Page images
PDF
EPUB

PUSH ON!

room, or the judge's bench? What the dull rou- tude that he is permitted to be free
tine of the merchant's duties behind the counter, which he is gladdening by his care.
with his daily liability to protested notes and bank-
ruptcy? What the daily task of the mechanic,
happy if released after a ten hours' toil, or that of
operators in the cotton-mill, summoned by bell and
encased in codes of regulations? No-it is not the
employment of the fields that is drudgery-it is the
man's mind, that is enslaved. That mind does not
spring from the sod, buoyant with life and intelli-
gence, searching and inquiring into the wonderful
operations above, beneath and around him.

Let him turn his thoughts to Chemistry in its
relation to his employment, and he will soon be
convinced, that no man has yet lived long enough
to understand the strange yet beautiful operations
constantly carried on in his trees, plants, flowers
and animals. The lawyer is tied to his terms, and
the merchant to his counter; the physician to his
never-ceasing horse-mill rounds, the clergyman to
his parish and the mechanic to his bench. But the
farmer breathes the free winds of heaven on his
hills, and drinks from the crystal springs that flow
through his valleys. The first beams of the morn-
ing sun touch his brow amid the waving grain of
his garnished fields, while he bathes his feet in the
cool dews that have gathered upon the bending
grass. He reclines at noon in the shade of his old
trees, and walks among his springing corn, or
profits by the cheerful criticisms of his wife and
children his garden culture, as they stroll
upon
among the plants he is rearing. He goes to mill
or to market at will;-attends the County Fair in
autumn with his fat oxen, lusty steers, or mam-
moth vegetables; takes a premium on orchards,
bog meadows, or corn and cabbages, while his wife
bears off the palm for making the best butter, and
his unmarried daughter receives the silver goblet
for the best loaf of wheaten bread. He finds a day
to look in upon the General Court; or, perchance,
is a constituent part of that honorable body himself.
He is the man to conduct the town business, for a
referee, for a juror, or for any other honorable call-
ing.

BY HENRY J. SARGENT.
Awake! and listen. Everywhere-
From upland, grove and lawn,
Out-breathes the universal prayer,
The orison of morn.

Arise! and don thy working garb;
All nature is astir;

Let honest motives be thy barb,

And usefulness thy spur.

Stop not to list the boisterous jeers,

upon

(He would be what thou art,)
They should not e'en offend thine ears,
Still less disturb thy heart.

What though you have no shining board,
(Inheritance of stealth;)

To purchase at the broker's board,
The recompense of wealth-

Push on! You're resting while you stand;
Inaction will not do;

Take life's small bundle in your hand,
And trudge it briskly through.

Push on!

Don't blush because you have a patch
In honest labor won;

There's many a small cot roofed with thatch

That's happier than a throne.

Push on! The world is large enough

For you, and me, and all;

You must expect your share of rough,
And now and then a fall.

But, up again! act out your part-
Bear willingly your load;
There's nothing like a cheery heart
To mend a stony road.

Push on!

Jump over all the if's and but's ;

There's always some kind hand
To lift life's wagon from the ruts,
Or poke away the sand.
Remember, when your sky of blue
Is shadowed by a cloud,
The sun will shine as soon for you
As for the monarch proud.

It is but written on the moon
That toil alone endures;
The king would dance a rigadoon
With that blithe soul of yours.
Push on! You're rusting while you stand;
Inaction will not do;

Take life's small bundle in your hand,
And trudge it briskly through.
Push on!

the acres

While cultivating the fields, he is in the schoolroom of nature, and it is his own fault if he does POISON OF CHERRY LEAVES.-A lady informs us not study her ways, and make her subserve his pur- that the poisonous effects of cherry leaves upon poses. She calls to him from her mountains, and animals, as noticed in the Farmer a week or two valleys, and streams, from the air that cools his ago, can be remedied, by giving the animal a mixheated brow, and the dust beneath his feet. She ture of vinegar and chalk in the proportion of pleads constantly for his attention through the pint of vinegar to 2 tablespoonfuls of chalk. The remedy has proved effectual in several cases.

