Brentwood. M. F. D. mured a word, nor in all her sickness, nor no evident excitement, to the spot where but a few time, has a sharp word fell." moments before, he and his companion had been How changed were Ellen Jones feelings, as ere seemingly safely fastened. Surprised to find his she placed her head on her pillow that night she horse loose, and struck with his singular conduct, prayed "deliver us from evil." Then did she feel Mr. A. immediately followed, and found the oththat no evil indeed had ever fallen upon her. And er lying in the water, entangled in the rope, and in after years, when she had become a useful and struggling to keep his head from being submerged. a happy woman, did she often recur to that visit, While Mr. A. proceeded to disengage the unforbelieving that God taught her there, that "to tunate horse, his noble benefactor stood by, manimake others happy, is one of the truest objects of festing the utmost solicitude and sympathy, and life." when his mate was extricated from his situation, and again upon his feet upon terra firma, the generous creature exhibited the most unquestionable THE POOR MAN'S MAY. signs of satisfaction and joy. That this intelliWe have had repeated occasion to extract some beautiful pas- gent animal should have noticed the unfortunate sages from poets who are now moving in the humblest walks of situation of his mate-that he should know where life. Of these, John and Mary Saunders are worthy of especial to apply for rescue, and in his efforts should sunnote, for the extreme sweetness and simplicity of their produc- der a three-fourths of an inch rope, and finally tions. They do not aim at lofty subjects, but are content with that he should exhibit so high an appreciation of those that come peculiarly within their own observation. Hence the event,are curious circumstances to us,and comtheir poems are natural, and because natural, they are pleasing mend themselves to the thoughtful consideration of Sweet May! they tell me thou art come : those who would limit the power of reasoning to Thou art not come to me; the "genus homo."-St. Anthony's Ex. I cannot spare a single hour, Sweet May to welcome thee. God knows how hard I've worked this week, And see, we have an empty board,- And art thou still the same sweet May I thought, O! what a lovely world And wondered any one should seek The hawthorn buds are come again, May sing the long day through. Alas! green lane, my heart may die— SINGULAR CASE OF INSTINCT IN A a DEMOCRACY OF SCIENCE. BY JOSIAH HOLBROOK. Consolidation and diffusion are two operations distinct and opposite. Both are witnessed in wealth, government, religion, knowledge, and nearly every thing human. However applied, the one is despotic and the other democratic. The nature of man and the progress of society tend to consolidation at the expense of diffusion. The spirit of republicanism is to promote diffusion and put checks upon consolidation; and that, too, as connected with all the leading interests of human beings. view. Democracy of science is the subject now under The true democracy of science is "TO INCREASE AND DIFFUSE KNOWLEDGE AMONG MEN"the design of Smithson. This is also not only a great, but the great object of national and State policy-not to consolidate but diffuse knowledge; and knowledge interesting to all, especially farmers and mechanics, as they constitute more than seveneighths of all civilized communities. We do not remember ever to have heard of more remarkable exhibition of equinine intelli- The development and the application of the nagence than was communicated to us a few days tural resources of our country stand first and foresince by Mr. Allen, of this place. The circum- most in furnishing that kind of knowledge interstances as they were narrated to us are as fol- esting to all. It shows possessions and the modes lows:of using them-strictly the "USE OF TALENTS." Mr. A. had for a considerable time a span of But with development and application there may sprightly little horses, that he had never separa- be diffusion; there may also be consolidation. It ted. In the stable, in the field, and the harness, is one thing to have our mineral resources develthey have always been together. This has caused oped, and a knowledge of them so diffused that a strong attachment to grow up between them. every farmer may know the character and capaA few days ago, he went with them out to Lake bilities of his own fields. It is quite another thing Minnetooka, on a fishing excursion. Taking them to have our country subjected to scientific explor out of the carriage, he led them to the lake and ations, however full and complete, and the results tied them several rods apart on a strip of grass placed in ponderous volumes, and those volumes that grew upon the shore, and left them to feed. confined to the shelves of college and State libraReturning to the shantee, he threw himself upon ries, to be little read and less understood. The one the floor, to await the return of the party who is diffusion, the other consolidation. The one is had repaired to the lake to fish. carrying out the purpose of scientific explorations, Not much time had elapsed before the sound of and applying the knowledge obtained by them for approaching horse's feet attracted his attention, the benefit of those who need it, and those who and a moment after, one of his horses appeared at paid for it; the other is evidently a perversion of the door. The animal put his head in, and giving funds designed for diffusive knowledge, wealth, one neigh, returned at a slow gallop, yet under morals, and power, to personal pride and individ DAVID E. BROWN. ual aggrandizement. The one tends to democracy, should they be set out, how set, and what land the other to despotism. will they do best on? Franklin, N. H., 1854. ter. REMARKS.