S09 
4886 
THE rtUKAL HEW YORKER, 
3nhtgl’l Boa fins. 
CORNELL FARMERS’ INSTITUTE. 
(RURAL, SPECIAL REPORT.) 
(Contin ued.) 
“Close” fending of stock; need of soil reno¬ 
vation; ensilage; the Jersey for the dairy; 
ration for milch corns; worthless cow in 
the dairy; Shropshire sheep; inoculation 
as a preventive of contagious diseases; a 
State Board of Agriculture; the Hol¬ 
st ein-Friesian as a dairy cow; rations 
for milk and butter; the average farmer's 
cow; care of her; making and keeping a 
pasture. 
Mr. W. B. Powell, of Springboro, Pa., would 
not think of feeding without exercise; it is 
unnatural, and stock so raised would certain¬ 
ly deteriorate. It is wrong to so teach the 
people. The meat so produced is not fit for food. 
Mr. Woodward said he had not spoken as a 
breeder, but as a feeder; not as an improver 
of horses or other domestic animals; but as a 
producer of meat from animals to be kept 
only a few months, and he knew that animals 
so kept were perfect ly healthy and them meat 
sold for the highest prices. He is feediug 
for manure and money, and not for the im¬ 
provement of the breeds; lx'sidcs, he does not 
fancy the exorcise cattle get standing in a 
barn-yard and shivering in the cold. 
CoL Curtis said the keeping of animals con¬ 
fined out-of-doors in a close barn-yard is sim¬ 
ply barbarous. Mr. Foster, of Tompkins Co., 
was convinced that close housing in warm 
barns is the best. Mr. Smith, of Syracuse, 
was in favor of warm housing, but would 
give exercise every day in the barn-yard. 
The cows belonging to his firm had shown by 
their milk production Hint this was the best 
way. Mr. Sibley, of Franklin, Pa., had found 
that when his stock needed exercise, the best 
way was to drive them actively about, until 
they had had sufficient, and then at once to 
return them to the stables. He also warmed 
all the water needed for the stock. 
Prof. Roberts does not believe in keeping 
cattle iu close quarters; neither does he be¬ 
lieve in exposure in open yards. He has an 
inclosed yard in which the cattle take ample 
exercise. 
Prest. Adams said man cannot make any 
machine that will do more than convert one 
form of force into another. No portion of 
mother earth can feed us for an unlimited 
time unless we, iu turn, feed it. The country 
ouee so fruitful as to be said to “flow with 
milk and honey” is now for the most part a 
barren waste. Rotation of crops is not 
enough to restore the fertility of the soil, 
though it might defer the evil day. England 
and the Continent of Europe have been 
learning these lessons, nud profiting thereby. 
He cannot expect America to be exempt from 
the universal law; in fact, in the older States 
we have already thousands of acres too ex¬ 
hausted to be profitably tilled. He made a 
most earnest plea for more special schools for 
the education of the prospective farmers. 
Prof. Roberts said that Cornell had succeed¬ 
ed in creating such a sentiment that students 
in agriculture aud the mechauic arts are as 
much honored and respected as any in the in¬ 
stitution. To the charge that fanners are not 
represented iu the halls of legislature, he has 
ouly to say that the boys being now fitted in 
the agricultural colleges are not yet grown to 
be men anil farmers. 
Hams Lewis said that if a boy likes farm¬ 
ing he will stay on the farm; if he does not, 
the sooner he goes away the better, for no one 
who hates farming can ever nuiko a decent 
farmer. Mr. Woodward said the notion that 
a boy needs less education for the farm thau 
for other callings is entirely crroueous, If we 
apply brains and science to the farm iu such a 
way as to make farming pleasant and profit¬ 
able there is no danger that boys will leave 
the farm. Nothing commands attention and 
respect like success. 
Major Alvord, in considering silage, said 
it makes but little difference of what a silo 
is made so loug as it is air aud water tight, 
and it will bo all the better if frost-proof. 
It is now known that a silo may be filled 
rapidly or slowly at. the convenience of the 
owner. The best time to cut corn for en¬ 
silaging is when it is approaching ripeness. 
Indian corn is the host crop; it casts in the 
silo not far from $3 per ton. An ucre will 
produce four times as much silage as cured 
fodder; but the cured fodder will occupy eight 
times as much space. Silage should be fed 
only in moderate quantities—not more than 
one-third of the amount of forage needed. It 
is about one-third as valuable as bay per ton. 
Ho did not think silage could supplant the 
root crop; it might be used as an auxiliary. 
