46

MR. NORTON'S LETTERS.-MERINO SHEEP.

Scotch farmers to bestir themselves; that the

Mr. Norton's Letters-No. 16. BEFORE this time, in the New England and the people of the United States, were accustomed to carry through without hesitation everything which Northern States generally, the ground is probably we seriously believed was for our profit; and that frozen, and perhaps covered with snow. Here, I unless they made use of Prof. Johnston and every have as yet seen no ice more than an eighth of an means in their power for improvement, we should inch in thickness. For the last four or five days soon be upon their heels; nay, that it might in prothere has been no frost at all. It must not be sup-cess of time come to pass, that they would be sendposed that this is an enviable state of things; for, ing their young men to us to learn farming. Of in place of our cold, clear, bracing atmosphere, we course, I do not expect this last thing to happen here have day after day of rain; not a right down soon; but there is no setting any limits to what we pour, but constant, gloomy, ceaseless dripping. may do if we go resolutely to work. The roads are hard, it is true, but are covered with Our Canadian neighbors are waking up. A a layer of mud, having the consistency of a very young gentleman named Gilmour, who has a farm thick soup. One soon learns here to despise an near Toronto, has just arrived here with the purpose umbrella entirely, or to make it an inseparable of spending a year in Prof. Johnston's laboratory. companion. I have commenced with him some investigations In the ability to plow during the whole winter, upon Indian corn, but shall be obliged soon to excepting perhaps a week or ten days in each leave it in his hands, under Prof. Johnston's direcseason, the Scotch farmers have a great advantage tion. We see, therefore, that we are to have rivals over us. They are not forced to hurry through all on our side of the Atlantic; such a strife will be for the operations of seed time in a few weeks. This the good of both parties; we need fear no defeat if disadvantage under which we labor, is in some we fully improve our advantages. degree balanced by the fact, that our climate is much less changeable, so that when we do begin, we are able to go on almost without interruption.

Edinburgh, Dec. 1, 1845. JOHN P NORTON.

MERINO SHEEP.

The mild winters of this country also permit the I OBSERVED in a recent number of the Agriculfarmer to feed his turnips off by sheep in the field. turist, a statement in relation to the extraordinary He thus saves all the expense of lifting and storing, merits of the Rambouillet Merinos. No definite while the land receives a good coating of manure statements are made in relation to the weight or at the same time. Some light soils are also greatly quality of their fleeces, as proved by the scales or benefited by the consolidation which is produced the wool measure. I have seen no notice in your by the constant passing to and fro of the sheep over paper (except the publication of their pedigrees), the small areas in which they are successively con- of a flock of sheep owned in this county, the quafined. As we cannot feed off turnips in the field, lities of which have been rigorously submitted we cannot grow them in such very large quantities to both of the above tests, the results of which I as are grown in this country. It would be an im- think well worthy of public attention. I allude to mense undertaking to store the produce of 180 or the flock of Mr. Henry S. Randall, of Cortlandville. 200 acres at from 20 to 30 tons of turnips per acre. First, as to the weight of fleece. Mr. R.'s full At the same time, the fact is unquestionable, that we may most profitably grow roots to a far greater extent than at present.

bloods averaged over 6 lbs. of well washed wool, including young sheep. Some of the ewes went as high as from 8 to 9 lbs., and one the extraordinary Though Scottish agriculture, in its best features, weight of 9 lbs. 2 oz. A three year old ram sheared decidedly deserves all the praise which has been 13 lbs. 8 oz.; a yearling (the one which received lavished upon it, I am inclined, on looking at the the first premium at the State show at Pokeepsie), whole country, to take courage respecting ourselves. 8 lbs. 8 oz. These were all single year's fleeces. The highly cultivated parts of Scotland, compared The fleeces were weighed in fine balance scales; with the whole extent of arable land, are found to were sheared, and put in the scales in the presence bear a very small proportion to the indifferently cul- of two disinterested men of high respectability, and tivated tracts. When the high roads are left the each made separate memoranda of each fleece. I farming grows bad in almost every case. Travel-do not know that I violate any confidence in statling during the present year, by railway between ing that both of these gentlemen have made affidaEdinburgh and Glasgow, by coach between Edin- vits to the above facts. Mr. R. has objected in my burgh and Dumfries, also between Edinburgh and hearing to the publication of the above fact, and Carlisle and Newcastle, I have passed over great stated that the affidavits were only made in consetracts of country, as badly cultivated, judging from quence of his expectation of being called upon to appearance, as almost any district in our Northern show his sheep, when such tests would be required. States. When I see these things even in Scotland, But I view the question in a different light. I beI take courage, and hope that we may rival the lieve statements of this kind have been in some Scottish farmers sooner than they expect. I do instances submitted to the public, when if the hope and believe, that our farmers, the owners and solemnity of an oath had been required, and from occupiers of their own land, will more readily try disinterested persons, more care, to say the least of new methods, will read more, and not being wedded it, would have been taken in ascertaining the facts, by the practice of so many ages to bad habits of cultivation, will give up such habits a little more readily.