-The best season for setting straw row, As the spirit of the age is the democracy of science the diffusion, not the consolidation of knowledge-an attempt will be made to point out several subjects of science, with such plans and modes berry plants is in the spring-in May. Set one of promoting them as will tend to bring knowledge then 15 inches off another, and 15 inches to every man's door, and to give to it free access more another row; then leave a path 30 inches by every farmer's son and every mechanic's daughAs the schools of our country constitute or wide. After they have been cultivated a few years, ought to constitute not a "national university," the plants may be transferred to the 30 inch path, but a "UNIVERSITY OF THE NATION," special endea- and the bed renewed. For field culture, plant vors will be made to present such subjects, plans, the rows three feet apart so as to cultivate with a and modes as will aid in training the young beings horse. composing them for success in their future vocations; to put them on the track of "PRACTICAL SCIENCE, PRODUCTIVE INDUSTRY, AND CHRISTIAN MORALS." EXTRACTS AND REPLIES. POISON FOR RATS. Can you inform me through your paper what is the best poison for rats where hens are kept? Boston, May 25, 1854. A. 8. REMARKS. Sprinkle about a little flour or meal for a day or two, and after that add a small quantity of strychnine. LIGHTNING RODS. LIME-TURNIPS-THE SEASON. How shall I apply oyster shell lime to the soil to the best advantage? My soil is a heavy, moist loam, with a hard pan bottom, some two or three feet from the surface. (a.) Will turnips, either English, or ruta-bagas, do well for winter food for stock, sown at this season of the year, or any time in May? Will they not grow large, corky and nearly worthless, sown at this season on good land? I have a piece of new hill burnt land, cleared last fall and sowed to rye and seeded, but the rye has nearly all winterkilled. The soil is good, but the most of it is too rocky and stumpy to plow; will carrots do anything on such land without the use of the plow? Will the Editor give through the Farmer the have queried a good deal in my own mind what necessary information in regard to lightning rods. kind of a crop to sow (or plant even) to get the Are they a safe and certain protection from the best return for my labor, and the more I queried, fluid? Of what materials and how should they the farther I was from coming to any conclusion be constructed? Are buildings or persons injured as to what was the best method for me to pursue, ever, or life destroyed when they are properly put and in my dilemma I ask for advice. (b.) up? By answering these inquiries and adding such information as you may wish in regard to the whole subject, I doubt not you will oblige of your readers. Yours truly, many The season is very backward in this region as it must be throughout the country. Ground froze hard last night, and water nearly three-fourths of an inch thick, making the cattle which have been turned out look rather sorry. We hope we have had our last freeze for this spring, and that vegetation will soon make rapid strides. Mr. Charles C. Stevens, of this town, gave me a Malay hen's egg, which measured 2 inches in diameter, 3 inches long-6 inches in circumference one way, and 3 inches the other way. Is that often beat? JAMES A. BLAKE. Warwick, Mass., 1854. Essex, Vt., May 20, 1824. S. G. BUTLER. REMARKS.-The subject is an important one, but in a season like this, when much of the usual spring work is crowded into the space of a few days, we cannot give that attention to a matter like that which is the subject of inquiry above, which it merits. Nor shall we ever be able to say that no person has ever been injured where rods are properly put up. Last summer we noticed some eight or ten accounts in the papers, of destruction of both life and property by lightning, and in every case there were rods attached to the buildings struck. Unless properly put up we believe there is more danger than to be entirely without them. Perhaps some of our correspondents, blessed with leisure and good will, may July will be early enough to sow the seed, and if make themselves useful in a consideration of this carefully raked in on such land, you may reasonsubject. ably expect a most abundant crop. Our friend will please bear in mind that farming is our business, and that we believe fully in the "old saw," "Not with his hands, but with his sight, REMARKS. (a.) Sow a part of the lime broadcast and a part in drills or the hills and note the effect. The slightest covering will be sufficient. (b.) Your burnt hill land will be excellent for turnips; the common flat turnip will probably succeed best, as the ruta bagas require a mellow and somewhat deep soil. The middle or last of SIGNS OF HEALTH IN SHEEP are, a skittish brightness, clear azure eye, florid, ruddy eyestrings and gums, teeth fast, breath sweet, nose and eyes dry, respiration free and regular, feet cool, dung substantial, wool fast and unbroken, skin of fine florid red, particularly on the brisket.