wanted in planting time. This enables us to teasing her mother very earnestly to procure her While doing so, the sagacious dog stood give more time to plowing, sowing and trans- some. near, eyeing them very intently, apparently unplanting. derstanding the meaning of the conversation. TOP-DRESSING.-Our inquiries on this matter Watching an opportunity, he left the house soon have been extended to many of the best farmers after, and made his way directly to one of our fur of New England, and from experience and what stores, and seizing one of these articles, which we gather from them, we cannot recommend this was displayed at the door for sale, he made off with it. He directed his course homeward, and mode of manuring, only in cases of reclaimed low being pursued, the fur was taken from him just ground, too wet for the plow, but which will as he reached the gate of his master's residence." yield good crops of hay by an occasional dressing. If top-dressing is applied to high lands at all, it should be late in autumn, so that the rains or CULTURE OF WILLOWS FOR OSIERS. melting snows shall thoroughly wash it into the soil.

For the New England Farmer.

MR. EDITOR :-In the last number of the Farmer, a communication from a Hingham corresFARM TOOLS. Are the plows in order? Is that pondent on the subject of cultivation of basket lost hinge on the harrow replaced? Are the willow contains statements, which, I fear, may yokes, chains, carts, collars, hames, and harness- mislead some of those who are trying to gather information on the subject. es sound and whole, so that a bright day shall Your correspondent says he cut his willow in not be lost in repairing them in planting time? November, and the impression naturally conveyed CLOVER SEED.-Sow during the month, five or is that this is the proper time to cut them for bassix pounds to the acre-if on the snow you will ket work; but, as the bark adheres firmly at that time, he must have had some other purposes in be likely to get it even. view. He also tells your readers that his proFIREWOOD-Split fine and housed at once, will duct was at the rate of nearly nine tons to the be best, if a current of air passes through it after acre, and a person who read the communication being under cover. carelessly, might suppose that something like this LIVE STOCK.-Working oxen that are well-weight may be depended on as a crop when ready tended now, will be far more serviceable for the for the market, but in the account given, the osiers must have been weighed in a green state spring-work, than those that are neglected; so if and with the bark on them, as the growth of an good butter cows are desired in the summer, they must be turned to pasture in thrifty condition. MAPLE SUGAR.-Many of our readers make this delicious article, and understand the modus operandi better than we do; but that is no good rea- cultivator between the rows, two tons to two son why we should not remind them of the ap- and a half tons can be raised, and it is then very proaching season, and drop a hint that they may profitable. not forget us during their harvest!

PRUNING APPLE TREES.-Again we caution the cultivator against pruning aj ple trees in March or April—they are the two months the most unsuitable of the whole twelve.

acre which produces three tons of osiers in a fit state for the market (that is, peeled, dried and tied in small bundles) is considered very satisno more labor in the cultivation than running a factory, and is more than an average crop. With

The present price of French willow is one hundred and twenty dollars per ton, and the Belgian willow, which is sold by the bundle, would, if weighed, cost one hundred and thirty-five dollars per ton. Though large quantities are raised in England, (the estates of the Duke of Bedford The sun now runs high-the soil will soon be alone, having several hundreds of acres) it is mostly consumed at home. The price of French warm, and invite us again to the delightful la- willow has been as high as one hundred and sixty bors of spring, and especially the Garden; for dollars per ton, and the Belgian still higher, withwe believe with BACON, that "God Almighty first in the last eight months, but the present is about planted a garden; that it is the purest of human an average rate.

