It is for beef that all cows are ultimately wanted, and it has been proved that a moderate developement of the fattening propensity, indicates the habit of giving rich milk. But the fattening ten- . dency should be kept in subserviency to that of giving milk; it should not be manifested to the extent which would lessen the value for the dairy by converting the food of the animal into fat at the time it was wanted for butter, but should be possessed to the degree indicating the butyraceous quality of the milk, and a tendency to thrive when dry. This balance of the dairy and fattening properties, can readily be discerned by the eye and fingers of a close, practical observer, but is difficult to describe in words. A good example of what may be accomplished in this respect, is furnished by the improved Jersey or Alderney cow. This breed was formerly inclined to be ill-shaped, rough and rugged; some of them, in the language of Col. LeCouteur, who has furnished an account of their improvement, were "real 'Meg Merriles' of cows." The figures which accompany Col. LeC.'s account, published in the "Transactions" for 1850, illustrate the happy transformation which has taken place in this stock. The defects alluded to have been, in a great measure, bred out, and the animal has greatly increased in value by the properties which have been added. At the present time there are several breeders in this State who are turning their attention to the Ayrshires. The principal stocks known to the writer, are those of E. P. Prentice, near Albany; L. G. Morris, Fordham, Westchester county, and J. C. Tiffany, Coxsackie. Of these Mr. Prentice's comprises the largest number, over twenty head. They have been derived from the imported cow Ayr, (before mentioned,) the importations of Mr. Ward, Capt. Randall, Mr. Lawson, and Mr. Shurtleff, of Massachusetts, and one or two other imported animals. Although the Ayrshires, as a breed, are far superior in symmetry to our common dairy stock, they might be still further improved. Dickson, in the last edition (1851,) of his work "On the breeding of live stock," states that sufficient regard has not been paid to symmetry or points in selecting the Ayrshires for breeding, the chief object having been to rear the calves of great milkers. Some breeders, it is gratifying to know, are now paying special attention to this subject. Mr. Prentice has taken important steps in reference to it, and has been greatly favored by the use of two very superior bulls, viz., Dandy,* imported by S. G. Ward, Esq., Lenox, Mass., and Dundee 2nd, by the former, out of Ayr. Both these bulls are beautiful animals, having all the points which the most fastidious eye could require in an animal of this class, and possessing the blood of the best families for the dairy. The progeny of the first have acquired sufficient age to prove the calves not only remarkable for beauty of form, but also superior milkers; the progeny of the latter are even more promising though yet too young to be tried. ON THE PREPARATION OF MANURES FOR ROOT CROPS. DANIEL L. BAKER. B. P. JOHNSON, Esq. UTICA, January 14th, 1852. Dear Sir-Agreeable to my promise, I herewith transmit you my method of saving and making manure, which I practiced in Europe for several consecutive years, and that with the most satisfactory results, but more especially when such manure was applied for the root crop; such as carrots, mangel wurzel, beets of various kinds, turnips and parsnips. The latter, I have found from practical experience, to be the best root crop for the stall feeding the milch cow, during the winter months. Best, not only from having grown more (by actual measurement,) per acre than of beets and carrots, but from the well known fact of its containing much more saccharine matter than the various roots usually grown for the purpose of stall feeding the milch cow. But I am digressing from my subject, which I consider, cannot fail to be more or less interesting to all who are cultivators of the root crop, whether upon For portrait of this animal see "Transactions" for 1849, p. 86. He and his dam, also imported by Mr. Ward, received the highest prizes in their classes, at the show of the Highland Agricultural Society of Scotland, in 1845. a large or small scale. In order to arrive at any satisfactory or well defined principles as regards the best system to be pursued in growing the same, a series of judicious and carefully recorded experiments must necessarily be adopted; from my own practical experience, I have often found this to be highly indispensable, and have often regretted that more particular attention should not be paid to the carrying out of such experiments; as such pursuits are not only attended with profit, but furnish a valuable source of information and recreation; and I maintain with a writer of great taste, that innocent enjoyment is not a vain pursuit, it inspires us with love and gratitude, towards Him who has not only given to us a glorious creation to enjoy, but faculties wherewith to enjoy it. But notwithstanding, whoever carry on such experiments must fail in three fourths of their undertakings, still