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VIEW OF THE NEW-YORK STATE FAIR GROUNDS AT ROCHESTER, 1862.

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] THE STATE FAIR AT ROCHESTER.

of the plows had a small plow attached to the beam, just forward of the main plow, which forward plow is called a "jointer."

One of these was the plow of D. De Garmo, Rochester, who removed it and attached a cutter in its stead, as he understood by the committee that the plow thus adjusted would not be allowed to compete for the prize. The other plow thus adjusted, was allowed to run with the jointer on it. This did the best work, and received the first premium of $20. No one denied or doubted that this plow performed its task in a most superior manner. But it was not the kind of plowing required by the Executive Committee, and to allow one plow to operate with a jointer, and not another, created some little dissatisfaction. The style of plowing required by the Committee was

Plowing Match. There were nine teams entered as competitors for the various prizes at the plowing match; but only seven of the nine entered the field. We were assured that the others were unable to learn where the plowing match was to come off. Indeed, we almost despaired of finding the field, or even the farm, where the plowing was to be done. We know there was great inquiry for the place where the competitors were to plow, and doubtless there would have been a large number on the ground to witness the skill and emulation of the plowmen, if a few placards had been post-plowing "with a lapped furrow-slice." But a plow with ed up, telling the place where, and the time when the plowmen would enter the field. As it was, there were only about twenty men and boys present.

The field where the plowing was performed was about one and a half miles from the fair grounds, on the farm of Mr. B. M. Baker. There was quite a stiff sod on the ground, and the soil was a beautiful sandy loam, and not a stone could be found in it as large as a pea; and besides it was quite too dry to plow good and easy for the team. Each competitor was required to plow one-fourth of an acre, or a plot about two rods wide and twenty rods in length, and to have it finished in two hours. Previous to plowing for the prize, each one was required to strike out a back furrow in another part of the field, and to plow two or three rounds on it. This gave each one an opportunity to adjust his plow, so as to be ready to plow for the prize.

At twelve o'clock, Thursday, the word was given to "go ahead," when every plowman, unaided by any driver or other assistant went around his own land, and they all finished in less than ninety minutes. One team completed the task in just sixty-two minutes. But they all drove their teams quite too rapidly, as there appeared to be some strife to get done first.

There was a premium of twenty dollars offered for the best plowing for a boy; but only one boy was on the ground as a competitor, and he was only a little short of ONLY twenty-one years of age! As the honest Dutchman exclaimed: "O, he wash such a nishe poy! He had such pig hands and so pig feet!"

As there was no competition, and as "the boy" did not perform the first part of his task quite equal to the requirements of the Executive Committee of the New-York State Ag. Society, the judges on plowing awarded him only ten dollars.

a jointer attached, did not turn a lapped furrow-slice, properly speaking; for the turf in some places is rolled together, and left flat, while in others it is left on the edge; well pulverized soil, that the entire soil appears as mellow but at the same time, is so completely surrounded with and free from sod and grass as if it were the cross-plowing of a summer fallow. It is just the kind of plowing that ought to be encouraged by all agricultural societies; and it ought to be recognized as a distinct kind of plowing from either flat or lap furrow slices.

is not worthy of the name of a good plowman, if he could On the whole, the plowing was well done; and a man not plow well in such soil as that, with almost any style of plow. I would not appear censorious on this subject, but I do insist that it is not a fair test of either the excellence of plows, or of the skill of plowmen, to put them in a soil, for prize plowing, where there is not an obstrucStill such a soil is almost always selected for that purpose. tion in the soil or on it as large as a kernel of wheat. Could farmers always have such soil to plow, the case would be quite different.

In order to test the excellence of a plow, and the skill and dexterity of a plowman, the fairest way would be to select a variable soil, where the hard-pan in some places comes to the top of the ground, and where the plow must go through gravelly bars of calcareous clay, and then encounter stones, and then plunge into a stratum of muck. Farmers are obliged to take the hard with the easy in plowing their fields. They cannot select a smooth plot where a plow will almost run alone, and say, let us disA man is play our skill in plowing here. By no means. required to drive his plowshare at a uniform depth through bars and hollows and knolls, and around stumps and stones, and to perform his work well; and if he is possessed of any skill, some of it will be snatched out, as he will often be taken off his feet if he does the work well. Such should be the soil to be plowed where prizes are

Question for the Executive Committee of the New-York State Ag. Society: How old must a boy be-how large-awarded. how heavy-how tall, or how long must his head be, before he can be called a man, or to exclude him as a competi tor for the prize offered "for the best specimen of boy's plowing?" We pause for a reply.

