Best Mode of Curing Hay.

MESSES. EDITORS-I notice that a controversy still goes on respecting the time of cutting and manner of curing hay, especially timothy. I now intend giving my views at length, as it has been my study for half my life time, to cut and cure at the time and in the manner most palatable to animals, and at the same time most nutritive. I believe nothing of food kind is nutritive, unless it has a good flavor or smell; therefore it is important, both for our own interests and for the comfort of the dumb animals under our care, that we should have their wint food prepared in the best manner we can to retain a good flavor. I will state my reasons for this opinion: I was informed long ago, by one who I supposed knew, that to make the tobacco plant a narcotic, it had to be gathered at a certain time, and cured in a peculiar manner. If not so gathered and cured, it would be insipid, or lose its narcotic quality, and would not be used by man; and that beautiful flower, the fox-glove, requires to be gathered at a certain stage of its growth, and cured in a very peculiar manner, being dried in the dark, and then called Digitalis, a powerful medicine for both man and beast. So it is with other medicinal flowers and herbs; they need a certain treatment, both in the time of gathering and curing; otherwise they are worthless. Such reading led me to try, and if possible find the best time for cutting and manner of curing hay; and I doubt not, had hay been made for man, that centuries before the 19th, it would have been a settled point by man, or good housewives, as to which is the best time of cutting and curing it, to

answer our tastes.

I will now give my time of cutting, and also manner of curing when cut by scythes, as also the manner which I think indispensable when cut by machines.

As to time of cutting, I know that every farmer will agree with me, that nothing they ever fed to cattle, (that are fairly fed during the winter,) will put on as much fat or increase their weight near as much in a given time, (say two months,) as rich pasture. Therefore I argue that grass should be cut for hay, and not let it stand until it becomes dried hay before it is cut. If I could cut all my hay in a day or two or a little longer, I would let timothy stand until the seed was formed, but still quite soft; but as that cannot be accomplished in the time mentioned, I begin when in

full flower.

When cut with the scythe, and the grass heavy, I did all the curing in the swath. Grass will stand a good deal of rain, without injury, if left in the swath, when cut green. When I intend to take it in, if not thoroughly dry on the lower side, if wet from rain I turn the swaths over before raking, if even somewhat green on the underside of the swath; but if no rain had fallen, I raked it up, and took it into the barns. In that way it took a sweat if a heavy crop in the swath, and another sweat in the mow; and I hold it indispensable that hay, for either sheep or cattle, should have a sweat, and it is equally requisite as that tobaceo or fox-glove should have their peculiar modes of curing and time of cutting. If a light crop cut with scythe, as soon as a little wilted, I raked up, put in good sized or rather large cocks, let it take a good sweat in the cocks, and let them alone until dry enough to take in. (Timothy hay cut green and cocked in a

green state, will stand much rain without much injury if let alone) In this way I always made fine flavored hay, and my stock always did well upon it.

But since we all around here cut our grass with machines drawn by horses, the mode of curing must be somewhat different to make fine flavored nutritive hay. The machine cuts and spreads it as evenly as it grows on the ground; therefore it dries much more suddenly than if cut by scythes, and the horse rake ought to be started a few hours-(more or fewer, according to the temperature)-after the machine is started, and the grass put in cock, and not left until the machine has done a day's work, and until the dew goes off next morning. If a high temperature, your hay will then be so dry that it will take no sweat; hence no flavor, and much less nutriment. The trouble with those men who make a trial of cutting green, is that they dry it so much in the hot sun that it cannot sweat in either cock or mow. I have seen stacks of hay in many places, the hay having been put up so dry, that if my arm had been long enough I could have put my hand through them, and that after they had stood for months, and the hay had no more flavor, (except the little ripe seed left on,) than brush from a dead tree. I want to see no stacks or hay mows put up for me but will in a week or ten days become so solid that it is with difficulty you can push your hand into them one foot.

