144 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
present, to go into an examination of them and to present my views, 
nor should I deem it courteous to do so. It was no part of my de¬ 
sign to promote a controversy on this disputed question. I certain¬ 
ly have no desire to become a party to such controversy. There 
can be no doubt that it would be not only safe but profitable, for 
farmers, in all their practical operations, to regard the opinion in 
question as erroneous. To induce them to do so, was the sole ob¬ 
ject of this communication. I may hereafter state some facts as a 
further inducement for them to adopt this course, and as reasons 
why I have adopted the opinion which I hold. If I am in error, I 
will still rejoice in the reflection that, in this instance, it is more 
safe than the truth. Respectfully, yours, 
September 9th. J. I. WILSON. 
CLOVER, GRAPES, AND RUTA BAGA, IN NORTH CAROLINA. 
Sir —Time at present permits me to remark merely, that although 
the outlines of farming operations in the South are the same as in 
the North, yet there are peculiarities requiring strict attention, in 
order to success here. For instance, to uniformly succeed with clo¬ 
ver, I find it necessary to sow here the last of September or first of 
October, so as to avoid on the one hand, the heat or hot sun of sum¬ 
mer, and on the other, the freezes of winter. The scorching heat 
of the summer’s sun often destroys clover sowed in the spring. My 
manner of sowing is this: I plough the ground, (usually after ta¬ 
king off an early crop of corn) and having harrowed in my wheat, 
sow the clover seed immediately, or before any rain may fall, and 
leave it to be washed in by a succeeding rain. The success of 
plaster I find is more uncertain here than in the North. I have tri¬ 
ed it however, successfully, on clover and cotton—but never with 
any perceptible effect on corn. 
I would briefly state, as to grape culture, that I have not succeed¬ 
ed with foreign kinds of vines, nor foreign manner of culture. But 
beyond my expectation, with native plants, or those obtained from 
various parts of the Union, and of established reputation, and some 
natives of this state and county. After planting, I keep the ground 
well stirred around with a cultivated crop; such as the cabbage, 
ruta baga, and mangold wurtzel, and trim and pinch off all laterals, 
to train the vine high and in preparation for eventual scaffolding.— 
By this plan I have vines of last years’ planting with 40 or t>0 fine 
clusters of grapes. 
I would take the hberty to suggest, that some of the views on 
the turnip culture, expressed in the number of your periodical conn¬ 
ing to this office, are not altogether correct, at least so far as my 
experience, and that of my neighbors prove. From repeated expe¬ 
riments here, I find that the ruta baga, to succeed well, must be 
planted generally before the middle of July. The crop I raised 
about three years since, as stated in the American Farmer, produc¬ 
ing more than 600 bushels to the acre, was planted the first part of 
July. Other turnips are commonly sowed here towards the last of 
August. Most of my ruta bagas left out the two winters past, were 
destroyed by the severity of the weather. So were common tur¬ 
nips in these parts. Previously ruta bagas stood out during the 
winter without injury. Yours, &c. with great respect, 
SIDNEY WELLER. 
Brinkleyville, Halifax County, N. C. Sept. 1st. 1836. 
STRAW CUTTER. 
Dear Sir —No agricultural implement promises more to the far¬ 
mer than the Straw Cutter, both as it respects the economy of fod¬ 
der and the condition of farm stock. And it is gratifying that the 
improvements in this article are already so complete. That we can 
save at least one third of the food of our horses, cattle and sheep, 
in the use of the straw cutter, is an important consideration; and 
is a reason most conclusive why this implement should be found 
upon the premises of every farmer. And I think that the day is not 
far distant, when it will be considered as important an appendage to 
the farm as the plough or the harrow. Its great utility needs but 
to be understood, and the cost of the article will be no barrier to its 
general use. 