Mr. J. C. Sibley read an able paper in favor 
of the Jersey as a model dairy cow, m which 
he gave records of over 950 pounds of butter 
in one year from single animals. He thinks 
the general introduction of the test blood of 
Jersey breeds would double the product ion of 
butter, and that no breed has ever Shown 
such powers of digestion and assimilation as 
the Jersey. As a feeding ration for cows he 
recommends hay in the morning, 10 or 13 
pounds of silage at noon, aud corn fodder at 
night with two quarts of bran, one quart of 
linseed meal and three quarts of oat meal 
mixed and divided into two feeds. 
Dr. Stui tevant discussed the value of milk 
for butter and cheese-making. Inasmuch as 
a cheese is, in round numbers, one-third each 
water, fat aud caseine, it is absurd to claim 
that cows of any particular breed are good 
for cheese-making, because their milk is rich 
iu caseine. It might as reasonably be claimed 
they were so because their milk contains an 
abundance of water. He had demonstrated 
that the milk of certain cows added nothing 
to the production of butter iu a herd; but 
not ouly this, they were sometimes positively 
damaging. Borne cows are so worthless that 
the dairyman would make money by giving 
them away. He recommended testing each 
cow separately. 
W. B. Powell, iu discussing the influence of 
climate, etc., ou breeding, took the ground 
that the heavy Percheron or Clydesdale can 
be dwarfed to the size of the Shetland: iu 
short, that the different breeds of animals and 
the different races of men are the results of 
selection and outside influences, hence the 
great importance of intelligence and care iD 
breeding all our domestic animats. 
J. L. Stone, in an essay on Shropshire sheep, 
claimed for this breed great prolificacy, su¬ 
perior mutton production, a fine grade of 
wool, early maturity aud great hardiness. He 
claims that they spring from the old sheep of 
Shropshire and the Morfe Commons, aud that 
the claim commonly marie of an infusion of 
South Down blood is untrue. This breed was 
first kuowu as Shropshire in ISIS, and first re¬ 
cognized as a distinct breed by the Royal 
Agricultural Society in 1353, since which time 
they have rapidly gained in favor. 
Dr. James Law, in recommending mea¬ 
sures for restricting contagious diseases of 
domestic animals, said that although, under 
peculiar circumstances, an animal might have 
a second attack, yet inoculation is almost a 
sure preventive. He recommends treating 
animals when young and of comparatively 
little value. He suggests the following modi¬ 
fying conditions: 1, testing virus from mild 
cases; inoculation in some organ but little af¬ 
fected; for instance, lung plague should be 
communicated by inoculation in the tail, 
where there is but little lymphatic tissue; in¬ 
oculation with virus weakened by passing 
through some other animal, or by long expo- 
sure to light and air; or by cultivation in an 
artificial medium, like some chemical solu¬ 
tion; or by exposure to pure oxygen under 
pressure, or by heat (either of the latter means 
weakens the virus or entirely destroys it when 
carried far enough); inoculation with virus 
so diluted as to introduce but a single germ; 
inoculation into the veins instead of into the 
arteries. The Doctor said he was greatly in 
favor of the use of heat in destroying the 
virulence of the vims, as it could be carried 
to just the point desired. He is greatly im¬ 
pressed in favor of the chemical solutions, be¬ 
cause with these there is no danger of infec¬ 
tion, either to other animals or to the build¬ 
ings or clothing. 
Major Alvord offered the following: Re¬ 
solved that it is the opinion of the farmers 
here gathered that there should be established 
by law in New York a State Board of Agri¬ 
culture similar to such boards in other States, 
and that to this cud the President of this 
meeting appoint a committee of 11 to consider 
the subject, mature a plan and take such 
action as they may deem advisable, and report 
when they shall deem it expedient. This met 
the approval of every person present, and was 
passed by a unanimous and rousing vote, 
which showed there was an urgent desire for 
Now York to do something for her farmers’ 
education. The President nominated as such 
committee. Major H. E. Alvord, Houghton 
Farm; J. S. Woodward, Lookport; J, McCann, 
Elmira; F, D. Curtis, Charlton; W. J. Smith, 
Syracuse; F. C. Stevens, Attica; J. P. Ray, 
Hemlock Lake; Frank S. Peer. Mt. Morris; 
Harris Lewis, Frankfort, aud T. U. Proctor, 
Utica. It is to lie hoped this committee may 
mature a good plan aud be successful in getting 
such a law speedily enacted. There is urgent 
need of such an organization iu this State. 
W. J. Smith wrote up iu an able manner the 
claims of the Holstein-Friesians as dairy cows. 
