wheat on the whole field after these various crops are taken off? * If any gentleman of your neighborhood or ac- Agricutureal Societies will inform us of the quaintance be a breeder of short horns, and not time when their fall exhibition will be held, that in receipt of this notice, you will confer a mutual we may give notice thereof. favor by giving him the above information. Very respectfully, your ob't servt, LEWIS F. ALLEN. *See Ohio Cultivator, No. 5, page 38. Col. Randall's Sheep. Democrat: The last year I kept 3 cows; milked two all the time, and three some of the time. From the 8th of October, to the first of May, I made and sold butter, which amounted to $18, besides what was used in my family, consisting of seven members. I bought two pigs when one month old, and killed them when 10 months old, and they weighed each from 175 to 200 lbs. I gave them nothing but sour milk, except a little corn, about one week before they were killed. Instead of feeding corn to my pigs, as farmers generally do, I got my corn ground, mixed the meal with bran, half and half, fed it to my cows, made them give "a heap" of milk during the winter, and after taking off all the cream, fed the milk to my pigs. I am confident that the meal I fed to my cows, if it had been fed to my pigs would not have done them any more good than the milk. I got the butter extra, and it was a saving of hay believe, ever taken from a three year old Merino sides. Now let me say to brother farmers, if they in the U.S.,) and a yearling 8 lbs. 8 oz. Many of should lack hay, next winter (as the prospect is, the ewes sheared 6, 7 and 8 lbs. per herd, and one many will do,) what corn they intend to feed to the unparalleled weight of 9 lbs. 1 oz!" their hogs, get it ground, mix the meal with bran, feed it to your cows, make a heap of butter, pay up all debts and save hay. † Yours truly, DEEP GULLEY CREEK FARMER. Medina co., O., July, 1845. *Such of these crops as will come off in season, will, no doubt leave the land in good order for wheat, but we do not imagine that the potatoes or turnips will be fit to harvest in time for that purpose, This practice will be found very advantageous to those who only feed a small number of hogs-especially for store hogs.-ED. An American Herd Book. English News of the latest dates is not at all important. The season (to June 4) had been favorable, and prospects of crops were generally good. The trade in American provisions was steady, but prices moderate. The latest arrivals of cheese were not in good order-sold low. The price of beef had declined a little, and supply running low; pork maintained former rates. "COL. H. S. RANDALL'S MERINO SHEEP.-Last THE MARKETS. season we noticed the enormous clip of the Merino Sheep of Col. Henry S. Randall, of this village. high, and trade dull. Ashes, large sale of pearls at 3,75 @ St.CINCINNATI-Week ending July 25.-River very low, freights This season we learn that his Paular stock, inclu- Flour, sales moderate, at 3,124 to $3,25. Wheat, 60 cts.; Corn ding two rams, averaged over six pounds of well 35 cts; Oats 25 @ 28 cts. Hay $10 @ $12 per ton. Flax seed $1@ washed wool per. head! A three year old ram $1,10 Wool, sales large, at 26 to 27 cts. for to blood. Hogs, 15 sheared 13 lbs. 8 oz., (the heaviest fleece, we be-op-fed, rat, av. wt. 275 lbs. sold at $3 per 100 lbs., gross. CHILLICOTHE, July 25.-Flour $3@ 3,12; Wheat 60 ets.; Corn 20@23; Oats 18 cts. Butter, print, 9 @ 10 cts; keg, 6 @7. Hay One of the editors of the Am. Quar. Jour. of $5, @5.50 per ton. MASSILON, July 23.-Flour $3,50 @ 3,62; Wheat 72 @ 75; Oats 31 cts. Butter, rolls, & @ 9; kegs 7 @ 8 cts per Ih. Cheese 5 @ Gj cts. Hay $7 @ $9 per ton. CLEVELAND, July 26.-Wheat, the "City Mill" has been paying 75 cts., for new, from teams; nothing doing in flour. 7000 lbs. wool sold this day at 27 cts. Hay is worth $9 to $10 per ton. BUFFALO, July 24.-Flour 3,621 @ $375; nothing doing in wheat. Provisions and Wool are without change. NEW YORK CATTLE MARKET, July 21.-There were 1000 beef cattle, 55 cows & calves, and 3000 sheep and lambs. Beef Cattle so'd at prices ranging from 83,87 to 4,25. Cows and Calves sold at $13 to $27. Sheep were taken at $1 to $2,50 each. Latest Dates and Prices. Ag., in an account of a recent visit to Col. Ran- 66 66 24 66 26 66 16 4,56 13,00 13,00 COLUMBUS PRODUCE MARKET. [MARKET DAYS TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS & SATURDAYS.] Corrected for the Ohio Cultivator, July 31. The following circular is addressed to the owners of improved Short Horn Cattle in the United States, and we hope it will receive the early atIn speaking of the price at which Mr. Randall tention of those residing in Ohio especially. The importance of such a work as is proposed, would sell a few lambs, (in the Cultivator of May cannot be over estimated, and no man is better, p. 68) we said we presumed "yearlings" were qualified for performing the task than LEWIS F. intended; but in a recent letter, Mr. R. informs ALLEN.-ED. O. CULT. us that he meant last spring's lambs. He further says that if any of our Ohio friends think of ordering, they had better do so soon, as the demand is so great that the best will soon be gone. (They can be left there if necessary till the time of the PROVISIONS. Fair in September.) The prices, as before stated, are $30 each (at the farm) for the best;-others, of pure blood but less promising, from $15 to $25. BLACK ROCK, N. Y., July, 1845. In speaking of these sheep as we have on several occasions, we wish our readers to understand that we have not been actuated by any private motive, but simply because we know them to be of very superior quality, and because we believe the introduction of a few of them into Ohio would prove a public benefit. SIR: About a year ago at the solicitation of a number of gentlemen interested in the breeding of Short Horn Cattle, I published a notice in several of the Agricultural papers of the United States, that I would get up an American Herd Book provided my efforts should be seconded by a respectable portion of those engaged in that pursuit. Although slow in their responses, a considerable number of breeders have forwarded the pedigrees of their herds for insertion according to the terms of my proposal. Many, however, and among them, some of the early and distinguished promoters of this branch of agricultural improvement, remain unmindful of this opportunity of thus recording their valuable stock. Á sufficient number of individuals having al-first insertion, and three cents for the second and each subsequent ready contributed the pedigrees of their cattle to insure its publication, the