[We are quite sure that the interest now taken in the Osage Orange as a Hedge Plant, is sufficiently general to warrant our asking from Mr. BELL, for publication, those details as to the modes of planting and cultivation, as illustrated in his experience, which he kindly offers to communicate by letter on the application of individual read-seedling Spanish chestnuts, which varied in their products

The success he has attained, and the extent of his experience, are such as to give a double value to the information he can impart; and many beginners will be benefitted if he will thus allow us to publish, as fully as possible, the particulars of his practice. Wherever the climate is not too severe,—the risk of sudden changes and extreme cold too great-the Osage Orange must constant-lating them from those most desirable to cultivate we not

For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] St. Lawrence County---Northern New-York.

MESSRS. EDITORS-Thinking that a few items from this section, might be of interest to your readers, I will give a few. This county is chiefly devoted to the dairy and stock business.

There are about 8000 cows in this county, and the number is constantly being increased, as most of the farmers are convinced that it is useless trying to raise grain (for sale,) in competition with the farmers of the fertile West. And the same is also true of beef cattle-our winters being so long and severe that we cannot raise cattle with anything like the profit, even when we take into account the difference in cost of transportation, that farmers in more favored localities can. I do not wish to be understood as saying that grain and cattle can not be produced at a profit, but that other branches of farming are more profitable.

Generally the average annual return per cow, in our large cheese dairies, has formerly been from 35 to 40 dollars, but at the war prices which prevailed the past season, this amount has been very sensibly reduced. Butter-making is not considered as profitable.

Many of our cheese makers, have adopted a new plan in making cheese. They place the night's milk in the cheese-vat, and in the morning skim the milk. This of course lessens the richness of the cheese, but many contend that it is not possible to so mix this cream with the morning's milk, that it will not escape with the whey. This is no doubt true.

Some of our best cheese makers have adopted another plan which obviates this difficulty. It is to heat this cream in a pail, set in a kettle of water, to about the temperature of new milk, and return it to the rest of the milk.

There

REFINED SORGHUM MOLASSES. The Committee of the Illinois Horticultural Society make a satisfactory report in a late number of the Prairie Farmer, of their examination of the Chicago Sugar Refining Company, whose works, it is stated, have been erected at an expense of $60,000 for the machinery, and which will refine 100 barrels of syrup a day, in addition to its regular business (which we understand to be refining sugar.) A syrup refinery alone, they add, may be started for $12,000. The following is substantially the process: A small quantity of lime-water is introduced at the commencement of the boiling. Next the syrup is strained through canvas sacks. Afterwards it passes into immense bone filters, containing "bone charcoal." By these three processes a great amount of extraneous vegetable matter is extracted. It is then subjected to a rapid boiling at 160° heat, in what is called a vacuum pan," which finishes the process.

66

The committee think this improves the wholesomeness of the syrup—that it ranks with the best "golden syrup" in quality that it has none of the boneset taste of the unrefined, nor the smoky flavor often observed in other refined syrups-that it is diminished one-tenth in bulk by the operation-the actual cost is not over six cents per gallon in large quantities-that the company agree to refine for ten cents per gallon, or to return 75 barrels for every 100 barrels of the crude syrup. They sell in small packages of ten gallons or more, for 55 cents per gallon.

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator FARM ACCOUNTS, DIARY, &c.

The merchant or manufacturer that should attempt to do business without keeping accounts of his income and his expenses, of his purchases and sales, would be looked upon as little better than an idiot or a madman.

