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iaKL^T \I1ERIC

JRICULTUK/VL 1j::HI0DICAL

An interesting fact hA8 Just corae to light in re-
gard to one of the treasures oi the library at y.A.C. In the
current nuiiiher of the Agricultural Index the Librarian of the
United ; tates Department of V riculture gives the results of
a recent investigation as folio^Ts:

should often con-
v/iicit is unknov/n
the history oi the
"The Ajierican Far-
in Baltiraore on

"Pirst things are alwjiys of historical interest and
for this reason licive a value aside from their intrinsic value.
It is perhaps natural that claiMs of .jriority
flict a^ they are based on v/hat is knovm, but
may nevertheless exist. In the references to
agricultural literature of the United States,
mer", the first member of v/nicii was published
April 2, 1819, is ^uite generally given the honor of being the
first agricultural periodical ublished in the United states.
It is undoubtedly rightfully couBidered the great precursor of
our prcLient a:,ricultural perioaical press but there was anotncr
little icno\m agricultural periodical published in this country
which actually preceded "The tiorican Famer" by nearly nine
ye- rs. Tiie naiae of it was "The Agricultural Museum" and the
first nuL.ber was issued on July 4, 1610. Its place of publi-
cation was Georgetown in the District of Columbia or "George-
town, Ca." as it is given on tho publication. The editor of
the perioaical was Rev. David iley."

This reverend gentle n in aaaition to his duties

as editor of the Lluseum served 8 librarian of the Columbian
Library, principal of the Colu^oian \cadeiny, superintendent
of a turnpike, a luerchant, a uiiler, a preacher, and secre-
tary of an agricultural society. He also figures as Ilayor of
Georgetown in the year 1811.

The life of "Tlie V.ri cultural Museuia" was not a
long one but 24 nuLibers were iirued in the first volu...e, and
a cojjy of this rare book, in . n excellent state of preserva-
tion, is one of M.A.C. library's highly valued volumes among
those rel ited to the history of agricultural literature in
the Un ited states.

THE

ACJRICUlLTUliAL MUSEUMS

DESIGNED TO BE

A REPOSITORY

OF

VALUABLE INFORMATION

TO THE

FAJRMEii

AND

• MANUFACTURER^

AND THE MEAN OF A FEEE

CO^IMUNICATION OF SENTIMENT,

AND GENEKAL

II^TERCHANGE OF IDEAS,

ON THE

Important Siihjects of their Occupations.

vO!a:>ie I.

Ge(rgetown, Ca. \ P^C.l

PEINTED FOK THE EDITOR, BY W, A. BINB,

1811.

Tii£ASUKE ROOM

THE

AGHICULTURAL MUSEUM.

OMNIS FERET OMNIA TELLUS. Vieo.

Vol. I] Gcorgdoivn, Ca. July 4, 1810. [No. 1^

INTRODUCTION.

In pre sen tin. fj the public with tlie first number of the
Agricultural Museum, without having previously so-
licited or obtained a sinjj^le subscriber, it may be supposed
that the Editor has calculated too largely on the liberality
of his friends and fellow citizens. It may be, so. Still,
however, he would not be discouraged. This has not
been the principal source on wliich he has relied for sup-
port. His dependance is rather on the advantages which
such a Publication pronii:?es to the community than on
their liberality.

For some time past considerable exertion has been
made throughout the United States, to promote the
improvement of Agriculture, and to encoura,ge and
extend Domestic Manufactures. Nor has the exer-
tion been without effect. — In many parts of the country
the success has equalled the most sanguine expectation.
By the adoption of proper modes of culture the produce
of whole districts has been more than doubled — thousands
of acres of waste and worn out lands have been clothed
CO with a rich abundance — the desert has been literally
C5f5 changed into a fruitful field — large and profitable Ma-
,^ nufactories of various kinds have been established, and
«y^ families have found it by no means impracticable, not only,
^i; ^o feed, but to clothe themselves from the produce of their
"< own farms. Such a state of things may well be coiisi-

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

dcvcrl as a luippy presage of lasting grcalness an<r
pro?ptMity to o(ir Couiitr}', and as laying a soSd basis of
real Indepkndence. Yet much still remains to he done.
The mass of the common Farmers are slow in changing
theii- mode of agriculture — To dissipate their prejudices^
they want information, as well as tiie successful exam-
ple of their more erdightencd ncighhouis. The institu-
tion of Agricultural Societies, and the distribution of
Fremiums tor proper objects nia 3' be highly useful. Wiieji
under suitable regulatimis and restrictiotss they may be
expected to produce, ultimatel}', the most important re-
sults. But, without a free communication o-f ideas— with-
out ti>c mx2ans of diffusing correct principles — th'^ir 0))e-
ration must necessarily Iv '-etarded, and their i.uliuence
<Mi the community be circuM!;'Tibed within narrow !imils»
The man of Science may have access to the Ixjoks of
©thcr countries — he may be able to d-erive important in-
struction from them, I)y a proper selection of such aiticlcs
as are applicable to the soil and climate of his own coun-
try. But such books are not witliin the reach of every
one; and if they were, a judicious and profitable use of
them could nat be expected. — The common News{)apers
are so engrossed by politics, and so devoted to party
purposes as, in a great measure, to preclude their utility
in this respect The Magazines, INluseums and oth.er pe-
riodical Works, which have heretofore been published in
this country, have erabraced so wide a range, and been
so appropriated to other sciences and pursuits, as to ren-
der them of little service to the Agriculturalist.

Similar observations might be mad? in regard to Ma-
nulactures. It has therefore been supposed that a Peri-
odical Paper, devoted, almost exclusive^, to the interests
of Agriculture and Domestic Manufactures, must be use-
ful, and can scarcely fail of support. The design of the
Kditor is to make the Acicultuual JNIlseum, a reposi.
Irry of valuable idformation to the Farmer and Manufac-
turer, and the mean of a free communication of sentiment,

AGRICULTURAL MUSUEM 3

and general io'.erchanoc of ideas on the important sub-
jects of their occupations. In this view, it will be a conve-
nient appendage to the Columhian Agricidiural Sockfi/.
The Constitution an(! proceedings of that Institution, and
especially the Premiums proposed and awarded at its ge-
neral meetings, wil! be prominent articles. Tiic proceed-
ings of other simihir Societies in the United States, and
elsewhere, will be noticed. Pains will be taken to make
il)e best selections from the most approved Authors, Jour,
ludists and Perio(ncal Works. Original Essays and
other communications on Agriculture., on Domestic Ma-
nufactures, on the Arts, xim! on the productions and re-
sources of our country in gen. ral, wil! be received with
gra,titude and attention. And wliilst the interests,growth
and improvement of this District, and of the adjacent
States, shall not be neglected, the objects and mode of
Culture, the Manufactures, the Growth, the Improve-
ments, the Roads, the Rivers, and Canals of every stale
and district in tlie ITnion, will be occasionally brought in-
to view, as far as correct infoiniation can be obtained.

Nor are the beneOts to be derived horn such a publi-
cation, connned to the Farmer and Manufacturer alone.
They v^il! extend to e\ei'y class of the community — In a
country such as ours, Commerce must draw her resources
and wealth h-on? AgrieuUure. The great body of the
population of all nourishing Towns and Cities are Ma-
nufacturers and Artisans, The citizen therefore, as well
as the countryman, will see it his isiterest to give every
aid to a measure, ^vhich, if properly su[)ported, promises
most important advantages^ both to individojils and to
(he nation in general,

D. W.

Extracts from the Introduction to ihf. 2d Vol. cf the

Bath Papers,

A late ingenious Writer has justly remarked, that'^Im-
•^provements in Tillage arise, in general^ from the skw

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

" operation of doubting experience among men Avho cb-
*•' tain tlioir bread by the sweat of their brows, whose
" minds arc not suHlicicntly enlaiged to adopt, but with rc-
" luctance, any deviation from the practice of their fore-
"fathers, and who are fearful of riskmg the moderate
'• certainty they possess for the prospect of greater gains
" which are yet unknown."

The truth of this observation is evident ; and shews the
utility of Gentlemen's forming themselves into societies,
and offering premiums for the introduction of experi-
ments, which will secure the practical farmer from loss in
case of their failure. And many JNIembers of such Socie-
ties being men of considerable landed property, have a
sufiicient influence to propagate the resulting advantages
in their respective neighbourhoods ; and have it also in
their power to make experiments, which it would perhaps
be imprudent for common farmers to make at their own
risk.

Such Gentlemen, therefore, as patronize establishment?,
of this kind, do themselves greater honour than their mo.
desty will permit them to see in its full lustre; and re-
peeuliarly entitled to the thanks of their country. At a
very trifling expencc they become the primary means of
increasing the wealth and happiness of the community,
•who feci, thi'ough every rank and order, the beneficial
effects of every improvement that tends to increase the
value and the produce of our lands.

Extract f7XTn the Adch^css of Enoch EDWAr.Ds, Esq.
io the Philadelphia County Society, or the Promotion of
Agriculture and Domestic Manufactures, Fcb^
2d, 1789.

From Carey's American

Agriculture is a profession truly honourable : vene-
rable from its great antiquity, and dignified by '-he exten-
sive and universal blessings it daily administers to man-
kind, It appears; from the sacred writings, to have been

AGRICtTLTURAL MtJSEUM 5

in some measure,un{lersfcoodin t!ie firstag-es, and is almost
CO eval with our knowledge of the world. But the won-
derftil and incredible advantages we receive from it, arc
what we have the most reason to admire. " The art of
agriculture by a regular connection and consequence
introduced and established the idea of a more perma-
nent property in the soil, than had hitherto been recei-
ved and adopted. It was clear that tlie earth would
not produce her fruits in suiBcicnt quantities with-
out the assistance of tillage ; but who would be at the
pains of tilling it, if another might watch an opportunity
to seize upon, and enjoy the product of his industry, art,
and labour? Had not, therefore, a separate property in
ands as well as moveables been vested in some individu-
als, the w^orld must have continued a forest, and men
have been mere animals of prey, which, according to
some, IS the genuine state of nature. Whereas (so gra-
ciously has providence interwoven our duty and our Iiap-
j)iness together) the result of this vevy necessity has been
the ennobling of the human species, by giving it oppor-
tunities of improving its rational faculties, as well as ex-
erting its natural. — Necessity begat property, and in or.
dcr to insure that property, recourse was had to civil so-
ciety, which brought along with it a long train of insepa-
^ble concomitants ; states, governments, laws, punish-
ments, and the public exercise of religious duties. Thus
connected together, it was found, that a part only of so-
ciety were sufiicicnt to jn-ovide by their manual labour
for the necessary subsistence of all ; and leisure was gi-
ven to others to cultivate the iiuman mind, to invent useful
arts, and to lay the foundation of science."

Agriculture is that profession which promotes morality
and religion. The man who labours in the field, has a
constant opportunity for serious reflection ; his mind en-
joys a sweet and innocent repose, out of the way of diffi-
cult and dangerous temptations — he views in every rou-
tine of business, and in every day's employment, the di^
vine dispcjisatioDs of providence; and is Ied_, as it were-

6 AGRICULTURAL IVIUSEUM

by his callinp', unless he shuts his eyes as^a'nst the light of
<1av ^f> i«^i'l ^11"^ express his grulitude lor ail the hontuMrss
mercies of heaven. lie hves by fair gain, and maivfs no
|)rey of others, by outwittini^ the unguarded ; hut re-
joices to see his ncigiihours prosper. His comfort is in-
creased with theirs, and in the midst of his rural and do-
mestic cnjoj'ments, his jdcasing and lasting resources for
liappiness, are the rewards of his own industry, and the
gracious liberality of his beneficent Creator.

By a successful cultivation of agriculture, innumerable
are the advantages that are derived to human society,
ISay, all ranks and species of created beings are affected
or supported by it. Alanufaetures are grafted on it, as
that replenishing stock, wliich supplies nourishment to
all their dilTerent and extensive branches. It is the life of
industry, and it is the soul of cconomj' ; it is that art which
alone lays the foundation for a plentiful supply to the va-
rious necessities of the poor, b}' aftording them constant
employment, and exciting their industry, from which musfe
result a consequent security to government. Few states?
•whose poor people are constantly employed, well fed,
clothed, paid, and pioperly encouraged by kind treatment
arc ever alBicted with discontents, insurrections or rebel-
lions. But on the other hand, when they are depressed
for want of em|tloyment, they become idle, lazy, indolent^
and necessitous — and it is from the starved part of every
community, that we may ever look for danger; their idle-
ness gives time to invent, and their necessities push them
forward, with a couruge sharpened by despair, to perpe-
trate acts of the most daring crindnalily.

In short, in whatever country agriculture, manufactures,
industry, and economy prosper, there riches, peace, mo_
rality, and happiness must prevail — They are those noble
raajcstic pillars on which must be supported every moral
and political structure — they are the vitals of commerce,
the genuine parents of wealth, the social friends of vir-
tue, and the enemies only of vice and immoralily.

AGHlCUr-TURAL, MUSEUM /

Extracts from the Adruess dd'wcrcd before " the. Sod'
etij for /he Promotion of Arts,'' on JVednesdmi, March
21, 1810, bi/ihc Honourable RodertII. Livingston, L.

FROM TEfK ALSANY REGISTER.

Agriculture has, till within these ^ew j^ears, com-
manded our greatest and almost exclusive attention ; not
only as it sujjpfies most of our wants, but as it forms the
il);isis of that commerce to which we have hitherto looked,
not only, for the conveniences, but, unhappily, for too ma-
nv of the necessaries of life. I trust, however, that the
day is at hand when we shall find in our own country,
without any dependence upon foreign nations, all that is
esseiitial to our support, and that you, Gentlemen, will
contribute, by your personal exertions, to its arrival. No
nation is truly independent, which looks abroad for arti-
cles that are essscatial to its existence or its defence ;
since their arrival may be prevented by wars, commercial
restrictions and a thousand other obstructions, over which
she has no control. Commerce, as the medium of wealth,
and of enjoyments which add to the happiness of social
life, merits our warmest support. It stimulates our indus.
try, by afifordin*^ a market for our product', and by giv-
ing- us in exchange commodities that add to our conveni-
ences, or encrease our enjoyments. But unhappy is the
nation which is compelled to rely upon it for articles of
the first necessity! Should a country be placed in such a
situation, as to be driven to seek its bread, by traversing
half the globe, instead of raising it at home, such a country
could never be secure against farnine. War, a failure of
crops in the state from which they were usually supplied^
oi more advantageous markets, might put their very ex-
istence at hazard. Clothing is not less essential to us
than bread, and yet we rely for it on the precarious issue
of commerce, instead of manufacturing for ourselves. It
is true that we have hitherto been able to procure it in ex-
change for theproduceof our soil; but are we sure that
this will always be the case? May we not be at war with

8 ACRTCULTURAL MUSEUM

file nations from whom \vc receive our supplies? Muy tint
our haibouis be blockadcti ? JNlay not our own crops fail,
or those of foreign nations be so abundant as not to need
our supplies ? All these accidents are cerlainly within the
<-ompass of probability. liut <:^rant that none of thcni
Jiappcn, still are we not tributary to the nation by whom
\ve are supplied? — Let it be remembered that in ever}''
country the manufacturer must be fed. must be clothed,
and must pay the taxes antl burdens imposed by liis go-
vernment; and that all these expences must be repaid by
the consumer. But this is not the only evil that results
from our looking to foreign nations for a supply of neces-
saries. It debases our national s))irit, by exciting a senee
of dependence. It renders commerce a primary instead
of a seconilary object, both with the government and the
people. It destroys some of the essential advantages that
Ave might derive from our distance from the ambitious
despots of Europe. It involves us in all their disputes. It
places our hopes and our feais on the side of one or other
of the contending nations, whose thunders might roll and
lightenings flash unregarded by us, if our floating proper-
ty did not make us tremble at the storm.

THE

CONSTITUTION

OF THE

COLUMBIAN AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

1st. That the society shall be called, " The Columbian
Agri<-ultaral Society for the promotion of Rural and Do-
mesLic Economy ;" and be continued for the term of three
years from the third vVednesday of May next.

2d. That there shall be hereafter, in every year, two ge-
neral meetings of the society, to be held on the third Wed-
ncsday of May and November, at such public house or
othcr;plaee, in G-'orgctown, as may from time to time be
'.tppoiuted ; at whicli meetings the members present shall

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 9

forma quorum, and be competent to do all business which
may properl}' corne before them.

Sd. That the oHcers and a,<Tents of the society shall be a
President, Vice President, Secretary, and Standing Com-
mittee, who shall be appointed at this meeting, and ateve-
yy general meeting in November hereafter.

4th. It shall be the duty of the President to prcsidfe at
the general meetings of the Society, and at the meetings
of the standing comuiittee — to hold correspondence, im-
mediately, or by means of the Secretary, with the mem ■
bers of the standing committee, and such other members
of the society, or of other Societies, or such individuals iu
the United States, or elsewhere, as he may deem proper,
for the purpose of obtaining and communicating informa-
tion relative to the objects of the institution, and to be in
all respects the organ of the Society and of the Standing
Committee, except as to the collection and payment of
money.

5th. The Vice President shall be ex-officio a member of
the Standing Committee, and in case of the absence, death
or resignation of the Prei^idcnt, shall supply his place.

6th. it shall be the duty of the Secretary to make and
preserve a record of the transactions of the Society, and
of the Standing Committee ; to collect, preserve, and under
the direction of the Society or President and Standing
Committee, pay out all subscription or other monies uue
to them, or subject to their control, and at every meeting
of the Society, to exhibit such statement of his receipts
and expenditures, as shall be to them satisfactory — and to
do and perform such other matters and things, as may be
directed or enjoined by the President, by the Standing
Committee, or by the Society.

7. The Standing Committee shall consist of twenty menir
bers, selected from the several counties of the District of
Columbia and of the adjoining States — They shall hold
their first meeting on this day, and at such other times
and places as they may appoint, or as they may be called
to meet by the President ; the number convened, not less
than five, shall form a quorum— It shall be their duty, when

10 AGttlCULTURAr. MUSEUJil

SO convened, to determine upon, fix and make public, sucii
premiums, under proper restrictions, as they may deem
most conducive to promote the views of the Society ; in the
absence ofthe President, Vice President andSecrctary, or
cither of them, to make a temporary appointment of a suit-
able person or persons in his or thoir place ; and in gene-
ral to take such measures and do such thing's, under the
direction ofthe Society, as shall to them appear meet — And
as individuals, it shall be their duty to pay a particular at-
tention to the state of agriculture in their own neighbor-
hood.^, to the manner of raising and supporting stock,
a,nd to the progress of domestic manufactures ; and in con-
iunction with such members of the Society as may reside
in their vicinage, to use their endeavors to coriect such
errors and to introduce such improvements, in rural and
domestic economy, as they may be enabled to discover
from their own experience and observation, or from their
cori-espondence and connection with the Society.

8. All premiums shall be adjudged at one of the general
meetings of the Society, by a board or boards, of five
members, appointed by the President and Standing Com.
mittcc,from among such disinterested persons as may be
present.

9. No person shall be allowed to exhibit any article for
premium unless it has been raised, grown, or made in
fiome County of this District, or ofthe adjoining States, in
■which there shall reside at least one member of this Socie-
ty, or any article for which a public premium shall have
i^reviously been given.

10. No premium shall be given for any articles of ma-
nufacture, which have not been either spun or woven in
the families from which they may be exhibited, and which
have not been both spun and woven in this district or the
adjoining states,

11 'J'hc Society willlay no claim to an}' article for which
a [); eminin has been awarded, but the owner or exhibiter
ajay, iauucdiatcly alter the adjournment of the society oq^-.

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 11

the day of exhibition, remove such article, and dispose of
it at pleasure.

12. The subscriptions of the members shall be paid to
the Secretary, on or before the 10th day of April in each
year.

The members of this Institution aheady amount to up*
wards of one hundred and thirty, and each pay ten dollars
a year, to be expended In premiums.

The society held their iirst exhibition, at their Gene-
ral Meeting in Georgetown, on Wednesday the 16;h of
May last, when Premiums were distributed as follows.
PREMUTM 1— ONE BUNDRED DOLLARS,
For the best two toothed Ram Lamb.

Adjudged to Mr. Solomon Cassidy, of Alexandria
County, in the District of Columbia.

Premium 2— EIGHTY DOLLARS,

For the next best two toothed Ram Lamb.

Adjudged to John C. Scott, Esq. of Strawberry
Vale, Fairfax county, Virginia.

Premium 3— SIXTY DOLLARS,

For the next best two tootiied Ram Lamb,

Adjudged to William Maibury, Esq. of Blue.
Plains, Washington county, District of Columbia.

Best (applied to the above articles) as to quality of wool,
and quantity in proportion to carcase.

PREMIUM 4— TillPwTY DOLLARS,

For the best piece of cotton cloth, proper for men's
9oats, or women's dresses, not less than ten yards.

Adjudged to Mrs. Martha P. Graham, of Dum-
fries, Prince William County Virginia.

Premium 5— THIRTY DOLLARS,

For the best piece of fancy patterns for vests, not
'ess than ten yards.

Adjudged to Mrs. Sarah M'Carty Mason, oi
Ilollin -Hall; Fairfax County, Virginia.

1? AGRICULTURAL MUSEU?.f

Premium 6- THIRTY DOLLARS,

For the host piece of cotton cloth, suitable for paii-
ta'ons or small clothes, not less than ten yards.

Adjudged to Mrs. Anna M. Mason, of Analostan
Island, Washington county, District of Columbia'.

Premium 7— TWENTY DOLLARS,

For the best cotton counterpane, full size.

Adjudged to Mrs. Elizabeth Maynadier, of Bel-
voir, Ann Arundel county, Maryland.

Premium 8— TEN DOLLARS,

For the best pair of cotton stockings, large size.

Adjudged to Miss Catharine Shackelford, of Cul-
pcper county, Virginia.

Premium 9— THIRTY DOLLARS,

For the best piece of hempen or flaxen sheeting, at
least ten yards.

Adjudged to Mrs. Sarah Chichester^ of Newington,
Fairfax county, Virginia.

Premium IC— THIRTY DOLLARS,

For the best piece of hempen, or flaxen shirting, not
less than ten yards.

Adjudged to Mrs. Gunnel! of Fairfax county,
Virginia

Premium 11— THIRTY DOLLARS,

For the best piece of hempen or flaxen table linen,
not less than ten yards.

Adjudged to Mrs. Anna M. Mason, of Analos-
tan Island, as above.

Premium 12— TEN DOLLARS.

For the best pair of hempen or flaxen thread stockirgs,
full size.

Adjudged to Airs. Dcnnison, of Fairfax ccinty.
Virginia.

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM IS'

Premium 13— TWENTY DOLLARS,

For the best piece of twilled bagging, of hp.rap, fiax-,
or cotton, at least ten yards.

Adjudged to Mrs. Sarah M'Carty Mason, of Hollin
Hall, as above.

Premium 14 -TWENTY DOLLARS,
For the best piece of bedticking, of hemp, flax, or cot-
ton, or in part of all, or either, not less than ten yards.
Adjudged to Mrs. Sarah M'Carty Mason, aforesaid.

Premiutvi 15— fifteen dollars,

For shearing a Sheep in the neatest, safest, and most
expeditious niaiiner.

Adjudged to Mr. Edward Eno^, of the city of
^Vashi?^gton.

3^>: »»>»>->»5 ; <«« :<««^«^
For the Agricultural Museum.

Five Minutes Reflect/on on Sheep.

TliS valuable animal has been much neglected, and litllc
nnderstood in our part of the country, Virginia and Ma.
i-ylaiid, where I have only known it. The introdnction
of the Merinos will, it is to be hoped, do good by, at
least, awakening the attention of the community to the bet-
ter care of one of the best stocks we possess. I do no^
mean here to speak of t'lc relative fineness of wool, but
to drop a few hints as to the rearing of that estimable ma-
terial. This can only be done by the one cultivation of
the soil, on which it is propagated — the back of the
sheep.

I have been myself, for years, in common with iny
neighI)ours, guilty of manifold omissions and neglects ott
this score. Having now, in some measure, corrected the
procedure on my own farm, I owe it to them to give in my
expcrience. Li these States, with but few exceptionjj
sheep have been considered as a stock able to shift for
itself, to do without care, and without food, except what

14 Aouicur/rt'iiAL, muskum

it picks from tho ficlrls, as well in winter as in snrnmcr;
licncc, every year, poverty and disease arising from po-
verty ; every ycara loss of lambsand amiserable pittance of
dry wool half fallen of!', consequent on poverty and dis-
ease ; and every four or five years, infection and death
by wholesale.

The following are the only three simple rules neces-
sary to be observed, to give and to preserve fine Sheep
and good wool

Nurse your lambs when they first come into the
world.

Support yojir sheep in good heart at all seasons while
they live.

And do ntot suffer them to live longer than tbcy can feed
with industry and vigor.

The breeders should be put together sa that the lambs
may begm to drop about the 10th of February ; by this
time the winter is broken, and every day looks to milder
weather. Early lambs are of advantage, and with care,
at this season, even ninety five in an hundred rnay be sav-
ed. Where more than five per cent, is lost in lambs,
there is neglect. With the double lambs, there may be
readily raised, every year, more lambs than there are
ewes — To secure this care, let it be remembered that
*' the eye of the master is the most sure." At this inter-
esting period he should see his flock, at least once a day —
and the man who attends his sheep, and who must be
trusty and handy, should visit them at short intervals,
throughout the day, an«I particular}y early and late, dur-
ing the time of yeaning. Let there be prepared a small lot
or paddock, near the common pen, and shelters. In the
paddock, let there be ashed or cover of some kind to keep
off rain and snow, under which fix a parcel of little pens,
live or six feet square, and three feet high, no matter how
rough, aufl in number proportioned to your stock. Ten
for one hundred ewes will be enough, for the purpose
of confining a ewe and lamb occasionally.

A ewe goes twenty one weeks, twoorthrce days more
or less. By having noted when the rams were put into tbo

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 15

flock, it may be known when to expect the first lambs.
Let the ewes be narrowly observed from this time, and as
their bags spring, and indicate the approach of a birth,
%vil;hin two or tlu'ee days, (to permit which to be easily
observed, as well as for cleanliness, their tails should be
all short) let them be put into the yeaning paddock — To se-
parate the ewes about to yean, and to keep them separate
from the flock for a few days after yeaning, is best at all
times ; in cold weather, absolutely requisite.

The sheep is a timid foolish creature ; any one of them
is with difficulty restrained from following the flock. If
the ewes at this season are all left in the common pasture,
when the flock moves, a ewe that may have just dropped
a lamb, and particularly a fu-st lamb, is very apt to ran
after them, and leave her young to freeze or to starve
Again, in the midst of a flock, it often happens that a
ewe, dunng the first day or two, by the crowding of
others, and the frequent change of position, gets con-
fused and doubtful as to her own lamb — and presently
mistakes and disowns it. It is surprising to see what
degree of cold a young lamb will bear, and how thrifty
it becomes, if passed safely throisgh the first forty eight
hours; during which time, and most particularly for the
tirst twelve hours, they are liable, if exposed to wet and
cpld, and if not licked and caressed by the ewe, to be
frozen or starved to death. It is in this way, that nme
tenths of the lambs lost do die.

In the yeaning paddock, each ewe need not remain
more than four or five days after j'eaning, and con ■
aequently no more than seven or eight days altogether,
if carefully observed and put in at the right time. Thus
it will not be crowded, and those that are there can the
more readily receive the veqaisite care from the attendant^
In open weather no care is necessary to the ewes in this
paddock, but to give them access to the shed, and to I'sed
them as the flock. If falling weather, or snow on the
gfound, the ewes on the eve of yeaning, should be put
each in one of the pens under the shed, on a little dry

IG AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

strinv, an<J there kept with tlie lamh till it is two or three
flavs old. It' a ewe shoulJ not he fond of her lamh, or
not own it, as it is called, confinement with it in one of
those pens for a few days, Avill put all to rights. Particu.
lar attention should he paid to the ha<As of the ewes — and
if found to swell and harden, as they will sometimes do,
from a great flow of milk, a little before or after the
lamb comes, they should be carefully drawn, once or twice
a da}', and brought to by a soft hand. It sometimes hap
pens that for want of notice to this simple fact, the lamb
starves and dies in sight of plenty, without being able to
touch a single drop.

Instances of. this have come within my own knowledge.
Care should be taken to keep the tails of the lambs clean
at the vent for a few days after birth, as they are apt about
that time to get corked there, from the glutinous nature
of the first excrements — I would recommend that the tails
of all the lambs, of both sexes, be cut otT widiin two or three
inches of the root — in all for cleanliness — and as to the
ewes there are additional reasons, one of whichhas been be-
fore given. This operation may be performed at eight days
old, if mild weather, or as soon as the frost is over ; at the
same time the mark on the ear may be put on. As to the
castration, unless in very cold or very hot weather, it is
safeatany time, in skilful hands, from the age of eight days
to three months, and the sooner the more safe — The Iambs
should be weaned at from four to five months old, at that
age they can shift for themselves; and time should be gi-
ven to the ewes to recruit, before they are put to propa-
gate. As the season otherwise suits well, 1 make my
lambs set up for Independence on the 4th July, in remem-
brance of our great national weaning — My overseer,
who is an old Soldier of those days, says it brings good
luck. I do not suiVer my ewe Iambs to go to the ram
until they are in their second year.

(To be continued.)

I'lUNTED Foil A^D IH BUSHED BY DAMD WILEY.

I*rlcc 6 'IIA) for tninty jDur I^v.iahQVS^
To be imU in gxlvancQ

THE

AGSICULTURAI. MUSEUM*

OMNIS FEUET OMNIA TELLUS. vikG.

Vol. I] Qeo7-getown, Ca. July 18, ISIO. [No. 2

Five Minutes Rejledion on Sheep.
(Concluded from our last.)
A.S to the treatment of the fiock Id geucra!, the best thing
to be offered them is good pasturage, in this chmate from
about the 20th of April till the 10th of December; a little
sooner or later according- to the season — between which
periods they must have food from the racks and troughs — ■
Let the racks be well stored with good hay, clover or ti-
mothy in preference, for them to go to at all times. From
the troughs give them at the rate of about a gill of Indian
corn a day, or its equivalent in oats, peas and the like,
through the winter, and in hard weather double the quan-
tity. Irish potatoes chopped, or passed through a cider
mill, IS an excellent food from the trough, and particularly
toward spring for the ewes that have lambs. — Turnips,
so much recommended in England, I consider no object
here ; there is difficulty too in preservmg them either in
the ground or out of it, through our winters ; and as to
folding, though I never tried it, I apprehend that it ii'ju'- g
sheep more than is compensated by the manure, or tht;
saving of food. Good hay alone, given in plenty, will car-
ry a flock well through the winter- If your stock is small
and your pastures or meadows fine and extensive, they
may do tolerably well, but there can be no doubt that
good feeding in winter is real economy, as much so as
putting manure and additional labour on a poor field,
is in Agriculture ; the produce amply pays the additional
trouble and expence ; the encrease of quantity and quality
©f the wool; the number of the lambs I'aised, and the con-

2

18 AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

dition of the Wiiolc llock, g-ive a clear profit on the con-
suniplion of the food from the ra-.k and tht* trough; and
the great advantage of this system will be found to be>
Ih.at a Farmer ma^', on the same ground, with a httle ad.
ditional care and attention, support four or five times as
many slieep Jls he did on his ofd plan ; because he: then
mad e his calculations onfy on what his pastures could do
for them in winter— and when he found that if he en-
creased his flock beyond a given number, they became
dirty nosed, roach-backed, coughing, losing their wool,
he considered himself overstocked, and killed or sold otV,
and so he was indeed as to the mere scuffling in winter
for the little herbage left by the frosts within their reach.-
There is no doubt that one hundred acres of good pas-
ture land, will support from the middle of spring till frost,
four hundred sheep. If it is profitable then to feed in win-
ter, it is clear, that every Farm may have its stock more
than quadrupled, because these one hundred acres under
the present practice, will not carry through the year more
than sixty or seventy sheep, even where by some tender
master, a little straw or corn fodder is thrown them to
pick under their feet. Salt should be given, where dis-
tant from the influence of salt water, in the troughs, or ou
flat stones ranged for the purpose, twice a week winter
and summer. Green food early in spring is very advan-
tageous to the ewes and lambs— Orchard grass, and the
Peruvian grass (so called in this part of the country) afford
early pasture, but I think the best way is to sow a piece of
Rye, every fall early on purpose — this will occasionally
afl>3rd a good bite through the winter, and in spring may
be fed as late as the 20th of April, and then give, if the;
season is favorable, a good crop of grain.

To feed the flock securely and conveniently in winter^
let there be a roomy pen fixed on a piece of dry ground,
with a thatched shed drooped to the north — open on all
sides but on the north, long and wide enough to admit the
racks and trougjis under cover, and to aflbrd room to the
flock to lie dr}. Beside a gate f©r th« attendant to go

AGRICULTURAL MUSUEM 19

ilirough, let there be a pannel open to the Iieight of three
feet — this will receive the sheep, and exclude other stock?
except hog-;, which should not be suffered to run in th^
sheep pasture — in and out of this pen let them pass at plea*
sure at all times. After every fail of rain or snow, the in-
terior of the pen should be strewed pretty thickly with
clean dry litter, and the space.under the sheds be scraped
clean, and littered afresh every two weeks ; the manure so
made will be an object. It will be very useful to have
within the enclosure, a copse of cedars, or pines, to which
the sheep can have access during the winter to browse
on; the resinous substance contained in the leaves of these
trees, are both grateful and salubrious to them — in default
of such a copse, if there be any of the trees within conve-
nient distance, the bough? should be brought and thrown
into the tlock twice a week during wmten

There must be water in the pasture, for although sheep
do not require drinkin summer when at grass, atthisseason^
and when on dry food, it is absolutely requisite to them.

There is a prevalent opinion, with which 1 do not hold^
that sheep do best at all times without confinement or
shelter; this is true as to confinement, except occasionally
at yeaning time, but not as to shelter; they want no d'^-
fence froui mere cold ; nature has sufHciently covered them
against that, not so as to wet and cold combined. The hav-
ing their fleeces drenched with cold rains, the being for
months on the wet and frozen ground, impairs their con-
dition, brings on coughs, and engenders disease.

It is certainly true, however, that the standing and lying
on their own filth, will sooner or later infect the flock ,
but in winter, and with the precautions I have advised, as
to cleaning out the sheds frequently and littering the pen,
there is little danger. From the middle ofApriltothe
middle of December, there is no need for pen or shelter j
unless an enclosure to guard against dogs at night, in which
case it should be so constructed as to be moved frequent.
ly, made six or seven feet high, and the rails or paling
placed upright, and on the outer side ; indeed at very lit-
tle expeace a moveable shelter and pen for the winter e^^

20 AGRICULTURAL MUSEUJI

tablishmcnt, if r]anger is npprcbended from feeding tea
fijong on one spot, might easily be co^itrived, and made
also proof against -dogs.

It is of great importance tobave the flock entirely gen-
tle. The sheep are more roadil}'- fed and inspected, and
■when it is necessary to hanfilc any of them, as will fre-
quently be the case in a system of good care and good
feeding, there is no racing or penning, which, beside the
delay and trouble of the thing to catch a single sheep, an-
noys and disturl)s the whole flock — and some times acci-
dents happen. It is easily effected, by making it the par-
ticular business of some one sedate careful person to at-
tend to the flock. Let him by degrees, and particularl3'in
winter, accustom them to feed while he is in the midst
of them, and often to take it from his hands — and those
among them that are the most shy, let him, by slow ap-
proaches and kind usage particularly attend to — he will
soon have the whole flock at his call, at any season of the
year, and under his hand, he may take hold of any sheep
he wants. A good shepherd should know, and he may
very soon come to know ever}' individual in his flock, if
not a large one, and if very numerous, he should at least
know forty or fifty of the most remarkable.

The principal cause of the decay of flocks, is that the
old sheep are not removed from it in season ^ any man
ivill acknowledge the truth of this remark, who will be at
the pains of observing. He will find that, w ith the same
treatment, the young sheep (up to six or seven years old)
will be in good case, while those older will be thin; and
those yet more advanced miserably poor and apparently
diseased. It is a shortlived animal, comes soon to matu-
rity and soon declines ; and although there are instances
that a sheep lives and propagates to twelve or fifteen
years, they are rare ; the rule is otherwise. The time of
sheanngis the time of general inspection, and of disposal
of the flock. Then let the masters eye be scrntinously
placed on every sheep he owns — to ehuse his lambs to
breed from, to mark, to hi; and to dispose of in tiic cour&e

AG-illCULTURAL MUSEUM SI

o? the fali and winter, not only such vvetbers as are now of
pfopcr a^e, bat above all to examine the coats and mouths
oLhis grown breeders, and to set apart for the butcher all
that have broken mouths or indifferent coats. A sheep at
birth has his mouth full of lambs teeth, eight on the lower
jaw (every body knows that he has none at any age on the
upper jaw) at one year he drops two of these in front and
acquires in their place two sheep's teeth — the second year
he gets two more, one on each side of these last — ■.
the third year he has two additional in the same way.
and during the oarth year, there come out the two last
sheej)'s teeth, one on each outer side — thus at the com-
menc.'me it of the fifth year, the mouth is full, as it is cal-
led— having now eight sheep's teeth on the lower jaw;
during the sixth year, the mouth begins to be, what they
term, broken ; that is, the teeth are wearing a^-^'ay in front ;
and m the seventh year they have all become smaller, and
several are worn near to the gums; the animal is no
longer able to pick and manage his food, in pasture, at
the rack or trough with the same facihty ; his constitutioa
begins to fail ; ti)e younger and more vigorous competi-
tors cull the best grass from him in the held, and shovt-
him out of the way of good fare in the pen. It is then fol
\y to keep him longer under these disadvantages, and the
more is the folly, because as a sheep propagates as early
as a danghill fowl, and with the requisite care, such must
be the encrease of the flock, that to keep them down to a
given number, the only question as to the females will be,
whether to kill oif from the lambs or the ewes — and in
what proportionate quantity. The rule is, never to shear
more than six fleeces from a sheep, unless as to a particu-
lar animal which may be preserved on account of uncom-
mon qualities.

The best season for shearing, I have found to be the
middle of May ; there is danger in taking off the coat too
early — If a cold rain should fall on sheep soon after they
are stripped, many will be lost ; so sensible are they, at
this^time, to the changes of th^ atmosphere; and shoulii a

^ AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

spell of cold rainy weather o\ er*^ake them within a few
days after thej* arc sharn, the only remedy is to house
tihem till it is over.

As any tarmci- may in a little time renovate his flock,
by getting rid of the old subjects and supplying in plenty
wholesome provender, so may he in a very few years,
greatly change a id ameliorate his wool, as well as increase
it in quantity, by selecting for his breeders only such
ashava desirable coats ; without having recourse to new
breeds. At the shearing season, the fleece is full grown,
and all its defects or advantages may be seen ; at this
time then let the final selection be made among the grown
sheep; since however promising a lamb may have been,
as to size and form, when turned out, its wool can only be
judged of when he comes to the first shear. Seek for
Avool curled in the fibre, set close on the pelt, and free from
stitched hairs as they are called — (hairs interspersed
throug'iout the body and principally about the back and
rump) and without much breeching, (long straight haired
spots on the thighs) — a single ram with these defects w ill
entail mischief on the flock for many years — and ev;ery
ewe of this description will be removing to a greater dis-
tance the period of improvement.

It is an error, but too common, to judge of a sheep from
the apparent bulk and form given by a coat of long coarse
hairy wool; it is deceptive and imposes on a superficial ob-
server. Let such a sheep be stripped, and then examine
his carcase and his fleece, the first will be found to have
lost all its supposed beauty and advantage, and on inspect-
ing the fleece, they will not be discovered to have been left
there; this will be seen to be too long and too harsh for
carding, fit only to fatigue and vex the good housewife and
her spinners — and to make, even among coarse fabrics*
t>tift' uncomfortable clothing:.

Any person however unaccustomed to examine wool,
may soon habituate his eye to the relative qualities, soas to
be a competent judge of any fleece or detached lock, and
the speediest way of effecting this, is by frequently drawing
cikmplc^i from individuals of one's own flock^ and those -of

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 23

lirs neisjhbors and comnarincf them, taking care to draw
them from the same part of the body i because in most
sheep there are different qualities of wool on the different
parts ; half way down the side adjoining the slioukler is
the best place to draw from, for quality and uniformity.
I do not think it ir. desirable to wash the wool, as some
practise on the sheep — It is a disagreeable process to the
operator and to the sheep, and as I believe endangers
their health. I would recommend that they be shorn un-
washed. Let the finest wooled sheep be separated by in-
spection before shearing, let the fleeces of these be made
tip carefully without breaking; and when the wool is to be.
washed, let them be opened on a plank floor and stretched
out with the skin side next the floor, thus the parts of the
fleece may be readily distinguished. Take off the breeching
or hinder part, the most of the belly, and the tags, thro^v
these among the coarse fleeces, and there will be left the
better parts of the best fleeces, and an easy assortment
will have been made of the fine from the coarse for family
purposes, A telerable selection cannot be made after ali
^he fleeces have been mixed and broken in tiie process of
washing and drying.

As to myself, I have, as yet, been fortunate in knowing
but few diseases to which sheep are subject, and there-
fore am not acquainted with many remedies. The prin.
oipal disease from which I have suffered, and from which
I did suffer sorely for several years, after I began to raise
this stock, my people called the country distcmj^rr — i
have already described it; dirty noses, coughs, wheezing,
roached backs, pinched flanks, loss of wool before shear-
ing time, great mortality in lambs, and frequent deaths
among the old sheep, so that I had often to buy in to keep
my number up ; it was tho ght infectious, and the worst
were separated. In some years they all had it, and then I
had often thoughts of getting rid of the whole on any
terms, and procuiing afresh and more healthy stock ; at
length it struck me, on observing a flock at a friend's
fiouse on an exciirsion ia a neighbouring state, feeding at

'21 AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

the troughs and racks in winter, that it was possible sxuh
r.icdrcine might he of service to my own sheep. I appiied
it immediately on my return homo, and in a few weeks
was gratified to find that it had relieved ahoiit two thirds
ofthelloek — on examinina; the next spr'ns:, these sti)i af-
fected, I found them ahsolutcly witliout teeth — these things
brought me to my reflections — 1 set seriously about tlie re-
form, and by degrees adopted the system I have here re.
commended, with com[)iote success, as may, i am sa.is-
ticd, any farmer who will be pleased to try it.

A MARYLANDER.

FOR THE AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM.

A few da3's ago I received the first number of the Agri-
cultural Museum. I was i-eaMy d( lighted to perceive the
beginning of an undertu^king which |)rom!ses so much uti-
lity to the community : and I sincerely wish it all the suc-
cess and support wincii it so justly deserves.

It is acknowledged by all, that this country, on account of
its great extent, possesses greater advantages and resour-
ces than, perhaps, any other. All we want then, is to be
fully acquainted with those resources ; and in ray opinion,
nothing can be so conducive to the attainment of that
knowledge, as such a periodical work, in which the ex-
perience of one man may be instantly communicated to
thousands; so that by reciprocal communication, all
may be benefited.

Already has a new spirit of enterprize displayed itself
an^.ong-st us. The quantity of domestic manufactures now
Tnade in almost all parts of the country, far exceeds the
expectations of the most sanguine. Perseverance will
make us truly independent.

It is pleasing to every real American, to observe the
ardor which now prevails in this country, to promote the
progress of manufactures. Every day we hear of new
machines, in all parts of the union, for carding, spinning
and weaving. Already have we seen patterns of cloth

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 2|jf

maiiuractnrcd by our citizens, which might vie, for fine-
ness and elegance, with those manufactured in L ondon
Sedan, or Elbcuf In this District, several marufactories
have latelv been established. A machine for cardinff*
roving and spinning cotton, working ninety six spindles^
is now in full operation at the Four-mile-run; besides a
Cannon Foundary and Paper Mill near Georgetown, a
Ghiss House and Nail Factory in the City of Washing-
ton, and several other establishments of less importance.
I had, not long ago, the curiosity to ascertain the num-
ber of weavers in this Town ; and after a diligent enqui-
ry, found that there were twenty one looms ; sixteen of
which were constantly employed, and had then on hand
to the amo'jnt of one thousand four hundred and sixty-
yards ofdifiterent kinds of cloth for family use. They
each weave from three to six yards a day, making on an
average seventy two yards a day altogether, and allow-
ing fhree hundred working days in the year, twenty one
thousand six hundred yards a year.

Here it is proper to observe, that these looms are all iti
private fam-lies, and all but one worked by women, anci
that, with one exception only, they use the common shut-
tle. Several of them informed me that they intended to
adopt the fly shuttle ; and there can be no doubt, but
when once adopted, it will immediately gain a decided
preference over the other, on account of the ease and
celerity with which it can be worked. I am informed
that, besides the public factories of cloth in Washington*
and Alexandria, there are many private looms in both those
places, abundantly supplied with work. I would recom.
mend it to such as may be friendly disposed towards (]o^
mestic manufactures, to ascertain their number, and, as I
have done, publish the result of such enquiries as it may be
deemed proper to make. I am persuaded that it will be
found that,'at least, not a less quantity of cloth is woven in
each of those places, than there is in Georgetown — Yet>
however great the whole quantity may be, it is a certain
fact, that, for the want of proper artists, much yarn is senfc

2^ AdlUCULTURAL MUSEUM

mit of the District, and even to the distance of many mites
(or the purpose of being manufactured. Stocking weav'^
ers, dyers and fullers are much wanted— Slmuhi industri-
ous men, well versed in any of the above branches, come
and reside amonjist lis, any where in or near to the
District, they certainly would find as much encouragement
as they could wish.

Georgetown, July 11, 1810.

From the Aurora.
In April, 1S09, a manufactory of woollen cloth was
begun in the vicinity of Newport, Delaware, and there
were put in motion one carding machine, two hundred
spindles, five broad looms, and one fulling mill, &c. The
last year they made seven thousand yards of cloth, which
afforded a profit of 25 per cent, on the capital employed —
which, including the fixed capital for Iniildings, amounted
to nine thousand dollars — they en»ploy about twenty
hands, onehalf of them boys and children — they have ex-
perienced no difficulty in procuriiig common wool — hut
fine wool is scarce. The introduction of the Merinos, into
tlie neighbourhood, promises very soon to remove
any difliculty on that score. The proprietors expect
that by increasing the machinery, and employing anum^
ber of country looms, the present year they can manu-
facture from fifteen to twenty thousand yards of clofh^
cassimeres, and cassincts, which will be a sufKicient quanli_
ly to make a coat for every taxable inhabitant in New
Castle county. This for the village of Newport and slate
of Delaware, you will say is honorable, but it is not all ,
in addition to these, in two weeks they will have at the
same place in operation 240 spindles, impelled by water,
employed in the cotton spinning — in the two establish-
ments there will be emi)lo3 cd about thirty-five hands —
one half of which are children under fourteen years of
age — willi which they can perform as much labor as
Mould require bOO persons in the common way. Consc*

Af^BICTULTURAL MUSUEM "^V

qncntiv the high price of lalor cannot affect any such
manufacturing establishments, where so much is done by
machinery. pedestrian observer.

COLUMBIAN AGRICULTURAL. SOCIETY.

At a meeting of the Standing Committee of the ColiimbT.
an Agricultural Society, held at Georgetown on Wed-
nesday the 13th day of June, A. D. 1810. it was determin-
ed that the following Premiums be given at the General
Meeting of the Society to be held on Wednesday the 18th
<3ay of November, viz:

Premium 1— SIXTY DOLLARS,

For the best bull as to form and size, age considered?
not less than one year, nor more than four grasses old.
Premium 2— SIXTY DOLLARS,
For the best cow with her first calf, not exceeding four
grasses old.

Premium 3— FIFTY DOLLARS,
For the best fat bullock or spayed heifer, for beef.

Premium 4— FORTY DOLLARS,
For the best piece of fulled and dressed woollen cloth?
of any width, containing not less than seven square yards.

Premium 5— THIRTY DOLLARS,
For the best piece of woollen kerseymere, not less
than ten yards in length,

Premium G^THIRTY DOLLARS,
For the best piece of cloth, cotton warp, filled with wool
to shew the wool on one side, not less, than ten yards.
Premium 7— THIRTY DOLLARS,
For the best piece of fancy patterns for vests, of woo!
and cotton, not less than ten yards.

Premium 8— THIRTY DOLLARS,
For the best piece of flannel, all wool, not less thaij.
ten yards.

Premium 9— TWENTY DOLLARS,
For the best piece of flannel, part cotton, part wool,
not less than ten yards.

gg AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

Tbemium 10— TEN DOLLARS,
For the best pair of line woollen knit s(o:kings, oi' -
full size.

Premium 11— TEN DOLLARS.
For the best pair of fine woollen woven stockings^ fu\l
size.

Premium 12— THIRTY DOLLARS,
J'or the best pair of fine woollen blankets, large size

Premium 13— TWENTY DOLLARS,
For the best pair of fine eotton blankets, large size.
PREMIUM 14— FIFTEEN DOLLARS,
For the best pair of stout coa,rse blankets^ for labourers^
full size.

Premium 15— FIFTEEN DOLLARS,
For the best parcel of flaxen or hempen sewing thread
made up of three qualities, of at least half a pound cachy
viz.

One of strong brown, and white brown, two sizes.
One of coloured, of one size, various colours ; size and
colours as commonly used for family purposes-
And oue white, of various sizes, from coarse to fine.

Premium 16— FORTY DOLLARS,
For the best woollen carpet, or carpeting, in the piece,
containing not less than thirty square yards.
Premium 17— FIFTEEN DOLLARS,
For the best woollen hearth rug.

Premium 18— TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS,
For the best specimen of durable dye, with the rccip&.
formed of the productions of the country — best as to
strength and beauty of colour, and as applicable to most
substances.

Reasonable proof will be required of compliance with
the rules of the Society.*

The Premiums will be paid in cash, or in plate of equa)
value, with suitable devices at the option of the fortunate
cotr.petitors.

*Sqc Cuastitutipft— Articles 8; 9, 10, 11; No. 1 page 10

AGKICULTUliAL MUSEUM SS'

Premiums totlie amount of at least five hundred dollars
will be given at the Spring Meeting of t!ie Society for
sheep, and manufactures of cotton, flax and hemp, &uc.

The Society at their last meeting have ordered,

1st. That the Standing Committee be directed to give at
least two premiums, at the next spring meeting for sheep ;
one for the best (wo toothed ram of the fine wooled breed,
and another for the best two toothed ram of the long
wooled breed. In the first case, the quality of wool is
the principal object, in the other, the quantity of wool;
but in bath cases the judges will take into view every qua-
lity which the animals may possess, that render them va-
luable tups o£ their respective breeds.

2d. That at least two thirds of the amount of Premiums
io be given for sheep, shall be for the long wooled breed.
By order of the Standing Committee.

DAVID WILEY, Sec'rj.

June 19.

From a London Paper, JMay C.

Merino Shzep — On Thursday last, a splendid company
of Merino amateurs attended the sale at Henbury, near
Bristol, of part of jVIr. Brooke's Spanish flock of sheep.

Amongst the buyers were Lord Doneraile, Lord Leslie,
Lord Ducie, Sir J. Macdonukl, Sir J. Dashwood, Colonels
ConynghainCj Kington and Serle; Messrs. R. Bright^
Sheppard, Joyce, Luca-5, Hall, Farquarharson, and other
amateur breeders. The average prices were higher thaa
at the sale of his majesty's flock; the flnest ram wag
bought by J. R. Lucas, esq. at 107 guineas, a ewe anfl
lamb, by G. W. Hal), esq. at 51- guineas ; and some of the
lincst single ewes at from 30 to 40 guineas.

Lord Somerville's second day's sale of his Merino 'flock
was on Thursday. The following was the result of the
two day's sale ;— 22o 3Icrihos sold for no less thaa
3210 £ 5s. Gel

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>j:'.v BRicic macii/ne.

A\V have seen a model of a Brick Machiiir, consfruc'cd
on u new principle, invented b\' Mr. Daniel Fr"?ncb, me-
chanist anci engineer, of this city, .'^nil so cortrived as to
manufacture bricks of all kinds with the irrcatest faeiliW-
^t will produce 3C00 bricks in an hour, if supplied with
clay, and may be extended to produce any number re-
quired in the same time. The clay is .ipplied without any
previous preparation. It requires only the natural mois-
ture, as it is commonly found a few inches below the sur-
face of the earth. In this state it is applied to the machino
and the bricks are produced in the neatest manner, ready
to be piled away ; saving the trouble of carrying;; to and
ffom the yard, and of tending- while drying, a$ is done in
the common way. More than two thirds of the usual ex-
pence is saved in producing the bricks ready to burn. — -
The bricks manufactured by the machine are much more
compact and impenetrable to water, than brick manufac-
tured by hand ; as a brick of the same size will weigh
nearly one fifth more than those made in the common way

Specimens of the brick produced in this way, from se-
reral kinds of clay, have been burned, and the result
has proved beyond all doubt, that the machine will answer
the purpose intended Neu-yoiii livening Post

From the Richmond Enquirer.
James River Canal S^-c. — We inform the people of the
Upper Country, that a contract has been made by the
James River Company with Captain Ariel Cooley, of
Springfield, JNIassachusctts, with a view of eommunicat-
jug the basin with tide water — 13 locks, inclusive of the
water lock, are to be put up — >^ 50,000 are to be given for
the work, of which 10,000 have been already paid, in part
of the contract. The whole is to be completed by May,
1812. ^ p.___

PRINTED FOR AMD PUBLISHED BiT DAVID WILEY.

Price >^ 2. 5{) for twenty four Jyvmbcrs,
To be paid in advance

THE

AGFilCCLTURAL MUSEUM.

OMKIS P'EUET OMNIA TELLUS. TiEC.

.jCT^i*gg«9>r*.

Vol. I. ] Georgetown, Ca. August 1, 1810. [No.

tOli THE AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM.

It is believcf] that when the census now faking, is
completed, the population of the City of Washington,
and th' two to.vns in the District of Coiumhia, wiil b?
found to have doiiblefi in the last ten years, unpropitious
as these 3'cars have been, to the growth of towns de-
pending for their prosperity on that kind of trade, which
has for its basis, the products of our own country ; — and
which are too remote from the sea, to rival towns on
the sea-board, in what is called, the carrying trade.

If in such times the inci-ease of population has been
so great, what may not be expected, in the next ten
years to come, in which, and perhaps in all future times,
for at least half a century, it seems more than probable,
from the state of tnc world, we must content ourselves
with that trade only, which depends upon our own re-
sources? And it will, 1 doubt not, be a happy circum-
stance for the country, if we can bring ourselves to
so much moderation, as to aim at no more — indeed, this
properly cultivated, will be enough for a!I our activity,
and all our enterprize. In such a state of things, the pro-
gress of Washington, and the oth -i- towns in the Dis-
trict, win bear some proportion to the magnitude of the
back-country with which nature has connecleil them

It is well known, that the country west, and north
and south west of the District, watered by streams tri-
butary to the I'otoraak, and affording, for some months
in the year,iniand navigation for several hundred miles,
is certainly aiiongst the most fertile on the eastern wa-
ters ; and may be justly denominated the grain country

5

«**

of the Atlantic States. Extravagant as it mTiy secVn, it
is nevertheless true, that even at this moment, an equal
market price for flour, and grain of all kinds, would at-
tract to tlie District, fnore abundant supplies than any
one town in the United States annually receives — and for
this, there is the plainest reason in the world — because
the growers of the article in the largest and finest
grain country, would be subjected to less expense in
transporting it to the District, than in carrying it to any
other market accessible to sea vessels — and this advan«
tage in favor of the district, will become more decisive
<yvery succeeding year, as the inland navigation of Po-.
tomak, and its different branches, becomes more per-
fect

My present object, however, is not to point out the
commercial advantages of the situation of the District of
Columbia — but rather to call the attention of the Propri-
etors of the lands in the vicinity, to the importance of
making due efforts for their improvement, with a view
to the supply of the gr(t\ving market at their doQr — parti-
cularly, with those articles which either will not bear the
carriage, or which, from other circumstances, cannot be
SO well supplied, from a distance.

The kind of land which more immediately calls for
improvement, and which will best reward the labour of
the judicious improver, is that, which is now but little bet-
ter than an incumbrance to the owner, but which is capa-
ble of being converted into meadow, at an expence tri-
fling indeed, in comparison with the annual profits it
will be sure to yield. Meadow ground, under proper
cultivation, is no where so valuable as in the neighbor-
liood of the District — in no other place, is there so great
a demand for grass, and all the articles depending on
grass ; — hence it is, that these articles, so essential to the
d;tily consumption of towns, constantly command prices
from 20 to 50 per cent, higher in the District, than in the
great markets of Philadelphia and Baltimore — and it
need not be apprehended, that the improvement of such
land can be toe general— or too rapid — no eftorts in tlje

AGRICULTURAL IMUSEt^M SS

power of the proprietors to make, can keep pace with
the still more rapid increase in the population of the Dis«
trict.

Each owner of such land will he able to calculate for
himself the expencc of laying it down in grass— the
profits will probably exceed any idea he may be able to
form on the subject, without some knowledge of the va
lue of such lands near other markets. In the neighbour-
hood of Philadelphia, 1 am informed, the annual rcni of
land of this description is from 25 to 30 dollars per acre — .
tlie price for the fee, three hundred to four hundred doU
lars — in the vicinity of New York the prices are not less
considerable, and around Baltimore, but little inferior. —
Surely this should be sufficient to excite the Proprietors
of low lands, near the District, to the most animated
exertions for their improvement — Many hundreds of acres
are so situated as to be capable of being converted into
the most valuable meadow^ at an expcnce per acre less
tlian annual rents near Philadelphia,

A FARMER,

CLERMONT MERINO SHEEP SHEARING,

On the 15th May the sheep shearing of his Merino
flock was celebrated by the ilon. R. R. Livingston, at
bis mansion in Clermont, amidst a large concourse of
his fellow citizens.

Farmers from the different districts of the State atten-
ded on this occasion. In addition to those who came
from the other counties, several gentleman from Albany
and New York were present, and connoiseurs from
4lifferent States of the Union, were observed among the I
company.

More than usual interest was attached to this exhibi-
tion, from the consideration that Mr. Livingston is
the person to whom we are indebted for the first in-
Iroduction of the Merino sheep into the country, and
for the first public ^hearing in the Noi'thern States. ThQ

S& AGKTCULTUIiAL MUSEUM

stock which he originally importctl from th.c natioual
flock of llambouillet, in France, has multiplied niuiiy
fold since its introduction in 1801. It is now ascertained
by experiment, that this race of sheep will thrive well in
our cliaiate. Through a scries of generations there is
not the least indication of degeneracy ; on the other
hand, the late cold Northeast storm, during the present
month, has afforded reason to conclude that they aye
inore hardy than our common sheep. The wool re-
tains its exquisite fineness, with an increase of quantity,
and the excellent broad cloths and kerseymeres which
have been manufactured from it, have completely esta-
blished its character. Henceforward may we look to
our domestic supplies of wool for clothing. Tliere is
nothing extravagant in the belief, that in a (ew years the
wool of the Northern States will equal the cotton of the
Sou(hern : and the foundation is already laid for the on-
tire independence of our citizens on the woollen fabrics
of every foreign market '

To encourage the growing spirit of internal enterprize>
JNIr. Livingston had given an extensive invitation to his
fellow citizens, ' The numerous and respectable body
who col.'ccted evinced the lively curiosity which wus
excited. The shearing of the full blooded Merinos,
with their different c^des, mixtures and crosses, af-
forded a novel asid engaging spectacle. The day was
remarkably fine. The shearing was performed in the
presence of the spectators, who examined the fleeces
one by one, as they were taken off. And the fairest
opportunity was afforded of inspecting, as well the
size and figure of tJie animals, as the weight and fineness
of their llecces.

The results of the shearing were highly satisfactory.
Among the facts disclosed during the day's work, the
following were more particularly noticed :

Tiie ilceces of he old ram from llambouillet, and of a
young full-blooded ram rising two years old, weighed
each nine pounds : the tieece of a young ram rising one".
year old weighed upwards of eleven pounds; another' -

AGr.lCUJ/rUP.AL MUSErH 3f

ram, seven years old, afford fd a fleece of sevpn poiindi
and more. The ewes of the Mhole blood, as well as
both rams and ewes of the 15-16, 7 8, 3 4 and 1-2 blood-
ed, afforded fleeces which \vcre truly promising and en-
couraging.

After the morning exercises were ended, the coinpai
py partook of a sumptuous dinner^ which the generous
entertainer had prepared for his guests. The walls and
columns of tlie grand saloon, where the tables were
spread, were adorned with festoons and wreaths of ar^^
bor vitffi interspersed with flowers. In these elegant
ornaments tlie red and the white roses were happily
united. Ovver the head of the table was placed a correct
likeness, by Mons. liauduy, of the two year old raua
called Clermont, represented as standing at pasture:
over the middle of the table was inscribed " Success to
AgricLilture/' and at the other end *' Success to Manu-
factures." Plenty and conviviality diiliised a srnil^
over every countenance.

It was Isighiy graLifying to observe many of the geo-
tlemcn clothed iii elcgan; suits of Merino wool.

Various samles of (;loths, made from the same arti-
cle, were exhibited in the j)iece, proving the skill already
acquired in spinning, fulling, dying, shearing, and the
other branches of manufacture. "

Many of the citizens present then made their selec-
tions from the stock, pu.isuaut to previous contracts, and
took their sheep away. Great emulation prevailed in
ths exercise of tlieir choice ; an 1 it Was observed that
farmers, who had never before lisle ed to the reports in
favor of the Moiino breed, were now convinced of
iheir superior value, and immediately became purcha-
sers, or gave orders for sheep to be delivered to ihcm
on a future day.

The Charleston Bridge, the partial completion of which
was celebiatcd on the SOth of June, \"vas commenced
about the beginning of February, when the first pile was
driven by Mr. MiilS; age.nlleiD.aaof Boston, who erected

^ Agricultural muskm

Ihc bridge at Washington. It is built upon 98 sectton^,
each consisting of five piles, is 2187 feet long, and 33 feet
wide. The piles are defended Irom the worm, most of
them by lead, and some by copper. There are two side
walks, which are to be lighted by forty lamps. The
causeway at the extremity of the bridge in St. Phiiip^s
Parish is 1300 feet long, at the extremity in St. Andiews,
1800. The last pile was driven on the 28th June, and
it is expected that in less than a month from this time the
bridge will be open to travellers. It is the first work of
the kind ever attempted in the Southern States, and has
been perfomed with unprecedented zeal and rapidity,
reflecting much honor on the enterprize of those con-
cerned. Charleston Times.

AMERICAN MILLSTONE MANUFACTORY.

An extensive bed of Stone has lately been discovered
hy Mr. Joseph Sigfried, in Allen Township, of a quality
superior to the French bur stone.

Two enterprising millstone Manufacturers, Messrs.
Spong and Christian of Reading, Berks county, came to
view the stone in March last, and prepared and trans-
ported to Reading, as many as completed two pair of
Mill stones which on trial surpasses even their most san-
guine expectation — They have since, at a moderate rate
secured for a term of years the valuable part of the bed,
and are now working it to great advantage — ipwards
of sixty pair of these millstones have already been spo-
ken for. Northampton Farmer.

PITTSBURGH, (PA.) JUNE 22.

Two hundred Merino sheep arrived at the farm of
Brintnal Jlobbins, one mile from this place, on Wednes-
day last, from Col. Humphrey's flock in Connecticut.
They are oflered for sale, or in exchange for cattle or
flour. Pol. ^- Com. Register

The brig Commerce, Bartlett, has arrived at an easi-
crnport froinSpauj, with 00 iMcnuo sheep.

■AamCULTUBAL MUSEUM 3$

THE HESSIAN FLY.
!>»->««

*^ I have noticed in some of our late papers, that the
ilessian Fly has aojain made its appearance in the Igni-
ted States ; and that not only in Virginia and some
other southern States, but also in some parts of this
state, melancholy proofs of the ravages of this devouring
insect have been discovered ; I have myself also ob-
served, that in the county of Washington, in which I re-
fride, the fly is again desolating the fields of wheat.

^' I hope so potent an enemy will not be treated with
jinconcern and neglect by the friends of agriculture, but
that they will unite their experience with their energy
to repel and counteract his insidious and baneful influ-
^ence, and if possible arrest his progress in his first onset.

"The result of my observations respecting the Hes-
sian Fly, when he before ravaged this country, and the
plan adopted for destroying him, which appeared to me
most effectual, I here subjoin, with a request you will
_give the same a place in your paper.

" The fly deposits its eggs in the new wheat soon af-
ter its springing up in autumn, and before there are any
severe frosts ; propagates in the spring, remains in a
torpid state till sometime after reaping; is invariably
found in the first or second joint of the stalk, and taking
wings in the course of A gust Cut your wheat high,
remove it immediately from off the land, and without
delay burn the stubble; this destroys the insect while in
its torpid state, and if the burning be effectual, cuts off
the Hessian Fly root and branch in one season.

" I think I may safely pledge myself to you, that if
this plan of cutting the wheat and burning the stubble is
universally adopted, we shaU hear no more of the Hes-
sian Fly ; and that in addition thereto we shall have
larger crops of grain, as ilie burning greatly enriches the
land, and has nearly the same effect as a coat of good
•jpjujure.''

AVmny Gazette, of June, 1799.

M!>TES OF PEirKYOMEX.

It may be sat'^faetory to many roa^lers to be inform-
ec! of the mino'ii' in-oductioris of Perk} omen. At iirst
one ore only was fonnc! ; at present, however, they arc
numerous. The followino- catalop;ao will f ;rnisli a pret-
ty accurate account of the ores, stones, &c. which have
ieen found.

1. corPER or.E, c. Carbonatr- of lead.

tf. Yellow copper ore. ^i Pho-^phat*^ oflead. ,

b. Pracocktail copper ore. e. iMurio carbonate of lead-
c Phosphate of copper. 3. sc^c ore.

t/. Malachite. «. Vellow blende.

c Grey copper ore. b. B!a-k blende.

f. Mountain blue copper ore. c. Calamine.
g. Oxid of copper, &c. .4. jp^qn ore.

2. LEAD ORE. a. Iron pyritc?.

o. Cubic galena. b. Oxid of iron &c.

b. Steel grained lead ore.

The stony productions are numerous; of these we
may reckon the following:

1. Quartz, crystalized and amorphous. — The crystals
areeither pyramids, or prisms with the ends pyramidal.

2. Limestone (primitive.)
3 Argillite.

4. Barytes, combined with sulphuric acid forming ba-
roselenite.

Coal has been discovered in the vicinity of the mine,
in strata of argillaceous schist.

Aurora.

MINERAL BL\CK.

\ black mineral substance, discovered near Nazareth,
(Penn.) in very large quantities, proves to be the most
valuable and most permanent black paint of any hither-
to known. It is prepared in the same manner as other
paint ; no rains or weather affects it ; ago increases its
permanency, and roofs and boards that were painted
Avith it six years ago arc become so hardened as 10 be
bored with great ditficulty. For ships, boats, &e. it musfc-
t>e very sciviccablc. Boaton CcntincL

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 45

CELEBRATION AT HUMPHREYSVILLE.

On tlie 4th of July, the citizens of New Haven were
g-iutified with an exhibition, which for novelty, utility and
j);itriotisni, probably stands unrivalled in the records of
all preceding festivals on this memorable day.

The (armers, shepherds, mechanics and manufacturers
in Col. Humphreys' employ, having beforehand solicited
to be usefully occupied on this day, he proposed a plough-
ing match, &c. and had them assembled at his farm in
Yorkshire quarter, about three quarters of a mile from
the state-house. Their emulation was manifested by the
early hour of their appearance on the ground.*

At the dawn of the day, in a field if eighteen acres,
marked out into lands of one acre each, fourteen ploughs
.started, each in its own land, according to its num-
ber, each being drawn by one pair of horses, oxen or
mules. The other four lands were ploughed by teams
p["oraiscuously, as they finished their own. The animals,
bred principally at the Humphreysville establishment,
consisting of horses, oxen, aud mules, were generally
admired for their beauty, in particular four grey colts
from the stock of Col. H's elegant Arabian horse Ran-
ger. The land No. 7, wns finished ploughing before 9
o' clock. t — The teams passing and re-passing each other
in quick succession, presented the most animated picture
of the kind we ever witnessed. Whilst this was per-
forming in one field, the axe-men and carpenters were

*The colonel (as is his usual custom) rose very early,
and upon coming to the field, was astonished to find
them all upon the ground, and very pleasantly observed
that although he was an old soldier, they had this morn-
insf stolen a march of him.

t This land was allotted to a respectable farmer, be=
f ween 50 and 60 years of age, who had walked three
miles to his work, and was ploughed by a line pair of
red oxen, the handsomest in the field.

4SS AGBICULTUUAL MUSEUM

fellinj^, hevvln-r, and framing timber in anolhrr, for a
shcpliercl's lodge, uhch Nvas ready to be raised bel'oic
njon. His clothiers, paper makeis, cloth and stocking
weavers, had, d nin^ this process, prepared the boards
and other covcrng, whi -h was put on by the appropri.
ate artificers with great dispatch, the painters instantly
following them with their brushes.

At given signals the work people ceased from their
labours, and refreshed themselves from a neighbouring
booth, erected and furnished for the jiurpose. In the
vieinily of the booth, a spot \a as cleared by the surplus
hands for a sheep walk, (to protect them against winter
storms) of about 100 feet in length— under this bower a
table was laid for J 52 persons. The dinner was princi-
pally piepared hot on the ground, by means of a portable
Rumford kitchen. J What added much to the beauty of
the general scenery, was the appearance of numerous
Merino and other sheep, interspersed among the plorgh-
men. This flock had been brought from Humpheys-
ville to eat the grass before it was destroyed by the
ploughs. About 40 appren ices of the Llumphrc} sville
factor}', dressed in neat and comely uniform, were em-
ployed in collecting materials for manure and other agri.
cultural operations It ought to be remembred, that,
although many of those children belong to respectable
families, yet some of them have b-en rescued from the
most unlortunate situations. All were busy without
I ustle ; each at his station, co-operating without noise as
if animated with the same spiiit B;;tore half past three
o'clock, all the proceses of ploughing, building, paintii g
&c. were completed — the ploughing had been finished
in a \ery skilful manner, two hours before this time. At
the sound of tlie horn, the work people and a number

+ The utility of the portable Rumford had not proba.
biy been experienced in the licld on any pievious occa-
sion ia iSew England. Five large j uddings, various
kinds of both meat and vegetables, were cotkcd in thft
boilers aiid steamers ut the same time.

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 43

of very respectable farmers reassembled at tlie booth,
and refreshed themselves with a var'efy of excellent dis-
tilled and fermented liquors. From thence they were in-
vit d to sit at the table, which u as well furnished with
iTierino mutton, beef, hams, poulfry, puddings, &c. the
prodjcts of his farms. I'he proprietor did the l.onors
of the table ; and the following sentiment alone was giv-
en after dinner: —

" Independence. Deeds — not Words — Let those
who wish to appear to \o\e thc'r Country, prove it
by Actions rather than by Toasts and Declamations."

After dinner the concourse dispersed, much pleased
with this new and rational mode of eelebratirg the An-
niversary of Independence, and highly del ghted with
the perfect propriety of conduct of ail present.

ADDRESS

OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY OF PmLADELPHM, TO THE
CITIZENS OF TI 1 UNITED STATES,

ON THE SUBJECT OF THE NATURAL PRODUCTIONS

SUPI'OYED IN THE A2TS A7iD MAMiACTUKES.

To every nation, it ought to be an object of the firsfc
importance, that it should possess wilhin its limits, the
natural productions essential to manufactures and the
arts.

A nation which depends on another for the supph- of
iits necessary wants, or the materials for its labour, can-
not be entirely free. It is [placed under such disadvan-
tages, that seldom will it dare to maintain its rights
against the aggi"€ssions of the government, which com-
mands its supplies.

A large portion of its citizens, accustorricd to consider
a foreign nation as the immediate instrument of support,
of acquiring wealth, or yielding tlie enjoyments and
conveniencies of life, contract foreign partialities and
foreign prejudices. They are more connected and
more attached by uiterest to the govenimeiit, whose

44 AGRICULTURAL MU3UEM

trade maintains, whose manufactures clothes, and whose
luxuries enervate them, than to tliat, which gave them
birth, gave them independence, gave them freedon^
The short suspension of our commerce taught the Ame-
rican people these truths. It exhibited the inconveni-
ence ; it did more, it exposed the destructive evils of a de-
pendance on a foreign government for goods of daily
and domestic use. It proved, that to be free, a people
should possess not a government and laws of their own
cnly; but, that they must have their own workshops.
It shewed that freedom consists not in a mere exemption
irom political subjection, but also from moral servitude.
In viewing the present zeal for the establishment and
promotion of manufactures, every patriot's breast must
glow with virtuous feehng. The contention, for so it
maybe termed; the contention for their establishment,
is a strife for the independence of the countiy. Tlie
battles of the revolution broke our chains asunder, but
they still cling around us ; the spirit of manufactures, is
now to cast them from us forever.

To lend their feeble aid in this important endeavor, is
the ambition of the Philadelphia Linnean Society; and
they believe they can the better accomplish this object,
hy directing their researches to the discovery, in this
countr}', of those subjects, which, coming under their
notice as a society of natural knowledge, are the objects
of commerce and the materials of manufacture.

The list of articles of the Materia Medica of the tTni-
led States, is already extensive and important. Many
of its contents supersede in the practice of our physi-
cians, the drugs of Europe and Asia.* By research
and experiments, it no doubt could be greatly enlarged
and improved to the advantage of the nation, and bene-
fit of individuals.

Our forests yield some plants, which, as dies, for bril-
liancy and permanency of coloring, arc not surpassed

• See Barton's Collection tcvardf a Materia Medica.

AGRICULTURAL MUSET'M 45

by any of South America or India; the number is, liow»
ever, small, and the range of hues confined.

Our country is jjrolific of some metals. — Yet antimony
and mercury are imknown as its productions Arsenic,
cobalt, copper, ant! the precious metals, have been found
in such small quantities or peculiar states, as to render
them little valuable or useful.

There can be no reason why a1I these metals should
notexist abundantly in this country. There is every
probability they do. The rocks, which are their gan-
gues in other countries, in our own are generally dift'ii-
sed It is indeed, no stretch of credulity to believe that
their ores are every day trodden under foot, turned up
by the plough or the spade, and thrown away or re-
garded as useless, from ignorance of their value. Simi-
lar cases have been known ; of which the following may
be cited :

Blackjack, an ore of zinc, now largely employed in
ilie making of brass, a few years past was used in
Wales, for mending the roads ; and the cobalt ores of
Hesse, which now yield a neat profit of 14,000 pounds
sterling per annum, were formerly employed for the
same purpose!

If ignorance should have caused, in Europe, at a late
period, such a misapplication of valuable and produC"
tive ores, how very probable is it, that, in this country,
where hardly one in a thousand has a superficial ac-
quaintance even with their appearance, they may be
in the hands of hundreds ; may be used for common
purposes constantly, and their importance never sus-
pected.

It has happened, that valuable ores have remained un-
worked, to national and individual injury, from ajust dif-
fidence in the proprietors of expending their money
fruitlessly, as they could not obtain a knowledge of their
nature and richness.

t Watson's Chyir.ical Essavs, vol. 1st, page 45".

46 AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

Others a^ain, deceived by appearances or the false
representations of designing men, have disbursed con-
siderable sums, and wasted much time, iiT the useless
search for metah, when a metallurgist would at once
have pronounced that no ore existed, or that it was one
too poor to be profitable.

To assist, therefore, in obtaining a full knowlege of
the medical and dying drugs indigenous to our soil ; to
expedite the discovery of useful metals ; to aid the ma-
nufactures of their country, as far as they are connected
therewith ; and to remove the inconveniences and disad-
vantages of ind vidualsnot possessing an acquaintance
with natural knowlege, the Linnean Society of Phila-
delphia has directed the undersigned committee to give
this public notice, that any plants, ores, or any mineral
substance whatever, which shall be forwarded to any
member of the committee, shall be examined by the bo-
tanical and mineralogcal departments of the society.
The result of the examination shall be communicated, as
soon as completed, to the person transmitting such spe-
cimens, together with such other information relative to
its nature and uses, which the society can impart

SAMUEL JACKSON, 1

JAMES CUTBUSIi, ^Committee.

SAxMUEL BENEZET,)

Aurora.

KENTUCKY MANUFACTURES.

Exfract of a letter from a ge nthman in LexmQ;ion. Ken.

to his friend in Charleston, S. C. dated May 1, 1810.

*' Hemp is becoming the grand staple of Kentucky.
In this town there are now at work 9 rope walks ; each
consumes annua'ly one hundred tons of hemp; 4 cotton
bagging factories, consumption 60 tons of hemp each;
one factory of sail cloth; in the whole about 1200 tons
of hemp, prime cost 150,000 dollars, employing 400
hands, principally men and boys, and producing to the

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 47

mnnufacturcrs gr.^at profit*. Th» sail cloth factrry is.
now under engagement to deliver SOO pieces to the go-
VL'rnme it.

*' Four factories for carding and spinning cotton ; the
oHcst os'ahlishcd here, 200 spindles; the next, one miilc
of 160 spiiulies ; another one a throstle, with 42 spindles ;
and the last is now commenced to spin, and is establish-
ed on the i rinciple of the New-England factories, the pro-
prietor calculating upon putting in motion, 1,000 spindles,
and has now a( uoika throstle with 1C8 sjWndlcs; in
the course of next month he starts a mule of 204 spindles.
The establishment has already cost upwards of 20,000
do'lars in lots, buildings, machinery, &c. and will pro-
gress gradually, as the machinery can be made till 1,000
spindles are in motion. The machinery is all made here ;
the cotfon yarns arc sold to the country, except what is
manufactured in town, into bedtickings, cords, jeans,
chamhrays, and plain goods,

" There are three wool carding machines and one
forspinnino. W^e supp'y a part of Tenessee, Oiiio and
upper Loui iana, with hats, boots, and sho?s, and manu-
factured cotton and linen ; we have excellent white and
black smiths, cabinet makers (our cherry tree furniture
far surpasses in beauty the mahogany) fancy and Wind-
sor chair maker's, fancy chairs as high as seven dollars
eaeh, three carriage maker's shops, with numerous
others of th'2 diffeient employments. Our buildings are
of good coloured brick, put up in good style ; plenty of
the most beautiful white and variegated marble ; foot-
ways neatly paved with brick, and the middle of the
street with solid stone, firmly bedded.

*' Oar exports are hemp, bale ropes, hempon yarns,
twine, fishing lines, seine twine, cables, tarred ropes,
white vvork generally, cotton bagging, sail cloth, manu-
factured tobacco, salt-pet- e, gun powder, cr.tp tobacco,
about 3,000 hogsheads yearly out of the Kentuck^'^ ri-
ver; beef, pork, lard, tallow, candles, whiskey, 200,000
gUilona scut dovvn the river yeai'iy ; ^ur, bcansj pota.

49 ACRrcULTURAt- MUSEUM

toes, horses, bacon hams, &c. Wo have two small
banks, that do considerable business ; the insurance of-
fice, capital 100,000 dollars, solely employed in discount-
ing- iind dealing in exchange to the eastward, divides ten
per ct.-nt. per annum for the last five years ; the other a
branch of the Kentucky bank, capital 70,000 dollujs
makes ten per cent, per annum."

inla>;d improveiments.

The following gentlemen, to wit, Governeiir Morris,
Stephen Van Kensselaer, De Witt Clinton, Simeon De
Witt, William North, Thomas Eddy, and Peter B. Por-
ter, appointed by the Legislature of the State of New-
York, at its last session, to explore the most practicable
route for improving the Inland Navigation from Hud-
son's river to Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, have already
entered upon the duties of their appointment ; an ap-
jiointment, which in its result, promises the highest and
most important advantages to the community.

N. Y. Faptr.

KEENE, (n. H.) JULY l<t.

'Tlic Season From all quarters we have the most

flattering prospects of a goodly crop the ensuing har-
vest. We have been seldom favored with such a con-
stant succession of sunshine and showers. Indian corn,
in general never had a better appearance. The crops of
hay will be at least middling, in addition to which is a
considerable supply of old hay on hand. In some places
clover and English grain have been winter killed ; but
on the whole, the tillers of the soil have much cause to
rejoice and be glad.

PKINTDD FOU AND l>i; BLISUICD BY DAVm WILEY.

'r»'~'-H-' -: , '■ » ■'

Price ^ ^.50 for tiventy four A'umberSf
To be paid in advance

THE

AGEICULTURAL MUSEUM*

OMl-ns FERET OMNIA TELLUS. ViEc.

Vol. I.] Georgetoivn, Ca. August 15, 1810. [No. 4.

Tie Colunibian Agricultural Socitty have received
from the Ifonorable Mr. Smith, Secretary of State, a
late and enlarged edition of Lord Somerville's Essaijs
on Husbandry, presented in the name of the Author,

This verj' valuable book treats at large of Sheep and
JVool — of the relative merits of £)ra«g-/if Caf//e, and of
Implnnents of Hushandry — and contains a Record of
Lfv.d Somerville's ce ebrated Ca'tlc Shows — from their
origin in 1802, to and includ rg the year 1809.

FOR THE AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM,

Hoads and Inland Navigation.
Arnong the numerous majestic rivers of the United
Shites, the Potomak holds no inferior rank. It takes
its rise in that great chain of mountains which separates
the Western Waters from those that flow more direct!}'"
into the Atlantic; and, after having- marked the bounda-
ry betvven Virginia and Maryland fur above 3(i0
milfs, dis.harg 'S itself into the Chesapeake by a mouth
more than seven miies in width. It has tide water suf-
fi »enc for sea vessrls nearly half its whole length ; and
is navigable for boats to VVesternport, within a short
distance of its source. The little or lower falls are in
the District of Columbia. Merchant ships of the largest
size, can come up, without difficulty, to the citj' of Wash-
ington— I [)oint farther into the main land, anrl more dis-
tant from the Ocean, than any other in the United States^
to whirh ships of such burden can navigate with ease.
ISu aucuoid of considerable magnitude uiiiie with it, be-

7

50 AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

low the h^gh':st point of ship navigation — nor are there
any towns on its banks, worthy of notice, below Alex-
andria. Its uhole foreign commcMce is, and must con-
tinue to be, carried on through the Ports of the District —
they can have no rival in this respect — they occupy, not
only, the most advantageous scitos, but the only ones on its
margin, at all convenient for intercourse with any cowr
siderable portion of the country. It is true, the towns in
the Distiict have stood too much in the attitude of rivals
to each other^-AIthongh, taken together, they have not
heretofore, been capable of forming a sufficient centre
of attraction, il the expression may be used, and of af-
fording sufficient capital, to command all the internal com-
merce to which their situation hath given them an incon-
testible claim ; yet, instead of uniting in their exertions to
open and secure thv' means of intercourse with that vast
extent of countiy to the North and W^est, which would
have afforded to them the most ample resources for
trade and commercial enterprize, they have stood a-
aloof from eaeli other — they have indulged unreasonable
jea] »u.sies and wasted their powers in unavailing at-
tern )ts to draw for each other, that comparativefy, speak-
ing, pittarice of commerce and country produce, to which
ra ure in her rudest s'ate has given them access — The
g-t-at interests of the whole have been too much sacrifi-
ct*d to t'le petty q larrels of the parts. When just
views of things ought to have dictated the adoption of
every measure calculated to draw closer the bonds of
imion and thus give trijde efficacy to their exertions,
their policy, it would appear, has been to divide the
three fold cord — to disclaim connection with each other;
and, if possible, to preclude all intercourse by impassi-
hie bar;ii'rs.

lle:» itly.howevcr, they generally b.^gintodiscover the
true source of their real and substantial interests; and to
see, what a few men of more enlarged and liberal minds
a'wavs saw, that to promote those interests most eftVc-
tuaJly, tlicy must abandon their idle disputes, and unite

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 61

in their exertions to iaciliiate and extend communication
with every part of the country around ; and especially
with those vast fertile tracts which are watered by the
widely spreading branches of the upper Potoniack, whose
industrious and weaUhy farmers must ever look on
the Ports of Columbia as their natuitil Emporium — And
not only these, — the people of the whole western coun-
try, on the Ohio, on the Mississippi, and, even, on the
Missouri and the La;kes, have their eves directed to the
navigable waters of the Potomak, as likely to afford
them the most easy and direct avenue for intercourse
with the Atlantic. Nevv Oi-leans, without doubt, vviH be
the great Depot for most of the heavy and bulky pro-
ducts of all that vast region ; but when the United States'
road from Cumberland to Wheeling, and others to diiler-
ent points on tlie Ohio, are opened and made, and when
the improvements now contemplated, on the boatable
waters of the l*otomak, arc fully ejected, many arti-
cles of the lightfr native products of that country, would
find a more certain and more profitable market in
the District of Columbia, were even her present
means brought to act in concert; and almost the whole
supply of foreign merchandize requisite for the rapidly
increasing population of all th.at immense territory,
which lies to the North of a line of latitude, drawn
throng!) the mouth of the Ohio, would be borne to tiiem
from the Potomak, with more expedition and less ex-
pencc than by any other channel.

In his notes on Virginia, Mr. Je&rsoii observes, that

* the Western Waters have three principal connexions
' with the Atlantic; the Hudson's river, the Potomak^
' and the Mississippi itself* Down the last will pass

* all heavy commodities. But the navigation throujih

* In the appendix (A) two others arc neted; one from
Presque fsle on Lake Erie to Le IJoeuf, down the Al-
legany to Kiskiminiias, then up the Kiskiminitas, and
from thejice, by a small portage to Juniati; which

^a AGRICtTLTURAL MI!3Et?M

•^ the gulph of Mexico is so dangerous, and that up the
•^ the Mississippi so difficult and tcdic us.that it is ih« ught

* probable, that European mein^^handize will not return
« through that channel. It is n.ost likdv thatFlcur,
' Timber and other heavy articles will be floated on
' rafts, which will themselves be an article for sale, as

* well as their loadirig, the navigatois returning by
' land or in light batteaux. There will thercf -re be a

* competition between the Hudson and Potomak ri-
' vers, for tha residue of the commerce of a'l the conn-
' ivy westward of Lake Erie, on the waters of the
' Lakes, of the Ohio and upper parts of the Missisippi."

