102 
MOOHE’g SURAL MEW-YORRER. 
\ recommends the feed which he uses, after a long 
* experience. The ewes will thrive on it as much 
t as they ought to, and the lambs will be vigorous. 
\ He does not think diet has aught to do with this 
disease—certainly not as causing it. 
There are other items gleaned during my 
visit to Mr. K., which will be given hereafter. 
WASHING SHEEP. 
There seems to be a strong disposition to 
revolt against the time-honored custom of wash¬ 
ing sheep. Whatever conservative influences 
there are among us should be at once invoked, 
or “immemorial usage” may have to succumb to 
rampant innovation. v 
The whole matter of preparing wool for mar¬ 
ket needs careful revision. The present system 
of buying upon “the general average* is an out¬ 
rageous discrimination in favor of carelessness 
and fraud. Wool that will shrink twenty per 
cent, is bought at the same figure with wool that 
will shrink fifty per cent.; hence, the man that 
“takes pains” does it at a serious loss. The 
good sense of layers is but a poor guarantee for 
equal and exact justice to all wool-growers. The 
wool is bought in a hurry, and the agent that is 
the least particular, buys the most pounds, and 
gets the most pay. At present we have every 
degree of dirtiness, from that which is artistically 
put on, to that which is infinitesimally reduced 
by washing: and soon, in dimiuishingquantitieS, 
till we reach the flocks that have little affinity for 
dirt, and the flock owners of the old school who 
wash thoroughly from the force of habit, or be- i 
cause they have a fancy that it is wrong to cheat. 
It all goes for about the same price, unless, per¬ 
haps, the clean wool brings less, because the 
mau who is So unsophisticated as to raise it is 
too unsophisticated fur a salesman. 
Can we sooner get our deserts (which is just 
what a good many of us don’t want.) by con¬ 
tinuing to wash, or by giving it up? This is the 
real question. It is conceded that the manufac¬ 
turer can purify the wool cheaper and better 
than we can, but it is of the highest importance 
that we adopt that method that will put every 
man’s wool on its true merits. Washing would 
do this If all the wool was perfectly cleansed and 
purified. I need not repeat that this is not the 
case. The assumption that washed wool belongs 
in one class, in regard to cleanliness, is the direct 
source of the grossest injustice. "Washed or not 
washed, every individual lot should stand on its 
individual merits. I see not lint that can bo de¬ 
termined as well before washing as afterwards. 
When the water is warm, and plenty, and 
clean, and convenient, it is no very serious mat¬ 
ter to wash sheep. These contingencies, how- 
'ovor, don’t often happen. Our streams gon- , 
©rally come from springs, and cold ones at that, , 
approached by long and dusty roads, and the * 
panting sheep take a cold bath, and keep on a wot ' 
blanket through, perhaps, a chilly night, to be j 
followed, in some cases, by coughs and decline. 
If we do wash, we ought to use warm water, and ' 
house the sheep, unless very warm, the next ' 
night. c 
Itjs now held by some of our best flock mas- ° 
tors that early shearing (say the first of May) is 
preferable to the first of July—the sheep being, , 
if properly protected against cold and storms,’ 1 
much better without their fleeces, while they are * 
allowed to Commence clothing themselves early q 
for the next winter; but it is difficult, or impossi- \ 
ble, to find a suitable time to wash and dry sheep. 
in this latitude, before the first of June. ^ 
I apprehend serious difficulty in fixing upon d 
the proper allowance to be made for un- si 
myself, from my own experiments, and knowl- mediately joined. That portion which received facts, or experimenting on our own hooks? This 
edge gained from other reliable sources. | the fish gave a good crop, but that which was timber cutting business is getting to be important 
During the years 1821, 1822 and 1823, there manured from the vaults was best throughout already in this once heavy timbered country. It 
was quite an excitement in this country on the the season, always the largest, the loaves pre- is a subject we need light upon. 
