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ROCHESTER, N. Y., AND NEW YORK CITY. 
orcncc 182 Buffalo St., Rochester. |j? 
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YOL. XIX. NO. U.\ 
{WHOLE NO. 960, 
PROGRESS AND IMPROVEMENT.” 
MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER, 
AN ORIGINAL WEEKLY 
AGRICULTURAL, LITERARY ANB FAMILY NEWSPAPER. 
CONDUCTED BY D. D. T. MOORE, 
With a Corps of Able Associates and Contributors. 
G. F. WILCOX and A. A. HOPKTNS, Associate Editors. 
Hon. HENRY S. RANDALL, LL. D., 
Editor of the Department of Sheep Husbandry. 
Special Contributors. 
P. BARRY, P. R. ELLIOTT, E. W. STEWART, 
H. T. BROOKS, JOHN E. SWEET, JAMES YICK, 
MRS. MART J. HOLMES, MRS. L. E. LY MAN . 
Terras, In Advance— Thee* Dollahs a Yhab:—F ive 
copies for $14; Seven, and one free to Club Acent, for $10 '■ 
Ten, and one free, lor $25—only $2.50 per copy. As we pre¬ 
pay American postage. $2.70 is the lowest Club rate to Canada 
and $2.50 to Europe. The best way to remit Is by Draft or 
Post-Office Money Order,—and all Draft* and Orders made 
payable to the Publisher may be maiixd at me bisk. 
|y All Business Lotters, Contributions, &c., should be 
addressed to Rochester until otherwise announced. 
CROP AND WEATHER REPORTS. 
A WORK FOR AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES AND JOURNALS. 
As the season advances, and the various staple 
crops spring up and approach maturity, increasing 
interest is manifested in regard to the weather and 
its effects npon the harvest. This is true every 
year, and during spring and summer, and even into 
antumn, the weather, crop prospects, etc., are fruit¬ 
ful subjects of discussion by individuals and the 
press all over the country. Indeed, long before 
anything like an accurate or reliable opinion can 
be formed on the subject, many papers annually 
tell us about the “ liue appearance of the wheat 
crop," and what a “bountiful harvest will be gath¬ 
ered.” Some of these statements are made inno¬ 
cently, though on hearsay, or partial evidence— 
perhaps on seeing a fine Held of wheat, or hearing 
of one man’s crop, or of the prospect in a single 
town—but many of them are undoubtedly started 
by grain speculators or their agents with a design 
to deceive the public and affect the market. We 
have watched this matter every season for many 
years—ever since our connection with the press — 
and are satisfied that most crop reports, published 
in spring or early summer, are erroneous, while 
those which appear later are uncertain, to say the 
least, especially if put forth by commercial and other 
journals likely to favor dealers and speculators. 
When we were a “new hand at the bellows ” of 
journalism—which was over a quarter of a century 
ago, by the way — we were innocent or verdant 
enough to believe and reiterate the rose-colored 
statements about the “ glorious crop prospects " 
put forth by leading commercial journals every 
spring; but we soou discovered the wUy and where¬ 
fore of the annual hue and cry on the subject, aud 
have often warned our readers not to put their 
trust in the crop reports of papers in the interest 
of the commercial classes. While editing the Mich¬ 
igan Farmer, twenty-five years ago, we had occasion 
to expose the duplicity of leading Eastern papers 
in regard to crops in the West, and since then we 
have annually observed most erroneous and decep¬ 
tive reports iu the prominent commercial organs of 
New York, Boston, Cincinnati, Chicago, and other 
large cities. 
“ Well, what Is your remedy’?” asks the reader, 
“ Conceding the correctness of your statement, how 
are we farmers—producers—to get at the facts, so 
that we can decide as to the market value of our 
produce, aud whether it is best to 6Cll or hold?” 
This is a pertinent inquiry, and one to the solu¬ 
tion of which we have given much thought. It has 
agitated the minds of producers—especially in the 
West—for many years, and lead farmers to organize 
in numerous localities, in order that they might 
successfully cope with speculators and secure just 
prices for then' grain, wool, and other products. 
