For the New England Farmer. CATTLE BREEDS. Among the topics introduced and discussed at our town and State agricultural meetings, during the winter season, few are of more importance or excite greater interest than those which relate to stock-raising and the various breeds of cattle. Judging, however, by the reports of the discussions as published in the newspapers, it is plain to see that, notwithstanding the testimony usually advanced to support the various theories proposed, much difference of opinion continues to prevail upon the subject. This is to be regretted, inasmuch, speaking generally, where there is nothing certain established, there is no new light reflected. But, I apprehend the difficulty is not so much one of doubt, in a scientific point of view, as, that those circumstances which would tend to influence a theoretic result, are not taken into consideration. The truth is, the rearing of a big calf is too often held to be fact of itself, independent of physiological conditions; and when the process of reasoning stops there, what is to be gained by further argument? a But, it is far from my wish to say anything to discourage the efforts everywhere making to diffuse a better knowledge of what is required to improve the breeds of cattle. Discussions upon these and kindred topics are of the highest importance to the farmer; and the chief and only complaint that I would utter is, that too little weight is attached to the value of true scientific tests. I think it is doubtful if this breed of cattle is well suited to our soil and climate. So far as my observation has extended, they are not a hardy race, and thrive only on extra feed. Their milking qualities are not much above the average of our native stock, and for the purposes of beef they are no better. cattle and breeds, independently of the opinions of It was my purpose, when I began, to speak of mere stock fanciers; for it must be plain to every breed of cattle best suited to a particular locality, one, that to form a correct judgment as to the every circumstance, materially influencing their condition, must be taken into account. hay and grain are cheap, is, without doubt, the The best and the most profitable of all, where Short-Horn. stock has been tried, and good results have been Crossing the Short-Horn with the North Devon obtained; indeed, grades of this kind are held in high esteem both for their milking qualities and for their beef. But there is danger of depreciation after a few generations, unless, as in all mixtures of the sort, the laws governing physiological science are strict observed throughout. Breeding with the same bull for a series of years would change the type obtained at the start, or, technically speaking, according to the English, the progeny would "cry back." ly improved by crossing with foreign breeds of What is usually called native stock can be greatthe better descriptions. The Short-Horns or the North Devons, depending, of course, upon the loThe time is not far distant, I trust, when the different States will become convinced of the im-cality and soil, can be crossed with great advanportance of doing something to introduce the breed of cattle best adapted, or, rather suited, to their particular soil and climate. The public treasury of any State need not be heavily taxed for such objects. Better would it be to educate the farmers by the cheaper method of establishing libraries, and courses of proper scientific instruction, trusting to individual enterprise for results. Kentucky, by the introduction of the "Improved Durham" or Short-Horn breed of cattle, has greatly increased her agricultural wealth. It is the kind of stock exactly adapted to her rich pasture lands, and our markets are now largely supplied with beef from cattle grown in that State. Massachusetts has experimented with several breeds of foreign stock, and great praise is due the public spirited legislators who had the wisdom to project and the skill and influence to put into practical operation, a scheme of such infinite worth to the agricultural interests of the "Old Commonwealth," as the State Farm. But the question is not yet settled. The farmers of this State are still in doubt. Those in the western division give the preference to the Durham;-those of the central portion, to the Devon; -while those of the eastern choose the Alderney and the Native. Few like the Ayrshire. The State Society has imported several bulls and heifers of this kind of stock, but they have not done well, and have failed to give entire satisfaction. The stock of Ayrshires imported expressly for a gentleman in Southboro', by Mr. Sanford Howard, were selected with great care, regardless of cost, and they are said to have done well; still, they are not altogether liked. tage to those who cannot afford the cost and outlay for full bloods;—and, it is to be hoped, if such an experiment is thought well of by our farmers, which a distinct native breed, combining most of that some systematic plan will be inaugurated, by the desirable qualities of the approved foreign breeds, will be secured. Jacques, in breeding the "Cream Pots," was genThe plan adopted and pursued by the late Col. it was claimed that he followed the rules which erally approved by our stock growers, especially as governed Mr. Collings in breeding for his celebrated Short-Horns. But, the Colonel did not live to perfect his breed, and there is now scarcely a trace left of it. West Roxbury, 1862. THE UMBRELLA.