THE CULTIVATOR. 
23 
half horse and half alligator brethren, they were return- 
ed him this fall with quite a progeny. Turning a sharp 
angle of a thick clump of Avoods, in a wide pasture one 
day, I unexpectedly came upon the whole posse, and as 
my eyes had not been blessed for a long while Avith a 
view of any four legged longears, I could not but give 
them a rapturous hail, and set up a broad laugh, that 
the droll sight of a regular built jackass scarce ever 
fails to inspire within me. To my great delight, they, 
en masse, took up the spirit of fun, and echoed back in 
my oAvn coin, the head of the clan leading off with the 
short coughing grunt of a high pressure safety valve, and 
ending Avith a high broad cachination, that would have 
eased the lungs of the most gamesome darkey of the 
land. 
Tiger Tail and Big Thunder are a pair of imps not 
to be sneezed at—they Avere got by Mr. Clay’s Big 
Warrior, that sold some two or three years since for 
the enormous price of $5,000! These may be matched 
by a full sister to Tiger Tail, Shawnee Girl, got by 
Camillus, a son of Mr. C.’s imported Ulysses, and tAvo 
jennies by a famous large jack imported from Mogadore 
by the late Captain Riley. 
Of fine sheep, Mr. Sullivant has only dabbled in 
Leicester's; they were selected by Mr. W. F. Paley, in 
England, and imported by himself at a large cost. His 
old breed of hogs are of a very good kind, and are ge¬ 
nerally a cross of the Grass and Leicester, but like most 
every other candid man that I ever met, he sees the su¬ 
periority of the Berkshire, and is Avorking into them as 
fast as possible. He has a feAv full breds, some of Avhich 
are very choice. Long Canoe is a tremendous big fel- 
Ioav, and Sciota as fine a dark haired beauty as is often 
found. 
Columbus stands on an elevated plain of some 50 feet 
above the Sciota river, and is the seat of government 
for the state. It was located here in 1812, when its site 
was alia dense forest, with but a single log hut standing. 
It has noAV a population of about 7000, and is a handsome 
regular well built toAvn. Its main streets run parallel 
with the river and are crossed by others at right angles, 
most of which are paved, and have Avide comfortable 
side-Avalks. The stores are numerous and Avell fur¬ 
nished, and the town does a large and reasonably pro¬ 
fitable trade Avith the rich surrounding country. I Avas 
surprised to find so large a book-store as is kept by Mr. 
Whiting ; it has a fine assortment of all the best cur¬ 
rent literature, and Avould be considered respectable 
even in the city of NeAV-York. It is said to be the best 
supplied of any west of the Alleganies. 
Many of the private residences here are handsome, 
and the public buildings give an imposing air to the 
town. The State’s Prison, Avith its extended Avings and 
turreted walls, appears like a castle, and the Lunatic 
Asylum, with a noble Greek portico, spreads out to a 
great length, Avhile the plainer edifices of the Deaf and 
Dumb and Blind Asylums, and Alms-House, shoAV am¬ 
ple room for the unfortunate inmates, and the benevo¬ 
lent care of the state. But the neAv State House is to 
eclipse all, for on the present plan it is to be 370 feet 
square. I can’t say, hoAvever, that I am over pleased 
Avith the proportions of its architecture ; it is too Ioav 
for its dimensions, and the dome and cupola are largely 
out of all proportion. I should hope to see some alter¬ 
ation in the plan before proceeding farther in the Avork. 
The State Library is a good one, and particularly rich 
in its laAV department, an l with a proper introduction 
is open to strangers, rendering their stay here thereby 
much more agreeable than it otherAvise Avould be. The 
hotels here are good, but one is noAV being built, which 
when completed, At r ill be one of the largest and best ar¬ 
ranged in the United States ; it is frve stories high, and 
about two hundred feet square, and is called after its 
wealthy and enterprising proprietor, the Neil House. 
The National Road, from Cumberland to the Missis¬ 
sippi, passes directly through Columbus, and is con¬ 
stantly thronged by a moving mass of emigrants to the 
never ending Avest. In addition to good country roads, 
open to all parts of the state from this point, a cut 
from the Ohio and Erie canal at Lockbourne, 12 miles 
beloAV here, intersects the Sciota, opening water com¬ 
munication to the north and south. The river forms a 
convenient harbor, and a beautiful covered bridge, built 
by the National Government, with high and finely chis- 
seledmassive stone abutments, and a middle pier, spans 
its waters, connecting Columbus with the opposite toAvn 
of Franklin ton. A. B. A. 
THU rAISHSR’S PERFECT COTTAGE. 