— 1 wish to inquire the method of cultivating Lawrence on Cattle. English strawberries? What time in the year For the New England Farmer. must not come in contact with the guano, even FRENCH MERINO BUCK, "OLD TIGER." though the latter is mingled with four or five parts OLD TIGER is 5 years old, 185 lbs. weight of of loam. Nor should the guano be in a mass becarcass, 16 lbs. 11 oz. weight of fleece, and very low the kernels, because when the root. strikes clean for unwashed wool. The wool is fine and down into it, the guano is quite sure to kill it. even for that varitey. His stock is superior, and When guano is applied to the hill it should be sought after by many of our best wool growers. I scattered over a surface one or two feet square. have repeatedly refused $500 for him. I pur chased Old Tiger, as he is called, August 20th, Potatoes are up well and generally look finely. There is good promise of a fair fruit crop. 1850, of Mr. A. S. BINGHAM, of Cornwall, Vt.; but he is known as the Tainter Stock. I paid $200 Cherries will not be so abundant as last year, for him, and I confess that it has been the best in- in some sections quite plentiful. The peach crop vestment I ever made, having realized the sum of will be light-the winter was too severe. If we $1200 profit from him in three years. My present flock consists of French, Silesian and Spanish mean to secure an annual crop of this delicious Merinos, selected mostly from Mr. CAMPBELL'S fruit, we must devise some way of protecting the celebrated flock, who is now breeding each variety trees. See two articles in last week's paper on distinct, except in a few cases of cross with each this subject. Apples promise well, a sufficient other, which have thus far proved very satisfac-amount of fruit hanging on to give a good supply, Very truly, "Brattleboro', tory. Vt. A. V. STOCKWELL. PROSPECTS OF THE SEASON. where the worms have not destroyed the foliage, The caterpillars came early and were numerous, and in some of the towns near Boston have been succeeded by the canker worm, which has made The frequent rains and cool weather have giv- great havoc among the orchards. In passing en the fields an unusual richness; on old fields through the town of Marlborough last week-said grass was considerably winter-killed, and the crop to be the second best farming town in the State-we will be rather light, notwithstanding the favora-saw numerous orchards nearly defoliated by caterble weather; on fields more recently laid down pillars; the branches were bare of everything but the prospect for a full crop is favorable. Winter the huge, ugly nests of the caterpillar-a striking rye, and the few pieces of winter wheat we have contrast to the usual good husbandry of our agriseen, look well. Oats and barley also promise cultural friends in that beautiful town. On the well now. Corn has generally come well where whole, the prospects to the farmer are encouragit has not been scorched by coming into contact ing; prices of all kinds of produce are high, and with guano. We have heard of a good many with diligence and economy, he cannot fail to reap acres to be replanted from this cause. The grain a fair reward for his labor. For the New England Farmer. [CORRESPONDENCE No. 2.] APPLICATION OF LIME AND ASHES FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF LAND. your rotation for a few years, or at least cultivate a less breadth of it for a while than heretofore, and make the intervals longer between growing it on a given field; as thus your land will be gaining what it has been robbed of by the wheat, while at the same time it will be yielding well in other crops, and ultimately, will give you good crops of wheat again. Shoreham, Vt., Feb. 27, 1854. MR. HOLBROOK :-Dear Sir,-Although you are a stranger to me, personally, you are not through the press, and as you frequently give your views As your land is mostly a deep substantial loam, on different subjects relating to agriculture, I by giving it large doses of lime you might for a should be pleased to receive a communication time realize a considerable increase in your crops from you on the application of unslacked ashes of wheat, and indeed in most other crops; but and slacked lime. such application, without corresponding dressings My soil is mostly of a deep, rich, dry loam, some of organic or stable