The depth required by the Executive Committee was not less than six inches; but most of them plowed seven inches in depth-and one plow ran over eight inches in depth, and cut over one foot wide.

This was a "swing beam" plow, and it performed the poorest work of all that entered. But the fault was by no means in the plow nor in the team. Had it been properly adjusted, it would have operated as well as any other single plow in the field.

The kinds of plows used were two of the "Wiard plows," of cast iron, and two steel plows. One of these was manufactured by Remington, Markham & Co., Ilion, Herkimer Co., N. Y., and one by D. De Garmo, Rochester, N. Y., both of which did good work. Another kind exhibited a new and very important principle in plows, by which the beam could be readily adjusted to follow two or three horses abreast, equally well. This is accomplished by means of having two standards to the plow, and each one terminating at the top in a kind of foot, in which there is a slot, which receives the bolts which pass through the beam of the plow for securing it to the standards. Two

could draw a line, which is a good feature in plowing; The furrows for the most part, were as straight as one but, at the same time, is a small consideration in comtion is a good test of plowing, and a far better test than parison with a given uniform depth. This latter considerastraight furrows alone.

Subsoil Plowing.

After the surface plowing was completed, Wm. H. H. Burnham, East Homer, Cortland Co., N. Y., introduced a plow with a subsoil attachment. This plow turns a furrow slice as deep as desired, and a subsoil attachment follows in the furrow, and loosens up the subsoil, and leaves it in the bottom of the furrow.

It operated well with a single team; but with a double team it can be driven from one foot to fifteen or eighteen inches deep, according to the soil and the strength of the team.

I had seen this kind of plow operate in Auburn, Cayuga Co., and I am satisfied that it is a good improvement, and will prove more advantageous on some kinds of soil than to use a plow which throws the subsoil to the surface. This subsoil attachment can be put on to any ordi nary plow at a cost of a few dollars. S. E. TODD. Auburn, N. Y.

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.]

FEEDING MILCH COWS IN THE FALL. MESSRS. EDITORS-For some years I have made calculation to have some kind of extra feed for my cows during the fall and winter. I have found much advantage in doing so, not only that by feeding well in the fall I can bring my cows into winter quarters in better condition and that by good keeping through the winter they do better the next summer, but that we get well paid for extra feed in the increase in the quantity and improvement in the quality of the butter. This I have found to be the more desirable, as "choice fall made butter" always brings an extra price, and I seldom fail of getting one or two cents a pound over the regular market price for all we make to sell during the fall and winter. Hence I make it a point to feed, as much as I conveniently can, such kinds of feed as are best calculated to produce the most and the best quality of butter, and to feeding cows for this purpose what follows will be more particularly devoted.

were fed, when the milk had a nasty bad smell that made
it unfit for anything but to feed to the pigs. I seldom
feed cabbages, or any other extra feed, before milking.
I consider cabbages excellent feed to make cows give milk,
and should raise enough to have plenty to feed through
the winter did I not find them more difficult to store and
continue to do as I have done some years back-that is,
keep well through the winter than roots.
raise enough to have plenty to feed in the fall, and some
for a change, or to feed occasionally in connection with
other feed in the winter. F. Western New-York.

But I shall

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] THE CORN-HORSE.

