[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] GRAPE CULTURE IN KANSAS. KANSAS, JULY 30, 1862, From time to time, dear COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, I see some querist enamored with the life of a farmer, seeking knowledge through your columns. It is as true now as when Horace wrote his Satires, "that no one lives content with his condition, whether Reason gave it him, or Chance threw it in his way." Inasmuch as the querist will not heed Horace, he must be answered, and possibly, in the multiplicity of replies, he may find something worthy his perusal. Therefore, I cast in my mite. I cannot boast of much experience in either the culture of grapes or the rearing of sheep; hence my remarks must be based on observation mainly. Firstly, I would advise a new beginner to devote his energies to the culture of grapes or the rearing of sheep. Secondly, I would recommend Kansas, all things considered, as one of the best, if not the best field for the novice, who is limited in means. Now for the reasons for the faith which is in me. As to grapes, I assert that there is no grain, no vegetable, no tree, no bush, and no vine so easily managed and so certain of returning a fair recompense for the labor expended upon it; and few fruits of any kind are so cheaply brought into bearing. A person who has never tried farming will find the sowing of grain, the planting of corn and vegetables, with the after plowings and hoeings innumerable, are far more pleasant in theory than agreeable in practice; nor is skill therein so easily acquired. He may commence with the resolve that no weeds shall obstruct the rapid growth of his crops, but unless far wiser than most men, or possessed of ample means, mid-summer will find his fields choked with weeds, and himself half-crazed. Possibly, he may begin to doubt whether a farmer's life is so very interesting and delightful. I doubt whether a man of small capital, say less than $2,500, can hope to earn a comfortable living, as a tiller of the earth, without great trouble, unless a thorough practical farmer, or aided by high prices for produce, raised on new and rich land. I think the fruit grower, starting equally ignorant of the practical details, may more readily gain a mastery of his business, and if near any good sized town is certain of making a better living and with less hard work. The first year he will have to raise vegetables and other farm produce to assist in defraying expenses; but the second year his small fruits will yield some revenue, and together with his dwarfs, will pay well the third year. your vines four feet apart in the furrows; being careful to spread out the roots well. For fuller directions see Dr. Grant's Illustrated Catalogue, price three cents. Now read your works on grape culture, and don't be afraid of cutting off the laterals too much. When your vines have made a growth of three feet, go into the woods and cut some sticks, and place one to each vine, and fasten the growing cane to it-you can do so easily with green wheat straw, or better with willow twigs. The third year your vineyard will bear and should yield you thereafter an income of at least $250 per acre. Of course the second year you layer your vines and so increase the size of your vineyard to five acres, which is all one man can tend well. Having brought your Catawbas into bearing, buy some of the more costly sorts, as you can now afford to do, and try them. Then tell me if there is not more pleasure, less hard labor and more profit in grape culture than in any other tillage known to man. For the grape, Kansas, or a portion of it, is peculiarly fitted. Our soil is light and rich, and our climate drywe do not need to drain or manure our land. Along the bluffs of the Missouri, in the counties of Doniphan, Atchison, Leavenworth and Wyandotte, and along the bluffs of the Kaw, in the counties of Johnston, Douglass, Shawnee, Waubonsee, &c., are thousands of acres of cheap land, unequalled, I believe, in the world, for the culture of the grape-my own preference is for the bluffs of Missouri, where I have an incipient vineyard. There are several vineyards started in Doniphan and Leavenworth counties, and have surpassed the expectations of their owners, in the rapidity of their growth, the excellence and productiveness of their fruit, and their freedom from disease. One of the owners, an old French vigneron, tells me he never saw vines do so well in France; he is an intelligent and educated man. Good land may be purchased in these counties, at prices ranging from $2 to $20 per acre, according to its nearness to some embryo city; and cultivated land from $5 to $25 per acre, according to improvements or nearness to the cities aforesaid. St. Joseph and Leavenworth city furnish a ready market for all grapes, and St. Louis for all wine or grape juice that this section of country can yield for several years to come. Of sheep I know less. Sheep can be purchased in Missouri for one dollar per head, and can be kept on our prairie grasses from May to December; and the prairie bay cut in July will keep