APRIL U 
THE RURAL HEW-YORKER. 
per day per head, some feeding from 40 to 50 • 
in this way. In feeding horses it is well to 
have a lot into which you can turn them for 
exercise, letting them out one at a time, for 
fear they may in playing injure themselves 
and others. This can be continued to within 4 
three weeks from the time you expect to mar¬ 
ket them. Then lead them out and give them 
a walk once a day and a thorough grooming 
after walking—no grooming is necessary be¬ 
fore this time. 
Express Horses are taken from the light- 
draft class, the smoothest and those of the 
best quality and of good action only being 
selected, bad colors, such as duns, light sor¬ 
rels, light grays, etc., being rejected, as well 
as those having a bald face, glass eye, or 
white forefoot. The express horse should be 
about 16 hands high, buyers objecting to 
these that vary much from this mark. In age 
it should be from five to seven years; in 
weight, from 1,350 to 1,455 pounds. Express 
companies make all purchases through city 
dealers, and pay from $175 to $225, according 
to quality. Should an animal prove unsound 
or not a good worker, he is returned. I have 
known cases where horses were returned from 
New York City to a Chicago dealer, from 
whom they were purchased, on account of 
proving to be cribbers. 
Draft Horses are classified as light or 
heavy draft and first and second quality, sell¬ 
ing in the market at from $175 to $300. A few 
years ago, one that weighed 1,400 pounds w T as 
considered large; to-day such a one is not 
classed as a draft horse, being too small. They 
must reach well on to 1,500 pounds and from 
that to 1,600, 1,700 and 1,800 each, and occa¬ 
sionally one weighs from 1,900 to 2,000 pounds. 
A good draft horse weighing 1,500 pounds, is 
worth . $200, and for every 100 pounds in 
weight, one can safely add $25. Thus, horses 
equally good, weighing 1,600 pounds, 
are worth $225; 1,700 pounds weight, $250; 
1,800 pounds, $275; $1,900 pounds, $300. 
Hence, the importance of breeding for size in 
the draft horse. It was a common saying a 
few years ago: “No foot no horse;” to-day it 
is: “No bone no horse.” While it is very 
necessary to possess both good feet and bone, I 
have noticed buyers to overlook or purchase a 
horse with a poor foot, that possessed extra 
good bone; but I have never noticed a dealer 
to purchase one of poor bone on account of 
good feet. 
Drivers cover quite a territory, ranging 
in prices from $100 to an almost unlimited 
sum, owing to style, action and speed. They 
are not marketable unless five years old and 
well-broken to harness usually both single 
and double. If used single it is more necessary 
to have animals weighing from 1,100 to 1,200 
pounds and upward. Pairs well matched in 
size, color, gait and speeed command the bet¬ 
ter prices. 
Carriage and Coach Horses are the more 
difficult to obtain than any other class while 
the demand is constantly on the increase. 
Range, size, color, action and disposition are 
the requisites. There being no established 
price, the price depends largely on how well 
oho suits his customer’s fancy, or how much 
he is willing to pay. If one has a good car¬ 
riage or coach team to sell, he need only ad¬ 
vertise it in the city papers,giving good refer¬ 
ence, and a customer will come for them; and 
if the horses are first-class, the owner can ask 
as much money as it takes to buy 40 acres ad¬ 
joining his farm, and the demand will not be 
considered out of reason. 
Little Profit in Drivers and Streeters. 
—In conclusion, what are you breeding for? 
If for profit, you can ill afford to raise 
“streeters,” for the prices Realized will not 
leave you a profit, after keeping the animal to 
the age of sale of four years. If you are raising 
“drivers,” you will find little or no profit 
unless you produce something better than 
common. Even then, you must keep them 
until they are five years old and have them 
broken to all harness. To teach a horse to 
behave nicely in harness and to drive up 
promptly, is something not every farmer can 
do. But if you have a mare or two that are 
fairly well-bred and better than the average 
for drivers, breed them to a trotting bred 
horse, and the chances for profit are better 
than if you breed them to the draft horse. 
Most Money in Breeding Draft Horses. 
—If you are breeding for draft, and use good 
judgment, you are on the road to success. I 
often hear men say they are overdoing this 
draft horse business—carrying it too far, etc. 