Friends Gaylord &. Tucker —I cannot say that I 
have any great story to tell about large crops, or fine 
Durham cattle, or Berkshire hogs, though I have bred 
the latter a feAv years with good success, and have noAV 
on hand about twenty pigs, some fit and others fitting 
for the market. My object is to give a plan and de¬ 
scription of a dAvelling that I have been building the 
past season. Thinking that I might spend my days in 
it, have endeavored that neither pains nor expense 
should be spared to make it both comfortable and con¬ 
venient. My family are noAV enjoying its convenience 
and comforts, much to their satisfaction. Were I to 
build again I could not think to alter my plan but very 
little. I have the judgment of many that they never 
Avere in so convenient a house, and could not see where¬ 
in it could be bettered. Therefore I think it worthy of 
the title of “ The Farmer’s Perfect Cottage.” 
It is situated on an eminence that overlooks the 
ground on which Avas fought the great and decisive bat¬ 
tle of Saratoga, between the Americans and British, 
(Ground Plan of the Farmer’s Perfect Cottage — Fig. 6.) 
commanded by General Gates on the part of the Amer¬ 
icans, and General Burgoyne on that of the British, 
which lies about one mile to the east and south-east. 
The ground descends considerably to the east, until it 
reaches the Hudson river, a distance of about three 
miles. We have a fine unbroken view of some 20 or 30 
miles along the east bank of the Hudson, extending 
from 3 to 8 miles back, over a beautiful tract of rich 
and fertile country. Also a more broken view of the 
high lands along the Avestern sections of Yermont and 
Massachusetts, and that of the Catskill mountains to 
the Highlands, an extent of at least 130 miles. The 
road passes my house running nearly north and south. 
The house is on the Avest side, with a fine descent to- 
Avards the road and also to the north. 
The plan that I am about to give is very near the 
same as the one that I have built. The main body is 
given 26 feet by 26, with posts 14|feet, end to the road. 
Two Avings, each set back three feet from the main 
body. Wings 18 by 18—north wing running as far back 
as the main body—posts 8| feet—rooms beloAV, 8i feet 
betAveen joints. 
Ground Plan— (Fig 6.) 
A. represents the kitchen, 17 by 18 feet—B. sitting 
rooms, 16 by 16—C. parlor, 18 by 18, arched from each 
Avay, Avith a centre piece run in the middle, carried up 
about 11 feet in the centre with a stove chimney coming 
doAvn nearly to foot of the arch, on the south side of the 
room, and made to form apart of the same, with a sheet 
iron thimble made on purpose and fitted into the chim¬ 
ney—D. the pantry, 6 by 7 feet—E. clothes’room, 6 by 
7—F. bed-room, 10 by 17, with folding doors to divide 
it into two rooms when Avanted, calculated for a stove 
in case of sickness or any circumstance that might make 
it necessary—G. bed-room, opening out of front hall, 9 
by 10—H. hall, 71 by 14| feet, the front door being set 
back, forming a recess of 1 \ feet, lighted by side-lights 
and lights OA r er the doors 4-§ by 12 inches—I. clothes’ 
room from hall bed-room under front stairs— a. small 
place under front stairs, not occupied by clothes’ room I., 
Avith a small car 3 feet long, 2high, and lk Avide for wood- 
box, set on iron castors to draAV out and in at pleasure ; 
shut from vieAV by a small door— b. secretary and book¬ 
case Avith three draAvers, made fast, of black Avalnut— 
c. small space behind secretary, opening into pass-Avay 
from sitting-room to kitchen— d. pass-Avay from sitting- 
room to kitchen, with the door on the sitting-room side 
—e. double cupboard calculated to accommodate sit¬ 
ting-room and kitchen, Avith doors to open on each side, 
that victuals and dishes may be passed through, and 
save many steps when the table is to be set in the sit¬ 
ting room— g. door to go up kitchen chamber stairs— h. 
door to go down cellar stairs— i. pass-way to go out the 
backside of the house— j, sink drained by lead pipe to 
drain under cellar Avail to prevent a disagreeable mud¬ 
dy place near the house—fc. 15 gallon kettle set in an 
arch Avith a cover to it—Z. fire-place— m. oven— n. cup¬ 
board over oven— o. front kitchen door— p. cupboard 
over right side of sitting-room fire-place, the chimney 
being carried up on the left jamb. 
I have full size AvindoAVS in both front and rear in my 
chambers. My chamber is divided into four rooms cal¬ 
culated to use Iavo from kitchen stairs, and the other 
tAvo from front stairs. 
I have very superior Avails, Avanting only to be as 
Avhite, to make them nearly equal to hard finished in 
point of smoothness and firmness. My lime for the last 
coat, after being carefully slacked, without being allpw- 
ed to get dry in slacking, was Avhen warm strained 
through a Avire sieve (such as would be used for Indian 
meal) into a cask or box ; then stir in the sand, Avhich 
should be coarse and clean, (sift it if there is any gra¬ 
vel in it,) until it becomes as thick as a bedding, using 
care that it be strained as thick as may be. It is best, 
after standing some days before it is used. The mason 
should put it on as weak as he can spread it, and trow- 
el it dmvn very hard, Avhich it will bear, if the Avail has 
got sufficiently dry ; it may be put on about one-fourth 
of an inch thick—the wall should be left rough as it is 
Avhen the darby and float come off of it. If there is too 
much lime used, or it is not well troAveled doA\ r n, il 
Avill chip crack. On the contrary I think it is the very 
best finish that can be put on. We have washed some 
of ours, and they wash equal to a hard-finished Avail. 
