^£l!£ULru R£ 
ESTABLISHED IN 1850, 
been planted about ten days, or perhaps only 
one week, my oldest boy gave them one day’s 
cross harrowing with one horse, taking for the 
occasion a dry, warm day. This harrowing was 
again repeated just as they had begun to make 
their appearance through the ground, which left 
them thoroughly clean. After sufficient time 
had elapsed for the weeds to get sturted, I took 
a common cultivator, shut It up as close as I 
could and removed the two outside rear corner 
teeth. With this I passed once through each 
two row. The operation hilled them up just 
enough to cover up the weeds nicely; It worked 
to a charm; time occupied, 6cant one day and 
a-half. 
“Now comes the ‘laying by.’ For this pur¬ 
pose I had procured, at a venture, a tool that 
worked with such exquisite perfection that I 
really wanted the job to last the balance of the 
geason—it was fun. The arrangement was same- 
body’s patent ‘horse hoe.’ The rear attach* 
ment was removed and only the single shovel 
with adjustiblo wings was used. Once through 
a row was sufficient. Unlike the little plow, It 
did not throw the dirt upon and all over the 
vines, hut rather tucked up the earth uuder the 
leaves and around the stems with such remark¬ 
able precision and neatness as was delightful to 
look at. After finishing up with this tool, re¬ 
quiring the same length of time as with the cui* 
tivator, the field presented a beautiful sight. 
There was that regalarily and that evenness 
hardly attainable with any other mode of cul¬ 
ture. The tops covered the ground sufficiently 
to effectually check the growth of weeds.” 
VARIOUS TOPICS DISCUSSED, 
MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
AN OHIO INAL WRXKLT 
RURAL, LITERARY AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER. 
More About Harrowing Wheat. 
C. D. P. of Waterville, N. Y,, sends us the 
following valuable account of experiments: — 
“ I notice in the Rural an inquiry for the results 
of experience, in spring harrowing of winter 
wheat. As l think very little exists, the practice 
being an unusual oue, I herewith give you the 
benefit of mine. I have, for a long period, been 
satisfied that., theoretically, it had many things 
to commend it; and two years since, I had con¬ 
structed a very light drag, with which I made 
my first experiment. 
Ab early in the spring as the surface became 
dry enough to work nicely, I sowed my timothy 
and clover, one peck each to the acre, and ap¬ 
plied the drug. It was harrowed both ways of 
the field, and when completed, a good portion 
of the wheat was but slightly visible; yet, little 
or none of it was drawn out or destroyed, and 
the grass seeds were beautifully covered. The 
wheat directly started with a vigor and Inxuri- 
auce of growth I have never seen equalled in 
the ordinary method, and made a most satisfac¬ 
tory and excellent crop, while the “catch” of 
grass seed was truly magnificent — all that could 
he desired. I repeated the operation again last 
year, and with equally satisfactory results;— 
and I am confident that uoy one who provides 
himself with the proper kind of drag—the teeth 
of mine were six Inches long by half an Inch 
square, Inserted in a ligl^t lang«d frame, two by 
two and a half inches square pieces — fifteen 
teeth In aside — will neither regret the experi¬ 
ment, nor return to the usual manner. 
It is almost impossible to state in too strong 
language its advantages in seeding with gruss 
seed, while those for the growing crop of wheat, 
I am constrained to believe, are nearly or 
quite equal. In the first place, one escapes all 
the risk Incident to fall sowing, from the action 
of the winter, as also of spring surface eowiug, 
from imperfect covering and consequent drying 
of the germ — or of decay from the low tem¬ 
perature, and excessive moisture to which they 
are, for so long a period, subjected; while, at 
the later one, of which I speak, the tempera¬ 
ture of both earth and atmosphere, has become 
so raised that their immediate germ ination 
and rapid growth is a necessary and inevitable 
result of these and the improved mechanical 
condition of the soil.” 
CONDUCTED BY D. D. T. MOORE, 
WIth ■ CorpA of Able AMhtanb and Contributor*. 
HENRY 8. RANDALL, LL, D., 
Editor of the Department of Sheep Husbandry, 
HON. T. C. PETERS, 
Late Pres’t N. S’, State A*. Boo’y. Southern Cor. Editor, 
BE" Fob Turks and other particulars see last page. 
