question in the affirma¬ 
tive by a unanimous vote. 
offered for Herefords owned out of the State, whereat 
said exhibitor wns exceeding wroth. The fact is, 
most Agricultural Societies oiler large premiums for 
all classes of thorough-bred stock; and the effei- 
Ings for Herefords have been co-equal with those 
offered for Durhams or Devons. Men belong¬ 
ing to the name class that be does, have found it 
profitable to itinerate with their herds of Herefords 
and Ayrshlres, and attend these fairs. Their stock 
being transported free, fed free, and there being a 
moral certainty that they would win prizes, it has 
hitherto proved profitable. But so far as thi n State is 
concerned, such men—such professional exhibitors— 
will go begging for premiums hereafter. 
There were a few Alderneys and a few monster fat 
cattle exhibited. In this State there are few Alder¬ 
neys kept, I learn that some of the dairymen of 
Wisconsin are breeding from them with good result— 
one man with whom I talked at, the Milwaukee fair, 
asserting that Ills Alderneys gave cream, compared 
with the milk of most of the native cows. 
There is a good deal that might be said of the differ¬ 
ent breeds of cattle and their adaptation to different 
localities In tlie North-West; and it must be said; but 
I prefer to say it. in connection with the localities 
where the herds are kept, as I may visit, them here¬ 
after. It is true of cattle,—as it is ol’sheep, or of any 
other products, —there is no reliable rule which does 
r, Fitch occupied about thirty 
minutes in describing the Grain Aphis, with which 
the farmers of this and neighboring States have 
become well acquainted the present year. Wo have 
already published all the information to be obtained 
on the subject, and therefore will not republish fucts 
already familiar to our readers. The Doctor express¬ 
ed the opinion that it would not be numerous next 
year, on account of the numerous enemies that were 
preying upon it. The subject for discussion was the 
following: 
/i it advisable! to cultivate Dairy Farms, to as to secure 
fresh pastures, or are permanent- pastures most profitable } 
Amt how can noxious wads be, excluded from, pasture lands 
■most advantageously ? 
Mr. Boh nows, of Lewis, thought the propriety of 
breaking up pastures depends npou soil. His farm 
Is on the west side of Black River, natural to grass, 
and was benefited by breaking up. On the cast side 
where grass does not take readily, would not break 
up. Moss accumulates iu obi pastures and injures 
the feed. Cows prefer pastures that have been newly 
seeded down. Ca/iada Thistles and White Daisies 
were the most troublesome weeds he had to contend 
with; but by constantly working, prevented their 
increase, although they might, he gaining a little. 
Had an instrument made like a chisel, with a long 
handle, witli which ho cutup the weeds. 
Mr. Vandyke, of St.-Lawrence, round Yellow Dock 
the most difficult weed to subdue. He pulled it with¬ 
out cutting the roots. If allowed to grow until hay¬ 
ing time, the seeds will ripen. 
Mr. Burrows, of Lewis, hud a pasture ef 600 acres, 
which, when it, came into his possession, was overrun 
with briars. It then only kept ten cows. He pro¬ 
cured sheep and they aaWqfid the briars. Juno gvam 
came lu very thick, and this pasture now keeps from 
25 to 30 cows. Jt makes as good butter and cheese, 
and as much of It, as any land In the county. 
Mr. Miles, of Lewis, concurred with Mr. Burrows. 
His cows would leave the old Jane grass for new 
pastures. 
Mr. Lyon, of Lewis, thought gravelly or sandy 
loam requires breaking up oftener than limestone 
land. On the sandy soil in his section, the first year 
broken up, there was a good deal of sorrel; but the 
second year, a line crop of white clover. Always 
sow white clover, either for pasture or meadow, with 
red clover and Timothy. Would break up light land 
every third year. 
Mr. Walworth, of St. Lawrence, got his land 
clean before sowing, and then destroyed every weed 
that appeared 
CONDUCTED BY D. D. T. MOORE, 
With an Able Corps of Assistants and Contributors. 
CHAS. D. BRAG DON, Western Corresponding Editor. 
Thb Rural Nkw-Yorkkr is designed to be nnsnrpassed in 
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and earnestly labors to render the Ritual an eminently 
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Other Subjects intimately connected with the business of those 
whose interest* It vealously advocates Ah a Family Journal 
it is eminently Instructive and Entertaining—being to con¬ 
ducted that it can be wifely taken to the Hearts and Homes of 
people of intelligence, taste and discrimination It embraces 
more Agricultural, Horticultural. Scientific, Educational, 
Literary and New* Matter, interspersed with appropriate and 
beautiful Engravings, than any other Journal.—rendering 
it the most complete Agricultural, Litkiury and Family 
Nkwhpapkm in America. 
