11 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
We have have thus given in as condensed a form as 
possible, all the principal points of Mr. Pusey’s experi¬ 
ments, and shall now proceed to copy from Mr. Col- 
man’s Report of the Worcester Plowing Match, the re¬ 
sults of the most skillfully conducted experiment on the 
draft of the plow yet made in this country. The ex¬ 
periments took place to determine the award of two 
premiums offered by the Massachusetts Agricultural 
Society, of $100, and $75, for the best plows—one plow 
for lapping furrows, and the other for laying them flat. 
The following remarks by Messrs. Clark and Putnam, 
the reporting committee, will enable the reader to under¬ 
stand the experiments : 
“ The power required to turn over a given quantity 
of earth by a plow, is a very important consideration. 
This power can be measured with great accuracy; 
greater than many of the committee supposed, before 
they witnessed the operation. The Dynamometer, in¬ 
serted between the plow beam and the chain, measures 
■with great accuracy the strength exerted by the team. 
Suppose the strength applied be the same that would be 
required to raise 336 lbs. over a single pully ; suppose 
also that the depth of the furrow is six and a half inch¬ 
es with a width of 13 inches. Multiply 13 by 64 and 
you will have 84 with a fraction. Now if 336 lbs. of 
power, will take up and turn over 84 inches of earth, 
then 112 lbs. will turn 28 inches. Tried in this way, 
the plows exhibited showed the following results. The 
power in each case is 112 lbs. 
First Trial. —Plows for lapping furrows. 
Charles Howard,. 
294 inches. 
Ruggles, Nourse & Mason,... 
24 
CC 
John Wilson,. 
214 
CC 
Stevens’ PIoav,. 
20 
cc 
James Steivart, (Scotch pIoav,) 
m 
cc 
Cornelius Bergen,. 
18 
CC 
Barnaby & Mooers,. 
m 
cc 
E. G. Whiting,... 
18 
cc 
Second Trial. —For flat f urrows. 
Prouty & Mears,. .. 
27 k 
CC 
Charles Howard,.. 
25 
cc 
Ruggles, Nourse 8c Co.,. 
24 
cc 
Barnaby & Mooers,. 
18£ 
cc 
E. G. Whiting,. 
14 
cc 
Another pIoav by Prouty 8c Mears, .. . 
26 
cc 
Another plow by Charles HoAvard,... 
.25 
inches.” 
The terms used in this experiment are different from 
those adopted in the English one ; but those Avho choose 
may easily compare them with each other by remem¬ 
bering that 112 lbs. is 8 stone, and making the furrow 
slice to correspond, which in the American experiment 
was 84 inches and in the English one 45 ; or 6k by 13, 
to 5 by 9. When this is done, the experiments will be 
found to correspond remarkably well, and the general 
results of both may be considered as establishing many 
important truths, some of which have been already- 
pointed out. Thus it will be seen that in the same soil, 
and under the same circumstances one plow will work 
100 per cent easier than another, or that one horse will 
perform the work of two, or two that of four, with the 
same ease. Could horses speak, they would doubtless 
direct a vote of thanks to the men who have invented, 
and the farmers who use implements, by which one 
half of the severest labor the horse performs, is done 
away. We very much question whether our farm hor¬ 
ses on our heavy wheat lands do not often perform 
much more severe labor than the highest rate named 
by Mr. Pusey, (52 stone, or 728 lbs.) as we have 
seen them day after day showing more exertion and 
evident distress in plowing than when drawing a ton a 
day over hard roads. Whatever may be the obduracy 
or tenacity of the soil, or the toughness of the sward, 
only one pair of horses is used, where, under the same 
circumstances, four would be used abroad, and the ques¬ 
tion is never asked whether the plow is of a construct¬ 
ion so defective as to require 5 cwt. to move it, or 
I whether it works with ease, with a force of 2 cwt. ap- 
i plied. Mr. Pusey estimated the fair draft of the 
(Clydesdale horse at 163 lbs. or 12 stone, and that of a 
! common English farm horse at 112 lbs. or 8 stone. 
