the interest of the price of the land, and one-fifth of the value of the lime and manure, (a coat of each being put on at each rotation,) in addition to the price of the labor.

Guano has not been much used for corn here. I tried a little in 1850, by way of experiment; it was ploughed in at the rate of about 300 pounds per acre; and although the corn to which it was applied was perceptibly better than the rest of the field, the gain, I thought, was not sufficient to induce a continuance of the practice.

It is much more advantageous to feed corn ground into meal, than in the whole grain, and I have no doubt it would be much better cooked than raw; but its economy would, in some measure, depend on the abundance of labor the farmer could command, as well as the price of fuel.

Oats are sown on corn-stalk ground as soon in the spring as the ground can be prepared in good order. From two to three bushels of seed are sown upon an acre, and the average product is about 40 bushels. Immediately after they are sown, the ground is rolled. They are considered an exhausting crop; but that it is really so, more than our other crops, I think is doubtful. They will grow on thinner land than other grain; and being sown after so exhausting a crop as corn, it is not wonderful that the ground is not in condition for another crop without

manure.

Barley and rye are very little sown; peas and beans never as a field

crop.

Wheat. After the oats are harvested, the barn-yard manure is hauled out and spread so as to cover the ground pretty well all over. I usually put on about twenty two-horse loads per acre. Sometimes the ground is ploughed twice and sometimes but once, to a depth of from six to eight inches. When it is twice ploughed the manure is mostly put on after the first ploughing. Ploughing twice is found to be beneficial to the succeeding crop of grass. From one and a half to two bushels of seed are sown on an acre; and the time of seeding varies from the first of September to the first of October.

The most common method of sowing wheat is with the drill. The time of harvesting varies according to the season and exposure, from the last days of June till the middle of July. We do not prepare the seed in any way previous to sowing, but are careful that it is thoroughly cleaned of all trash; and we find this practice a complete remedy against chess. If perfectly clean wheat be sown for a few years, chess will be completely eradicated; we have no more fear of our wheat turning to chess, than we have of our corn turning to mulleins. The average yield per acre is about 20 bushels, leaving out some seasons when the crop is destroyed by the fly. On a farm adjoining mine, last year, then occupied and owned by George Palmer, the crop of wheat averaged 40 bushels per acre; but such yield is uncommon. The yield per acre is increasing. The variety mostly sown is the Mediterranean, which, as a general rule, succeeds better than any other; it ripens early, and thus mostly escapes rust. When first introduced it was a very dark, inferior wheat; but it has so much improved by cultivation, that it makes as white and as good flour as any other red wheat.

We know of no remedy for the Hessian fly, and are not much troubled

with other insects injurious to wheat. The average price of wheat in 1852, was 90 cents per bushel.

We usually sow Timothy seed in the fall, at the time of sowing the wheat; it is sometimes harrowed once, or sown before the drill, and sometimes it is sown after all is done. Some drills are so constructed as to sow wheat and grass seeds at the same time. In the spring, usually in March, the clover seed is sown.

Guano is getting to be used to some extent in this neighborhood for wheat, but I know of no experiments sufficiently accurate to determine the gain in bushels per 100 pounds; and as its use is increasing, it must be considered remunerating. I have used it to some extent, mostly to finish out fields that I could not cover with barn-yard manure, and the yield usually has been as good where the guano was, as where the best manure was put.

The system of rotation which I have described, I think is the best here; for although it is sometimes deviated from, I know of no experiments in that way sufficiently successful to warrant a long continuance therein.

Some, instead of sowing wheat on oat stubble, have sown clover seed with the oats, and the next year ploughed up the clover sod for wheat. This method will almost always produce better wheat than by sowing it on oat stubble; yet it is more difficult to get the grass to take well, which here is an important matter. From one to two tons of hay are usually cut per acre. In this neighborhood no kind of fertilizers are often used on grass lands except lime. The grass land is mown two or three years, pastured one or two more, and then ploughed up for corn. Occasionally barn-yard manure is spread on grass land where it is intended to lie longer in grass. Clover and Timothy are the kinds of grass seeds mostly sown, and at the rate of from five to six quarts of each per acre. Timothy is considered an exhausting crop, and in other ways is objectionable; but it turns off a large amount of hay. I wish we had a substitute that would mow well and make good pasture. One of my neighbors has introduced rye-grass, which I think will make good pasture; but it is doubtful whether it will turn off a large amount of hay.

Pasture, however, is a great object, as most of our farmers grass-feed cattle for market, and find it one of the most profitable branches of their business.