Years ago we attempted to introduce a Bystem of 
crop reports, and endeavored to obtain accurate 
statements from different counties iu this and other 
States,—but failed to get the right men, in most 
cases, though we succeeded in some localities. 
Later, the Department of Agriculture attempted the 
same thing, on a larger scale, but the results antici¬ 
pated have not been realized; many of the reports, 
being made gratuitously, are unreliable—furnished 
by persons who either guess or depend upon hear¬ 
say for what they give as facts and indications. 
While some are correct, many, if not the great 
mass, are only partially so, and hence little reliance 
can be placed upon calculations or estimates based 
thereupon. If the Government were to discharge 
the thousands of superfluous and do-nothing (ex¬ 
cept draw pay and sign receipts) custom-honse and 
other agents,* and pay the money thus saved for 
Weather and Crop Reports from intelligent and 
honest men in various parts of the country, mil¬ 
lions of dollars would annually be placed in the 
purses of those who earn but do not get it — the 
producers of (he country. 
But so long as the Government and political par¬ 
ties continue as corrupt as now, no such reform can 
be expected, — hence we must look elsewhere. We 
have often thought —and heretofore suggested in 
• We are credibly lui'omied t bat a collector ol customs at 
a certain port on Lake Ontario employs <uu, not employs, 
but. appoints aril pays.) ut least twenty more men than are 
required to do the- business to be transacted! 
the Rural — that Agricultural Societies and Farm¬ 
ers’ Clubs could accomplish much good by giving 
attention to crop prospects and statistics. If all 
local (Town, District or County) Societies would 
attend to this matter and report monthly, or o ftener, 
during spring and summer, to their respective agri¬ 
cultural journals for publication, (or to their State 
Ag. Societies, and the latter to the Department of 
Agriculture,) the object sought would, to a great 
extent, be attained. With well organized agricul¬ 
tural societies, managed by intelligent and practical 
men in the farming interest, in all parts of the 
country, the desired information could easily be 
obtained and communicated to the Agricultural 
Press— provided always that each Society should 
make crop reports one of the special duties of a 
Committee or the Secretary. Otherwise little can 
be accomplished, for “ what is everybody’s business 
is nobody’s.” Certainly, Agricultural Societies and 
Journals ought to work together in promoting the 
interests of producers, and in our view there is no 
matter in which a union of their efforts would be 
likely to prove more beneficial than the one under 
discussion. But our remarks are suggestive, and 
offered, for the consideration of those who are 
deeply interested in the publication of reliable 
statements concerning the yield of the leading 
crops of the whole country. And we invite the 
views and suggestions of those who have given the 
subject attention. 
— Since writing the above we have received, 
and just read, a very timely and sensible letter 
on the subject from Mr. L. B. Stone, Secretary 
of a Farmer’s Club in Polk Co., Ga,, mclosiug the 
report of a Committee of the Club on the con¬ 
dition of the growing wheat crop. The matter is 
so appropo that we quote the substance of both 
letter (dated May 20,) aud report (dated May 23,) 
as follows: 
“• Inclosed I send copy of report as printed in onr local 
paper. If yon think it will be of nse in giving the true 
prospects of the wheat crop, yon will oblige all farmers 
by publishing it. Wo (that Is. farmer?,) do and ought to 
look to our papers for correct information as to the pros¬ 
pect for a good crop. Of course the price is controlled by 
the supply and demand. We very frequently read in the 
papers (not agricultural) that the harvest wifi be abund¬ 
ant, when, if the truth were only half told, it would be 
short. Last year nearly evory crop that was raised in 
this section of country was grown at a positive loss to 
the Tanner; a great, many were obliged to sell early; 
Others were told of the- unlimited supply, and. believing, 
hurried their crops forward and sold at a eacrlfiee. Now, 
if we protect ourselves by forming Farmers’ CJnbs, and 
then, through our papers, give the truth and the whole 
truth, would it not be an advantage to us ? \Y r e think so. 
Since this report was published the rnst has made its 
uppearance on the stalk of the wheat. If it. becomes 
general the yield will he much -mailer than the Com¬ 
mittee report.” 