it should be remembered, that such failures are of the utmost importance, and should, therefore, be regarded as secondary in value only, to those which succeed. The nature and properties of the various roots to which the manure is applicable for their greater development, or the method of tillage, I will not attempt to describe, having so recently arrived in this country. Suffice it to say, I will simply describe my method of making and mixing the said manure, which after a fair trial, will be found a most powerful fertilizer. In twenty cubic yards of fresh loam, (the surface of a good old pasture, bank, &c., from six to twelve inches deep, according to quality,) add from 200 to 250 gallons of pure urine, carefully collected in tanks, from horses, cows, or any other neat stock, with 200 gallons of night soil, and 40 bushels of fowl dung and sand, one-third of the former to two of the latter. The heap to be well turned and otherwise incorporated, and when tolerably dry, add from 1 to 200 gallons more urine, stir the whole well together, and spread the same (from carts or otherwise) upon one acre of land. If intended for the drill, the sand to be omitted and a sufficient quantity of charred substance substituted, to absorb the various [Ag. Trans. 1852.] 27 liquids; if to this preparation from six to eight bushels of agricultural salt, and the same quantity of ashes be added, they would form valuable auxiliaries. To the foregoing, I beg respectfully to submit the comparative result of experiments, with various descriptions of roots, (carried on in England,) during the year therein mentioned; the land on which the experiments were carried out, was of an adhesive character, resting upon a retentive clay soil, which had been well drained, and was manured in addition, with farm yard dung, at the rate of 15 loads, of 50 cubic feet each load, and the produce stated includes both tops and bulbs. I am, dear sir, most respectfully yours, DANIEL L. BARKER. Dates. Mangold Wurzel. Yellow Globe Swedish Tur- White Carrots. Hollow Crowned 1841 41 12 043 13 1233 0 Tons. Cwt. Lbs. Tons. Cwt. Lbs. Tons. Cwt. Lbs. Tons. Cwt. Lbs. Tons. Cwt. Lbs. 1642 10 1337 8 0 DONATIONS FROM MR. LOUIS VILMORIN, PARIS. Letter from Mr. Alexander Vattemare, International Agent, acknowledging the reception of donations from the New-York State Agricultural Society, to the Agricultural and Learned societies in Franceand the letter of Mr. Vilmorin, in relation to the subject of exchanges, &c. PARIS, May 5th, 1851. B. P. JOHNSON, Esq., Corresponding Sec'y of the N. Y. State Ag. Soc. My Dear Sir-I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of your most interesting journal. I have been so much engaged since my return to the head quarters of my operations, that I have found it impossible to write you sooner, to congratulate you on the continued successful labors of your society; labors so highly appreciated in Europe, and especially in Paris. All the books entrusted to me by the society, for our several agricultural and other learned societies of France, have been faithfully distributed; and I am just now engaged in receiving and collecting the returns, which I trust will be worthy of acceptance by the society. The principal object of this letter, is to communicate to you copies of two letters, which I consider of great agricultural and horticultural importance to the two worlds. I therefore most respectfully call the attention of your society to the subject, and beg of you to give the same the greatest publicity possible. The first is from the Central Horticul tural Society of France, written by its Secretary General. PARIS, March 22, 1851. "Sir-I am instructed by the Central Horticultural Society, to express to you its grateful acknowledgments, for the magnificent and important works presented by you at its last meeting, on the 20th of this month, in the name of the American States, Legislatures, and Scientific Associations. The society will cheerfully respond to your proposals, relative to the exchange; hoping thus to promote international relations with America-relations, of which you have so well illustrated the importance, and developed the happy consequences for the welfare of our two countries. "The special committee proposed by you, was immediately appointed by the chair, to examine the question, whether it would not be possible to respond to your views-that France and America may reciprocally participate in their mutual horticultural exhibitions. We will take care to communicate to you the results of their proceedings, and report in time, (if this can be done) for the Horticultural societies of the States, of whom you are the agent, to prepare themselves for our exhibition in September next, We have the honor of addressing you several copies of our annals, to be presented in the name of the Central Horticultural Society, to our sister societies in the new world. "With great respect, I have the honor to be, "Mon. A. VATTEMARE, Paris." "BAILLY DE MERLIEUX. And to give a stronger evidence of the gratification of the Society, on receiving the communications and gifts which I had to |