Red clover hay is injurious to horses that have not sound wind, and some think that very dusty clover hay will produce heaves. But if clover hay is properly cured and "got in" without rain, it will keep horses in better condition than any other.

Root crops are not much cultivated in this neighborhood. I planted a patch of the ruta-baga this year by way of experiment; the size of the patch was something less than half an acre, on which I applied 125 pounds of guano in the rows, and the produce was 260 bushels. The ground was first ploughed and harrowed, then furrowed out nearly three feet from row to row, then the guano was sprinkled along the furrow, and the dirt thrown into it from each side with the plough, when the seed was planted on the top of the ridge thus formed.

N. LINTON.

LUZERNE, WYOMING VALLEY,

October 29, 1852.

SIR: Your Circular came to hand about the 1st of September last, and I cheerfully comply with your request, as far as my ability renders me competent to the task. Luzerne county is naturally divided into three divisions or qualities of soils: the first quality, being along the Susquehannah and other large streams, being very fertile and productive; the second quality being upland plains, remunerating to the careful cultivator; the last division being hilly and new, though naturally productive.

Wheat.-Average yield, taking the two first named divisions, is about 20 bushels per acre; last named, 10 bushels; all on the increase. We use no guano, or very little, in the valley; we depend mainly upon the barn-yard manure, together with clover, which is our main fertilizer, though lime is coming into use on clay soils, and with very good results. We generally plough twice for this crop, taking care to do it well both times. We sow one bushel and a half per acre. We are beginning to use the drill, with the first usually, as it prevents winter-killing, and is a saving of seed, putting the wheat all in an equal depth. The yield of wheat is increasing per acre. Our rotation of crops varies according to the state of the soil; commonly taking off three crops before seeding to grass. I cannot be particular here at this point, as we cultivate wheat, corn, oats, potatoes, &c., alternately, observing the three-field system with the above named crop. Average price of wheat $1 at home. As we have a home market, our prices of all kinds of crops average about as high as the city of New York the year round. Best variety, White-Bluestem. We sow Timothy and clover after wheat; generally sown in the spring, about six quarts of seed per acre. Not troubled with Hessian flies or weevils.

Corn. We usually plough sward land for this crop. Average yield about 50 bushels, in the valley, per acre; very little grown on the back lands. We plough deep in the spring; harrow thoroughly; mark the land three and a half feet each way; use a marker instead of the plough, making three marks at a time, with two horses attached, as to a sled. We plant from the 5th to the 20th of May. Harrow, plough, cultivate, and hoe, according to our fancy, taking good care to keep it clean, and have it done by the 4th of July. We usually plough twice or thrice, harrow once or twice, cultivate about once, and cross up each line with the hoe. We always drop plaster on corn at the time of planting.

The best method of feeding is, I think, to have your corn for horses and cattle crushed; for milch cows and working oxen it is better than the clear meal. If the crushed meal is mixed with chaff of any kind, it is a cheap and very nutritious food. Average price of corn is about 62 cents for fifty-six pound corn. All sold at home, as we live in a mining

district.

Oats sown after corn. Average yield in the county about 40 bushels per acre. Very little rye sown; yield about 15 bushels. Barley, none sown. Beans are coming into culture. Oats are said to be exhausting to the soil. Rye is not an exhausting crop; and, with good management, I do not think that oats are. Peas are not cultivated as a renovater. We usually sow two bushels of oats per acre; one bushel of rye. Beans we plant in the drill, about four inches apart in the row, and

cultivate with the plough and cultivator. Oats worth 40 cents; rye, 75 cents; beans, $1 25.

Clover and Timothy.-Average yield this year is not above one ton and a quarter, owing to an early drought. The average yield for the valley in good years is about two tons per acre; the back lands about one ton and a half. The back lands are on, the increase, many acres yielding two tons per acre when they have been properly cleaned of stones and stumps. Lime is the best fertilizer for meadows; apply from 50 to 100 bushels as a top-dressing in the fall, and it will work wonders. For meadows and pastures we usually mix Timothy and clover, about equal. Red clover is not injurious to horses. Timothy hay is worth from $9 to $10 per ton in Wilkesbarre; though this year it is worth $12 up to this time.

Dairying.-There is not much done at this branch of business in the valley; but on the back lands it is on the increase. I have conversed with dairymen recently; they estimate the average yield of butter per cow at about five pounds per week during the milking season, from spring till fall. Average price of butter, 18 cents; it is now worth 22 in Wilkesbarre. Dairying is good business if properly attended to.

ness.