Very truthful talk, that, aud to the point And 
the Report opens as truthfully. It says: 
“ Public reports of prospective crops are usually made 
by transient persons, frequently the agents of speculators, 
and these reports often prejudice the Interests of planters. 
Last year the price ol’ wheat, and cotton was reduced by 
false representations. The farmers of Cedar Valley alone 
lost thus several thousand dollars on wheat, and, per¬ 
haps, near a hundred thousand on cotton. Let the fann¬ 
ers have some show ing In making reports on their own 
crops. We expect only market value on onr productions; 
but let the market price be on a lair and just account of 
supply and demand. Let Agricultural Societies be formed 
and kept alive in every county; and let them protect their 
interests by speakimj out , when necessary, as we intend 
to do. 
" We visited, on the 22d, some of the principal farms 
of Cedar Valley, with the view of seeing what the wheat 
prospect now is. This is (he unanimous report:—All 
the wheat has the rnst—most of it badly, but as yet con¬ 
fined to the leaf. The promise was very fine up to the 
time of the late heavy rains. The estimate of average 
yield of the crops examined (some of the best In the 
valley) is six bushels per acre. From all the information 
we can get irom other sections of the county, the average 
will be considerably less, Note, wheat growers, the 
prospect for a fall yield is good nowhere, so far as we are 
informed, 
“ Let us hear from farmers in other counties as to the 
wheat prospects.” 
Of course this report speaks for only one locality 
or county. But it the prospect iu every cultivated 
couuty or region in the Union were as faithfully 
reported, the actual truth would be known, and 
producers and dealers, as well is consumers, there¬ 
by vastly benefited — for releable estimates could be 
derived from a inultitute of statements, covering our 
whole cultivable territory. Think of it, reader, and 
if you can suggest a better plan, communicate it for 
publication. Meantime, how many Secretaries of 
Societies and Clubs will furnish careful reports to 
this and similar journals,—and what say our friends 
of the Agricultural Press'? 
--- 
SUBSOILING AND DEEP PLOWING. 
Some years ago it was quite generally the custom 
of agricultural writers and teachers to advocate deep 
plowing without much refereuce to circumstances. 
As a nation of farmers we were, undoubtedly, iu the 
practice of plowing too shallow—even now the 
charge of shallow plowing would hold against the 
majority of cultivators. But on most soils it is not 
advisable to change suddenly from a system of shal¬ 
low or medium depth plowing to one of deep cul¬ 
ture. The subsoil which the first deep plowing 
exposes to the air, is not suitable as a bed for seed 
to germinate iu, especially spring sown seed, for it 
is cold, lifeless, and will not stimulate the young 
plant into vigorous growth. True, there is rich 
earth for the deep roots to take hold of, and there 
is a meUow and deep seed bed, which are im¬ 
THEIOLD FOGY FARMER AND HIS STOCK.—No. II. 
portant advantages, but they will not compensate 
for loss of the healthy and vigorous early growth. 
Besides, to speak plainly, fez the good of the present 
crop, we should prefer k< <*pmg the richest earth 
nearest the surface, and there is a way to do this 
and yet stir the soil deep. 
Bubsoiling, on the majority of soils—on all which 
are not perfectly porous and leeeby— is the kind of 
deep plowing which will give the most satisfactory 
results. It would already le generally adopted by 
all progressive farmers were if. not so expensive, in¬ 
volving, as it does, the o * of extra teams, plows, 
and men. But the nrinci; 4,>f culture Is right; the 
sure ev mold fonn3 the sc.T '*ed. fr:--h, rich, lively, 
just right to push ajung h tfmat In ;he first stages 
of its growth, while the soil below is made loose for 
the admission of air, water i.nd roots. This kind of 
deep plowing is adapted to all crops and seasons. 
Subsoiling may be done in the spiiug or early sum¬ 
mer with less expense than iater, when the earth 
becomes dryer and firmer, .Several devices have 
been tried for attaching a subsoiler to the common 
plow, so that one hand, at least, with sufficient 
team, can break up the soil to the desired depth. A 
successful plow of this description would be re¬ 
ceived with favor. 
