VOL. I. A Semi-Monthly Journal of Agriculture and Horticulture. COLUMBUS, OHIO, DECEMBER 15, 1845. 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. The Time has Come. Special notice to our friends and readers generally. READER! This number completes the first volume of the Cultivator; and, according to our CASH SYSTEM, all subscribers will be required to renew their subscriptions before any papers will be sent them after this time (unless they have already paid for a longer period in advance.) A complete index and title page accompany this number. Terms: ENGLISH DRAFT HORSE SAMPSON. NO. 24 The Ohio Cultivator will be continued at the The property of B. F. Eaton & Brothers, Columbus O., imported by Messrs. Corning & Sotham, Al same price as heretofore, (though improved by the use of more engravings, &c.) viz: bany, N. Y. The above is a good representation of the thorough bred English draft horse, 'Sampson,' recently One Dollar per Year, in Advance, purchased by Mr. Chas. Eaton of this city, of the Messrs. Corning & Sotham, Albany, N. Y., by whom OR, FOUR COPIES FOR THREE DOLLARS, when or- he was imported in 1841, when one year old. SAMPSON is of great size-about 17 hands high, and dered at one time (they need not be to one ad- very heavy indicating immense strength without sluggishness, and is every way finely proportioned dress.) No distinction will be made in this re--color, biack. He was awarded the first premium on draft horses at the late Fair of the N. Y. State spect between those who are at present subscri- Agricultural Society at Utica. The following is an extract from the certificate of pedigree given to bers, and new ones. Mr. Eaton by W. H. Sotham, Esq. Premiums! We have a new supply of Colman's volume of the Genesee Farmer complete (in Nos.) with the index, which we offer as premiums to all who may send us FOUR SUBSCRIBERS (with $3) two or more of them to be new ones-i. e., such as are not on our list the present year. And if any who do this have already received that volume of the Farmer as a premium, we will send them some other. Postage. All letters with remittances, and in accordance with our terms, may be sent by mail, at our risk and expense. Post Office orders are more trouble than profit to all parties, and we request our friends not to send them. Send Early. We hope all of our friends who can do so, will send their new subscriptions wi.h as many additional names as possible, by the first of Jan uary. POST MASTERS will greatly oblige us by asking our subscribers to renew promptly their subscriptions, and sending the same to us as early as possible, so that we can judge as to what number of copies to print on the first of January. 'SAMPSON was got by the well known and celebrated horse, 'Farmer's Glory,' owned by Mr. Hilliard, Gloucestershire, England, out of a very superior draft mare. This breed of horses are the most easy keepers, and the most truly useful of any breed in the world; they are steady and heavy and very active in their walk; always ready to pull when called upon; gentle in disposition and can endure constant steady labor.' which give promise of great excellence. We shall speak of these remarkable horses again before Along with Sampson, Mr. Eaton has also two of his colts, bred by Messrs. Corning & Sotham, long, and mention where they can be seen, &c. To Farmers and Farmer's Sons. NO TIME TO READ.-How often do we hear They frequently spend whole days in gossipWe are happy in being able to announce that Mr ping, tippiling and swapping horses, but they JOHN T. BLAIN, who has been long and favorably have no time to read. They sometimes lose known as Assistant Postmaster at Columbus, has a day in asking advice of their neighbors-somebeen engaged to take the management of the sub- times a day in picking up the news, the price curscription books and mailing department in our rent and the exchanges-but these men never office, for the coming year. The public in this have any time to read.' They have time to hunt, region will need no other assurance that the bu- to fish, to fiddle, to drink, to do nothing,' but 'no siness will be correctly done. Subscribers who have failed to receive any of the numbers of the Cultivator of the present year, will please inform us thereof when they renew their subscriptions, and the missing ones will be sent. time to read;' such men generally have uneduca- Why is Farming not more Profitable? there is nothing to be made by farming in this We hear it frequently said by our farmers, that country. That the product of the farm will scarcely pay wages to the hands that work it, &c. There may be some truth in this-too much no doubt, in the way farming is now generally carried on, though I think the account which would show any such result, not well made up. Well, as the occupation of the farmer, is that upon which all others subsist, and without which there would of course be no occasion for any other, as a community could not exist without its products, it becomes us well, to inquire the cause of such an unnatural state of things. Why is it, if it be so, that the farmer is not as well paid for his labor as the mechanic or any other tradesman? Our country, especially the interior of the State in which we live, is eminently adapted to that branch of business-more so than for any other business. The soil is rich and easily worked.There are no mountains or marshes or sandy plains of waste land. We have indeed one broad surface of alluvial soil capable of the highest cultivation, and of being abundantly productive.We have a healthy, mild and agreeable climate, adapted to almost all the fruits and grains and grasses that are produced profitably anywhere.And we have always a fair market. Now, as we have but few rapids in our streams, giving water power for manufactories, such as are common in the eastern states and all mountaineous coun-average about 1500 bushels. Of corn he culti library of some 300 volumes, and these books are tries, the cultivation of the soil must be consider- vates five acres a year, which by proper culture read. He takes one political, one religious, and ed the legitimate business of the country. None and judicious rotation, yields him 500 bushels.