POTATO CULTURE, 
In a proper climate, potatoes will flourish In 
sandy or loamy land—any soil that works up 
kindly and remains loose. Hard clays are inad¬ 
missible. Varieties most inclined to rot Bhould 
be planted on the lightest soil. It Is useless to 
indicate a preference among the numerous varie¬ 
ties, as localities have their favorites, and even 
these are liable to change. Proper culture of 
the crop involves considerable labor, mostly of 
the heaviest kind, but by skillful management it 
can be greatly lessened. 
PLANTING IN ROWS. 
Stubble ground, If rich, is beat. Summer 
fallowing *for wheat, turning under a heavy 
growth of clover and a coat of barn-yard ma¬ 
nure, then potatoes, next oats and seeding, is a 
good rotation. A rich corn stubble Is next best, 
theu a clover sod one or two years old. Plow 
deep and narrow furrows, 60 as to turn the 
stubble well under, and barrow till smooth and 
mellow. Rows are commonly made both ways, 
with the hills two and a-half to three feet apart. 
Two eyes in a hill are sufficient, and the seed 
should be planted in a Bhallow furrow. If the 
land Is iu the right order, the covering may be 
done with a plow or cultivator, by detaching the 
middle teeth, or even the drag. If the seed la 
covered to the deptu of three or four inches the 
field may be harrowed within a week after plant¬ 
ing, and again as Lh« plant begins to show above 
the ground. A very good potato coverer, 
shaped like the letter V, with the lower end cut 
oil and a piece of sheet steel to ll&tten the ridge 
of earth, is made somewhere by somebody who 
don’t let farmers know of it through the adver¬ 
tising columns of the Agricultural papers. 
PLANTED IN DRILLS. 
But with little it' any more labor, except iu 
ffiggiog, potatoes may be grown in drills, and a 
Urger yield obtained, Mr. Henry Tildbn gives, 
in the Prairie Farmer, his method of drill-cul¬ 
ture, by which he obtained 3,850 bushels from 
eight and one-half acres, or over 450 bushels per 
acre. The varieties were Buckeyes and Peach- 
blows. He says: 
“ I commenced by laying off the ground with 
a single 6hovel plow, in rows just two feet apart 
one way. (I do not like the common small plow 
to lay off with for the reason that, especially if 
it scours, it leaves a wide hard track on which 
to drop the seed, and it is difficult to get the 
pieces any ways near in a direct line—whereas 
the shovel leaves a mark like the letter V and 
the seed must fall In a direct line 
In response to a recent Inquiry in the Rural 
for a Horse Barn, Mr. A. J. Warner, Architect, 
of this city, has kindly furnished the plan and 
description herewith presented: 
The accompanying engravings represent an 
elevation and plan for a Horse Barn to be built 
of wood. It comprises Stable, D, 18 by 34 feet; 
Carriage Room, A, SObySOfcet; Harness Room, 
B, 5 by 10 feet, and Stairway, C, to give access to 
the hay loft. A projection is made at the end of 
the 6tablc part for pump, feed bins, B, B, and 
trough, F, for mixing feed. The passage or 
hall, P, at the head of stalls is for the purpose of 
feeding without going into the stalls. The par¬ 
tition at head of stalls extends up only to the 
top of the mangers, leaving the space above 
open for a free circulation of air. By this plan 
the heads of the horses are kept from the out¬ 
side wall and windows, and they are not as liable 
to take cold as in stalls built upon the old plan, 
where the windows open directly into them. 
The stable contains six single stalls, S, 5 by 8% 
feet each, partitions of '3-lncU white oak plank, 
with short, turned posts, at the ends, and wire 
lattice guards 8 feet high, of an ogee pattern, set 
on top of the partitions. A box stall can be 
made by taking out tho partition between the 
corner stall and the one next to it, nud changing 
the door from the side to the end of the harness 
room. The doora to slide on rollers at the top. 
The outside of the building is to bo weather 
boarded. The Inside to bo ceiled up on tho 
frame with inch (narrow) clear white-ash — or 
pine, oak or chestnut lumber, oiled. Either of 
the above woods will make a good finish. Roof 
to be covered with slate or shingle. A Ventila¬ 
tor is placed on tho top, with a wooden tube 
three feet square from the same down through 
hay-loft into ceiling of stable. 