birds of the air, and the beasts of the field, in the
change of the seasons, in showers, sunshine, frost
and vapor.
Is there no voice in these, to him who
tills the ground or fells the forest? Are these all a
sealed book to him, because he is a tiller of the
soil? If so, he should awaken to their perpetual
call, be led to a consideration of the delights which
are hourly offered to his mind, and rejoice in grati-

LIME WILL DESTROY SORREL.-Edmund Ruffin gives, in the last number of the Southern Planter, the experience of thirty-four farmers, on the subject of lime, as a remedy against sorrel. Their experianimous opinion is, that marling or liming, in ence is from nine to thirty-six years, and their unproper manner and quantity, will entirely destroy the growth of sorrel, and prevent its return.

For the New England Farmer. markably healthy and vigorous, as has been proved LITTLE THINGS: by grafting into other stocks. The original tree has supplied my family of eight or nine persons OR, A WALK IN MY GARDEN.....No. 1. with cooking apples from the first week in August One of my many sources of enjoyment is derived till the middle or last of November, besides furnishfrom a survey of my garden, at least twice a day. ing a supply for drying. It now hangs full. AtIt affords me much pleasure to know that my prac- tention is not sufficiently paid to secure good cooktice now and then conforms to the experience of ing apples in our collections of fruit. others. The first thing I noticed in my ramble today was an

ORANGE QUINCE.

This walk has afforded me pleasure enough for one day, a pleasure free from alloy, and especially from the cares of professional life. Who believes that Adam and Eve were not happy while in the Garden of Eden?

Bethel, Me., July 5, 1855.

N. T. T

I transplanted it a year ago to the border of an asparagus bed, but was in doubt whether it would do where so much salt had been spread over the ground. It grew finely, and has been covered with blossoms, the present season. I recently saw an article in the Farmer, recommending salt for the to us, personally, though from the tone and spirit quince, and this seems to confirm its use. On the of his frequent communications, we cannot but feel border of the same bed are some

HOUGHTON SEEDLING GOOSEBERRIES,

REMARKS.-The writer of the above is a stranger

the interest and attachment of a brother. This article is not only brief-a cardinal virtue in newspa

which have thrown out shoots the present season per writing-but it is terse, compact, pleasantly extwo and a half feet already. I must attribute this unusual growth to the deep trenching of the bed, which was made four feet in depth, and filled with alternate layers of earth and manure. Against a wall near by, are some

GRAPE VINES.

pressed, takes up a single point, discusses it, and lays it down a perfect work, finished in all its parts. (a.) In connection with "N. T. T.'s" practice of manuring his pear trees, we wish to utter a single word of warning. Soap suds and water from the chambers are undoubtedly among the best fertiliI have learned one lesson from sad experience. In this latitude, it is absolutely necessary to protect zers we have for any plants, but they must be used grape vines during winter, and on laying them down, in a diluted form. In seasons of drought they are if placed on the ground and covered up, they are particularly dangerous; as they are not diluted and quite sure to be killed, especially if there be any washed through the soil by rains. We know now ater on the ground. I adopted the plan last win- of dead pear trees and choice grape vines that unter with my sweet water grape vines, of placing on

the ground a good layer of spruce or fir boughs, doubtedly were killed by the application of undilulaying the vines on them, and covering them with ted chamber ley and soap suds during the extreme the same. They came out in the finest order, while drought of last summer. They may be used with my Isabella was badly injured for want of a similar great advantage, and in unlimited quantity, if greatprotection. ly reduced in strength.

Pursuing my walk, I look at a few hills of early

CUCUMBERS.

For the New England Farmer.

ERN NEW YORK.