-two agricultural papers, and the N. A. Review; other seems so appropriately at home here as this. Five acres in wheat gives yearly 150 bushels. refuses all offices, is, with his family, a regular Nature has suited the condition and circumstan- Five acres of oats, 300 bushels. attendant at church, and is a pious, upright and ces of the country for that business more than for conscientious man. He is the peace-maker in any other. Why then is it not profitable? There his neighborhood, and the chosen arbiter in all must be an error somewhere. their disputes; he loans his money at 6 per cent., and will take no more. He has an orchard of eight acres, in which he has 200 apple trees, 25 pear, 25 plum, 100 peach and 50 cherry trees. This is divided into four To answer this interesting inquiry at length, compartments of two acres each. Two of these, and intelligibly, would involve many considera- he plows up every year, and in the spring plants tions, and take more time than I can at present them in Jerusalem Artichokes. Here he keeps appropriate to that purpose. But it is a question his hogs. In the two that are not plowed, he has of grave importance to the whole community, but a clover and orchard grass ley, in which the swine more especially to the farmers. With a few sug- feed from the middle of May to the first of Augestions then, as I cannot go over the whole sub-gust, when they are let into one of the artichoke ject, I would call upon all to investigate for them- yards and range at will into the two grass yards selves and ascertain, why their business, so ap- and this till winter, when they are passed into propriate and so indispensible, is not properly re- the second artichoke yard, where they are kept warded. till the grass has sufficiently advanced in one of the fields to turn them into that. Thus upon grass, roots and fruit the swine are kept so thrifty, that a few bushels of grain are sufficient to make them ready for the butcher. In this way he manages to kill thirty hogs a year, which will average 400 lbs. each. He gives them beet wintering. His sheep range principally in the woods, with a small pasture of five acres. He keeps 75 head, which yield him 300 pounds of wool a year. As this farmer has raised a large family, and raised them all well, having given each child a good practical education, I was curious to look into his affairs, and as he keeps a regular account current of his transactions, it gave him no trouble to inform me of the result of his mode of proceeding, which is briefly as follows: To that end I would advise them to read some of the many interesting desertations upon the science of agriculture which have been, and are now being published-agricultural chemistry-agricultural papers, &c., and at the same time read with a view to profit by every suggestion which reason and good sense shall approve. They will soon experience different feelings and new views of the subject. They will take a new, and until now an unknown, interest in the cultivation of their farms, as well as in the improvement of their stock; that which was labor before, will become comparatively pleasure now; a new impulse will be given to the business; new modes of cultivation will be tried; a change of seed will be sought for, which before was not thought of sufficient importance to justify the trouble; different varieties will be separated, their relative qualities tested, and the soil adapted to the peculiar wants of each. In short, a little intelligent reading and reflection will enable the farmer to see for himself some at least of the many reasons why his business is not profitable, and will also enable him by degrees to apply a remedy for the evil. Product of the farm 10 Beef Cattle, average $30 per head, do. Dairy, Other and smaller crops, $300 $1,350 His hired labor cost him on an av. per an., $1,050 He says he wants no more land for his own use than he can cultivate well-no more stock than he can keep well-more land will increase his taxes, his labor and expenses will be less profitable. Here is a model of a man and of a farmer, and the model of a farm. Who will be happy and follow his example? Chemistry and Agriculture. - Ashes. MR BATEHAM:-The ashes is the earth of the from the soil. Could we produce plants that conplant, though it is not all that has been derived tained no earthy salts, the land would not be so rapidly impoverished as experience shows that it is. But no such crops can be found. Every plant must take up a certain portion of the soil. Different This is an invariable law of nature. plants require various proportions of these elements. They must all have potash, lime and phosphoric acid. Those crops that contain the most ashes exhausts the fields soonest. The ashes exist in solution in the sap of plants. The soil rarely contains five per cent. of those earths that are found in plants, and often much less. The quantity of these earths that are consumed in the ordinary course of cultivation is not far from one hundred to one hundred and fifty pounds per acre per year; three fourths of this is sand in combination with potash. Could we restore the earthy salts with the carbon and nitrogen to the soil from which it came we might conThey may be incredulous about this. Book tinue to reap the same kind of crop year after farming, as they call it, they may be prejudiced year without material diminution in its producagainst; if so, they are wrong; they stand in their tive powers. This is what takes place in sponown light; they are deceiving themselves, instead taneous vegetation, the plant perishes where it of being misled by others; they persist in remaingrew, and thus pays back what it had borrowed. The same salts may be found in ashes as in the ing ignorant, because the information offered them does not come in the way they would prescribe. Thus, from 100 acres of land, even in Ohio, be true, it follows that ashes is one of the most evacuations of animals. If what has been said Common sense should prompt every man to ob- this man has been able to lay by, and invest at in- valuable of manures, and this is sustained by extain all the useful knowledge in his power, wheth- terest, on an average, $500 a year for the last perience. I have been informed that large quaner it be from books or otherwise is entirely im- 12 years. He has now some eight or ten thou-ities of leached ashes are shipped to New York material. The source whence obtained, would sand dollars at interest, and his home is a home from the northern part of that State, for the use not affect