work will proceed as soon as circumstances will permit, which will be within three months from this time. I presume no arguments will be necessary with any systematic short horn breeder to convince him of the necessity and convenience of an American registry of his cattle, other than such as will suggest themselves to his own mind, and those already advanced in my two severa. notitices to breeders already published. In case you think proper to register your cattle in the proposed work, you will please transmit your catalogue of thorough bred animals (none other being admitted) with as little delay as possible, to me (post paid) at this place, with the registry fees accompanying them; and stating also the number of copies of the work you wish for, when published. I will here remark, that the month of October next, will be the latest period at which pedigrees can be received, as the work will be put in press immediately after. The terms for registry are as follows: For any greater number not exceeding ten, 50 cents each. For a number exceeding ten, 40 cents each. copy. SHORT ADVERTISEMENTS. suited to the agricultural character of this paper, will be inserted at the rate of six cents per ine, for the insertion. FINE BLOODED CATTLE, &c., at XECUTORS' SALE.-There will be offered at public sa'e, at E the late residence of Wm. Renick, Sr., deceased, near South ANALYSIS OF SOILS. THE undersigned is prepared to analize soils after the most ap THE The specimens should le accompanied by a description of the land, an account of the first growth of timler, &c., of the crops, of their order of succession, and of their quantity and quality. The charge for the analysis of one specimen, will be five dollars, 6 Wagons, Farming utensils of every description. Terms will be made known at the alove time, and sale continued from day to day, until closed. J. O. B. Renick, or either of the Ex-SITUATED in Perry township, Franklin county, Ohio, 2 miles ecutors will be pleased to show any of the al ove property, and give information to any person or persons wishing to purchase previous miles from the capitol of Ohio; containing 175 acres, of which there to the day of sale. August 1, 1845-21. S. G. RENICK, Executors. Portage Mutual Fire Insurance Company, northeast of Dublin, on the east bank of the Scioto river; 15 is about 75 acres under cultivation, and well fenced in several fields. 30 VOL. I. A Semi-Monthly Journal of Agriculture and Horticulture. THE OHIO CULTIVATOR, COLUMBUS, OHIO, AUGUST 15, 1845. A SEMI-MONTHLY JOURNAL OF Agriculture, hoRTI- М. В. ВАТЕНАМ, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. Published on the 1st and 15th of each month. TERMS.-ONE DOLLAR PER YEAR, for single subscriptions, but when four or more copies are ordered together, the price is only 75 cents each, [or 4 copies for $3.] All payments to be made in advance; and all subscribers will be supplied with the back numbers from the commencement of the volume, so that they can be bound together at the end of year, when a complete INDEX will be furnished POST MASTERS, and all friends of agriculture, are respectfully solicited to use their influence to obtain subscribers. Mr. O. H. P. Gabriel will act as travelling agent for this paper, in the counties of Knox and Licking. Give him a welcome reception that way, good friends. "The Muskingum county Agricultural Society," advertise to hold a meeting at the Eagle Hotel in Zanesville on Saturday the 23d inst., at one o'clock, P. M. We expect to be in those parts about that time, and will endeavor to "drop in." Three Cheers for Dayton! Some of our friends have expressed surprise as well as pleasure at the number of our subscribers in Chillicothe, Circleville, Lancaster, Springfield, and some other thriving towns, ranging as they do from 60 to 120 each; but what will they say when we inform them that DAYTON has outstripped them all, and gives us the handsome number of 173! This is mainly attributable to the industry and perseverence of our friend and agent, MR. GREATRAKE, whose labors have been attended with similar success in smaller places which he has visited. He informs us that as a general thing his success is better in towns and villages, and with mechanics and business men who have gardens, &c., than with the farmers in the country; and he suggests that we should remember this large class of our readers in making up the articles for our columns. We shall assuredly do so hereafter, and shall be happy to receive contributions from such persons, as well as those engaged directly in agriculture. Mr. G. is now in Butler county, and intends to visit Hamilton and Warren. We bespeak for him the kindness and assistance of such of our friends and readers as he may call on in those parts. NO. 16. would reap the profits, of spreading among us a a disgrace to his profession and "worse than an We see, sir, from the breathings of your excellent paper, and from the tone of the late Convention, that some thing mustbe done,-- that something will be done and that something is being done for the improvement of agriculture in our State. And surely we shall enjoy the blessings which may flow from the united efforts of yourself and able correspondents and co-workersand may we not have the pleasure to know who are our benefactors? If we would be grateful may we not know whom to thank for our prosperity? Then if we cannot claim the honor of a personal visit from the "Editor," please send us as many copies of the "Ohio Cultivator" as your "terms" will allow from the enclosed $5,00, and we will endeavor greatfully to remember you hereafter. NORTH-WEST. IMPORTANT TO THE NORTH. In spending a few days among the farmers of this portion of the State, I find that many of them are thinking of sending their cattle to be wintered in the prairie regions of the West-first sending men there to cut and secure the wild grass for hay. This at first thought, may seem a very feasable plan; but a little examination, I think, will show that it is neither wise nor economical. In the first place, the distance is so great that the expense will be more than many of the animals are worth. None with whom I have conversed estimate the cost at less than 7 to 9 dollars each; and the lowest at which I have heard of any responsible person offering to contract to winter and return cattle, is $10 a head, which all will admit is quite too high. But there is another weighty objection to this plan, and one which is not thought of by many; cattle that have not become used to the hay made of prairie grass will not eat it freely, and they will become so wretchedly poor by the spring that