This county was greatly affected by the starch mania which prevailed so extensively a few years since. is a starch factory on almost every brook and river sometimes a half dozen within as many miles of each other. Their first cost varies from $1,200 to $2000. At present they are considered the poorest kind of property. Yet we believe that such accounts are to the farmer, In 1855, starch was worth from 5c. to 6c. per pound, but for the last three years it has been dull at 3 to 34c. But just as important and useful, in proportion to the value at few factories were run last season, and I believe none at stake, as to the merchant or any other class of men. The all this season. Potatoes were worth 25c., and it was farmer that keeps no such account, virtually gropes in the doubtful if they would pay expenses. From 8 to 9 dark, as to where his income has taken itself, at the end lbs. is the average yield per bushel—10 lbs. is an extra of the year; he buys and sells, hires money and lets it, yield. and all these various details he has to keep constantly on This is comparatively a new county, but when its re-his own mind, while the one that keeps a careful account sources are all opened up, it will be the "banner" county can readily refer to his book, and at a glance see how he of New-York. One very favorable feature, is the natural stands with the world, and if he discovers a leak in his meadows which border all the small streams and some of" treasury," he knows exactly where it is, and how to apthe larger rivers. These are very fertile and produce ply a remedy. uudiminished crops of hay, of good quality, year after year.

There is a large tract of unimproved land for sale, in the south-east part of this county. About 30,000 acres of timbered land are offered at two dollars per acre. There is some good farming land in the tract, but its general reputation has not been such as to tempt a very great immigration.

Fruit prospects are not good. Apple trees do well for 8 to 12 years, but after that rapidly decay. But this should only be an incentive to more thorough culture and

care.

Under-draining ground for orchards, has never been practiced in this section that I am aware of.

Large quantities of pork are annually raised, but at the present prices of grain and pork there cannot be much profit in the business. The only way in which we have been able to realize any profit, is to make Mr. Porker work for his board during the summer months, compost ing manure. But this method is not generally adopted. Produce is very low. Wheat is worth $1, Oats 31c., Corn 55c., Rye 50c., Potatoes 25c., Hay $6, Butter 17c., Cheese 6c. There is a good deal of butter unsold yet, being held for 20c. ST. LAWRENCE.

To those who have never kept a diary of the various operations of the farm, we can say from experience, that they will be amply repaid for all the cost and trouble they are to in keeping one. Such a diary for several years, would present such an array of useful and interesting facts, that it would be continued indefinitely.

It would tell the farmer when he commenced and ended the various operations of the farm; would note the appearance of the most prominent birds and insects; the season, whether backward as compared with previous ones, and a great many such facts, which, from their personal associations, would be as interesting as useful.

In those families where the "old folks have got off the notion of writing," there are young people, and let one of them be supplied with a suitable book, to be had at any book-store for a few shillings, and keep such a diary. Blending as it does, the useful with the agreeable, it will convey much useful knowledge to the youthful mind, teaching in short lessons to be repeated every day of the year, book keeping, composition, and I think I may say political economy; and as a book of reference, and in many cases as a guide, it will be of great benefit to the farmer. ST. LAWRENCE,

St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.

For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] THE VALLEY OF THE CONNECTICUT, FROM OLD HADLEY TO SPRINGFIELD,

roving cattle, the custom is evidently a wise one-saving land, while it also adds beauty to the landscape. Entering the town of South Hadley from the north, the valley becomes very narrow, Holyoke and Tom thrusting them

selves well out towards the river.

The eye accustomed to the fertile and unbroken fields of Western New-York, or the wide rolling prairies of the The Farm of Milo T. Smith. West, is apt to look with pity upon the rocks and hills of Crossing the river three miles south of this point, you New-England. But the sturdy son of Plymouth does not come to the farm of Mr. MILO T. SMITH, which contains appreciate your sympathy, and reminding you of the pro- about 250 acres, a large portion of it, however, consist verb, "the nearer the bone the sweeter the meat," points ing of upland, used only for grazing. Mr. S.'s most with pride to his comfortable house and barus, his well profitable crops are tobacco, potatoes, and manure. Toappointed table, and happy household. But, if not satis-bacco throughout this section is unusually fine the present fied with these evidences of prosperity, you suggest that his farm has an undue proportion of back-bone, he refers you and your fastidiousness to the Valley of the Connecticut, informing you that although a few loads of mother earth were once removed from his native hills, still that they were dumped in the Valley of the Connecticut, and that you will find the remainder of his land there.