them, with moderate shelter, during winter. The range and grass cost nothing. The shelter will cost less here than in New York or New England; and the land may be taken under the homestead bill in nine-tenths of the counties in Kansas. In southern Kansas they pasture their sheep near home in spring, summer and fall, and drive them into the border of the Indian country in winter; they have little or no snow during the winter. Even here, in latitude 39 deg. 40 min., we have not had over two inches of snow each win city, or shipped, at a cost of two cents per pound, to New The wool may be sold in St. Joseph or Leavenworth York city. We Kansans regard our State as possessing great advantages for the fruit grower and stock raiser, but we know no other state can surpass us for wine-growing, and few equal us for the rearing of sheep. If one reads of trenching three and four feet in depth, of fertilizers, phosphates, superphosphates, &c., &c.; of the Thomary system, of the bow system, of Bright's renewal system, of borders and trellises, of the Delaware-ter, four out of six winters. "the only grape to plant "-and consulting a wholesale catalogue finds it advertised at $75 per hundred, for No. 1 single eyes, what wonder that his eyes open, and he shuns grape culture as the leech that will soon steal away his little capital. But if some one should say to him, my dear sir, don't be frightened; this is principally paint, put on to terrify green-horns, and catch suckers; wait a minute and I will rub off a little for you;" possibly he might listen. Then would I say unto him-never mind the books and the horticultural society reports for the present; but have that hill-side pasture plowed up, then cross plow with the largest and deepest running plow you have, then subsoil it. Having done this in the fall, and purchased your Catawba one year roots, and Isabella ditto-1815 to the acre and for $15 per 1000-heel them in for the winter in some dry and shaded place. If you intend to sell the grapes only or principally, buy mostly of Isabella; but if you wish to sell the grape juice or make wine, then have five-sixths of Catawba. Do not begin with more than two acres. As soon as frost is out in the spring, have deep furrows plowed six feet apart, and set KANSAS. Last THE APHIS IN CAYUGA COUNTY.-You inquire of your subscribers for information respecting the Aphis. year, on or about the 1st of August, it made its appearance on late wheat and oats, in moderate numbers, sufficient however to injure wheat badly. It has now been upon our fields two weeks in immoderate numbers, say a thousand upon single heads, more or less-most numerous upon wheat, even where growing side by side with oats. Last year the reverse was true. I shall be happy to inform you if they do not destroy my crop entirely. Ira, Cayuga Co., July 30. S. B. LOOMIS. Gate. A TJU THE POULTRY HOUSE OF W. H. HERRICK, Esq. OSWEGO. Fig. 4-Section at A. Fig. 5.-Section at B. Fig. 6.-Section at C. DESCRIPTION AND REFERENCES TO ILLUSTRATIONS. B. B.-Feed-box and section. Holds 50 bushels. C. C.-Nests and section. Nest on each side of the hole, being two for each entrance, which allows the hen to be out of sight while on the nest. The cover lifts up, for the purpose of taking out eggs, &c. The nests are so constructed as to be taken apart, by loosening the hooks, each one being the same as a drawer in a bureau. They can be taken apart, cleaned, oiled, and put up again in ten minutes or less. There are 24 nests in this set. Under the nests is a prison, where hens wanting to set are put for three days without food or water, which effects a perfect remedy. I claim this to be the best plan for nests extant. D.-Tool closet. Poultry Keeping on a Large Scale, W. H. HERRICK, Esq., of Oswego, has kindly complied with our request to furnish plans and details of his poultry house, which are given above, together with the following letter on his system of management: EDS. Co. GENT.-I keep from 100 to 200 fowls, mostly of the Black Spanish breed, and keep them confined the year round, but disease is not known among them, and I can assure you that they do full as well as those kept by others who believe that a fowl cannot do well unless they are kept scratching. My yard is only 25 by 60 feet, filled 12 inches deep with leached ashes and fine sand. I have a large box containing some 30 bushels of burnt oyster shells and bones, which the fowls have free access to, and when the top becomes too dirty, I take it off Fig. 7.-Section at N. Fig. 8. Sec. of Roosting Room. H. H.-Openings to roosting room. I.-Ventilator. J. J.-Openings in inclined floor under sky lights, to admit the light to lower floor, which warms in winter and keeps sand dry. K.-Passage way from house to yard. N. N.-Covered shelter in yard, for fowls to use in either wet or sunny weather. 0.-Stone cistern in basement. Q. R.-Cow Stalls. U.-Sky light, ventilator, &c. Z.