the value of the knowledge itself. It indeed. Who does better on a farm of 1000 acres? of the Poudrette manufacturers, &c. It sells at is absurd to cavil at such forms. More than nine- Or who has improved his condition by going from 10 to 12 cents per bushel. Leached ashes tenths of all we know is obtained from books. west, more than he has by staying here? I trust such prejudices are wearing away. course like others he has suffered somewhat from consist chiefly of phosphate of lime or bone, earth, In the hope that the Cultivator may be instru- unfavorable seasons, in some of his crops, but his lime, marl, plaster of Paris, potash, charcoal and mental in enlightening the public mind on the correct system of culture and intelligent managesubject of agriculture, I am, &c., ment generally obviates every difficulty which spring from this source, and as his crops are always better than his neighbors' the advance in price more than makes up the deficiency. His system of saving and making manures, turns everything into the improvement of his soil, weeds, ashes, the offal of his stock, soap suds, bones and everything that will tend to enrich it, are carefully saved and properly applied. Columbus, O. MONTGOMERY. For the Ohio Cultivator. The Model Farm of Ohio. Of sand. Ashes is found of most service on a heavy clay soil, abounding in inert vegetable matter. Light sandy soils require but small doses. The quantity that has been applied, varies from four to latter quantity the good effects continue manifest eighty bushels to the acre; when applied in the for 15 to 20 years. It has been found beneficial be plowed in or used as a top dressing. on turnips, potatoes, clover and grass. It may The history of this man is brief, but to the far- a few words on the method of turning their offal As the season for slaughtering hogs has arrived, mer, interesting. He began with the patrimony to advantage may not be unacceptable. In France the refuse of the slaughter houses is boiled so as to make a thick soup; this is mixed with a quantity of garden mould, and used as a top dressing. a The model farm of this State contains 100 acres, 75 of which are well cleared, and the whole under fence. 60 acres are embraced in one enclosure, and this includes all the arable and meadow land upon the farm. The buildings are all of stone, neat, durable and commodious. The of good sense, sound health and industrious habdwelling is not large, but capacious enough for its. Excellent so far. In 1830 he had six childuse of the family and a room and a bed or two ren and $3,000 in cash. He bought this farm in for an occasional friend. The kitchen and sta- state of nature in 1830, for which he paid $400. bles are supplied with water from the same spring. He expended $400 more in clearing his land, in No stock but hogs and sheep are permitted to addition to his own labor. He first put up a tem- matter will impregnate ten pounds of vegetable According to Dr. Dana, one pound of animal graze. The cattle and horses are constantly kept porary cabin in which he moved his family.-mould; or 100 lbs. is sufficient to convert a cord of in their stalls, and are always in good order. The $1000 he put out at a permanent annual interest, swamp muck into the richest manure. The same cows are at all times fat enough for the butchers and the remaining $1,200 with the earlier profits high authority recommends a compost of one part and the growing stock at two years old attain the of his farm, he appropriated to the erection of his of leached ashes, to three of swamp muck. weight of ordinary steers at four. During the buildings, which were complete in 1834. In the summer they are soiled, with green food, conse- selection of his fruit, he sought for the best variequently, 20 acres in grass is sufficient to keep ties which always gave him preference in the four horses and ten cows with their offspring un- market. So of his stock. In this he avoided the til the young stock are ready for the market at mania of high prices, and has made up in judiThe town of Collins, Erie county, N. three or four years old, when they average him cious crossing and breeding, what others seek at Y., made 554,000 pounds of cheese, during the $30 per head. Of these he makes it a point to great cost in foreign countries. Everything he last year. The town of Fairfield, Herkimer counsell ten head a year. For his stock he raises about does, is done well. Everything he sends to the ty, made 1,355,997 pounds during the same peone acre of roots, sugar beets, mangel wurtzel market commands the highest price, because it is riod. Herkimer county turns out annually 8,208,and turnips each year, which yields him on an of the best kind. In his parlor is a well selected 796 pounds of cheese. This, at eight cents per CHARLES H. RAYMOND. Respectfully yours, CHEESE. The Potatoe Rot in Ohio. We continue to receive intelligence from various parts of the state, of extensive injury being done by the rot in the potatoe heaps. Some farmers who supposed their potatoes were perfectly healthy when dug, on examining their heaps as directed, in our last paper, have found them badly affected; and the extremely cold weather of the past fortnight, has prevented any good opportunity for sorting and drying them. As soon as our time will permit, we design to give an exposition of the facts and investigations in regard to this malady as published in the agricultural papers of the eastern states, and of England. In the mean time we shall be pleased to hear from such of our readers in Ohio, or elsewhere, as may have any facts or observations which they can communicate on this important subject. The following from very near home may be of interest to some. A few facts about Potatoes. Sheep Grubs or Bots--(Estrus ovis.) The fly is of the size and appearance represen- "To prevent the attack of the oestrus, it has been recommended to smear noses of sheep with tar. We are unable to speak from experience of the efficacy of this. It is claimed that the odor of the tar deters the fly from alighting to deposit its egg. It is evident however, that to answer any purpose, it should be applied with such frequency as not to become much dried on the sheep. The irritaton produced by the snuff brings on sneezing, by which it is thought the worm is ejected, and the head besides cleared of its unhealthy humors.' Mr. Morrell, in the