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“ PROGRESS AND IMPROVEMENT." 
[SINCLE NO. TEN CENTS 
VOL XYIH. NO. 28.1 
ROCHESTER, N. Y.-FOR THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, JULY 13, 1367. 
i WHOLE NO. 912, 
ESTABLISHED IN 1050. 
MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
OHIGINAL WUSKLY 
AGRICULTURAL, literary and family newspaper. 
-- 
CONDUCTED BY D. D. T. MOORE. 
With an Able Corps of Assistants and Contributors. 
Hoy. HENRY S. RANDALL, LL. P., Editor of the De¬ 
partment of Sheep Husbandry. 
HON. T. C. PETERS, late President N. T. State Ag’l 
Society. Southern Corresponding Editor. 
GLEZEN F. WILCOX, Associate Editor. 
Thk Rubai. New-Tobkbu is designed to be tinsur- 
passed in Value, Purity, and Variety of Contents. Its 
Conductor earnestly labors to render tbe Rubai, a Reli¬ 
able Guide on all tbe Important Practical. Scientific and 
other Subjects connected with the business of those 
whoso Interests It zealously advocates. As a Family 
Journal It U eminently Instructive and Entertaining- 
being so conducted that It can be safely taken to the 
Homes of people of Intelligence, taste and discrimination. 
It embraces more Agricultural, Horticultural,scientific, 
Educatloual, Literary nnd News Matter, Interspersed 
with appropriate engravings, than any other journal,— 
rendering tt by far tbe most complete Agricultural, 
Literary and Family Newspaper In America. 
J3T" For Terms and other particulars see last page. 
AiBiaeOTMk 
WHEN SHALL GRASS BE CUT 1 
This question is of tlie highest, importance. 
It has been discussed at State Fairs and Clubs, 
but with little agreement in the answer. One 
point, however, must be conceited, that, it should 
be cut when it contains the greatest amount of 
nutriment. But Opinions of practical farmers 
seem to differ widely us to when this poiut in 
its growth is reached. Some say the seed should 
be ripe enough to grow, but not to shell; others 
that the seed should merely form, but not ripen; 
others that it should not form at all, but only 
reach the blossom; still others say that when 
the seed is fully ripe the stalk is more valuable, 
per weight, for such maturity. 
Let U 3 bijo if chemistry furnishes any solution 
of this question. Emil Wolff, analytical and 
agricultural chemist in the Agricultural Acad¬ 
emy of Hohenhcim, has published a great num¬ 
ber of analyses, among them the following: 
Red clover 
Red clover 
in flower. 
for seed. 
.. 184 
9.4 
.. 28.3 
20.3 
.. 30.4 
48. 
(5.2 
3.6 
.. 16.7 
10.7 
Heat aud fat producers... 
Woody fiber. 
Ash. 
i flower. 
for seed. 
15.8 
10.2 
29 2 
23.1 
30.5 
45. 
8.3 
5. 
10.7 
10.7 
100 
100 
Swedish clover Swedish clover 
Meadow hay. Aftermath. 
Flesh formers. 8 2 9.5 
Heat and fat producers... 41.3 45.7 
Woody fiber. 30. 24. 
Ash. (1.2 (5.5 
Water. . 14.3 14.3 
Total. 100 100 
In an analysis of grass before blooming and 
another at the end of blooming, it was found to 
contain about two per cent, more nutriment at 
the latter period. These are analyses of grasses 
grown in Europe, but it is difficult, to see how 
this question could be affected by that fact. 
There might be more or less nutriment in the 
same grass grown in Europe than in America, 
hut it would not affect the law of its develop¬ 
ment, it would not change the period of its 
greatest nutriment. And It is quite evident, 
from the above analyses, that the ripening of 
the seed decreases the amount of food in the 
stalk. When the leaves of trees have attained 
their full formation the hark receives a copious 
supply of starch, which substance disappears 
from the cells of the leaf and leaf stalk, (Lie- 
bi g;) and by analysis of the leaves, they are 
found, before their fall, to have lost most of 
their organic and inorganic constituents. These 
have passed down into the tree for future use. 