He claimed that they are the greatest milk 
producers iu the world as well as superior for 
butter and cheese, and valuable meat produc¬ 
ers in the end. His people feed, for milk pro¬ 
duction, from 10 to 16 pounds daily of 
mixture two-tbirds bran and one-third ground 
oats with one feed a day of silage. For butter, 
the same quantity is given, made up of one- 
third each of bran and ground oats and one- 
sixth each of com meal and linseed meal He 
prefers clover hay to all others to feed with 
silage. F. D. Curtis, in discussing theeowfor 
the average farmer and her care, said, “We 
need not expect large results from any cow 
without a corresponding consumption of feed. 
The best plan for any farmer is to weed out 
his poor animals, give those retained better 
care, and breed from some thoroughbred 
stock. Regularity i 11 feedin g is very essential 
Cold water is not at all suitable for cows; it Is 
often the cause of disease and abortion. They 
should lie warmly housed. It is the most fool¬ 
ish thing a farmer ever attempted, to warm up 
his barnyard by keeping bis cattle in it.” He 
has calves and cows that have not been out 
once during all Winter, and they are healthy 
and happy. 
Harris Lewis in telling how to make and 
keep a pastime, said we have the pasture as 
nature made it, we turn on too early in Spring, 
pasture too late in the Fall, and then growl 
because the pastures run out. He makes land 
designed for pasture very rich; covers it well 
with manure, which he works into the surface, 
and then, for fear he has not made it quite 
rich enough, he adds a few loads more, and 
then adds 400 to 600 janmds of bone flour. 
His grass mixture is, two bushels of Orchard 
Grass, two of Meadow Fescue, half a bushel 
of Kentucky Blue Grass, one-half bushel of 
Meadow Foxtail, and if the land is at all moist, 
one-half bushel of Red Top. This is an ex¬ 
pensive seeding, but he makes his pastures 
permanent and can afford it. This gives a 
succession of grasses during the whole Bum¬ 
mer. He turns on early in Spring, before the 
grass has become coarse, and turns off by the 
middle of October. It is poor policy to eat the 
roots bare so late in Fall, to save hay. Once 
in two years he top-dresses with manure, sows 
300 pounds of bone dust aud goes over the* 
fields with the smoothing harrow. He prefers 
spring seeding and without growing a grain 
crop. 
It was announced that Cornell would next 
year hold another Farmers’ Institute with a 
more exteuded programme, and with a hearty 
vote of thanks to the President and Professors, 
the Institute adjourned, and thus ended one 
of the most entertaining and profitable meet¬ 
ings ever held in the State of New York. 
J. s. w. 
lUU'CUtS, 
CATALOGUES, ETC., RECEIVED. 
As pin wall Manufacturing Co., Thre< 
Rivers, Mich ,—A u illustrated circular setting 
forth the merits of the Aspinwall Potato 
Planter, winch we won Id advise our readers 
to examine. We have not seen or tided tin 
machine, but from the character of the fim 
selling it and of the testimonials in its favor, 
we should judge it to be all that is claimed foi 
it. It is said to mark, furrow, drop and cover. 
It is claimed that five acres per day can easily 
l>e planted; that the seed is |danted in a per¬ 
fectly straight line, admitting of close culti 
vation; that the planting is of uniform depth: 
that, the machine will plaut on inverted sod 
and cover well; that it may be adjusted tc 
plaut either cut or whole seed from 10 to 35 
inches apart, and also at different depths; that 
it is light of draft and may lie operated by a 
boy, etc., etc. A fertilizer attachment maj¬ 
or may not he purchased with the machine, 
as desired. There is also a corn-planting at¬ 
tachment. We presume it would scarcely 
pay any farmer having less than five acres to 
plant to buy one of these machines unless ho 
cared to hire it to his neighbors. 
Bartlett & Dow, Lowell, Muss.—Iu this 
catalogue especial attention is called to the 
“Common-Sense Milk Pail” which is repre¬ 
sented as the only perfect milk pail offered to 
the public. It is made of heavy XX tin 
highlj- polished. There are but two seams 
that come in contact with the milk. The 
strainer is perfectly fitted to the inside of the 
nozzle, making a smooth, air-tight joint. This 
strainer may be removed in an instaut so that 
©very part of the pail maj ? bo reached hj- the 
hand aud thoroughly cleaned. The nozzle of 
the pail is the right size for pouring into 
milk cans, and is arranged with a button that 
catches to the top of the can so that it cannot 
slip off, however careless tlic man may be 
handling the pail. The price is £1 35. The 
catalogue also offers a goodly list of seeds of 
all kinds. Free. 
Sulky Plow Attachment.— Circular from 
the Elkhart Iron Works Co., Elkhart, Iud. 
This attachment is really a comfortable seat, 
ou wheels, to which any common plow can be 
attached so that the plowman can avoid the 
wearisome walk behind the plow handles. 