RAISING FLAX 
During the prevalence of the late rebellion 
much was said on the subject of flax culture, 
but now that the war is over, cotton will proba¬ 
bly resume its former ascendency. Still some 
flax will begrown ; hence a few words in relation 
to Its culture may not he inappropriate. It is 
generally conceded that tlax is one of the most 
exhauFtlve crops sown, hence the necessity of 
having rich and well prepared ground in which 
to deposit tho seed. Land on which sheep have 
been kept for some time is deemed best for the 
growth of this crop. In any event the land 
should be profusely manured and well stirred 
up with the plow three or four times. It should 
then be well harrowed before the seed is sown. 
When the seed is in barrow theroughly again, 
pulverizing the ground and rendering as smooth 
as may be. After this, a free use of the roller 
is essential, hut where this implement cannot 
be obtained let a bu6b drag be substituted which 
will leave thesurface smooth and well compacted. 
Wood ashes, sown with the seed, or thrown 
broadcast afterwards will tend to prevent the 
intrusive labor of insects which are often highly 
detrimental to the successful culture of flax. 
Salt for Stock — Again. 
D. J., Wis., thus combats the previous ar¬ 
guments advanced that salt is not a necessity to 
stock: — “ My experience goes to prove that it 
is actually necessary that, they have a full sup¬ 
ply. In many loealilies stock procure a sufficient 
quantity, and from this fuel some are led to the 
false conclusion that it is an artificial and mor¬ 
bid appetite. The stock of the ITougbman’s 
correspondent, located 15 miles from the Atlan¬ 
tic ocean, might, have had a fair supply by the 
scabreeze, Sixly miles distant from Salt Lake, 
Utah, stock will not cat salt when offered them. 
And G. II. Ambrose of LexingtoD, Mo., I think 
does not take loto consideration, that all his 
stock raising has been in such saline districts 
that they could get all they wanted. From the 
great salt spring in 8aline county in Mo., far out 
on the plains of Kansas, the stock eat the ground 
at tho salt licks; and from thence up the Mis¬ 
souri it may be said to be an extensive salt coun¬ 
try, and the Salt Lake Just above the British 
line is a tributary to the Missouri River. The 
Inhabitants of Pembina Lave gathered ealt from 
their meadows, in tLe full of the year, it having 
been deposited in the dewar.d crystalized by the 
rays of the eun. It could be swept up in con¬ 
siderable quantity. Geologists tell us, all that 
country between the great chain of the Rocky 
Mountains and the coast is of the most receut 
date of any land on this continent that emerged 
from the ocean, and in its upheaval carried up 
saline and marine matter, in support of this 
fact. Hence stock in that region would obtain 
an abu ndant natural supply of ealt.” 
GROUND PLAN, 
butcher all the while. This is the way pigs are 
grown which dress 250 or 400 lbs. at 10 mo's old. 
The Brahma Fowl. 
Mr. JoilN 8. Ives, Salem, Mass., writes us 
thus respecting the above named breed of fowls: 
“ I have kept upwurds of 30 different breeds 
of domestic fowls, but find the Brabrna to excel 
all others as winter layers and for tho market. 
T winter about CO pure Brahma fowls, keep them 
but one year “or oue winter;” that Is, my chick¬ 
ens are hutched in April and kept from laying 
until November; they are then forced by high 
feeding, which is continued until the next Au¬ 
gust or the moulting season. They are then 
killed for the murket. The Brahma is the moat 
domestic of all breeds of fowls; they will not 
fly over a fence four feet. high. For the market 
their flesh is tender, juicy, and flue flavored. I 
have procured from the same number of fowls 
ojie-tbird more eggs from the Brahmas, during 
the winter months than from any breed I have 
ever kept. In this vicinity most farmers are 
keeping no other breed of fowls, as they have 
proved them to be far superior to any other.” 
the crop. You ask a neighbor, 1 What will pre¬ 
vent the lice destroying the crop?’ He will 
reply, 4 they say Buckwheat will.’ This Is in 
reality all that can be found out about it. 
This section of Michigan is becoming very 
fast a hop growing region, hut the crop the 
coming season Is expected to be a failure, Tho 
experience of a few men who have tried Buck¬ 
wheat, if such there be, in regard to sowing it 
among hops, will be of vast benefit, and will be 
received with interest. Let us have something 
on this subject in full.” 
Our correspondent is informed that a paper 
entitled “The Hop Growers’ Journal” is, (or 
was, last year,) published in New York City. 