(To be concluded next month.) 
WORK FOR THE MONTH. 
In the latitude of New-York, farm work must be con- 
isidered as mostly suspended during the winter months ; 
! the most that can be done is to prevent past labor being 
iundone, and make such arrangements for the future as 
i circumstances demand. Negligence and inattention is 
as inexcusable in the winter as in the summer; and 
i frequently is productive of worse effects. How often 
do we see farmers suffer such losses in their flocks and 
i herds from sheer inattention or idleness in the winter 
\ that a year of hard labor and privation will hardly 
(place them in their first position. If cattle and horses 
{were looked to as they should be, or if sheep and swine 
! were not left to get their living by hook or by crook, we 
) should not see so many walking skeletons harnessed or 
! yoked to the plow in the spring, or so many carcases 
] around the fields and roads inviting the crows to their 
i feast. The prudent careful farmer will consider the 
; winter as the trying time for his stock, and by shelters, 
1 and sufficient food, avert its rigor, and prevent its con- 
1 sequences as far as possible. 
Horses should always have plenty of litter in their 
i stables ; it answers a double purpose ; first by absorb- 
I ing and retaining the salts of the urine that fall upon 
it in a considerable degree, and thus rendering the ma¬ 
nure more valuable ; and secondly, by preventing in part 
that liability to swell, to which the feet and legs of a 
horse are subjected when standing on a hard or plank 
floor. 
All animals should, if possible, be housed, or provi¬ 
ded with shelter. Cattle require much less food when 
stabled, than when allowed to run at large, as they 
waste little or none, and comfort is essential to their 
thrift. More manure is also secured, an object of great 
consequence to every farmer that understands his true 
interests. Sheep, if housed, must not be crowded into 
close stables or houses, as disease is apt to be thd result; 
and all animals require to have their stables well venti¬ 
lated to prevent the effects of bad air. Horses are 
better fed from mangers than racks, and sheep should 
never have their food so that they draw it from above, 
as the grass seeds and chaff fall upon and fill their wool, 
injuring it materially. 
Water and salt, are two things too much overlooked, 
by those who have the care of animals in the winter, 
if a horse or an ox is led or driven to water once a day, 
it is considered by many all they need ; when if left to 
themselves while feeding on such dry food, they might 
drink at least half a dozen times ; and sheep, by some 
farmers are forced to go without drink for weeks, if not 
for months. Nature’s laws in such respects, are not 
infringed with impunity ; and the evil, if not at once ap¬ 
parent, is not the less certain. Salt is necessary to the 
health of animals. Their fondness for it is proved by 
the avidity with which the wild animals, the deer and 
the buffalo of our native forests, collect around the 
licks or natural brine springs of our country ; and the 
experiments of Cullen, Berry and others prove that this 
fondness is founded on principles that render it essen¬ 
tial to their health. It should at all times be accessi¬ 
ble to them ; summer and winter it is equally grateful, 
and its good effects are always apparent. 
A little attention to the food of animals during the 
winter is frequently of much use in preventing disease. 
Horses are more liable to disease than any other domes¬ 
tic animal, and consequently require additional precau¬ 
tions. We have found decided advantage, where horses 
are fed on grain, from occasionally, or even regularly, 
giving them a few roots, turneps or carrots, (we prefer 
the last,) in addition, or in part as a substitute for their 
allowance of provender; and since we have adopted 
this course with the addition of a handful of ashes once 
a week with their grain, we have not had a beast at¬ 
tacked wtith bots or with cholic. 
