MORAL. We are anglers all, on the shores of fate, Nor be frightened off by showers. There are many streams where fish are caught; 'Neath the light and smiles of heaven. Portland Argus. For the New England Farmer. AGRICULTURAL FAIRS. MR. EDITOR: As the season is approaching when "Fairs" will attract and take up the time and attention of fariners, a few words may not be out of place. Having been personally interested in agricultural fairs during the last fifteen years, I can speak with some knowledge and confidence in regard to their management and benefits. These institutions have probably during the last fifteen or twenty years done as much or more to sustain and bring about a renovation in agricultural improvements as any other institution. Still a twelve or fifteen years' practice and experience shows us that there is a great need of reform in their management. The general plan of giving out and awarding premiums has become so dull, and monotonous, that the whole proceedings have PROPER USE OF EXERCISE. come to be a complete "stereotyped" affair, so Those who are able can scarcely take too much that anything like variety is out of the question. exercise of any kind, so that it is kept within the For instance, there is nothing to be gained or bounds of fatigue. Walking, riding, rowing, learned in giving out large premiums for heavy, fencing, and various games, as fives, tennis, rack-fat animals, or large and heavy field crops, because ets, &c., are all to be recommended to those who this was found out and known years ago. are able to enjoy them. Horse exercise is partic- And yet it may be a difficult matter to mark ularly beneficial when it can be borne, part-out a path to travel in, in this business. We ly from the exhilarating effect of rapid mo- think that the premiums on farms might be so tion on the spirits, but principally by the com-awarded that a real benefit might come out of it. plete exoygenation of the blood it leads to, by the For instance, instead of giving the premiums to gentle exercise of voluntary inspiration it indu- the best cultivated farm, as is usual, let the award be made to the farm that shall show the greatest Reading aloud and singing, when not carried to improvement, say in three or five years in succesexcess, are most beneficial exercises, and can be sion. Of course taking into consideration the practised by the most infirm. They tend to pro-amount of labor laid out, the number of acres duce deep inspiration, equal expansion of the lungs, and give free access of air to the smaller cultivated, the situation of the farm, from markets &c., and the amount of means which the fardivisions of the air passages, thereby decarbonizing the blood more rapidly. The lungs, dia mer has to do with. In this way, where the imphragm, and walls of the chest, are gently but provment were to run from three to five years, the farmer of moderate means might stand as freely exercised, and the air tubes are freed from obstruction. Like all other organs, those of respi good a chance for the premiums as the more wealthy one. That is to say the award in that ration acquire power by exercise, and that which at first produces breathlessness is soon performed than on money and means, although both should case would depend more on skill and management almost unconsciously, and without fatigue. In be combined together to ensure success. In a matall these cases and in all gymnastic exercises, care must taken not to hurry the circulation so as to ter of so much importance as the managing and produce either breathlessness or muscular fatigue. be satisfied, it is a difficult matter, and we can onarranging of awards of premiums so that all will -Spencer Wells on Gout. ly give an outline on one or two points. Every society must know or learn for themMULES VS. HORSES.-The following estimate in selves about what management is wanted in their the difference of expense of keeping Mules and locality to suit or ensure success. Our experience Horses, is made by The Southern Planter, which in this business has shown us a great variety of from our acquaintance with these animals, we can men and minds to suit in connexion with agriculendorse : ces. Ten horses will consume each 12 bbls. of corn per annum, Cost of feeding on corn and shoeing ten horses for twenty tural fairs. And when the great law of "self" stands out so prominent it is a matter next to impossible to suit all. For instance we have known $6,000 a farmer to get disaffected on the award of a pre600 mium of a few dollars on an animal, and with this feeling not to come near the society again for $6,600 years. And if he ever did come back again, he probably came more to grumble and find fault, than for any good purpose. There was a class of farmers too, who would go to the "fair" and pay $3,000 their dollar, provided they have anything to show for a premium, and that was the last of it with them. There was another class of farmers who According to this estimate we save $3,600 in might pay their dollar if called upon, and thus twenty years, or about $200 per annum, by hav-avoided the responsibility as they were never known ing mules instead of horses; and then the mules to attend the meetings of the society, or take any are much longer-lived and less liable to disease. special interest in its welfare, whatever. There Ten mules will consume each 6 bbls. of corn per annum, say for twenty years, which is equal to 1,200 bbls., worth on an average, $2,50 per barrel-no expense of shoeing... Amount saved in twenty years by mules....... .