ASHES AS A MANURE 
Unleached ashes, applied to land, often 
do harm instead of good,—not that they are 
useless as a fertilizer, hut for the reason that too 
much of a good thing is used. Those who have 
had experience in clearing new land will proba¬ 
bly have seen proofs of this. From careless¬ 
ness or a want of information on the subject, 
farmers sometimes leave the ashes where log 
heaps have been burned, undisturbed at seeding 
time; and th c consequence is that at the succeed¬ 
ing harvest they find the crop in all such places to 
consist of nothing but a heavy growth of straw 
— the heads having no wheat in them. There 
was too much of a good thing. The ashes 
should have heed spread over the other portions 
of tbeground in the vicinity of the heap—thus 
Imparting a general average of strength and 
■uniformity in the y ield at hat vest time. We have 
known lands long down to grass and become near¬ 
ly worthless, except in the way of producing 
moss and the like, rendered vigorous and pro¬ 
ductive by the aid of a thorough harrowing and 
a liberal top-dressing of leached ashes. In this 
state a much moru liberal supply should be used 
than when unleached. 
; moreover a 
portion of the displaced earth will fall back, 
forming a very soft bed on which to drop the 
seed. This is quite essential with my mode of 
covering. My two little boys, aged respectively 
10 and 13 years, did most of the dropping and 
all of the covering.) My part of the work was 
to cut and mark out. The potatoes were cut to 
single eye pieces and were calculated to be 
dropped just 10 laches apart in the drill. It 
was required that every piece dropped should 
be stepped upon with the heel or bail of the 
foot. This would in most instances put the 
seed entirely out of sight and it would readily 
grow without auy further covering and would 
stand a pretty severe freeze without injury. To 
cover, a light double six-foot harrow was used, 
drawn by one horse, the horse going once be¬ 
tween every two rows. This effectually covered 
the seed to the depth of about three inches, and 
left the land in beautiful condition. The sainc 
Summering Pigs. 
A clover lot is the be6t pasture for pigs 
through the early part of the summer. It is 
good, indeed, the whole season, but. after har¬ 
vest the pigs should glean the grain fields, and 
soon aa the corn Is glazed it may be fed profi¬ 
tably. Give stalks and all, for the bogs wi^ rel¬ 
ish the juicy leaves and busks. But if you have 
a clover lot near the house — in the orchard it 
may be—so as to feed the milk and elops of the 
kitchen conveniently, you have os good a chance 
for the pigs os may be desired. Pigs will thrive on 
elover alone, especially when it affords blossoms, 
but it will pay well to feed some grain daily. 
Meal, cither alone or mixed with ground oats, 
barley, or mill Iced, perfects the clover and milk 
system of feeding. When milk is fed it. is better, 
wu think, to wean the pigs when they are two 
months old, and then give them the whole bene¬ 
fit of the food. Some farmers talk of “shutting 
their hogs up to fat” In the fall; they should 
«tten them all summer; keep them fit for the 
Training Heifers, 
If you want a heifer or young cow to break 
in kindly to the milking process, make friends 
with her at the outset. Be soothing and gentle 
with her. If she is skittish, fretful or uneasy, 
the milker should be patient and cool. Refrain, 
if possible, from an application of the milking 
stool. It may make her stand shivcringly In her 
place, hut the milk will be rendered grudgingly 
and greatly in diminished quantity. By patience 
and kindness tho young cows may be soon 
brought to regard you as a friend. This relation 
once established and the victory is won. 
Buckwheat Among Hops. 
A correspondent from Mich, propounds 
the following query :—“Permit inc through the 
Rural to inquire if Buckwheat sown among 
hops will prevent the hop lice from destroying 
the crop ? The opinion prevails generally in this 
section of country, that Buckwheat will save 
the hop crop. Yet no one knows for certain. 
No one lias tried it, or e\en knows of its beiog 
tried. Neither have they sttn even an account, 
in agricultural papers, of such a mode of saving 
Kicking Cows.—A correspondent of the Ohio 
Farmer, recommends fetters for the hind legs of 
cows given to the pastime of kicking while the 
process of milking is going on. This may be 
an effectual remedy, but we tbink that if a cow 
cannot be cured of tLe kicking propensity by 
kind usage, tbe sooner she is introduced to the 
butcher or beef barrel the better. As a mil ker 
she is more bother than benefit. 
[III 
|j'l| 