The task of cutting up corn is always rather toilsome at best, and more so if the heavy fall winds and rains have caused it to partially fall, become crooked and twisted, and in fact, in just the condition not to stand up while shocking or stocking it, and still harder is it for the tired laborer if there chances to be a strong wind blowing, for his labors are still more difficult, and even after it is shocked, the shocks present anything but straight rows; besides not being set up in a nice substantial manner, it is very apt to lean and finally fall to the ground, there to become damaged and rotten. To obviate these difficulties a year ago this last fall I saw a simple machine constructed, which proved to be just the thing wanted, and as I have never seen a description of anything like it, I will give a description of it; and to those who have never tried it, and will give it a trial, I will warrant that they will concede a saving in some instances of at least one quarter of labor in harvesting. Take a strip of board 12 or 14 feet in length, 1 inch in thickness, and 3 or 4 in width, rest one end of the strip on the ground, and at the other end nail to it a couple of legs made of strips of boards, in same manner as the legs to a saw bench or horse, bringing this end about 3 feet from the ground, nailing a narrow strip across the legs to strengthen them. Then about 4 feet from the legs bore with an inch and a half auger a hole through the board, slipping through this hole an old broom handle or something similar; then your instrument is ready for use. Where the materials are handy, one can be made in twenty minutes. I will give a diagram, so that one can see at a glance the manner of making one.

For feeding in the fall I find pumpkins the cheapest, most convenient and satisfactory of anything I have ever raised. I usually commence feeding as soon as the corn is cut up out of the way so they can be drawn-though sometimes, when I have a large crop, before, if the cows can run on one side of the cornfield, so as to make it convenient to feed them. I have never taken any special pains in feeding, as taking out the seeds, or cutting up fine, or cooking, but have generally fed on clean grass ground, taking a little pains to break them up well, which, by the way, I have noticed has a tendency to jar loose and rattle out more or less of the seeds. I have generally fed them just as they came, ripe and unripe, unless I had more than the cows would need while they would save good, when a part of the best would be selected to cook for the hogs. We have never had any trouble from pumpkins drying up the milk; but on the contrary, whenever for any cause feeding the cows was neglected a day or two, I was pretty sure to hear in the house, " we don't get as much milk as usual, I guess the cows don't get any pumpkins." I have heard and read considerable about pumpkins drying up cows, but have never been able to account for it in any other way than to guess that at least one of the reasons why such is the case may be found in the fact that the cows were not used to them, nor perhaps any other extra feed. I have also heard that carrots dried up cows, and from what I have known of the practice of those that held this opinion, I have come to the conclusion that if it is ever the case that carrots dry up cows, the reason may be found in the fact that such cows had never been used to them, nor any other extra food. At least am satisfied that carrots nor pumpkins never dried cows Now for the mode of using it. Shoulder the corn-horse, for me in a single instance, and I have fed both for many take it to the fields, placing it wherever you intend to years. And I have several times bought cows early in the make your first shock. fall, and fed them for the sake of making butter, and init in one of the corners formed by the broom handle and Cut an armful of corn, and place more than one instance making enough butter from some-strip of board, being careful to give it a firm footing by time in September to the first of the next June, to pay

for the cow.

A

jamming it up and down two or three times, and continue

thus till the shock is of sufficient size to suit the taste. Next after pumpkins I consider cabbages the cheapest, Cutting in this manner, the cutter has nothing to attend handiest, and best feed for milch cows in the fall. Before but simply to cut and stand up in the shock, a middle the pumpkins are gone we commence feeding cabbages band not being needed, and the shocks will be more uni once a day, or a part of the time, in order to make the form, substantial and firm. It making no difference how change a gradual one. They are fed freely once a day much the corn may be down, you have something against during the latter part of the fall, and more or less the fore which to stand the first hills, after a beginning being part of the winter. Pumpkins are generally all fed by made, the stalks forming a mutual support. But the the fore part of November, when the tops of the different good qualities of the corn-horse are best seen, when the kinds of root crops are fed once a day, when convenient, wind blows a perfect gale. (Some may say that this is no though sometimes cabbages are fed twice a day. But time for harvesting corn, but great expedition is oftengenerally when root tops are gone we are ready to com- times needed in cutting corn to get it out of danger of mence feeding some kind of roots, usually carrots. I also the frost.) In such a time as this, as much headway can find it a good plan to commence feeding cornstalks as be made as though it were perfectly still; whereas, withsoon as grass begins to get frost bitten and dried up. out one it would be almost impossible to do anything at We have never had any trouble with cabbages making it. The corn-horse also obviates the necessity of setting milk taste bad, except in a single instance, when a part of round the hill, which I consider a great bother when one a pile of cabbages that had begun to heat and smell bad' comes to husking or drawing to the barn, making it al

ways necessary to bring a corn-knife or jack knife in to requisition at every shock before they can be husked or moved.