The mechanism of the implement is certainly 
simple and strong. The plow is uot attached 
rigidly to the sulky, hut with a loose connec¬ 
tion, which gives the plow an independent 
motion. Those who have used the sulky are 
positive that the weight of the driver adds 
nothing to the draft of the plow. We could 
not give all the facts regarding this useful 
implement without printing the entire circu¬ 
lar. We believe a farmer eau obtain more 
than his money’s worth of ease and comfort 
by securing the implement. We advise our 
friends to send for the circular. 
Women's Srr.K Culture Association.— 
This little five-page pamphlet is a statement 
of the work done by the above association, or 
rather an appeal for a continuance of the 
Government aid it has received in its efforts 
to make silk culture a profitable business in this 
country. This, of course, has not been done by 
it or by any other institution iu the country; 
but it claims to have established a successful 
experimental station with the slim means at 
its command. The Congress of 18*4-5 appro¬ 
priated 830,000 for the advancement of the 
“new industry,” and of this the association 
received, from March 1885 to January 1886, 
88,245.62, which has enabled it to purchase 
some necessary appliances and to pay more 
promptly for the products of silk culturists. 
The association was formed in Philadelphia in 
1880, and since then it has paid 86,015.49 for 
cocoons and reeling. The ladies com- 
posing the association have worked gratui¬ 
tously. energetically and philanthropically, 
and although facts and figures are unsympa¬ 
thetically unfavorable to the profitableness of 
the “new industry” in this country, under the 
present conditions of labor, the members of 
this association, and especiallj' its earnest 
President, richly deserve the encouragement 
and sympathy of the public. 
Corrugated Iron.— An exceedingly well- 
prepared pamphlet, from the Cincinnati Cor¬ 
rugating Co., of Cincinnati, Ohio. The use 
of corrugated iron for roofing, siding and 
ceiling purposes has been greatly extended of 
late j ears, and bids fair to become j-et more 
popular. Iron roofing is 1 igh ter and m< >re secure 
than slate, far more durable than shingles, 
and more easily kept in repair than tin. 
Persons who live in -dry, hot, countries where 
cisterns are indispensable find that iron roof¬ 
ing gives good satisfaction. Send for the 
catalogue. There are manj' items of value 
contained in it. 
Williams. Clark & Co., general office 
Cotton Exchange Building, Hanover Square, 
N. Y,; sales offices Boston, Syracuse, Roches¬ 
ter, Baltimore, Atlanta and Jacksonville.—A 
little treatise giving directions for using their 
standard bone fertilizers as well as reasons 
for doing so; a history of the progress of the 
firm; the value of a fertilizer; mixing fertil¬ 
izers at home; notes on the application of 
fertilizers; analyses showing their value, etc., 
etc. Sent free to all who apply to the above 
firm. 
Halstbd’s Perfected Centennial Incu¬ 
bator.— A pamphlet from tbe Centennial Man¬ 
ufacturing Co., Rye, N. Y. The incubator is 
well described and many testimonials are 
given as to its efficiency. A considerable 
space is given to showing the pleasures and 
profits to be derived rroin the poultry busi¬ 
ness. Among other implements and appli¬ 
ances described are brooders, egg-testers, 
feeders aud a portable hot-bed. 
Catalogue of the Winona Stock Farm, 
from C. H. Warrington, West Chester, Pa. 
The stock kept at the Winona Farm consist of 
Chester White, Poland China and Berkshire 
Swine, Jersey Cattle anil Bronze Turkeys. 
The catalogue shows that the compiler has 
made a study of the origin, characteristics and 
breeding of the animals he has for sale. 
“Speed the Plow.”— An illustrated cata¬ 
logue of Timothy B. Hussey’s agricultural 
implements. The various plows, harrows, 
cultivators, road scrapers, etc., manufac¬ 
tured by this house are well described and 
illustrated. The catalogue can be obtained 
at North Berwick, Maine. 
Fay’s Building Manilla.— Circular from 
W. H. Faj* & Co., Camden, N. J.—This ma¬ 
terial is recommended as being cheap, effective 
and reliable. It is used for roofing or as a 
substitute for plaster. It is also used as a 
cariieting, for which purpose it is said to give 
good satisfaction. Well described in the cir¬ 
cular. 
Agricultural Implements.— Circular 
from B. & J. W. Belcher, Chicopee Falls, 
Mass. The two implements which are particu¬ 
larly noted are the “C. C. Brooks” Swivel- 
plow and the Mudgett Hay-tedder. Both 
implements are well described. There are 
plenty of testimonials from those who have 
used them. 
Aaron Low, Essex, Mass.—A garden man¬ 
ual and illustrated catalogue (100 pages) of 
