1850. 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
345 
the common scythe, or more generally the cradle- 
scythe, being used. It is astonishing how much one 
man can cut down in a day. There is great rivalry 
in this point amongst farm-servants.” 
On the subject offences, the writer complains of 
our “horrible slovenliness.” He admits, however, 
that “on all well-conducted farms, the fences, &c., 
are admirably constructed and arranged;” but adds, 
(and we confess there is too much truth in the re¬ 
mark,) that “this, unfortunately, is the exception, 
not the rule.” The zig-zag or “worm” fence, com¬ 
mon in some sections, was regarded as particularly 
unpleasant to the eye, though the writer admits “it 
is really very strong, and capable of resisting con¬ 
siderable opposing force,” and he concludes, that 
where wood is plentiful, it is not so bad a fence af¬ 
ter all. He thinks our farmers “are very fond of 
this fence, ugly and cumbersome as it is,” and says 
he was informed that this attachment is so strong 
“with some old people, that when they build wall 
fences, they build them in and out, in the same zig¬ 
zag way.” This singular mistake was probably 
derived from the fact that in some places where only 
a few stones, and those of not very good quality for 
making fence, are to be had, it is sometimes prac¬ 
ticed to lay them up in the way mentioned, for the 
purpose of forming the under part of the fence, top¬ 
ping out with rails, to the requisite height. This 
form gives to the fence much more stability than it 
could have if laid straight. 
In regard to animals used in farm labor, he falls 
into a striking error. He says—“ Oxen are invari¬ 
ably used for farm purposes , carting of hay, &e. 
Some of these animals,” he continues, “are really 
wonderfully well paired. A friend of the writer’s 
had a pair so beautifully matched, so alike in respect 
to color, size, and even shape and length of horns, that 
it was difficult to distinguish between the two. Farm¬ 
ers vie with one another in raising handsome, well- 
paired oxen. Much more attention is now paid than 
formerly, to the raising of stock.” 
The growth of vegetation, is represented as being 
wonderfully rapid. “In the Northern States, though 
the winter can scarcely be said to be broken up till 
April, barley is generally ready to cut early in June; 
wheat is ready towards the end of the same month.” 
This would truly be a rapid growth for barley. It 
is seldom sown before the first week in May, and not 
unfrequently as late as the second week, and if it gets 
ripe even a month later than the time this writer 
gives, it is thought to grow pretty quick. 
In regard to Indian corn, he observes—“it is the 
staple commodity of American farms; it is used in 
all kinds of ways. One variety (!) is taken in its 
green state and boiled. Its flavour is remarkably 
fine, and resembles very much that of green pease!” 
To the latter expression, we can only say, “there is 
no accounting for tastes.” He further says in regard 
to Indian corn—“Some species (?) grow very high; 
we have seen stalks ten and twelve feet in height.” 
If he had gone into some of the rich valleys of the 
west, he might have seen it growing to the height 
of sixteen to eighteen feet. 
In relation to the character of farm laborers, and 
the facilities afforded them for the acquirement of 
property, the writer remarks: 
“As a general rule, farm-servants are a very so¬ 
ber, quiet, industrious class,—rarely spending their 
time and money in public-houses, or needlessly. A 
sober and industrious man has a fair chance of saving 
as much money, in the course of twelve or eighteen 
months, as may enable him to ‘go West’ and pur¬ 
chase a small lot of land. ‘The American labourer, 
if frugal and temperate, may have his own lot } and 
house, or cottage, and good furniture in it. By the 
aid of his cow, his garden, female industry, and good 
management, he may save his wages entire.’ Many 
eminent professional men and statesmen have had 
just such a humble beginning; and a great majority 
of wealthy farmers have begun in a similar position. 
A great help to parties with small capital is the fa¬ 
cilities given for the purchasing of land. In very 
few cases, indeed, is the purchase-money at all de¬ 
manded. The general way of doing business is pay¬ 
ing by yearly or half-yearly instalments. Where 
the purchase-money amounts to four or five thousand 
dollars, the time may extend over a period of six or 
seven years. Credit is universally given; farming 
tools and seeds, &c., can be got on easy terms.” 
Koyal Agricultural Society. 
The annual show of this association took place at 
Exeter, in Devonshire, in July last. In the depart¬ 
ment of live stock there seems not to have been as 
extensive a competition as in some former years, 
but in respect to quality, the animals were deemed 
generally equal to those of former exhibitions. An 
English paper observes: 
“ The horned cattle were, as usual, divided into 
three grand classes. Short-horns, Herefords, and 
Devons. Of the general characteristics of the an¬ 
imals exhibited of the three breeds, we believe we 
are right in stating that the show of short-horned 
bulls was indifferent; that of the heifers decidedly 
good; that of the cows very fair. The turn-out of 
Herefords of both sexes and all ages was not exten¬ 
sive, but good. The Devons, however, naturally 
formed the great attraction of the show, and a finer 
display of animals of this class was, in the opinion 
of competent judges, never previously brought to¬ 
gether.” 
The Leicester, Cotswold and South Down sheep, 
appeared in their usual number and excellence. 
At the dinner of the society, Mr. Lawrence, our 
minister to London, and Mr. Rives, our minister to 
Paris, were honored with seats, and both responded 
to complimentary toasts. 
The Farmer’s Every-Day Book; 
Or Sketches of Social Life in the Country; with the popular elements 
of Practical and Theoretical Agriculture, and twelve hundred la¬ 
conics and apothegms relating to ethics, religion, and general lit¬ 
erature; also five hundred receipts on hygeian, domestic, and 
rural ecomomy. By Rev. John L. Blake, D. D. Auburn, Der¬ 
by, Miller & Co. 
The leading design of this work is to induce farm¬ 
ers to investigate the general principles of agricul¬ 
ture, by reading the best books and periodicals on 
the subject, and ultimately to secure such an educa¬ 
tion for the rising generation, as will enable them to 
practice the occupation with the best results. The 
author endeavors in the outset to overcome the pre¬ 
judice against “book farming;” he has, therefore, to 
use his own language,—“instead of offering the rural 
community a large volume consisting of the didactics 
of agriculture, concluded to treat them with the tit¬ 
bits of domestic economy, with hints on education, 
with prescriptions for health, and especially with 
instructions for the better maintaining the social re¬ 
lations of life.” We think the work is well calcu¬ 
lated to interest and benefit a large portion of our 
rural population. The publishers have got it up in 
handsome style, and its appearance is altogether at¬ 
tractive. It will be seen that we have given, in 
another part of this number, an extract from its 
pages. 