Now, Messrs. Editors, I have given you, as lucidly as I can, my views and reasons for deviating from the rules laid down by far more learned men, as to the time for cutting and manner of curing timothy hay, and indeed all other kinds of hay I have had any experience with in this hot climate. Yet I have no doubt but some of those men, possessed of good talents, will criticise my mode not a little, but all I ask is, that my brother working farmers will prove me and try me, and see whether I know anything of the true principles of making and time of cutting hay. Let them follow my plan strictly, and then either approve or condemn it, according as they find it. As haying will be in less than two months, I should be pleased if 500 farmers in the State of New-York would give my plan a trial and report.

It is high time, in this age of enterprise in the world, that the true time and method of cutting and curing hay was known, so as to make it most pleasant to the taste of the dumb brutes, and most profitable to the

owner. JOHN JOHNSTON. Near Geneva.

Draining Increases the Effect of Manures.

Draining not only "deepens the soil," but largely increases the effect of the application of manures. Every farmer may have noticed the difference resulting from fertilizing material applied alike to even a single field, without being able to satisfy himself as to the cause of that difference. This variation in effect most frequently takes place on clayey soils, or on springy spots with an impervions subsoil, and such wet places, however highly manured, cannot be made to produce good crops. Yet, when thoroughly drained, there are no soils which better reward manuring and cultivation than these.

The elements of manure act upon plants only in a state of solution; hence it is of the greatest importance that they be so applied, and that the soil be so prepar

ed that they may not only be readily dissolved by the rain, but that the rain may freely pass through the soil, whieh, acting as a filter, arrests and holds these elements where they will best serve as food for vegetation. Manures applied to undrained land are readily dissolved by the rain, but are left floating upon the surface, and thus often pass away by evaporation or in the surface drainage of heavy rains, the saturated subsoil not allowing them to sink to the roots of the plants, or to be absorbed by the soil. This is one great reason why manures produce such trifling results on heavy lands, especially in seasons of abundant moisture. In very dry weather but little more effect follows their application, from the want of a solvent, such as is ever supplied by the water retained in mellow, porous earth.

"Draining renders the land penetrable to water," says a writer on this subject, "enabling the rain to descend freely through it, carrying to the roots the fertilizing elements with which rain water is always charged," as well as those it takes in solution from manures. The effect of manures is also much increased by an in.timate mixture with the soil. Such mixture can be but imperfectly obtained in the case of hard and shallow land, either in a wet or dry state. It will always be found that mellow and friable soils receive most benefit from manures, and that clayey soils, if made mellow by draining, possess the greatest absorbent powers, and are of the most productive character, compared with sandy and light or mucky loams.

The true policy of the farmer is to use every means in his power for rendering his labor more effectual and his farm more fertile, and in no way can this be better accomplished in the case of wet and retentive lands, than by draining, and thus deepening and increasing the productive powers of the soil.

Culture of Beans-the Best Bean.

MESSRS EDITORS-In Co. Gent. of April 29, is an article on bean culture. I shall give you my system of sowing and harvesting beans, all of which ripen uniformly. Beans are more grown by market gardeners than they are by farmers. There are around Philadelphia market gardeners and nurserymen who pay their rent by this crop. The army and navy are the principal consumers of the bean, it being used by them as a substitute for the potato. Their market value is generally ruled by the price of wheat; they usually bring the same price per bushel. The variety which I grow is the large English White Kidney, which I have found to be the best grower and yielder of any bean I have grown. It also brings in the New-York market from twenty-five to fifty cents a bushel more than the small bean. It is for the grower and consumer much better than the small one. It is not of so strong a flavor for eating, being mild and quite palatable. It is also a much better yielder than the small one; it being double the size of the small one, it does not require so many to fill a bushel, and they are much easier threshed, cleaned, and hand picked. In fact, I would rather grow the English White Kidney to sell at one dollar a bushel, than I would the small one at double that price. I should realize more at the for

mer.

The English White Kidney is a bush bean, growing from 16 to 18 inches high, with large dark green leaves. I sow them with my field corn, marking out the ground with the plow, leaving the furrows from three to four

feet apart, (according to size of corn,) marking both ways thus,

and sowing at the angles. This gives you straight lines from all sides. I mix up my beans and corn, and the men carry them in an apron. At each of these angles I drop four grains of corn, (afterwards thinning to three,) and three beans, covering all with the foot A man thus plants and covers at once. This covering will be about half an inch deep, which I have found all sufficient for both crops, and not so liable to be smothered as when covered with the hoe, and it takes but half the time as the hoe operation does. I then keep all cultivated level.