many of them will not be able to return alive. This all will admit tries to the west, and fed the first winter on prairie hay; they almost starve on it. Drought in the Western Reserve-Failure of the who have seen cattle taken from eastern coun Hay Crop Advice to Farmers. In our recent tour in the Northern part of the State we found the condition of things in a large portion of the Western Reserve even worse than it had been represented to us. Indeed we never saw a drought so severe as that which has spread desolation among the farmers of several counties in that region-including Geauga, Lake, Portage, Summit, parts of Cuyahoga, Medina and Lorain, and we beli ve of several other counties. This region, it is well known, is almost entirely devoted to grazing and dairy farming-stock of some kind is the main dependence of the farmers and very abundant. Of course, therefore, the loss of the hay crop, and failure of the pastures is a very serious calamity. The country in many places presents no more signs of verdure, except the foliage of trees, than the sandy deserts of Arabia. The roots as well as the leaves of the grass appear to be perfectly dead, and are so dry in some cases that where fire had been communicated it has burned the turf for many rods, when not extinguished. Other farmers inform me that they intend to rely upon the use of mill-feed, some of which they expect to come from Black Rock, to be fed with cut straw, &c. But it is obvious that this can only be practiced by a few, and mainly for the support of milch cows and working oxen or horses; for the price of mili-feed will of course be high and the supply limited. The hay crop is also very short in Erie county, N. Y., so that little or none will come from that way. Then too there will not be straw enough in this region to feed on this plan extensively; and neither hay nor straw can be imported by the lake at a price which farmers can afford to pay-though a partial supply may be obtained for the cities and lake towns. What then is to be done? My answer is, send your cattle into the central and southern portions of our own State-where there is food enough and to spare. I have recently traveled through much of that region and can testify that there will be an abundance to feed, and keep well, all the farm stock that can be sent from the whole The farmers of course are in a great strait to Western Reserve. The corn crop will be an know what to do with their cattle, to keep them abundant one; and in the grass regions, pastures alive the coming winter, or enough of them to will be good nearly all the winter, while a fair re-stock their farms in the spring. In some supply of hay and straw can also be had to make parts we found that a perfect panic prevailed, up a variety. This plan, I am confident, will be and the anxiety of some farmers with whom we found much less expensive than either of the coversed, deeply excited our sympathies. We others, and vastly better for the cattle, while at regret too to say that designing men had evident- the same time it will prevent many thousands of ly increased the alarm by misrepresenting the dollars from being sent out of the State, and may condition of other parts, in order to induce farm- have a tendency to check the infernal fires of ers to sell their cattle for the merest trifle, or in some of the immense distilleries at the south, cessities. For the sake of imparting such inforsome other way to take advantage of their nemation and advice as we could then give, we published in the Cleveland Herald of Aug. 8th, wrote the following communication, which was and copied into a number of other papers on the Letter from the Maumee Valley. FLORIDA, Henry Co., Aug. 15, 1845. M. B. BATEHAM, Esq:-I have made a slight attempt in your behalf, or rather in behalf of the agricultural interest of this portion of the Maumee valley. We have in former times had the reputation of being nearly all "dead or dying," we are happy to proclaim it is not so now-not physi- Reserve: cally, at least; nor, we hope, mentally or spiritually dead; and if agriculturally dead, who will To the Farmers of the Western Reserve-What not say here are some signs of a speedy resurrection? shall be done with the Cattle? corn, and convert it into the means of working which annually consume millions of bushels of mischief and ruin to mankind, instead of furnishing food and blessings. will be the expense of wintering cattle in the I am not able at present to state definitely what great corn vallies of this State, but I have no doubt that thousands of acres of standing corn can be purchased at 8 or 10 dollars per acreThe failure of the hay crop on a large portion which will yield from 40 to 50 bushels of corn, We have many enterprising farmers among us, of the Reserve has naturally caused much anxiety and three or four tons of fodder per acre; and as also men of other calling, lovers of improve-in the minds of the farmers of this region, as to with the aid of a little straw will keep in fine orment in the cultivation of the soil; and I think if the best measures to be adopted to save their cat- der three or four head of cattle or horses per acre you would send a small "rake" into our North- tle from suffering and starvation the coming win--and more still with the use of the pastures Western Ohio, though you might not gather ter. All are agreed that there will not be suffi- which can be had at little cost on the uplands so much money from among us as with a "Great-cient provender to support one quarter of the pre- adjoining. My plan would be to send or go imrake" in older and more improved portions of sent amount of stock in this region, and as only mediately into those parts and make contracts the State, yet, what is of far more importance to a small portion can be sold off, some provisions either for the wintering of the animals at a set you and all concerned than the mere pittance must be made for their support; for it is justly price per head, or for the purchase of cornfields you require as a "value received" for the "Ohio considered that the farmer who allows his and straw heaps or pasture. The best places Cultivator," you would have the honor, while we cattle to suffer or starve around his dwelling, is will of course be where most remote from the 122 On my return to Columbus, in a few days, I will endeavor to learn more about prices, &c., and publish it in the Ohio Cultivator. M. B. BATEHAM, CLEVELAND, Aug. 8, 1845. OHIO CULTIVATOR. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. Since our return we have done all that the brief time would allow us, to obtain information The first great error in Ohio wheat farming is in relation to the price of fodder and pasturage; the want of SYSTEM. Some definite and rational and the result has more strongly convinced us of the economy of the farmers of the Reserve, dri- plan of operations, including a rotation or change ving their cattle into the Scioto valley, or other of crops, and means of restoring to the soil those corn districts, to be wintered. We have seen and elements of its fertility which are drawn from it conversed with a number of extensive land own-by the crops that are harvested. A majority of ers and farmers in this region, and several from the farmers of this State have heretofore been adjoining valley counties, and have received let- governed apparently only by chance or temporaters from others, and from what we have learned, ry convenience. Very few have we found who we feel warranted in saying to our readers at the practice any system of rotation of crops, or could tell us what crops they intended to apply to cernorth, that unless some unlooked for calamity oc- tain fields two years hence. This shiftless hapcurs to the corn crop, which is now very prom-hazard mode of doing things is enough to ruin ising, they may rely upon finding an abundance of good food for all their farming stock, in these any land, and any men who practice it. parts, at prices not far from the following: For corn standing on the ground, warranted to yield on an average, 50 bushels of shelled corn per acre, 9 to $10 per acre-half a dollar an acre in addition, for cutting and putting into shocks. Fields of lighter quality, say to yield 40 bushels per acre, can be had for 7 to $8 per acre. Others in the best districts, will yield 60 to 70 bushels per acre. A still cheaper mode of wintering, will be to buy only the corn fodder (stalks,) after the corn is husked. This can be purchased (engaged now) in the Scioto valley to almost any amount that can be desired, for about 7 cents a shock of 12 hills square, for 1 37 to $1 50 per acre, for that having a full growth of stalks. principal markets; and the most corn will be found, has been done in the way of improvements in to state what they consider a good, judicious, and in the vicinities of rivers and streams. wheat farming in Western New York. Only a successful system for conducting a farm, and very few of the farmers, even there, have as yet what state of preparation and rotation of crops it began to regard farming as a science; but still they is necessary to pursue, to come up to that point are every year adopting some slight improve-of excellence which should be the perfection of ment, and perfecting some system of wheat farm-the art; and those whose exertions come nearest ing that instead of impoverishing their lands to that course will, consequently, be the successcontinually, as is usual in this state, is every ful competitors for their favors. Let a farm consisting of any number of acres, year increasing their fertility, and the average not too large-say, for example, one hundred yield of grain. acres of arable land, independent of wood lands, orchard, and garden-be in the first place well fenced, if with rails, well staked and ridered or what is better, with corner stakes and yokes, the yokes placed at two or three rails from the tops in which case the stakes need not be set in the earth; or what is better still where there is a sufficiency of stone, let the fences be made with them, and it can hardly be conceived, by those unacquainted with the process, how small and inferior an article will make a good and lasting fence,merely by the plentiful use of cedar, pine, or chesnut sticks laid in crossways with the stone, always reserving a sufficient quantity of stone to cope the To explain more fully our meaning, and at the wall, and form a cap to cover and retain the same time point out to the wheat farmers of Ohio whole line. Divide the whole into such sized some important improvements that have been in- fields as shall comport with the size of the farm, troduced with the best effects elsewhere, we and in such a manner as will allow it always to have thought we could not do a greater favor to be nearly equally divided into a three course rothis class of our readers, especially at the present tation. The fences to be clear from weeds, bramtime, than to copy the principal portion of the bles, and shrubs, and of a sufficient height to report of the "Committee on Farms" of the protect against all depredation: for there is no Monroe County (N. Y.) Agricultural Society, of better opiate to induce good nature, and calm last year. This society consists mainly of wheat and uninterrupted sleep at night, than good strong farmers, and the report is founded on the exam- and high fences. If there are any low or springy ination of some of the best managed and most lands, let them be thorougly open, or underproductive wheat farms in the famed Genesee drained-under-draining is by far the most concountry. The committee consisted of five per- venient, safe and economical. The barns should be large, with an undersons, all of whom were experienced farmers, (with the exception of a particular friend of ours,) ground basement, it possible; sheds and stables, Another, and a cheaper mode still, is to hire the who visited the different farms and took notes of large and roomy enough to house every hoof on all they saw and learned. The report was writ- the farm; barn-yards not too large, with water farmers of this region to winter the cattle at a set price per head. Several extensive farmers ten by the Chairman, L. B. LANGWORTHY, Esq.; handy; a piggery with boiling apparatus; and have assured us that as many cattle as they we can only give that portion having general proper protection and fixtures for the sheep; with may choose to send from the whole Reserve reference to wheat farming, and the illustration a well-built, snug and convenient house, an incan be kept in this way, in the valley of the Sci- thereof which is afforded by two of the farms dustrious wife, not too handsome, a kitchen and oto and its tributaries alone, the ensuing winter, that were visited. All who wish to understand flower garden, a well chosen fruitery and orchthe most approved system of wheat farming now ard-and that is what this committee would conat a price not higher than 50 cents a head per practised in Western New York will read what sider a pretty smart chance of a beginning. Now month. One gentleman in the south part of this we would propose that there should be a flock of county, said he would engage to keep a thousand follows with attention: head on his farm at that price, and to keep