1848 . 
THE CULTIVATOR 
121 
ried away and set at liberty. For this reason it has 
long been used as a medium of communication between 
distant places; and for speedily conveying intelligence 
of important events or transactions. Letters of light 
paper are attached to their wings; the bird is then let 
loose, when it takes a spiral flight till it reaches a 
great elevation, and then immediately darts off with 
great speed in a direct line to the spot from which it 
was taken. They are trained by taking them when 
young to a little distance from their cotes, or habita¬ 
tions, and letting them fly back; afterwards they are 
carried farther and farther at each trial, and so on un¬ 
til they will return home from a distance of many miles. 
The carrier is one of the largest and strongest of the 
pigeon family. Its shape is handsome and its attitude 
and motions graceful. Its'color is various, but those 
of a dark bronze or brown are preferred. On its bill 
and head it has a fungus-like excrescence, of a dingy 
white color, which gives the bird a striking singularity 
of appearance. , 
The Dragoon is similar in habit to the carrier, and 
is said to be as swift on the wing. It is recorded that 
on a trial in England, one of this variety flew 76 
miles in hours. 
The Powter or Cropper (a) is principally esteemed 
on account of its habit of swelling out the, crop. Most 
of the pigeons have this faculty to a limited extent. 
By a voluntary effort, the air is drawn into the oesopha¬ 
gus and crop, which, in the powter, become inflated to 
such a degree that the head is almost hid behind the 
enlargement, and the bird is obliged to walk in an up¬ 
right position to sustain the centre of gravity. 
The Tumbler (cl) has an odd habit of throwing its 
body over in sudden evolutions, during its flight. This 
variety keeps much on the wing, and as they go in com¬ 
pact flocks and rise to a great height,almost beyond sight, 
constantly wheeling and tumbling as they ascend, they 
afford much amusement to persons who have the oppor¬ 
tunity of noticing them. They have been known to 
remain on the wing from five to nine hours together, 
constantly busied in their “ fantastic tricks.” 
The Jacobine (b) derives its name from a wreath 
of feathers which, rising round the neck, turn up over 
the bead like the hood or cowl of a Jacobine priest. 
Of this variety, those are preferred which have the 
plumage of the body of a yellow color, a clear white 
head and white tail. 
The Ruff (h) resembles the jacobine; but is not 
reckoned so valuable. Its chain or cravat is not so 
large and perfect as the former. 
The Capuchin is a variety which, like the jacobine, 
receives its name from an order of monastics. 
The Nun (f) is so called from its having feathers 
springing out from the head in such a manner as to al¬ 
most veil the eyes. 
The Roman runt is one of the largest of the tribe, 
and has been bred principally for the table. 
Of Fan-tails or Shakers ( i j there are two kinds— 
the broad-tailed and narrow-tailed. The former is most 
prized. In the best specimens the tail is set very broad, 
and so high that the head almost touches it, when the 
bird stands upright. The body is of small size, and the 
variety possesses no particular attraction except from 
the peculiarity of its tail, which, by contrast, gives 
variety and interest to a group. The color is white. 
The figures in our cut were drawn from specimens 
bred at Mount Hope, the residence of E. P. Prentice, 
Esq. 
THE FAMEffi’S MOTE BOOM. 
Seeding Gras. Lands. 
Editors Cultivator —Having traveled over a con¬ 
siderable portion of the southern section of Michigan 
the past season, I was led to notice in particular, the 
general barren appearance of the land, excepting such 
as was covered with cultivated crops. In many places 
the field next adjoining a luxuriant crop of wheat, 
would be covered with thistles and briars. In fine, it 
seemed to me as if many of the farmers had determined 
to run a race, to see who should first succeed in run¬ 
ning down their land. 
Wheat each alternate year being taken from the soil 
■without an ounce of grass seed ever being sown, or if 
sown, only in the most sparing manner, from 2 to 4 
quarts being thought sufficient for an acre of ground. 
The consequence of this mode of management is such, 
that land which has not been more than twelve years 
cleared from its primitive forest, has, if not run out, be¬ 
come at least thoroughly run down. 
Now I would say, that from observations made dur¬ 
ing a series of years, both in the New England States, 
and in other sections of our common country, in which 
it has been my fortune at different times to be placed, 
I have found that the most successful farmers were 
those who were the most bountiful of their seed, espe¬ 
cially of their grass seed. 
Many farmers even at the east, who have had the 
benefit of Agricultural Societies, and the practice of 
skilful and judicious neighbors near them, from whom 
they might improve, lose at least 25 per cent, from 
their pasture and meadow lands, by sowing their grass 
seed too sparingly. 
An old proverb, from good authority, which will ap¬ 
ply well to this subject, as w r ell as many others, de¬ 
clares that “if ye sow sparingly, ye shall reap also 
sparingly;” in no case will this hold more true than 
with regard to the cereal grasses and grains. If every 
farmer who does not sow at least from 10 to'12 quarts 
of grass seed per acre, would this spring sow upon 
one acre double the'amount he usually sows, and note 
the result in comparison with the rest, sown in his 
usual manner, I am satisfied that there is not one in 
ten of these farmers but would increase the amount of 
their seed for the future. 
It is somewhat difficult to give the precise amount 
that should in all cases be sown; much depends upon 
the preparation of the land, quantity of barn-yard ma¬ 
nure applied, if any, adaptedness of the soil to grass, 
&c. As a general rule for mixed grass, not less than 
one peck of timothy or herds-grass, and from 4 to 5 
lbs. of clover, should be sown to the acre; in some 
cases more may be profitable, oftener more than less. 
In low moist lands one half bushel of Red-top, and 4 
quarts of Timothy, will be found an excellent mixture. 
Enough in all cases should be sown to completely cover 
the surface of the ground the first fall, and thus in a 
great measure keep in check the noxious weeds, and 
supply in their place good wholesome food, which your 
stock will relish much better than the hard worthless 
stalks of the weeds and briars. 
It is natural for land that is in a good condition, or 
even in a medium state of productiveness, to produce 
something; and if you do not cover the ground with 
seeds of your own choosing, nature will, and generally 