But I have always found it the most expeditious and convenient way to have two baskets while husking, and throw all the poor corn into one basket, and the good into another. This saves much time and unnecessary labor; and when a husker becomes accustomed to assort corn as it is being husked, he will like that mode much better than to assort it after it has been hauled to the corn house.

After a proper number of hills have been placed about the corn-horse, bind with two or three bands to the shock, as the height of the corn demands, the first band being placed as low down as possible, each band being formed of two dryish cornstalks, which can be selected by a little experience, forming as good, if not a better, band than either rye or oat straw, besides being a great deal bandier It will always be much better for both the poor corn and quicker of forming. Of course all cornstalks will not and the good, to assort it as soon as it is husked, and deform bands; those that will are of a yellowish cast, the posit the poor corn in a very narrow crib-say not more leaves being dryish. After the shock is bound, pull out than two feet wide-or on a floor made with narrow the handle, (always having the legs or head of the corn-boards, placed three-fourths of an inch apart, so that the horse toward the corn to be cut,) step to the head of the air may circulate up through the corn. By this precauhorse, and carry it to the spot of the next shock. tion, poor corn will cure and dry out in a few weeks, so that it may be ground for feed in the former part of winter. When all the poor corn is thrashed or shelled with the good, it is not always as marketable as it would be, were it assorted.

Half an hour will make one perfectly familiar, besides giving him such an opinion of this simple little machine that he will never do without one, for with one he can do his work easier, faster, and better than without. King's Ferry, Cayuga Co., N. Y.

E. A. KING.

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] Husking Indian Corn by Hand.

Why will one man husk twice as much corn in a day as another? And why will many boys husk much faster than some men? Because, in one case, there is the exercise of much skill, while in the other there is no tact or skill manifested.

There is an opportunity to exercise a great deal of skill in husking corn, and I propose to show that the exercise of skill is highly important, in order to be a good and rapid husker.

In the first place, I will point out some of the errors in husking Indian corn, which characterize a poor husker; and then we will attend to some of the manipulations of a good and skillful husker.

Making Apple-Molasses.

Select good sweet apples-Tallman Sweetings are about as good as any other for this purpose-and wash them clean, and grind them fine, and allow the pomace to stand at least thirty hours before pressing. Let it be pressed gradually, so that too much of the fine pomace may not three thicknesses of flannel, before it is boiled. Boil it flow out with the juice. Let it be strained slowly through down in a brass-kettle-which is much better than an iron one for such a purpose, as iron will color it-and remove, with a skimmer, all impurities when it is boiling. When it is about of the consistence of thin molasses, put it in tight bottles or jugs, and it will subserve a good purpose for culinary purposes; and next season, during hot weather, will make a most refreshing beverage. a few spoonfulls mingled with a small tumbler of water, S. E. TODD.

[For the Country Gentlemen and Cultivator.] Remedy for the Bite of Rapid Dogs.

WASHINGTON, D. C., Sept. 25, 1862. friend and cousin, certain datas concerning that most EDS. Co. GENT.-Yesterday I received from my old dreadful danger, the effects of the mad dog bite.

A poor husker spends much time in reaching after the ears of corn, and in laying the husks and stalks aside. Some huskers will sit on a high seat or stand while husking, which position requires them to reach too far, and spend too much time in getting the corn in hand, ready to husk. While a man is stooping down to pick up an ear, a good husker will husk an ear. Picking up one stalk at a time, and placing it at one side of the husker consumes much time that ought to be spent in husking. I will now lay down a few plain directions to be prac-three weeks ago, a case in Evangelice, where from forty ticed in order to husk corn fast, and in a farmer-like manner.

After the stook has been pulled down, place the basket at the butt of the stalks, a little inclined towards the husker. Procure a little box for a seat, about ten inches high. If a husker is not discommoded by resting on his knees, a low seat may be dispensed with. Let the husker place himself close to the corn, so that it will not be necessary to reach far for each stalk. Now take an ear in the left hand, and with the husker or fid on the right hand, pull down half the husks. As the right hand goes down, let the left hand rise to the tip of the ear, and slip the thumb of the left hand over the end of the ear, taking off cleanly all the silk, and bring it down with the other half of the husks. Two quick motions of the hand will husk an ear neatly. As the left hand grasps the stem, prepatory to breaking off the ear, let the husks be retained in the hand, so as to protect it from becoming tender between the thumb and fore finger, where every ear of corn strikes it, as it is separated from the stem.