them fleece, or of a large-framed long wooled variety if sheep, of a hardy, fine-wooled variety if for the well; they might come as soon as they pleasedfor the carcass-as an indispensable requisite to the sooner the better. The usual price for wincommence with, not only as to profit from themtering on grass and hay in Madison county, we This Committee may be expected to lay down selves, but as an important element in wheat learn is only 40 cents a month; and the fall pas- some general rules, as a criterion of what they husbandry. A greater profit will be realized from turage is so good this season, that it is thought conceive to be a true system of farming for a ma- the sale of the wool and carcass than is lost to the price there will not be much if any higher, jority of the land in this county, and that man- the farm by the food they consume, as their manotwithstanding the hay crop was light. ner of fencing, draining, manuring and rota-nure is the perfection of food for the wheat plant, ONE WORD MORE.-Farmers in the dry district tion of crops, and general management, upon and, from its intimate division and distribution, had better not be over hasty in selling their cat- which they predicated their premiums; and al- it is in a better state to feed the young plant than tle. Men will soon be there to purchase, from though some of those points are still unsettled, any other, except perhaps, the artificial comthe south part of this State, and from other and some important questions still remain deStates, so that fairer prices will be offered. And bateable by our best and most experienced farmdon't be frightened or imposed upon by false rep-ers, yet to exhibit the grounds upon which they cows, oxen, or horses, than are necessary to carry resentations of scarcity of fodder in other sec-arrived at their conclusions, they "will also give on the farm and subsist the family-and those of tions. Again, you can at any time sell as many their opinions." the very best breeds. It must be very bad econas you please to part with, or enough to pay for This Committee are decidedly of opinion, that omy to be obliged always to keep half th farm wintering the remainder, in this part of the the wheat crop (combined with wool growing,) is in pasture and meadow, merely for the sake of State, if you will drive them here. As an in- the only crop, in this county, that farmers can keeping a great herd of cows, coupled with the stance of this kind, Col. S. Medary of this city depend upon for producing at all times ready privilege of foddering 20 or more tons of hay, informs us that he would like to obtain for his money, at a fair remuneration for their labor and making a few pounds of butter, to sell at farm, 50 head of steers, 2 or 3 years old, 10 good especially if they are located at any great distance 8 cents per pound; the marketing of which costs milch cows and 2 yoke of working oxen. from market. Corn, hay, oats, potatoes, pork, more than its produce. &c., cannot be depended upon as ready cash arWheat Farming in Western New York-- ticles, to any great amount; with the exception should not have one square foot but what is arable, We would premise, that a farm, when it is right, therefore of those farmers whose lands are not and capable of producing any crop put upon it; No improvement in the practice of agriculture adapted to the grain crops, and are more natural and as nearly as convenient, always to have onein Ohio is calculated so immediately and greatly to grass, grazing and fattening cattle may third in wheat, one third or more in clover and to affect the prosperity of the State at large, as succeed well, and in some hands we know it does; grass, and one third or less in summer crops.that which will increase the quantity-especially but yet, they can hardly compete with the more Now let us explain the modus operandi: It is the product per acre, of our great staple WHEAT. hilly, cheap, and broken lands of the southern now spring-one third in wheat, properly seeded; No man who is familiar with the discoveries and and eastern parts of this State, the outlay for one third or more in meadow and pasture; and improvements that have been made in the which is not over one quarter of the amount such portion of the other third as shall be conpractice of wheat culture in England, and that our lands were purchased at. Therefore, it venient, fall-plowed for summer crops, which is in some portions of our own country, can for a recurs with great force to the minds of this comto be devoted to oats, corn potatoes, bagas, moment doubt that the wheat crop of this State mittee, that the wheat crop is the only one adapt-wortzel, carrots, &c.-on which is to be expendcan be so increased in yield as to double the ed to a profitable and successful course for the ed the fresh barn-yard manure made the winter present surplus, without any increase of the farmers of this western country to pursue, as a number of acres, and with very little increase of main dependence to make money, pay for their previous, or so much as is needed, and the balance composted, for dressing the summer fallow. farms, and get out of debt. All of the oat, corn and potato ground, or so much as the season will admit, should be sown with with hints for the Farmers of Ohio. labor. We have on former occasions referred to what [Extracts from the report of the Commmittee on The committee will therefore proceed briefly pounds. The true wheat farmer should have no more wheat, after the crops come off; if any lays over, The meadows and part of the pasture of this year, become the summer fallow of the next; and this year's stubble, properly seeded, becomes the meadow and pasture of the succeeding season. lowed, are not so pernicious to the human sys- 10 to 12 tons of plaster, and the two seasons past The Committee can conceive of no better sys- This course your committee consider the best, safest, and most profitable, taking into consider-provements. ation the importance of keeping the soil in good ELISHA HARMON, of Wheatland, to whom was heart and productiveness, and in a state of im- awarded the first premium, cultivated a farm of provement, rather than impoverishing it. Yet 400 acres, 300 of which are improved; has been there are some good and judicious farmers who, settled 40 years; the soil a sandy loam, inclining occasionally, where a field throws heavy to straw, to gravel, abundantly filled with a limestone shale; follow with two or more crops of wheat alternately; when clover succeds well, and the ground is free from weeds and foul grasses, we have known this course to succeed well, even with once plowing, but it is a