Acting upon this suggestion, I determined to spend a few days searching for these lost pieces of New-England farms. My range of observation, although quite limited, still furnished an abundance of pleasure and instruction. The Connecticut Valley has been so often and so adequately pictured, that anything by way of general description is unnecessary. From Old Hadley to Springfield, however, the wonderful combination of wild scenery and fertile plains, strikes the eye most forcibly. Old Tom and Holyoke, in their rugged grandeur, rise in bold contrast to the humble cots and blooming gardens that nestle at their base.

The soil of this section is a singular combination of sand and clay, quite different from the dark loam so often the predominant characteristic of bottom land. It forms a warm, rich soil, relieved from the heaviness of clay and the lightness of sand.

year, and at the date of my visit (Dec. 20th) was bringing from 13 to 17 cents. Mr. S. estimates the yield of his crop at very nearly one ton per acre.

His management with potatoes is as follows:

He prefers corn ground, manured the year previous. Strong manures, he thinks, produce diseased potatoes. After plowing and harrowing unmanured ground he proceeds to mark out the rows-four at a time-with one of Share's planters. In these rows he drops single pieces of cut potatoes 18 inches apart. The potatoes are covered about two inches deep with the same machine. He prefers large potatoes for seed, the yield being 25 per cent. greater than from small one. Small potatoes, he says, have the same number of eyes as large ones, but the sprouts lack vigor. Amount of seed per acre, 6 bushels -yield, 200 bushels. Davis' Seedlings are his favorites, the sandy loam in which he raises them relieving them apparently of the moisture which they have when cultivated upon some other soils. He has now in store 1,500 bushels.

He gives great care to increasing from year to year the size and richness of his compost heap. His stables are so arranged that all excrements, whether solid or liquid, pass immediately to the cellar below, where he keeps some half a dozen store hogs constantly employed in working it up. As an absorbent he uses sand instead of muck.

The slops from the kitchen are conveyed through an aqueduct which empties into a reservoir by the hog-pen, thus obviating much unnecessary labor.

The Farm of T. G. Huntington. About three miles north of Northampton, on the east bank of the river, you strike the farm of THEODORE G. HUNTINGTON, President of the Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden Ag. Society. Mr. H. has 40 acres, which, al-Whittemore, Belcher & Co., of Chicopee Falls, Mass., in though generally considered a small farm, he says is all that he can manage thoroughly. He has but recently purchased the place. His house and barn are new, and his land under but partial subjection. But all his improvements exhibit intelligence and the spirit of the enlightened American agriculturist.

Mr. H. raises the Hungarian grass, which he this year sowed July 1st, at the rate of 16 quarts of seed per acre. He think that it will always be found a profitable grass, and particularly so in seasons of drouth, as it can be sown as late as June or July, when other grasses seem likely to fail.

His cattle are mostly grade Short-Horns; while his hogs are a mixture of Chester County, Suffolk, and Mackay; the Chester County giving length and side pork to the Suffolk, while the latter hides the coarse timber of the former. He has a litter of these pigs, three months old, which are very handsome.

Turning South you soon reach Old Hadley, with its celebrated meadows, its two spires, and its wide but totally deserted street. This latter peculiarity must be accounted for upon the ground, that the male portion of the inhabitants go out of their back doors in the morning with their dinners, not returning till evening; while housewives and domestics finding sufficient to occupy their minds and hands at home, have little inclination and less time for visiting their neighbors, and engaging in the pleasing recreation uncharitably called gossiping!

Leaving Old Hadley Street in its loneliness, you skirt along the Northampton meadows, the carriage road occasionally leading directly into the meadows, and then hugging the foot of Mt. Holyoke. The entire absence of fences through these extensive plains strikes the stranger as quite peculiar, but where provision is made against

In this cellar I noticed a Root Cutter, manufactured by inserted at regular intervals, smashes directly in the hopwhich the cylinder, having curved and sharpened teeth per, instead of at the side, as in the Emery machine. Thus every root, of whatever size, thrown into the hopper, is bound to be cut to pieces, while with the Emery Cutter a large ruta baga cannot reach the knives, unless previously halved or quartered by a spade.