$3,600 THE PROPER TIME OF CUTTING GRAIN. In the 2d volume of "British Husbandry," p. was still a very small class of working farmers left who made it a point to attend the meeting of the society in all cases and to do so out of principle, and not from more motives of "self." On this class of men did the society always have to 136-7, it is said, "The question has been for depend for its efficacy in carrying out the work some time agitated, regarding the state of ripeness necessary to be done, to make the "Fair" suc-in which grain should be cut; and it has been recessful. But now, since "Agricultural Fairs" commended, as a general rule of practice, to cut have become so popular, there is not that difficul-down the crops before the uppermost grains can ty existing to such an extent as there was a few years ago. Probably there may be found ten ef- be skaken out. Taking all things ficient working men who will enter into this field into consideration, it seems to be the most prudent of labor, where there could be one found ten or plan to have the grain cut before it is fully ripe; twelve years ago. Still we are satisfied that the but in this a medium course should be adopted, large part of the work for these institutions has for although grain, if allowed to become too ripe, got to be done by a few energetic working men. It will be next to impossible to have these institu- assumes a dull, dusky hue in the sample, yet if tions so managed but that there will be some not ripened enough, shrivels in the drying." grumblers left. And yet there may be such management carried out as to live down all opposition, and finally give a complete triumph. Yours truly, Derby, Ct., June 26, 1854. L. DURAND. REMARKS.-In Middlesex county, and perhaps in others, premiums are awarded on farms strictly in accordance with the views expressed by Mr. DURAND, For the New England Farmer. In the "Reports on Select Farms," it is said in reference to the management of the Scoresby farm, superintended by Mr. C. Howard, that "Wheat ought never to be allowed to remain uncut until it is fully ripe. Experiments, easily made, will prove to every cultivator of it, that by permitting it to stand until the straw has lost its succulency, he gains nothing in plumpness or bulk of grain, but loses much in color and fineness of skin; besides which, he incurs the risk of shelling by high winds, or by its being cut under the influence of a burning sun. When fully ripened by standing in the shock, no dry hour should be lost in getting it well secured." LOUDON, the celebrated English writer, whose MR. EDITOR: Your judicious remarks upon the benefits to be derived, from the notice of farms entire, farms viewed by committees of agricultural Societies, instead of particular crops, (frequently the result of forced culture,) brings to mind the views and opinions upon all topics connected with advice of that model of Massachusetts farmers, agriculture are singularly logical and correct, TIMOTHY PICKERING, in his address to the State says on this subject:Society, in Oct., 1822, when he was more than 80 "In harvesting wheat, the best farmers, both in years old. Says he, speaking of the manner of Britain and on the Continent, agree, that it ought giving premiums, "One pleasing result has ap peared that by ample manuring and good culture, to be cut before it becomes dead ripe. When the usual crops of the same plants may be doubled this is the case the loss is considerable, both in and even trebled. But is it necessary to continue the field and in the stack yard; and the grain, acpremiums of this kind? May not now the entire cording to Von Thaer, produces an inferior flour." management of farms rather claim attention? InCADET DE VAUX, the French author of a valuastead of numerous small premiums disposed on able and erudite treatise on wheat, remarks :— variety of subjects, might they not be advantageously concentrated for the purpose here intimated "Corn (wheat) cut eight days before the usual the cleanest, most economical, the most pro-time, has the grain fuller, larger, finer and better ductive management of farms? For it must be calculated to resist the attacks of the weevil. An such a general improvement of the entire farms that equal quantity of the grain thus reaped, with will constitute the farmer's permanent prosperity." grain reaped at maturity, gave more bread, and of "Perhaps it may not be difficult for the Trustees of the State Society (the State Board a better quality. The proper time for reaping, is of Agriculture he would have said in these days) when the grain, on being pressed between the to prescribe some general principles and rules of thumb and finger, has a doughy appearance, like proceeding, that may produce uniformity in the a crumb of bread just hot from the oven." reports of county committees acting under their direction." The philosophy of the usage recommended by the There is so much simplicity, clearness and wiswriters above quoted, is not immediately apparent dom, in the instructions of this venerable man; to every one. The question, indeed, has frequentthat I love to dwell upon them. I delight in re-ly been asked in our hearing-"Will any valuable freshing my mind with this perusal. As your pa-accessions be made to the grain if the wheat plant per has the reputation of being eminently conser-be detached from the roots before the former has vative, I thought some of your young readers arrived at maturity?" That is, to resolve the would be instructed by the quotation;—and I know your old readers will not be offended by it. July 3, 1854. query into a somewhat more familiar