* The Potomak ofters itself under the following cir-
•^ cumstances. For the trade of the Lakes and the wa-

* ters westward of Lake Erie ; when it shall have en-
' tered that lake it must coast along its southern shore,

* on account of the number and excellence of its har

* bors ; the northcrrj, though shortest, ha\ii g few l^ar-

* bors and those unsafe. Having reached Cavahoga,
'^ to proceed on to New-York, it will have 80 miles and

* five portages; whereas it is but 425 to Alexaiid; ia,
•^ its Emporium on the Potomak, if it turns into the Cay-
'. ahoga. and passes thro' that, Big Beaver. Ohio, Ytho-
' gany,(or Monongahelaaiid Cheat) and Potomak; and

* there are but two portages ; thi; first of \\ hich, bc-
' tween Cayahoga and Beaver, may be removed by
^ uniting the sources of these waters, vAhieh are lakes in
^ the neighbourhood of each other, and in a chamj aign

* country; the other from the waters of Ohio to I'oto

* mak, will be from 15 to 40 miles, according to the trou-
< ble which shall be taken to approach the two naviga-
' tionsjt For the trade of the Ohio, or that which shall

falls into the Susquehannah ; the other fi cm I.nke On-
tai-io to the east branch of the Delaware, and daw n tlui:
to Philadelphia. Both are said to be very practieahle.

t On the line of the new road fi-oni Cumberland to
.Wheeling, the navigable waters of JMcnongulicla and
jpotomak are distant about 70 miles

Agricultural museum 53

'' come into It from its own waters or the Misslssippf,

* it is nearer through the Potomak to Alexandria, than

* to New- York, by 580 miles, and it is inlerru)3ted by

* one portage only." — It is also observed, that the roU^
by Poto'n^k is less liable to interruption by ice, or b^
wars with our neigiibours, the Anglo-Americans, ot
the Indians, than that to New- York, which is our fron-
tier on the north through almost its whole Ici gfli.

'1 hcse observations derive additional weight and im-
'portance iVom the circumstance, that goods are, at this
'timii, m the present state of the river and roads, fre-
quently bo-ited up from the D.strict of Columbia to.
Cumberland, and taken from thence to the Western
Waters, at a lower rate than they could be taken there
from any other sea port. Ccl. Lyon, a member of Con-
gress, for several seasons past, has taken large quanti-
ties by that rout to the Western Country— Goods have,
last summer, been sent by Gene<al JNJason, the Super-
•int ndant of Indian Trade, from Gcoig<'town to St
Louis on the Mississippi, near the mouth of Missouri, for
a less price than the}' could be taken by waggons from
Philadelphia to Pittsburgii— rand Furs and Peltry have
been brought fj-om thence to Georgetown to greater
advantage, than if they had been taken to market by
way of JNew Oi'leans, enveloped in the moist atmos-
phere of the Mississippi and the Gulph of Mexico.

These are facts of no trifling moment — they afford
tlie strongest iadueements to the people of the District,
and to the farmers and holders of real piopcrty on or
near to the waters of Potomak,. and en or near to the
roads leading from those waters to the Western Cour^
try, to unite in their exertions to extend and com-
plete the avenues of intercourse, which promise such
important resells. Roads, canals and nas igable rivers,
are the arteries and veins thai give hfe and vigour to
industry. They are of the utmost utility both to the mer-
. chant and to tiie farmer ; bui espeeiallj to the farmer; as
the produce of the covmlry which is cairkd lo marketj,

Sh AGRICULTURAL MUSUEM

is generally of much greater bulk and weight than the
merchautlise which is taken back in return. From just
views of their true interests in this respect, the Eastern
and Northern States have, for many years past, been
making the greatest efforts to improve tiic navigation
of their rivers, and by canals and turnpike roads, to af-
ford to every part of the country, the mo«t compkie
means of communication with their commercial towns.
Notwithstanding her distant position and the embar-
rassments of her rout, New- York has preoetupied a
very considerable portion of that internal commerce
M'hich has its natural course along the waters ol the Po.
tomak, and a very respectable exploring party of her
citizens is now out, to devise the means of extending
her grasp. Nor has Pennsylvania been an id e specta
tor. By means of her turnpike roads, which she is push-
ing on even to the Ohio, she has engrossed a still
Sfreater share of the Western Trade, independently of
the commercial advantages which have resulted fn m
such public spirited and well directed measures,
other important consequences have resulted. The face
of the country has been improved and beautified— the
population has been vastly increased — ^^and the value of
real property been greatly enhanced.

It is pleasing to observe that something of the same
spirit has recently been gradually, though slovvl}-, pro-
gressing to the South and West. The legislature of iNJa-
ryland have lately manifested a just discernmont of the
true interests of that important state— The city of Bal-
timore is making efforts worthy of her rapid increase
in wealth and poj)uIation- The advantages accruing
to the farmers in tiic country, from the turnpike roads
which she is extending, in various dirctions, towards the
North and West, are daily dissipating the prejudices
which had been imbibed by clownish ignorance, and
were fostered by sordid ra])acily. Experience is teach-
ing them that what they had dreaded as bringing nii%

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM ' B6

to their property, lias, not only, rendered the transport
tation of their produce to that great and grovvhig Empo-
rium of com;nerce, much more easy and less expen-
sive than formerly, but has contiibuted greatly to the
vaUie of their lands.
She too hath put in her claim to participate in the trade of
the West — and her claim will be heard. The resources,
the liberality, the enterprize, of her citizens will ensure
its validity. Nor is there any reasonable ground of jea-
lousy between the ports in the Disti ict and Baltimore —
Her interests, as far as they relate to the Western
Country, are intimately ronneeted with theirs. Indeed
the greater part ofthe Western Trade, of all the ports on
the waters of the Chesapeake, if not ultimately of the
Delaware also, must concentre at Cumberland on the
Potomak. From thence it must proceed by the same
routs in its progress to the waters of the West. From
that point westward, the opening and improving of the
publick highways, will result from the united efforts
of the whole, aided by the powerful co operation of the
Western States. What, principally, remains to be eft'ec-
ted by the citizens of the District, and the people resident
on the Potomak and its waters, in order to enjoy a
very great share of this valuable trade is, to complete the
navigation of their own river, and to cultivate among
themselves the most perfect harmony and co operation
in all their commercial speculations ; especially in those
directed to the West. The towns in the District must
act as a whole, not as distinct parts having separate
vie.wp — for their great and all important interests are
the same. They should el ng together and mutually ad
and s pport t ach other. Union will give energy and
effect to all their operations. For this purpose every
avenue of intercourse with each other, should be ren-
dered js easy and as coniplete as posslb'e, tliat they may
be abl to communicate witli facility and expedit'on.and
drawff<»m each other, whenever rnquisite, tho-^c supplies
tliat may be necessary for their several customers.

^ 4GUIGULTU11AL MU'SEUlJ

The adjacent states still continue their parental re-
gard— They have not yet withdrawn their fostering
lii^nd — They imri", heretofore, incorporated a Company
%vith extensive powers, to improve the navigation of
the upper Potomak and its branches — the}- had sub-
scribed and coTitributv^d ];i goly to ihe stock of that
Company — and, during (he last winter, the Legislature
of Maryland, with a truh laudable liberality, have au-
thorized the raising of 300,000 Dollars by Lotteiy, to be
expiiiJid, uadjr thi: direction of that Institution in more
CO npielely effecting the objects of their association —
Still it remains with the people themselves, to determine-
whethar they will proiit by a boon so bountifully be-
stowed. If lotteries, which it must be acknowledged
have become too common, are in any case admissible,
it must be to eft'ect an object so !mj)ortant — It cannot
therefore but be confidently hoped, that the good peo-
ple, whose estates are to be increased in value by the
expenditure of so large a fund, and wh "se produce is
to be borne to market on the Potomak and its l)ranches,
the Monocacy, the Shenandoah, the Conococheague, ti c
South Branch and their numerous tributaiy streams, will
manifest a knowledge of their own interest, a liberality
and a public spirit, not inferior to those manifested by
their brethren of Pennsylvania, New York and the
Eastern State So

VIATOR.

To the Editor of the J gricultural Museum,

SIR,

Being a Member of the Columbian Agricultural
Society, and having received the two first Numbers of
your periodical Paper, the Agricultural Museum, with
which I am pleased, as I think every genuine American
ought to be, having for its object the promotion of A-
merican manufactures, I take this opportunity of sta-
ting to you my first attempt at making cloth for my own

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM ST

personal use, and my success in that undertaking, in
mj own family.

I commenced by taking ten pounds from my stock of
wool, after washing. A diiiftculty occurred of which I
was not aware, inassordng the proper wool for the bet-
ter kind of cloth ; and which i have since learned to
avoid, from jour " Five minutes reflections on Sheep,"
whi'jh states, that the wool ought to be assorted, while
in the fleece, and before it is washed ; but, being then a
novice in the art of manufacturing, I had every thing to
learn. A coat, however, I must have.

The wool being assorted, it was put into the hands of
negro women to spin, who, 1 have no doubt, did their
besi; but, when done, it did not look well, on account
of the ditference in the wool; some fine, some coarse;
some from young sheep, and some from old : but,
having taken great precaution in breaking and card-
ing, to mix the difterent kinds of wool thoroughly, so as
to prevent its drawing up after weaving, which is the
case generally with country made cloth, we had succeed-
ed better than was at first supposed ; as no signs of puck-
ering appeared in the cloth. The yarn being leady for
Uv? loom, I had it wove by a young woman, in the neigh-
borhood [Miss Edwards,] having then no weaver of my
own. Some d.iiiculties arose on account of its width,
five quarters. However it was woven of this width,
and well done, considering it was her first attempt at
cloth for fulling. The lOlbs. of wool turned out 31 1-2
yards It resembled from the loom, coarse flannel. I
then hastened it to the fullei's, [Mr. Jacob Divenhoven]
near Frederiektown in Maryland. He fulled, dressed,
and (\ye(\ it a Navy Blue. The 31 1 2 yards turned out
when finished 21 1-2 yards, having shrunk about one
third in length, and from 5-4 to 3 4 in width, as may be
seen at my Taylor's shop in Georgetown [Air. Calder]
who has had some ofiers for it, to purchase ; but not
being for sale, a remiiaat of it still remains there. I

8

tS AGRlCULTUilAL MUSEt'^^

have bad two coats and my son one out oftlic21 t S
varcls. I never Wore a more pleasant eloth, nor any cloth
with more credit, it htuing generally passed on me as
feritish cloth, the only mortifying? circumstance in the
case, as I wished it to he recognized Homespun, as weH
on account of its manufacture, as its cost.

The follovvinjj is the exact account of the raw mat«-
lials and labour hid thereon, with the prices anne>;ed.
lOlbs. of common wool, at 40 cents, $ 4 . OC

S >iniiing lOlbs (common price) at 20 cents, 2. CO
Weaving lOlbs. of yarn into 5-4 cloih Is Ma-
ryland money, 31 yards, 4. 20
Fulling, Dressing and Dying 21 1-2 yards nnw

vy blue, 5-371 -a

'$ 15.57 13

And ^15 57 1 *^ divided into 21 1 2 parts makes the
cloth staufl me in 72 cents per yard, for which ^5
■peryard could have been obtained. 1 have worn scarcely
any other cloth coats for these two years past — it wears
well, and reta'ns its colour unfadingiy. From my suc-
cess in th.s piece of cloth, as you may imagine, 1 have
tlone giving 8 and i^ 10 per yard for foreign cloths, and
fondly hope my countrymen will follow this laudable
atempt at independence. Thus, may the whole body
of our militia be unifoiinly clad in homespun for five
dollars per man, and much less too, with the aid of wives
and sweethearts.

RINALDO JOHNSON.

Aquasco, Md. July 30th, 1810.
»»^€<«
Pennsylvania Turnpike Roads.

The friends to the prosperity of Philadelphia, must
be much gratified with observing that we are at length
awakening from the apathy in which, without an eflforfc
to counteract them, we have hitherto permitted the vefy
laudable spirit of emulation ou the part of our fellow ci-

AGRICULTURAL, MUSEUM. 59

tizsns of New York, Jersey and Baliimaro, to push
turnpikes into the most fertile parts of our state, and
draw off our own produce for the aggi andizemcnt of
their respective Capitals, and with it, the attachment of
our citizens, to the manifest injury of our political har-
liiony.

A number oi facts arc stated in your paper of Satur-
day, which shew that exertions, promising to be elfec-
tual, arc making, to keep the produce in the neighbour-
hood oftlie Connevvago Falls, to its accu^&tomed destina.-
tion at Philadelphia, instead pf taking the new rouie our
Beighbours of BaUitnorchavp prepared for it.

It is satisfactory to be able tojitate facts also, wh'ch
shew, that exertions arc making" in another quarter, to
arrest the produce of the ea,st and west branches, nume-
diately at the head of the difficulties in the Susquehanna
navigatian, and to, obvia,te the necessity of descend. ng
■within the inflaence of our enterprising neighbours.

It is a fact, thiit a turnpike is now made from Sun,bu.
ry to Reading, except the spa,o^of §ixt,^en rniles, which
will be completed this year, the funds being all provided.

It is a fact, that a turnpike has long been made from
Philadelphia to Pcrkiomen — and it therefore necessarily
results as a fact, that there remains o.nly the space from
Perkiomen to Reading, to complete a turnpike from Phi-
ad|i)phia to Sunbury, a distance of one hundred and
thirty miles, in the direct diagonal and consequently
shortest route to, Presque Isle on Ijakc Erie, and, as is
believed^ the easiest practica,ble route to Pittsburg.

It is also a fact, that an act passed the Legislature last
session, to incorporate a Company to turnpike the in-
terval from Perkiomen to Reading, and that t e Com-
missioners are now exerting themselves to complete the
subscription for the stock, so as to enable the Compa-
ny to make their contracts this fall, that materials may
be prepared through the winter for commencing the
work with spirit iu the spring.

60 ' A»RICULTURAL MUSEUM

While we are on this subject it may be well to state
some of the peculiar advantages of this undertaking, both
as it respects the public benefit, and the interest of the
Stockholders individually.

As has been before observed, it is on the grand diago-
nal shortest possible route from Philadelj)hia to Lake
Erie, intersecting the Susquehanna below the conflu-
ence of the east and west branches, and is believed to af-
ford the easiest practicable route to Pittsburg. It there-
fore w^ill accommodate, more eft'ectually than any other
can do, the whole of our State Territory, drawing to it-
self, by branches, northeastw^ai d, and by the eastern
branch of the Susquehanna, most of the produce which
our brethren of New York and Jersey have, by antici-
pation, already appropriated to their own use, from the
counties of Wayne and Luzerne, and the neighboui wg
parts of New York State ; in its direct route, progres-
sively to the Lakes, and by the west branch, accommo-
dating Northumberland, Lycoming, Tyoga, Butler,
M'Kean, Warren, Erie, Crawford, Jefferson, Clearfield
and Centre counties, and by a branch southwestwardly
to Pittsburg, which is contemplated through Aarons-
burg, drawing the trade from the southwest corner of
the state, from the sphere of Baltimorean influence, and
fixing it with its ancient and best friends on the banks of
the Delaware.

Thus much respecting the general effect of complet-
ing this grand chain of communication, this Bond of State
harmony and prosperity : As rc-pects the interest of the
Stockholders^ in the small connecting link now proposed
from Perkiomen to Reading, an actual experiment has
been made b}' a Toll Biidge over the Manatawny,
which, on an average of three years, n rated a sum a-
mounting to more than six per cent on the average cost
of any five miles of the road, taking at one third n^ore
than the actual cost of the Downingston and Euphrata
Turnpike. — Judges who have a knowledge of both routes
think it will not cost so much.

AGniCUtTURAL MUSEUM 61:

The subscriptions to this object, in its consequences
compared with the cost, perhaps the most important
of its nature that can be proposed to the citizens of
Piiiladeiphia, are now progressing, so as to justify an
expectation that a considerable part, if not the vvhule of
the road iroin Perkiotnen to Reading, may be com-
pleted th(" ensuing sea-on, which will then give a con-
nected luie 01 IJO miies to S^mbui-y.

AincriC'-iii D^ily AdvcrLiser.

DOMESTIC MANUFACTURES,

We have seen with pleasure a Report from the Com-
iDittee of the " Mar\land Association ibr the encourage-
ment of Domestic Matmfaetuies." — This association,
says the Whig, is a Society formed in Baltimore city
and county, for encouraging domestic manufactures,
particularly those of cotton, linen and woollen; — the
members, near 2000 in number, having subscribed arti-
cles of agreement not to wear foreign cloths, or use
other foreign articles ; provided good substitutes could
be produced at home. — The facts detailed in this Report
are of the most a^spicioas character.

Various itistitutions for the spinning and weaving
of cotton, are on foot, near Baltimore. The Union
jNIannfactory on Patapsco, has a capital of one mil-
lion dollars; and will have from G to 8 thousand spin-
dles, 800 of which are now at work. The Company
prepare all their own machine! y.

E. & I. Leveri.'ig and Go's, factory, on Gwynn's Falls,
has a capital of 200,000 dollars ; and will have 5,000
spindles in operation in Auguet next. It will go exten-
sively into the corduroy, thickset, and velveteen wares.

The " Washington Cotton Company." on Jones's falls,
have a capital of 8000 dollars, anfl 1000 spindles in mo-
tion ; with which tiiey spin 2000 hanks of yarn per week,
fi'omNo, 8 to 30. Th^y have a dye house, and 7 looms

OJ AiJUtlCULTURAL MUSEUM

for cords, twills, stripes, chambniys, ginghams, sheets
ings and sliirtings.

There is a Calico print'ng and dying factory, on
G\vynn*s Falls— and a manufactory of Hats and Bon*
nets, belonging to a Mr. Caitet',of the town of Baltimore.

Besides these larger establishments, there are more
than 50 looms in and near the town, employed on sum-
mer cotton ware.

The woollen manufactory on Jones's Falls, is greatly
enlarged and improved.

The Domestic Warehouse and other stores in Balti-
more, have now for sale the following wearing articles
of home manufacture, drawn from various paits of the
Union ; viz. Flaxen and tow linen ; cotton shooting and
shirting; printed calicoes, shawls and handkerohiofs,
cotton and lins.ey stripes ; chambrays ; Viiginia cloth ;
bed-ticking an4 coverlids; cotton } arn and thread of
various kinds and colours ; sewing silk and cotton ;
coatings, coarse and fine cloths; cassim^res and; cassi-
nets; morocco bats and caps ; buckskin breeches, pan-
taloons ^nd gloves ; hosiery yarn and shoe thread ; cot-
jton and thread hose ; ladies' hats and bonnets, &c.

Exclusive of the foregoing manufactures, theie are
others, which have attained considerable perfection at
Baltimore, There is one pap^r mill, which has a capital
of :^S' 40,000; which makes 12,000 roams per annum —
another, with a capital of $ 70,000, makes 40,000
reams. Two gun-powder mills, whose capital is $ 160,
OtX), that make 62 quarter casks a day. A spade, shovel,
and hoe manufactory, whoie capital is ^ 8 000 ; tiiat is
said to make 8 doz. of spades and shovels per diem. The
glassworks of Mr. Frieze, capital ^'40,000, annually
producing 3,400 boxes of glass, each containijig lOO
square feet. The type ionndcvy of S. Sowers & Co. ca-
pital .;^ 10,000, that casts from 12 to 14,000 pounds of
type per annum — Not to speak of the paper hanging
factory of Thomas and Caldclcugh — or of the slit-

ASmCULTUUAL MUSEUI^ CS

Vm^ iron, roUlhgand nail factory of EUicott & Co, on the
Patapsco, with a capital of ;■<;' 50,000.

From tliese facts, the Committee do not hesitate to In-'
for," tbat ih6 Report of the Secretary of the Treasury
must fall i-av sliort of the real pioi^ress made, and of the
cajjital embarked in domestic manufactures through the
Union."

IVc in Virginia, are behind our sister States of the
north — in this patri(4ic career. But the good work has
commenced. Spinning machines on a small scale, arc
winding their way into the counties, to the South an fi
^Vest of us. The " Swift Creek Cotton Factory,^
within a few miles of Petersburg, has SCO spindles in
mouon, and in a few weeks will have 300 more — exclu-
sive of gome preparatory machinery, on an improved
plan. Unquirtr,

Extracis from Lord Soimrvillc^s Essay on Sheep.

With a vicAV to the improvement of our Short.wo^!
Sheep, and those more particularly belonging to our
mountainous districts, hilhcrto neglected, 1 have thought
it a duty incumbent on me to call the attention of my
countrymen to this point, and have therefore ventured to
publish a short essay on a si'ij^ct, which every man, at
all acquainted with rural or political economy, must ad-
mit to be of the utmost importance.

The breeds of sheep in this kingdom may be arran-
ged into two classes ; those which shear the short, or
clothing, and those which shear the long, or combing
wool; of the former we have specimens ni the South
-Down, Hereford and Norfolk breeds ; and of the lattci.*
in the Lincoln and Leicester. The quantity of ilesh in
each class, follows the character of the wool ; the short
woolled sheep being close in the grain as to flesh, con-
sequently heavy in the scale, and liigM flavoured as to the
Iftstei the polled long woolled sheep, more open and

61 AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

loose in the grain, larger in size, '* manufacturer's mut-
ton/' tit for such markets as supj)]y coUicrics and Jship-
ping, but by no means, generally speaking, of such rea-
dy sale.

Notwithstanding the great importance of t!ie short-
woolled sheep to tiie naLion, the wli )le attention, both of
farmers and breeders has, for these thirty yeais past been
absorbed in carrying to a degree of perlection hardly cre-
dible, the heavy long vvoolied sheep ; such as Lincoln,
Cotswculd, Romney Marsh, and new Leicester, but
more j)articulai ly the last.

To such extreme perfection has the frame of this ani-
mal been carried, that one is lost in aiimiration at the
skill and good fortune of those who worked out such an
alteration. It should seem, as d the} had chalked out
on a wall, a form perfect in itsi If, and th -n had given it
existence. Nay, fresh technical terms have arisen to
express points in those shcp, thirty ycais ago un-
known; such as the " fore Hank," and the " cushion,"
terms universally admitted.

Such is the animal now : almost the reverse of what it
was; and from whatever source it originated, whether
from the care and nice observation of breeders, or from
crosses with Ryeland or Dorset flocks, is immaterial.
Wherever land is deep and strong enough to bear long-
woolled sheep, there let them be bred; but let them not
be foisted by false arguments on land unable to maintain
them ; by doing so the public is most essentially injur-
ed. Our combing and coarse wool manufactures must be
supplied, and therefore our strong land should be allot.
ted to carry coarse, heavy sheep ; but if on the same
false principle, one is to be pushed every where, to the
exclusion of the other, 1, for one, am old fashioned
enough to prefer clothes to carpets, a necessary to a
luxury. To be continued.

PItJNTLD FOU A^D PLBMSJIED B\ DAVID WILEY.

Viicc j> 2.50 lorticcniy f>nr ^umbers,
To be paid in advance.

tHfe

aghicultural museum;

bMNIS FERET OMNIA TELLUS. Viae.

Vol. I.] Gcorge.toiv7i, Ca. Aug. 29^ 1810. [No. 5.

Extracts from Lord SomervUh^s Essay on Sheepf

Continued from page 64.

No desire of change, or love of innovation, led
mc to abandon the long vvoolled sheep of my own neigh-
bjiii-hoad, the 3amptoabreeddashed\vilhthe new Leices-
ter ; an undoubted improvement was visible fio n the intro-
duction ofthe new Leicester; but there was a prejudice
so strong among our butchers against the latter breed,
that we were compelled to look to Bristol market for
purchaser?, al the distance of A.^ty miles from ti^mr. This
stock continued to decrease in size considerab!}', in spite
of all attemptSj consistent with profit, to maintain it,
notwithstanding fresh rams were three times brought
from Leicestershire in the twelve years these sheep were
in my possession; the loss of size in each four years,
amounted nearly to five pounds per quarter^ It will
natur.illy be asked what sort of poor hungry soil this
must have been, which could not maintain such sheep?
It was the vale of Taunton, proverbially known toi
be one of tlie most fertile spots in this kingdom, and
much of the grass land, in which these slieep were de-
pastured, was eq-ial in strength to any in the vale.

A man must be blind who could withstand .such evi-
dence as this. Nature pointed out that the stock wa?
too coarse in quality, or our climate unfit, it matters not
which : the fact was plainly marked, and it was merely^
an act of common prudence to follow her dictates.

These sheep were sold ; and the same land, whidl
carried forty. five breeding ewes was immediately^

9

6S ACIllCULTURAL MUrfKUM

stocked with one hundred and fifty Ryelands in their
stead. The neighbours said they would all be starv-
ed ; the winter was severe, but the ewes maintained
themselves moderately well, and their lambs, at wean-
iiig time, were in the very best order. The ewes were
depastured on the high lands, west of the Vale of Taun-
ton, during the sueceeding surtimer, at the rate of ten
per acre, and came back into the Vale in good store
state. One lot of these tWo-tooth sheep was bought by
a farmer in the neighbourhood, and put in turnips ; be-
tween Candlemas and Lady-day they were a'l killed ;
and on an average they turned out more pounds of
rough fat than they were pounds per (juarter. Land of
the Vale of Taunton might have supported coarse-
woolled sheep in size, had they been pushed in first
year's grass, or buried in red clover up to their knees,
and the refuse mown afterwards for hay ; but this was
buying a good thing too dear ; it is not the size of indi^
vidual sheep, but the--quantity of g^od meat and wool
per acre which must enrich the farmer, and feed the
public; and we wish to impress him with the convic-
tion, that no breeds of sheep should be carried into dis-
tricts ill adapted, both as to soil and climate, to receive
them ; that, in exertion to improve the carcass, be should
not forget there is such an article as wool ; and that the
breed of sheep which, on any given quantity of land, car-
ries for a continuance the most wool, as well as flesh,
and both of the highest quality, is that breed to be prefer-
red, of whatever description it may be, or from what-
ever country it may come.

It is to be lamented that we have been such slaves to
size, and that the eye can hardly resist it. A medium is
most desiral)le ; but, if extremes are to be admitted,
^^ iihout a doubt the small sheep, fine in its grain, is a more
marketable commodity. The rich will have it, because its
quality is superior ; in short because it cats better; the
poor man will find its joints more adapted to the strength
of his puisc ; and the dearer meat is to be, the more this
argument applies ; for legs and shoulders of mutton can-

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM. '©iT

not conveniently be cut, and retailed in pieces. There
remains, then, but the manufacturer, the mechanic, and
the middle class of housekeepers, to. prefer coarse-grain-
ed meat. So \vc reasoned when we first sent this Rve-
land mutton to market; but these were the very peo-
pJe who greedily bought it at a penny per pound ad-
vance in price, and that too in a manufacturing-district.
But we are told, that sailors, colliers, and keeloicn, are
sure customers for these over-fat joints ; so Ibey are,
and long may they enjoy them ! Fresh meat is fresh meat
to a man coming from sea; but if he stays long in har-
bour, and were once to break pale, and get a taste of
better mutton, perhaps it would be no; easy matter to
bring him back again.

We are told, too, that coarse fat mutton is best for salt-
ing; mutton is not at all well suited to this purpose ; beef
and pork take sadt better. If men are to be kept on salt
meat, be it so ; if they are to live on mutton, let that be
good in qaality. One of the first cutting butchers in
London has often been heg.rd to say, that he could not
afford to buy fat coarse-grained sheep; for that, besides
the loss in spine fat, which he was obliged to cut from
roasting joints, there was not lean enough to support the
fat, which therefore roasted away ; and that so long as
meat bears a better price than tallow, so long he must
deal in South Downs, and sheep of that description.

In pursuance of tlie object stated in the commence-
ment of this Essay, the improvement of the fleece of our
Short-Woolled Sheep, the author, in the spring of 1802,
made a voyage to Spain, for the purpose of bringing
home aflock of Spanish sheep. This attemptis not easily
accomplished at any time, but is more than commonly
difficult in a time of war. It was an object, not only to
attain the sheep themselves, but the whole system of
management adopted by those who had the care of these
flocks in Spain. In both these particulars, the author
has been fortunate enough to succeed. The sheep were
selected from a Trashumantc, or travelling Merino

••6d AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

flock, of undouhted high bIood.§ The rams, twelve in
number, were picked from a flock of two hundred ; for,
except the Manso, or bell wether, the males are left en-
tire, on a presumption that they carry more wool than
"\velhers, and equally fine. The couples (ewes and
lambs) were selected from a number proportionably
large. Of the high blood and quality of this flock, the
admiration of those shepherds, through whose flocks,
twenty two in number, Ihey passed in the course of
their journey, about the end of xMarch, was sufficiently
indicative, if not otherwise established. Of (heir pjo-
pcrties as to carcass, and, which is equally material,
their power of living hard, so as to carry much wool
and flesh on a small surface of land, it will be as well to
draw a conclusion from fact, rather than from assertion.
That must not be deemed a bad breed of sheep, which,
after a trial of some centuries, can maintain its higli qua-
lity of wool, making two immense annual journeys, and
in a less space of time than could well be supposed, more
cspeciall}' vvhen we recollect that the first journey com-
mences when lambs are four months old, or even less.
There are few breeds in this country that could support
such periodical marches for any length of time, and not
sufter materially in the form as well as quality' ol the
carcass, for both arc inseparable, being, as before ob-
served, fed from the same sources.
To be continued,

§ The Flocks bearing flne Wool in Spain, ire dijtmffuishet) by the »ppeIljtion of Trsshuirsiitc j
•sd 19 called from travelling from one end of the kingdom to the other : wintered in Estraniailura,
and other warm provinces; durioR the summer months fhey graje on the moimtiins of C.astille,
X<eaD, and Asturias. On the contrary, those flocks which are always stationary, are, for that r'a»
f 00, called SsUate, and belong to the pTovioces of Estramadura, K^olioa, Cordova^ k otl|er distrlctj ,

tin THE FSOFEB KIND OF SEED VTREAT AND THE CAt'SES OF SMUT AND OTHER
DISOKDRRS TO WHICH THAT GEAIN IS LIABLE.

9y $ir John Sinclair, Bart, President of the Boar4 of Agriculture,

There is reason to believi?, that (he practice of using
young seed, instead of old seed has greatly contrii^uted
to occasion the smut, and the other disorders to whicli
that grain is liable. Any thing that weakens (he plant
must sooner or later be (he parent of the disease. Now,
young seed germinates immediately, and the flower it

ACniCULTUn-AL MUSEUM 69

contains is not so thoroughly ripened ; hence the yonng
plant must be weaker; Whereas, old seed lies a consi-
derable space of time in the ground before it germinates ;
takes a stronger hold of it: the flower by which the
young plant is at fii'sl sustained is in more perfect state;
and the plant itself being strong-er is consequently less
liable to disease. In men and other animals, gradual
growth is a great sign of health and longevity ; and
why should not the same principle extend to vegetables?
It is observed, that the fine thin skinned Amei-ican
wheat, is very apt to suffer by the mildew, owing it is
supposed, to the same? circumstanceSj of early or too rapid
germination.

It is probable, that the practice of using young seed,
might be introduced in times of scarcity, when the high
price tempted the farmer to dispose of the whole of his
old stock. Its speedily appearing above ground, might
be an argument in its favor adverting to the after conse-
quences, which might not be observed at the time, or at-
tributed to other causes. I am informed, that a Mr.
French of Ballirica, who farms in the hundreds of Es-
sex, constantly uses old wheat; in that respect imitating
the example of his father, who w^as led to the practice
by finding that old seed was in general cheaper than new.
It is said, neither he, nor his son, ever had smutted
wheat; and their crops have always been remarkably
good. In their practice, provided the seed was sound
and sweet, size or bulk was not much regarded; age
t)eing the principal object attended to.

These observations are made for the purpose of call-
ing the attention of farmers to so interesting a subject of
inquiry. It is to be hoped, that mapy experiments will
be tried, in various parts of the country, for the purpose
of ascertaining- an important fact, whether new or oli
^eed ought to be preferred, and the grounds thereof

It would be of great use to ascertain, 1st. Whether
the wheat should be preserved in straw or in sacks.
2d. Whether young seed if it must be used, might not be
improved, by being gently kiln dried so as not to hurt
the genu ; by this practice, the grain might be consoli-

fO A-GrKlGirLrVRAL MUSEUM

dated, and the flower on which the plant must at first
be maintained, more fully ripened. 3(1. Whether tlie
smut, which must possess animal or vegetable life, is not
destroyed, or at least weakened, by the wheat bein^
kept for a year. 4th. Whether steeping is as necessa-
ry for old wheat, as fornew. And S.h. Whether it is
not owing to the weakness of the plant and not to blights
or other aerial iniUicnces, that it is liable to smut, and,
other disorders. It is singular, that spring wheat is less
liable to milldew and other disorders than winter wheat ;
%vluch perhaps may be partly owing lo the circum-
stance, that it never can be sown till several months af-
ter it is produced.

It is to be hoped, that many experiments will be tried
in the course of the season, and that the result thereof
will be transmitted to the board of agriculture, to whom
such information must be particularly acceptable. In-
deed, those who commuuicate experiments upon this
subject, will be well entitled to the thanks of the board,
and of the country.

This paper having been transmitted to Mr Arthur
"Young, he returned it with the following remark.

" The advantage of sowing old seed has been long
known in Gloucestershire, and generally practised on tlie
Cotteswold Hills, where they sow so early, that they
cannot use new seed ; and there they do not steep on
that account. In my report for Norfolk, p. 298, you
•will find trials and practice. See also Eannister's Sy-
nopsis, p. 84. [have sown old seed rcpeatedl}-, and ne-
ver knew it smutted See Essex Report, Vol. I.p. 302."

Farmer's Magazine.

ON THE CCJLTUEE OF POTATOES.

Of all the roots produced in our fields and gardens^
none appears to be of so much consequence as the pota-
toe. As food for the poor, they are certainly to be pre-
ferred to turnips ; and might be rendered equally useful
for cattle. As a fallow crop, they tend greatly to meli-

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 71

orate the soil; being in this respect equal to turnips j
and, ill general, pay the owner of the land much better.

Some persons have objected to the general cultivation
of potatoes, from the apprehension of wanting a mar-
ket ; but while they are retailed out at two shillings and
six pence, or even at two shillings a bushel, (and it is ve>-
ry rarely that we can purchase them lower) this apprc*
hension will be groundless.

Add to this, that potatoes maybe very profitably tised
as food for cattle and hogs. No food is better for rear-
ing a\id fattening the latter. Cows and oxen will also
cat them freely, and they are more easily preserved
from frost than turnips ; hence they would prove an ex-
cellent succedaneum at the season when spring food is
most wanted.

If potatoes were introduced regularly in the farmer's
course of crops, on light good soils, great advantages
would ensue. He need not be at the trouble and ex-
pen cc of having them dug up clean. Let him only take
up the best part, and then turn his swine in : they will
gather and fatten on the rest, and repay their value in
the manure they leave behind them.

Potatoes grow best in a soil that is loose and deep,
where the swelling of the roots meet the least obstruc-
tion, and where they draw the greatest nourishment
most easily. On this account, where the quantity in;
tended to be raised is smal!, digging is preferable to
ploughing, But if the land be ploughed deep, and well'
pulveriised, success need not be doubted. They otight
to be planted in lines, eighteen inches apart, and at
twelve or fourteen inches distance in each line or row.
This will give opportunity for earthing them up with the
horse-hoe wliile young, which will greatly promote their
fertility. If the horse-Iioe is not intended to be used,
plant them afoot square, and earth them up with hand-
hoes several times, which, although more expensive, will
repay the cost.

Care should, however, be taken, in the latter hoeings
tspecially, not to go too ucar the plants, lest you cut the

•^2 AGRICtnLTURAL MUSEUM

roots. You need onl}-, after they are weeded by tiatitlj
to draw up tlie earth from tile centre round each plant.
Vast quantities may be obtained by a little additional
labour in keeping ihem clean, and the land will be left
in excellent order for succeeding crops. It is necessary
to observe, that the seme kh\:\s ou<>ht never to be plant-
ed twice together on the same land ; nor the same land
set with potatoes more than two years at the longest.
When laised from the seed, great varieties, and some
excellent new kinds, will be obtained. Balk Papas.

>?>; >>>»^»««<««««^

LltERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL.

The Rev. James Hall, has, for several months past,
been usefully engaged in experiments for procuring lla.^
from broom. This is done by the following process : —
Steep the twigs, of the formcryear's braiiches, preferring
the most vigorous shoots, for two or three weeks, more
or less according to the heat of the season, in stagnant
water, or boil them for an hour, in water. This done,
the flax separates freely from the twigs; and where
there is not machinery for the purpose, it may be easily
stripped ofl' by children, or others, at any time, when not
quite dry ; as hemp is pulled from the stalks. What adds
to the value of this discover}^ is, that on being cleared of
the flax, and steeped for some time in boiling water,
the twigs, or wood, become tough and beautifully white,
and are worth, at a medium, from a shilling to eight
pence a pound, for making carpet brooms, &c. When
stripped from the twigs, the flax requires only to be well
washed in cold water, then wrung, and shaken well,
and hung out to dry, previously to its being sent off to
the paper manufacturers, &c. Professor Davy has
bleached some of it for Mr. Hall, who has also seen it
spun. The same gentleman also observes, that the
fibres of all kinds of mallows are particularly beautiful,
especially the malva sylvestris. They are finer than ca
mol's hair, which they somewhat resemble, and there is
no difficulty in »)rocunrg them.

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM ^3

Extract of a Latter from the same Gentleman, on Vegc-
fable Materials for maJdng Paper.

For some time past, among other pursuits, during my
leisure hours, I have tried a variety of experiments re-
specting the various and least expensive articles from
vvhich paper can be made ; and, partly with a view to this,
I have travelled through the greater part of Scotlandj
Enoland and Ireland. The result of my experiments
anti observations is, that by far the cheapest and most
ready articles from which paper can be made are refuse
of hemp and flax ; and the hempen particles of the hemp
and bean plant.

It is a fact, that about the. generality of mills for beat^
ingand dressing fiemp and flax, a large portion, in some
inland places, amouniing to nearly one half what is car-
ried thither, is either left there to rot under the name of
refuse, or thrown avt'ay as of no Use ; because too rough
and short for being spun or converted into clotk Now^
from the experiment I have tried, I have uniformly
found, that though too rough and short for being con-
verted into cloth, even of the coarsest kind^ the refuse oF
hemp and flax> on being beat and shaken so as to sepa-
rate the strawy from the rough stringy particles, which
can be done m a fev/ minutes by a mill driven by wind,
water, steam, or even by an old blind horse, becomes
thereby as pliable and as useful for making paper, as
the longest and what is reckoned the most valuable part:
of the plant, after it has been converted into cloth and
worn for years.

In its natural state, it is true, the refuse of hemp and
flax is generally of a brown and somewhat dark colour.
But what of that? By the application of a little oil of
vitriol and other cheap ingredients well known to every
bleacher, such refuse, without being in the least injured
for making paper, can in a few hours, if necessary, be
made as white as the finest cambric. By being beat
wh^n wet by a mill or otherwise, it also acquires a coil'
sicierable degree of whiteness, 10

•^^i AUKICLLTURAL MUSLUM

Nor is this all ; for the bine or straw of hops con<aiii&
an excellent hemp for making cloth, canvas, ro})es, ca-
bles and a thousand other articles; also the very best
niaterials for making all kinds of paper. And it is a.
fact, that were even one half of the bine of the hops
raised in the counties of Kent, Sussex and Worcester,
instead of being thrown away after the hops are picked,
or burnt, as is commonly done, steeped for five or six
days in water, and beat in the same Vv ay as is done witli
hemp and llax (independent of what might be got from
scarlet runners, nettles, the hautn of potatoes, &e.) there
wou d be found annually materials enough for threft
times the paper used in the British dominions.

While we admire the rapid progress that is making in
painting, sculpture, engraving, architectyre, coach budd-
ing, and the elegi.t arts in general, one cannot h£;lp be-
ing astonish'^d at the slow progress that is making in
discoveries of the useful kind in various departments.
Though it has not been attended to, nor, so far as I
know, has ever been mentioned by any one, yet it is cer-
tain that according to size, every bean plant contairs,
from :^0 to ."35 filaments running up on the outside, under
a thin membrane, from the root to the very top, all
round; the one at each of the four corners being thicker
and stronger than the rest. It is also certain that next
to Chinese seagrass, in other words the material with
which hooks aresometimes fixed to the ends of fishing-
lines, the filaments of the bean plant are the strongest
and most durable yet discovered. — These, with a little
beating, rubbing and shaking, are easily separated from
the strawy parti when the plant has been a few days
steeped in water, or is damp, and in a state approaching
to fermentation, or what is commonly called rotting.

From carefully examining the medium number of
stalks or bean plants, in a square foot, in a variety of
fi( Ids, and multij)lying these by 4810, the square feet in
an acre, and then weighuig the hemp or fihunents of a
number of stalks, 1 lind that there arc, at a medium,
about '^ cwt. of hcrap oiithcbG iilameiiis iii au acre, ad*

AGRICULTUnAL MUSUEIVI T^

mu'ably ca^lcolated for being converted into canvas, ca^
l)!cs, cordao'e and a thousand other things where strength
and dnrabiiity are of importance, as well as, with a little
jireparation, into paper of all kinds, even that of the most
delicate texture. Now, as there are, at least, 200,000
tlokj horse s^nd other beans, in Great Britain and Ire-
land; and since, where there is not machinery for the
purpose, the poor of each work house, and others both
young and old, males as well as females, might (hemp
Jiaving risen lately from 60 to lOQ pounds per ton) be
iidvantageously employed, and gain something hand-
some for themselves, in peeling or otherwise separating
the filaments from the strawy part of the bean plant, af^
tor the beans are threshed out. Yours, &c.

JAMES HALL,

BOTATSIV,

It appears that in the principal works ofbotany, there are
described 2046 genera, and 19,803 species of plants, of
which 683 genera have but one species, 263 but twO;
171 but three, 12i but four. This enumeration is, how-
ever, only an approximation to the truth, as the works
referred to are defective, and vve may call the number
of described plants 22,000. The first edition of Liu-
naeas's Spzcles Plantarum contained only 7,300.

(London Monthly Magazii^efor January, 1809.]

National Wcdlth.

Mr. Oram, bookseller, st Trenton, is about republish-
ing in a duodecitno volume in boards, at 60 cents. Chan-
cellor Livingston's celebrated '' essay on sheep." This
treatise has been considered of such utility and impor-
tance in the state of New York, that the legisJature of
that state has ordered 1500 copies of it to be distributed at
Ihe public expcnee. We trust indvidiial patronage vviii
render any farther legislative provision unnecessary.
Jf we would arrive at real independence of other nations^
we must cherish the means which abne can make us so
•r-and of these mcpn^ ^heep arc un inipo^'taiit andindis*
pcnsable ^^art.

f6> AGHICtrLTURAlL MUSEUM

WOBURN SHEEP-slIEARING.

THIRD DAY — WEDNESDAY.

The Company, after breakfast, repaired to the slaugh-
ter house, near Woburn Abbey, to view the cai cass&s
pf the fat wethers, shewn aUve yesterday, as follow —

Mr. Blisg. Lord Ongley.

lb. oz. !b. 02

Carcass 92 8 Carcass 102 8

Loose Fat. ...... 10 14 Loose Fat 10 4

Fleece. . . - 7 4 Fleece 6 11

Mr. RuNCiaiAN. JMr. Clayton.

lb. oz. lb. oz.

Carcass . 92 7 Carcass 130 8

Loose Fat. ..... 13 15 Loose Fat ..... . 12 0

Fleece 4 6 Fleece 8 8

Mr. Platt. Mr. Trevor.

lb. oz, lb, oz^

Carcass 112 12 Carcass 85 12

Loose Fat 13 7 Loose Fat 11 12

Fleece 4 0

The company next repaired to the park, where were
exhibited an experiment with Lambert's mole Capstan
draining Plough — the prize Sheep shearing — a choice
collection of seeds of grasses and other agricultural
plants — the process of building a \s a\\ of pise, or com-
pressed earth — various implements of liusbandrj' — a se-
cond shew of South Down Tups — and several Hereford
and Devon Cattle.

About three o'clock the company repaired to the Park
Farm, and sat down to an elegant dinner, his Grace (the
duke of Bedford) in the chair. After which, and several
appropriate toasts, his Grace rose, and proceeded to read
the adjudication of the several Judges, for the dilt'ercnt
classes of his Premiums, as follows, viz.

To Mr. Bithrey, a Gup; for his S-^hear long woolcd fa,t^
wether.

AiJKlCULTUSAL MUSEUM t7

To IMr. John Butficld, a Cup, for his 2-shcar long wool-
cd fat wether, bred in Bedfordshiie.

To R. Trevor, Esq. a Cup, for hjs 2 shear short vvooU
^d fat wether.

To Wm. Runciman, a Cup, for his 2-$hear short wool-
ed fat wether, bred in Bedfordshire-

To Mr. Bliss, a Cup, for bis pen of long vvooled
theaves. *

To Lord Qngley, a Cap_, for liis pen of short wooled
theaves.

To Mr. Trevor, a Cup, for his pen of short vvooled
theaves, bred in Bedfordshire.

The judges for the long-wooled sheep, were Lord So-
inerville, Richard Astley, Esq. and Thomas Crook ; and,
for the short wooled sheep, J. Reeves, Jolm EUnan, jan,
and Henry Boys.

iiis Grace, ou the delivery of these Cups, paid a well
merited compliment to the general excellence of the
sheep exhibited, and of those in particular, to which
prizes had been adjudged.
A Cup was awarded and delivered to Wui. Runciman,
for the best boar under two years old.
There were awarded and delivered to John Bollard, ef
Lidlington, 5 guineas. George Arnold, of Aspley 4 gui-,,
iieas, James Martin of Nor thill, 3 guineas. Job Ar-
nold, of Crawley, 2 guineas. Richard Cozens, of Lid-
lington, 1 guinea, for their respective merits in sheep-
shearing.

Twenty guin-eas u ere adjudged to IMr. Robert Salmon,
for his Planting-plough and Drag; an implement which
was much and very justly cornmended.

The Cup for the best plough was adjudged to Andrew
Wilson, his Grace's bailiff at the Park Farm ; and two
guineas to John Green the holder of it.

Thu'ty guineas vv ere delivered to Mr. William Runci-
man, of Birchnioor Farm, for the most satisfactory com-
parisons of the drill and broad-cast culture of corn, on

tep acres of land ■ —

5 Ewe lambs of the first year.

73 ACiKICULTUriAL MUSEUM

The premiums to careful shepherds were next distfi->
buted, as follows, viz.
5 gs. to J. Sherwood, for raising2ri2 lambs from 205 ewes.

4 gs. to Clark, ^ -'288 236

3 gs. to J. Holland, 735 C13

2 gs. to Nottingham, 581 521— —

1 g to 244 236

His Grace then lamented, that a third year had elap-
sed, without his havings received any claims for the fifty
guineas he had ofifercd, for making ten acres, at the
least, of land, in Bedfordshire, into water-meadow ; es-
pecially, as they had only to view his meadows here, at
Priestley and at Maulden, to he convinced of its immense
advantages. As they might also be, by consulting Mr.
Coke and Mr. Reeves of Norfolk, who were present.
He should, however, continue to offer it for one year-
more ; and should make no other alteration in his pre-
miums, for next year, than omitting that for comparative
trials of drill and broad cast husbandry, the trials having
proved in favour of the drill uniformly.

Tlie printed conditions of premiums for next year,
were then distributed to the company, as also a statement
of drilled and broad cast husbandry, by Messrs. Batchel-
dors, of Lidlington, in Bedfordshire.

His Grace concluded by remarking, that his objects
in these Aleetings were general improvement, and that
of Bedfordshire Husbandry in particular; which he la-
mented much to say, was still disgracefully behind that
of many other counties, a disgrace which he earnestly
exhorted the company present, to do their best to wipe
away, as speedily as possible. His grace then gave,
" Mr. Coke, and Norfolk Husbandry."

Mr. Coke rose and said, that called on as he was to
acknowledge the compliment paid to him, and to Norfolk
Farming; he lamented that h(t could not sit down with-
out joining in the charge brought by their Noble Host,
against much of the husbandry of Bedfordshire, where
little improvement was certainly visible, Often as he

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 7D

hrtd repeated his invitation in that room, to the Bedford-
shii-e farmers, to come down to Holkham, and view the
system here and on the farms of his tenants, few had
availed themse'ves of it. He was proud to state, that
some of his tenants, who were formerly as backward as
themselves, and as prejudiced m favour of old practices
as themselves, Mr. Reeves in particular, who \\ as pre-
sent, were now bright examples of good management.
Norfolk shef^p, continued Mr. Coke, have given place to
Mr. Elman's improved Soutii-down sheep, and drilling
has become general, without any instances of farmers
going ha'^k from Downs to Norfolk sheep, or from drill-
ing to broad-cast corn, and by which practice the car-
lock, and other disgraceful weeds of Bedfordshire, ought
to be got rid f. Mr. Coke concluded by observing, that
Sir Joseph Banks, by his exertions in favour of Spanish
sheep, had rendered a most important service to our ma-
nufactures ; but do they, said he, want mutton ? or can
we have a fine fleece on a fat carcass ? and gave,
" Sir Joseph Bank«, and a fine fleece on a fat carcass."
The worthy Baronet rose, and with much animation
and good humour, thanked the company, congratulating
them that it was at length admitted, that improvement
in wool had been elYectcd: and said, that if the Merino
carcasses were inferior, it was, because their improve-
ment was but just begun. We have, said he, seen New
Leicesters rise from nothing, and no one knows what
breed; and we have seen Downs, formerly like rats ia
size, now rivalling any breed in the kingdom. In Spa-
nish sheep there is as much capability as in Lincolnshires^
which have risen into Bakewells, or in little rats of
South-downs, which have swollen into improved Downs
This speech was much and long applauded.
The company returned to the farm, and a sale of Park
Farm stock tuok place, as follows :

10 South-down Theaves41 guineas, Rev. Sims,

10 ditto 46. i\L-.E'iian

JO ditto. 41 , jMr. Morris.

10 ditto Ewes, two-shear 40 , Mr. Einiau,

80 AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

10 ditto, three shear ... 39 guineas ditto.
lOdtto full mouthed . . 31 . . . , . Mr. J. Moore

A Devon Heilcr,three7 201.2. . . Mr. Smith

years old 3

Ditto. ditto. ..... 26 , . ditto

A Hereford Co;v, seO ^^ ^ ^ _ _ ^j^^^
veil years old. . • . j

Ditto. ditto 22 ..... . Mr. J. Moore

A Devon Bull, aged . . 24 Mr. Coke.

A Hereford Bull, ditto. .GO Mr. Smith.

The company then began to scpaiatej some repair-
ing to the Holkham, and others to the Beechwood Park
fcttSy and Hereford A<T;ricultural Meeting.

Extracted and abridged from the tondon GLOBE, of Jane "2, 1810.

WOOL CARDING.

ScHOLFiELD & HooFMAN havc lately erected a corn-
plete set of Wool Carding Machines at the Adelphi
INlill?, three and a half miles from Bladensburg, Prince
George's County ^Maryland.

This mode of Carding Wool into rolls, is so generally
approved, where ever it has been brought into use, that
there can remain no doubt of its utility. It saves
much labor and time, prepares the wool better for cloth,
and by mi.xing it in larger quantities, renders the cloth
of an even texture and uniform quality; wool of dif-
ferent colours may be nicely mixed — and^the expence is
but 10 cents per pound.

Those who send wool to such machines ought to have
it assorted and washed; matty ends, dirty locks anci
burs must be cutoff; and to every 8 or 10 pounds of
wool, one pound of soft grease should be sent, together
with a shetit sufficiently large to contain the rolls, which
may be carried on horseback without injury, or in a cart
or waggon.

PRINTED FOU AND PlBLISHED B\ DAVID VMLLY.

i^v'ict y 2.0U fortwtiuij four Numbers,
To be ^aia in advance.

AG-HICULTUBAL MUSEUM.

OMNT^ FEIXET OMNIA TELLUS. tiec.

gww'^'Wg'^avatJWJWiwiJ-OTKKgHiKn^^R^ HI III I iiiiBii ■wmiiii iiMii — Mil iimni.

No. 1.] Gcorgdoion, Ca. Sept. 12,1810. [No. 6.

In a number oFthe Counties of Virginia and Maryland,
consifierabie attention has been paid to Agriculture
and Oomestic Manafactiires for several years past
Societies have been formed for the purpose of promo-
ting those important objects — valuable information has
been obtained and communicated to each other — and
great improvements have been made. The Agricul-
tural Museum now affords them the means of extend^
ing the sphere of their usefulness, and of communica-
ting the result of their researches to the community
at large.

JiV ACCOUNT OP A NEW VAKIETT OF WHEAT DISCOVESED IN VIRGINIA, COMMIT-
KICATEU TO THE CULPEVER SOCIETY FOB THE PUOMOTION OF AGKTOULIUEB
AND DOMESTIC MANUFACTURES, BY THE HON. JOHN TAYLOE, ESQ. OF CAEO-

1.1NS.

The history of a forward species of wheat, lately
discovered in'4^irginia, is a short one. A Mr. Isbell of
the county of Caroline in that state, about seven years
past, purchased a quantity of mixed wheat of a merchant,
and having sown it, accidentiy observed when his wheat
was in flower, a single ear almost ripe. Hence he con-
ceived an idea, that it might be a different species. To
determine this, he carefully preserved the wheat pro-
duced by his solitary ear, which has now multiplied to
such a degree, asth..t several thousand bushels will be
made at the next harvest; for it has been distributed into
many hands.

But the character of this wheat^ deserves greater at-
tention; and as in all probability, it has not yet entirely
unfolded its qualities, it is much to be desired, that the best
informed botanical knowledge,, aud the most accurate

U

6'2 AGRICULTUjaAL MUSr.VM

agricultural experiments, were united in its investiga-
tion.

The follouingobserx'ations arise from several trials
upon dilTerent soils, made in the two fast years; a term
so short, that it would be dangerous to allow tlieni an
unsuspicious rtliance.

This wheat is ripe from fifteen to twenty days before
any other — the straw is shorter by about one thiid, tlian
that of any other kind, and the same proportion is main-
tained in the length of the ear. Bat (he ear always has a
lull and prominent appearance. The straw is encum-
bered v.'ith very little fodder.

The circumstance of its ripening so €arly, produces
the following important cftl cts.

1st. It is never liable to be destroyed by the rust or
smut. An effect towards which the nakedness and
lowness of the straw, by allowing more freely the ac^tiou
of the sun and air, must considerably contribute. Upon
this point the experiments appeared to be conclusive.
The two last years were singularly unseasonable upon
wheat in general, after it was in the ear, at the place
where the experiments Avere made, and most so upon
this particular species. But this bid defiance to the pes-
tilence, and wei^f^hed above sixty pounds to the bushel,
whilst all others suffered a lo&s of about one third in
quantity, and did not in weight exceed an average of fif-
ty five. The experiments were made in six different
places. Upon new — old — sUff — light — poor and rich
ground. The different species of wheat were sown on
the same day, contiguous to each other, early and late.

2. Beihg ripe before cockle has arrived to a yegct»-
tivestale, itis never assailed by that enemy. And it is
probable that the seed of die wild onion, may feel a shoY-.lc
from the same cause. As to cheat, it did not make its
appearance among this vvlieat; but it is to be expected, if
this, like other wheat, is liable to degenerate into that
weed-

3. If vegetables extract much of their food from tho
5tmoeidicfc, as the experiments of Doctor Fricstly seem

ASRICt^LTURAL MUSEUM "83

clearly to prove; and if more of this food is obtalnec?^
when the air^s condensed by a degree of moisture, than
when it is in a state of rarefaction, it results, that this
wheat cannot equally impoverish the soil with any otlier
species. Reeauseit comes to maturity before the heats
of summer have driven down vegetables to pasture
themselves, almost exclusively, upon the store of food ab-
sorbed by the earth.

4 Admitting this theoretic argument to be inconch:-
sive,it will not weaken the force of another, which is ex-
perimental. Clover was sown upon four of the six lot?
of this wheat, and also upon other kinds contiguous to it.
The clover, and, where there was no clover, the weeds
succeeding this wheat, surpassed in growth the clover
and weeds succeeding other kinds, so greatly, that their
superior luxurianey was distinguishable, ahnost as far as
they could be discerned. And tho' this effect should be
attributed to the removal of the forward wheat from the
ground, earlier th,an the other^ or to any other cause,
yet it must be acknowledged, that it will have a preser-
vative influence upon the fertility of the soil.

5 Wherever the cfinaate will admit of the cultivation
of artiiicial grasses, the last observation deserves consi-
derable attention. And it is aidable by oth,ers directed
to the same object Before, as well as after the forward
wheat was cut, the growth of the clover sown upon it,
greatly exceeded that of its neighbours. And it also
came up better. Whether this is aseribable to the low-
jiess of the wheat, and its not being burthened by any
operativie weight of fodder, or to any other cause, it is
vet an effect, as recommendatory of it to northern cli-
mates, as its safety against rust is to southern. The pro-
duct of the grass, both for hay and pasture, is greater,
arid it also acquires a strength of constitution, capable of
withstanding the summer heats ? There it almost uni-
versally survived, whilst the contiguous clover, debilita-
ted by being oppressed with a greater burthen of straw,
and to a later period, perished generally in great quan-.
titles, and in spots, entirely.

d4 AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

6. Tf Indian com is cultivated to a considerabre extent^
it usually sutfers at harvest. The harvest of the for-
ward wheat is over, when the corn is yet yo .ng, and
therefore recoverable; whereas it often happens, that it
sustains irretrievable injury, by arriving at an advanced
state, during the neglect incident to the latter harvest.
This also produces a pressure of time, forcing the husf
bandman to work his corn in improper seasons, so as
greatly to diminish the crop.

7. When potatoes, or other vegetables, vi'hich are ga-
thered late in the fall, are used as a fallow crop, the re-
pugnancy of this wheat to the rust must be highly re-
couunendiitory ; because late sowings are ever most
liable to this misfortune.

With respect to the strav^', which, including the fod-
der, is inferior in quantity more than one third, to that of
other wheat, it occurs lo observe,

1. That this circu'nstance produces a saving of at
least one third of the labour, of cutting — gathering up-
carting — stacking — and threshing.

3. That the wheat never lodges.

3. That it may alm^dst in every instance, be cut by th4
scythe.

4. That the straw is not liable to be damaged by th6
rust.

5. That the grain, before and afler the wheat is cut,
is not liable to an equal risque from rain, with the latter
wheat, because the straw dies faster, and is gotten ia
sooner.

It will be objected, that this circumstance diminishes
the great fund for manure. To this it is answered, that
the straw is only an oflal of the crop. That no crop can
be cultivated for the sake of the otfal. T at the impo-
verishment of the soil by the growth of straw is ppoba-
h\y regulated by the quantity produced. That this ar.
gument unites with the reasons before given, to sustain
an inference, that it will require the whole surplus of
straw, produced by the latter wheat, to repair its siuplua
cf injury to the soil. bc\ond the ftuwauk Ai.u ihi:*.

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 85^.

though it be adsnitedj that any given quantity of hind, in
the latter, vvii! produce more straw, than the same quan- >
tity i^ the forward, it does not i"ol!ow,'that the same ef-
fect would flow, from a given quantity of hibour ; be-
cause the savings of labour, being equal to the defici-
ency of straws, may be converted to tJie increase of the
crop, and thus more than compensate for that dcticiency.
Besides, if these ai'gumcnts are just, they exiiibit an ar-
ticle of agricultural econom}', of great importance. The
%vho!e labour of removing the surpUis of straw, produced
by the latter, beyond the forward wheat — of converting
it. into manure — and of restoring it to the soil, is saved,
and nothing is lost by the soil from ths saving, because
the forward wheat does not take this surplus from the soil.

The shortness of tiie ear, is the next o!)ject of consi-
deration, as it obviously j)rognosticates a diminution of
the crop.

It is evident, tliat an ear, one third longer, if >vell filled
taust produce the most wheat. But it cannot be con-
cluded from hence, that an equal quantity of land, or of
labour, %vill produce more latter than forward wheat.
Because,

1. As to the land, it may bear being sown one third
thicker in forward w!)eat, than in latter, and if so, the
objection arising Irom a deficiency of straw, is also re-
moved. But if witJi an equal quantity of seed, the crop
of giain will be equal, and rhe land can bear a proportion
of the forward seed beyond the latter, it follows that the
crop per acre of the forward wheat will be greater.
Whilst it will impoverish the soil less, by reason of being
separated from it soonest. Nor is this improbable, be-
cause all the exclusive casualties to wliich the latter
\vheat is liable, ought to be taken into the computation.
And because the grain of the forward wheat^ is almost
invariably best filled and heaviest.

2., Should this expectation turn out to be groundless
as to an equal quantity ct'lund, yet it may be safldy af-
firmed, that an equal quantity cflubour, v/ould- nt least
produce an equality in the crops, boih as to grain and
Straw. More ground might be kept iu tliiage, because

86 AcnicirLTunAL mcseum

it would be less impoverished. An improvement in the
fertility of the soil, would be effectuated. And all the
exclusive calamities to which the latter wheat is liable,
avoided.

To form a comparative average of these rival crops,
would require a long succession of accurate experi-
ments, as the o-nly means by which a just computation of
the exclusive calamities, so inimical to the latter wheats
could be made. During the two years' experiments be-
fore mentioned, the forward wheat had the advantage
of the latter, in every respect,, and in all soils. The crop
^vas greater by the acre — in increase — for the labour —
heavicsti — and the straw was the most valuable. But these
results, though related, are not to be relied upon, to infer
another result, in the case of both kinds arriving to a
state of complete perfection.

The grain of the forward wheat is harder than that of
any other, with whiehit has been compared — it is large
— plump — white — and produces flour both in quantity
and quality, equal to the best latter white wheat. This
hardness of the grain, conspires with the inferior growth
of straw and fodder, to lessen the liability of the for-
>vard wheat, to sprout in the field, either before or after
it is cut. An effect, to which its ripening in cooler wea-
ther, also contributes.

It is very probable that this species of wheat, would
be an useful acquisition to those countries, which have
summers so shorjt, or climates so hurried, as to cause ma-
ny impediments to the culture of wheat. Should it suc-
ceed, labour would be lessened, and the crops rendered
more certain. Such a probability suggests the propriety
of introducing it into Great Britain ; because, whilst it
might benefit that country, it might open a temporary
branch of commerce to this, of considerable importance.
And if, as is possible, it should be found that our soil
and climate operated particularly against the degenera-
cy of the wheat, its exportation for seed, might be a trade
of comsiderable duration.

JOHN TAYLOR.

Philadelphia, January 1, 1794,

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 87

For the, As:ricultural Museum.

o
THE IMPBOTEMEKT OF MERINOS IK TB£ VTaTED STATES,

J^tract of a letter from Chancellor Livingston, to 3fn
Custis of Arlington, dated '■Zdth June, 1810.

My sheep shearing this year offers the I'ollovving cu"
rious and encouraging facts : —

The average of the fleeces of my three stock rams, was
tipwards of nine pounds fourteen ounces; and one of them
weighed 11 lb. 11 oz. v»'hich sold at /^ per lb. as it came
IVom the sheep's back. I believe the United States have
never before vvitne^ised a tloece that sold as this did,
at more than >f23. — The average of the ewes' fleeces,
the whole ntfmber being 196, was equally interesting, as
y^u will see from t!ie following statement: —

lb. oz. lb oz.

Half bred ewes averaged 6 1 heaviest fleece, 8
3-4 do, do. 5 3 heaviest fleece, 7 9

T8 do. da, . 5 6 heaviest fleece, 8 ^

i^Lili bred, do. 5 13 heaviest fleece, 8 13

From this it appears, that the weight of the fleeces is
proportioned to the purity of the blood, and that in cros-
sing with these sheep we not only gain in the value of
the wool, but in its quantity, which [ am told is more an
object in your state than the quality. If so, cross your
long vvoolcd ewes with Clermont JNIerino rams, and I
am persuaded that you will add to the weight of their
fleeces. The next thing worthy of observation is the im-
provement on my stock since the last year; the average
of my full bred ewes was then only 51b. 2 oz. this year
they have gained nine ounces per head, though the keep
was exactly the same. I attribute this to two causes,
ftrst to the better selection of rams, which I am no.w able
to make, admiting none to my flock that are not very line
^nd that yield less than 9 lb. of wool ;— and next, to the
general improvement occasioned by keeping and cli-
mate, for it is upon the young ewes that the gain is most —
tilc 9\i ones remaijiing as they we*c last year. A third

•^8 AG III CULTURAL MUSEUM

inrcrcncc fro-m these facts is, that it will be ven,' practica*
ble to have alioclc of ev»'es, who.ic fleeces sliall avcr;ige
at least 8 lb. — forif some g-ive 8H>. 12 oz. and scvprulSlK
-there can be no doubt that when i bc<;in to select my
ewes as I do my rams, and sell those that ha\c tlie
Jightest or coarsest fleeces, I may biing them to 8 Ib.-
whichis about the standard of the Rambouillet Hock—
and more than the double of the flocks of Spain, It \*
by this mode of proceedurc that tlie flock of Rambouil-
let is so very superior to the Spanish flocks, both in tl/c
quantity and the quality of the wool. — What will be th'n
state of our manufactures when your farmers, instead of
a few ragged sheep, keep flocks of 1000 Merinos, which
any farm of 1000 acres may conveniently do? And Icfc
me add, what will be the diirerence in the circumstances
of the farmer, who receives IGCOO Dollars a year for his
wool, with less expence thanit costs him to make lOOO
Dollars by bis tobacco ?

Extract From Lord Somervllle's Essay on Sheep.
Conlinued from page G8.

The Merino fleece is, in colour, unlike that of any En-
glish breed. There is a dark brown tinge on the surface
of the best fleeces, amounting almost to a black, which is
formed by dust adhering to the greasy, yolky properties
of its pile; and the contrast between it and the rich
white colour within, as well as that rosy hue of the skin,
peculiarly denoting high proof or aptitude to fatten, sur-
prise at first sight. The harder the fleece is, the more it
resists any outward pressure of the hand, with certain
exceptions, the more close and fine will be the wool.

On their first importation, there was a great deficiency
of milk in the ewes, as well as a tendency to barrcnneFS,
which is now ascertained to have arisen from the severe
journeys to which this race of sheep is twice in the year
riubjecttid, when in Spain, and to which their valuable
properties have been blindly attributed They arc now
regular in their time of lambing; their adders are as full.

A^RJCUI^TURAL IvtUSEUfl OC

d'ad tilcy are as goed nurses as any sheep I have cvet
tten. It NTas not til! some yedrs after their arrival in this
country, when th.ey had become inured to the climate,
that any instance of double lambs occurred, now it is not
an unfrequcnt occurrence.

That power to influence tlie character of a flock, which
is said to exist in the male rather than in the female, is
here apparent; first, in as much as the polled rams of this
breed, which are occasionally to be found, if descended
from a polled ram, will produce male stock having a
tendency to be without horns, or at least to have only
snaghorns ; and, on the other hand, the get of the Meri-
no ram, on shearling ewtis got also by hiiiiself, have a
strong tendenc}' to horns, almost equally so with the we-
thers of this breed, rvhich resemble very much the small
original Dorset wether ; for this reason, I judge that a
cross between the best shaped Merino ram, and the old
Dorset ewe, will be excellent, because the outward cha-
racter being much alike, the want of quantity and quality
of wool, in the Dorset breed, will be corrected in the
most striking manner ; this tendency in the Merino
sheep, to grow wool in abundance, must add materially
to the health of the flock, by covering the most vital and
tender parts of the body, namely, the belly and the breast.
The effect of a Spanish ram on tlic lii-eces of a horned
flock, such as the Dorset, the Welsh (a sheep of neat
frame), on the Wiltshire, the Norfolks, the Dartmoor^
the Scotch, and indeed the whole race of horned moun-
taineers, will be neither more nor less than a very great
increase of profit on the fleece, with very little, if any,
injury whatever to the form of the animal. And when
"we consider, that the fleece makes an annual return, the
rental as it were, and that a quick return is allowed to
be the farmer's best object, while the carcass, like the fee,
can only be once so'd, we may express alike our sur-
prise and regret, that sucn fatal supineness should have
thus long prevailed, on a subject of thr most manifest im-
portance, botii to the teuunt and the landlord.

so AGRieULTUilALHiUSErM

Attention has not been paid, in Spain, to the forrrt of
their shcv'ji ; and it must be evident to every judge of
stock, that a journey from tiie mountains of Ihc north to
the plains of the south of Spain, cannot be otherwise than
productive of more injury to the fi-ame and constitution
of the animal, thanof benelit to tlie llceee, wiiich, hice the
frame, is dependent on and nourished by the blood.
Does it stand to reason, that a long chift of four or five
liundnd miles every spring and autumn, and that at the
rate of eighty or a hundred miles per week, can be bene-
ficial to sheep ? Undoubtedly not. Have we a single
breed which eould support it uiunjured? None, which
Would not have been hunted into deformity.

So far from thinking hot climates necessary to fine
■wool, ^vc know that coarse-fleeced sheep are to be found
in many parts of Spain ; that in Portugal, wool, unmixed
with JNIerino blood, is, of the coarsest quality. We
know too, that after shearing, every pile is coarse, and
improves, both to the eye and touch, as the autumn ad-
vances. No race of sheep has ever been seen, even in
this northern climate, to be more impatient of heat, of
more oppressed by it, than the Merino. By due attenti-
on to food; by moderation and equality of keep; by
shelterin the winter months ; and by those common re-
gulations which induce heahh in the animal itself, we shall
stand as high, as to the produce of wool and meat, as any
nation in Europe. One inference may be clearly dedu-
ced froni the long drift and yolky fleece of the JVlerinos ;
namely, that they are eqiial, if not superior, to any breed
in these kingdoms to work in the fold. We may add,
that the length and thickness of wool covering their belly
and hind legs, together with a closeness of pile on the
back and loins, must of necessity enable them to sup-
port more severity of cold and wet than any breed as yet
introduced among us ; unless we admit, that length and
lineness of vvool are inseparably coimected with weak-
ness of constitution, which evidence from all quarters for-
bids us to do. With respect to the yolky fleece above
neticed, this property aloae demoiistitttes the supciiority

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 91

of this Vvoolto all others, for every purpose of clothing'
manufacture ; and as it is occasionally found in other
breeds of short wool sheep, I think it right to enlarge a
little upon it. — By " yolk," is meant that yellow sub-
stance which escapes fi-oni tl)e skin, and is to be found in
the wool of every Merino sheep, w hen in health and goodi
condition. Tiiis singular property it is which qualifies
wool for the milling or felting process, and which, in
fact, makes the difference between good and bad cloth.
It is the surest symptom of health in sheep; and I can-
not help considering it as similar to those wholesome se-
cretions in other animals which are the invariable con-
comitants of health, if not cairied to excess: I mean that
cold dew which we iJnd in i\\^ nose of the ox and cow;
this moisture dried up, is the first and surest sign of fe-
ver; so, in the human species, when the nasal discharge
is regular, health prevails ; in fever, it constantly disap-
pears. I may be mistaken in calling these properties
analogous; I amnotin stating that they are severally the
surest criterion of health and disease. When a sheep
is fatted, this yolk is thrown out in an increased degree;
and, in our English breeds, would prol^ably be attended
with a deterioration of the wool ; but in the JMerino race
of sheep, as far as my pi-actice has gone, it adds only to
the length of the pile. T see no deficiency of yolk in Me-
rino sheep in England, well kept and inured to the cli-
mate ; and I am decidedly of opinion, that it is the best
proof we ca.. ! ^'ve to guide us, that any climate is not too
severe, whilst the yolk rises. If it will rise in Lapland
Merino sheep will prosper there.

In other respects, these sheep are not much unlike
some English breeds. The rams, indeed, have a buff
tinge in their countenance ; they may reach 17 lbs. a quar.
ter, when tolerably fat ; the ewes arc not low on their logs,
arc very fine in bone, and may reach 11 lbs. a quarter-
There are various opinions as to their origin ; Mr. Toilet
thinks it, may be traced from Asia JNiinor, and Greece^
into Italy ; from thence, probably, into Spain. Colu-
m.^lla, and other writirs, call thein '• Tcircnlinc sbeejv*

93 AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

from the c'liy of Tarentum. We have it recorded, that
they originally came from England in the beginning; of
the fourteenth century : be this as it may, it is high time
they return to it again : for although there are difterent
opinions as to their origin ; wiUiin a few years there will
be but one as to their value. {To be continued.

On the mannRi of making Wine from th« Native Grape, and the aiJvactages to be derived frooi
iia cultivation. By JOSEPH COOPEB, of New-Jersey.

I gather the bunches of grapes when fully ripe and
dry: separate rotten or unripe from the s.ound and
good, (the former may be distilled for brandy). For
making the wine, I open the cider or apple mill, go as
not to mash the stems or seeds, then run the grapes
through it to break all the berries ; let the mashed fruit
stand in a tight vessel ten or twelve hours, then lap it in
clean straw, first made damp on the cider press floor,
and then press the juice out as clean as possible. Then
take the pumice, moisten it with^vater, let it stand as
above, and press it again, add the liquor to the other,
and then add sugar agreeably to the acidity of the grape.
I have found from half a pound to one pound per gallon
to b*- sufficient, and the white Havanna sugar the best.

When the sugar is dissolved, put it in a cask for fer-
mentation ; fill it night and morning to work out the
tilth. When it discharges a clear white froth, check the
fermentation gradually by putting the bung in slack,
tightening it gradually till the liquor is in a tranquil state,
then rack it into a clean cask, or return it into the same
after having rinsed it well with gravel and water. I
find it best to put into the cask a pint or pint and half of
French or good Apple brandy, to each gallon of the
cask's contents ; then fill it about one quarter full of the
%vine, 6urn a sulphur match suspended in the bung hole,
and stop it while burning", after which shake it well to
incorporate the smoke and liquor ; then fill the cask if
you have a sufficient quantity, if not fill it with what is
filtered from the lees, which should be done by sus-
pending it in a bag made of linen or flannel, in the form
of a cream sirainer, over a broad vessel, returning it as it

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM SS

runs, till it drops clear : — The liquor thus procured from
the lees, improves the other, as its flatness assists in tran-
quih'zing it. In about a month it should be racked again
and [find letting it dribble or pass slowly through the
atmosphere into an open VvJssel, assists in giving it the
quality of age. 1 have repeated the racking several
times and found benefit from it. When made in the
above way it generally fines itself; if not, it may be fined
as other wines are.

Taking into consideration with what ease and expedi-
tion grape vines may be propagated to advantage, the
great expence and uncertainty of being supplied from
fpreign countries, and the base and dangerous practice
of adulteriition by many of the venders of w inc, I am
induced to urge the propagation of grape vines, especi-
ah'y in such places where shades are wanted, as thcv may
be placed and ti. lined in such manner as fancy and con-
Teniencemaj' direct — Grape Vines are better for shades
than trees, and if placed on horizontal arbors between the
Jirst and second stories of houses, will not obstruct air or
prospect. And is the most favorable situation for the
production, quality and protection of the fruit.

Experience has convinced me that the best kind of our
native grapes is ihc most proper to plant and cultivate
in our country, as they are proof against the severest
winters ; are not so subject to blast or rot on the vines as
foreign grapes, placed in situations wlierc they can have
the full benefit ofsoil, sun and air. Spread on horizon^
tai arbors and properly trained every spring, their pro-
duction and quality will exceed the expectation of any
who have not seeti it tried.

As there are in the United Slates numbers of persons
from countries wliere the best of w ines are i^iade in
abundance, many of them must have a thorough know-
ledge of the business ; 1 hope some of them will favor
the public with an account of the process ; mine must be
imperfect as it is only experimental.

There has Ijeen made in the town of Meadvillf, Penn. this year, between 700 and ROO gallons
of currant wine, little inferior iii flavor, body, and appearance to the best Sbcriy. Tic ayerago
eojt of tliis wiaa will cot t-^icced tiUy ccuts per gallun.

f5i AGRICBTLTURAL, MUSEUM

♦the post-office establishment.

When we look back and see what our country was a
few years ago, and consider what it is now, we cannot
fail to be astonished at its growth. The old world fur-
nishes no example of the kind. Indeed, so rapid is tic
advance of improvement, that our minds are scarcely
able to keep pace with its progress, and we are almost
led to deny the evidence of our senses. — The traveller,
as he proceeds on his journey, passes a wilderness ; and
behold! on his return, as if by magic, the wilderness is
converted into a fruitful garden, and blossoms with a,
thousand sweets.

One hundred years ago, the whole importations into
North America did not amount to -^2.000.000 annually.
Fifty years afterwards, the imports had increased to
twenty millions of dollars ; and in 1807, the auties alone,
on imports into the United States (making no deduction
for drawbacks) cxceedi'd twenty-six millions of dollars?
a sum equal to the export trade of Great- Britain to all
the world a century ago.

Should no untoward circumstance interrupt the pros-
perity of our country, a few years will place us entirely
grndependcnt of the products of Europe, and our physi-
cal strength may bid defiance to the united clTorts of her
arms.

Among the improvements in the United States, there
ii?, perhaps, no one that has advanced more rapidly, or
proved more extensively useful, than that of the transpor-
tation of the mail. There is not a man of literature or
business in the nation who does not constantly experience
its benefits. Yet very few give themselves the trouble
to reilect a moment on its importance. In point of public
utility, it holds a rank but little inferior to printing. Co-
pies may be multiplied at the press, but, without this es-
tablishment, how limited must be their distribution ! By
the extensive and rapid transportations of the mail, the
transactions of each part of the country arc circulated,
as if on the wings of the wind, through the whole. The
n^crcliAnt, without leaving his counting house, learns the

AGRTCULtURAL MUSEUM 95

L-late of the market from Orleanp to Maine, and gathers
in a fe vv hours, from the arrivals at every port, the course
of trade in Eirope : while commerce derives, from quick
and certain intelligence, a new and vigorous impulse.

Behold yon group of eager politicians waiting the ari'i-
val of the mail! How frequently they enquire the time !
A minute has elapsed since it should have arrived, and
their impatieiice has become ungovernable. The lively
interest excited by its delay discovers how much it con-
tributes to our interest or our happiness. The lover,
too, is indebted to this establishment for the favor of his
absentmistress. Her letter is brought him, the seal yet
moist, and even the kiss it contains has not lost its fra-
grance, althoug-h an hundred leagues have been passed
since her rosy lips impressed it.

Benjamin Franklin was the first superintendant of this
department — Since the period of our revolution it has
been constantly advancing to perfection, under t!ie direc-
tion of a Pickering, a Habersham, and a Granger.

The following table will give a tolerably correct idea
of the improvements in this department since 1793 ; and
while it shews that much was done under other superin
tendants, it also proves, that a great deak has been ac-
complished under the present Post-master General. It is
not surprising that there should be some interruptions ia
transporting the mail which runs five millions of miles in
file year. Nor is it matter of the least wonder, that,
among two thousand Post-masters, there should be some
inattentive or disobliging. But, in a business so exten-
sive, employing so many persons, and in which tlu least
f lilure excites so much sensibility, it is rather singular
that there is not a greater interruption and more cause
for compla'nt. And surely it is neitlier generous ncc
just, to ascribe, as is too frequently the car e, every failure
tQ the Postmaster General. I scorn that narrowness of
spirit that denies to merit its reward. The liberal mind
wid disdain to be influenced, by the spirit of party to
withhold the meed of honest and well deserved praise
^om a public oliiccr In perfoniung the duiics of Post-

93

AGP.rCULTURAL r.iusEuni

master General, Mr. GriMigcr iias rliscovcrofi thosd cir
larked views, that liherality of sentiment, and that devo-
tion to the public interest, that will secure to him the ap-
probation of every man, whose good will is worth pos'-
sesbing. X.

O .tl

1) u

1 T)

■5 -.

5 2

T =

<- w 2

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s

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1

•1 = 1

1 '^

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ii^

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,

Jliles ,

Miles

Milps ■

Miles

Miles

JIarch 3,

1793

10,?

5f,i0

Si.;7

7i;e2

16229

8J39SS

>la.ch 3,

1797

i39

11220

14 91)3

19703

Silvio

1 7 99720

March 3.

J801

957

21840

21 100

34.)S0

5 S 8 7 U

30579645

JjiiVy 24, ,

1803

1883

2445 8

30172

37228

6T400

3501800

^ouuary.

1807

1S48

3IBI6

41523

4.^1100

Sfii2S

44994Jr§

1809

2000

3.esoo

43851

5l..»2

95433

49625 164

§Mr Grans"r entered upnn tV.c tliifies of Pojt mastrr General in Derember, 180 1 ,
§ Since llie 3d of March, 18J1, the post ruads lave increased 44 3-4 p*r cent. The eslah'lsh-
Ift.'ivt of mail coadies U:>k increased 69 1-2 per cent, which are of incalculable utility to the citiieifs
peoer.illy, independent of the great additional securrty to the mails. The daily transportatiUn by
9ta.re has Increased 2427 miles, and the whole daily transportation baa increased 3950 miles.
§ Oi wUicUit is carried in stagej 2,280,252 iu sulkies iud on horseback 2,682.2i;4.

I^ort Folio.

milP CH.\NNEL TO GEORGETOWN.

The CorporatioT^ of Georgetown have adopted m'-asures for restoring their Ship Channel, which
ttad tecoine ohstruetcd by flats and shoals, a short distaiiee be'ow tbe Town. Thomas IMoors
and David Newlin have contracted lo put certain Wings and other works into the Bivor, so as to
Connne fhc chrrent, and cause ft to sweep along the shore of the City of Vasliinglon, where the
t<3ttom is soft, and eatilv utoveable by an encreased motion of the watkr. They are to complete
the works Oiis season and to support them for two years, for SOOO Dollars. If at tbe end of that
tiuio there shall be fifteen feet water, from the Eastern Branch up to Georgetown, they ate to re"-
ceive 2000 Dollars more ; if there shall not be fifteen feet water throughout, tliey are to ex-
pend, from their own funds, a sum not exceeding 3000 Dollars, in additional works and labour to
•ttain tJiat object Tbe Corporation of the City of Wasbinsjton have eoncurred in the measure, and
tanctioned it by a pubic .Act. Its success can hardly be doubted, and it is confidently expected
that very fio;iortial advantages will r«tult' therefrom, both t» tiia City of Washington, sud to George-

tSWD.

PRINTED FOR AND PUBLISHED BY DAVID WILEY.

Price >y 2.50 fortivcnty four Numbers,
To be paid in advancQi-

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM.

©MNIS FERET OMNIA TELLUS. VIRG.

Vol. l.J Georgetown, Ca. Sept. 26, 1810. [No. 7.

^lu ' ,,'.., j::^^

;QUBBLES addressed to the EDiTOB OP T0E AGKiOlTLTUBAI, HVSBVM.

Query 1. Arc your Citizens, Planters and Farmers,
ijufliciently aware of the importance of savings, makinsj
and using manures ? It may be laid down as a general
principle, that every mode of cultivation which does not
employ these great fertilizers, will ultimately impover-
ish the land, render the crops smaller and smaller, make
the cultivator move on the descending scale, and turn his
farm into a sinking fund. On the other hand, where ma-
nures are largely applied, and the lands judiciously cul-
tivated, they become more and more productive every
year, and the cultivator goes on increasing his property
like the accumulations of compound interest, in a bad
mode of cultivation, the crops are eventually diminished,
while the expences continue much the same, or arc per-
liaps increased, until the latter entirely swallow up the
former. But in an ameliorating culture, the produce
continually increases, while the capital (that is the quan-
tity of land) continues the same, the labour and expen-
ces become less and less in proportion to the produce,
and the clear gains of course greater and greater.
What a contrast between the two modes ! How vast the
difference both to the individual and the country !

Query 2. Is the value of Ashes, especially of leached
ashes, as a manure well understood? I have known 8
Cents a bushel given for dra\yn ashes, by experienced
farmers, and they declare it to be at that price a cheap
manure. It requires but little labour in carting and put-
ting it Qii tire land^ to what an equally efficacious quantity

1«

98 AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

of Barnyard manure does — hs effects arc great and sin-
gularly durable. It is applied with decisive benefit to
Indian Corn, Rye, Wheat, Clover and Turnips, A
spriiikling of ashes over old grounds of moderate quali-
ty, will produce large crops of Turnips of excellent fla-
vour.

Query 3. Might not much more orcharding be profita-
bly introduced on man}' farms in your part of the coun-
try? This I should suppose would be paiticularly the
Casein the county of Montgomery, &c. Our orchard
jrrounds in the Northern and middle States are exceed-
ingly valuable. This year in particular the apples ou
farms of from 100 to 300 acres will, when simply convey-
ed to the distilleries, be worth from i,^' 75 to ^' 250 ; and
when the proprietors make the cyder themselves, the va-
lue will be increased. These orchard grounds at the
same time aflford rich pasturage, a good burthen of hay,
or a valuable cro|3 of grain. The increase oi orcharding
would naturally bring with it an increase of distilleries,
the business of distilling cyder would be carried on to
greater perfection ; and finally the liquor thus manu-
factured would prevent the importation of immense
quantities offoreign spirits.

A distant Coi^respo7idctit»

Extract from Lord Somerville^s Essay on Sheep

Continued from page 92.

&^»««

As to distempers, I krww of none to which this breed

is peculiarly subject. It has been said, that they were

subject to constant foot rot; it is infectious, if sheep

oncealVected are suffered to remain long in the flock ;

but originates in the corrosive properties of the night

dews and exhalations arising from them, as I judge, and

not from animalcules, as some have supposed. In Spain

the flocks are never let out of the fold to feed, until the

departure of the morning dews, which afc deemed prc%

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM ^

Judicial to slicep, and may in part occasion thajt well-
known disorder, the rot in the liver. There is little
doubt, that it is the immediate occasion of the foot rot,
which, in this climate, rarely makes its appearance be-
fore St Bartholomew's Day (the 25th of August), when
the dews usually begin to make tlieir appearance, as is
expressed by the old adage — " St. Bartholomew brings
on cold dew.'' The remedy, if iostiintly applied, is cer-
tain ; — a caustic wash rubbed in between the hoof, wili
stop the stripping of the skin, and the horn of the hoof
toward the toe being cut away (so as to see the clear
transparent horn), leaves no room for this foetid sub-
stance to get bold of the foot. Great care must be taken,
not to cut away the extreme })oint of the hoof called the
" toe-vein," because it deprives ihe foot of due circulati-
on of the blood ; in otlier respects, the foot cannot be
pared away too close : when the corrosive styptic has
been rubbed in, let the sheep be kept in a dry place, to
allow the remedy to have its due effect; and separatethe
stripped and lanie sheep from the Jlock for two days,
and the disease wlW disappear : if it is to be seen for more
than forty-eight hours in the same animal, it is generally
the fault of the shcjih.crd. The diseiise has been suppos-
ed inherent in the land : I am of opinion this is not the
ease, because 1 know that land, supposed to be deeply
tainted, has lost (judging from the sheep depastured on
jt) all vestige of the disease, although unbroken, and not
even manured on the sw^ard, which happened to be vcvy
old. On that part of the author's farm on which the Me.
rino sheep usually depastured, the foot rot prevailed to
the greatest degree when occupied formerly by the hea-
vy long-wool slicep of that district; it has been com.
pletely subdued for several yearg.