-Yard-all sand and ashes. and put it around my grapevines. My gardener raises 600 head of cabbage, annually, which is fed them through the winter, and in summer he gives them lettuce, all they want. I have a contract for ten beef heads weekly, and give them plenty of sour milk, in addition to all of which they have free access to a mixture of corn, oats, wheat and barley, which is kept in a bin holding some 40 bushels, so constructed as to regulate itself, and not allow the fowls to waste a grain, or scratch in it. My watering trough is also so constructed as only to admit the heads of the fowls, and is always full of pure clean water, which is of more importance than anything else in keeping poultry healthy. A barrel of lime, a bucket and a brush, are indispensable articles in a poultry house, and should be used every rainy day (and oftener during such a drought as we have had lately,)—whitewashing everything but the floor, and through a trap door in the passage above, and covered using the lime dust on that. But wash the floor first. I with straw. In answer to the other questions, we have have tried all your vermin preventives, and everybody | been kindly favored with the following reply by Gɛo. E. else's, but never succeeded in keeping my fowls free until I found a remedy by experimenting: BALLOON FRAMES FOR LARGE BARNS. I want to build a barn next year three stories high, and length and size of barn in Rural Register 1862, page 138, fig. 16. I wish to build on the balloon frame principle as a saw mill and my timber are within 300 or 400 yards of the place of building, and the cost of erection would be much less than by common frame. But can such a barn be built on the balloon principle? If so, should the studs be sawed the full 24 feet long? I want the building of that height. How many should be put in the sides? How should the thrashing floor be put in? On page 194, fig. 24, same Register, GEO. E. WOODWARD frames the gallows frame with mortice tenon and brace. Would it not be better to dispense with these by starting one long brace in the centre of the end, letting it into the studs, and running to the top of the building? Two such braces could be put in. Would collar braces be sufficient to support the roof? If insufficient, will the storage or convenience of the barn be affected by the joists. Will not Mr. Woodward give us some explicit directions how a large barn, like the one in question, on the balloon principle should be built, giving suggestions as to size of sills, joists, studs, etc.? What changes would you recommend in barn, page 138, when it is to be used exclusively for a dairy barn, carriage sheds and horse stable being already erected, and my farm not at all adapted to grain raising? I wish to go into the dairy business extensively, having a farm of 240 acres suited to it, and I wish to erect a barn as large as the one in the Register, for the exclusive purpose of the dairy. The question with me is how to build it so that it shall be perfect and convenient in every respecta building such as L. F. ALLEN says of his barn-one in which one man can do the work of two elsewhere. Having no experience in dairy buildings, I rely on older heads and their works. I ask directions from Mr. WoODWARD because not a single carpenter in my acquaintance here has any practical knowledge of balloon frames, and information from you because I have never seen a dairy barn. Please let us hear through the COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, the information I desire. I would also state that I raise a great many roots. Where, in this barn, should they be stored? I use saw dust exclusively for litter, but expect hereafter to combine muck with it. Where should these be placed before using to be most convenient? I wish to save and accumulate all my manure, and use this muck for that purpose. Harrison Co., 0. R. S. LACEY. It is a great advantage on every farm if a portion of grain can be raised, the straw being valuable for litter and manure making, and the grain for meal to mix with roots. In that case no alteration need be made in the plan in the Register. But if grain is not admissible, little change would be necessary except in omitting the granaries or a part of them, and occupying a part of the upper floor for storing hay. The horse stalls may be changed to cattle stalls, and more space may be given at M. for storing muck to keep it dry, and for roots, the latter discharged WOODWARD of New-York, who thoroughly understands everything connected with balloon frames, and who contributed the excellent article on this subject in the Regis ter for 1862: Balloon Framing for Large Barns. In reply to Mr. LACEY's questions relating to the erection of a large barn with a balloon frame, I would state that I know of no better manner than that of constructing it over a gallows frame. In all barns requiring a thrashing floor, and for the storage of hay above, the gallows frame, with its wide openings and movable floors, fulfils a more useful purpose than any other contrivance I can at this moment suggest. The necessity for ventilation, and the room needed for moving and pitching hay, makes permanent floors and close partitions undesirable. Thus it appears that a gallows frame has an important duty to perform aside