Whether good results flow from deep plowing 
with the ordinary plow, will depend a great deal on 
the kind of crop, the time of year when the work is 
done, and the nature of the previous tillage. In 
planting corn on sod land, for instance, it is not ad¬ 
visable to plow deep; the work should bewcWdone, 
and dirt enough turned over the sod to work readily 
in and to cover the grass roots, but two or three 
inches in depth of cold subsoil—previously onplow- 
ed earth,—will not benefit the crop If brought to 
the surface. But the subsoil plow might be used to 
advantage. Supposing the corn crop be followed, 
the next year, by one of Bpring grain, the plow 
should then be run deep enough to firing the de¬ 
cayed sod and an inch or so of fresh earth or subsoil, 
to the surface. This will demand somewhat deeper 
plowing than for corn. If winter wheat follows the 
spring grain the depth of plowing may be Increased 
two or three inches. A top dressing of manure 
should be applied which will aid in forming a good 
soiL In this way the arable soil is gradually deep¬ 
ened, and permanent improvement made. 
-■ - - 
COOKING FOOD FOR COWS. 
The best way to commend an improvement to 
farmers, is to publish, from time tq time, the results 
of experiments. With this view, we give the follow¬ 
ing statement of Mr. B. A. Avery of Syracuse, who 
made his first trial of cooking food last winter He 
says — “I purchased a six - horse steam boiler with 
eight flues—built an engine or boiler house separate 
from the barn—run a steam pipe 70 feet to the steam 
box, in the basement of the bam, holding 400 bush¬ 
els. On the floor above, 1 cut the hay, wet it and 
sifted on two pounds of pea meal to the bushel and 
steamed ail together. I have fed from GO to SO cows, 
milked daily about fifty. Out of this lot, 1 havcsold 
twelve of the oldest, after milking them every day 
till sold to the butchers—aud icOuld sell half of my 
remaining herd to the butchers, cot first quality 
beef, but such as is readily purchased. My whole 
steam apparatus cost. £300, and I think I have saved 
CIO per head, in food, say ?C00 on the stock fed, be¬ 
sides having the milch cows in much better condi¬ 
tion than ever before at this season of the year. 
Another winter I intend to attach a steam engine to 
this boiler of sufficient power to cut the hay and 
coarse fodder, grind the feed, i&c., thus saving 
another large item of expense." 
It will be noted here that Mr. Avery fed only pen 
meal, (probably about four pounds to a cow per day) 
-in addition to hay, and that they gained in flesh so 
as to fit them for the butcher, while giving milk. 
He does not state the effect upon the quantity of 
milk, hut it would, no doubt, have been favorable. 
Mr. A.’s boiier is large enough for the largest stock, 
aud his apparatus much more expensive than needed 
for a small number of animals. A steam apparatus for 
SO to 50 cows or other stock, may be got up com¬ 
plete for about one hundred dollars. The saving of 
ten dollars iu wintering a cow, and at the same time 
keeping her in extra condition, must be of the high¬ 
est importance to the dairyman. a. w. s. 
RAISING BUCKWHEAT. 
This crop is regarded by many as a profitable one 
on land designed forwinter wheat, in atwo-fold way— 
as a fertilizer in retaining moisture, in attracting and 
convoying to the soil the mammal agencies floating 
in the atmosphere, and, at the same time, furnishing, 
as a result, a welcome portion of bread materia] for 
family consumption without detriment to the crop 
of winter wheat which is to succeed. Instead of 
letting the ground rest, as it is termed, in a fallowed 
state, it is made to furnish an extra crop counted as 
so much, clear gain. It would be absurd t o assume 
that, a crop of anything, drawing nourishment from 
the soil, does not weaKeu, at all, its productive force, 
unless it can be shown that with the draft made there 
is coupled a compensating power which serves to 
balance the account. This restoring force is ascribed 
to buckwheat by many who have grown the article 
and watched the effect on the subsequent crop. On 
a certain occasion a field of ten acres—an old pas¬ 
ture—was summer-fallowed quite early. It was a 
heavy clay soli, and after it had been turned over a 
couple of weeks, two acres of it were sown to buck¬ 
wheat It was well harrowed, in the direction of 
the furrows, and a very tolerable seed bed secured. 