NEW YORK STATE AG. FAIR, 
EVENING DISCUSSIONS, 
Not the least profitable feature of our State Fair is 
the discussion of practical questions by the farmers 
who there congregate. Formerly the evenings were 
wasted in lounging about hotels, but now those who 
are really in pursuit of knowledge, hasten to the 
place appointed for the discussion, where, without 
any pretention to oratory, all seem ready to give 
their views and experience upon any matter before 
the meeting. The debates partake of t-ha character 
of a fon.tif,, r . w o well received, 
though presented in a homely garb. Occasionally 
some one tries to show off ability or science, but 
finds the former is not appreciated us much by the 
audienco as the speaker, and in the latter soon be¬ 
comes befogged. Science la a dangerous thing to 
handle — like edged tools in tho hands of children — 
and he who tries to show more knowledge than he 
possesses, is very apt to get hurt. As we reaehed 
the fair late on Tuesday night, wo are compelled to 
rely upon the local press for a report of the discussion 
TUESDAY EVENING, 
Previous to the discussion, Dr. Asa Fitch gave a 
brief lecture on the Army Worm, but presented no 
facts new to oar readers. 
SWuaoT .—Barnyard Manure, and (he best mode <f applying. 
George Gisddkh, of Onondaga, President of the 
Society, said that to save manure the barnyard should 
first be made so that It will not be washed away by 
the rains. Next, enough straw should he obtained 
to absorb the manure. Next, in tho spring of the 
year, the coarse manure should be put in piles with 
square sides and fiat top. Early in the fall it would 
be ready to draw off. Would not put Btrawy manure 
under cover. Thought the manure best applied 
on grass or wheat lund. Would not, as a rule, apply 
it to corn. Would use the manure to make a crop of 
clover, and turn the clover under to make corn. 
Would apply manure to pastures and meadows in the 
fall. 
Moses Lames, of Jefferson, would apply manure 
to the surface. Apply it in the fall, bat never when 
the grouud is frozen. Preferred rotten manure mixed 
uui in uic germ siuie, anti men; and that as soon as 
suitable food is furnished, these inert germs start 
forth and produce plants. Tho subject of permanent 
pastures has attracted a good deal of attention in 
England, and it was found that permanent grass land 
produces more grass and the grass produces more 
flesh than land where breaking up is necessary. 
But they also found that no permanent grass land 
could be kept fertile without top-dressings of fertili¬ 
zing matter. Ho therefore offered the following 
propositions, which were adopted: 
1. All pasture lands that cannot bo easily cultiva¬ 
ted, may be improved by top-dressings of maunre, 
plaster, salt, ashes and other fertilizers, because 
these aro unfavorable to the growth of weeds, but 
favorable to the growth of grass. 
2 . On land which is arable and easily cultivated, 
the dairyman will obtain the best results by rotation 
of crops. 
THURSDAY EVENING. 
Agriculture of New Turk—is it paying a fair compensation 
for the capital atul labor employed? 
D. 1 AiiKKu, of Watertown, would tell bis own ex¬ 
perience. Commenced lit. at $0 a month, and had 
hammered and pecked ever’since. Had had a hard 
time of It, but managed to get a living and pay all 
honest debts. Run in debt for a farm, but had been 
enabled to pay for it. Kept no account with the 
farm; if he did, thought it would run him in debt. It 
is now worth $4,000 more than ho bought it for 
fifteen years ago. 
John J. Thomas knew of several cases of success¬ 
ful farming in his neighborhood — of young men 
who without means had brought farms, improved 
them, and paid for them. One remarkable case was 
that of George N. Chase, who bought a farm of 150 
acres at $50, six ye!ars ago. He knew nothing of 
. carno in competition with each other, and were 
in the ring at the same time, from which a single 
committee of five were to cbuoBe the two best; and 
yet their choice must bo in consonance with the 
pleasure, prejudices, and preferences of half a 
thousand (more or less) hooting, howling, horse- 
laughing, horse-jockeying, half-horse men and boys 
in the amphitheater yonder, jealously watehing tho 
motions of said committee, or all pandemonium 
would bo let loose. The horse influence at this fair 
was overshadowing, overwhelming, and ministered 
as much as the had weather to Us failure. 