There has been none imported into this city for pleasures; it is the greatest refreshment to the about two years, the trade being kept in the spirits of man, without which buildings and pa- hands of a few importers in New York, where laces are but gross handyworks." Be resolved, the supply for the manufacturers in Boston and then, to commence a garden with some system, if vicinity has to be obtained. As there is no sepyou have not already.

arate account kept at the custom houses of the quantity of osiers imported annually, it is difficult to get at the amount with any degree of acA DISHONEST DOG.-The Fall River Monitor curacy, but it is variously stated at one and a relates the following dog story-showing that re- half or two millions of dollars. markable brutes, as well as wonderful men, some- I hope some of our careful farmers will give times apply their superior talents to the worst of the matter a fair trial, as we ought not to send purposes: money to Europe to pay for what we can profita

"A family residing in the southern part of the bly raise at home, and we have in this a special city, are the owners of a large and faithful watch encouragement in the fact of the existing duty of dog; the little daughter, being very anxious to twenty per cent. to protect the grower. possess a set of furs, the other day commenced Respectfully yours,

W.

For the New England Farmer. learn that which above all things a woman should WHY FARMING IS DESPISED. learn-the art of housekeeping. There are, it is true, many exceptions to this rule, but the excepMR. EDITOR:-Of all occupations, that of farm-tion should be the rule in this case. Girls either ing, if not the most lucrative, is certainly the stay at home,-if their parents are able to supmost natural, and the most conducive to health. port them-dress finely, and sigh over sickly The farmer therefore, ought to be, and is, as a novels until they are married, or, as soon as they general thing, the happiest of men; but, when-are old enough, go to some factory or boardingever this is not the case, the fault is not in his school, and, after a time, come back and affect to business, but in the farmer himself. Notwith- despise everybody except those who have plenty of standing these two great considerations-health money and but little to do. Young men are and happiness-there are many, very many, aware of this, and, to please or win their sweetthroughout the community, who look upon farm- hearts, seek some employment which they (the ing with a sort of contempt-fit only to engage sweethearts) think is not degrading. I believe it the attention of the lowest class of people. Es- would not be far from the truth to say, that this pecially is this true of the younger portion of the is as strong, if not a stronger reason than any community-young men and young women. other why so many young men turn to other purNow my object in writing this article is to suits than farming.

mention some things which appear to be the rea- 4. Many are ambitious to have their names ensons why this wrong state of feeling exists. If rolled upon the book of fame-to obtain the honthey are not the true reasons, perhaps they may ors and applause of men; and leaving, or spurnbe the means of calling forth those that are true, ing the humble occupation of the farmer, fix their from you, or some of the readers of your valuable attention upon some pursuit which they think is better calculated to satisfy their desires than

paper.

1. There is too great a desire to become rich-farming. But, ambition, although a motive to gain riches rapidly, and with as little labor as which has prompted men to perform many great possible. Now it is known that the farming and noble actions, yet is a feeling or desire which business is not very favorable to those desires, es- is seldom or never satisfied. The ambitious man pecially the last mentioned. It is true that there always sees some seeming good beyond his reach are some who have by industry, knowledge, and which he imagines it is necessary to his happiness the strictist economy, managed to gain an inde- to obtain; he cannot, therefore, be a truly happy pendence, simply by farming; but these are ex- and contented man.

ceptions to the general rule-there being but 5. Most young men are fond of excitement, adfew farmers, comparatively, who have become venture, and of seeing and knowing what is going rich by that means and no other. And so, many, on in the world personally. The farmer's life, to thinking to obtain riches fast, and much, (but them, appears dull and insipid-they must be how often are their hopes blasted!) flock to the where there is more noise and bustle than can be counting-room, the office of the lawyer and doc- heard and seen upon the farm. And to gratify tor, become speculators, or go to the golden fields these desires, many of them go to the large towns and cities, the railroads, the pedlar's cart, and

of California.

2. There is a seemingly natural, innate (?) re- some to the lone blue sea. 6. Some farmers make such wretched work of pugnance-common to almost every individualto daily manual labor. [All the result of educa- farming, and take so little pains to instruct their tion.-ED.] Now this repugnance must be over-sons in this most useful art, that it is not surpriscome by all who are obliged to work for a living, ing they loath it, and seek other employments. or else it will ever be a source of unhappiness to If these are not all, they are (if I rightly read them. Many rather than do this, and thinking human nature,) the principal reasons why farmthe farmer has the hardest of work to perform, ing is despised.