Those who grow corn by high hilling, (a bad practice,) can also grow the beans, but not with the success that they could by flat culture; but I presume that all farmers of intelligence have now adopted, so far as practicable, the level system. The argument usually urged against the level system, that the corn has no support against strong winds except it be well hilled up. I have grown corn one year on the hill system, which fully satisfied me that the flat culture was best' which is very easily explained, and the same explanation holds good in the cultivation of most other things that are grown in hills. When plants are grown on the hill system, they, being above the surface, draw the roots to the outside of the hill; if those roots are not again earthed up on their appearance, they are burnt up by the sun; if carefully attended to, as in amateur working, it is best by gradually drawing those hills to the surface. When corn is grown level, you obtain beans from the seed leaf up, thus saving the whole of the plant for fruit; if on the hill system, you lose the first joint of the stem by putting the earth up.

The principal objection to bean culture is the harvesting of them. This, when properly done, is the most simple part of it. The usual way of drying them is to pull and spread on the ground. If it should keep dry weather this is well enough; if it should rain, they will more or less shell. My way is, when cutting the corn, to pull the stalks to you, cutting the usual hight from the surface, a man following (to four or five cutters) pulling the beans up by the roots, placing a round stick a foot in the ground and five or six over ground; around this stick lay some stones, say four to six inches high and from twenty to thirty inches in diameter; you then place your beans, the stems against the pole, allowing the roots to be on the opposite side; your next handful you lay with the top on those last laid roots, and the roots of this on the pod and leaves, and so on to the top, forming as you proceed a sugar loaf, keeping it round, or as you would build a stack, tying the top with a straw band. By this you throw the water all to the outside, the beans being so compact as not to admit water. You can by this means allow them to remain in the field until you are ready to thresh them in November or December, the stones at bottom keeping them dry. In carting to the barn I loosen the pole by shaking, and take hold bottom and top and throw pole and beans into the wagon: by doing so you do not shell the beans. By this means I do not leave any on the ground. In stacking the beans it is better they should be placed between your rows of shocks, as by

Soiling vs. Pasturing.

this means your puller gets his hands full from each side, and can proceed quicker, losing no time in going empty-handed. They will also be out of the way of the huskers, and out of the way of the teams in hauling in the stalks, and when neatly laid up they look well. GERALD HOWATT. Newton, New-Jersey.

Value of Sheep to the Farmer.

Sheep are profitable to the farmer, not only from the product of wool and mutton, but from the tendency which their keeping has to improve and enrich his land for all agricultural purposes. They do this:

1. By the consumption of food refused by other animals, in summer; turning waste vegetation to use, and giving rough and bushy pastures a smoother appearance, and in time eradicating wild plants so that good grasses and white clover may take their place. In this respect, sheep are of especial value to pastures on soils too steep or stony for the plow. In winter, the coarser parts of the hay, refused by horses and cows, are readily eaten by sheep, while other stocks will generally eat most of that left by these animals.

For these reasons, among others, no grazing farm should be without at least a small flock of sheep-for

it has been found that as large a number of cattle and horses can be kept with as without them, and without any injury to the farm for other purposes. A small flock, we said—perhaps half a dozen to each horse and cow would be the proper proportion. A variety of circumstances would influence this point; such as the character of the pasturage, and the proportion of the same fitted and desirable for tillage.

2. Sheep enrich land by the manufacture of considerable quantities of excellent manure. A farmer of long experience in sheep husbandry, thought there was no manure so fertilising as that of sheep, and (of which there is no doubt,) that none dropped by the animal upon the land, suffered so little by waste from expo

sure.

A German agricultural writer has calculated that the droppings from one thousand sheep during a single night, would manure an acre sufficiently for any crop. By using a portable fence, and moving the same from time to time, a farmer might manure a distant field with sheep, at less expense than that of carting and spreading barn manure.

