Editorial Correspondence—V.

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD., May, 1858. During a day or two spent in the city, I have been indebted to Messrs. S. SANDS of the American Farmer, B. M. RHODES, MARTIN GOLDSBOROUGH and ⚫ others for attentions. Messrs. B. M. Rhodes & Co., as our readers are aware, are largely engaged in the manufacture of a Superphosphate of Lime which has received high encomiums from many who have examined or actually tried it. Every lot is said to be subjected to analysis before it is offered for sale, while the processes of manufacture are carried on according to a receipt furnished by Dr. Higgins, recently state chemist.

A Good Farmer's Club.

A narrative of the rise and fortunes of a Farmer's Club, of which Mr. GOLDSBOROUGH was a long time at the head, interested me much, and might form the basis of similar institutions elsewhere, with those who have not yet tried them. On the Eastern shore of the state, where he formerly resided, he induced a dozen of his neighbors to unite with him in organizing the club, and they kept it up together for a number of years, finding it throughout productive of considerable mutual advantage, and no little social enjoyment. The thirteen met to dine in succession at each other's houses once a month, the member whose turn it was to receive the others having the privilege of appointing the particular day, if desired, through the county paper. As was very natural on these occasions, they would walk about the farm to see how each was getting on, besides devoting themselves to the discussion of questions of agricultural interest; and after such tours of observation, Mr. G. could not but be struck by the opportunity they offered for good natured but profitable criticism. As he justly remarked, one who does not easily discover his own remissness at home, may prove to have sharper eyes for the short-comings of his neighbors, while at the same time suggestions from them about his management, and from him upon theirs, would be kindly received and often advantageously acted upon. It was consequently, after some hesitation, resolved to appoint a committee whose duty it should be at each meeting to examine more particularly into the system pursued at the farm on which it was held, the condition of the buildings, the fields, the fences, &c., and to draw up a report distributing commendation and blame, where they seemed respectively proper, calling the attention of others to every merit experience enabled the writer to discover, and warning the owner of any disadvantages or dangers which taught him to expect. These reports were received and discussed, and then as a whole, or paragraph by paragraph, they would be put to vote, thus distinctly expressing the "sense of the meeting" on each point brought up.

How such a feature might add greatly to the attractiveness and value of the meetings, any one can see those who thought themselves unable to express their views satisfactorily on paper, were by degrees led to make the trial, and when it came their turn, soon found that the difficulty of writing will in a great degree disappear, when a writer has something he wants to say; and the improvement here, and the social intercourse obtained, as well as the results in more practical directions, were of a most satisfactory and quite an important kind. We should add as a hint to any

readers who may be pleased with the idea of a club, made up as this was, of just enough good friends and farmers to form a pleasant monthly dinner party, that it was found necessary to pass a sumptuary by-law limiting the said dinners to one course of plain and substantial dishes, in order that they might not lead to extravagance, and be an unnecessary burden to the housewife of the day.

Vauxhall.

Taking the train for Cockeysville on the 19th, I was kindly met at the station by JOHN MERRYMAN, Esq., now the energetic President of the Maryland State Agricultural Society. Before the cars came to a stop, the evidences began to be multiplied of the one great manufacture to which the Agriculture of the whole region owes its resuscitation and improvement-kilns for the burning of Lime-a fertilizer which seems to have the power of thoroughly rejuvenating a soil, at once rendering it capable of a beneficial rotation, adding to the enriching effects of other manures, and driving out some weeds of most troublesome character. Of the extent to which it has been and is still employed, I shall have more to say hereafter.

We called as we drove along, at the residence of WM, JESSUP, Esq., "Vauxhall," an estate, as we understood, practically and profitably farmed, but where we could not stop long enough for much conversation as to the system employed, or even to glance at the stock upon the place, which, as I had been previously told, included quite a flock of fine Cotswolds. Related to Mr. SANDS of the American Farmer, the results of Mr. J.'s experience have been occasionally contributed to that sterling journal, and we understood that some experiments are now in progress on his fields, an account of which may there be expected. Mr. J. was quite disposed to differ with the views recently expressed on several subjects by some of our correspondents, and it will not be out of place to renew here the invitation I gave him to submit his criticisms to their consideration through the columns of the Country Gentleman. It is only by the discussion of knotty points, that we can hope for the elucidation of the difficulties involved, and practice is no less the test than it must be the source of all theory.