Don’t be alarmed at such foolishness. The 
day has not dawned—the baby has not yet 
abandoned its long dress—that will see the 
time when draft-horse breeding will be over¬ 
done; but it has paid many a mortgage on 
this good Illinois farm land. Remember 
breeding is like any other business you may 
engage in—it must have attention to make it 
a success. If you would raise good horses, 
commence with the colts. As soon as you can 
teach them to eat, do so, and never let them 
want for food. Even when on grass have a 
box in the fence corner and give them some 
bran and oats and some nice, sweet skimmed 
milk, that being the best thing on the farm 
.for colts, and it will pay quite as well if used 
in this way as if fed to the pigs. They may 
not like it at first, but put some in the water 
and keep adding a little more, and very soon 
you will find they will be as fond of it as 
calves. I believe the best results, financially, 
will come to those who breed in the draft line, 
one of the many advantages being that one 
can almost grow draft horses in two years, 
and if the colts are good at that age, you can 
find a ready sale for them at very remunerat¬ 
ive prices. 
It is certainly advisable to breed for the 
best in eviry class, and the best you will find 
in the near future to be poor enough to keep 
pace with the market you will have to supply; 
for the tendency of the market to-day is up¬ 
ward on first quality of all classes, and down¬ 
ward on off colors and poor grades. This is 
shown by the fact that the best of all ship¬ 
ments are the first sold, and at satisfactory 
prices, while the poorer are slow of sale and 
bring little or no profit. There are shipped 
from this county about 1,200 horses every 
year, for which $150,000 to $160,000 are paid. 
Mr. Keeler, of Chicago, Ill., sold or handled 
in 1887 over 3,200 horses, nearly 800 of which 
were shipped to him from Champaign Co., Ill. 
MORE ABOUT SWEET POTATO CUL¬ 
TURE. 
FROM M. B. PRINCE. 
Importance of the crop ; management of 
plant-bed; soil and its preparation; setting 
the “slips;” cultivation, harvesting ; stor¬ 
age. _ 
With accommodations for safe storage, the 
sweet potato becomes one of our most profita¬ 
ble crops. Our location is not such as to af¬ 
ford a market for them in large quantities, 
yet there is a steady demand at prices vary¬ 
ing from 30 cents per bushel in October, to 75 
cents to $1.25 in April. For seed we use po¬ 
tatoes too small for the table. We start the 
plants in a bed prepared as follows: In the 
first half of April a sheltered spot is selected, 
where it can have the full benefit of the sun. 
The soil is taken out of the desired area and 
placed in a pile convenient for putting back 
as wanted. First we put in four or five inches 
of fresh horse manure, as free as possible 
from litter. On this we put about an inch of 
soil, and then another layer of manure, with 
two inches of soil. On this, pressed in, are 
placed potatoes as near together as may be 
without touching. They are covered from 
one to two inches deep with fine soil, firmed 
down. The layers of manure and soil may 
vary from the above; but when finished the 
bed should be three inches above the surround¬ 
ing surface. If favorable weathex' follows, the 
first plants will be ready for setting in about 
six weeks, and we sometimes get four or five 
crops of plants at intervals of about two 
weeks. In the meantime we keep the bed free 
of weeds, the top soil loose, and we water 
when too dry. Suds from the wash-tub are 
excellent for the purpose. A light applica¬ 
tion of fertilizer encourages the growth. An 
explanation may be in order as to why we 
make layers of manure and soil. The strong 
heat of an ordinary hot-bed is not desirable, 
being liable to cause decay instead of growth, 
and we think the slight bottom heat comes 
more gradually and is more lasting for the 
layer of soil between the two of manure. 
But three varieties are grown to any great 
extent, which, in the order of earliness re¬ 
versed, are as follows: The Jewel yam, bright 
yellow, flesh yellow, soft and very sweet when 
cooked; small and a light yielder;but the most 
popular with the Southern people. Bahama, 
light yellow, almost white, flesh the same, not 
so soft or sweet as the Jewel; large to very 
large; a rank grower and a heavy cropper. 
Red-skin, white flesh; drier than either of 
above; very early; very large, yields wonder¬ 
fully and sells well before other varieties are 
in market. 
A sandy soil suits best and it can not be 
made too rich. We plow in March and if ma¬ 
nure is plentiful it is best broadcasted just be¬ 
fore planting time;-but the more common 
practice is to run furrows with a one-horse 
plow three feet apart, in which we put the 
manure, the quantity depending on the sup¬ 
ply. On this a furrow is thrown from each 
side, forming a sharp ridge or bed. The 
plants are set 18 inches apart in the row, after 
striking off and firming the hills with a hoe. 