course, generally speaking, more to be deprecated than praised. I stable or yard all my stock in winter, and make all my forage into manure. I keep the stock in the yards in the spring as long as I conveniently can, seldom turning sheep out before the first of May, cattle the 10th, and tearn not until spring work is done. My first pasture is my fallow; second, clover, which is intended for hay and seed. The cattle are wintered on corn-stalks, straw and roots; sheep on chaff, straw and shorts, of which I feed annually from 1000 to 2000 bushels. I always endeavor to feed as well as I can with the fodder I have-not to pamper nor waste. The amount sold from the products of the farm, from 1830 to 40, was great, averaging from $2,200 to $3,200 per annum, independent of our farm living-it being only the amount sold. The expenses during the same period, including every expense belonging to the farm, excepting those of my own and Mrs. G's labor, of which we make no account, was from $1,200 to $1,600 per annum. The crop of 1840 amounted to $1,818 76; expenses, $1,296 15; 1841, $1,802 44; expenses $1,244 28; 1842, $1,578 02; expenses $1,204; 1843, $1,639 63, expenses $1,219 10. I can give all particulars relative to these amounts, but this communication is already too long. The plaster and mill-feed increases the amount both in the expenses and income. on a part of which are beds of plaster, which Owing to the failure of my clover, I have the are opened, and manufactured for use and sale, present season more acres in wheat, more in falaveraging 1000 tons per year. This tract was orig- low, less in hoed crops, less in grass, and fewer inally an oak opening, with gentle undulations, sheep than usual-viz., 57 acres in wheat, 43 in and, is, altogether, a splendid wheat farm. The fallow, 10 in barley, 10 in hoed crops, of which dwelling house, barns, and out-houses, are of a 2 are in potatoes, 3 roots, and 5 corn, and 8 in Another course is pursued, by some of our best superior construction and finish. He has this oats. farmers, who prefer to let all the manured sum- year over 92 acres of wheat yielding over 2000 Stock; 10 horses, 26 cattle, 24 hogs, 190 old mer crop land lie over to the next season, and bushels-has raised an average of 50 bushels of sheep, and 60 lambs. Present season, 4 men by take off a crop of barley or peas, and follow with clover seed for the last 15 years-usually alter- the year from the middle of July; one more for wheat. The committee incline to the opinion, nates his crops, by wheat one year, and clover the season; 3 one month in hay and harvest, and that this course must nearly or quite exhaust and two years, but has one field that has produced one by the day through wheat-cutting. neutralize all the virtue of the previous year's wheat every other year for 15 years past, withmanuring, and have a tendency to keep the out any deterioration of the land. Plowing comland in a situation not improved for the wheat mences, for the summer fallowing, on the first crop, if not losing in its qualifications to produce, week in June and second week in September, for any length of time, a certain and profitable | using his sheep and the wheat cultivator intermediately between the plowings-sows from the Another course pursued by equally judicious 12th to the 20th of September, 5 pecks to the farmers, is to take a four year course rotation, by acre of pure White Flint. His stock consists of allowing all the seeded ground to lie two full years in clover. The first year it is mowed and pastured, and the second year it is mowed or pastured till about the first of June, then plastered, and at the proper time cut for clover seed; the year after, mowed or pastured till the first week in June, when it is turned under for the summer fallow, for wheat. This course, on large farms, with a heavy stock of cattle and sheep, (as it alWILLIAM GARBUTT, of Wheatland, to whom lows more hay and pasture than the three year the Committee award the credit of being the only course,) is a very successful method; and even farmer accountant, that they visited, who kept for those of a medium size, may suit well for his accounts of profit and loss on every crop on some particular soils; and perhaps in those cases his farm, and the produce and cost per acre, and where the management for saving and increas- the general result for some 20 years past. For a ing the manure is not skillfuly and judiciously description of his farm, and his system of farmperformed, this is a safe course, if one quarter of ing, they propose to let him tell his own story: the arable land gives a sufficient quantity of acres in wheat: To the viewing Committee of the Monroe Agricultural Society. return. 1840 1841 And I would further state, that the great difference in my wheat crop per acre, in the various years, was more owing to the seasons than to the cultivation, or the condition of the land to produce a crop. The crops of 1833-4-5 were very heavy, yet the ground was not in any better condition than it was in 1836 and 1837, when the crops were light; and the same may be said 400 sheep and 106 lambs, Saxon and Merino. of 1841 and 1842. The crop of 1842 was the His clip of wool this year was 1,600 lbs., which lightest I ever had, being only 19 bushels per sold in market for 40 cents; 7 cows, 12 horses acre, owing to the rust; for if it had not rusted, and colts, and 30 hogs, a part of them fine Leices- it would have been 30 bushels per acre. ters; and what particularly commended itself to Yours most respectfully, this committee was, over 4 miles of stone fence. WILLIAM SARBUTT. His summer crops were 8 or 10 acres of corn and oats each, root crops, potatoes, &c. Letter from Gen. Harmon. Wheat Crop in Western N. Y.-Seed Wheat-Visit to Virginia. The article in our last on the varieties of wheat, making reference to the fine Seed Wheat usually raised by Gen. Harmon, was written without any knowledge as to the condition of his crop this year. By the following letter (which we publish without leave) we learn that his crop has partially failed, and that he is not very desirous of sending any seed wheat to a distance this season.