Neat Cattle.-Very few are permitted to arrive to the age of three years-only those which are preserved for cows. Our cows are fine grades; the Durhams are not sought after much, owing to their tenderA good cow will command in the spring from $25 to $30, and not much less in the fall. The Devon blood appears to be the favorite stock. Our beef is mostly made on grass; very few stall-fed cattle, except some old oxen, which are fatted after the fall work. The average price of beef is about $7 per hundred; choice cut is often up to $12 50. The Durhams will pay best in beef, but are not so good as milkers.

Horses and Mules.-Very few horses raised. The growing of horses is profitable; a good young horse at a proper age will command from $100 to $150, and even more; and by judicious management a colt will pay his keeping after three years old, and improve on it. The expense of raising a colt is not more than that of raising a steer. Colts should never have a handful of grain until near three years old, and then fed sparingly and worked lightly until they mature for service. I usually raise one or two colts every year. I work my mares lightly up to the time of foaling; I then turn them off to grass and let them run a few weeks. Put the mares to work again, taking care not to heat their blood. Shut the colt from the mare half a day at a time, which will prevent accident. Brood-mares should never be fed heavy; in fact no horse ought to consume over 15 quarts a day of oats, even at hard work. My rule is, if a horse will not keep in fine condition on 12 quarts a day, I will let some one have him that will feed him more. My mode of breaking a colt is this: commence handling early after weaning; put him up the winter after he is two years old and commence using him, and by spring he will be able to do light work, being broken during the winter season almost imperceptibly. Colts should always be provided with the best accommodations as to shelter, litter, &c., and fed on hay during the winter; allowed to run in the yard or stock field during the day; provide early pasturage.

Sheep and Wool.-Both are profitable: very few sheep raised. Mutton is in great demand; worth as much as beef, or more.

Hogs. Men differ as to the breeds. The red hog from the State of New York is quite a favorite with some; others prefer the Chester county white hog; and from what I have seen of both, I think a cross would produce the best breed. I have now some of the finest pigs I ever had of this cross, though the red blood is far from pure.

My experience in fatting pork is this: if your hog is worth $10 when put up, it will take nearly $10 worth of corn to make him worth $20, so there is not much gain; though if your hog-pen is liberally supplied with straw, they will make a liberal supply of fine manure. Pork is worth at the butcher's stall 10 cents-about 8 cents from the farmer; it is rarely less than $5 50 to $6 in the pork season. Farmers raise very little more than they want for their family consumption.

The best mode of putting up pork is this: cut up your hog; take out the chine; salt the hams and shoulders in a clean cask with rock salt; let it remain about 48 hours, then pour on cold water enough to cover the hams; put on a weight, and let it remain about four or five weeks, then smoke with maple or hickory. Manage your pickle pork much in the same way, taking care in both instances to remove the bloody pieces. My mode for pork is this: I cut my middling in convenient pieces for handling; pack down close with rock salt, packing in the hocks and side-meat together, excluding everything else; make a brine strong enough to bear an egg; pour it on after it has been packed about twelve hours; add saltpetre, about four ounces to 1,000 pounds, or thereabouts; put on your weight, keep it under the brine, and all will be right.

We

Potatoes are a fine crop this year. Average yield about 125 bushels per acre, fine sized, clear of disease, and worth 37 cents from the field. After sorting, refuse worth for pork 25 cents a bushel; cooked potatoes worth nearly half as much as a bushel of raw corn in the ear. plant about three feet apart; work much as we do corn. Most prolific variety is the Peach-blossom, introduced a year or two ago. Every man has his hobby in potatoes as well as in many other things; each one preferring some peculiar kind.

Fruit Culture is rapidly improving. Apples are a profitable crop for the farmer. The refuse apples are fine food for hogs up to the time they are ripe enough for other purposes. Sweet apples for hogs are supposed to be as good as cooked potatoes. I have observed some of my neighbors' hogs in high condition on apples alone.

My

Manure.-Farmers in general are too careless in this matter. mode of preserving manure from waste is to scatter gypsum liberally on the barn-yard during fermentation; haul out as soon as fit, and apply to my_crops.

Root Crops do well, but, owing to the scarcity of laboring hands, very little is done in this branch of business.

Cotton, Cane, Rice, Tobacco, and Hemp.-None raised.

M. F. MYERS.

QUAKER BOTTOM, LAWRENCE COUNTY, OHIO. SIR: Your Circular was duly received, and I proceed to answer some of its inquiries.

Wheat.-Guano is not used in the production of farm crops in this