The}' are subject to no conslitutional disease, froTH
which other breeds are exempted, after the lambs have
%veathered the first three weeks, and even during that
period, only from the shortness of the wool when fii*st
dropped^ a diificuUy to which all fiiiewoollcd sheep are

100' AGRICULTtJRAL MU2hEUjM

subject. § But it requires no remedy beyond that com-
mon caution practised b}'^ all the careful flock -masters o€
South Britain, namely, without shutting up the ewes and
lambs in dose confined buildings, which are injurious, to
drive them into some sheltered homestead, out of the
reach of the cutting blasts of wintry winds and drifting
snows, which even in the southern parts of our island,,
make dreadful havoc where flocks have been left so ex-
posed. I know of no farmers more attentive to this
substantial good husbandry, than the farmers of the
South I>owns. In Spain the sheep arc carefully housed
during the night, or in cold raw weather, for some days
after shearing; they are sweated a day or two before
this operation, to make the wool part well from the body,
and, perhaps, to add something to the weight. If, in one
uniform temperature of chmate, this treatment is essen-
tial to the health df sheep, and beyond a doubt it is so ;•
howmuch more is it necessary in the variable and un-
certain climate of Great Britain ? Yet numbers of us
have never given a moment's thought, to what we may
suppose would be self-evident to men of any capacity
whatever; although we cannot command a temperate
or steady climate, much of its severity maybe counter-
acted by cheap and simple means. In the mountainous
or hilly districts, essential benefit to the wool may be de-
rived from attention to aspect and elevetion, as well as
soil ; and where this attention has been paid, wool is of a
superior quality It is also familiar to every farmer
whatever, that the value of the carcass is much infinen-
ced by an attention to this circumstance : by stocking
the higher ground in summer, where fresh air maybe
found ; and low, well sheltered lands, lying to the south,

§ N»tur« seonn to have (juarJed with peculiar care this race, as if conscious of the value of what
in h«r bouDty she was givinR to man ; f >r, strange as it may appear, it is no le^s true, that wheQ
they are first dropped, the lambs aie covered with a Iodr down or hair, which, in the period of a
month, falls off, andis a sure pro^ostie of the finest quality of wool. Whether this exCTanrdinary
covriog is thicker, or more frequently found in cold cliaiates than in warmer ones ; or whether it
classes tliem tlius next in ^adation to the Laaa, or (llose other animals which, under a hairy co-
vering, carry thatdowDy wgolsu ccleb(ated ia A:i2, ij a fjcs.'ioD rattier lot c^c uttfisX.ist thiin i^a
tnubaaduaa.

AGRICULTURAL JMUSEUM 101

wtien winter advances; but though known, this is for
ever neglected m practice.

Sheep, in some vales, particularlv of the southern and
western districts, where inclosures are small, and the
circulation of fresh air impeded, will pay tittle or nothing
duringthe summer montb-s, let the keep be ever so good,
owing to the feeat and that instinctive terror which they
have of the magiJfot or blowfly. In tlxe three winter
morhths again, all men consider themselves fortunate, if
their store flock iose nothing in condition. Reasoning
on our own knowledge, and on facts long established,
need any stronger argument be adfli\ced to show, how,
attentive we must hereafter be to such a system, if wc
had not at this hour, sheep in every part of the kingdom
dying by thousands, of cold and want of keep ? It is
cheaper to feed the outside than the inside ; yet plain as
all this seems to be, the practice is rarely, if any where,
to be found but In Herefordshire; therefore it is, that the
Ryeland is next in quality to the Spanish wool ; and
Spanish writers themselves confess it

it must not be su|jposed, that 1 am suggesting costly
buildings for the purpose of cotting sheep in the oight
time during cold weather; two objections arise to them ;
they are not moveable, and may want fresh air, unless
high and large, for air and warmth are equally necessary
to sheep at these seasons. I^iothing can be more simple
than that cot or covered fold I wish to reconjmend for
general adoption during the cold months.

A circular wall 12 feet high, inclosing an area of 10
jiards diameter, and on the inside of this wall, a shed, tha
roof of which slopes inward with an easy descent to 6
feet, will completely shelter a fiock of many hundred
sheep ; as may be seen on the farm at Crawley, near
^Voburn, the property ot'his Grace the Duke of Bedford.
Another fold yard for, sheep is to be seen at Betshang-
er,near Deal, in Kent, composed of the cheapest and
rudest materials, situated in a deep chalk-pit. The ex-
cellence of the South Down flock occupying it. contrast-
ed w^ththe oeconqmy ofitsaccommodalionj cannot failto

102 AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

tlo credit to the good sense and j^ood management of Mr
Boys, who farms it Where snow is likely to be drifted,
such pits should be protected by a mound or bank round
the top; this precaution would be requisite also as a se-
curity to stock depasturing near it.

In Herefordshire, corn-stacks are the sheds un-
der which the Rycland sheep seek for shelter ; this
also is a profitable and oeconomical arrangement, be-
cause the staddles must be built high enough to keep the
corn out of the reach of vermin, and the height which is
sufficient to effect this purpose, is ample for the shelter «>f
a flock of sheep.

Two frames, one of them fastened to the back of hur-
dles, either round the fold, or if only half round it, on
that side where the wind is, and the other forming a pent-
house, or cover, towards the inside of the fold, resting on
a pole of four or five feet in height, with a declivity of
fourteen or fifteen inches, to allow the rain to run off,
will give sheep all the protection they require, will keep
their fodder dry, and will allow them to seek fresh air
■uhen they want it. These frames may be made of five
poles, each eight feet long, and at fifteen inches distance
from each other ; may be bound with withy or rope yarn,
to reeds, long straw, or any light substance, which will
turn wind ajid rain; by the help of a light drag on four
low wheels, these and the hurdles may be moved from
place to place, and set up again in as little time as, wit^i-
cut such a carriage, is required to change a common fold.
Tlie convenience and trifling expence of such cotting^
must defeat every objection to a system which ought
]ong ago to have been in general adoption throughout the
island; it is possible that, by a sudden change of wind^
when blowing hard, these sheltered hurdles may be
thrown down occasionally, and sometimes broken ; but
they may be replaced at a trifling expence. No other
objection worthy of notice occurs to their general use.

In Scotland, and the northern counties of England,
where most wanted, it is to be regretted that covered
fol4s are rarely, if ever; to be found.

AGRJCULTUUAL MUSEUM 106

Not a shadow of doul)t rqsts with me, that in the
course of a few years, under such management, whate*
ver the breed of sheep may be, the wool of the young
stock will be much improved in quality, and the carcass
kept up at a reduced expence. [To be continued.

For the Agricidtural Museum.

At a meeting of the Culpeper Society, for the promo-
tion of Agriculture and Domestic Manufactures, held
at the Court-house on Saturday the 1st of September,
1810, the following gentlemen were elected officers of
that institution : —

president, Philip Rootes Thompson,

Vice- President J Birkett Davenport.

Treasurer, John M^Neaxe.

Secretary^ David Jamison.

jissistant Secretary, William M. Thompson^

Reportof a Committee appointed by the President of
the Culpeper Society, for the promotion of Agriculture
and Domestic Manufactures, held at the Court house on
Saturday the 1st September, 1810.

To Mrs. Sarah Ann Norris, for the most approved
Cotton Counterpane, a premium of Ten Dollars.

To Mrs Sarah Ann Norris, for the most approved
Cotton and Yarn Counterpane, a premium of Ten Dol-
lars.

'! To Miss Elizabeth Shakelford, for the most approved
piece of Cotton Cloth, for vests and breeches, a premium
of Ten Dollars.

To Miss Elizabeth Hilton, for the most approved pair
of Cotton Stockings, a premium of Five Dollars.

Three other Cotton Counterpanes manufactured by
Mrs. Sarah Woodville, although not entitled to a premi-
um, do n the opinion of the Committee, great credit to
the owner. Teste,

David Jamison, Sec'rij.

104 AUXlICUL]r(JRAL MU-SEUK

MANUFACTURE OF VERDIGREASE.

This article, which is so extensively employed in the
arts and manufactures, either as pigment or as a drug
used in the process of dying, has become so high in con-
sequence of its scarcity, that a mode by which it may be
prepared iu this country, on an extensive scale, cannot
fail interesting tha painter or the dyer.

Verdigreasc, properly speaking, is a preparation of
copper, made by corroding copper plates with the re-
fuse matter of the grape. It is chiefly manufactured at
Montpclier ; the vines of Languedoc being very con-
venient for that purpose. The author of the Dictiona-
ry of Merchandize says, that in the preparation of ver-
digreasc of INIontpelier ; " Vine stalks, well dried in the
Sun, are put into eathern pots, and upon them wine is
poured. The pots being fully covered, the tvine then un-
dergoes the acetous fermentation, which in summer is
finished in seven or eight days. When the fermentation
is sufficiently advanced, the stalks are taken out of the
pots, and being by this method impregnated with
all the acid formed by the acetous fermentation, the
remaining liquor is but a very weak vinegar. The
stalks well drained, are put into earthen pots, in
alternate layers with plates of copper. The copper
is thus left to the action of the vinegar for three or
four days, or more ; in which time the plates beccrmc
covered with verdigreasc. The plates are then taken
out of the pots and left in the cellar three or four days,
when they are moistened with water, or with the weak
vinegar above mentioned, and left to dry. When this
moistening and drying of the plates, has been thrice re-
peated, the verdigreasc will be found to have considera-
bly increased in quantity."

The aiK'ients, however, diftered in respect to the process
of corroding copper The copper, which was i« plates,
shavings, or filings, was immersed in the sour water left
after the formation of wine. Sometimes the copper was
exposed to the vapour of vinegar, wliich; indeed, instcaxi

AGnicuLTUftAL MUsnu:\l 105

of being' a modern imp^rovement, which many have sup-
posed, beai's all the marks, according to historical fact,
of antiquity. It appears, in noticing- this circumstance,
that the g-rcater part of the verdigrease made in ancient
times, was manufactured in Cyprus, which was celebra-
ted fqrits copper works, and in the island of Rhodes.

Verdigrease, according to its chymical composition, is
composed of oxid of copper and acetic acid, in the pro*
portion to constitute what Dr. Thompson calls a ?ubace-
tate of copper. Thin compound, when further combin-
ed with acetic acid, forms a salt sold in our sliops under
the name of distilled verdigrease. Common verdigrease,
therefore, differs from the distilled, in containing less
acid ; and it also diticrs from verditer, which some have
confounded as one and the same, by being composed of
copper and acetic acid ; whereas verditer is formed of
copper and carbonic acid ; it being produced by decom-
posing a solution of copper by carbonate of lime. This,
then, is a sob-carbonate of copper. With respect to
this substance, it is usually prepared in England as fol-
lows : the refiners pour their copper ivatcr into whiting,
stirring them well together every day for some hours,
till the water grows pale. This portion is decanted, and
more of the gree/z reader is added ; after some days the
process is completed, and the verditer is dried for use.

As the rays of chymical science is penetrating into
every portion of our country, nothing marks the pro-
gress of knowledge and invention, more than that which
relates to internal improvement ; more especially if such
improvement is directed either to the discovery of new
substances or new applications. Almost every day
shews the truth of this principle. In this sense our hat-
ters have employed, since verdigrease has become so ex-
tremely high, a substitute formed by decomposing sul-
phate of copper (which is madein this countiy) by the.
potash of the shops. — This preparation answers the pur-
poses generally of a mordant, in fixing the black dye.

Speaking of this preparation brings to memory a facfr
not generally known. Since thecclcbratcd Scheele, of

lOb AGRICLLTUIIAL MUSEUM

Sweden, discovered that arsenioiis acid (white arsenic
oftlie shops) when combined with copper in the state oi'
oxid, afforded a green pigment, designated by the name
of Scheelc's green ; the j)Z'ocess has been employed in
this city with much advantage (in the manulacLure ol some
hun(h-ed weight) and sold under the name of iKitent
grtcn.

Seheele's green is usuaHy prepared by niixii^g tclile
arsenic, with a sohilion of potash, and adding thereto a
solution of blue vitrioK The pigment when washed, to
free it of soiphate of potash whtch isfuimcd, is of a bf-au-
<iful color, and wciy durable in all kinds of painting.
]5runswiek green, a j^aint formerly in much esteem in
Kurope, is, it is said, far inlerior 4o Scheelc's green ;
which is also prepared of copper

Having stated these few facts, which arc connected in
some measure with the subject u;ulcr consideration, we
shall proceed to consider some ciicumstances relative to
a process of preparing verdigrease in this countr}-, where
the stalk or the refuse matter of the grape cannot be had
in suflicient quantity.

Copper may either be carroded by the action of vine-
gar, and thus form verdigrease, by long boiling and frc
quent exposure to air ; or it nuiy be converted into i\\\F
substance by exposing it in the same manner, and in
similar circumstances, a&that of corroding plates of lead
in the forming of white lead. For the latter purpose^
copper plate? (oM sheathing copper, or any old copper)
are io be relied spirally, so that the space of an inch shall
be left between each circumvokition ; which must be pla-
ced vertically in earthen pots of a proper size, containing
good vinegar. These copper rolls ought to be support'
cd in the pots, that they may not be in contact with the
vinegar ; but that tho acid vapor may circulate freely,
between tlie circumvolutions.

The pots are to be covered and placed in abed ofdun^,
'The vinegar being thus exposed to the constant and uni-
form temperature of a dung heap, suffers a slow, though
cpntiiiual evaporation, and attaches itself to the surface

AGRICULTURAL afUSEUM 'Oft

«f these plates, which is penetrated. The itielal is
therefore corroded, and on taking' out the corroded ni:it-
*er, (if necessary to be levigated and washed) the quanti
ty of verdigreasc obtained will far exceed the quantity
of copper employed. Should the copper plates be toa
thick, the verdigrease will have to be removed fro»i
time to time to facilitate the pi-ocess.

I have been thus more minute in my explanation than
I w^ould otherwise have bceii ; Jbut knowing that so im-
portant a branch of manufacture in this country, must
interest our attention (for the reasons already given) and
render us completely indepcndcat of Europe in this arti-
cle ; the material of which is found in so great abundance
in our country. The retail price of verdigrease. at ihi^
time, is f^. 50 to #3 per lb jlurora..... V ^v.o.

To the Eil'd&r of the. Jg-ricultural Mdscujn.

Haw 5 horn, FrederkJc Count j, Va,

TP, f... September 14, 1810.

.Dear Sir, -^

About two years ?ince, a society was formed in this
county, to encourage Domestic Manufactures, and im-
prove our breed of Sheep. Before this, little attention
had been paid to either of tliose objects. Some families
had made coarse clothing, and a few of our farmers had
made some slight e-fforts to improve their flocks; but
the most of us viewed our sheep as a stock of little va-
lue, and ran to the stores for all our clothing.

The restrictions imposed on our commerce, by Eng^
land and France, opened our eyes. We saw and for-
cibly felt the necessity ^f cuhivatingour own resources,
and thereby lessening our hitherto thoughtless depend-
ence on foreigners, for tliose comforts and necessaries
of life, which were so entirely within the reach of our owp
means. The trial has taught us a les.son as valuable and
instructive, j^s it was unexpected. IMany of us have for-
ever banished from our use everj' foreign article of cloth-
ing, and are now better dressed than we ever were be-

108 AGIUCULTURAL MUSEU3I

fore, with the proud, consoling recollection, that our
clothes are made of American materials, and in our own
families.

The first mcetinj? of our society to award premiums,
was held on the 22d May, 1809, when Mr. Richard K.
Meade, was the only member who had a Lamb, that he
was not ashamed to show. He exhibited one that weigh-
ed on foot 159 lbs. and produced a fleece of 9 lb. 6oz. of
washed wool. He is a descendant of Bakewell, that
took the first of j\lr. Custis's prizes.

On the 21 May, 1810, the second annual meeting was
held, when the following lambs were shown:

Weight on foot Fleece.

Mr. David Ridgeway's

Lamb,

Ih.

lb.

or.

(Tom Tackle),

180

9

12

Richard K. Meade's

do.

156

9

Dr. Robert Mack ay's

do.

169

8

8

Mr. Philip Nelson'i

do.

160

8

8

do. do.

do.

\3i

8

8

The fleeces from those Iambs were weighed in the
dirt, they wcri how^ever unusually clean. Mr. Ridge-
way, ^nd Dr. iMackay's lambs are about quarter blood-
ed Barbary. The others are, I believe, from Mr. Custis's
Bakewell.

INIr. Ridgeway weighed a couple of his lambs, not
long since, at five months old. They are twins. One
weighed 115 lbs. — the other 116 lbs. Thej' are descend-
ants of his prize ram, Tom Tackle, who was permitted
to go to a few ewes last fall.

The wool of the Barbary sheep whi^pli we have
amongst us, is vastly superior in-point of quality to our
native wool.

At the last meeting a variety of fine woolen, cotton and
flaxen cloths were exhibited, that did honor to our coun-
try. I will give you an account of them a few mails
hence. I am, &c.

.Lawrence A. Wushingtonj
SccrTj. to the above Society.

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 109

ARTS AND SCIF.NCES.

The Society for the encouraoemcnt of Arts, Ma-
nufactures and Commerce, at their annual meeting inv
London, in May last, distributed, in reward^ to meritori-
ous candidates, 9 gold medals, 14 silver medals, and 225
guineas. Tl>e Society consists of 1500 members. The
successful candidates were severally rewarded for hav-
ing planted 30,000 large trees, 30,000 beach, and 10,000
fir ; — having gained 521. acres of land from the sea; for
preparing from the libres of the common nettle, thread
and articles resembling flax, hemp, tow and cotton — for
a screw adjusting plough — for an improved reaping-hook,
for extracting turpentine from Hr of English growth —
for various paintings, — an improved threshing machine —
for a mathematical dividing engine— a macliine to ascer-
tain the velocity of machinery— for a method of making;
every ship's boat a lile boat ; for constructing sash win-
dows so as to be cleaned and repaired within the house— r.
for a compensation pendulum — for spring crutches — for
inventing implements, by which persons, who have lost
their hands, may usei'ally assist themselves; and othct"
inventions and improvements,.

iSIEHlNO SflEEP.

The following facts relative to the recent importvition
of Merino Sheep at this place and IS ew- York, have
been comnmnicated to us by a gentleman, whose sour-
ces of information are entitled to perfect confidence.

The number of Merino Sheep imported from Lisbon
within the last month, may be justly considered as mat-
ter of astonishment, by those who recollect the difficulties
which were stated to exist in procuring those animals;
it will therefore be gratifyiiig to be informed of the for-
tunate even^, which has been the cause of a much larger
supply, than the United States could have expected, and
than could ever have been procured by the greatest ex-
ertions, if that event had not occurred. It will also be
bcne^cial tokngw what number may be relied on; to

no AGRICULTURAL MUSELIJ

prevent erroneous calculations, by those Avh© are inter-
ested in tlie breeding of that most valuable animal.

It is generally known, that in consequence of a decree
of the Supreme Government of Spain, the estates of Dou
Manuel Godoy, the Prince of Peace, were confiscated,
and that on some of these estates were the best flocks of
Merino Sheep in Spain ; the two principal, that of the
Convent of Paular, sold by the Carthusian Friars to the
Prince in the year 1796, and that of Arguirrcs, raised
from the Imperial Flocks of Charles the Vth, were of
the best breed, and a large proportion of these have been
sold by the Supreme Junta of the Province of Estrema-
dura,to the British Commissary General, and to the A-
merican Consul, from whom purchases have beenmadq
for this country. ^Nearly all those purchased by the Bri.
tlsh Commissary General, have been sent to England^^
and the whole number secured for the United States
does not exceed 3000, of which 1800 have already been
imported. Experience shews us that upon an average
J 5th are lost before they are on the lands of the purchas-
ers in this country, (including those lost on the voyage,
which in many instances has been 1 6th)theie will there-
fore remain about 2400 for the supply of the whole of
the United States, to which may l>e added, perhaps SOO
of a good breed procured from Cadiz and its vicinity.

The recent importations are all accompanied with a
variety of well authenticated documents, so as to leave
no doubt of the breed being as represented, and it is
much to be feared, that such a brilliant opportunity of
benefiting the Woolen Manufacture of the United States
will not again offer. CQmm. Register.

A new Method of assaijing Copper Ores.

By George Fordyce, M. D. F. R. S.

From the Transactions of the Royuil Society of

London.

Process. Take 100 grains of the ore, powder it finely^

put it into a small matrass or a glass phial, pour upon it

AfeRICULTURAL MUSEUM 111

half an ounce of nitrous acid, of the strength commonly
sold by the name oii^/JKi /b?/i.s-, (that is, the pure acid
diluted with about foiu- times its weight of water), aud
half an ounce of muriatic acid, sold by the name of spirit
of salt. Place the vessel in a sand-heat ; or, if you have
none, an iron pot or hre-shovelj with sand, may be put
over a common fire, and the matrass or phial set in it,
itaise a moderate heat, an effervescence will take place,
for the most part ; when this ceases, increase the heat un-
til it is renewed, and so proceed until the liquor boils,
^vhichis also to be done if no effervescence takes place ;
boil them together for a quarter of an hour.

Remove the vessel from the fire, and let it cool, then
pour into it two ounces of water, shake them together,
and let them stand tiil the liquor is clear ; pour the clear
liquor into a bason where it may be preserved.

Add to the residuum a fresh half ounce of each of the
(kcids, and proceed again in the same manner, mixing the
clear liquor with that procured by the first process.

The same operation is to be repeated, until the fresh
acids acquire no tinge of blue or green.

Dissolve half a pound of mild fixed vegetable alkali,
commoni}' sold by the name of salt of tartar, in a quart of
water. Purify tlie solution, either by filtration, or by let-
ting the impurities subside and decanting the liquoi- clear
into a glass vessel. Pour the solution of the alkali slow-
ly into the bason containing the lluid procured by the
iormer processes, until the whole matter be precipita
ted from the acids.

Add, by a little at a time, as much vitriolic acid, conv-
monly sold by the name of oil of vitriol, as will re dissoh*c
the whole, or only leave a white powder ; if there should
be any such powder, which is seldom the case, it must be
separated by filtration.

Having the liquor in the bason novt' clear, put into it
a piece of iron, bright and free from rust, and at least an
ounce in weight, and leave theyii together for twenty
four hours; the copper will be found precipitated, prin-

112 ACr.JCULTURAL MUSEUM

cipally on the surface of the iron, and sometimes in a
powder at the bottom of tlic bason.

Docantthe fluid from the copper and iron, with great
care, into another bason, so that as !itt<e as possible, or
none of the copper be carried along with it.

Wash the metals in a p'nt of water ; let tliem subside
perfectly, and pour this water into the second bason,
%vith the same care.

Repeat the washini^ thi'ce times? if any copper be
found in the second bason, let the Avashitigs stand in it fdv
half an hour, so that the metal shall subside ; decant tHe
fluid carefully off, and return the copper into the first ba-
son. Pour upon tlie copper and iron one ounce of \itn-
olic acid, and two ounces of uater ; let them stand to-
gether for a quarter of an hour, or until the copper shall
be easily separable from the iron. Separate the coppof
from the iron, taking great care that none be lost ; the
remaining iron may be laid aside. Pour the acid from
the copper, after it has subsided, into the second bason ;
•wash the copper with a pint of water, and repeat the
washing three times, as before directed.

Great care is to be taken, in decanting both the acid
and w^ashings into the secontl bason, that none of the
copper goes along with them ; lest any should, they
ought to stand for half an hour in the second bason, and
be decanted from it also with care ; and, if any copper
is found at the bottem, it is to be washed, and added to
the rest.

Tlie copper is now to be dried and weighed, and gives
the proportion contained in the ore.

7b he Continued.

rniXTED FOR AND PUBLISHED BY DAVID WILEY.

Price '^ 2.50 for twenhj four Numbers,
To he paid in advanr:e.

THE

AGllICULTUKAI. MUSEUM.

OMNIS FERET OMNIA TELLUS. VIRG.

Vol. 1.] Georgetown, Ca. Oct. 10, 1810. [No. 8

A new Method of assaying Copper Ores.
By Geo. Fordyce, M. D. F. R. S.

F.rom the Transactions of the Royal Society of

London.

Ohservutions on the above Process.
[Concluded]

Ttisjibout twenty years ago that I conirivf-d some
methods of assaying ores, which might avoid tedious iind
troLibiesome roastings and fusions in great deorees of
heat, which require a dextei'ity that is only to be acquir-
ed by great practice, and which, after ail, form a process
that is often varioiis in the result, and sehiom shews the
substances contained in the ore, excepting the metaf.
The principles on which these processes depend^ as far
as regards copper ores, are,

First. JMetals are attracted more strongly by acids
than by sulphur, with whicli they are often combined in
their ore's. In consequence, if a metal be combined
with sulphur in an ore, it maybe sepai'atrd by applyino-
an acid, which will unite with the metal, and separate
the sulphur. The metal may generally be separated
from the acid, in its metallic form, by means of another
metal which attracts the acid more strongly.

Secondly. Arsenic unites with vitriolic, nitrous, and
muriatic acids, forming a coirosion or compound not
soluble in water ; whereas, niost other metals may be
united with one of these acids, or a mixture of them, so
as to form a cGmpoLind soluble in water" therefore, if

15

114 AGniCUT-TUIlAL MtTSEUM

here be arscrj.' combined A>ilh a metal in an ore, if it
bo dissolved in sticli aeid diluted with wUter, the arsenic
will fall to the bot:om in a white jjovvder, or in crystals,
uul the solution, bring- poured off, will contain the nietal^
ivhieii inay be separated from the aeid by another metal,
.is before.

Thirdly. The calces of nicials may be dissolved in
acids, whether tlicy be pure (ofuhii-h there arc few in-
stances in ores) or conihjtied with giis, respirsiiUe an>
or other vapours r thereroic, if the metal iri an ore be in
the form of a calx, we ?iiay find an acid which will dis-
solve it^ and we vhtiy afterwards precipitate it in its me-
tallic form, as before.

Fourtlily. When an ore is to be assayf^d, it should be
separated IVom the quartz, spars, and other earthjMiiat-
ters, with which it is often mixed, as perfectly as possi-
ble ; however, after all our care, there will often be a
part of them bo intimately iiiixed wi^h tfie ore, that it
cannpt bt; entirely cleared. Many of these earthy mat-
tei s do not dissolve readily in acids: therefore, if the me-
tal of an ore be dissolved in an aeid, so as to form a com-
pound soluble in water, the solution of the metal may be
poured oft", leaving such earthy matters behind.

Fifthly. If the earthy matter should dissolve in the acid^
it is seldom to be precipitated by a metal : therefoi'e, if
both earth and metal be dissolved, on the application 6t
another metal, v^ hich attracts the acid more stroiifflv.
that which was combiatd with the acid will be preeipita-
ted, and the earth left in the solution.

yixthly. Acids attract the metals with different pow-
ers: therefore, if two metals be combined with an aeid, if
we apply to the solution amass of that which attracts
the acid strongest, the otiier will be precipitated. The
mass being weighed belbre and after the precipitation,
the dilu I cnee \\ ill be the quantity of additional metal
cisi?o;v(d: if, there fure, we pour oiV the liquor from the
] recipitatc, and ajiply another metal, which attracts the
ac.d stll ni! i:c strongly, t:;e second metal will be preei-
p.tu'.eJ ; which, lc:iig weighed, aiid the weight lost from

AGUTCUI.TURAL MUSEUM 113

tire mass decliictcd, gives the weight of (he second metal.
^s this principle is of great use in investigating tlie eie-
ments of mixed metals, wc shall give an cxamp'e. Sup-
pose copper and silver mixed : dissolve the whole in
pure nitrous acid, properly diluted with wafer; apply to
the solution a mass of copper, the silver will be pracipita-
led. Pour off the solution, and wash the silver and un-
dissolved copper wi(h water; pour the Vv'ashirigs into the
soIutioHj weigh the mas? of copper left, and mark what
it has lost ; apply to thi solution a mass oi" iron, the
whole copper will be precipitated. Pour off the fluid,
and wasli the precipitate carefully, dry it and weigh it ;
deduct the weight lost from the mass of copper, wliat
remains is the weight of the copper in the mixture ; if
this weiglit, togetlury>ith that ot the silver, be the weigh.t
originally exposed to examination, there is no reason to
suspect any mixture of another metaL

Jf the metals mixed are unknown, if we can find aii
acid which will dissolve them, ^\c may try to make a
jiiccipitation witli the nictal vi hich is lov.egt but one in
the ord:r of elective attractions, and so proceed to the
next above it, until we conie to the liighest ; and, by this
moans, we shall obtain all the metals in the mass.

There are other iirincijrles on which i have founded va-
rious processes for assaying, but these are sufficient for
copper ores ; all the diffeicnt known species of which I
have actually assayed, arul therefore have ventured to of-
fer the consideration of this process to the society ; fii'st,
us only requiring an apparatus which can be bought at
any apolhecary^s or chymist's, and capable of being per-
formed by a person tqtally unacquainted v\ith chymistry,
so that any pi'oprietor of an estate, or his servant, may
determineif an ore be of copper, anditsvalue; secondly,
as aftbrding an assay master a more perfect manner of
determining the value of a copper ore; and lastlj-, as a
process by which the naturalist may investigate, not on-
ly the copper in an ore, but its various other contents.

There is but one known species of copper ore ia
which the copper is not capable of being combined wiili

IIG Agricultural ?.iuseum

aqua regia, that is, blue vitriol, which is sometimes I'ouiid
solid, but more frequently iu mineral waters ; from this
the copper may be precipitpicdby iron immediately.

We have laiely had many opinions published, of me-
tals i eiiig found in mineial waters, combined with vari-
ous substances. I never examined any mineral water
in wli'ch I found the metals combined with any sub-
sta;.ce but vitriolic acid ; and am certain many authors
liave been misled, by not knowing this property of metal-
lic salts, viz. that if we dissolve them in a small proporti-
on of water, or if there be superfluous acid, the solution
will remain perfect when exposed to the air; but, if the
acid be perfectly saturated with the metal, and the pro.
poi'tion of water to the meta lie salt be very great, on
exposure to the air it is decomposed, the metal precipi-
tating in Iht form of a calx, and the acid being lost.
This may easily be tried, by taking common green or
blue vitrol, dissolving an ounce in three ounces of water,
by boiling, letting them stand to cool, and filtering the
solution. If this solution be exposed to the air it will re-'
main perfect ; but, if v/e drop a drop or two of it into a
wine-glass full of water, in a few minute? the transparen-
cy of the Abater will begin to be disturbed, and the me-
tal in a short time will fall down, in a red powder if it be
iron, in a blue powder if it be copper.

Anhundred grains of the ore is sufficient to give the
copper contained, to oj)p hundredth part; if greater ac-
curacy be required, 1000 grains may be used,'

The mixture of nitrous and muriatic acid is the most
proper acid mcnsiruum for copper ores ; muriatic acid
dissolving mosi readily the calces of metals, and nitrons
p.cid when they are in their metallic form ; a metal in its
met.iUiC form being a compound of a pure calx and a
substance which has been called inflammable air, but
which is an oil, found out by Stahl to exist in metals, and
which we would call the oil of metals. The nitrous acid
decomposes this oil, at the same time that it acts on the
calx itself, and leaves it uiso to be acted upon by the
muriatic acid.

AGRICULTURAL SSBSEUrrf llT

When coppei' is combined with sulphur in an ore, it
il in its metallic form ; in dissolving' in an acid, its oil rises
in vapour ; or vapours produced by the decomposition of
tliis oil occasion an effervescence.

Alltlie calces of copper! have tried ;ire combined
with gas^ respirable air, or other vapours, excepting one,
which is of a light gTecn colour, brittle, and which breaks
smooth like glass ; ij, specimen of it is contained in JDr.
Hunter's mnsenm : this dissolves without effervescexice,
the others all eftervesce. A boiling-heat is necessary to
render the solution complete, ot which grent care is to
be taken.

If there be any sulphur in the ore, it appears quite
ciear,^n jumps ; a small portion of it, however, is de-
stroyed by the nitrous acid. Earthy matters insoluble
in acids, if any, and arsenic, appear in a powder at the
bottom. If there be any silver, it is mixed with this pow-
der, and is to be extracted by melting it with black flax
^nd Uthargc, and cupelling in the common way. If there
be any goJd, it may be taken out of the solution by
jether.

When the copper is combined with nitrous and muria-
tic acids, it might be thought suiiicient to apply the iron
immediately ; but it is much more convenient to precipi-
tate it from them, and combine it with vitriolic aeid, on
account of the convenience of washing the precipitate,
which is in a ^lore .compacted mass.

If there be any calcareous earth dissolved, the vitri-
olic acid will combine with it, and form a white powder^
which will be left after the copper is re- dissolved, and
be separated carefully from the solution.

After the precipitation of the copper, it is necessary to
get rid of the salts pcrfectlj', before we apply the vitrio-
lic acid; otherwise part of the copper would be re dis-
solved.

Vitriolic acid^ili not dissolve copper in its metallic
form, and may be applied to dissolve any iron that may
be mixed with the precipitate, as well as to loosen cop-
per, whicUsometiaiCs adheres to tho iron.

lis AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

The solution of the iron must be carefully washed off
from the copper.

There is a criterion hy which we may judge certainly
if any of the copper be lost. Let all tiie washings, and
every thmg, except the copper, be put into a vessel to-
gether ; pour in solution of fixed alkali, until no farther
jjrecipitation takes place ; let the precipitate subside, and
pour off the liquor; apply to the precipitate solution *"
volatile alkali, sold by the name of spirit o\' sal ammonia
shake them together, and let them stand for an hf
if the solution of the alkali acquires a purplish blue Cv.
lour, the process is imperfect, if it does not, it is perfect.

If the process be imperfect, which is always for want
of care in the decantations, pour in as much vitriolic acid
as win dissolve the. whole precipitate, apply iron to the
jjolution, the remaining copper will be procured.

Extract from Lord Somtrvillz's Essay on Sheep

Continued from page 103.

Lest it should be syrrnised, that the facts here' stated,
and the conclusions which every judge of sheep will
thence be led to draw, should have been formed on a scale,
of practice too confined, it is adviseable to suggest, that
the flock consists of 340 breeding ewes, and the whole
produce at two years old, is fatted olT, with the excepti-
on of such draft ewes as may be sold for stores § ; conse-
quently the number of the sheep is from 1000 to 1200; a

§ It bas been dfomei the criterion of a good and profitahJe breed of s'neep, to rijjen early, be-
cause there 1.1 room to mulliply such brc ds, far beyond tliose of slower proof. If a sheep can com*
to market at two years old, his 1[-ecc ni II he \ong enoush for our ipanufactures, and not sold at aii
inferior prire as skin wool ; much before this period. It would he unfit. The growth of any bi^i-
proof breed of sheep, is far greater the Drat and S' cood than the third year ; therefore it may be urged
tbat more profit can be bad from the ani.^nal at tbisfime, tbau at any later period, its growth auil
fleece considered. If attempts had been made to bring into general use a breed of sheep, whose
llaeces were of value, but incapable of getting fat, we should be receiving with one baud, what we
'v^ere throwing away with the other no general beueiit-couM result; but when we bring sheep
bearing such heary fleeces, and that wool capalle «f making broad ctotlrs and ker^cyueres, of
^ality sufBci' Dt to obtain the Rath Society's premiums, and of a proof or aptitude to fatti--a equal
to, if Botezceeding any short- woolled sheep we hire, the p riuciple is co UDj;er tu bt: contfoveitr^ i
U mult be cocjidered • tr«cd of ejitreme value.

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM ll9

scale not of the largest, but still large enough wiih safg'-
ty to wariant any inference that may be drawn. The
lambs are dropt in the vale of Taunton, and continue in
it during the liist summer. The store flock is summer-
ed a short distance from thence, on the hills bordering
oaExmoor Forest. The contrast of climate must be re-
markable, because there is a difterence in the time of
harvest of a month: our feoding sheep are then grazed
h\ the exposed, but rich marsh of Bridgewater, long ce-
lebrated for its good beef and fat oxen : or finished in
turnips and winter vetches in the vale. We had reason
to fear^in e'ther case, that the strength of keep miglit
open the pile, and give a coarseness to the wool, as well
as to the grain of meat ; but the event has destroyed such
fears, insoinvich that we had no scruple in sending some
Wecher lambs to winter in the marsh, usijig the precau-
tion to cott them during the severe winter-months ; and
although this land had the character of being too stroi^g",
and of scovvring lambs, even to the danger of losing
them, we found the mixed breed able to endure it, and
thrive surprisingly. § VVhsther as an article of food for
those, who are lobust, or those, who are delicate, even
at the early age of 18 months, when mutton is usually
thought indifferent, it is nutritious and exquisite in fla-
vour. There is a firmness in the spine fat ; a richness
and deep colour in the gravy ; and a fine texture and
tenderness in the grain, v\ hich must command custom-
ers, and ensure to this breed the good will of butchers,
wherever they may be situated. There are two parties
to be considered, the seller and the purchaser. We
have had occasion to note, how essential a i-eady sale is
to every article of produce, and that this circumstance,
in great part, tended to enforce the necessity of a change
of breed. These diversities of soil and climate, uncqaal-
ied, probably, within the same space of ground, enable
us to speak with a confidence, it would be presumption
otherwise to do ; because together they embrace all those

§ Tiey did well until the enj of OeetaibtVj when, Icecp icttin^ saarce, tbo grouoiJs were hainefl
agl*}! a ft*tb bite la Februarf .

120 J.G,1<ICULTL'11AL MLSLVM

leading varieties, which, some certain spots eXtbpie^r
srr to be found in the vviiole United Kingdom.

Tho quantity cT stock hereafter stated to run per acre,
)nav appear great to many persons : some inay be dis-
posed to doubt the facts. Every possible precaution t©
ascertain them, has been taken, and to speak with as
much accuracy as can be, where we are to reason on an
average. jMy wish was notk) deceive myself: 1 trust it
is not in my nature wilfaliy to deceive otlsers. Tht- liye-
land sheep, alluded to, were summered at 2J each per
week by my own tenant that season ; we knotv the fact
to be correct, which he has repeatedly confirmed by de-
claring, that it was the exact average per avre. In the
marsh, such a stock, in point of numbers, of fat and itore
sheep, has been carried, as would bt found almost to ex-
ceed belief. The fatting wether-hogs and draft store*
ewes, which must be, to make the most of tliem, kept as
hi«"li as fat sheej), amounted to more than four per acre,
during the six summer months ; the store ewes amount-
ed to more than two per acre, and \\cre large, strong,
South-down ewes, of Mr. Ellman's blood, in all more
than six per acre, besides refuse-lambs, &c. &c. and no-
thing could exceed their proof. In the winter of 1800,
the Vale estate carried, from the beginning of Septem-
ber, to the first week in June, 700 store-sheep, about 250
lambs included, on one hundred acres of pasture land,
of which sixty were indifferent, and forty as good pas.
ture land as could be seen: the ground carried more
stock ; probably from the mode of depasturing. Where
sheep work in tbe fold, they must run in large lots ; and
some loss per acre in the stocking may be incurred, be-
cause the profit of the fold is great ; but where folding
is not practised, and the country much enclosed, sheep
should be stocked in small parcels, thin on the ground,
and frequently changed : the land thereby is not stained,
and one lot follows another in perpetual successiorv
Every judge of stock knows the value of change, even,
occasionally, into worse keep. It is our fixed belief,
that wc can carry .^ix and a half ily elands, per acre oa.

ACRlfiUIiTURAL r.iUSEUM 121-

lan.l (free of any local consideration) worth one? guinea
an.i a half /jer acre, with the help of some turnips and
p^ase-haulmin the dead winter months ; and that with
judgment in the manner of stoeking, we shall neither
push them beyond their growth, nor make them meat
for the butcher, but shall maintain them in healthy store-
state. On the same land, and under the same circum-
stances, we can carry four South downs, or their* cross,
and somewhat more per acre. If our Ry eland ewes will
fatten to twelve pounds per quarter, our South-downs,
will reach nearly eighteen ; the rate of stock per acre
wji!, therefore, be found the same in proportion to the
size §. The quantity of good mutton and wool j^er acre,
must be the only test of good or bad management : it is
on the increased stock of South downs, which his estate
in IVortolk now carries, that ISIr, Coke prides himself*
A noted husbandnian from Nottinghamshire is said to
have declared, that he never before saw an estate so
stocked.

The Southdown stock, which is now reared on a farm
of the Duke of Bedford, called iNlauiden, in Bedfordshire,
the nature of the land considered, will be found to exceed
that which belongs to myself A very few year^ago,
great part of this estate was wild, unproductive heath, va-
lued at 2s. 6c?. pe?" acre. A JSoffolk farmer was invited
to take it, but declined any engagement, at any price.
Four hundred acres of it have been broken up. Its situ-
ation was such as to preclude all extra manure, there*
fore the estate is making itself by the sheepfold ; it now
carries 400 breeding Southdown ewes, the stock a-
mounts to 1200, and the fat sheep finished on the same :
there remain about 150 acres only of heath to break up,
at which time the estate will carry 1600 sheep. The
South down stock is large in size, and of the first-rate
quality ; the land cannot now be valued at more than ten
shillings, and the stock three, per acre, winter and sum-

§ Tli» \r«tfc«ri of tach »reea Tdll le, vi co«»*, ism* {otp^t V*TJ«r |Cr juarwr.

1&

It!!5 AGRICULTURAL MUSEUW

mer. We sliouM rejoice to see any improvement moth
substantial, or more beneficial, than this ; for it is to*'
be remcmbcrefl, that, in proportion as the sheep-stock
increases, heavier ancf better crops of corn will be
grown. The average of Soiithcfown store stock on
Mr. Elhuan's pastures at Glynde, he asserts to be
fo-ir per aero ; as his sh'^ep are of the hirgest size,
this rate of stocking" will be found exaetl}- similar to our
own. He could no^ afford to starve his ow n sheep, be-
cause thej' are too valuable to make the difference of feed
of the slightest consequence. \^io be continued.

MERINO SI JEEP.
At a late public sale, in the vicinity of Neiv-Vork, 215
Merino sheep sold for 57,0150 Dollars, averaging; about
2G5 Dollars each; one of the rams was knocked off at
the enormous price of 940 Dollars.

A Rtcdpt for Di/ing Black icifhout Verdhj^rh.
For 40 hats, take lib. Raman or blue Vitriol pounded,
and lib. pearl ash; dissolve them in a small quantity oF
water, taking care not to put the whole in at once, least it
should ferment and overflow; this is to be used as Verdi-
gris usually is, that is by pouring in the usual quantity of
Copperas; andI-rf)gwood may be the same as when Ver-
d-fjris is used. Bv this method a most excellent bright
and glossy black may be made, equal if not suj)erior to
any made with Verdigris, and with considerable saving
oi expeuce,, as verdigris- at the present price, (3 dolls,
per lb ) would cost at least one dollar fifty cents, whereas
the above articles will not cost fifty CQnis.. .Poidson's Pap^

CHYMrCAL M.VNUFACTURES.

Nothing can manifest the zeal in this branch of manu.
facture ; in every (juarter of the union new establish-
ments are daily forming. We learn that near Thetford,
Vermont, an immense body of what mineralogists term
iron pyrites (sulphurct of irgn; is found, wliich is manu-

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 133

f^etured into copperas. The establishment is nc\rj and
the quantity already manufactured is sufficient to supply
the United States. Nei>r the same town a quantity of
galena (sulphuret of lead) has been discovered, attached
to a brownish substance, which, by the examination of a
chymist of thiselty, was found to be the carboijated oxul
pf zincor calainine.

This mineral, with the copper which exists in Ihe
same neighbourhpod, will, if found in abundance, prov.e
of the greatest utility in the manufacture of Brass. The
mines of Perkiomcn, however, furnish both these mate-
rials..

A peculiar variety of lime-stone, found in Vcrmonf,
%vh(ch may be called a chrystalHzed carbonate of lime,
and which very much resembles specular gypsum, has
been em[)loycd with success in agriculture. It was ge-
nerally taken for plaster by tije farmers ; but, on ex-
amination, proved iiot to be a sulphate but a carbonate of
lime.

We congratulate every friend of American manufac-
tures, who undoubtedly should possess a zeal for so im-
portant and so useful an institution, if a spark of patri-
otic fire glows in their breasts, that by a uniform perse-
verance in the paih already trod, we may be independent
(pf foreign nations,

Aurora.

RALEIGH, (N. C.) August 2.
According to previous arrangement a meeting of the
f;itizens of this place was held on Saturday evening last,
for the purpose of receiving the report of the committee
appointed on the subject of a contemplated manufactur-
ing establishment. It is proposed to raisje, by subscrip-
tion, the sum of 20,000 dollars, in shares of twenty dol-
Jars each. Five commissifuicrs iiave been appointed to
receive subscriptions, with power to name gentlemen
throughout the county for a similar purpose ; and as
.-^oon as the money raised will justify it, the business is
*9 be prosecuted with the utmost vigor.

124- AGniCULTURAL MUSEUM

iExtract from an Essay on the Culture and ManuHicture
of Flax ; read befare the Culpcper Society, for th&
promotion of Agriculture and Domestic Manufac-
tures— by John Strode, Esq.

I shall, at the present, confine myself solely to a
small discourse, VA hich is drawn entirely from my own
experience, on the manner of cultivating and manufac-
turing that useful article, Flax, and which 1 will endea-
vour for perspicuity, to reduce to separate heads.

First, Of the kind of soil most favourable to its pror
duction, and the manner of preparing it.

2d. The time of seeding, quality and quantity of seed
sufficient for an acre of Land.

3d. Weeding and the proper times of performing it.

4th, Pulling, curing, drying, and taking off the seed.

5th Rotting by water, and by dew.

6th. Breaking, skutching or cleaning.

7th. Hackling, combing and preparing for the wheel.

8th. Statement of the common produce and profit of
an acre.

9th. Remarks on it comparative value with Ilemp ancj:
Cotton.

First. T7ie Soil which I have experienced to be most fa-
vourable to its production, is stiff clay or loom, rather low
land or nearly flat, and inclining to be moist, which if not
naturally very rich and strong, will require a large quan-
tity of manure, and that to be put on, and worked in, the
preceding summer by frequent ploughing and harrowing,
or other working to prevent the growth of grass and
weeds ; for if thej- are suffered to grow up and seed, that
seed will vegetate the ensuing season with the crop of
Flax, and injure it much , both in quantity and quality.
In preparing the ground, perhaps a crop of 'J'obacco,
Corn or Potatoes, might be advantageously taken (;ff;
the latter 1 have mostly preferred li^arly in the spring;
as soon as the frost is out, and the ground sufficiently
dry, it should be ploughed up and in a few days crossed
S^gain, in which state it may remain until the day, or the

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 125

day bat one, before it is seeded ; then let it be well put
vef i/5ed by runsiing the bif^ Iron toothed Harrow three
or four times over it, until it be very fine,

2d. Seeding. The best season for which, is generally
from the20ih Pvlaroh, to the 10th of April ; if sooner, it is
subject to damage from frost ; if later, the beat of the
approaching season, especial!}' if attended with drought
is certain to retard and so check its vegetation as to de-
feat entirely the future bcnetitof the most favourable wea-
ther. The best seed is full, round large grains, and of
a bright shining colour ; three pecks of which is fully suf-
ficient for an acre ; and ought to be covered in by run-
ning the light liarrow twice over it im!:jiediate]y after
seeding.

3d. IVceding is indicpensib'y necessary to the perfec-
tion ofFiax, and ought to be performed when it is about
Lhree inches high. Each person engaged therein, with
a large strong knife in his hand, taking a given breadth
before him, should proceed cautiously, with a >% atch-
ful eye to observe the young weeds, ^nd pull up by hand
such as will readily come by the roots ; those which can-
not be thus eradicated, must be dug up with the knife.
In ten d:)ys or two weeks, as occasion may require, the
weeding may be repeated, very beneficially but greater
care is then necessary to be observed, or the Flax may
be too much trod on, bent down and injured.

4th. Pif/^ing, ought to commence immediately befor*
the seed is ripe; then not one hour is to be lost; indeed
it had better be pulled up one or tvvo days before the
seed appeal's to be in full perfection, than romam neg-
lected one hour after. As it is pulled, it may be tied ia
small hund'es or sheaves, nearlj' the siije of a man's aim,
and set uji about twelve or lifteen bundles together in a-
small stook — to cu.re ; wlicn pei'fectiy dry the seed sliould
be threshed or ratlier i)eat oti", and the Flax well secured
in a good house ; or if built in a stack, neatly thatched ali
round, with rj e sli aw. TliCie is not any aiticle of pro
dncfion in the \vhole bu^oiaess of hutbandrv more a:b-

i^

12S AGRICULrURAL MUSEURJt

ject to receive (damage from rain, or more difficuU tohu
preserver! in a stack.

5th. Rotting by water may he performed at any time,
if occasion require, instantly as it is puled, by sterping
it in a, large vat or pool of water; in the latter case^
some rails or poles, should be put under the first layer,
to keep it from the mud, and something; of the same
kind laid on top to sink it rather below the surface of the
water ; in this state it should remain until the hards or
stem be entirely rotten, and until the lint or skin appears
to the. towch to be rotten also; and to an unexperienced
pprson to be almost intirely spoiled ; then is the proper
time to take it out of the water, which, if in the heat of
summer, ought to be done late in the evening of the day,
and spread on the grass to dry ; otherwise if spread out
in the morning, the sudden approach of heat, if verj' vi-
olent, may much injure the strength, render it when drest
very harsh, and give it a bad Sun-burnt appearance ;
whereas if it meets with, a favourable, cold, cloudy and
moist time, at the first part of spreading out, and so tem-
perately dry by degrees, it will acquire great strength,
be. extremeJy soft and pliant when drest^ and of a fine,
silver-like shining colour.

Rotting by dew cannot well be done during the hot
season ; the latter end of September, or beginning of Oc-
tober is the best season for that operation ; for which
the Flax should be carefully spread in rows on smooth
ground, on short grass, or on the late sowed wheat
field, to which it will do lao damage, there it may lie for
two, three or four weeks, according to the moisture of
the weather, when it should be carefully tut ned, by run-
ning a long smooth stick resembling a pitch fork handle
under it, and so with great care turning over about three
or four feet at a stroke. In about three weeks longer if
the weather be moist, it may be sufficiently rotted ; how-
ever before wc proceed to take it np, trial of a smal!
quantity is made at the brake ; m hen we are convinced,
thai it is sufficiently done, it is taken up by hand, and tied
in large bundles with bands of wheat or rye straw; hi

Agricultural MUskuM 127

t^isla-J; oporation, great care should be taken to keep
it straigiit, and a!I the root ends one way, and that it be
housed us dry as possible.

Gth. Of Breeding. For this operation the Flax should
be perfectly dry, and for which purpose we frequently
air it a little on a rack over a gentle fire ; much firing
will damage it. Of Flax of good quality, perfectly rot-
ted and in good order, I have had upwards of 1001b.
broke by one hand in a day, who the next day has
iikntched or cleaned it from the hards, producing 25 to
30 lbs. fit for the hackle, or for market. Somelithes con-
siderably more is done in a day, frequently less according
to the quality of the Flax, and (he manner of preparing it.
7th Of Hackling and Combing. To persons unac-
iquainted, th.s part of the business may seem a very sim-
ple operation ; but in fact, it requires as much practice to
be perfect in tliat art, as any other operation in the whole
manufacture of linen. Two hackles are necessary, a
coarse and a liner; the teeth of both should be extreme-
ly sharp ; and they should be kept bright and well po-
lished. The mystery of hackling consists chiefly in
knowing how to play the Flax on the points of the teeth
6f the hackle, and never suf^.ering it to sink down among
the teeth in the manner of combing, in which case great
Waste would ensue, and much of the better part pass off
among the tow, but by keeping fast hold of the Flax near
the n\iddle, and t^autiously drawing and working it over
the points of the teeth, th«i fibres of the Fiax are split and
rendered fine. The operator ought to hackle but a ve-
ry small quantity at a time, holding it near the middle
very firmly. Flax for the stoutest linen ought to be
passed slightly through the coarse hackle, and about one
fourth taken out ; and then for linen of finer quality,
or for shoe or sewing thread, hackled over on the finer
hackle, taking out nearly another fourth ; to render
the flax extremely fine, and to make but a small quan-
tity of tow will discover the skill of the hacklcr. The
tow which is extracted from the second hackling be.
ing of a better quality, should be kept separate froix\

125 ' AG'ilCULTUrAL MUStUM

the first ; but cncli ofthcm may be passed through the ioW
combs, something in th;,* maimer of combin;2^ wool, by
which the finer parts of the tow are easily extracted and
rendered extreinclj- soft and line, almost equal to the best
part of the Flax, for the purpose of tillino- on a linen or
cotton warp, but not so p'oper for war)), nor will it do
for shoe thread or any purpose which requires great
strength; what is left of the tow and cannot be (h-awti
through the combs is called backings, and will only do to
spin into lillins;- for very coarse cloth, such as BrilisU
brown rolls, but rather better in quality.

8th. A statement of one acre of j^ood Flax; a very
extraordinary crop 1 never yet have had.

Dr.
To rent of one acre Land, sufficient-
ly rich and well fenced in,

Ploughing 3 times esiUTiatcd at »j

Harrowing 5 times,

3 4 Bushel best seed,

Weeding twice,

Pulling, tying and setting up,

Beating off, and cleaning the seed.

Watering, spreading and taking up, &.c.

Breaking and skutching 213(316.

Clear profit for balance,

#■3.

on

1.11 8

3.^

,21 1

0^

1 .

.75

. 67 1-2 1

33

1

25

1

&c. 1

7a

. 5 1-2 12 .

98

16.

30

»^ 43

07

Ci

\

3

75

39.

32

By 5 bushels seed, at . 75

236 lb. of skutchcdFIax, . 16 1-2

^S 13 . 07

9th Beside the above profit of »^ 16 . 30 my flax gro nd
being ploughed the instant the flax is otf, comes well in
der for winter turnips, on which ] count a further advan-
tage, which cann jt be made after cotton or hemp.
[To be continued.]

rniNTIiD rOR AND PUBLISIIKD BY DAVID WILEY.

Jt*rice 'p 2..50 forncenty fow Numbers,
U'o be paid i.i adcancc.

THE

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM*

OMNIS FERET OMNIA TELLUlS. VIRGf.

Vol. L] Georgetown, Ca. Oct 24, 1810. [No. 9.

Extract from Lord Somerville^s Essay on Sheep.
Continued from page 122.

The principle on which Sir Lawrence Palk conducts
his sheep husbandry, needs only to be recorded ; it
wiil speak for itself. Part of his estate is rich land, im-
proved by water (which heretofore ran to waste,) and
lies low in the vale of Exeter: the rest borders upon
Haldown. Instead of stocking the whole with the hea-
vy bodied sheep of the country, which either must have
been stocked so thin per acre as to pay nothing, or have
dwindled in size, or have been starved, the estate now
can-ies 500 breeding ewes ; on the lower, 200 of the
new Leicester blood, and on the upper part, 300 Rye-
lands, the produce of which have a large portion of the
Merino blood.

As the winter advances, and the heavy bodied sheep
go into turnips, the Ryelands are brought down to run
after and clean up the layer, by which they get well
wintered ; and as the summer approaches, they return
to the high lands, and work in the fold.

If any man can devise a system, which, under sucli
circumstances, will pay more in good produce per acre,
let him suggest it ; his information will be thankfully
received. But it will be urged. Why is it that these men
should do more than we do ? Why do vvc not draw from
our management as much for the public supply ? Be-
cause you are tied down and fettered by old prejudices,
adverse to your interest; and because they, profiting by
a more extended education, reason on a greater scale,
and act on principles more consistent with nature and

16

130 AGRICULTtTRAL MUSEUM

good sense. It is by the neglect of, or by an unremit-
ting attention to, this great secret in rural oeconomj'^j
and by the adoption of animiils for husbandry labor,
which do not consume our food, but on tlie contrary,
add most considerably to it, that the national supply
will be either scanty or abundant.

The quest'on having of late been repeatedly asked,
what proportion of the Merino blood it would be ad-
viseablc to bring into the South down breed with advan-
tage? My answer has been — One quarter only, provi-
ded the outward resemblance and character of the
South-down is intended to be preserved ; the Uj'eland,
being a white faced sheep, assimilates with the Merino
more readily, and will bear one ha!f, or even more.

With the strictest regard to truth, it may be said, that
the unwearied attention of the Bath and West of Eng-
land society, and the abilities of many of its leading mem.
bers,(one ofwhom is in himself an host, I mean Dr. Par-
ry) could alone have dispelled those doubts, which hang
over the minds of numberless landed proprietors and ma-
nufacturers, deeply interested in the cv^nt,^ but despaii'^
ing of ultimate success.

Its centrical situation as to the superfine manufactures
before alluded to. a consequent connexion between the
landed and commercial interests, naturallj"^ pointed it out
as the centre ofsuchuntertakings, and induced me to soli-
cit its aid. Our much lamented President, the late Duke
of Bedford, was decidedly of the same opinion, and ac-
ted up to it accordingly. His loss, great as it is to the far-
ming pai t of oiu' eomnuinity, would have been irrepara-
ble, were it not that his successor is bent on promoting
objects so notoriously beneficial ; an intimate know-
ledge of him enables nie to say, that as far as J am com-
petent to judge, he has abiUty and knowledge to perfect
them.

From the foregoing observations, it will appear, that, in
its common application to British husbandry, the Span-
ish breed of sheep has the power, perhaps exclusively, to
maintain its quality of wool i for, strong keep will length-

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM, -X^I

pn, but will not open or deteriorate the pile ; that it has,
without question, ameliorated the quality, and, what is
of more importance, has added considerably to the
quantity of our native short wool fleeces, whilst, at the
same time, the proof or aptitude to fatten has increased
rather than diminished. Supposing, then, that no great
improvement in the, shape should be obtained, it becomes
to any man simply a question between his eye and
his pocket; if he must have beauty, and that, too, of
an unwieldy description, let him have it ; but if he pre-
fers profit, which is supposed to be the more substantial
acquisition of the two, he knows where it may be found.
A trite but wis^ adage says," Handsome is, that handr
some does."

He was a hold man, who first ventured to introduce
among us an Alderney cow ; and he must hav had an
eye stcdfastly fixed on this adage for consoj^cion ; yet
the event has justified his hardiness. Just so with these
Merino sheep ; but, as other breeds have beffi improved,
so by careful selection may these; for the foundation,
good wool, and good and early proof, are n *t deficient.

This race of sheep has retained aJl its «^uahty of pile
in Saxony, as well as in Sweden and De;imark, where
it has been spreading for 50 years past j in proof of
which, 200 bags of Merino wool, spour^d and sorted,
were importedsome years ago into this jopntry, by one
person, and the whole of it sold at tha primest price of
Spanish wool : when manufactured int^ cloth, it worked
up as well, as it looked in sample. The exertions of
M. Lastcyrie, in his late work (Ilistoii^ de I'introduction
dcs Moutons a laine fine d' Espagne, dans les divers
Etats de 1' Europe, et au Cap de Bonne Esperance) must
not pass unnoticed ; his knowledge lias obviously been
obtained in the she^p-fold, and the fljicncy and correcf-
Jiess with which he details the various diseases of sheep,
and their remedies, declai'e him to possess a shepherd's
knowledge of a flock.

In his commencement of the ^subject, he expresses
^imself thus : " The ditlerent govc 'nments of Europe hj^ci

!6riga^clch8wl6dg6d't^^ advantages' that would be &&Hi
t^ed to agriculture and coriimerce, from the introductiott
^ of find wools into theif reSpieetive states j but their Tievri*
meeting oppdsitioii in tHfe ignorarice aiid prejudice of thee^
lihies, a Considerable numbei* of years elapsed, before they
setabbiit realizing an idea; which, at» first, seettied-chi*
triei*Icia,l ; at length there appeared men equally commen-'
dable for their pati-iotisrW aiid for their krto\tledge;, who
hiave laboui-ed with zeal and perseverance, to enl'ghteii
their fellow-citizens, by producing facts to prove, that na-
'^ibk'e, far from opposing itself to the preservation of fine-
wool sheep in certain climates, seemed, oh the contrary,
to len'i! itself complacently to the exertions of indus-
try i believe I have demonstrated in my treatise ort
StM^ iN >^t the fine wools of iSpain depend neither on
the ■ ^i,^ 4 nor on the soil, nor the climate, nor the
paitn.r. ; that it depends on other causes, and that it
is poso-bic- \, iiave in France and elsewhere, wool of the
sanie qvm-in>^as that of Spain, My travels in the North
of Eur offered facts and observations, which

have afre ^t 'mstrated this truth. I have found in the
fargreater f<' • bcof the flocks 1 have examined, wool,
^hich, jiidgiO^ >' Tithe eye, or the touch, equals in beau-
iy and finen- .s th^^s ;>f Segovia and Leon ; so much s6
that, in my opllib?i, no doubt can remain, that we can
obtain superfi: ^fleeces in every part of Europe, where
pastures are to b^f-and, and where we can depend on
"wintqr food, on v|hich sheep can be supported. These
Wools make clc is as fine, as silky, and supple, as those
manufactured t* fep; oish wool, as attempts made in
Prance^ and oth-r dhm. ' ries prove. But were it true, that
th^ food, climate, and her local circumstances, had a
certain influerir nu^hc •' trinsic qualities of wool, such
as the elasticity tN?v st • n.^^th, the softness, ficc. &c. it
woiildnot be the Tt^T !, that, at all events, cloths,

Che and beautiful en Uj_;K atisfy persons the most dif-
ficult on this point, CUT be tained ; and that a nation'
can easily do without l\eT>'-e vOdls of Spain, and feed its
fihest manufactures Wthihus drawn frohi its own pro-

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 133

per soil. Nevertheless, as these truths are still held in
doubt by some persons, and lest these doubts should have
a considerable influence on our agriculture and our com-
merce, I thought it my duty to publish these facts, which
must give a new degree of force and certainty. 1 here
present to view the actual state of Merino flocks, natural-
ized in Europe."

He says, that a Alerino flock came into Sweden in
1723 ; that from the year 1740 to the year 1780, a bounty
of 75j)er Cent, was allowed to those who sold fine wool;
in 1780, these bounties were reduced to 15, and in 1786, to
12 per Cent. ; and in 1792, being no longer deemed neces-
sary to encourage this breed, they ceased. In 1764, Sweden
possessed 65,369 Merino Sheep, of the pure blood, and
23,384 of the mixed blood : since that period they have
constantly increased in number, in spite of the difficulty
occasioned by the length of winter and severity of the
climate. That the Merino sheep preserve, in Sweden,
their pristine form; that the fleeces have lost nothing of
their equality of length, their elasticity and fine quality of
pile ; that their weight continues as great as in Spain ;
thathe has seen Merino rams whose fleeces weighed thir-
teen pounds each ; and that, when seasoned to the cli-
mate, and properly fed, he has seen them larger and
finer sheep than in Spain. Upper Saxony, he says, is
the country next to Sweden, where the introduction of
the Merino breed is of the longest date ; and it is in Sax-
ony where this naturalization has met with the most
marked success, and produced eff'ects the most beneficial;
the native breeds have, b> a mixture of Merino blood,
profited in an equal degree. The first importation was
in 1765 ; the next in 1778. Mr. Lasteyrie says, he has
seen many different flocks, and has found the pure Me-
rino, as well as some mjxed breeds, producmg wool of
the first quahty; indeed, the sheep Avalks of Saxony are,
at this moment, more productive than any other species
of husbandry ; and that the wool sells at three times the
price of the wools of the countiy. Saxony rears about

184 AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

l,GOQ,000 slicep ; of wliich, 90,000 are Merinos, and the.
mixed breed.

They were introduced into Prussia by Frederick the
Second, in the year 1786. Some of these, distributed over
ihe country, from mismanagement and gro«s neglect,
liave degenerated and died ; others he has seen, 'which
preserve theiji' pristine quahties-

In Denmark^ and in various parts of Germany, Mr.
Lasteyrie has seen this race of sheep always prospering,
if well treated ; and in this and every other country, de-
generating from want of food and neglect ; always,
however, doing as well as the native breeds in the same
keep, and in some cases better ; that the more regular
and ample the supply of food is, whether of grass or
green vegetables, the heavier and finer will be tlie fleece,
the larger in size, and more perfect in shape, will the
sheep be. He strongly recommends housing ; but adds,
that foul, close sheep-cots are injurious ; that a free circu-
lation of air is always found beneficial ; and that this
breed of sheep suffers more from heat than from cold —
(this doctrine has been repeatedly confirmed by our
practice at home) ; that they will get fat as quick as any
indigenous breed, in any country, and have done so
wherever a comparison has been made.

The details of the treatment of the Merino flock at
Rambouillet, a national farm near Paris, merit notice ;
they appear to result from much patient observation. An
experiment was there made, which denotes the peculiar
character of this breed, and its tendency to carry wool.
A ewe, eighteen months old, was left unshorn ; the next
season, her fleece, when shorn, weighed fourteen pounds
ten ounces ; and its pile, which was double the usual
length, lost nothing as to weight, because few ewes
would have given more wool, if clipped at the usual peri-
ods. Another ewe was shorn at thirty months old, and
gave a still greater quantity of wool, although she, at tha^
season, suckled a lamb ; her fleece weighed twenty-ono
poiunds; and ihe pile was eight inches long. In the Jiinth

AtiRlCULTURAL MUSEUM loS

j^car (1800) ; eight ewes, whose fleeces were of two
years growth, gave from sixteen to twenty pounds each.
It appeared from these different experiitients, that Meri-
no wool, of two years growth, will double its length, and
will preserve all its fine quality ; it was not observed that
the sheep subjected to this experiment, suffered particu-
larly from heat, or that their health was in any degree ia-
jured.

It is possible that this property of the Merino fleect,
to grow beyond the period usual in our breed of shcep^
may be productive of some new manufacture ; where
great length and fine quality of pile is requisite; but the
hazard of the blovv-fly, and the chance of losing, in
hedges and brakfes, any part of a fleece, after ii is once ilt
for a manufacture, will not allow of this practice becom-
ing general, admitting even that the sheep suffer nothing
in their proof during the summer months from the weight
of the fleece, which, in a large scale of practice, is impro-
bable, and that the wool should be found to pay as well
for growing to this length, as it would when shorn in
common course ; but we have taken the liberty of noti-
cing a circumstance so novel to us, because diir English
breeds are all supposed to cast their fleeces at a certain
season of the year, if not shorn, with exception to lambs,
which hold their fleeces — (this is quoted by many as an
argument against shearing lambs) ; because (he fact has
also been doubted by some of the best informed and li-
beral amongst us, not supposing the reporters of Ram-
bouillet meant to deceive, but that some mistake must
have been made. A sample of this wool is now in Eng-
land j I have carelaliy examined it, and can bear testimo-
ny to the fact.

The Duke of Bedford, who left Paris at the moment
when hostilities were about to commence, consequently
the latest, as well as one of the most correct judges of
the matter, dcciares that he carefully examined the Me-
rino Sheepat Rambouillet, and that he found them of a
size he was unprepared to expect, and that s'ill the woo
presQBTved its original purity. Samples of tlic vvopl taken

136 AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

when the sheep first arrived, and at various periods since
that time, were examined by him, with all possible accu-
racy, and evidently declared a progressive improvement.
He thought the wether sheep, of the pure blood, might be
fed to twenty-five pounds pc?- quarter ; a size beyond
which, it Avill not be advisable to push them^ unless vani-
ty is to be gratified at the expence of profit.
[5o 5e continued.']

WOOLEN MANUFACTURES.

The legislature of the state of N. York, at their last
session, passed a new law to encourage the manufacture
of woolen cloth by giving premiums, and repealed the
old law on this subject. The following are the premi-
ums provided for in the existing law, viz : For the best
specimen or specimens of woollen cloth of uniform tex-
ture and quality as nearly as may be, not less than 200
yards, wholly manufactured in this state and of wool
produced in this state, of a breadth not less than three
quarters of a yard, a premium of 200 dollars.

For the 2d best specimen of like cloth, 130 yads, 50 dol-
lars.

For the third best specimen, 100 yards, 30 dollars.

These premiums to be adjudged by the society for the
promotion of useful arts, and the specimens to be exhi-
bited to the society at Albany, before the third Tuesday
of February.

FAMILY MANUFACTURES.

" That the person who shall, in his family or under his
immediate direction, at his expence, manufacture, or
cause to be manufactured, within any of the counties
of this state, of wool shorn from sheep owned in said
county, the best specimen of woolen cloth of uniform
texture and quality, of not less than thirty yards, the
breadth not less tt an three fourths of a yard, shall be
entitled to a premium of 40 dollars."

For the 2d best specimen of like cloth in each county?
of 25 yarUs; 36 Uoilura.

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM IS"?

For die third best specimen, of 20 yaids, 40 dollars.

The premiums to be adjudged by the judges of the
court of common pleas in the different counties, on the 3d
Tuesday in January; and proof is to be exhibited that
the specimens were carded, spun and wove in the county^
Pieces of at least a quarter of a yard from the prize spe-
cimens of each county, are to be forwarded to the society
for the promotion of useful arts. Persons may be candi-
dates for the state premiums for family manufactures,
Avithout being so for the county premiums ; provided they
exhibit to the society whole pieces of cloth. The socie*
ty will determine on the first, second, and third best spe-
cimens thus exhibited, and adjudge to the owners the fol-
lowing premiums, each in a piece of plate with suitable
inscriptions, viz.

For the best specimen, ninety dollars.

For t!ie second best specimen, eighty dollars.

And for the third best specimen, seventy dollars.

No person to be entitled in any one year to more than
one county premium. The act is limited to one year*

A Description of Smith ^- Drinker's Manufactory
of Cotton Twist, on Four Mile Run. in the District
of Columbia, begun the 1st of jipril, 1810.
The building is of brick 30 by 33 feet. On the ground
floor are worked one cotton breaker and two finishers
single geared with eight flat cards covering one foui th of
their principal cylinders. They are turned by water,
have a leathern band passing over a large drum or bar
rel extending lengthwise of the hpuse twelve feet; this
drum gives motion to the whole machinery cf the factory.
On the same floor a-.c four drawing heads, and four
roving heads, with cans, barting frames, &c. capable of
carding, drawing, and roving 150 to 180 pounds of cot-
ton per week. This department requires one man and
^hree boys to attend it.

On the second floor are two frames of spindles; one
has 9f>^ the other 12. They may be turned, with safetv

t

13S AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

lo the work, t^jree thousand revoliidons per ir.inulo, ant!
will spiti two and a third hanks per day of thread, No.
10 to 30 — A reel to wind oft" 20 spoils at once with rov-
ing winders : and a machine for carding wool, which will
card and roll 100 weight of wool per day.

This department requires one woman and three small
girls to attend it. The wool-carder requires the constant
attention of one man, when it is carding.

The spindles used in this factoj-y differ in several im-
portant points from those userl in England, or in any
other fagtorj^ in America, liiey are caf)able of doing
more and better work, and require less attention than
the xA-rkwright spiiidlc generally used. They are well
adapted, and make excellent thread when run by hand,
6 or 8 spindles m a frame.

In addition to the above machinery, the proprietors
are no'v constructing (as fast as their iunds will per-
mit) two frames of 96 spindles each, and a mule with
144 spindles, a breaker and two finishers, with a set of
drawing and reving heads. They also contemplate a
small establishment for colouring and bleaching of cotton
twist. George Drinker.

Centre Mills, August 28, 1810.

USEFUL IMPROVEMENT.

Benjamin Parry, of Bocks County, Pennsylvania, has
invented a new Corn Kiln, or machine for drying corn
or other g^rain — The machinery over the oven is com-
posed of three sheet iron sieves, perforated, which re-
ceive a vibratory motion gradually ceasing by small
jars; in which sieves the corn moves from the first to the
second, &c. until it is delivered at the same end of the
kiln it was received. By this method there may be from
one to five hundred bushels (according to the wishes of
the constructor) of corntlried in twenty four hours, with
but little labor and much less fuel than in the ordinary
way—The inventorhas obtained a patent, which secures
to him the exclusive right of using the above machiu
and of vending it to others, Freemaii's Journal.

To Hr S. BI»aget we ire lodeWed Eor an ANTICIPATION of Uie EolIoHlng v»lu»lle Tablff, 1
cnmpiledfor the next Edition of bis Statiuical Mat.ual.

Domntic Exports U. S. comparing the Agricultural and other praUuctions of 1731 with the Iaj#

Seyen years, from official documeuis, valued in dollars V. S,

VODl'CE or THE SEA.

Year

Dri«d Sait

Pickled

Whale oil

Spermaceti

Total ot the

Fi(h.

Fifli

and bone.

Candles,

sea.

1791

1,200.000

200,000

190480

60 000

^ 1,656,480

J 803

1,^20,000

560,000

280,000

175,000

2,035,000

1804

2.413,256

639,419

311,028

69720

3 433,423

1S05

2,0J8,0OO

348,000

314,000

163,000

2,884,000

iso6

2,150,000

366,000

418,000

182 000

3,116,000

1807

1,896.000

302,000

476,000

130.000

2,804.000

1808

623,000 .

58,000

8 1,000

23,000

«32,000

1809

1,123.000

282,000

169000

1 36,000

1,710,000

PRODUCE

OF THE I'OllliST.

Oinfengand

Naval

Pearl &Pot

Lumber,

Total of the

Tear.

Peltry.

Stores.

Alhes.

I^laasj&c.

Foreft.

1791

290. 208

230.000

350,000

1,210.000

2,080,203

3803

63 C 000

460,000

735,000

2,800,000

4,850,000

1804

1,047,305

327,931"

642,000

2. 548, 000-

4,654,4-66

1805

1,115,000

702,000

776,000

2 602,000

5,261,000

1806

980,000

409,000-

93 5,000 •

2,537*000

4.86 1,000

I8O7

995,000

335,000

1,448,000

2,637.000'

5,476,000

1808

161,000

102,000,

408.000

723,000

1, 359,000

I8O9

468,000 ! 737,000

1,506.000

1, 843,000

4.583,000

PKUDUCt Of AG KICUL rU.RE.

.Year.

jAnimal Food,j Vegetable
&c. Food.

Tobacco.

Cotton.

Total of A-
gricuhure.

3791
1803
.1804
1805
I8O6
1807
1808
I8O9

1 ,200.000
4,135,000
4,284,56s
3,385,000
3,274,000
3,086,000
968,000
1,811,000

4,640,000
14,080,000
12,080,684
1 1,752,000
1 1, t!5!j, 000

*, 000, 000
6,23o,ooo
6,000,000
6,341,000
6,572,000

14,4 i2,c'00 5,-4'76,ooo
2,55>),oo.o| 833,000
8,7-5.1,000 3,774,000

3«j,6bol 9,87o,oot>
7, 9'-^", 000' 32,995,000
7,4o4, 117 33,385,262
9,445, oooj.3 1 .562,000
8,332,000; 32,375,000
■14,232,1 00, 37,832,000
2,223,000 6,746,000
.8,515,000 23,234,000

P RO.D U C-K O F .M A X U F A CT U xi K.S.

Year.

J)onieC,icMa.
nu failures.

Of Foreign Ma-
terial,'!.

Total Manu-
fadures.

Total of Domeftic
Exports,

1791

600,000

4i)o,ooo

1,093,32 ;

14,6ou,ooo

1S..3

79o>ooo

565,000

1,356,000

42,235,000

i8u4

1,134,864

451,9 l-'J

2,lS0,ooo

41,o95,o8i^

J 8 05

1,579,000

721,000

2, 3. u), 000

42,387,000

-1 8 -.6

1,889,000

818,000

2, 7i 7,000

46,5';4,ooo

J 8«7

1,652,000

468,000

2,120,000

48, 700,000

]8o8

3' 9,*-oo

35,000

344,000

9433,000

18u9

1 ,166,000

24o,ooo

1 ,5. 6,000

31,4..3,7o^

liO AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

JFbr the Jgricidtural Museian.

MERINO RIDDLE.

As it may lead to calculations and enquiries useful to
those preparing to propagate Merino Sheep, a solution
is asked of the ibllovvino-; — admitting that the iJth dip of
full blood on common stock, or 31|32's of full blood, is
equivalent to full blood —

How comes it, that the little tenant, with one single
Ewe, may, by breeding in and in, have a full.blood '
Lamb in the fifth year : — and yet the great Landlord,
from one hundred Ewes, will not have, by the same pro-
cess, and on the most favorable calculation, more than
hree full-blood Lambs, within the same period of time ?

Shepherd.

SUMMARY OF FACTS,

Ildaiive to American Sheep, by a Farmer of Pennsylva
nia. — Transmitted to the English Board of Agriculture p
hy General Washington, in 1794

I COIOIUNICATEO BT MB. CVSTIS.

The Sheep of America are not natives ; there are no
wild Sheep ; they are of coarse all domesticated. No
animal requires more care and attention than this ; it is
naturally timid, and helpless, and seems to have less of
the instinct, which in brutes is a substitute for reason,
than any other beast. It cannot defend itself against its
numerous foes ; it is a prey to dogs at home; and if it
should stray into the forests, the beasts of prey would
soon destroy it. Some are, comparatively with other
Sheep, more hardy, but compared with other beasts, they
are all delicate.

The stock of our Sheep is European. — The Swedes
and Dutch had a few previous to English settlers, but the
importations of any consequence were from England. —
The Germans also brought Sheep, and i have known

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM lit

some from Spain, and I think a pair of Pc7'5zan Sheep, (a)
but the great proportion is from the English stock.
There are no great varieties, as the breeds have been
mixed, but the American Sheep resemble most in shapes
and figure, those of England; in size, they are generally
smallen

(6) The average weight of Sheep in Pennsylvania,
when fat does not exceed 48 lbs. nett. 1 have known
a carcass 112 lbs. and have heard of one 130 lbs. The
weight of the quarters, may be judged from that of the
whole. It lays the fat most, on the hind quarters, which
are therefore the heaviest. The number of ribs are ge-
nerally twelve, on a side, some have twelve and a false
one. The common run of good slieep, In the Philadel*
phia Market weigh 60 lbs, but 80 lbs the carcass is not
uncommon. The price of mutton in that market, the year
through, about d,4 1-2 Currency', and the price of Sheep ia
flocks, when poor, is about 7s. 6d. or 4s. 6d. sterling.

The Mutton (c) of this country differs as it does in
others ; that fed on short bites and hilly lands, is the best^
The smaller size if well fatted, is also the sweetest and
best flavoured. It is generally accounted better than the
large English orGerman mutton ; but the small niuttoa
of Wales and other hilly countries is as good, but not su-
perior to ours in the fame kind of country. The best
flavoured mutton, is not common in the market of the
Capital, the largest and fattest is to be found there, but
the choice&t and finest meat is only to be had at a dis-
tance, in the neighbourhood of hilly or relatively barren
countries. The (d) heaviest fleece I ever knew weighed
13 lbs. nett. (e) The price of wool upon an average is
an English shilling per lb, three lbs. to a fleece^ is an am-
ple average allowance.

I have seen home-spun cloth, of the fabric of an Englisii
superfine. It is said that we (/) have wool, as fine as
that of England at least; but it rather appears best cal.
culated, for the coarser kinds of cloth. These are ma'
nufacturedhere to great perfection, and will outlast any
imported.

Xii'Z AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

(g) Few Sheep keep their prime longer than seven
years. It depends much on their treatment ; but at this
age, they generally begin to decHne. — None will bear to
be full fatted, and suffered to go lean at any age ; they
always perish with disease, when this happens. The
average weight of the tallow, is aboiit one eighth of tlip
Sheep, if the Sheep is well fattecl.

The time of 'yeaning, is generally from the middle of
February, to the end of May,— the most are lambed in
March and April, — spmp ai'g dropped at Christmas. —
They are as well covered with wool, as is common with
lambs of other countries. — It is rare, for a (h) ewe to lamb
twice a year, although I have known it to happen. A
^Trrodigious number of Sheep, could be raised by every
farmer keeping a few, say a score at most, to a common
sized farm, and these could be well attended to, without
injury to the common affairs of the farm.

.(;■) Premiums given by Government or from private
subscription funds, under, the direction of the Agficuitu-
ral Societies, which are spreading themselves through
every part of the United States, would assist in the at-
tainment of what is most wanted, a (k) perfect breed, of
Domestic Animals, Horses, Cattle and Sheep, included.
Emulation, would be set at work, and the laudable pride
of excelling each other, would stimulate intelligent and
attentive farmers to this kind of exertion. — A breed thus
obtained, will exceed any importation ; the animal will
be assimilated to our climate, in which there are some
peculiarities, not favourable to all imported breeds, or
their progeny unmixed — (Z) As to the food, it is of the
same nature in most countries. Sheep are close biters,
and great consumers of pasture. The shorter ^nd drier,
the herbage in summer, the better ; in winter, they re-
quire, in addition to Hay, Indian Corn, Tops and Blades,
and other dry Fodder, and some succulent food, but our
snows forbid the turnip fodder extensively. — I had one
winter a great quantity of the root of Scarcity, and my
Sheep were never more thriving. When snows lie iong»
the branches of the pine, have a surprising eflect in pre^

kGKICULTURAL MUSEuf? 143

venting^ disorders. Sheep should not be kept in close
sheds, or hovels, except when the lambs are young, and
the vveatiier then cold, and wet; cold nevcj- injures grown
Sheep, or young Lambs ; wet long continued, kills them-
A change is necessaiy, both of pasture and local situa-
tion. They never thrive if kept more than six year?;
npon the same farm. Those from hilly countries, wili
fatten fast, upon low lands, but must be immediately sold
to the butchers. Sheep, Deer and Goats, can feed with
safety, on many things fatal to other animals ; but both
the latter have more .•sagacity in the selection than the
former. The most common diseases are the scower, and
the rot. The (m) runing at the nose, [ take to be a com-
panion, or consequence of the I'ot, which (n) in its first sta^
ges, appears to be a species of catarrh. Wet weather
long protracted, too luxuriant herbage , wet or sour pas-
tures, or too much water, will produce the scower, x^hich
is a forerunner of other diseases. The putrid air of con-
iined stables, or folds, v\ here too man}' are kept together,
is one cause of the rot. 1 do not believe that when the
taint is once fixed, the animal is ever perfectly cured. —
Removal to salt meadows, has cheeked this disorder, in
its first stage, tarring the troughs, in which they drink,
and stinting the quantity of water are also beneficial. —
The free use of pitch pine brandies and buds, is also an
efiicacious preventive and remedy. Sulphur is bene.
ficial in the first stages of the rot. A decoction of Helle-
bore, or tobacco and tar ointment, are serviceable in the
.first attacks of the scab, a disorder common to Sheep, in
all countries, and which in its commencement, is a cuta^
neous disease.

There is an infinite variety in the countenances of
Sheep. Examine the largest (lock, and you will find no
two faces alike. The changes appearing in the counte-
nances and e^es indicate disease, or recovery; but I
know not what arc the symptomatic appearances pecu-
liar to each. (o).

" When fleeces begin to fall ofit* in spring, owing to re-
laxation/from too much warmth^ or weakness, giving

144 AGRICULTURAL MtfSEUM

them Indian corn will set the fleece, by strengthening the
Sheep.

(p) The fleeces are clipped but once a year. All our
fleeces are taken off in May or June. Sometimes we
shear the early Iambs in .Tuly or the beginning of Au-
gust; but it is not commonly practised.

Miscellaneous Observations, (q.) The state of our po-
pulation and habits, now precludes us from going ex-
tensively into the Sheep Husbandry. If it ever should
become necessary, there are immense tracts which might
be devoted to it — they are now called barrens. These,
when burned, throw up a vegetation of white clover, and
abound with aromatic herbs and plants, favourable and
nutritious to Sheep. I do not find our Sheep more sub-
ject to diseases than those of other countries. But wc
shall be embarrassed in our means of keeping large
flocks through the winter, and in long winters their dis-
orders will be more contagious and fatal. The pelts
are now manufactured into parchment, and leather for
various uses — The latter is often died and substituted for
Morocco, but it is inferior to it. The parchment of this
country equals that imported, and can be increased in
quantity, so as nearly if not entirely to supersede the
necessity of importation.

The wolves in our mountains are formidable to Sheep.
But these will decrease, although they may not be extir-
pated, by the progress of the settlements, I have been
told, that the wolf avoids the goat, either on account
of its smell or appearance — It is said that keeping a few
goats, especially he-goats, with the Sheep, has been on
this account practised with success, in some of our fron-
tier settlements.

Notes and Remarks in our next

PRINTED FOR AND PUBLISHED BY DAVID WILEY.

/ Price § 2.50 for twenty four Numbers,

To be paid in advance.

TEE

\G11IGULTURAI. MUSEUM.

UMNIS FERET OMNIA TELLUS. VIRG-.

Vol. I.] Qeorg&towi, Ca. Nov. 9, 1810. [No. 10.
NOTES AND REMARKS,

ON THE

Swnmani of Fads relative to American Sheep, hy a Fai^'
iwr of Pennsylvania. Transniilted to the English Board
of Agriculture, by General Washington, in 1794.-

BY MR. CUSTtS.

(a) The Pcr.^ian Sheep were imported direct from the
East Indies, and a Ram and Ewe prcsenfed to Ccneral
Washington, either by Colonel O'Donnel, or Mr. Bar-
ry. At thf- sale of the General's Stock in 1802, Mr.
Castis purchased the imported ram for the siJm of tea
pounds;, a sum in those da^s deemed the etlecfc ,of mad-
ness or folly. — In these days Eleven Hundred and fifty
Dollars have been given fora Ram, and the sum deem-
ed the result of wisdom and patriot sm.

The imported Persian had tupped at IMount Vernon,
but a short time previous to his sale, but his g-ct had wou-
der'ully improved the form and greatly increased the
iength of staple in the Mount Vernon flocks, and altho*
the mutton at that hospitable board was always much
esteemed, its delicacy and flavor was greatly increased
bj^ the Persian ad.mixture.

The Persian are a Sheep of flne constitution, and pos-
sess the admirable requisites of short legs, and round
bodies, and aUho' the wool is harsh in fibre, it forms an
excellent foundation for long wooled stock. The Arl-
ington long- vvooled, founded on this race, have had
their staple much meliorated by the introduction of
iiner wooled crosses, and the length at the same time
retained in sufficient degree. The ver}' superior flocks
of Mr. Foote, and Mr. Meade of Frederick, bred from

18

146 AGRlCULTUilAL MUSEUM

the ArlingtoM long- wooleiS, still trace their origin (o-llic
iniport(Mi Persiiip, iiUlio' the latter flock received an es-
sential benefit from (he imjn'opcd or Bukewell cross.
upon the lon^ n oolcd.

. The general race of Sheep In the Southern Gauntry,
previous to feiie introduction of the Per.sian, were re-
markable for a short, knott}-, and cotton like ai)pearanec
of wool, hardly enough to keep the animal itself com-
fortable, and hardly any to spare to the farmer's use m
any season. The Persian greatly increaaed tlie length
of staple — gave a very sviperior forrn, to this degenerate
race. The flocks upon t!ie estate of Mr. Custis In New
Kent, were of the old race of the country, as just re-
marked, till 1806, wool 2 or 3 inches long, and sparingly
scattered upon a very spai'c and gaunt fiame ; since tliis
period the flocics have become a fine long wooled race,
and much admired both for wool and appearance.