I brought these forward in the cheapest possible manner, simply by making a deep hole, putting in THE CROPS AND SEASON IN NORTHgood manure, and placing around the hill four bricks laid flatwise, and on them a square of glass. Broken glass from the stores will answer just as but little progress during the month, even the pasApril was a cold and wet month; vegetation made well, which the shop-keeper will give you. After tures looked as barren as in the month of March. the plants are up, slip off the glass during the day May came, with its cold and dry winds, and scarcely in warm weather. The bricks absorb the heat of the sun during the day, and retain it during a por- languid, the cattle on the hills lowed for food, but any rain fell during the whole month, vegetation tion of the night. They commenced blossoming the farmer had no hay or grain to give them, for the fourth of July, which is at least two weeks ear- the contents of his barns and granary were exhausted. lier than they can do in open air, in this vicinity. June at last came, with abundance of rain, but cold; Among the many plans adopted, I have met with none better than this.

Stepping along, I saw with pleasure my

PEAR TREES,

which have grown better than any of my neighbors' trees, I suppose, because I saturated the mulching last year occasionally with soap-suds and liquid excrements. (a.) Just over the fence I see a native apple, which I call the

BETHEL BELLE APPLE.

grass grew, though thin, from being killed by the ice and excessive freezing during the winter. July came forward with warm weather, the 2d day, the thermometer indicated a degree of heat that was oppressive to man or beast, 90°, and for the past 17 days the thermometer has ranged at 2 P. M., from 74° to 90°, which has produced, with suitable showers of rain, a wonderful change in the whole vegetable kingdom. Rye, oats and potatoes now look finely, and bid fair to become a good crop, but corn is backward. The black cut worm, in this

I regard it the best grower and bearer of any fall vicinity, has injured the crop very much. I planted cooking apple in this vicinity. The original tree about the 10th of May six acres on greensward that has borne every year for eight years past, and near- had been to pasture for 15 years; the corn came ly the same in quantity each year. The wood is re-well and looked nice, when it first made its appear

ance above the ground, but in 10 days time the ther information of the above character we shall be worms had destroyed two-thirds of the spears in most happy in affording, when such facts come be the field. At first hoeing I replanted the field, or fore us.

the missing hills. Now, where the first planting Corn in this vicinity looks very promising, and stands, it is waist high, and the second planting is also grain of all kinds. Pumpkin and squash vines about one foot in height. I am of the opinion that are rapidly reaching out for more extended territoshould the weather prove favorable, the second ry. I have seen some within a few days that would planting will prove nearly as good as the first. measure from six to eight feet in length. This is the case with those who planted on old pas- Hay comes in very light. It is estimated at "twoture land. Most of those who planted on lands that thirds" crop, though some will cut much less than had a crop of some description on last season, the this. The dull weather at present is a serious check worms had not injured at all. The farmers in this to haymaking operations; still there has been a vicinity have put in more crops this spring than good quantity of very nice hay secured already. common. Most every farmer has sowed his spring Gardens are presenting an unusually fine appearwheat to supply his family with, during another ance, and will pay a great per centage on outlay of season, and the crop generally looks finely. Most time and money; the one most worthy of notice farmers for the past ten years have depended upon being that owned by DAVID ROBERTS, Esq., of Sabuying western flour to bread their families with, lem, which has for its principal feature between four for they said that the crop of wheat was so uncer- and five acres of onions, the most thrifty and protain that they had rather trust oats than wheat. mising of any in our wide community. But the high price of flour has caused a revolution in their opinion, and in fact has drained their purses to the bottom. My policy has been, since commencing farming for myself, to raise my wheat; then same as that sent us by Mr. Sheldon, of Wilming

Hamilton, July 21.

Z. A. APPLETON.

REMARKS. The worm described above is the

-

Its ravages have not yet been extensive.

I was not dependent on a foreign state for my ton. bread; and for the past eight years I have annually raised about two acres of spring wheat, and have not as yet failed of raising a decent crop of wheat. A SHOW OF DAIRY STOCK. My plan has been to sow my wheat upon land The Trustees of the "Massachusetts Society for which was the previous year planted to potatoes; Promoting Agriculture" propose to the farmers of the ground is well mixed and subdued by the pro- the State, a Show of Dairy Stock, at Worcester, on cess of hoeing and digging the crop of potatoes; the grounds of the Worcester Agricultural Society, then plow and sow my wheat, after liming, as early and with the assistance and accommodations which as I can, say by the 15th of April, this season I did have been liberally offered by that society, on not sow till the 21st, on account of the land being THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1856. wet and cold. The hay crop is light and back- And they have authorized the undersigned to offer ward. Meadows in this vicinity, by the excessive the following premiums. drought of last season and the ice of last winter, have been killed out very much. I predicted in