The cultivation we give is merely keeping the 
land clean and when the growth of the vines 
stops further cultivation, we leave the rows 
well banked up by throwing up the soil Irom 
between with the plow. As the vines grow 
they take root and sometimes form small tub¬ 
ers. This is prevented by lifting them with a 
pitchfork, though very few growers practice 
it. As soon as the potatoes are well grown, 
in September, we commence cutting the vines 
for soiling. They are excellent both for cattle 
and hogs though not so convenient to gather 
as some other crops. 
We aim to harvest on a warm, clear day, 
before any frost, by plowing a furrow close 
at one side; returning, the plow runs under 
the row, which brings nearly all to view. A 
hoe is used to make sure of getting all. If 
the vines are cleared away previously, the 
plowing can be done very much better and 
more rapidly. We assort as we pick, into 
three sorts: those suitable for market, the 
small ones for seed, and, lastly, such as are 
unfit for either, which are fed out to hogs and 
cows. 
Sweet potatoes are very sensitive to cold 
and wet, consequently the storage must be 
warm and dry. On account of the excessive 
rains last fall, many were obliged to dig in 
the mud. In such case it is almost impossible 
to keep them until mid-winter. They have 
rotted badly. We usually save them until 
May by storing them in a small log cabin, 
keeping the temperature not less than 50 
degrees by charcoal fires—in small pits dug in 
the earth floors—when necessary. If kept so 
warm as to produce sprouts, no harm is done. 
Vance County, N. C. 
from c. c. w. 
James Perkins’s method of cultivating sweet 
potatoes, page 72, may read very well for New 
York State, but in this part of the country we 
always prefer plenty of moisture. I find the 
sweets require as much water as any other 
kind of potatoes. They may grow in three- 
fourths sand, but a much stiffer soil does 
as well, and if the subsoil is too open the tu¬ 
bers grow too deep. He advocates stable ma¬ 
nure in the hill or ridge. My experience has 
shown me that this is the worst possible sort of 
manure to use, as it induces a rank growth of 
vine, and has a strong tendency to cause the 
potatoes to crack. 
For a plant bed use small potatoes,but never 
cut them. Cover with strawy litter and soil 
three or four inches deep, and tramp down. 
This holds the potatoes in place when the slips 
are pulled out. Water plentifully first, last 
and all the time. The hot-bed may be a ne¬ 
cessity North; here we get slips soon enougn 
without that trouble. “A. G-. S.,”same page, 
gets nearer to my way of culture minus the 
sand and manure in the row, or so placed 
that it comes in contact with the growing 
roots. 
Grand Bay, Ala. 
FROM AUGUSTUS J. HEWLETT. 
As a rule we select a light sandy loam for 
sweet potatoes. Plow about the middle of 
April four inches deep and harrow. About 
the middle of May make drills three feet apart, 
four inches deep. Put some well rotted yard 
manure in the drills; chen form the drills up 
until you have six or seven inches of mellow 
earth. The harder the better for all the soil 
under that. Being hard, the potatoes will 
grow short and thick and be of a better qual¬ 
ity. As a rule, we buy our plants about the 
first of July; set them on the ridges about 20 
inches apart. We plow and hoe as for other 
potatoes, but not deep; we keep the vines from 
taking root as long as we can, then let them 
go. We dig about the middle of September; 
let them lie in the sun a few hours to dry, 
then put them in baskets and take them down 
into the cellar, and let them stand in the bas¬ 
kets until they are used up. Our cellar is dry 
and cool. We keep them until February. We 
have planted sweet potatoes oh the same 
ground for 13 or 14 years, and the last year 
the yield and quality were as good as the first. 
Queens Co., L. I. 
A CHAPTER ON CORN. 
A. C. GLIDDEN. 
No specific rules for cultivation possible; 
flint and dent corn need different treat¬ 
ment-, amount of seed should vary with 
richness of soil and distance between the 
rows; no over-crowding-, why tivo kernels 
to a hill, and hills three feet eight inches 
apart are best-, the mode of “working corn ” 
in each State probably the best for that 
State. 
This grain is so widely cultivated in the 
United States, and adapts itself to so great a 
variety of soil and conditions, that no specific 
rules for cultivating or handling the crop can 
be laid down, that will be applicable to all 
the varied circumstances of its growth. 
