THE CULTIVATOR. 
27 
cences of gypsum are found generally encrusting the different strata. 
In almost all the rocks on the Seneca river, and in those from the 
Cayuga and Phelps’s beds, are found thin veins, a half an inch to three 
or more inches apart, of crystallized gypsum, or what the mineralo¬ 
gists term selenite. 
In the Medical Repository, vol. 13, p. 77, is the following analysis 
of the Onondaga plaster, into its constituent parts. The Onondaga 
plaster resembles in colour, appearance and specific gravity, that from 
the beds of the Seneca river and Phelps, Ontario county. One hun¬ 
dred grains of the Onondaga plaster, was found to contain 47 parts 
sulphuric acid, 32 of lime, and 21 of water. And judging from ap¬ 
pearances, these are probably nearly the proportions in which the 
constituent parts of all our gypsum in western New-York are com¬ 
bined. There are some beds of plaster in Cayuga county, which af¬ 
ford a dark blueish specimen, sometimes almost black. This is owing 
to the presence of argillaceous matter, which gives it likewise a feet id 
smell. It is probable that this variety does not contain so much sul¬ 
phuric acid or lime, as those gray and lighter coloured plaster rocks, 
which are destitute of that foetid odour, which invariable denotes the 
presence of argil. 
As to all practical purposes for manure, there is no difference be¬ 
tween the gypsum of western New-York; though some of our far¬ 
mers entertain preferences, (according as they have been in the habit of 
using the gypsum from some particular bed,) in favor of one kind, and 
some of another. I have known the gray and the blue plaster to be 
sowed side by side, in a great many instances, for the purpose of ex¬ 
periment, and on all varieties of soil, and the results were invariably 
the same; and indeed, must always be, as the component parts as to 
all practical purposes, are the same. But quere, whether that plaster 
containing argil, is as good on clay lands, as that which is without it? 
also whether it is not better on sandy lands ? 
The gypsum of western New-York, wherever it appears, is a por¬ 
tion of one vast bed or strata, which extends from Oneida county to 
the Genesee river, and reappears again in Canada and in Ohio; and I 
am informed, likewise in the northwest part of Michigan. This strata 
is of various depths beneath the surface at different places, sometimes 
upon or near the surface, at other times thirty or forty feet beneath it. 
This strata does not appear to be of great width. All the beds of 
gypsum yet discovered in this state, are not forty miles distant from 
the Erie canal. I believe they are generally south of it. 
Mineralogists tell us, that gypsum is found “ abundantly overlaying 
rock salt deposites.” I have not heard of salt in this vicinity, though 
salt has been manufactured from springs at Montezuma, distant about 
seven miles from the beds in this neighborhood. 
Until very recently, the value of the lands upon which these beds of 
gypsum are found, has not been appreciated. Within the past year, 
I have known land of first quality for farming, containing extensive 
beds of plaster, sold for less than $50 per acre, which is the common 
price for good farming lands in this vicinity. Considering the few 
quarries which have, as yet, been discovered of this valuable mineral, 
and its increasing consumption, a, rapid appreciation of their value in 
this country may be anticipated. S. J. B. 
Seneca-Falls , February 27, 1836. 
P. S. Would not the state be the gainer in a pecuniary point of 
view, by entirely abolishing all tolls upon the transportation of gyp¬ 
sum and other manures ? 
SHEEP HUSBANDRY—IMPORTANCE OF HOUSING FLOCKS 
—RAVAGES OF THE WHEAT WORM. 
Judge Buel —Sir-—I have taken the first and second volumes of the 
Cultivator, and can truly say, that I have taken much pleasure and sa¬ 
tisfaction in the perusal; besides having been, already, more than ten 
times remunerated for the expense, in a pecuniary point of view, into 
the bargain. Feeling an anxious desire for its continuance and pros¬ 
perity, I have procured twelve subscribers for the third volume, and 
send you enclosed six dollars. 
The communication of your correspondent, L. F. Allen, Esq. on 
farm buildings, and the management of farm stock, &c. in the eleventh 
number of the second volume, I very highly appreciate, and commend 
it to the careful perusal of every reader of the Cultivator. He says, 
“ if I cut fifty tons of hay, and, by exposure in stacks to the weather, 
only forty of it can be eaten by the cattle, and one-quarter part of that 
even is trampled under foot, I had better have had only thirty tons of 
good hay in my barn, and even then my stock would have consumed five 
tons less by being warmly housed for the winter. This is a view of the 
case which I think must strike every thinking mind, and will apply it¬ 
self to every domestic animal on the farm. To my own mind it has 
been most strikingly presented by a year’s experience, and I am of opi¬ 
nion that the difference in the consumption of food, for the domestic 
stock of a farm, taking in all the losses incident to the forage itself by 
want of housing, &c. is at least thirty per cent, compared with the most 
economical method of expending it; and in some cases even forty or 
fifty!” In speaking of his present management and manner of feeding, 
he says, “ I well know that they consume less food per head by thirty 
per cent, than they did during the last winter, when they were fed nearly, 
if not quite equal, to the ordinary method practised throughout the 
country. Our oxen, I am satisfied, perform more labor, the cows yield 
more milk, and all the animals consume less food by being thus housed 
and attended.” Is not this then a subject worthy the careful considera¬ 
tion of every farmer? I think it is; and from more than twenty years’ 
experience in housing and feeding cattle in mangers, if any thing was 
wanting in corroboration of his testimony, to induce farmers to try it, 
I would cheerfully add mine. Instead of tying them in stalls, however, 
I have substituted gates between each one, the advantages of which 
are, they are more easily, and in less time, put up and turned out, and 
are not so liable to injure themselves, and cannot possibly injure others, 
as they sometimes do, by getting loose, when tied. 