CLASS I.

the month of April that let the season be as favor- For the best six Dairy Cows, which shall have able as it could be, we must have a short crop of been owned and kept together from July 1, 1855, hay. New seeded meadows are generally very thin, to the day of the Show, and at least three of which all those which have been laid down the past three cows shall have been bred and raised or imported by the competitors.

years.

Yours truly,
Low Hampton, N. Y., July 17, 1855.

J. PECK.

For the New England Farmer.
A POTATO WORM.

MR. EDITOR:-Mr. J. P. Knowlton, of this town, on visiting his potato field, to-day, discovered in the vines what he believes to be the cause of the potato rot. He brought several vines from the field, which before being cut off, were more or less wilted at the extreme tops; and on examining them with him, we found in each a hole made near the bottom of the vine, about the size of that made by a buckshot.

[blocks in formation]

Notice of intention to compete for either of the On splitting the vine from the hole towards the top, letter postpaid, to Benj. Guild, Esq., Secretary of above premiums, must be given in person, or by its pith was found to be entirely eaten out, till we discovered a worm in close though comfortable the Society, at Boston, on or before the 1st day of quarters, from four to six inches from its entrance. December next. The period of trial will extend The worm is about one inch in length, and of a from Dec. 1, 1855, to Aug. 31, 1856, both inclulight pink color, its back being brown half its length from the head, which was crested.

Mr. Knowlton's potatoes were planted in good soil, on high land, and the vines, as most every where else, never looked more flourishing, being in blossom, and the potatoes just forming. Judging from the present appearance and the amount or extent the worm has eaten, they must have commenced hostilities but a few days since. Any fur

sive.

CLASS III.

For the best Durham Cow........
Next best.........

For the best Devon Cow..........
Next best..

For the best Ayrshire....
Next best

For the best Alderney..........
Next best..

For best Cow of any other pure breed..
Next best....

.$50

[blocks in formation]

Premiums will not be awarded in this class unless the milk of the competing Cow has been manufactured into butter, or cheese, and an average daily yield of 1 lb. of butter, or 3 lbs. new milch cheese, weighed as ready for market, obtained therefrom for the period of six months, preceding the 1st of September, 1856.

Regard will be had in making the awards, to the ages of the animals, the number of cows kept together, their food, and the consequent comparative expense of keeping, and their product.

CLASS IV.

For the best Cow of any breed, (from a herd of not less than 3 cows,) which shall have been owned by the competitor from July 1, 1855, to the day of the Show, kept for the manufacture of butter or cheese, for a period of six months, immediately preceding the 1st of September, 1856,

A first premium of....
Second premium....
Third premium....
Fourth premium.

.$50

.40 ..30 .20

[blocks in formation]

.40

.25

..50

.40 .25

For the best Alderney Bull, not less than 1 year old.....50
For the second best...
For the third best....

For the best Bull, of native or mixed breed, not less
than 1 year old....
For the second best....
For the third best....

A written statement under oath, signed by the competitor under this class, must be filed with the Secretary of this Committee, at the time of entering the animal, giving the age, breed, place where raised, person by whom bred and raised or imported, method of management and kind and quantity of article of food furnished, other than Hay or Grass, subsequent to the 1st of March, 1856.

any

In all cases competitors must be the actual owners of the animals entered by them, on the first day of July, 1855, and such ownership must have continued

tion in more than one class.
No animal will be allowed to enter into competi-

Premiums in this class will not be awarded unless to the day of the Show. there has been an average daily yield of 1 lb. butter or 3 lbs. new milch cheese, for the whole period of trial, weighed as ready for market.

CLASS V.

For the best Cow kept for milk, and owned by the competitor from the 1st day of July, 1855, to the day of the Show.

A premium of....

For the next best..
Next best..

Next best.

.$40

......