Mr. S. has also a thrifty young herd of Short-Horns, the celebrated bull Marmion. besides owning in connection with Paoli Lathrop, Esq.,

The Farm of Paoli Lathrop.

I next visited the farm of the latter gentleman, PAOLI LATHROP, Esq., situated in the town of South Hadley, one mile from the village of South Hadley Falls. It consists of 105 acres, all cleared, which he purchased and settled upon 31 years ago, and which, under his management, has quadrupled in value. Upon approaching the house which stands some distance from the highway, you notice a flock of some 60 Dorkings, whose plumage vies with the snow in whiteness. His small flock of pure SouthDowns are also conspicuous upon entering the grounds.

Mr. L.'s herd of Short-Horns is justly celebrated, he having, during the past 20 years, devoted such careful attention to the propagation of this breed, as to win for himself the enviable title of Prince of New-England Short-Horn breeders. Mr. L. does not join in the general complaint of hard times affecting the sale of blooded stock; on the contrary, he remarked "that he had never seen the year, that he could not sell at his own price, all the thorough-breds he had to dispose of."

In breeding he has had a special care to preserving and increasing the milking qualities of his herd. And for early maturity, docility, readiness to fatten, he considers them unequalled. In their rearing and management uni

THE PROMISE OF THE NORTHWEST. following year, was commenced and carried through as

PUMPKINS AND APPLES FOR CATTLE. Ens. Co. GENT.-There has much been said in regard to the value of pumpkins as food for stock. Some write in their favor, while others do not see any value in them; some saying the seeds must be taken out or they are an injury to cattle; others do not discover any harm in feeding them with the seeds. I have been amused to hear farmers who have devoted years to their calling, say that pumpkins dry up their cows; also that apples do the same if given to them; and that they are not worth gathering for that purpose.

For the purpose of ascertaining the value of pumpkins for feeding purposes, I had one yoke of oxen (7 years old) weighed about the 1st of October; also a pair of stags 3 years old, (that had just been castrated,) and a yearling steer, fed with them, as they were taken from the field, (that is ripe or green as they might be,) but as the fall was fine they were mostly ripe ones, and were nearly all gathered and housed before any frost, which I think should always be done to get the value of them. The oxen were unruly, and were fed about 2 bushels each per day, and then run loose in a large stable, and eat from a mow of wheat chaff, that was partitioned off from one side of the stable and filled when I threshed my wheat, and so fixed that they would get what they would eat without wasting. The stags were also kept in the stable, but fed hay and cornstalks, with 14 bushels per day, and the steer had half a bushel per day and run in the pasture, except he was brought to the stable for his feed.

The result: The oxen gained 300 lbs., one stag 100 lbs., the other 120 lbs., and the steer about 100 lbs., which I think was as cheaply done as could be with meal or any other feed. The stags I have no doubt would have done much better, but they were not well when the experiment commenced, as they were put in the stable and commenced their feeding immediately after castration; they were fed without any regard to seeds, some being taken out of the best ones for seed, the rest fed as they were. Having plenty of pumpkins, some were given to two farrow cows, and they nearly doubled their milk in the months of November and December, till they were all

fed out.

This year apples were too scarce to feed, but I think from some experiments that I have made, that they are at least equal to carrots in weight for feeding to neat stock, and especially to milch cows, they always gaining both in milk and flesh with me when fed on them. Apples and pumpkins should not be suffered to freeze as that injures their feeding properties very much. Rome, Jan. 1862.

JONA. TALCOTT.

CORN AFTER BUCKWHEAT.

