15 
cessary in business or commercial transactions. If A. 
B. or C. publish an alleged fact, purporting, for instance, 
to be the result of an experiment tried by him, he be¬ 
comes a witness before the jury of the public. His ve¬ 
racity, ability to conduct the experiment accurately, and 
interestedness in the ultimate decision, should all, so far 
as is practicable, be weighed in the balance. We may 
be compelled to believe when no adequate rationale can 
as yet be presented ; but in no case contrary to the dic¬ 
tates of reason or common sense. Even in the former 
case, the proof should be strong and decisive. Concom¬ 
itant circumstances, their bearing and effect, should be 
carefully investigated. If a theory is presented, let the 
reader soberly weigh the reasons on which it is based, 
and any experiments to test the truth of either theory 
or alleged fact, should ordinarily be conducted on a scale 
so limited, that failure would involve us in no serious 
loss. But it is unnecessary to follow up this branch of 
the subject. Every man’s common sense, if he will al¬ 
low it to influence him, will direct him in the right 
course. 
Let no man say that agricultural publications are val¬ 
ueless, because mistakes and inaccuracies will creep in¬ 
to them. There may be some chaff, agriculturally speak¬ 
ing, but the bulk is wheat—sterling wheat. A condem¬ 
nation on such grounds will be found far too sweeping. 
Who will pretend that the advice of a sound, practical, 
intelligent farmer is valueless on the subject of farming ? 
Yet there is no man who does not fall into errors. And 
if the advice of one such farmer is valuable, let it be 
borne in mind that many such contribute to the columns 
of such a paper as the Cultivator. Who will pretend 
that the writings of such men as Marshall, Sinclair, 
Dickson, Loudon, Berry and Youatt, in England—Yon 
Thaer, Du Hamel, Tessier and Chaptal, on the Conti¬ 
nent—Lorrain, Livingston, Colman, Buel and-, 
in our own country are valueless? There can be no 
one so utterly ignorant, or so thoroughly prejudiced, as 
to believe this! The very proposition involves an ab¬ 
surdity—for it goes to say that talent, observation and 
experience are all worthless,and that all of them, brought 
to bear on one point, are capable of achieving nothing. 
It goes to say that a Davy or a Gay-lussac, a Newton or 
a Liebnitz, were not qualified to communicate informa¬ 
tion in relation to the sciences in which they so emi¬ 
nently excelled! 
One word as to agricultural newspapers. When pol¬ 
iticians, literary men, religionists, and the champions of 
fifty different “reforms” support their periodicals with 
so much zeal and esprit du corps, shall the farmer alone 
trust to the slow spread of oral communication between 
man and man, to learn the general success which at¬ 
tends his vocation—its advance or its retreat—its tri¬ 
umphs and its achievements ? The spirit of the times 
forbid it. H. S. R. 
Cc&tlandville, Dec. 1839. 
Management of Sheep—No. 8. 
( Continued from, the Genesee Farmer.) 
Messrs. Editors —As a former correspondent of the 
Genesee Farmer, I beg leave to tender you, with much 
cordiality and sincerity, the usual compliments of the 
season. Permit me also to express my unqualified plea¬ 
sure and congratulations on the marriage of the Gene¬ 
see Farmer to the Cultivator—a union of the East 
with the West —May your lives long be spared, gentle¬ 
men, editors and proprietors, to sow in the columns of 
the consolidated paper, the well selected seed of agri¬ 
cultural knowledge; and by proper nourishment may 
it bring forth fruit abundantly to the farmer—some 
twenty—some fifty—and some an hundred fold. 
Agricultural correspondents of the east and west can 
now meet each other on common ground, to measure 
their blades of zeal in the great cause of husbandry: 
therefore, as an humble follower and well wisher of 
this cause, I respectfully call on all my brother corres¬ 
pondents of the west, to come forth and do joint battle 
with the east, in striking down those gigantic foes to a 
perfect system of agriculture— ignorance, and its legi¬ 
timate offspring, prejudice and error. The field is the 
Cultivator—and thrice honored be he, who is boldest, 
and is found in the thickest of the fight. 