..30 ..20 ..10

All animals offered for competition must be entered with WILLIAM S. LINCOLN, the Secretary of this Committee, in Worcester, on or before Wednesday, the 26th day of September, at 12 o'clock at noon, and must be exhibited upon the grounds of the Worcester Agricultural Society, on the day of exhibition, at 8 A. M., and remain till 3 P. M.

TRAVEL.

Premiums in this class will not be awarded un-mile to the owners of such animals as obtain premiThe Trustees will pay at the rate of 12 cents per less there has been an average daily yield of 25 lbs. of milk for a period of six months immediately pre-miles from the place of exhibition, computing from ums, and which are brought or driven more than 10 ceding the 1st day of Sept., 1856.

the place from which the animals come; also to unCompetitors for all the above classes of premiums successful competitors the like sum, if upon the rewill be required to file with Wm. S. Lincoln, Secport of any Committee, such an indemnity for exretary of this Committee, on or before the 10th day pense should be merited. Travel will only be allowof September, 1856, their statement in writing, un-ed one way, and only one travel will be allowed to der oath, or affirmation, to the following facts: any competitor.

The age and breed of the Cow; the place where, and person by whom, bred and raised, or imported, the time of being dried last, and of last and of next calving;

Time of turning to pasture; The whole number of Cows constituting their dairy; and whether kept together;

Quantity of milk yielded by each competing cow, ascertained by the weight and beer measure, of each milking after strained, for the first three days of each month of trial, and when the milk is manufac

Blanks for return of particulars required in the certificates will be sent to persons who give notice of intention to compete.

A rigid adherence to the foregoing rules will be required.

Skilful men from different parts of the State will and no premiums will be awarded in any class where be seasonably appointed to adjudge the premiums, animals of sufficient merit have not been exhibited. Premiums will be paid by THOMAS MOTLEY, tured, the amount of Butter or of Cheese yielded by Jr., Esq., Treasurer, at Boston, thirty days after their the competing animals during the whole period as award, but if not claimed within six months, they specified in each class. In classes No. 1 and No. 2 will be considered as relinquished.

the milk of the competing cows may be manufactured together. In all cases the amount of Butter and Cheese produced by the milk of the three days

must be ascertained. It will also be required that

the statement shall give full and accurate account of

ROBERT C. WINTHROP,
GEORGE W. LYMAN,
JAMES W. PAIGE,
STEPHEN SALISBURY,
WM. S. LINCOLN,

Committee.

CONSTITUENTS OF BODIES.-The muscles of a

the times of stabling, the method of management of Boston, June 13, 1855. the entire dairy during the period of stabling, the process of manufacture pursued, and the kind and quantity of every article of food furnished the animals, either while in the barn or at pasture, distin- body are what is usually called lean meat—the skin, guishing between said periods.

CLASS VI.

For the best Durham Bull, not less than 1 year old....$50
For the second best....

.40

hair, horns, and hoofs are glue-this shows why they are good for manures, as glue contains fifty-five per cent. of carbon, eighteen of nitrogen and twenty two of oxygen.

[blocks in formation]

THE CANKER WORM.

this precaution be frequently made use of, the depoTHE CURCULIO sition of many eggs, and consequent production of This little depredator seems to defy the effort insects, will be prevented. The numerous other of all those persons who have attempted to do away remedies which have so often been published, such with its ravages. It is indeed a true weevil, as as the application of white-wash and glue, sulphur, much so as the Curculio granarius, or grain wee- lime and water, as well as gas-house lime, etc., seem vil, which does so much injury to housed wheat. to be entirely inefficient.-J. PAYNE LOWE, in The popular opinion that the plum weevil, (Khyn- Working Farmer. chanus nenuphar,) otherwise known as the curculio, cannot fly, is a mistake; for its wing-sheaths cover two transparent wings, by means of which it is The recent havoc which this pest has made on enabled to pass from plum to plum, and deposit its eggs. Before depositing an egg it makes a crescent- the fruit and other trees in this section of Massalike puncture in the particular plum in which it is chusetts, naturally leads our attention to it, alabout to be laid, which will soon be hatched, producing a whitish, footless grub, having a light brown though on our own farm at Concord, twenty miles head. Indeed, in some instances I have found as west of Boston, we have never seen one of them. The habits of this destructive insect have been many as three larva in a single plum, but this is a The young larva then feeds upon carefully investigated by men abundantly compethe plum, and eventually finds its way to the stone, tent to do the subject ample justice, and who have the passage being oblique and very irregular. Soon after the eggs have been deposited, gum begins to prosecuted their labors with a zeal and energy enexude from the fruit, and in some instances in very titled to much praise. In HARRIS's work on “Inlarge quantities. This exudation seems to so pre- sects Injurious to Vegetation," there is a minute vent the full development of the fruit, as to cause and carefully drawn account, which all may read it prematurely to fall from the trees, thus permit- with profit. The "canker moth" is the Phalana ting the insects, when about to change to the pupa

