Small Potatoes. MESSRS. EDITORS-It seems to be as yet, an undecided subject with many farmers, whether small potatoes are suitable for seed, or whether they are as good as large ones to plant; some asserting that they are. and others as strenuously denying the fact. At the present time, when potatoes bear so high a price, and the prospect being that in some sections it will be difficult to obtain a sufficient quantity of seed for the next crop, it appears to me to be of considerable importance that facts in relation to the subject should be dissemi nated among the farmers who are engaged in raising this crop. I propose, therefore, to give the result of my experience on this subject. Some eight years since, at the time of planting my potatoes, I came short of seed to plant. Previous to this time I had used large whole potatoes, or the seed ends cut off, for seed, and suppposed that no others would answer; and now, according to the old theory, I must either go and buy more seed, (which was scarce, and dear at that,) or put in some other crop on my land which was fitted for potatoes. I resolved to do neither; but try the experiment of planting small potatoes; the largest being about the size of common plums, but the most of them being smaller. I carried several bushels of these little things to the field, and commenced planting them, putting from two to four in a hill. My father, who was at work with me at the time, laughed at me some, saying he "guessed if the crop was as small as the seed, that I should get sick of digging them;" and I thought so myself. Indeed it looked like small business any way I could fix it. However I finished my planting with them, and waited for the result. The potatoes in the different parts of the field came up at the same time, but the vines from the small potatoes were not as large and thrifty as those from the large ones. At the first hoeing, there was some difference in the tops, but after that the tops from the small potatoes looked as well as any of the field, and continued to through the season. When I came to dig them, I found the potatoes where the small seed was planted, to be as good in every respect, as those where the large potatoes were planted. There were as many in a hill, and the potatoes were as large, and with as few small ones, as those from the large seed. I commenced using small potatoes for seed, a farmer of this place came to my house to purchase potatoes for seed. On going into my cellar, where my potatoes were, he remarked, "What a fine lot of potatoesthose are nice-they are the best I have seen this spring." After we had put up the potatoes which he had bought, he turned to a pile of small ones which I had picked out for my own seed, and inquired what I was going to do with those little potatoes. I replied, that I was going to plant them, Said he, "Those are not good for any thing to plant, are they?" I told him that the potatoes he had just bought were raised from as small potatoes as these little ones, and that I would give him some of these small ones if he would take them home, and plant them on the same kind of soil, and give them the same treatment as he did the large potatoes. This he agreed to do, and he being a careful, systematic farmer, I had no doubt but that he would give them a fair trial. In the fall after he had harvested his crop, he told me that the small potatoes produced as many, as large, and as good ones, as the large ones; that he was unable to see any difference in the potatoes produced from the large and small seed. Many of the farmers in this vicinity, after seeing the experiment fairly tried, are using small potatoes for seed. This winter I have had several applications from potato dealers for small potatoes for seed, who inform me that the farmers whom they purchase from, are generally adopting the way of using small potatoes for seed. C. T. ALVORD. Wilmington, Vt., Jan., 1855. Cure for the Heaves. MESSRS. EDITORS-I have occasionally seen in your excellent paper, remarks upon heaves in horses, and a course of feed prescribed as a relief-the disease being generally considered incurable. I give below a very simple and perfect cure for this disease: Keep the horse one winter on cornstalks; and if you feed any grain, let it be corn in the ear, and when you turn the horse to grass in the spring he will be perfectly cured of heaves. In the Southern States, where horses are kept exclusively on corn blades (the leaves of corn stripped from the stalk and dried) and corn, heaves are unknown. A heavey horse, taken from the north into the southern states, and fed on blades and corn, is very soon cured. I have owned several heavey horses, which I have cured in this state, by feeding as above. I would not hesitate to purchase a horse