I have, in several instances, taken opportunities in responding to toasts at public dinners, to tell the

The State Society, in giving premiums on products, requires their amount per acre to be verified by an oath. No man should be too proud to thus substantiate his statements. As long as there are knaves in the world, let the honest man increase

the means of their detection, by voluntarily taking enhance the benefits of the system. They consist a course, which the former might think it unsafe in sinking the drain to 4 feet; and using baked clay to follow. or tile pipes 4 to 6 inches in diameter, and 12 to 18 Secondly, as to the quality of the wool. It is no inches in length, connected by allowing the degreat gain to get heavy fleeces, if the quality is en-scending end to enter the next below it as a socket. tirely, or to a great extent, sacrificed. Dr. Emmons, The trifling opening thus afforded at each joint, with our State Geologist, visited Mr. R. last summer, and small holes perforating the top of the tiles, is found selected various samples from his wool. These to be sufficient to admit all the water which falls were carefully measured and their strength tested in into the drain; while the increased depth at which comparison with wool from other celebrated flocks, the drainage takes place, draws the water from a by accurate instruments. The result, with draw-much greater distance. With the depth indicated, ings of the wool, was given in the July, August, it has been found that the drains, instead of being and September numbers of the American Quarterly required once in 16 to 25 feet, may be placed at Journal of Agriculture for 1845. The wool of Mr. intervals of 40 to 50, and accomplish the object R.'s prize ram above alluded to, decidedly exceeded with equal success, and in less time. The expense that of Grandee, the best ram of the Rambouillet of the former plan was from $20 to $30 per acre, importation, and supported a greater weight, or, in while the last is only from $12 to $18. other words, was stronger in proportion to its The advantages of under draining are numerous diameter. It as far exceeded various rams of early and important. I will briefly state some of them. importation. Mr. R. has many ewes of equal They take away all the surplus water which exists quality. Like the Rambouillets, these sheep are of in heavy or tenacious soils, which, in wet seasons, large and fine carcase: but unlike them, are short are a serious impediment to the successful growth in the leg, and the ends of the wool are usually and perfection of vegetation; thus always ensuring coated with a dark gum. It is barely tipped with a full crop, when frequently not one-fourth of a the gum, say for one-eighth of an inch. Within crop is matured on similar undrained soils. They that, and to the skin, the wool is a glossy white, allow of early cultivation in spring, and late in auand freer from hard gum, I think, than the Ram-tumn, by furnishing a dry, warm soil, which before bouillet. This outer crust is a great protection would not admit of cultivation except in the warm from rain and cold, and does no hurt, as it readily scours off in the process of manufacturing.

I have made these remarks in justice to a flock of which, as a citizen of Cortland county, I feel proud, not having seen any particular description of them hitherto in the Agriculturist. Cortlandville, Jan. 5, 1846.

UNDER DRAINING.

L.

absorption, but they carry with them much of the fine soil, which is thus allowed to waste.