rare occurrence.

state, to pass into the ground. Between three and vernata of Professor PECK. The insect is thus defour weeks seems to be the time necessary for them scribed: to undergo this metamorphosis, when the perfect

"His antennæ, or horns, are thread-like; but weevils come forth ready to add to the injuries per- when viewed through the microscope, are found to petrated by their progenitors.

The perfect insect is about two-tenths of an inch be beset, on each side, with a very short, hairy long, and furnished with a snout, by means of which fringe. His wings are thin and silky, and expand it is enabled to bore the fruit. The hind part of about one inch and a quarter. The fore wings have each wing-case is furnished with a yellowish spot. a distinct whitish spot on the thick edge, near the The wing-cases are of a blackish color, their surface tip, and are crossed by two jagged, faint, whitish being ridged, and presenting an elevated appear- bands, more or less distinctly bordered with black

ance in the centre.

Plums are not the only fruit attacked; nectarines, lines, or dots. The hind wings are rather darker peaches, cherries, apples, and quinces, are also than the other pair, and have a small dusky spot preyed upon by the curculio. I have been told that near the middle. This is the usual appearance of not even peaches in the southern States are exempt, the male, which, however, is subject to some variabut I have had no opportunity of making any obser- tion in size, and in the greater or less distinctness

vation corroborative of this statement.

Not one of the numerous remedies proposed for of the spots on the wings. The females are plump doing away with the ravages of this little tormentor, and oval in shape, and are also ash-colored above, has yet brought about the desired result. It seems and paler or whitish beneath, and measure about to me that one important observation has yet to be three-eighths of an inch in length. They have two made. I refer to state and place in which it pass-thread-like horns, and six long slender legs, and on es the winter; for if this fact were fully brought to each side of the belly near the head, there may be

light, it would be some clue to a preventive.

grow."

The insect is very

It should be borne in mind, however, that in the seen with a glass, two little scaly tufts, pressed close absence of more accurate knowledge, such remedies to the body, where the wings of other moths usually as have a tendency to lessen their evil doings, should be observed, such as the gathering of the fruit at The coupling of these insects ordinarily occurs intervals during the season, which should be burned, thus killing the grubs, so as to prevent all possibili- very soon or immediately after they emerge from ity of their passage into the soil. To destroy them their winter dormitories in the soil, and sometimes while in the grub state is an excellent practice, for before they ascend the trees. by preventing their undergoing the natural change, destructive and very prolific. The eggs are deposand coming forth weevils, the future production of ited in the bark, in the crotches of limbs, and, incountless myriads is prevented. In order to lessen the injuries of those which have already come forth deed, in almost every place where they can be atas perfect weevils, a sheet should be spread upon tached. They sometimes appear in clusters of from the ground around the body of a tree, and if the fifteen to seventy-five in number, but it is not known branches be suddenly jarred, some of the weevils at whether the eggs forming these clusters, are the least will fall, when they may be collected and deproduct of a single insect, or of several; nor has the stroyed; for when disturbed, they gather their legs and snouts close to their bodies, and unless under number of eggs ordinarily produced by a female close examination, present a lifeless appearance. If moth been accurately ascertained. The eggs are

« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »