TWO DOLLARS JV YEAR.] 
PROGRESS AND IMPROVEMENT.’ 
[SHSTGHL.E INC). FOUR CENTS. 
VOL. xm. NO. 29.! 
ROCHESTER, N. Y.-FOR THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, JULY 19, 1862. 
{WHOLE NO. 653.i 
MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
TUB LEADING AMERICAN WEEKLY 
RURAL, LITERARY AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER. 
CONDUCTED BY D. D. T. MOORE, 
With an Able Corps of Assistants and Contributors. 
CHAS. D. BRAGDON, Western Corresponding Editor. 
The Rural Nbw-Yokkkr i* designed to be unsurpassed in 
Value, Purity, Usefulness and Variety of Contents, and unique 
and beautiful in Appearance. Its Conductor derotes hia per¬ 
sonal attention to the supervision of its various departments, 
and earnestly labors to render the RURAL an eminently Reliable 
Guide on all the important Practical, Scientific and other 
Subjects intimately connected w i t.U the business of those whose 
interests it, jealously advocates. As a Family Journal it is 
eminently Instructive and Entertaining —being so conducted 
that it can be safely taken to the Hearts and Homes of people 
of intelligence, taste and discrimination. It embraces more 
Agricultural, Horticultural, Scientific, Educational, Literary 
and News Matter, interspersed with appropriate and beautiful 
Engravings, than any other journal.—rendering it tho most 
complete Agricultural, Literary and Family Newspaper 
in America. 
DROUTHS, 
Nearly every season our crops suffer more or 
less from drouth, and it is no strange thing for the 
yield of oats, hay, &c., to be lessened one-half from 
this cause, while in some cases almost an entire 
failure is reported. The importance of water in 
farming anil gardening will be realized when we 
consider that plants obtain their food from the soil 
in a liquid, or at least in a humid condition. The 
best and richest manures may be applied to the soil, 
and yet if the ground is so dry that the particles are 
not dissolved, it affords plants but little nourishment, 
and they may starve in close contact with that 
which, under more favorable circumstances, would 
prove their best food. Those who have used guano 
frequently, know that in a dry season they observe 
but little effect from its application; and this is 
doubtless tho roamm why many who have tried this 
manure but once or twice have become discouraged, 
and are confident that under no circumstances will 
it be found profitable for agricultural purposes. 
Others who happened to try the experiment in wet 
seasons can make a more favorable report. But no 
person, we think, ever applied good Peruvian guano 
in a liquid form, without observing very favorable 
and speedy results, even in seasons when the same 
manure applied dry would have had but little effect. 
If we thus lose the effect of a manure so finely commi¬ 
nuted and as soluble as guano, on account of drouth, 
wbat must be the result where ordinary manures 
are used, often, in a crude state, and not well pre¬ 
pared for immediate use by the plants. Of course, 
wo do not say that these are lost, but the effect in the 
main is lost upon the crop for which they were 
especially designed. 
We cannot, of course, cause the rain to fall to suit 
our convenience, and it is well for us that Buch 
things are placed beyond our control, as we have 
far more now to attend to than we do well or wisely. 
What, then, it may be asked, can we do to prevent 
the ill effects of drouth; and, it the absence of the 
necessary amount of water from the soil is so great 
an evil, why do we endeavor to get it away from the 
soil by uuderdniins? 
A large quantity of water is not required in the 
soil, and, indeed, is positively injurious to all our 
commonly cultivated plants; humidity is all that is 
needed. By carrying off excess of water at certain 
seasons, this condition is obtained with more uni¬ 
formity. The Boil that is soaked with water for a 
long period, or where water stands, becomes heavy 
and compact, unable to absorb, like a porous soil, 
the water that falls in showers during our warm 
weather, a great portion of which runs otf without 
penetrating to the roots of plants. This is one- 
reason why a drained soil is more uniform in its 
moisture than one undrained, and why crops in 
land thoroughly drained seldom if ever suffer from 
drouth. Again, the atmosphere contains moisture, 
as is seen by the dew, which is the water condensed 
from the atmosphere by the cold surface of plants. 