(which is a mistaken notion) engage in some oth- A few facts in favor of farming, and I have er business, in which they imagine they can enjoy done. Everybody knows that the farmer must more ease and exemption from labor. And this work hard, and manage his affairs very shrewdly, object is sometimes attained; but how frequently to gain much besides a good living for himself and at the expense of their health, or happiness, or family; he must be content to acquire property both, for they are very intimately connected. It slowly, but surely. But he has these advantages would not be desirable, nor is it possible for all to over many of a different pursuit :-if he is a true be farmers; but it seems to me that there are farmer, there is little danger of his becoming many speculators, merchants and professors, who bankrupt, and thus robbing his fellow-men of would have been better off themselves, and a their just dues, as some do; he has health; is greater blessing upon the world, if they had be- comparatively free from distressing cares, and come, or remained, farmers. bitter disappointments; he is surrounded by the 3. It is well known what an influence young beautiful works of God in nature the trees, ladies have upon the thoughts, actions, and desti- grass and flowers, the singing of birds, the pure nies of young men. What they think is honora- air of heaven, the changing seasons, and all the ble or desirable, young men are inclined to believe sublime and glorious scenes which nature someis so, and vice versa. We will say to the lasting times displays to her wondering children. He praise of the gentler sex, that their influence is has time to observe, think, read and reflect; and, nearly always upon the right side, but not inva- if he is a man of taste, can generally find means riably so. Many young ladies have somehow got to gratify it especially a taste for the beauties the notion into their heads that labor, and es- of nature. He enjoys a sort of independence which pecially house and farm labor, is degrading; and other men do not. He does not have to wait to put their notion into practice, they neglect to until the best years of his life are spent in ac

quiring a fortune, before he begins to enjoy him- meal, than they do from corn meal alone. In self, but enjoys the good of his labor as he goes fowls of this class there is an apparatus analogous along. Let us hear what Sir Humphrey Davy, to animals that chew the cud.

the great chemist of London, says of farming and First they take dry food into their crops, here the farmerit becomes soaked as if it were in a warm vat,

66

· Agriculture, to which we owe our means of from this it passes into the gizzard, which, fursubsistence, is an art intimately connected with nished with gravel stones, acts the part of grindchemical science; for although the common soil ing fine, by aid of the strong muscles of that orof the earth will produce vegetable food, yet it gan, whatever passes into it. Here, the particles can only be made to produce it in the greatest of the cob meal, thoroughly pulverized and minquantity, and of the best quality, by methods of gled with the gastric juices, become dissolved, and cultivation dependent on scientific principles. form nutrition for the body.

A SHORT LECTURE ON EXTRAVA

"The knowledge of the composition of soils, We do not mean to say that corn and cob meal of the food of vegetables, of the mode in which is not good provender for horses and hogs, but their produets must be treated, so as to become that they do not derive so much benefit from fit for the nourishment of animals, is essential to pound for pound, or bushel for bushel, as oxen, the cultivation of land; and his exertions are cows, &c., do.-Maine Farmer. profitable and useful to society, in proportion as he is more of a chemical professor. Since, indeed, this truth has been understood, and since the importance of agriculture has been generally felt, the character of the agriculturist has become We spoke (in a former article) of the extravmore dignified, and more refined; no longer a agance of farmers, as well as others of the prosmere machine of labor, he has learned to think perous classes, in the structure and furniture of and to reason. He is aware of his usefulness to their houses. We know of no class in the comhis fellow-man, and he has become at once the friend of Nature and the friend of society." munity, who better deserve all the real comforts

GANCE.