A quick motion is required in husking corn fast, and by following these plain directions, a man may husk much faster than he would when they are not observed. There is more science in being a skillful husker than there is in knowing how to shovel earth with ease and skill.

Assorting Indian Corn.

Many farmers never assort their corn, but deposit it all in a crib together. Those who do assort it usually haul it to the corn house or crib, and there pick out the poor.

The most positive facts, and numerous experiments in Lithuania, near Odessa, in Volhynia, and as recently as

to fifty persons were bitten by mad wolves, and yet the timely remedy applied succeeded most hopefully. A plant called Euphorbia procera, belonging to a numerous family of Euphorbia, very similar, but more hairy and not so glossy as Euphorbia ulcera, or Euphorbia silvestris, given in decoction, cures that dreadful scourge of one of our domestic animals.

The discovery of this belongs to Francis Wolanski, a resident in Austrian Galicia.

More complete description I will hasten to communicate you as soon as it reaches me; in the meanwhile I communicate this fact, which I deem the most important at any time. HENRY K. KALUSSOWSKI.

THE GRAIN APHIS IN DELAWARE.-My oat crop, as well as the crops of some of my neighbors, have been much injured by the ravages of the red lice, which I suppose is only another name for the aphis. They were on my oats in such countless numbers as to give the field quite a reddish appearance. The injury they have done will reduce the crop one-half, and one person who has threshed some, told me that what he had threshed weigh

ed only 20 pounds to the bushel. This is the first time I
have seen such an insect on my oats. I am told that
many of them blow over the fan while cleaning.
G. &

Ner Castle Co., Del.

[For the Cultivator and Country Gentleman.] Getting Out and Curing Apple-Seeds.

Cider-mills and cider-making is suggestive of appleseeds, a great staple with our nurserymen. Running water is indispensable in competing with present market rates for apple-seed. It is far better to haul the pomace a few miles to running water, than attempt to do without it, as a good load of pomace will yield one and a half to two bushels of seed. For getting out the seed, make a trough 10 feet long, 14 inches wide, sides 6 inches high, with gate at upper end; at lower end, a sieve of ordinary sievecloth, 3 feet long, with side pieces, and if the upper part of sieve is of finer meshes all the better. Set the trough and sieve all level-the latter to be moveable, and over a box tight enough to hold apple-seeds and yet let out the water. Absolutely fresh yomace is much preferred, as it floats off far better-a great object. Apple-pomace heats very soon after leaving the press. A slight heat is not objectionable; too much kills the seed. In warm weather pomace often spoils in three days, but can be kept safely enough by spreading thin on the ground, or subjecting to frost, and doubtless for some time by plunging it in water, which will "slack up" or loosen the pomace.

The

In the regular business of getting out apple seeds, breaking up the pomace is an important matter. best mode is with cylinders, &c., made on purpose, like those of thrashing machines, and connected with the cidermills, where, as in some cases, they are run by steam or water. Ordinarily an old fan-mill is used, taking out the fans and substituting a cylinder and bed-piece; the cylinder four or five inches in diameter, with say 50 spikes driven in the wood, and projecting two and a half inches. These cylinders any blacksmith can rig up, and the spikes cost but a trifle, one cent or so each. For a bed-piece use plank six inches wide, one and a half thick, with twenty-penny nails driven through. Set this fan-mill over your trough, through which a steady stream of water, three inches deep, should flow. On a small stream a narrower trough can be used. Sometimes stones are useful on the bottom of the trough to increase the agitation, and sometimes an inch cleet is fastened at lower end of sieve. The seed will require two or three runs through to get it clean. The second cleaning is done at close of each day's work. The pomace for 10 or 12 barrels of cider ordinarily makes one bushel of seed.

A simpler and slower mode is to use a large tub or vat, stirring up the pomace gradually and running it off the surface, while the seed settles at bottom.

Drying the seed-also very important-as when fresh and wet it is very subject to heating, which, unchecked, speedily ruins the germs. Seed from old partly heated pomace is more apt to spoil.