American Shepherd, says: "To prevent the atacks of this mischievous insect, it will be found necessary about the beginning of July, and again about the first of August, to assemble the flock, and thoroughly tar the parts adjacent to the nostrils. Others have tried, with success, smearing the bottoms of troughs, and sprinkled salt occasionally over it. The effluvia of tar is abhorrent to all winged insects; and hence the phylosophy of this treatment. and when the number does not exceed two or Few sheep are exempt from grubs in the head, three, will not cause much annoyance. It feeds on the mucus secreted by the sinus membrane. When the number of grubs is larger than common, they produce much irritation, and the sheep will sneeze violently. Blacklock says, "Tobacco smoke is the only available remedy, and a very good one, being easily brought in contact with the worms, and, when properly administered, certain in its effects. One person secures the sheep, holding the head in a convenient position, while another, having half-filled a pipe with tobacco, and kindled it in the usual manner, places one or two folds of a handkerchief over the opening of the bowl, then passes the tube a good way up the nostril, applies his mouth to the covered bowl, and blows vigorously through the handkerchief. When this has continued for a few seconds, the pipe is withdraw, and the operation repeated on the other nostril. Horse Thieves and Sheep Thieves. Mr. JOHN M. GUFFY, of Truro, in this county, (Franklin) informs us that he planted on the 28th of May last, two patches of potatoes, of about 1-6 to 1-4 of an acre each. One of them was on land on which cattle were fed (fattened) with corn the fall previous, by which means it was highly manured. On this land one bushel of seed The fly deposits its eggs just inside of the noswas planted, of the Mershannock variety, cut in- trils of the sheep, and from the distress manifes- MR. BATEHAM:-At the regular quarterly meetto small pieces, and three or four pieces dropped ted by the animals, it is evident that this act of ing of the Pleasantville, Fairfield co., Horse thief in a hill, the hills 4 feet apart, and the ground the fly causes much pain. The sheep will detecting Society, at the house of Mr. Philip Hone, well cultivated during summer. The tops grew at such times be seen huddling together and hold-in Pleasantville, after transacting the other busiwith great vigor, covering the whole ground, and ing their noses close to the ground, or even in ness of the society, it was owing to the fine rains of the latter part of sum- the dust. to avoid the attacks of these tormentors. Resolved, That there is another class of depmer, they continued to grow until destroyed by Mr. Brown has made a large number of exam-redators as injurious to the farming community frost in autumn. On digging the product was inations and experiments in relation to this sub- as horse thieves, namely, sheep-killing dogs; and found to be 77 bushels (from the one bushel of ject the past season, and we hope he has not for- for the purpose of remedying in some measure seed,) and the appearance of the potatoes was gotten his promse to turnish us a statement of the this evil we will petition the Legislature to imresults. He has opened a large number of the pose a tax on dogs, in the hope and belief that it The other piece of land, of somewhat less ex-heads of sheep that were affected with the dis- will accomplish that object. tent, was planted with three pecks of the same ease, some of which were killed for the purpose, kind of seed, but no manure had been applied, and and in some cases be found as many as 50 to 60 less labor was bestowed in cultivation. The grubs in a head. He has also tried many experiweeds were allowed to grow after wheat harvest, ments in order to discover the most easy and efand the tops, which were much less luxuriant fectual remedy for the evil, and we believe he has than of the other piece, were all ripe and dead decided that a decoction of tobacco, injected into Resolved, That Jonas Hite, Samuel Hite, and before frosts came. The yield of this patch was the head through the nostrils by mean of a small T. P. Ashbrook be appointed a committee on beonly 24 bushels. syringe, is the best as yet known. Mr. B. will half of this meeting to circulate petitions and forconfer lasting obligations on sheep farmers by giv-ward them to the Legislature at as early a day particular information respecting these experi- as possible, and we invite our fellow citizens ments and observations. throughout the county to co-operate with us in these objects. SAM'L HITE, JR., Chairman, DAVID PENCE, Secretary. very fine. A writer in the Albany Cultivator says: Resolved, That we highly approve of the organization and the efforts of the State Board of Agriculture, and we will also petition the Legislature to encourage the interest of agriculture, by Legislative enactments. Ohio Wheat Crop for next year. We venture to predict that if no unusual injury befalls the wheat crop now in the ground, the yield of the coming year, in this state, will be greater than for three years past, if not greater than was ever before produced. Our reasons for this opinion are the following: Both these lots of potatoes were dug at the same time, and buried in the same manner in trenches in the ground. In a few weeks it was discovered that those from the rich ground, and which had the tops destroyed by frost, were beThe attack of the fly continues from May to ginning to rot. They were soon taken out of the August, and the larvæ from the eggs first depostrenches, sorted and dried, but the disease con- ited, reach their full size, and are ready for transtinues to spread among them to such an extent, formation on the return of warm weather the that it is doubtful whether any will be saved. next spring. The efforts of the full grown worm But those from the ground which had no manure, to escape from the head, appear sometimes to creand where the tops ripened before the appear- ate disquietude and pain. They work their way ance of frost, have not shown any symptons of out of the head as they first ascended, and crawl decay. into the ground or the rubbish of the sheep yard. Mr. Thompson, on a neighboring farm, also had Their skin gradually shrinks and hardens, and a patch of potatoes, which were ripe before the they are soon formed into the