otherwise valuable, because he has the heaves. E. KELLEOG. Canaan, N. Y. Cure for Wens. At the time I commenced using small potatoes for seed, the farmers around me said, perhaps you will get one or two good crops, but then your potatoes will run out—they will be all small ones, and they will not yield any, and you will have to go to planting large potatoes again. But as yet I have found no occasion to return to my former method of planting. Since that time I have used small potatoes for seed; not so small as some of those that I planted at first were, but such as are too small to eat, and which the dealers in potatoes will not buy for market. In going about among the farmers who use large potatoes for seed, I find no better looking, or better eating potatoes, than those which I raise from small potatoes, and other things being equal, I get as large crops. One spring, soon after SMITH. Middlefield, Mass. MESSRS. EDITORS.-I cured a wen on the under jaw of a three year old steer, by extracting an ulcerated tooth which was the cause of it. It was about the size of a hen's egg. After extracting the tooth, it disappeared in about four months. I understand this practice has been successful in many cases. MILTON The annexed figures are views of an improvement in Ox Yokes, for which a patent was granted to Heman B Hammon, on the 16th of last May. The nature of the invention consists in securing over the end of the bow, the ferrule, c, fig. 3, and securing the bow in the beam, a, fig. 2, with the washers, e and f, figs. 6 and 7. a a is one-half of the yoke beam made in the usual manner, showing the bow, b, secured in the yoke beam by the ferrule, c, and the washers, ef. c fig 3, is n view of the ferrule before it is secured to the bow. d fig. 4, is a longitudinal sectional view of the ferrule, k is a groove to receive the projection, g. of washer. e. j is a concave in the upper end of the groove, from. three-eighths to one inch in length, to prevent the top of the ferrule from spreading apart when the ferrule is on the bow. I are apertures, two or more, to receive the projection, g, after it has passed down the groove, k. The apertures, ll, and projection, g, are to hold the bow in the yoke beam, as at a, fig. 2. The object of having one, two, or more apertures in the ferrule, is to suit it to any sized necks. e and fare views of the washers h is a hole through the washer to receive the pin, i; the pin, i, and hole, h, is to prevent the washer, e, from being disconnected from the ferrule, c, if by accident the bow should be raised up through the yoke beam, as shown in fig. 1, and the washer, e, should be raised out of the lower part of the aperture, 7, as shown in fig. 1. g g are screws to firmly secure the washer, f, to the top side of the yoke beam; m, is a screw to secure the ferrule to the bow. Fig 5 is a view of the bow with the ferrule attached. It will be observed that the washer, fig. S, has an oblong opening in it; this is to make it adjust itself to a yoke, the surface of which is either straight or hollowed, as in the oldfashioned kind. The claim of this patent is for the combination of the ferrule, e, or its equivalent, and the washers, e and f, for fastening ox bows, as thus illustrated and described. More information respecting this improvement in ox yokes may be obtained by letter addressed to the patentee, Mr. Hammon, at Bristolville, Trumbull Co., Ohio. Scientific American. Cleanliness of Cow Stables, &c. MESSES. EDITORS-A recent discussion in your paper, in regard to the cleanliness of the cow stable, has induced me to put my experience in that matter to paper. Having experimented in direct reference to that object, for a few years past, and having come to definite conclusions by testing its operation for two years or more, I now, in full confidence, offer to the public the following plan as the desideratum. IMPROVED STALLS FOR COWS, OXEN, HORSES, &C.The floor or platform on which the animals stand, is so constructed that the part, occupied by each animal can be moved forward or back separately; that is, any part can be graduated to the length of the animal that is to occupy it. The continued platform, thus made, is raised eight inches from the main floor, and, projecting a little over that floor, leaves a space whereby the manure is easily passed into the cellar. For oxen and horses, the platform is made of strips of joists, confined at one inch asunder. In connection with this improvement in the floor part of the stalls, to ensure success it becomes necessary to have the crib part so constructed, that the animals will be prevented from reaching, or walking ahead. This is done by having a rack for hay, and a box crib underneath, with a space of about one foot between. This space enables the animals