After the seed is cleaned, spread thin in the sun, and stir often to get the outside moisture off. Then spread in chamber or loft, with windows and doors open for free circulation. Of course, in warm, well ventilated loft, the seed spread thin would cure thoroughly and fast enough. But curing wholly in the sun is believed injurious to the vitality of the seeds. If not spread quite thin, must be stirred thoroughly two or three times a day-the oftener the better-to prevent moulding. Seed can doubtless be dried too much, but usually it is cured too little. Good, newly dried apple seed weighs 42 to 44 pounds to the bushel; older and more thoroughly dried, 40 pounds.

firm, and of a paler dirty white or yellow, and usually of lighter weight. The best way if you are not a judge, is to get of trustworthy dealers-among whom, from long acquaintance, we rank James A. Root of Skaneateles, New-York, to whom we are indebted for the foregoing directions, and who can find plenty of other endorsers to the quality of his seed. As to facilities there for getting out seed, it may be remarked that one cider-mill alone, near him, running by water, turns out 2,800 barrels of cider per year, when fruit is plenty.

And now for a hobby of ours. Why don't every one that can, select his fruit for seeds-especially in the North from the most vigorous, hardy, productive, perfectly formand West, where the climate is so severe-and get only ed seedlings? Like begets like," and it cannot be doubted that a few experiments of this kind would settle the matter as much in raising improved apple-stocks as horses or cattle. F. K. PHENIX. Bloomington, Ill.

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] AGRICULTURAL ITEMS FROM MAINE. THE GRAIN APHIS.-These insects appeared in many localities-probably in as many as last year—this season, but were ten to fifteen days later than last year. Soon after they began to increase rapidly upon the oats, wheat, and barley, heavy showers and high winds almost entirely destroyed them. I say showers and winds destroyed them, because they disappeared immediately after them, and there were but a few to be found again. In 1861, I found them, July 25, on wheat then beginning to turn, in great numbers, and they continued to increase till the grains were all ripe.

POTATO RUST AND ROT.-About the 15th September I detected a spot of rot on an early potato that was cooked. The rust proper had been on the tops for some time previous to this in many places, and had been noticed to be steadily spreading. For some days, no one was seen who of September the complaint is on nearly every one's greethad observed the rot, but had the rust. Since the 20th ings when met, though it has come so late that it is not thought it will be very extensive. They looked remarkably well till the rust came, but will be rather a light crop, because it has not been wet enough for them to set well, either early or late planted ones, yet the breadth was more than an average for some years.

FROSTS.-There were in Franklin Co., in August, three (and in some places more,) on the 18th, 24th and 31st, all doing some damage, but the last the most. September gave two, on the 22d and 25th, still harder, yet not more than half of the corn and vegetables are killed, though the corn was materially checked.

THE SEASON. We are inclined upon the first thought to say "it is the dryest or the wetest that I ever knew," if it happens to be a little dry or wet at the time we would wish it to be a little different weather. But after all we here have had a dry and cold season. The spring was dry-a drouth; the summer was dry and the autumn is dry so far, that is, up to October. September has been very fine weather for corn, and for harvesting the grains.

LABORERS AND WAGES.-It is a little difficult to obtain all the help wanted in agricultural circles at all times, while wages have been higher by the day, month or six months, than for ten years at least. This has given the day laborer, who has a family to support, plenty of work and good pay, which has generally been well improved, and the farm-work with machinery has thus been kept up to time. O. W. TRUE. Franklin Co., Maine.

Seed from really heated pomace, always more or less damaged-not necessarily all bad, but unreliable-and always lighter colored than from good, new pomace. Seed when got out good at first, is made lighter by drying in The Indiana State Fair, judging from an account the sun-or may be got out of bad quality, and darkened by in the Prairie Farmer-the only one we have seen-apdrying on dusty floor. Good seed can generally be dis

tinguished by careful examination, after breaking or cut-pears to have been quite successful. It was held at ting off the husk. If good, the meat is plump, and of a Indianapolis, Sept. 30—Oct. 3. The receipts were suffi clear, pearly white, firm texture; if poor, the meat is less cient to meet premiums and expenses.

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