The result was a good yield of buckwheat while that 
of the winter variety, which followed, was one- 
quarter better ou the buckwheat ground than that 
on the portion which was allowed to rest and recu¬ 
perate in fallow. The stolen crop seemed to give 
a liveliness and elasticity to the soil of the section 
used, which the fallow rest failed to impart to the 
remainder. 
-.«--»■ - 
NOTES FROM TENNESSEE. 
The Seventeen-Year Locusts made their .appear¬ 
ance in this county (Knox, Tenn.,) early in May. 
They are now very numerous, and are likely to 
damage our fruit and forest trees by their peculiar 
way of preparing a nidus for their eggs. In some 
places,their music is almost painful from its inten¬ 
sity. There has been an excess of rain, and our 
corn planting is backward. Wheat and oats are 
growing finely, and if they escape the rust we shall 
have more than average crops. Clover, meadows 
1 and pastures, are also very promising. Hay is scarce, 
and East Tennessee needs more land in European 
grasses and less under the. plow. 
The late remarkable rise in cotton has given a 
favorable turn to the rather large mule and provision 
trade of this State. Bacon is high, (from 15 to 18 
cents a pound,) while corn is worth only 60 cents a 
bushel, Stock hogs are scarce and in demand. 
The systematic production of meat will pay hand¬ 
somely in Tennessee. The Canada oats and peas 
sown together as field crop? for nogs, before corn is 
sufficiently advanced for feeding will help to make 
early and cheap pork and bacon. It is wise to push 
pigs early in the season on nutritious food when 
they grow rapidly. 
The same remarks apply to young colts and mules. 
Excellent blue grass and clover pastures with fre¬ 
quent suiting and pure water will do for them. I 
feed oats from weaning time till a full feed of grass 
comes in the spring. When old enough to wean, 
mules and colts cost some $35 a head on an average. 
Only a few tenant farmers arc in a condition to raise 
males, while they often keep one or more brood 
mares to work in corn crops. Cows, and land to 
keep them on, can be bought low at this time; and 
the dairy business will pay handsomely. D. Lee. 
-- 
AGRICULTURAL LIFE IN ABYSSINIA. 
NUMBER ONE. 
Whatever may have been developed by the 
Abyssinian intellect at the day of that country’s 
greatest prosperity, it is very evident that agricul¬ 
tural science did not occupy a large share of atten¬ 
tion, or, If it did, it has been lost to the inhabitants 
Of the present day. “ Thorns and thistles shall it 
bring forth unto thee,” was the curse of God spoken 
of the ground to Adam when he was driven, along 
with his companion, out of Eden, and the Abyssin¬ 
ian, with true respect for all Biblical tradition, has 
never rebelled against this mandate of the Creator 
He manages his farming something after the style 
related in the parable — letting the tares and the 
wheat grow up together. Both grow in great abui 
dance, however, and having very few wants to sui 
ply, he does not care to till his land to the best 
advantage. 
It is a matter of surprise that a country of such 
exceeding richness of son should have lain for a 
thousand years comparatively unknown to us; and 
still more that Its inhabitants, who are undoubtedly 
one'of the finest specimens of the African Cauca¬ 
sian, should have, along with the standing of their 
country, degenerated so much. The reasons are 
mauifold. Barred from the outer world by the bar¬ 
rier of hills which surrounds the countrylike a wall, 
continually harassed by the Mohammedan tribes of 
tire lowlands, the inhabitants have been compelled 
to live among themselves; the only acquisition to 
their numbers .being from the lower races of the sur¬ 
rounding countries. Until the recent expedition by 
the English, few Europeans,—except since the reign 
of Theodore, who introduced European artizans 
into his country and encouraged intercourse at 
first,—have visited this remarkable country; aud the 
correspondents aud writers now in Abyssinia open 
up to us entirely new life, which is as interesting as 
it is peculiar. To the agricultural life of the coun¬ 
try they give especial prominence, ancl we shall 
avail ourselves of their labors in the following article. 