form-"Will the wheat, or other grain,so cut,receive from the immature stalk, any assistance in filling and matur ing, and will it, if cut when in the milk, ripen and be as sound and nutritious as if allowed to remain till fully ripe?" To the question thus demanded we have no hesitation in replying, affirmatively. We think that experience has plainly demonstrated, that many important accessions are made to Indian corn when the plant is cut up and shocked at a period of its development when there is but little sound corn in the field; in other words, when the ears are green and immature. Most of the southern corn brought to our markets is cut and shocked in this manner. NATIONAL CATTLE HOW OF THE UNITED STATES AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. [CIRCULAR.] Springfield, Ohio, May 1, 1854. DEAR SIR,-The 25th, 26th and 27th days of October next have been fixed by the United States CONVENTION, in the City of Springfield, Clark Agricultural Society for holding its first CATTLE county, Ohio. Six thousand dollars will be distributed in premiums for the best stock of the various breeds of Cattle subject to competition without territorial limit. The Executive Committee of the United States This becomes necessary with the planter Agricultural Society have been careful to select a to enable him to get in his wheat crop. The corn time that will not, so far as they are aware, conis cut early, placed in large shocks, often on the flict with any of the State Fairs or other meetings furrows where it grew, and frequently remains in of general interest; and after due deliberation that condition for months; yet it comes to us hard, have selected this place as the most eligible for holding the Cattle Fair. Springfield is centrally sweet and sound. located as regards the cattle region; it is most conWe have seen oats cut when there was not a venient of access by railroad from almost every ripe or yellow head in the field, and on thresh-point of the compass. The means for acommoing, and comparing the grain with that from a dating, at very moderate charges, a large number field adjoining, in which the oats had stood till of persons, are ample. Private houses will be fully ripe, have found the former superior to the opened for the reception of guests. There are also eighteen cities and towns within reach by an latter, not only in point of weight, but in bright- hour's ride on the railroads, on which extra trains ness also. The philosophy of this, a late writer will be placed to accommodate such as wish to go explains as follows:elsewhere for lodgings. About twenty acres of ground have been enclosed, and more than three hundred stalls will be prepared for the shelter of cattle during the convention. "After the formation of the ear has commenced the berry or the kernel is the point to which all the efforts of nature are directed; and this is continued until the process is complete,—the juices It is expected that very liberal arrangements desiccated and rendered incapable of absorption,- will be made by all the railroad companies, both or the supply of nutritive matter exhausted. As for the transportation of cattle and the conveythe juices become thicker in consequence of the ance of passengers to and from the Fair. We respectfully solicit your attendance on the non-supply of sap from the root of the plant, the occasion, and that you will furnish us with such deposition becomes more active and rapid in the aid as you may feel disposed in making known grain, so long as it moves at all, or till the kernel the objects, time, and place of the Convention; is filled; which will in part account for the fact and if you have improved stock of cattle, of any that grain severed from the root, after the proper for competition. description, we cordially invite you to enter them supply of nutriment for the kernel has been elaborated in the stalk, ripens so much quicker than it would if left attached to the root." There is another very important advantage secured by cutting grain before it becomes "dead ripe." Most farmers find the straw of their cereal crops, of value as fodder for stock; and this, when cut green, is much more nutritious than if left until all its nutritive juices are exhausted, and the fibre rendered hard by becoming mature in the field. It is supposed by some good cultivators, that wheat intended for seed, should be allowed to ripen a little more than that intended for grinding. A list of premiums and copy of regulations will shortly be published. Very respectfully, yours, C. ROBINS, Local Executive CHEESE AS A DIGESTER. As a digester, as some not appropriately call it, cheese-that which is decayed and mouldy being preferred by connoisseurs-is often eaten after dinner. The action which experience seems to have proved it to possess, in aiding the digestion of what has previously been eaten, is both curious and interesting, and has had some light thrown upon it by recent chemical research. When the curd of The only brother of Henry Clay was a cab-milk is exposed to the air in a moist state, for a inet-maker; Webster, the giant of statesmen, and few days, at a moderate temperature, it begins the ornament of his country, had a brother-in-gradually to decay, to emit a disagreeable odor, law who never learned to read until after com- and to ferment. When in this state, it possesses pleting the period of three-score-and-ten, and a the property, in certain circumstances, of inducing majority of the first statesmen of the present time a species of chemical change and fermentation in are the energetic and ambitious sons of "poor other moist substances with which it is mixed,or is but honest parents."