One thing I mention here, that it may serve to pro¬ 
vide against similar mistakes hereafter. No entry 
fee was. charged. Stalls, good timothy hay, and 
plenty of water were provided for all stock entered, 
free of charge. Here comes 8am the Shrewd, leading 
all his neighbors. He looks through the stalls, and 
selects a half dozen and marks them; goes to tho 
business office and enters one team for the premium 
offered for the “ best mares of all work,” another for 
that offered for the "best draught horses,” another 
for “the best roadsters,” Ac., Ac. The entries count 
up hugely. More stalls are required. The fair is to 
be a big thing of course it is!—look at the number 
Of entries. Having made these entries, he gets bis 
cards, and ties them to the head-stalls of the respect¬ 
ive teams of his respectable neighbors; they pay 
their " quarter apiece ” to get into the grounds, put 
their teams in their stalls, have brought ul! the grain 
they may need to feed them, in their wagons, have 
hampers of food lor themselves, and bay and clothing 
enough to enable them to sleep • comfortably any 
where. Titus provided, they “stay a day or two,” 
look at the fair as long as they choose, hitch up their 
teams, pull off the cards with the mimher of their 
entry, ami go. They forfeit the premiums—of course 
ttiey do; hut mind you, they have not won them yet, 
and had no intention to try to do it when they made 
the entry. They have had a good comfortable place 
for their teams and themselves, free of cost, as long 
as they chose to stay. Whet more did they want? It 
is true I am letting ont a class of secrets for the ben¬ 
efit of the greut fair-going public; but I do so in 
order to explain why there was such an enormous 
show of horses at our State Fair. The condition of 
the track prevented a particle of good trotting being 
done. One real race wns gotten up one day, of which 
more hereafter. 
There were many good animals on the ground; 
but there is no class of animals that I apt ak of with 
so much diffidence as horses, and none that 1 admire 
more. Rut t give notice I am no horseologist at all. 
3. CltiBs C (Sheep.) Thera were About 200 entries 
in this class, embracing representatives from the best 
herds in the State—Spanish and French Merinos, 
Saxons, South-Downs and their crosses with French, 
Hampshire Downs, Cotswolds, Lnicesters, Ac., Ac. 
1 but echo the voice of all sheepmen when I assert (as 
I predicted before the fair) that there never was so 
large or so good a gathering of sheep from the flocks 
of this State as were on the grounds at Brightop hist 
week. And when I have said this, it is all I have to 
WESTERN EDITORIAL NOTES, 
THE ILLINOIS STATE FAm. 
I have preferred to speak of this Fair retrospect¬ 
ively, even at the risk of being called “behind hand” 
with my report. I have preferred to get away from 
it, where I might look back upon it dispassionately 
and without any unpleasant medium through which 
its deformities might be magnified. Indeed, I have 
not much to say about it; for I wus early taught that 
it is better to say nothing where nothing good can be 
said. And yet, a false impression must not obtain, 
from what I have written, for there was much on tho 
fair gronnds at Brighton worth writing about. 
TIIE DIFFERENT DHI'AKTMKNTH A RAPID KKVI1CW. 
To order that I may know when I get throngb, I 
will briefly speak of tho exhibitions In the different 
classes, 
Cut grass In flower, and if he foitud 
a weed, then carried it ont of the lot if it took ten 
minutes to do it. Scarcely a weed could be found on 
his farm of 50 acres. It was natural to white clover, 
but seeded with re«l clover atul Timothy, Used 
manure as a top-dressing. Cews at first refused to 
eat grass from top-dressed land, but in five or six 
weeks they relished it as well as before. Cows 
generally prefer white clover when it is about six 
inches in height. 
Mr. WALKER, of Oswego, hsd found good effects 
from breaking up old meadows. Would never let 
land remain in grass more than eight years, then 
break up and crop two years, and seed down again 
be foie the vegetable mold is taken np by hoed crops, 
as It is essential in bringing on a new crop of grass. 
Work all manure in in the spring. Got it in with 
the cultivator. Took great painB to eradicate weeds 
— white daisy and yellow dock—by digging them 
And in doing so, I cannot undertake to cat¬ 
alogue the many meritorious animals or articles that 
may have come under my notice. Space will not 
permit it. 
1. In Class A (Cattle) there were nearly or quite 400 
entries, embracing Durhams, Devons, Alderneys, and 
a few Herefords. This number of entries embraced 
a larger number of animala than the like arnonnt 
would have done at any previous exhibition, because 
of a modification of tho rules admitting animals to 
competition. 
Never before have I beheld such rings of com¬ 
peting animals as obeyed the summons when the Dur¬ 
hams in this cla-s were called, embracing the royal 
heads of the royal families of Short-horns in the 
Stale, with the maternal beauties, combining the 
parentage of worthy sons and daughters of worthy 
sires and dams, — never has competition in this class 
of animals been closer or more excited,— never was 
the judgment of awarding committees more severely 
taxed. Among tho Durham herds re ore sen ted I 
of the present question. It, occurred to him that 
farmers did not plow enough. In wulking over a 
fine new pasture with a gentleman, asked him if an 
acre ol such pasture would support a cow, and was 
answered iu the affirmative. Inquired if it would do 
so next year, and doubt was expressed. When he 
inquired, 11 it would do so tho third year, there was a 
decided answer in the negative. In fact lie had 
made various inquiries with reference to pastures of 
different ages, and ascertained that the older they 
were tiie greater area it required to support one cow. 