-ED. O. ČULT. WHEATLAND, August, 1845. * My wheat crop is * ** The three year course in three divisions-Field A. My farm consists of 200 acres of cleared ground, 1841 in wheat seeded. but the mill-pond overflows 10 acres, which is of 1842 FRIEND BATEHAM: in meadow, pasture and summer crops. little value except for pasture in autumn and 1843-4 in wheat. dry seasons, and six acres are occupied with not first rate this year, and therefore I do not The four year course in four divisions-Field A. roads and yards; which leaves 184 for cultivation. think it will be best for me to send any to your I generally calculate, when circumstances will friends in Ohio for seed-as they will be disap- in wheat, seeded. admit, to have 45 acres in wheat, 15 in barley pointed with its appearance. The early part of in meadow and pasture. and oats, 15 in hoed crops, 40 in pasture, 40 for the season was dry, which gave us a short straw, 1842 in meadow, clover-seed, and summer crops. hay and clover-seed and 30 in fallow. The ground with the promise of a good berry and an early again in wheat. intended for the hoed crop is always in clover, if harvest. The extremely hot weather in the earBut whatever course an enterprizing and think-practicable, highly manured with rotted manure, ly part of July ripened it too suddenly, and toing farmer may pursue, if he has a system and and plowed under in the fall. The barley stub-gether with the rust, which had appeared on plan of proceeding, and pursues it constantly, he ble is twice plowed, receives a light dressing of heavy soils, caused all of it in these parts to shrink will soon come to a result as to what process is manure, and is sowed with wheat; so that about more or less, so that we have a small berry and best adapted to his soil. Without regularity, two fifths of my wheat crop are raised after sum- slim yield. I believe the whole wheat crop of system, and a code of rules and reasons, no mer crops, the remainder after fallow (viz: clover western New York, will not prove over two course will succeed, nor any valuable result be pasture:) the whole of the wheat always seeded thirds of an average yield. We have suffered reached. It is said that bad habits regularly fol- with clover and timothy. I annually sow from greatly from drouth here of late-no rain having 1843-4 "Anti-Monopoly Meeting." We have seen in the Ohio Statesman what purports to be the proceedings of an "Anti-monopoly meeting" held "pursuant to notice" in the township of Mifflin, Franklin county, for the purfeature in the doings of the late agricultural pose, it appears, of expressing opposition to that convention, which has reference to an appropri ation from the treasury for the encouragement of Agricultural Societies. fallen for a month past. Grass is not half a crop trict rest on a limestone foundation, and were -oats are light-corn and potatoes will be very mainly covered with heavy oak forests; in these, slim unless rain comes soon, and at best cannot as in other respects, it resembles very closely the be a fair yield. best wheat soil of western New York, and when I left home on the 16th of June, to visit some more thorough culture is introduced, with the of the wheat growing districts of the South, main- use of the sub-soil plow on heavy portions, and ly for the purpose of observing the different va- more clover plowed in, with dressings of lime or rieties of wheat in cultivation there, and obtain- plaster, there is no reason that we can discover, ing samples for experiment. I passed through why as great and as uniforn crops of wheat New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and as far should not be harvested in the oak lands of south as James' River, in Virginia. I was in Vir- Green county, and the counties adjoining, as in ginia at their wheat harvest, and examined quite any other parts of the State, or the Union.-See would be expressed against this measure-especWe had no doubt but that some opposition a number of different varieties of wheat, but saw article on wheat culture in New York, in anoth-ially by such men as we are confident composed none that I thought quite equalled my Improved er column. White Flint, some seed of which I had sent to several farmers there, two years ago. Most of the varieties of wheat cultivated in the South, are red. The crop is a fair one-the berry is small and very solid. The principal kinds are, the Blue Stem, the Orange, the Mediteranean, the Virginia May and Zimmerman's Wheat. The Mediteranean is not very well liked; its long beard and thick bran, are strong objections to it. It ripens a few days earlier than either of the others, excepting the Virginia May-the latter appears to be an indifferent yielder. Virginia appears to be a fine wheat growing State; but as a whole, they work their lands very badly-or rather, they scarcely work them at all. Wheat is grown after corn, or after once plowing-and frequently after wheat. Summer fallowing seems to be unknown; I did not see a furrow plowed for wheat, up to the day of my leaving-the 1st of July. this "meeting"-men who evidently have never seen the effects of such measures as are proposed to be put in operation and sustained by the appropriation complained of, and who will not read, or at least have not read the explanations that have been given to the public in relation thereto. It is evident from the language and tone of these "proceedings" that those concerned had not taken the pains to inform themselves at all on the subject about which they wrote and spoke; and the consequence is they have wasted their fire and bombast upon a mere imaginary foe-a bug-bear of their own creation! As soon as we can find time and space, we Ohio Cultivator. will take up this subject, and show, to the satis COLUMBUS, OHIO, AUGUST 15, 1845 Editor at Home. faction of all candid minds, we think, that the objections set forth in these "proceedings" are unfounded and of no account; and that the benefits to be derived from the proposed appropriations Our State Fair, at Utica, is likely to be as splenHaving been absent among the farmers of the and societies, will extend as well to the poor fardid and interesting as any that have preceded it. northern part of the State, until within two days mer as to the rich; and that so far from "robbing The citizens of that place have subscribed liber- of the time for issuing our paper, we have of the owners of an inferior soil of their hard earnally to defray the expenses, and are busily at course been unable to attend to all communica- ed labors to fill the coffers of the rich and well work making erections, &c. It is hardly possible tions and matters that would otherwise have re- born," as expressed in these "proceedings," the for them to do better than the people of Pough-ceived attention. We know our readers will ex-measures proposed by the Convention for the keepsie did last year; but they are determined cuse us for any little omissions of duty, as it will be promotion of agriculture in Ohio would tend at least to equal them. If a number of your Buck- for their advantage to have us become acquainted more to aleviate