Abyssinia is fitly termed the Switzerland of 
Africa. A Frussian officer connected with the ex¬ 
pedition, says that he has seen nothing in Europe 
that can at ail equal the beauty of Abyssinian 
scenery, not only in its Alpine ruggedness, but also 
in the loveliness and fertility of its valleys. Many 
of these valleys cover mites in extent with the 
sweetest and richest grass, “ enough in a single val¬ 
ley to feed the largest army for a considerable time.” 
The mountainous lands, though not as productive, 
are still magnificent. There grow the picturesque 
candelabra tree, with its pink or crimson blossoms, 
according to its age; the flowering aloe, the myrtle, 
the raimaea, the bamboo, the coffee-tree, besides 
many “ u wee modest and crimson-tipped flower, 
and many a fern and maiden-hair.” Most of the 
valleys are under cultivation; and it was a matter 
of surprise to see so many of the inhabitants tilling 
the ground. 
“We passed through a valley to-day,” says a cor¬ 
respondent, “where fields of barley were to be seen 
in all the different stages of advancement: green 
andiu the ear, growing in closest contiguity to fields 
which were drooping in the head, which produced a 
silken rustle, a3 gently shaken by the breeze, it is 
proclaimed ready for the sickle. Reaping was in 
progress in one part oi the valley, sheaves being 
gathered in without loss of time, in order that ad¬ 
vantage might be reaped from the shining hours 
and the shining beams." The day or two succeed¬ 
ing, we are told that “ they are busily sowing their 
seed,”—a work which come6 three times a year— 
in March, June, and October. The Abyssinian far¬ 
mer consequently reaps three harvests a year. The 
chief grain grown is barley, besides wheat, oats and 
treff, (a small millet seed.) The latter is cultivated 
almost everywhere, except where the heat is too in¬ 
tense. The method of cultivation is very simple. 
The ground only needs the veriest. “ scratching” to 
produce excellent crops. The plow is a very primi¬ 
tive instrument, being a crooked piece of wood, 
pointed at one end, and drawn by a single ox. The 
peasant generally docs this work; the women sow 
the seed, and the children are made useful by break¬ 
ing up the clods. In the dry bottom lands, re¬ 
source is had to irrigation, which is done by divert- 
ting a small stream from its course along the 6lde of 
a hill, instead of in the bottom of the ravine; then 
all the land between the stream and the ravine can 
be watered at pleasure by simply removing a few 
clods of earth. 
By this means the Abyssinian farmer overcomes 
the lack of rain, which is felt during the dry season. 
In the rainy season, especially near the coasts, this 
period is a perfect deluge caused by the rains de¬ 
scending from the mountainous regions. Tobacco 
is raised in considerable quantity. Vegetables and 
fruits common to temperate climes are not grown 
in great plenty, although the climate is excellent 
for them. The high-lands are said to be specially 
adapted to the cultivation of the grape, but there 
are too many drones iu the land to render their cul¬ 
tivation profitable. Indeed there is little but that 
may be grown in Abyssinia, tbe temperature being 
so varied; the hot valleys; the warm plateaus, the 
bracing highlands and the colder mountainous re¬ 
gions. In the latter, the coffee tree is found in its 
wild state, the grape, the apricot and varieties of 
citron. “Here the jessamine and wild rose unite 
together and form fragrant bowers shaded by the 
thick branches of the spreading sycamore.” 
The raising of live stock has apparently reached a 
better point t han the cultivation of the soil. Large 
herds of cattle, sheep and goats are to be seen iu 
most of the provinces. One correspondent says 
that he saw as many as a thousand head of cattle in 
a -iDgle day’s march of about fifteen miles. Where 
the country is not subject to the ravages of “ feudal 
chieftains,” it is literally “teeming with meat.” 
The cattle are of excellent quality, with the flesh 
properly distributed. The provinces of Pembea, 
Daruot ancl the Walie are famed for the beauty of 
their oxen and cows. A bullock can be bought for 
about ten dollars: ordinary animals from the plow 
for about seven. Sheep are plentiful, especially in 
the province of Begemder, (literally, sheep-land,) 
their wool is said to he of a description between or¬ 
dinary wool and hair. The price ranges from one to 
two dollars, according to condition. In color they 
are nearly all black, though there are some piebald, 
aud occasionally a white one. They are not fine ^ 
FOR THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 1868. 
