THE CULTIVATOR. 
149 
planted about four and a half feet each way, the first week in May I 
used the cultivator twice; on the 4th July, the corn was in silk, and fit 
for cooking in the first and second weeks of August, but it was suffered 
to ripen on the stalks, and cut close to the ground early this month. 
The fodder is very tender and excellent. The yield is about 70 bushels 
to the acre. The main crop on the farm is the yellow gourd; but the 
Dutton is far superior: one hill of the Dutton yields more than three or 
fmr of the gourd, although the gourd seed was the best that could be 
procured. The two kinds of corn did not intermix: the fields were re¬ 
mote and the Dutton too early. DAVID BURMAN. 
“ Blockley Grove, near Philadelphia, Sept. 16, 1837.” 
P S I trust*you will not cease to press on the public, the expediency 
of generally raising this species of corn: the crop is admirable, and even 
astonishing: the field, when the corn was nearly ripe, looked as if it was 
all ears! W. L. H. 
Note._ We plant 3 by 2£ feet, and get 5,808 hills on the acre. Our cor¬ 
respondent planted about 4£ each way, and had but 2,151 hills. Thus we 
obtain 3,657 hills, or more than 2£ to his one on an acre; and yet he ob¬ 
tained 70 bushels—without manure. We introduce this comparison to 
explain to incredulous readers the cause of our northern corn crops being 
sometimes deemed incredibly large. It is, however, to be borne in mind, 
that our corn is of comparatively dwarf growth, and will bear crowding 
more than the southern varieties. 
We beg heve to remark, that there is a late twelve rowed corn, which 
has been mistaken and sold for the Dutton, particularly in Berkshire co. 
Mass. It grows stouter and taller than the Dutton, and ripens two or 
three weeks later.— -Cond. Cultivator. 
TOP DRESSING MEADOWS. 
J. BtfEn, Esq—Dear Sir—Your Brookline correspondent, in the Oc- 
tobei number of the 3d volume of the Cultivator, has made a statement 
to show that top dsessing old mowing land is more profitable than an al 
ternation of crops. He says, there may exist a great eiror in top dressing 
grass land, and this error should be corrected, as there is much old mow¬ 
ing land in this region, which cannot conveniently be ploughed. I wish 
him or some other of your Brookline subscribers, would correct this error, 
for I think the farmers in that town understand that better than in any 
other town in this state. I w ish they would state what kind of manure, 
and when applied, whether in the spring or fall. L. 
Columbia, Ct. September IS, 1837. 
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMIS’ STEAM BOX. 
Sheffield, Mass. Sept 20, 1837. I 
Mr. J Buel- Sir— Having examined Mr. Nathan Loomis’s plan of 
steaming vegetables, which we think will meet with the approbation of 
those who are engaged in fattening pork and beef on potatoes, apples, 
rutabaga, &c. yet we would recommend the additional improvement of a 
tube, put through the cover of the boiler, with from one to two feet of it 
above the cover, and extended down as low in the boiler, as will be safe 
to suffer the water to be boiled without injuring the boiler, which tube 
will emit steam whenever the water gets below the end of it, and there¬ 
by give warning when the boiler needs replenishing with water. This 
tube will also answer for a conductor, through which the water may be 
conveyed into the boiler, and a reservoir of water may be placed above 
the boiler with a fasset extended directly over the end of the tube, and 
gaged «o as to emit the water down the tube about as fast as it boils 
Sway We would also recommend' the addition of a fasset, put through 
the cover of the boiler,-for the purpose of throwing off the water, when 
the boiler happens to get filled too full. The cover of the boiler may be 
fitted so as not to leak steam, bynailing'two or three strips of cloth around 
its edsfG 
The above named tube may be of any convenient bore, from half inch 
upwards, and should remain open at both ends. It answers the double 
purpose of safety valve and feeding tube. Upon this plan, a boiler that 
will hold one pail full, will steam several bushels at a time, and as quick 
as the same quantity can be boiled in a large kettle. 
The steam pipe may be placed at one side of the cover Of the boiler 
and answer equally as good a purpose as though it were at the centre, but 
in no instance should the steam pipe be permitted to extend below the 
under side of t he cover. _ SHERWOOD HAMILTON 
SPOT IN SPRING WHEAT. 
J. Buee, Esq— Dear Sir—Permit me to address you at this time, 
with the hope of eliciting some information as to the cause of the failure 
of our spring wheat crops in this vicinity, this season. I have carefully 
searched every volume and number of the Cultivator, to find something 
to the point, but can find nothing, and have come to the conclusion, that 
the disease which I am about to mention, is unknown to your correspon¬ 
dents, or if known, communications on the subject are withheld, or possi¬ 
bly some small notice has been given in the Cultivator, and escaped my 
observation. I must confess, that in the culture of spring wheat, I am 
yet in my noviciate, and as experience is said to be the best schoolmaster, 
I trust the lesson that many in this vicinity have received from him will 
in the end prove to our advantage. 