And the same reflux of tlie food constituents of 
the grasses seems to take place. On tlie ripen¬ 
ing ef the stalk they pass back to the root and 
remain as a store for future growth. After the 
seed ripens in the grasses, the 6 talk gradually 
withers, and nothing is left but woody fiber. 
The ripening of the seed iB effected by absorption 
°f the food constituents of tlie stalks. And at 
the end ofblooming, or perhaps at tbe beginning. 
COCK OF 
In the preceding Illustration is presented a 
spirited picture of a male and female of the 
grouse family, peculiar to the plains of the West. 
They occupy a leading position in D. G. El¬ 
liot’s description of the “game birds of the 
United States.” In its manner of flying it re¬ 
sembles closely the common partridge of the 
Eastern and Central States as it does also in its 
selection of the trunk of soms prostrate tree 
the stalk, probably, contains all the nutriment 
of stalk and seed at maturity. The juice iu 
the sugar maple is Baid to have lost its sweet¬ 
ness when the flowers arc matured; and in the 
sngar cane and beet root, the sugar becomes less 
as tbe plant begins to blossom. It is well known 
that sngar can be made from the juice of the 
corn stalk just before bloomiug, but not after 
the formation of the seed. After ripening, the 
stalk is, principally, woody liber, but is more 
valuable than grass at the same period, as com 
is ail annual plant, and its nutriment does not 
return to the root, as is the case with the peren¬ 
nial grasses. 
The grasses are grown aud preserved for their 
stalks and leaves, aud should be cut and cured 
when in greatest perfection. It will he seen, by 
the analysis, that aftermath has several per cent, 
more of nutriment than meadow hay, and this 
corresponds with experiment. Farmers have 
found that young animals thrive better on tbe 
aftermath secured in good condition, than on 
the regular crop. This result has, no doubt, 
been occasioned by the too prevalent custom 
of cutting grass when nearly ripe. Vegetable 
physiology, chemical analysis aud all the most 
careful experiments, point to the period of 
blooming as the true time for cutting grass. 
The cutting should begin with this period and 
end before the flowering is past. Then the 
juices in the stalk and leaves arc in highest 
perfection, containing all the nutriment for de¬ 
veloping the seed, and in just that succulent 
condition which renders it most easily assimi¬ 
lated by the animal. 
To demonstrate this matter to the satisfaction 
of American fanners, thorough analyses should 
be made of all our principal grasses at tbe sev¬ 
eral stages ot growth, and when fully ripe. 
This most important matter should engage the 
attention of our State Society, and especially of 
the Department of Agriculture at Washington. 
Careful data and authoritative opinions generally 
diffused on this subject, would save millions of 
dollars annually to the farmers of this State 
alone.—s. 
In France cows are estimated to yield only 
about an average of 550 quarts of milk a year, 
or about one-half as much as in England. 
r L'IIK PLAINS — (Centrocereuis TJroph,asianu*.) 
whereon to perform its amatory perambulations 
when engaged iu what is familiarly known as 
drumming. Tlie principal food of these birds 
In the summer season consists of the leaves of 
the artemesia, whose bitterness is such as to 
render their flesh strong and unpalatable, but in 
autumn their diet is changed to the pulpy-leaved 
thorn when their flesh becomes delicately fla¬ 
vored and desirable. This bird courts the soll- 
UNDEBDRAINING LAND - EFFECTS. 
It is an opinion fast gaining ground among 
farmers, that underdraining their land, though 
costly, is one of the most profitable investments 
they can make. Experiments in drainage have 
abundantly tested and proved its utility both os 
a promoter of vegetable growth aud a protection 
against the Influence of dronth. On this point 
Mr. Waring, an engineer of much experience in 
the business of land drainage, remarks: — “ Dur¬ 
ing the hottest weather there is a great amount 
of tvater in the atmosphere, which has been 
evaporated from the earth by heat, and which is 
held by beat iu the form of vapor. When this 
vapor comes in contact with bodies sufficiently 
cooler thou itself, they take away its heat and the 
vapor contracts to the liquid form (condenses) 
aud is at once deposited as dew on the surface of 
cooler substances. The familiar example of a 
cold pitcher, which seems to nwcat in hot 
weather, while it is only absorbing heat from 
the air, and causing the vapor of the air to he 
deposited iu a liquid form, is an illustration of 
this law of condensation. 