from the strength and permanence it gives to the outer structure. Balloon framing depends in a great measure for its strength on its being thoroughly tied, that is, every piece should have other pieces meeting it at each end, and except in very small 14 story buildings the thrust of the roof should not come upon unsupported studding. Manner of Framing Large Barns. No one hesitates to put a great weight upon a properly laid floor. Now suppose we turn that floor on end, so that it stands perpendicularly in the direction of the floor joists, thus making it the side of the building instead of the floor, then let it be tied at the bottom by other floor joists meeting and lapping, and at the top by the rafters coming down from the gallows frame. We thus have a side of a building that will sustain an immense thrust; but such strength is not necessary; the thrust of hay, if any, is small compared with its weight. We have lately visited a large barn near Madison, N. J., some 60 or 70 feet square, of which two sides were the gravel or concrete walls, and to all appearance there was not the slightest failure in any part of it. The sizes of studding used in the construction of the balloon frame of large barns would vary according to the distance between the sill and plate, in the same manner that floor joists are selected for a greater or less span. We think 2 by 6 should be the least, and 3 by 8 the heaviest that is needed, and that 2 feet between centres would be just right. We should put one row of bridging through the centre of the studding in about the same manner as is usually put between floor joists. The sills of such a barn as Mr. Lacey proposes to erect had better be of the old fashioned size, as the gallows frame is morticed and braced into it, but they may be as small as 3 by 8; the rafters and floor joist are in all cases of the same size in the balloon frame as in the mortice and tenon frame. It is not necessary to use studding full length; it can always be spliced by butting the ends together and nailing an inch strip each side, taking care to break joints in putting up the studding. There are railroad depots at the west 45 by 150 feet, built with balloon frames without a gallows frame, but the 2d floor is at the top of the studding, and the girder in the centre is supported by posts. I refer your readers to the ANNUAL REGISTER OF RURAL AFFAIRS for 1862 for a thoroughly detailed manner of constructing balloon frames for buildings of every class, as this is the only illustrated and complete essay on this subject ever published. The manner of erecting large barns as there described, is the best safe plan we know of. GEO. E. WOODWARD, Architect and Landscape Engineer, 37 Park Row, New-Yrok. [For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.j Topping Corn or Cutting it by the Ground. CORN STALKS AS FODDER. By topping corn before it is ripe you prevent the corn from receiving that portion of the elaborated nutritive sap which it would have received from the stalks and leaves cut off, had they not been separated from the corn. On the other hand, by cutting corn by the ground before the leaves and stalks become dry, and the corn fully ripe, and setting it in shocks as soon as cut, the circulation of the sap continues, until the stalks become dry, and the corn improves in the shock. The same thing is observed in wheat, by cutting it before the kernel is hard, and placing it in shocks before it wilts, the wheat improves in the shock and will make more flour and of a better quality than if it was allowed to stand until the kernel was hard. We have two objects in view when we cut corn by the ground. Namely, the preservation of the corn and stalks from frost, which frequently occurs before the corn is ripe, and spoils corn and stalks. Whereas, if corn is cut by the ground before the frost strikes it, both may be saved and be of a good quality. The corn grown in this section of country is not so large in stalk or ear as that grown further south; the stalks being smaller, make better fodder, and are excellent for milch cows, producing an increase of milk of the richest quality for butter-making, and the corn weighs more by the bushel than the southern corn. About the middle of September there was a slight frost, The subject of the value of cornstalks for fodder has Lyn. C. W [For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] Experiments in Strawberry Culture. Observing the article of S. L. FREY in the COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, page 30, on the unproductiveness of Wilson's Albany, reminds me of similar failures of high cultivation that have come under my observation, and goes to confirm the opinion that the same variety of strawberry in different climates, soils and locations, requires different treatment. And every successful cultivator, after examining the experience of others,-no where to be found more fully recorded than in the COUNTRY GENTLEMAN,-must by careful experiment, ascertain what varieties and kinds of treatment are best adapted to his situation. In the fall of 1860, the writer of