The im^jortcd Persian Ewe died a few years since at
Arlington. A thorough bred Ram was sent from Arl-
ington to the estate of George Calvert, Esq. of llivers-
daie, near Bladensburg, and was the onl}' one bred from
the imported stock. Mr. Cajvert bhoared a very fine
La;nb, of the long wooled race, a year since, probably
derived from his Persian. It is presumed that some of
the Persian race are still existing about the estate of Col.
O'Donnel, near Baltimore, and if so, they are well warth
the attention of long-wool brcedeis..

(6) The average weight of Sheep, to the South is very
similar, from 40 to 60 lbs. neat — 100 is ^ large mutton
south of the Susquehaimah, altho' in a few instances,
they have been found of still greater weights. Smith's
Island wethers are quoted at 60 lbs. neat. These sheep
being children of our soil and clime, may be considered
as u. fair average for the best pastures of the South. —

The price of Sheep in Mrginia, may be rated at from
one to two dollars per head for Lambs, from two to
three for grown Sheep when poor, and from three to five
for fat wctliers, according to the season. — The priCe

AGRICULTURAL AlUSEUM 147

of Rams, oS the country breeds, previous to 1802, was
■ivom three to five dollars. — Tiie Persian was pcrliaps
tJifi highest pr].ecd Ram sold from the Ilevolution up
to 1302.

(c) Tlic Muiionnflhis Country — The mutton of Virgi-
nia has always been deemed excellent. The best mutton
lias however been derived from tlie Sheep of Citrracootj
imported many years isince, and genei-ally extended. The
tail of tJicse animals is esteeme(l a great dehcaey, altho'
by no means so large as that of the Barhary race. The
Curracoa arc aill coarse wooled, tho' very thrifty in feed-
ing, and fatten at an early age. General Washington
received as a present, from a Mr. Athol, of Antigua,
some West India Sheep, perfectly hairy and much re-
sembling Deer, but delicious as mutton. These tropica.!
strangers soon lost their hair, which softened into wool
as a protection from the inclemency of a colder climarte-
"^"rom the facts of eoarsc vvooled Sheep always pro-
ducing the best mutton, at aH ages and in all countries,
it may fairly be supposed, that JMeiinos will fail in thes.e
j-e^pects; but if the iVIerinos me not so well suited ta
the interior, they are certainly amply provided with
every requisite for the exterior economy of our citizens.

(c?) The hcaviist Fleece. The fleece of Bakewell, tbc
first premium Lamb at the Arlington Shccp-Shcaring in
1805, weighed 12 lbs. 5o?;. clean wool — In answer to
certain queries proposed to the ageifit at Smith's island,
and others cwiversant therewith, 13 lbs. is reported as
the greatest fh;ece ; but as the Smith Island sheep hav^e
generally a good deal of sand in their tfeeces, Bakew ell's
fleece may be considered as sujicrior. — IVIr. Foote's Bad*
ger, a kimb of Mr. Peter's, and one of Mr. Calvert's?
all of tli^ Arlington long woolcd, -averaged 10 lbs.— -6 lbs.
of clean v,ool is nevertheless im ample and indeed a
great average fleece for American flocks.

(c) The Pi i -.c rf Wool. The price varies — Wool to
\hc South is generally sold in the dirt, from'one tp three
shillings per pound — Thirty cents ought to be deemed

148 AGniCULTUrvAL MUSEfM

an average value for unwashed. Wc should hope that:
this slovenly praer.iee, of selling woo! and filth together,
will now give place to a more desirable system. Three
pounds to a fleece appears a fair average. It is cer-
tainly enougli for the South.

[/J ^e have Wool as fine. That we have some
wool, and native wool, as fine as that of England in
general, no doubt exists ; but this is very partially found
in our wide extended territory. Inattention, and the
promiscous intercourse of flocks, have greatly mixed-
the fine wool with the coarse; yet in mo^^t flocks somr
fine wooled samples are to be met with. The Smith's
Island is fine — probably fine wool was first placed there,
and there it still remains, in a long extended line from
generation to generation again, for the Island has re-
ceived no race from abroad. Most American Sheep
have three distinct wools upon the same carcass — The
neck and shoulder fine, the body gfood, and the hips
and thighs coarse. English Sheep are more uniform in
the quality of their v/ools.

[ 0-] Few Sheep keep thier Prime longer than 7 Years .
Four years or the full mouth may be considered as th&
ripest age for Sheep. Ewes generally fail in milk after
this period, and wethers do not fatten so v* ell when
their teeth begin to wear. Six years would be a safe
age to prune a flock at, when ewes anrl wethers should
boih be prepared for the knife. It is essential, in rais-
ing improved Sheep, to examine the Ewes frequently,,
to ascertain whether they be good nurses, since many
ewes, to appearance v/eil looking, are but indiiTereni
milkers.

[ /i ] Jt is rare for a Hue to Lamh itcicc a year. It i--
rare, but sometimes lia; pens. J have known Ewes to
yean at almost all seasons Young Ewes which have
been kept from Ram, for a length of time, will some-
times receive him, at extra seasons, and produce accor.
dingly. It vefy seldom ocei!r5_, except with young Ewes,

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 2i&

] i] Prmniams given hy Government. Some of the..
Siatt: Governments have already adopted tliis measure

[ k\ A perfect breed of Domestic Animals. Our breeds
of Domestic Animals are sufficiently perfect for their va-
rious uses-r-Shcep excepted. Horses liavc arrived at jj
peculiar degree of perfectio:!, and impoi-tations from Eng-
land, have within a few years been immense.-— For use-
ful purposes, we want no more, yet it is truly inelancho-
ly, to see how few of these imported animals, have con-
duced to the benefit of rural employments. Few of the
stock of Ilig'hfiyei', or Eclipse have descended from
their dignity so far as to minister to the duties of Agri-
culture The patient animal who draws the Plough, is a
better servant of the Republic, than the gallant courser
who wins the lace. That blooded Horses have their me-
rits, is most true, but unfortunately these merits are much
obscured, by being more devoted to the pursuits of plea-
sure, thiui the practice 01 industry. — The wealthy and
careless may indulge in the delights of the Turf, but they
should remember, that the enjoyment of their favorite
pleasures, gives nothing to virtue and industry^ but is ra,'
ther an encouragement to idleness and vice,

[Z] As {otiicfcod. The food proper for sheep, is fo
be found in all lauds, very rich and very wet ones except-
ed. Rank grass purges, and wet grass rots sheep. The
grass of hills is most preferable. Old lands which have
put up white clover, arc particularly healthful for this
delicate animal, but to ail pastures, whether high or low,
some portion oi'wood sliouid be att iciied. This in Sum-
mer serves as a protection from the-jVIej'idian heat, and
in winter sereens them from driving snows. In Spring,
sheep should be driven lo woods, where they browse up-
on the young twigs and buds, ^^bieh operate as an aperi-
ent medicuic afttr ihe long feeding on uvy provender.

Sheep should net be lept in close sheds. Nothing in-
jures sheep luui e than continement. They seem by
nature iiee, and are so Domestic as to need little controul.
The close mephitic atmosphere, generated in hot stables

lo?> 'AGRICULTt.'^AL MUSEUM

fs highly injurious to the tender organs of sheep, ami al-
though a shelter is useful, in wet freezing weather, it*:
only use is to keep their beds dry, for their bodies feel-
harm only from lying on vyfct ground, and notfioin falling
weather.

\^m'] The most dsmmon diseases. The diseases of Eng-
land and America are very similar, and often pro-
ceed from the same causes, although the climate is natu
r^lly different. The seower generally attacks ia thV
spring, and often proceeds from eating young clot^cr— f
When it appears at this season, it is generally cured by
shearing the animal which giving a {vco. vent to perspir-
ation, checks and ultimately contjuerc the disease. When.
at other seasons, dry meal and salt, is perhaps the best
medicine, and high short pastures the best regimen.

[n} The running at the nose. I can by no means agre^
■with the Pennsylvania farmer, as it respects this disease*
i^Iy experience has shewn me, that a running at the nose
is liaWe to all ages, and conditions of fshecj), and is gen-
crated by damp foul weather, want Of suit, and crouded
folds. — I have knov/n it to occur and disappear within a
few days. — 1 have no idea, of its being a concomitant of
the rot, but rather think it an infhienza, liable to be gene
rated and removed by the state of the atmosphere.

The rot. — I consider as a local disease almost entirely
confined to the liver of the animal, and in no wise con-
tagious. Parkensonin his Practical Farmer, gives a mi-
nute atid satisfactory explanation of this formidable dis-
ease, from actual experiment. — It is certain that the rot
always proceeds from feeding in moist places where
animalcula^ arc generated, and thence imbibed by the
sheep. — A sheep dying of rot, will always be found to
have a morbid liver, and by use of glasses small tlowkes
or insects, will be perceived therein. The rot never ori-
ginates in frozen weather, because such insects could not
then exist. The rot when taken, admits of no cure other
than nature may perform, nor is it contagious, from its
being the effect of extra causes. A\\ sh^cp vvljHch iced

AGRICULTURAL MUSSUM 1^1

iu moist p];ices, aic not alike affcctedj some escape fortu-
itously, and ilo not imbibe the insects, othefs perhaps in\
hlhQ, but from a Beculiar state of the stomach, discharge
iheni without iiijury. Some few, have their livers heal-
^ji\, but generally speaking the disease is fatal. Sheep da
not alw-ays waste away with this disorder; they some,
rimes die full fat ;. and the experience of SiiMthfield, tends
to shew, that it is no injury to tlie mutton. A small pen-,
duious bag appears under the ja\vs in tlje latter stages o£
the disorder : \'i,hen this appears, the farmer may proceed
to save bis wool, and pelt, for deijth invariably follovvs
ihis symptom.

[p ] '^he fleeces are clipped. Sheep in all parts of live Uni*
ted States. Smith's Island excepted, are clipped once
1^ year. Tiiis should be done as early as the season will
permit, or considerable loss in wool wiii ensue, for the
inima! seeks to get rid of its winter's coat, so soon as.
spring weather occurs, and will rub otf much wool iq
course of a ^hort time. The Smith's Island Sheep are clip-
ped in Apill and September, the reasons and practice
will be made known to the public, in a meuio;r hcrcafteiv
£,ambs unless early and w^ell grown should not be shear-
«?d the first season. The practice of shearing lambs has,
been reconnnended by J>r. Logan, and other distinguiE^h-
ed Agriculturalists, but it a^n only answer in favourable
seasons, and w hen the animals arc in fine keep. -.-A wet
season I should suppose would be very fatal to shoru
lambs.

[q'\ The state ^ our population and habits IflGj'Cars ago
4he state of our population, and habits was thought
unfriendly to sheep farming, the state of our country is
peculiarly adapted to its encouragement and practice,
at this time. 'Tis amazing that the people of the United
i^tates should so long have been blitidedj to a sense of their
true interests. Strange, that a people who loved tiie
siame of Independence, should neglect the praefeicc by
W'hichitis preserved. The rage for importation, seem^i'
to have made our citi;5ens forget, that Providence bud
biassed tlicm with a owintry abounding with every pos.

1^ AGlliCULTURAL, iVlUSlilUlA

Sible resource for their waits Feeble and helpless, irt-
dced must have been the colonists, before tl-.e revolution,
wiio imported handles from England, to fit to their
scythes and hoe.';. — AVas America so scarce of ^vood as
to be unable to furnish this humble requisite, or rather
was American skill, and industry, still more wanting ?

The nation has at length awakened from its long and
dangerous slumber. It is becoming praise-worthy for a
man to clothe himself from the resources of his farm, and
the industry of his famdy. — Independence the price of
Patriots' labours, and Martyrs' blood, will bless our
land, while industry Avith h^r joyous train, hanpiness, and
content, shall hail the virtuous regeneration of our
country. The American citizen will no longer seek from
abroad those comforts which are now to be found at
home ; and the American Republic shall present to the
world the commanding spectacle of a nation — great with,
in itself— a people prosperous and happy in the enjoy-
ments derived from Domestic industry, and a Republic'
flourishing in the blessmgs of rational liberty. May wc
sleep no more.

Extract from an Essay on the Culture and Manufacture
of Flax ; read before tne Culpeper Society, for the
promotion of Agriculture and Domestic Manufac-
ture— by John Strode, Esq.

[Continued from Page 128.]
Flax appears to be better calculated, for the use of a
private family, than either Hemp or Cotton, and that foi^
two very essential reasons.

First. Because it comes sooner to maturity, and is ca*
sier cleaned, and rendered fit lor the wheel. For by
water-rotting of Flax immediately as ripe and pulled, I
have had it sptm and wove into cloth in the month of Ju
ly, that is, within four months after the seed was put in
the ground. This is no small consideration to the needy
or poor. For them, indeed it is, a great and speedy ve-
sourcti

Agricultural museum 153

Secondly. A 'onp-er thread can be spun thereof, from
the sair.e quantity of labour and time ; tiiat is, 20 per
Cent more than of Hemp, and 100 per Cent more than
of Cotton. Oftbis I am convinced from flir and repeat-
ed experiments. The task of a spinner of Flax is 12
cats or hanks, each oT these cuts contain 120 threads
round a reel of 2 1-2 yards in circumference, making
in the whole 3600 yards, which is a moderate day's
work ; some perform much more, but of Cotton it will
require two persons well skilled, one to card, and thd
other to spin that length of thread in a day, although they
choose that size most favourable to dispatch.

With submission, Gentlemeri, have I so fat- endeavour-
ed to state simply and concisely, \ /hat my small experi-
ence has taught me. I regret that it is ivA more to the
purpose, and that my knowledge does not enable me to
trace the subject thro igh all the national, as well as pri-
vate benefits, wh'ch may be derived from it ; a fair state-
ment of which, r yet hope to see, from under the hand of
Some person whose information may aniply qualify him
for the work, and that it may have a happy influence on
the active part of our Fellow Citizens.

The foregoing experiments were chiefly made during
the late War. I hope soon to resume the business of
manufacturing Linen, and be more accurate in my cal-
culations ; and where J make further discoveries, shall
with great pleasure avail myself of the honor of submitf-
ting them to your inspection.

For your kind and polite attention, I beg leave to
thank you, Gentlemen, and to assiire you of that amity^
and esteem with which I regard each individual o4" this
Sofiety. And that

I am, Gentlemen,
Your devoted humble servant.

John Strode.
SO

151 AGIlICULTCrilAL JM15SKUM

Extract J'rop.L Lord Somcrvlllc^s Ksaay on Sheep.
Continued from page 126.

M. Pictet, editor of the Bibiiotheque Britannique, in
frequent ([c'ails of the success wliicli attends tliese sheep,
J^otli on the national farms nt>ar Paris, and on !iis own,
near Genc\a, where his flock consists of 400 Merino
sheep, says, in his 2i0th Numher— " In our Journal, we
have £«-ivcn the fifth annual report of our flock of the
pure blood, orioinally drafted from that of Ranihouillet.
It is now clearly proved, i)y the experience of a great
many husbandmen, that the Merino breed succeeds re-
inarkably well, and without degenerating; and that this
valuable acquisition, which France owes, in a great mea-
sure, to the managers of llambouillet, is fully establish-
ed. The Merinos must keep their ground, from the very
nature of things; for husbandmen will employ their
capitals in the way they find most advantageous.

^' It is now almost imnecessary to publish facts which,
with a little variiition, are merely repetitions of what
lias before taken place ; but, as the pr'=judices of husband-
men are very difficult to remove, in endeavouring to
convince the incredulous it is neeessar}^ to lay before
them all the proofs \vc possess; and there is always
something new occurring.

'•' One hundred and fourteen store etves (hrcbis porh-
crcs) of the pure blood, have reared 111 lambs (56 rams,
and 55 ewes). In the commencement of the lambing
.season (in the first fortnight of December), \ve had ten
miscarriages. 1 was fiom home at the time, and the
only reason my shepherd could assign for this accident
(a rare one in well managed flocks) was, that the ewes
had got a a custom of leaping over a ditch in one of the
inclosures. However this may be, the deficiency was
almost made up, by ten of the ewes having twins, only
one of which died.

'' The quantity of wool has not been so considerable
•this year as last, probably owing to the coldness of the
\vcathcr, or some particular state of the air, and of the

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 153

pijsturcs, as the same thing- has been observed in other
wellniunaocd flocks, and as njy own has always been
kept in the best possible state. The mean weight of tlic
fleeces of the store ewes, was 7 lb. loz. (pois de mare)."

In a private letter, he says-^" 1 have much admired
the samples of wool j-ou have caused to be directed to
me; I like to see} our perseverance gets the better of
prejudices among your neighbours. The Spanish breed
of Sheep is a true mine, wliich the English have icfused
to explore till now. 1 don't knov/ wherher I am mista-
ken, but I suspect in you a higher opinion of that breed
than you were pleased to own. It seems that, in order
to reconcile your prejudiced countrj'men to the admissi-
on of these foreign sheep, you disguised them under tliQ
Hyeland and South Down cloak ; and knowingt hat meat
and fat are, in England, the necessarj' passports of good
fleeces, yon particular!}' insisted upon the carcass being
not injured by the introfluction of the Spanish blood. Is it
your opinion that there will be more profit for you in
crossing the Spanish rams with the tlyeland and Soutft
Down ewes, than in breeding the Spanish in and in? —
Have you any cxperimcat wliicii makes you suppose that
a degeneration would take place by persevering exclu-
sively in the same blood? Now, if there was no degene-
ration, ( as [ am led to suppose by my experience, and
that of many others in France,) would not there be in-
finitely more profit in keeping the pure Spanish breed,
than by crossing? The reputation of that excellent
V>recd cannot but increase and extend annually in Great
Britain. Jf the monopoly created by your wool laws, in
favor of ilic manufacturer, was once abolished, the Span-
ish sheep would, no douI:(t, grow more and more popular'
The adviuilagcs I experience, by the keeping of diat
breed, would certainly be still greater with you, since
voa have ah cady h red out Spanish Rams at one hundred
guineas per aim whereas, f could not sell them higher
than twenty-five. Vou v/ill sec, however, in the JNum-
herof September, of the Bibliotliequc Britannique, thaS

156 AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

tlie produce of niy flock is immense, considering tlie ca-
pital. 1 siiould learn with great p! *asure, that the num-
ber of these sheep is increasing in England ; T shall sa},,
in the terms of Washington, ' the muUiphcation of use-
ful animals is a common blessing to mankind' National
jealousy, on that point, is highly absurd. Industry has
an immense field ; and, if rival nations, instead of cross-
ing each other in agricultural and commercial views, en-
d.^avored to take the lead in usf ful iroprovements, and
cmulaie each other in all good things, they would be reci-
procally subservient to the pcosper-ty of their neighbors,
wit'iout hurting their own. There would be more iiap-
pi;:ess for all individuals, and more people to ejijoy it.
So much for a dream ! I come to the samples of your
flock.

" I have, in my collection, samples of all English
wools ; yourRyeland is comparable to most of the Spa-
nish wool of commerce; but the improvement is evident
in the cross ; the half Ryeland half Spanish, has all the
qualities of fine Spanish wool. There is one quality,
which is peculiar to the prime Leonese, viz. an extreme
softness, joined with strength and elasticity. All your
samples seem to partake, in a high degree, of that quality;
and it is peculiarly remarkable in the cross of Rycland.§
Now 1 susiiect it may be partly owing to the rubbing of
ochre, after the Spanish fashion; I was led to think so by
observing a reddish tinge §§ in your samples, which I
suppose to have been v, ashed on the back, and by re«
membering that you bad countenanced that method. —
Be so good as to tell me whether it was so or not? I
take the hberty of sending here inclosed, a sample in the
yolk, of one of my best rams. 1 have not yet met with

§ ll was (0 this wool that, witliin ten days after the recriptnf this letter, the jjremiums were
a.'juil.pd, by the Conin>ittne of the BatJi and West of Ejigland Socii;iy.

§j Tbj cu ..moo colour of th" soil NoUiin^ has been ruhbcd iii. A trial was made, tlirec yearj
ago, OD ao;ne Ryela.^d sheep, in onl-T to nrove wheth-r oclirc timiled, in any desrce, to sive a soft-
ness to tiie wool ; but it appear.d to h.ivv i contrary effcC, if any. No trace of such .i |ir.-ctic«
cojidbe disi-.jircred .iinoiif the 6h«pii -r.l-. in Sp.iin. as has been stated; yrl in sonm pans it may
prevj.il. Some fl»eces. brou;;ht from Sp in i:. ISuO, were analizi d by Dr. Oaniett. and ro oi-l.re
could be discov'ered. M i. .« yric ,i ;rc<-s iii the disusa of ochre, and considers it i.s apapplicati-
on to preydut hii jjtinj ttaax blisHriog, in tlie sun, wimeJi^te'y f.-v: iutuius , ia uo ..ij.r v.»/-

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 155

3. finerfloece amotigmanv hundred Spanish beasts § that
I have examin^'d; a'* well those iatelj imported froni
Spaia^ as the flocks that have been uatuialized these
many years. That ram belongs to the seventh or eighth
generation, born in Fiane»% ovt of the orir;2;inal tioek
a rived from Spain, aiway breeding in and in, with a
rema-kab!e iiicrease of weight in t'ie animals and in
tiieir fleece. Tiese facts deserve attention. \ ou may
see in tiie hist report of Tessier and Hazard, concern-
ing the S!jeep of [la!ii'>onillet, the residts of the com-
parison between the nevvly arrived Spanish rams and
evvejB, and the old stock issued from individuals ^drawn
from Spain eighteen years ago ; I have seen the two
flocks, and would have prejudged the fact as it is stated,
Jn my flock, the mean weight of the fleeces of the ewes
of the Rambouillet breed, has been seven pounds twelve
ounces (pois de mare) in the yolk. Now, the mean
weight of the fleeces of the Spacisli ewes arrived last
year <it thi'ee of my ncigljbours' premises, has been five
pounds. As to the comparative fir.'Micss, no better cri-
terion could possibly be obtained, than the price fixed by
the merchants and manufacturers in the public sale ai
Rauibouillet. The manufacturei's do not act at random,
when they give a price full as high for that wool as for
the prime Leonese, coming from Sipain; th^y have
ki>Qvvn its value, by repeated experiments, these many
years." [To be continued,]

§ A French idiou;ezj.ressive«f Sljeep.

Intern AT> Prospicts.

"While our fellow citizens on the sea board, have been
harrassed and embarrassr-rj, by the increasing impedi-
ments to a fee and lucrative commerce ; the people of
the westci'n country have great cause of giatitude to
Heaven, f )r the pieasing and happy prospects which are
dally opening to their view. The annals of the world
dy not afford aii :nsta:]cc of a country so swiftly advau-

168( ACRICULTUKAL, MtTSEU?.!

cing to wealth and importance, as the western part at
America. The time is easily recollected by thousands
around ul-, when the sound of the axe was unheard in
our forests, and savages and beasts of prey inhabite<t
every part of the states of Kentucky, Tenntssce, Ohio,
&c. The contrast is as sublime as it is astonishing The
arts and sciences have already attained to a tlegrco of
perfection, which in many countries would ha\ e ri>quir'
ed the experience ofcentm'ies ; and in no part of the con-
tinent has agriculture flourished to a gi'eater extent. The
world might in vain be searched for a country, where all
the necessaries, and many of the luxuries of life, could be
so easily obtamed, as in this favoured clime. Manufac-
tories, also, have recently received considerable attenti-
on— and we sincerely trust that the day is not very di-
stant, when our farmers shall no longer be under the ne-
cessity of pedling the surplus products of their farms to
provide decent and comfortable apparel for their families^
As a corroboration of the reasonableness of this hope, it
may be well to state that in procuring their late supplies
of goods, our merchants begin to think it proper to pur-
chase smaller quantities of foreign cloths than they have
been in the habit of procuring, and to make much greater
purchases of Domestic Manufactures.

At this day the western country exhibits a. scene of
prosperity, unrivalled by the examples of former years.
The season has been unusually propitious, and crops
■were never known to be so abundant as at present.
Corn will be a drug — it is said that it can be purchased
m some places for ten or twelve cents per bushel.
Wheat is in great abundance, although it has sustained
some small injury from a species of the Hessian fly. The
crops of rye exceed those of former years. The quanti-
ty offruit (with the single exception of peaclies) has ne-
ver been equalled in this countr}' — and every other pro-
duction of the earth bears at least an equal proportion to
the above.

[Nat. Intelligencer. 1

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUJVt 159

ON CIDER.

Directions for making sweet, clear Cider, that shall re-
tain its fine fiavor, and keep good for a long time in
icasks, like wine. Maryland Republican.

There are persons iri this country, who have for
years been in (he habit of making a particular fine rich
and svV6et Cider, which they sell from six to ten dollars
per barrel : the method of doing it they have endeavored
to keep a profound secret.

The writer of this being acquainted with the art, is de-
sirous that all Cider makers may profit by it; and takes
this method to make it generally known

It is of importance in making Cider that the mill, the
press, and all the materials be sweet and clean, and the
straw clean from must. To make good Cider, fruit
should be ripe (but notrotton) and when the apples are
ground, if the juice is left in the pumice 24 hours, the Ci-
der will be richer, softer, and higher coloured ; if fruit is
all of the same kind, it is generally thought that the Ci-
der will be better ; as the fermentation will certainly be
more regular, which is of importance. The gathering
and grinding of the apples, and pressing out the juice, is
a mere manual labor, performed with very liitle skill in
the operation : — but here the great art of making good
Cider commences; for as soon as the juice is pressed
out, nature begins to work a wonderful change in it. —
The juice of fruit, if left to itself, will undergo three
distinct fermentations, all of which change the quality
of this fluid. The first is the vinous ; the second the
acid, which makes it hard and prepares it for vinegar;
by the third it becomes putrid The first fermentation
is the only one the juice of apples should undergo to
make good Cider. It is this operation that separates the
filth from the juice, and leaves it a clear, sweet, vinous
liquor. To preserve it In this state is the great secret;
this is done by fumigating it with sulphur, which checks
any further fermentation, and preserves it in its fine vi-
nous state. It is to be wished that all cider makers

160 ACnrCULTLHAL MUSEUM

•\vor.ld make a trial of this method; it is alfended \vilij
ho expcnce and but little trouble, and will have the de-
isii-ed etVect.

I would recommend that the jirr-r, as it comes from
the press, be placed in open h•.;ad^;d cisks or vats; in
this situation, it is most likely to u:ideri;o a proper fer-
mentation, and the person attending maj- with great
correctness ascertain whent'iis ru\-:t fermentation ceases;
this is of g!<Nat importance and m'jst be j::n ticularly at-
tended to The fermentatron is attended with a hissing
noise, bubbles ris nj; to the surface, and there forming
a soft spungy crust over the liquor. When this crust
beo"insto crack, and a white froth appears in the cracks
level with the surface of the head, the fermentation is
about stopping. At this time tiie liquor is in the fine
genuine clear state, and must be drawn off immediately
into clean casks ; and this is the time to fumigate it with
ffulphur To do this take a strip of canvas or rag, about
two inches broad and twelve inches long, dip this into'
melted sulphur, and when a few pails of worked Cider
arc put into the cask, set this macth on fire and hold it in
the cask, till it is consumed, then bung the cask and
shake it that the liquor may incorporate with and retain
tlie firncs ; after this fill the ca«k and bung it up This
Cider should be racked off again the latter part of Fe-
bruary, or first of March ; and if not as clear as 3'our
wish it, put in isinglass to fine it, and stir it well ; then
put the cask in a cool place where it will not be disturb-
ed, for the fining to settle. Cider prepared in 'this man-
ner will keep sweet for years.

It is certainly of great importance to the people of A-
mcrlca to cultivate the frnitthatis natural to the soil of
their country, and to make the most of the fruit which
tlie soil produces ; especiallj', when its produce is an ar-
ticle of value, and of great consumption in this country.

PUINTED FOR AND PUBLISHED BY DAVID WILEY.

Price «^' 2.50 for twenty four NumbcrSf
To be paid in advanct.

TilE

^IGMICULTURAE MUSEUM

OMNIS FERET OMNIA TELLUS. VIRG-

Vol. I.] Georgetown, Cx Nov. 23, 1810. [No. 11.

E ctract from Lord Somervill&'s Essay on Sheep.
Continued from page 157

M. Plcfcet is sometimes disposed to smile at our bigot-
cd adherence to the outward form of our sheep, and to
those properties which render them capable of becoming
good mutton: but M. L-istejrie does not quite give
into the ideas of the Continent in this particular.

" The practice of certain good husbandmen in Eng-
land, would be attended with advantage, in my opini-
on, either where t!ie fleece of lambs is intended to be
])reserved two years, or for sheep which are annually
shorn. A little is clipped from the surface of the fleece
of the animal ; say one or two lines in length. The
loss of wool, in a middling sheep, occasioned by this
operation, is not more than half a pound ; and the;
growth being thereby accelerated, we may expect to
luive a heavier fleece at shearing time. We know by
experience, that in order to make our own hair grow
vigorously it requires, occasional cutting.

" It was at first imagined that the Merino breed was
not capable of producir.g, in France, wool of as fine a
quality as they do in Spain, on account of the climate
being colder •, it has also been said, that the superior
quality of the wool is o^ving to the journejs these ani-
mals are made to take ; and, consequently, that as v/e
cannot manage them in the same way, we shall never
be able to have it of equal fineness.

" All these reasonings having been belied by experi-
ence ; some have attempted to depreciate the JMerinos^
by maintaining that they are incapable of taking on

21

1 ACniCLLTURAL MlSEUM

much n-s!i, :inil Unit tli;;ir mutton is of a very had qnalifj?
ill a purtiiil view, tliis objcctiui) nii^ht have the appear-
ance oi' sonic (h gvGQ of plausuhility ; it is however, com-
pletely (ionc away with, by facts. It is not to be denied,
tliat the niutton we eat in S[)ain is generally lean,
tough, and ill lasted ; but I have observed in my Trea-
tise on Spanish Shec'p, that the bud quality of the mutton
in that country, is owing to their sheep not being slauglv
tered until they are past breeding, or until they begin
to (h op oiV, from old age. Those who feed for the butch-
ers, pasture their sheep upon commons near towns,
already so cat down, that the sheep can with ditificulty
keep themselves alive. The Spaniards have very few
ivethers (moutons chufrcs) in their travelling flocks, at
the titmost, two out of seven; and, besides, their rams
are never castrated until they become old.

•' Such raanagem^entmust produce bad mutton in any
breed of sheep. B^'s-ides, the coarse wooled sheep in
Spain are not better mutton than the JNlerinos; and I my-
self have eat, in th^s country, Merino mutton as delicious
as our own. What I liave advanced is conlirmed by
iacts, ascertained by Citizens Tessier and Hazard,
which we shall give as stated in their report to the
Institute, in the year eight.

" The experiments we had formerly made in feeding:
Spanish Sheep, have not been fully detailed. It has
been undeniably proved, that all those animals were
fattened, and the tiesh was at least as delicate as that
of any other breed of sheep.

Having a prejudice to overcome, which retarded
the propagation of iine-wooled sheep, it became neces-
sary to produce positive facts, and authentic experi-
ments made by order of government. For this purpose
on 18 Ventose, we took three sheep of the same age,
but of different weights, making a total of2131b. : there
>vas a difference of 13 lb between the weight of the hea-
viest and ligiitest. We began by feeding them on lu-
cerne and branj afterwards we gave them barley and

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

ues

Qtits instoad of the bran. Once a fortnight, \vc weighed
both the animals and the food they were to have, during
that period ; and we ascertained

1. That, on llth Pi-airial, the day on which we killed
one of them, the total weight of the three amounted
to 3261b. shewhifij an increase in their weight of 83 ib.

2. That the dilierenee between the heaviest and the
lightest was 8 1-2 lb. that is to say 4 lb. J) oz. less than
when they were put up to fatten.

3. That the sheep of greatest weight at the end, was
that which was neither heaviest nor lightest at the be-
ginning.

4 Tiiat the lightest in the beginning remained so to
the end.

5. That the greatest increase in each took place du-
ring the first twelve days.

6. That during hot weather, their increase was retard-
ed in two only; after which, the weather bccomiug
cooler, the increase was more I'cmarkable.

7. That at two dilVerent times, one harl gained weightj
while the other two had lost: and it was not the same
each time.

8. That after 15'Ji Prairial, the remaining two
had g'-adually lost weight, though unequally.

Each of the sheep consL>med in 8(3 days, 2811b. of
food, which is at the rate of 31b. 4 oz. a day.

It was not when they consumed most food that
their increase in weight was greatest, for they consumed
most from the 15th to the 45th day.

The sheep killed on 14th Prairial, being the lightest
of the three, weighed 99 ib as follows: lb.

ilMeat and bone - - - - 51
Fleece - - - 7 1-4

Fat .... 5 1-2

Liver and lungs . . . . 4
Head, feet, skin, and entrails - 28 1-2

J^lood; ^ - - 3J-2

99 3-4

t64 AGRICUI.TURAL MUSEUM

We must observe, that several of the Spanisli sliecp
we had previously killed, had more fat than what is here
stated, and we have no doubt that the other tv/o would
have given more, had wc put them to the proof: lie this
as it may, the meat was declared most excellent. This
experiment in addition to others, proves, beyond a doubt,
th'dt Spanish sheep are capable of being fattened, and
tnat false prejudices against the quality of their mutton,^
have been industriously propagated.'*

Having, in the foregoing quotations, given some idea
of the interest this breed of sheep has excited on the
Continent, it is now time to return to our own counti-y.
Some of the observations in the preceding )ia»t of this
Essay having been addressed to the Bath Society, the
chairman was pleased to express himself as follows:
" iMy Lord,
*' As Chairman oi this Anniversary Meeting, I am di-
rected to convey to your Lordship the most grateful
thanks of the Society for your valuable Essay on Sheep
and Wool, and for your exhibitions of stock and uten-
sils of husbandry ; all of which were received with sen-
timents of the highest approbation. I have the honor
to be, &c. &c. " John Billixgsley."

JDcc. 15, 1802.

Report of the Committee. (Copy)

" Your Committe appointed to take Lord Somerville's
Memoir into consideration, hav e perused the same with
much satisfaction. It contains a great deal of interesting
information respecting the Spanish breed of sheep, and
the different crosses of them; and his Lordship appears
now to be demonstrating from his own experince, what
lie long ago promised to the Society, and to the public.
(Signed)

John White Persons, S. Payne,

George Toilet, Jolin R. Jirachcr,

Richard Astley, Gab. Golney,

David Sweet, W. C. Slopcr ''

John R. Lucasj

AGRICULTtTRA.T:. MUSEUM 166.

Amonfif the stock exhibited, was a jMerino ram, redu-
ced almost to a skeleton, by a tedious voyage from
Spahi, in boisterous weather, wliich had since served
more than one hundred ewes, and was taken from the
flock the da}' he was sent fioni Bath. We believe this,
circumstance could hardlj'^ be known, and that it was
probably the first time a ram was ever exhibited for
public inspection at tiiat lime of the year, after serving
any number, much less such a flock as one hundred ewes,
running with them all at the siime time ; more particular-
ly when we include tiie sea voyage, which constantly pro-
duces fcvei", un'ul sheep are seasoned to it, and always
renders their importation a matter of exceeding difficul-
ty ; yet, under all tiiesc disacb/antages, there was a natu-
ral tendenc}- in him to lay on flesh and fat, which could
n-jt be controuled, together with a breadth of chest, a
fulness in the tv/ist, or leg of mutton, and a breadth on
the back, exemplifying the symmetry to which these
sheep by attention to the frame may be brought; he
cleft two inch.es thick of fat on the rump,

A tame bell-wether, or manso, wa slievvn at the same
time, and killed ; he was kept for (he purpose of lead-
ing the flock (for no dogs ai"c used in Spain), and always
followed the shepherd, feeding from his pocket; so that
when he came to thii country, at three years old, this
^heep might have been warranted never to have tasted
grass, yet with hard/y a tooth in his head, he brought
himself to be good mutton, on grass alone, and was as fat
jis need be served at table, or" cat with bread," as the
teehnieal term is. The half-bred llyeland, j^nd South
Down two tooth wethers, died as well, carrying as
much spine fat as was necessary ; and besides what
was on the kidncj's, rougii fat, or tallow, in full pro-
portion to their age and size ; one of them a small sheep,
was judged to carry as much wholesome flesh on the
spine, as some sheep would, weighing forty pounds
per quarter.

Several rams, brought ovev with the (lock, ^vere of

166 AGRICULTURAr MUSEUM

a shape unfit to breed from § ; notwithstanding the sa-
crifice was great, prime cost and heavy expcnces of the
voyage considered, they were cut about the middle or
end of October ; and aUhough very low in order at that
time, even these have exhibited a tendency to get fat,
which absolutely surpasses belief Some of them werp
spared to a gentleman near Taunton, and were judged
by butchers to be fit to kill, and good meat in January.
For two Merino ewes exhibited, fifty guineas were offer-
ed, in presence of the whole meeting, and more was ready
to be given, if that price was not sufficient; it was not
accepted.

§ Out of thirty-three Merino rams, of pure blootf, thirty were not fit to breed from, with a view
t» improvement of any thing but wool, and one only, from vhich rapid approximation to that outlius
<tt trune indispensably reguijite in tlieeyes of every British f-rmer, could be expected.

[To be continued.]

For the Agricultural Museum.
On the Scab on Sheep.
Communicated by a Farmer of respectability and ex-
perience in the upper part of Virginia.

Ttis of the first importance that all persons who are
engaged in sheep breeding, and especially those who
are purchasers of the imported Merino sheep, should
guard well against any disease they may chance to bring
with them — one in particular that is not so discoverable,
the scab ; which frequently docs not apparently affect the
health of the sheep, or reduce his fat, until having gained
a considerable ascendency. Its first appearance is a dead-
liess and dryness of the wool, it being both thinner ami
shorter, the flesh preserving often a healthy appearance
As this disease is contagious it should be carefully guar di-
ed against. Every Merino not having the most per-
fect health (which is rarely the case alter a long
voyage) should be well washed in warm water and
soap, this should be repeated if health is not rcsto-
red; which may be always told by the growth aud ap-

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 167

pearance of the wool, and the uniformly red colour of
the tlcsh If ths scab has taken hold of the flesh, the
same method is to be pursued, and in addition the
slieep mui;t be anointed with hog's lard and spirits of Tur-
pentine, or lard and lye, tobacco juice, or something of
the kind. The sheep remaining 2 or 3 days annointed
then washed out with soap ; twice or thrice will generally
be sufficient. There are some persons perhaps who are
unwilling to deprive the animal of its peculiar stamp,
that of having a stout coat of dirt and oil at the end of
the Hcecc, an evidence of its real value and pure blood —
but for the sake of this outward sign, it would be griev-
ous that a line Merino should be lost, or a whole flock
contaminated.

Observations relative to the Pruning of Orchards, by
Thomas Skip Dyot Bucknall, Esq. of Conduct-
street.

From the Transactions of the Society for the En-
couragement of Arts, AIanufactures and Com-
merce.

The Silver Medal of the Society was voted to Mr.
BucKNALL, for these Observations.

THE bark of trees, properly considered, con-
sists of three divisions; the outer, rough; the middle sofi
and spongy ; the inner, a whitish rind, being that which
joins the bark to the wood ; and this last is supposed to
contain the Hquid sap. It is constantly observed, that
when the stem of the tree grows too fast for the bark,
it causes blotches and lacerations; wliich evil is properly
avoided by scoring the hark with a sharp knife : but
care should be taken not to cut through the whitish rind
before-mentioned ; for that heals very difficultly, gene-
rally ulcerates; and; by being cut through, gives the in

I6ci AGltiCULTUllAL IJUSEUM

sects § an opportunity ofg^ettiriigf between the wood and
the bark, where they arc very destructive.

Any surijcon Icnows that a \vo:ind extending to the
iine membrane, covering the bones of the iiunian ho(!y,
requires much more skill to cure than a flesh wound,
and the case is similur.

Pruning is an important article wiMi regaid to the
health of trees, and their bearing; and, if judiciously
done, they will come into bearing sooner, and continue in
vigour for nearly double their common jil,-.; : but the sys-
tems of pruning are so wordy, thatthc common farmer
cannot understand them ; and tlie gardener thinks the
orchard beneath his care, for wliieh reason It is left to na-
ture and the winds; for, the farmer, afraid of doing
wrong, never troubles himself about it, unless, seeing a
branch half-broken, he takes his bill, and knocks it off,
perhaps four or five inches from the trunk, leaving an
imsightly stump. Do not imagine this is intended
as any reproach ; for there are no men who spend their
time more judiciously in their vocation, but tiiey cannot
run into speculations ; if they did, little rent would be
paid. I give no attention to fruit branches and wood-
branches, as being unnecessary in the present instance;
and beg, once for all, that no branch shall ever be short-
ened, unless for the figure of the tree, and then constant-
ly taken off close at the separation, by which means the
wound soon heals. The more the range of the branches
shoots circularly, a little inclining upwards, the more
equally will the sap be distributed, and the better will
the tree bear ; for from that circumstance, the sap is more
evenly impelled to evejy part. Do not let the ranges
of branches be too near each other ; for remember, all
the fruit and the leaves should have their full share of the
sun ; and, where it suiis, let the middle of the tree be free

§ Insects, such as ants, earwigs, and man7 species of millepedes, with numerous microscopSa
creatures, of whic'j I know no name ; hut all of wbicb obstruct tbe healing of t^e woundSj by tbeb
constant eating andrri:tting the tender bark.

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 1G9

from wood, so that no branch shall ever cross another,
but all the extreme ends point outwards.

The best compliment your neighbour can make is, that
your trees arc handsome, but tv-o thin of wood: be it so;
and you may say, "True, farmer; but I have the best
price at market, and that will always be the sure test of
perfection.'^

. My tenant, Mr. Boulding, planted an orchard in 1772:
being on a rich soil, it throve surprisingly. That vigo-
rous growth occasioned the after decay of the trees ;
for the wind, having gn^at power over them, split them
down ; the ladders, in gathering, broke; the wood being
soft, many causes concured to injure them ; and the
injudicious manner in which the lacerations were
taken oft" added to the evil ; for, there generally fol-
lows gum from a wound, which being sweet in fruit-
bearing trees, the wound becomes filled with vermin,
whieli obstruct the healing by their constantly eating
and fretting the young bark

Being informed of the situation the orchard was in, T
went down in the spring of 1790, and found tlie branches
so intermixed and entangled together, that in many
placesthey had cut each other nearly half through, causing
wounds and blotches ; which, on the return of the sap
in the spring, always affect the leaves, by inclining them
to curl, and is a proof that the sap is vitiated.

Having examined the circumstances, I told the tenant
I would come down in the autumn, when proper persons
must be found to execute the business, and we would
reinstate the orchard, and bring it to its former splendor ;
for, it should be observed, the orchard used to be
much admired. Accordingly, I went the first Tuesday
in November, and for two hours walked over the ground
with the men, instructing them what I would have done,
that we might begin the next morning, work with spirit,
and lose no time. We had saws, bills, and knives, pre-
pared on purpose ; and, though 1 am a good hand myself,
I soon perceived neither of us could cut true enough with

17*0 AGRICULTURAL MUSEtJM

a bill to lake off (' c branch, without leaving a stump, or
improper wound ; for it is essentially necessary, that
every branch should be cut perfectly smooth and close ;
for which reason we took the saws, and afte wards
smoothed the place with a knife. My servant's business
was with a painter's brush, to smear over the wounds
with a medicated tar hereafter descrihcd.

It is impossible the bark can grow over a stum]), ])e.
cause there is no power to draw the sap that way ; for
which reason always cut a litllc wiiliin th(; wood. 1 was
constantly di . cting to cut quick, close, and smooth. We
kept together, first walked round the tree ; then T point-
ed out every branch that came near to the ground, or had
received any material injury, or where the leaves were
much curled; for, where the leaves curl, the fruit is al-
ways specky; and every branch which had the least
tendency to cross the tree, or run inwards, was taken off.
Then we gave a little attention to the beauty oft e head,
leaving all the branches as nearly equidistant as possi
ble: next, we examined if there were any remaining
blotches, opening or scoring them with a knife, and
where the bark was ragged from any laceration, pairing
it gently down till we came to the live wood. Each of
these was touched over with the medicated tar.

Having gone thus far, we should have rubbed off the
moss and scored the tiees, but I had not time for thai;
part of the business ; I only wish I had secured a person
oa purpose. In the cutting we followed the surgeon^s
rule, go to the quick, but do not wantonly make any-
wound larger than necessary.

We sometimes had our doubts whether a particular
branch should be taken off. The idea 1 brought it un-
der was this ; consider whether it will be in the way
tlviee years hence ; if it will, the sooner it is off the bet-
ter.

When trees are much thinned, they are subject to
throw out a great quantity of young shootg in the spring,

AGRIJCULTURAL MUSEUM .17i

which T requested the tenants to be particularly careful
to rub oir. It is necessary tliat they be rubbed, and not
cut ; for cutting increases the number.

As our workjLh'ew near a cgneiusion, one of the te-
nants said, '" we lUKlerstaiul o(U' business so well, that
I wish we had another job;" upon which my servant
observed, " 3'ou hud better keep in your own parish,
for the people are much dissatisfied." The truth is, we
had no comfoi'ters, for the country was against us. If
the land had been under my own cidture, I should have
taken off half as much, more ; but I did not choose to of-
fe.nd ttie person v,l;omI wished to instruct.

I went down again, in the spring of 1791, to see the
eftect, and found the tenants much pleased with the ope-
ration ; i did not find one w^ound in an hundred but what
was in a clear healing state, and the healing of the wound
is the business ; for nothing butprejudice can make a per
son think that a tree overloaded vvidi wood will produce
good fruit. \ on niayas well expect a crop of turnips with-
out hoeing, and lam in great hopes that pruning will be-
come as genera) as hoeing ; I am sure it is as necessary.

The medicated tar above mentioned, as used in the fore-
going experiments, was composed of one quarter of an
ounce of corrosive sublimate, reduced to fine powder, by
beating with a wooden hammer, and then put into a thi-ee
pint eaithen pipkin, withabout a glass ii'li oi'gin, or other
spirit, stirred well together, and the subliinatc thus dis-
solved. The pipkin was then filled, by degrees, with
vegL-tab'eor conmion tar, and constantly stirred, till the
mixture was blended together as intimately as possible ;
and tl'iis quantity will, at any time, be sufficient for two
hundred trees.

To prevent danger, let the corrosive sublimate be
mixed with the tar as quickly as possible after it is pur-
chased; for, being of a very poisonous natuie to all ani-
mals, it should not be sutiVuvd to lie iibou a housC; for
fear of uiischief to some ptutof the family

IT2 AGRICULTURAL MUSEUHr

ColuJiihian JgricuUural Society ,

At the meeting of the Columbian Agricultural Society^
held at the Union Tavern in Georgetown, on Wednes-
day the 21st instant, the Premiums were adjudged as
foilows, viz r

J^remum 1.. .Sixty Dollars, — For the best Bull ;

To George Calvert Esq. of Prince George's Coun-
ty, Maryland:

Premium 2....Sixty Dollars,— For the best Cow with
her iirst Caif ;

To Osborne Sprigg Esq. of Prince George's Coun-
ty, Maryland :

Prcmmm3....Fifty Dollars,— For the best fat Bullock
or spayed Heifer, for beef;

To William Stinnbergen Esq. of Shenandoab
County, Virginia:

Premium 4....Fovty Dollars,— For the best piece of
fulled and dressed woolen cloth ;

To Mrs. Anna M. Mason, of Analostan Island,
^Washington County, District of Columbia:

Pre)7zm7n 5., .Thirty Dollars, — For the best piece of
woolen Kersemere ; - ,

To Mr. George M. Conradt, of Fredericktown,
Maryland :

Premium 6.. ..Thirty Dollars, — For the best piece of
Cloth, cotton warp, filled with wool, to shew the wool
on one side ;

To Mr. George M. Conradt, of Fredericktown,
Maryland •

Premium 7. ..Thirty Dollars, — For the best piece of
Fancy Patterns for Vests, of wool and cotton ;

To Mrs. Martha P. Graham, of Dumfries, Prince
.^Villiam County, Virginia:

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 173

i^remmm 8.... Thirty Dollars, — For the best piece of
Flannelj all wool ;

To Mrs. Sarah M^Carfcy Mason, of Hollin Hall,
Fairfax Coiinty, Virginia:

Premium 9 ...Twenty Dollars, — For the best piece of
Flannel, part cotton part wool ;

To Mr. George M. Conradt, of Fredericktown,
Maryland :

Premium 10.. ..Ten Dollars, — For the best pair of
fine woolen knit Stockings ;

To Miss Patsey Shackelford, of Culpeper Court
House, Virginia :

Premium 11. ...Ten Dollars, — For the best pair of fine
woolen woven Stockings ; None were offered:

Prcmmm 12.. ..Thirty Dollars, — For the best pair of
fine woolen Blankets ;

To Mrs. Martha P. Graham, of Dumfries, Prince
William County, Virginia;

Premium lo.... Twenty Dollars, — For the best pair of
fine cotton Blankets ;

To Mrs, Martha P. Graham, of Dumfries, Prince
William County, Virginia :

Premium 14.... Fifteen Dollars,— For the best pair of
stout coarse Blankets, for labourers ;

To JNlr. George M. Conradt, of Fredericktownj
Maryland :

Premium 15.... Fifteen Dollars, — For the best parcel of
flaxen or hempen Sewing Thread ;

To Mrs. Elizabeth Gunnell, of Minorca, Fairfax
County, Virginia :

Premium 16.. ..Forty Dollars, — For the best woolen
Carpet, or Carpetting in the piece ;

To Mrs. Elizabath Maynadier, of Belvoir, An»
Arundel County, Maryland :

m

AGRICULTtTRAL MUSEUM

Premium 17....Fifteen Dollars,— For the best hearth
Rug;

To Mrs Elizabeth Maynadier, of Belvoir, Aim
Arundel County, Maryland :

Premium 18. ..Twenty Dollars, — For the best sped-
men of durable Dye, with the Recipe ;

To Mrs. Martha P. Graham, of Dumfrics,^ Prince
William County, Virginia.

The following Gentlemen were appointed officers of the
Society for the ensuing year.
President. Osborne Sprigg, of Northampton, Prince
George's County, Maryland.

Vice President. Thompson Mason, of Hollin Hall,
Fairfax County, Virginia.

Secretary. David Wiley, of Georgetown, District of
Columbia.

STANDING COMMITTEE.

Daniel C Brent,

John T. Brook,

Jolin Williams, \ of Prince

Robert Graham, 3 William,

" W^ilson C. Seldon, ^ ,■ t 1

W-,,. e 1 J- oi Loudon,

illiam Bronaugh,3 '

"William H. Foote, > cr- ■ c
Charles J. Love, ^ j of F^'^'fax,

}

of Stafford,

Counties

ni
Virginia.

Henry Ma} nadier,
Charles Carroli, of
Carrolton,
Joseph Kent,
George Calvert.
John Bowie,
Thomas Davis,
Philip
Clement
Nichol

Wm. A.Dangerlicldi'
Jt hn Mason, )

TtiJich ivinggold, J"

Ann
del,

Arun-

Stewart, 1
;ntDorsey, \
las Fitzhugh, (

of Prince
Georges,
of Montgo-
mery.

of Charles,
of Alexandria,

ofWashington.

Counties

HI

Maryland.

J

Counties

/District of
J Colombia.

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 17f>^

The second instruction of the Society, at their last
ireeting-, to the Standing Committee, ordering, " that at
least two thirds of the amount of Premium to be given
for Sheep, be for the long wooled breed," was rescinded.

The Standing Committee have appointed to meet on.
Wednesday the 5th day of December next, at 11 o'clock
A M. at the Union Tavern in Georgetown, for the pur-
pose of fixing on the Premiums to be given at the General
Meeting in May next.

The following are Mrs. Graham's receips for durable

Dyes.

Great eredit is due to this Lady, on account of the
quantit3% variety, beauty and excellence of her manufac-
tures, which were all spun,' woven, dyed and finished in
her own family.

TO DYE SCARLET.

One pound of Madder, (fresh gathered from the Gar-
den), will dye two pounds of Wool. The Wool must be
washed clean, then boiled about fifteen minutes in strong
Allum water — The Madder is to be boiled in thin Bran
water, (the Bran being carefully strained from the wa-
ter.) The wool dripped from the Allum water, and put
in the Bran water, must be boiled fifteen or twenty mi-
nutes, and washed out in soft soap suds after it is cool,.
By leaving out the Ailum it dyes a good brown color.

TO MAKE A CRIMSON COLOUR.

To two gallons of the juice of Poke Berries, when they
are quite ripe, add half a gallon of strong Vinegar, made
of the wild Crab Apple, to dye one pound of Wool,
which must be first washed very clean with hard soap.
The wool, when wrung dry, is to be put into the Vinegar
and Polce berry juice, and simmered in a Copper vessel
for One hour, then take out the Wool and let it drip a

¥81^ AGRICULTURAL MUSEUINI

while, and spread it in the Sun. The vessel must be free
from grease of any kind.

TO MAKE AN ORANGE COLOR.

Take a quantity of touch-me-not gathered on the
stems, and bruise it weli in a wooden mortar — On layers
of touch-me not and wool alternately, pour rain water
or soft water from a spring until they are covered —
let it stand twenty four hours — then have ready a strong
lather of soft soap and wash it out and putit immediately
in the sun to dry. Salmon color may be made by using
hard soap instead of soft — These colors brighten by
washing.

Touch-me not is found in low places — the stem is pale
green, and the flower nearly of the color that it dyes —
It grows as high as six feet.

Premium Steer.
Mr. Stinnbergen's Steer, for which he obtained the
Premium on Wednesday last, at the Exiiibition of the
Columbian Agricultural Society, was a large and beau-
tiful animal. He was killed the next day at the slaugh-
ter house of Mr. Krouse. He was but six years old and
weighed as follows. lb.

Beef - - - 1402

Hide - - - 123

Tallow - - - 190

1715

Head . ^ . . 56

Feet - - . 25

Liver - - - 48

Blood ~ - - 87

Entrails - , 273

"Wastage ... 50

129

410

Whole weight of carcass as on foot, lb. 2251

PRINTED FOR AND PUBLISHED BY DAVID WILEY.

Price >'^ 2.50 for twenty four Number^}
To be paid in advance.

AQniCJJ'LTVRAI. 3IUSEUM.

OMNIS FERET OMNIA TELLUS. Vlllft.

VaL L] f;eoroc/o vi, Cd. Die. 7, 1810. [No. 12.

To the Editor of tht Aghicultural Museum.

Sin,

Few persons have a liiglier idea of the utility of
A sPOciulioFJs for diffusing knowledge, and '-tiFnuIaling the
minds of men to useful exertion, than the writer of this ;
be cannot, therefore, but rejoice at the establishment of
the Agricultural Society, in this District. As composed
generally of practical Agriculturalists, and for the fur-
therance of their pursuits, it appears to be takiHg a di-
rection towards objects of minor importance, altlio' high-
ly patriotic and of great national utilKy. You will, h9
t!oui)t, perceive, I allude to the Premiums given for those
products of Art and Manufacture, which, at your Exhibi-
tions, place on the pinacle of fame the good House-wives
and dunestic Sj)insters of our country. I will not now
attempt an examination of how far, in our present state,
it is preferable to direct domestic exertions in manufac-
ture to superiority of quality, rather than to an increased
qnantit} of home made articles : whether it would not be
bettej-, that our domestic industry should be applied to
the relief of our most pressing and indispensible Wants,
\\:i\\ supplied fi'om other nations, and to the increase of
real comforts, raiher than to rivalling the finer manufac-
tures of a more luxurious people, — manufactures v\hich
require great subdivision of labor, and extensive capital
to carry them on profitably ; and, wheiher in some de-
gree it is not defeating a great object of the InsSitatJon-
A Society for the encouragement of the Arts, Manufac-
tures and Commerce of our country, would begin as our
Agricultural Society have; — whilst the views of its mem-
bers would extend to these objects only, they would be

23

its AC n I C rLI* 13 H AL IM U S E I' U

more likely to serve their countiy iti that way, and ha\*^S
their cjulcavors crowned with success. It may not yet
be too hitc to enquire into the propriety 6i' confining the
Tiews of the Society to Agricultura! pursuits. To in-
crease the number of useful vtg'etabie productions, and
perfect the mode of their culture ; to con)j)are the culti-
vation under which the same plants thrive best here, with
that which is practised in other parts of the world ; — to
attend carcfidly to the perfection of our Orchard culture
audits produce; — to encourage live fencing, and the
planting of forcbt trees, so as to mitigate the growing
evils aribing from the wanton destruction of our woods ;
to try tlic effects of the various manures, and of rotatioii
in cropping, are ail ohjccts of the highest importance to
Agricuhuralists, and particularly in this portion of the
CJnion, which has so materially suffered by the exhaust-'
ing course of husbavdry pursued by cur Predecessors.
If to these be added the improvement of Stock, it is pro-
bable that subjects of investigation, experiment and in-
dustry, more immediately useful, will be suggested, than
are now pursued. 1 mean not to undervalue the present
course of the Society, but to call its attention to the con
sideration of whether it is the most useful.

If this meet with your approbation, and its insertion be
consonant to the plan of your useful publication, it may
lead to other communications on these subjects from your
friend

FRANKLIN.

Extract from Lord SomcrvilWs Essay on Sheep.
Continued from page 166.

This subject has, at length, excited a more than com-
mon interest, and numberless questions are asked as to
the return, or profit, per acre, on clothing or fine wool ;
this will depend on the nature of the keep; if sheep are
to run on pasture land only, during the whole year, so
much will depend on the nature of the seasons, that no
fixed value, or specific rate of stock can well be given.

AGRICULTURAL 3TUSECM 1%

Jf a Iar2;e portion of this o-rass is to be l>c})tliained up for
winter, anci the season he not favourable, autuinn rains,
followed quickly by frost, will kill very mweh of the fog-
gage, and the slieep will consequently be \evy hard dri-
ven for food from Candlemas to the next shoot <f grass,
however late that may be. The quantity, indeed, of
stock to be carried per acre, as well as their heahh and
good condition, must be in proportion as there is more
ov less produce , and on the competent and regular sup-
ply of fo-od, the growth of good woo^ wholly dopends'.
To elucidate this subject, 1 cannot do better than give
Dr. Parry's general statement of my claim for the Bath
Society's premium, offeied "for a change of breed of
sliecp, with positive prolit iesuilisig therefrom," and his
conclusions thereon, whicli is, on all hands, acknowledg-
ed to be one of the must able sketches ever given to tho
j)ub!ic.

*' About th.^ year 1809, Lord Somervillc's stock (as
stated by him in his Memorial to the Socioi} ) consisied
of forty-live evA'cs, of the iong-wooled sort. Finding
tiiesc annually degenerating, and also becoming annu-
y.!ly less protitabic, he changed theni, at the above men-
tioned period, for one hundred and tifty Ryeland ewes.
In the first year, though the winter was severe, the ewes
supported themselves tolerably well, and the lambs were
in very good order at weaning time. In their future
growth, as wethers and stoi'c ewes, they far exceeded in
weight their [parent stock. One lot of the wethers sold
as highas three pounds each, and were i'cd upon grass
and hay only. In the following year, Lord Somerville
l)rought from S|)ain some rams and evye^^ of the Menno
breed, 'ihese rams, in each subsc(jaei;t year, have been,
and nou" continue to be put to ewes of the South Down
and RycIand breeds ; from each of wljich crosses a va-
luable species of sheep has been obtained, both in fseece
^nd carcass, the relative value of which has been detailed
by his Lordshipjn his jMemorial of 1802 ; the substance
*f which is, that South Do^vn store ewes,. at three pouad"?

180 AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

per fleece, and at Is. lOd. per pound, will pay 6s. 6d |*ee.
fleeee ; which, at 6 1-2 per acre, in good upland pasture
for seven months, and five months in turnips, at 11 or
15 per acre, will pay 38s. or 40s. per acre. Rycland store
ewes, two pounds and a quarter per fleece, at 2s. 2d. per
pound, untrinded, nine sheep per acre, and turnips as
above, will pay 21. 3s. 10 1 2d. per acre.

" South Down and Merino ewes, of the half breed, at;
four pounds per fleece, clean washed, and 3s. per pound,
will amount to 12s. per fleece ; which, at 7 12 per acre,
for seven, months, amount to 41. 10s. per acre, for the pas-
ture land, with turnips as above for winter keep, llye-
3and and Merino ewes, of the half blood, at 10 j)cr acrcj^^
for seven months, and turnips as above, at 3 1-4 pounds
per fleece, and 3s. 2d. per pound, amounts to 61 10s. 5(}^
per acre.

" The pure Merino fl.'cccs never sold at less than one
guinea each ; the average weight of which has been
more than six pounds each, in the yolk ; and on the above
allowance of pastuie for seven months, and turnips as
above, ii- aid of that pasture, the return will amount to,
ten guineas per acre.

" At the last meeting of the Society, a paper having'
been read, as the repurt of a Committee appointed by
the Society to examine the state of that part of the farm
of Lord Somerville, which is appropriated to the feeding
of sheep, the So:-iety ordered that repoit to be printet',.
and sent to vaiious members for their consideration, pre-
viously to the next meeting, in November, at \\hich they
were requested to deliver their opinions on the said re-
port. A method of proceeding, so new to this Society,
must have implied, not sui'ely that the facts there stated,
were incredible, but that the subject itself was so i!.Mpor-
tant to individuals and the community, that every cir-
cumstance relative to it could not he too thoroughly in-
vestigated, or too generally known. The Society will
please ti recollect, that this report is that of a Committee
nominated by thcmseive?; to cxaiaiine Lord Somcrville's

AG?.ICULTUIIAL ?.IUSEUM 181

i'lii'm to ths premium, Class 4, !No. 16, p. 45. which Is of-
fered to tliL" stock faimer who shall have bred and kept,
in the usual mod.; of husbanch-y in the neighuourhood,
thcgreati'st iiuiiiber uud most prolitable sort of sheep, ia
proportion to- the si;ie of his farm, in consequence of his
Laving changed his sort of sheep from what had bcea
nsuaily kept on the farm; or on simihu* farms in the neigh-
bouiiiond.

" [a order thai a breeding farmer may maintain the
number of his stock, he oug^lit to sell in the year no more
store sheep than will be supplied by his lambs. It ap-
pears, however, that Lord Somerville disposed of forty-
six more tluin h;s proportion : that number should, there-,
fore, probably be set in abatement of his profit for the
year.

" The average price of the sale sheep having- been

4.1 IT3. 2 1 id. the sum to be deducted will be Sol t2s. 6d.

^' \V"e are no\Y prepared to state the general account

Z. s. d.

Wool - . . , . ,

Store sheep sold - - - ,

Fat sheep - - - - .

'fretting of rams - - - - .

Turnips to two bulls

Total 1623 I 0

446

0

0

409

0
0

0

238

16

0

524

10

0

4

]2

0

Deduct

Keep

of sheep

' -

7

18

0

0

Hay ci

Lt 50s.

|)er

ton

-

15

0

0

diminution of stock - 85 12 6 118 12 8

This leaves a balance of - - I. 1504 8 6
••' Which is 91 Is. 3d per acre ; or, if the 5241. 10s. iW
letting rams, be deducted, the balance will be 9791. 18s. bfi
which is 51. 18s. per acre. If the allowance of fiflydive
acres, for extra stock, as above stated, be thought too
great, the return pei- acre must suffer a proportionable
.abatement.

1^. Agricultural museum

" I must add, that the average vakie of Laid Somer^
viile's sheep land, does not exceed 36s. per acre. From
this view of all the particulars of the report, 1 am of opi-
nion, not only that Lord Somervillc is intitled to the prc^
mium olVered by this Societj-, but that he justly merits
the most grateful acknowledgements of his country.

" C. Ji. PARRY.'^

« Uth Nov. 1804"

The second Essay which was given in on this claim,
not being in print, I have great pleasure in being ena-
bled to give it entire. No man is more competent to
give an opinion in these points, than the writer, whether
we advert to his ability or integrity.

*'I had the honor to receive the report of the Commit-
tee appoint&d to investigate the claim of Lord Somervillc
to your premium, No 15, Class 4 ; with a request that f
would attentively examine the same, and furnish the
next meeting with my observations. Having for some
years had experience of the Merino breed of sheep, and
the usual crosses of them, I am the less surprised at the
result of that investigation, so highly favourable in profit
to that particular sort of sheep. To the exertions of
your Society, in that branch of agriculture which relates
to the ^Improvement of our clothing-wools, the country is
likely, in due time, to reap the most important advanta-
ges A project which, by many, was considered as a
wild and fanciful theory, and which at Ih-st had to en-
counter the most obstinate prejudices, has been giadu-
ally and steadily advancing. The various specimens of
superfine cloths and kerseymeres, manufactured from
wool of British growth, which have been exhibited at se-
veral of your last annual meetings, have, I trust, b-ecn
satisfactory proofs of the practicability of improving
our native wools to a degree far surpassing what was ex-
pected in so short a time, even by the most sanguine. \t
had been, as I understand, a point lojig settled witli ibje
manufacturers, that superfine broad cloth could only be
made of Spanish wool; and that any admixture of Bri-

AdrRietlLtURAL MUSEU]^ 1^

'k\s\\ \Tco] degraded the quality of the cloth, and disgraced
the iMunufacturer. To many, this seemed an alarming
circumstance, and it surely was a matter of just regret,
to find that tlie most precious fabrics of our grand staple
xnauulacture depended upon the precarious supply of a
foreign, and oftentimes a hostile country. To render this
kingdom independent of a foreign supply, of so requi--
«ite and so valuable a raw material, must always have
been a desideratum to the patriot, and the politician. In
this point of view, it was an object worthy of your So-
ciety to promote, to the utmost of your power, so lauda-
ble an achievement. The efforts of Lord Somervillej
Di'. Parry, and some other members of your Society,
have been, 1 doubt not, duly appreciated; and you have
seen, both in the wool and in the cloth and kerseymere
produced from the Merinos, and their respective crosses,
such articles as, ten years ago^ no one would have admit-
ted the practicability of raising on our soil, and under the
influence of our climate. However, the patriotism of
individuals, or even the efforts of a society like yours,
would be able to effect hut little in so extensive a design.
To point out its utility, and to shew its practicability,
would be all that could be expected in the early stages of
the undertaking. Whatever benefit the country might
derive from raising superfine wool for our own supplies^
little could be exj)ected to result from the theory, unless
it should be made to appear clearly, that it was manifest-
ly the interest of the individual to promote it. With a
view to ascertain this, 1 presume your premium was
framed ; and, in this light, the report of your committee
appears to be very important. To me, from my own ex-
perience, it is perfectly satisfactory. The South Down
and Ryeland sheep, with which this comparison has
been made, are, in my estimation, among the best races
of the kingdom. The return of Lord Somerville's South
Down wool was 5s. 6d. per fleece. My average has
been, in general, not more than 4s. (M ; that of my Rye-
lands about tliG same as hig, la the year 1§03; my sheep

j8i AamCL'LiL'RAL luUiEUM

of the Mei'ino and South Down, and of the jVTcrino and
llyeland first cross, prodac^ed mo an average of three
paiuids six ounces each, which hroLU';ht nie lis. 6d. per
fleece. My tliorough-brcd Merino fiv?;eces of that year,
twenty six in numhcr, weij^lied in the yolk five pounds
lliirteen ounces each, and sold for IBs. 9d. per fleece.
This yea,r, my purb Meiitio llceces, fifty-seven in nuni-
])er, weighed in the yoi!:. three hundi'ed and forty-eight
pounds, which is more than six poiinds per lleecc. My
Heeees of the first ero^s, weighed this yeai-, three |)ound'5
flight ounces each. Tiie j)rosent years price of my wool
J ha^ e not yet ascertained. It wi!l appear, therefore^
that the result of Lord Somerville's return from the dif-
ferent sorts of sheep, accords as minutely as distance of
place and diffei-ence in management will allow.

" In respect to the number compared to the extent of
Ijord Somerville's farm, they will a})pcar to be placed
very thick upon the ground. However, my own expe-
rience agrees very much with this result ; und 1 have no
doubt, making allowances for my other stock, biit 1 have
tkis year, had cq al Jiunibers, in proponion to my means
of keeping them. My hock consists of nearly the same
numbers as Lord Somerville's ; to the management of
-ivhich, 1 find a man and his son, often years ofage, fully
competent, i have yet met with nothing dir^couragmg
in the propagation of this new race of sheep ; on the
contrary, they have far surpassed my expeciation. Smce
the year, ISOl, they have done Viell in a sheltered soot in
the vale of the Severn ; and they are doing well i« a high
situation in the heart of Staffordshire. Since the year
1801,1 have lost but thiee Merino sheep, one in yeaning,
another, I Jbelieve, from old age, and one from a stoppage
in the stomach. From th;* smallness of the number or this
vaee in the kingdom, I should not think mj-seii jusliiied
in m'^king experiment of the hardships they would be ca-
])able of enduring: a little extra care would be well re-
paid in most of our native breeds. The very few Meri-
uo lambs 1 have lost, compared u iih the common casual-

ACraCULTUIlAL MUSEUIVl ISSr

!y,.ls a proof of this. I have, this season, put "four
hi'indrecl and fourteen ewes all to Merino rams, and I
am endeavoring, as fast as I can, to brin^ my flock to
lliat blood, convinL'ed of their utilit}', both in a public and
in a privjite point of view. From the distance at which I
now reside from Bath^ I unfortanateiy am little acquaint-
ed with yoin- transactions, \^^hether Lord Somerville
has any co'.npetitoi-, I know not ; but I think, from the
rej>urt of your committee, that it will be difficult to find
a stock farmer^ who, in proportion to the size of his farm,
possesses a (greater number, or a more profitable sort of
sheep. I am very sorry it is not in my power to attend
personally ; and f trust the Society will excuse the defects
of this hasty communication.

I have the honour to remain, Sir,
"■ Your obedient, humble servant,

« G. TOLLE TT."
'^^ P. S. The letting of the rams may, to some, appear
a temporar}' rather than a permanent source of profit,
f lowevcr, from the piice of Spanish wool, and from the
interest which the country begins to tak&in this line, the
rams are likely, for a long time, to be in great request.
But, putting them out of the question. Lord Somerville
appears to have made from his wool, and his store and
fat sheep, as much as, I suppose, will cover two rents of
the whole farm of 4G0 acres ; but which return, in reali-
ty, has been made from 188 acres only. From the j)rice
of the store sheep sold, 1 should jiresume many of them
were the draft ewes of the English breed ; as ewe sheep,
\vith any cross of Merino, would have unquestionably
brought a higiier price : so that, when the drafts come
from that stock, if wool bears the present price, the pro-
fits will be considerably greater. I have now some two-
t^hear wethers of the half breed, of South Down and
Ilyeland, lliat would weigh from twenty pounds to
twenty -fivo jiounds per quarter ; they are decidedly bet-
ter than Uio Santli Downs of the same age, that hav^

24

18G i^ienicuLiiuRA't museum

been bred and kept with them ; I tli'mk they have stoo<1
the climate of this country better."

'• To the Balk Agricultural Society, Nov. 9, 1801."

\V"e ought, perhaps, to apologize for these details,
which many may think prolix ; but it must not be for-
gotten, that subjects of this nature are liable, beyond
any others to misconstruction ; sometimes to selfish and
wilful misrepresentation.

It was unfortunately and falsely conjectured, that at-
tempts were made to prejudice the minds of the people
against the long wooled breed ; on the contrary, by a
caution against their adoption in soils and climates ulti-
mately unpropitious to these breeds, essential service
was done them. By attempting to prove too much, we
are apt to prove nothing. Any man then, who studies
wool bearing animals, must with regret hear the advo.
Gates for certain distinguished long-wooled breeds as-
sert, th.at they will do well on Snovvdon, and prove on
Plinlimmon ; and yet such language has not unfrequently
been held.

The dignity and utility of this subject, has been ac-
knowleded in all ages, and in every corner of the civili-
zed world; we love it for its own sake ; and it is neces-
sary we should do so, to endure with patience the un-
worthy treatment to which it too often exposes us. We
shall never be induced to make it subservient to dirty,
political intrigue.

[To be continued.]

Cotton Factories.
i have employed no small part of the time since I have
been in Manchester in visiting those extensive manufac-
turing establishments, which are the wonder of the world
and the pride of England. Every facility has been af-
forded, by the proprietors, in the most liberal and atten-
tive manner, which could give me the fullest Ti(^w of

AGEICULTrnAL MUSEUM 187

it

those works that furnish the United States so a large a
part of their clotiiin^. But, after all, I find very iittteCo
write on a subject where you will be prej)ared*to ey^^'jci
nuich. An attempt to describe the intricate tn''^''',hn^iy ^
and the curious process by which our convf'rtiecrce arid
comfort arc consulted, or our vanity gy^tilied, would fee
both tedious and useless. Eveii w^^'n one is "stabdfn'g
amidst the din of ten thousand 'pools ; and the smrfld-
ing of as many shuttles, he- has scarcely any disfih'ct
comprehension of the iRtt^/inediate steps by which Kc
sees the wonderful results produced ; and must himself
become a weaver, or a spinner, before h^e can detail to
another the particulars of these seemingly simple arts.
Yet my impressions have not been altogether too vague
for description.

It was a new fact tome, that the most bcap.tiful of the
chintzes are stamped by means of copper cylinders, on
which the figures are engraved ; these cylinders are co-
vered with the proper substance, and then impressed, on
the stuff's by rolling.

The velvets are woven at first without any of that
downy coating, v\hich makes them so pleasant to the
touch. The threads which are to form this shag, are, in
the first instance, inserted at both ends in the very tex-
ture of the cloth, so as to produce a vast number of
small loops, running in j-ovvs from one end of the piece
to the other. These loops are ciit by hand. The cloth
is extended horizontally on a macliinc, and the artist in-
serts among the loops a long slender knife, much resem-
bling a very delicate sword ; tills, guided by one hand
only, he pushes along so dexterouslj , as to cut the whole
series of loops for several yards, at one thrust, without
piercing (lie cloth, unless a knot or ather obstacle turns
his instrument aside. Tliis operation being repeated
along every thread in the whole breadth of the piece, a
shag is at length raised over the vv'hole surface. But it
would be very rough anfjhiclcgant if left in this state,

188 Agricultural jiuseum

{^0, fem-ove its rongliness, the whole piece is made to
'pass rather slowly over a red hot iron cylinder, and in
abs9ii;te contact with it ; and during the whole operation,
i, the iron is ipaintained at a red heat, by the aid of a fur-
nace. 1 wol^ld not assert a thing seemingly so incredi-
ble, had I not witnessed the process ; and my astonish-
inent was not less tlian your incredulity will be, pro-
vided the fact be new to you. This operation is not con-
^iined to the velvets. Most of the cotton goods arc siut;
", €d in the same manner, to smooth them for the linaL
finishing; and they assured mc, (what imleed appears,
scarcely credible) that the finest muslins wore treated
in the same way.

The new process of bleaching is now extensively in-
troduced at Manchester, and has, I believe, nearly sub-
verted the old. The bleaching w hich used to occupy
months, is now performed in a few days.

Manganese, sulphuric acid, water and common salt.,
are placed in large leaden stills, heated by steam. A
Very suffocating and corrosive gas § rises, which is made
to pass into water, having abundance of lime suspended
in it ; the lime condenses the gas, and produces with it
the bleaching drug, into a solution of which the goods are
plunged, and it is wonderful with what rapidity the co
lour is discharged. Some weak acid is usually added to
liberate the bleaching prineij)le. This method of bleach-
ing is a discovery of modern chymistry ; and when you
consider that all the coloured cotton stuffs must be first
bleached before they can be dyed, you will sftc at once
the great importance of the discovery. 'I'he saving is in
time, for the materials are more coi^tlj' than those eni-
ployed in the old wa}'.

A great deal of American Sumac is used hcTc in i\\-
ing. 1 learned in one of the dye-houses, that the .'^mcii-
cans give themselves unnecessary (rouble in grindin'ff-

this articl''^ and that it is fjalte as useful in the state Qf
leaver, merely dfied, and paeked in that conditicn. Pi p,-
bably there niay be so much saving in freight, in const*-
quence of grinding-, as tq pay for that operation.

The. faetorii's here are very numerous, and wonderful*
jy extensive. Some ofthein employ 12C0 people, not-
^vithstanding the apphcation of the steam engine, as a
pioving power, in a great multitude of the *p''ocesse.s.
Tile country, for many miles around JNIanchcstcr is tri-
butary to the great factories. Spiiming, u'eaving, and
other preliminai'y operations, are performed in the villa
. gcs and cottages, and the fabrics are brought into town
to be linished. While I was walking with some of m^-
stage conipanions through a village near Warrington,
^ shower caused us to seek shelter in the cottages, and
we found the peopic emjdoyed in this manner ; their ap»
[)cariinee was neat, eheeriul, and comfortal>lc.

[SiUimans Tr(^vel^>

Fcn^ the Agricultural ]}.Iuseum>

The adva^hTacl: of working Oxex

Among the subjects which claim the notice of the A-
meriean Agriculturalist, The, Advantages to he dcriccd
from ivoi^n'mg' Oxen is one of i]0 small importance. T1k\
writer had tlattered himself that it would liavc employed
the pen of some gentleman of experience, and occupied
a l)laee in the Agricultural Museum at a much earlier
period. Sorry (hat his expectations have as yet been dis?-
appointed, he would make an etTort to direct the atten'
tion of the public to an object which he conceives to be
gf great and encreasing utility. lie ps'oivJses but little
from his own resources. IJis opportunity for obsei'va-
tlon and experiment has been limited. He will therefore
confine himself in a great measure, to an Exhibition of
the beneficial results which have accrued, in other places,
from fhe use of those valuable animals; and, with fhh

130 AORieULTURAL MUSEUM

lAew, will take the liberty to offer the following Extraci*
iyom the Agricultural Survey of Norfolk in England.

^ Next to the recommendation of the best modes of cul
ture, the cheapest means of effecting it, deserve our at-
tention, and, lastly, frugality in the consumption of tlie
produce.

" If it is a fact, which cannot be disproved, that oxen, in
some sort of work, are equal to horses, in these cases^
they certainly ought to be preferred, because they are
kept at considerably less expence, and less casualty at-
tends them. It would evidently be very much for the
advantage of this country, if oxen were in higher esti-
mation than they are : upon every farm where three
teams are kept, one of them, at least, ought to be an ox
team ; for though oxen would not, perhaps, entirely an-
swer the end, to the total exclusion of horses, there is,
tmdoubtedly, a great deal of work that they would, as
before observed, do as well, particularly in carting and
all heavy work. In most instances, they are nearly
equal to horses, and, in their support, they are fully thir-
ty per cent, cheaper. There is this country, a strong
prejudice against this generous animal, which is the first
thing to get over — when that can be removed, the credit
of the ox will soon follow.

" The princi|Kil advantage which the farmer would de-
rive from oxen, is in the moderate expence of their keep,
and in their being attended, as I have before observed,
with less risk.

" The best way is, howe ver,not to over-work them, for
In that case, they will require rather more hay than a
horse, and half as much corn, and if they are suiTered to
fall into low condition, it will require considerable ex-
pence and time to get them up again.

" In t!;c summer months they should have a pasture to
inin in, where there is plenty of water and an open shed,
where they should have a bait, on the days they are
^\*orked, of green vetches, cut ^a-ass, or any thing th^

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 15^1

farm xn'i^ht furnish. In the winter, they should be kep.t
ill a yard, wilh the same sort of shed for them to run in-
to at pleasure, and here they should have plenty of bar*
ley or oat straw, and offal turnips, and in the days of
working, cut hay and s'raw, mixed in equal proportions^
instead of straw, and turUips besides. In this manner,
they will, in general, do extremely well, and will, at all
events, earn as much as the value of their keep, so that
their work will be had for nothing. Another great ad
vantage is, that in case of falling lame, there is no diminu-
tion, by that means, in their value, for if their shoulders
do not return a profit, their ribs will ; but if a horse falls
lame, at least half his value is lost. So far I have descri*
bed the advantage of the ox to his employer — but to the
public, the advantage is superlatively striking. — The ox,
when labouring, does not consume so much corn as the
horse, for, according to my plan, he would not consume
any ; and when his labour is done, his body goes to the
nourishment of men — but the body of the other is good
for nothing but to feed dogs.

" The more the number of horses can be lessened, the
better for all ranks of people. The consumption by hor-
ses, especially horses of pleasure, and luxury, is astonish-
tng ; for though a horse in agriculture, does not consume
above three acres of the fruits of the earth in a year, a
horse kept upon the road, eats yearly, in hay and oats,
the full produce of five acres of land. A man, allowing
him a pound of bread, and a pound of meat a day, or in
that proportion, not quite an acre and a quarter ; and as
the poor eat but very Httle meat- it cannot be put at more
than an acre to them: so that one of those horses eats
jiearly as much as five men. The more, therefore, we
reduce our number of horses, the more plentiful will be
tjje fruits of the earth for man."

[To be continued.}

Tin: AhMs ns:)usi:.

^ For iIk; suj)ooi-t niid o:iip!oyiii(^iit of the Poor/' m
Philadi^lpiiia. is an ifistiUition r'.foivat IxNU'fit to paupers,
:nKl relic vci; tlr^i cit'zons oi I'i'.iladolphhi from a heavy
Imrdcn, by the prnclent ccoiv'niy of ith manajieinent.--
An account of its operations lias been pui>lish'Ml. From
4!iis \vc learn, that V29A poor men, women, and ehihh-cn,
€fn an avei*a?^'e, have been constantly su;.)ported (hnin-i;
the year endin/;- May 23, ISIO; sometimes there were
l'iS2 paupers receiving i-elief.

In the manufactory which had nnreha<;ed raw material?',
machinery, &c. to the amount of 17'3,'X) doih\rs, (here
lias accrued a profit of near lOOO dollar.-; — there havirijj^
been sohi mannfactnifd goods amoniitiiiii,- to ll.ulG (U^ls.
The whole expenditure ol" the Alms House and Ilousi?
of Employment in the past year, after (leduetino^ elothina;
))rovisions, &c. on hand at the beginninij;, is 76,035
tiollars, a small sum compared ^^itll the (juanlily of nii-
fa'cry relieved and comfort dispensed.

The spinning' of cotton, llax, and tow, thehatchling of
ftSLX, and weaving of various sorts of goods, form very
considerable items ; but the relief afforded by the JNIedi*
cal Department of this House of Charitj- to jiersons af-
tlicted with ever}' species of ilisease. is the most striking-
feature in this good Samaritan Picture. — Of 2095 pa-
tients admitted, 1445 have been cured, 16i relieved, and
261 remain under treatment. From the list of cured avc
extract the following: Of abscess 8 — asthma 12 — atro
fhy 10 — burns 17 — catarrh 82 — cholera morbus 18— di-
arrhoea 70 — dropsy 20 — intermittent iexer 50— -remittent
or bilious 18 — typhus i — gout o— inllammation of the
stomach 25 — leprosy 1 — Mania 67! — natural small pox,
2§ — pleurisy 41 — rheumatism ^6 — scrophula 13 — con-
sumption. 12.

This institution is worthy of imitation by every great
city; being as good a model, perhaps, as could be (levis-
td ; combining labor with charity, preveiiting idleness,
and relieving poverty from famine and disease.

§ One iMUont died oXthis dii-.is'-, T\Iiile 17 patients vaccinate J, all recovered.

rm.NTED FOn and rUBLISIIED BY DAVID WILEY. .

I'rlcc ^ 2.50 for twenty four NumbcrSf
lb be imid in advance.

4GltlCULTURAL MUSEUM.

OVNIS FERET OIvmiA TELLUS. TIRe;^

Vol. I.] Georg&toi02i, Cjl. Dzc. 21, 1810. [No. 13.

Extract from Lord SomerpiUe's Essay on Sheep.
Continued from page 186.

To concladethis subjectt— When we cortsider the dif^*
fereni; latitaiics, which, from authentic documents, w6
find congenial to the finest wooled sheep, the extremes
.of heat and cold from sixty two degrees north, to thirty,
live degrees souh liititnde, as Sweden, Denmark, Ger-
many (for that also manufactures cloths of the very
finest quality from Spanish shefp, loni^- established there);
as Holland, Spain, and the colonies inland from the Cape
of Good Hope, where the wooi of t!ie Merinos has ra-
ther improved than degenerated; few men will hereaf-
ter venture to assert, that we, who are placed between
both, ci^nnot maintain, in all its purity, that which orijjin-
ally, it is said, belonged to Great Britain.

The author has fteqaently endeavoured to impress oii
^he minds of the landed proprietors of Scotland, the •!)-
solute necessity of providing some rude, but secure shel-
ter, for the ^ocks which range during winter on the
moor-lands and mountains ; but his labour was of no
avail. His idea was, supposing a tract of such land to
consist of 1200 acres, to class it in two or three divisions,
Jthe best adapted of which to be preserved entire for win-
ter-keep ; not suffering it to be depastured at all after
the month of May, in order to get a head of grass or
sheep-keep of such quality as it may be, and on it to
erect a rude and cheap circular building, similar to any
of those before described.

On muirs of this description, springs rise in such num-
bers as to produce many mosses or bogs ; the quality of
the hcrbagie growing on these is ©ften ^ood enough to h^

'26

194 AGRICULTL'RAL JMUfliUM

mown for hay. If the sub soil be dry and without niinc^
ral inipregniition, the water which flows through the soil,
usually produces a green herhs^^e, wh.i<?h. in a high north
ern latitude, is not liable to infect sheep with the rot, as
in the more southern districts. Ifdrans were eut trans-
versely or obliquely across these bogs, thcv will serve
also as carriages, as the same water which before soak-
ed through theiji would be thrown over their surface/
and produce a rapid and surprising improvement. This
hay should be stacked near to the sheep cot; i\vy earth,
fern, or heath, being from time to time spread over the
bottom oi the cot, the sheep will have their bellies, whert
lyi.ig down, kept dry; and a great deal of exeelient
manure*\vill be made, whilst (he pr;»fit, as fai- as relates to
the health and security of the llock, will be great bc'-
yond the conception of those who, residing in less ex-
posed districts, know not the force of winds and snow,
or the dreadful havoc occasioned by their combined in-
fluence.

^Vhe^e low cultivated land is attached to a district of
this kind, additional keep will, of course, be obtained;
and the flock will be wintered on it; in tbis case ajso,
the cot would be most beneficial. And in those moun-
tain districts, it may be a question, whether the stock to.
be carried on them, if so treated, might not double or
even triple in number the old stock, at the saaictime that
immense losses would be avoided.

