THE CULTIVATOR, 
fession as a “ means of making his fortune, by the mere 
blowing of his breath.” Such individuals too often sink in¬ 
to apathy and uselessness, and experience the truth of the 
maxim, that the possession of wealth is not the attainment of 
happiness: Let us then endeavor, while yet the objects of 
our affection surround our table, to impress upon their mind 
the truth of the proverb, " that wisdom is better than gold;” 
that the study of nature, so easily associated with rural oc¬ 
cupations, can only be pursued to advantage when a man is 
raised above the privations of bodily want. 
But to fully enable you to accomplish these desirable 
things, you must have schools of agricultural, horticultural, 
and iioricultural science, where you may place your children, 
and where thorough instruction in all that appertains to so 
honorable a career may be obtained. We may then antici¬ 
pate the pleasure of seeing the inheritors of paternal wealth, 
less frequently the inmates of the castle of indolence—less 
frequently at the bar of the tavern, or the gin-shop—less fre¬ 
quently lounging away the best period of existence in acquir¬ 
ing habits of listlessness and vice, more disgraceful than tat¬ 
tered garments, and more dishonorable than beggary produc¬ 
ed by unmerited poverty. There is probably no part of the 
American states, so soon destined by the bounty of nature 
to exhibit a system of ornamental farming and rural embel¬ 
lishment, as the section of country in which you have se¬ 
lected a residence; there is none exhibiting more native 
magnificence, than the country so emphatically distinguish¬ 
ed in other parts of America, as the Lake Country. The 
grandeur of her water-falls, the beauty of her landscapes, 
the fertility of her soil, all unite to furnish an outline that 
the taste of Shenstone could never have designed, but which 
a few such men would fill with beauties that greatly increase 
the value of our earthly inheritance, delightfully change its 
aspect, and multiply its attractions and enjoyments. 
From you, whose pursuits are con amove , who love agri¬ 
culture for its own sake, and for the sake of your species; 
from you, whose special delight it is, 
“ With flowers and fruit to crown Altheaes’ horn,” 
we must look for the anticipated change. It is idle to wait 
the slow and reluctant action of legislatures ; a few indivi¬ 
duals can accomplish more in a season, than apathetic rulers 
in an age. The establishment of a college, with sufficient 
endowments, may be accomplished. Pestalozzi, Fellenberg, 
Oberlin, are instances of what well directed individual efforts 
can accomplish, and the difficulties perseverance can sur¬ 
mount. I am well aware of all the difficulties, and believe 
they will not exceed those attending the establishment of 
any other boarding school; and roses never grew without 
thorns, except in Milton’s Paradise. The credit of a com¬ 
mencement will be a garland of well earned fame; and if 
you will not take as much interest as this in the education 
of your children, who is there that will? If you drive them 
into other professions, or what is the same thing, withhold 
the means of dignifying and ennobling their own, you alone 
must take the responsibility. With half the advantages that 
professional men possess, their active energies would soon 
produce a modification of claims; the privileges now gratui¬ 
tously conferred upon intellectual superiority, would yield 
to the combination of more equal opulence, and more robust 
philosophy. While learning and intelligence would be en¬ 
couraged to retain their natural supremacy over the intel¬ 
lect, wealthy young men would have a new starting post 
deeply fixed, in our sensibility to reputation—in an ardent 
desire to triumph in elegant pursuits—and a double title to 
distinction would be advanced by the connexion of intelli¬ 
gence and prosperity. A more rational regard to public, ra¬ 
ther than private aggrandizement, would soon prevail, and 
thus the amorpatria, instead of being extinguished by slavish 
toil, or indolent sensuality, would spread her broad aegis 
over public spirit and private virtue. 
That some such institution is needed for your children, it 
requires no argument to demonstrate. We are all alive to 
the advantages of instruction, and even agricultural instruc¬ 
tion, so long neglected in schools, has become an object of 
attention and care. In this respect, the poor man is far in 
advance of the rich. Common schools have started up in 
every corner of the land —but where are the institutions of 
the rich ? Except for lawyers, doctors, and students of di¬ 
vinity, where is there a single institute that the understand¬ 
ing and heart of a young man of affluence and intelligence, 
who has passed his grammar and geography, can rejoice to 
enter and finish his education ? Where is it that science un¬ 
folds to him “ her ample page, rich with the spoils of time?” 