this took a trip among the large strawberry plantations in Maryland—many of them from 80 to 100 acres in extent, and from which the great bulk of early strawberries are gathered for Philadelphia,- -one farmer having received for his crop $10,000, being an average of $100 per acre. And I am informed the same person has the present season sent 125,000 quarts at an average of six cents per quart, amounting to $7,500," giving employment to one hundred and fifty pickers. The three principal kinds there grown, are called Scarlet, Hart, and Stewart, and succeed better on a large scale without much care, than any of the more noted varieties, such as Hovey, Albany, and others, highly esteemed else. where. Wishing to try those three varieties here, a few plants of each were obtained and planted in a single row, hills abont two feet apart, on rich land made deep and mellow, and manure applied plentifully without measure. During the summer of 1861 they made a vigorous growth; the runners were all cut before taking root, and during last winter all covered with manure. This summer the plants made a remarkable growth, so that a bushel measure would not cover a hill without resting on the foliage. There were an abundance of fruit-stalks and blossomsall hermaphrodites-but an entire failure of fruit-little imperfect berries not larger than peas was the result, although a very favorable season for producing a large crop of fruit grown in beds as usual. I have no doubt but that corn cut by the ground before it is fully ripe, may not be quite as heavy, but if it is well cured in the shock it will be equal in quality, and the small loss sustained in the weight will be trifling when compared with the loss of the corn, and the stalks for fodder when the frost strikes it before it is ripe. Surely if there should be no frost until the corn was fully ripe, the corn would be good, but the stalks would be dry and of little value. Finally, to sum up the whole matter, Other experiments have proven that with hill culture there is a certain state or condition at which corn may be thirty inches apart, and the ground thoroughly mellowed cut by the ground, and the diminution in the weight of between the hills last summer with Mape's subsoil plow, the corn will bear no comparison to the loss of the fod-runners cut off, plenty of manure, and mulched with leaves, der, if the corn was struck with frost or allowed to stand until it was fully ripe, and the stalks, if well saved, will amply pay all the cost of cultivation. I once planted two acres of corn, a part of it on the 8th, and part on the 10th of June. It being so late in planting, I expected it would be destroyed by frost. that some varieties, such as Triomphe de Gand and Trol lop's Victoria, did remarkably fine; the Lady Finger and Diadem far surpassed anything ever obtained by cultivation in beds; the Albany, Scarlet Magnate, Peabody and Hooker, were no better than by ordinary bed culture where each plant is allowed about six inches of space, and the Hovey was an entire failure, about two acres of which that were well tilled in hills last year and ruuners cut short, were plowed under this season before fruiting time as valueless, while Hovey's, grown in beds as usual in their natural way, produced a fine crop, much better than for several years past. Such has been the result here, causing doubts as to the propriety of adopting hill culture indiscriminately with all varieties, and having set out ten acres last spring, mostly thirty inches apart, with the intention of keeping them in hills without ruuners, we shall, after subsoiling the ground thoroughly between them, turn two rows together, forming beds about three feet wide, with alleys between, which plan has heretofore yielded us over 200 bushels per acre, and it may be advisable to let well enough alone. Cinnaminson, N. J. WILLIAM PARRY. [For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] ASHES FOR SANDY SOIL. specific manures, but by using merely those great gifts of nature. S. P. KEATOR. Ulster Co., N. Y. [For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] The Triomphe de Gand Strawberry. EDS. Co. GENT.-I have been requested to state publicly, as one of the results of several years successful and profitable experience in the cultivation of some of the more popular varieties of the strawberry, which particular kind I would consider best for cultivation. 