Apples put up for winter use in the ordinary way in 
cellars, require occasional examination, and if any are 
found beginning to rot, they should be looked over and 
separated, as they will infect or injure others. When¬ 
ever it is necessary to handle winter apples, from the 
gathering them on the tree to the latest period of keep¬ 
ing them, care should be taken not to bruise them in 
the least, as such apples soon decay. A record of the 
qualities for cooking or for keeping of all the most pro¬ 
minent fruits of the orchards should be kept, their lia¬ 
bility to particular diseases noted, that the best only 
may be retained, or propagated. Some trees are very 
shy bearers ; some produce fruit water cored, or sub¬ 
ject to bitter rot, some do not ordinarily attain ma¬ 
turity in the northern parts of our country, and it is on¬ 
ly by knowing, not guessing at facts, that certainty in 
the quality or adaptation of particular fruits can be as¬ 
certained. 
If you wish to have large well flavored eggs, and ear¬ 
ly chickens, look to your fowls in the winter. Fowls 
require care and attention, but what is given them is am¬ 
ply repaid to the owner. If profit is consulted too ma¬ 
ny cocks will not be kept over the winter in the farm¬ 
yard ; one to eight or ten hens is sufficient. Fowls 
cost little on the farm, and they contribute much to the 
comforts of the farmer. Ham without eggs would lose 
half its value, and what would become of a thanksgiv¬ 
ing feast without the crowning chicken pie. 
Winter is the season that, among the children of the 
farmer, and indeed most others in this country, is par¬ 
ticularly devoted to education, and every parent should 
take a deep interest in the common school. It is here 
the first impulse is given that makes or mars the man ; 
and it is all-important that what is done here should be 
done well and effectually. To keep up the interest of 
all, parents, teacher, and children, it is necessary that 
the first should occasionally visit the school, and watch 
the conduct and the progress of the scholars. Children 
like to see others take an interest in them, and such at¬ 
tention will not be without its influence on the instruc¬ 
tor. 
It must never be forgoten by the farmer that there 
are works of charity and kindness, that more frequent¬ 
ly press their claims upon him during the winter, than 
at any other time. While his happy family is cluster¬ 
ed around the cheerful hearth ; while his table is load¬ 
ed with the bounties wffiich a kind providence, personal 
industry, and a fruitful soil have given him ; while his 
wood-house is filled, his granaries overflowing, and 
every reasonable want supplied ; he must not for¬ 
get there are other less favored individuals or families 
around ; children destitute of fire and food; widows 
and orphans distressed and destitute, all requiring care, 
and not to be forsaken while the frosts of winter are 
upon the earth. For the poor there must be employ 
ment: for the destitute there must be a supply ; and the 
honest and industrious, or the unfortunate poor, have 
claims on the more fortunate, that may not be disre¬ 
garded. Well directed charity is one of the few'acts 
of life in which both the giver and the receiver are 
blessed ; let no one then forget the poor. 
Last, but not least, in the work to be performed this 
month, is the duty of extending the circulation of agri¬ 
cultural journals. The man who reads one will feel 
that every farmer should receive one or more, and will 
endeavor to make those who do not read sensible of the 
loss they sustain. There are many excellent agricultu¬ 
ral papers in the country, but we are inclined to consi¬ 
der ours at least as valuable as any, and we hope eve¬ 
ry subscriber to the Cultivator who has a neighbor or 
friend destitute of such a paper, will show him the work 
and prevail on him to forward his name to us at once. 
ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES, &c. 
Bees, Wheat, Ac. 
“ Messrs. Editors —I possess a few swarms of bees, 
and am desirous to preserve them in hives. I wish to 
learn through the medium of your periodical, the best 
method of preventing more than one swarm swarming 
together ; and likewise the best preparation for wash¬ 
ing the hives, if any is required. 
Oakland county, Michigan. F. B.” 
We fear there is no way, where bees are kept in 
hives, of preventing more than one hive swarming 
at a time ; or when they so come out, of preventing 
their incorporation into one swarm, if they will it. 