part of the season; thus enabling the farmer to grow a greater variety of products where only a few were adapted to the soil before, and to these it gave several weeks' additional growth. It saves all the trouble and waste of surface drains, and open furrows, which require that much of the land be left almost in an unproductive state, to serve as conductors of the surplus surface water. The rains falling on the convex surfaces of the lands, run THE advancement of agriculture within the few off rapidly into the furrows, and not only prevent last years in this country, the high price of farm-the benefit to the soil which would result from its ing lands, and the value of products, and cheapness of labor within convenient distances of our larger markets, all justify the commencement of an intelli- This last is an item of incalculable importance to gent system of draining, on such lands as require the farmer. Rains are charged with some of the it. This system has for many years been intro- most important elements of nutrition to plants, and duced and largely practised in England and in Scot- especially contain considerable proportions of carland, and it has resulted in the most signal success. bonic acid and ammonia. If these be permitted to The plan first adopted, was, to excavate the land percolate through the soil, the roots of the plants, in parallel lines, at intervals of 16 to 25 feet, to the or, in their absence, the elements of the soil itself, depth of 2 to 2 feet, forming a slightly inclined absorb and form permanent combinations with plane on the bottom, which was from 3 to 6 inches them, by which they are held till the demands of wide, and gradually enlarging as it approached the vegetation unlock them for their own use. surface. The narrowest drains were arched with also highly charged with the elements of nutrition, inverted turf and clay, at a height sufficient to al- and it is necessary that this should penetrate low of the requisite space at the bottom for the es- through every portion of the soil where the fibres cape of whatever water might filter through the soil. of the roots exist. Soils which are saturated Others were formed with continuous arched tiles with water, do not admit of any air, unless the laid on the bottom, forming an uninterrupted con- small proportion combined with the water; and from ductor. Larger ditches were filled with rubble all such, this vital adjunct of vegetation is exclustone, and in some instances brush, to a sufficient ded. By draining off all the surplus moisture for depth, and then covered with soil. In all cases the a distance of 3 feet below the surface, innumerable smaller ones communicated by their outlets with a minute fissures are everywhere opened, through large open drain, which carried the water beyond reach. These drains, with their required coverings, are always below the reach of the plow, thus leaving the whole surface of the land open and unobstructed to cultivation.

Two recent improvements have been introduced which materially diminish the expense, while they

Air is

which the water passes, and these are immediately filled by atmospheric air, which thus traverses the soil in every direction, imparting to the rootlets of the plants their contained aliment, or storing up their useful properties with the soil for future use, and facilitating those necessary changes, modifications, and recombinations in the elements of the

soil, which are essential to vegetable production. the sun, and having the benefit of the ascending The porosity of the land thus secured, facilitates moisture from below, from their remotest depth to the admission and escape of heat, which last con- the surface, which frequently secures to them a dition is of the utmost consequence in promoting large yield, while all around is parched and the deposition of dews.

withered.

The dense mass of saturated soil is impervious to A more enlarged and general, or what may justly air, and remains cold and clammy. By draining it be termed, a patriotic or philanthropic view of this below the soil, the warm rains penetrate the entire system, will readily detect considerations of great mass, and there diffuse their genial temperature to moment, in the general healthfulness of climate the roots. Immediately pressing after these, the which would result from the drainage of large warm air rushes in, and supplies its portion of masses of land, which are now saturated, or in augmented heat to the land. Porous soils thus many instances covered with stagnant waters, and readily imbibe heat, and they as readily part with which are suffered to pollute the atmosphere by it; every portion of their open surfaces radiating their pestilent exhalations. it, when the air in contact with them is below their own temperature. This condition is precisely what is adapted to secure the deposit of the dews, so refreshing, and during a season of drought, so absolutely vital to the progress of vegetation. Dew can only be found on surfaces which are below the temperature of the surrounding air, and rapid radiation of the heat imbibed during the warmth of a summer's day, is necessary to secure it in sufficient profusion for the demands of luxuriant vegetation, in the absence of frequent showers.

It is to be hoped that some of our enterprising and wealthy agriculturists will embark in this system, with what light is now shed upon it by European experience, and give to the American public the full benefit of their experiments. And should these be successful, American ingenuity should be stimulated to the perfecting of such machinery as would materially reduce the cost of excavating, and the manufacture of pipes in the most approved, economical and durable manner. this object, or even for the purpose of introducing the system, I would suggest that our State Agricultural Society, the American Institute, or other patriotic associations, at once offer suitable rewards for the best machines for making ditches, and for the most successful examples of underdraining. R. L. ALLEN.

For

An insensible deposit of moisture, precisely analogous to dew, is constantly going forward in deep, rich, porous soils. Wherever the air penetrates them at a higher temperature than the soils themselves possess, it not only imparts to them a portion of its excess of heat, but with it also, so much of its combined moisture as its thus lessened capacity for retaining latent heat compels it to pari P. S. I understand several of our enterprising with. To the reflecting mind, imbued with even citizens have made a beginning in underdraining, the first principles of science, these considerations and I trust for the good of their brethren in the will be justly deemed as of the highest consequence same honorable craft, they will give to the public to the rapid and luxuriant growth, and full develop- the results of their experiments.

ment of vegetable life.

Buffalo, Oct. 30, 1845.