Another common illustration of the same principle 
is seen in the moisture collected on the outside of a 
pitcher filled with cold water. The air in summer 
is warmer than the soil, and therefore when it has a 
good opportunity to penetrate, leaves its moisture, 
to the great benefit of the soil in dry weather. The 
more porous and friable the soil is kept, and to the 
greater depth, Ibe greater the amount of moisture 
absorbed This is the reason why sandy loams 
suffer usually less from drouth than a stiff clay, 
although the clay is colder, and would, therefore, 
absorb more moisture, and is also more retentive, 
and under like circumstances, would suffer less. 
But our clay soils in a dry time, are found generally 
baked hard, with the surface cracked, and almost 
impervious to both air and water. A year or two 
since, very late in the season, we observed a fanner 
passing through bis corn with the cultivator, anil as 
it was late in the season for this work, and no weeds 
visible to make the necessity of the operation appa¬ 
rent, we inquired the reason, when he informed us 
that the crop was beginning to suffer from drouth, 
and he always found that going through with the 
cultivator was as good as a shower. 
Near the surface the soil is dryer than further 
down, the moisture being evaporated by the heat of 
the sun; and for this reason, plants with roots near 
the surface suffer more than those with roots 
extending down into the soil a considerable distance. 
While our small crops are drying up, the fruit and 
fruit trees do not suffer for water. If the soil is 
kept friable, water will constantly arise to the sur¬ 
face, just as it will arise and moisten a whole 
sponge, when the lower part only is placed in 
water. If the soil is bard, this operation will lie 
very much retarded. Every one will observe the 
difference between holding the lower part of a 
sponge and a piece of wood in water. In both cases 
the water will arise some distance, but in the latter 
case much more slowly. 
From the above hints, which we designed as 
merely suggestive, and to induce observation and 
reflection on the points in question, it will be 
observed that, although we cannot control the 
clouds and rains, we can do very much to prevent 
the disastrous effects which so often result from 
drouth. _ 
NOTES AND INQUIRIES. 
Puerperal (Milk) Fever in Cows. 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker:—I am a subscriber, and read 
with great interest the inquiries therein on different subjects 
and the several answers to the same, and have concluded to 
venture an inquiry on a subject that interests a very large por 
tion of the fanning class in this section of the country. The 
subject of the inquiry is this: Do you, or any readers of the 
Rural, know of any remedy that will cure the roillt fever in 
cows; and also wbat is tho best mode of treatment of such 
OOWsY— Henry Randall, fFoMafc, Dutches* Co.. A T. 
In the issue of the Rural for August 24th, 1861, 
we gave an answer to an inquiry similar to the 
above, and are not aware that we can add to the 
prescriptions there published. Besides, we have 
heard of the success following the use of the reme¬ 
dies there recommended, and re-publish the same 
for the benefit of our Dutchess Co. friend and others: 
In fever of (his nature the digestive organs first 
fail in tho performance of their peculiar functions, 
and the secondary or low stage of fever supervenes. 
Tho rumen ceases to discharge its food, and its 
retention 60 on causes fermentation, the paunch and 
intestines become inflated with fetid gas, and the 
belly swells rapidly. Next, the nervous system is 
attacked, and the cow begins to stagger. The weak¬ 
ness is principally observable in the hind quarters. 
The duration of this second stugo of puerperal fever 
is uncertain; but although it is usually of longer 
period than the first, the time in which hope may be 
indulged is short. 
I u the old practice bleeding would be first brought 
into requisition, the amount to be abstracted de¬ 
pending upon the nature of the pulse, to determine 
which accurate observation is needful. Next, in 
order of time, but first in importance, is physic. 
The bowels must be opened or the animal will inevit¬ 
ably perish; but the fever having been subdued by 
judicious bleeding, and the bowels afterward being 
excited to action, recovery is measurably assured. 
Tbe medicine should be active,—we cannot trifle 
with impunity. A scruple of the farina of the Cro¬ 
ton nut anil a pound of Epsom salts forma a medium 
dose. If the animal ia large, increase the salts. 
Doses of half a pound ought to be given until purga¬ 
tion has commenced, adding the usual quantity of 
aromatic medicine; for the constitution ot the ani¬ 
mal's stomach must not be overlooked. If twenty- 
four hours pass without purging, give strong 
stimulants in order to contract the stomach and 
induce it to expel its contents. Two drachms each 
of ginger, gentian and carraway powder, with half 
a pint of old ale, may be advantageously given with 
each dose of physic. Warm water with Epsom 
salts in it, or warm water and soap, will form the 
beBt injection, and should be thrown up frequently 
anil in large quantities. If constipation obstinately 
continues, the use of considerable quantities of 
warm water, to soften and dissolve the hard mass 
of undigested food remaining in the rumen, will 
permit the medicine to come more directly in con¬ 
tact with the coats of the stomach. 
(u addition to the medical treatment, we must not 
forget the comfort of the patient. She should be 
moved and turned morning and night, to prevent 
soreness and excoriation. Warm water and .gruel 
should be frequently ottered, and if refused, let her 
be drenched moderately with thick gruel. .Mashes 
may be given with a little hay, but while giving 
moderate nourishment, the nature of the malady 
must be borne in mind, lest the fires of fever once 
again burn fiercely. Having opened the bowels 
and subdued the fever, all after care necessary is 
judicious treatment, which can only be regulated 
by the condition of the patient As a general thing, 
little is needed but attention and the exercise of 
thoughtfulness as regards the diet. 
Dr. Dadd's method of treatment for Milk Fever 
wo extract from the American Cattle doctor, as 
follows: “Aperients are exceedingly important in 
the early stages, for they liberate any offending 
matter that may have accumulated in the different 
compartments of the stomach or intestines, and 
deplete the system with more certainty and less 
danger than blood-letting. 
Aperient for Puerperal Fever. — Rochelle salts. 4 
ounces; manna, 2 ounces; extract of butternut, half 
an ounce; dissolve in boiling water, 3 quarts. To 
be given at a dose. 
By the aid of one or more of the following drinks, 
the aperient will generally operate: — Give a boun¬ 
tiful supply of hyssop tea, sweetened with honey. 
Keep the surface warm. Suppose the secretion of 
milk to be arrested; then apply warm fomentations 
to the udder. Suppose the bowels to be torpid; 
then use injections of soap suds anil salt. Suppose 
the animal to bo in poor condition; then give the 
following: Powdered balmony or gentian, 1 ounce; 
golden seal, 1 ounce; flour gruel, 1 gallon. To be 
given in quart doses, every four hours. 
Suppose the bowels to be distended with gas; then 
give the following: Powdered caraways, 1 ounce; 
assafietida, 1 teaspoonful; boiling water, 2 quarts. 
To be given at a dose. 
Any of the above preparations may be repeated, 
as circumstances seem to require. Itet it must be 
borne in mind that we are apt to do too much, and 
that the province of the good physician is ‘ to know 
when to do nothing.’ ” 
As we have no description of the disease from our 
correspondent, we are unable to decide as to the 
nature of the malady. Might it not be inflammation 
of the uterus. This disease is quite frequent among 
cows after calving, if the cows are in high flesh, the 
weather hot-, and they are becoming aged. One 
remedy, strongly recommended by an experienced 
dairyman, for this complaint, is a tablespoonful of 
spirits of turpentine, the yolks of two eggs and 
some water beaten together. Give every two hours, 
and apply cold water to the back and loins fre¬ 
quently, keeping the cow in the shade. 
Urnas for Bottom Laud. 
