16 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
it lay beneath the turf? I will thank you for your views on the sub¬ 
ject.* 
Although I used my own teams, and hire my labor by the month, 
at 12 to $14, yet in consequence of rainy weather, broken days, &c,. 
I think it but right to charge the fair price of labor by the day, both 
for man and team. In estimates of this kind, the labor is frequently 
charged per day at the average of the price per month, which makes 
quite a different result. The estimate of corn, at $1.50, may ap¬ 
pear to many overrated, nevertheless it is a fact, that corn of an in¬ 
ferior quality is selling with us at that price. 
Yours very respectfully, H. G. BOWERS. 
N. B. Since Writing the above, it occurred to me that, although 
in the preparation of seed corn, tar is recommended chiefly, as a 
protection against birds, it may also have another very important 
effect, (thereby saving a replanting in consequence of wet weather,) 
in providing a coat, impervious to the superabundant water, untd 
the sun shall, by its genial warmth, cause the germ to disengage 
itself from its confinement. 
THE LOCUST. 
Queens County, 23rl January, 1837. 
Judge Buel, —Since our farmers have found it an object of im¬ 
portance to extend the cultivation of locust trees, amongst other 
means resorted to, has been the use of seed purchased in New- 
York. Of late we are not a little disquieted by the assertion that 
the trees raised from this seed, are the white locust; and of very 
inferior value. In general aspect they strongly resemble the old 
growth of the Island, which is unquestionably yellow locust of the 
best quality ; but upon minute inspection, a difference in the size of 
the twigs is quite obvious. Moreover, those who have cut down 
the suspected trees, say that the wood is not yellow. Can you en¬ 
lighten us on the subject 1 I remember seeing in the Cultivator 
(some time back) remarks upon what was called “the thorn locust,” 
but which was said, not to be locust; and I also remember inferring 
from those remarks, that you knew of only one kind—which was 
the yellow locust. We wish to bring the matter before the agri¬ 
cultural community, and therefore beg that you will notice it in your 
excellent paper. A SUBSCRIBER. 
Remarks. —Our own observation leads us to believe, that there are at least 
varieties of the common locust among us, differing in the color and qualities ol 
their wood, though we do not find a recognition of the fact in any work on bo¬ 
tany, which we nave consulted, except in Michaux’s Sylva. At Boston and 
Long Island they speak of the yellow locust; while the wood of our locust is 
white. An intelligent friend living in Dutchess, told us some years ago, that 
his locusts were not affected by the borer, because they were of the male kind, 
not propagated by seeds, but by succors springing from the roots. Within 
three miles of this city is a healthy grove of locusts, while around the trees 
are destroyed by the borer. We have never compared the foliage or wood to 
ascertain if there exists a difference between the diseased and healthy. Mi- 
chaux speaks of red, green and white locusts, which he says probably arises 
from a difference of soil. He says those trees are reputed best whose heart is 
red; the next in esteem are those of a greenish yellow heart; and the least va¬ 
luable are those with a white heart. As this timber is likely to come more 
and more in demand, and the tree is easily propagated, even by succors, it is 
hoped some naturalist will investigate the subject more thoroughly, and pub¬ 
lish the result of his inquiries. At present, we confess we Have not confi¬ 
dence in success by propagating from the common seed, in districts where the 
borer is found.— Conductor. 
LONG MANURE, DISEASES OF SHEEP, &c. 
Michigan, Jan. 9th, 1837. 
J. Buel, Esq.— Dear Sir, —I have been a subscriber and con¬ 
stant reader of your valuable publication, the Cultivator, from its 
commencement, and am surprised that any farmer who has ever read 
a number should fail of becoming a subscriber. Who has ever pe¬ 
rused it and not found something in each number of sufficient value 
to pay for the volume 1 I firmly, believe that, on an average, every 
farmer who tills fifty acres of land, by adhering to the rules laid down 
in the Cultivator, will add to the profits of his farm yearly the sum 
of $100. Who cannot point to a number of farmers, within the cir¬ 
cle of his acquaintance, who might add $50 each, to the products of 
their farms yearly, by a more economical method of saving and ap- 
* Old sward, for corn land, is best ploughed in the fall, and if long manure 
is at command, it maybe buried in the operation. It will undergo but a slight 
if any fermentation before ploughing, and the soil will imbibe what it gives ofl 
of nutriment. A clover lay is Best ploughed early in May, having the manure 
previously spread. If, in the first, manure is not atcommand, we would recom¬ 
mend that the plough be set deep, and that the manure be buried in thespring, 
immediately preceding planting, by a superficial furrow, which shall leave the 
sod as much as possible undisturbed. — Conductor. 