For eight winters past, including the present, I have kept from 100 
to 180 sheep—merinos crossed with Saxony—which I have also fed un¬ 
der cover, and am not sensible that it has had a tendency either to di¬ 
minish their appetites, or injure their constitutions, in the least; but 
am satisfied that the preservation of their health requires this indul¬ 
gence, and nature prompts to it. In the language of an able writer, I 
would ask, “if they have the choice, do they remain in the open air in 
a storm?” From eight years’ experience, I know they do not—“they 
as instinctively run to their covering as a man does to his house, and if 
they do not require it quite as much, they appear as grateful for the 
shelter. For a flock of poor sheep, a protection from the weather is 
very important. Those in good condition do not so much want it, as 
they have a better coat, both of flesh and wool; but for them it is like¬ 
wise useful.” In giving an account of the management of my flock, 
for several years past, I cannot do it better, perhaps, than by adopting, 
in a great measure, the language of an able correspondent in the first 
volume of the Cultivator. Generally by the 20th of November (some¬ 
times earlier,) I separate my flock in the following manner: In one 
yard I put my last spring lambs ; in another I put my yearling ewes 
and wethers ; in a third my elder ewes, and in the fourth my wethers, 
where they are kept and fed during the winter. This arrangement I 
consider highly important. They are now nearly of a size in each yard, 
and by being so, there are no strong ones among them to drive the 
weaker from their fodder, but all will feed alike and. do well. I usually 
feed three times a day, rather sparingly than sumptuous, with good 
hay, and occasionally give to one or more of my flocks, as I think they 
require it, a few oats, a little corn, or potatoes. If my hay has not 
been salted, I allow salt constantly to lie in their troughs, that they 
may lick it at pleasure. Water I also consider almost indispensably 
necessary, while feeding on dry hay, and therefore allow it to each of 
my flocks, if possible. Many, I believe, die for the want of it. I have 
sometimes, likewise, had a fifth, or hospital yard, for my old and poor 
sheep, (if I had any,) and if there were any in either flock that did not 
subsequently do well, they were removed into this yard, where, by be¬ 
ing few in number, and having a good warm shed, well littered, and a 
little better feed and attention paid to them, they generally, soon begin 
to improve and do well. I have, sometimes, actually had my hospital 
sheep in a better condition, with this care,.by spring, than any other 
flock. I have, however, now and then, lost one, either by casualty or 
old age; and in the winter and spring of 1832, I lost sixteen with the 
grub or maggot in the head, which baffled all my skill and care. I tried 
many experiments, such as blowing scotch snuff up their nostrils with 
a quill, and injecting snuff and vinegar up their nostrils with a syringe ; 
also, French brandy, assafeetida, dissolved in water, the strong juice of 
tobacco, and spirits of turpentine; but was not successful with any, as 
every sheep that was taken died. .1 therefore know of no certain reme¬ 
dy for this disease, but am satisfied, fVom experience, that a case will 
rarely occur if sheep are kept in good condition, and their noses are 
well tarred as often as once in three or four weeks, during the months 
of June, July, August and September. For the want .of a little care 
and trouble, at this season of the year, many large flocks are almost 
entirely destroyed the following winter, while their owners blame their 
bad luck, but not their bad management. Sheep, to do well through 
the winter, must be in good condition when they begin it. If they are 
so, they pass through it without difficulty; but if they are poor at that 
season, good provender and a regular supply of it, will hardly ensure 
them well through. To take good care of our sheep, then, during the 
summer and fall, is highly important to the farmer, which will be to 
him a great saving, both in sheep and fodder. To permit them to ram¬ 
ble over our fields in the fall, after the hard frosts of October and No¬ 
vember have destroyed the nutritious qualities of the grass, and until 
they are driven in by cold and snow, as too many farmers do, is to my 
mind, poor economy indeed! and if they, generally, were aware of the 
prejudical effects of such a practice, both to the sheep and to their own 
interests, would they not be willing to profit by the wisdom and expe¬ 
rience of their neighbors? and bring up their sheep earlier into winter 
quarters, where they can be better fed, before they begin to fail in flesh. 
To demonstrate to the satisfaction of the inexperienced, the advan- 