chrysalis. In from 1. The general drought during the past summer frosts appeared, and his have shown no disposi- forty to sixty-three days, according to the expe- and fall, will be found to have had a very benefition to rot; while another neighbor, Mr. Miller, riments of Valisnieri, the perfect transformation cial effect on the soil of summer-fallows, not only had a patch that was green until killed by the takes place, and the fly comes out. The varia- in destroying the grass and weeds more effectually frost, and his potatoes have nearly all rotted. tion in the length of time the insect remains in than usual, but in effecting chemical changes in These facts have induced the farmers in that the pupa state, is dependent on the temperature the elements of the soil, by which means the petownship, to suppose that the disease is caused by maturity being hastened by warmth. Though culiar food of the wheat plant is rendered more the killing of the tops before they were done most of the worms leave the head of the sheep to soluble and abundant. growing. This we believe has in many cases ap- undergo transformation, it is certain that all do peared to induce the disease, but many facts have not. We have sometimes found shells of the been found to prove that it is not generally, if chrysalis in the sheep's head, showing that some ever, the ultimate cause of the evil. At any rate, reach the fly state before leaving. 2. The present wheat erop was generally better got in than any preceding one for a number of years past. This, we find, is the testimony of farmers from all parts of the state. The weather during the fall was remarkably fine for this work, by these means, would soon increase our surplus | valuable chapter, with engravings, in our next, and conand in the principal wheat counties, the partial products, and the revenues of the public works, so tinue to do so through the year-especially if we find failure of crops, gave farmers more time for per- as to return to the State Treasury many hundred that they generally renew their subscriptions. The pubforming the work well. They also had more land fold, the sum that is asked to be expended in the lishers of Lardner's Popular Lectures on Science and Art, unoccupied, so that a greater number of acres promotion of these objects; so that instead of the have kindly granted us permission to copy extensively impoverished condition of our state finances being a valid reason for withholding this appropriation, it is in fact the greatest reason why the appropriation should be made. nave been sown. 3. Farmers have also been led to bestow more study and attention to the science of wheat farming, and to discover the means of increasing the productiveness of their lands. This has led them to adopt a variety of improvements which will be found greatly beneficial in many cases, and instructive in all. Indeed, we har from all quarters of the state, that the farmers have been trying a multitude of EXPERIMENTS in regard to the wheat crop this fall, suggested by the Ohio Cultivator, and when the results of these experiments are published, as they will be in our pages, after harvest next year, the instruction they will impart respecting the culture and improvement of this great staple of Ohio, will be worth MILLIONS OF DOLLARS to our readers and to the state. Experiments in Wheat Culture. BENEFITS OF AGRICULTURAL IMPROVEMENTS IN OHIO. The following are some of the experiments and improvements in the cultivation of wheat, to which allusion has been made, and the results of which will be made known through the columns of the Ohio Cultivator after next harvest: 1. Previous Crops.-Some farmers have sown part of their wheat after summer fallow, and the rest after frosted wheat, or after oats; others (in the central and southern parts of the state,) after corn cut off, and a part among standing corn, with various modes of covering, so as to test the difference as to winter-killing, &c. Much might also be said on the benefits that such improvements in agriculture confer on individuals, in the increase of prosperity and the consequent means of physical, intellectual, and moral progress; but time and space, and the patience of our readers, forbid any enlargement on these topics at present. Ohio Cultivator. COLUMBUS, OHIO, DECEMBER 15, 1845. Close of the Volume. from that excellent work. Look out for Rogues! We caution our readers against paying subscriptions for the Cultivator to strangers, unless their names are announced as agents in our columns, and they show a certificate of agency, signed by the editor. A number of our friends were swindled out of their money by pretended agents the past year. If Alonzo P. Burroughs, of Troy township, Geauga co., O., has any respect for himself or his friends, he will send us payment for subscriptions obtained by him in the above manner; as we shali soon use his name in a way that be wil have cause to regret, if this hint is not complied with. GOOD! We have the promise of a new year's address' for our next paper, from a lady of eminent poetic and literary talents. Agricultural Addresses will be noticed in our next. Deferred Subjects. We find on our docket, a long list of subjects to which our attention has been called, and which will be attended to in their course, during the winter. Among these are the following: Cultivation of Mustard, as practised by Mr. Parmelee, and others, in Ohio. Broom Corn Culture, as practised by the Messrs. Eaton, and others. READERS! Our work for this year is done! Twelve Rot in Potatoes-experiments and observations months have swiftly fled, and twice twelve times have we thereon, with suggestions for its prevention, &c. in spirit, been permitted to pay our friendly visits to your Borers and Insects in apple trees; and remarks homes and firesides. We thank you for the friendly hos-on resuscitating orchards, preventing bitter rot, in apples, &c. 2. In the Preparation of Land, there have been a great number of improvements adopted or experiments tried;-such as, more frequent or extra deep plowing-subsoiling-under-draining-har- pitality that has been extended to us, and sincerely hope rowing-rolling, &c. Also in manuring or en- that our visits have not been without advantage to you riching the land with lime, ashes, plaster, char- all. We have endeavored to instruct, amuse, and benecoal, &c. The results of this class of experiments fit those with whom we have held converse; and although cannot fail to be vastly useful. Wheat insects, of various kinds, illustrated with engravings. ings, and remarks on their qualities, &c. Poultry-The different breeds, with engrav Cut Worms, and other insects injurious to gardens, illustrated, with remarks on their habits, we are conscious of not having accomplished all that 3. New varieties of Seed have been sown to a could have been desired, we hope you will kindly overgreater extent than ever before, in nearly all parts of the state. We know of quite a number of far-look our failings, and cheer us with your friendly greet-means of prevention, &c. mers, who obtained seed from New York and ings for a 'happy new year.' Rust in Wheat.