He feels that among the professions, there is “ no goodlier 
form, no mind of nobler grasp;” but he sees no prospect, 
apart from them, of being elevated above the level of conti¬ 
nued labor—no distinction, but that afforded by excelling his 
companions in wasting toil. Agriculture he loves—the vo¬ 
lume of nature he delights to read, but he finds no one to in¬ 
struct him in both, and direct aright the inquiring mind. 
He is at last driven to some unpleasant, if not disgusting bu- 
sinesss ; he enters one of the professions; tastes of Circes’ 
enchanted cup; and too often sinks into inertness, insigni¬ 
ficance or hopelessness; an object of commisseration, rather 
than of pride. EVELYN. 
Useful Hints to Prairie Emigrants. 
Messrs. Gaylord & Tucker —Having never seen any 
directions in the agricultural journals, to guide the emigrants’ 
operations in his first efforts at prairie farming; and having 
seen and experienced the difficulties arising for the want of 
information on the subject; I take this method of offering a 
few hints, which may be of service to those who intend to 
make their home in the western prairie. 
Never plow up the prairie for the first time, until the grass 
has generally started—which in the latitude of northern Illi¬ 
nois, will not often be sooner than the twenty-fifth of April. 
If possible, finish plowing for the season by the first of July; 
at all events, plow none after the 15th July. The conse¬ 
quence of plowing the prairie after that time is, that the sod 
does not rot that season, or even the next; but will cut up 
in cross plowing into square clods, which can not easily be 
pulverized, and even after they are made fine, the land is 
heavy, sour, and unproductive for two or three years. The 
consequence of early plowing, is, that the grass will grow 
up through the sod, and prevent the decomposition of the 
innumerable fine wiry roots, of which the sod appears to be 
almost entirely composed—by sowing on oats, this may be 
partially obviated. From the 20th May to the 20th June, is 
the best part of the season for breaking prairie. 
With a plow’ rightly constructed, a pair of horses will easi¬ 
ly plow an acre a day. An experienced hand, with four 
yoke of cattle, will break two acres a day. A team of oxen 
is generally considered most profitable, as they will obtain 
their whole living on the prairie during the summer sea¬ 
son. 
A furrow, turned two inches thick, is better than if it were 
four or six inches—the thinner the furrow, the better it rots. 
In cross plowing, a pair of horses will plow as deep as is 
necessary, without the inconvenience of having the plow 
clog or choke with sod, as it will when the first plowing has 
been deep. 
To a family, a garden is of the first importance—for the 
reason of the sods being so tough, many do without one the 
first season. If a hazel “ patch” can be found, clear off the 
brush, and plow 7 it.up; the soil will be found as loose, warm 
and productive the first year as ever after. 
Vines of all kinds, do well on the sod. If the season is not 
too dry, a tolerable crop of corn, oats, and potatoes may be 
made on the sod, or rather they will make themselves; as 
little can be done in cultivating a sod crop, save plowing in 
the seed. 
In selecting farms, the rolling prairie is generally preferred 
by eastern emigrants. 
On such lands, the water is always good and generally du¬ 
rable, and a surplus quickly drains off. 
The rolling prairies are generally the most healthy. In¬ 
deed on the ridge of land which rises abruptly from the bot¬ 
toms of the Illinois, near Hennepin, and shoot off with gentle 
undulations nearly to the Mississippi, I have scarcely heard 
of a case of bilious fever, or ague and fever, during the three 
years that I have been a resident of this section of country; 
and where there has cases occurred, the cause could be trac¬ 
ed to the unwise location of their dwelling. This is some¬ 
thing that should not be disregarded. Care should be taken 
that the dwelling-house is not set near large sloughs or 
ponds, in ravines, or in the borders of heavy timber. 
Very respectfully, A SUBSCRIBER. 
Providence, Bureau co. Illinois, Feb. 1840. 
Oil the Culture of Lucerne. 
Respected Friend, Jesse Buel — 1 some time since receiv¬ 
ed a letter from thy father requesting me to give him such 
information as I am possessed of, respecting the culture of 
Lucerne ; and thinking thou w 7 ould like to have it, I have 
concluded to send it to thee, as I think every farmer who 
has land suitable for it, ought to have plenty of this valua¬ 
ble grass. It requires a good deep soil, that has not clay bot¬ 
tom. I have succeeded beyond my expectation, and now 
find no more difficulty in raising it than any other crop. In 
order to prepare the land for it, spread plenty of unferment¬ 
ed manure on it, and plow it in and plant corn, which ought 
to be well managed, allowing no weeds to grow. After the 
corn is taken oft' give it a good deep plowing, and let it remain 
in that state until spring, if to be sown with barley; but if 
with winter wheat, harrow it well, and collect the roots and 
loose stones, and should there be any fast stones they ought 
to be removed ; then spread about forty bushels of ground 
bones per acre, and harrow it in ; but if bones are not to be 
obtained, any good rotten manure that has no seeds of 
weeds in it will answer it. And as it is best to lay the land 
in ridges about 24 feet wide, open a furrow about 12 feet 
from the fence, and let the near horse return in it; then 
open another in the same manner. 24 feet from it, and so 
continue until the whole is finished ; then sow the wheat 
and plow it in. not very deep, filling the furrows which 
were opened, and harrow it once over. As it is best to have 
it as smooth as may be, I made a hone with a plank about 
nine feet long, and two poles, pretty much the shnpe as 
those we smooth our roads with ; and if it is not heavy 
enough lay a post or two on it. It ought to be so construct¬ 
ed as to draw the loose earth towards the furrow’s. In the 
spring, about the time clover seed is sown, sow about twen¬ 
ty pounds of Lucerne seed to the acre, and harrow it in 
with a sharp, heavy iron toothed harrow twice over, once 
each way, and roll it with a light roller, across the ridges, 
to be drawn by one horse. After the grain is taken off', let 
it remain in' that state (not pastured) until spring. Soon 
after the frost is out of the ground, before it is much settled, 
harrow it once each way with the heavy harrow. I had 
mine pointed with steel. The harrow ought to be made in 
two parts; and hung together with hooks and eyes ; then it 
can readily be lifted up on one side by the driver, and clear¬ 
ed by a boy to accompany him with a rake. It may be har¬ 
rowed three or four times over after every mowing, remem¬ 
bering to pick up the loose stones. The reason I recom¬ 
mended laying it in ridges, is because it can be more readily 
smoothed with the hone. If it is not smoothed, the harrow 
will not have the desired effect ; and the natural grasses are 
apt to get in. I generally let mine stand until in blossom, 
when it is designed for hay. I usually get three good crops, 
and think the hay is better for all kinds of stock, than any I 
have ever seen. My first crop has some times been so large, 
that it is best to cut it rather earlier, as it will sometimes 
lodge and may injure the roots. 
As this grass requires more time to cure than some others, 
I thought it might be well to inform thee how 1 manage it. 
That which is cut in the forenoon, if the sun shines, may 
be turned with a rake towards evening, but not opened ; 
and that which is cut in the afternoon may remain until the 
next afternoon, before turning it. That which was first 
turned ought to be turned the next forenoon, and put 
in cocks early in the afternoon, and let it remain two 
nights in cocks; then open it and lay the fork fulls 
separate, shaking it well, and if it does not appear to be 
sufficiently cured after being turned, put it up in cocks 
and let it remain one night more. When the hay is housed, 
I generally put half a bushel of salt to a load—say to about 
fifteen hundred. 
As this grass, especially the first crop, is apt to be very 
large, it is liable to be injured by heavy rains when in cock. 
I would therefore recommend to those who raise it, to get a 
quantity of low priced, yard wide linen cloth, and give it a 
thin covering with boiled tar, with a painter’s brush on both 
sides, and sift some fine sand on it while warm ; and when 
dry cut it in squares and fasten a small stone to each corner 
to prevent their blowing off the cocks. These cloths cost 
[Fig. 54] 
but little, and with care will last many years, and may be 
very useful for other kinds of hay ; for want of them, one 
of my neighbors had a large quantity of clover hay much 
injured. 
The machine to be fastened to the harrow 
by which it is drawn, ought to be made like 
the drawing, (fig. 54) with notches in it, to 
regulate the height, about eight inches high; 
then the harrow will run much more steady, 
and is not so liable to injure the crop. 
When the swaths are turned the second 
time, let two be turned towards each other; 
then when it is raked, the horse can walk between them, 
and let a boy keep by the side of the horse, and when the 
rake is full, let him open the swaths with a fork, that the 
rake may readily enter. 
I have been thus particular, being desirous that whoever 
may wish to raise this grass, may succeed, as a number of 
my friends have been disappointed for want of proper ma¬ 
nagement. Thy assured friend, JAMES BYRD. 
P, S. If the seed is sown on winter wheat in the spring, 
it ought to be done when the ground is neither too wet nor 
too dry, but when it will crumble. 
Flushing, 2 d mo. 19 th, 1840. 
China Tree Corn. 
Great complaints have been made in the eastern states, 
as well as the north and western part of this state, respect¬ 
ing the " Chinese Tree Corn,” and not without some cause. 