Eoh, Rural Nbw-Yokkkk:—I wish to git information 
through your paper as to what kind of grass seed would be 
best sown in a piece of bottom land, from which the under¬ 
wood has been cut out. Tbe land is rich and occasionally 
Overflowed, but never more than a day or two. I have heard 
much about orchard grass, but am not acquainted with it for 
pasture. Will you, or some reader of the Rural, give tue 
information?— Peter suumachkk, Allen Co.. O. 
We judge from the inquiry that while the under¬ 
wood has been removed the larger trees have been 
allowed to remain, and those must cause some 
shade; also, that the grass is required for pasture 
and not for mowing. Under such circumstances wo 
would not hesitate to advise the solving of orchard 
grass, for it affords early and nutritions feed, much 
relished by cattle and sheep. II should be sown 
evenly, cm ground well prepared, and then kept fed 
close, or it will form tussocks, but with regard to 
these points the evil may in a great measure be 
avoided. Still, it is better to sow with it other 
grasses, as timothy or red top, and with this admix¬ 
ture the very best of pasture may bo obtained. 
When sown alone, about twenty-four pounds is the 
quantity required for an acre, but with the other 
grasses half this amount will answer—a bushel, 
which weighs twelve pounds, being sufficient 
Some of the best cattle-raisers of Kentucky think 
there is no hay made equal to an admixture of 
orchard grass and red clover, as both flower at the 
same time. After orchard grass has been grazed 
down close and the cattle turned off, it will be ready 
for re-grazing in about half the time required for 
most other grasses, and this makes it very popular 
where cultivated grasses are relied upon for feeding 
stock. 
WESTERN EDITORIAL NOTES. 
THE TREMONT FARM. 
The Tremont House of this city (Chicago,) is 
known to most Western travelers. It is famous 
where Chicago is famed. Its good name has been 
won by liberal management—by skillful and eco¬ 
nomical effort to supply liberally whatever will add 
to the comfort and enjoyment of its guests. Not the 
least of the accessories to this end is its farm, situ¬ 
ated about nine miles south-west from the center of 
the city. A recent ride hither, with other members 
of “ the Press gang," to eat. strawberries and cream, 
enabled me to gather a few items of interest and 
valne. I trust, to the Rural reader. 
This farm consists of fifty acres Of ground, located 
on either side of a sand ridge, with south-western 
and north-western exposure. This ridge terminates 
on either side, iu a bottom land of alluvial soil, 
underlaid with a stiff clay. Most of this bottom land 
has been underdrained with the mole ditcher and 
brush and box drains. A portion of it has not, and 
the effect of too much water is apparent iu the con¬ 
dition of the soil and tho relative appearance of the 
crops. All of this bottom land is thrown up in 
narrow beds, thus securing the most complete 
bottom drainage. The whole management of this 
“truck’’ farm is entrusted to Mr. Levi Emery, an 
intelligent and skillful Yankee gardener, who was 
bred to this work near the “ Hub of Creation.’’ 
PROFITS OF THIS GARDEN FARM. 
The fact that this farm is profitably managed 
needs no other indorsement than the fact that its 
cultivation is continued from year to year by such 
business men as its proprietors are. Between five 
and six thousand dollars’ worth of produce was sold 
from this fifty acres last year. During the busy 
months of the year, ten to twelve hands are em¬ 
ployed. An accurate account is kept with this farm 
by its proprietors, crediting it with all that is 
received and consumed at the House, at market 
rates, and with the proceeds of the sales of the sur¬ 
plus. It is charged with all that goes on it in the 
“VVI . rt l • \l '/•' ’ 
WEEDING IMPLEMENT. 
shape of manure, seed, and labor. The profits can 
be little less than two thousand dollars per year. 
EARLY LETTUCE AND CUCUMBERS. 
There are between three and four hundred sasb, 
3b by 6 b feet, used iu propagating early vegetables. 