-More facts on this important subject, and directions for making experiments next spring, with a view of discovering means for its prevention. Bols in Horses, with illustrations, remarks, &c. Wool, of different kinds, as seen through the microscope. other states, and some have sown as many as FRIENDS! the time has arrived when we no longer feel from six to ten different varieties for the sake of at liberty to continue our semi-monthly visits to you, experiment and comparision. One farmer in this without some intimation that we shall find a welcome re(Franklin) county has sown 150 acres of wheat ception. Our modesty will not permit us to intrude where consisting of ten varieties--three of these were ob- we do not feel assured that our company is desired; and tained direct from England, one from France, one Mechanical Science, illustrated by engravings. from Canada, others from New York and other although it will be painful for us thus early to terminate states of the Union. the friendly intimacy that has existed between us, we are READERS! We design to increase the value and constrained, with this number of the Cultivator, to make usefulness of the Cultivator for you the coming our parting bow, and respectfully take our leave of all year, but we thereby increase our expenses vastthose who may not see fit to send us a card of invitation | ly, and we must therefore depend on you to infor the coming year. At the same time we fondly hope crease our subscription list, and send on a supply there are few such among the list of our present acquaintances, and that others will give us such an introduction to their neighbors as will, in a short time, more than make good the number of onr friends. 4. Preparation of the Seed with brine, lime, &c., has been practised in a larger number of cases than ever before, and a number of farmers have prepared a part of then seed, and sown the rest without preparation, so as to test the merits of the practice. For terms, &c., see first page. of the needful. Send in the Petitions ! Persons having petitions in their hands, relating to agriculture, should send them in to the General Assembly, without any delay. We would recommend that they be mostly sent to the House of Representatives. 5. The manner of putting in Wheat has been varied more the past fall than ever before-mainly with a view to protect the young plants from winter-killing. Thus some farmers have harrowed in a portion in the usual way, after sowing on a plowed surface, and plowed in other portions, BINDING THE VOLUME.-The expense of BINDING this then harrowed a part of the ground smooth, and volume of the Cultivator, at any book bindery, will be left another portion rough. Others have ribbed about 37 cts. We will procure it done neatly for any Sheep killed in Highland Co.-Mr. John Rains the land, as practised by Mr. Noble, of Stark co., subscriber who may leave the numbers at our office. As writes us that when he went to election, two so as to have the seed fall in drills, as mentioned the volume will make rather a thin book, we would ad-months since, he took pains to make some inquiin our paper of Sept. 1, and a few have tried vise those who wish to save expense, to defer the binding specting the number of sheep that had been killry of the farmers of his township (Fairfield,) redrilling in the seed with a machine constructed till the end of next year, and then bind both volumes ined there by dogs within a year past, and the list for the purpose. one. They can in the meantime, stitch the present vol-numbered 131, and it was believed that these ume together in a paper cover, so as to use it for refer- were not all, as a number of farmers had voted and gone home, before he got there. ence. THE INDEX AND TITLE PAGE, which accompany this number, should of course be placed in the fore part of the volume. Who can estimate the importance of the instruction that may be derived from all these experiments, when the results are made known, as they will be? And then, too, this is only just the beginning of this great march of improvement. Let the State Board of Agriculture, and the County Societies be organized and efficiently THE PICTURES in this number of our paper, are all by sustained, as provided for in the bill now before our young artist, Mr. Taylor, and are an earnest of what the General Assembly, and such experiments will be multiplied another year more than ten fold, our readers may expect next year. See, also, that NEW and the results will be made known to multitudes TYPE, of which we give a specimen here and in the laof farmers, who cannot be reached by the means dies' department. now in operation. Who is there so blind as not to see that such improvements in the culture of OUR MECHANIC FRIENDS must excuse the omission the staple crops of the state as would be effected of their department this time. We shall give them a We were somewhat surprised at this information, for, in conversing with Mr. Trimble, the representative from Highland, a few days since, we understood him to say that his constituents were not in favor of a tax on dogs. How is this? If farmers desire laws for their protection, why don't they instruct their delegates, whom they send here to make laws? A letter from C. J. Fell & Brother, with a statement of the lots of mustard seed, received from Ohio the present year, arrived too late for this number. It will appear in our next. The Legislature and Agriculture. Meeting of the Ohio State Board of Agriculture and the Committees of the Legislature. At the meeting of the State Board of Agriculture, held pursuant to notice on the 10th inst., the