So when water is removed from tbe soil the 
spaces between its particles (which before drain¬ 
age has been filled with water,) are occupied by 
air, and to a greater or less extent, owing to the 
motion of the air above the surface caused by 
winds, and to the effect of changes of temperature 
below the surface; this air is constantly chang¬ 
ing, and that which enters from above charged 
with vapor gives up its heat, and therefore, its 
moisture, both of which are absorbed by the 
lower and cooler soil. In consequence of this 
action, especially when tlie surface of the soil is 
kept in a loose condition, so as to admit the air 
freely, drained lands withstand drouth better 
tbau uudrained lauds. 
To a certain extent the same effect, although 
in a less degree, results from thorough cultiva¬ 
tion. If any one doubts this, let him make an 
experiment of stirring the soil in one field and 
not doing so iu another adjoining, lie will find 
the unstirred ground baked hard, so that fre¬ 
quently there is scarcely any moisture discerna- 
ble down eight or ten inches, while the ground 
which has been stirred or cultivated, frequently 
is moist almost to the surface.” 
tude uf the pffains or groves where the female 
constructs her rude nest and performs the 
patient laborB of incubation. The hens lay 
about sixteen eggs of a dark brown color, spot¬ 
ted on the layer-end with chocolate. The time 
of Incubation is about the same as the common 
barn yard fowl. The chicks pass at once from 
the shell and nest and never return to it—as a 
I home. 
BOCKS OF OFFENSE-STUMBLING. 
A ramble among the farms ol almost any 
section will disclose the fact that but a small 
portion of their owners secure all the advantages 
wbieh the soil they cultivate la susceptible of 
conferring. This is especially noticeable in dis¬ 
tricts where tlie surface of the land La dotted 
over with rocks or stone too ponderous to be 
removed bodily with unaided hands. These are, 
emphatically, “rocks of offense and stones of 
stumbling,” whether found iu the grain field or 
in the meadow, yet there they are allowed to re¬ 
main year in and year out, accumulating around 
them aggressive clumps of thistles and briars, 
from the seed and roots of which other portions 
of the farm are infested and rendered less pro¬ 
ductive. These annoyances might be readily 
and profitably abated if the farmer would only 
“find time” to pay his respects to them iu a 
suitable manner. The rocks will readily yield 
to an application of drill aud powder and furnish 
excellent muterial for fences, which, rightly con¬ 
structed, will last till “the crack of doom.” 
These, once removed, the plow and cultivator 
will make short work with the parasitical briars 
and thistles which fouud shelter and immunity 
from harm under their protection. The labor 
necessary to accomplish this work of improve¬ 
ment will find ample remuneration in the in¬ 
creased yield of grain and other products and 
the augmented value imparted to farms thus 
relieved of impediments to clean cultivation. 
RURAL FARMERS’ CLUB. 
Prolific Grain—A California Yield. 
“Rural Reader” writing from Vacaville, 
Solano Co., Cal., says: — “I have seen a state¬ 
ment that some farmer has raised from three 
grains of barley some 500 in return. As our 
barley harvest is just commencing, 1 have con¬ 
cluded to head the Eastern farmer. I have 
counted the returns from live grains. Fram one 
gTairj, nine stalks, yield 410 returns—where our 
friend’s nine stalks yielded 185. Eighteen stalks, 
from One grain, yield 1,2453; 12 stulks from one 
grain, yield 500; 20 stalks from onfi grain, yield 
1,398; 20 stalks from another grain, yield 1,411. 
I will do as our friend undoubtedly did, take the 
three best from three grains. We get 58 stalks 
and 4,052 returns lrotu the three. 
As to the crops in California they are generally 
good as far as I know, although I do not think 
the two counties set down as second and third 
for wheat raising, will yielfi this year over onc- 
half the amount they did In 1800.” 