Clynmalira Manor.

After a brief pause at "Hayfields," Mr. Merryman's own residence, we resumed the seat we had occupied behind the horses for a drive of several miles to the extensive estate of HENRY CARROLL, Esq., a gentleman of the old school, if it is pardonable to repeat an often abused, but very expressive phrase, in order that the reader may share with me, if possible, a welcome as courteous and urbane as perhaps we might have expected from his ancestors had we called in the days of Lord Baltimore or George Washington. Clynmalira Manor includes 2,200 acres, of which the Messrs. C., senior and junior, jointly cultivate about one thousand -the remainder being in the hands of tenants. The property has been in the family since 1704, but only farmed for the past 30 years.

There are this year 120 acres in Wheat, including a a fine field of 50 acres of Mediterranean wheat-85 of Corn, 55 of Oats, 150 in Meadow, and the remainder in Pasture. There are ten or a dozen acres of a very plump and handsome kind of white wheat, from seed purchased from one of the largest grain growers of

North Carolina—a kind which bids fair to become one of considerable value through the South, although I did❘ not learn that it is yet known by any distinctive name.

The farm buildings on the place are very neat, commodious, and extensive—including a stone barn built in the best style, with slate roof, and plastered throughout in the inside, in order to keep out dampness, vermin, &c. Its dimensions are 47 feet by 97, and there are above large bays for unthrashed grain and hay, and on either side a granary that will contain three or four thousand bushels, while beneath, an airy and comfortable basement is planned to accommodate 52 head of cattle, in a very convenient way for their attendants and themselves-the hay and other feed being distributed to them all at the least possible distance of carriage, while it is calculated to litter them so as to avoid the necessity of frequently cleaning out the floor The food for the mules and cows is ground in the proportion of one bushel of oats to two of corn and cobs, and one of wheat bran. A bushel of this mixture, stirred up with one and a half of the chaff, either of wheat or oats, and just moistened with water, will answer for the morning or evening meal of half a dozen mules, and when plowing, they also receive a feed of corn in the ear at noon. Chaff is thought to be of much value for feed, and to exert a beneficial medicinal effect in the spring.

At right angles with this barn, there is a range of stone stables 110 feet long and 20 wide, with room above for feed, and Mr. Carroll proposes to erect upon the third side of the square a building 110 by 42, for feeding cattle for the butcher-so planned that the deposits shall be removed by a horse and cart about once a week, and that the stock may be otherwise attended to with the least expenditure of time and labor. The part of the corn-stalk above the ears is used for foddering the cattle in the yards, and the husks are considered equal to hay for feeding, but are not used for the purpose, as they command too high a price in the city, where they find a ready market for filling mattrasses, &c.

Besides the buildings mentioned, there is one just outside of the square, open below on one side as shelter for the farm wagons, and above used as a corn-house. An old barn near by is used for storing straw.

The Cotswolds.

The stock on the place includes some valuable horses, (among them a bay stallion of fine promise two years old, and now 15 hands high,) but that part of it perhaps most thought of and highly prized, is the sheep a beautiful flock of Cotswolds, to the breeding of which Mr. C. senior has for some years devoted himself with untiring care. Among more recent additions to their number are a buck imported at a cost of $350 in 1854, another imported for Mr. C. by Col. Ware, costing $250, and six imported ewes, at an aggregate price of $832.26, or an average to each of $138.71. The flock now contains about 40 owes and 20 bucks, some of the latter of which readers have been already informed through our advertising columns, will now be disposed of-offering a rare opportunity to procure some of the best blood of the breed in the country. Possessing in a high degree the characteristics of their breed-large and well made frames, full and handsome fleeces, expanded ribs, and broad overhanging rumps-the males are of unquestioned value in increasing the size of the ordinary sheep and bringing the mutton to early ma

turity. They are also hardy, and the quality of the meat, although thought by the critical somewhat coarse and not well intermingled of fat and lean, is not sufficiently objectionable to render it the less marketable on this account. We saw a fine lot of six-weeks lambs, which would already weigh 80 to 90 pounds, while the full grown will reach an average of 250. The ewes will shear in common cases about eight pounds of wool, and the bucks twelve-which sells unwashed for the Boston market, at 20 to 25 cts. per lb.

Winter Barley for Winter Pasture. MESSRS. EDS.-I wish to obtain information in regard to winter barley as a substitute for rye for grazing and feeding purposes. It is highly recommended by numerous gentlemen who have used it in California, where it is raised extensively for pasture and forage.

