434 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
SEPT. 4 
Some people have an opinion that tobacco in a 
very profitable crop, but he thinks the filthy, 
poisonous stuff ought not to he tolerated ; for, 
although it does very well for the purpose of 
killing lice and ticks in sheep and other animals, 
there are other poisons quite as well adapted for 
the purpose, and it appears to him that no 
respectable man ought to countenance the 
growth of it, more especially as it gives no return 
to the soil, and thus robs the whole farm because 
extra manuring is required. Moreover, lie be¬ 
lieves in looking ahead, and preparing for tho 
future by growing crops in such a rotation that 
the manuring and cultivation for one crop will 
not be lost after that is gathered, but will enrich 
tho land more than the growth of the crop has 
impoverished it, and the cultivation of tobacco 
is not in accordance with such a system. 
There is a deal of idle talk about bal'd times : 
hut, excepting that the labor market is over¬ 
stocked, (hero is nothing else bard, and that is 
an advantage to the employer: moreover, us 
bread and meat are on tho rise or at any rate 
have risen, there is reason for the laboring men 
to grumble, but none for the producer. 
He lias been thinking of tho probable rise in 
wheat and com. but “ up corn, up horn " is an 
old saying, consequently as it generally is a true 
one, it will, he imagines, be wise to increase the 
live stock and grow crops for the purpose of 
making meat, because the consumption of grain 
and all fattening food, makes much richer ma¬ 
nure arid of course richer land also. 
The intelligent readers of tho Ruiial will 
please have patience with tliis man who thinks 
so differently from many others, and argue good- 
temperodly on his mistaken ideas, and of these 
one is that he thinks stanchions cause abor¬ 
tion almost in tin equal degree with the 
horns on a vicious cow's head ; for a cow on her 
knees trying to reach her neighbor’s food and 
the uneasy way in which all lie down, are in¬ 
consistent with comfort or modern advance¬ 
ment. 
--- 
FARM GATE. 
This gate may be made of five or six boards, 
or less, according to the width, or bight desired. 
I use five light hemlock boards, three to five 
inches wide, the top and bottom ones being tho 
widest, and nail them with wrought nails, long 
enough to clinch. The hinges may ho made, 
either of wood or iron; 1 use old wagon-tire, 
which costs nearly nothing, and is durable. 
When opening the gate, slide it two or three feet, 
or more, and carry it around. The stakes at the 
bottom hold tho gate lrom swinging, or being 
wrenched by stock. The posts should be firmly 
set with small stones, so that they will not he sub¬ 
ject to the power of frost. One end may be 
raised to admit sheep or hogs, and the gate may 
he raised on its hinges for winter use. 
I consider this much preferable to bars, and 
more easily made. James R. Adams. 
Williamson, N. Y. 
THE WHEAT CROP. 
LATE PLANTINO, AND .THE REMEDY. 
BY CON IiAl> WILSON. 
The inquiry was lately put. to mo by a Western 
farmer whether there is any way to counteract 
the effect of late planting in the ease of winter 
wheat. Tliis iB a very important question for 
the simple reason that many farmers are una¬ 
voidably behind every season in their planting, 
and are consequently often unwisely tempted to 
slight their work, and hurry in the crop, as if 
such a course would really save time, or make 
up for delay. No greater mistake can possibly 
he made than this, for the surest of all ways to 
lose time in snob a case is to rush the pi anting 
through, under the delusive notion that the 
quicker this operation is performed tho more 
forward and certain will he the crop. Bnt it 
will he found on the contrary, that the very timo 
■when the farmer is behind, and feels the most, in 
a hurry, is just the time when he can least afford 
to be in a hurry. 
Reckless or slovenly farming has never yet 
proved to be a paying business, and least of all 
is it profitable or safe for winter wheat at tho 
critical moment of preparing the ground and 
putting in the seed. At such a time, anything 
that is either imperfectly done, or blindly over¬ 
looked becomes more than usually disastrous, 
and is sure to increase the very evil—the loss of 
time which the owner is endeavoring to prevent. 
The true maxim, then, for the farmer who is 
behind in his planting is to “hasten slowly,’’ 
and remember that, as a general rule, well plant¬ 
ed is equivalent to early planted. In fact what¬ 
ever tends to secure healthy aud rapid germina¬ 
tion, whatever imparts vigorous growth through¬ 
out the season is always equivalent to a gain of 
t ime, aud tends to an increase of yield and a 
paying crop. 