-Washington Union. brought into contact. It acts after the same man ner as sour leaven does when mixed with sweet and take one night's dew, and prepare to get it in Brooklyn, June 24, 1854, H. P. effect this purpose. Those are generally considered Mr. Editor, my subject is far from being ex- For the New England Farmer NUMBER I. MR. EDITOR :-Will you indulge me with a few hints to the live "lords of creation." 1st. Every farmer should practice the art of mechanics to a certain extent, so that he can lay a shingle, build a pig-pen, mend a harness or his farming tools; keeping all these things in order, so that rainy days in summer, and snowy days in winter, are occupied in these odd and end jobs which draw a little on his genius. row and no mistake." REMARKS.-Excellent advice, the whole of it. How any farmer can get along without a bench and few tools, we cannot imagine. a In this age of progress and improvement, when farmers visit and criticize the operations of each other so much-when line upon line and precept upon precept are so constantly given in addresses, lectures, and agricultural papers, upon neatness and order in the management of the farm, fully one-half of all engaged in the art, lose the interest of some two or three hundred dollars annually in the neglect of their tools. a SUGAR IN THE LIVING ANIMAL. One of the greatest discoveries of our day, says French paper, is that made by Claude Bernard, of the constant formation of sugar in the liver of food containing saccharine matters, and with food animals. Feed an animal how you will-with 2nd. Take a small corner of a building, which can always be spared with his bench and all the necessary tools to do this work, and thus he saves many dollars every year without the vexation of hearing repeatedly, you shall have it to-mor-containing no trace of them, you will always find the animal has, from the blood, formed sugar for 2d. Have one place for your tools, and no neg- is, like all secretions, under the influence of the itself. This sugar which is secreted by the liver, lect in placing them. Polish your shovels, forks, scythes and hoes when you hang them up. Rust nervous system; you have only to cut what are corrupts and weakens. Did you never see a plow called the pneumogastric nerves, and in a few that had taken its cheerless winter quarters in the hours all the sugar vanishes. The amount of sufrozen furrow, waiting for a spring thaw? and gar thus formed in every healthy animal, may be the "bran-new" scythe left to dangle in the crotch increased by certain influences, and then it gives of the old farm tree year after year? not unusual sights these. Drive pins, to hang your yokes upon,nail strips of board from joist to joist to hang the chains upon-make a rack over head for your pitchforks, rakes, turning-sticks, &c. 4th. The barn-cellar is the bank, and the best proachable taste, according to Boussingault, who outlay of capital,-never return home with an does in disease, man can do in the terrible theatre tasted it. But now attend to this; what nature empty cart, the return cargo will enrich your of experiment. Claude Bernard has proved that farm when placed in the barn cellar. One load of such manure, well mixed in the cellar, is worth there is a very small region of the spinal column two load of out door, evaporated manure, it being wounding of which-between the origin of the -by anatomists styled medulla oblongata-the saturated with urine, and very strong. rise to, or is the indication of various diseases. 6th. Plow deep, regardless of the yellow dirt," pneumogastric and acoustic nerves-provokes this (which was formerly the caution to the boys) and increased secretion of sugar, and if, with a sharp the roots will deepen in the soil, and derive a ben-instrument you wound a dog or rabbit, in this efit much greater, than if struggling near the sur- place, you will find that, in a little while, sugar face, will be better protected against drought, and has accumulated to an immense extent in the the soil less liable to be blown away, as much of blood and other liquids. it is, by drying blasts. 7th. Use the long spade in your vegetable gar- GRAVELLING WALKS.-Ilow few gravelled walks den. Tap roots are never timid about driving do we find on which a lady with a thin shoe can deep. walk. The gravel is loose and coarse and gives 8th. Hay is your staple commodity, make it in at the pressure of the foot. If those who are the most compact manner possible. All the putting on gravel would mix one-twelfth of waaroma that sweetens the air, is so much loss to the ter lime, and wet it up as for mortar, loosen the value of the hay. To mow, spread, and let it lie dirt slightly in the walk, and then spread on the mixture about two or three inches deep, round it the weight of the other. The effect of guano, for in the centre, beat it lightly with the back of the that purpose, and on that piece of ground, was spade, and then leave it for two days without somewhat less. It proved, however, very satisstepping on it, they would find a walk firm and factory and valuable. solid to the foot and pleasant to walk upon.