Having slated this in a plain and distinct manner,
again and again J. contented myself with merel}- expres-
sing a determination, to act on this priiiciple, when the
lease or tack of one of the farms of this description, in
the Lanimer muir in Berwicksbire, consisting of 240Q
acres, should expire, and said no more on the subject.

The grassy hills of Selkirk and Dumfries shires ar»
far better suited to carry sheep, than the ''heathery'' or
heath- growing muirs of Berwickshire ;but although the
quantity of sheep to be depastured per acre cannot be so
^reat, still thecffc'4 will in propor(Jc« be the sam(?: great

ACRieULTURAL MUSEUM 1^5

m extent as the farm abovemcntioned is, if my memory
serves me, it carried only 300 black fac/"(l highland ewes,
and thoir produce, the Iambs bein'^ annually sold off.

After some considerable time, this circvimstance was
hroiight to my recollection, by tlie celebrated Mr. Wal-
ter Scott, who says, 13th Feb. T80S, " T. here is a curious
and rather interesting subject, I have to mention to your
I^ordship. Do you remember dining at Ashestiel, with
some farmers, wlien a good deal of conversation took:
place, about housing s!ieep during the winter? A few
days ago, I received a letter from a person connected
with one of them, co\eringa sort of treatise on the sub-
jr?ct. It seems he had at Hrst consi({ered the plan as ab-
sohitoly fanciful, but hke jt^'St .strong beaded men, he
had dwelt upoji it in silence for two years, and at lengtli
had seen its pronriety ; and considering the possibility
with particular relation to ihe sheep grounds of Selkirk-
shire, he has pointed out some local advai.tagcs, and ob-
viated some local objection!^ to an experiment. I should
have liked to have sent t'lis essay to your Lordship>and
hidced he was desirous you should sec it; as for me^ I
know no moie or3'i"cp,than 1 do of elephants ; but there
always struck rncto be a degree of common sense and
common principle, ho\^l•^er contrary to common prac-
tice, in tric plan of dividing a sheep-walk, and having
places to house sheep on each division."

Tiic young man writes thus: " I think it was once

about t'.'i'O years ago, n fien you was at — ■ ;

yon mentioned a jdan of Lord Somerville's, that he
tiiought would bp a, great improvement in sheep farming.
1 iiive thought of it at intervals ever since, and althougii
almost cvevy person to whom 1 mentioned it, thought it
very extravagant, as I likewise then did: ycl 1 am now
if opinion, that it is not only practicable, but would be-
come highly advantageous in many situations, and per-
haps at length of grcul national benefit. I have sent
j(''\i some observations upon the subject, Avhich [ have
put tagethe-r after a good deal of consideration; and I

196S AGHCtTTuTUllAL MUSEL'ai

request your opinion of the scheme, for I have fouHcl it o#
value upon all subjects. There is no person can be stj
muf^h interested in the success of such a plan as the
Duke of — '——% for his high land is mostly all sti%ng:
and grassy ; therefore I wish the paper were shewn to
■ , or his Grace, and 1 hope you wiil be so.

good as to take the trouble of doing so upon some op-
portunity. I am almost certain, that his Grace will think
it worthy of a trial, and I apprehend! have some right"
to be a candidate for carrying it into execution. If he
does not,youvvill introduce me to Lord Somerville; for
it would be folly in any farmer almost, to attempt suclx
a thin2^upon his own character, and it would go near to
overwhelm a young man, with the deluge of ridicule that,
would certainly be the consequence. For this reason,
you will see the propriet}^ of speaking to none about the
matter, who would be apt to mention ir in the countrj'.
I remain, Sir, with much esteem ^Yid respect, your most
obedient tervant,

Jan. 4, 180a " — -• .""

Again, in the course of three months, Mr. Scott re
curs to the subject, 15 May, 1808 : " Should you carry
your Lammer muir experiment through, permit me most

earnestly to recommend , as a stiperin-

tendant. If you think that he is likely to be too expen-
sive an overseer, I would endeavour to procure you :hc
assistance, of another, who is also an advocate of the pen-
ning^ system. It seems to be an essential point, that yoi;
should have a Scotch shenherd, acquainted with the cus-.
toms of (he country, where an Englishman would proba-
bly break his heart ; and on the other hand, that he
should be a person void,of prejudice, and, from convicli-.v
on, deeply interested in (he success of the plan>

*' Excuse the liberty 1 take in pointing out these v\v>
cum?tanccs to so much better ^ judge ;. sure [ nm, that
the waste of animal life on our hills in this last spring, ha?^
Vea an iijiittcnsc loss. b»(h lo iha fyrnicr and the coj^jg-

try. Vour Lordship is most heartily Vvclcome to u&c .
my letter as jou please."

Itniav raise a smile to notice the circumspeclion tbi^
youHo- fanner thinks it necessary to use ; but thus it is^,
tliat every new proposition is at first received: fortu-
nate, indeed, is that which, after a hipse of two, or overt
t«n years, produces any visible effect. It is very sin-
cerely to be wished that others, when open to convictS-
on, would have the courage and candour to confess afe'
njut h.

It would not be advisable to close this subject without,
reverting, after additional experience of five years, to
6!ich parts oft'ie subject before discussed, as depend on
experiment for coniirmation or refutation. And it may
safely be asserted, that what was expected to happers-,
has, in almost, if not in every iu'^tancc, come to pass ; not
only so, but the Merino Sheep imported, bring now «ea5^
soned to the climate, have, from frequent barrenness and
want of milk, become regular in their period oflambing/
and, their age couaidercd, excellent as nurses.

It never v/as even surmised, that in their wool tlK'y
would degetieratc ; but on the contrary, it was distinct-
Iv ma ntaint- d, that it would become finer, and upon obj»
vious principles ; and theie is not a shadow of doubtt
that it has so been proved, Ilavitig studiously avoided
any cross with otha,),- Hocks, tiiis proof may be consider
ed as absolute ; a judgi-nei:fc was not formed, from sair.v
pies pickjr*^! here and thei-e, but from pieces of cloth ani:^
nually e^^hibited, even to tlie prcseist season, arid in vd
ry considerable nunjbers, some of which were never
■exce-eded in quality, and but rai^ily if ever equalled,.

} 4G\ it Tiot be supposed, that a conviction of the sup**
viority of his own, which \vas made up from many dil"
fercnt Ti.ashumante's or travelling Hocks in Spain, over
Qther flocks ojgcnuine bioqd, exists in the mind of the
giuhoi'. Frcru one animal he has drawn ail his improve-
ment; for jvhilst \ic was breeding froiri.kinj,^ to. cbtoifv

19a AetniCULTURAL WUSFX^M

symmetry of form and early aptitude to feed, the Bath
Society, as has before been stated, decided that his (iccce
was the finest which had ever come under its examina-
tion ; and this attestation was confirmed within these
few weeks, by an unsoHcited and most candid declaratior>
of Dr. Parry, that so perfect a sheep had never been
imported into this kingdom. When others, in advan-
cing the breed of this stock, seek a chang"^ of blood,
which is sometimes necessary, they will know where to
find it. Great improvement, it is universally admitted,
has already been wrought in this breed, and much re-
Hiains to be made ; but it is unfortunate that those,
whose lot, of necessity it must be, at first to embark in
this speculation, are of a class who must commit thai
wbicli they ought to support by every exertion, and
xvateh over in person with unremitting attention, to the
care of servants, for ever prejudiced against what they
are not accustomed to. This is most disheartening, and
bitterly tries the patience of those who know that suc-
cess ought to be, but that disappointment will be, the
snrc result. But now that farmers have seen, and felt,
and even iasitd their way, the prospect mends ; therefore
it has been most gratifying to the author, that he has dis-
posed of Merino Sheep within these six months past, to
■five different farmers, who live by theirprofessions, men
eminent in their several districts ; and in every case,
sneccss will assuredl}' attend their labours.
[To be concluded in our ncxi-l^

The advantage of working OXEN.

(Continued from page 191.)

^rhe Agricultural Survey of Norfolk was published in
fhe year 1796. The Extracts from it, which have been
given, arc highly important. But the facts and reason
ings very recently detailed by Lord Somcrville, in his
Kssay on Oxen, are still more satisfactory and conclu-
sive— as will appeal" from the following Extracts.

AGUICrLTUilAL MUSEUM 1^

" The number of cart-horses employed in Great Bri*
lain, has beetl stated by Mr. Pitt, of Pcndeford, Staf-
fordshire, to be about 500,0(^0, of which we are ready to
admit that 200,000 may be useful, the remainder abso-
lutely superlluous. 'J'hese 300,000 consume, at a very
moderate calculation, for nine months out of twelve, one
|)eck of corn per day each, that is, 63 bushels each per
annum. At 9 lb. per peck, and wheat at 15lb. per peck
(GO lb per bushel ) the fair average weights, 63 bushels of
oats equal nearly 36 bushels of wheat. A quartern loaf,
weighing 4 lb. 5 oz. some may think too short an allow-
ance per week ; to a labouring man, in health, it probably
may be so ; but upon the average of the whole mass of
population, th\s calculation is generally thought to he
correct : at this rate, fourteen fjuartern loaves work up jt
bushel of wheat ; but two loaves may be allowed for bran
and waste in grinding. Twelve quartern loaves re
main, which, at one loaf per week, make four busheks
and three quarters to each person annually. In Scot-
jand,.indeed, where oats are the food both of men and
iiorsesj this comj)ai'ison need not be drawn. A man,
with a wife and four oliildren, requires on an average
about four pecks of good oats per w eek (10 lb. per peckX
^08 pecks, or 62 bushels per ann. ; a labouring iiorsc a
peck and a quarter per day, for eight months in the year — -
280 pecks, or 70 Winchester bushels per ann.

'- It aj)pears, therefore, that one cart-horse moderately,
or rather immoderately fed, consumes more than the
corn or bread of seven persons ; so that 300,000 cart-
horses consume annually, as much or more than 2,100,000
persons ; which admitting the population to be ten milli-
ons, is more than a fifth part of the whole. Here then is
a loss of more than ten weeks consumption of the whole
kingdom. Admitting the import to be equal to six weeks,
there will remain for export one month's consumption,
or one twelfth of the whole produce, to say nothing of the
supply of beef arising from the substitution of oxen,
which of itself would make a very great difference. Thi?

200 A-GUICUrTiriiAL MUSfctJ!^*.

.Calculation ?s forni'Ml from th- tUitum of Mr. PlV. (ii^fi ^
great advocate I'ol horse laboui ), that we have 500,00c)
carthorses; and as the aj-i^u.ncut was not adduced to
serve (he author's proposition, hut the reveise, shonle!
any cri or be found, it would be UiOifi likely in his fa^
vour ; (liat is to say, the number of cart-horses wiH moie'
probably exceed 500,000 than come wiliiin that ;uimbei*.
Not only i.) this point of view is the effect visible, but the
extravagant a<Joption ai this aniinai culs both ways;
for whiUt he cats ns up, we do not cut him.

*' Some will, perhaps say that this argamerit d es nat
appiv, because we arc mere in want of corn than butch-
er's meat ; but the price of one, inilucnces the price of
the other, with very few exdepndns: '' down horn^
down corn," says the proverb. As an arficle of fofxf,
the preference has lonjj been given to the ox rather lliaii
ilrc horse, the prejudice being strong in favour of roast
beef, and there is every appearance of its con'.inuance;
Should the taste of the public vary in this pai ticuia; , a
part of these objections to the cart horse will lose theit
effecf.

" By reference to a correct statement of tne compar-
ative exigence between his Majesty's horse teams, as
once used, and the Hereford, Devon, and Glamorgan
dx-teams, during the year 1797, it appears that, of 6^
liorscs, and of 107 oxen, there is a balance in favour of
the latter of 5131. 15s. Gd. ; or, on the same comparative
average statement of each animal singly, tiie horse at
^01 Cfs. per annum, and the ox 71. 18s. 6d. per annum,
there appears a balance in favour of the ox of 131. Os 6d.
not to mention the difference in favour of oxen in the
prime cost, and wear and tear of the tackle, if worked in'
yokes and bovvs ; t;lie casualties and ailments to which
horses arc more peculiarly liable ; llie little attendance
rcffOrired by the ox j and the consideration, that if an ac*-
ci<lent happens to the horse, he is worth no more than
his skin ; whereas, in this case, an ox in any tolerable
Vnrking order, is ever worth half liis former value*'

V
AG^SICIILTURAL W^UiVU^ 201

a iiave never found his Majesty's oxen otherwise than in
t;ood working condition ; an instance rarely to be found,
icxccpt in countries long habituated to their use ; not a
single liorse bcin^ employed in so great a concern, thfc
road work and labour must be systematic, often severe ;
where lil'ty three-year old steers are every year brought
into labour,, at the age of four and five work-ng hard>
and at the age of six years fatted off; if expence is to be
saved in tillage husbandry, it must here be found.

'•If any additional infornia!ion can be derived frorii
the long continued, and, it cannot be denied, successful
practice of a private individual, I may add, that, whh ex-
tjeption to one teanl of cart horses, at the rate of one
horse to every hundred acres of land, our whole labour
is done by four teams, four oxen, or steers, in each ;
three of which teams, with great ease, work ten acres
each team Jier week, resting two days in it, and would
do more when occasion presses §; a rate of labour which
inust induce those who work horse-teams to give this
matter most serious consideration, bCcalise it can carry
on, with regularity and profit, a very great extent of bu-
siness; for it must be remembered, that the wheat-sow-
ing of the autumn, the oat and barley sowing of the
spring, the turnip fallowing until midsummer, and the
harvest, not only do not interfere with each other, but
frequently admit of leisure days, whicii cattle no; over-
worked, seldom fail of turning to excellent account.
When they are in labour, they pay ; when they lye by^
their growth is a certain source of profit.

"As to the question, whether oxen are liable to be
lamed as ho"'ses ; we trust the following is a satisfactory
and decisive answer. In the eighteen years I have
worked them, I can hardly remember where any one ox
has been laid by, from lameness, for forty-eight hours to-

§ The three year-old steers, which are yoked up, when the sii-year old oxen are turned oT tt>
te jrased, cannot be suppoaed to work equally with those seasoned to labour ; yet, from the scar-
city of itorcoxcn, "ijr labour S5U' \eea doao ni thrt rate, liy ttoexs ct this r^' t'n sevt-nt seasons.

20

SOS AGRTCLLTURAL MUSfeVM

gether ; and if an instance lias occurrecl, it 'las Occurred
very rarely : nor do I remember to ha^ c lost one single
ox or steer in labour, or even had to replace one which
failed in work,

*' The most common caases of temporary lameness in
oxen, arc slight strains on stony roads, or a stripping
between the hoofs, similar to the foot-rot in sheep, and
probably arising from the same cause, namel}-, the cor
Fosive properties of the strong dews which fall towards
autumn. [To be continued.]

Columbian Agricultural Society.

At a Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Co-
lumbian Agricultural Society, at Georgetown, on Satur-
day the ISih of December, A. D. 1810, it was determin-
ed that the foLowing Premiums, in Plate with suitable de-
vices, be given at the General Meeting of the Society, to
be held on the third Wednesday of May next, viz.

Premium I To the value of SIXTY DOLLA RS,

For the best two toothed Ram Lamb, of the fine wooled

breed

Premium Il—To the value of SIXTY DOLLARS,
For the best two-toothedRamLamb, of the long wool

cd breed.

Premium III.~To tlic value of FORTY DOLLARS,
For the second best two toothed Ramb Lamb, of the
fine wooled breed.

Premium IV.— To the value of FORTY DOLLARS,
For the second best two toothed Ram Lamb, of the
long wooled breed.

Premium V.— To the value of FORTY DOLLARS,

For the greatest number of Lambs, in proportion to
the number of Ewes, dropped and raised in one flock of
not less than forty Ewes ; provided, that the number of
Lambs be at least equal to the number of Ewes.

AORICULTURAL MUSEUM 2^03

Premium VI —To the value of THIRTY DOLLARS,
For the best piece of Cotton Cloth, proper for Wo^
men's Dresses, not less than ten yards.

Prem, VII.— To the vaUie of THIRTY DOLLARS,
For the best piece of Fancy Patterns for Vests, not
less than ten yai-ds,

Prem. VIII.— To the value of THIRTY DOLLARS,

For the best piece of Cotton Cloth, suitable for Panta-
loons, orsmu!4 Clothes, not less than ten yards.

Premium IX.— To the value of TEN" DOLLARS,
For the best pair Wojj^n Stockings, of Cotton of '^^
thread, fnll size.

Premium X— To the value of THIRTY DOLLARS,
For the best piece of Hempen or Flaxen Sheeting, not
less than ten yards.

Premium XI.— To the vaJue of THIRTY DOLLARS,

For the best piece of Hempen or Flaxen Shirting, not
less than tea yards*

Prem. XIL— To the value of THIRTY DOLLARS,
For the best piece of Hempen or Flaxen Table Linen,
not less than ten yards.

Prem. XUL— To the value of TVv^ENTY DOLLARS,
For the best piece of Twilled Bagging, of Hemp,
Flax or Cotton, not less than ten yards.

Prem. XI V— To the value of TWENTY DOLLARS,

For the best piece of Betl Ticking, of Hemp, Flax or
Cotton, or in part of all or either, not less than ten yards.

Premium XV.— To the value of TEN DOLLARS,
For shearing a Sheep in the neatest^ safest and most
expeditious manner.

Premium XVI.— To the value of FIVE DOLLAR^,

For shearing a Sheep, second best as above.

204 AGRi<:;ut>TUKAL Musriuivi

R«'asonaMe proof will be required of cainpliance with
the„9th and IDih General Rules of the Society, viz.

No person shall be allowed to exhibit any Arti-
cle for Premium whicii has not been raised, grown,
<)r made in some County ot" this. District, or of the
acijoining States, in which there shall reside at leasii
one Member of this Society, or any Article for
which a public Preraitini shajl have previously bee^i
given.

No Premium shall be given for any Articles of
JSIaiiufacture, which have not been either spun or
"woven in the families from, which they may be ex-
hibited, and which have not been both spun and
woven in this District or the adjoining States.

It must be observed also, that in conformitj' to the
Instruction of the Society to the Standing Committee, at
the General Meeting in May last,

In the first and third Premiums for Sheep, the
quality of the wool is the principal object ; and in
the second and fourth Premiums, the quantity of the
wool ; but in both cases the judges will take into
view every qu^ht^ which the animals may possess<
to render them valuable tups of their respective
breeds.

Candidates for the 5th Premium will be required t«
produce certificates from respectable persons in then-
neighbourhoo :' or other satisfactor}' proof of the num-
ber of ewes haviiig lambs in the flock, of the number
pf Lambs alive on the day of the Exbibition or within
a few days thereof, and that no evvcs have been taken
from the ilock since the firstLamb was ycaiied, nor any
Lambs brought to it from any other ilock.

It being the princ'pal object of the Society in regard
to Manufactures, to encourage those properly called
Domestic, It was ret^olved by the Standing Coininii;fe«,
ttiati)roieBsional Miiriufacturerb fhould not be ccmitiit-

^d as entitled to Premium for any article by (hern exli^.
bitcd, on account of having bestowed upon them th^
labour or workmanship jjccuiiar to their art, trade of
profession.

It would be desirable; that all Premiums be received
in Plate ; but the value in money will be paid on proper
application to tlie Secretary.

PREMIUMS will be given at the next fall iMecting
«jf the Society for neat Cattle, Woolen Manufactures,
&c. for Draught Oxen, to v/ork single or double, and
for written Essays on the best mode of gceriiig and
vvorking Qxen, fuuntjed on actual experiments.

It is also designed to give Premiums at the Spring
Meeting in the year 1812,

For the greatest quantity, (not less than 3 tons)
of good Hemp, made next summer, by an individual,
ia seme County of this District, or of the adjoining
states, in which there is at least one mcrnber of the So-
ciety, and offered for sale in the District of Columbia}
and

For the greatest cj;tenfc of Live Fencing, planted sub^
sequent to the first day of January next, and at the
4:imc of the meeting, in good thriving condition, pre
fniijjng to !)c substanJial and useful,-

By order of the Standing Ciminittee.

David JVilajj Sec'ry,

TO CinilR MAKERS.

Joseph Co(ijjc.:\\ Rpxcivt for converting Cider into Wiif£.

Add to a barrel of cider immediately from the })ress.,
honey suftlcient to make it bear an egg. Work all tht-
filth oat of the bung-hoie, by keeping tl>e barrel continu
ally full. In about five weeks draw off the pure liquor
into a tub, and put the white of eight eggs, well beateii
wp, with a pint of clean sandj into the tub. Tij|cn add p-

90ff AGRICULTURAL MUSiitM

gallon of cider spirit, and mix the whole well togcti>er-
And having cleaned the barrel, return the liquor in it,
bang' it tight, and when fine rack it oft' into kegs for use-
Jn the opinion of many, the wine is superior to almost
■xny foreign wine ; and docs not cost 25 cents per gallon,
were all the materials procured at the market price.

To this I will add the following receipt :
POME WINE.

Sweet cider from the press, 2S gallons — sugar 52 lbs.
cider spirit one gallon — raisins 5 pounds — mix &f treaf-
Biuch as above.

As apples and cider arfe very abundant this fall, and
as casks are not sufficiently numerous to receive all the
cider the farmers desire to make, it is recommended ta
them to boil their cider with raisins two thirds away ;
and to every barrel of boiled cider add sixteen pounds
of sugar and one gallon of spirit — and after fermentati-
on, rack ; and keep to winter after this. This will make
an apple wine.

From the Farmer^s Magazine.

OBSERVATIONS RELATIVE TO FLAX.

Sir,
Happening to takt up an old news-paper the other
^ay by accident, (the Courier of the 17th October last)
I met with the following observation relative to Flax. —
As I have just begun to cultivate some (for you must
know I am but a very young farmer) and never having
met with, in any author, tha mode of treatment therein
Tccommended, I should wish much to be informed, thro^
the medium of some of your correspondents acquainted
with the cultivation and management of ilax, how far it
would be safe to adopt the mode pointed out, as there
arc frequently hints on different subjects suggested in
this way, more ingenious than practically useful. — Beg-
ging your insertion of this when convenient.

I subscribe myself, your very humble servant..
Perthshire, May I80a ' C- R

A&ntCULTVRAL MUSEUM

*^ ipLAX. — The exposure of flax or hemp to the frost
or snow, materially facilitates the dressing of it, by de-
stroying the glutinous matter, which unites the fibres,
and it is now established, that keeping these plants a se.
cond \vinter, will reduce, by one half, the labor which wil!
attend the dressing of them the first year. It is recom-
mended, that, after steeping, the plants be either spread
to the action of the frost and air, orplaced in bundles on
their ends, and left in that state till the spring : the better
they are diivd, the le§s will be the waste in dressiag*"

From the (Vermont) Washingtonian.
AMERICAN PORCELAIN.
About 18 years ago two men in the town of Monk-
ton in this state were digging for iron ore, and about
four feet from the surface of the ground, came to a white
substance, which from its resemblance to white lead they
supposed would make putty. They accordingly made
trial of it, and found it to answer their best wishes. They
afterwards penetrated the bed about 25 feet, and observ-
ed the material to grow more pure, the farther they went
down. Considerable quantities of putty have since been
made and carried abroad for sale and by those who
have used it, it is preferred to any other. A house in
Vergeones was also painted with it about 16 years since,
and still exhibits a hard coat, impervious to the weather.
Owing to the narrow circumstances of the then owners,
and the doubts and scruples of people about letting a
certainty go for an uncertainty, as they called it, this ma-
terial was rather talked of as valuable than put to the test
of experiment, though it was still used in towns in the vi-
cinity of the bed ; and it was not till a Httle more than a
year ago, that any adequate ideas were entertained as to
the real properties and value of the ^^ putty stuff" as it
was called. The friends to American manufactures
will be pleased to hear, that this so long neglected mate-
rial is now ascertained to be ARGiLLA apyrA. or porce-
lain cjay, and that a company is now forming, with a

x05 AGiUC'liI.1URAL MUSE-^lM

view of manuiadiirm^ it into Crockery arid China tviSr^
A very excellent kind of stone ware is already made, by
niixini;- it wiih a ccrtdin prop'ortion ofcommon blue clay.
This clay is found on the eastern side of a hill i-isi?!^ io
v.u angle of about 40 degrees, and is deposited in strata ha-
ving a variable number of dea^rees of nortiiern depressi-
on, and the strata arc intersected by veins of pure Hint
sand, valuable in the nviuufactory of flint glass ; tljnf
siones Are also frequently found. The soil over the bed
is o-enerally loose meagre ' arth. free fi-oni ledges ; and
from the examinations which have been made, the bed
may be said to be nearly inexhaustible.

In an analysis of 100 grains, they yicl hnK'^G of pure
^"ilex, the remainder were pure cla}', a little water, drid a
very small portion of oxid of iron, though ;tearce percept!-
ible. When submitted to a stroug heat, it forms into a
solid porcelainous mass, without fusion, and retains its
whiteness.

it has a very great affinity for oil, and it is found that
rnixcd in equal parts, it even improves the whiteness of
whitelead, and adds greatly to its power of resisting th6
action of the atmosphere. It must of course be a very
useful article in paintlhg.

The proprietors are Messrs. Dakin, Musey and Far-
rar. They have applied to the legislature for an act of
incorporation, in favour of which a committee, we un-
derstand, has already reported, togctber with the ex-'
elusive privilege of manufacturing Tor ten years.

C^ It is hoped that Franklin will not forget to con-
tinue his Communications.

PRINTED FOR AND PUBLISHED BV DAVID WILEY.

Price >^ 2.50 for twenty fom" Numhers,
To be paid in advance.^

THE

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM*

OMNIS FERET OMNIA TELLUSi TIRG.

Vol.1.] Georgetoicn, Ca. Xtn 9. IHl] TNo. 14.

For the Afrricultural Museum.
l^i.o. IT.

Circumstances have placed within this District, tlie
means, which few of the Slates possess, of increasing ag-
ricultural knowledge, by tryinj^ the cultivation of, and diU
fusint^ information respectino-, newly introduc d veffeta*
bles, whether objects of horticulture, proper for the !o ul
of animals, or articles of commerce. The advanta'--s
to be reaped by ourselves, as well as the benefit whicli
our country may receive, from making a judicious use of
these means, call upon us to bring them forward. 1 take
the liberty therefore, through you, as editor of the Mu-
seum and Secretary to the Agricultural Society-, to soli-
cit the attention of that Society, and of the publiCjto these
things, believing it to be only necessary to present them
to view, in order to have the proper steps taken to bring
them into activity.

Our country has but lately been reclaimed from the
■Wilderness : its inhabitants had long to stnggle against
the dii'iiculties incident to infant coloniza ion ; aiid, it re*
quired all their carp, attention and industry, for many
years, to produce from the earth articles of first n.^cessity
to themselves, or, which were wanted as ol-'jects of com*
merce with other nations, in order to provide those lo-
reign manufa-tures which the progress of civilization
had render "d necessary to domestic comfort. Occupied
in the supply of their present wants, and on objects which
produced an immediate profit, that foresight which pro-
vides for the future was seldom exercised: the exertromS"
«f all were to lessen the evils of the day, 2^

^1^ AGRICULTURAL MUSEU"M '

Industry, and a ^reat increase of our populatios, have
ft-most surmounted these first dillicuUies iri a new coun^
ti V ; we are less dependent than heretofore, and have
now leisure to contemplate our growinc^ prosperity, to
cultivale those arts uhich add to the strengh of a nati-
on, as well^s to the happiness of the individuals which
compose Bt. The elegancies as well as the arts of civi!
hfe are now a|>preciatcd, and we htgin to f -el the ne-
cessity ol treading back the steps of our ancestors: of
plajUing where thoy have felled, — of attending to the qua-
lity as well as tlie q-iintity of our products, in order to
gratify an improved taste, and to furnish maintainance to
a greater )iuml)er of persons from the produce of the same
lands than heretofore. Raw materials for our own
growing manufactures will require the attention of the
Agricultunst to other articles than those which hereto-
fore • ngrossed it ; since we have experienced the incon-
venience of relying on foreign trade, with nations jea-
lous of our growth and inimical to our prosperity.

Blessed by the Almighty with a country inferior td
none in variety of clime, natural productions and fertili
ty of soil, it is only necessary to bring our resources into
activity, to furnish all the vegetable productions which
administer to the support, the comfort, the luxury, or the
commerce of nationsj As rich harvests may wave over
our soil, our cattle and dairy produce may be as abua-
dant, our meadows and pastures as verdant, and our or-
chards and vineyards as productive as those of other
regions.

The rise and decline of the nations which have pre-
ceded ours, should teach us that political liberty is the
source of prosperity : that in every age it has been suf-
ficient to transform the barren desert into a fruitful dis-
trict. What then shall limit our prospects in this new
and unexhausted land ? When taste and science are led
by the hand of liberty, we may reasonably expect to ac-
complish in a few years, that which has been tlie slow
production of centuries in the eastern Hemisphftre,

AeRlCULTURAI^ MUSEUM 211

JSstahlishsnents for the encouragement of Botanical
Enquiry, and Agricultural Experiment, \^ liich some of
tlie states, where their utilic} has been recognised, have
expended large sums to procure, and which require more
tlian ordinary patriotism to eSfect, have in this District
been amply provided for l>y its intelligent founder, — the
Father of his Country, within the city which bears bis
name. He knew the value of Agricuhure in the pro-
duction of virtiwus, intelligent and hardy citizens, and
ijppreciated t'le importance of sci.^nce, as it is connected
with national improvement, natioHal character, and nati-
pnal defence.

To liis successors he has left the completion of his
schemes for their advaritage, and the realization ofhis ar-
dent desires. A National University. — a Botanic Gar-
den and Agricultural experimental Farm had Nursoi'y-j
were in his vi-ew highlj- important. The Agricultii'raj So.
cicty of this District may be the means of acccmplishing
his wishes in the latter respect, whilst his enlig'uened
successor in ofii/!e directs the attention of the Legitla-
ture to the completion of the former.

In another paper I shall attempt to shevY the advan-
tages which would accrue to the District, and to the
Union, from takmg tliis subject into serious and early
consideration. franklin.

J'he Advantage of working OXEN.
Concluded from page 202.

It is not necessary to accumulate Extracts from Bri-
tish and other European writers on Agriculture, in order
to shew the advantages which may be expected to ac>
erne from a more general use of Oxen in husbandry.
Writers in our own country have supported the same
positions. — Take the following Extract from the 8th Yp-
kime of Gary's American Museum, page 24.

"Of the various modes, proposed for the improvement
•f the pxeseiit systcQi of agriculttive in tfeig eoKiitry^ Dent-

211 AGRTCULTUFAL MUSEUM

apnears to have ahiglier da'ui to the attention of our
fanners^ than t' - introviuction of a more general use of
o.Hti> as sub&tiiutos lor horses in the cultivation of the
earh, i.nd the other opeiations of husbandry.

*' Our bretin-en of the New England states, who have
for many years been in the habit of emi>lo>ing these use-
ful animals, have brought ^he training of thcni to a degree
of perfection unknown to us. There they are used uni-
ve"'sally in the plough: and longjournies are performed
by them with equal chsi'atch, and much less expense
than with horses. Wtien young they are accustomed to
a cjufck motion, and are generally bitted, and shod with
cloven shoes. The first cost and charges of maintaining
horses upon a farm, cannot, upon the most moderate
caleulafion, be computed at less than twice or three
times the expense attending a number of oxen sufficient
to perform the same labour. Horses are, from their na-
ture, a more precaiious property — subject to a greater
"variety of accidents and diseases ; and, when past labour,
occasion a heavy loss to the proprietors of them. On
thp contrary, a well trained ox Increases in value until
he be i;ine or ten years old; and the profit from his la.
b uiin the mean time, amply repays the farmer every
expense incurred in raising and tiaining him to service,
ar.d when no longer capable of labour, instead of sub-
jectuig his owner to a heavy loss by death, he yields a
handsome profit. 11 therefore an ox, when fatted for
beef at ten y ars old, will produce a sum equal to the ex-
pense of maintaining him until that period, it follows, as
an ob\ ious truth, time all his labour is a clear profit to the
farmer

" In another point of view, the use of oxen appears high-
ly advanta<:'^eous. By increasing the number of cattle,
a eoiisidrrat^I* addition will arise to tl:e (juantity of ma-
nure made on our farms ; and what to this country is of
the moct sciieus importance, we shall be enabled to in-
crease fi! ■ ijuantity of our beef, pork, cheese, butter, can-
dles, and soap lor market : for though on the first glance,
flic triuh of this observation may not appear sufticientr

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 213

\y striking — yet it must require no force of reasoning to
convince a mind but tolerably informed, that the quanti-
ty of milk yielded by every additional cow, will enable
the farmer to raise an additional hog.

" There is another bt nefit, of equal importance to any
of those ] have meutioned, whieh ought to operate as aa
inducement to increase the number of our cattle : I mean ?

the promotion ol that most inv;duable branch of manu-
factures, teinning. This will afford the farmer a certain
demand for his hides, and promote the real interests ot*
the country in the highest degree."

It was intended to have given some account of the
diiferent methods of working and geering Oxen, with
the results of a variety of experiments which have been
mad( , in ordi-r to ascertain in what manner they could be
"worked with most effect, and with the greatest ease to
the animal; but as the subject has attracted the attention
of the Columbian Agricultural Society, and they pro-
pose to give a Premium at their next Fall Meeting, "^or
loritleii casays 1.71 the best mode of geering and work*
ing Oxen, founded on artiial experiments^^ it might not
be deemed proper to anticipate the competitors. The
public will, no doubt, derive more important informati-
on from their lucubrations, than from any thing that
could at this time be added by

An Old Farmer:,

Extract from Lord Somerville^s Essay on Sheep,.
Concluded from page 198.
Too much attention cannot be given to the nature of
the soil. Cold soils, more especially those whieh lie on a
wet bottom or sub soil, I consider to be more adapted to
the long- wool breeds of sheep ; but they cannot be deem-
ed a safe layer for sheep of any breed whatever, morQ
especially for the short wool breeds. In propitious sea-
sons, they may not §uffer, such as in dry autumns, and
summers not too wet and close ; but in winter there is
great risk, even with the sheep whose lojig wo©l and

tH A<i^RICUt,TURAIi MUSEUI4

thick skins present the greatest chance of protection. l»i
is impossible to avoid dwelling on this subject ; it ife
most interesting to the pubJic, for the mischief is sudden-
ly caused, and most extensive when it dees occur.
There is an instance in the course of last autumn, of a
flock of Cheviot wethers, rotted on the rich pastures of
the vale of Aylesbury, whi»Ii were bred on the Carter
Fell, perhaps the highest, and certainly the wettest oi the
Cheviot hills ; but thought to be incapable of rotting
sheep, wet as it is, because a noiihern climate forbids a
rapid tloaty %^egetation. Another instance occurred of
a flock of South-Down ewes running in a gentlemdn'a
park, which died as they dropped their iambs : Qa boirg
questioned by the author, if these sheep had depasture*!
during last autumn on a part of the park lying beyond x
lake of water, (which lake stands somewhat above the
level of the land) the proprietor admitted the fact, and at
©nee saw the reason of the calamity. A farmer in the
western part of Somersetshire, lost a whole flock of the
Bampton ewes, which is a breed of she<'p in size and
quality of wool, much resembling the new Leicesters>
•with which they have long ago been crossed, n^erely by
their feeding one night on a wet common adJM>ming his
lands; all of them died as they dropped their lambs. — -
Whether the disorder was a rot in the liver, or whether
it was the red water or dropsy, does not occur to my
memory, but the fact is well known.

In hot and rainy summers, 1 have seen these sheep re-
moved by the owner^ and without any delay, from high,
but rich upland pastures, into drier land. Tlie caution
used in this case, made a strong impression on the au-
thor's mind ; because this farmer is one of the best
judges ofshcep any where to be found, and had carried
this breed to great perfection ; and because this cautioa
was productive of rauchinconvenience atthe time. Few
breeds ofshcep, in tliis kingdom, are exjioscd to sucli se-
verity of climate and keep, as the Cheviot hhcep ; the
healthy properties al (■ of the South Dowr.s, are too well
ki^owu to need debcriptiotL Similar instances; alnaosli

AGRICULTURAL "MUSUEJM ^15

!-

innumerable, could be adduced ; but these are sufficieri|,
to prove what is required.

It has fallen to the lot ofthe author; in a greater degree
perhaps than any other person, to incur this risk in his
©\vn practice, by depjiLUuring both store and fat she"p^
of the finest quaHty of wool, on lands as rich as any ia
this Island ; in a former edition of these essaySj he stated
the danger which might attend it.

By selecting ewes, neither too old nor too young, and
by allowing about ten bushels of bean meal to every hun-
dred ewes, which acts as a cordial to them, he had great
luck i;i lambing; but as the lambs when weaned were
sent oft to a dry tillage farm, there to be wintered, the
danger ceased: in the succeeding month of May, they
were sent back able enrugh to bear the strength of the
same keep, which, in the preceding summer, would have
destroyed Ihem.

The effect of this strong keep, is not a rot in the livef^
fcut a dropsy, or " red water," as it is termed in some
•ounties. — Lambs reduced by this strong feed, are not to
be trusted, in the subsequent autumn, in turnips or evea
on clovers ; nothing but the hardest grasses and dry fod-
der can restore them.

With a complete conviction of this risk, by the exces-
sive heat of last summer, and the tota! want of sheep-feed
on his tillage farm, which the author had just then taken
possession of, he was driven to the alternative of sending
his flock of lambs to his marsh land, or to let them starve
where they were ; for the same heat which destroyed
his own keep, burnt up that of his neighbours also. The
loss was great, as he never ceased to predict; but it
was very much increased by the excessive rains which
followed one of the hottest summers ever remembered ;
and by the great severity ofthe winter, at the same time^
the store-ewes supported themselves uncommonly well#
and the lambs dropped this year are in most excellent
condition, and numerous beyond any former example, ii|
l^oportioH to Ihe ej^tentof ib« tlock ef ewes.

"its AGRICULTURAL MUSEUltf

The extent of the loss this season arisin<T from the
causes above mentioned, throughout the kingdom, would
perhaps exceed aR credibility.

Craving pardon for preaching so m'. eh on onetopie,! do
most earnestly beseech shcep-farniers oft-very rank antl
degree, to bear in mind, that breeding ewes cither very
young or very olr), cannot endure severity of climate or
keep, like those of niiddle age, and that the shepherd
mustnot spare his labour in the nighttime, more especi-
ally in severe weather, when lambs of the fine wool
breeds are first dropped, for their wool is too short to
protect them, during the few first days alter yeaning,
miless they arc brought into some sheltered place.

H

ON THE USE OF SALT FOR SIIEEP.

We are not aware, that the practice of giving salt in its
Iraw state, is to be found any where in this kmgdom, ex-
cept on our own estate. We shall, therefore, speak
with due caution on the subject, confining ourselves to
what has actually been done, and to the effect which, in
several years trial, has been most apparent. The heavy
cluty now imposed on salt, seems to be sufficient to deter
others from its use, as it for sometime deterred us. At
length, we fortunately lost sight of this timidity ; our
motive was not to produce this or that imaginary effect,
but to keep sheep in health- It was reasonable to con-
jecture, that the flock would demand more salt in the au-
tumn antl spring months, when dews are heavy, than in the
summer or dead winter months ; and so it proves.

In Spain, a thousand sheep use in five months, four
arobes, or one quintal of salt, which is 1281b. Their sheep
would fat to about 13Ib. per quarter upon the average;
this is the quantity given out, all of which may not be con-
sumed ; and as the price of salt in that country is no ob-
ject, more would have been given, if more was necessa,
rv- Without reference to what was allowed in Spain,
(for the increased moisture of our climate, and the pecu-
liar properties of our various soils, would not allow sucK

Acinic ULTURAL MUSEUM 317

a*eifersnc'e safely to be had,) the quantity given to cur
sheep was such as we have before stated would keep thi.ni
beaitby, or sncli as they appeared to demand. It is given
in the morning when the sheep are looked over, in order
to counteract the ill effect of the dew. They have
consumed ixt the rate of one ton of salt for every
thoisan I sinsp annually, which at the rate of ^Gs.
pcT hundred, its present^ price, amounts to twenty-fi3s:
pounds sterling: at the same price the consumption of a
thousand sheep might occasionally, but varying accord
uig to the season, amount to thirty pounds sterling pet
annum, and no more.

A small handful is put on a flat stone, or slate, and ten
or fifteen of these slates set a few yards apart, are enough
for one hundred sheep : at first the sheep may be moved
towards them ; if they feel a craving for salt, they will lick
tip quickly as much as is necessary ; if tli-vv do not want
It, what remains dry, when the siiecparc next looked at,
is taken up and reserved for future use. Twice a week has
usually been found sufficient; in particular cases it may
be offered thrice. As to any doubt respecting their in-
clination to it, none can be maintained ; for, of a flock
approaching towards 1000, there are not ten old sheep
wiiich have not taken kindly to it, and not a lamb
which does not consume it gi'eedily.

When turnips in the early season are stocked with
sheep, and the greens rank aud i«irong, many. die sud-
denly, more especially young two-tooth sheep. Tiie
disorder is a pent-up wind, oecasi ned hy excess of fer-
mentation in the stomaih ; here sal'ed hay and salt, are
devoured with a greediness, that denotes t]>eir salutary
effect. The autumn of 1801 was rainy and uniavoura-
ble, yet we did not lose one sheep in turnips, and pro-
bably never shall, whilst we persevere in the use of salfc»
In that of 1802, *ve had many hundred fat wethers, gales,
and hog sheep in turnips, and lost about two during the
first month the turnips were stocked ; certainly the chan-
ces were, that in any keep, and in any season, of such a
9ock more might have died. 28

I pri«» in IS09, 40 5, per QWt,

218 AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

In strong pastures likewise, when seasons are wet,t^»e
rot often spreads destruction over whole tracts of conn-
try ; here salt must be licncficial, and an object of na-
tional importance. It is supposed, and vvilh great truth;,
to correct acidl'y in the slomaeli, a disorder common to
sheep even in Spain, but of a much more serious nature
in the damp climate o^ Great Britain, more particularly
when stocked on green floaty fo-jd, sucli as turnips, vet-
ches, and young clover.

It may not be an absolute specific in land naturally un-
sound ; such land it is madness, at any rate, to stock
with sheep ; but where the rot occasionally prevails,
those who have carefully noted how salt affects cattle,
can hazard little in sujiposing, that the disease will be
much less heard of, when such acorrective is ap[)lied.
W^emust content ourselves rather with a negative than
a positive proof, because it is not easy to ascertain how
many sheep might have fallen sick, or have diod, which
are now in health and alive ; but it may be put to any
flock master, whether he would not consider him
self a fortunate man, if at the expence of thirty pounds
sterVmg per annum, he could materially improve the
health and condition of a flock of 1000 sheep, weighing
14\h. per quarter: His probable answer will be, that he
would give double the money to secure to himself such
an advantage.

When grazing on limestone soils, it is stated in Dillon's
account of the Merino sheep, that sheep eat less salt;
from whenc it occurred to me, that chalk, which, though
not so warming in its nature as salt, is fully as good in
correcting acidity, might be a most beneiicial substitute
for it.

Chalk has long been given to fatting ealves, for the
purpose of correcting this acidity ; and why not to sheep,
and lambs, who are equally subject to it.

A gentleman, who farms near Tewksbury, in Glou-
cestershire, says, '" You had suggested, that chalk might
be substituted for salt; the latter being so expensive ia

AGRICULTURAL MUSUEM 219

tjiis countrj' when used upon a larjfe scale ; from the cir-
cumstance of sheep eating less salt when depastured ia
limy or mariy soils, 1 was led to suppose that an econo-
mical substitute for pure salt might be made use of; with
this view, \ caused 12lb. of chalk to be pounded, sifted,
and kneaded in water, saturated with salt. This paste
being put in a trough, and dried in the oven, is placed in
one of the racks, to prevent the sheep from soiling it ;
to this, when in the fold, they have constant acccs,^ and
I believe, they have received from it e very 'benefit that
could be wished ; they lick it constantly, and the lambs
shew an uncommon partiality for it."

We are all sensible of the effect of salt on the human
body ; we are told how unwholesome, and we know
how unpalatable, fresh meat and vegetabjes are without
it. The ancients held it in the highest estimation. " Om-
nis mensa male pouitur absque sale." We also know, the
avidity with which aninuils, in a wild state, seek the salt-
pans of Africa and America, and the dilBculties they will
encounter to reach them ; this cannot arise from acci-
dent or caprice, but from a powerful instinct within, which,
beyond control, impels them to seek at all risks, that
which is salubrious. In IJulland, the ancient laws or-
dained men to be keptot\ bread alone unmixed with salt,
as the severest punishment that could be inflicted in their
moist climate : the etiect was horrible, these wretched
cjiminals are said to have been devoured with worms,
engendered in their own stomachs. In Germany, we are
told by Count Ilumford, that salt is universally given to
oxen and cows in a fatting state, and that their prooi
is proportionate to the quantity given.

In Sweden, in Saxony, in Siiesia, and in France, salt is
g'ven to sheep: it is considered a most important article,
and is strongly recommended. M. Daubenton says,
*' Salt gives them appetite and strength ; it warms them
and promotes digestion ; prevents obstructions, and dis-
sipates superfluous moisture, the cause of many of their
diseases.'"' They want it most, he says, when they are
languid, and out of order; which happens in fugs, in he a-

SCO AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

\y rains, and snow. It is well known that hay, mouldy
from rain, is rendered palatcable and remarkably nutri-
tious to ca'tle, by simply strewing salt on the stack, at
the rate of 10 or 15 pounds |?cr ton when making ; equal-
ly notorious is it, that a sensible effect is hereby produc.
ed to the taste ; that caLtIc will prefer it to bi'tter hay,
ivell put together, and will demand, when fed on it,
without injury to themselves, tiiree times as much wa-
ter ; which circamstance alone accounts for that apti-
tude to fatten, which is conspicuous in hay so salted. It
remained lo be proved, how good hay, which had not
spoai iii strength in premature fermentation, would bear
such a quantity of salt as would invigorate the stomach,
quicken the circulation of the blood, and excite in cattle
a desire to drink larg(*ly ; that it does bear it, and that
the effect this hay has upon stock almost surpasses be-
lief, we have ascertained. Some of our hay, lately in
use, was of the first qual'ty of sheep hay, the produce of
rich and deep loam on a limestone bottom ; it was put to-
gether without wet, and had 251b. of salt jper ton sprink-
led through a sieve, a greater quantity than hasyetbcen
used. In colour, flavour, and proof, it equalled any hay
whatever, and satisfies us that this, or a greater quantity
of salt, may be infused into hay of the best of quality, and

with the best possible effect.

In confirmation of these facts, we have also the autho-
rity of Mr. Darke, of Brcedon, one of the most celebra-
ted graziers in the kingdom, who has mixed salt with
his flooded mouidy hay, 81b. of salt only to a ton, and
declares that his Hereford oxen did better on it than
others on the best hay he had ; and that he was and is
convinced,that the hay had all its good effect from the salt.

bait cannot be convej'ed into the animal in a more ef-
fectual manner, than by sprinkling it on haythiough a
sieve, when in the act of putting together ; for every
particle is imbibed in the fermentation, without a possi-
bility of waste. It will, upon trial, no doubt, provo a
better breakfast, than those cold dews which prevail in
tliis country; nine months out of tiic twelve ; and vviiich

AnRICUr.TURAL MUSETiM 22l

are more ])roiiidiciaI to the wool and ci^rcase of those
feeble animals, than has been hidierto consiclered.
We venture no opinion whatever, on the propriety of
commuting- or uboHshing the duty on salt : if it be mode-
rated or abolished .so much the b ;tter for the farrain^j
world ; if the duty re-tiain, we ^hall persist in the use of
saitj fortunate that ., c can obtain so great a benefit at so
cheap a rate ; and rather tnan forego its use, we do not
scruple to declare, that w ; would give one hundred
pounds j?er annum for every thousand sheep we possess,
rather than b^ dcbarr;:'d its use, even at its present rate ;
well persuaded tlat we shall be most essential gainers
thereby. ]t becomes a drity with us -io say ttius much?
because an extensive adoption of the use m taiC has a
two fold operation ; whiistit benefits the landed iiiierest^
it adds also, in a most couiiderable degree, to the nati-
onal revenue.

P-\Ti^?.!T OFFICfi"..

Let US turn our view to the Goicojida of the iTnited
States, ^'iC Patent OJj'ke, vvhei-e many a ^e:!! lies deep in i\s
matrix of cobweo and dust, or piled in re2;.i'ar confusiour
where the visitor in vain seeks for a. pojudar exhibition
of models, speciiiV!ations and drawings ; though all exist,
yet all are lost to the curious visitant. lu place of irradi-
ating', as from a common centre, the rays cf mechanical
science, they lie unheeded, the expensive monuments of ^
Gothic inattention. The legislature of the United States
at their last session, with a liberality truly economical,
iiave at length appropriated fmuls for the purchase of
a building for tlie reception of those treasures of genius,
and a law !'or the government of the depai'tm^nt was'
brought into conJ;ress.

it is hoped that into this law a provision may he intro-
duced, which will make it the duty of the incumbent offi-
cer to make up a report on the state of the institution,
whichmight contain a digest of the specifications ah-ea-
dy lodged in the ofiice, in classical arrangement, under
tb? ditterent heads of mechanic puwei's, and this report

2l23 AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

to be continued annually,'' by which the progress of this
valuable branch ofknowledge would be publicly exhibi-
ted and diffused. These reports, if executed in a mas-
terly style, would be the most valuable documents ever
brought into public view. A sufficiency of copies should
l)e printed annually, to supply every town and village in
the United States But they would without doubt pay
a publisher liberally, as it may be presumed they would
circulate as extensively as an almanac, and they would
furnish us with some means of paying oft' the literary ba-
lance of trade which, to our discredit, is so much against
tls with Em'ope. Aurora.

ON FINING CIDER.

Cooper's Point, March 10, 180i,

BE 5 PEC TED FRIENl>,

As you have published my method of fining cider with
Isinglass [fish glue] which is a foreign article and expen-
sive ; and as I have, by one of my whimsical experiments,
discovered a method new to me, and with a domestic ma-
terial, generally thrown away as useless, which, on the
first trial, has succeeded far better than isinglass ever
did with me ; and as it is my disposition to wish that any
useful discovery, which Providence throws in my way,
may be useful to my fellow citizens, 1 send you an ac-
count of it, which you are at liberty to make what use of
you please.

Having killed a bullock, and my people having boiled
the feet more than common, and let the liquor stand till
cold, I perceived it to be thick jelly, resembling dissolved
isinglass ; and having some cider not fined, I tried the a-
bove said jelly, by warming it till dissolved ; then drew
some of the cider I intended to try with it, and mixed
both together gradually in a tub, and kept constantly
stirring the mixture till cold ; then strained it and put the
mixture into two hogsheads of cider, mixing the whole as
well as possible, by working it with a stick spEt in fuur

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUW 223

parts and put in at the bung-hole. I dh'ected it to be
racked off in ten days, which was done ; and on my re-
turn home, found it as fine as any I ever saw, and great-
ly improved in flavor. — If you think proper to publish a-
nj' part of the above, it will be best to do it soon, as ci-
der lines best previous to the trees being in bloom.

JOSEPH COOPER.

LYNN ENTERPRISE.

A correspondent has favored us with a statement of
the annual produce of the labors of our industrious, en-
terprising and persevering neighbors in the town of
Lynn. It does honor to our country, and we are parti-
cularly pleased in finding so much of the amount to be the
efitcct of the industry of the fair females of that antient
town. In the manufacture of women's shoes in Lynn,
1037 persons are employed ; they produce annually
987,000 shoes ; the materials of which cost about 500,000
dollars ; and when, manufactured are worth about
800,000 ; giving 300,000 as the reward of the labour. Of
this sum 49,295dollars annually is the productof the work
of females in binding, &c. the shoes. — Eastern Pa/ptr.

TO MAKE BUTTER IN THE WINTER.

In many parts of our country, the art of making good
butter in the winter is very imperfectly understood. In-
deed, many good dairy women, suppose it absolutely
impraeticable to make it at that season. Now, in somt
places, at least in New-England, it is constantly practis-
ed, and the process is as familiar, as that of making but-
ler in May or October. — The short history of it is this —

The cows should be stabled and fed on good sweet hay,
andif provender is added, so much the better. Instead
of keeping the milk in a warm place, it should be put in a
cold one, and no matter how soon it freezes. Freezing
will separate the cream much more perfectly than it will
rise without, and itas taken off with much less trouble

S24 AGiriCULTtTRAL MUSEU.'VF.

Whf.n the cream is cfiurned, the churn should not be put
too nea; tiic fi.e. 'J'ho ordinary warmth of the kitchen
will be ji.flicieni. Too mui;h heat will destroy both the
complexion, and the flavor of tlie butter. It will reqirrc
a little^ luore lime in chn; ninjj: than it docs in warmer
weather; ;!nd that is all the real diiilculty in makijig ag
good binterin JaOiiary, as can be made at any season of
the year. Maryland llcpuh.

M I L K.

Among the modern iiiiprovemcnts in farming, the dai-
ry has of late years, been verj- much neglected. So
much of the pr<ifit of breeders depending upon the fa-
cility with which the milk of the cow may be reserved
during the suckling time of Mie calf, the following sub-
stitute, used in Germany, for the natural food of the
young progeny, may be acceptable to our country read-
ers :

Let as much water be heated on the fire a'^ *he calf
will be disposed to (h uik ; and when it boils, throw one
•r two handfuis of oatmeal* into it, and after continuing
In that state for one minutC; take it otT, and let it be cool-
ed to the tempei atiire of new milk, when one or two
pints of skimmed mi^k are to be added to it. With this
beverage the young anin^al will fatten and thrive prodi-
giously ; the mi'k of the parent will be applied to the dai-
ry, and the intelligent farmer will immediately discover
the great advantage to be derived in the produce of the
dairy from such an expedient.

* The meal of Indian corn is successfully used for the
ame purpose, in some pat ts of the United States.

{Editor U. States Gaz]

rRINTB;D FOR AND PtJBMSHED BY DAVID WILEY.

i*iice § 2.50 for twt7ity four Numbers f
To be paid in aduancQ,

HTE

AGHICULTUHAL MUSEUM.

OMNIS FERET OMNIA TELLUS. VIRG,

Vol. r.] Qeorgetoivn, Ca. Jan. 23, 1811. |No. 15.

Fot^ the ^Agricultural Museum,
MEHINO SHEEP.

The late importations of Merino Sheep having created
considerable interest among the farmers of the United
States, it may not be amiss for us to enquire into the
degree of esteem, in which these animals may be held
abroad. The following is the extract of a letter from
an American gentleman, of considerable celebrity ia
the agricultural world, who has lately returned from a
visit to England. The letter is addressed to Mr. Cus-
tis of Arhngton, and bears date 20th December, 1810.

" Notwithstanding the present rage for Merino
** Sheep, whh you, I have my doubts how far the pure
" Merino, is the best breed for our country Even in
*' England, many of their most eminent Agriculturalists
*' are not satisried of the advantage to their country,
" of confining their stock to that breed. Dv. Parry of
*^ Bath, has a flock he 'hiuks so far im{»roved, by cros-
" sing the Merino with the Ryelani, that he would not
*' pe- mit a pare Merino ra n to be in his Hock tor one
*' thousand guineas. Mr. Coke, the best and mostexten-
" sive Agriculunalist in England is crossing the Meri-
*' no with the South Down, greatly to his satisfaciion, I
" have been for a few years crossing the Merino with
" the Bakrwell A young ram sold from my flock the
" last year, has shorn eh ven and an half pounds. The
" only advantage of Merino, is the fineness of wool;
" in quantity, staple and cai ca>s, it is ir.ferior to some
^ ©Uier breeds we might propagate xq the advantage

•219 ACRICULTUSAL MUSEWM

^ of our country. I wish you to make an cxperimettt
" with a pure Merino ram and some of your best
" Smith's Island Ewes.

" However friendly I am to domestic manufactures,
^' I am totally opposed to the mad scheme of forch>g
" manufactures by heavy duties, giving rise to groat
^' manufacturing establishments, supported by vvealtliy
^' intiividuais, and tending to destroy the physical, mo
'* ral and political character of the laborer. The greatt
*' manufactu"ing towns are sinks of corruption, mise-
" ry aiid wretchedness; such is the exp'MJence of all
"file world, under wliatever government^'
Note to the above by Mr. Custis

The importation of Merinos, may prove a real and
important benefit to American ojconomy if the practice
of Dr. Parry, Mr. Coke and other distinguished breeders^
is promptly followed in the United States. To preserve
the Merino race entire, would be at once unwise, impo-
litic, and in many respect: injurions. We have many
usf^fui native breeds, which by crossing with these valu-
ed strangers, wo^dd imbibe a sufficiency of their superior
qualities to answer e^ cry necessary and ordinary [pur-
pose. At the ^ame time, this system would rescue the
native sheep from unmerited neglect, and disperse
the Merino strain through all paits of our courntry.
Again, claths made of the pure Merino wool are only
auited to the uses of the rich and luxurious. Their costly
nature |(reclu<Iesth;Mr introduction to the humbler walks
of life ; and altho' the man of fortune may indulge in the
comforts of warm clothing, flannels and night-caps,
liis poorer neighbor ^^ill still be shivering in the horror*
of nakedness and neglect.

If njanufjctures are wanting, they are especially
wanting to the nctdy and distressed — a blanket is more
useful than a sliavvl, a strong cloth more extensively use-
ful, itan a tine one. 'J o f ncourage domestic establish-
•mcntsin pari&lit;* and townships and to discourage exten-
sive monopolies, should form the eiseiitial policy of oer

4&&nnfry at this time ; when we may become an export-
4ng community, it may be desirabie to fashion our f;»-
brics to the taste of luxury abroad, but let not> the no-
ble attribute of independence, be converted to other
than the benevolent uses of the Rei.ublic, Minister to
the comforts of that lar«;e and useful class of our political
family, who support the cause of industry in peace, and
protect the cause of freedom in war, who deserve tlie
due attention of science and patriotism to sujiply their
real wants, and whose claims i^ public and private prQ-
tection are of the most virtuous cas-t.

The great preference o-ivcn to imported Sheep, dis-
courag'es the small larmer from improving his native
breeds — He says, that imported Sheep, like imported
Horses, are only for the uses of the rich — That the
*' high mettled racer" will not descend to the walks of
agricultural employment, nor will Merino cloth descend
to comfort the labourers body. — To introduce a proper
admixture of the fine with the coarser wooled Sheep,,
will tend to equalise the price, and bring it more withiu
the compass of Farmers in general. It were better to see
ever_> farmer's liitle territory, spotted with a few sheep
than to see the cabannas ot a Merino nabob extending
far and wide I too am a Merino man ; bur I well know
that many beneficial systems of human atfairshave their
abuses, nor do I believe the Merino system to he exempt.
To see the labourer comfortable anff his children no
longer naked, should form the pious wish of every true
friend of }iu:uanity, or his country. By intermixing of
the valued qualities of Merino sheep wnh the native
brciMls at large, the material which forms the heait of
manufacture will spread its genial current through the
veins and arteries of the Agricuitura! body, and give
life and vigor to the best interests of the nation.

SALT WORKS ON THE KANAWHA RIVER.

I take {)leasure in communicating to the public, the infc
proved and improving state of the Salt works on the Ka*
nawlia iiivei-— 'Xbe richness ef the watcr^ 4d4 excess «f

^^ AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM-

acid the Salt contains after evaporation, leave no doubtj
that an exuberant source orciystallized ?ah exists subja-
cent to the stratum of rock, which constitutes the basis
of the river, and probably the mountain on each side of
it — I am daily confirmed in the opinion, since every at-
tempt hitherto made to obtain this rich saline water, has
been fruitiul. — The C'inlignity of this plenteous source of
salt to the Westein Countries, so peculiarly adapted to
cattle of every denomination, is certainly a remarkable
instance of the cecononiy of nature making suitable
provision v\ here she was apparently unprovided — A
steel pointed borer between one and two inches in dia-
meter is emplojedin piercing the various strata of rock,
which compose a depth of between 25 and 30 feet.

When the instrument has perforated the silicious stra-
tum of rock, superincumbent the salt, a strong current
of bituminous inHam.nable air issues from the aperture,
termed by an intelligent medical Gentleman, who exam-
ined it, sulphui'ated hydrogen gas, holding phosphorus in
solution; generated, as he supposes, from digestion op
decomposition of vegetable matter, enveloped by some
early convulsion of nature — The proprietors of the salt
works introduf'e a Tin or Copper tube of suitable capaci-
ty through the rock in communication with the salt, so as
more efieciually to exclude the river water. It is raised
by pumps and conveyed into boilers, fourteen of which
holding each as many gallons, constitute a furnace — •
Eacli turnace prepai es hfty bushels of clean dry salt a
day, v\hich the laborers dispose of at fifty cents per
bushel — The Sciota salt water is not above one fourth sa-
turated, and that of Kanawha more than three fourths
according to ])r. SmitlL The latter is impregnated with
some foreign matter, which renders it extremely difficult
to manage, and since no jiure salt can be obtained, before
the. water is divested of this unknown mineral, it has
been a subject of industrious enquiry among the literati
of the western country. Since it possesses none of
those properties which characterize Iron, Tin, Copper,

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 228

Zinc, &c. some are induced to believe that it is a pre-
cious meta! dissolved and liolden in solution by the super-
abundant acid, that is draiiicd tVom the salt after crystal-
lization.— Dr. R, II Smith of Prince Edward county has
undertaken to make the analysis, and to send on the re-
sult as soon as possible, togeth'u- with a cheap mode, sim-
plifying the compound ;• which, if successful, will contri-
bute much to facilitate the manufacture of a chief article
of commerce in this quarter — Richmond Enquirer.

HEiMP.

Sketch of the manner of cultivating and preparing Hemp
in Russia.

The seed is sown between ih; 20th of May and the-
end of June, when the weather is warm. Plains are the
only grounds suitable for its cultivation. In countries
where it seldom rains, moist lands arc preferred, but not-
low meadow. The soil should be free and black, with
six or seven inches of mould. — Other ground will not do,
especially sandy soils, 1 hese will not repay the expence
of culture.

Upon a surface of 540 by 420 E.nglish feet, the Russi-
ans sow five bushels and one tenth of seed.

After once ploughing and harrowing the land, a suffi-
cient quantity of stable manure is spread upon it, and re-
mains upon its surface for six days. The land is then
again ploughed, sown and harrowed. The same piece
of ground is cultivated every ye^r in the same manner.

Two sorts of hemp grow in every field ; the female,
which bears the seed, and the ma!e which has the same
look with the female, but its head is round and without
seed. — When the male hemp begins to ripen, its foliage
becomes white (while that of the female remains always
green.) Even its stalk takes a greyish cast. The male
stalks are all pulled up three weeks before the other,
made into sheaves, and left standing against poles four
days. They are then opened and spread upon level
ground, where they remain until they come to maturi-

3^ iftXICULTURAL MUSEUiJ

ty. The hemp is then scparafred from the sfalk, an^
produces that quality with which the Russians make
ooarse cloths. This kind of hemp they do not put nu-
^er water.

The female hemp Is pulled about three weeks after the
male, as already obse 'ved. WThen pulled it is bound-
up in sheaves from five to six inches in diameter.
These are placed standing against poles fixed in the
grountf. Thus they remain at least two days ; after
which they beat or thresh the sheaves to extract the
«eed, and beat the roots to clear them of the soil-
hemp in this state is called in Russia, Molatchanka, vi2^
hemp beaten or threshed. In the Ukraine where the
Best hemp is produced, tbfj used to cut off from the
top of the stalk between seven and ten inches, and
the same from the root This they catl Sittchka, or cut
iiemp. Of late years however, the rieh proprietors
only continue this mode of preparing hemp ; which is
thus prepared in the other provinces^

Four days after the seed is taken from the stalk, it
is put in soak in either still or running water,. immaterial
which. The sheaves are placed in order by eaclz other^
and immersed under water of from seven to twelve
feet depth, and confined in a fixed state by pieces of
wood and by stones suflicicnt to secure them. In this
situation they remain about three weeks, if the rt ater is
fvarm ; if cold, they continue five weeks. At the
C2id of that time a small portion is taken and dri-
ed upon an oven, or in some other way. It is then bro-
ken by hand. If the hemp separates with ease, then
the residue is taken from the water. If it does not se-
parate, it is suft'ered to remain until it does. When ta-
Jcen from the water it is placed upon heated stones, or
ovens to dry. The more dry, the better; because it
is then more easily detached from the pulp of the
^talk.

Every year great quantities of the sheaves remaiQ,
tm^ the epring inwiie«ed jiji TTjitcr^ ewing t© the scTtT;

'agricultural museu:^ *§1

5jty of the cold. They are then taken and dried in the
sun. For this purpose they are placed in an upright
posture against walls or fences The hemp taken out
of the water before the frost, is called winter hemp.
The first is the strongest; the other much weaker,
but the last is more pleasant to the eye, on account of
its being a green silver cast. Hemp does not come td
ijiatiuity under four months. In its first vegetation
rains are veiy favorable to its growth. As it ap-
proaches ripeness, dry and warm weather are most
propitious to it. Wiien the same year unites these
two advantages, it is sure to excel both in quality and
quantity.

An essay, on the Ground Nut, as an article from which s
palatable and wholesome oil can be extracted. By Mr.
A. Boucherie, of Philadelphia, in a communication id
Dr. Mitchill, dated June 17, 1809.

However rich are the productions of the American
continent, it was painfully acknowledged that there
foould not be found a fixed oil, sweet to the taste and pos-
sessing ull the virtues inherei:t in that of the oUve. It is
well known that olive oil, one of the ubstances conse-
c-rated to the divinities of former ages, was the delight of
the Greeks and Romans. Being anomted with it after
bathing, it maintained the suppleness of their skin and
of their muscles. Used in cookery it was an agreeable
preparation for food. That oil now forms one of the
richest productions of the Mediterranean shores, where
tile olive tree, cai-efully cuhivated, yields an oil more or
less agreeable, according to the nature of its soil, and the
process used in its extraction.

Chemically considered, that substance essentially dis»
tinguishes itself by its unctuousness ; it is miscible nei-
ther m water nor alcohol. Putin contact with a firey
body it soon takes fl»uie, and when well depurated gives-
a lig'it much superior to that of tallow or wax, and
which does not tire the sight. Its constituent principle*
are carbon a.boatTG; ai?4 hyd,rogcn 24 parts in the hnB*

gS«J AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

Vvinly would it be undertaken to naturalize the olVe
tree in the United Slatrs. It recuires, with the sahne
air ol' the sea, a milder, more equal and less humid di«
iwate. Little hope then would we have of procuring t©
ourselves so good an oil as that of the olive, if we did
ftot possess a precious fruit which in this country has not
yet been considered in this point of view.

I know that the ground nut was a lew years since cul-
tivated in France, where they extract from it an excel-
lent and palatable oil. liaving found that fruit in the
market of Philadelphia, I endeavoured to know if it could
be substituted for the olive, and with a true satisifactiou
3 experienced that it answered all my expectations.

The ground nut, which is the Lynchi ol the Pei-uvianSj
4he Mani of the Spaniards, and the Araquidna of the Bo-
tanists, grow s in Brazil, Surinam, and Peru.— However,
it appears not to be a native ol those couiitrios, but to
have been brought there from Africa by the negroes. It
is also found in the West Indies, in North and South Ca.
lolina. Undoubtedly it will equally succeed in Virginia,
Pennsylvania, ISew Jersey, the Western States, and
in all places where the sun mer season is constantly
•ivarm. If some differences are perceived in those se-
veral parts of the union, they result from that which may
exist in the intensit} and continuance of the heat which
prodigiously influence the quantity and quality of the
prodace.

The plant does not require a fertile soil, it grows in
sandy grounds, even in those exhausted. It v. ants but
little laibour, the essential part of which consists in ope-
rations sufficiently reiterated to prevent the growth of
w eeds.

The fruit is so well known in the United States as
not to require here a description ofit. A thin and fria-
ble husk unfolds two kernels covered with a pellicle or
pcricarpium w hich, as that of the almoud; is taken off by
immerbion in waini water.

ASaiClJLTORAL MUSEUM SS8

^i-om the kernel of the ground nu( ] have obtained an
<ii! pcri'i'.ctly sweet, as it v\ili be acknowledged on tasting
tliiit coiiUuued in the bottle which accomj)an!es this me*
moir. lis qualities render i^ jirclcraMe even to olive
oil, which is oitvu haish to the taste from its aptitude
to 1 acridity; for ii is roa'ly aoreeabie I-iUiii few qaarteis
of France an«i Italy. Ttie ground nut, on the contrary
S'OCDS.^ to possess the oily clement in its greatest purity,
G>p".eia!ly a few days after huvirso- been expressed, be-
cause st>nie feeuieucies arc fheri precipitated ; but what
gives to this oi! a decided suDcriority over that of the
olisc ib.tltat it does not become raiieid. I ke;;t it for a
\ou^ while e.\j)osed to the acUon of a brigrit sun, without
having its taste tiic least injured. Shosild it not have the
facult)- of corn!)iuing itself with ox'geii, as other oils
which are eager of it, and which by thai re union cxperi.
ef:ice a kind ofcoinl^ustioi) ? It is very j)robable it has
not, siucc its taste has not ti^e least been injured.

A light roasting undergone by the risid'jc after a first
expression, yield, by a new expression, a second oil j
but this experiences the action of t!ie caloric upon oil.

1 have not been in a situation to calcniale the produce
of an acre ef ground sown vvth ground nuts; but a(?-
oording to what is getieraliy said by botanists, it must be
Cijusideriible. 1 oidy know that the ground ntit com-
tnonly gives a te^th of its weiglit in oil ; uud that very
probably an eighth might he obtained if a suflicient
force of compi"ession u as employed to extricate it.

Hence, it can be easily appreciated uhntsuch a ciil-
fcn-e. followed in a lai gc \\ a*, could pioduce. Certjirt-
]y it would be one of the richest pi'oduetions of this coU^
tinejit

The medicinal properties of the ground nut oil. also
deserve to be carefully investigated. Not a doubt re-
m^iinsthat it possesses ail those generally b'longing to
the fixed sweet oils, an;! ihat it might advaniag-ou-ly
be used as a suifslitute Ut the oil (d\swect almonds,
wirtca i« dcinH}c««tr when nevviy ex,j)res»ed; an-' aifortjl.

3D-

2^i ACmCVLffVVLAl. E£USEUM

etJ ir(sm fresh almondg ; but inflammatory when ihfi.
least heated by raiiiiditj'. The oil ot (h<- g^round imt will
be ?ree of that iiieoQveHience, which is often fatal to sick
persons.

bo ,nany precious qualities in the ground nut must en-
courage its cultivation- The southern states aJo!ie,now,
afford a smali quantity of that Jruit ; and stiil cuiiivated
but by negroes, who sell it for their own profit. I''rom
thence the nuis are brought to every quarter of the con-
tinent for consumption — hut hurtfuly for health; be-
cause eaten raw they ociasion painful head aches ; and
roasted, they are t xti^mely inflammatory.

Let proprietors undertake this cukure upon a great
scale, and it will soon procure them a rich increase. The
western Slates having no spertsiaceti oil will find in the
expression of rhe ground nut, au agreeable light. Soaps
superior to those coming from Europe, will be obtained
therefrom, and at so cheap a price, that the soap made of
tallow will soon be abandoned. Finally, after having
supplied the domestic demand, the grouud nut oil ex-
ported by our vessr^ls, ivill obtain a good price in the
West Indies, in the north o( Europe, and in every clime
where fcheoiive tree does not grow.

Undosibtedly, however, it contains a quantity of m«-
^lige, since the kerneifi of the ground nut triturated with
water, form a perfect emulsion, like that known under
^he iinpropername of orgeat, and it wants only the arr«'
Bia of iht' almond to be as agreeable.

Tiie oil of the ground nut, agitated with alcohol, ap-
pears at first iii an emulsive state, but shortly after
thesf two substances follow the law of their gravities',
4be oil sinks, the alcohol rises ; but it remains several
fJays in a milky state, which proves that some oil, com-
bined with the mucilage, is suspended in it ; both, by
time, precipitate themselves under the form of light
WvH'te Hakes. But w .at deserves to be observed in thi*
cxperimei!t. isthattheoil so resting in cc^ntact with the
fptru oi wms; b»com«» a|»Dolui«ly 9vioui'l«$4; VfU9^

<iKOtiT(J incTtreea belief that the Issttskes off 3 liftle resis.t
©as pari which irghtfy coloHrs it io its n&iufsd s^ate.
The action of alcohol upon the ground nvtt ©ri is peeidl&p
4o it, and does not take K>lace in oils expressed froi^
^tlier seeds.

Pure soda combined with the ground nut &iJ rentiers
Jt soapy ; whence it results, that svclt treated with a caus»
Seal ley, it would make a soap of superior (^^T[ty.

The oiF, by its tine and pure tasle utighi be advaisC^
jfeously substituted in cookery for that of olive.

The dregs of the ground ntit, after the expression bjr
which it yields the oil, make very tjood food for pig* and
turkeys, who are extremely food cf the fruif, wlaicis fat*
tens tbcHh

Process for the esttr action oftJit OM of the Qrcmnd Nnt^
The ground nat mu»t be separated from the friafife
liosk that enfolds it, and which is very easily dome. Ifc
appears that it would be enough to tbresh it with fiaik
as corn^ and to winnow it aftei wards. The least pres-
fure between two aiil! stones, will also be feuiEcieUi. for
the purpose.

The kernel may easily be bruised like pa«^te between
♦wo mill stones, the one tu' nii)g vertically upon anothep
horizontally placed. Linen bags tilled with th^^ pasta
should be siibmitted to the action of a sti'ong press act-
ing perpendicularly. The wedge niiii ©r Duich mill
might be used with equal success.

On the Analysis of Soils, as conntcied with their Inxj
provement. B^ Humfhssy Davy, £i>q. #! li. S,

From the Communications of the Board o{ Trade.

Wtility of Investigations r dating io the^ Analysis of SoilSi,

The methods of improving lands are immediately con*
Bectedwith*the knowledge of the chymical natire of soils.
i»nd experiments on their c^Hipfgita^a appsaf c»p3t/j[e €^
msuy woeful applieatio0s.

The importance of this subject has been alrradr fc[i
by some vei}' able cultivators of sconce ; many useful
facts and observations with reirm-d to it liave been fur-
nished by Mr. Young ; it has b-^en examined by Lord
Dundonald, in his treatise on the conr.exion of Chymis^
try with Agriculture, and by Mr. Kirvvan in his excel-
Jent essay on M nures ; but the enquiry is sti'l far from
beifg exhausted, and new methods of elucidating it are
almost continually offered, in consequence of the rapid
p >gress of ("hymical discovery.

in <he following pages I shall have the honour of hiy-
ini,';b» lore the Board, an account of those methods ofanav
Ivsing soils, wh eh appear most precise and smiple, ^nd
niosf likely to he useful to the practical farmer ; ihey are
fou ided partly upon the labours of the gentlemen whose
nunes have been just mentioned, and partly npon soms
later improvements.

II if the, Si(h stances found in Soils.

The substa -CCS which are found in soils, are certaia
mixtures or combinations of some of the primitive earths^
animal and vegetable matter in a decomposing s«ate,
certain sah'ne compounds, and the oxide of iron. These
bodies always retain water, and exist in very different
proportions in different lands ; and the end of analytical
experiments is the detection of their quantities and
mode of un;on.

The earths found in common soils, are principally s'u
lex, or the earth of flints, alumine, or the pure matter of
cl iy, lime, or calcareous earth, and magnesia.

Silex, or the earth of flints, when perfectly pure, ap-
pears in the form of a white powder, which is incombus-
tible, infusible, insoluble in water, and not acted upon
by common acids ; it is the substance which constitutes
th;^ principal i-art of rock chrystal ; it composes a consi-
derable part of hard gravelly soils, of hard sandy soils,
ani of hard stony lands.

ALumine, or pure clay, in its perfect state, is white like
^ilex ; it adheres strongly to (he tongue, is incombusti.
t?k"> insoluble in water, but s©iuWe in acids, and ra h-Yc4

aJkaline menstrna. li abounds most in clayey soils and
Oiuy •> foams ; but evn in the smallest pai'ticlos of these
gt.iia ,t IS usaaiiy united to silex and oxide of iron.

J. tine, is the f^uhstance well known in its pure state unddr
the name of quick !tme. U always exists in soils in combi-
ne ' on, and that juincipaMy with fixed air or carbonic acid,.
v\ iicii it is called carbonate of lime; a subsrance which
in the most compact fii m constitutes marble, and in it«
loo<>er form chaik. Lime, whim combined with sulphur
ric acid (oil of vitrio!), prcHuces sulphate of lime (gyp^
sum), ad vviih ph-sphoric acid, phosphate of limer
The carbonate of lime, mixed with other substancesjj,
pompose? chalky soiis and marles, and it is found ie
soft sandy soils. '

Magnesia, when pure, appears as white, and in a
lighter powder than a;iy uf the other earths ; it is solu-
bl • in acid, but nit in alkaline menstrua ; it is rarely
f'.jund in soils ; when it does exist, it is either in com^
feination with carbonic acid, or with silex and alumine:

Animal decnmposing Matter exists in very different
8'itos, accorcing as the substances from which it is pro*
tiuoed, are different ; it contains much carbonaceous sub-
stance ; and may be principally resolved by heat into
this su!)stanee, volatile alkali, inflammable aeriform pro-
ducts, and carbonic acid ; it is prmcipaily found in land's
tJiat have been lately manured.

Vegetable decomposing Matter is likewise very various
in kind, it contains usually more carbonaceous substance
than animal matter, and differs from it in the results of
its decomposition, principally in not producing volatile
alkali -, it forms a great proportion of all peats ; it
abounds in rich mould, and is found in larger orsmallOT
quantities in all lands.

The saline compounds, found in soils are very levi,,,
and in quantities so small, that they are rarely to be dis-
covered. They are principally muriate of soda (com-
CEiOii sait)^ sul^^.hat of magnesia (Epscmi salt), and mmp^

3BB J(»T«CUI.TUEA liTJ»-«r»

»te an^sufphate of potash, niirate of linie, tnd the mal4
alkalies.

The oxide of Iron is the same with the nist produced
fc^y exposing iron to the air and water ; it is found in alt
s«i!s, but U most abundant in yellow aad red clays, aai
in yellow and red siliceous sabd*.

A more minute accoimt of these different §ubsfance*
^ould be incompatible with the object of this paper.
A full description of their properties and agencies may
■ Iguxy be found in the elementary books on chymistry*
*nd particularly in the system ofchym;stry, by Dr„
Thompson (2d. edit. )> and in Henry V epitome of Qhy^
sSiistry.

Ill, Insfrum^nU rzqwrtd for the Analy?h f Soils*

The really important instrumen-ts required for thd
iinalysis of soils are few, and but Utile expensive.
They are a balance capable of containing a quarter of
a pound of common soil, and capable o^f turning, when
loaded with a grain ; a series of weights from a quarter
<!>f a pound Troy to a gi-ain ; a wire sieve, sufficiently
♦oarse to admit a pepper corn through its apertures 3 an
Argand's lamp £nd stand ; some glass bottles ; Hessia*
(trucibles ; porcelain, or queen'^s-ware evaporating ba-
sins ; a Wedgewood pestle and mortar ; some filter*
made of half a sheet of blotting-paper, folded so as t»
contain a pint of liquid, and greased at the edges ; a bone
knife, and an appaiatus f«r collecting and measuring
aeriform fluids.

The chj-mical s;ibst«nces of re agents required for se»
parating the constituent parts of the soil, are muriatic
acid (spirit of salt), guiphuric acid, pure volatile alkali
dissolved in water, solution of prussiate of potash, soap
lye, solution of carbonate of ammoniac, of muriate ot am-
monia, solution of neutral carbonate of potash, and ni-
trate of ammoniac. An account of the nature of these

AfJMCULVUaAL MUSEUMS,

i^iS^rks already noticed ; and the re-as^pnfs tr* gold, i^
^ether with the instruments mentioned above, 1)} Mr.
Knight, Foster lane, Cheapside, arranged In an appr^-
ipriate chest, To be continued,

TUo re^Sgents nay be rtriained at either of 1*e Apotbecary Shops in this tovri^

To the Ediior of ihe Agricultural Museum.

Having latel •• got into my possession a piece, dire«S^
Sng how we may toially destroy the Hessian Fly, whicb
so often affects our crops of wheat, I feel anxious t®
let others reap the benefit that may arise from the same,
therefore wish you (if you think proper) to give it a
place in your Museum. It was inclosed in a letter di-
rected to a gentleman in this place from a Mr. Clark
living beyond the city of New-York, where, he says,
experiments had been made and |)roved eifcctual. The

piere came in prifit, and r^ads thus :— -" In ordee

to - prove the existence of the Hessian Fly in wheat^.
«iake a magnifying glass, and examine the grains, and
you will liiid near the sprout, or chit, from one to six
or seven small dark coloured specks, or nits, wlitjch it
Is supposed come to maturity as soon as the wheat be-
gins to grow, and increase with the wheat; and on ex-
amining the stulk, by strippiug the leaf after it is well
«p, the insects may be discovered concealed by the joints.
Tiiey are of a very small, white, round, maggotty ap-
|)'_'ai ance ; bat as they advaHce to change to the i\y etate,
4hey become much darker, resembling the colour of tiax
S(;ed, It is when they are in the maggotty state, they
do so much mischief to wheat — as soon as they become
<lark, they begin to change to the fly state. It is remark"
.able, that iiour madv of wlieat having this nit or egg in it
is dark coloured. In order to destroy the insect, with-
out iiyuring the wheat for seed, take about one peck of
slacked iime — put it to about thirty gallons of boiling
water, then stir it well, until it is not quite scalding hot j
then put one bushel of wheat into a large sieve or rid-
*48e, aiid pum' ih^ wat^jf tjg it, f fey « ^^kl or e^ici" vessel'

240 A.c;moT;r.7URAL musettj

and immeHiately throw tlie Avhi at on a floor, vat. cr
tub and roll it in Plaistcr of Paris as lon*r a;; any will
stick to it; as soon as the uhcat is thus prepared, it is
fit to sow, and it will be best to prc|are as much in the
morning as is intended to be soivn in the day. — fn a<ldi-
tjon to the destruction of the insects, wheat thus prepared
is found to come up sooner, antl grow faster, and v. ii^
doubly pay the expence and trouhie of the preparalicn.
Altho' the above piescr ption will prever)t (h.- desfructive
effects of the Fly to the Wheat, while gi-owin«j, yet tile
insects that may come from other Wheat in the neigiv
bourhood, may impngnate the grain that may be ]>ro-
duced from the seed t..us prepared; but, hy a repe-
tition of the above process, it will be found that, in
two or three years, tbey will be enlii e!y extinct.

1 am youi-s respectfully,

HEiNRY HAMPTON.
Buckknd, Va. Jan. 16, 1811.

TO F \RME11S.
Having been informed of the advantages of using the
tops of Indian Corn cut as rye straw, to be mixed with
potatoes or meal, as a food for horses or cattle, 1 have
been making the experiment during the present year. I
fmd that my cattle thrive better on this fodder, than ois
rye straw, cut and used in the same manner. The corn
stalk certainly contains a quantity of farine substance^
and therefore must be highl\ nutritive. Being cut and
scalded with a small quaniity of bran, they alVord an ex-
cellent mess for ndleh cows la the common way of
foddering cattle v\ th 'orn tops, the blades are greedily
eaten, but the stai^^ are wa-^ted. By adopting the plan
recommended, the whole ahbids aiiutritive food.

Maryland Repuhs

PRINTED FOR AND P ULISUED BV DAVID WILEY.

I^rice p 2.50 lortivcnty f'nir Nmiibcr^f
To be i)aid m advance

-fTHK

AGHICULTURAL MUSEUM-

OjMnis feret omnia tellus. virg.

^- ■- - ■ . ' lag

Vol. I.] Georgetown, Ca. Feb. 6, 1811. (No. 16.

For the ^Agricultural Museum.

^'UiMBER III.

When we consider the advantages which almost ev«?
ry nation has received from the introduction and cul-
ture of vegetables, not originally natives of its soil, we
can scarcely hesitate for a moment in expressing our
belief, that to this source is to be attributed more of our
comforts and domestic enjoyments, as well as national
wealth, than to any other. The introduction ofthepo-
tatoe alone into the British dominions, has not only kept
them from absolute famine during their present war,
but has been the means of rapidly encreasing th
population of Ireland, under all the restrictions and op-
pressions which Jealousy could devise, and tyrany im-
pose. The effect wliioh the introduction of this one ve-
getable has had upon the population of that island, is sufli-
cienttohave calmed even Malthus's desponding spirit;
it may have seduced him into the sin of matrimony, and
eased his conscience as to overstocking the world.
The seeds of comfort and suj)port to man, scattered over
the whole earth, were by a beneficent Cieator int;'nded
for the common good of its iishabitants ; we are endowed
wi*h intelligence to perceive, and industry to collect and
propagate them, as the wants and progress of society-
shall require. Their introdnction and cu ture, by adding
to the common stock of useful articles, will be the
means of still further enlarging our views of homaa
nature, and our capacities for those enjoyments, which
may render the wi^rid to our successors more of a Pa*

248 AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

radise than it is to us, oi- has been to those who ha%'e ex-
isted on it in preccdinj; times. As the terms of exis-
tence are less severe, ami the blessings flowing from
peace, industry and t!ie eulfiv ation of our taculties, in-
comparably giea\^r thai.' what leli to the lot of our more
ba; Duroiis predecessors ; we &re morally bound, in oui*
exertions for our deeeendents, to ie])ay the obli-
gations which we have received from the viriuons ex-
ertions of those who have preceded us. Every year
of a good man's life will be marked by some act,
the ad. aiitages of which shall be felt by his pofterity.
The tree he plants, the sj^r'ng he opens, the house he
builds, are valuable donations to posterity.— they
prove the utility of his existence, and he may look upon
him^el^as an instrument in the hand of Providence, for
diliiisiuii, h > bouities. If theiefore, we can be useful
to ourselves whilst here, and benevolent to succeeding^
generaUons, let us lose 2> ) !ime in indecision and api»-
th>', for the opportunity soon passes by. It is in so-
ciety only that great objects can be accomplished; for
what is beyond the })0\ver of the individual, can be effec-
ted with ease by the ui) ted exertions ol many. So uni-
versally is this truth felt, that in every modern nation
exist numerous societies, each of u hieh is employed in the
pursuit of useful knowledge, in some art, or science, con-
nected with the public weal. To collect facts, to analise
or combine them, and diltuse the useful results of that
labor, on any imj)ortant subject, requiies the leisure
and /talents of several individuals. If connected witli
botany and agriculture, it requires in addition, both pe-
cuniary resources and a considerable lapse of time.
Highly important toanaton, as respects its support^
its Strength and its commerce, it becomes an object of
considerable impoi tance to its government, especially
when the interest of the government is thai of the peo-
ple. If Agiicuituie and Botany, , claim and receive
th- national aid and indn idual j)atronage in countries
lull of people; aau whose prguucis are Known, — is lliat

AGRICULTURA.L MUSEU5I. 24)^

aid and that patr.)nai^e less necessary her*?, w!iere we
possess ahnost unknown regions, and relv for our
commercial prosperity in a or-eat measure upon tiie
productions of the soil. We possess a countless
number and viiiiety of forest trees, nutritious ro<»ts,
fiuits, grain, herbs and med cinal vegetables, of the
advantaoes and value of which we are ahnost entuely
ignorant. What can be more laudable, more useful,
or more patriotic, than the collection of them into one
focus, where thoy may be submitted to the test of science
and a knowledge obtained of their qualities, their ha-
bits, their eullure and th-Av value, where plants and
s. eds can be raised, and distributed over our country.
Besides a^certiiining the value of our own natural
riches, we should receive the useful vegetables of every
other region of the globe— the best mode of culture for
each would by fair experiment be ascertained, and our
farmers, planters, &c could at once cutev upon the cul-
ture of what ap|)eared useful and profitable, without
individually hazarding the expence and delay of experi-
ment. The seeds and plants sent from the botanic garden
and agricultural farm and nursery of the society could be
depended upon, and those disappointments which so
often check the spirit of improvement avoided. Our
fruits would soon be all of the most valuable kinds,
our garden vegetables good, our staple ai tides of cul-
ture for manufacture, for dying, for medicine or for
food, increased in number, and of the best kinds, whilst
our dwelling houses would in a few years be embosomed
in the most agreeable shades, and surrounded b- the
most elegant of the tloweiing trees, with which nature
has adorned the earth.