-The umbrella has been used from very remote antiquity, as it is evident from carvings and representations found among ancient ruins of Persia, Arabia and China. Nevertheless it was not used by men in England until during the last century, and it is said that Jonas Hanway, who died in 1786, was the first person who used an umbrella in the streets of London. Even at that late period a man carrying an umbrella was an object of ridicule, and excited the jeers of the people by his "effeminacy." Previous to the introduction of umbrellas, the hackney-coach was the shelter of unfortunate pedestrians who happened to be caught in a shower; but it was customary, after their introduction, to keep a single umbrella at each of the coffee-houses, which, in cases of emergency, was lent, together with a boy to carry it. For the New England Farmer. COOK'S SUGAR EVAPORATOR. [Sugar-making, either of maple sap or Sorghum, has come to be a matter of much importance to many of our subscribers, and we feel desirous to furnish them with all the information upon the subject that comes to our knowledge. We therefore give place to the cut and description herewith presented.] Among the most useful of late inventions is this simple contrivance for evaporating saccharine juices. Its construction is as follows: The Evaporating Pan is constructed of copper or galvanized sheet iron, with wooden sides, and so divided by ledges as to form a continuous transverse channel about five inches wide. The pan is placed upon a furnace made of cast iron and heavy sheet iron, and lined within with brick. It projects about six inches over the sides of the furnace, to afford cool sides. The whole is mounted upon rockers of angle iron, thus giving a complete portable iron and brick furnace combined, and possessing all the advantages of either. In operating, a stream of maple sap or cane juice is taken at the front end and passes back and forth through the transverse channel, and flows out at the lower end in a continuous stream of well defecated, finished syrup. The mode of defecation is a beautifully philosophical one. The stream of juice passes across the heated centre of the pan, and comes to the cool side, when the scum rises and rests, being held there by the transverse ledge. It cannot follow the stream through the next channel, because the boiling at the centre repels it. The stream thus continues its course back and forth, depositing the impurities at the cool sides, where they rest until removed by skimmers. Thus, by the time the stream is half through the pan, it is thoroughly defecated, and arrives at the lower, or finishing channels, in a pure state. Owing to its purity in the finishing state, the maple syrup and sugar made on this Evaporator are of a lighter color and richer flavor than have ever been made in any other way. No eggs, milk, lime or chemicals of any kind are used. By the use of a running stream, a very shallow body of juice may be kept upon the Evaporator without danger of scorching, thus securing very rapid evaporation. The object of the rockers is to regulate the flow of the stream to suit the fire, so that it shall reach the outlet just at the point of crystalization. The use of the transverse channel, the projection of the pan over the furnace to secure a cool rest for the scum and motion in the pan to regulate the inclination, are each and all secured by patent to this Evaporator. It is a great economiser of fuel, requiring only from one-half to three-fourths of a cord of wood to about 100 lbs. of sugar. As a Sorgho Evaporator, it has no rival. Sorghum sugar was made upon it last fall by the ton. All the samples exhibited at the Illinois and Ohio State Sorghum conventions, last January, and all the samples yet exhibited in the Patent office, were made with it. Pamphlets, &c., may be had on application to Blymyers, Bates & Day, Mansfield, Ohio. TRANSPLANTING SHRUBBERY.-In transplanting native shrubbery, from the forest to the open lawn, or door yard, this precaution is necessary. Select your trees from as open and sunny an exposure as you can find. Mulch the surface after planting with saw-dust, spent tan-bark, chip manure, or something of the kind, and in very hot days, shade with boards or bushes.-Ohio Farmer. For the New England Farmer. CULTURE OF THE KOHL RABI.-On page 61 of the February number of this journal, will be found a brief article on the foregoing heading, in the closing sentence of which O. K., of Rochester, Mass., asks his brother farmers to send to the New England Farmer their experience in the culture and use of this plant. In compliance with this request, I propose to state some of the more important items of my knowledge concerning it, partly obtained from a brief experience with it, and partly gleaned in the course of researches made in several quarters previously to making my first attempt in raising it. It is to be desired that the request of O. K. for information in regard to the culture and use of the kohl rabi should be responded to by all the readers of this journal who have had experience with it, as in the more common books of reference-ALLEN'S American Farm Book, for example-there is not a word of information to be found in regard to it. Nor need this be wondered at, for it is only a few years ago that it first received attention in this country; and only in 1857, that the attention of English farmers was first directed to it as a field crop or substitute for turnips. This was in consequence of a partial failure of the turnip crop in several counties of England about that time; but it was not until 1647 that there was any testimony in its favor which seems to havo commanded much attention. In that year, a Mr. Davis stated that he had been very successful, for some years, in raising large crops of this plant, even upon poor soils, and commended it as superior to Swedish and common white turnips, of both of which there had been again a pretty extensive failure in consequence of a long-continued drought. Even in England, so far as can be ascertained from statistical accounts of crops there raised, this plant is not yet extensively grown, but from the most recent accounts it seems certain that it is beginning to receive increased attention as a farm crop. One recommendation of this plant is that it is in some respects better adapted to succeed in our dry climate and hot summers, than the turnip. The author of the "Cyclopedia of Practical Agriculture,"-a work of the highest authority,-says: "Kohl rabi is the bulb of dry summers; heat and drought are congenial to it, and experience has proved that this plant grows, prospers and yields an enormous crop, under circumstances wherein white turnips and Swedes could barely exist." more nutritious and more solid than the turnip; produces a greater weight per acre; it is also hardier, and keeps better than any other bulb." Mr. N. says he has grown specimens weighing 143 pounds. Mr. Harris, editor of the Genesee Farmer, says it has been found hardier than the Swede, and "is quite unaffected by frost, even with the thermometer 10° below the freezing point." We have usually buried it like potatoes, and found it always good in spring. Another recommendation of this bulb or root is, that it produces a greater weight per acre than turnips. A fair average crop of this plant, in Scotland, is 25 tons of bulbs to the acre, and about 8 tons of leaves. These tops are larger and better than those of turnips for feeding to stock, resembling small cabbage leaves. Our cows have eaten them greedily. As to the culture of this crop, it is found to grow on any soil fit for turnips. I have found it do well on a clayey loam. As it requires about six months to come to maturity, it must be sown early. When sown in June, I have found the crop quite small. The cultivation is the same as for turnips. As to the use of this plant, it is said that all kinds of stock are fond of it. We know that cows certainly are; and for them I think it much better than turnips, and nearly equal to cabbage. It gives no turnip taste to the milk. Try a little of it, and sow early. MORE ANON. For the New England Farmer. FEEDING CALVES. MR. EDITOR:-I noticed in your last a receipt, how to raise calves. Mr. Bassett says it will not answer to feed any kind of grain to young calves, excepting oats or oil meal. I think he is mistaken. I think any kind of meal can be fed to young calves to a good effect. I do not pretend that a large quantity of raw Indian meal should be given' to a young calf; reason would teach a man better than this. I have raised quite a number of calves myself. In the spring of 1859, I raised thirteen calves, and all the milk they had was what two ordinary cows gave. I fed them on Indian meal and boiled potatoes. I put the meal into a kettle of water and boil it very thin, for one hour or more, until it comes to a kind of jelly, and boil a sufficient quantity of each to last two or three days. I give each calf four or five potatoes, well mashed up with what meal I think the calf will bear; turn the milk Another recommendation of this plant is, that it on them, and stir them well together. In teaching stands the cold of our winters much better than them to drink, I put two fingers in their mouth, white turnips, and better, even, than Swedes, or, leaving a space between them, so that at each draft as called among us, ruta bagas. The Cultivator, they can draw what they would naturally want to (Albany,) of 1858, quoting from the Irish Far- swallow. I keep a tub of clean water and a box mer's Gazette, says: "The Kohl rabi is proposed of salt, where they can help themselves. My as a substitute for the turnip, as it presents us all calves are as good in the fall as my neighbors' are, the qualities required for this purpose. It is that suck twice a day until they go away from the fectly hardy, and will stand severe frosts better, and keep in store for a longer period than the Swedish turnip. It also resists the attacks of the fly and the grub." Mr. L. Norris, of Ashtabula Co., Ohio, also bears testimony to the same effect, in said volume of the Cultivator, saying of the green-stemmed, or late green variety, which he got from Canada: "This rare vegetable is sweeter, per cow. Groton, N. H., March 3, 1862. H. THE HORTICULTURIST.