FENCING-No. 1.

Another essential benefit, derivable from un- THE principal part of the following articles on drained lands, consists in the advantageous use fencing appeared originally in the South Caroliwhich can be made of the subsoil plow. If there nian, and are now copied out with emendations by be no escape for the moisture, which may have the distinguished writer for our periodical. Greatsettled below the surface, the subsoil plow has been ly lessening the number of fences, and obliging found to be injurious rather than beneficial. By people to keep up their domestic animals, or if they loosening the earth it admits a larger deposit of range abroad furnish shepherds to take good care water, which requires a longer time for evaporation of them, and see that they injure no man, is a reand insensible drainage to discharge. When the form which we have dearly at heart. We bespeak water escapes freely, however, the use of the sub-for these articles the earnest attention of our readsoil plow is attended with the most beneficial re- ers. We consider them among the most valuable sults. The broken earth, thus pulverized to a and important that have yet appeared in the Agrimuch greater depth, and incorporated with the de-culturist. scending particles of vegetable sustenance, affords an enlarged range for the roots of plants, and in proportion to its extent, furnishes them with ad- THE period has not yet arrived when the absoditional means of growth. The farmer thus has a lute want of timber forces a general resort to some means of augmenting his soil and its capacity for substitute for fencing. In some parts of the State, production, wholly independent of increasing his however, the timber is gone, and plank is pursuperficial acres; for with most crops it matters not chased and used. In other parts it is becoming in the quantity of their production, whether he owns scarce, and great economy is required, while everyand cultivates 100 acres of soil, one foot deep, or body knows that the time will come when rail 200 acres of soil, half a foot in depth. With the fences will be no more. The common feeling, latter, however, he has to provide twice the capital however, is to let the future take care of itself. in the first purchase, is at twice the cost in fencing, Sheer necessity alone can introduce improveplanting, and tillage, and pays twice the taxes as ment in anything connected with our Agriculture. with the former. In a season of drought, the un- The planter belongs to the genus Terrapin, and drained and subsoiled fields have the further advan-can seldom be made to move until the fire is felt on tage of security and steady development, from the his back. I never, therefore, undertake to recom- . roots penetrating far below the scorching effects of mend anything to planters for their benefit in fu

turo, unless it has also the strongest claim to at-dogs will hardly eat after killing. I was going tention in præsenti.

Now for what purpose do we make this dead investment of $5,000,000, and incur this annual loss of $1,000,000? For none other than to keep cattle, hogs, and sheep out of our fields. Mules and horses we usually keep out by enclosing them. The question then is, whether it would not be cheaper, and in every way better, to enclose the cattle, hogs, and sheep also? It may be the animals we guard against are worth more than our fences; but I am inclined to doubt it. I keep a large stock, and raise an abundance of pork and beef for my wants; and though I have scarcely a cross fence on my land, my fences cost me more than I could sell my stock for. Let every planter make the calculation for himself. Be that as it may, it is far more doubtful whether the interest yielded by the stock is equal to that lost on the fencing.

Let every one calculate here again,-for the result might not satisfy all of the advantage of keeping stock enclosed, in preference to enclosing our fields, if the mere expense of making and repairing fences would of itself raise and fatten our meat. But what is the actual benefit that we derive, after all, from fencing? The benefit of the range for our stock. And what do we gain by that? Razorback hogs, and sway-back cattle, and sheep that

THE HEREFORDS.-No. 2.

THE HEREFORDS.