44 The manner in which this request was preferred, would seem to indicate a covert suspicion that the decided "pronunciamento" of our strawberry king," Mr. KNOX, in favor of the Triomphe de Gand, savored somewhat of self-interest. So far as that is concerned, I imagine it would make but little difference with him, which one of all the known varieties should suddenly assume a value; for his immense plantation would supply any or all to an TRIOMPHE DE GAND. Of all the manures within reach of the farmer, I consider ashes the cheapest and most durable for sandy soil. For clover on sandy land, it has no equal among all the manures and fertilizers of the day. The soil in this vicinity is a loose sandy soil; in fact we have, as it were, a prairie of sandy plain, such as were found in nearly every portion of our country 15 years ago. They appear never to have been charged with vegetable matter, for even when the timber was first removed, and the land cleared and put to rye or other crops, they yield liberally only for one or two years, before they required generous manuring. It is loose, porous, and without that firmness which is requisite to keep plants in their places, even if their proper food could be found. This land, a few years ago, could have been bought for one-third what it would indefinite extent at a moment's notice; and besides this, bring at the present time. The cause of this rise in the the simple fact of his plowing under many acres of other price of the land, is a liberal supply of muck and ashes. varieties, in full bearing, during the present season, to reThe muck is drawn on in winter and spread over the land; place them with this, would rather convey an impression the ashes are applied in the spring, at the rate of 75 that he spoke as he thought. My experience and obserbushels to the acre; after corn is planted it is put on the vation would most unhesitatingly and decidedly sustain hill or sown broadcast. The general rule is to plant with Mr. Knox in his decision. The Triomphe de Gand cercorn and put the ashes on the hill; sow to rye in the fall taiuly combines in itself all the excellencies of all the best as soon as the corn is removed; seed with clover the fol- varieties. Among the good qualities which recommend lowing spring. The following season, after the rye is re-it, are its immense size, superior flavor, prolificacy, equalmoved, the seed is gathered from the clover, and the straw ling, if not surpassing, Willson's Albany in this respect, left standing on the ground. This is done with one of Disbroe's Clover Strippers, an excellent machine for the purpose. Two bushels of seed is frequently obtained from an acre; the straw thus left standing forms an excellent substance in connection with the muck, to fill the pores or open places between the particles of sand, and supply proper food when acted upon by the salts around it. I have known portions of these plains, the surface of which, to all appearance, had not been covered with vegetation within the memory of man-where the blackberry vine grew weak and feeble, and five-finger vines grew few and far between, so completely invigorated and enriched in a few years, as to produce 30 bushels of rye, or two bushels of clover seed to the acre. Those lands thus brought to a state of fertility, are as capable of yielding a crop every year, under the application of ashes, as those lands that have never been reduced. The owners of farms of heavy | loam have heretofore considered these sandy plains of little value, as compared with theirs; but I would sooner cultivate a corn crop on them than on the heavier loam land. I can work two acres of the sand as cheap as one of the heavier lands, because the plowing and hoeing can be done with less team and help, and in much less time. Ashes here can be bought for 12 cents per bushel, and I think are worth 25 cents to be applied on sandy soil in connection with muck. This mode of operation for the treatment of sandy soil, so as to bring it on an equal footing in point of productiveness, requires no uncommon skill, but commends itself to the practice of all-for any common manager of a farm may accomplish it without the aid of any adjuncts of chemistry, or what are called the solidity of its fruit, its color and fine appearance, the length of its fruiting season, and its non-liability to injure from rain and wet weather, in all of which it eminently excels. My advice would be alike to the market gardener and the amateur-plant first, second and last the Triomphe de Gand. I am pleased with the Fillmore, and believe it will become a favorite, but as yet are unable to speak of it from experience. JNO. S. GOULD. Duquesne, Pa. Pounds of Milk for a Pound of Cheese. "O. B. P." of Potsdam, N. Y., gives the American Agriculturist the following account of his experience to determine this question, beginning May 15th and ending October 20th, 1861. All cheese made prior to September 20th, was shipped November 12th, the remainder November 26th. The night's milk was set three to five inches deep in tubs and pans. In the morning it was skimmed, the cream being made into butter, (7 lbs. to 100 lbs. of cheese) and the morning's milk added. Cheeses made in May required 11 pounds of milk for one pound cured cheese; those made in October 9 pounds, the average of the season being 10 pounds. Cheeses made in May required 9 pounds of milk to 1 pound of green cheese; those made in October 8 pounds, the average of the season being 9 pounds. September 30th he made cheese in the proportion of 84 pounds of milk to 1 ponnd of cheese when 60 days old, and he estimates the shrinkage on 100 pounds of green cheese made in May, at 17 pounds, and and that made in October at 74 pounds to the 100 pounds, the average shrinkage being 11 pounds in the 100. |