How does it compare with rye as grazing for young stock, and for feeding in the grain or in the sheaf, or cut up, i. e., is it equal or superior to rye, quantity and quality considered?(a) What kind of winter barley is best? How much should be sown to the acre, and when?(b) If sown in August, or very early, will it joint before winter? Will it stand the winter equal to wheat or rye? Will it bear grazing equal to either of these, and how long or late should it be grazed and make a good crop? (c) What is the best mode of feeding it? (d) I should not have troubled you on this subject, but I have never seen any thing in the Country Gentleman, or any other paper, that gives the above information. JOHN H. ESTILL. Glasgow, Missouri.

Winter barley is little grown in this section, and then for the grain and not for winter grazing. So we must leave a portion of the above inquiries for our Western readers to answer, availing ourselves of the information furnished by a Southern Indiana farmer, (Patent Office Report, 1853,) to throw some light on the subject. From what we know of the two grains, we should think barley would compare favorably with rye in every respect-yield more bushels of grain, and having a broader leaf and greater amount of foliage, furnish more pasture. The grain is equally nutritious, weight for weight with rye, and the dry straw is much better liked by most animals.

(a) "The green grain offers an excellent pasture during winter, especially for colts and calves, as they injure the ground less by tramping than old stock."

(b) "From one to one and a half bushels per acre, is sown the last of August or first of September, among the standing corn, and covered with a light plow or cultivator. Some farmers, when the corn will admit, plow it one way and cross with the cultivator."

(c) "It is better to manage the feeding (on account of tramping,) so that the stocks will not be on the lands after the winter frost is out of the ground."

(d) "Barley ripens with us (in Indiana) the last of June. The straw is saved for winter feeding of cattle, and answers well for horses when cut and fed with the grain crushed into coarse meal. Barley is also valuable for hogs, ground and soured in swill, or soaked in water until fully swollen, before feeding."

There is no economy like the economy of doing every thing thoroughly. More profit can be realized from one acre well manured and thoroughly cultivated, than from two but half prepared for seeding.

The above is a representation of the "Buckeye Rotating Harrow," recently patented by Wm. De Witt and 0. D. Barrett of Cleveland, O. The toothed frame is made of suitable sized timber, halved together, and fastened by the teeth, which have shoulders that come against the lower side of the timbers and nuts on the upper side. The center-piece, 1, is made fast to the toothed frame by means of the cast plate, 3. The thimble, 2, has a flange on its lower end, by which it is firmly bolted to the draft-bar, 4 The weighted arm is held on either side by the draft-bar, and at right angles to it by means of a hook, as represented. A weight of twenty-five or thirty pounds is placed in the box on the weighted arm. This weight causes the teeth under it to sink deeper into the ground than the rest. As the Harrow is drawn forward, they meet with more resistance, and consequently cause it to rotate horizontally, pulverizing the ground completely, requiring less force to draw it than it would did it not rotate.

How to Obtain Water.

MESSRS. EDITORS-We have succeeded in obtaining a supply of pure running water by means of a well and syphon, (as recommended by your correspondent B. C. G., on page 80 of the current vol. Co. Gent.,) and believing that many of your subscribers may be so situated as to obtain a supply in the same way, thus saving a vast amount of labor, I wish to say a few words on the subject. We have had ours in operation about a year, and are so well pleased with it that we would urge all those who intend to dig wells, to first look around, and see if there is not some spot within a convenient distance, where they can find water by digging on higher ground than where they wish to use it. If they succeed in doing this, all they will have to do is to put in a pipe and exhaust the air which it contains, by means of an air pump*-(or what would answer just as well, have the pipe filled with water previous to

The advantages the patentees claim for this Harrow are as follows:

1st. It will do twice as much as the common Harrow in pulverizing the soil, without any extra labor for the team.

2d. It is the strongest Harrow built, and does not cost as much as the common jointed Harrow.

3d. It is adapted to all kinds of soil, and can be operated like the common Harrow, by taking off the weight. This is of advantage only in reference to newly turned up sod, requiring to be harrowed with the furrows.

4th. By the rotating motion, the teeth are made to move in every conceivable direction. Consequently, they sharpen themselves.