But to answer the above inquiry still more 
definitely, there are several very essential points 
that, require careful attention, and without 
which there can be no real success even though 
the crop were planted in time. In fact, suet ess 
is in all such cases a mere question of condit ions, 
aud whenever these arc complied with tho inevit¬ 
able result follows as a matter of course. In the 
present case therefore the wheat, grower has 
only to make sure of the essent ial conditions, 
and his crop will also he reasonably euro, Let 
him therefore give special bl ed to the follow ing 
points. If the selection of seed haH been wisely 
made, so as to ensure sound, perfect and early 
ripened grain ; if the seed lied is rightly pre¬ 
pared, made clean and dry, and thoroughly pul¬ 
verized; if tho soil alnqylv contaius sufficient, 
manure left over from former crops, or in ease 
more manure is required, if it has been duly sup¬ 
plied and of the right kind, then the crop thus 
treated, even if late in the ground, cun hardly 
fail to mature in due season, and is nearly cer¬ 
tain to give hotter than an average yield. 
Yet after all these points have been duly 
attended to, there are still other means, as sug¬ 
gested below, that may tie Used with great ad¬ 
vantage, and which will increase still further the 
certainty of the result. It is always safe, and 
often very important to apply some special ferti¬ 
lizer, noted for its prompt, sure and vigorous 
action in tho first stage of growth. For tliis 
purpose Peruvian guano, nitrate of soda or a 
high grade superphosphate, at the rate of two or 
three hundred pounds per acre, would cither of 
them he well adapted to the object in view, and 
if the seed-lied has boon sufficiently pulvi ri/.nd 
would give a surprising impulse to the planted 
grain. Perhaps a still better application, and 
more certain in its effect, would bo the following 
FORMUIA FOR LATE PLANTED WHEAT. 
Agricultural salt.A or « bushel' per acre. 
Nil*it......12 i»r l. r > ,, *, *, 
Nitrate of Noda.. Hid pounds „ 
Dissolved Hone.„,lw .. » » 
There are various other fertilizers nerrty or 
quite equal to these for general use, hut for the 
particular purpose here intended either of the 
above would he safe, efficient and economical, 
aud in certain conditions of soil the effect woffli^ 
be marvelous. In this connection there is one 
thing import ant to remember. For all fertilizers' 
applied to wheat the quickest result, is obtained 
by drilling Hum in with the fired. In any case 
where this is impracticable, or unsafe, they 
should be thoroughly harrowed in before plant¬ 
ing, or sowed broadcast immediately after. If, 
fortunately, a shower of rain should follow soon 
after this application, the effect and value of the 
fertilizer would, of course, he greatly increased, 
and nothing more could bo asked or desired. 
The owner would then have very little to fear 
from the lateness of his planting, but very 
much to expect from his careful and intelligent 
efforts ; for this treatment, if thoroughly carried 
out. would he also a gain of yield, as well as of 
time. 
In this way the thoughtful farmer often ob¬ 
tains more than he anticipates. In liis endeavor 
to ward off the effect of tardy planting, he finds 
he has “ huilded belter than ho knew.’ While 
bravely working to repel disaster, he unexpect¬ 
edly wins a valuable prize. In fact, he has ful¬ 
filled so many of the conditions of success, that 
he not only regains the time supposed to be lost, 
but by resolute and determined effort he has 
achieved a maximum crop that, opens the eyes of 
his astonished neighbors who, though they start¬ 
ed long before him in the planting, yet find them¬ 
selves clearly behind him in the yield. 
There are possibly hundreds, if not thousands, 
of wheat crops omitted throughout tho country 
every season, merely from the fear of planting 
too iate. The probability is, that iu nine of 
these cases out of every ten, if the right course 
were I aim, a profitable yield could bo secured, 
and in Borne eases even a maximum crop. Now 
the detriment to the fanner from such omission 
is not, merely the loss of a crop, hut the inter¬ 
ruption of his plans, which is often a serious 
matter. If practical men will further examine 
this subject—aud still better, if they will test it. 
by experiments—they will probably discover that, 
the time for planting winter wheat is not neces¬ 
sarily so restricted as many Of us have supposed. 
Here is a grand opportunity for the new Com¬ 
missioner of Agriculture. If he would submit 
this question to an experimental test, aided as 
he might lie by the co-opera tion of wheat grow¬ 
ers in every direction, he could furnish to our 
millions of farmers an exhaustive analysis of 
the problem that would be equivalent to a final 
solution, and would largely increase the annual 
yield and value of this priceless serial. 
HARVESTING POTATOES. 