cultivation and manufacture of hemp and flax, Renting a dark, rich color, and at harvest yielded . •, , , , , , 
i i . , „ , „ , , .... Anotner subscriber wants to know what will 
and the Agricultural community flattered them- twenty-five per cent, the largest crop. I dad not , , . T 
i r c ■ , , . , , , . . . , cmo the scratches on horseR. I once bought a 
selves that our Government wore about to do learn the quantity of the dtflerent Kinds of tna- „ Q ; t . .., , , , . . \ r 
,,, • . , „. , „ t , pan oi norses that had been driven from New 
something to encourage tills branch of industry,! nore applied per acre, but the design was to th , , .. 
cultivation mid manufacture of hemp and flax, 
and the Agricultural community flattered them¬ 
selves that our Government were about to do 
something to encourage this branch of industry, 
but they were disappointed, and after many 
speeches were made in Congress, and in Stute 
Legislatures, mostly of the “ buncombe" Older, the 
thing died away and went to the tomb of the 
Capulcts, since which cotton became King, and 
we have beard IHlle paid about hemp and flax. 
At this time, owing to many existing circum- 
Btancos, it does appear that the cultivation and 
manufacture of flax may be made profitable to 
the farmer, manufacturers, and the community at 
large, for many years to come, and as there are 
many erroneous opinions prevalent with us on 
this subject, I propose to send you a few articles 
to pubt tin Hate the following propositions: 
First —That the soil and climate in many parts 
of the United States is favorable for producing a 
good growth of flax. 
Second Thatllax which has been allowed to 
ripen its seed is capable of lining wrought into 
the finest, fabrics. 
Third— That flax is capable of being spun by 
machinery at less expense than cotton. 
Fourth —That the process of dew-rotting flax, 
beside reducing the product more than twenty- 
five per cent,, renders it comparatively worthless 
for the manufacturer. 
1 shall not attempt giving directions for sowing 
and harvesting the crop, taking it for granted 
that every man claiming to be a farmer, under¬ 
stands that part of his business as well as raising 
corn or potatoes. N. Gooohkll. 
Now Haven, Oswego Co,, N. Y., March, 1868. 
Remarks.— Many of our readers will recog¬ 
nize Mr. G. as an Agricultural Editor twenty-five 
or thirty years ago, and will be glad to find that 
he not only “still lives,” but can wield the pen 
as well as of yore. Of course, we shall be glad 
to receive and publish the proposed series of 
articles, ami have no doubt they will be read 
with interest and profit by thousands of our 
readers. — Ed. 
apply as much of each as could be rendered 
available. From the result, of this experiment, 
and from my own experience and observation, J 
am satisfied that stable manure thrown out, as it 
is by the farmers In general, and exposed in the 
yard to the washing rains, and to the drying and 
bleaching influences of the sun and winds, with 
the loss of the liquid portions from the animals, 
is deprived of more than half of its enriching 
properties. 
It is not, I presume, so much on account of the 
cost of building cellars, or vaults, in connection 
with stables, that farmers do not more generally 
adopt them, as it is that they do not know the 
great superiority of the manure made in them, 
over that which is exposed to weather in the 
open yard. B. 
Sag Harbor, L. I., March, 1863. 
-- 
CULTIVATION OF COTTON. 
I saw an inquiry in a recent number of the 
Rural in regard to the cultivation of cotton. I 
have seen no response to i! since, and conceiving 
it a subject worthy the attention of every one 
who has even a small piece of ground to cultivate, 
I am induced to give what little information 1 
have gathered, as well as my own experience, i 
am fully convinced that it is a crop that can be 
raised with profit in the Northern States, es¬ 
pecially all South of latitude 42 degrees, and 
in many localities, particularly favorable to it, 
much further North. 
York here through the mud. They had the 
scratches the worst that I ever saw any animal 
have it, their legs very much swollen and very 
sore. T cured them by a few washings with beef 
brine from my beef barrel; perhaps any brine 
would have answered as well. A horse that is 
properly cleaned will seldom have the disease. 
I have never had a horse have it since. But 
there is a disease, that resembles the scratches, 
that will need a thorough treatment, and per¬ 
haps not be cured at that. The name of the dis¬ 
ease 1 do not now remember. As far as my 
experience goes, moRtof the diseases that trouble 
horses in this country are owing to hard 
driving, unsteady feeding, or want of proper 
grooming. I never bad but one Rick horse, ex¬ 
cept by horse-distemper, and that one bloated 
on clover. Of all the animals given for man’s 
use, they are the worst abused. If 1 believed in 
Rural Notes anil 3tcim 
Deferred.—W e have in type, but are compelled to de¬ 
fer, over a page of articles on practical and seasonable top¬ 
ics. Various notices, inquiries and answers, items, etc. 
prepared for publication, are also necessarily deferred.' 
The Rural is a suable sheet, and each number admits 
considerable matter, but not half as much as we desire to 
give at this season. 
New (Jcahtv.ii —Hack Numbers .—Agents and others in¬ 
terested arc reminded that the second quarter of this vol¬ 
ume will commence nrxt week Bee notice on next page. 
As our edition of back numbers of tills volume is nearly 
exhausted, we do not fumbh them unless specially ordered. 
W’e now have no more than we wish to save for binding. 
Agents or others having extra copies of No’s 1, 2, 3 and 4, 
or either of them, will oblige us by returning the same. 
juv/n ivjiivuiuci, as Jill inv ^ 
_ , v Nkw Book os Tobacco Culture.—A timely and val- 
ex penence goes, most of the diseases that trouble uab]e mtlc worU on Tobawo culture has just been issued 
horses in this country are owing to hard by C. M. Saxton, of New York. It is intended as a 
driving, unsteady feeding, or want of proper “practical guide for the selection of the soil and its prep- 
glOOming. 1 never had but one sick horse, ex- aratiou; kind and quantity of manures to be used and 
cept by horse-distemper, and that one bloated , "“ v applied, growth of plants; transplanting and mode 
Oil clover. Of all the animals given for man’s of flult,lrL ‘ Rcncmlly, from time of planting the seed bed, 
use, they are the worst abused. If 1 believed in preparation for market" 
. ." „ , r , i , » » , . Ttie work embraces what Hon. GftO. Gkdhxe give* on 
transmigration of souls, I should think some of tobacc0 culturc in hi9 aiimirablo 8 „ rve y of Onondaga Co., 
my friends would find themselves hard-driven 
and poorly-fed horses in Hades. 
Yours truly, William Cone. 
Troy, Mich., March 2d, 1863. 
SHALL WE WASH SHEEP? 
Please allow me to thank Mr. N. Nourse, 
of Hinsdale, for informing us in the Rural of 
March 7th, that wool undergoes the same pro¬ 
cess of cleansing by the manufacturer “ whether 
it has been washed on the sheep or not,” and 
that “the difference in expense is trifling” be- 
r conn. tween cleansing washed and unwashed wool; 
I suppose what was intended by the inquiry and also that there would be more uniformity in 
referred to above, was something practical in 
cultivating it llore at the North; fur in Rome re¬ 
spects its management should be different from 
its cultivation in a warmer climate. For this 
purpose I will give a brief outline, sufficient for 
the condition of wool if sheared without wash¬ 
ing. Here the one important point is proved— 
and also a paper by Mr. H. BbardSlkk, a Connecticut 
tobacco grower of considerable experience. We can fur¬ 
nish the work; 25 cents at office, or 30 cents by mail. 
- •+ - - 
Wool, Growers' COKTJtierrON —Those of onr readers 
interested arc reminded that the Wool Growers of West¬ 
ern New York are to meet at the Court House, in Roches¬ 
ter, on Thursday next (April 2,) at 1 o'clock P. M., to 
take into consideration the propriety of Shearing without 
■Washing Sheep. See notice in last Rural. 
gfaquimis aitrt gutsms. 
What Kino oh Clover to Sow.— In answer to an in¬ 
quiry let me say that I would row the medium for hay, 
pasture, or for plowing in. It starts earlier in the spring 
and grows rapidly, consequently you have a larger growth 
those who wish to try the experiment of mis- much Increased. 
that the manufacturer can idoanse wool cheaper turn un< l« early. For hay it is far better, for yon can 
than the grower. But Mr. N. adds that the ex- yo,,T CT0V nf hn - v Rnd n oro P of clover seed the same 
pease of shearing and transportation would be 8 «as ot >i “* ld ‘ 1,,rne pasture after It; and for pastnre alone it 
MANURES. 
As the subject Of manures is treated by the 
Rural as a specialty, J am induced to send you 
some facts on the subject from one of the oldest 
settled portions of the New World. Portions oj' 
the towns of South and East Hampton, compris¬ 
ing the eastern extremity of Long Island, have 
been under Cultivation for a period of more than 
two hundred years. The soil along the south 
side of the island is of a loamy character, and 
was once good, lint long-continued cropping so 
exhausted it that it finally became necessary 
to spend large sums of money in the purchase of 
manure in order to render funning at all remu¬ 
nerating. For sixty or more years leached ashes 
constituted the principal manure that was pur¬ 
chased. The ashes wero chiefly from the aoap 
manufacturing establishments of New York, 
Providence and Boston, and cost, delivered at 
the wharf in this place, an average price of $4 
per tun; and even at this price, and to which is 
added the cost of hauling from six to ten miles, 
it has proved a profitable investment, ns (ho 
returns in wheat and hay were extraordinary. 
After repeated applications of this manure for a 
long series of years, it ceases to produce the 
dossed effect not, probably, from an over- 
supply. so much as from the exhaustion of other 
washed wool. It may be right enough to de- essential ingredients in the soil. 
duct “one-third "lor very greasy or dirty fleeceR t?- , , , . , 
, , y uwuces, Fish are also extensively used as a manure on 
but ebps n general will not be submitted to such theRft knfK iXS W( .,l as upon the lighter soils on 
i-hnulvagc. I nndeiMiui.l it if in contemplation Lll0 middle and north side of the island. These 
U |iv in' A 1 .°..i| U1 f "r ' V °" era ln Roclu ' f!,or fish are caught in immense numbers, both in the 
early in April to discuss this matter, inviting 8ea and in the bays. A millio. 
buyers and manufacturers to meet with them. thm; (isll havo frequently boon 
’l he subject is an important one, and if the haul of the seine. These fish a 
change is to be made, it should, if possible, be pliod direotly to Ul o land. aim. 
generally concurred in. -u. t. n. mrn 
ing it. 
The preparation of the ground should be about 
the same as for planting corn, with the addition 
of throwing the ground iuto ridges about three 
feet apart, with a light plow. Lund that will 
grow good dent corn will grow cotton, although 
warm, sandy soils are the best adapted to it. 
The seed should bo drilled into the top of the 
ridges, and just enough earth put on them to cov¬ 
er them. The seed should be drilled in quite 
thick to insure a “good stand;” or, if there is a 
scarcity of seed, a “good stand ” may be secured 
by dropping four or five seed in little hills about 
one foot apart, and throwing out all except the 
strongest plants when they come up. The seed 
will have attached to them small particles of cot¬ 
ton, and it will be found difficult to drill them, 
unless they are wet and mixed or rolled in 
leached ashes. 
When the plants are well up the “scraping’ 
oi' the cotton should begin, which consists in hoe¬ 
ing the dirt from the plants and thinning out. to 
about one foot apart. The after cultivation can 
be performed with a light plow or cultivator, and 
all that is needed is to keep the ground mellow 
and free from weeds. The ground never should 
be worked when it is wet, or when the plants are 
wet with the dew or recent rains. 