There is and it is a good omen for the future of life, than those who fairly win their support prosperity of our country-an increasing interest from the soil, and we should be glad to see them throughout our land, in the science of agricul- surrounded, not only with the necessaries, but ture. Wonderful improvements have been made many of the luxuries of life. But every man's upon almost every farming implement, and some entirely new ones invented; so that the manual purse has a bottom to it, and the great problem part of the labor upon the farm is much easier is, how to expend what we can devote to our own than formerly. And what is of more importance, comfort, and that of our families, so as to get the kindred sciences are lending invaluable aid to the best return for our money. Many a man can advise his neighbor how to live, who cannot see his All true lovers of their country cannot but hope that this interest, of which I have spoken, own way clear, or if he does see it, cannot follow will continue to increase until the farmer shall it. We have advised, and our advice is especialstand as high in the estimation of all,-old and ly adapted to young men, to live in a small house young as the merchant, physician, lawyer, or plainly furnished, because the small house costs any of the learned professions.

farmer.

Yours truly, Groton, Jan. 4, 1855.

S. L. WHITE.

CORN AND COB MEAL.

The grinding of corn and cobs together, which we have heard ridiculed very much by some, formerly, has now become an every day occurrence, farmers being convinced that the cob contains too much nutriment to be thrown away.

less than a large one, and requires less furniture, and less labor to keep it in order, and because it is truly respectable, as well as comfortable, to live within your means. We might have added an

other consideration-that aside from the labor of

keeping the house itself in order, the household work, generally, is much more easily done in a small, than a large house.

A lady now residing in a city, in a large house Our experience heretofore in regard to its use with three servants, recently remarked, when is this for those animals that chew the cud it is speaking on this subject, that when she lived in a most excellent provender, but for those that do not it is not so valuable. Thus, for oxen, cows New Hampshire, in a one-story cottage, with but and sheep, it is a capital feed. These animals, two rooms and an attic, and did all her own work, after what they swallow in the warm vat, called including the cooking for her family, and ate in the first stomach or paunch, have the faculty of the kitchen, her task was less wearisome than throwing it up again in small portions called cud, that of merely directing her present establishand chewing it over in a leisurely manner until it

is ground very fine, and then after being thus ment. No doubt this is literally true, and no thoroughly mingled with the saliva, swallowing doubt there are many families in every village in it again into another stomach, where all its nutri- Massachusetts and New Hampshiee, whose intive matter is extracted by the proper organs cre- door labor is increased nearly two-fold, by endeav ated for that purpose. oring to keep up a style beyond their means.

The horse and the hog having no such organs to re-chew, do not derive so much benefit from the ground cob, as the animals above named.

But while we would discourage this foolish sacrifice to public opinion or fashion, we would

Hens derive more benefit from corn and cob urge upon our friends the importance of increas

ing the conveniences of the household. We know Many attempt this independence, but in the of a farm-and perhaps we may as well mention wrong way. Having commenced in a large or init by name where all the water, for years, convenient house, they attempt to perform all probably a half century, used for washing, was the labor, which is beyond their strength, and the hauled from a spring in a cask, with a yoke of wife and mother is soon prostrate by ill-health, oxen and a drag, a distance of about a quarter pain, over-exertion, and care. Adapt your load of a mile. We allude to the beautiful residence to the strength of the team, at the start, and do of JOSEPH L. CILLEY, Esq., of Exeter, N. H., not try to drag a double freight through life, formerly that of Hon. JEREMIAH SMITH. Rain especially of useless lumber. There are a thouswater cisterns were tried, but the buildings from and little conveniences, of infinite importance in which the water came, were surrounded by trees, every dwelling, which are too often neglected, the leaves of which filled up the conductors and because the money has all been spent for the house spoiled the water. So for years, every Monday and parlor furniture. Among those, most promthe team and man were employed to haul the sup-inent, perhaps, are the appliances for warming, ply from the spring, up a troublesome hill. But and supplying with water. Then follow conventhe present proprietor taking advantage of one of ient milk rooms and store rooms, bathing-rooms, the most interesting inventions of modern times, cooking apparatus, washing, drying, and ironhas erected a small dam, so as to raise a little ing places and implements, and the hundred little pond by the same old spring, put in a hydraulic articles of kitchen utensils, which your wife will ram, which is worth, for the purpose, more than enumerate to you, when you are ready to proall the oxen in the county. This little machine, cure them.