manure, would ultimately exof it heavy, some light, and plaster of paris has haust your soil. On this mode of using lime is had a good effect, and I am told has been applied founded the proverb-"lime enriches the fathers for 30 years past. My crops have not been as but impoverishes the sons ;"-the reason of which large and good as the cultivation would indicate. is, that its principal or more powerful action upGenerally, I have raised winter wheat after on the soil is chemical and mechanical, rather corn, and the most I ever raised was 28 bush. per than as manure in the strict sense chemical, as acre-average 14 bush. Since I have been on the an alterative and stimulant, rendering whatever of farm (15 years) I have not raised a first rate crop fertility the soil contains, whether free, or locked of winter or spring wheat; there has been some up in noxous compounds, readily available to the defect, either it would lodge; be too thin; the fly growing crops; mechanical, in modifying the texwould injure it; or the rust would strike it and ture of the soil, such as by opening and loosening spoil the berry. stiff loams and clay, making them more permeable Now can I not apply ashes or lime to advantage to air, heat and moisture, and easier to work. and have a larger and more equal yield? But it is not my province to deal very minutely in Refuse lime can be had for three cents per bush- theoretical considerations, and I shall therefore el within three miles, and I think ashes can be reply to you mostly in the practical view. I bought in town for 6 or 8 cents, as there is no would commend to your attentive perusal, "Lecashery, and most of the farmers prefer to sel tures on Agricultural Chemistry," by Prof. Johnthem. I have thoughts of applying ashes and ston, wherein you will find the whole subject of lime to grass lands when they are dry, but have lime as used in agriculture, as well as many other no experience, and do not wish to use many with- important matters, very fully, clearly and ably out more knowledge than I have on this subject. discussed. You would also do well to read "The I have previously paid more attention to raising Field Book of Manures," by Browne. grain than grass, but am convinced with the pres- If you can buy lime and ashes at anything like ent high price of labor that the profits of the farm the prices you name, you had certainly better emwould be larger should I reverse it and give the ploy them, in connection with organic substances, grass crop the preference. in the improvement of your land. Mix the lime I think since 1839, the average crop of hay has or ashes with muck from swamps and bogs, rich not been over of a ton per acre, and pasture in turf, the rich soil washed into hollows and ditches, proportion. pond mud, &c., making up the compost heap in a Should you be pleased to answer this communi- similar mode to that indicated in my correspondcation, it would be received as coming from high ence with another gentleman, recently published authority, and I shouldgovern myself accordingly. in the Farmer, and marked No. 1. But as he An early reply will much oblige Your humble servant, proposed using fresh lime, which increases in bulk three or four fold by slaking, and as you design using refuse lime already slaked, you had better DEAR SIR-Your letter of Feb. 27th, was duly mix from three to five bushels with a half-cord of received, and I take the first convenient opportu- the muck, &c., with or without salt, as you may nity to answer it. Omitting your name and resi- deem expedient. By applying lime or ashes in dence, I reply to your inquiries through the me- compost as above stated, you can use a larger dium of the New England Farmer, hoping that quantity to the acre than would be advisable if thus I may be anticipating inquiries kindred to they were applied alone, and will realize all the yours from other persons and saving some writing, good effects they can naturally produce, without and trusting that under the circumstances you the disadvantage of ultimately exhausting your will not seriously object to this mode of communi- soil, as the vegetable organic matter of the compost will maintain and increase the staple of the cation. The exhaustion of land by long-continued ap- soil. It will be well to spread as much as twentyplications of plaster, without suitable applications five or thirty loads of the compost to the acre,— of stable manure, has been often illustrated. Plas- harrowing it in on the surface rather than plowter stimulates the soil to give up its fertility freely ing it in deep, as the tendency of the lime and to growing crops, but does not enrich it like or- ashes is downwards in the soil. If convenient, ganic or stable manures. Perhaps to a greater or make up the compost several months before it is less extent this is your case. wanted for use, as age improves its quality; but Probably your land needs rest from wheat, as a few weeks before will do. generally it is a crop which will not,to an equal de- If instead of raising grain so exclusively as you gree with several other crops, bear