the condition and promote the eye friends will attend, I think they will feel with the farmers and farming of the different interests of such men, in proportion to the share well rewarded. We shall of course rely on hav- parts of the State. We intend to start again in they would have to pay of the expenses, than of ing the pleasure of meeting you on that occasion, or 3 days to visit a few counties north and east those who have been more favored by fortune or as in times past; there to renew our mutual pled- of this. We have not room at this time for any providence. ges in this great cause of human improvement. "notes by the way." Truly, yours, &c. R. HARMON, Jr. Wheat Crop in Green County. In a brief visit to the neighborhood of Xenia, last month, we saw such evidences of successful wheat farming, as we have rarely met with in this State, and did not expect to find in any part South of the National Road. The wheat crop this year, in Green county, we think is decidedly better, as a whole, than in any other county in the State. The quantity of land devoted to this crop, is not so large there, as in some more north ern counties, but the yield of grain per acre, is 2 "THE FARMER'S LIBRARY."-Nos. 1 and 2, we find on our table, and it is decidedly the handsomest work we have found there for a long time. Its contents, too, are of the highest order, as all who knew anything of its editor, were sure would be the case. We give an extract in another part of this paper; and have only room to say, that a reading, thinking farmer, who has $5 he can spare for such a purpose, cannot well expend the amount to better advantage, than in subscribing for it. It will afford us pleasure to be permitted to order the work for some of our Ohio friends. But before we attempt this, we wish to ask the authors of these "proceedings" to read the full account of the remarks and doings of the convention, as published in the Cultivator of July 1; also the abstract of the New York law, in the Cultivator of June 15; for it is evident they have as yet done neither-nor did they feel sufficient interest in the subject to attend the convention, and there express their sentiments, although living within an hour's drive of the State House. We will gladly furnish those copies of our paper gratis to all who were in attendance at the meeting if they will send for them, (it will not take many,) or they can borrow the reading of them from their neighbors who are subscribers. ing a specimen of the proceedings of the "AntiThat our readers may have the pleasure of seemonopoly Meeting" we subjoin the first and secnumber, are equally rich, and should have a place ond resolutions. The remainder, five or six in in our columns were they not already full. greater. On the farm of Mr. Corry, consisting of "LECTURES ON SCIENCE AND ART"-By Dr. Lard300 acres, there were 100 acres of wheat, which ner, (part vII,) is also received from the same can find time suffcient at present, to read anyWe have very little hope however that they had just been harvested, and from the number of publishers, Messrs. Greely & McElrath, New thing on this subject; for, being ardent patriots, dozen of sheaves, and the yield of a few dozens York. We have read all the numbers of this and very public-spirited citizens, they will have that had been thrashed, Mr. C. said he was con- work thus far, and we recommend it to all class- as much as they can well attend to, of a more fident he would have over 2500 bushels-or over es of our readers, especially to young men who pressing nature, until after the fall elections25 bushels per acre, for the whole 100 acres. wish to become well informed on matters of pop- and it is even reported that some of their num This, considering the very large share of his land ular science; and be effectually saved from em- ber have offered to enter into the special service sown to wheat and the consequent imperfect bracing such absurd notions, as consulting the of the "dear people" at that time, if it is found tillage, must be considered a very large yield.-moon, or a weather almanac, to find out when that their services are required! The crop of Mr. Laughead, on a beautiful farm to perform the operations of the farm and garden, adjoining Mr. Corry's, was little, if any, inferior &c. We have an extract or two in type on this in yield; and the Xenia Torch Light, of about subject. that time, states that "Mr. Joseph Provo, living in the south part of this township, informs us Iv.-This valuable book we have been waiting for, TRANSACTIONS OF THE N. Y. AG. SOCIETY, vol. that he has cut the present season, on less than with much impatience, and thanks to friend nine and a half acres of ground, seven hundred Tucker, it met us at Cleveland. We have not dozen sheaves of wheat-every dozen of which, yet had time to examine it, but shall soon give as he believes, will yield a bushel of grain." We our readers an extract or two. do not suppose this last yield will be found as great as it is said Mr. P. expected; for that would THAT "MOON HOAX."-The editor of the New be over 70 bushels per acre! But the crop was England Farmer copies the communication on undoubtedly a very large one, and these cases "Moon Farming" in our paper of the 15th, and are enough to show the vast capabilities of the gravely supposes that we published it in sober soil of that portion of the State, and the success mood as real truth; then asks if the "Schoolmaster that may be anticipated there, in producing "the is abroad in Ohio"! Ha ha ha! friend Breck, you staff of life," when the best modes of wheat farm- were hoaxed that time! Our readers in Ohio saw ing are more generally introduced, so as to avoid the irony "sticking out a feet" in that article; and in a greater degree than heretofore, those disas- if you are not a little smarter hereafter, we shall trous blights and failures, that have rendered have to send a Buckeye schoolmaster among you this crop so uncertain. The lands of that dis "down east." our primary assembly, firmly and unchangeably opposed to any appropriation by the Legislature to assist the aristocracy thus to trample upon our rights, and rob us of the very liberties for which our fathers in the darkest hours of the Revolution pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. "Resolved, That we, the people, have met in the freeman pays for liberty, the best gift of Hea"Resolved. That 'eternal vigilance is the price ven,' and that we will ever opppose any and every measure which has for its object, the taxation of the many for the benefit of the few." There row!-who will say these men are not patriots and statesmen? |