Time for Planting.—I have seen some articles’ 
on the “cultivation of cotton,” advising to plant 
as soon in April as the ground will admit the 
.seed. All who have raised cotton here, with 
whom I have conversed ou the subject, lake ex¬ 
ception to this. They say about the loth of May 
is soon enough. The seed then germinates quick¬ 
ly, and there is no danger from late frosts or cold 
sea and in the bays. A million and upward of ra!ns - The eotk,J1 P laul is v(! >7 delicate, and a 
• l! A !• 1 !1l L'll *1 . 11 _* Ml t >, 
ABOUT FLAX - INTRODUCTORY, 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker;—I have this day 
received the first ten numbers of your valuable 
paper for 1803, and ns I am nut a subscriber, I 
think the compliment is equal to saying, “ 1 
should like to hear from you.” I thiuk you 
would have received a communication from me 
before this, but I was afraid if I made application 
to be admitted into the army of your contribu¬ 
tors. 1 should receive the same answer that I did 
when I offered to join the army to put down this 
rebellion, viz.. “ that I was too old.” Now, 1 do 
these fish have frequently been taken at a single 
haul of the seine. These fish me sometimes ap¬ 
plied directly to the land, among the growing 
corn, and sometimes composted with turf, and 
applied to wheat lands in the fall. More recently, 
extensive establishments have been erected for 
extracting the oil from the fish by a steaming 
process. The remaining mass Is then packed in 
barrels and sold as fish guano. The effect offish 
upon the laud is similar to that of guauo, imme¬ 
diate and of short duration. Of late years, the 
farmers have purchased guano largely, but, the 
application of ground bones now seems to claim 
the preference. But while the farmers here have 
been expending such immense sums in the pur¬ 
chase of special manures, they have, as others 
are doing throughout the country, failed to econ¬ 
omize the natural supply at home. An inter¬ 
net, believe that it is erimiuul to become old, yet esting experiment, showing the comparative 
it is not altogether pleasant to be told of it, at 
every corner. 
I hav e been looking over your numbers to 
find what subjects were considered most inter¬ 
esting to your readers at this time, judging from 
the frequency of communications. My first atten¬ 
tion was directed to “ Draining," but 1 found that 
a set of numbers wore already commenced on 
value of different manures, and more particularly 
the importance of securing the liquid portions of 
the manure from farm animals, came under my 
observation last season, the result of which is too 
important to be overlooked. It occurred on the 
farm of 0. R. Wade, Esq., near this village. 
Mr. Wade is an amateur farmer, of bat limited 
practice; yet I know 7 of none who grow better 
that subject, and as the country had been pretty crops. He has tried all the various manures 
well drained (of men and specie) for the last two 
years, I thought 1 would leave that matter to be 
discussed by wiser heads. 
It then occurred to me that there was not as 
flinch flax and hemp used in this country as 
there ought to be, and as I considered we were 
half a century behind most, other civilized 
nations in the manufacture of these products, 
more particularly so with regard to flax. I would 
offer to give you a few numbers ou that subject, 
if they would be acceptable, commencing with 
the management of flax after it has been pulled 
and the seed taken from it, and I make this offer 
with more confidence as the Committees of Con¬ 
gress for the years 1825, and 1830,—who were ap¬ 
pointed to investigate, and] report, upon the 
manufacture of hemp and flax,—made up their 
reports mostly from communications made by 
commonly used, and finds none to yield returns example on my place that is satisfactory to my 
on his land equal to his stable manure. This is mind, although one example may not always be 
cast daily into vaults, communicating with llie depended upon as settling any one point. In 
stables. The vaults are made of brick, bottom June, twenty-nine years ago, having need of a 
and sides, and rendered water-tight with cement, pair of bar-posts, I had to cut a tree for that pur- 
and run at right angles with the stalls outside of pose. I cut a white oak about two feet through 
light frost, will kill it, or a cold rain will give it 
the “ scabby shins,” from which it will not recov¬ 
er without extra care. 
It will begin to blossom from the middle to the 
last of July. The cotton should not be picked 
too soon. The fiber is improved if the balls are 
allowed to open well, and the cotton nearly 
ready to shed. The first picking probably will 
be about the first of October. 
One man can cultivate from 10 to 15 acres, and 
the average yield will probably bo from 200 to 
300 pounds of clean cotton to the acre. 
For the benefit of those who have raised a little 
cotton the past year, or who propose to raise a 
little the coming season, 1 send a drawing of a 
live acres, (generally about three, that being 
“roller gin.” [See cut and description of gin on 
preceding page.—E d. j The rollers can be made 
of wood, or iron, and two children of eight years 
of ago can operate it. S. E. Hill. 
Odin, Til., 1863. 
TIME TO CUT TIMBER. - HORSE DISEASES. 
Dear Rural: —I sit down this stormy day to 
answer two inquiries that were asked in your 
paper some time since. One subscriber asLs 
what time he should cut posts. Now, I have an 
example on my place that is satisfactory to my 
mind, although one example may not always be 
depended upon as settling any one point. In 
June, twenty-nine years ago, having need of a 
pair of bar-posts, I had to cut a tree for that pur- 
tho stables, and so arranged as to. seen re all the 
liquid portions of the manure. The whole is 
covered with a shed roof. Two or three hogs are 
allowed access to each of these vaults, who find 
employment in turning up and mixing the 
contents. 
Last Reason Mr. Wade manured a field of sev¬ 
eral acres with various manures, assigning an 
equal section of the field to each kind, and 
planted the whole with corn. The most marked 
results were where the fish guano and the stable 
manure were applied. These two sections im- 
at the but, and split out a pair. The bark peeled 
off easily. I set them with the Ini Lend in the 
ground. Now that pair of posts have outlasted 
about three sets in other parts of my farm, and 
the rails split at that time aie much better than 
rnauy that were split many yeais after. Now, 
basswood rails split in the summer, when they 
will peel easily, will outlast ordinary oak cut in 
the winter. Is not the old theory, that timber 
ought to be cut in February, entirely wrong? I, 
at least, think so. Are we not too apt to accept 
old saics without lacking into the philosophy cf 
It is true that if all sheep that were pretended 
, to be washed, were well washed, their wool would 
average about 25 per cent- less in weight than 
from un washed sheep; but when we know that 
many sheep arc scarcely washed at all—or kept 
in the water but one minute as Mr. N. tells us— 
It would seem that the difference in the transpor¬ 
tation between such washed woo] and unwashed 
should be very trilling. Let it also be remem¬ 
bered that one cent pays for transporting a dol¬ 
lar’s worth of wool a long distance. 
Unless the war shall cause a rise in the price 
of farm labor, I see no reason why unwashed 
sheep may not be sheared for the same price per 
head formerly paid for clipping washed sheep- 
fur no substance can be found near the skin on 
the body of well-managed sheep that would im¬ 
pede the shearer. The trouble has been we have 
all waited until the 10th or 15th of June for the 
weather and water to become warm enough to 
wash, arid then we are all in a hurry to shear the 
same week, as we should be; for it is really laic lor 
sheep to get a length of wool sufficient for their 
protection the next winter; but give the good 
shearers more time by beginning to shear un¬ 
washed sheep two or three weeks earlier, and 
we shall get our sheep clipped quite as cheap as 
Under the old system of late washing. 
But the most hopeful point in Mr. N.’a article 
is, that “ buyers expect to take the wool as grow- 
ere prepare it, and pay according to its condition.” 
If they will do so. and discriminate, not particu¬ 
larly between that taken from sheep that have 
been in water and such hr have not, but all the 
way along, from the clcanost to that which is 
very gummy and dirty, it will be right, and is 
all the conscientious wool-grower will ask. But, 
judging from the push 1 fear a great moral reform¬ 
ation among wool-buyers will be very much 
j needed before such a desirable change can be 
I brought about Solomon Hitchcock. 
Conesus Center, N. Y., March, 1863. 
OFFICERS OF AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 
Bt l.o w we give the principal officers for 1863 of several 
County Ag. Societies in this State: 
Coin i.ASD.—J’rcHcletU — Stkhuen D. Freer, Cortland. 
Secretary —A. 1) Blodgett, Cortland. Treasure !—Morgan 
I,. Webb, Cortland. 
Couimiua.— Pra't— JParaRT. Mbsick. Sec'y— E. Back¬ 
us, Chatham 4 Corners. Tims. —Jos. T. Shitfelt. 
Chknanuo. —/Vex7 —Asa Pm.r.nT, Plymouth. Scc'y — 
i. A. KeudaU, Norwich. Treat. —Dr. B. Harris, Norwich. 
Dutchess.—Auram Staats, Red Hook. Ssc'y— Geo. 
Sweet, Washington Hollow. Treat. —Win. W. Ilaxtun, 
Poughkeepsie. 
SotroN.— Pm’t — Wm. Logan, Johnstown. See’y— 
lavish Yanncv, Johnstown. Tnas — M. Wade, Jolmstown. 
OswKiio.—(Fulton.)—/V mV—Gardner Wood, Fulton. 
Hec'y —John W. Smith, Oswego Falls. Treas.—S. G. Mer- 
riam, Oswego. 
OftwKfto,—(Mexico.)— Pres't —Hi ram Walker, Union 
Square John K. French, Mexico. Treas. —L. H. 
Coultliu, Mexico. 
Oka.nor.— Prex’t —TifOiiss Edsal, Goshen. Car. Sec'y 
—Daniel A. Morrison, Montgomery. Jtec. .Sec'y —Geo. W. 
Greene, Goshen. Treas. —Wm. N. Sayer, Goshen. 
PUTKAH.— Pret't —Tjiatohbr H. Tiikal, Crotou Falls. 
Src'y—G. M. Belden, Carmel. Treas .— Saxton Smith, 
Red Mdis. 
Rbrssi.i.akk— Pres't —Jso. B. TihBjtts, Troy. Scc'y 
—W. T. Willard, Troy. Treat. —H. W Knickerbaeker, 
Lanainghurgh. 
Rooki.a.sd.— Pres't— M. D Booart, Clarkstowu. Pec. 
Scc'y—3. DeNoyelles, Haverstraw. Cor. Secy— A. Ed¬ 
ward SufFem, Haverstraw Treas .—Erastus Johnson, Ra- 
mapo. 
Schuyler.— Pres't—' Timothy Owk.v, Hector. Sec'y — 
John W. Thompson, Watkins. Treas .—Thomas Evans, 
Watkins. 
Ulster. — Pres't— J. F. Myers, Kingston. Sec'y —A. 
Schoonmaker, Kingston. Treas. —Wm. Townsend, do. 
Westchester.-^ Pres't — Simeon Lklanb, New Ro¬ 
chelle. Sec'y —John Cowan, White Plains. Treas. —Jas. 
Armstrong, do. 
get your crop of hav and a crop of clover seed the same 
season, and some pasture after it; and for pasture alone it 
will produce more feed throughout the season. I have 
raised both the large and medium more or less for the last 
thirty years; have grown them side by side in the same 
field; and prefer the medium—I sow no other. 
For laving down an old orchard I would sow clover, 
timothy ami orchard grass in about equal quantities—ten 
or twelve lbs. to the acre. I sowed toy orchard in this 
way six years ngo, and have since had as fine a pasture as 
you could wish. I had my orchard in fine condition in 
April and sowed to barley, then put ou the seed as above. 
The orchard grass grows Dost of any of tin- grasses in the 
shade. The teed l had from 11 a r, look's, in Rochester.— 
D. E. R., Wheatland, N. Y 
9 
Ointment sohScab on Shkkk—M ix a lb. quicksilver 
(cost two shillings; with one teaeupful of tar. Stir until 
thoroughly cut and mixed; then add 3 lbs. lard, warmed 
just enough to stir, hut no more, else the quicksilver will 
settle. Then add one teaeupful, each, of spirits turpen¬ 
tine, sulphur and soft soap; mix thoroughly and it is fit 
for use. Watch the sheep carefully, and if there lie any 
appearance of scab, itching, loosening or failing of the 
wool, remove all the loose wool and rub on and saturate 
ail the ports arTeetod, witn the ointment; alto, rub the 
ointment Oil the bare sltin under all tin* legs This simple 
process may save many a liue sheep, and many a fine flock 
from utter ruin. It is a great preservative of health in 
sheep to feed one heaping teaspoonful of sulphur mixed 
With Kilt to each Sheep, at least onoe in three weeks. 