-Ohio Farmer. For the New England Farmer. It is, in my mind, settled beyond a question, that for the production of the mere blade, or stalk, these manures are very valuable. But where seed is to be produced, there is requisite a large amount also of carbonaceous food for the plant in the soil. Some months since, while absent from home, a In growing Indian corn, after supplying the clergyman in Massachusetts wrote me a very soil with vegetable or carbonaceous matter, I have pleasant letter of inquiry on the subject of guano, found the best effect from guano applied in the its uses and effects, offering in a manner worthy of hill, at the rate of from one to two hundred an upright man, to compensate me for the time pounds to the acre. After scattering it in the hill, and trouble of answering him at length. Upon it should be covered from one to two inches deep, returning home after an absence of quite a num-according to the quantity used, and the state of ber of weeks, I found so large a number of letters the ground. A mixture of equal quantities of on various subjects awaiting my attention, that I guano and superphosphate I have found better could not answer them all without considerable than clear guano. delay. The one particularly referred to, got mis- For corn, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, celery and laid, and I have never since been able to find it. onions, I have found guano very valuable. These As the gentleman was a stranger to me, I have all require a large supply of ammonia, I think. forgotten his name, and the town in which he re- It is especially so with tomatoes, celery, carrots sides, and cannot therefore answer him, as I should and onions. been lost. have done before this time, had not his letter Cabbages and turnips have an aversion to large quantities of ammonia. It spoils the roots, and a Perhaps he is a reader of the N. E. Farmer. moderate quantity only of guano can be used If so, should the editor of the Farmer, who, with upon them with safety. Superphosphate is very the publishers, has ever been very obliging, allow valuable for cabbages, turnips and beets. me to answer his inquiries as well as I can through that paper, I shall be glad to learn that my un-are, together, of great value for wheat. known friend receives it. "Is guano a lasting manure?" For some pur Phosphate of lime and guano, I have no doubt In the first place I will say that I have proved poses guano will prove a lasting manure. For guano insufficient as a manure, upon some soils, onion-fields, it must, I think, prove a lasting manto mature any fair crop of seed-bearing plants. ure. The onion, while it requires much ammonia have tried several experiments for the purpose of in the soil, in order to its growth, takes much aldetermining this beyond question, as I have also so from the atmosphere and the rains. When the with preparations of superphosphate of lime. bulb becomes mature, it appears to shed its long Where the soil contains little or no carbonaceous fibrous roots, and with them, a very heavy charge matter, or little or none in such a state as of ammonia, into the soil. For this reason,doubtto be immediately taken up by growing plants, less, it has long been observed that they do better these plants may produce the blade, or even the after years of culture upon the same soil. It is ear, but not the full corn in the ear. for this reason, I presume, that hog-manure, ani I planted a piece of ground for experiment, mal substances, &c., have so beneficial an effect where all other circumstances would be fair for upon onions. Peruvian guano must, I thinoj the growth of Indian corn, except the manure such a purpose, prove a lasting manure. supplied. There was but little old vegetable mat- For corn, potatoes, wheat, &c., its action must ter in the soil. I manured it generously with the necessarily be different. The action of ammonia improved superphosphate of lime. It came up is as powerful as to cut the surface of glass. I well, and in color and appearance was very beau-am very sure that it decomposes the most solid tiful. As soon as it came to caring, the evidence feldspar, and remains in combination with its of a failure became distinct. Not an ear of it alumina. Active in the soil, it produces, directly filled out; and it did not produce equal to five or indirectly, a more powerful growth of plants. bushels per acre. I tried another piece with a The alkalies of the guano hasten the decomposimixture of equal quantities of guano and super- tion of whatever old vegetable matter there is in phospate, and the product of seed was but a little the soil, which by the increased growth of the better. Guano alone was still a little better, crop hastens the exhaustion of the soil. Conscwhen applied in equally sufficient quantity. quently a liberal and continued application of Upon a piece of ground where I planted corn guano alone would in a short time reduce most for fodder, I applied a light dressing of stable of our soils to an unproducing state. manure, spread and plowed in. I sowed the corn Guano is a very valuable manure; but it may in drills, in most of which was superphosphate be so used as to produce the worst of consequenor guano. To prove the value of the superphos-ces; even to render soils barren and worthless. phate for such a purpose I left some of it with If it is to be applied as a top-dressing to old none in the drills. With a growth of ten weeks mowing fields, it will cause them to become barduration, I cut up the corn from an equal surface ren in a few years, unless it is composted with of the ground where the superphosphate was ap-much old vegetable matter, in the form of meadplied and where there was none, and found the ow muck, decomposed sawdust, or something of weight of that where the superphosphate was ap- the kind. If I used guano alone as a top dressing plied to be equal to thirteen and a half times for mowing, I should feel the necessity of follow |