Hives of such a size, or so constructed as to prevent the 
necessity of swarming, would seem to be the only reme¬ 
dy in this case. As to washing the hives, Mr. Weeks, 
in his work on bees, one of the best authorities in this 
or any other country, says —“ The old custom of wash¬ 
ing the hive wtith salt and water, sweet herbs and other 
substances to give them a pleasant effluvia should be 
speedily abolished.” Clean, sweet hives, seem to be 
all that is necessary to content the bee, unless the sun 
should be shining very hot at the time of swarming, 
when some protection or shade for the hive, may be 
proper. 
Our correspondent adds ,—“ I almost forgot to men¬ 
tion that one ounce of mercury, dissolved in Avater 
enough to Avet one bushel of wheat will kill chess, 
[query smut?] completely. The wtiieat should be dried 
in lime, then sown the same day.” 
We have inserted the query, because the experience 
of others has proved that such a solution will prevent 
smut ; and because we think a preparation powerful 
enough to kill chess, would also be fatal to wheat. We 
are sorry to learn that the doctrine of transmutation has 
disturbed the harmony of the Michigan tea coteries, 
and set our fair Wolverine friends “ by the ears,” and 
will hint for their satisfaction that there are two ways 
in wffiich the case stated may be explained, without re¬ 
course to the absurdity of transmutation. In the first 
place the quantity of chess in the two kinds of wheat 
sown might have been materially different; and second¬ 
ly, as the kind of wheat in which the chess most ap¬ 
peared, (the red chaff’ bald,) is the most liable to suf¬ 
fer from the winter of any grown in the country, the 
excess of chess might be owing to the destruction of the 
wheat by the frost, and consequent greater growth of 
the chess. — 
Bitter Rot in Apples. 
“ MESsrs. Editors —Your subscribers at this place 
wish to inquire if you know any cure for the bitter rot 
in apples, wffiich has destroyed much of the late fruit 
in this and other states for some years past. Please 
give us such information as you may have on the sub¬ 
ject.— Snoddyville, Tenn. C. Snoddy, P. M.” 
The complaint alluded to by Mr. S. is at present not 
an uncommon one we believe in this part of the United 
States ; although little or no notice has as yet been taken 
of it in the public journals. With us, it has as yet 
been confined to the spitzenberg and winter greening, 
and these are not always affected. It appears to be 
owting to a fungus or mildew, which attacks the apple 
before it is ripe, and the later the ripening, the more 
extensive the damage to the fruit. When once attack¬ 
ed, the spots spread in the fruit after gathering until it 
becomes wholly black on the surface, and worthless. 
If gathered when Avet, or before it is fully ripe, fruit 
suffers more than Avhen secured in good condition. Ex¬ 
posure of all parts of the head of the tree to light and 
ventilation by pruning, Avould seem to be one cf the 
first methods suggested for a remedy. A R. I. Green¬ 
ing tree of ours Avhich had for some time produced fruit 
subject to the bitter rot, on being thoroughly pruned, 
gave a fruit of superior size, ripening better, and mostly 
exempt from the rot. 
If any of our friends Avho are acquainted Avith this 
disease of the apple, and ltnoAV of a remedy, Avill fur¬ 
nish us Avith a history of its cause, progress, and cure, 
they will much gratify us and essentially benefit the 
public. —• 
Cobble Stone Buildings. 
“ Messrs. Editors —I have lately purchasd a farm 
on which are quite a quantity of cobble stones. Wish¬ 
ing to build, I haA r e thought it Avould be Avell to use 
the stone for that purpose. I Avish to inquire of 
some of your subscribers, Avho haA'e built of cobble 
stones, the expense of such buildings. A portion of 
Saratoga county is quite stoney, and I think the OAvners 
of such lands might be induced to make use of the stone 
for building purposes, if assured it Avould be as cheap, 
or cheaper, than brick or wood. Will not some one ex¬ 
perienced enlighten us, as to the best method of erect- 