5th. This Harrow leaves the ground smooth and even, as it is impossible to clog it; consequently stones, roots, vines, or other things, cannot be dragged along by it, to leave the ground in furrows, as it frequently is by the common Harrow. For further information address Robinson & Co., 21 Bank street, Cleveland, Ohio.

putting it down)-and they will soon have the satisfaction of seeing the water running, provided there is no defect in the pipe. The theory of its action is simple; the pressure of the air on the water in both legs is equal, but as one leg is longer than the other, it consequently contains a longer column of water, which overcomes the resistance of the air, and falls towards the ground, leaving a vacuum which is immediately filled by the pressure of the air on the water in the shorter leg, thus keeping up a continuous flow of water. J. E. BAYNE. Franklin, Delaware Co, N. Y.

It is best to keep a pump always at hand. as the water will no doubt stop occasionally in consequence of air geting into the pipe. We made one which answers every pur pose out of a wooden tube, (made by boring through a block of wood,) and two leather valves opening upwards, one at the bottom, the other fast to a stick used as a piston.

A treadle attached to your grindstone will enable your man to grind his own knife, axe, scythe, or other implement. Attend to it now.

Culture of Growing Crops.

The implements of culture-the plow, horse-hoe, harrow, and so on, will do much of this work. Straight

1. The destruction of weeds, or the prevention of all growth but that of the crop itself.

2. Keeping the soil in the most favorable condition for the support of plants.

Weeds are hurtful in various ways. In their early growth they take little but water from the soil, but that may be needed by the growing crop. Soon they demand more precious elements, using up the stores of plant food the soil may contain. A thrifty weed takes as much nutriment as a thrifty corn plant, and both cannot at the same time employ the same elements. When it is remembered that nothing grows without feeding, the importance of feeding nothing worthless will at once be seen.

Weeds are injurious in crowding the crop, depriving it of needed exposure to the light and air. Imperfect growth is always the result of too great closeness of the plants, whether caused by weeds or the crop itself. The plants shoot up slender and weak in their struggle for light and air, and the product cannot be what it would under more favorable circumstances.

It is important, therefore, to prevent the growth of weeds, as far as may be, by hindering their germination or destroying them as soon as they appear. In the culture of all "hoed crops " it is not necessary to wait for weeds to get up above ground before commencing the war against them. At first they have but a single root, which can be broken very easily, and to the death of the plant. It is not much labor to hoe corn or roots thus early, but neglect it, and it will require ten times the digging, picking and pulling at a later day.

make light work of what otherwise will seem an interminable piece of labor. After a few weeks the crop will so 66 get the start" of the weeds, as to hinder their growth, and then we may "lay by " our soilstirrers and weed cutters, and wait for the harvest without fear of more than one crop, and that the one we have planted or sown.

2. That the soil be kept in the most favorable condition, as to its mechanical relations, for the growth of plants is equally important. The soil, if not naturally mellow, must be made so, that the roots may be able to penetrate the same-and that the nutriment it contains may be put, by air and moisture, in a state to be taken up by the roots, which are the mouths of plants.

All heavy soils are benefitted in several ways by frequent cultivation. One has already been stated in the preceding paragraph. Another benefit is the breaking up of the crust which forms as the soil dries after rains, preventing the ascent of moisture from beneath, or its absorption from the atmosphere. A deep and mellow soil will bear far more rain without injury than a shallow and hard one. It will also much better withstand the effects of dry weather, and it is often proved that culture goes as far as manure in perfecting the crop.

This cultivation, as in the case of destroying weeds, should be most frequent and thorough while the crop is in its first stages. As its growth advances, the roots of the plants extend and will be injured by any very extensive stirring of the soil. Nor will it be as needful as at first, from the fact that the permeating roots I tend to keep the soil mellow, as also does the shade of

the growing crop. Sufficient working should be given, however, to prevent weeds from perfecting their seeds, and thus preparing needlessly for the ever continued labors of the farmer in their extermination.