which costs but a trifling sum in itself, besides 4. New England farm should be a little repubthe pipes which convey the water, throws a por-lic of itself, where every citizen should take his tion of the water, by its own action, to any de- share of the burden, and everything be arranged sired height, keeping up an unceasing motion, like so that intelligent, educated labor should be able the pulsation of the human heart, day and night, to manifest its superiority over mere brute force, until the machine is worn out. The water is thus and where display and fashion should yield at thrown into the kitchen of Mr. Cilley's house, once, to the demands of rational beings, for some where a large reservoir receives it, from which the leisure for intellectual culture.

HOW RUSSIA TREATS HER BEST
GENERALS.

Mouraivieff commenced his career as a lieuten

waste water is conducted under ground, to supply a large stock of cattle in the barn-yard. There are many places where water may thus be brought to our buildings, many where it may be brought in common aqueducts, or pumped up by wind-ant in a regiment quartered in Georgia, of which mills, both for ordinary uses, and for irrigation, country he was afterwards many years Governorin seasons of drought. We hardly know of any General. No officer in the Russian army posparticular in which true comfort and economy sessed the same talents and acquirements; his camay better be promoted, than in availing our- pabilities as a linguist were great, extending to selves of modern inventions in raising and con- more than acquainted with the duties of his prothirteen languages, many of them Eastern. Though ducting water. fession, he never, like the martinet of WarsawWhile we would discourage expenditure for the late Grand Duke Constantine-examined that which merely gratifies a taste for display, whether the men's gloves were sewn on the inside we would encourage a liberal outlay for such conor the out; nor did he care whether their caps veniences as lessen human toil. It has been well imperial orderly book at St. Petersburg; morewere put on at the precise angle prescribed by the and beautifully said, that "They are the heroes over, he had opinions of his own not exactly in of the race, who abridge the time of human toil, accordance with those of his master. A few and multiply its results." Their place is high years ago, his division was ordered to one of the above those who command armies. They are the great reviews; but, though in a good and effective state, its appearance did not meet with the apThis is especially true of New probation of the Emperor, who had scarce glanced England. We have here no servants, and want his eye along the line, when he ordered Mouraivieff no servile class. Let us adapt our habits of life to the rear, exclaiming aloud, "Bad, bad! what to the republican theory of society, and so ar- troops? National Guards!" range our houses and affairs, that all our labor over, the disgraced general was ordered into his presence. "What means this, sir?" demanded may be seasonably performed, independent, as far the Emperor. No answer. "What troops do as practicable, of assistance outside our own fam- you call these, sir?" Still no answer. "Do you ilies. The family which can perform its own la- know who is speaking to you, sir?" The general bor, without and within, unaided by others, has raised his hand slowly to his cap, but remained reached a point of independence, which they can his tent; the policy, however, of Nicholas, gained silent. Dismissed with indignation, he retired to never attain, who depend on hired help. the ascendant over his ungovernable temper, and

true benefactors.

The manoeuvres

the next day Mouraivieff received an invitation to butter, and buttermilk for pigs, amounted to $46, dinner; but the insult had been too public; he 75 per cow. In 1854, I kept eight cows and two declined the honor, and retired to his estate near heifers in first time; one, two years old, the othTver, refusing either reconciliation or employ- er three. The calves, butter, and buttermilk of ment. Yermoloff, in consequence of some caprice these last amounted to $44,06 per cow. of the Emperor's, or the intrigues of those about him, was also shelved.-Jesse's Russia and the War.

CHLOROFORM FOR DOMESTIC
ANIMALS.

"My cows are common natives, of no particular breed, and kept in the common way of keeping in this town, for butter-making; but much inferior to those kept for milk only. With good, firstrate keeping, as is the custom with some where they sell their milk, I think my cows will bring me in $60 each."—American Agriculturist.

For the New England Farmer. CRITICISMS.