to lie down, or to rise, as the cribs are within about one foot of the stanchions. Another improvement is accomplished by bolting all the slip stanchions to a stringer connecting with a lever whereby all of them can be operated in one second of time. This may seem somewhat of a "child's toy," but I can assure gentlemen that a daily use of one 36 ft. in length, for two or three years has saved me much time and perplexity. A stock of cows, &c, stabled in this manner, will continue as clean throughout the year, without litter, as others will during summer in pasture and yard. There are other novel features about my barn. At one end is a large square, capable of containing 25 tons of dirt, a portion of which is daily mixed thoroughly with the droppings before passing them into the cellar. There is also a scaffold over the stables allotted to sawdust, ashes, &c., which is run down as occasion requires. Corn is always thrown in to encourage the pigs to work well. The cellar for manare, is 17 by 36 ft., without pillar or post; at one end is the opening of a subterranean passage, leading to a piggery; at the opposite end, are archways, leading to beds. On the walls, only 4 ft. high, that separate these compartments, rests the clay bank as mentioned above. The partitions throughout the cellar are substantial brick walls. Under the main floorway of the barn is the root-bin, 6 by 34 ft., with a slat or open floor, and perfect ventilation underneath. Separated from this apartment, is the fruit cellar, 13 by 60 ft., with doors at each end; and here let me say is the place to keep apples. It is a fact that they will be in as good order and condition, on the first of March, kept in an out cellar like this, as others will in two months, in common house cellars. We have now nearly 300 barrels of apples on hand, 200 barrels of which are papered like oranges, and are to be shipped soon to the English market J. W. Harvard, Mass. The Cultivation of Grasses-No. 1. The Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England for 1853, contains a paper "On the relative Nutritive and Fattening Properties of Different Natural and Artificial Grasses," by J. T. WAY, Consulting Chemist to the Society. He has made analyses of some thirty-four species, collected plant by plant, as they were growing naturally in the soil, at the time of flowering. Hitherto nearly all our information respecting the nutritive value of the grasses has been derived from the celebrated Woburn experiments conducted by Mr. GEORGE SINCLAIR. It has long been known, however, that his method of determining the amount of nutritious matter in the plant was far from accurate, and hence the necessity of investigations conducted in conformity with the present more advanced state of chemistry and physiology. We have much to learn in regard to the cultivation of grasses, ere we can show such permanent meadows and pastures as are found even in the poorest cultivated districts of Great Britain. Few American farmers have any just conception of the productiveness of a well stocked, underdrained, and irrigated meadow, though all must at once see the value of such a meadow in furnishing food for stock and in increasing the fertility of the upland portions of the farm. It is money thrown away to sow choice grass seeds on a wet ill prepared soil, but after proper cultivation of the soil it is very important to sow a good variety of the best seeds. The English farmers frequently sow a dozen kinds of grass seeds while we seldom sow more than two or three, even when laying down land to permanent grass. It may be argued that if we have one or two that are best adapted to our soil and seasons, it would be foolish to occupy the land with those of a less valuable character. But there is no grass that is best for all purposes and at all seasons of the year. SINCLAIR, our best authority, writing on this subject says: "A certain supply of the most nutritious herbage will be in vain, looked for from any one species of grass, and can only be found where nature has provided it in a combination of many." We are very far from possessing sufficient data to enable us to decide which are the best grasses for pas tures and meadows in this country-since it is well known that some of the most popular English kinds prove very inferior with us; and we have yet to take the first step in an experimental investigation of American grasses-yet we think a few articles setting forth some of the opinions of practical men, so far as they can be ascertained, may do good in directing attention to the subject. The following table* shows the composition of a few of the specimens analyzed by Prof. WAY. The first column gives the percentage of water in the grass when gathered, at the time of flowering. The other columns show the percentage amount of albuminous matter, or flesh forming principles, of fatty matter, of heat producing principles, of woody fibre, and mineral matter in the dry substance of the grass. For table see next page, We are not treading on controverted ground in saying that the less water, woody fibre and mineral matter the grass contains, the more nutritious will it be found. Some will claim that the nutritive value of the grass is in proportion to the amount of "albuminous or flesh forming principles" which it contains; but this, to say the least, is very doubtful. The fatty matter and the "heat producing principles," in our opinion, afford a better test of value, especially for fattening purposes; though it cannot be said that these alone, irrespective of "flesh forming principles," determine the worth of a food. A glance up the first column will show a striking differes.ce in the percentage of water,timothy having much the least, and the sweet scented Vernal grass the most. But we leave the figures to speak for themselves. is TIMOTHY,(Phleum pratense.) Fig. 1.-This grass called Meadow Cats-tail in England. It is said to have acquired its name of timothy from its first introducer into Maryland, TIMOTHY HANSON. In the New England states it is known as Herd's grass. It is admirably adapt ed to our climate, flourishes in all soils except an undrained swamp or a blowing sand; is hardy, easy of cultivation, of luxurious growth, and makes the most nutritious and palatable bay for horses of any of the grasses. Between 38° and 44° north latitude it is the most popular grass cultivated on arable land. For permanent meadows, its great drawback is in yielding little aftermath. Prof. WAY's analyses show it to be the most nutritious of grasses, yet it is not prized in England from "being harsh, late and yielding little aftermath, and from possessing no quality in which it supposed not to be excelled by the fox-tail grass." This is probably a hasty conclusion which WAY'S results will do much to reverse, since they show green timothy to contain twice as much nutritive matter as the fox-tail. Fig. 1. is RED TOP, HERD'S GRASS, FOUL MEADOW OR COMMON BENT. (Agrostis vulgaris,) Fig. 2.-This grass springs up naturally in we', swampy land. It is sown with timothy by many good farmers in order to thicken the bottom of the hay, form a closer pasture for cattle, and furnish aftermath. We are sorry it has not been analyzed by Prof. WAY, as there is much difference of opinion among practical men in regard to its value. The late JOHN DELAFIELD, Esq. in his "General view and Agricultural Survey of the County of Seneca,', Timothy, (Phleum pratense).. Meadow Foxtail. (Alopecurus pratensis,) Ky. Blue grass,( Poa pratensis.).. Rough Meadow grass, (Poa trivialis,).. Sweet scented Vernal grass,(Anthoxanthum odoratum.). Downy Oat grass.( Avena pubescens.). Hard Fescue grass, (Festuca duriuscula,).. Soft Meadow grass.(Holcus lunatus.).. Italian Rye grass,(Lolium italicum.) ercentage composition of the Day MATTER of the several grasses. Fig. 2-Red Top "It would be an improvement to the hay and pasture grounds of this county, if red top grass were more generally cultivated. Red top is a valuable and acceptable fodder for cattle, and another important characteristic is that it is a less exhausting crop than timothy as it contains only four or five per cent of potash while timothy contains over thirty per cent." The fact that the ash of timothy contains six times as much potash as red top is no evidence that it is more exhausting to the farm; if it was, we must consider white and red clover much more exhaustive to the soil than most of the grasses which, to say nothing of scientific experiments, is contrary to all experience. We cannot, therefore, consider red top valuable because it contains little potash. It may be useful on swampy lands where better grass will not grow, but for uplands it is more than probable that there are other grasses which will be found to possess the good qualities of red top without its bad ones. In the New England states it is called Foul meadow grass, from the "great difficulty with which it is eradicated when it has once obtained a footing." It is said that the Pennsylvania farmers are so much opposed to having this grass rooted in their fields and meadows that they reject clover and every other grass seed in which the least red top appears. Nevertheless, red top has some good qualities, and many warm friends among the best cultivators in the country. In Massachusetts it is said there are two varieties of Agrostis vulgaris, generally known under the name of red top; one considerably larger and lator in flowering than the other, and is better adapted to cold moist lands. The small kind is however