The theme I have chosen is indicated by the caption. 
You are aware, as well as the readers of your late pa¬ 
per, that I have already written much on this subject, 
but it is not, as yet, quite thread bare. It will be follow¬ 
ed up in the order as announced at the conclusion of the 
last essay; consequently winter management of sheep is 
the subject of the present chapter; and with your ap¬ 
probation, will hereafter contribute farther on the great 
and important subject of sheep husbandry. Before en¬ 
tering into details, it will be well to state, that I shall, 
as heretofore, confine myselt to communicating the re¬ 
sults of my own experience ; that the information con¬ 
veyed is now, and will be, based on facts—what my 
own eyes have seen and hands handled, therefore in ail 
respects practical; and furthermore, that my system of 
management is more particularly applicable to the finer 
grades of sheep. 
In common with good keeping, were I asked what is 
the indispensable and most important matter connected 
with successful management of sheep during the winter 
season, I would unhesitatingly repiy, protection ; and 
were I asked again and again, the answer would be the 
same, protection — protection. By the great mass of 
farmers, however, it is wholly disregarded; and from 
this cause greater losses have accrued than from any 
other within my knowledge. But in former numbers, 
the importance of attention to it I have dwelt upon, 
THE CULTIYATOR. 
bordering on prolixity. In view, however, of its neces¬ 
sity, permit me to ride my favorite hobby a short distance, 
in order to show up the advantages to those who have 
not been readers of the Farmer. 
The positions I have sustained, are as follows: that 
protection is a prevention of disease, therefore saving 
of life : improvement of fleece : increase of its weight: 
saving of provender: increased number of lambs: and 
not to protect sheep, is a violation of humanity . 
As briefly as possible, I will cite some facts in support 
of each. Before protecting my flock, which varied in 
numbers, from 900 to 1400, averaging, say 1200—the 
loss amounted to from 70 to 100 during the winter, and 
once rose to 150. Since protection, now four years, the 
average number wintered has been 1800, and the ave¬ 
rage loss of each winter amounted to only 31; being less 
than 1 3-4 per cent. 
In proof of the second position, I should be compelled 
to introduce two invoices, showing the sorts of two 
clips, one of which was shorn the year before protection, 
and the other immediately following, which would oc¬ 
cupy too much space. If any are desirous of investi¬ 
gating, they will find the record on the sorter’s books of 
the Middlesex Co. at Lowell, or in the May No. of the 
Genesee Farmer. 
As regards the third, for several years before my 
flocks were protected, the highest average yield of wool 
per head, was 2 lbs. 9 oz. The clip which followed the 
first winter of sheltering, which was the terrible one of 
1835 k ’36, the average was 2 lbs. 10 1-2 oz. The next 
clip was an average of 2 lbs 14 oz.; the next 2 lbs. 12 3-4 
oz., and the last, which was the lightest, generally 
throughout the country, shorn for many years, the ave¬ 
rage was 2 lbs. 10 1-2 oz.; consequently the aggregate 
gain amounts to, of four clips, 1252 lbs. This is, of 
course, in exclusion of tag wool, the average amount of 
which, each year, was about 480 lbs. The cause of this 
increase is to be attributed to the better condition which 
can be sustained by means of protection. 
In reference to the fourth, saving of provender—pro¬ 
tection has been the cause, to my certain knowledge, of 
saving much hay, but from want of actual experiment, 
am unable to say precisely how much. One ton to the 
hundred, however, I deem a fair estimate. Of oats, 
which I fed liberally before protection, the amount 
saved is equivalent to 500 bushels each year; and yet, 
as a confirmation of the above remark, that sheltering 
is a means of keeping up good condition, my sheep have 
been in finer order than when they were grained ; show¬ 
ing, notwithstanding the virtue of grain, that there is 
more virtue in warm shelter. 