I planted a piece of corn last spring on land, part of which had buckwheat the year before; the remainder sward land that had been mowed but one year; and all treated alike as nearly as possible. A fair coat of manure plowed under, then a slight dressing spread on top and harrowed in. The corn was all planted at the same time, the rows running both ways, but planted across both parts. The result was, where the buckwheat was raised, the corn was much smaller than on the sward land, not only in the growth of stalk, but in the size and number of ears. In fact there were a great many hills on the buckwheat ground that never set an ear, while all on the sward part was well eared and well filled. Now what caused this very great difference? The ground was all alike, a sandy loam, and was all seeded with clover and timothy with oats, two years before, and that part that had the buckwheat was not mowed at all, but grass turned under before sowing the buckwheat. This was the second time that I have planted corn after buckwheat, and the result the same both times. I would like to understand the true reason. Brother farmers please give us your experience in this matter.

E. L. HOLDEN.

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.]

Value of Cornstalks as Feed for Cattle. MESSRS. L. TUCKER & SON-I find in the COUNTRY

GENTLEMAN of the 9th Jan. inst., an article on the use of cornstalks for fodder for cattle, written by my neighbor JOHN JOHNSTON, in which he suggests that the cutting of the stalks does not pay. Now to my mind it follows conclusively, that if it does not pay to cut them they are worth but little for food, for I think Mr. Johnston and every other farmer who has fed stalks, will agree with me that fed whole only a small portion of them are consumed; and whether the great mass can be worked easily into manure, is not so much a question with me, as whether there is not really value in that part of the stalk which the animal will not eat whole, but which he very readily consumes when cut..

Mr. Johnston says he cut corn fodder one winter for forty head of cattle and thought his labor lost. Now I would like to take every thing upon trust from such veteran farmers as John Johnston, but I commenced last year cutting the stalks from eight acres for twenty-seven head of cattle about the middle of November, which carried them until about the 1st of February, with two quarts of corn-meal and one quart of oat-meal mixed per day. Calling the corn 50 cents per bushel, and the oats 25 cents per bushel, which were about the prices here, the value of the meal was about four cents a day for each animal, and though Mr. Johnston did not quite approve of my entire manner of feeding, he gave me credit for doing it quite successfully; and as an evidence that my cattle were not starved, I would state that they were two aud three year old steers, bought the summer before not in a high condition at all, and a majority of them sold from pasture in the early part of November last at home, for four cents per pound, live weight, to a drover who made money on them in the Albany market. I would in justice, however, add that during the latter part of the winter the feed was somewhat increased.

I commenced again last November feeding thirty-four head, such as I purchased about the country here for less than two cents a pound, (mostly of the scallywag order,) upon the stalks from fifteen acres,-which I expect will carry them into February, and two quarts of corn-meamixed with two quarts of wheat bran. Calling the corn 50 cents a bushel, and the bran 9 cents, it amounts to about three and a half cents a day per head; and upon this feed my cattle are growing every day-which fact I can make patent to Mr. Johnston, or any other person who feels interest enough in this matter to take an occasional look into my stables.

It think it is estimated that a three-year old steer will consume about one and a half tons of hay in a winter; assuming that estimate to be correct, and calling the hay eight dollars a ton, which is certainly low, it will cost twelve dollars a head to winter stock on hay.

The meal and bran we are feeding will cost about $6.80 per head for the winter, less 50 cents a head for cutting, leaving a balance to the stalk account of $5.20 per animal.

Assuming (which I think is correct,) that an acre of cornstalks, cut, will on an average, fed with the meal as above, carry an animal and a half through the winter, it leaves every acre of stalks worth to the farmer $7.80, which is more than I should be willing to pay for them to feed whole.

eat.

Mr. Johnston again, says he dislikes to hire cattle to I have seen that argument advanced before, but it never had much weight with me, because I am confident we have all, including Mr. Johnston, been hiring ourselves, and to a certain extent our animals, to eat food that had absolute nourishment in it, which without preparation we would hardly have ventured upon. It strikes me, it won't do to say to live men of this generation, that you cannot hire cattle to cat food and thrive upon it, upon which without that preparation they would not thrive. E. SHERRILL. Geneva, Jan. 10, 1862.