committees on Agriculture of the two branches of the Legislature were present, and a full and free interchange of opinions was had in regard to the several plans for the promotion of agriculture contemplated in the resolutions and memorial of the State Convention, and the petitions daily A Bill for the encouragement of Agriculture. coming in from different parts of the State asking legisla- nished by the Ohio State Board of Agriculture, President shall have power to cail meetings of lative action in behalf of agriculture. In considering the plan recommended by the convention, providing for the incorporation of a State Board, and the encouragement of county societies, with an appropriation of $7,000 per annum from the State Treasury, the members of the two committees of the Legislature stated that from consultation with quite a number of their associates, Senators and Representatives, and what they knew of the feelings and views of others in regard to expenditures from the State Treasury, they did not believe that a law could be obtained granting such an appropriation. In view therefore of the improbability of obtaining such a law as had been contemplated, it was by general consent deemed inexpedient for the committees to report a bill in accordance with that plan, but to frame one that should provide for the organization and support of a State Board, with an appropriation from the treasury of only $2,000 per annum, out of which sum it should be the duty of the Board to employ and compensate a State Agricultural Commissioner; and to ask for a modification of the existing law in relation to Agricultural societies so as to allow them a small sum annually from the County Treasuries under certain rules and restrictions. In this form it is thought there can be no reasonable opposition to the bill, and that its importance is sufficiently obvious to secure its passage without difficulty. We subjoin a copy of the bill as reported by Mr. Wetmore of the Senate, Dec., 15 so that the friends of the measure may see what is proposed, and have time to make any suggestions in regard thereto that may occur to them. succession, in the manner hereafter described, (Introduced by HON. WM. WETMORE, Chairman of under the name and style of the Ohio State the Committee on Agriculture in the Senate.) Board of Agriculture.' SEC. 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of SEC. 5. It shall be the duty of said board to meet the State of Ohio, That whenever twenty or more in the city of Columbus on the first Wednesday persons, residents of any county, or district em- in April, after the passage of this act, and to orbracing two counties of this State, shall organ Treasurer, and such other officers as they may ganize, by appointing a President, Secretary and ize themselves into a society for the improvenient deem necessary; and at their first meeting they of agriculture within said county or district, and shall have adopted a constitution and bye-laws, shall determine by lot, the length of time each agreeably to the rules and regulations to be fur-member shall serve, and so arrange the times, that one member shall go out annually. The usual and proper officers; and when the said sohereinafter created, and shall have appointed the the Board, whenever he may deem it expedient; ciety shall have raised and paid, or secured to be and the board may fill any vacancies that may paid, to their treasurer, by voluntary subscription, occur in their body, by the appointment of memor by fees imposed upon its members, any sum of bers, whose term of service shall expire at the end money in each year not less than fifty dollars; and of the year. whenever the president of said society shall certify to the respective County Auditors the amount thus paid or secured to be paid, attested by the oath of the Treasurer before a magistrate, it shall be the duty of the said County Auditor or Auditors embraced within the district in which such society shall be organized, to draw an order upon the treasurer of the respective county in favor of the president and treasurer of said society, for a sum equal to the amount thus raised, provided it does not exceed half a cent to each inhabitant of the said county at the last previous national census; but not to exceed in any county the sum of 200 dollars; and it shall be the duty of the Treasurer of said county to pay the same. SEC. 6. There shall be held in the city of Columbus, on the first Wednesday after the first Monday in December, an annual meeting of the Ohio State Board of Agriculture, together with the President of each county agricultural society, or delegate, duly authorized, who shall, for the time being, be ex-officio members of the State Board of Agriculture, for the purpose of deliberation and consultation as to the wants, prospects and condition of the agricultural interests throughout the state; and at such annual meeting, the several reports from the county societies, shall be delivered to the president of the Ohio State Board of Agriculture: and the said presidents and delegates, shall at this meeting elect some suitable person to fill the annual vacancy in the Ohio State Board of Agriculture, and all vacancies occasioned by death or resignation. SEC. 2. That it shall be the duty of the several county or district societies which may be formed under the provisions of the preceding section, duSEC. 7. It shall be the duty of the Ohio State ring the continuance of this act, annually to offer and award, premiums for the improvement of soils, Eoard of Agriculture, to employ some suitable tillage, crops, manures, implements,stock, articles person, who shall be styled the State Agricultural of domestic industry, and such other articles, Commissioner; whose duty it shall be to visit the productions and improvements, as they may deem different sections of the state, and to collect inproper; and may perform all such acts as they formation relative to the condition and wants of may deem best calculated to promote the agricul- the agricultural interests of the state; shall deliver lectures on the importance of improvements in tural and household manufacturing interests of the district, and of the State; and it shall be their agriculture; and shall encourage the formation of duty, so to regulate the amount of the premiums County or district agricultural societies; shall colA bill