-The March number of this popular journal is illustrated with a beautiful engraving of the Adirondack Grape, and contains many excellent articles on horticultural subjects. For the New England Farmcr. of beet brandy to different parts of the world is THE MANUFACTURE OF BRANDY AND too well known to the intelligent statistical reader SUGAR FROM BEETS. to require any comment in this article; and the people of the United States ought to learn wis MR. EDITOR:-Some two years ago, you pub-dom from such a source. lished an article of mine in the Farmer, on this Farmers are often heard to complain for want subject, which drew out considerable inquiry from of a market for their produce, and yet pay away different sections of the country; and as the war, their hard-earned money to foreign countries for and consequently the new tariff bill, will enhance what ought to be, and easily can be, raised on their the price of these articles considerably, I beg leave own farms. Judging from the signs of the times, again to trouble you with a few additional remarks however, at no very remote period, we may, like on the same important subject. Napoleon the First, of France, be compelled, by It is a well known fact, that in France and oth-stern necessity to manufacture our own sugar, er parts of Europe, the distillation of brandy and or go without sweetening. Beets can be raised the manufacture of sugar from beets has been pros-profitably by our farmers at eight dollars per ton, ecuted on a large scale for many years; and that and two tons make thirty-two gallons of double the profits to the distillers, especially, have been distilled brandy of far superior quality to what is enormous; and that many large fortunes have generally to be found in most of the fashionable been made, in an incredibly short time, by those hotels and drinking establishments in our large embarked in that branch of business, as the sta- cities. Now let those acquainted with the price of tistics of France do testify. Now when we learn foreign liquors calculate the prospective profit, from our own statistics what an immense sum is seeing the expense of the raw material and manuannually paid by this country to France, for beet facture is inconsiderable. From ten to twelve brandy, of a very inferior quality, those farmers bushels of the proper variety of beets, one hundred experienced in the cultivation of that root are of weight of the best quality of sugar can be proten led to wonder why we cannot manufacture our duced; and any one acquainted with the simple own brandy, and by so doing create a demand for process of making maple sugar can do it, and the our produce, by keeping that large amount of utensils required can be got at small cost. Havmoney at home. ing had practical experience in the manufacture of both articles from childhood, (I may say,) I can state with confidence that fortunes can be made from this branch of business, could people of adequate capital be induced to take hold of it. Were it not for encroaching too much on the space of your valuable paper, I should have said much more on the subject, but you may hear from me again. THOMAS CRUICKSHANK. That wonder is still increased when we find that under proper cultivation we can produce fully onethird more of the raw material, per acre, in many portions of New England, than they can do in the most favored provinces of Europe, and of decidedly better quality. Three bushels of beets raised in the vicinity of Boston will produce as much saccharine juice as five bushels raised in the vicinity of Paris. Beverly Farms, Feb. 12, 1862. This may appear somewhat paradoxical to the casual observer, but the matter has been tested REMARKS.-Our correspondent states above, by actual experiments, and beet-growers of France that "from ten to twelve bushels of the proper vaadmit the fact, as can be seen in some of their ag- riety of beets, one hundred weight of the best ricultural reports. Such is the peculiar adaptation of much of the soil of this State-at least to quality of sugar can be obtained." This result the production of beets-that it is justly said to is so much more favorable than we had supposed be the only crop that the farmer can raise that has it could be, that it led us to look at some books no hidden or secret enemies to contend with. at hand. In the "New American Encyclopedia," Neither maggot nor mildew, nor any of the endless varieties of insects that infest and often de- it is stated, that "five tons of clean roots produce stroy other crops, has as yet interfered with the about four and a half hundred weight of coarse beet in the smallest degree. Thus it would ap- sugar, which gives about 160 pounds of doublepear that the cultivation of beets in this country refined sugar and 60 pounds of inferior lump sucan be entered upon with some sort of certainty gar; the rest is molasses, from which spirits of as to the final results; whereas most other crops are liable to numerous contingencies even in the good quality are distilled." most favored portions of this frugal land. Seeing, therefore, that such is the case, and that the present unfortunate war may make it both difficult and expensive to obtain these articles from abroad, we ought to manufacture them at home, in order to be as independent of foreign aid as possible. The first Napoleon, as a measure of necessity, as well as good policy, introduced the manufacture of sugar from beets many years ago into France; and up to the present time, that great nation has supplied itself with the very best quality of that article for domestic consumption, and could have had a large surplus for export had not some foolish legislative enactment of the government retarded its progress. The amount of revenue that France derives from the exportation For the New England Farmer. WOOL-GROWING IN VERMONT. At a meeting of the Directors of the Vermont State Agricultural Society held at Bellows Falls, Feb. 12th, the Hon. H. Henry Baxter having declined the office of President, on motion of the Hon. J. W. Colburn, the Hon. Edwin Hammond, of Middlebury, was unanimously elected President for the ensuing year. The following preamble and resolutions were adopted: Whereas, harmony and concert of action among wool-growers, is as important as among members of other occupations; and whereas, great losses