One of the most profitable practices is that of grow¬ 
ing early lettuce and cucumbers. The lettuce is 
started in mid-winter, and when of sufficient size is 
transplanted to prepared beds covered by tho sash. 
The Tennis-ball lettuce is planted. Mr. Emery 
calls it the best. Six dozen are planted under each 
sash. These are ready for an early market, and 
average fifty cents per dozen heads—last year sixty 
cents per dozen were realized. Look at the figures. 
Suppose Mr. Emery employs two hundred sash to 
cover—each, sit dozen of—lettuce. They would 
cover twelve hundred dozen. At fifty cents per 
dozen, the sales would amount to six hundred dol¬ 
lars. But this is not all this glass produces. In 
February, cucumbers are planted in a very hot bed. 
As soon as tho plants have started so as to show the 
seed-leaf; they are potted and the pots plunged in a 
fresh hot-bed. The pot is plunged so as to protect 
it, and the surface covered with mold. The bed 
must be kept hot, or the vines will damp off. The 
pots must be protected by plunging, or they will 
chill. It is necessary to pot them, or they will dry 
up quickly. These cucumbers are intended lor the 
sash occupied by the lettuce. The first cutting of 
lettuce is taken from each alternate sash, and iu its 
place is put a single cucumber plant. This is done 
the last of April, or first of May, and the encumber 
crop follows rapidly. Each sash will produce an 
average of $1.50 worth of cucumbers, which must 
be added to tho sales of lettuce in order to get Ihe 
income from two hundred sash. $300 plus $600 is 
$900 from 4,400 square feet of glass — equal to the 
income of many eighty acre farms! 
celery. 
Here are 4U,000 plants pricked out. u Does celery 
pay?” I asked. “Yes, it just about pays,” was the 
reply. “As generally cultivated in the West, it does 
net pay. I have a dodge that other cultivators have 
not got.” 
What ia that? 
“ We grow the short dwarf celery, which costs less 
to cultivate, because it does not require so much 
molding. We get about double price for it, and 
quite as great quantity from the same number of 
plants; tor it has more stalks—ten to one. There is 
really more eating in it. It never grows pipy, like 
the long celery.” 
Where do you get the seed? 
“We grow it. It cannot be bought in Illinois. 
We don’t sell it. Wo sometimes give it away to 
particular friends, but have none to sell. At Fail's 
we take the long celery to sell and the short variety 
to eat” 
TOMATOES. 
The tomatoes, on the vines, were half grown. 
They are planted five feet apart each way —so that 
with the plow and lioe large hills may be made for 
them. Mr. Emerv says the base of the stalks should 
not be covered, as is the practice with some gar¬ 
deners. By so doing the most productive portion of 
the plant is rendered useless. This hill culture has 
its advantages. The vines lay over the round 
hillock, and are thus exposed to the sun, and ripen. 
The root pruning the plant receives from the plow, 
dwarfs the plant and increases the product. It does 
not spread and grow all vines, as when grown on a 
fiat surface. About a half dozen different varieties 
are cultivated. Mr. E. says he regards the Perfected 
the best for eating, but strange to say it does not sell 
as well ia market as the Early Round Bermuda. 
CABBAGE. 
What is the best variety you know of? 
“ The Winningstadt cabbage is the best that 
grows. You may so set it down. It is not so early 
as the Ox Heart, but makes a better head and sells 
for more. 
PEAS. 
Here are grown Champion of England, Eugenia 
and Green Imperial, for market, 
“ I'll tell you, Mr. B., the Eugenia is the best pea 
that grows anywhere. You may set that down 
square—it is the largest, most productive, and best. 
Planted at the same time as the Daniel O'Rourke, 
(which is the best and most profitable early pea,) it 
comes in season immediately after it.” 
Talking of the Daniel O’Rourkes, I was shown 
an acre of them, from which, at the first and a single 
picking, forty bushels had been marketed at one 
dollar and a half and two dollars per bushel. There 
were more than that quantity on the vines, nearly 
ready for a second picking. Now, pea culture costs 
no more than corn, or not as much. Will Western far¬ 
mers make a note of it? Compare the proceeds with 
that of an acre of corn. Put the pencil test to it. 