Hence he originated the question before the meeting. 
In making out the Agricultural Report of Onondaga 
county, he had ascertained that in Fabius, their chief 
dairy town, it requires, on an average, three acres to 
support a cow; while in Camillas, their chief grain 
town, a cow is supported on a little more than an 
acre and a half. This goes to show that it would be 
better for dairymen to raise more graiu. In addition 
to improving their pastures, they have the graiu, 
straw, corn stalks, Ac., to feed. The weeds, too, 
would thus be more effectually eradicated. If tlm 
gentleman from St. Lawrence who has no weeds on 
His farm, would come to Onondaga and put fifty acres 
iu a similar condition, they would surely send him to 
Congress. 
Mr. Walworth said he would bo willing to pay a 
dollar apiece for all that could be found in his pasture. 
Mr. Halsey, of Cayuga, #as satisfied that old pas 
tares make better butter, but that new will sustain 
more stock. Did not think white clover makes the 
best quality of butter. 
not be piled. Applies bis in January, February, and 
March. Keeps it under cover until drawn. Had lost 
manure by plowing under in dry seasons. 
M r . I'axton, of Utica, thought farmers did not 
understand the value of manure. Never saw land so 
good hut wbat manure would make it better. He 
thought the greener it was applied the better. 
Mr. Volnky, of Bt. Lawrence, always cuts his hay 
before grass and other seeds have matured. In this 
way, he avoids weeds when he. applies his manure. 
Applies in the spring, and always to grass land. 
Manure without foul seed, is 25 per cent, tlm better 
for it. Earnestly recommended cutting grass earlier. 
Was careful to save all slops, and everything ho could 
for manuring purposes. 
3. C. Fete us, of Genesee, believed that circum¬ 
stances alter cases. Mr. Geodes’ method might be 
right for him, but not for another man. Did not 
think manure sheds necessary, if manure is prop¬ 
erly plied, thought that stable manure should be 
applied to the current crop and straw manure rotted. 
The following propositions were finally unanimously 
agreed to by votes of tbe meeting: 
1. Stable manure is best saved by applying it to 
the surface as soon as practicable. 
2. Straw manure should be saved until rotted. 
3. All manures are best applied on or very near 
the surface. 
and lies, of Hangiunon Co.; Hill, of Cass Co.; Sis¬ 
son, Mitchell, Martin, and Whitney, of Knox Co.; 
Spears, of Menard Co.; Wentworth, of Cook Co.; 
Keurshaw, of Du Page Co.; Bell, of Logan Co.; 
Cloyd, of Champaign Co.; Withers and Short- 
hose, of McLean Co.; Ac., Ac. Those who know 
anything about the herds iu Illinois, know that I 
have named tho best herds in the State; and they 
were largely represented here. 
The Devons exhibited embraced the large and fine 
young | herds owned by C. D. Bent, of Iowa City, Iowa; a 
herd of fine animals from London, Canada West, 
owned by Win. H. Locke, who has recently pur¬ 
chased several thousand acres of lund in Cham¬ 
paign Co. in this State, whither lie intends removing; 
John Wentworth’s herd, Ac., Ac, The show of 
Devons was a good one, embracing nearly 100 
animals. 
There were but few Alderneys, and no Herefords 
from this State. There was one herd here from Ohio. 
If I urn correctly informed, it was here last year and 
tho year previous. This year no premiums were 
the basis of all prosperity. Success depends on 
two points—the capacity of the soil and the capacity 
of the man. 
Solon Robinson suited that the olqect of the ques¬ 
tion is to ascertain whether faming is as profit¬ 
able as other business — whether It will pay the 
young men to keep at work on the farm, 
man goes to New York; and if successful in getting 
into business, may make twenty thousand a year, but 
after a few years of success he turns out a bankrupt. 
The farmer, ir he does not live so fa-t, makes a com¬ 
fortable living for his family and j* iu no danger of 
bankruptcy. Very few merchants,after being in busi¬ 
ness twenty years, urc ab-’c to retire worth $50,000. 
Mr. Ellis, of Herkimer, said if merchants would 
live with the same economy that farmers do, they 
would not become bankrupt. Knew of several eases 
among the dairymen of Jlerkimer county, similar to 
.uiKsinu 