Mowing Machines-Time to Cut Hay. MESSRS. EDITORS-There has been some discussion of late in your valuable papers, about mowing machines, and extremes have been gone into on both sides -both in favor of the machine and against it. Now in discussing the merits or demerits of these labor-saving machines, or upon any other subject pertaining to agricultural improvement, or in disapproval of what seems of doubtfuì utility, it is always best to keep as near the mark as possible; to state facts as they are, without embellishment or exaggeration. Some of the statements, calculations and figures in relation to these mowers, tend to mislead that portion of the farming interest that has had no experience with them. My own experience is limited to the past two years, but by careful and as accurate a test as possible in keeping account of the expense attending the machine, and comparing it with the expense of hand mowing at the present prices of efficient day laborers in the haying season, I am satisfied there is a saving to any farmer who has forty to fifty acres to mow over annually, of a smooth surface free from obstructions to the running of the machine. For a less amount than forty acres, and that generally producing heavy grass, I do not believe it can be profitable for any one to purchase unless he can club with his neighbors; and there are serious inconveniences in this; more than one might want to use it at a time; different teams, different drivers, &c., increasing the liability to accidents and the expense of repairs. The greater the quantity of grass to cut the more desirable is the machine, and the greater the saving. One of the greatest items in saving is in cutting the grass at the proper time, and saving in the quality of the hay; for I do not believe, with one of your correspondents, that the hay is more nutritious by standing until the seed is matured and nearly ready to drop before it is cut. Most of our cultivated grasses should be cut when in blossom, or just as they are passing out of that stage, even if it does take more sun and a little extra labor to dry them.

The economy of the mower I predicate upon the present price of labor, which here, is $1.25 to $1.50 per day, and board-25 to 50 per cent. higher than a few years ago; and even at this advance, the labor we get now not as good now by 20 per cent. as formerly. Could I obtain as good labor at one dollar per day as I did ten years ago, I should never have thought of resorting to a horse mower as a matter of economy. But the times have changed, and are continually changing in this country, and we farmers must shape our course to keep pace with these changes, whether they are for the better or the worse, or we shall get behind the times and become old fogies in the true sense of the word. Old fogyism, to a proper extent, I like; enough of it to curb and hold back "Young America," is necessary and desirable in our day and generation; but we cannot follow the beaten track of our fathers. Improvement is the watch-word in farming as well as other things; and wherever and whenever an agricultural implement presents itself as a labor-saving machine, we have only to satisfy ourselves of the fact that

it will prove so in reality, and then we ought to avail ourselves of its use, and not be controled by prejudice, or an undue preference and credulity. J. W. COLBURNE. Springfield, Vt.

We have several other communications on this subject, mainly in answer to Mr. CLIZBE's communication, but as we have already published six or seven replies to Mr. C., our correspondents will we trust excuse us for omitting any further estimates on this matter. We add, however, a fact or two of interest from a communication from Mr. D. A. A. NICHOLS of Westfield, N. Y. Mr. N. says:

Three years ago I had ten acres of lodged clover to mow, and I hired one-half mowed by hand, and the other with a machine. I had no machine, and consequently had to hire, or do without.

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In regard to having so much help as Mr. C. seems to think is necessary, I will say that myself and one man usually cut 50 acres of grass with no other help than a machine and a horse-rake, and get the hay as fast as it gets fit to cut. A good machine will mow when the dew is on as well as when the grass is dry. I usually hitch on the team after breakfast, and mow until the dew is off-then rake up and get in what was mowed the day previous. We cut our hay soon after the blossom falls. Clover we cock as soon as wilted, letting it stand about a week, in order to save the leaves. I am not an agent for any machine, and therefore can say what I think about machines. We use the Ketchum machine, as there are no others that we have seen that will not clog in lodged clover and wet grass. That machine is not liable to get out of repair. One of my neighbors has one with which he has cut over 500 acres of grass, and has paid out just $1.00 for repairs. How to Extirpate the Apple-Tree Worm from Orchards.

A Dutchman in our neighborhood does this most effectually. He provides himself with a basket, ladder and leather gloves. He then ascends the tree, taking advantage of the time when the worms are all in. He moves about among the branches, rolling up by hand each nest with its contents, and deposits it in his basket. In a few minutes the work is accomplished, when he descends with his freight of worm nests. Passing through an orchard in this way, he does up the business for years to come. Some orchards in our neighborhood, which had for several years in succession been denuded of foliage, have been almost entirely relieved by one thorough cleaning out in this manner. One man can pass through a good sized orchard in a day, and the benefits conferred will bear no comparison with the trifling expense incurred.

One of the most prolific sources of the apple tree worm, is the existence of a few black cherry trees scattered about the farm. The worm prefers this tree even to the apple. These trees serve as nurseries for worms, where millions are annually bred without molestation. Every such tree growing along the fences about the farm, should be cut down without reserve. W. H. S. Sandlake.