When shall we harvest, and how shall we dig 
our potatoes? are questions which are important 
to a large class of farmers, especially so in many 
localities this year ; for, in anticipation of the 
ravages of the Colorado beetle, many planted 
double the usual area, to provide a sure supply. 
Accordingly, instead of having only one acre to 
harvest, they now find they have two, for the 
dread pest has not been as destructive as ex¬ 
pected. having been held in check largely by 
natural agencies, as well as by artificial means. 
Experience convinces me that potatoes may 
be Harvested so soon as they arc ripe, and that 
they are then better for the table than if left in 
the ground for several weeks after that time. I 
suppose, however, there arc objections to doing 
this where large quantities arc grown, hut wliere 
only a small surplus beyond enough for the home 
supply is raised, I believe that the most econom¬ 
ical way is to dig them when ripe, or as soon 
afterwards ns may be convenient. September, 
instead of October and November, is the more 
favorable lime ; and if the potatoes are dug in 
tho morning and housed at night, I have had no 
trouble from their not keeping well through tho 
winter, If stored in a cool, well ventilated cellar. 
J do not put them iu large hulk, however, but in 
bins not over throe feet wide and deep. Barrels 
are hotter still, could enough of them be had and 
could they be stored conveniently. 
The best keeping and table potatoes, when the 
potato rot prevailed some twenty-live years since 
were, as I recollect, dug early in September, 
spread on the ground under a tobacco shed, and 
left there till about tho first of October, when 
they were again sorted and stored in bins in the 
house collar, where they kept finely ; while those 
who left the crop in the ground till late, lost 
largely from rot, both before and after digging. 
Thin year, we have little or no rot; lint, the Po¬ 
tato bug has gone into the ground to undergo 
transformation, and he will eat until fully ma¬ 
ture. Now, by early digging and working the 
ground deep, we may cause the destruction of 
many, thus decreasing the number to multiply 
for tho next, year’s crop. 
In digging small areas, 1 find that a good po¬ 
tato book in the hands of an expert, is a pretty 
effective implement. I never found any difficul¬ 
ty, where land was free from stone, in turning 
all the potatoes up so that they could bo easily 
found as fast as two pretty spry boys could gather 
them, assorting them as they tucked them. A 
good double-turning plow will turn them out 
flatter; but the gathering would ho slower, and 
then it would he necessary to harrow the ground 
afterwards in order to find them all. 
On the whole, T doubt if there he a hotter 
mode than to use a five or six-pronged book, or 
a good digging-fork. When we get a potato-dig¬ 
ger which will dig and gather tho jsitatoes and 
separate them from stones, etc., potato culture 
will be divested of its most laborious part. 
Potatoes in Worcester (Jo., Mass., especially 
on old land, are greatly damaged by rust or scab, 
of tuber. I find that the rule is that not more 
than two crops of smooth, healthy potatoes can 
be grown, unless we take frosh sward. Laud 
that has been under the plow to any crop, seldom 
produces smooth fair tubers after having been 
cultivated two or more years with, no matter 
what hoed crop. W. H. White. 
GRASSES FOR NORTH CAROLINA. 
,S. A. L., Mill Bridge, N. C .—Please answer 
through (lie columns of your paper what kind of 
grasses and in what proportions to sow for a 
permanent pasture for cows, sheep, and horses 
in the locality of Rowan Go., N. C. The land is 
mostly pretty high and rolling with some very 
rolling and a little low and wet. I wish to sow 
25 acres and would like to sow to wheat aud 
grass about the last of October. I have already 
put about 100 loads of manure aud will use Rome 
guano. Would you advise me to use Peruvian to 
start the grass or would some good bone-dust be 
better ? The land was in wheat this season, 
though poor; made about 15 bushels per acre 
with guano. Some of the land was lately cleared 
being old piney field. 
Ass.—Having never been in Rowan Co., N. 
C., it is difficult to tie quite certain in answering 
the above question, but supposing tho soil there 
to ho very much like that about Brookston iu 
the same fit ate, w.e furnish such information as 
a friend, well acquainted with the latter locality, 
supplies. 
Iu the first place, if the getting of the land into 
grass or clover were the main object it would he 
well to seed with rye instead of wheat. Plow 
immediately aud prepare the seed-bed as nicely 
as possible, sow about a bushel and a-half of 
rye per acre any time after the middle of August, 
being sure to have all dowu by September 15. 