among its different beasts. During the latter years THIS number will be devoted to the reasons why of the life of the celebrated bull Favorite (252), he the Hereford herd of Messrs. Corning and Sotham used both Favorite and Comet (155). These two is a superior one All men talk in generals about bulls derived from the same stock and deeply bred cattle, and very few admirers and breeders do other-in and in, and almost identical in pedigree, were as wise. My first number, so far as related to the unlike as could be two bulls of the same breed. herd, was of that character-and so of necessity. Favorite was a fine, large, open-ribbed animal, It was meant merely to assume a position. That with great style and stamina. His excellences being taken, I will now commence, where we all consisted in fine handling, and great aptitude in talking of cattle ordinarily stop, viz. the asser- to feed. His value lay, however, in the superior tion of a broad opinion of approval or condemna- character of his get. They were almost all sution, and give the reasons for the conclusions of perior to himself in every respect. The basis my judgment. To do this properly some general of the family to which Favorite and Comet belongprinciples must be stated. ed, in Colling's hands, was Lady Maynard. She I. Cattle should be uniform in family character, was a fine cow, with great constitution. She was presenting as a herd and as individuals the general bred to Foljambe, and Phoenix was the produce. excellences, which distinguish their particular Foljambe was coarse, deriving the coarseness from breed. Different ones will be above the average his sire, and so was Phoenix, both having great standard, others below it, but all should have so stamina. Favorite was out of Phoenix, and took marked an adherence to the general character as to her coarseness. In him there existed a family tenbe at once recognized. This is to apply of course dency to fineness and coarseness. Some of his only to good cattle. It will apply to any herd of calves possessed the fineness, some the coarseness; the common cattle of the country. If they be se- but as a general thing, his get united both fineness lected in any numbers, they will present great uni- and stamina. Thus he made his get superior to formity, but in the main it is a uniformity of defect; himself in high show of style and fineness, yet imthey will vary more in their milking quality parting his great vigor. Comet was fine and vigor(boasted as it is by the advocates of the race) than ous; got by Favorite he went back to Lady Mayin anything else. It is easy to have uniformity of nard for character and took the stronger tinge from defect, hard to have it of excellence. Such is this her. Yet he had not the full vigor which belonged general principle. Who can point to three herds to the Foljambe strain. In Mr. Colling's herd there in our country of improved cattle, possessing uni- were all shades of color within the true range, red, formity in excellent character? By this I mean the yellow-red, roan, red-roan, yellow-roan, white, redreceived excellent character of the breed. I know white, roan-red-white, and flecked. Even after his but two. The one is the Devon herd of Mr. Patter- herd was established, it possessed varying animals; son, of Maryland, the other the herd of Messrs. some so bad as to be worthless, some of the rarest Corning and Sotham. I have seen most of the excellence. The good ones were descended diShort-Horn herds in the United States, and am rectly from superior females, originally purchased familiar with those imported and bred for the last by him. These were Lady Maynard, the Duchess fifteen years. I challenge any one to point out a from Stanwix, the original Daisy, and Old Haughherd of Short-Horns in America of any considera- ton. All his excellence came from these four cows. ble numbers that present uniformity. I do not He had recourse to the Princess and Red Rose famimean of color. That is nothing if it be within the lies of R. Colling. Yet from the introduction of true range, viz. red and white, and their mixtures. bad crosses on these four families, he had great vaI never heard of but one herd of Short-Horns en-riation. From his great compactness, fineness, and tirely uniform, and that was Mr. Bates's, of Kirkleav-constitution, Hubback got uniformly good stock on ington. Up to 1830 they were even in color, all these families. But Hubback's stock, as well as red, or red with a small amount of white. In that himself, were disposed to sterility; Bolingbroke year he introduced the bull Belvedere, a roan, pre- also was uncertain; from this Favorite was free. senting otherwise, however, the same excellent char-Hence Favorite was used as long as he could be, acter as the herd. Since that year the roan has min- and upon his own daughters for three or four, and gled in about equal numbers with the red and white. in one instance, even six generations (he lived to His cattle are all uniform in general size and make. be sixteen years old). Mr. Colling's long breeding, Any one cow and bull of his will not breed a large in so indiscriminate a manner, gave him all hues of open boned, loose, flat-ribbed, light chested calf, color (within the true colors), and excellence as and one the opposite of all this. The herd of the varying as the color. The families that were dislate Earl Spencer (better known as Lord Althorp), tinguished by great uniformity of color (whatever had uniformity but in one thing, viz, general mascu- might be the color), were marked by uniformity in line character; this made all his bulls coarse in other respects. His best families were all red and the head, and his cows rarely or never fine, and white originally (which was the entire original rather too masculine. He found it very difficult to color of the Short-Horns), and where in their depreserve high stamina, and perhaps could not with scendants the red prevailed, there was greater excel fineness, and so sacrificed fineness for a hardy con- lence in the animal and great uniformity in that stitution. This gave an uniformity in one respect excellence. This chance of a union of great semito his herd, but not a pleasing one. There was vari-nal vigor and great constitution with general coarseation in other respects, and he had very good and ness in Favorite, gave a general tone to all the very bad animals, with perhaps a slight prevalence animals of the herds of both Charles and Robert of defect. The famous herd of Charles Colling, Colling (the latter doubtless the better breeder of through all its periods, presented great dissimilarity the two), and made them vary greatly in their char