The fifth proposition, that protection conduces to in¬ 
crease the number of lambs, is accounted for by reason 
of the greater strength and vigor of the ewes, arising 
from good condition, which, and I say it most emphati¬ 
cally again, can only be uniformly sustained, but by 
means of sheltering. Since the adoption of this im¬ 
proved system, the average increase of lambs, from the 
same number of ewes, has been over 100 each year; 
formerly the loss, from the emaciated condition of the 
ewes, was very large; so much so, that it would be 
mortifying indeed to make the number known. 
To substantiate the last position, I boldly put the 
question, is humanity to the domestic animals, which 
Providence in his wisdom and goodness designed for the 
use of man, a virtue ? Will any one but a barbarian say 
nay? Then let none evade and outrage this Christian 
duty by permitting their flocks to be exposed to the 
terrible storms of winter, for it is a violation of human¬ 
ity in the worst form. 
Having broached the important matter of protection, 
I deem it essential, as coming within the scope of my 
subject, to mention the kind of shelter of which I make 
use. 
They are barns, and varying in size; several of which 
are 30 feet by 20, with 14 feet posts; and others 36 by 
20, with 15 feet posts ; six feet of the lower part of the 
last mentioned is taken off for granaries. It should be 
stated that the first size named, are not long enough to 
contain a sufficiency of hay for 100 sheep, which is the 
largest number I permit to herd in the winter ; a reme¬ 
dy will be found, however by adding two feet to the 
width and two feet to the posts. The largest size afford 
room enough for the necessary quantity of hay for the 
above number of sheep, provided it is not of a course 
quality, and the winter an ordinary one. They all front 
the south, on which side are boards made to shove like 
bars; a space, however, of some six or eight feet is al¬ 
ways open to admit of the sheep going in or out at plea¬ 
sure. It ought to have been stated before this, that the 
protecting apartment is formed by a vacancy of four and 
a half feet from the ground, and of course, that above it 
the hay is stored. On a distant farm I have several barns 
constructed after the “ Massachusetts mode,” standing 
on side hills, the inclinations of which are such, that it 
was only necessary to excavate the ground in rear, in 
order to form shutters. The size of these is 36 by 45 
feet, and by means of a division wall afford ample ac¬ 
commodation for 100 sheep each. On three sides of 
each apartment are fixed box racks, which are used 
only when the weather is severely cold or stormy; at 
such times the advantages of feeding under cover can 
not be too highly appreciated. 
The average cost of the barns, first described, was 
about $55 each : they were built by the job, and when 
lumber was bearing a price below its present value ; 
and the entire expense of all my sheep buildings ap¬ 
proximates $1000. But in No. Four of this series I en¬ 
tered into the most minute calculation derived from my 
books and invoices, wherein it is shown that my gains 
already, in consequence of protection, arising from sa¬ 
ving of life, increase of wool, &.c. &c., have reimbursed 
this expense, with an overplus of $1427. I refer for 
particulars of this estimate to No. 14 of the Weekly 
Genesee Farmer, or May No. of the Monthly, 1839. 
But notwithstanding this powerful pecuniary argument 
in favor of protection, there will be found thousands of 
your readers too sceptical to be willing to incur the same 
expense that I have undergone, and therefore the follow¬ 
ing mode of building cheap shelters is respectfully re¬ 
commended. 
When securing hay, if stacked, build two pens for the 
reception of the bottoms of the stacks four and a half 
feet high, and place them about 35 feet apart, in or 
nearly an east and west line: then take two poles of 
sufficient length to reach from pen to pen, resting the 
ends on the tops of each pen; the centre of the poles to 
be supported by crotches, and well secured in the ground. 
A sufficient number of rails or poles will then be re¬ 
quired to support the straw which will be necessary for 
a covering. I will also suggest that the straw ought to 
be secured by placing a few rails on the top of it, oth¬ 
erwise violent winds will displace it. The rear of the 
hovel, which of course should be the north side, can be 
made of boards, and must be tight; if it is not, snow 
when drifting will be certain to find its way in, and often 
occasion the necessity of its removal. If boards cannot 
be readily obtained for the back, racks made of rails or 
poles, and stuffed with straw will answer quite as well. 