In point of situation for this Institution, the United
States possesses none which can be compared to the dis-
trict of Columbia. In a fine climate, and on a navigaHc
river, which admits the reception of sea vessels of almost
any burthen, it can receive from all other parts of the
world, their choicest productionj — the United States'

244 AGRICUI.TURAL MUSEUM

Tessels affording the means of transporting' and th©
United States' agents in foreign countries, of selecting
them. The meeting of the national Representatives in
the fall of the year, aiVords an opportunity of receiving
thro' their patriotic attention, whatever is rare or useful
in our own extensive territory, and on their quitting the
Capitol early in the spring, of diffusing over tiie Union
the freshest seeds and best plants of every kind cultivated
in the establisment, with a knowledge of the mode of
culture to be observed. For this puipose has ample
provision of ground been made in the city of Washing-
ton. The park as it is called, south of the Tiber creek
and at the point formed by it and the Potomak in front
of the president's square, contains nearly 30 acres of tine
land, which would be sufficient to commence with, and if
circumstances required an extension, it adjoins the public
appropriation extending from the Capitol, containing up-
wards of 200 acres more. These could not be more use-
fully employed to the nation, or more beautifying to the
City, besides affording, under proper regulations, plea-
sant and instructive walks during the summer season.

If the Agricultural Society would take the subject up,
and get the sanction of the government, I have no
doubt but an annual subscribtion for its establishment
and support would be easily obtained.

FRANKLIN,

MICHAUX's HISTORY

OF THE FOREST TREES OF NORTH AMERICA.

MR. F. ANDREW MICHAUX, son of the well
known Botanist, who resided many years near Charles-
ton, South Carolina; has published at Paris, during
tl^e present year, a few of the first numbers of his " His-
tory of the Forest Trees in North America,*' in re-
ference chiefly to their uses in the arts, and their in-
troduction in commerce, and likewise to the advantA-

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 2^>»

ges which they offer to the governments of Europe by
cultivating^ thorn. The following is an extract from the
prospectus of his work.

" We know that North Anmerica contains in its vast-
forests an immense variety of trees; those in the Uni-
ted States alone amount to nearly 150, whilst in Eu-
rope, we can scarcely enumerate 40. During my resi-
dence in the United States, I sent to the administraliou
of France numerous parcels of seeds; and I spent,
the greatest part of my time in collecting all the opitiions
acquired hy experience, on the qualities of woods, and
their different degrees of utility in the arts. I have
been obliged also to take many journeys, to acquire
a greater number of facts, in order to procure all the
desired information. Beginning with the District of
Maine, where the winter is as inclement and as lone- as
ift Sweden ; I crossed first all the Atlantic states to Geor-
gia, where, for half the year, the heat is as intense as in
the West-Indies. 1 travelled also more than 1556 kilo-
metres, (400 leagues) from the north east to the south-
west. 1 performed in different latitudes, five other jour-
neys, in the interior of the country : the first, to the
source of the river Kennebec ; the second, irom Boston
to Lake Champlain ; the third, from New-York to the
Lakes Erie and Onlario ; the fourth, from New-York to
the borders of the rivers Monongahcla, Alleghany, and
Ohio; and the fifth and last, from Charleston in South
Carolina to (he sources of the rivers Savanah and Oco-
nee. In my fiist journey, along the coast, I stopped
in the principal sea ports, in order to visit the ship-yards,
and in general all the shops of workers in wood. I
made it a point to consult the most skillful native work-
men, and more particularly those from Europe, whom
I found capable of judging of the respective qualities
of the different woods found in the two continents. I
shall make known those of America, which are the ob-
ject of a considerable commerce between the central,
soufcliern, and northern states, and those which are ex»

%W AGRICULTURAL MUSKUM

ported to the West Indies and to Europe, as well as
the interior paits of the country, whence they aj-e deriv-
ed, and the seapoits, from which the different ex-
poitations (ake place. I will also point out the hest
kinds of trees for fud, and th.«se the harlcs oi which
aie used fur tanning, and give their comparative
prices.

" In travellino; from the north io the south. I carefulljr
observed, the place of growth an! disappearance, of
different species of trees in consequence of a milder
temperature, or of a marked change of soil. I gathered
in the di ierent states of the Union, all the common
names, to annex them to the scientific appellations. I
observed the forests, either as they presented a primi-
tive ajipearance, or as changed by the vicinity of civi-
lized or domestic animals, the influence of which diver-
sifies so rapidly the face of nature. Such are the prin-
cipal objects, which attracted my attention, and of
which I intend to give an account. I wilt also faith-
fully point out the species of trees, vvhicti I think use-
ful to propagate for the amelioration of the European
forests ; and those that only deserve to be introduced
into parks and gardens, on account of the beauty of
their foliage.

" Such is the outline of the researrbes to which T have
devoted myself, and the result of vvliich 1 have the
honor to oiler to the public. I thouf,ht that the man-
ner in which \ have viewed my subjec, in directing my
observations to a point of general utility, and which had
not been done before, would secure my woik in Europe
and the United States, a more favourable reception than
if 1 had treated it in a scientific point of view.

"The work will be composed of twenty-five numbers.
But if, contrary to my expectations, it does not meet
•with that encouragement, which I hope the importance
of the subject entities it to, and if at anytime I am «ibli-
ged tg suspend my publication, I aiiuounce to my tub-

ACRTCULTURAL MtTSEUM ^0

scribers. that I have adopted a plan of keeping: the ge-
nora separate, so that one, two, or three numbers will
contain a con:p;e(e ))i- toi y of one genus of trees, as
pines, nut-bearers, maples ; so tf'.at diey will j^osses so
many complete and separate treatises, which will also
give the facility of procuring the particular genera
which they may desire. One number will be published
GYiiry monih, and be composed of six colouf^d plates,
with descriptions to each. The plates are engraved
from drawings by Messrs. Redoute and Bessa, emi-
nent painters in natural history. The best will be in
royal octavo, and printed on very fine paper. The
price of each number will be 13 francs and 50 centimes,
( >f 2. 50. ) An edition in English will be published
i:i Philadelphia, accompanied '>y plates precisely sim lar
to the French edition, with this diiference only, that the
com'uon nanes of trees will be given iii place of the bo-
tanical ones."

The editor is well acquainted with Mr. Michaux ;
has witnessed his assiduity in collecting information
from wojkmen in Philadel|)hia. an-l has no doi'bt of his
work proving eminently useful. I'he execution of the
plates will be in the highest style of elegance. Every
college and public school ought to possess a copy of
this work, and also of the superb work by the father
of Mr. Michaux, on the American oaks, which maj
be bought for the low price of i$ 10. But our semina-
ries of education unfortunately deem such knowledge
degrading, and set a value only on those branches of
learning, which are inapplicable to the common purpo>
ses of life, or to the business of the world, and w^:ich,
to nine tenths of those who gel a smattering of it, is
totally useless, and forgotten after they leave college or
school. Archives of useful Knoivledge.

The Editor of the Agricultural Museum is authorized,
in a letter from the Editor of the Archives, to add, t:.at
iince the pubiicaiion of the preceding notice; the iirst

i%JS AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

number of the work has arrived, and surpasses expee-
tatian, Tiie paper is very (iae, and the printing- done
in a superior manner ; but the plates are unequalled by
an V thing that ever has reached the United States, and
probably are not exr-elled hy any woik that ever was
published, either for accuracy of delineation, or beauty
of colouring The first number is confinrd to the descrip-
tion often speci'.'s of pines, and fuur of the genus AbieSy
viz. the black (double) spruce, the white (single) spruce,
the hemlock spruce, and the silver fir. The description
occupies 118 pages royal 8vo. Immediate measures will
be taken to publish the work in Philadelphia, in English,
and it is hoped it will be generally read. Doct. Mease
would have it repeated, that every public school in the
United States ought to possess a copy of the work, and
also of that of the author's father, on the American oaks.
Every gentleman, particularly those in the country,
ought to subscribe to this woi k on the forest trees, Ihat
he uiay acquire a knowledge of their uses,and their scien-
tiiic apellations, promote the cultivation of a refined taste,
and excite a love for the fine arts in the younger part
of his family. The plates will also aiford the most per-
fect copies for drawing and colouring that can be found.
The price of the French copy is only $6. Had the
work been pubUshed in London, the piice would have
been s^ 16.

On the same authority it is announced, tliat the second
volume of the Memoirs of the Agricultural Society of
Philadelphia will be out in a few days. ]t will contain
two papers on the slabbers in horses and cattle, from
eating second crop grass and hay, particuiarly of clo-
ver. The evil is bcgiruiing to be very serious, and it be-
hooves us to find out the cause and the remedy.

'I he Editor of the Agricural Museum will be thankful
to his friends in the country for such information on the
subject, as they may possess or be able to obtain, that
it may be communicated to the Editor of the Archives,
wlio intends to give a paper on the complaint in hi$ next
number.

agricultural museum 249

Richmond, January 24

The following Articles consiifufing tJie Plan of on
Ag;;ico!-Tl'Ral Society, ivere agreed to, a feio days
pa=,t, bij a number f Gentlemen assembled at the Swan
Tavern.

Considering AG^ricnltnrc as a subject of the df^epest
interest to this coiuUry, and believing- that Agricultural
Societies, established on proper princijtles, by yfibrrfing
a stimulus to exertions, and by diffusing information,
tend to increase the national stock of knovvl dsre in
that most useful science, a number of gentitmcn as-
sembled in the city of llichmoiK), have detei mined to
associate themselves togetiier, and to form a Society
for the purpose of prom >ting Agiiculture.

Art, 1. When th^! number of Subscribers to this As-
sociation shall amount to twenty , the Society

shall be considered as formed, und thf^ Chairmun of the
Committee appointed to obtaia SubseriptioriS, sh-dl
call a meeting for the tuiipose of electing officers, and
of forming such oih r and addit oii;d rules as may
be deemed conducive to the objects of this A ssoeiatioi\
The Society shall be styled. Tie Richmond Society for
promoting Agriculture.

2. The Society shall have a Presidf^nt. a Vice Presi-
dent, a Treasu'-er, and a Secretary, and an assistant Se-
cretary, when the increase of business, shall lequire it.
All of whom shall be annua-ly eif-cted b}' a majority of
the members present at the staied meeting of the Society
in January ; the persons so elected to contiiuie in ofifice
one year ; and until others shall be chosen in their st; ad.
In case of vacancy, by death, resgnation, or otherwise,
the same may be suijplied by a new electi(»n to be
made at any stated meeting of the Society ; the person
thus newly elected to serve the remainder of the year.

3. A quorum for business sh;dl consist of at least five
members, including the President or VicePred-'dent, ox:

m

3o ACllICULTCJRAL MUSEUM

the person chosen Presideiit pro te;n})oi e, according to
the provision of the Ath article

4. At allmcctinofs of the Society', the President shidi
exercise the usual duties of Miat oiiice. He shall also
have power to call special meetings of the Society by-
notice published in at least one of the city ucwspapcis.
lii his absence the same dulies shall be pciioinu-d by
ihe Vice Picsident. W at any meetinp; bull) tb.c Picsj-
sident and Vice President be absent, the members pre-
?ent, being a qaoiuni to constitute a regular meeting
for the business to be transacted, may choose a Vice
I^resident for that meeting.

5. The Treasurer shall keep the accounts melhodicaliy
stated in the books of the Society, and, when required,
shall produce them for inspection At the last meeting
of every year, and also whenever his oflire ends, lie
'hall produce a fair and regular account of all receipts
and payments, and deliver it, together with ihose books
;ind all the property of the Society in his hands, to his
successor in office, or to the order of the Society.

6. The Secretary and his assistant shall have in charge
■:.\\ the books and papers of the Society, and keep the
: :ime in neat oi'der. They shall also register all let.
; M's which shall be written by the Committee of Cor-

spondence, or by themselves by order of the Com-
i liltee.

7. At the annual meeting of the Society in January,
'..ill be chosen a Committee of Correspondence, to

• ;isist of five members, any three of whom to be a

• iorum, for the purpose of corresponding with any So-
; ■ ty or person touching the objects which this Soci-

• has in view. The same members shall also be a

immittee of Accounts to receive and adjust all claims

•aiust tlie Society, for its contihgent exponces; and

. e i'lcsident shall give order on ths; Treasury, for the

_.. '.jment of llicni.

AGiaCULTUaAL MUSKUTvI. ^31

S. The stated meetings of the Society shall be on the
lii'st Tue-chiy of every mou!!].

9. The uttentioii of the Society shall be coniined to
agi'icnltiiie and rural ai'tairs.

10. The incrnbei-s of tiie Society shall be distingp.ished
into resident and honorary members. Those who re-
side within shall be considered as resident mem-
bers, and al! others as honorary members, who, as well
as the niembers of all other Agi-icnitural Societies, are
herebj- invited to assist at our meetings whenever they
come to liichmond. Strangers uho desire to be pre-
sent as auditors may be introduced by a resident mem-
ber.

11. After the Society shall be formed, new members
whether resident or hon .-rary, shall be elected by bal-
lot ; and the Secretary shall issue notice, to each person
of his bcino- elected, to the foilovving purport :

" On the day of 18 A. B. of was

elected a member (or honorary member) of the Rich-
mond Society for promoting Agriculture ; die Society
invite his assistance.

C. D. Secretary."

12. All elections and appointments shali be betwren
eiirht arid nine in the eveniisg, at one of the stated meet-
ii-'s of the Society Afid no person shaii be elected a
member, unless, at a preceding stated meeting, he shcdl
have been openly propose.'!, a;:d such nomuiaiion di.iy
entered on the minutes of the Socety. The nomination
and eleciion Vj be in the absence of the candidate.

13. For the purpose of deiraying the necessary ex-
pences of tlie Society, eacti me;nbcr shall on his admis-
sion, and anriualiy aftemurds, jusy to the Treasurer a
contiihution ol fi'.e doiia.rs This (OMtiibution sludl be
considered as payable on or b< iore the last t;ay ot De-
cemi'/er in every year. And at th.e first m;:etuig in .'a-
nuai-y in every year, the T;ea-ui er shuil lay bito. e ti;e
Society a ii^st of tiic members, speciijiug who nave

2^ AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

and wlio have not paid their contributions ; and any
member wlrse contribution shall be more than one yeat
in arrears, after the same shall become payable as afore-
said, provide«i payment thereof has been personally
demanded by the Treasurer or Collector; shall be consi-
dered as vvithdrawino-from the Society, and the same
shall be entered on the minutes.

14 New rules, or alterations in the old rules, shall
be proposed and entered on the minutes at a preceding
stated meeting, and may at a subsequent stated meet-
ing be made with the assent of not less than two
thirds of the members present.

15. The funds of the S eiety, unless for the ordinary
contingent expences, shall be disposed of oidy at a spe-
cial stated meeting, after a proposition therefor, shall
have been made at a previous stated meeting.

16 At the first meeting of the Society, in January, in
every >ear, there shall be a revision of the then sub-
sisting rules, and the same shall stand confirmed, unless
revoked or altered by two thirds of the members present.

17. Tlie particular obje 'ts of this Society are, to ob-
tain and communicate useful knowledge respecting
Agriculture, auf^ to stimulate exertions and inventions
in thai imiiortant science, by all the means which may
be in theii- power, and especially by |)roposing prizes
and premiums when their funds sliall enable them so

Richmond Enquiter.

On the jinahjsis of Soils, as connected imth their Iin"

provcmcnt. By IIuwpiiuey Dan v, Esq. F. R. S.

From the Communications of the Board of Trade.

"Utility of Invcsti'yntions relating to the Analysis of Soils.

Continued fi om page 239.

IV. Method of collecting Soils J or Analysis.
Tn cases when the genera! nature of thp soil of a field
IS to be ascertained, specimens of it should be taken
from different places, two or three inches below the sur-

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 253

fa'^e, and examined as to the similarity of their proper-
ti s. It sometimes happens, that upon plains the wholes
of the u »per stratum of the land is of the same kind,
and in this case, one analysis will be sufncient ; hut 'm
V allies, and near the beds of rivers, there are veiy
great differences, and it now and then occurs that one
part of a held is caicareous, and an.other part siliceous;
ar.d in this case, and in analog-ous cat-es. the portiotis
dilierent from each other shcuid be sepaiately submitted
to experiment.

Soils when collected, if they cannot be immediately
examined, should he pre^ei-ved in phials quite filled with
them, and closed with ground glass stoppers.

The quantity of soil most convenient for a perfect
analysis, is from two to four hniidred <.Mains. It shoidd
be collected in di-y we;;ther, and exposed to the atmos-
phere till it becomes dry to the touch.

The specific gravity of a soil, or the relation of its
weight to that of water, moy be ascertained by introduc-
ing itUo a phial, wlsich will contain a known quantity of
water, equal volumes of waterand of soil, and this may
be easily done by pouring in water till it is half full, and
then adding the soil till the fluid rises to the moiith ; the
ditference between the weight of the soil and that of tlie
water will give the result. Time, if the bottle contains
four hundred grains of water, and gains two hundred
grains when iiali" filled with water and half with soil,
the specific gravity of the soil will be 2, that is, it will
be twice as heavy as water, and if it gained one hun-
dred and sixty five grains, its s])ecific gi-avity would be
1825, water being 1000.

It is of importance, that the specific gravity of a soil
should be known, as it affords an indication of the quan-
tity of animal and vegetaljle matter it contains ; these
substances being always most abundant in the lighter
soils.

25i AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

The other pliysical properties of soils should likewise
be examined before the aiialysis is made, as they de-
note, to a eertain extent, their composition, and serve
as o^nides in direetiiiii, tlie experiments. Tlais siliceous
soils are generally rough to the touch, and sciateh glass
when rubbed upon it; aluminous soils adhere strongly
to the tongue, and emit a strong earthy smell when
breathed upon ; and calcareous soils are soft, and much
less adhesive than aluminous soils.

V, Mode of ascertaining the Quantity of Water
OF Absorption in Soils.

Soils, though as dry as they can be made by continued
exposure to air, in all cases still contain a considerable
quaiitity of water, which adheres with great obstinacy
to the earths and animal and vegetable matter, and can
only be driven oft" from them by a considerable degree
of heat. Tlie first process of analysis is, to free the
given weight of soil from as much of this water as
possible, without in other respects aSecting its composi-
tion ; and this may be done by heating it ten or twelve
minutes ovei- an Argand's lamp, in a bason of porcelain,
to a temperature equal to 300 t Fahrenheit ; and in case
a therm(»meter is not used, the proper degree may be
easily ascertained, by keeping a piece of wood in con-
tact with the bottom of the dish ; as long as the colour
of the wood remains uisaltered, the heat Js not too highj
but when the wood begins to be charred, the process
must be stopped. A small quantity of water will per-
haps remain m the soil even after this operation, but it
always affords useful comparative results ; and if a high-
er ieini)(;rature were emi>loyed, the \egetable or ani-
mal mailer would undergo decomposition, and in con.
sequence the expe, iment be wholly unsatisfactory.

The ioss o! weight in the ju-ucess siiouli be cartiully
noted, and ivhen 111 fuar hundred g.aias oi soil it i cach-
es as hign as 50, ttu so. I may be considered as in Uie

SI . V-- ai •x^'fiaiTts ia which this proce.s b« l.«-. carrlc? on by dist.ll.-.tion. Il.ave foou*
tht waiur mat cam. 07« jure, and no icasMc quantity vi volatile maaer ^^^t j^roducerf.

AGRTCUT.TURAL MUSEUM 253

greatest de-f;Tcc absorbent, and retentive of wafer, and
win gcnoi'aliy be found to contain a large proportion of
aluminous earth. When the loss is only from 20 to 10,
tlie land may be considerefl as only slightly absorbent
and retentive, and the siliceous earth as most abundant.

VL Of xx^R Separation of Stones, Gravkl, and

VEGETABLE FlBRES FROM SoiLS.

None of the loose stones, gravel, or large vegetable
fibres should be divided from the pare soil till after the
water is drawn off; lor tliese bodies are themselves
often highly absorbent anfl retentive, and in consequence
influence the fertility of the luiui. Vh^^ next pro ess,
however, after that of h.-aling, should be their separa-
tion, which ma}' be easily aceo nplished f)y the sieve,
after the soil has been gently bruised in a mortar The
\\'eights of the vegetable tibres or wood, and of the gra-
vel and stones, should be separately noted dow •, and
the nature of the last ascertained ; if calcareous, they
will effervesce with acids; if siliceous, they will be suf-
iiciendy hard to scratch glass; and if of the common
aluminous class of stones, they will be soft, easily-
scratched with a knife, and incapable of elfervescing
with acids.

VII. SEPARATiON OF THE SaND AND ClAY, OR LoA]\I.,
FROM eA^CH other.

The greater number of soils, besides gravel and
ttones, contain larger or smaller proportions of sand
of different degrees of fineness; and it is a necessary
operation, the next in the process of analysis, to detach
them from the parts in a slate of more minute division,
such as clay, loam, marie, and vegetaldc and animal
matter. This may be etTected in a waj' sul^-'icntly ac-
curate, by agitation of the soil in water. In this case,
the coarse sand v\ ill generally separate in a minute, and
the finer in two or three minutes, whdst the mhiuteiy

2a6 AGRICULTL'TiAL MUSEUM

divided earthy, animal, or vegetable matter will remain
in a state of mechanical sus})cnsioii for a much loiiuer
time; so that by pouriuL^ the vvalcr from the bottom of
the vessel, after one, two, or three minutes, the sand
will be principally separated fiom the other substances,
which, with the water containing them, must be pour-
ed into a filter, and a^'ter the water has j)assed through,
collected, dried, and weighed. The sand must likewise
be weighed, and tiicir respective quantities noted dovA n.
The water of lixiviation muu be preserved, as it will
be fodnd to contain the saline nutter, and tine soluble
animal or vegetable matters, if any exist in the soil.

Vtll. Examination of the Sand.

By the process of washing and filtration, the soil is
separated into two portions, the most importajit of
which is generally the finely divided matter. A minute
analysis of the sand is seldom or never necessary, and
its nature may be detected in the same manner as that
of the stones or gravel. It is always either siliceous
sand, or calcareous sand, or a mixture of both. If it
cosisist wholly of carbonate of liine, it will be rapidly
soluble is muriatic acid, with effervescence ; but if it
consist partly of this substance and partly of siliceous
matter, tlie rcspcclive quantities may be ascertained
by weighing the residuum after the action of the acid,
which nuist be applied till the mixtuie has acquired
a sour taste, a?id has ceased to effervesce. This re-
sidium is the siliceous part: it must be washed, dried-
and heated strongly in a crucible ; the difference be-
tween the weight of it and the whole, indicates the
proportion of calcareous sand,

[To be continued.

PRINTED FOR AND PUBLISHED BY DAVID WILEY.

Price ^ 2.50 for twenty four Numbers,
To be paid m advance.

The

AGHICULTUiiAL MUSEUM.

OMNIS FERET OMNIA TELLUS. VIRG.

V'>!. I "[ aeonyfJowi, Ca. Feb. 20, 1811. fNo. 17."

■wmiiiii iiiiii III III II II I iiininmii iMi ■— ■■■■■■■■^■■i mil iiwmiii

FROM THE AURORA.

Manufdciure of Gunpoicder.

Tlio unnro\ emont in (he manufacture of gun powder,
in the Uiiitcfl States, has exceeded ail calcuhition. Some
time since, it was an opinion generally entertained, that
the Americans could not prepare gun powder equal to
the French or Er.glish. This idea appeared more plau<
sible from the circumstance, that so many able and cele-
brated chymists of Europe, devoted their time and ta-
lents in researches of this kind. Experiments after ex-
periments were almost daily instituted, for the purpose
of determining the best mode of refining, or preparing
the nitre, sulphur, and charcoal.

The Americans have, however, with a zeal becominar
the character which they so deservedly bear, improved
the several parts of the process — in the purification of
the nitre and sulphur — in the carbonization of wood in
iron cylinders, and in tlie proper proportion and mix-
ture of the ingredients. The result of these researches
it may with justice be said, has far exceeded our rr ost
sau'j^uine expectations. And. indeed, the extent of im-
provement in this country, of which the arts and manu-
factures generally are susceptible, is beyond compari-
son. Are we not called to witness, on numerous occa-
sions, the suoeriority of American fabrics over those of
foreign import?

The salt petre refined at the powder mills of Frank-
ford, under the direction of a celebrated artist. Mr.
Munns, wiien chymically examined, and compared with
the best London refined salt petre, far exceeded it in
purity The gun powder prepared from it, projected a
ball cansiderably farther; under the same circumstances^

33

SjS agricultural museum

than the best English, ixnd was equal, in all re«5pects, t«
the Fren-h T'lis fact I know to be true. The gun pow-
der manufactured by Mr. Diipoiit will also have this ef-
fect.

From the kno\^'ledgc I possess of the process of re-
fining salt petre, and of the directions uniformly given
by ehymical writers, I am convinced, that the mode
employed at the Fiavikford mills,* in several important
pirts,is eiUirclydiiifcrent from tluit generally made nse of.
In considprif)g so useful a branch of manufacture as
that of gun powder, a circumstiince is worthy of remark,
numdi;^ the mode of obtaming nitre from our own re-
sources.

Thisobjf^ct, we are well assured, was the primary
consi it-ration of the congress of "7o' ; and tlie numerous
essays and pamjihlets, wliich w^cre pj^blished at that
time, weie of imn>ensc service to the country in detail-
ing the diffei-ent modes of pieparing nitre. To no one
can these reflections be more obvioui, than to the gun
powder manufacturer ; and to no one can they be more
really sei-viceable. Did not the French, according to
accounts \\hen this article was extremely scarce, invent
every method to obtain it in their country ? and did ihey
not succeed? They had no nitre pits; of which our
western countr\ abounds • but they had refuse vegeta-
ble and animal matter, and a number of other substan-
ces, which, when properly treated, aiHorded saltpetre in
abundance. ^Ve are, however, better situated. From
what we learn relative to the nitre pits of the western
country, and particularly from the remarks of Dr.Biown^
we are assured, that the quantity of nitre which could
-be manufactuied, would suppi}' all the exigencies of
our country. Though it may be truly said, that the
spirit of '76 led the genius of Columbia to the cellars,
barn yard, and earthen floors of tobacco houses, for a
suppl}' oi this article, yet, in our day, the caves or caverns
of the western country will render this extent of research
unnecessary.

.OwDe4 tj 3. H- Worrell, tif,

ACRTCULTUaAT. MUSEUM 2^9

With respect to su!phnr. linmense quantit'es of this
article a/e found in a variety of situations eitiier native
or combined. But the op^^ratioii of the chvniist, uiil se-
V '!• the iron chain of nature, and present it to the manu-
facturer in a pure state, fur the purpose of his art.

Chare. )al, indeed, though easily prepared for common
purposes, requires a peculiar art or skill in its pjepara-
tiou, tor t!ie manafictui-e of powder. The wiHovv, the
I.ind-n, and several other woods have been used for
pre[)aring' the coal ; but the fii'st kind appears to alYord a
C(<al pos?essinj^ aU the desirable properties M'ich,
however, depends on the miunpulaiion -, and no mr.de
is so well aduj'ted as that of eaijilojif g iron cylindtr.s
cast for the purpose.

Some useful improvements made in the giiiiding. mh,
?/ig, and finally the granulation^ tend amazingly to an ob.
ject so dv'sirable in gun (.ovvder. Some extensive im-
provements, or rath?r a<idit!Okis, on a very enlarged
scale, are now preparing ai the works at Frankford.

PYiiO.

THE PEACH TREE.

The Peach is the most delicious fruit :hat can be produc.
«d in any country. Fluxes are sometimes asciibed to the
vs^ of it, but this is only where it is impi;udcnily taken
before it is ripe : for it is a well know n fact, thut in Dux-
es there is nothing so desirable to the siek person as a
f.illy ripe peach; an 1 ievv prescriptions are m tre bene-
ficial in cvi'ry stage of tlial disorder, than a ripe free
stone sweet peach.

The tree of this fruit may be produced in great varie-
ties fro n the stone, but the best kinds are those propaga-
ted by inoculation. This precious fruit, however, is ior-
bidden to the slothful, the negligent, and the ignorant;
for it can neither be oblained, nor preserved, but by skill
and aitei>tion.

T.'^e P'ach Tree is liable to three casudties, or misfor-.
tunes. The fly, which deposits its eggs near the root of

260 AGRICULTURAL MUSEUlVl

the tree ; the bursting of the bark by severe frost in win-
ter; or by the splintering off of the limbs at the forks of
the ti-ee. The gardener who wishes to have well tast^-d,
wholesome fruit, must carefully guard against these ca-
sualties.

The e^rly free stone is one of the finest peaches ;
comes most certainly to its kmd from the stone. In 100
acresof this kind, there will scarcely be one sour peach.

Those who can obtain the Apricot stone will find it
very advantageous to plant for stocks to inoculate upon ;
for although they are not absolutely fi"ee from the rava-
ges of the fly, yet they are less frequently attacked than
the peach tree. Experiments have proved, that a peach
JTioculated on the apricot, will grow larger and rise high-
•er than on the pt* ach stock.

The usefulness of good peaches, which the health of
ourselves and our children enjoins us to provide, and
%vhich a kind providence has put within our reach, should
urge us toourduty in taking the proper means to pro-
vide them. It has been said by a gentleman whr, has had
the experience of three score yeais, '' that a free use of
really ripe good peaches, would add seven years to the
life of every man in the state."'

A MARYLAND FARMER.

»^>»»» >»>«*v5 «««-e<

JFrrm the Archives of Ut^eful Knoideclgt.
On the Encouragement given to the Manufactory of
Fine Cloth, by the Legislature of New- York, in a
letter from R. R. Livingston, Esq.

Clermont, August 5, 1809.
SIR,
I have rtceived your favor of the 20th July, and am
jnuch gratified to learn that the cftorts of your Society
for the improvement of cattle are likely to be at-
tended with success. This state affords some very fine
descendants of Bakewell's stock, and we are beginning
to give attention to their extension, particularly m the
la-cstcru part pf it, where the pastures are very fine. 1

AGnTCUITDRAL MUSEUM 261

th'nk with you. lh;it the c;itdo of Europe do not de^
g' nenite here, exre}>t by ncgiect vr,i\ not preserving^
the races pujc — both of -hese evih wiii be remechecl b/
tie emulat'on wliieh \o\u- S u-iet}' will excite 1 am
maeh plta^ed that you Isuve fount! the samples of
\vooi§ worthy the attention of the Cuille Soeiety. I
am persuiidetl that its qi;alify !ii;s improved under my
care, though the orii:inai stock uas of the lincst ti.at
could be procured in Europe, 'liie women, who are
now spinning some of it, and who f-pun the fleeces of
my full bred sheep hisi year, declare lh;it it is iincr and
better than it was ; it certainly is moi-e abundarit. I am
not surprised that your Merino woo! !)as not yet fou! d
its price. When the supply is small and irregular, the
manufacturers do not prepare th* machinery necessary
for its manipulation, and private famdies not being in the
habit of working it, do not know how to wash or card it.
The same proeess that is used for common wool, runs
it into knots and spoils it entirely. The first fleeces 1
sold was in Ifc'CG, Un- till I returned irom France in
1805, the sheep i sent over thi-ce years before, were ne-
glected, and did not increase ; it then fetched, onlv
one dollar for the full breii, and sixty cents for (lie
rest of the Hock, consisting of 3 1 and 12 bred sheep,
and even then I gave a ^eai-'s credit. There was
fhen no cartling mill at which it could be carded,
iSiy flock and their descendants have produced two
niiils with fine cards, and a third is now creetijig, and
niy instructions have enabled private families to wash
and card it vvith cotton cuids, and in consequence of
this, the u Oil has leaeiied the prices 1 have mentioned,
arid instead of a yeai's eitdit tc- the manufacturers, they
pay one half of tiie price down, and the residue in
eight months. Wiien as a matter of favour, I have spa-
red small quantldes to private famihes, as twenty or
thirty pounds^ they pay down the price, and some have

5 Mr. Jj. Iiad sent to the Eiiitor, two samples of b;< f»U-i)lood«i Merin* r««'i wesl, -jrhi^
woje exbil-jwd at tfae Citcle fkow, ia July last.-

8fflS AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

even advanced the money to my overseer tlirec mGiit!i*
b<; fore the bhcep were shorn, in order to secure a pr-e-
ference.

It may be useful tomcntlc.n to you one great cause of
the arf.xiety to have fine wool, whtch is now diffusing
thi t) jjjfhout this state. Our leg slature have, very wise-
ly, given a bounty of eight > dollars ior the best speci»
mens of woolen cloth, not less than thirty yards narrow
cloth, wove in private families, and a higher hou.ity for
two hundred yards made by professed mariutaciurera.
The candidates in each C'.unty exhibit their cloth i(> th©
county court at their autumn sessions. "J'he person to
whom the prize is adjudged, has an order upon the
county treasurer for the am<;unt. The judges trans-
mit a halfot a yaid of the cl)th, with their cei tiiieate
of the breadth and le igth of the piece, to ihe Society for
ijseful arts, who determine whicii of the specimens sent
them are the first, second and third best of the private
claimants, and which the first and second best of those
exhibited by proi'essed manufacturers: the first in each
line receives rom the state treasury apiece of plate of
the value of one hundred and sixty dollars, the second
of one hundred dollars, and the third of eighty dollars,
jn addition to the county bounty. The last year, the
first prize for domestic maiuif.ieturcd cl)th was afljudged
to that made from my 3-4 bred wool — that of the first
quality was manufactured for my own use, and not
exhibited for ihe prize, not having the necessai y bi eadth.
Tiie first manufacturer's prize uas taken by one to
•whom 1 solil my half bred wool, an<i all the slate finzos
liave been, I believe, adjudged to eioih made iromhaif
bred Merino fieeces. This has opened the eyes of the
pui)lic to tiiis object, and excited so great an emuliiti<;n
among the farmers, that many are anxious to proeuic
the wool, and 1 do not doubt, that at least one hundred
pieces of cloth will be otfered for the premiums this y.ar.

I have had it very much at heart to render th-s hieed
©f sheep cominoU; aud have accordingly published in the

AGRICULTT^AL MUSEUM 26>

-li^wspapors, in a {)!ain stil^ several little essays on the
isiil)j(^c£, which have liad nV the eitect I promibcd myself
iVoiji them iti this state, an ' the western parts of Mas-
fiac:;u3etts, beyond whsch they did not reach. Having
(as 1 believe) been the first to introduce the JMerino lull
bred into the United States, (mine having been sent from
France in the spring- of 1803, abs)ut thr -e or four monUis
before ti)ose of col. Humphrey's v/ere sent fr<tm Spain) I
feel a gi eat interest in seeing my fellow citizens avail
themselves of the advantages they present, and the ra-
ther, as they are a moiehaidy and thritty race than
our own, as is acknowledged by every person who sees
my mixed Hock of common and ISlerino slieep feeding
together, <ither on iliy food or on grass, li, thereiore,
you conceive that any thing I have commuiiicated may
contribute to this desirable end, you are perfectly afc
liberty to use it as you think proper. I am sorry that it
i:s not in my povver to furnish the gentleman you men-
tion with a full bred ewe, as my whole stock of the full
bred ewes at present is only twenty, and 1 have it in
contemplation to extend my flock to about UiOO sheep.
At present^ including lambs, it does not amount to four
hundred of the full and mixed breeds ; but 1 am now in-
such a train that I shall advance very rapidly.*****
i am, sir, with esteem,

Your most obdt. hutnb. scrv't.

ROBT. R. LIVINGSTON,
JAMES MEASE, M. D.

Remarks by the Editor of the Arduves
The foregoing letter is published in the hope that the
wise example exhibited by the state of !New York, will
be followed by every state in the Union, and especially
by our own, the soils and climates of which, as has been
amply proved, are admirably calculated for raisings
sheep, and the improvement of wool. Ft cannot be de-
nied, that whatever may be the aggregate amount of
individ al or domestic labor, in that or other articles in
•ui- state, (and it is certainly gr^at) Pei.nsylvaaia is

g^i' AGllICUr/rURAL MUSEXTM.

far buhind New-York, !Miiss;ii;!Hisctts or Connectlciifr,
in tlie spirit for t!ic propagntion of iMcM-iiio sh«-ep, or
for inanvifacturin!]^ cloths ; not odc complote esfablish-
ment to any extent, existing in the whole tUate. Hither-
to indeed so tar IVgni enconriig Mnent heiiis^ j^iven to im-
provers of wool, there has been a lot:;! indiiY'-rencc
thereto by our iej^isiature, which ahhonffh con)posedof
more than tlii'ee fourths farmers, declined nntd lately to
do any thin<y on the subje'-t; e%'en to aiford negative
aid, by a triH iig tax on those worthless an ma!s a^ioiit
a farm — Dogs : the whole proceeds of which, even now,
in the township, in ]3>dawa'e comity, in uliich the wri-
ter's farm is situated, woidd not amount to a sum, ecjoal
to what he thinks some of his half bldoded Mei-inos are
fairly worth. What remuneration might be expected,
if a full blooded ram, or even one of the fourth cross,
were sacrificed by a cur or hound ? It is to be hoped
that the hmt will be taken, and that every possible en-
couragement to the increase of our flocks, and to the ex-
tension of woollen manufactures vvill be atTorded with-
out delav. A small portion of the wealth of the peo-
ple, cannot be distributed by their representatives, to
greater profit for those from whom it is collected, than
by stimulating them by premiums, to attend to an ob
ject so important as that under consideration, and by
aiding and fostering the endeavors of those who have
turned the public attention to this great source of Agri-
cultural riches, and public prospeiity.

On the Analysis of Soils, as connected with their Im-

pfovement. By Humphrey Davy, Esq. F. R. S.

From the Communications of the Board of Trade.

Continued from page 264.
IX. Exammation of tlie. finely divided Matter of Soihy
and Mode of dcfecling mild L hue and Magnesia.

The finely divided matter of the soil is usually very
«ompou?ul in its nature; it sometimes contains all the
four primitive earths of soilsj as well a& animal and

ACaiCULTURAL MUSETTM 065

vej^etable matter; and to ascertain th^ pronnrtions of
til &e with tolerable accuracy, is the most diiHcult part
ol' the subject.

The first process to be performed, in this part of the
analysis, is the expo in e oi the fine matier of the soil to
the action of the muriatic acid. Tliis si'b?(aree should
b* p )ure>l !Jp> ithe ea.'thy ma ter in an evaooraiiig ba-
siU) in a quantity equal to tvv'ce the weigvit o the earthy
matter; but diluted with double its volume ol" water.
The mixture should lie often stirred, and sutVeied to re-

m;iin for an hour or an hour and a half befjre it is
examined.

If any carbonate of lime or of magnrsia exist in the
soil, they will have been dissoKed ni this lime b the
av'id, which sometimes takes up likewise a liiile oxide of
iron ; but very seldom any aiuniine.

The fluid should be passed through a filfer ; the
solid matter collected, washed with rain vvatiw, dri-
ed at a moderate heat, and weighed Jts loss wid de-
note the quantity of solid matter taken up. The wash-
ings must be added to the solution, which if not
sour to the taste, must be made so by the addition of
fresh acid, wheji a little solution of common pi'ussiate
of potash must be mixed with the whole I'a blue
precipitate occurs, it denotes the presence of o.\i(le of
iron, and the solution of (he piussiate must be diopped
in till no farther eflfect is produced To ascertain its
quantity, it must be collected in the same manner as
other solid precipitates, and heated red; the rc»ult is
oxide of iron.

Into the fluid freed from oxide of iron, a solution of
neutralized carbonate of potash must be poured tili all
etfervescence ceases in it, and till its taste and smeil
indicate a considerable excess of alkaline salt.

The precipitate that falls down is caiboruite of lime;
it must be collected on the liltcr, and dned at a beat
below that of rednese.

-S66 ACRICirLTURAL MUSErM

The remaining fluid must be bailed for a quarter of as
hour, wh'^n the maccn.sia, if any exist, wil! be precipi-
lat'Ml from it combinod with caiboni'' acid, and i(s quan-
ity to be ascer<aincd in the same manner as that of
the carbonate of lime.

If any minute proportion of alurr.ine should, from pe.
C!)l ar circum^tanci s, he dissolved by the aci(I, it will
be found in the precipitate with the carbonate of lime,
antJ i' may he separated from it by boiling- for a fow
JPhinutes with soap lye, sufficient to cover the solid matter.
This substance dissolves alumine without acting upon
carbonate of lime.

Should the fi ifdy divided soil be sufficiently calcare-
O'?"^ to effervesce ver}' strongly with acids, a very sim-
pit" method may be adopted for ascerlainiisg the quantity
or carbonate of lime, and one sufficiciitly accurate in ail
common cases.

Carbonate of lime, in a1! its states, contains a deter-
minate proportion of carbonic acid, i.e. about 45 per
cent, so that when the quantity of this elastic tbhd, given
out by any soil du'ing the solution of its calcareous mat-
ter in an acid, is known, either tn weight or measure, rhc
quantity of carbonate of lime may be easily disco*
Vi'jt d.

When the process by diminution of^e'ght is employ-
ed, two parts of the ac'd and one part of the matter
of the soil must be weighed in two separate bott'es, and
vc; y slowly mixed together till the eirervesccnce ceas-
es ; the difference between their weight before and af-
te the experiinent, denotes the quantity of carbonic
acid lost ; for every four grains and a half of
which, ten grains of carbonate of lime must be estima
ted.

The best m'thod of collecting the carbonic acid, so as
to discover its volume, is b} pneumatic apparatus. The
estimation is, for every ounce measure of carborjiQ acid,
two grains of carbunate of lime.

4^GRICULTURAL MUSEUM 9,&T>

x. modk of ascertaining the quantity oc
insoluble finely divided animal and
V£:gi;:table IVjatter.

After the fine matter of the soil has been acted upon by.
muriatic acid, the next process is to ascertain the quan-
tity of finely divided insoluble animal and vegetable
matter that it contains.

This may be done with sufficient precision, by heating
it to stronj^ ignition in a crucible over a common tire
till no bla<^kness remains in the ma^s. It should be of.
ten stirred with a metallic wire, so as to expose new^
suifaces continually to the air ; the loss of weight that
it undergoes dcnirites the q'iantil}^ of the substance that
it coiitanis destructible by fire and air.

It is not possible to asceitain whether this substance
is wholly animal or vegetable matter, or a mixtut e of
both. When the smell emitted during the incineration
is similar to that of burnt feathers, it is a certain indi-
cation of some animal mattery and a copious blue flame
at the time of ignition, almost always denotes a consi-
derable portion of vegetable matter. In cases when
the experiment is needed to be very quickiy performed,
the destruction of the ilecomposib'e substances may be
assisted by the agency of nitrate of ammoniac, which at
the time of ignition may be thrown gradually upon
the boated mass in the quantity of twenty grains for
every hundred of residual soil. It affords the principe
necessary to the combustion of the animal and vegeta-
ble matter, which it causes to be converted into elas-
tic tluids ; and it is itself at the same time decompobe4
and lost.

Xf. Mode of separating aluminous and

sJLicious xMatter and Oxide of Iron.

The substances rem lininig after the decomposition of

the vegetable and animal matter, are generally minute,

particles of earthy matter, cont;iIning usuaiJy aiumin<y.

and silex with combined oxide of iron,

J68 AGRICULTUnAL MUSEUlVl

To separate these from each ot!i-i-, t!ic ^Olid matter
should be boiled for two or three hours with sii'phnrie
a:i\ i dl.uted *vith four times its weight of water; the
q'unlity of the acid sliould bo rcj^ulatcd by the quan-
tity of solid le-^iduum to be acted on. allowing for eve-
ry hun»hvd grains two drachms or one h ndred and
t>vent} grains of acid.

Tie subs.ancc remaining after the action of the
acid, may be c xisidored as silieions ; and it must be
separated and its wei.'^r'it ascertained, after washing
and dry tig in the usual manner.

The a' imine and the oxide of iron, if any exist, are
both dissolved by the sulphuric acid ; they may be se-
parated by carb;)niite oi ammoniac, added to excess ;
it throws down the alumine. and leaves the oxide of iron
in solution, and this substance may be separated from
the liquid by boiling.

Should any magnesia and lime have escaped solution
in the mu. iatic acid, they will be found in the sulphuric
acid ; this, however, is scarcely ever the case ; but the
process for detecting thtm and ascertaining their quan-
tities, is the same in both instances.

The method of analysis by sulphuric acid, is suffici-
ently precise for all usual experiments ; but if very great
accuracy be an object, dry carbonate of potash must be
employed as the agent, and lliecesidnum of the incinera-
tion must be heated red for a half hour, with four times
its weight of tfiis substance, in a crucible of silver, ot of
"tvell bakfd porcelain. The mass obtained must be dis-
solved m the mui iaiie acid, and the solution e^ apora-
led till it is neai-!y solid ; distilled water must then be
added, by which the oxide of iron and all the earths,
except silex, w'll be dissolved in combination as muri-
ates. The silex, aftc- the usual process of lixiviation,
must be heated red ; tiie other substances may be sepa-
rated in the sume manner as from the muriatic aud eub
|)huric solutions.

ACRICULT'TIAT. MUSKUM 2G9

This process is the one usually employed hy chymica!
})hi!osopIiersi"or the analysis of storn;s.

XII. Mope of niscovEiaNG soluble animal

AND VEGETABLE MaTTEI; AND SaLINE

Matter.

If any saline matter, or soluble vegetable or animal
matter, is suspected in tiie soil, it will be lound in the.
water oi'lixiviation used for scpaiating the sand.

Tills water must be evaporated to dryness in an ap.
propriate dish, at a heat below its boiling point.

If the solid tnatter obtained is of a brown colour and
iidiammabie, it may be considered as partlj^ vegetable
extract. If its SMiell, when exposed to heat, be strong
aiid fetid, it contains animal muciiaginous or gelatinous
substance ; ii it be white anri tr-dnsparent, it may be con-
sidered as prineipaily saline matter. Nitrate of potash
(nitre) or nitcatc ofhuie, is indicated in tiiis saline matter
by its scinti!la(;Mg v\ iili a bur'iing coal. Sulphate ot mu"--
nesia may be dt-tected by its bitter ti:ste ; and sulphate of
potash prochjces no alteration ifl solution of carbonaie
of ammoniac, but preeif)itates solution of nini iate of
b^r; tes. [ To he continued.

For the A^ricuUtiral Museum.

.REMARKS, o;z the ' dvantage oj •working oxen in pre-
ference to horsea.

From being in the habit, for a number of years, of
working ox».'n, 1 ho})e to !>e ab!e to give to my fellow-
cilizens satisfactory proof of the many advantages wnicli
theFarmei may derive jrom aficpting the use ol those
valuable animals. 1 am aware of the difficulty of over*
commg deejily rooting prejudices and long fixed habits.
The horse is a fine, tractable animal, and easily applica-
ble to many valua!de purposes. Kevertheless, whea
WO take iato view his first cost, either a; puichase; or at

(TT^ AeSRlClTLTUlAL MUfEUM.

common expence in raising, and add to t!iat the annnaf
cxpence ol keeping" him in suitable order for labour, to.
gether with his liaiiility to disease and other casualties,
and in these respects, place him in competition with the
ox, we shall find a result g-rcatly to his disadvantage.

For example; on a farm of moderate size,
four draught horses vvii! be annually employed
fvbich cost on an average, $16 each. - ^^ 300.00

Geeringfor four horses at 5.50 - 22.00

Annual consumption of gram for 4 horses at
4he rate of 3 pecks per day, or 273 bushels per
annum, which taken at the average of grain in
the counties contiguous to the coast, or tide
waters is worth 50 cen's per bushel. - 136.50

Add two and a half per cent for casualties
tvhich is equal to about • - - - 1195

f 469.73
Deduct for advantage of riding horses occa-
sionally &c. at 5 per cent. - - - 22 50

And the cost for one year of four plantation
horses at a moderate calculation is. - $ 447.25

For a trial I would propose six good oxen to
ido equal work with 4 horses, the oxen to cost
on an average, >i^ 36 each - - - i]^ 210 00

Geering or yoking at $^.h(i each. - S.OO

From experience 1 have found that steers
way be kept in good working order with but
little grain, and that the whole of their keep-
ing would cost but little more than the hay that
o horse will consume over and above the grain
above stated; nevertheless we will allow him to
consume five bushels per annum, which for six
oxen will be 30 bushels at 50 cents. - 15 00

$ 234.00
Which deduct from the amount of one years
ftxpence for four horses - - 44725

And there will remivin in favor of the oxen
% balance of » v ^ ^213.25

AGRICULTURAL MtfSfiUM. ffl

But to make a full and lair com^)iit:^son, it must be,
continued for at least five years.

The first cost of four horses, will be as above ^!5000(l
Geering, at # 5.50 each. - - 22.()0

Grain, exclusive of hay, for five years at
:^lc<6.50 per annum. - - - 682.50

Add for casualties at ^ 11.2» per annum. 5o/i5

^ 1060.7$
From which deduct, for the advantage of v'\d-
Inorat j^2ii.60 per annum for five years. ^ 112.50

For lour old horses sold at the end
of five years for about ^ 25 each. 100.00

212,S0

And we have the amount of expence for four
Ik/rses for five years. .... - /^ 848 25

On the contrary, six oxen at f 35 each. I 210.00

Geerino at 1 50 each. - • 9.00

Gx-s»jn at $ 15. each. « - - 75.(a)

g 294.09
From which deduct the price of six old oxen,
sold at the end of five years at $ 25. each. - 150 00

And there will remain the cost of 6 years
labojir of six oxen. - - . ^ 144.00

And that of five years labor of four horses is 818 25

Leaving in favor of the oxen a balance of. # 704 25

A saving on a farm, in the one article of a team, in the
space of five years, of more than^^TOO, is certainly worth
our attention. It would lay in a fine stock of oxen, and
discharge some of the pld store debts. Let us consider
our situation, fellow citizens our forests cleared our soil
exhausted, our old fields whitened w.ih short grass, the
eifect of poverty. Is it not a subject worth our consider-
ation how to extricate ourselves. Perhaps, one of the
firsi steps to remove ti^s evil, is t9 retrench our expences^

272 AenicuLTCiiAL museum

I^et us try it In the article above stated — most of the
counties below the stage road in Marvland use oxen.
In opposition to the use of them on farms more remote
, from market, some may alledge that they are not cal-
culated to travel a long jourut^^y vvitii the products of the
country. Experience has at many times, and in many pla-
ces proved the contrary to be the fact Li most or all of
the eastern stales, o:;en draw nearly all the produce of the
country to market; and in many instances a greater dis.
tance than any farmer 'in Maryland may ever have oc.
casion to send his. In New England, Jersey, Pennsyl-
vania and Delaware, oxen do a great portion of the
ploughing and from habit have become equally as docile
as our horses. Some here may i^Uedge that we have them
not, nor can we raise them ; no, neither shall we ever be
able, while we keep our fields so clear of grass by the
continual culture of Indian corn, an article so necessary
to the support of so many farm horses. The people in
this state, are not well avv'are of thier exceeding bad
economy, until they travel out of it, where they have
an opportunity of observing the much better manage-
ment of others ; I should advise every young farmer, a&>
soon as his crop is housed, to take a ride to the east-
ward, and on his return to purchase a good yoke of
oxen Try all things, fellow citizens, and hold fast that
TV'hich may be found to be best.
Your friend,

CORN PLANTER THE YOUNGEK.

P. S. Nothing has been taken into accoun*^ for shoe-
ing horses; but oxen may also be shod, especially ou
long journeys, as is common east of us.

PRINTED FOR AND PUBLISHED BY DAVID WILEY.

«e

aap

Price 'p 2.50 for twenty four Number Sj
To be i>aid $n advancG

'Sim

OMNIS FERET OMNIA TELLUS. VIRC

Vol.1.] Georgetown, Ca. March 6. [Nr*. 18.]

On //^e AnaUisis of SoiLf, as connected wit n. t :eir Iitt-

pmvanent. 7>?/ Humphrey T> avy Esq. F. R. S.

Froin the Conraiutii.^alions of the Board of Trade-

Conciudcd iVom pacje 269

XI il. MoDt: OF DETECTING SuLPSATIC OF LiME
(GvPSUIvl) ANJ) PiXOSPMATE OF LiME, IN SoU.S.

Should sa!phate or phosphate of lime be suspected
ill the entire soil, the detection of them requires a parti-
c'ular process upon it. A g'iven weight of it. for in-
stance four hundred grains, m:ist he h'^ated red for half
an hoiK-m a cruciMc, mixed with one-third of powdered
chnrcoa!. llie rnixttiFe must be boiled f»r a quarter of
ifn honr, in a half pint of water, and the i\\vA eel eeted
tP.rGUi;h the tikcr. and exjiosed for some days to t!ic at-
I'liosphcrein arj open vessel. If any soh'.ble qviantity of
sulphate of Wvac (gypsum) existed in \hc soi?, a white
precipitate will g-raduaHy form in theflirid, and t^ie weight
^of it will indicaic tiie proportion.

Phosphate of lime, if any exis:, may be S'^pa-ated
from the so-' after tlie process for gypsnm. Muriatic
acid must be digested upon the soil, in quantity more
*.han sufficient to saturate the sohible eai'ths ; the sohiti-
on must be evaporated, and water poured upon the solid
inatier. This fluid will djssolveihe compounds of earths
with tljc muriatic acid; and !cavc the phosphate of lime
untouched.

It would not fall within the limits assij^ned to this pa-
per to detail any processes for th.e d 'tecnon of >ub^tan-
ces which may be aecidenti.lly mixed with tlie matters of
soils. Manganese is now and then found in them, and
compounds of b;ir'>tic eavtii; but these bodies appeac

3S

27 1 AGRICULTUTIAL MUSEUM

to bear little relation to fertility or barrenness, and the
search for them would make the analysis much more
cjmpli'-ated without rendering it more useful,

XIV". Statemp:nt of Results and Products.
When the examination of as')il is completed, the pro-
ducts should be classed, und their quantities added to-
^I'th 'r, and if they nearly equal the original quanlily of
soil, th3 iLnalysis may be considered as accui'ate. It
must, however, be naticcd, that wlien phosphate or
suphate of lime are discoveied by the independent pro-
cess Xlll. a correction must be made for the general
process, by subtracting a sum equal to their weight
from the quantity o^ carbonate of lime, obtained by pre-
cipitation from the muriatic acid.

In arrauj^iug the products, the form should be in the

order of tije exepriments by which they were obtained*

Thu^ 400 gra'ns of a g'ood sihcious sandy soil may

be supposed to contain. Grains^

Of u ater of absorption - - 18

or loose stones and gravel principally silicious 42

O undf • mpounded vegetable hbi es - 10

Of fine silicuus sand - - - 200

Of muiutely divided matter separated by 270

filtratitsn, and consisiing of

Carbonate of lime - - 25

Carb'-nate of Magnesia . - 4
Mattel destructible by heat, princi-

pa l> vegetable 10

, S.lex - - - - 40

Alumine . , . 32

Ox\ de of iron - - - 4

Soluble matter, principally sulphate of

pota-.h and vegetable extract - 5

C» \ p um - - - 3

Pho^phate of lime - - - 2 125

Amount of all the products S&5

-9

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM g7$

ifi (Ills instance the loss is supposed pma'l; ^ut in ge-
neral, in acUial experiments, it will be fo'md murh great-
ev, in conseq Tence o*' the difiiculty of collecting the
wliole quantities of the d'iierent pp'cinitates ; and uh -n
it is within thirty f<.r four hundred grains, these is no
reason to suspect any want of due piecision in tlie
processes.

XV". This GE?fERA.L IMetiiod of Analysis may

IN MANY Cases be. much simplified.

When the experimenter is become acquainted witii
ihe use of the (li!r''rcnt instriim-'uts. the properties of
the re-agents, and the r^-lations bctw -en the external
and chjmical qualities of soils, he will seldom tindifc
necessary to perfoiu, in any one case, all (he processes
that have been described. When his soil, for instance,
contains no notable proportion of calcareous matter,
the action of tlic fnurialie aeicf |X. may he omitted. In
examining peat soils he will principally have to attend
to the operation by Hre and air X. ; and, in the analysis
of chaK s and loanis, he will often be ubie to omit the
experiment by sulphuric acid XL

In the first trials that are m:iue by persons unac-
quainted with chymistr}', they must not expect much
precision of result. Many diaieulties will be met with;
but in overcomina^ them, the most usefu! kind of pi-ac-
tical knowledge will be obtained ; and nothing is so
instructive in Gxperinsental science, as the detection of
mlstakf^s. The correct analyst onahtto be well groiinded
in chymieal genera! information ; but pci ha, s there is
no !)etler mode of gaining it than that of attcmj.'ting ori-
ginal investigations. In pursuing his experiments, he
will be continually obliged to learn from b;>oks. the
history of the substances he is employing or acting
upon ; and his t! c:>ret':cal ideas vy 11 he moi-e va!ii-»b'e in
Lei ig eon It cted with practical operation;, and acquired
for tac purpose of discovery.

S7'6' AGRICULTURAI, MUSEUiVJ.,

XVI. Ov THE Improvement of Soils, a<; connscv.

T ICO WITH THE PrINCIPLF: OF TflDia COMPO-ITION.

In cases when a barren sy ! is examined with a view
to its improvement, it out^iit in a'! ea^es if possible, to.
he eomparecl with an cxtrcmch' fertile soil in the same
ne.ghborhood, and in a similar situation ; the difference
given by thoir anal ^es uould indicate the methods of
cultivation ; and thus the plan of improvenjent would be
founded upoa accurate scientiMc principles.

If the fertile soil contained a large quantity of sand,
5n proportion to the barren soil, the process of amelio-
ration would depend simply mon a supply of this sub-
stance ; and the method would be equally sirjple with
regard to soils d -ficient in clay or calcareous matter.

In the application of claj, sand, loam, ma,rle, or chalk
io lands,, there are no particular chymical principles (o
lie observed ; but when quick lime is used, great care
must be taken that it is not obtained from tiie maguesian
limestone ; for in this ease, as has been sliewn.hy JMr.
IVnnant, it is exceedingly injurious to !and§. Tlie
inagnesian Hmestone may be distinguished from the
common limestone by its greater hardness, wud by the
length of time that it requires for its solution in acids,
and it may be analysed by the process for carbonate
of lime aud magn* s'a iX

When the analytical comparison indicates an excess
of vegetable matter, as the cause of sterility, it may be
<Jestroyed by much pulverization and exposure to air,
i)y paring and burning, or the agency of lately made
quick-lime. And the defect of animal and vegetable
matter must be supplied by animal or vegetable ma-
riu: '•.

^VII. Sterile Soils in different Climates ani»
Situations must diffeii in Composjticn.
The general indications of fertility and barrenness, as
found by chymical experiments, must necessarily differ

ePtUlosophical TrJns«ftloiu for 1799. »r •" " ' Tllij noar.'tonr )s fcmnil abundi-^^',: j in.
jTorksLir*, Biilfthjc, and Sumerieulilre

\fi ilirrerent cnm;ite?,ari(l unrlcrdifiei'ert circnmstanceF.
nFsie power oi" soils to absorb ir.ojsturo. a pririL-ipai os-
S'Miria! to their nroc!uctivci)e?s, ought t') be ranch greatop
in vvr.j m ami dry countj ies th;uTin cold i^nr! moist ones ;
and the qtjjHitity of f. Tie aluminous caith they contairx
larger. Soiis likewise, that are situated on flechviiies
onghi to be mare absorbent than those in the same cli-
rnate on pSa.iis or in vailies*. Tiic prochrclivfMiess of
soils ran^t likewise l>e iiifluoiiced by the nature of tha
subsoil, or the earthy or stony st: ata on v/hich they rest ;
and this c-rcumstance p^u<rtit to be partic.i'^rly atteriiied
to, in considering- *:heir chymicai naiure, uud the sysiein
oi' impj-ovement. Ti)us. a sandy sci; may sometimes owe
its fertility to t'.ie power of the subioil to i-etain waiet ;
and an absoibcnt chiyey soil may occasionally be pre-
vented from being barren, in a moist camate, by the in-.
fiU! nee of a s bstratum (,f saud or gravi-L
XVlll. Of thb ciivMicAf. Composition of fertile."
Corn Soils in tijis Climate.
Those soiis that are m;)sl produ. tive of corn con-
tain always certain proportions of ahimmous and calca-
reous cai th in a fin.ely divi(h:cl state, and a certain qean-
tity of vegetai^ie or animal ma'.ter.

The quanliiy of calcareous earth is liowr-ver very
various, and in some cases e.xeeedingiy small Ave-
ry fertile coitj soil from Ormiston in Kast Ijothian ixi-
i'ovdcd me, in au hnndi'cd parts, cr.iy eleven pan.s of
mild ciiicareous eartii ; it contained twenty iivc [)arts of
silicio'is sa!:f!, the Hnclv-ibvided clay amounted to
forty-live parts. It lost nine n. decomposed animal and
vegetable matter, and four in water, au(J afforded indica-
tions of a small quantity of phosphate of lime.

This soil was of a very line texture, and contained
V{ ry few stones or vegetable fibres. It is not unlikely
that its fertility was in somi; measure connected with ihe
phosohate; i'or tliis substaf.ce is fcund in wheat, oats
inid biricy, and may be a part of tiieir food,

Kfrli»i, Trarvs. WsV Acaimay, to<. V. ji, I'.Tf,

AGRICULTURAL MrS'EUM

A soil from the low lands of , Somersetshire, celebra-
ted for producing exeelient crops of wheat aj)d beans
viih 'lit manure, I found to consist of one ninthof sa-.id
fhieriy sili-ious, and 8 9tlis of ealcareous marie ttnired
with iron ; and coniaininii; ahout ^ivr- parts in the huridied
i)f vegetable matter. I ctniid not detect in it anv phos-
phate or sulphate of lime, so that iis fertility must have
depend'd principally upon its power of attrattini; prin-
ciples of vegetable nourishment from water and the afc-
jnasphere§.

]\Ir. Tillrt, in soma e!5neriments mads on the compo-
.sUion of 3 ;ils at Taris, found that a sod composed of
three eighths of clay, tivo eighths of river sand, and
three eighths of the parings of limestone, was very pro-
per for wheat.

XIX. Of the Composition of Soils proper.

FOR BULBOUS RoOTS AND FOR TrEES.

In general, bnlbnus roots require a soil much marc
sandy and less absorbent than the grasses. A very
good potat'C soil, from Varfel, in Cornwall, afforded
me seven eighths of s licious sand ; and its absorbent
power was so small, that one hundred parts lost only
two by drying at 400 Fahrenheit.

Plants and trees, the roots of which are fibrous and
hard, and capable of penetrating deep into the earth, will
vegetate to advantage in almost all common soils
which are moderately dry, and which do not contain a
very great excess of vegetable matter.

I found the soil taken from a field at Sheffield place,
in Sussex, remarkable for producing nourishing oaks, to
consist of six parts of sand, and one part of clay and
finely divided matter And one hundred parts of the
entire soil, submitted to analysis, produced

5 This aoil w» f<nt to me by T. Pool*, Ejqulrc, of Setlier Slower. It Ii oear tar op«niac«2
tbe nvcc Patrtl tnXo tUt Biitiili CbaiB«l kit I an Cvl^, Is sever •T«rt«>rt^

A&UTCULTURAL MUSEUM 27t)

"^^^a^er - . . - . ,^ Paris*.

Sil-x ------ a-A

Alumine ... ^ - 28

Carbonate of lime - - - 3

Oxyd of iron - - - - 5

Decomposing vegetable matter - 4
Loss - - ■ - - - 3

XX Advantages of Imppiovements made by chang-
ing THE Composition of the EaRthy Pauts of.
Soils.

From thcgf^at difference of the causes that influence
the prodiiclivenoss cf lands, it is obvious that in the pre"-
sent state of science, no present sj'stem can be devisee!
for Ihcir improvement, independent of experiment ; but
there are few ca^es in which the labour of anal». tieal trials
will not be amply repaid by the certainty wilh which
they denote the best methods of amelioration ; and this
will particularly happen wh«'n the defect o.'" composition
is found in the proportions of theprimiiive earths.

In r,upplyirig animal or vegetable manure, a temporary-
food only is provided for p!ants, which is in all cases ex-
hausted by means of a certain number of crops ; but
when a soil is rcudered of the best possible constitution
and texture, with regard to its earthy parts, its fertility
inav be considered as permanently established. It be-
comes capable oi attracting a very large portion of vege-
table nourishment from the atmosphere, and of producing
its crops with comparatively Ultl,- labour and expense.

We understand, that a vein of Coal, fine and fertile,
has been discovered in Chestei field, about 3 miles from
the banks of the Appamattox, and about twenty above
Petersburg. Report says that it was principally traced
by the means of the compass from the course of the rich
veins on the Jame? River. It will undoubtedly prove,
in various lights, a considerable acquiNition to the town
of Petersburg. May not the same veins extend north-
wardly to tile other waleiingcoursrs.

Richmond Enguirei\

^236 AeKlCULTUKAr- MUSEuk

-Tlic cdifor is li.v^py in tlic opporlnnii v of preselitinfj {6
the public " The L.ucuhr-dtioni> oi Sylmi'ius on soils.'*
They are written by a farnim" of cfnisidorabie ae-
quh'emcDts and observation, wlio resit!:s in one of the
lower Co^irjtics of Marylaiul — ft is huped tliat hiii
iaudablc cxaniple will b.ave mauy followers.

Luc'jJJ'iATioN OS son.?. N o. 1.

The extent of the surface of a continent is so vast
the regions it einbra;3es are so nu;-neroiis, and the kind*
of soil in each region are so many, and the resources of
individuals are generally so few, that most men a^'c de-
terred by the magnitude of the task from ever giving a
latitude to their retieetions on Soils. W^hen they observe
the great apparent variety of So;! imaiediatel.y in theii'
viciiiity, or on a single farm, it appears a vain antl IVu.t-
less tusk, to attnmpt to examine the various qiuihtie^
that are to be iVnr'd in a great division of the giobc.
Yet with tile very limited knowledge of the subject al-
ready acquired, a classiiication into a f'^w grand divisi-
ons, has ah'cady been attempted ; nor i:^ t'le task so dif-
ficult as at first it would seem. Tiie outlines of the great
divisions of soil, are drawn by thf* h.and of nature, in
a strong, bold, a:u] conspicuous manner, and may, at
iany time, be observed by the naturalist, and far-.ner,
suilicicntl}' skilled, and ardent in the pursuit of know-
ledge, to undertake the neei'ssary fatigue. The attempt.^
(for snch they must properly be called,) that have been
already made, liowver imperfect, liave greatly contri*
buted to throw light npon the subject, and to eonda-t
the cnterprizing mind to further knowledge. With tho
sa'.rie good intent, I mean to methodize and state whatT
little I have read up;)n soils iii g.-neral. in my hours of
study whc!J my [)!antation work was done, or have
learnt by observaii>n in riding thri»ui;h tbf country — •
1 feel no fear of b 'ing deemed presum ituuus in e.vpress*
i:ig my thoughs uj)on this subject, whatc-cr m;;y bt its
magnitude, arid liowever few and ini-.on^iderable my ob-
s.-rvutions may be, provided f can tlirow »he smallest
ray of light upon a subject, so very useful to all men.

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 281

Thr> varieties of sol!* in every jjrent division, that
could be made, of a portion of the g;lobe, is no doubt
considerable; yet every invcstip^atingand rei'ectingi'nind
will perceive, thai there inust be considerable degrees
of a,Jin\iy in soils, whose foiinnation is jrranile, calcare-
ons stone, sand-stone, or that are bedded in schistous
rock ; so hkewise in rer;ions tliat &re aliuvla!, and in
those that are exposed to a marine atmosphere, and
those that are exposed to exhalations of a different
kind.

The kind of sr.rface wli'ch any kind of soil possesses
mnstalso give it a peculiar ciia;-acter, visible, %nd easily
understood without t'le assisiance of analys:*, or a mi-
nute examination. Wit!i the assistance of these and
such like striking traiti, and distinctive characteristic
marks apparent, at liisi: view, to the eye of liie tno«t un-
lett:3red fanner, an arra'ioement and ciassilication might
be made, that vvoukl not. i)e without its uses The sur-
face of tliC soil has more to do with the labours of the
farmer, and the prodiietions of the earth, than the inte-
rior structure. The feiiiiity of soils depends aiso more
upon their surface, than is at first imagined) as I will
shew in the sequel.

A classification bottomed u:)on the subterranean cfeo-
graphy of a couiitry, would no doubt be desirable, not
only to the artist, mineralogist, and chjmist, but would
greatly assist the a.o'iciilturaHst — in as much as it would
set bounds, more precise and accucate, to the different
regions, and more clearly develope the occult affinities
and differences of soil. Bat this requires resources and

* "Soils as Kirwin observes, consist of different com-
binations of two or more of the four ptimitive earths,
namely the calcareous (nhieh I somelirrfes call mdd calx)
magnesia, argil and the siiicious. For a more accurate
description of these, 1 must refer to books of mineralo
gy, and shall only remark, that by calcareous earths are
meant chalk and ali stones that burn to lime. They are
easily distinguished by their property of etleivesciu^
with acids." ^

2"8i2 Ar.uicurAuuAT. museum

labours, loo sfrcat for private iiiclividiial entorprizf.
Therefore, without eniharrassifja^ this sketch with vain
regrets, at not beinjjf able to do moro, I will proceed to
state what I do know.

As we approach the land from the grea^ watery regi-
on, the first kind of land we meet with, are beaches of
sand forming islands, and peninsuias, stretching along
the main land according to th^^ com-se of currcnis, or tiie
beating of the sui'f, or t!te form of the niain lands: and
dilVers from the most kind of land, in as inncli as it is
formed out of pure sand, pebbles, and undecaved nca-
sheH. The next kind is t!ie river form- d land, oi- a!iu\ i-
al region, formed by the sediment of rivers, and coin|)')-
sed of clay and sand, intermixed in nearly e(jnal projjor-
tions, at least when it is first depo>itc(l. Some write.-s
have extended tliis region to the ibot of the moun'ain'^;
and Evans, the geographer, and Volney, have e:\tciul-
ed the littorral or beachy region to the cascades 6r tide-
water. There may be some good reasons for thus
bounding these regions; bit as the rivers 1 conceive
have had the latest agency in the formation of the soil,
from the falU or cascades to the m auth of the rivers, ifc
appears to me, that that tract of country contained
within a line drawn from the head of tide water to
the mouths of the rivers, may more appropriately be
called the alluvial region ; and the beaches and islands
of sand, which stud, point, and ijinge the coast, alone
I call the littoyaL or beachy region. From tide water
t() the foot of the mountains, may safely be classed by
itself, and termed the hiilif or liddess region. The
m.)untauis and thvir vailics are properly denominated
the moiuit-inoua rcg'iO)t, or parent sod, from which, in
all tines, new sods are form.ng. Insufficient and in-
definite as these divisions are, they may serve as the
beginning of a systciu of classitication, and to establish
a few conspicuous land marks, to guide the inquisitive
farmer in bis researches. After having briefly described
a few distinciive features of each of these grand divi-
»io;;*j and gi>en some of the most pronvnent qualities

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 283

of the soil, interspersed with a few explanatory and ge-
Jiieralizinj;^' ideas, I will proceed to a more ininute atid
specific description of the soils, most commonly iound,
giving- tJiis analysis as taken chiefly from Kirwan and
the most appioved chymical writers, shewing what
constitules a fei-file soil, and in what the\ diiTer in each
o! the above grand divisions, and in what consists the
chief food of plants.

First til u, let us recapitulate the grand divisions :-r-
They are four in number, viz.

The Beachy or Littoral Region,
The Alluvial Region.
The Hilly or Tiiieless Region.
The Mountainous Region.

It will at once be seen, that each of these regions is
susceptible of almost innumerable divisions and sub-di-
visions, or genera and species To attain to a full and
perfect knowledge of these, is the grand desideratum of
farmers, and 1 trust that tlic united labors of a great Agi i-
cultura! nation, enjoying the blessings of freedom, and
abundance, will, by continuing to accumulate atoms, in
no distant time, arrive at tl)is llerculanean goal of their
enquiries.

Of the properties and distinct qnaliiies of soil to b,e
fouiul in the beachy rofjion. In gei-ieral it is a very light
f^oi', '."on-isliisg oi sand and a portion o' calcareous matter,
bc(Jded on rock, gcneraiiy the piinioeva! rock or granite.
Sometimes islands oi* mounds of sand and pebbles, are
tiirown up by the force and long cojitinuance of currents
alone In general the soil of this region is little fitted to
the purposes of Ap.riculture. Some of the islands aiimg'
our coast, are, however, from particular local causes, ex-
ceptions to tlsis I'nie.

Tiic alluvia! region, aecordi;^g to the definition already
given, is the river formed land, and extends to (he falls
of the rivers. This region, therefore, from it^ extent,
contains many kiiuls of soil, suseeptibi.- of divisions by
well marked and (iiatinet boundaries, whi'-h may be tra^
ced on the surface with sufficient clearness^ to give a

•28i AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

just perception of them. Before, however, Ave proceed
to attempt to set hoiiricls to ihe princiijul (livisions of this
region, it will be satisfactory to give some idea of its
formation, and this 1 cannot do better than by commen-
cinj^ with the description given by Mr. Vohiey, in speak-
ing of what he calls the alluvia! or river formed soil of the
United States, in the following words ; —

"■ The remainint;: region is the country which undulates
beyond ihe ndge of Talc, to the foot of the Sand Stone,
or granitic mountains. This limit is traced with most
dilBcu'tv in Western Georgia, where the vein of Tale
does not shew itself Ths surface is distinguished by
its risings, sometimes in long waves, and sometimes into
round and insulated eminences ; by the variety of its
earths and stones, sometimes confused, and some-
times arranged with regularity, and which appear and
disappear many times successively, from the mountains
to tlie maritime plain ; always hearing the appearance of
hiving been brought gradually down by the rains and
rivers, from the heights, and such in truth, is the origin of
all this country. When we calculate the volimie, the ra-
pidity, and the number of these streams ; of the Dela-
ware, Schuylkdl, Snsquehannnh, Potomak, Rappa-
hannock, York and James Rivers, &c — when we ob-
serve that long before their mixture with the ocean, they
spread themselves to a breadth of from half a mile to
three miles, over a bottom from twenty to sixty feet
deep ; that m their annual floods, they rise sometimes to
a h.-ight of twenty feet above their ordinary level, we
shall easily perceive what immense portions of earthy
matter nnist be carried about, especially as informer
agf's ih;; mountains must have had a greater elevation
and .»f course given greater swiftness and force to the
torrents ; that the forest trees torn up and eairied ofi" by
thousands, added to (heir destructive course ; that the
ice accumulated by six months of winter, forms vast
moniids. such as took place in 178-1, in the Susqnehan-
nah, at '*[ Call's feri-y, near Columbia, where a barrier
of this kind more than thirty feet high_, waslormed by

AGUICUrTURAL MUSEUM 28$

thchreJxing up, avcViii'id the whole valleys under wa-
ter. ;Vt these periods wht!!i the ocean bathed the foot
of' tile mountain!^, of wiich there are every where ma-
nifest traces, the higher raountahin, as yet undiniinisbvd
hy the los^ of those pwrticles of wliich time and the tor-
rents have since despoiled them, augmented the motion
and force of the descendinj^j %=, uten, bj' the heiojit and ab-
ruptness of their poir.ts. I'heir sunsmits being colder^
were covered with deeper snov s for a !on.<]^er time, and
when tbc heats ©f summer, shorter no doubt Imt not less
int'-nse than at present, dissolved these snows, the tor-
rents, thus formed involved a greater quantity of earthy
hollowed out deeper chajmeis. and bore away trees \Aith
their roots, and lart^e masses of soil connected with their
fibres, all which ihey deposited m tlJe lowest shelves of the
mountains. In followinsf years new w.ecks accumulate
and cloy the ancient ehanncis : the torre;:ts impeded thus
by mounds of their own creating, have their voicme and
impetuosity au;:,ment( d. til tie}- iind their way through
the weakest pai't, and ca; ry the softer matters onward
by new cliannels, u'h;!c the moi'e ponderous frascmoits
remain behind By a prv)cess of this kind cont nuinj^ in-
ce-santly for ages, the beds of ancient torrents enlarge
^■radually into vailles, and what w ere once sharp edges.
or hard bottoms of the streams, become slopes and
plains. The waters desceniiing from level to level, and
leaving at each resting place their grosser matters, gia?
dually dejiosit the lighter and more soluble ; thus cir-
cumscribing the ocean by continual accessions of sand,
mud and pebbles, ail of which are arrested and bound
together by the truiiks and brandies of trees. The
Mississippi olYers a luminous e-uniple of all these ope-
rations. It has been e<nnp!!ted by Liancourt that be-
tween 1720 and 1800 a period o'f eighty years, this river
has advanced its banks fit'teen miles into the sea. Thus
under the eyes of three generations, it has raised a new
eouuirv from the sea which daiiy encreascs, and where
beds of coa! ure slowly f(-'rniing, and accumulating for
the use of iulure ages. So rapidly does ilus deposition

^S6 AGRICULTURAr, MTTSEUM. -

take place, that at New Orleans, three hundred mile*
above the actual moulh of the river a canal lately (hit-- by
the Baron de Carondelct, between Lake Pont Char-
train and the Mississippi, has brought to light a sijb>ura.
iuiiiof black earth, mixed with remains of trees, which
have neither had time to be decomposed nor converted
into coal The two banks o{ the river arc entirelv com-
posed of trunks of trees cemented t<gelher by ri^ud, for
a length of upwards of three hundred league- to the
licight of twelve or sixteen feet. Jbnce it is. that the
vernal inundation which swells the river thirty feet
above its ordinary level, and overflows the adjacci.t coun-
ti-y, which is lower than the bank, is hindered fiom en-
tirely returnincr, and stagnates into immense marshps.
These swamps are at preserjta bar to culiuje and popu-
lation, though hereafter they mi:y supply the means of
inexhaustible fertility/'

To these observations of Mr. Volney, the correctness
of which no one who will take the necessarv pains to
investigate, can doubt, we shall add a feu more to shew
the other processes of nature, thai contribute to the for-
mation of (his region. Tne clay, stone, -sand, ligneous
and vegetable substances, that are thus brought down
from the heights by the waters, deposit themselves along
the bottoms and margins of the rivets, forming shelves,
plains and banks. On these bar ks there is an annual
growth of aquatic vegetables wiiich periodically d« cay,
and thereby add to the surface ; in addition to which,
there is an -annual deposit of shells and other marine
substances, the increase of which is very great and be-
yond computation. Shell fish, at least the most common
kmds, require little more than a year to get their full
growth, and very soon decay. 'J'hese iorm strata,
which are again covered by the sediment of the river,
and re-placed by a new growth of shells ; thus is the
land continuaMy increased by a slow and gradual process.
A\ hen in the lapse of time ti)ese banks irnmergc from be-
neath the water and become exposed to the genial rays
of the Sun, they arc in a short time covered with her-

AGriCULTTrr.AL IMUSEUM 287

bag's and trees, whose decay serve again to fix the fluidj
JVMfi to give to this new made land a yearly coat of loam,
^vMhh iiici"eases its iVrtiiity and consequent deposits.

'riijs th,> grav,th and decay of aquatic, vegetable and
at'.!:na! substaiices, and the fall of leaves and trees, the
a iriiul decay ot herbage, and we may add the mortality^
of aniiDals^ assist in the formation of the alluvial region.

The extent of this region is great, and the surface va-
rious and capable of many and great divisions. The
first division tinit presents itself, and that may be
traced by a strong line, is that tract of land which com-
mences at tiic miiuths of all great rivers, and is bounded
by a regular mound or ridge, shaping its coui'se in con-
formity to the course of the rivers and of the inlets and
creeks that make into the rivers. The surface of this
land is almost a perfect level, and not raised many feet*
abovethe water ; on the surface very little stone is to be
found. The soil of this division which for sake of dis-
tinction, may a;jpropriately be called " The flat stone-
less" division, is almost in all its parts an even mixture
of sand and clay, interspersed with calcareous substan-
ces in a great state of division, together with a considera-
ble proportion of decayed vegetable matter, just as it was
dep jsited by the water, and in the ways already men-
tioned, without having existed centuries suiiieientto be-
come completely amalgamated. Tiiis fiat stoneless re-
gion on the eastern a.id western shores of Virgiuia and
JMaryland, occupies a considerable space at tlie mouths
and along the banks of the princi[)al rivers and creeks,
aiKJ is nearly all Oiie antl the saiue soil ; occasionally in-
terspersed with ridges of sand : a great portion of it is a
stiii' soil, and from its stitiness it is supposed by supei'fi-
cial observers to be a clay soil, or to have w hat is called
a clay foundation ; this is on examination found to be
erroneous, though it has a suifieiency of clay for every
agricultural purpose, and for making of bricks. It may
properly be termed a loam — by loam I mean a soil of
clay, sand and decayed vegetable substances, mixed. It
was np doubs a very fertile soil untilit was impoverished

gSS AGr.TCl'LTURAL I\n;SEUM.

by bad cultivation. T/. ; stiffness of this kind of land is
nor so much owing to its component parts as to its sur-
face, li ii was situated on declivities it would be of a loose
anil open texture; but situated as it is W'th a very level
surface, it ho!d^ wa^'^r a long cime, \vi)i-"h caa.-.es it to >ob,
and after to bake asid becom - very adhesive, and this
circumstance gives to this vvliolc r''gion the appei)ra!ice
of a stiff clay s*>il. Wherever this kind of land is u ell
drained by ditches, it grows perceptibly more loose anrl
li'^iit, and vvheie there are natural drains fo/med by ihe
undulation of the land, or where tbere are knowJs or
detached risings it is uniformiy a I'ght and open soil, be-
cause it never bakes, and because its particles of clay,
mixing with the water, are lessened and carried off by
evcr\ rain. The proportion of sand is greater, and always
stili more increased by bad cultivation. Under good cul-
livation its increasing lightriess or loos' ncss will be pro-
perly checked by deep pioughing and by vegetation, and
\\iil become advantageous Under bad cultivation its
increasing lightness will yearly add to its povei'ty. 'T^'bis
kind of soil, in the states mentioned, is well adapted
to wheat, the lighter parrs to rye and Indian corn, 'llic
marginal part of this first step in Virginia anrl Maryland
is covered altogether with resinous trees, chiefly the long
leafed yellow pine, cedar and gum ; a lit'le distince from
the irargin yon find tlie woods intcrmixfd with oak,
chiefly white oak. The proportion of oaks increases un-
1 1 they occapy nearly the whole ground at the foot of
the flrst rising or gravelly ridge, which bounds the flat
stoneless region ; at least we lind it so whore the primi-
tive growth has never been cut down. In this region
the calcareous substances that arc found in any quantity,
arc generally only in a small state of decay.

Sylvanus

PlilNTED Foil AND PUBUSUED BV DAVID WILEY.

I^rice A> 2.50 for t went ii f(,ur Numbers,
To be iJuid in advance.

AGRICULTUE,AL MUSEUM.

OMNIS FEUET OIMNIA TELLUS. VIRG.

Vol. I.] Georgetown, Ca. March 20. [No. 19.]

LUCUBRATION ON SOILS JNo. 2

The second shelf in the alluvial region, which maybe
designated by tlie name of the undulating or siliceous re-
gion.^ begins at the ridge which forms the upper boun-
dary of the flat stoneless region, and extends to the line
of tide water. At this boundary ridge, which divides
the first and second shelf, the soil begins to be intermixed
with a portion of fine gravel, increasing in size and quau-
tity as you ascend with the rivers. The surfa e of this
second shelf, though in a great measure level, is yet in-
tersected with small streams and drains, which have
washed gentle declivities and risings. These declivities
as you approach the head of tide water, assume more
and more the appearance of hills. It is evident on re-
flection and examination of this second shelf in the
land, that it once was as level as the flat stoneless land,
until the springs, streams, drains or gullies, have, in the
course of time, washed deeper and deeper, and their
banks, which at first were steep, by a like gradual pro-
cess, have assumed the appearance of gentle declivities.
These declivities and their risings give to this region an
undulating surface. The kind of soil that here prevails,
abounds in gravel from fine to very coarse or stony,
more or less apparent on the surface, according to the
complexion and quality, or situation of the land. There
are portions of this tract sometimes to a considerable ex-
tent, where fine siliceous sand prevails.

In this region the calcareous substances that are found
in masses, are generally mixed with clay or sand. The
shell of which they are composed being nearly decayed,
and many times altogether so, forming yellow, blue or

§ Sllcx or siliceous earth i-s often found in a stony farm, sucU as flint or quarti ; and still more
frequently in that of a very fine sar.d, such as that whereof flsj} 19 mfids. It doe« not e£fi;rv«»t«^
(i^r ii it eolublo ifi »oy vS tb; (oumua acidt,

37

290 AGRICULTURAL IVTUSEUIVI

grey marl, accord! no- to the co!o:ir of the clay or sand^
which predominates, and aecnrdinj? to the quantity o^
the sh?ll, or richness of the marl. — iMav! is to be found in
ahiiost every ))art of this region, from 20 to 40 feet be-
low the siirlace. The kinds of wood ub.ich prdomi-
jiatc i'l this rei;ion, in Marylanil and Virginia, are oaic
of all kinds, cedar, and the inie; lor kinds of pine ; ches-
nrt. hckory aud nduv trees, ure aiso rrcqu:.'nt!y fouiul,
but rai'cly if ever predominate. NA'herever in this pia-
velly r<'gion the oak ha^ been cut down, and the land h:is
heeu cleared and cultivated^ and then turned out as it is
called, it will generally put up m cedar and the ip.eaner
kind of pine, v^hlGh grow <h, according to the observation
©fold men, does not continue longer than ha'f a century,
whcu the oak resumes its place. Tliis growth of resin-
ous trees seems to be intended by nature, to render
light lands, and new-formed lands, more adhesive and
compact, at least we havv reason to suppose so from their
glutinous quality; and trom their generally gjowing m
liiri). lands, iheir tap roots sink deeper into this uncon-
cocLed earthj^ than the roots of any other kind of tree,
and enable it to di-aw up more nourishment, and of
course to throw oif more fohage, which communicate
tliiiir glutinous qu^ities to the soil. It seems probable
^Iso that their tap root?, which penetrate to such an ama-
zing deptlvpaJtieularly of tlie pine, iar beyond the reach'
offrosL, may be one cause oi their perpetual verdure.
When these large and deep descending roots decay,
thev may also serve as conductors of water and air, to-
assist nature hillie great work of composition and do-
composit.on, among t!i»/ strata of the yet crude materials-
ihdtform the bisis of this new made land : in, the course
of revolving ages, when their task is finished, their
place is supplied by trees of a different ki'.d, that are in
tended to answer other great and mysterious purposes.
Thv: soil of t'lis division is drier anc waimei than that
ol ihe liai sfoncless d!Vi.<-i(^n, and ot course Mgetation
■is somewhat q(i.<:ker, and tTiahi a- I'ives soone; to maturi-
ty. It docs nut, however, ubounU so muck in natural

AGT?1CULTURAL MUSEUM ^91

arches, because, from its undulating surface it is not so
w-ell calculate c! to retail them. From this circumstauce,
also the siliceous jjarticles abound more on the surface.
The stones or gravel wiiich form a large portion of this
soil, increases in size the higlier you ascend the rivers.
The grave! of the lower dividing ridge of this second
shelf, is very fine ; ten miles hig'her up, it is perceptibly
coarser. As you approach the head of tide water, stones
of a considerable size are found. — These stones and era-
vel are formed, as 1 apprehend, partly from the frag^
ments of rocks that are ttirnaway by the torrents, and
arc broken, divided and subdivided, and I'ounded off as
tiiey are rolled along, crowded together in the bottoms
of streams and rivers, until they arrive at ihe places in
%vhich they become iixcd : the further they are carried,
fhe more are they broken, and the more is their size di-
jniiiished. The liner jiarticlss or du-t, which is -detached
by this continual rubbing and washing, is carried to the
ocean, where if serves to foi-m the pebbles that are cast
back by the waves upon the shores. Another part is
formed by the affinities of the siliceous particles that
com!)ose so large a portion of this region. The more
ancient the soil, the more time has there been for the
operation of the great laws of composition, and the h>r-
gei- are the products. This increase in the size of the
stones the higher you ascend the land, seems wisely in-
tended by providence, to preserve the moisture of high
lands which would be too much exhausted for the purpo-
ses of vegetation, by reason of its general unevenness and
elevation, were it not for the retentive properties of its
stones.

It also may be remarked of the marls which are found
in this region, that the dif^position to turn to lime-stone
increases the higher you ascend, though they very rarely
shew themselves on the siu'face. but may be occasional-
ly observed in baiiks that have been won by streams

Before we proceed to the description of the next
grand region^ it may be useful to recapitulate the subdivi-
pions of the alluvial region, to wit: 1'he tiiAt stouclcss^i*'
^ud the undulating or ^ill-c^iou^.

292 AGRTCULTURAI. MUSEUM.

More might no doubt be made, but with these T shall
leave the subject to those who may have more opj3ortu-
nities, and more leisure. Sylvanus.

J'br the Agricultural Museum.
The Sea weed.

The Sea-weed {alga marina) so frequently met with on
the Northern Sliores ot Europe, is unknown on this side
of the Atlantic. 1 have never heard of any attempt to
transplant it, or to cultivate it, on the coast of the Uni-
ted States, and am entirely at a loss to know, whether
its absence is to be imputed to the nature of our climate,
or merely to the want of the seed or root for propagati-
on. The value of the plant entitles it to attention, and
it would be proper to make the experiment on our coast,
in order to ascertain \\ht th<'r it could be naturalized or
not. It would not require much trouble or expence'
to attempt it, as any of our vejjsels, public or private,
might bring along with them some of those stones, on
which the «Zga 7;ia7/«a had taken a firm root, and drop
them on the beach, between high and low w ater mark,
on salt water, from whence they might aftervvai'ds be
removed to a permanent situation.

The alga marina, where nature hath given it sponta-
neously, demands no labor of cultivation. Wherever a
stone of sufiieient size, appears on the sea beach, it is
quiekl> covered over by the plant, which attaching by a
small t'. iidj'i! to the body of the stone, shoots out suc-
cessive'ranches, of a size greater than the parent stem
Those stems are at short intervals set with hollow
tumuli, distended with air, which serves to lloat tlie
whole tieece on the immeiging tide, and gjow in two
years to the length of three feet, in favorable situations,
when it is ready for the sickle. Stones brought from
the lands adjacent, placed on proper situations, have
been knov. n to produce a crop in five or six years alter
being set down, the weed springing spontaneously, the
first year after planting.

AGmcULTUUAL MUSEUM 293

Its uses arc for maruirc, for feeding cattle, or fot
burning, (wlien dried), into kelp, a sort ot" bleaching
stuff.

As manure, the aJga is peculiarly favorable for gar-
dens, having a fendencv to destroy the grubs and insects,
common to such grounds. An acre of shoie property
covered with stones, in bearing, vvi'l manure annually an
acre of arable land, and will give a heavy crop, and mf?re
permanent fertility than the bosl stable maiUire For
feeding cattle, the plant is not so well aj)proved, as it is
not known to be u-cd in tliis way, unless in seasons of
scarcity; when it is given to neat cattle after slight boil-
ing, being of an unctuous apiieaiance, it might be suppo-
sed to be nourishing, but whether it be fiom the disrelish
of tlie cutUe, or the nature of the plant itself, it will not
fatten them us well as the ordinary vegetable i'odder.
For kelp, its vaiueis pre-eminent, being cut, and spread
out in the Sun, it dries immediately, s^v.d is burned ia
pits, ipto a licjuid lava, and when cool^ is taken out in
lumps, and in tliat state sold at factories, where bleach-
ing is required.

The great extent of the flats and beaches along the
coasts, and in the bays of the United States, affords
abundant scope for th-j production of this useful plant,
and in all such places where stones are already placed
or could be easily obtained, it would form a rich addition
to oui indigenous stock, if it could be naturalized on
this side the Atlantic.

The probability is, that the current of theGulph, bear-
ing off this coast, prevents the gci minating principles of
the alga from reaching our shores by any other mode
than that which has been mentioned, the introduction
of some of the stones wiih the roots adhering, to be pla.
ced in some suitable situation, under the care of some
practical gentleman, from whom the public might expect
to derive information of t|ie result.

J. N. T.

Waslmigton City, March 4th, 1811.

t

SD4 AGKICULTURAL Mr SEUlsr.

For' the AgvkuUurul Aluseutn.
On Agriclltural Schools.
Of infinite importance are early impressions and[
early habits. Education, in a Republic, ought to he
considered not only as highly condui"ive to tlie interest
and happiness of its citizen-;, hut, as the very ioundatiou
of its permanency. Great attention has been paid in
this country to what is called a common £nj;li.-;h edu-
cation— almost every one, male and ftniale, is taught to
read and write, and there are numerous Colleges and
Academies, where those who have leisure and inclina-
tion, and can afford the expence, may make still farther
advances in science, and that to any useful, and almost
to any desirable degree. But many young men, or
their parents for them, have mistaken their talent, a-id
given the bent of their genius a wrong direction. The
professions of Law and Physic have become overstock-
ed, and thus afforded the occasion, or the pretext, for
multitudes to waste their existence in lounging and dis-
sipat on, who might have made good practical farmers,
had they been brought up to honest industry in the cul-
tivation of the soil, and with a much less expensive
education.

By many it is supposed, that Agriculture is the only
profession which requires little skill or previous know-
ledge, but that a man becomes a farmer, as soon as he
enters on the possession ol a farm. Hence, without
doubt, arises the misei'able state of our Agriculture in
general, and the many unsuccessful attempts by indivi-
duals who have failed from no other cause, than the want
of sutiicient knowledge and experience. Ai>ricultural
Schools are therefore proposed, as the most ready and
effectual method of introducing skill, and stimulating to
industry in this important occupation.

To those who have ever reflected on this subject,
how deliglitful would it be, to behohl a numerous train
of idlers converted into so many useful citizens ; and
instead of contributing to the misery and final dissoluti-
on of saciety^; to see them raising themselves uiid thck

AGRICULTURAL BITJSEUM 29^*

eountry to real greatness, bj honorable and well direc*
ted industry.

To pr-omote this imporfant o]>ject, let atleast, one A^rl-
eulturaj School be formed uii'.'cr the patronage of each-
State government. Let a faini of one or two thotrsand
acres be procured, fui-nisS ed with implements of husban-
dry and well stocked!- and let there be two professors;
one, an active and intelli,<5ent practical farmer, — the
other well acqniinted vvit'ti botany, history, malhematicsy
philosophj", and whatever ma\ be requisite to a complete
English education. A youth, by entering an Institutiorii
qf this kind, would greatly relieve his parent from fhe
cxpence usually attending the common mode of educati-
on, and would have the best opportunity to attain to a
competent knowledge of a profession the most honorable
and useful in the world. By exercising himself at the
plough, the spade and the hook his body woidd become
hardy, active and vigorous, his mind would receive thafc
cultivation that would qualify him for becoming a use-
ful and valuable member of soi-iety.

It is tiiis kind of education that is calculated to ren-
der us independent, cspeciaily in the Southern States of
the Union; where, unfortunately, too many of our
young men are devoid of a proper taste for rural em-
ployments, and would think themselves df^graded ia
being found on a farm of ordinary size, or in paying
that attention to it, vthich is absolutely necessary to in-
sure success. Thus it frequently happens, that if their
lanfl is rich, it soon becomes impoveiishcd by negk ct or
mismanagement ; il it is poor, they fail of a livelihood, not
knowing how to improve it ; arid in either case they must
leave their friends and tiie iand oi t!;eir nativity, and
seek a refuge in some distant country. But that I may
not trespass too long upon your useful pages, 1 will
close these miscellaneous remarks, with expressing the
hope that the subject of them will attract the atientioa
©f some more jeady writer than

Your Friend.

A Fak,ivi£;r.

<g^ AGRICULTURAL MUSEUJJ.

UPON TK2 CULTURE OF HEMP.

Translated from the Treatise of Mons. du Hiimcl du
JMoiicenu.
Hot climates are not vvell adaptc<I to tiie raising of
hemp. Temperate regions suit it best, and even in cold
countries it r^iovvs to advantaijje, such as Canada, Hi-
ga.f &c. which produce it in great abun.dance. and of
good qt:ality. From this last pl.iee, FrancCi Engiar.d,
and Horand, anr.ual'y derive a groat supply.

The soil should be soft, easy to till, rather light though
fertile, well ma'iured and cui'avated. Dry latids are not
«-ood. In such l';c iiemp does not come up well. It is
always short, and ihe thread generally too ligneous,
which renders it liat d arid elaetie ; great d( fecis these
even for the coarsest uses, as we sha!! s-ee in the sequel.
It nevertheless in raiiiy seasons succeeds better i:i <h'y
than in moist grouuvls ; but such seasons are rare, on
which acc'.iuntit iscounuonly sown by the side of a ri-
■vulet, or a ditch hilcd with water, in order that the wa-
ter may be at hand, but not .eo as to overflow it. Such
lands are called in some provinces courucrs, or courtlts,
and are much sought after.

Every kind of miuiure which makes the soil light is
suitable. On this account horse dung, the excrement of
she<-p and pigeons, the sweepings of the poultiy yard,
the manure taken from stagnant pools, uhen ripened by
age, are preferable to the dung of tlie ox or cow. Whe-
ther marie is used or not 1 am not able to say.

Th«? right course is lo manure the hemp ticius annually
before the vvinte; tillage, that the manure duru)gthe win-
ter may have time to rot, and that it may more easily
mix with the soil when tilled in thvi sprmg. The pigeon
dimg is tne only one they spread at the spring or lust
tillage, and tliis thi-^ do to avail themselves of its whole
strength. However, wli a the seast-n is dry there is
danger of burnmg the seed, wUich does not happen

t It is the Ukraine which produces the Hemp, and
Kiga is only the port from which it is exported.

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM. 2^

when it is sprcarl in winter. In this case a greater quan-
tity is necessary to produce a good crop.

Tiic first and most important tillage is performed iu
December or January, wiiich is called mid-wlntri- til-
lage. Some do it with the plough, making': furrows,
others with the hoe, also making furrows, (hat the winter
frosts may more easily penetrate the soil ; some also
))erform this work with the shovel or spade, whic!i is
donbtless the best mode— bat this reqnires more lime
■dud labour, whereas tlie nse of tlie plorg'i is tl;c n)ost ex-
peditious and least proiitable.

In the course of April the seeff \s put into tlie gronn:'.
Some sow a fortnight sooner than others, and all tak?^
different risqncs. The most early are exposed to the;
frosts, which do great injury to the young shoots, w'rdc
those who sow too late run the hazar<i of ch oughts,
which sometimes prevent the hemp from com'ing u!>.

The seed should be sown thick, otherwise the sta'ks
will be large, the bark will be too ligneous, and the threads'
too harsh, which is a great fautt; yet when it Is sown to(>
thick, many of the roots are choaked, and this is an in-
jury. A medium should be adojited, which hal^it will
jioint out, and generally the stalks are not tno sparse
but when a part has been destroyetl cither by fj ost, by
drought, or other accidents.

It ispro()cr to ren)ark, that the hemp is an oily seed,
■which grows rancid by age, and then il will not vegetate ;
wheiefore the seed of the preceding year should aione
be put into the giound. When seed two years oKi is
sown, a gi'eat part will not come uj) ; and if older, snll
more vvili perish.

When- the hemp is sown, it should be covered Vvidi
earth This is done either with a harrow, if the iand has
been prepared with a plough, or with a rake if prepared
with a hoe or spade.

Notwithstanding this precaution, the hemp must be
carefaily guarded until completely come up ; otherwise,
a variety of the feathered tribe, pigeons esp^ eially, will
destroy the wliolc; even the seeds liiut are best covered'

SSI

2?^8 AGUICULTUR-VL MUSEUM

Iti'^ true that pigeons, and those birrls that do not scratch,
do uo damage to grain when covered with earth ; but
the dii^Vr- lice between the two kinds of seeds is, that
gr:i;n does nnt force itself out of tne giousid with tlie
shoot it prcduces, whereas hcnij* S( ed ibices its-elf out
■\vhen it vogelales. Then it is liuit the p;g(;f.ns make
great havock, and upon sight of the ^ecd, tear the plant
and make it wiihvM.

The peasants eudeavnu!" to frigbt a\>ay tlic birds by
scare-crows ; they also set thoir chiidren to protect the
lumo. But tht^se firecuutifMis are not fulh' adetjuate ;
foi-the task is diilicult when tlie liclds are extensive, and
hunger stinuilates the pigeons. Indeed 1 h;ive seen
strong j>ei-ons and even dogs, fi'om excess of fatigue,
abandon their charge Fortunate!}' this care is not re-
quired any le!!gth of time. There is an end of it when
the foliage has multiplied.

The tii'ids, Avhich until the springing I'p of the hemp,
require much care and labor, demand but little more un-
til harvest. It sutiices to maintain the suriounding
diti'hi's in order, and to keep off the c;;ttle. Yet in gu;at
droughts there are some industrious people who water
their fields, provided they are of small extent, and the wa-
ter is at hand, and that they cannot be overliowed, which
is, I believe, piactised in some parts.

I have already said that accidents sometimes happen
to make the hemp field thin, and ir has been observed that
the hemp is then thick, fall of branches, and incapable of
yielding a good thread. In this case, to derive some-
thit)g fiom the (ieid, if seed only, which form the coarse-
ness of the hemp will be of better quality, the field should
be weeded to prevent the weeds from choaking the
hemp.

Towards the beginning of August, the stalks which
do not bear seed, and which are improperly called fe-
male hemp, but which I call male, begin to turn yellow
at the top, and white at the bottom, which indicates
them fit to be pulled. At this time, women enter the
field and pull up ali the male staiks; of which they make

agriculttthal museum 299

bundles anri arraiioe them on the borders of the field, ta-
king care not to injure the fcai.iie stalk, vvhidi '^ust
remain unpulled sometime lunger, to bring ;o m itu. ity its
seed.

B ■fore the male hemp is gatheicd, seme persons sow
turnip seed, whicii buries itself in the holes from w Ir.oh
the stalks wcve extrac ed, and in those made hy the
footsteps of p 'rsoiis employed tlicrein. Turnip seed
is also sown when the female sialics are g.ithered, in or-
der to have two ^roj)s ; but this part of husbaudy, not
belonging to our subject, we dismiss it.

It has been already observed, that the male hemp was
bundled up after being gathered. lii djing this, they
put siuiks of a like length together and place the roots
even. Each buiidle is Lied wilh a hemj) stalk.

They are then exposed to the sun to dry the leaves
and tiowers, and when well dried, each bundle is beaten
against the trnr.k of a trre or against a wall, and t!i 'y
then attach togetiier sevei'al bundles, and make one suffi-
ciently large to cany to the Routoir,

Tiie place called the Routoir, in which the process of
rotti!]g is performed, is a ditch of from eigiileento twen-
ty-four feet long, from twelve to eighteen ieet broad,
and from three to four feet deep, filled with water This
is often sujiplicd by a spring, Vv'hieh after filling, the ru-
toir is let otf through a ehauMel prepared for it. Some
rutoirs are only a ditch made on the border of a rivr^r;
some, even in contemi)t o; the laws, use no othei- lu'oirs
than the bed of a river. In fact, when there is no spring
nor river at hand, they deposit t\)c hemp in tlie ditciies
that are fiHcd wilh water, and in ihe meadows. Let as
now take a view of the end they propose by this method
of rotting. To do it they arrange it at the bottom of (he
water, tlsey cover it with a layer olsti'aw, they secure it
under water by pieces of wood and stone, it thus re-
mains until the bark, from which the thread proceeds, is
detached with ease irom the stalks. Tni is asceitained
by trying from time to time wiiether tiie adherency of
the bark to the stalk still coutiiuics. When it i» sever-

wo AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

ed willi ease, the hemp is thought to be siifliccintly rot-
ted, and is then taken from the rutoir. This operation
cfl'rets more than tlie detaching oi" the bark iVoin Ihe
palp. It renders the filametit soft and fine ; but toim-
tlerstand hosv this result is produced by water, a know-
ledge of the organic disposition of the stalk is neces-
sary. Tliis I will attempt to ex])Iainj with as much bre-
vity as I am able.

The slaJks are hollow in the middle, or filled with a
soft pulp. This is surrounded with a tender and fragile
wooden substance, which is called the chenevotce or
gtalk stripped of its bark. Over the chenevotte is a bark,
rather tine than otherwise, composed of fihiments which
extend the whole length of the stalk. 'I'his baik ad-
heres closely to the chenevotte and the longitudinary
fibres which compose it ^re joined to each oUicr by a
vesicular or cellulary texture The whole is finally co-
vered with a very fine membrane, which may be called
the epiderme. The object proposed in immersing the
hemp, is to cause the bark to detach itself with more
case from the stalk, and to destroy the epiderme with a
part of the cellulary texture, which binds together the
loni^iaidinary filaments. All this is brought about by
putr-.sc-nce, for which reason it is hazardous to keep
the hcmj) too long immersed, lor then it rots too much ;
in ather words, it acts not only upon the outer skin and
the finer fi-ircs, but it acts with too much force on the
longitudinary fibres ; in fact it rots the hemp too much,
und ill that case the thread loses its strength. On the
other hand, when the hemp has not been long enough in
the water, the bark continues to adhere to the stalk, the
thread is hard, clastic, and cannot be made fine enough.
There is therefore a medium to be observed, and this de-
pends not alone upon the extent of the time of the ini-
niersion of the hemp, but also — Firstly, upon the quality
of the water; which when still, rots the hemp sooner than
rutming water ; so does foul sooner than limpid. Se-
condly, upon the temperature of the air; as it rots soon-
er in warm than cold \\eathcr. Thirdly — ujipu the

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM. 301

qualit}' of the hemp. That whieh has been raised in a
free soil, and duly watered, and which has been gathered
gi'cen, is sooner rotted than that which is raised in strong-
er dry soil, and which has been suffered thoronglily to
ripen. In general, it is thought that when the hemp re-
mains but a short time in the watei* to rot, the thread is
better. On tliis account it is said, that hemp should not
be rotted but in warm weather. And w hen the autumns
are. cold, some defer until the spring following to put the
female hemp in water. Some even prefer to rot their
hemp in stagnant and even in putrid, rather than in fresh
running water. 1 have put it into different waters to
rot, and it has appeared to nje that the thread of the
hemp rotted in putrescent water vas softer than that
rotted in running water ; but the filament contracts in
stagnant water a disagreeable colour, which in truth
does not damage it, for it bleac'aes thereby more easily ;
yet this colour is disgusting, and on that account the fila-
ment is not so merchantable. For this reason, when it
can be done, they turn a little stream into the routoirs to
renew the water and prevent it from becoming putre-
scent.

X have made out to rot the hemp by spreading it over
a meadow as t'ley do linen to wiiiten it ; but this is a te-
dious mode. The thread, ho^vever, has appeared to me
rot very different from that rotted in tiic usual mode. I
have further attempted to boil the hcnij) in water, hoping
in a short time to bring it to tiie same state as when ta-
ken out of the routoir ; but after having boiled it more
than ten hours, on taking it from the water to dry, it was
not in a condition to be thoroughly separated, or fit for
the brake. It is true that when it was broke warm and
wet, the bark was detached with ease, but it remained
like a ribband. The cellular texture not being removed,
the longitudinal fibres cohered. They could not be se-
parated ; audit was impossible to make the hemp suf-
ficiently fine. From this it is evident, as we have before
observed, that it is next to impossible precisely to define
Ihe length of time that hemp should rcmuia in the roa-

302 AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM.

toir ; since the quality of the hemp, that of the water, and
the temperature of the air impede or advance its progress
in this operation.

The usual criterion that the hemp has been snflicient-
ly rotted, is, when the bark is easily dcta<*hed fiom its
stalk from top to bottom. It must also he allowed that
the habitual employment of the peasants who cultivate
it, must aid them muL'h in deciding up )n the requisite de-
gree of rot. They however are sometimes mista-
ken ; and 1 have observed that in some provinces they
are in the habit of rotting ii more tlian in others

1 must not omit to caution against rotting the hemp in
water in which the fresh water shrimps abound, ior
these animals eat and almost destroy the thread

When upon the subject of gatherii.g ihe male hemp,
we remarked that the female was left standing to ga/a
time to ri|)en its seed. This Iiowever causes the hemp
itself to become too ripe. Its Oa k becomes too ligneous,
and of consequence its thread:^ thicker a;)! coarser than
that of the male. Notwitnstanding this, \ hen the seed ap-
pears to be well formed, the female hemp is gathered in
the sametnanner with the male, and arranged m sheaves.

In some places, to complete the ripening of the seed,
they dig in the hemp fi:^id round holes of a foot depth, and
from three to lour feet diameter. In these they put a
number of sheaves well bound together, with the luads
of the sheaves in the holes and the roots above. They
are fastened in this situation with cords of straw, and
the earth which has been taken from the holes is heaped
up round the bundle olsheaves so as to cover their heads.
Aided by their own moisture, tht- heads, becc-me heated
as green hay does placed upon a layer oi manure. 'lh;s
fermentation completes the ripening of the seed, and dis-
poses it to leave its shell with more ease. When the si- od
has acquired this quality, the sheaves arr tdken from liie
holes, where they vv.uild be consumed were they longer
to remain. In other cantons whero much hemp is rais-
ed, they do not bury the iieads in Jhis wAy, but stack the

AGRICTJLTURAL MUSEUM 303

sheaves placing iheir h'acls togetlior, and extract the
sseecl in the matiner I shall presently show.

Those who raise but small qaantities, spread cloth
upon the ground to catch their seed. Others clean and
prepare a sm^otlj piece of ground, upon which they
place the hemp with the heads all on the same side.
They then beat it lightly with a piece of wood or flail.
This biiiig-^ oat the best seed, which is put by for sowing
the next spring. There still remains much seed in the
heads. 'Vo extract it, they p.i3S the heads through a
comb with iron teeth. This takes off at once the leaves,
the tegumtMits of the seeds, and the seeds themselvesl
The vvlijle is kept m a heap several days, then spread
for drying, then beaten or threshed, and winnowed to
separate the seed ; with this they feed bii ds and make
hemp-seed oil The sheaves are carried to the routoir,
to pass through the same operation with the male sheaves.

When the sheaves are taken from the routoir, they are
opened for drying, and spread towards the sun by the
side of a wall, the borders of a ditch, or on open ground
if it is not moist. They take care frequently to tui-n the
hemp, and when well dried it is again pat into sheaves
to be placed undercover, where it is kept dry until they
are ready to break it wit'i the hand or a brake. In some
provinces it is wholly broken and separated by the hand,
and in others those only who raise small quantities,
break it with the hand ; the rest use the brake.

The manner of doing it with the hand is so simple
tliat chddren can perform it as well as grown persons.
It consists in taking the thi-eads separately, breaking the
stalk, and detaching the threads by pulling them through
the fingers. This mode appears rather tedious, but as
it is pursued at leisui-e hours, and by children who take
care of the cattle, it is but of little expense to many fami-
lies ; but to small families it occasions great" loss of time
which the use of the brake would save.

Before it is broken, hemp ought to be well dried, or,
as the peasants say, well baked. For this purpose, they
have at isome distance frvm their houses a haloir or dry.

SOI- AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

iniT kiln. Somo peasants dry the hemp in the cliimnfrvf^
of their dwelling houses; but this is a very dangerous
practice. Some place it in their ovens to (hy ; these do
not indeed expose their houses, but their hemp often
lakes fire; besides, in this mode a largo quantKy cannot
be dried. The haloir is only a cavern commonly of six
or seven feet hig-h, iivc or six bcoad, and nine or ten
deep. The u uiersidc of a rock iVccjuently makes a ve-
ry good haloir. Some arc arched with dry stones;
others are covered wit!i jarg-e (lat stones ; others merely
with pieces of wood covered with earth. Every man
makes them according to his fancy ; but all aim to j!la;:c
them secure from the north wind, and to give tiicm a
southern aspect. Because the breaking season is gene-
rally when tlie great frosts prevail, and when agricuhure
is at a stand.

About four feet above the fire place of the haloir, and
two feet from its mouth, three wooden bars arc fixed of
about an inch diameter ; they cross the haloir iVom one
wall to the other, and are thereby supported by the walls.
Upon tliese wooden bars the hemp is placed of the depth
of six inches to be dried. Thus arranged, a careful w o-
man keeps up, underneath, a fire made of the useless part
of the stalks ; care is requisite, because the stalks, w.;ich
arc the common fuel for the purpose, consume rapidly,
and require to be constantly supplied to support the fire
in every part of the cavern ; and equal care is necessa-
ry to prevent the flame from rising and communicating
with the hemp, which is very combustible, especially af-
ter it has been some time in the haloir. The same wo-
man must turn the hemp over, to dry it equally on all
sides. She must also place fresh hemp when that whict^
is »vcll dried is taken away to be broken.

[To be conckulcd in our next.]

■ .-~~^ - - . - - ■ "y

PRINTED I'OU AND PUBLISHED BY DAVID WILEY.

I* rice >^ 2.50 for twenty four Numbers,
To be paid m advance.

TOE

AGRICULTURAL MUSS^JM-

OMMS FERET OMNIA TELLUS. VIRG.

Vol. 1.] Georfretowu, Ca. April 3. [

No. 20.

UPON THE CL'LTl'KE OK HEMP.

Translated iVom the Treatise of Mons. du Hamcl du

JMonct'iiu.

(Conc!iu!("(l.)

The brake resembles a joist five or six inches square
and seven or eight ieet long, vvidi two large slits of at
least AVI inch broad sauedout from otie end to the other,
and the tiiree longest or sejiarate pui-ts, formed by the
two slits made iiito the shape of a knife. Upon this
pi(>ce of wood is jilaced another whichis connected with
it at one end by a turning jiiiit, and which at thi other
end affords a handle, and between the two ends bears
two knives or iron plates, which go into the bliis or mor-
tises of the lower piece.

The man who uses the brake, takes a handful of
hemp in his left hand, and in his right the handle of he
iipper jaw of tlie brake ; hi' then places the hemp he-
tweexi the two chaps, and by repeatedly and f^ rcihiy
raisijig and lowering the uppermost he breaks the staiks,
and, drawing them Ihroigh both, he forces the pulp
.from Ihe fiianient ; and wlien one half of it i.s thus l)ro-
ken, he tak(?s that in his hand to pursue the same course
with the other end At length, when they have wdl
broken about two poujids ofluNup, tlu'y double it in the
iiiiddle and twist the two ends strongly towards each
other. This is called he rip ends, or coarse hemp.

The two methods, that ol (jrcakirig vvth the hand, aiid
that in which the brake (S use;!, hav- e tcli the. • advaii*
tages and defects, as we shall in course p ;int out.

It has been tVc] ^entiy sa.-d li'atth' h.-mp intended fof
ihe fubrick^ of iinc cloths siiould oe more rotted thuQ

19

<hat (Icsdiicd to a coarser fahrick ; and that that design-
ed for cordage should be the least rottetl.

We have ah'eady remarked, thathcinp r*ot siiffieient-
]y rotted was hard, thick, elastic, and irinaint:d clogged
with parts of the slalk. We shall hereafter lh]d these to
be great delects %\\w,n applied lo iht; fabriek of cordage.
Wc hawever aeknowlcdge that luM)ip used in the Huer
fabrieks may be a little more rolled, bnt it cannot be
expected to render much fh)er a thi-cad na(ur:.Uy coarse.
It would ratlier be injured by pniridity ; for to have a fine
thread the concurrence of many things are itecessary. —
Y'n-st — The soiU ^ov a ?i above observed, too stronger
dry a soil never yields a very pliant tl>read. It is toor
ligneous, consequently hard and britlle. On the other
hand, it the soil is too humid, the bark which it will pro-
(luce will be too herbaceous, tender, and liable to break,
and become refuse, or heads of hemp. It is only the soft,
substantial, and moderately moist gronnds that give to
the thread softness, {Icxibility, and strength, which are
the best qualities of good hemp.

Secondly — The year. I'or when the seasonsr are dty
and parching, the thread is hard. On the contrary^
when the seasons are cool and moist, it is supple and
sometimes tender.

Thirdly — The state of matirrity. For if the hemp has
been left standing too long, the longitudinal fibres of the
bark adhere too strongly to one another ; the coarse
threads are connected like ribbands, and are with dif-
ficulty separated, especially at their lower extremities;
which is understood when they say "a cue of hemp has
many claws.'' This defect is found in all the female
hemp that they have been obliged to leave too long in the
ground in order to ripen its seed. Whereas if it is ga-
thered in too green a state, the bark being yet herbace-
ous, great waste ensues^ and the thread is without
strength.

Fourthly — The manner of sowing the hemp. For
that which is sown too thin has a thick; hard; ligneous.

AGRICrLTURAL MUSEUS? Wt

m\d knottv bark ; whereas that which is sown thick, has
a iine and smooth bark.

Lastly — The preparations it iiiulcrg-ocs after it is ga-
thered ; such as breaking, swingling, combing, &c. &c.

The preceding article on the culture of Hemp, and ati
article on the same subject, in No. 15, Page 229, havf

' been deemed of so much importance, as to be sent
to this country from Europe, by one of our public
Functionaries. They are evidently, hovi^ever, adapt-
ed to diftci-ent climates, and disagree m several parti-
culars.— To Kientio« no other instance, the one recom-
mends the sowing of the seed between the 20th of May,
and the end of June, whereas the ather directs that
jt be sown in the course pf Apiii If tliis latter period
is not a mistake in the original yvriter, it is certainly
too early in the season for by far the greater part af
the United States. There are many skillful cultiva-
tors of Hemp in Pennsylvania, IMaryland, Virginia,
Kentucky, &c. of whom some iia:>/e published, for the
information of their J^'ellow Citizens, the result of their
observations and experience, and the Editor is happy
to liave it in his power to extract from the FederaH
<iazette of Baltimore, a short piece, which may be
read with prolit m connection with those mentioned^
^bovc.

HEMP.

The increasing cultivation of Tobacco in Germany,
France and othei- parts of Europe, must lessen the de-
rnand from our country ; and consequently induce the
cultivators of tijat article t-o turn their attention to some
(Other production. Wheat, iiarley, Rye, &c. will ahvay s
be in demand, far exportation, or the distillery We
liave also Fiax and Hemp, necessary articles for internal
s-nanufactories. Flax is but a precarious crop, whereas
Hemp seems the most certain of any spring crop, as well
g.s the most profitable. The soil for Hcnij) should he

^08 Agricultural museum

rich, lifflif, tleep and moist ; but not spout}', or wet,
Laii'l that bears strong Tobacco, will produce good
Hemp. Old grotind well manured brings the heaviest
crops, for according to the strength of the soil, will the
produce be, from 5 or 6 to 12 or 15 cwt.

The season for sowing Hemp in our latitude, is from
the beginning of May, to the last of June. It h necessa-
ty that the ground inten led, should be in the best order,
early in May, that the first favorable season that oflers,
for sownig the seed may be embraced. This is previ
ous to a warm rain, or as soon after, as the ground will
admit. When this is in fit order, and weather warm?
as fe\v seeds vegetate quiclycr, it will appear in 48 or 60
hours, which not only preserves it from the birds, but by
its spreading leaf shelters the soil from the scorchmg
sun. Should a fit season for sowing, be protracted, it
becomes necessarj', by stirring, to keep the weeds under
and the soil in order. The quantity of seed for an acre,
wiieu intended for cordage, is from one bushel to six
pecks, adcording to the quality of the soil; the richest
requiring the most seed, whicli prevents the Hemp from
growing too high But when Hemp is intended for do-
mestic purposes, two bushels or even a little more is re-
quisite, which renders the fibre fine, and fittle inferior to
our country flaj^.

Hemp is male and female, in different plants. The
Farina or dust, emitted from the flowers of the male
plant, is necessary to impregnate the female flowers,
to render the seed productive. The proper season for
pulling, or what is far preferable, cutting the hemp, is
from the beginning to the end of August. — This period is
sufiiciently ascertained, from the appearaiice of the
male plants, as v\ hen nearly fit to cut the blossom be-
comes of a pale yellow colour, and emits, upon the least
touch or motion, a dust, which in the morning, appears
like a fog rising from the Hemp^ and when this blossom
and the upper leaves of the male begin to fall, the Hemp
is fit to cut— which should be doue close to the gioun.d

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM. 509

by a liook formed for the purpose, of the best steel, and
as broad as a sickle, but not so crooked, and the edge
smooth, with a set of about an inch just where the shank
is formed that luns into (he handle, which sets the edge
lower, and prevents the necessity of stooping too much
in cutting the Ilernp. In gathering, it is supported by
the left arm and knee, and spread regu}a{ iy on the
ground, as is done with flax. In about six or eight
days, if the weather prove dry, it is bound up in bundles,
and carefully preserved Irom the vvea;her, either in
sheds or stacks, unii! about the middle of December ;
tiien carefully s})read out on grass land. 'I he time ibr
rotting will depend on the weather. In an open and
mild season it will be sooner affected, and should be ex-
amined towards the middle or end of February. When
sufficiently rotted, it should be set up in stacks in the
field ; and when perfectly dry the hemp brake should be
brought, and as one stack is broke it should be carried
to another: this biake is generally about four feet and
an half long ; the pieces in front being about four inches
apart, and an inch beliind : As the Hcni|> past:es through
this brake it should be carried home, where it must pass
through a flax brake ; when, after the shives are clear-
ed oft', it is rolled or twisted up in handsfull, turning in
the loose ends, and bound up strongly in tvA o or three
places into bundles of fifty or sixty pounds ; then it is fifc
for market.

A top dressing of ashes or plaister will prove of coij-
siderable advantage to the crop.

The best and most convenient mode of raising seed is
to drop a few grains in hills, about five or six feet apart,
which may be done in the hills along with corn in plant-
ing. They should afterwards be thinned, eaving three
or four in a hill ; and when the male plants begin to de-
cay, they should be cut out.

P?pe Creek, Ulh March, 1811.

310 AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM.

LUCUBRATION ON SOILS. No. 3.,

The third great shelf or region, we have called the
hilly or tidelcss region,! which begins at a line drawn
from the head of tide water, and extends to the foot of
the mountains, presenting a very uneven surface, but by
no means incapable of cultivation, and comprehending
an immense range oi'soils, no less various than those iii
the alluvia! region. Here the gravel of the alluvial regi-
on, has assumed the full size ofwhat may without hesi-
tation be called stone ; and the marl which in the allu-
vial region, is found upwards of 20 feet underground,
may here be seen in many places consolidated into
limestone and marble, shewing itself above the surface ;
the washing of ages having worn and carried away the
soil that once covered them, to the depth in which marl
is found. Here the complexion of the soil is no longer
of that pale and faint colour, which is observable in the
greater portion of the alluvial region, which is given to it
by the coat of decayed vegetable matter, washed clay
and sand which form its surface, and were deposited in
the manner w^e have already described ; but, in the hilly
region, the greater part of this upper stratum has been
"washed away, and presents a surface that has been more
deeply coloured with age. The colours are various ac-
cording to circumstanes, and the strata which have been
uncovered.

The silieiouspartof the soil in this region, instead oa
being found in a great state of division, as in fine sand
and fine gravel, such as generally prevails in the alluvial
region, and particularly in the first shelves of the land as
we ascend from the mouths of the great rivers that emp-
ty into the ocean, here presents itself in a more concen-
trated state, in the form of large stones. The argil o^
this region is also more pure, that is, less mixed with other
eubstances, more firm and frequently ochrepus. These

X Mr. Volney and other naturalists, include it in the
alluvial.

AGRICULTirrvAL MUSEUM 311

c'srcu?!! stances cause the soil to be of a firmer and more
retentive quality, as is required by reason of its elevated
and uneven surface.

j^nothcr trait which distinguishes this from the region
wc have denominated alluvial, is easily observable > I
mean the size of the forest trees. In the alluvial regi-
on, more especially in the first division of the alluvial re-
gion,, the soil is looser to a greater depth than in the hil-
ly region, and therefore the roots of the trees can pene-
tiate more easily, and to a much greater depth than in
the hilly region, where the first or upper strata, which by
the laws of gravitation are generally the lightest, have in
the course of ages been worn away with the rains and
the torrents, and brought to the surface a soil more im-
penetrable, especially at a small depth under ground.
Besides, the substratum in the hilly region, and particular-
ly in the mountainous region, of which we shall speak
in the sequel, is frequently rock of various kinds, chief-
ly sand stone, lime stone, marble, schisus, and granite.
These rocks in the hilly region are found but a few feet
underground, and frequently project above the surface.
The trees, therefore, meeting with these obstacles, are
not in general so large as m the alluvial region. In the
vallies of this region, however, there frequently is found
a soil of sufficient depth to admit of the growth of the
largesttrees. 1 donor wish to be understood, that the
fertility of the soil in these regions, differs in proportion
to the size of the forest trees. — No, it is a remarkable
fact, that many tracts of couRtry in the hilly region, that;
are covered with trees of slender and inferior dimensi-
ons to the trees generally found in the alluvial region,
are extremely fertile in small grain ; and in Virginia and
Maryland, grow good Indian corn, though the stalk is
not generally so large as in the alluvial region. The rea-
son is that the soil is firmer, more impermeable and re-
tentive, and yet not delicient in natural riches. The
fijirface to a sufficient depth for the growth of grain, may,
by being suiBcientJj pulverised by cultivation, be ren-
dered completely adapted to the growth of grains, grass-

312 AGRTCrLTURAL MrsET'k

es and sliniitbf^ry. atvl al! j)lauts whose roofs do not ex-
tend very deep, like the roots of forest trees. The
rocks on nliieh this soil is bedded, and whjo in this re-
gion project ai)ove the surface, are generally found in
regular strata, and shew signs of having heeti deposited
by th.t water, in ages when they were bathed by the
ccean. The calcareous rocks, viz : LiiDc stone and
marble, appear to have been batiks of marl, ^\hose slu ils
have had suIHcient time to pulverize e(.ni])!etely, and to
agglutinate and petrify ; they frequently riliow th.e remains
and impression of shel's, in theii' infeiinr and extei ior
parts, and are straiiiied in the jnanaer in which the S'-a
makes her deposits. Th.e sehisti apjjcar to be depositi-
ons of vegetable matter, biought down either by th.e rains
and torrents, aiul collected in valli6s, or deposited by ihe
ocean in strata. Tiu' f'.Jim 'riri'i impression, and sometimes
thr remains of Vegetables afe fi'equently observed in slate
and pit coai ; and the otiier rocks metitionco, appear to
result from the earthy deposits of the ocean. The order
in which these depositL-. arc made, is sometimes deranged
by the ccnvulsions of nature ; but they, would ingeie-
ral form a f)asis for the ciassiiication and division of the
soils of this region. My opportunities are too few to
enable me to trace them vvi'ih any precision, or to shew
with sufficient clearness, the places wh.ich these respect-
ive rocks generally oeeup\ in this regiun. But as nature
acts upon invariable laws, with unifoi m regularity, there
is no dou it that it may be done, and will be done, as s< on
as agi ieuitnre becomes an object of the first importance
with the naturalist and the lovers of Science.

In this region there is less pine, less cedar, less resin-
ous w ood of any kind tlum ni tbf region herein called
alluvial; moie oak. njore kinds of oily nut trees, vvl.ich
generally have very hard wood ; but thoe last are more
frequent as you approach the mouuiainous region

Si' LV AM us*

^ ACRICULTUnAL MUSEUaj. 313

WORMS IN raUIT TRf-^ES.

P/-nm the Ardiives of Useful Knoidedga.

Ti5P fo]lb\v!ii.o; p;jper aj>pearcc! in Xew-Yo k in (bo year
1803, aiid (he dirrc-licns given Iiavc been tried with
various success. Injurious in'-ects are muMif^lying so
fast, among us. o%^inii' ^o the nealigcnce of t!ie farniers
in {lostroying- iJjtMr. (hat ary remefiy, likciy to suc-
ceed o;dy parliaiiy, is woi'thy ofat.enlion.

The rc-appea;'a'ice of those armies of Ca':erp!liars
wiiicl! infested, and even dcs!i->yed, so manv of oiH" fruit
trees ia-t sun>mc!-, has this year induced me to make the
foliowing- cxperi ricf!' s :

1. On a young apple tree, at the bifurcation of the
f'rst limb, I made a mouidiu,'^ of chiy mortar, (al)out 14
daysag-o.) O;" the 3:1 day, 1 observed an unusual com-
motion of the worms ; and tliat they .appeared vsqak,
emaciated, and theii" bright colour much diminished, ap-
pearing" of a foxy biown. Son::eoftMem attempting ta
descend, when t!iey came to tiie pi-ojection of the clay,
fell to the ground. Others, wiiich I suppose had fal!en,
had re-ascended to the clay ; but could not, or would not,
pass it, though ilicy ajipeared perfectly restored to their
colour and sise.

Or) the 5th day, I observed that their excrements,
which before had seemingly fiHed the nest, !iad disap-
peared. On the 7di day. the nest also had disappeared,
and the worms almost gone, except some dead osies. and
a few small, emaeiateJ op.es, wh^-h wavtt se:U'ee!\ able
to move. On the 9th, the clay being very dry, some
fi-esh looking worms had made" a lodgment on the clay,
and formed a new web over it. These f displaced, and
gave the moulding a coat of fresh mud. They are now
entirely gone.

2. On a clierry tree in my meadow, where a vast
number of tliose vermin had nested, and devoured a!! the
leaves,! placed a sofi, so as to encompass the trurdc, and
be supported by the ih-st [irab. On the Tth duj, the iiesfc

40

314< aguicl'IjT kal museum.

remained entire, hut filled with dead worms, and Inif
two or three liviM^- ones on the tvcc.

3. On a tree, similar to the hist, J p'aecd a sod in tjjtf
bii' rcation of tlic II; st hmb. without mal.inj;" it to encom-
pass eitiier iimb or trunk : on the 7th day, the worms
on ihis were dead likeviisc.

4. Not satisfied witli the fore^oin?]^ unexpected resuU-^
as in tile hist experiment, 1 placed a sod, with the euith
downwards, (as was the e;;se hel'ore) in the second hi.'
furcation otanotlier tree, where 1 observed a considei-
able collection of worms on t})c trunk ; but tionc that 1
could see had as \et ascended to ihe Hmbs ; and this
morninf; I observed that thc\' liad eatcii many of th.e
leaves on the first iimb, below the sod, and uere ascend-
ing in consideiabjc numbers to it. None appeared on
the rest of the hml)s, thou;rh there is room enough for
them to ascetul without toueliing (he sods.

Ido not feel myself warriinted in saying that snch
success will invariably follow this method of preserving
our fruit ti-ces ; but the experiment is so easily raafkv
that I tliiiik it well wo! th public attention.

N. C.

Whitehall, Maij 27, 1806.

COMPOSITION FOR HEuALlNG WOUNDS IN TREES.

From the l.ondon "Repository of Arts, Literature,
C)mmerce, Manufactures, Fashions and Pohtics, for
March, 1809"

I have great satisfaction in submitting to my rcaders-
the following communication from Earl Slatdiopc, a no-
bleman, whose studies have been invariably directed to-
wards the advancement of those branches of useful sci-
:^nce, w hich tend more particularly to promote the wel-
fare of mankind in general.

To the Editor rf the Repository. &c.

Berner's Street, Feb. 13, 1809-
Sir,
The subject mentioned in your letter to me of yester-^
<iay's date, relative to the licaling of wounded trceS; is

AGuinurruRAL mttskum 315

per'ainly very inlercstin«>: ; I wii! therefore (a.^reeably to
vour wish) inform you of my success, and in vvliat niau-
jier J have obtained it.

The injnry which is done to timber trees, and other
trees, from the loss of Jaroe branches, occasioned by
wi:id, or otiiei-wise, is much greater than peop!- in gene-
ra! are a WHre of. Every alttntive person may easily
perceive the local injury which takes place at and near
the wound, xyhcre the tree becatnes evidently rotten ;
but there is, in addiiion the'cto. a general injury to the
tree, which is produced in the following manner. When
weights in at the wous'.ded part, it fi; id's its way d. wn-
wards, betv/een the solid wood and the bai k, through tiie
capillary inlcrvais where the sap rises. As the wet, so
introduced, cannot get out, it frequently tends to cause
the bai'k to decay at the l)ottom nf the tree, just above,
or at the top of the ground. The eapiiiary atti-aetion
which causes the sap to I'i.se, ijrows g adually weaker;
the tree gets sickly ; the tips of its upper boughs become
rotten ; and that fresh injury lets in njove wet, which
hastens the general d:'cay : so that timber trees of tlie
first size souietifnes become holjow, or otherwise un-
sound, though the whole injury Oi-iginatcd;, perhaps,
from the loss of a singie large branch.

To remedy these evils, I have ap.di'd to the wounds
a composiiion that I discoveied many years ago, and
which, when properly used, has succeeded even beyond
rny expectation ; lor not only the bark grows over the
wounds, o-radualiy pasiiing offthe composition, but even
the white wood, as it is conmjonly called, grows under
tne new bark, so as to protluee a radical and a complete
local cure. Whether tije ktcal cure thus accomplished,
Aviil. or will not, stoj) the general decay, which pi'occeds
from the united causes 1 have alluded to, will depend up-
on the degree of genera! ii j try that the tree had received
]irevious to the composition haviiig- i)e€n applied, ^ndl
likewise on the iiWin'>'Cr of small branches, or bcugjis,
bioken off; inasmuch uc a iree can receive, in tlic niiui'

316 AFaic^'iTURAD MusErm.

ncrl have doscribed, the same deg-i-.e ofr^ejieral injury
from si'verai brolcen boii«hf:, as it ma;r f^'om iho^ lofs of
one branch of tlie largest dimensions. Wounds of an
uncommon siiie in the, bark of the trmik oi' the tree itself,
have been completely hcaicd hy the same means. ] have
tried this plan on a great number ofdilTerent sorts of
trees, and I have always succeeded, if the composition
wa? properly applied, and in due time : one upplication
of the composition will frequently be quite sufiicicnt, but
sometrces require it to be aj>pli''d more than once. The
elm, w'ii n very vigorous, is, generally speaking, of the
latter description, on account of the great quantity of
sap whicii weeps from its wouuds, especially when the
>voui)dp are of a considerable size.

Oak, beech, ehesnnt, walnut, ash, elm, cedar, fir, asp,
lime, sycamore, and birch trees, are, by an act of parlia-
inevit of the 6ih year of his present Majesty, deemed and
taken to be timber trees ; and by an act of the 13ih of
the king, poplar, alder, larch, maple, and horn-beam, are
also deemed and taken (o be timber trees. The trial has
been made ofi the greater number of these seventeen
sorts, as well as on yev, , horse-chcsnut, and apjde trees,
on various fruit and other trees, laurels, and siirubs.

If it be wished to saw the limb off, either close to the
body of the free, or near to it, great care should be taken
that the separated limb, in fa'ling, does not tear off the
bark from the tree itself This may be accomplished
by first separating from the tree the greater part of the
limb, and thcin taking off tlie remaining stump, and also
by sawing the bark of the limb, completely all around
before the woqd itself is divided, if the limb be a very
large one, a rop.- properly tied to it may be advantage-
ously used, to prevent its injuring the tree at the moment
of its being separated from it.

After the broken limb lias been sawed off, the whole
of the saw cut must be very carefully pared .nvay, by
iiieansofa spoke-shavcr, chisel, or oilier sharp tool;

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM. Sl7

m (1 the i-o;i.'-h ei!:;-.-s of tiie barl: must, in partlcdar, be
iiKide quite hmootli : the doing; of this properly is ofgTtat
cuiisecjuence.

AA hen the saw-cut is completely pared off, the com-
po-.ition hercalter meotion-'d :r.u-i belaid on, hot, about
the thickness of hali a crown, over the wounded place,
and over the edges oJ'the stnioondingbrtik : it should be
spread with a hot trovvc!. Tlic niost co.uvpiiient too] for
this purpose, is a f]-ou el somewhat similar in form to
those used by plasterers, but of a greater thickness
(such as of a quarter of an'inch) in order to retain the
he;i,t the longer.

TIk.; healing composition is to be made as follows : —
Ta'ce, of dry pounded chalk, three measures; and of
common vegetable tar, one measure ; mix them thorough-
ly, and boil them, with a low heat,, till the conijiositioii
becomes of the consistency of bees wax: it may be pre-
served for use, in ihis state, for any length of time. If
chalk cannot conveniently begot, dry bnck dust, vvhicU
has passed through a fine sieve, may be substituted,
J am, Sir,

\ our obedient servant,

STANHOPE,

KEMAIJKS BY THE EDITOR QF THE ARCHIVES.

The composition of Earl Sianhope, is certainly pre-
ferable to the celebrated one by Mr. Forsyth, of lime
rubbish, cow manure, and bone dust, which is objection-
able from tlie nature of one of the ingredients, from tlic
dilikully and trouble in making enough of the last men-
tioned article, and from th:; frequent renewal whicii it
requires, in rainy seasons. Many suppose thnt there is
some particular heaiing or medicinal property in the
composition ; but that is not the case ; its efficacy de-
pends upon keeping out the air and wet, and a.ny other
preparation capable of do:ng that, wUi answer as well as
tl;at of Forsyth. I\lr. Backnal, a celebrated orchardist,

SIS AGRICrLTFRAL MUSEUM.

who bad the care of the king's garden at Hampton^
Court, recommended tar and corrosive sublimate: i
cannot see the uiihty of the lalleringiedicnt.

From THE American Daily Advehtiser.

PEACil TIIEES.

It is a matter of m'lch rei^ret to an observer to notice^
the decaying state of Hie Peach Trees in the vicinity oi'
this city, and the probable lo«;s of tliat charming fruit,
unless some method is fallen on to prevent the ra-
vages of the worm, which is destroy'ng the trees.
This is the time to examine Ihem, which examination
should be repeated again in the month of October.
There is no difficulty in ascertaining whether the trees.
have worms in them, they soon shew it by the ) ell^w
cast of the leaves and the sickly appeaiance of the
trees ; whenever a tree puts on this appearance, by ex-
amining the trunk near the ground, a gln'inous matter
mixed with the excrement of the worm will be found on
the bark, at the surface of the earth oi a little above.
A sharp pointed knife should be immediately u>ed and
the worm cut out by tracing him through the channel*
he makes between the wood and bark, which will gene-
rally be found to d-scend towards the roots.

Various methods have been tried ; apd among the ex-
periments made to destroy the worms, putting ashes and
lime around the roots, have had their tull share of trial
without success. There appears to be no other mode
to prevent the ravages of the worm, but to keep off the
wasp and grey miller, who deposit the egg ; in almost
every instance it will be found that the worm begins at;
the surface ot t'le earth, where the bark is moist and ea-
sily penetrated by the sting of the insect in its winged
state. I may say that it is a ge.ieral rule, with only tliis
exception, that if dead leaves or any similar snl>stance
l)ccomes attached to any linfib. by rctauiing uioistiirG a4'

A&RICULTURAL MUSEUIVt, S)i0

terrain, the bark becomes soft enough and proper foi'
\hc use of the wasp, who will use tliat part as vvel! as near
the root.

The Ibllouing modes of preserving the peach tree
iiave been fouud the most successful — while the tree i»
youn;^-. get ivoixi the jjoLtcrs an eartiien pot, open at botii
ends ; by cv,mprcssiru»- tiic limbs of the uee draw it grnt*
\y over to the ground — sink it ihree or four inchC's be!
low the surface, having it suriiciently long to raise eiglit
or ten inches above the ground, fill tliis up with coarse
dry sand, free irom mixture of joani or clay ; the pot
should be about tea inches in diameter. Where pets can-
not be obtained, dig the earth away from the roots for
about one foot around the tree, and put in coarse sand
behig careful to riiise it in the form of a mound for eight
or ten inches, 'i'he advantages of the sand are that be-
ing of a dry nature, the bark becomes too hard for the
sting of the wasp, and if it succeeds to perforate the tree,
as soon as the worm begins to work, the sand rolls ia
after him and strangles him in his hole, besides these ad-
vantages it is a well known iact, that peach trees always
igrow best in a sandy soil.

Anotiier method which has been found to succeed, is
to tie a coarse linen or matting round the trunks of tlie
ti'ccs, but this will answer no purpose unless the wrap-
per extends three or four iPiclies under ground as well
as above ; to prove this, examine your trees and }ou uill
lind that the seat of the mischief is from the surface to
four or five inches below tiie earth.

Another reason why so many lose their peach trees is
the neglect to trim them ; they grow so very luxuriant-
ly that unless they are projjci'ly trimmed, they quickly
arrive at untimely old age; to trim tlie top into a round
bushy form is best.

As this is the season for budding or inoculation, the
writer of this would particularly advise the budding to
be done on the quickest growth p/z(w6 stocks, which is
th^ most ccrtaia remedy against the worm. Lgt the bud

S20 A Gu : c ULT u i: a l "isi l' s r, u m.

be piTtin alicniiive or six indies from ihc cround, m Iiicli
■vvili prevent in a t;reivt mcasaiu' the evil wnieh uuiy occur
fioni !he peach out gfovviiijj- the plumb stock; ahiiond
slocks will also answer well to put in peach burls

Tlie vvritei- of this would propose the Ibltowinp" qucsti-
on, which he hopes to see ansvvered : What is the best
method of preventing the ravages of the Curcuh") or
sn)all insect, uhicli stings and destroys the fiuil of
our peach and plumb trees just before it ripens ?

A LOVI,R OF GOOD FllLIT.

miKECTlONS FOE RAISING KLAX ON OLD CKO«.rKD.

Fnmitlie ylmcritan Minciim.

Let vourland run over vviih grass, until the month of
Jiuie ; then plough it in, and Auug the grourid with
sheep's dung, or yard your slice}) upon it ; plough it eight
or nine times more before winter. Early in the suc-
ceeding spring, plough it three times more, and at the
last time, plough in your seed Avith some ashes, if } ou
have any ; roll a roller over the ground, to beat it dov\n
hard, and make it smooth.

To impregnateithe ground with nitrous salts, and ge-
nerate proper nourishment for the growth of the flax,
let the ploughing be done early in the morning, before
the dew is off by the exhalation of the sun. Wet land,
where the water s-tands in the spring, or after a heavy
rain, ought not to be ploughed until it is dry.

The ploughing of the land often prevents the genera-
tion of devouring insects. Part of the gi'ound maybe
s )w 11 as early as the season will admit, and the rest at or
near the full moon in May; you may expect a good
crop from both parts ; but if one should fail, you will,
in all probability, have a good one from the other.

AGKlCOIiAKl'S.

PRINTED FOn AND PUliLISJIED BY DAVID WILEY.
"^ • : » - - - - ^ ^ ~

Price .6' '2.50 for twenty four Numbers,
To he I'.ckl ill udiuncc.

THK

AGHICULTUilAL MUSEUM

OMMIJI FERET OlMNIA TELLUS. VIUG.

Vol. I.] Georgetown, Ca. April 21 [No. 9A. j

LUCUBU.VTIONS ON SOil,S ISo. 4.

The mountainous rcgioii comprehendiDg the mountains
iand ihe inlermediatc vullics. is very extensive, and
might undergo a variety of dlvisiotis and subdivisions,
resjiect being had either to the sui-faec, or to the differ-
ent strata of rocks, ochres anrl metals vvhieh here abound,
atiid form the bed on which this whole legion j-ests.
The surface might be divided into giades. slope.s and
valiies, and be styled sand-stone glades, schistous
siopeSj pyritous or calcareous vallies, <Sc;c. as those rocks,
as ferruginous loam or ti!l, or as iron or otber metal
prevailed. Tiiis region might also be called Parent
earth ; because it is the oldest and highest earth of which
all ne\v soils are formed. The soil in this region is
closei", more impermeable and more retentive^ than iit
the regions we Irxvc already described; because the
laws of affinity and gravitation, and the other great
laws of nature acting upon its component articles, have
had time in the immense lapse of ages, to i>ive them
]iarder, purer, and more solid forms. Its sands have
agglutinated and form rocks, its clays have been chang-
ed to ochres, to alumn, and transfoimed in various
ways to other hard substances. What ouce were shells
are here solid rock; its calx and sulphur are converted
into metals, and its liijneous and vegetable substances,
into pit coa! and slate. If it was not for tht retentive and
impermeable properties of these solid substances, and
the adhesive texture of its soil, the obiiqwty and eleva-
tion of the surface, would not permit it to jetain a sulitt-
eicnovof moisture for the purposes of vegetation, and

41

ijl22 Agricultural Aiuseum.

the whole would become :i barren waste. The adhe-
siveness of the soil counteructs the uneveness of (he
suifact-, and is justly proportioned by the liund of" its
bountifid creatov, to the purposes of vei^etatioti. Tliis
region partakes somewhat of tlie qualities and appear*
ancc of the hilly country, and has lost all superlieiul tra-
ces of the alluvial. The rocks, which in the hilly reyioa
only shew their projective points, and can o))ly he par-
tially observed and remotely traced, time having- worn
and carried awa}' all the looser and ligiiter substances,
which compose a large portion of the surface of th" ale
luvial region, and the covering' of the rocks in the hilly
region, has here laid bare, and masses of lock stud the
whole face of this country The earth is also in many
places almost covered with its fiagments, which conunu.
nicate to the soil various qualities, and many tinics
great fertility. The lertility of the soil in this region
depends also greatly upon the fijrm of the surface, as is
easily conceived in so elevated and broken a couritry.
Vallies sulTiciently level ior all the pnrp<jscs ol cultiva-
tion, and of considerable extent, are iiiieihpersed
among the ridges of mountains. These monopolize
nearly all the riches of this counti}-, the nionntams be-
ing too steep to retain them in any quantity. There ai e
portions of this region which, notwithstanding their
great elevation, enjoy a source of moisture and fertility
peculiar to their situation, — 1 mean the glades which by
reason of their elevation, being cooler than the coun-
try below, gather the mists rarrfiud by the heat in the
vallies and on the slopes of the mountains, and are in
consequence, watered duiing the summer months, with
continual light rains and fogs, while the country below
them is parched with diought and heat. Such is the
tract of country beyond Fort Cumberland in Alary-
land, called the Green Glades, which abounds in excel-
lent pasturage. All giades do wot however possess this
^wlvuntagc.

AGRICULTUaAL MUSEUM S2S

Tlic observation made with respccL to the size of tlia
trees in the hilly region, is more applicable to tlie moun-
tainous regoii ; because the soil is still closer, and the
rocks lie still shallower: In some of the vailies however,
where the mould and vegetable substances from the
mountain steeps, have been obstructed and gathered
many feet in depth, trees oi enormous size are found^
The trees which prevail ni this region, are those which
delight in a high, dry, firm sail. These viirv in their
kind and species according to the fertility of the soil in
this region. The growth of the mountain steeps is ve-
ry different from that of the dry vailies. On the steep
sides of the mountains and purchcd summits, stunted
oaks and meagre starveling pine is the prevailing
growth. In the vailies you find all kinds of oily nut trees,
of hard wood, viz. hickory, shell bark hickory, white
wailnut, haz;?ie nuts, also ash, beach, wild cherr}-, ma-
ple, po};lar and locust, which last prevail most in calcai-
rcous vailies.

My opportunities v/ill not allqw me to assign to each
kind pf tree mentioned, the part of this region in which
it most delights. This much is ascertained, that thej^
prevail more in the mountainous region than in the
other regions already clescrihed.

"X'S^ith these ^^^w generalizing observations upon the
classification of soils, and with this imperfect description
of the regions we have enumo'ated and attempted to
bound, I shall leave that part of the subject, and go
on, in my subsequent niunbcrs, to complete the promise
■which I made in the preliminary remaiks to this essay.
If 1 do not so regularly hereafter furnish my numbers,
1 hope the busy season of the spring wiii palliate my
omission. Sylvanus.

NOTE.

J first hazarded stating the idea of trees succeeding
each other in consecjucnce of the change of the soil, in
my second number and afterwards as the subject of trees
ocui'rcd^ upon my ovv^i obscrvatio;3 and the observation,

hfsome old men of my acquainiaiico. A I'-w days a£fo,
J for the first time, met with the memoirs of (he Phila-
delphia Agricultural Socict}', which fiom various sour.
ces ami high Agricultural authority, estahlishcs the fact
in a manner, not to be douhted. The honorable Ri(;!)ard
l^eters labors the stilyjcct handsomely, and !)as collec-
ted a great variety of letters and extracts to prove the
oircumstance. My idea of the regular, gradual and nui-
form course of nature in the change of soils, being the
j^reat and leading cause (though eeriainly not the only
ca^use) of the succession of trees, seems not to occur to
Mr. Feters or any of his highly intelligent correspond-
ent?. He labors to prove by the analogy of trees, the ne-
cessity of a succession of crops. 'I'his no doubt is sound
argument, and amongthe best modes of establishing the
iiecessit}' of a change ; but let the change be made with
eound discretion according to the nature of the plant and
of the soil.

]lcre follow some Extracts on the subject, very much
in point, to prove the Succession of Trees.

Extract of a letter from Johh Adlujj, Esq. of Havre
dc Grace, Maryland, dated Sept. 16, 1807.
" As to your query respecting a rotation or succes-
sion of forest trees, 1 am as well satisfied of it in my
own mind, as if I had lived to see the whole change
for centuries back , and althougli it may be dlfiicult ilo
give the information that may be satisfactory', 1 have no
doubt that I. could convince any person as to the fact,
were he to travel over the country with me. 1 first took
tlic idea in the summer of 1788, when I was surveying
lands south of the great bend of Susquehanna, between
that river and the Delaware, in what is called the beech,
and sugar maple country. Jn the cour.«c of my survey-
ing, 1 traversed some places consisting of a few acres
each, growing red and white oak trees of a!i enormous
^ize, none being less than 1() feet in circumference, five
feet above the ground, and generally from 40 to 50 feet
10 the branches; some few red oaks were 22 feet in

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM. S2f

circumference, and the wlilte oaks 20 feet rounfl. I was
struck with astonishment to mee.t a few trees of the oalf
kind, considering that I had not seen any for some weeks
After discovering; the first few. 1 kept a look out for
more snch ph^ces, and as well as 1 can remember, 1
ibund two more of the same kind, conlaininii^ trees of
the same enormons si^e. The places mentioned^were
near the heads of the Sjsqnehantia and Delaware; and
where the streams were small, 1 invariahly found small
bodies of very large hemlock (pinus Abies Americana)
trees (the prevailing timber) near those places ; the re-
piainder of the trees consisted of beech, sugar maple^
with a few white walnut, white ash^ bi-ch; &c. but no
oaks."

In those parts of the country where the prevailing
timber consisted of sugar maple, beech, and birch, 1 ob-
served large trees growing as it were on stilts, their roots
being three feet above (he ground, which trees undoubt-
edly grew on old logs that had either fallen with age, or
had been thrown down by hurricanes, and had rotted
away from th.e roots of the tree§.

" The chimps of oak and hemlock arc generally in
the midst of, or sur!-nunded by, large bodies of beech
and sugar inaple, and mixed with some ash and a few-
wild cherry and hemlock trees. In' some parts of the,
country, tiie prevailing timber is still hemlock on the
sides of the hills and along streams.

" From the circumstance of the great size of all the
oak trees growing in the spots noted above, it appears
to ine that most of the high country, including the head
watersof the Delaware, Allegany, and Genessee rivers,
%vas originally an oak conntry. The hemlock appears to
have succeeded the oak, for there is still a considerable
quantity of that timber over the face of the country,
but fro n th- number of logs of it lying on the ground,
and its vi^^ibl- decline, I think the beech, sugar maple,
Sec. succeeded the hemlock, as they are (he prevailinj: (im-
bcr at present. The timber that api)ears to mc will take

52€j ACRIOfULTURAL M US EUJJ.

place of all others in the country before mentioned ig
the white ash and will cUirry, fori observed that all |)la'
ces where the woods Iiavc been blown down by hnrri-
eanes for a number of yeai's back, the youti^ growth
consists principally of those two kinds of trees, and the
largest saplins of them which I saw, were six to nine
inches diameter. I suppose that the appearance of tho
latter trees commenced between twenty and thirty years
back, counting from 179i or 1795, There are several of
thase wind falls in the remote parts of Pennsylvania and
New York, near the line dividing the two States ; they
are generally 1-Sth rarely 3 4ths of a mile wide, and se-
veral miles in length, and in every one that I saw. and
that did not appear to have happened more than from 20
to 30 years back, the ash and wild cherry were the pre-
vailing timber."

Extract from a publication of Rembrandt Peale.

" Many of the cavities between these knolls are dr}',
others are in a state of ponds, but an infinite number
containing morasses, which must originally have been
ponds supplied by springs which still flow at their bot>
toms, and filled in the course of ages with a succession
of shell fish, and the decay of vegetables ; so that at pre-
sent they are covered with timber, 2ind have been so with
in the memory of man. An old man, upwards of sixty,
informed us, that all the difference he could remark be-
tween these morasses now, and what they were fihy
years ago, was, that then they were generally covered
WITH FIRS, and now with beech. This was verified by
the branches and logs of fir which we found in digging.

" Judge Peters corroborates the fact in a variety
nf ways. Among other things he says, " My son also
brings to my recollection, that when we surveyed the
tract, called in old times the pine Tract, in Northampton
county, a great number of ash trees were intermixed
with the present growth of oak and hickory."
Pr. Caldwell observes, in a letter to ,Tudge Peters. " The
ibllowing fact I believe to be well known to many of tho

AGUICULTURAi: MUSEUM; 325^

mos.t iH'putable inhabitants of New Jersey. Certain
tracts of that state are covered entirely with forests of
pine. If these be cut down, and the land not put im-
mediately under cultivation, they are succeeded in a few
years by a plentiful growth of young oaks."

I feel gratified in being able to adduce such strong
auxiiliary testimony.

SYLVAN us.

OK ma:nures.

As manures cannot always be procured in sufficient
quantities to dress all the land the farnrer would wish,
1 will jnit him in a way, from my own experience, by
\\hich, with a few shillings, and a little labour, he may
dress an acre of land, or as many as he pleases.

In sands and gravcl>, buckwheat ploughed in while
green, is a good dressing. The land should be ploughed
in the fall, and laid up in ridges, to bring the land into
a fine tilth; harrowed and ploughed in the spniig; and
in the beginning of May should be sown with a bushel
and a half of buckwheat, and harrowed in. In July,
when in full bloom, it should be well rolled and plough-
ed in, in broad lands. When this is done, there will
some appear above ground, between the furrows, that
the plough did not cover. Tliis must be stuck down
with an iron instrument, hke a paddle or paving sho-
vel ; and let it lie in that state for a montli.

In this time it \vill smoke so as to be seen a great way,
like a dunghill, and as it is a green dressing, it will
quickly rot in the ground. 'i'Le next ihiiig is to hai row
it in; then plough and sow wheat in bioad lands. If
you have a good crop of buck-v\ heat, it will be a good
ileessing for three years.

This great improver of {and is such a friend to the
farmer, that if its value uas more generally known,
this method would be more practised.

Clover ploughed in, is a good green dressing. Ypu
•muy mow t^q (if it e^op ; anU if you have a good second

^^ AGRIC'JI.TUUAL MVsr.V.M.

crop, do not be afraid of {iloiT^hhig it in, as it wili fallj'^
repav you in your ci'op of wheat. It should be lolIcTt
and pl(>uf>-hed in t!)e same way as (he buck ^\ heat. Ai'tt'r
it lias lain some time to rut, you mav Inirrow in
your wheat, for it should not be plouijlied again as
directed for the buckwheat.

Thorough ploughing, in a j?;rcat measure, supplier
the want of manure, by keepiUii the e;nlb in a bjosc
state, ready for the reception of atmosphrriciil inHufMicc,

It is much more profitablie to increase the Iruitfuhiess
of land by tillage than by dung ; because only a cer-
tain quantity of dung can oftentimes be had, the pro-
duce of ten acres, beiiig scarcely sufficient to dung oiie;
whereas the particles of the earth may be divided and
subdivided. The benefit that can be procured from dung
is therefore limited ; whereas, no boimds can be set td
the advantages which arise from tillage:

Mr. Evel}', quoliug Sir Hugh Piatt, says, that if you'
take a certain quantity of even the mo>t barren earth
you can find, reduce it to a line povvder, and expose it
for a year to the vicissitudes and changes of the sea-
sons and the inlluenees of the heav -ns, it will iicqaire
such a generous and masculine pregrianey, within that
period, as to be able to receive any foreign plants from
the farthest Indies, and to cause all vegetables to pros-
per in the most exalted degree, and to bear their fruits
as kindly with us as they do in their natural climates,.

We are to suppose these foreign plants to have their
due degrees of heat and moisture given them. To
what shall we ascribe this great fertility ? To the
great division of the particles of the earth, and the
multiplication of their suriaces.

By thus pulverizing the earth, adds he, it is found
that soils may be so altered from their former nature,
as to render the harsh and most uncivil clay, obsequi-
ous to the husbandman, and to bring forth roots ami
plants, which otherwise require the lightest and hol-
lowcst mould. [Pennsi/l Fdyincr.

AGRICFLTURAL MUSEUM. S29

Hichmond Agrlcidtural Socltiy.

At a meeting of the Hichmond Society for promo^
liog- Agriculture, held on ihc second instant :

The corresponding Committee, who were required
hy a resolution of the last meeting, to make a report
specifying the jiarticular objects to which the attention
of the Society should be directed, and the best means of
obtaining information thereon, did, in conformity to the
said resolution, submit to the Society, a number of
queiies; which being read and considered, were, after
some amendments and additions, approved, and ordered
to be published.

They arc now published, under a hope, that the per-
sons qualified to give information on any of the subjects
to which they relate, will consider themselves as indi-
vidually called on to communicate to the Society, for
H\e public benefit, the results of their observation an"
experience.

The object of the society is to collect from every
quarter and to diffuse all the information which has a
tendency to promote the Agriculture of Virginia.
It is well known that there are in various parts of this
state, individuals distinguished for their industry, skill
and success, in the cultivation of the earth. Know-
ledge however can be imparted by oral communication
but to a i(^w ; and the beneficial influence of individual
practice, however judicious and profitable, must be ecu-
fined within very narrow limits — To remedy this evil,
the society proposes to collect all the practical Agricul-
tural knowledge of the country, and to convey it to the
public in the way which may be deemed most conducive
to the general wellare. In this undertaking they call
for, and confidently expect, the aid of all whose studies
and labors enable tbem to add to, or improve the public,
stock of Agricu!tni-a! information.

CEOr^GE HAY, gec'ry.
AprilT, isn.

330 AGUICULTURAL ML'SEUM

QUEUE

1st. Tlie best mode of restoring worn out land, lilling
up gnllles, and bringing it in o,rder for the plough.

2nd. The best rotation of crops in which fndiuii
corn, wheat and clover are included.

3d. Do. In which tobacco, wheat and clover are inclu-
ded.

4th. Do. for a sandy soil including Indian corn.
6th. Do, for a clayey soil including wheat.
6th. The best rotation of crops, for new lands, with
a notice of the particlar soils.

7th. The bet^t mode of preventing lands under the
plough from washing.

8th. The comparative advantages and disadvanta-
ges of the two systems, that of inclosing for the purpose
of excluding stock, or keeping a large stock — which will
produce the greatest annual profit, and which will tend
most to the improvement of the soil.

9th. The best method practicable on a large scale, of
bringing exhausted lands into a condition to bring clover.
10th. The best mode of clearing new land, and bring-
ing it in order for cultivation.

11th. How are broom straw old fields best brought
into cultivation ; how is the broom-stravv most effectu-
ally eradicated, and reduced into manure.

12th. The best rotation of crops for river low
grounds, in which wheat, corn, and clover arc included,
loth. Is there any ameliorating crop that can be <'ulti-
vated between a corn and a wheat crop with advantage.
14th. The comparative advantages and disadvanta-
ges of wheat and tobacco as the principal crop, taking
into account, in each case, the distance from market.

15th. Whether Indian corn can be cultivated year

after year on the same land with advantage, and to what

species of soils is this mode of cultivation best suited ?

IGth. The best method of preparing land for Indian

corn and cultivating it.

17th. The most effectual mode of protecting Indian
corn, after clover lay, from the worm.

AQKICULTURAL Ml SEUM S31

18th. How is wheat most effectually protected
agai'nt the Hessian fly.

19th. The advantages and disadvantages of deep
ploaghir.g, and what soil is it best suited to ?

2O1I1. Do. of Ccultering.

21st. The comparative advantages of fall, winter,
and spring, ploughing for Spring crops.

22nd. A rotation of crops in which annual legumi-
nous plants follow Indian corn and precede wheat.

23d, Which is the best preparation for wheat, a
fallow or clover lay.

24th. The best method of securing wheat against
the weevil.

25th. Is there any annual leguminous crop that can
be cultivated to advantage upon a large scale in a ro-
tation of crops.

26lh. Can Barley be cultivated to advantage on a
large scale in a rotation of crops — To what soils and si-
tuation is it best suited.

27th. Which is to be preferred, winter or Spring Bar-
ley, and in what parts of the country.

28lh. On what lands and in what courses of crops
can oats be cultivated to the greatest advantage.

29th. What varieties of \\ heat are prcfeired in any
particular district; to what soils are they respectively
best suited.

30th. Do. as to Indian Corn

31st. A notice of the diseases of wheat that arc
most injurious, the preventatives and remedies.

33. What species of grain is found to exhaust Lands
in the greatest degree, and a comparative estimate of
the expence of cultivation and product.

S3 in what sods and situations can Rye be culti-
vated to the greatest advantage ; in what mode, and
in what rotation of crops, and what is the most profita-
ble application of it.

31th Will Uye yield a profit if sown in the Autumn,
and fed ofif in the Spring ; and to what species of stock
is it best suited ?

533 AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM

35tli. The soil and culture that arc best suited to hemji,
the expence and product,

36th. A detailed account of the whole manac^enient of
hemp, from the preparation of the gi-ouiid to the di cas-
ing it, and preparing it for market — an estimate of the
expence and product.

37th. Do. as to Flax.

38th. Ditto as to Cclton.

39th. The best mode of draining swamp lands, and
converting them into meadow.

40th. How are watered meadows best formed, and
what soils and situations in the middle and lower coun-
try can be improved in this way with advantage?

41st. Is there any method by which lucerne, clover, or
land under tillage, can be watered with advantage, in
those districts of country ?

42d. Are embankments practicable on an extended
scale on the larger rivers, above or below tide water,
and the mode of forming them ?

43d. What green food is best suited to cattle in the*
winter, and early in the spring, which will best answer
the expence of cultivation?

44lh. Have lucerne, saintfoin, vetches or cichory, been
cultivated by any person to a considerable extent, and
with what success ?

45. Ditto as to cabbages, parsnips, carrots and pump-
kins, in a course of field cultivation for the use of cattle.

46th. What soils and situations are best suited for
turnips ; which is the best mode of cultivating theni
for the use of stock on a large scale; how are they
best preserved, and which is the best a[)plication of them.

47th. Which is the best method of securing a large
crop of clover Hay.

48th. To what kind of stock is it best suited.

49th. The forming and management of timothy mea-
dows ; will they succeed in the lower country, and un-
der what circumstances.

50th. Are there any other meadow grasses that are
to be preferred to timothy, and in what soils.

AGniCULTUUAL MUSEUM 333

M-^t Will btirnct answrr when cultivaftMl on nn ex-
londcd scale ; what soils is it best suited to ; how is it to
be cultivated, and what is the best application of it.

52n(l 'i"he comparative advantages and disadvanta-
ges of the use of horses and mules in husbandt}-, and the
soils and situations to whiLli they are respectivelj best
suited.

53d, Do. of horses and oxen.

5Uh. The best' preventatives and cure of the dis-
eases among horned cattle called the bloody inui rain —
the history of its origin anil progress in this country, and
whether it is more contagious in one district than another.

55th. The causes and cure of the disease among
Horses called the yellow water — Is it contagious, and
under what circumstances.

56th. Tlie diseases of sheep how arc they best guard-
ed against and what are the i-emedies.

■ c.STih. The best breeds of cattle, sheep or hogs in
any particular district, are t'aere any situations to
which they are better suited than others — and is
there any particular system of management to which
t'.ie different breeds are lespectively best suited ?

58th. The best means of increasing the stock of sheep.
To what soils and situations are they best suited?

59th. The most advanlageous mode of raising and fat-
tening hogs within inclosures,

60th. Will the practice of shutting up catde, and sup-
plying them with green food in the growing seasons, in-
s;tcad of turning them out to pasture, answer in this
country? Has the experiment ever been tiied, and to
what situations is It best suited?

62d. The most beneficial application of Plaster, and to
what soils it is best suited.

Gist. The quantity of plaster sufficient to manure
an acre — How often should it be repeated ; with a spcci-
lication of the soils to which it has been applied.

63d. Is there any species of fossil manure that can be
found in large quantities in the Middle Country, and
that can be used to advanrafje.

• Sol AGRICULTTRAL MUSfiuai

64th. Is rnaric (properly so called) to be found in the
upper country, has it ever been used as a manure, and
vith what success.

65tli. Has marie ever been used in the lower coun-
try. Have the strata of shells that abound there ever
been found beneficial as njanure ?

66th. Will Green Crops raised and turned in by the
plough improve the land, and will the improvement be
equal to the expcnce — What plants are best suited to
this purpose, and the m'^de of cultivation?

GTth Which is the best method of turning straw, and
corn stalks into manure ?

68tlv How is the greatest quantity of manure to be
obtained from Stock in the winter, due attention being
paid to keeping them in order?

60th. Is the practice of folding cattle and sheep in
the Summer, on the whole, advantageous or otherwise,
and what are the particular advantages, or disadvan*
lagesofit, as wellwith reference to the stock as the
land • to what soils is it best suited ?

70th. The best application of manure in a rotation of
of Crops in which wheat and indian corn are in-
cluded.

71st. Do. where tobacco and wheat are cultivated —
due attention being paid to the nature of the sojI in each
instance.

72nd. Is manure applied with most advantage in a
fresh state, or after it has gone through a fermentation ?

73d. The best mode of raising large quantities of ma-
nure from fattening Hogs— Can straw be used for lit-
ter in large quantities without injurj' to the hogs?

7ith. Are farm pens for stock in the winter on the
whole beneficial, and what is the best plan for construct-
ing them?

75th. Does plaster when combined with other ma--
nures remarkably increase their effects?

The best management of Orchards

76tli. Do. of a Dairy Farm— is the Dairy a profita-
ble object to be attended to on a large scale, and in
what situations?

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 335

77th. \Vhclher Arable Lands can be converted into
grazing iurais with an increase of profit and in what si-
tuations ?

78ih. The kinds of ploughs that are used in differ-
ent districts, are there any lately introduced that have
pecuHar advantages, and what arc they?

79th. Do. as to Threshing Machines, Waggons,
Carts and Implements of Agriculture in general.

80t!). The best juodc of extirpating the Wild Garlic,
and other troublesome weeds.

81st. What improvement can be made on our pre-
sent inclosurcs-^Can live hedges be raised, from what
plants, and will they form a sufficient fence — To what
soils and situations arc they best suited ?

82nd. A source of any improvement in husbandry or
the management of rural affairs in any district.

83d. Whether in any particular part of the country
the system of husbandry is improving, and in what
the improvement consists?

S-14h Do. whether it is declining, and in what respect

The quantity of seed, wheat and other sjuail grain
proper for an acre, witii a reference to ihc soil and time
for sowing. Do. of Clover Seed.

[Enquh-c}'.}

Numerous as arc the above Queries, the greater part
ef them are neverthelest; highl}' important. It is hoped
they will attract the attenlion of tiie jiractieal Farmers
and Planters of our Country.— The Editor will be happy
to afford a place to fheir Lucubrations in the JgricitUu.
red Mu&eum.

POTATOES

Preferable to a Summer Fallow for Wheat.
Kxtract of a letter from the lievd. Samuel Austin, of
Worcester, to the Editor of the IMedical and Agricul-
tural Register, dated Worcester, (Mass.) February
24, 1806.

" There is one species of husbandry, not in general
;practice^ in which I have made some experiments with

335 ACr.ICULTURAI- INIUSEUM

considcinhlc success ; tliat i^, to suhstitute a crop of po-
tatoes ill the room of a sumincr fallow* as a preparation
for Wheat. Wheat is doubtless the best ai)d most pro-
iitable grain tliat can be raised No species of vegeta-
ble adds so niucli ornament to a connti-y, and none af-
fords a more essential or gratefid part of that arnneiit by
which human nature is preservotj. TIk; potatoc also is a
valuable root. For the hoi se it is an excellent and iieallh-
ful substituti^, fur the green grass which he crops in his
summer pasture, and seems nearly indispensable to be
united with his dry winter iodilcv, to picsci've him from
those diseases to which he is so exposed in tlic cold
season. Every intelligent farmer knows its value for
feeding his swine, his sheep and l>is cattle; and no.
crop is more sure or more easily I'aiscd ; none is so
plentiful. Warm, loomy land, and such is the greatest
part of this Commonwealth, well maimred, will yield
three hundred bushels to the acre. They may be taken
off, if planted in -season, by the middle of September, and
the ground will be in the best situation to put in im-
mediately acrop of wheat. This is altogether better than
summer fallowing, and the crop of potatoes is a clear
saving. I have in this way, ha.l 25 bushels of most ex-
cellent winter wheat on tin; acre. 1 have now a piece
of land under wheat according to this mode of manage-
ment, which is ol so promising an appearance as to be
j'lOticed with special attention by my neighbors. — The
land ought to have an early fall ploughing, if under a
])inding swaid, and the potatoes should be hoed twice.
Tf this mode of agriculture shoidd go into general prac-
tice, die probability is, that it would add materially to
the prosperity of our countr}'.

* bummer tilling; or letting land rest from one crop
without being seeded.

pi:iNri:D roii and ruBMsiiED by david wilev.

I'rice >3 2.50 foriwcntij four Numbers.
To be vvJil in advwice

TEE

agricvutjjraIj museum.

OMNIS FEUET OMMIA TELI-US. VinC.

Vol. L] Georgcloiun, Cu. Ma?/ 8. {No. 22]
For the AgricuUuval Muicum.

6N the CULTUllE OF FLAX.

Havi^jg observed several articles in the jSTusenm, on
the Cuitivation of Hemp, and ils prepuratiju by the
AglicLihuvaiists to render it iiiarketabJo, 1 send you iii
»ielail die Masuigemeiit of ihe Fiax Crt^p 'in the ]Nortli of
.England. Wiiether the same cour.'ie is pursued there,
Vviih that followed by the Irish, or in Germany, i cannot
say — or even whether the one I litive observed be
among tl}e best; yet, as it is followed in a district of coun-
try where the manufacture of linen (particularly the
strong and serviceable kind) is carried on to a consiu'-
erabie extent, it may therefore be liot unacceptable to
some of your readers.