providing for obtaining statistics of the State be competent for smail as well as large farmers to and different grades of the same as that it shall lect and distribute new and valuable seeds and plants which he may meet with; or which may has been introduced in the Senate by Mr. Perkins. It have an opportunity to compete thererefor; and in be sent to him from abroad; and he shall visit and agrees in the main with the one introduced last year by making their awards, special reference shall be examine any beds of marl, gypsum, peat, muck, or other valuable substances which he may be inMr. Bartley; we learn however that several amendments had to the profits which may accrue, or be likely are in contemplation by the committee. It will we think, to accrue from the improved mode of raising the formed of, collect specimens of the same; and he undoubtedly become a law, in a form that will be useful. crop, or of improving the soil, or stock, or the fab- shall also procure specimens of the several genA bill for the extension of the law passed last winter, rication of the articles thus offered, with the in-eral varieties of soils from the different portions for the protection of fruit, fruit trees, &c., to several ad- tention that the premium shall be given for the of the state, and shall forward them to the Eoard most economical mode of improvement; and all of Agriculture, at Columbus. He shall from time ditional counties, is now before the House, and such mem- persons offering to compete for premiums on im- to time disseminate information through the pubbers as request their counties to be embraced in its pro- proved modes of tillage, or the production of any ing in December, he shall make a full report of lic papers in the state, and at their annual meetvisions, can doubtless have them thus included. Those crops or other articles,shall be required before such of their constituents, therefore, who desire the benefits of premiums are adjudged to deliver to the award- the results of his proceedings and discoveries, to this law, should immediately send petitions to that effect, ing committee a full and correct statement of the the Ohio State Foard of Agriculture. process of such mode of tillage or production, and the expense and value of the same, with a view of showing accurately the profits derived or expected to be derived therefrom. to their representatives. SEC. 8. The board shall also procure to be made by a skilful, scientific chemist, analyses of such soils, manures, marls, peats, muck, or other substances, as they may deem important and useful; and they may offer premiums for well written and practical essays on the various subjects which may have a bearing upon the general improvement of agriculture, and may provide for printing such papers, documents, and useful information, as they may deem proper, and each county A bill to protect wool growers, by imposing a tax on dogs, will shortly be introduced by Mr. Thomas, chairman of the committee on agriculture in the House of SEC. 3. It shall be the duty of each county or Representatives. We understand it will provide for im- district society to publish annually a list of the posing a tax of 25 cents on the first dog, and 50 cents for awards, and an abstract of the Treasurer's aceach additional dog kept by one person or family; a part count, in a newspaper of the district; and to of the money thus obtained, to be appropriated to the pay- make a report of their proceedings, during the ment of losses sustained by farmers, having sheep killed year, and a synopsis of the awards for improve- society shall be entitled to receive a copy or coments in agriculture, and household manufacby dogs, where the owners are not responsible or not as-tures, together with an abstract of the several de- pies of all such printed documents, free of excertained, and the balance to go into the school fund of scriptions of these improvements, and also make pense; and it shall be the duty of said board to the counties. It is expected that this will be a local law, a report of the condition of agriculture in make an annual report to the General Assembly of the state, embracing the proceedings of the applying only to such counties as may request it through their county or district, which reports shall be board for the past year, and an abstract of the their representatives. Persons having petitions in made out in accordance with the rules and regu- proceedings of the several county agricultural sotheir hands, and others who desire the benefits of the law, and shall be forwarded to the State Eoard at their lations of the Ohio State Board of Agriculture, cieties, as well as a general view of the condition should forward them without delay to their representa- annual meeting in December in each year. And tive. We learn that some of the Members are strongly no subsequent payment shall be made from the opposed to this measure, while others are quite indifferent County Treasury, unless a certificate is presented respecting it. Petitions are daily coming in, however, to the Auditor from the President of the State and we think the subject will, ere long, command proper Board, showing that such reports have been duly attention. When it does so, we have no doubt that something will be done to protect the interests of the wool growers from the great injuries and losses now sustained by dogs. Such a law would also tend to greatly increase the number of fine sheep in the state, and soon double the value of our exports of wool. made. of the agriculture of the state, accompanied by such recommendations as they may deem interesting and useful. They shall likewise report an account of the expenditures made by them during the year. SEC. 9. The members of the board shall each be entitled to the same compensation, as members SEC. 4. That M. L. Sullivant, and Samuel Me- of the General Assembly of the State, whilst in dary, of Franklin county; Allen Trimble, of High- actual attendance on, or going to and returning land, Samuel Spangler, of Fairfield; Darius Lap- from the meetings of the board. And for the purham, of Hamilton; Jeremiah H. Hallock, of Jeffer-pose of paying the State Agricultural ommissionson; and Greenbury Keen, of Portage; be and are er, and of enabling the board to perform the vahereby created a body corporate, with perpetual rious duties assigned it, the sum of two thousand |