The last report of the Commissioner of Patents contains a very interesting article from the pen of Dr. Jackson, of Boston, Mass., (who first discovered, thirteen years since, the paralization of the nerves of sensation by inhaling ether,) on the use of ether with chloroform for domestic ani- MESSRS. EDITORS :-I think it would better suit mals, for facilitating surgical operations, either the majority of farmers if the articles, good in for the cure of diseases, or for rendering them themselves, were published at a proper season. more serviceable to man. Among these opera- If you refer to the different numbers of the tions he mentions the removal of tumors, the ap- last year, you will observe that many letters in plication of actual cautery, castration, &c., and relation to the best mode of planting or sowing, also states that very refactory horses had been have appeared one or two months after planting made to submit to shoeing, and soon learn to sub-time; those on the best mode of cutting or curing mit afterwards without a repetition of the ether. hay, have appeared perhaps after everybody had The ether and chloroform mixture is adminis- finished haying; in fact, that articles, interesting tered with great facility, by attaching to the nose at the time they were written, have appeared two of the animal, a muzzle or basket, (fastened to months later. The space, too, occupied by rethe head-stall,) in the bottom of which has been viewing the articles in a previous number, might placed a very coarse open-textured sponge, which be filled with something more interesting to those has been soaked in water and squeezed dry. One who have read the previous number. The repepart of chloroform and four of ether are mixed in tition of articles, however short, in the same numa bottle, and then poured upon the sponge from her, is an objection. A little more carefulness in time to time, as needed, renewing it as it evapo- these matters, I have no doubt, would make your rates. The animal breathes it freely, and "soon paper one of the most popular periodicals of New falls down gently into a deep sleep of insensibili-England.

Boston, Jan. 15, 1854.

H. L. STONE.

ty and unconsciousness," and becomes entirely Give us seasonable articles, so that we can passive to any operation that may be performed. immediately avail ourselves of any information Dr. Jackson regards the use of pure chloro- or instruction you can communicate, and you form as dangerous, and recommends its mixture will, no doubt, see the effect in an extended subwith ether for animals, as better than ether alone scription list. Respectfully, on account of its greater power and concentration. The mixed vapors also act more kindly, on account of the slightly stimulating property REMARKS.-We always receive kindly, criticisms of the ether overcoming the deadly sedative effect upon our labors when they seem to be made in a of the pure chloroform. Dr. Jackson remarks spirit of kindness, because they are evidences of that he has never known a single fatal accident from the administration of the vapor, nor of this an interest in those labors and in the general mixture, provided air was also admitted into the cause. With regard to publishing articles out of lungs mingled with the vapor, so as to sustain their season, we will relate a little of our experithe functions of life as required for respiration. ence to our friend. Several years since, we This remark, we understand, he applies to its ef- adopted the plan of retaining such articles as fects on the human system, in which his practice seemed unseasonable until the more appropriate time had arrived, and stated that such would be Animals that have considerable sensible perspiration, will bear large doses without any dan- our course. But in the lapse of a few months we ger; such are the bull, horse, &c., while a cat received so many letters of inquiry about the may be readily killed by a full dose of chloro- reserved articles, and found so general dissatisform, and it should be very cautiously adminis- faction, that we abandoned the plan. Correstered to the dog. Ether, alone, mixed with air, is considered as perfectly safe.-Country Gentle

has been most extensive.

man.

pondents cannot awaken an inspiration at willthey write when circumstances, or the spirit, moves them, and when they have written they PROFIT OF COWS.-At a meeting of the Far- desire to see their articles soon published. The mers' Club, of the town of Bedford, N. Y., De-practice is really without serious objection. If cember 29, 1854, the subject of discussion being the relative profits of butter-making and milkan article on any agricultural subject is worth selling, the following was presented by a member publishing, it is worth preserving; we have, therefore, placed the agricultural matter in a

of the club:

"In the year 1853, I kept ten cows. The calves, convenient book form, and every year accompany