In general it has proved a failure ; although in some instan¬ 
ces, it has ripened and produced well. In this county, in 
the town of New-Seotland, I am informed that a farmer, 
(his name I do not now recollect) planted one ear of this 
corn last season, from which he harvested six bushels of 
good sound ears. A farmer in Oneida county had a very 
good crop. I am also advised that Judge Spencer, in Wayne 
county, was equally successful. The favarable results 
of the above crops, I presume can be accounted for by being 
in favorable locations, with extraordinary manuring and at¬ 
tention. 
In the vicinity of New-York, on Long Island, and in New- 
Jersey, it has, with one or two exceptions, succeeded well 
and produced abundantly. I have my doubts, however, 
whether it will, even in that section, ever prove superior or 
equal to several other varieties which have been cultivated 
there. 
Of all classes, the farmer is the most wary and slow in 
adopting new things, such as new modes of culture—new 
fashioned implements—new variety of seeds, or new breeds 
of animals ; and when adopted, if a failure takes place, or 
he thinks he has been deceived, he is jnot backward in 
making complaints ; and well he may, as regards seeds, for 
a failure can not generally be remedied—the season has 
passed. 
Now, I have the charity to believe that Mr. Grant Thor- 
burn never intended to deceive any one with his com ; but 
that he supposed he had not only obtained a new variety, but 
a very prolific and early corn. It appears to me very strange 
that any person would be willing to sacrifice his veracity Tor 
the petty sum which he would obtain from the sale of corn 
grown on " two hundred hills!!” 
And after all, what does it amount to? Very few pur¬ 
chased or planted more than one ear, which cost twenty- 
five cents ! It was an experiment, and in most cases a fail¬ 
ure. Let it go and pocket the loss ; but possibly the stalks 
were worth the seed, and then the only loss would be the 
labor and use of the land. 1 have heard of no person that 
planted any great quantity ; of course no person has been 
obliged to mortgage his farm in consequence. Neither have 
I heard of any failures, on account of the loss of a crop of 
“ Chinese Tree Com.” 
On referring to Mr. G. Thorburn’s account of the "Chi¬ 
nese Com,” as published in the Cultivator of November, 
1838, l can not discover that he recommends it very highly; 
he merely tells what it produced on his farm at Hallet’s 
Cove. He does not say that it is suitable for an eastern or 
northern climate. He designates where the corn may be 
procured, and the price. Possibly his enthusiasm may have 
urged him on too fast—prudence would dictate another trial 
before he made it public. 
Some three or four years since, the "Baden Corn” was 
spoken highly of, as being very prolific—having from six. to 
eight ears on each stalk. I procured some, and planted it on 
a rich soil, in a favorable situation. It grew very luxuri¬ 
antly and about fourteen feet high ; on the first of October, 
I could with the aid of a spy glass, discover some indica¬ 
tions of the sitting of the ears, say from three to five on a 
stalk. This was a failure, but I did not charge the seeds¬ 
man with fraud or an attempt to deceive. It was a southern 
variety, and would not mature so far north, unless in a 
favorable season, and protected by buildings. 
Much dissatisfaction has also been manifested in regard to 
the Whitington Wheat, which has proved in this country to 
be a winter instead of a spring variety. The failure of this 
can not be charged to Mr. Thorburn, for he sold it as he did 
the Chinese Corn, in good faith, from what was said of it 
in the London Farmer’s Magazine. There it was advertised 
as the " Whitington New White Wheat, for winter or 
spring sowing, which obtained a medal at the Liverpool 
Agricultural Meeting in 1836.” For farther information on 
this subject, I would beg leave to refer to the communica¬ 
tion of Win, Thorburn, in the August number of the Culti¬ 
vator, and of Geo. C. Thorburn in another part of this 
paper. 
The foregoing remarks were suggested on hearing some 
farmers complaining to Mr. William Thorburn, seedsman in 
Albany, charging him with deceiving them in the sale of 
the Chinese Corn and Whitington Wheat. They did not 
deny but that both vegetated and grew finely, but did not 
mature. Nor did they seem to understand that he was the 
seller and not the grower of the seeds. But what pleased 
me most, was to hear him offer to refund them the money 
that they had paid him for the corn, which they refused, but 
took the amount in seeds ; thereby acknowledging their con¬ 
fidence in him, and went off well satisfied. 1 heard him al¬ 
so say that he would refund to all who purchased of him, if 
they would call for it. The reputation of a seedsman is 
dear to him—it is a part of his capital. Confidence is every 
thing ; where that is destroyed, farewell to business. 