These remarks have been suggested by reading the extra Culti¬ 
vator for August, containing a pictorial representation of Green’s 
Patent Straw Cutter, certificates, recommendations, &c., of that im¬ 
plement. That this is the most simple and efficient machine of the 
kind that has yet been offered to the public , we do not feel disposed 
to deny ; but that “ it is just what we farmers want,” is saying more 
than I am disposed, after having witnessed its operation, to admit 
To the doctrine of your neighbor of the “ Three Hills Farm,” that 
long cut feed is preferable to feed cut short, I must beg leave to dis¬ 
sent, as opposed, in my judgment to common sense, and the more ge¬ 
neral experience of those who have been in the habit of using cut 
feed. If feed is better long than short, why cut it at all 1 One of 
the principal objects of the Straw Cutter, is to assist the animal to 
perform the operation of mastication. Now it appears perfectly 
reasonable to my mind, that the shorter the food the less the quan¬ 
tity that will find its way into the stomach, without undergoing this 
process. Common sense on this subject would seem to inculcate 
the sentiment that the shorter the food the belter. And besides, it is 
generally admitted that animals consume it more readily when short, 
and that there is far less waste. 
I apprehend, that to a vast majority of our observing, intelligent 
farmers, it will be no recommendation to Green’s Straw Cutter, to 
tell them that it cuts from one to one and a half inches long, and so 
far as I have heard an expression of opinion on this subject, it has been 
that the feed cut by this implement was not sufficiently short, and it 
will, I apprehend, be found that the doctrine and practice of the 
Three Iliils Farmer, and of the Boston Livery Stable, in this mat¬ 
ter, will not be the doctrine and practice of the great majority of 
farmers, when this subject is more fully understood.* 
These remarks are not made from any design to injure the enter- 
prizing individuals at Lockport, who are manufacturing the article. 
With them I have no controversy. But when the opinions of indi¬ 
viduals find their way into the public prints, it is a right we all en¬ 
joy, who entertain different views, to countrovert and oppose them. 
For the information of all interested in this subject, I would re¬ 
mark that another implement of the kind will soon be offered to the 
public, which in my opinion is far superior to any thing of the kind 
yet produced. It is a new invention, by an Englishman—and will 
be called Firth’s Patent Straw Cutter. It is just what we want— 
a good, substantial, neat, and well made article. It is so con¬ 
structed that it may, by simply turning a screw, be set to cut feed 
either long or short, from one quarter to an inch and a quarter, to 
suit the taste of individuals. It has two knives, and these are easi¬ 
ly taken off'when they require sharpening, and the machine will not 
be subject to get out of repair. I make these remarks, not be¬ 
cause i have any personal ends to serve, but in justice to a worthy 
individual, who will have contributed, when his machine is once in¬ 
troduced, an important benefit to the farming public. 
Respectfully yours, &.c. JOHN FREY. 
Palatine Bridge, lith Sept. 1836. 
EVILS RESULTING FROM BAD ROADS. 
Michigan, September, 1836. 
J. Bull, Esq.—Sir— One of your correspondents, in a late num¬ 
ber of the Cultivator, glances at the subject of roads. His object 
seemed rather to hint at the importance of bestowing more thought 
upon their structure, than to suggest any plan: but what was there 
said, in connexion with the tremenduous labor of traversing, as I 
was endeavoring to do when I saw the article alluded to, some of the 
roads in this section of country, brought the subject of roads and 
road making, forcibly to my mind. Whoever has spent much time 
in a new country, and taken the trouble to trace the perplexities and 
privations there to be met, to their true causes, will agree I think, 
that at least four fifths of these privations are chargeable to the state of 
the highways. In this estimate I include moral, as well as physical, 
inconveniencies—and it is this latter consideration, which gives im¬ 
portance to the fact. Pass your eye over the log houses in Michi¬ 
gan as she is, and western New-York as she was twenty-five years 
ago. Observe the spirit and resolution with which the sturdy emi¬ 
grant enters that cottage, and see the neatness and good order that 
is disclosed in every nook and corner that is under the supervision 
of his wife—look at the children :—tidy, well dressed and comforta¬ 
ble. Let a year or two pass, and look again. You see the man 
with his improvements extended—his stock increased, and his pro¬ 
perty appreciating : but when he thinks of the road he is obliged to 
traverse, for various necessary purposes, you see his countenance 
fall, and his heart sickens within him. Look at his wagon—his har¬ 
ness—his bars—his oxen—his horses : mud from top to bottom ;— 
look at the man himself—his boots—his pantaloons ;—covered with 
mud. Ho dreads, and well may he dread, a four mile journey with 
* Our friend Frey ia probably not aware, that Green’s Straw Cutler is made 
with 24 as well as with 12 knives, and that the former cuts fodder half an inch 
long only.— Cond. 