plying that main source of -a.good farmer’s wealth, putrescent manure 7 
Instead of applying it in an unfermented state to his corn, potato or 
turnip crop, it is frequently suffered to lie in large quantities till fall, 
not only unsightly and offensive, but losing much of its valuable pro¬ 
perties, and finally applied to a wheat crop, to which is often injurious 
instead of beneficial. Let us estimate the probable difference in the 
two methods of cultivation on only ten acres for two years, the first 
to be a superficial cultivation, and the second on the old plan of 
ploughing and hilling for the corn crop. 
1st. Crop corn with twenty loads coarse manure, fifty bushels • 
per acre, 8s. $500 
2d. Crop wheat, twenty-five bushels per acre, 12s.. 375 
Total value of crop,. $875 
2d. Method. 1st. Crop corn, without manure, thirty- 
five bushels per acre,. $350 
2d. Crop wheat, with twenty loads manure per acre 
twenty-five bushels per acre. <375 
- 725 
Difference in favor of 1st method for two years,. $150 
Let us carry this one step farther, and say the first crop is cut up 
by the roots, and stooked as soon as the corn is glazed, husked as 
soon as dry, and the fodder secured in the barn, while the other is 
topped, as has been generally customary. 
By the second method four bushels is lost per acre,. $40 
Together with one-half the value of the stalks, say. 20 
Total,... $60 
From which deduct the difference in harvesting, say $10 leaves 50 
Which added to the first gain, makes a total of $200, or $100 per 
year; and yet this great difference is generally for a want of know¬ 
ledge. Many pursue a still worse system than this, suffering large 
quantities of valuable manure to accumulate for years, thinking their 
land is rich enough without it. Time nor the limits of this commu¬ 
nication will not permit me to enumerate the numerous subjects 
which are ably discussed in an agricultural publication, and which are 
of vital importance to every tiller of the soil,—suffice it to say, there is 
no topic relating to a farmer’s business and interest, on which some 
useful hint is not thrown out. We are too prone to follow the footsteps 
of our fathers—never deviating from the old and beaten track. To 
be bred a farmer is often a great misfortune. It is a great satisfac¬ 
tion to see the progress that is made by those to whom agricultural 
pursuits is a new occupation; and yet their progress is mainly attri¬ 
butable to information derived from study. Their children will he 
taught the value of agricultural publications. Let every present sub¬ 
scriber endeavor to induce at least one of his friends to become a 
subscriber also, and bear in mind that he is doing a public good, and 
that every new subscriber adds, to the intrinsic value of the paper, as 
the profits of the establishment are to be expended in rendering the 
publication more useful. I would suggest the propriety of offering 
small premiums to the best writers on different subjects; the premi¬ 
um to be a certain number of copies of the Cultivator, say ten ; the 
merits of the writers to be decided by the conductor. These copies 
would be distributed, and by pursuing this course, the circulation 
might be greatly increased. Thus we should get the most useful es¬ 
says, (the prize essay being published,) while those of less value would 
be excluded. If more should be sent than the intended premium, and 
a second subject not named by one of the contributors, let a subject 
be named by the conductor. 
To set the example, I subscribe one copy of the fourth volume of 
the Cultivator for the best essay on the management of the dairy, 
embracing the making of butter and cheese, feeding of cows, rear¬ 
ing of calves and feeding of whey, milk and buttermilk, to be explain¬ 
ed in a manner suited to the understanding of those unacquainted 
with the business, and to be sent in season for publication in the 
May number.* Will nine more subscribe each one volume 1 
I notice much written on the complaint in sheep, the worm in the 
head. I never tried a remedy but once, which happened to be the 
last case in the flock, (although we lost several previous to that,) 
and in that case a complete cure was effected. Not having occa¬ 
sion to try it again, I will not vouch for its efficacy. The remedy 
was Venice turpentine. The sheep was placed on its back, and 
about a table spoonful turned into each nostril, and in less than an 
hour it was up and had joined the flock, a pparently as well as ever. 
» * We are authorized to award this premium. 