Immediately after harrowing, while tho ground 
is fresh, follow with one aud a-half bushels of 
orchard-grass seed and six quarts of clover and, 
on tho richer portions, sow in addition four 
quarts of Timothy. On any parts that are wet a 
substitution of Red-Top (agrostis vulgaris— 
called Ilord’s grass at the South) would no doubt 
prove an advantage. It is likely that but little 
profit would result from the use of bone-dust, 
but a light dressing of Peruvian guano, sa,y 100 
pounds per acre, would undoubtedly prove bene¬ 
ficial both to the grain and grass. 
If wheat 7nnet be sown, tho clover and grass 
may be sown at tho same time ; or, perhaps, as 
good a plan would he to defer this part of tho 
operation until February, and then harrow the 
wheat and follow with the grass seed. But the 
rye is best- tor your purpose, as yon can sow it 
just at the right time for seeding to grass, 
giving the latter a chance to get well rooted be¬ 
fore winter. It will then take a firm start when 
spring comes, an advantage it cannot secure if 
grown with wheat. You will also stand an excel¬ 
lent chance of making as profitable a crop of rye 
as of wheat. If. as your letter seems to indicate, 
economy of money is an object, and you liavo no 
experience with grasses in North Garolina, do 
not invest too much in grass seed at the outset, 
but put your land iu good condition, as far as 
you can, for this year, and let the remainder lie 
over until you eau also make that good, remem¬ 
bering that it is wasting time and money to 
attempt to grow grass on poor land at the 
South, at any rate cast of the Blue Ridge. 
This entire subject, highly important to all 
farmers, is especially so to thoso of the South 
where this branch of farm economy has been in 
a measure, lamentably neglected, and it is a 
hopeful sign of tho times that the farmers there 
seem to be coming to a proper appreciation of 
its importance. Wo shall liavo more to say on 
tho matter on a future day. 
STRAWBERRY CULTURE. 
BY W. H. WHITE. 
Htbawbebhirs from being a luxury have be¬ 
come a necessity with a large majority of house¬ 
keepers and others; and instead of depending 
upon the field or wild berry as formerly, every 
one who has even a small garden either culti¬ 
vates or is interested hi the culture of some of 
the improved varieties of the day. So much 
has been written and said on tho culture etc., of 
this fruit, that there is very little now left to be 
said about it; but a good deal is to be learned by 
comparing notes with regard to the methods of 
culture in different soils and localities, for this 
may suggest improvements or defects in our own 
previous practice. 
The varieties are so numerous that some one 
or more is adapted to every kind of arable Boil, 
locality, taste etc., so that it is a work of super¬ 
erogation to name any special sorts as best 
adapted to any and all localities. Tho only 
guide to selection is observation and careful ex¬ 
periment. The choicest aud best kinds do not 
succeed alike in all soils, while nothing marks 
the different varieties more strikingly than their 
behavior with regard to the soils in which they 
prosper or fail. While some thrive best on light 
or saudy ground, others require it to be loamy or 
clayey, but in all cases tho soil must contain or 
have applied to it, plenty of suitable pabulum 
for the plant and fruit to feed upon until they 
reach maturity. 
With regard to manure and fertilizers, it is 
hard to name the kind that cannot he used to ad¬ 
vantage either iu preparing tho noil for planting, 
or ns a top-dressing for it and tho plants. Stable 
manure, applicable to all kinds of crops, stands 
first in preparing the ground. It should ho well 
worked aud mixed in tho soil within two or three 
inches of the surface, and the soil also should 
he well worked through its entire depth ; and, if 
the sub-soil be retentive, that too should bo 
loosened for several inches. Compost, super¬ 
phosphate of lime, guano, hen manure, good 
wood ashes, and fish manure, are each and all 
good for top-drossing and working into the soil. 
Unleached wood ashes are excellent for the pro¬ 
duction of new runners, as well as for flue fruit; 
the only fault I can find with them being a ten¬ 
dency to bring in white clover in sandy loam 
soils* where most of my experience lias been ob¬ 
tained. I’udonbtedly there is a limit to tho 
quantity of manure which may be profitably ap¬ 
plied, but there is very little danger of itB being 
exceeded by the ordinary cultivator. The better 
the soil and the more plant food iu it, tho larger 
will be both the crop and berries produced. 
A strawberry bed or plantation should bo pre¬ 
ceded by some clean hoed crop, where fine deep 
tilth is practiced. Weeds are the bauc of straw¬ 
berries, aud deep fine tilth of rich soil is what 
they luxuriate hi. Planting may be done at any 
time when the ground is open ; hut practically, 
I prefer spring planting, the earlier, after the 