The value of sheep to the farmer is much enhanced by due attention to their wants. Large flocks kept together are seldom profitable, while small assorted flocks always pay well, if fed as they should be. To get good fleeces of wool and large healthy lambs from poor neglected sheep, is impossible. It is also true, that the expense of keeping is often least with the flocks that are always kept in good condition. The eye and thought of the owner are far more necessary than large and irregular supplies of fodder. Division of the flock and shelter, with straw and a little grain, will bring them through to spring pastures in far better order than if kept together, with double rations of hay, one-half of which is wasted by the stronger animals, while the weak of the flock pick up but a scanty living, and oftentimes fail to get that through the whole winter.

We commend this subject to the consideration of our correspondents-it is one which needs greater attention on the part of the farming public.

Soiling, or the practice of cutting green fodder and supplying it to cows, cattle, horses, &c., in summer, in distinction from the more common practice of pasturing them, is probably neglected more than it should be, and more, also, than it would be, if its advantages and conveniences were more justly and generally considered. When the question comes up before the farmer's mind-shall I pasture all my cows, cattle and horses, or shall I take some of the land that would be needed if I pastured, and raise thereon larger crops of grain or some marketable crop, which I could do if I adopted the practice of soiling them ?—when the choice between pasturing or soiling presents itself in such a form as the above, or in some other forms, which will readily occur to our readers without our occupying time and space in specifying them, then the first thing usually thought of is the expense, trouble, or other inconvenience or disadvantage of soiling. These very promptly suggest themselves,-much more than the counterbalancing advantages—and unless some effort has been made to find out the latter, or unless they have been by the manifest success of some neighbor or friend who made evident and brought strikingly under observation

has practiced soiling for some time, the former will obtain more weight in the decision than they may be justly entitled to. If the other side of the choiceviz, the advantages of soiling-were as readily thought of or as palpably manifest, it seems highly probable that the decision to adopt or at least make a trial of soiling, would more frequently be made. We are persuaded that if some one well acquainted with all the details and advantages of soiling were to visit for consultation all the farmers of a county, township, or district, he would find a great number of cases in which he could recommend it as altogether superior and more profitable than pasturing, and that he would succeed ing thus persuaded, we feel it as a duty which we owe in demonstrating this to the satisfaction of many. Beto our readers, to make a column of our paper a substitute as far as possible for such a consulting agriculturist, and to present for their consideration that side and under-estimate, when deliberating upon the reof the question which they are most apt to overlook spective merits and advantages of depending upon ordinary pasturing, and of making provision for summer feeding, in whole or in part, by the practice of soiling.

Let it be distinctly understood that we are very far from considering soiling preferable to pasturing in all cases; and we would not willingly lend any countenance whatever to such an absurdity. But we are firmly convinced that there are some cases in which soiling would be superior in profit, &c., to ordinary pasturing; and as the superior practice is neglected in several of the cases in which it might be adopted with advantage, we are moved by the hope of benefiting such persons to lay before them some of the considerations which should be duly pondered when a decision is to be made as to the best mode of providing food for cows, &c., during summer, or in other words, between soiling and pasturing.

The time consumed, and the trouble and expense incurred, in cutting and carrying grass or other green fodder to the cows, &c., in their yards or stables, are

is proposed or taken into consideration as a substitute

for pasturing, and the imagination generally magnifies these items to such a degree that the question seems to be settled at once. The time, trouble, and expense of driving to and from pasture is usually forgotten, ignored, or kept out of sight. Upon this subject one who has practiced soiling and knows whereof he affirms, has given the following testimony in our volumes for 1857, (see Cult. page 271, and Co. Gent. July 30 :) "I have found by actual experience, that I can feed my cows night and morning as quick as I can drive them to and from pasture, and the time spent in feeding at noon is paid one hundred fold by the manure saved by keeping them yarded."

If the whole of the article from which the above is quoted be read and candidly considered, some other prejudices and objections against soiling will probable be greatly abated or entirely disappear, and the mind be thus prepared for a fair consideration of such advantages as we are now to suggest. Let the reader, therefore, turn to that article-"My Mode of Farming"--and then consider candidly the following points of superiority of soiling over pasturing: 1. Soiling requires much less land than pasturing, by which means more cows-three or four times more-can be kept on the same area, or more be taken for tilling. 2. Fewer fences are required, and thus a great saving may be effected. 3. The waste of food incident to pasturing may all be prevented by soiling. 4. The condition and comfort of cows, &c., are greater and better by soiling than by grazing. 5. Cows also give more milk, especially in a time of drought, when pastures fail more or less. 6. Perhaps the greatest advantage of soiling arises from the greater quantity of manure which it enables the farmer to make.