The last summer the small quantity that was sown, did so remarkably 
well, that it induced many to enter deep into its culture this season. The 
consequence has been, that by some unforeseen events, much time and 
labor have been thrown away, and the confidence of many of our farmers 
in its culture severely shaken. 
In the first stages of its growth, it was very promising, but when the 
grain began to form in the ear, it was observed that what is termed at the 
east, blight, or blast, which is here termed the spot, had taken rank hold 
of much of it. Its effect upon the ear of wheat seemed to be, to destroy 
a part of it, or rather to prevent the production of the grain, while on 
other parts of the same ear, grains of wheat grew, though very inferior 
in size and appearance. Again, some ears would be entirely destitute, 
while others did not seem-to be affected in the least. The ear and straw 
of the diseased and that which was not being perfectly bright and free 
from rust. 
. The reason of its being called “ The Spot,” is derived, I suppose, from 
the fact, that on its first appearance, the spots upon the ear which is dis¬ 
eased appear to be ripe or of a light color, while that part of the ear that 
contains a berry remains green, thus presenting in fact a very spotted ap¬ 
pearance. 
Owing to the wintry weather erbwding itself into the spring months, 
we were not able to commence ploughing before the middle of April, and 
those fields which were sown at different times seemed to be affected 
more or less, according to the time of sowing. Those which were sown 
from the 15th to the 25th of April, yield about half a crop, (25 to 30 bush¬ 
els being the ratio of a common crop,) while fields sown eight or ten 
days later, were not worth harvesting. Again, fields sown two weeks later 
than either of the last of these, are better than either of the former, al¬ 
though all were affected more or less. I have made many inquiries of 
the oldest settlers, and have puzzled my ingenuity to find out the cause, 
and if possible, for the future to guard against it; and the best informa¬ 
tion I can obtain is, that it was occasioned by some heavy showers while 
the wheat was in blossom, thereby destroying the first cause of the re¬ 
production. of grain in the ear. To me it appears there is rOom for doubt 
[on that point. True we had some heavy showers about the time it was 
I in blossom, together with some cool damp weather, which united 
might have been the occasion-of it; but if those causes will produce such 
effects upon spring wheat, why will not the same cause produce similar 
[effects upon winter wheat, oats, and other small grains, and upon fruit 
j trees in their season? The theory is new to me, but may be old to you, 
j but whether new or old, your opinion is respectfully solicited. 
I But I perceive that I am getting a little prosy, therefore suffer me in 
conclusion to say that I do not consider it proper to throw away any the¬ 
ory that promises to promote the public good, or individual welfare, how¬ 
ever visionary it may be, until it is thoroughly analyzed and divested of 
all that is objectionable and false. It is not to be expected from the short 
time that agricultural interests have attracted public attention, that a per¬ 
fect uniform system can be introduced throughout our Union, nor is it to 
be desired; different sections require different systems. But the grand 
principles, as a science, can be scattered through the whole, and when it 
has once engaged the public mind, there will be no necessity for relying 
upon foreign aid for our daily bread, or the manner in which it may be 
obtained systematically. Possessing all the natural prerequisites, it will 
be a living and eternal shame, if we do not apply the opportunity to these 
purposes. Yours with respect, 
T. DUDLEY. 
Fairfield, Adams co. III. Sept. 25, 1837. 
Remarks.— The subject of blight, mildew or rust, is one upon which 
doubt and darkness still rest. The prevailing opinion is, that it is a para- 
sytic plant, which feeds upon and exhausts, more or less, the juices of 
the plant destined to nourish and mature the seed. Experience seems 
to have demonstrated, however, that the rust is most prevalent in rich, 
moist grounds, and in those having a level surface, and during warm, close 
and damp weather. Hilly and undulating surfaces, exposed to the influ¬ 
ence of the Winds, and moderately rich and clean soils, are most exempt 
from its attacks. We have been recently advised of an efficient preven¬ 
tive being found, in sweepinga rope over the standing grain, in the morn¬ 
ing, for a few times, after wheat had attained its growth. The operation 
is performed by two men carrying each the end of a rope, walking be¬ 
tween the ridges, and drawing the rope across the standing grain. It is a 
work of no great labor. Its efficacy was demonstrated by the fact, that 
an adjoining piece, not operated upon, was nearly destroyed by the rust, 
while this entirely escaped injury— Conductor. 
KENTUCKY FARMING. 
Wilkinson’s Cross Roads, Tenn. Sept. 28, 1837. 
Dear Sir — I was up in Kentucky a few weeks ago, and whilst at 
Frankfort, was pleased to learn that an agricultural paper was about going 
into publication there, to be conducted by able and qualified managers. 
I availed myself of the opportunity of subscribing for it, and have duly re¬ 
ceived all the published numbers. I am pleased with it in all points but 