I wish to be understood that all this is not to be done at 
the time of building the stack, by no means; all that is 
required at that time, is to place the long poles on the 
tops of the pens; the residue can be constructed when 
convenience permits. I also recommend the erection of 
several racks to be filled with straw, called “ wind brea¬ 
kers.” I will not mention where they ought to stand, 
as practical farmers know pretty well the point a north¬ 
wester is apt to bite hardest. The necessity of atten¬ 
tion to this is obvious, to protect the sheep when feed¬ 
ing, and waste of hay by being blown away by high 
winds. What straw is required for the above purposes, 
should be old, or partly rotted ; otherwise sheep will be 
often employed in gnawing holes. The size of the ho¬ 
vel, as described, is calculated for 100 sheep. 
With all those who choose to adopt this plan, or fol¬ 
low my example of building barns, the location should 
be considered. If the necessary quantity of straw is 
used for littering under and about the hovels or barns, 
much manure will accumulate ; and therefore, the situ¬ 
ation should be on the borders of the meadows, at least 
if placed on them at all: otherwise when the manure 
is carted away in the spring they will be much trodden 
and cut up. 
I have already swelled this essay quite beyond the 
limits I had prescribed, and without entering into such 
particulars in relation to winter managament as I in¬ 
tended : what has been recommended however, every 
farmer will find it highly advantageous in a pecuniary 
point of view, to put immediately into practice. Much 
remains to be said on this subject, which will be accom¬ 
plished in my next chapter; and in the mean time, gentle¬ 
men, will do all in my power to aid the circulation of the 
“consolidated” Cultivator. 
Your friend, L. A. M. 
Lansing, Tompkins Co., N. Y. 
Prospects of the Silk Culture in the U. States. 
The close of the year, and the entrance upon a new 
one, presents a convenient point from which to take a 
view of some of the prominent subjects connected with 
the cultivation of the soil, which are engaging the atten¬ 
tion of our countrymen; as, at such a time, we natural¬ 
ly look back upon the past, and from it form anticipa¬ 
tions of the future. Among these subjects, there is no 
one of more absorbing interest, at this time, than that 
of the Cultivation of Silk. 
As there exists much incredulity in the minds of many 
on the subject, and doubt of our being able to produce 
silk profitably; as the spirit that has been so extensive¬ 
ly awakened, by some has been deemed a mania, and 
the whole matter ridiculed as “ a humbug got up mere¬ 
ly for the purpose of speculation, by designing men, it 
may be useful to take an impartial view of the subject, 
inquire what has been done, not simply in the raising 
and sale of trees, but in the growing and manufacture of 
silk, and from the practical results, as the only correct 
and safe criterion to form our judgment of the case. 
The greater part of this incredulity arises from a want 
of information, and from that suspicion with which men 
are apt to view any new enterprise. This distrust, this 
disposition to doubt, we are far from censuring, provided 
there is at the same time, a mind open to conviction.— 
It argues a becoming prudence and caution. But we 
do disapprove of this wholesale condemning of a thing 
without evidence, without even examination. There 
needs but the knowledge o f facts, and an impartial ex¬ 
amination of the subject of the silk culture, on its 
own merits, to convince every unprejuciced mind, even 
the most sceptical, not only that it is a branch of busi¬ 
ness from which may be derived great profit to those 
who engage in it understandingly, but one of great na¬ 
tional importance. Many individuals who have been 
entirely sceptical on the subject, and the most strenuous 
opposers of the silk business, yielding conviction to the 
light of truth, are now its warmest friends and advocates, 
and are preparing to embark in it extensively. 
To enter into a full examination of the subject, would 
require more space than can be devoted to a single es¬ 
say, in the columns of an agricultural journal; inasmuch 
as it would require the introduction of a multitude of 