repetition at short say you have heretofore done, you turn your atintervals on the same land. Throw wheat out of tention more to the production of grass and the rearing of stock, you will be in the way of mak- bring a clear day to the farmer, though it may be ing more manure than formerly to give back to cloudy till ten or eleven o'clock in the forenoon. the land, especially if you cart waste substances, Spider-webs will be very numerous about the tops like those above named, to the barn and yards to of the grass and grain some cloudy mornings, and be mingled with the cattle-droppings,-while at fifty year's observation has shown the writer of the same time the change will afford more rest to this that these little weather-guessers seldom fail the land, so that it will improve in some qualities in their predictions of a fair day.—Ex. now feeble or missing. THE VOICE OF THE GRASS. This charming little poem we have lately seen in the English papers without a signature, and published as belonging to England. It was written by Mrs. Sarah Roberts, of Portsmouth, N. II., and was originally printed in the Portsmouth Journal.— Mary Howitt, in her "Pictorial Calendar of the Seasons,” quotes Here I come creeping, creeping everywhere; If in this latter way you can make manure enough to dress the fields well, then, inasmuch as you can buy lime and ashes at so very low prices, you may probably find it advantageous to use them as alteratives and stimulants, in the form of top-dressings. You doubtless understand that it is not advisable to put lime with stable-manure, it with high praise. It is worthy of it. as it induces violent fermentation and throws off the ammonia of the manure. But apply the manure to your hoed crops, of corn, potatoes, &c., and then the next year, or whenever you sow the land with grain and grass seeds, apply lime and harrow it in with the seeds. It will tend to sweeten the land, increase the grain crop, bring in the grasses well, and keep out sorrel. During the time the filed is in grass, you can profitably top-dress it once with ten to twenty bushels of ashes to the acre. The quantity of lime which it is politic to spread on an acre of land, depends considerably on the quality of the soil, and the climate in which it is located. Stiff clays, and deep moist loams rich in vegetable substance, will bear a larger dose of lime than dry shallow sands or gravel; and a given variety of soil will bear more lime in a humid than in a dry climate. The farmers in England and Scotland are said to use from one to two bushels of lime on a square rod of ground, or at the rate of 150 to 350 bushels per acre. But this is a very heavy dose even on their stiff soils and in their humid climate, and would probably be of very doubtful utility with us in New England. You had better apply a bushel of lime on from two to six square rods, or from 25 to 80 bushels per acre, as experimental trials shall dictate. If the stables and yards do not afford all the manure you want for the tillage-fields, you can make up the deficiency by composting lime or ashes with muck, &c. Other fields, in grass, which you wish to make more productive than they now are, by a cheap process and in the shortest practicable period, may be smoothly turned over in September, dressed with twenty to thirty loads of the compost of lime or ashes with muck, &c., seeded directly with herdsgrass and red-top, and in the spring with clover. This compost will also be good to use on such portions of the pastures as are level enough to plow. Very truly yours, On the sunny hill-side, In every shady nook, I come creeping, creeping everywhere. I come creeping, creeping everywhere. My pleasant face you'll meet, Silently creeping, creeping everywhere. Nor hear my low sweet humming; And the glad morning light, I come quietly creeping everywhere. And the merry bird not sad To see me creeping, creeping everywhere. To Him at whose command Creeping, silently creeping everywhere. If your plows are of the too common sort which THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY FARMER.-We intendcan only skim the surface of the land, cast themed to have called attention to the May number of aside and procure larger and better ones, and this excellent paper before. It is published at plow each field deeper and deeper at each rotation of crops, till you have made a good active Springfield by S. BOWLES & Co., and edited by soil nine to twelve inches deep. Professor J. A. NASH. The farmers, and indeed, men of every occupation, will find the Connecticut Valley Farmer not only an instructive, but an FARMERS, NOTE THIS.-In a cloudy morning, it is interesting paper. Prof. NASH gives it much of a matter of importance to the farmer to know his own earnest spirit, while his teachings are whether it will be sunshiny or showery in the af- sound and valuable for all. The people of the ternoon. If the ants have cleared their hole nice- Valley not only, but over the broad land, would ly, and piled the dirt up high, it seldom fails to be benefited by a perusal of its pages. F. HOLBROOK. |