occurred to the people of our State, the last year, from the failure to appreciate the real value of wool and the condition of the wool market; and whereas, there is a question interesting alike to producer and manufacturer as to the manner of preparing wool for the market; therefore, Resolved, That for the purpose of discussing these and other questions important to the woolgrowers of the State, and for the purpose of aiding in the reaching of reliable conclusions with regard to these matters, we recommend the holding of a WOOL-GROWERS' CONVENTION in this State, some time during the present year. Resolved, that the Secretary be requested to call such a Convention, to be held under the auspices of the Vermont State Agricultural Society at Rutland, on the afternoon of the ninth day of September next; said day being the first day of the annual Fair of our Society. DANIEL NEEDHAM, Secretary Vermont State Agricultural Society. For the New England Farmer. TIMELY ADVICE TO A BROTHER FARMER. MR. EDITOR:-The New England Farmer, which is always a welcome guest in my family every Saturday evening, has just been laid aside for the pen, in order, if possible, to answer some of the inquiries of your correspondent, "Hampshire," concerning "What shall I raise, or how shall I make farming profitable, in these times ?" I feel more constrained to converse with him on account of the noble stand he has taken not to cultivate the filthy weed, tobacco. And I extend to him the right hand of fellowship, believing, as I do, that the raising of that which does not tend to cultivate neatness and good breeding in society, does not constitute true farming. True farming does not consist in placing too much value upon dollars and cents, but rather in returning, in some manner, to the soil, the crops taken therefrom. Better that any farmer should return to his farm all proceeds of it, rather than to lay up money in banks, or invest it in any other way. Then why is not this as good a time for the farmer as any? If a farmer begins by laying out the proceeds of his farm in some way upon his farm, it will some time return to him the interest, and I am very firm in the opinion that it will return a dividend also. By a continuance in so doing, he will, by the natural increase of his income, be enabled more extensively and scientifically to cultivate his farm, as each succeeding year he reaps the reward of his husbandry. COE'S SUPERPHOSPHATE. Having seen a communication in the N. E. Farmer of Dec. 21st, signed by S. L. White, South Groton, in which he speaks about using Coe's superphosphate of lime without much, if any success, I would say that I have used it for several years with very satisfactory results to myself. In the fall of 1860, in harvesting my corn, I found I had by measure one-third more of corn where lime was used in the hill, than where none was used; this year the odds was not as much, but nearly as follows: The piece I have just harvested measures 51 acres, very nearly, on which I raised 740 bushel baskets of ears of corn, as bright and yellow as any one could wish to see, which is a little over 64 bushels to the acre. In June, 1859, I plowed and planted the piece with potatoes, corn, ruta bagas, &c., with scarcely any manure. I put plaster in the hill and had as good a crop as could be expected. In the spring of 1860 I sowed the same piece with oats, and had a very bountiful crop, without any further manuring. As soon after the oats were gathered as I could attend to it, I had the stubble plowed under; in the spring of 1861 I spread on about 30 ox-loads, of 30 to 25 bushels each, of manure to the acre, and plowed it well, (for I don't approve of half-plowing.) On the two last days of May I planted it, putting in the hill one table-spoonful of plaster and lime mixed together about half and half; I left two rows without anything in the hill. In two rows alongside of these I used a single handful of wheat bran to the hill, and two other rows alongside, I used one spoonful of clear phosphate of lime in the hill, and the result was as follows: The rows were about 220 hills long. The corn where nothing was used was not near as sound and good as any of the rest, the clear phosphate What should we say of the merchant, who being the best. I think the corn was enough betshould lay up in some safe place, every dollar heter where the phosphate and bran were used, to chanced to make, instead of laying it out to re-pay all the expense, even if there had been no plenish his stock, and thereby make his business more bushels. In using the bran, or clear phosmore prosperous, as well as more profitable. If this is the true course for the merchant, then why not for the farmer? And when he has enriched, beautified and ornamented the farm he now occupies from the resources of the farm itself, which believe is possible, then let him extend the area of his farm, and continue the true cultivation of the earth while his strength of body and mind permit. I Here let me again say to your correspondent that I truly congratulate him in the stand he has phate, there should be some dirt kicked on before dropping the corn. I shelled four baskets of my corn and got two bushels and two quarts. It is the twelve-rowed variety. I do not think, nor expect, the phosphate will answer in the place of manure, but merely as a stimulant. L. C. FRENCH, 2D. Bedford, N. H., Dec. 30, 1861. P. S.-I forgot to say that I can find a good many ears of corn among mine that have over 800 kernels to the ear. L. C. F. |