White Fnrmina nr the Month. 
Our * correspondent writes: — “ The West 
Georgia Gazette scouts as ridiculous twaddle, 
that the white man at the South cannot stand 
the continuous labor necessary to muku cotton l 
It says:—‘ The best crop of corn, and cotton, we 
saw last year—and conceded by all who saw it 
to be the best in Middle Georgia—was grown on 
the plantation of Lewis Bkacham of Laurens 
.Co., by his four sons, assisted three months of 
the time by one negro man. The product of 
this farm of half hummock laud was 10 bales 
of cotton, 1,500 bushels of corn, and Iff stacks 
of fodder, besides a large crop of cane and po¬ 
tatoes.’ 
“ What an improvement on the dayo'of Slav¬ 
ery, when the farmer’s son, cigar in mouth, rode 
ahead in his bnggy, while a negro followed with 
a little cotton in a rickety mule cart, on the way 
to the village store to make a trade. Verily, the 
day is approaching when the Sout.h'will be bless¬ 
ed by tbe labor of its own white hands.” 
Veterinary— lion Distemper — Kin Kb one. 
E. LL writes :—”1 take the position that horn 
distemper is a disease, aud not lack of food, shel¬ 
ter, &c., in consequence of which tlie animal 
under its influence becomes lean, dispirited, and 
death subsequently ensues from its effects unless 
proper remedies are used. My remedy for a full 
grown animal is one teacupfnl of soft soap, one 
of salt, and one of strong vinegar mixed to¬ 
gether. With this I bathe the horns aud spine to 
the roots of the tail. In very bad cases repeat 
in the course of live or six days. I disapprove 
boring the horn in any case.” 
“ A Farmer” writes for the Rural —“I think 
ringbone iu horses can be cured even in its ad¬ 
vanced stages, I have seen my father cure a 
horse of ringboue that had walked on three 
legs, on account of it, more than twelve months. 
He became perfectly sound. The following is 
the recipe:—Half an ounce of red precipitate; 
half do. bine stone; half a pint of turpentine. 
Mix together and apply once a day. Keep the 
hoof greased.” 
Floors for Hog Pens. 
“A Farmer” writes from Cortland Co., N. 
Y., as followsSay to ‘A,’ of Grattan, Mich., 
that I built a new hog pen two years since, ami 
that I made inquiry of several farmers about 
concrete or grout floors, and learned that iu 
every Instance they had failed. It was claimed 
that the liquid from the hogs killed the life of 
the lime (water lime, which is the best for such 
purpose,) and it became soft and would tread 
up. I paved mine with cobble stone, like a 
street pavement, and the hogs rooted it up, 
and I am thankful they did, for it was a hard 
task to elean it (quite an important item in a 
stable floor. ) I then put a plank floor on top 
of the pavement, which I think is best, all 
things considered.” 
Wheat for Mcedine:. 
A correspondent of the Canada Farmer, 
iu discussing the subject of wheat growing, 
makes several points which may prove valuable 
to some of our readers. It is assumed that the 
best soli for wheat Is that In which clay predom¬ 
inates, but to ensure a drop the land must be 
nuturftlly or artificially drained. Arable land re¬ 
quires for a full development of its resources a 
crop of fall wheat In the system of rotfttiou. 
The selecting and preparation of seed wheat is 
of great importance, yet rarely receives auy at¬ 
tention. Seed wheat should be tested by immer¬ 
sion in water, as the imperfect grain will float 
on the surface, anil is thus severed from that 
suitable lor sowing. These floating grains are 
those infested with fungi or parasites, and 
though light enough to float, have still suf¬ 
ficient vitality to germinate and reproduce 
the pests which diminish the quantity and 
vitiate the quality of the wheat crop. Af¬ 
ter the floating groins are removed turn the 
water off and give the seed a good coating of 
lime, which will render innoxious any smut 
which may adhere to the wheat. These precau¬ 
tions taken, it is assumed that a crop of clean 
wheat may be safely relied upon. The sugges¬ 
tion is worthy of trial. 