With this very brief mention of the chief points wherein soiling has a superiority to pasturing, we leave the subject for the present. Should any of our readers be inclined, after considering the foregoing statements, to make a trial of summer-feeding by soiling instead of pasturing, they will find some hints about fixing stables, sheds, stanchions, yards, &c.,-hints that must be of much value to many-in the article already referred to, and in another article by the same writer, entitled "My Milk-Yard," in Cult. 1857, page 278; and in Co. Gent, Aug. 6, 1857.

Cure for Sweeny.

MESSRS. EDITORS-Are the numerous readers of THE CULTIVATOR aware of the curative properties of G. W. Merchant's celebrated Gargling Oil? Last March one of my mules got lame in one of his forelegs, which proved to be the sweeny, which we cured by inflating with wind. In about two weeks he was well again. Shortly after that he commenced to go lame in one of his hind legs, so much so that we could not work him for two weeks or more. At first we could not find out what was the cause of his lameness, but soon found that it was the sweeny also. We immediately inflated the affected place with wind, expecting to cure in a short time, but we were disappointed this time, for instead of getting better it got worse. We then commenced using Gargling Oil three times a day, well rubbed in with the hand on the affected place. (I should also mention that in both cases the skin was kept loose by pulling out with the hands.) In a short time it commenced to get better, and in about four weeks was entirely cured.

I was told by my neighbors that it was nothing to

cure sweeny in or at the shoulder-blade, but very difficult to cure at the hip, and some not to be cured at all. So much for the Gargling Oil. I consider it one of the best preparations for all external application, now in use, for either man or beast. H. KELLER. Wrightsville, Pa.

Bees in California.

LUTHER TUCKER & SON-One of your subscribers wants to know if there are flowers here, and if bees would do well, and has asked some of your correspondents in California to let him know. The request is a very reasonable one, and I will try to answer. There are several large valleys in this State, almost perfectly level, but probably the greater part is mountainous. The valleys from about the first of March to the first of May or June, abound in flowers of innumerable varieties, and the California poppy blooms all the year. The mountains and river bottoms produce flowers much later than this; but no where do they bloom in such profusion as on the uncultivated prairies in the later spring and early suminer months, when every weed has its flower and every flower its smell.

The introduction of bees into this State is of recent date, and good hives are held at $50 each, and very scarce at that. In fact I don't know where I could get one at that price even. They flourish well at San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, and Stockton; and Columbia, in the mines, is said to be well fitted for them. There are wild bees, here, the many statements to the contrary notwithstanding. I have seen them on the peach blooms, every spring, and on the wild poppy. Two fine samples of native honey were exhibited at the fair last year; Wm. Buck of San Jose, took the premium for the honey and best collection of bees. M. WALTHALL, JR. Stockton, Cal.

Wild Turkeys.

I cannot agree with O. E. Woop, that wild turkeys will entirely lose their roving propensities in two or three generations. I believe that our domestic turkeys have never yet lost it. How shy they are in going to their nests-how disposed to ramble all over the farm and neighborhood. The greatest trouble I have ever found with turkeys is to keep them at home. Like E. ALLIN, I am disposed to obtain those that are least disposed to ramble.

We frequently find wild turkey nests, and put their eggs under hens to hatch, and though perfectly gentle while young, they invariably ramble off, if not killed. They will even lead off the tame turkeys, some of which I have shot wild in the woods. Again I believe it is a mistake about their being hardier. The wild hen lays her eggs about four weeks later than the tame one-her brood is then hatched when the weather is warm; besides the woods are clear of grass and weeds, so fatal to our domestic turkeys when wet with dew. They are not considered as easily raised here, and I know of no one who will tolerate their crosses here where we know so much about them. I have killed many wild gobblers, and I never found one yet that was mature under five years of age. The length of the beard is generally considered by hunters a very good index to their weight. This has been invariably the case with all I have killed, which, by-the-bye, is much less than 0. E. W. obtains. The heaviest I ever shot was a few mornings ago, which weighed 234 lbs. ; the heaviest I ever heard of being killed was 26 lbs I would advise all, then, (unless for variety) not to embark in the wild turkey trade, but if any one is still so disposed, I can furnish any amount of them at 65 cts. per pair. H. L. B. Fayette, Mo.

