1849. 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
79 
which no remedy has as yet been discovered. At first 
the animal becomes restless, and is feverish. Soon af¬ 
ter it begins to rub its head down and up a post, or any 
thing it can rub against—manifesting the greatest pain 
and misery- It continues rubbing until it dies. [ We 
suppose this to be what is called the u mad itch-”— 
Eds.] I have seen several so affected, and after 
the rubbing commenced, I never knew of one that was 
cured. Upon opening the animal, it is found that the 
maniplus is entirely deranged, dry and hard, mortifica¬ 
tion having in some instances already commenced. 
The only remedy, is to keep your cattle from the place 
where green corn stalks have been fed to hogs. 
Cattle of Ohio and Indiana are not so healthy as are 
the cattle of Kentucky. I was told by a Cincinnati 
butcher, who supplies with beef a portion of the Jews 
of that city, that he was compelled to procure his cat¬ 
tle for these people from Kentucky. The Priest sticks 
the animal, which is dressed in his presence by the 
butcher. Upon opening the animal, if any imperfection 
of the intestines is visible, such as blisters on the liver, 
&c., the Priest remarks, “ this one may do for the 
Christians, but will not do for the Jews—you must 
bring up another.”—The cattle of Kentucky have no 
blemish; the intestines are in a perfectly healthy condi¬ 
tion,- so we, only, can supply the Cincinnati Jews with 
beef. 
I was informed by Dr. Watts of Chilicothe, a gen¬ 
tleman of intelligence and great enterprise, who feeds 
and grazes on a large scale, that lie would pay five per 
cent, more for Kentucky raised cattle for either purpose, 
than he would for Ohio or Indiana cattle. He consi¬ 
dered the risk of life that per cent, in favor of the cat¬ 
tle of Kentucky. 
There are three epochs in the history of Kentucky 
cattle: First, the introduction of the Patton cattle, say 
in the year 1790, and some years afterwards, the Mil¬ 
ler stock of the like blood. These were generally dif¬ 
fused throughout the State, improving our stock twen¬ 
ty-five to thirty per cent, in a period of 25 years. 
Second. The importation of 1817, which gave us fi¬ 
ner forms and an aptitude to take on fat at an earlier 
age, adding twenty-five to thirty per cent, upon the 
Patton improvement, in a period of less than 20 years. 
Third. The numerous importations made into Ken¬ 
tucky and into Ohio, from 1831 to 1836, from which 
has arisen our present superior breed. To keep up this 
breed as it now is, requires sound judgment and uncea¬ 
sing vigilance, or a decline must follow. 
I recommend to the breeders in Kentucky, to import 
at least half a dozen young bulls from the Netherlands, 
Holland, or Northern Germany, at once,—and renew 
such an importation every five or six years, for twenty 
years. Then to draw their young bulls from the best 
stocks to be found in England. 
I do not think it is desirable to have a very large 
breedbut form and early maturity , are not for a moment 
to be lost sight of. A skillful breeder endeavors to shape 
the animal, so as to carry most flesh on the valuable 
points, to have the loin and hind quarters much the hea¬ 
viest, as these parts bring to the butcher the most money. 
Grass Hills , Ky., Dec. 1848. Lewis Sanders. 
Prevention of smut in Wheat. —A simple and 
perhaps the most effectual mode of preventing srhut in 
wheat, is to mix with the seed grain a solution of blue 
vitriol—sulphate of copper—an ounce of vitriol for a 
bushel of wheat, or in that ratio. Turn the wheat on 
a floor, and pour on the solution of Vitriol boiling hot— 
using a gallon of water to a bushel of wheat. Mix it 
by turning with a shovel several times. Let it lie in a 
heap over night, and if too damp to sow readily next 
morning, mix in enough air-slaked lime or plaster to 
dry it. 
Suggestions for Jarmers. 
System, Order, and Economy. 
These maybe esteemed essential virtues, And impor¬ 
tant to the- welfare of mankind: they are, however, pe¬ 
culiarly indispensible to the agriculturist, to the farm¬ 
er whether rich or poor, to secure and retain the com¬ 
forts and conveniences of life. Without any endeavor 
to enforce this plain truth by argument, it may be use¬ 
ful to point out to farmers engaged like myself, in the 
endeavor to obtain from the soil, the largest product, 
at the least cost, some few of the methods, not yet in 
general use, though well established by the practical 
experience of many industrious and thrifty men. 
As a working farmer, earning my bread by the cul¬ 
tivation of my farm, I do not. pretend to claim any cre¬ 
dit for unsupported opinions or private judgment; but 
desire to show and prove how much profit may be real¬ 
ised by a careful attention to system or method in farm¬ 
ing, with order and neatness in its prosecution, thereby 
practicing true economy. 
Preparatory, however, to the above object, it seems 
proper to consider some of the means by which the 
farmer can best arrive at system and order, and for that 
purpose, and to secure his full acquiescence in state¬ 
ments which maybe set forth, certain principles must 
be admitted, or agreed on, long since well established, 
and we shall then arrive at conclusions with one mind 
—these principles are: 
First —The cultivation of the earth must be accom¬ 
plished, by the force of men, animals, wind, water or 
steam. 
Second —Man can exert a force equal only to about 
one-sixth of the power of a horse; and can be more 
effective in carrying than in drawing a load; while the 
horse exerts more power and with greater effect in 
drawing, than in carrying a load or burthen. 
The effective force of a horse is estimated as equal 
to that of six men, in labor performed from day to day. 
Third —The expense of keeping a horse is about 
equivalent to the keep of one man per day. 
Fourth —The power of man, when used without the 
application of his mind or intellect, degrades him in his 
own estimation, reducing him to a condition of servi¬ 
tude and dependance. 
These truths being admitted, we cannot hesitate to 
adopt for our present purpose, a portion of the first, 
and say, that our farming operations in this country 
must be carried on by men and animals. But, as the 
force of one horse is equal to the force of six men, we 
must in preference use the power of the horse as most 
economical. Man, however, having intelligence, pos¬ 
sesses in that faculty, a power of infinitely greater va¬ 
lue than his physical force,* he soon learns that his hand 
is a tool of wonderful contrivance, surpassing all others 
in utility, and the same intelligence quickly points out 
to him the existence of certain fixed pow'ers or mecha¬ 
nical forces, which his hand may readily combine; and 
thus form for himself tools and machinery to effect any 
desired object, far exceeding in force or power, any ef¬ 
fort of men or horses. It is by this increasing intelli¬ 
gence of the farmer, his seeking after knowledge, and 
by its application, that, within a comparatively short 
period, he has ascertained the most perfect means (by 
aid of machinery) to divide and break up his soil, no 
matter how tenacious or resisting; to reap his grain 
and grasses—to rake and collect them on the field, to 
house them in his dapacious barns; to thresh and clean 
them for a ready and never failing market. 
From this source he is now enabled to perform bis 
work with greater truth and accuracy; he economizes 
time, he saves labor, and thereby enriches himself and 
his family. 