held in great estimation for its nutritive qualities, especial ly for feeding working oxen, for which it is, in some districts, thought more valuable than any other grass. REE GRASS, (Lolium perenne, Fig. 3.) In the alternate system of British Agriculture, this grass, though somewhat on the wane, still holds the foremost rank. JOHN BULL, dear old fellow! is well known to have a great love for old things, and, as this grass has been cultivated from time immemorial its popularity may to some extent be owing to this feeling. In some respects it is a very indifferent grass. Like timothy it produces little aftermath; in pastures, if not kept very closely cropped, the cattle will not eat the culms; and when allowed to approach maturity, it impoverishes the soil in a high degree. According to WAY's analyses, however, it is a highly nutritious grass, though much inferior to timothy, and it flourishes on nearly all soils, and under different treatment. It produces an abundance of seed, which can be easily collected and the hay used for fodder afterwards; and it fur nishes in its first year of growth a good supply of early herbage. It is usually sown in the spring with barley, at the rate of from one to two pecks per acre, in conjunction with from ten to twenty pounds of the red, white and trefoil clovers. Land so seeded, is seldom 13 Fig. 3-Lolium perenne. Fig. 4-Anthoxanthum odoratum. allowed to lie down longer than two years. There are a number of varieties, some of which have been tried in this country, and, we believe, in most cases, are highly esteemed, especially as food for sheep. It cannot for a moment be supposed that rye grass will ever take the place of timothy in this country, yet, as variety is deirable, it is worthy of more attention than it has yet received. SWEET SCENTED VERNAL GRASS, (Anthoxanthum odoratum, Fig. 4.) Except that it has some nine per ⚫cent more water, the sweet scented vernal is very similar in composition to rye grass. It is found in nearly all British pastures, though it is seldom sown, and, as a general thing, is held in but little estimation, chiefly from the fact that cattle and sheep manifest as little partiality for it as they do for the dry bents of rye grass. It has, however, some excellent qualities. It is early, hardy, permanent, and grows late in the fall, and, in England at least, flowers about the middle of April, and continues to throw up flowering stalks throughout the entire season. It affords an abundance of rich aftermath, and for this reason might be advantageously sown with timothy, or rye grass, which is deficient in this particular. It is found in most parts of the country, and, as its name implies, is remarkable for its fragrance. It abounds in the rich pastures near Philadelphia, and it is claimed that the fine flavor of Philadelphia butter is attributable to this grass. This opinion has occasioned much discussion, from which it would seem that the claim cannot be sustained. LouDON speaks of it as among the best pasture grasses, and as "that which gives the fragrance to natural or Fig. 5-Alopecurus pratensis. Fig. 6-Dactylis glomerata. meadow hay." Low thinks "it can scarcely form the subject, in any case, of useful cultivation." MEADOW FOX-TAIL GRASS, (Alopecurus pratensis Fig 5.)-This grass is indigenous to the middle states, but we are not aware that it is cultivated to any extent. In England it is much esteemed as a sheep grass in conjunction with white clover. It thrives best on strong clay soils, but it is said not to attain its fullest productive powers from seed till four years. It is therefore not adapted to alternate systems of tillage. JOHNSON says "it is one of the best grasses for permanent pasture, and should never form a less proportion than one-eighth of any admixture of different grasses prepared for that purpose; its merits demand this, whether in respect to early growth, produce, nutritive qualities, or permanency." WAY's analyses show it to be one of the best of grasses so far as nutritive matter is concerned. ORCHARD GRASS, (Dactylis glomerata, Fig. 6.) This grass has been highly recommended in England, where it is known as cock's-foot grass. SINCLAIR observes "that if one species only is thought preferable to another in the alternate husbandry, that species is the Dactylis glomerata, from its more numerous merits." We have seen highly productive meadows composed principally of this grass, in the light, sandy soils of the county of Norfolk. They were kept very closely cropped by sheep, and for the two or three first years, would yield more nutrititions herbage, taking the whole year round, than any other grass. In this country, orchard grass has been highly recommended, but it would appear that it has not come up to what was anticipated |