Southern corn, and Northern corn, or dent or 
flint, as they are sometimes called, require 
quite different treatment. The method of 
raising corn in Kentucky would not do at all 
for Michigan, so that it is difficult, as I have 
before said, to formulate a method for uni¬ 
versal practice. Yet there are some princi¬ 
ples, that have a wide range of application, 
which I wish to refer to. 1 believe the crop is 
quite frequently injured by the use of 
too much seed at planting time. It is probable 
that 75 per cent of the ground that will be 
planted this coming season, is not in so good 
condition, regarding fertility, as the owners 
could desire, or perhaps not so good as 
some other fields on the farm; yet how 
many farmers vary the amount of seed 
to suit the strength of the soil. No far¬ 
mer who has only sufficient fodder for 
two cows for the winter will tie a third 
one to the manger, and expect all to thrive, 
and furnish a full supply of milk. But this is 
just what he does who plants three kernels to 
the hill, when two are all the soil can efficiently 
nourish, to bring into maturity both stalk 
and ear. It takes a part of the ration to re¬ 
plenish the waste of animal life and make the 
natural growth. If there is only sufficient 
food placed in the manger for this, the milk 
supply, which is supposed to be the primal 
office of the cow, is greatly reduced, because 
the third animal eats what should have been 
divided between the two. So the third kerne^ 
in a moderately fertile soil, robs in its growth 
what should have belonged to the two, to per¬ 
fect both stalk and ear. We do not plant 
corn for the fodder; yet farmers will be 
found replanting what they call thin corn, be¬ 
cause they think they can as well grow some 
fodder where the hills are missing. This is a 
great mistake. Half a stand will bring more 
corn, of better quality, than will be got by re¬ 
planting. The butt stalks seldom ear well, 
and they certainly draw from the soil what 
ought to, and would otherwise go to produce, 
large, sound ears. A quantity of nubbius al¬ 
ways reduces the value of a crop, for many of 
the kernels are immature and light, and the 
cost of husking is about doubled. Those who 
replant, or plaut too many kernels in the hill, 
will grow a crop of nubbins as certainly as a 
surplus of seed in a potato hill will grow 
small potatoes. 
The amount of seed to the hill should be reg¬ 
ulated somewhat by the distance between the 
rows. Four and one-half feet, with three ker¬ 
nels, are nearly equivalent to two kernels at 
three feet eight inches apart. I prefer the 
latter distance and number of kernels. There 
are quite a good many reasons why I prefer 
this distance to any other, in the first place, 
it divides the acre into exact lines and spaces, 
corresponding to the divisions of the modern 
survey. States are run out into parallel lines, 
or sections, a mile apart, and these section 
lines cross each other at right angles, making 
a square section, a mile on each side. This 
square makes four square farms half a mile 
each way. When these farms are properly 
and naturally divided into fields again, they 
will be either 80 or 40 rods in length or width. 
A field 80 rods long and 40 rods wide is my 
ideal. Now when such a field is marked out 
for corn, at three feet eight inches apart be¬ 
tween the rows, nine rows the long way or 18 
rows the short way will make exactly an acre. 
If the hired man has cultivated 72 rows the 
short way, or 36 the long way, you know ho 
has gone over four acres when he comes up to 
dinner. If the corn is cut up nine hills 
square, 40 shocks anywhere in the field 
will make just one acre, and four 
shocks pulled together and husked in dif- 
erent parts of the field and measured or 
weighed, will give one-tenth the product of 
corn per acre. There is no guess-work, every 
thing is mapped out, and every day’s pro¬ 
gress can be read. Nor is this all the advan¬ 
tage. Every farmer who makes any pretention 
to acccuracy in his methods, knows how im¬ 
possible it is to turn corn-stalks completely un¬ 
der, unless the last furrow before turning the 
row, comes up close to the hills, and how im¬ 
possible this latter task is, when corn is plan¬ 
ted so wide that the furrow slices will not take 
it all up between the rows, or so narrow that 
the plowman must scant each furrow to gauge 
them properly. At the distance apart which 
I practice and recommend, three furrows will 
take all between the rows naturally, with no 
undue effort either way, and there is no 
necessity or excuse for crossing the row in 
plowing. No corn field is properly prepared 
for a crop, unless the rows are straight each 
way. I find my men take more delight and 
interest in their work v^hen there is some 
exactness required of them, and they see 
that they are doing work properly, after 
some regular plan. 
Working corn is practiced very differently 
in different States, and we must assume that 
there.is reason for a method, especially when 
it is generally adopted so that question of 
cultivation will sooner reach uniformity. 
Van Buren Co., Mich. 
ANOTHER IOWA FARMER ON CORN FODDER. 
In the R. N.-Y. of Januaiy 23, page 55, an 
‘Iowa Farmer” from Harrison Co. does not 