Remember that this crop was not secured by extra¬ 
ordinary culture—only what would produce a good 
crop of corn is necessary to secure such a result. 
A WEEDING IMPLEMENT. 
I send you a sketch of a weeder which Mr. Emery 
employs, and which he values very highly. And 
well he may, for it saves him, at least, the wages of 
three men. He asserts that by actual experiment, 
one man will do more weeding with it in the same 
time, and do it better, than four men with hoes. 
The implement costs about three dollars—not more, 
certainly. — and will save fifty dollars’ worth of 
labor the present season. 
The frame i3 eighteen inches long and twelve 
inches wide. It is light— made of two or two and 
a half inch material. The wheel is ten inches in 
diameter, of inch and a half or two inch plank, with 
a tire of sheet iron. The knife in the rear is a bar 
of steel two inches wide and a quarter of an inch 
thick, bent so as to lift the frame about five inches 
from the ground as it sits upon the surface. Each 
edge is sharp, in order that it may cut both ways — 
the operator pushing it before him by means of the 
handles, cutting off the weeds, then drawing it back 
the same distance and lifting the knife at the same 
time, in order to insure a displacement of the weeds. 
The knife may be made of a width to suit any space 
between rows of vegetables. Tbe form of the knife 
is such as that it may be run as close to the rows as 
is desired, without endangering the roots of plants; 
for it cannot cut under. I have seen weeders of this 
character with the knife before the wheel. Mr. 
Emery says he has used them, but does not think 
them so good as this. He says they are not so easily 
controlled by the operator. 
Anybody can make the wood-work of this weeder 
who has tools. Ordinary plow handles that can be 
purchased for twenty-five cents will answer. The 
knife, the braces to the handles, and the tire 
of tho wheel, is all the iron about it. I have 
devoted thus much space to its description and 
commendation, because there are many farmers 
who are turning their attention to root culture 
and to the culture of small fruit. And there 
are many others who would devote more acres 
to these crops, were labor available. Those who 
grow carrots, onions, turnips, parsnips, the sugar 
beet, or even strawberries, will find, for money in¬ 
vested in one of these implements, a sure return. 
There is no patent on it, that I know of, and any 
man with gumption can make one. 
UUW TO PROTECT TUE MELON VINES. 
Here, on these prairies, where cold winds prevail in 
spring, the early plants,hot-bed grown, grow slowly 
and often die out completely. The wind and sun 
combined dries the ground, and evaporation renders 
it cold. It has been found difficult to grow the early 
planted melons. They perished from the above 
causes. The present year a new practice has been 
inaugurated. The rows of melons are planted eight 
feet apart. Alternating with them an? rows of 
Daniel O’Rourke and Eugenia peas, which afford 
the needed protection. The temperature of the soil 
between these rows is found to he several degrees 
higher than on the unprotected soil. The plants 
are said to be at least a month further advanced 
than equally well grown plants were at the same 
season last year, on unprotected ground. I noticed 
that for protection from frost, boxes, eighteen by 
twenty inches square and eight inches deep, were 
provided. A grooved strip of board, nailed across 
the center of the top of the box. admitted seven by 
nine glass either side of it—rendering putty un¬ 
necessary, and enabling tbe gardener to easily and 
quickly give the plant air when necessary, without 
removing the box, He grows the Green Nutmeg 
Melon exclusively. 
EARLY POTATOES. 
The potatoes are planted in drills, three feet 
apart, and plants twelve inches apart in the row. 
Mr. Emery regards the Early York and the White 
Neshannock the best early potatoes for market cul¬ 
ture. The former he commended especially. He 
describes it as a round potato, white flesh, pink-eye. 
, He says it has only one fault; it grows too large. If 
RVING Chant Co N Y 