Van Loan's Improved Plow.

The improvement consists in attaching to the bottom of the land-side of the plow a horizontal cutter, whereby the land is cut horizontally below the surface, so that it may be turned over by the mould-board during the succeeding cut, with much greater ease. Fig. 1 is a side view of the plow, with the cutter attached to the outside by bolts and nuts. Fig. 2 is an end view of the cutter, showing the flange at a right angle, and the bolts and nuts by which it is secured. A is a view of the cutter on the face of the plow. The cutter may be attached to the inside of the land-side by lapping the flange under and inside of it, and securing it in the same manner; when it is desired to pulverize the ground, the cutter should be raised about two and onehalf inches, passing the bolts through holes as represented on the face of the land-side, and securing it in that position. The cutter is easily removed for sharpening, or when wanted for use on stony ground.

This plow is believed to greatly reduce the labor of the team and plowman, as numerous trials justify the assertion that there is a saving for the team of 25 to 33 per cent. As the plow presents a much larger surface on the ground than the ordinary plow, it is evident it must run with greater steadiness, and be easily controlled, and the share is relieved of one-third the usual labor.

The cutter may be about four inches wide at the rear, and terminating at a point in front, and about 12 inches long on its face. A small plow thus constructed, with a share 9 inches across, will turn a furrow of 13 inches as easily as a much larger one can without the cutter. It is evident there will be a saving of travel over the ground of about one-third by means of the enlarged width of the furrow. This plow was patented February 16, 1858, by the inventor, W. W. VAN LOAN of Catskill, N. Y.

Draining Lengthens the Season.

Noah and his family are not the only people who have waited-with more or less of faith and patience -for "the subsiding of the waters." Every farmer having retentive soils which he would sow or plant in good season, has frequently been reminded that evaporation is a tedious process, and that some quicker way

of getting rid of the water saturating the soil would be very agreeable. That it would be profitable-that in nearly every instance the expense of draining would be repaid by longer seasons, and, of course, better crops, it surely needs little argument to show.

Let us introduce some testimony on this point. At a recent agricultural meeting at Boston, Mr. RICHARDSON of Franklin Co., spoke of a springy lot which he had recently underdrained:-"The immediate benefit of this was that the soil became in condition for cultivation in good season, and did not bake or become hard." Mr. NOURSE of Me., was present, and remarked on the effect of drainage upon his farm:-"It had put his springy, cold lands in good working condition earlier in the season than any other in the neighborhood. One lot drained in 1852, was in good plowing condition as soon as the frost was out. Before drainage, cattle could not cross it in early June without miring. It enabled the later as well as the earlier cultivation of the land. He had plowed as late as Nov. 20." Mr. FRENCH, in his essay on Drainage, refers also to Mr. Nourse's experience, making mention of a piece of corn he planted in this land on a drizzling rain, after a storm of two days. The corn came up and grew well; although on a clayey loam formerly as wet as the adjoining grass field, over which oxen and carts could not pass on the day of this planting, without cutting through the turf and miring deeply.

Many other statements might be given, showing that draining "lengthens the season 19 of working retentive clay soils from two to three weeks in spring time-that busiest season of all the year to the farmer. And of equal importance is the fact that it lengthens the period of vegetation. A week, even, of advanced maturity to the corn crop, often settles the question of its profit to the farmer, making from one-third to one-half difference in its value. A few days more on the growth of barley, oats or potatoes, will enable them to withstand a far greater degree of drought, and to mature a much better product. We but suggest the subject, not attempting to treat it at the length it deserves, leaving our correspondents experienced in draining, to illustrate and enforce the same.

THE INDIANA FARMER has been removed to Indianapolis, where it is now published by J. N. RAY, Esq. It is well printed and well filled with good matter.