1851. 
. THE CULTIVATOR 
305 
ed. Our forests furnish an abundance of material; but 
in the selection for any particular purpose, a nice discri¬ 
mination is often important. Timber that may be the 
best for one purpose, is perhaps worthless for another ; 
wlfite-oak will make a good plow beam, but for an axe- 
helve another kind of timber is necessary. Some wood 
is harder, some tougher, some more elastic than others 5 
and information from a competent source upon these 
points, embracing the different properties, qualities, and 
uses of timber, would be very interesting and valuable 
to all those who have not had time to arrive at such 
knowledge by the tedious and crooked road of experi¬ 
ence, and who are compelled to rely upon mere conjec¬ 
ture or hearsay. 
Do not suppose that these remarks are intended as a 
criticism on the manner in which The Cultivator is con¬ 
ducted. I, for one, have derived from it too much pro¬ 
fit and instruction to find fault with it. But though I 
regard the publication as most useful and valuable, I 
would be glad to see it become even more so, by enrich¬ 
ing its pages with as great a share of information design¬ 
ed to assist and lighten the toil of the laborer, as that 
which is intended to increase the profits of the rich pro¬ 
prietor. W. H. C. St. Clair, Mich. 
P. S. Moss on Grass-land. —I would like to get 
through The Cultivator, some information with regard 
to the cause of the growth of moss on new ground, and 
the best mode of getting rid of it, if there is any short 
of plowing. I have ten acres of sloping river bank, in¬ 
tended for pasture, of very uneven surface, with a thin 
grove of forest trees upon it, on which moss is springing 
up in extensive patches. Plowing would be impractica¬ 
ble, and even harrowing would be a difficult and neces¬ 
sarily imperfect operation upon such a surface. Is the 
shade of trees the cause, or will the grass eventually 
come in if it is let alone? Perhaps an answer to this, 
from some “ one who Knows,” may instruct others as 
well as myself. 
Drag-Roller. 
Eds. Cultivator —Believing that stable manure may 
be increased in value five-fold over and above its worth 
as commonly applied, by thoroughly intermixing it with 
the soil, and knowing that soils by pulverizing, acquire 
a great increase of power to attract moisture from the 
atmosphere,—I have been using a drag-roller.* It is 
an implement of which I had read, and about which I 
had written, but which I never saw until we constructed 
one this spring. Its operation has been very satisfac¬ 
tory. 
Having to cultivate some land for beets and corn which 
had been left in bad condition, we applied barn-yard 
manure, plowed it in, harrowed it well, and then applied 
the drag-roller. The effect was most extraordinary. 
* The drag-roller was invented by Thomas B. Gay, of Virginia. 
It resembles a roller without rolling, and only drags, grinding the 
clods to powder. Mine was formed of a hollow log about three feet 
in diameter; and two pieces of scantling passing through and bolted 
behind, admitted between them the tongue of the wagon. I think 
however, that one constructed of plank would be better, as it would 
strike both large and small clods at the same angle —would require 
less draft—admit of being heavier, and of course more effectual. It 
would also be less liable to choke to which ours was subject, if the 
ground had been recently moistened by rain. 
When the clods had disappeared, the ground was plowed 
again, and the harrow drew up more clods to the sur¬ 
face, which were crushed in succession by the drag. The 
condition of one piece, containing about half an acre 
was most unpromising, being almost an entire mass of 
clods, yet in less than a day it was reduced to a fine tilth. 
The manure was so completely incorporated that but 
few persons would suspect that a heavy coat had been 
applied. 
When my hired man came from the corn-field, where 
he had commenced hoeing, I inquired in regard to his 
progress. “ I never hoed such mellow ground before,” 
was his answer. We think the roots of the corn and 
beets, w'hich can now pass in any direction freely and 
unobstructed, will present a fair account next fall. D. 
T. Greatfield , 7 mo. 8 , 1851. 
Hereford Cattle. 
Eds. Cultivator— -I did not intend to have said any¬ 
thing more in favor of the Hereford cattle, as I had made 
up my mind to let them take their chance until their real 
value should be 'proved. But as certain individuals are 
continually boasting of particular tribes of Short-horns, 
I am anxious to see the Herefords brought into fair com¬ 
petition with them. I think the New-York State Agri¬ 
cultural Society ought to do something to bring the dif¬ 
ferent breeds to a fair trial. I am ready to u stand a 
brush” with any breed, and in any way the society shall 
point out. All I ask is a fair field and no favor.” My 
idea is that some of each breed should be placed in the 
hands of an honest, disinterested person, to try the ex¬ 
periment, and that the Society should pay the expenses. 
An accurate account should be kept of the weight and 
kind of food consumed • the beef, butter, or other pro¬ 
ducts should also be weighed and disposed of, and the 
cattle which yield the greatest return for the cost of 
food, shall be deemed best. 
I hope the Executive Committee will take this matter 
into consideration, and propose an honest trial. Wi. 
IJ. Sotham. Black-Rock, N. Y. 
P. S. I send you the following extract from a letter 
I have lately received from a gentleman who has had 
some experience with Herefords. W. H. S. 
Dear Sir—Having for a number of years taken a deep 
interest in Hereford cattle, and knowing that the coun¬ 
try is mainly indebted to you for their importation, and 
knowing that you have had to stand up almost alone in 
their defence against the Short-horns, I take the liberty 
to write you in relation to them. 
I am owner of a few Herefords which were descended 
from those you sold Mr. Luther Bingham. They have 
worked themselves into general favor among the Green 
Mountains. It is acknowledged that they are the cattle 
for this climate and section. A car load of two-year-old 
steers, (half-bloods) was sent to Brighton last winter, 
and though they had only been fed in the ordinary way , 
they brought $40 per head. They astonished the Bos¬ 
ton butchers. 
We hope you will not withdraw from the field, but 
will continue to plead the cause of the Herefords. The 
world will one day award the praise your efforts merit. 
Yours truly, John Gregory. Northfield , Ft. 