I have a cellar under the Avhole house. That part 
under the north wing is converted into a room for wash¬ 
ing, and such like work Avith tAvo kettles set in arches 
—one a brass kettle set in a rim of iron, that it may be 
removed at pleasure. Also a milk room in the rear, 
Avith two good sized AvindoAvs ; the ground being Ioav 
enough to admit of it. 
I have examined my bills for lumber and other ma¬ 
terials, and they, together with the labor done by car¬ 
penters and masons, Avill amount to about one thousand 
dollars that I have paid out. My carpenter’s bill vvill 
be a little over three hundred dollars, having slit the 
most of the stuff Avith a circular saw propelled by horse 
power, a handsome saving for any one, more than the 
cost of the saw. My mason’s bill Avas eighty-six dol¬ 
lars—did more timn one-half of the lathing, and laid all 
the cellar Avails Avith the exception of my Avork in com¬ 
pany Avith them. I used unburnt brick for the body of 
one of my chimneys, and think it a saving of over one- 
half the first cost of the brick. I filled in all the first 
story Avith unburnt brick, (cost $2.25 per 1,000;) set 
them edgeAvise next to the siding, laid in lime mortar, 
Avhich renders the house nearly as Avarm as a brick one. 
The upper story I boarded before siding, Avith rough 
boards, all of Avhich stiffen the building much Avith but 
little expense. In filling in with brick, I laid the first 
tier of hard brick down fiat to prevent the mice from 
passing up and down. 
I have devoted the most of my time Avhile the build¬ 
ing has been going on in assisting Avherever I could lend 
a hand. Have done nearly all my inside painting. I 
have one coat on the outside. I have not recorded any 
expense for teaming or Avork done by myself. Had 
the stone on my OAvn farm, and found the hewed tim¬ 
ber ; boarded my hands, and paid my carpenters and 
masons by the day. I Avould not wish ever to let such 
Avork by the job. BENJAMIN CHASE. 
Stillwater, 10 th mo. lsf, 1840. 
STABLES WITHOUT FLOORS. 
Increase, Preparation & Application of Manures. 
Messrs. Gaylord & Tucker—I n the perusal of the 
Cultivator, my attention has frequently been draAvn to 
the subject of manures. It is universally acknowledg- 
ed an important point in agriculture, to make as much 
manure as possible ; and also to preserve and apply it 
in the best manner. The urine of cattle and horses, all 
admit to be of great value as a manure. The quantity 
of this, it is reasonable to conclude, is greatly increased 
by giving juicy food. But is not the greater part of this 
lost, Avhen cattle are kept through our long winters in 
the usual Avay, in stables Avith floors ? I Avould recom¬ 
mend to all who wish to improve the value of their ma¬ 
nure heap, to take out their stable floors, Avhere the 
ground beloAV will admit of it, and fill up to the bottom 
of the sills in autumn, with good earth. During the 
winter, the wet manure should be forked out, and fresh 
litter supplied as often as necessary to keep the cattle 
clean and comfortable. The dirt soon becomes so hard 
that the urine will not easily penetrate ; and what does 
is saved in the spring by throwing out the dirt thus sat¬ 
urated. It is surprising hoAv much excellent manure a 
single horse will make in the summer, kept upon the 
ground, and plentifully supplied with fresh cut clover 
to eat, and dry dirt and litter to stand upon. Manure 
made in this Avay, will not burn if it is throAvn into a 
pile. Horses’ hoofs are greatly benefited by standing on 
the ground. I have practiced the above method tAvo 
seasons, (on a small scale it is true, but it can be made 
to apply on a large one Avith proportional benefit,) and 
can say from this short experience, that I Avould have 
no stable floors, could I harm them at no expense. Sta¬ 
bles Avithout floors are easier for cattle to stand and lie 
upon, as well as warmer ; dung seldom freezing, ex¬ 
cept in the most severe Aveather. 
A good way to 'preserve stable manure, is to spread it 
about the yard where cattle will tread upon it. Much 
of the value is lost by keeping it in heaps under the 
stable AvindoAvs Avdiere it is exposed to frost and Avind. 
Upon the application of manure, I have not much to 
say, as the subject has been fully discussed by able wri¬ 
ters and practical agriculturists, Avho have come to wide- 
ly different conclusions. When one writer says that 
manure should be applied to tbe surface, and another 
that it should be buried beneath the furroAV, it Avill pro¬ 
bably be safe to adopt a middle course. Let the ground 
be plowed, and the manure piled (that it may ferment 