Great advantage also will accrue, in the health of the 
sheep, and in the freeness of the wool by dipping in a 
strong dccoctlpB of tobacco, soou after shearing —T. P. 
II., Grrigsvillr, N K 
Fence Poets Tops Down.— There are men who assert 
that fence posts lust longer if the top end of the timber is 
set ;u the ground. I do not know but it is so, hut 1 can¬ 
not see the philosophy of it—have never heard ugood rea¬ 
son given for it, have you ?■ Qn.i.M.\s, 
Yes, wo have seen such a reason given We do net 
vouch for its correctness, but we give it as we have seen it. 
“It is moisture, lor instance, that rots timber. Keep it dry 
and It is exempt front decay. There are many kinds of 
vegetables that will propagate from the slips—for instance, 
the currant,^willow, grape, &c. These, although separated 
from any connection with the. root, continue to elevate 
the moisture from the earth so S3 to cause their growth. 
Of course, the vessels of post timber, if placed in the 
ground according to the arrangements of nature, will ele¬ 
vate moisture and keep the timber damp; but if that order 
is reversed, tt remains comparatively dry—lienee the prin¬ 
cipal reason, no doubt, why a post lasts longest top down¬ 
wards.’’ 
Lick on Colts.— I observed in a former number of the 
Rural that one of its readers inquired for a remedy, and 
tobacco was recommended. I have tried that, but it only 
kills those hatched, and they soon make their appearance 
again. [You did not make the solution strong enough, 
probably.— Ed.] Take Hellebore roots and boil strong and 
wash the stock all over. This will kill nits as well as lice, 
on both cattle and horses. Always be earful to tie them 
up until they are dry, to prevent them from licking while 
wet.—E. S. B., Nassau, N. Y 
An Ea&y Wav to Get Rid op the Stumps.—I n the 
Rural of the ,14th inst., “A Subscriber, Dunsviile, N. 
Y.,” wishes to know bow to get rid of pine stumps. With 
your permission, friend MOORE, I will give a remedy 
my father tried twenty-five years ago, and Which he found 
to be very effective. It Is simple, hut requires a little en¬ 
ergy to carry it into effect Here it is :—Emigrate to the 
broad prairies of Illinois.— G Jones, Prairie City, Til. 
Hops .—Twine for Poling—Hop I Vbrm .— Will some of 
the readers of the Rural, if there be any In the business, 
who knows anything about it, please give a description of 
poling hops with twine, and liow it answers the place of 
poles r Would tike to hear from some one as early as 
possible. 
— And also if there is anything that will drive away the 
hop worm fi'om the roots w ithout injury to them 1 thiuk 
salt would, but do nut wish to make the experiment with¬ 
out knowing something about it Perhaps some one in 
Otsego or Madison can give the desired information, and 
by so doing oblige—A Rural Reader, liensselaer Co. 
Patent Cow Milker.—I s there such an instrument, 
that is effective, by winch labor may h« saved and the an¬ 
imal remain uninjured V England has gone crazy over an 
American invention of this sort. Has any one in the 
Union used it ?—Nt:i.o, Ol/etlin, OhW. 
Any one who Jenows will please respond to the above 
important inquiry, 
Scours in Pius. —What am I to do with my jligs ? 
They are about three weeks old and have commenced to 
scour. If you or any of the Rural readers oau tell me 
what will stop it, you will oblige— Jas. R. Tohd, Bramp 
ton, C. W. 
Will some one who- has had experience, and can furnish 
a remedy, answer the.above ? 