A deep and rich loam, or that kind of soil wliich often
marginates rivers, and appears to have been formed l)v
the deposition of their waters, is generally preferred to
all others for this crop ; and indeed it is seldom found to
answer the farmers expectation when so\\ n upon other
land. L.and which has iaia for some years in grass is ac-
counted the best; it is not unf'equently, however, sown
upon arable lanil, when th.e soil is good, dry, and friable,
and free from weeds, 'i'hc kind cultivated is the linuni
iisitatissimum, and of that variety tej-med the blue or
lead coloured. Whether sown upon land that has been
in grass, or upon wheat stubble, it seldjai receives
more than one ploughing; allho' good management
would direct that if sown on arable, or cultivated land
it ought to be well pulveriiied and fvced from weeds
by a jjrcvious fallow. The land is seldom if ever nia-
iiurcd immediately for this crop, probably from tlie fear
of introducing ;i ficib tlock of wccc!;:= so delj-uneinui

OiO AGRlCUnTT'KAL WUSEUMc

and injdrjoas to it. The time of sowin;i- is Mav, tl:c
particular time depending nuieh upon the season, iind
state of the soil, which should neither he wet nor (hy,
but when the surface can he reduced as lino as that ot'
a garden bed ; every ciod the size of an ego- ou«ht
to be broken, for much of the value of the crop depend-
ing on the regularity of the seed vegetating, too much
attention cannot be had to weed on })ntiiug it in. Two
bushels of seed are usual/y sown upon an acre —
the seed covereci by the harrow, and in some cases, the
larger lumps or clods, iirc by garden Or hand-rakes
drawn into the furrows. Weeding is an operation w hicii
ought to be, and there, is caretuily jjerfoimcd, and on
^vhich much depends ; hence the cai e as to (he state tlir
land is iti, which is sown with the crop, A dry season
after sowing, sometimes causes the plants to come
up in two crops, in which case, or when by mismanage-
ment the crop is too thin on the gi'ound, it is irrepara-
bly injured; for such is ilie nature of this plant, (hat
%vherever it stands uncrowded, at the root, wherever it
taiscs its head above others which surroiuid it, it shoots
out lateral brar.ches, and loses its upward tendency.
The goodness of the crop on the contrary, depends up(fR
the plants rising evenly witli only one stalk or stem,
from the root to the seed; for at whatever height it
ramifies, there the length of the line or flax fibre termi-
liates; the branches being worked off in dressing.
A full and even crop upon the ground, is therefore
desirable, to obtain which every due precaution is ta-
ken, such as sowing a full quantity of seed, harrowing
the land fine, and breaking those clods, which cause
the scc:ds that fall upon (hem to rebound, and form a
circle round it, leaving a vacancy in the centre, which
encourages an early ramification in the plants. Hence,
arises the disadvantages from a second vegetation,
Avhere those plants which are most forward, overtop the
others, shootout their side branches, which injure (he
under growth, as w^ell as the i)lants which bear them.
'J'hc young plants being very tender;, and liable tj)

AGRICULTURAL, llUSEUIVr. 3il

he injured by Spring* frosts, will cause the Cultivator to
he more attentive to the advance of the Season, than
the time of sowing; judging, as it is prudent in mauy
other cases, by the progress of vegetation in trees, or
shrubs which are slow in foliating. Should not the crop
of Flax promise well at the time for weeding, the farmer
seldom bestows that expence upon it; believing it better
to sow the ground in Turnips, or some other crop, which
the season admits of being substituted in lieu thereof.

The flax crop is tliere usually fit for pulling towards
the end of the month of July, or early in August, some-
what depending on tlie quality of tlie Flax wanted. The
line being best when the Flax is pulled after the seed is
completely formed, but before it is ripe. If the Flax is
sulYered to stand until its seed is matured, it is of an in-
ferior quality ; the fibre is harsh, and the linen manufac-
tured from it neither bleaches with the same facility, nor
acquires the same degree 0/ whiteness with that pulled
earlier.

They reap, or more pr op ci]y pull the Flax, by grasp-
ing the full sized plants in one hand near the top, and,
either pulling them up, or breaking tl)em off near the
roots; the olher hand receives the handiiils as pulled,
until as much is gathered as both hands qan hold. Some
of the short or underling Fldx is then pulled, and formed
into a band for binding these small sheaves. After this
the small shet^ves are collected together and carried to
the watering pit, in which they are comjiletely immersed
and trodden down, after which they are covered with
sods or turf of grass, or any liiing which will admit of
lacing loaded, for the purpose of keeping the Flax cover-
ed by water. This is a process which requires great
care and management, for if it is sutYercd to rise above
the surface of the water, the quality of the Flax is con-
siderably injured. The time which they suffer Flax to,
lie in the pit depends on the state of the weather, lliQ
Ivind of water, or other circumstances. It must lie un-
til the stem is rotten, but whilst the fibre of the bark
remains uninjured, which requires frequent tiials OT

31,2 AGRICUT.TrnAL T.lUSEt;-M

handlings, and, as it is said, much skiil to ascertain: in-
deed they !=:iy that lonu^ practice alone can enable a per-
son to jndge eoj'roctly on this point. In that climate
however the steepin«2: usually continues about ten clays i
sometimes exlendins: to a fortnip;Iit. .

From the pit in which it has been ptccpcd, ihc Flax
is removed to a meadow, from which ihe grass has
been recently cut, where the sheaves ai'e iinlied and the
FIox evenly' spread, soao to cover about as much ground
as it was raised upon. Here it is sniVcred to lay until
the woody substance of the stem, separates freely from
the filaments of the Flax, the latter remaining uninjur-
ed. Ijenee this process termed '' rating" hke that ol
stcejiing depends much upon the weather, requiiing the
daily observation of a!i experienced Flax grower, to
ensure the maximum of success. Should the weather
be unfavorable to the drying of the Flax when suffici
ently rated, which is Irequcntly the ciise in that moist
cliitiate, itis gathered into small conical Iieaps, resting
on its butt or bottom ends to dry. After tliis is effected,
U is carried to the barn or other place where itis secured
from the weather.

In preparing the Flax for the market itis necessary
to separate the woody j)art from the filament, or exterior
covering of the plant, of which the Flax consists. This
is by an operation termed swingling, well known in coun-
tries where Flax is raised. In the jiart of England refer-
red to, it is generally performed by persons following it
as a business, and who travel from place to place for tliat
purpose: and as they are generally well skilled in the
rjTiaiity of the article; they are also employed by the
farmers to superintend both the" steeping and rating'*
of the crop. To effect this process of swinghng, the
stubborn stems are first mangled or broke in an instru-
ment called a break ; after which the woody part is se.
parated from the long fibre by beating it over the edge
of a stout board or slab, with a kind of wooden broad axe
or sabre, formed instrument ; and from time to time
drawinsT out the tow, or broken ^laments by pican'j of a

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUXff. 313

coarse Jicclvl^. By this alter?iate use of the swingling^
ktuTe, and lieckle. most of tlie woody fragments, tilers
called shive or sbivei?, are ^ot out, part of the tow or
broken filament removed, and the article got into a
ptafc, lit for the Flax dresser and folded into bundles
for sale,

FrankliK;

Wheat has for many 3-ears been a verj" considerable ar-
ticle of husbandry in the United States. Its impori-
ance is daily becumin^ more manifest — the culture of
Tobacco is every where giving way to it. — It must,
Ihereforf, be highly advantageous to the Farmer to
ohtain every information that will tend to render his
labours most effectual. With this view the followins:
letter and cbservalioas on the diseases of yvheat; Jir©
selected fron the Farmers Magazine.

ON THE DISEASES OF WHEAT,

SIR

The unfiiyorable idea eniertained by Sir John Sin»
clair, in the result of his inquiries respecting the
^ausc? of mildew and other diseases in wheat, in so
far as the same are attributed to the heavy manuring
and full seeding of the ground, occasions me to trouble
you with this lette^*.

It may justly be considered as a truism, that he wlio
sows sparingly, will reap sparingly; and wliatever
ideas may be entertained, in theory, respecting muck,
it has, in practice, been invariably found the great
desideratum for rendering fields permanently fertile.
Lime, marl, shelly s^nd, and vill calcarous substances,
tiavc powerful effects on their first application; but when
repeated, unless accompanied with vegetable manure.,
p?-nve but feeble em ichei-s of exhausted ground; and ac-
cordingly, it i'; an object of the first importance with
every jjraciicrJ farmer, to increase the quantity, and.
impiove thf> (juality of this mo^t v.aluable artide, as

314 i.GMcrLTURAt MrsEtna

much as possible. As pverv essential good may he peiv.
vert.'d to a bad pu.pose> there is no doubt that excess m
dung or seed has at times proved hurtlul ; but where one-
acre sufters from iretting too niueh of either; a hundred
acres suffer from receiving too little. It must be (jbviou*
to every attentive observer, that, were the manura
labour aad seed, w'lich, in a large proportion of the coun-
try, are sti etched over too great a breadth of groir d,
confi led to two thirds and, in miiny places, to one hali*
of the extent, the fields wou'd be much more productive-
than they are; and it is owing to the over frugal manner
in which manures of all sorts are generally administered,
that so many weak crops, or rather effigies of crops
appear, and lands revert so rapidly to their former
Hinproductive state.

A s the disorder which befel the wheat crop oflast seasoa
was uncomrflonly str;king and severe, it is no wonder
that the feehngs of true patriotism were roused^ and
every possible method tried to investigate the cause of
the evil, and to find out an antidote againsi, its malignant
attacks in future In such cases, however, great cautioQ
is a,lways requisite, lest by endeavouring to avoid one
evil we fall into a greater. Thin light crops, are with;
out doubt, less liable to suTcr by heavy rains and moist
cloudy weather than weightier ones ; but would it, oq
tills account be advisable to regulate our cultivation by
such a standard? Certainly not ; at any rate, so far as
my observation went, the thin light crop of last seasoa
did not escape more than the heavier ones. The diminu-
tive heads on wea,k stalks, as well as the larger ones
on stronger stalks, in parts of fields where the crop was
thinner, were no better filled then where the crop was
close and weighty; a striking instaticc of which occurred
in one of my fields of about fourteen acres, where, from
Tariety of soils, and different preparations, both descrip-
tions were conspicuous. Eleven acres were sown on
the 16th and 17th October, after potatoes and drilled
beans ; and three acres on the 22d and 23d February
fallowing, after turnips. Eight bushels of a particbUat;

ACmCUtTURAL MUSEUM 34i^

small NTarlety of London seed was sown on about two
and a half acres of potatoc ground, and also seven bushels
of Kentish seed en potatoe grouud adjoining that sown
with wheat from London: the remainder of the ground
being seeded with Kentish wheat once sown in this
country. The plants from the London seed bairded
equally, and as soon as they appeared above ground
fuily satisfied me, that, through the inattention of my
servant too much seed had been given. The crop
being obviously too thick, and screened on the west by
a low hedge rov/ of trees was lodged soon after shooting ;
and, as the head was sliort, small and soft, even when
cut,' I laid my account with a poor return, and gave up
all thoughts of trying the produce as seed for next season-
It was however, carelully kept by itself, and threshed
out in February, when, to my astonishment there were
twenty six bolls two firlots of marketable grain, and
six fn-lots of an inferior quality. The produce being so
raoch abov« exj>cctation, 1 was induced to sow a boU
of it after turnips, as a further trial next season. The
seven bushels that came from Kent being sown of a
proper thickness, yielded stronger stems, and lodged less,
than the former ; but, though apparently a better crop,
■did not return so much by two bolls per acre; and as for
the produce of the rest of the field, it came three and
a half bolls short per acre, whether after potatoes or
beans; that after beans being more soft and shrivelled
ihan vvhiitvvas after potatoes, though it had the advan-
tage of the deepest soil, which had been equally well
dunged as the other parts the preceding year. Indced-
^he most gravelly and thin parts of the soil, in every
lield which I inspected, iniifoi-mly produced the hardest
iiead, and best filled grain ; and is a slro'.ig proof of the
little c^ect the di ought had in promoting the malady, as
well as the little re nef to be obtained by thin sowing,
or withholding manure In my field the produce in
iurnips was better in quality, though less in quantity than
^fter potatoes, but fally more than after onllcd bcacrSi

3-i.G 'AGRICLLTURAL MUSEUM

The singalar phenomenon of whole fields in paiiiculai-
liistricts being instantaneously depiived of vegetation,
appears from manj cireumstanccs, to have been occii-
siori.'dbjthe clcctrifi fluid wlileli the clouds at that-
period emitted in remarkable tjnantities ; particulaily
when we reflect that no other means, hiiherto experi-
enced was competent to that effect, except frost; anrl it
is evident that frost could not have accomplished what
took place, without manifest injury to, if not total destruc-
tion of various other kinds of crops, especially potatoL-s*
which though liable to damage from even slight degrees
of frost, escaped without the s?nalles't blemish. As to
the partial injury which the wheat crop in general experi-
enced, it seems to have proceeded from an excess of
unfavourable filling weather, as a continuation of easter-
ly hazy fogs never fail to retard tl;c filling process, at
times partially to arrest conception and maturation, an4
to bring rust and a dusky hue On all plants not in vigor-
ous growth, which afterwards become a prey to aniraialt^
that take possession of tiiam. Heavy showers have the
samecflect; and, oven in moist cloudy weather, grahi
is never fully matured. These causes combined, continu-
ing to operate for several weeks as was the case last
season were surely suflieicnl to accomplish (excepting
the mortal blow alluded to as proceeding from electricity)
all that took place without the aid of fungi maggots,
&c; which seemingly were conequences rather than
tjauses of disease. Neither does it appear that much
could be ascribed to the efl\;cts of putrid efiluvia arisii)g
from the gi*uund. flowever ingenious this thcoiy may
be, it is not quite consonant with the sound, orthodox
doctrine usually noted in the Farmer's JVIagazine,
The probability rather is, that the meliorated state of
the soil from being moistened after a long period of
warm weather, luid yielded an excess of nutriment in
a dv-grec someu hat similar to what prevents the filling
of grain growing on dunghills, as well as the rank tufts
often seen in fields, neither of which ever fill perfectly.
In all these casc5, the impediment so obviously owing

AGRIcyLTURAt aiJJSElTMl Si7

io excess of Tioiuislimcnt, as the grain is always better
vv worse ll!lc(i, in j)Foportion to the degree of luxuri-
ance thil appears. Besides, did (lie failure in these in-
stances ojigiiiate fiom pestilential vapours, how could
the suiTou!Klini^ corns escape ? And if the smoke tlrat
arises iVom the j^round, when yvaimcd and moistened,
•^vas possessed of deleterious powers, what would be
the fate of tender barids in the months of May and June,
■when more of that vapour appears tlian at any other
season of the year ? Even the blotches, lust and fungi,
seen on- exuberaut foliage, ^eem as likely to be formed
h^,' the action of the atmosphere upon the exudings and
perspiration of plants, as is observable upon plants dur
ling severe frost, as fiom 9,ny vegetative principle di aw-
ing cxistance from plants, la the case of last season,
much of the mischief has been ascribed to drought, from
the crop being thereby effected before the commence-
«r.cnt of rains. Nothing, however, came within my ob-
servation, nor has taken pluce since, which warrants such
a conclusion ; the giaiu on the driest parts of :.ll fields
in this neighbourhood having been better filled thaa
those on deep earthy soils. Oats sutler sooner, aiid
;uore, by he^it, liian any other grain; and yet vvc
^ud those raised on the driest ground meal best.

A great degree of luxuriance is always unfavorable
to the filling of gra-n, us superabundant nutriment, by
too highly fostering the stems and foliage, not only
postpones the stage of filling, but retards tl^e process
of the sap or mucilage in its conversion into graiji.
Few seasons have been moi'e favourable to vegetation
than the months of May and June last. Crops of all
kinds throve in an uncommon manner ; and at t[)e end
of July, when the rains began to fall, the heated ground
became so ameliorated by the moisture, as to yield nu-
triment in no small degree detrimental to the matura-
tion of grain. This circumstance, and the long continu-
ance of most unfavorable weather afterwards, were;
abundantly suflicient, without the aid of putridity, to
effect all that cams ta i>as3. JBcsides, the u/ured fitate f^

m

AGUICULTURAL MUSEUM

most fiber plants at that period, tcnJ> groafly to fon-
lirm this opinion ; for, had this supposed putrid (jnality
existed to any extent in the atmosphere, other phmts as
■well as corns, would liave lolt its baneful oiTecls.

It is wortliy of notice, that (:xce;;sive luxuriance sel-
tloni proves advantageous to the crop ; aiul thnt is ofien
])romoted by a friableness in tlie so;!, or a volatile qual-
ity in the manure — th.-nioh neither of thetn, nor even
both combined, are adequate to the production of
wciii'hty crops, while other pi-cparations operate re-
versely. Theory has too iTiueli influence in forming-
systems, without attendini;- to their bearlngfs arid con-
sequences. The long; partialily shewn in favor of clo-
ver len, as a pi-eparatory step for u wheat crop, and
ti.c antipathy entertained against potatoes as ?
cleaning crop, are proofs that farmers arc too often
misled by improper systems and incorrect o])itiions. A
wheat crop alter clover, especially if the clover was
sown with a crop, for which the land had not been
summer fallowed, rarely succeeds ; and if it does suc-
ceed, th.e benefit gained may justly be reckoned inferior
to what mig!it have been obtained from taking a crop
of oats ; whilst the soil will, in the latter case, be in a
much more superior condition. With regard to pota-
toes, I am glad to remark, from the communications to
Sir John Sinclair, that, it appears juster notions are
now prevalent as to the utility of this crop than form-
erly. Wheat after potatoes is found less liable to dis-
ease than after fallow or beans, and equally productive.
The experience of l)a!f a century, every year of which
I have sown wheat after potatoes, enables me to speak
witli precision in favor of that mode of culture, having
rarely, if ever, observed, that in following it, imperfect
grain was obtained, whilst in four instances out of five,
the produce was greater than procured in any other
Avay. The straw of all grain which succeed' potatoes,
especially that of wheat is peculiarly clean, stiff and
touijh, standing tlic inill m.uch better than what is raised
jji any ether melhod ; hence it is plain, that wheat aftci'

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 3i9

potatoes, continues in a heaithy state, when othci'
wheat is diseased uiuJ debilitated; and of course the
culture of potatoes must be viewetl as one oi" the best
preparations for wheat with which we are acijuainted.

1 have long regretted, tiiat iVoin potatoes not keeping
over one season, the culture of that vakiabh^ root
shouhl have been less i'oilowed than other crops ; but, 1
flatter myself, that now when unfavorable prejudices
against them are wearing away, tlieir cultivation \y\'\
be considerably extended, not only as a preparatory
seed lor wheat, but also as food for horses and cattle.
Along with rata baga, I hope that potatoes will soon
be used Wi' supporting farm stock, dui-ing the winter
and spring nionlhs, to the great benelit of tiie animals,
and the advantage of their owners.

Before i tinish, aliow me to state that the bad crop oi'
wheat, in 17^9 caused the woolly eared variety almost
entirely to be given up ; since wiiich t!ic smooth chatifed
sorts have been generally used. I have doubts on the
propriety of the change, because the woolly earedkind
had long been in vogue, and was considered to yield the
greatest produce. The foliowing fact perhaps merits
some attention. A seed rncix-hant in 180T, sent me seven
bushels of English wheat, which was sown on part of
a nine acre held that lay at a distance from ray resi-
tlence. This Held had not been inspected during the
foggy and rainy weather at the close of last summer i
but when viewctl afterwards, the part sown with Eng-
giish wheat, which turned out to be of the woolly cared
variety, distinguished itself at half a mile's distance,
by presenting a dark dusky appearance, the chaff be-
ing much blackened ; notwithstanding these circum-
stances, the crop ^vhen threshed, yielded plumper grain,
with less refuse, than what was obtained from the r^st
of the field ; which, after aii, might in seme respect, bp
owing to the cha.nge of seed.

I q.[v., yours &c.

Mid Lothian, 1809.

\^ AeniciLTunAi/ musec'M

Rtmarks hy the Conductor of the farmtr'a Ttj'agazhie'.

With much respnct for our worthy frJond, Mr. T, S*
B. w'lose sentiments on Astriculturc rarely iliiTer from
tliose uniformly maintained in this work, ue are m 6\i'
iy bound to notice one or two passages in the above
interesting' and valuable communication ; thinkitig, that
when making them, his wonted consideration was
asleep, and of course that our good friend had neglect-
ed to estimate the bearings and consequences of what
he stated. In the first place we must allude to his com-
ments on what we lately urged, respecting the causes
of the calamity which affected the wheat crops of last
eeason. That unfortunate calamity we always viewed
as produced by atmospherica,! influence ; and in particu-
lar, we considered putrid etlluvia, or pestilential vapour,
as the chief, though not the only agent of the mischief so
v^idely and extensively sustained. It must be confessed
that we do not observe any thing advanced by Mr. T.
S. S. much calculated to produce a change of our senti-
ments. He, indeed, men(ions another agent of mis-
chief, namely, electrical fluid ; and on this point we are
atone with him, because the air when filled with electric
fluid is never in a healthy state, but when an excess of
nutriment is assigned as a cause of failure, we feel an
jnclination to shake our head and crave leave to remind
our good friend, that the period was arrived when the
growth of the parent plant had ceased, and that the
young and tender grain needed only mild and kindly
iveather, to maturate and bring it to perfection. With-
out reflecting upon these things, our good friend ar-
gues the point as if wheat plants were capable of
growing forever; else, why does he assign excess of
food to the roots and fibres, as the cause of mortality \o
the grain deposited in the cups of the ear; which is
neither more nor less than saying that the crop was
killed by a surfeit. Again he supposes if excessive
heat, surrounded by excessive moisture, produced
pestilential vapour, that other grains could not have es-
caped That other grains suffered as weH ;^s wiicat^ \<i

ACRIC Ur. TUBAL TavsTxisi 33^

■Veil known. Our good fi-ieud also supposes, if vapour
or eftluvia posscses deleterious powers, that the vouDg"
bt'uid of grain would be cat off in May or June, whea
more of that vapour appc;irs than at any oilier peri-
od of the season. To this we answer, That vapoer
prodnc;-] in May or June, cannot have the same effect
"with lliat produced in Jrily oi- Aug-ust, because the heat
is not ih.en so great ; consequently, when succeeded by
heavy rains, the atmosphere cannot possibly be so
niuch contaminated But without laying any stress on
this point, it is maintained, that thougli the crop when
young, ma}' not receive injnj y from putrid effluvia, (per-'
baps, on the cqntrary, it is thereby much benefited) it
will always in a g'rcater or lesser degree sustain injury,
if the atmosphere is filled with such vapoTlr, when the
grain is in an embryo state ; and that the extent of the
injury will be regulated by the age or strength of tho
young grain, and the length of time in which the at-^
mosphere continues sickly and unhealthy. The truth
of what is maintained, is fully confirmed' by what
happened last season to the wheat crop; every iield in
the easter-i counties of Scotland, those on the sea shore
j^nd upland districts excepted, having suffered in one
respect or otlur, whilst fields on the shore, where the
beat was moderated by sea brceaes, were very little
atTected. Even wheats in the uplands were fully as
good as usual. Now if electrical fluid and excess of
nutriment occasioned the failure, unfortunately now too
well ascertaiiied. how comes it about that the influence
of these causes was not felt as decisively upon the sea
shore as in the internal districts ? That they were not
so decisively felt is well known to every man who has
attended public markets ; and can only be accounted
for, by a reference to the cause condescended upon
in this and former papers. After all, as the disease
which affected wheat last year was of an abstruse na-
ture, it is highly probable that more agents than one,
were concerned; and tliis may be admitted without im-
pugning, in the slightest manner^ the opinion given b^
'p.s oji the subjects

*^33 Acr.lCUL TiJnAL MUSEb'SJ

The method o.f cleansing: Silk, woolen and Cotton Good^

>vithowt damage to the texture or cofour.
[From the Transactions of the Society of Arts, &c.]
TAKE raw potatoes, in the state they are taken out
of the earth; wash them well; then rub them onagrater
oveT a vessel of clean water to a iine pulp, pass the liquid
matter throut^b a coarse sieve into another tub of clear
w.ater ; let the mi .xture stand till the fine white particles
of the potatoes r ire precipitated; then pour thcmucilagi-
no-ns liquor for use. The articles to be cleaned should
then be laid up /on alinen cloth on a fable, and having
provided a cle aij sponge, dip the sponge in the potatoe
liquor and aj ^piy the sponge thus wet upon the article to
be cleaned, a j^d ,-ub it well uponit with repeated portions
of the potat Qg liquor, till the dirt is perfectly separated ;
then wash tb^ article in clean water several times to re-
move the 1 ,6<jse dirt ; it may afterwards be smoothed or
dried.

Two ' /niddle-sized potatoes will be sufficient for a
pint of ^ater.

^"^ tPv'hite fecula which separates in making the mu-
onagn ^^^g liquor, will answer the purpose of tapioca,
^'^'"i" Bake an useful nourishing food with soup ormilk,
or s ^i^e to mak« starch or hair powder.

Che coarse pulp, which does not pass the sieve, is of
S^ G^i service in cleaning worsted curtains, tapestry,
^' Mrpets, or other coarse goods.

The mucilaginous liquor of the potatoe will clean all
tfjorts of silk, cotton or woollen got^ds, without hurting
the texture of the articles, or spoiling the colour.

Jt is also useful in cleansing oil pai'atmgs, or furniture
"that is soiled.

Dirty painted wainscot may be cle.i^ned by wetting a
sponge in the liquor, then dipping it in ;i little fine clean
6and, and, afterwards rubbing the wainscot therewith-
Various experiments were made b^ ^^^^- ^Morris, in
the presence of a committee, at the s< jei;Cty's house; the
whole process was performed before them upon fine &
coarse goods of different fabrics, and t »thcir satisfaction.

Columbian Jgricitltural Society.

At a meeting of the Staadiag: Committee of the Co'-
iumhiixiv Agricultural Society, it was orclei-ed,

1st. That the general meeting of the Society to
be hekl in Georgetown on the 3d Wednesday ei' May-
lust, be held at the Union Tavern at \cn o'Clock A. M.

'2nd That ail articles of Madnnfaeiure, to be exhibited
for prcaiinms, on that day, be delivered to the- Se-
cretary at his House, or such place as he shall dii^set^
on the evcnip.g preceding the <Jay of exhibition, before
S o'clock ; each article being marked or numbered, aa
the owner or exhibiter may think proper, and accomv-,
panied with a sealed letter, similarly marked or num--
hcred, and containing the name of the owner or exM--
blier.

3d. Tliat all the cattle to be exhibited for Premiums-
be delivered to the Secretary or his agents, before 0^
c'cloci^c on the morning of the exhibiiion, and at such,
place as shall be prescribed.

4th. Tiiat John IMason and .John Tbrelkclcl toge-^
rher with the Secretary, be appointed a Committee af
Arrangement to procure a suitable place for the Exhi-
bition of Manufactures, and proper Lots and Encb-
sures for the Cattle ; to provide and distribute Tickets
for the admission of Members of the Society and their
families, and such other Ladies and Gentlemen as they
may deem proper, and to do and direct such other things
as may be judged adviseable, previously to the exhibition.

5th, That George Calvert, John Cox, Nathan Luf«
borough, John W. Bronaugh, and Tench Ringgold be
appointed Managers for the day — And it was

Resolved, That no [iremium shall be adjudged to
any person, if the judges shall not consider the Animal
or Article exhibited, of such quality as to merit pre-
mium.

And to afford still further encouragement to Farmers^
«ind Manufacturers, it M'as Resolved, That all those who

t36€ A(iRlCL'LTURAl AlUSEUl:ki

tiiay have for sale. Cattle. Sheep or any articles of
l^omcstic iManufacture, be invited to bring them to the
Exhibition — that convenient opportunity be afi'otdetT
to exhibit them to pubhc notice — that standi, pi oner irt-
closures, and other accommodations, be pr viucd lor
<1icm, and that those who choose it, have ihv. benefit of a
public Auction, on the evening of tiie exhibition, and
on the succeeding day and at an early hour; it be-
ing understood that the Auctioneer be paid by the sel-
ler, a moderate percentage on the amount of all articles
actually sold, and that the owners be at the expence of
provender and attendance for their Cattle and Sheer,
The Standing Committee then adjourned to meet
again at the Union I'avern in Georgetown, on the
morning of the General Meeting and Exhibition, at 9
o'clock.

David JVilet/y Sec'ri/:
Georgetown, May 6th, 1811.

Arlinjiton Sliecu .Shcariiirf.

The anniversaiy of the Arlington Sheep Shearing
on Tuesday the 30th of April was attended by a nume^
rous and respectable company of Gentfcmen, of whom
several were from a distance.

The exhibition w as held in a large circular arbor,>
including a smaller inclosure, appropriated to the judges
and strangers.

The Premium for Cloth of Domestic IManufacture,
was adjudged to Mrs. Ann Sowden of Prince VVilliauj
County —

The Premium Cup for the best Tu;vLamb, was adjudged
to John C. Scott, of Strawberry Vale, Fairfax County;.
a>id the Prize for Ewes, to Daniel iNl'Carty Chiches-
ter, of Fairfax Cjunty, all of Virginia.

■j'he patriotic efforts and hospitaiiiy of Mr. Custis, on
iWiti occasion, are entitled to the greatest credit.

i'RlNlOD FOii AND PUBLISllF.D BY DAVID WILEY.

A*i-lce .^' '^.50 fur twenty four I^unUicre^
Ts be fUia in advance^

•THE

AGEICULTUIIAL MUSEUM.

OMiNIS FEUET OMNIA TELLUS. VIRG.

Vol. I] Georgetown, Ca. May 22. (No. 23.]

For the Agricultural Muicuni.

5-;5v »>^ <«< ««.

Lucubrations on Soils No. 5.

In the rorogoint»- cursor}' observations upon tl:e suR-
ject of soils ill general, ue lui\ e \\ ilhout much loss of
lime, Iravellefl from the Sca-boatd to the Glades on the
top of the mountains, and with a bird-eye view, vvc have
-traced the ridges and mounds, and a few of the most
conspicuous, and strongest lines, or natural boundaries,
which iioiit the prmcipal regions of soil. I pretend
not to a thorough or scientific knovvlcd^xe of the sub.
ject , my ohjcct is to invite and point out the \^'ay to
proper aiid useful i-etlections on a su!ij>-ct the most im-
portant to ma'ikind. The descriptions given, arc such
as wil! apply to the formation of lat)ds in all parts of the
globe Yet, the foi-egoing observations refer principal-
ly to all that portion of land w'lich lies betsveen the
mouths of tlie rivers emptying into the Chesapeake bay,
and their sources at the loot of tlie Allegahany. \Ye
have shewed in what manner, the rivers and waters by
their perpetual action, and tlie great laws of composi-
tion, vegetation and decomposition, aftinity and gravitati-
on have foi'med, and are unceasingly changing and ma-
king land, and that time is the great executor of all
these laws. Although these great principles are so
very gradual and slow in tlieir operation, that the span
of a man's li;e, are to the great works oi nature, only
as an hour — yet, I thought it necessary, before I intro ■
duccd the dissertation and analysis of the chymist^

'36G AcnicuLTunAL museum.

upon soils and plants, to prpnii^e a short Irart cxplana--
tovy of the fuMdamcntal laws of naturo, which are thu
primaiy cause of the changes and variety of so'Is, with-
out a knowlerlge of which, as full and clear a compre-
hension a-^ the subject will admit, at this time, could not
be had. We have also set bounds to soine of the prin-
cipal regions of soil, and 'jhowa that the surface, ele-
vation, and position grnci ally, to say nothing of other
causes, form material diUcrenccs in soil and protlu'-e,
suflicicntly distinct characteristic traits ou which to
bottom a system of classificatiop.

I will now, according to the promise made in my first
liiimbcr, proceed to a more minute and spccitic des-
cription! of the soils most comiionly found, shewing the
analysis and composition of fertile soil, and the food of
plants, taken a'most wholly from Kirwan and tiie most
approved chymical writers. At the same time 1 will
shew the general position of the kinds of soils descri-
bed in the regions heretofore spoken of. Preparatorj*
to this investigation, it is necessary to settle accurately
the meaning of the names and distinctions of soils, ele-
mentary earths and manures, intended to he used ; as the
terms used by Agricultural writers are frequently very
vague, and have different meanings in different places
and countries.

I shall adopt the distinctions and denominations given
in the first chapter of Mr. Kirvvan's treatise on manures
and soils, as follows:

T I'ld considered as the basis of vegetation is called

b <ds consist of different combinations of two or more
of the four primitive earths, namely, the calcareous,
(which sometimes he calls mild calx ) magnesia, argill,
and the silicious. For a more accurate description of
these I must refer to books of mineralogy, and
shall only remark that by calcareous earths, are meant
chalk, and all stones that burn to lime. They are easily

AGRrCULTTRAL lUUSEUIJ, 357

(listln^uislied by their property of effervescing with
acidj.

' Magnesia is never found alone ; its distinguishing
character consists in aifording a bitter salt, generally
called Epsom salt, when combined with the vitriolic
acid.

Argill is that part of clay to which this owes its pro-
perty of feeling soft and unctuous, and of hardening in
ii:-c; it is diiiicultly solubie in ac;ds, and scarce eveL*
effervesces with them. When combined with the vitri-
olic acid, it forms allun.

SUlclous Ecu th is often found in a stony form, such
VL% flint or quartz, and still more frequenll}' in that of a
very fine sand, such as that whereof glass is made. It
does not effervesce, nor is it soluble in any of the com«
mon acids.

To these we may add iron, i:i that imperfect state
in which it exists when reduced to rust, and commonly
called calx oi iron. ;

Clay is of various colaur;^; for, we meet with while
grey, brownish red, brownish black, yellow, or bluish
clays, it feels smooth aud soiJTt^whatuiietu.tus : if moist,
it adheres to the fingers, and if' sufiiciently so, it be-
comes tough and ductile ; if ^l^y, it adheres more or
less to th:' tongue ; if thrown into water, it. gradually
diffuses itself through it, and slowly separates from it.
It does not usually effn-vesce wiUi ;^cid3 unless a strong
heat be applied, or that it contains U few calcareous
particle?, or magnesia. If heated, it hardens and burns
to brick.

It consists of argill and fine sand, usually of the si»
"Vicious kind in various proportions, and more or less fer-
ruginous. The argill forms generally from 20 to 75
per cent of the whole mass. The sand and calx of irom
the remainder. These are perfectly separable by boilr
ing i!i stron.<x vitriolic acid.

35S AGRICULTl'UAL MUSEUM

Chalk, if not very impure, is of a white colour, mo-
derate consisteiicc, and dirty surface, stains the fin-
gers, adheres slis^htly to the tongue, does not harden
wljen heated, but on the contrary, in a strong iieat
burns to Hme and loses about four tenths of its weight.
It effervesces witli acids and dissolves almost entirely
therein. I shall also add, that this solution is not dis-
turbed by caustic volatile alkali ; as this circumstance
distinguishes it from mtigncsia — it promotes putre-
faction.

Sand. By this is meant small loose -grains of great
hardness, not coliering with water, nor softened by it.
It is generally of the silicious kind and therefore inso-
luble in acids.

Gravel differs from sand chiefly in size ; however,,
stones of a calcareous nature when small and rounded^
are often comprehended under that denomination.

Lnani denotes any soil moderately cohesive: that is,
less so than clay, and more so than loose chalk. By
the author of the Body of Agriculture it is said to be
a clay mixed with sandj

I do not conceive that clay and sand alone, can proper.
ly be called loam, '^itEiout a portion of decayed vegeta.
ble matter which tits i-t for vegetation, and makes it less
heavy than pure clay 'and sand In this last sense I have
used it, and cannot but think it correct.

Clayey Loam denotes, a compound soil moderately
coh( ^ive, in which the argillaceous ingredient pre-
dominates. Its cnherence is then greater than that of
any other loam, but less than that of pure cla}'. The
other ingredient is a coarse sand, with or without a
small mixture of die ca! areous ingredient It is this
whi^ii Farrn'M's generally call strong, stilV, cold, and
heavy loan in proiortton as th.; clay abounds in it.

Chalky Loam T^iis loam indicates a loam formed
Qfclay, coarse sand and chalk; in which, however, the

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 3o9

calcareous [nq^rcdient or ciialk miicli predominates. It
is L'ss cohesive than claj ey Iop.dis.

. Sandy Ijoam denotes a loam io wlii^h sand nr'^domf-
natcs — it is less coliercnt than either 0^1!;.; ab.rre nion-
tioned. Sand partly coarse and ;)artlj- ilne, forms from
80 to 90 per cent of Ih.is coinpouiul.

Cravelly Loam differs i'rom the last ordy in conta'n-
in<j a lai'oer mixture of coarse sand or pelibles. Tl^is
and die two last, aic genera!!}' caiied by farmers, li^jht
or hungry soils, particuhirl}' when they have bat liUic
depd) — They arc propcrlv so called when the cli-dk,
sand or gravel preponderates too much, so that it vvdl
not retain a suuiciency of moisture, not otherwise ; for
gravelly loams and sandy lonms are often found very
fertile and durable ; for instance, the best tobacco lands
in Maryland.

Fcrrnginons loam, or till. Th Is is generally of a dark
brown, or reddish colour, and much harder tlian any of
tlie preceding. It consists.of clay aiidealces of iron more
or less iniimately mixed. It may be distinguished not
only by its colour, but also by its suj-erior weight; it
sometimes effervesces with acid?, and sometimes not ;
when it does, niueh of the iron\' part may be separated
by pouring it, when well dried, into spirit of salt, from
which the iron may aiterwiuds be separated by alkal^
or chalk — akin to this are certain vitriolic soils, which
when steeped in water, impart to it the power of red-
dening syrups of violets. Tliesc are generally of a blue
colour, but redden when heated.

Boggi/. Soil or Ijoggs, consist chiefly of ligneous
roots and decayed vegetables mixed uith cai th, most-
ly rrgillaceous, and sand and u coaly substance, deri-
ved irom decayed vegclablos.

Of Boggs tiiere are two sorts, ihc black, which con*
tains a large propoiticn of clay, and of roots njore per-
fettiy decayed, with mineral oil. In the red, the roots
seem less perfectly decayed, and to k>'. m a princnpal
part, S\LVANU5,

[ To be conlinned.]

360 AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM.

OBSERVATIONS ON" STEAM ENGINES.

From the Aurora of \2th Sept. 1810.

It was in the year 1773 or 1771, thirt}' five or six
years since, I (irst discovered the principal of my im-
provemcDt on stean engines, and about twenty seven
years since I discovi'red the means of applying it, to
thepropelHng boats up the Mississippi and other rivers,
and carriages on turnpike roads ; ever since that disco-
very I have been endeavoring to persuade those inter-
ested to apply those principles to the said purposes, I
have travelled hundreds ofmiles to see different ingenious
men, to engage them, but none could be found willing to
riscjue the exnenee. In the year 1786 1 petitioned th.c
legislature of Pennsylvania; they supposed me deranged,
and 1 met from them no encouragement on the subject.

In 1787, I petitioned the legislature of Maryland, and
they granted me an exclusive right in that state for 14
years; this patent expired before I could do more than
try several experiments. In the year 1801, 1 began ta
make a steam engine on the principle, ior a plaister mill,
it, with the experiments 1 had to make, cost me .-^^3,700,
a sum hardly earned, and illy spared at that time^ al-
thougli I succeeded perfectly.

In the year 1802 or 1803, captain James M'Keever
and Louis Valcourt having been in Kentucky, a letter
which 1 had written to a gentleman there, explaining
how my improvement would apply to steam boats, in
the western waters, agreed to construct a steam boat,
to ply between New Orleans and Natchez, The cap-
tain superintended the building of the boat, and Mr.
Valcourt came to Phildelphia, and in the fall 1803, had
the engine constructed at my shop, while I was at the
City of Washington, and they met at Orleans, fitted the
engine to the boat, ready for experiment — but the water
had left thorn high and dry, not likely to raise to float the
boat in less than fcJ months, they having expended about
•^" 15,000, their money was exhausted, and they left in a
tad dilemma. Air. Wm. Donaldson of Orleans, luvnirhcd

AGRICULTUaAL MUSEUM 3&1

Ihcm witli money, on condition they wonkl take the
engine out of the boat, and apply it to (h'ivc a sawmill
tliere, to saw tini?)er ; this tlic\ did, and began to saw
2000 feet of boards in 12 hours, when incenfMarics set
fire to their mill and reduced it to a'-hes — Thus failed
the most noble enterprise ever undertaken by individuals
Uider similar circumstances. They have bolli written
to me frequently, that tliey were confident that the pow-
er of the engine was quite sufiicient to have ensured
success in proprllin;;^ the boat, and they entertained san-
guine hopes of being- yet able to put the principle in
operation, but the noble enterprising spirit of captain
iSF Keevcr has left us, to rest from trouble ; he died while
engaged in getting his engine up again to saw timber.

in the year 1804, Dr George Hunter of Philadelphia,
Jiaving seen m}' little engine, G inches diameter, and 18
inches stroke, driving 12 saws, sawing stone, had repre-
sented the same to Mr. W. Donaldson, of New Orleans,
Vvliich had induced him to order one for to d]"ive 4 saws
to saw timl)er. This cnginf' arrived at New Orleans a
few days after MKeever and Vaicourt's n)il! was burnt,
also another from England, of the same power, arrived
the same dzy.

The two companies of workmen set out, each to get
tlieir engine to saw. Mr. Donaldson's has been going
about three years and six months, driving at first three
«;aws and a pair mill stones, now four saws and the mill
stones, sawing dail_v their task of 3 000 feet of boards
in 12 hours, and at the same time grinding 5 bushels
corn per hour. The boards sell now at 45 to 50 dollars
per thousand feet, and the mill clears in profit 20.000
dollars per year, say C0,000 dollars ; wiiile the English
engine is said t*> have cost 60 000 dollars, and yielded
Tio j>rofit, owing principally, to its using so much vvaicr,
that the well will not supply it, and the diiiliculty of at-
tending and keeping it m order, so that the difference
between tiie two establishments at this day, appears t»
lie very great indeed in point of profits.

3G2 ACUICl LTURAL ML'SLUM

Can Eiiglibl) ep,'.^inecrs believe thi^, when they are
informcil that the cylinder of this ci gine, is only nine
inehfs in diamcici-, the stri.ke of th> jiiston tliree feet.
]f tliey could beiicve it, they would ae'knoulcdj^c that
my prini'ip!o. is t!ic only one now in use, suitable for
propelling boats vp the ?dissispj"ij)i^ as well as jM-cfora-
b!e for every other purpose.

Truly there has not been this enirine's equal; for it is
ten times as powei'ful as the best Eng-lish engine, of
equal dimensions, and so simple in its structure, that,
an Irish weaver, employed to a-, sist in constructing it,
became master of every part of th.e work, and can build
one as <:ood, aad alte;ui it as \\ rll as any nan. It
has no equal excepting" one whose cylinder is 9 2-10 in
di;'.meter, and 3ft. 2 in. stroke, uhieh 1 have sir.ce ap-
p!i(>d to grinci grain in litsburg, in eo w'ilh ^]r. Owen
Evans, who is among the first willing to lisl: hiis mo-
ney on a new thing ; v»ith this engine 1 would engage
to grind 480 bushels what in tucnty-fonr hours.

\\ hen 1 reOect on the expenee of time, labor and
noney th.at it has cost me, the many difiicnlties J have
met with, in getting this improvement into use, one eal.
culated to render this country more benefits than any
other yet made — When steam boats on the Mississ![»i
t-hal! become as numerous as other ciaft on the Dela-
ware. j)erformii]g a voyage in 5 dajs, which now re-
rcquires thirty, moving with |>ower from 100 to 500 or
more men — When 1 view the progress I have been
able to make in 27 years, and find the minds of many
as firmly shut against the hghl as ever, 1 am astonished,
and believe, 1 am justly entitled to both the honors,
and profits, of my nnprovemcnt, if any is ever to be
received.

1 have been agitated between hope and despair, res-
pecting the application of my improvements to boats
on the jNlississippi, during my life, which was originally
and always my principal object, and next to it a steam
mill iu Pittsburg; the one is accomplished, and su wili

AGRICULTUilAL Mt-SEUM 363

ihr othrr bo, as soon as t]]c principle ;-fha)I bo lipplied. I
have waited a.s an r.unihle j^iippiiant petitioner, on Coii-
grcs*!, for two Vviiole sessions, endeavoring to induce
th Mil to extend the time to patenteer?, whieh would en-
aljle them to draw to theii- aid nionied men, this is not yet
done, Init the prospeets have brightened.

On Sunday, 2Gth Airj^ust last, I passed in the Phoenix
steam boat, from Philadelphia to Bristol, about ^;^venty
miles distant, and was highly delighted to find my hopes
so far realized. She mijved in.ijestical!y through the wa-
ter [lussing row boat-;, will) such riiiiidity tliat it was
^'ain for tliem to attempt to board, if they fell astein ;
oi'i'ering a safe, commodious and cerlahi passage to trav-
ellers, against wind or tide.

I was, however, sorry to Pnfl, in conversation with
Mr. Stevens, sou of .iohn Stevens, es( . tlie ow.ier,
tliat he did not appear to l»e fiilly convinced, that there
\vas one thing still wanting, to enable him to stem
the rapid current in the Mississippi — viz. th) rpp'i-
j-alion of the irresistible pow^-r of elastic stjam, when ir-
is sufficiently confined, iroiii which \ve may obtain any
power we may want, and keep it up, t/) work, the engine
with very little more expense of fuel.

The application of this j)rlneij)ie to my engine is what
I have patented, the use of whieh having been explocied
as unconlinable, ungovernaltle, chsadvanlag^ous, and dan»
gcrous, for one hundred years pas'. It was not known
and used before I discovered an error in the rule forcal-
cuhiting, and a true rjie for ascertaining its power t:>
burst the boiler, & the thickness of tiie ir«»i: necessary to
hold it, arranged an engine, and a])plied it successful]}'.

The principle of confining and retaining tlie steam, t)
gain power, save fuel, to lessen the size and weight of
the engine, to simplify it by rendering a condcjiser unne-
cessary in most cases, and to lessen the qu ntity ^i water
iiecessary to work an engine thereby to fit it for bo;:ts, or
carriages^ also m;lls to be set any where on wells^ was

364 AGalt;U^LTURAL ilUSEUif

become free to he patented by any one who could make
the discovery, so useful, and so much wanted.

Tbey have, however, abandoned their tube boilerg,
which they patented one year aftet* my principle had
been steadily in useful operation, and have followed me
and copied my engine, so exactly, that they have the
identical same form of boiler, consistin*^ of cylinders of
strong sheet iron, 3 feet G inches diame'er 1<S feet long-,
to contain the water and steam, with Hues to puss the
fire through them, that i( may generate the more steam,,
and save fuel. This being the form recommended by
me in my book, explaining the principles, and the ap-
plication of my im})rovements. They also apply a
forcing pump, which becomes necessary in using the
principle, to supply their boilers with water, so that
they have my form of engine in upc, and are prepared
to use my patented principle also when tliey need it, and
can by these means treble their present power with
safety, when they please, which will enable them to as-
cend the Mississippi 50 or GO miles a day, by day light,
and to excel all other steamboats with engines of equal
dimensions.

I do not know whether they mean to infringe my pa-
tent right in full, or to obtain my licence to use my prin-«
ciple, which (to encourage the enterprize ) I would
grant at a low price.

I have, at great labour and expense, prepared my
works to construct my engines, for those who may want
them for any and every purpose, and if there was no-
thing else to recommend them, their simplicity is well
worthy of notice, they do not use more than 1 40th or
1 .50th part the water, ajid consume much less iuel than
others, are less liable to be impan*ed, are easier under
stoud and attended, occupy less room, and vvili apply to
every purpose for which steam eu'i^ines are uselul, and
when applied to boats, will pass all other steam boatS;
as they now pass row-boats,

OLIVER KVA.N>6i

ACKICULTURAL itfUSBWiU V^Qu

TO DESTROY CATERPILLADS.

Asthe season is arrived for tlieinsccts which produce
the canker worm, to quit their wintry abode, and ascend
to the apple trees, it may not be amiss to pubhsh a fe\v
observations and experiments on the subject.

A neiglibor of mine observed an article in the papers
of the last year, advisinijto inclose the trunk of the trees
with a narrow bag made with linen cloth filled with tine
salt; but he not having any cloth suitable for the purpose,
used a substitute, what the farmers call swingling cow,
which he twisted into a large string and long enough to
go round the body of the tree, putting in salt as he twisted
it up, so as to enclose the tree with salt, about two feet
from the ground— this tree was loaded with fruit in the
fall of the year, while the other trees in the orchard ap-
pearedas if a fire had passed through them; which experi-
ment, 1 think, goes far to establish the fact, that the salt
used in either way will preserve the trees from the rava-
ges of the canker worm.

The caterpillar or bag worm I am confident may be
prevented fi-om injuring the fruit of the aj)pie tree, by
placing a turf in a crotcli of the tree. 1 tried it in a num-
ber of trees in my orchard the last season, and there was
none of the worms to be seen on them through the sum*
mer; but one tree which I neglected, 1 found when the
worms were about half grown, was like to be injured by
that pernicious insect. 1 tiien destroyed as many of
them as I conveniently could and applied the turf, and in
a few days there was not one to be seen on the tree.

Another neighbor of mine informed me that he had a
couple of plumb trcres in his garden, standing some dis-
tance from each other ; in the summer he found that one
of tlieni was covered with bag worms, and recollecting
the advertisement which recommended the use of the
turf, he applied one to the infected tree, and the conse-
quence was ih^t they (eft that tree and took to the

othtr.

M RcpifhU<mm

36i> AGlllCULTURAL MUSEUiM

Coktmhian jigricultitval Society,

»»»>-><«< ««

At a general Meeting of the Columbian AaricuUiiral
Society at Georgetown, on Wedncstlay the loth inst.
their Exhibition was held in a pleasant grove, \\\& pro«
perty of Thomas Beall of George, Esq adjoining IN] r,
Parrofs Rope Walk, when the following Premiums, to
be paid in plate with suitable devices, or tlic amount in
cash, were awarded, viz.

Premium 1 — To the value of Sixty Dollars: For the

best two toothed Ram Lamb, of the fine wooled breed;

Adjudged to General John ^^AS0N, of Analostau

Island, District of Columbia, for his seven-eighths

blooded Merino Ram, Potomac Chief, of the

breed of Col. Humphreys' Hock.

Premium 2 — To the value of Sixty Dollars : For the

second best two toothed Ram Lamb, of the long wooled

breed;

Adjudged to Jacob Gibson, Esq. of Talbot county,

Eastern Shore, Maryland, for his long wooled

Ram, Pizarro, of the Calvert County breed.

Premium 3 — To the value of Forty Dollars : For the

second best two toothed Ram Lamb, of the fine wooJed

breed; ,

Adjudged to Mr. Roger Brook, of Montgomery
county, JNIaryland, for his half blooded Merino
Ram, Hopewell, of Dupont's breed.

Premium 4 — To the value of Forty Dollars: For the
second best two toothed Ram Lamb, of the long wooled
breed ;

Adjudged to Wm. Bowie, Esq, of Prince George's

county, Mar} land, for his U>ng wooled Ra'ui, of

the common country breed.

Premiam 5 — To the value of Fort}'^ Dollars r For the

greatest number of Lambs, in proportion to the number

of Ewes, dropped and raised in one iloek of not less

than 40 Ewes; provided, that the number of Lanibs be

at least equal to the number of Ewes ;

AGRICULTURAL M'USEILM 35X

Adjudged to Jacob Gibson, Esq. of Talbot county
JNIaryland.
Premium 6— To the value of Thirty Dol!ar>: For the
best p'ece pf cotton cloth, proper for women's dresses,
not less then 10 yards ;

Adjudg.'d to Mrs. Elizabeth Bailey, of Ann
Arundle county, Maryland.
Premium 7 — To the value of 30 Dollars: For the best
piece of fancy patterns for vests, not less then ten yards
Adjudged to Mrs. Eli;s. Bailly, of Ann Arundlc
couiity, Maryland.
Prumium 8.,-~To the value of 30 dollars: For the best
pifece of cotton cloth, suitable for pantaloons oi small
ciotiies, not less then 10 3 ards ;

Adjudged to Mrs. Martha P. Graham, of Dum-
fries, Piince William county, Virginia.

Premiimi 9 — To the value of 10 Dollars: For the best

pair of woven Stockings, of cotton or thread, full size ;

Adjudged to Mi ;. Anna M. Mason, of Analostan

Island, Disti'ict of Columbia.

Premium 10 — To the value of 30 Dollars : For tlie

best piece of hempen Haxcn sheeting, not less than ter);

yards ;

Adjudged to Mrs. Bkucs, of Alleghany county,
Maryland.
Premium 11 — To the value of 30 dollars: For the
best piece of hempen or flaxen shilling, not less than
ten yards ;

Adjudged to Mrs. Elizabstiij Bailey, of An*
Arundel county, Maryland.
Premium 12 — To the vi^lue of 30 Dollars : For the
best piece of hempen or ilaxcn table linen, not less
than ten yards ;

Adjudged to Mrs. Kimball, of Frederick town, Md.
Premium 13 — To the value of 20 Dollars : For the be
piece of twilled bagging of hemp, fiax, or cotton, not
less than (en yards ;

Adjudged to xMrs. Mari"- Canby, 0? Monfgomcrjr
cQ.UDty, jlarykindi

J*remium 14 — T > the value of 20 Dollars : For the best
piece of bed ticking of hemp flax or cotton, or in part
of all or cither, not less than ten yards ;

Adjudged to Mrs. Sarah M^Cartt Masok. of
Hollin Hall, Fairfax county, Virginia
Premium 15 — To the value of 10 Dollars: For shear
iug a Sheep in the neatest, safest and most expeditious
ni aimer ;

Adjudged to Edward Eno, of Washington city-

Preminm 16 — To the value of five Dollars : For shear-
ing a Sheep second best as above ;

Adjudged to Thomas M'Gkath, of Washington
city.

(Sandidatcs for the, fine. Wool Premiums loere:

Gross lb. Fleece lb.
No. 1. Gen. Mason's Potomac Chief 103 34 6 3 4
Ko. 2, Thomas Peter's Montgomery
ISo 3, Bazil Darby's Jack,
No» 4, R. Brook's Hopewell
No. 5, Mr. Chichester's . —

The above fleeces were unwashed.

The Orst premium awarded to No. 1, and the 3d pre-
mium to No. 4.

Candidates for the Long Wool Premiums, were.

Gross lb. Fleece, lb.
No. a Mr. Marbury - - 160 t7 6 oz

7. Mr. Gibson - - 112 *7 6

8. Wm. Bowie - . - 121 fH 12
a Bazil Darby - - - 113 id B

10. Mr. Gibson's Pizarro, - 120 1-4 *7

11. 1. Duckett, ... Ill t8 12

12. Ditto .... 121 1-4 89

t Washed. * Unwashed

i*rfmium 2d awarded to No 10, and premium 4 to No 8
Candidates for the Fifth Premium were

Ewes Lambs
Jacob Gibson, . - . 64 .05

Dr. William Dangerfidd, . - ^tD 80

84 3 4

5 14

132 1-4

9 14 oz.

93 1-4

4 11

94 1 2

59

AGRICULTURAL MUSE^m. S^

WilJiam Marbury, ... 43 65

R- Slaughter, jr. - - , - 47 5S

J Kent, 40 51

The 5th Premium awarded to Jacob Gibson, Eeq.
(Signed) W. FOOTE.

J THRELKELD.
GERARD BROOKES.
THOS. IIARWOOD, of Benj.
RIC[IARO K. MEADE.

The subscribers appointed to determine the Premiums
for Domestic Manufactures, adjudge the 6th, 7th and 11th
premiums to Mrs. EUzabeth Bailey ; tlie 8th premium to
Mrs. Mai tha P. Graham ; the 9th premium to Mrs. Anna
M. Mason ; the 10th premium to Mrs. Bruce ; t!ie 12th
premium to JMrs. Kimball ; the 13th premium to Mrs.
Mary Canby ; and the 14th premium to Mrs. Sarah M'
Carty Mason.

(Signed) BAZIL BROOKE.

R. M. BOYER.

JOHN DAVIDSON.

JOHN HOYE.

HENRY CHILDS.
'She Society are under great obligations to Mrs. Boall
for the politeness and liberality with which she, in the
absence of Mr Beall, atforded them a place so beautiful
and commodious for holding their exhibition ; and to Mr.
Parrot for the kind attention which he paid to the mem-
bers and the company, and for the use of a vaiiety of
articles necessary to the convenience or beauty of the
scene.

David IViley, Sec^ry.
Georgetown, Col. May 17th, 1811

The Articles of Domestic Manufacture
oxhibibited were, perhap?,not so numerous, as on
former occasions but their quality was excellent.
Many of them might well vie with those which had
mossed the Atlantic — and, what is still more important,
they were sold at as low a rate As usual the cottons of
-VIrs. C^raham of Dwmfries, and Mrs. Masen oi Hoi-

370 AGRICULTURAL MUS-EUM

Tin Hal! were worlliy of liigli commendation, Inif tho.ie
<•{' Mrs. Bailoy a i)c\\' compt'titor, were judged to be
still more perfect; and Mrs. Catiby's Bagging which
obtained the premium, liad but one fault — it was too
wi<le.

The Sheep whicli x^Tre she\\ n, far exceeded exjecta*
tion, both as to number and quality. INlr. Gibson biought
a flock of thirty four yearling lambs of the long wo(jI-
ed breed fi-om his farm in Talbot eomjty. oti the I'^asterri
Shore of Maryland, that were highly esteemed for their
size and quantity of wool,- fur one of which he obtained
the premium of Sixty Dollars. Mv. Marhury she\^ ed
a ewe and her two lambs, one of a year old, and the
other of this spiing, that were of very extraordinary
size and beauty— Mr William Bowie's tuo toothed
Ram of the long vvoolcd breed produced the greatest
t]uantity of wool, and bad it heen washed, and of a
tiner fibre, it must certainly have taken the first pre-
mium, instead of the second for quantity of wool. Mr.
X)uck.et also shewetl two very fine sheep.

Of the fine wooled tups, none could compete 'with
General Mason's Potomac Chief, though those of Messrs
Brook, Darby, Chichester and Peter, were certainly fine
specimens. But the handsomest sheep shewn on the oc-
casion was General John Mason's quarter blooded Me-
rino ewe. — Mer form, her countenance, the quantity and
fineness of her wool, were well calculated to render her
an object of universal admiration, and to convince every
one who saw her, of the vast advantages to be derived
from crossing the common sheep of the country with the
Merinos,

General Mason, Judge Cranch, and T. Peter Esq.
shewed imported iMcrino Ilams of a superior quality —
In short, of nearly a hundred shewn, there was not one
for which the Exhibitor was not entitled to the thanks
«)f the Soeietv.

PRlN'rED FOR AND PUBLISJIUD UY DAVID WILEY.

Prirc '^ '2..50 for twenty four JSumhcrs,
To he jKiid in advance.

'SiiiSi

AOEICULTURAL MUSEUM.

OMNIS FEllET OMNIA TELI.U8. VIRG.

X^'ol. I.] Georgetown, Ca. June 19. [No 24 ]

^«»5 " II ~ i~»— »»— wniiimii ■■■■ I 11 — f^MilMa^KI

For the Agricultural Museum.

Lucubrations on Soils No. 5.

Continued ;rom page 359.

"Ik is no less important to our purpose to adopt Mr.
Kirvvan's definition of JNlanures, which is the most ac-
curate I have met with, and convej's precise, distinct,
ai:d clear ideas, which renders it extremely valuable. —
I copy th.; chapter with but Httle variatioHj and nearly
at length, as 1 did the preceding one.

OF MANURES.

Manure denotes any substance or operation by whicli
a soil is improved. To improve a soil is to render it
capable of producing corn, legumens, and the most use-
ful grasses.

The substances principally used as manures are chalk,
lime, clay, sand, marl, gypsum, ashes, stable dung:
mucks, farm yard dung, pounded bones, sea weeds,
sweepings of ditches, old ditches. Other manures or
top dressings, as they are employed chicHy to promote
the growth of vegetables, and not merely with a view
of improving the soil, I omit.

The operation used to improve soils are fallows, drain-
ing;, paring and burning. As to paring and burning
jny experience in burning leads me to believe it cannot
be done without injury rather than benefit.

©f clialj-:, clayS;, and sanei wc have already treated.

37 J AGltlCULTLUAL MUSEUM.

lAmc 13 a substance whosG external ciiarp,ct( rs n.rd
mode of production ai'c \vc!I kno^vn. It dif'Vrs iVnni
chalk and powdered limestone, chieilj^- by (he absenec
of fixed air, which is expelled from these dunn;j: th.clr
calcination. This air it f^rcediiy re absorbs from tlie at-
mosphere, and ail other bodies with vvhicli it comes iti
ccnlact, and wiilch can farnish It : but it cannot unite
with the air unless it is previously moistened One hnsi-
dred parts quick lime absorb about 28 of wafer. It is
soluble in aboiit 700 parts of this fluid. To regain its full
portion of air from the atmosphere, it requires a year or
more, if not purposely Sjircad out: it resists putrefac-
tion; but with the assistance of moisture it resolves or-
ganic substances into a mucous.

3Iarl is of three sorts ; calcareous, argillaceous and Fi-
licioiis or sandy. AM are mixtures of mild calx (i.e.
chalk) with clays in such a manner as to fall to pieces by
exposure to the atmosphere, more or less readily.

Calcareous Miui IS that which is moft commonly un-
derstood by the term Marl without addition. It is gene,
rally of a yellowish white or yellowish grey colour ; rare-
ly brown or lead coloured; it is seldom found on the
(surface of land, but commonly a few feet under it, and
on the sides of lulls, or rivers that flow through calearc-
ous countries, or under turf in bogs — frequently of a
loose texture, sometimes moderately coherent; rarely of a
stony hardness, and lience called ^toncmarl — sometimes
of a conipaet, sometimes of a lamellar texture, often so
thin as to be called paper ?;2arZ. ]t often abounds -with
shells, and then is called shell marl ; which is looked up-
on as the best sort. When in powder it feels dry be.
tween the fingers ; put in water it quickly falls to peiccs
or powder, and does not form a viscid mass. It chips
and moulders by exposure to the air and moisture, soon,
cr or later, according to its hardness and the proportioQ
of its ingredients ; if heated it will not form a brick bv^
rather lime. Itcifcrvcsces with all acids. It consists o£
from 33 to 80 per cent of mild calx, and from 06 to '^
per. cent, of clay.

AGRICULTCRAL WJSEUM, .^73

To find lis composition, pour a few ounces of weak
but; pure spirit of nitre or common salt into a Florence
ildsk ; place them in a scale and let them be balanced^
tlicn reduce a few ounces of dry marl into powder, and
let this powder be carefully and gradually thrown into
the flask, until after repeated agitation no effervescence
is any langer perceived; let the remaind;'r of the powder-
ed marl be then wcig!ied, by which the quantity project-
ed will be known ; let tiie balance he then restored ; the
difference of weight between the quantity projected and
that requisite to restore the balance, will discover the
weight of air lost djrin:^ effervescence ; if the loss
amounts to 13 per cent, of the; quantity of marl proj,ect-
cd, or from 13 to 32 per cwt. the marl essajed is cal-
careous marl. Tuis experiment is decisive when we are
assured, by the external eliaraeters above mentioned,
tliat the substance employed is marl of any kind; other-
wise some sorts of sparry iron ore may be mistaken
lor marl. Tne experiments to discovei' the argillaceous,
ingredient (being too difiicult for iarmers) I omit. The
residue left after solution, bein;; well washed, will,
when duly heated, generally harden into a brick.

ArglUaccoiis Marl contaisis from 68 to 80 per cent, of
clay, & consequently from 32 to 20 per cent, aerated calx.
Its colour is grey or brown, or reddish brown, or yellow-
ish or bluish gray. It feels more unctuous than the for-
mer and adheres to the tongue : its hardness generally
much greater. In water it falls to pieces more slowly,
often into square pieces : it also more slowly moulders
by exposure to the air and moisture if of a loose consis-
tence : Ife haidcns when heated, and forms an im})erfect
brick. It effervesces with spirit of nitre, or common
salt, but frequently refuses to do so with vinegar. When
dried and projected into spirit of nitre, in a Florence
flask, with the attentions above mentioned, it is found
to lose from eight to ten per cent, of its weight ; the un-
dissolved part, well washed, wiU, when duly heated; hap-
den int'j a brick.

iSificious or Sandz/ Marls arc those whose dayey part
contains an excess of sand: for if treated \'\ith acids, in,
the manner above mentioned, the residuum or clayey
part will be found to contain above 75 per cvvt. of sand :
consi^qucntlj') chaiic and sand are the predominant in-
gredients. The colour of this marl is brownish grey or
lead coloured : generally friable and flakey, but some-
times forms very hard lumps. It does notreadily fall to
pieces in water. It chips and moulders by exposure to
the air and moisture, but slowly. It effervesces vviih
acids; but the residuum, after scidtion, will Dot form a
brick.

Lhncslonc Qrnvcl. This is a marl mixed with large,
lumps of limestone. The lime may be either calcareous
or argillaceous; but ni'-st commonly the former. The
sandy part is also commonly calcareous.

Gl/psum is a compound of calcareous earth and vitri-
olic acid. It forms a distinct species of the calcareous
genus of fossils : of which species tliere are six families.
The general characters of this species arc,

1. Hohtbilif?/ in about 500 limes its weight of \vater in
the temperature of 60 degrees.

2 Pr ec'tp\tab'd\ii/ therefrom by nihld alkalies, and also
by cg-ustic fixed, but not by caustic volatile alkali.

3. Ineffcrvesccncc with acids, if the gypsum be pure ;
but some families of this species, being contaminated
with mild calx, slightly effervesce.

4. InsoJiihilWy, or nearly so, in the nitrous acid, in the
usual temperature of the atmosphere.

5. A Specific Gravity reaching from 2,16 to 2,31.

6 A degree of hardness, such as to admit of being
scraped by the nail.

7. When heated nearly to redness, it calcines ; and if
then it be slightly spiinkled with water, it again concretes,
and hardens.

8. It promotes putrcfacHon in a high (]^grce.

AGRICUI^TUHAL TJUSZ^fX 37&

Gf the six families of this species,! shall describe on'i-
one ; rxiimely, that which has been most advantafjconsly
ci'n}3!oyed as a manure. Descri})tions of the other fivfi
sUojLikl be found in treatises of mineralogy It is cailcd
f^-oiis g'/psum. Its colours are grey, yellowish or red-
dish or siivery wliite, or light red, or brownish yellow, or
striped with one or more of these dark colours. It tS;
comj:>osed of fibres or strico. either straight or curved,
parallel or convtnginj^ to a comumn centre, sometimes
thick, sometimes fine and snbHle, adliering to each other^
and vei'y bi-ittle : its hardness such as to admit beir.p
scraped with the nail: coinmonly semi transparent; in
some, often in a high degree.

Ashes Sifted coal ashes, those of peat and white turf
ashes, have been found useful ; red turf ashes useless
and general}}' hurtfuL Wood ashes have also been em-
plojed advantageously, in many cases ; they contain
either the four pj-imitive earths, as Mr. Bergman asserts;
ot calcareous earth chiefly, according to Achard ; or
calcareous and magnesia, according to D' Arret. The^
also contain some proportioji of phosphorated selenite,,
i. e. calcareK)us earih united to the phosplioric acid. Al-
most all contain also a small and variable proportion of
common salt, glauber salt, and terrene salts, which,
v,'hcn in a small dose, accelerates p.utrcfaction ; also
sna.all bits of charcoal.

Charcoa.1 is a substance well known. It has frequent-
ly and suece.ssfuliy been used as a manure. 1st. Youugs*
Annals, 152, &c.

Soapboilers waste forms an excellent manure for some
soils; it contains by Mr. Ruckert's Analysis, 57 per
cwt. of mild calx, 11 of magnesia, 6 of argil, and 2i
of silex

Stable Dw7g. This is; used either fresh or putrefied ;
ihc first is called long, the other short dnng. Twenty
waggon loads of long dung will after being thrown into
a heap and snlicred to jiutrefy for one year, make Jess

3X9

AURKtULTliUAL MUSEUM

than 7 loads ; so that by sufierinpr it to rot in tl-ie y^arU,
as is common in Maiyland and Virginia* two thirds of
the quantity., and still more of the virtue rs lost.

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AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM S'77

Poimd'cd ho?ies form also manure, miicli used in tii^
neighbourhood of great to\vns. They gradually deposit
their oily part, which contains a large projrortion of ani-
mal coal, which is extricated by putrefaction and phos-
phorated calx. Hence bone ash is also useful. Sea iceed
parlicularly if mixed with earth soon putrefies atid makes
a good manure. Swccj:i>ig3 of dilchcs abound with pu«
trid matter from decayed vegetables, and hence form a
inanurc. Old dltcJifi, exposing a hirge surface to vege-
tation, centain, w hen destroyed, a quantity of decayed
vegetables, which putrefy and make a good manurcj but
in this and the former case it may be proper to distinguish
ot wiiat soil tiiey are composed, for reasons tiiat will
hereafter appear. Fidlowing' is the principal operation
by wliich exhausted lands are restored to fertility; it-s
use seem.s to mc to cons-istin exposing tiic roots of vege-
tables to decay, whereby food for a fresh growth is pva-
pared; the atmoi-pherc also deposits fixed air and car-
bonaceous substance on earth long exposed to it. D)'am-
ing is an operation equally necessary and well kuovvn,
on which no more need be said here. i-*ar;?7g and buvK-
ing reduces the roots of vegetabl-es to coal and ashes;
and thus prepares botlj a stimulant vA\d nutriment for
plants, as will be seen bere<after. Query^ — Whedier it;
does not carry off more of the oils, fixed air, and other
carbonaceous matter, than it restores. Q.

R Mv experiments convince me that fire does.

It is difficult to have the fire so smotbcrcd as to prcvcnfc

the escape of these principles.

Sylvanus.
[To be continued]

On the culture of Potatoes — In a letter from, the Hoii,
Wm. Findfey, of Pennsylvania, to the Editor.

SIR, Greensburg, May 25, 1811.

J receive your magazines duly. I received No. 2^
yesterday. 1 observe by it that the potatoe Is now great*
ly encouraged in Britain, v/hcrc it had but a, smali

378 AGRICULTURAL ?lUSEU%r.

spread ulicn Arthur Yniinjy ^^rolc. About /JO year's
since or less, few potatoes were raised in this country,-
and bad. They were small, of a red colour, full of
eyes, and of a sharp disagreeable taste. They about
that time appeared in Ireland, but were soon dismissed ;
they Avere there called the New England potatoe. —
Other potatoes were introduced from Ireland to this
country. About 40 years since large white potatoes^
swelling into large knobs, and extremely produc-
rive, were introduced 1 do not know from where. In
1770 1 procured half a bushel of them as a great favourj
and the produce was astonishing. Many planted large
quantities to feed cattle and hogs. 1 was its formed that
some farmers give thern to horses, but 1 do not know in
what manner, fn a few years, this kind dwindled ;
ihey gradually ceased io have knobs, became small and
"•^n productive, PvUd were neglected Other varieties have
succeeded with tliffcrL'Pi success ; endless vaiietics may
be produced Iroiii the potaloe apple: but I have not wit-
nessed much improveilient by that method in this coun-
try.

That the most successful melh.od of improvinpr that
valuable root, is accomplished by transfiianting it fre-
quently from one climate to another, is, 1 tiiink, reduced
to a certainty. Changing soils in the same climate has
but little effect. I have trietl them on all varieties of
soils. I have on several trials, found that a high dry sto-
ny soil, produces the most agreeable potatoe for the ta-
ble, but in small quantity. I have had them good in rich
bottom land. Their goodness depends much on the sea-
sons.

Several proofs might be given of the improvement by
change of climates. In every new settlement to the
westward they excel. Their goodness and produce has
been the boast, of the settlers ; but they gradually depre-
ciate. Tiie settiement of Westmoreland, where 1 no\i^
live, commenced m 1708, when that root succeeded as-
tonishingly. 1 removed to it t'loizi Franklin county, near

AGRICULTURA.L ftlUSKUM S'ir'D

the Maryland line, in 1781 : I found the potatoe much
d<?preciaLed in that time; and raising it became gradual-
ly uuproStable, until we got new seed from below the
mountains ; these in some years depreciate and are sup-
plied by new seed, always with e%'idcnt advantage.

I have found the potatoe the best in Philadelphia of
any city where I have had occasion to spend the winter;
but they very frequently import a change of seed from
i*-e!and. In Lancaster, Vvlicre I spent several succe*'
sive winters, I found- tljat root much inferior, tho* the
soil is superior, and the climate nearly t!ie same. Thoy
did not change their seed.! In the District of Columbia,
where 1 have pa^ssed eight winters, I found that root of
such an inferior kind that I seldom eat of it, though
there were some exceptions. On remarking this cir-
eumstance to some well informed Agriculturists of Vir-
ginia, they informed me, that that root did not succeed
in the Columbia District, nor in Virginia, nor ge-
nerally in a Southern lati taiie. That this observation is
at least in a good degree correct, is probable, for I aril
assured that it succeeds better in the Eastern than in the
middle States, and better in tb.e province of Moine,
our most northern boundary, than even in Massaehu-
setts. There are, hov/evcr, exceptions to this rule. —
INIentioning the circumstance to the Honourable Edwin
Gray, of Virginia, he informed me that he raised as
good jjotatocs on his own farm as ever he had met with
in Philadelphia ; but that he frequently changed the
seed, and paid due attention to its culture. Further
instances are not necessary, and a change of seed may
be now easily procured from different soils andclimates.
We have been lately informed, in your Magazine, No.
21, by a reverend gentleman of Worcester county, Mas
sachusetts, that the potatoe is excellent feed not ordy for
cows, gheep, and hogs, but for horses. I wish he had in-
formed us how they are to be given to horses. Cows,
sheep, and hogs, will eat them raw, and even fatten on
them, when at large, but hogs will not fatten on them
nor cat them freely in the pen ; we however then gi-vq

48

53d AanieuLiURAt MusEuaJ

iliem general!)' boiled and mixed with meal ; to such peo-
ple as hav^e !:)iit one or two cowsj for which they can at-
tend to boiling- and mashing the potatoe, it is excellent
feed, and produces very rich milk ; hut it is kno'.vn that
to mankind who have been under the necessity of usii^g
them raw, they have been very prejudicial, and yielded
no nourisliinr.nt. I agree with the re^ ere.nd u;enlleman,
that the culture of the [(Otatoe is an excellent p.reparatioii
of the ground for a wlu-at crop • it is indeed so for any
crop, particularly for iiax. Som'^ further informaiion
froia thai gentleman c:. tlie best method of sowiag arwi
apply jg tacn\ would be very gratidullv j eceivcd.

I isavc often thought it strange that ;hc introduciion ai'
a plant so exten,sively i^seful to man and beast, and
iVJ'M^h in some counlriesi iiaa"<es the principal part of
the food of men, and even in great part of this country
where bread corn is so plenty as to be an article of ex-
port, the potatoe finds a place at dinner with the most
wealthy as vyell as the pox)r, is ao Utile known. I have
carefully enquired after it man}' years since, aud the best
ascertained (raditien 1 could obtain was, that in one of
the famous Sir Walter Raleigh's voyages from Ameri-
ca, he slopped at Tory Island, on the north coast of
Ireland, where he left some of the potatoes, which be-
ing planted, grew and produced apples on the top, whicli
could not be rendered agreeable by any mode of cook
ery. No more attenlion was paid to the plant, till on
ploughing the land in the Spring, they, to their astonish-
ment, found apples at the root also, which with boiling
or roasting made good food. They then took care to
propagate them. Those that he took to England, vvei'e
lost. Hence it was, that being propagated tlirough Eu-
rope, &c. from Ireland, where they still succeed wel^,
they weie '-aHcd the Irish potatoe. No such plant was
in Europe till early in the 17th century, very little more
than 200 years ago. They h^ve long been the principal
food of the numerous class of poor natives in the South
of Ireland, and have supported there an astonishingly
rapid increase of population. And the consuraptiosa-

ASR4CUf,TURAL JJUSEUINJ SSI

^f tliena in the north, I am well informed, has increaserl
very nrach during halfa century past They progre>j&ed
slowly in other countries of Europe, where the establish
nd Clerjry liad great influence on the consciences of men,
and depended on tythes of grain for their living, they
'ised their ijillnence against the propagalio » of tl»e po-
tatoc. The famine and starvation blockade, whicli ac-
•Gompanied and |)roniotcd the French Revolution, gave
u spring to the cuUivation of the potatoe in that country,
and Count Rumford had before successfully introduced
them into Bavaria, It is expected that their general cu|.
tivation vviil tend greatly to increase the population of
at least the north of Europe.

If the Tol-acco introduced by the same great man,
had met with so little o{)position at fnst, and not become
such a source of revenue ajiervvards, its first introdue-
tion would have been as little known as that of the more
ur-cfu! potatoe,

I may, perhaps, hereafter send some observations on
ihe changes of the growth of Tinjbers, coniirming
what I see in your AJuseurn.

Your obedient Servant.

Wn FINDLEY*

Merinos siiil improving in the United States — as con-
tained in a letler from the Hon. R. R. Lvingston, of
Clermout, ]Sev/-York, to Mr, Custis of Arlington,

Dear Sir, Clermont, 22nd March, 1811.

I received a few days since your favor of the 8th. I
am happy to learn by it that your expectations have
been answered in Hamilton. I doubt not that you wilt
jfind a mixture of the Merino blood an improvement
even to your long wooied sheep, and that you will im-
prove the quality without diminishing the quantity of
your wool. And to the Smiths' Islanders, it will cer-
tainly do no harni, it will render tjieir fleeecg do^seri and.

SS2 ACaiCL^.TURAt. 'ML^SELM

tlici'^by adapt them better to the exposure they must
bear in their dcml savage stiite. I h.ave Ihe pleasure of
thinking that my tlocic improves annnally, both in
beauty of form and qiiulity of fleece, and ihat it has a
decided superiority over the imported JMeiinos. The
great number that have been brought irito New YVf-k,
has enabled me to become acquainted with all the difiVr-
cnt breeds of Spain, exc{;pt those of the f]scuria1, nojic
of which have as I bdieVe, as yet been im ported.
Though I have a letter from a gentleman in I/isbon, n ho
writes me that he, in conjunction with Lord Cochran e.
(his nephew) are in treaty for all that remains of th.at
flock, the greater part of them having been des-
troyed. They are to be sent to New-York, and may
be hourly expected, sjx of which he very polite'v pre-
sents to me, as he had before done six of the Guada-
loape flock; my six having been selected oat of 500, all
that arrived out of 2100 that were shipped on his and
Lord Cochrane's account. As I was resolved that
neither prejudrce nor expence should deter me from
giving a fair trial to those sheep, I have laid out near
.'5" 6000 in the purchase of the first imported stock, and
have accordingly added to my Hock thirty imported
ewcs) from Vvhich I have thirteen lambs. Tiiese are the
finest vvooled of the imported stock, they are longer leg-
gocl, and smaller, horned than the Paulers, of which I
liave fourteen; these are close wooled sheep, very com-
pact in their make, and too short for beauty. The
2>[e'gritti of which 1 liave two, are larger but not so fine
wooled. The Guadalope are longer legged and longer
bodjed than the Paulers (of these I have six ewes) arc
heavier than the Infantadoes and equal to them in the
fineness of their fleeces. They are upon the whole,
in point of form, beauty, size and fleece, the finest of the
imported sheep, though still far inferior to the Rambouib
Jots. JNIy present project is to study the advantages
and defects of each species, and by proper admixture
with my rams, to improve them all. This I can do to
moic advantage, for, as the demand for rams will iiot^

AGRICULTURAL MrsKUM

probably be so great this year £-3 it has been, I shall re-
tain a number on lianc), so as to select with ca:c such a.->
will bast answer my purpose. I sent samples ol rny
wool to England, as well as that fioin the in)ported
sheep — my own iuil bred was pronounced super'or
to that of the [)arent stock — the half and th.rec quarter
are pronounced excellent — my imported ewes' woo!, infe-
rior to that of licr desccnd;inis, and to one of the 7-8;
so that we have t!ie best c^roundcd reason to hope, that
the Merinos will not at least dc^-eoerate liere, which they
arc now very Generally admitt'^d to do in Ei:g-
land, owing" as is said to the moisture of the climate. I
say this upon the authority of Mi*. Shepherd^ who !■=: at
once a manufacturer and a farmer, and who savs that tiie
fleece of a ram, purc'uised by him from th.c kino-, had i^reat-
^y degenerated in 3 years, and that his half bloods were
fast returning' to the maternal stock. This has I'cen con-
firmed to me by a very inteiiigcnt gentleman, who being
lately in En^^-'and, beard the question debaied at a ee!o.
brlited Agricultural Society, in London, at which the
Duke of Norfolk presided, wiiere t'le pro and the con
were maintained with much pertinacity ; bu', he says,
that afterwards, travelling in the manufacturing coun-
ties he was assured by the njanufaciurers, that thei-e
was no doubt, that it had greatly degenerated, and that
they never would be able to dispense with Spanish wool,
ujotwithstanding' the opinioiis of J..ord Somerville and
Doeior Parry — yet, it is certain that England has beeji
very celebrated for its fine wool many centuries back,
Polydore Virgil wrote in 1530, ( my edition of his book,
■was printed iii 15iG ) and has the following passage
in his description of England '- Colies passim multi,
indlis arboribus consiti, nnllisque aquarum fontibus ir-
rigui, qui herbam tenuissimam atque brcvissimam pro-
ducunt, qua; tamicn abunde oviljus pauJulam suppcditat,
per cos ovium greges canditiissirai vagant, quic slvc
coeli, sine bonitate tericc, mollia et longe omnium alio-
rum tenuissima fcrunt vcHcra, Sed terra; sterilitati
id c\m\ priiuis, teste. Vir^ilio, assignanckini est*' As

384 AUUICUI/rURAL MUSTiUM

no sheep were foiuif! Iicrc, bv the Roman^;, but wcrf.
probably introduced by lh«Mn, aiul fed only upon
the hilly country, they iiiuy have better resisted tlir
influence of the chmale than at present^ vviien much of the
low and marshy land is broiifjht into cultivation. If
they should not retain their fine coats in Er:glandj tlic
introduction of the Merino iiere, will be the more im-
portant as tbcy must cither obtain their supplies from us,
or send their manufacturers to work: the wool up here—
I am sorry the wiiucr has i)cen so unfavorable to j-our
flocks, mine have passed throiigh it very well. I wintered
about 700, and except a few th:it died from having
been castrated too late in the season, I have los'Ji
but four by disease and accident. Sjme others how-
ever have not been so fortunate. Into some fine flocks
in this state, the clavcan or small pox has b.^'cn introdu-
ced from tile foreign sheep, and great niimoers have diei5
with it Too much, caution cannot be used to gaai-<$
against the introduction of new complaints, tlic imported
flocks having many with which we have hitherto had
no acquaintance.

1 thank you for the ewes yon arc so oblging as l«
offer me. I shall not fail to receive them wi h {)leasure,
and to cnltixate them with care, as well for their intritt-
?ie merit, as for the sake of the donor.

Thave a very rrmarkablcinstanceof fertility in my flock
nf common ewes, of wliich 1 have about fort}', several
of which have not yet lambed — From twenty three 1
have forty eight lambs alive and well, 21 cast two, and
tAA o brought three lambs each; they were tupped bj' a
full blood Merino of 18 months old, who had before
run to about 100 ewes, that 1 sold in lamb. It does not
appear to have injured him. He is now the largest sheep
1 have seen in this state, and will, I think, weigh about
200 wt. and give at least iiJ pounds of wool. His first,
coat was 11 pounds 11 ounces. Ace .:t Sir, my best
wishes for success in jour useful projects, and
Believe n.c, with esteem, dear Sir,

your ob't' humble seiTfc.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE.

One of our late French papers contains the Report o£
the National Institute at Paris, for tlie year 1810. The
following is an abstract of the rnqst irUeresting part.

Messrs. Guy, l^ussac, and Thenard, have directed thei;-
JVttcntion to compare the relative powers and energies oi'
different .<jalvanic piles, i'iiey have discovered, that the
force of the pile is not increased in proportion to the
Dumber of plates. To produce a double ctfect, the num-
ber of ])jates niust be increased eiglit times. In genera^,
i^ was foiinfi that (ht; 0')a,ntity of gas the piles will pro-
duce, is nearly in proportion to the cube root of the num-
ber of plates employed. Amongst the discoveries tu
which the galvanic pile has given rise, there are few
piore interesting to general chemistry than the transfor-
mation of the alkalies into combustible substances of
metallic spler.doro'

The transformation, first discovered by Mr. Davy, W!\%
ai'tervvarda doubted by Messrs. Lussac and Thenard
In then- former report they were disposed to consider
potassium and sodium as combinations of the alkalies
wiih hydrogen, and p class them amongst the compound
substances called hydrurets ; subsequent experiments
Jfcave led them to inchne to the opinion of Mr. Davy, and
to regard potassium and sodium as simple metallic sub-
stances.

]M. Berthollethas communicated a process formakinof
|hc muriate of mercury, called mercurius dulcis or calo-
mel, by passing oxygenated muriatic gas through mercu-
ry ; it combines i-apidly with the metal, and forms witb
it the muriate of mercury ; and us this metallic salt has a
perfect analogy with oiher mercurial salts, produced by
other acids and mercury, at the miiumum of oxydation,
lie concludes that the mercury in forming this combina-
tion has been reduced to an oxyd by the oxygcoe of the
acid, and nor by that of the water.

iS8 AGllICULTUJtAL MUSEUM

M. Guytjii has directed his attention to the mode of
giving a pecmanent red colour to glass, by means of cop-
j)er, which by accident he first discovered might be donc>
JM. Sage has also taken a part in these experiments, with
the intent to colour glass red by means of copper and
the phosphate of lime, or with bones ; and he has shewn
crystals of glass, from the by^ttoni of the pots used to
melt glass, in the bottle manufacture at Seves, whieh had
some resemblance to hexoedial prisms. It is well known
that simple means have been discovered to extract soda
from common salt. France formerly imported this arti-
cle, so necessary to the arts ; an inconvenience attended
the mode af preparing it, from the quantity of acid gas
which escaped, and was highly injurious, Ainongst the
different means of preventing this inconvenience, which
have been attempted, that of M. Pelletan the younger, i«
deserving of notice. It consists in making the muiiatic
acid gas pass through long horizontal tubes, partly tilled
vrith calcareous earth, which absorbs the gas, firming
with it the muriate of lime: The experiments of M.
Sage on plumbago, (black lead,) show that this substance
docs not contain any iron.; but consists of coaly matter
mixed with one-tenth part of clay. The fossil carbon of
St. Symphorien, near Ljons, ajjproachcs nearer to thi^
substance, than any other known mincraL

M. Devcaux has presented to the class of agriculture,
a loaf of sugar, made from the red beet (betterave),
which had all the whiteness and t^iavour of sugar from-
the cane, lie has announced, that this substance may be
made in great quantities by the proprietors, who have
devoted to this attempt 400 acres of ground. Should it-
succeed on the great scale, it will change the relations
of the two worlds.

PrvINTi:D FOR AND PUBLISHED BY DAVID WILEY.

Pme 4^' 2.50 for twenty four Numbers,
2<) be paid in advante.

•INDEX.

Ai(i"ii3u!tai'?, oa the utility of societies for tlie pro-
motion of, - ... - o

Agriculture and do ii^stic manufactures, the ad-
vantages of )romoting, . - - 4

iDitto, ditto, in the United Stales, - - 7

ikbstraet of the accounts of the woolen factory at

Danville on the Sui^qaehannah, - - -"^O

^rts and manufactures, the natural product:ons
used in, (an address from a committee of tlic
i?iiiiadeli)hia Linnaean Society to the people of
the United States,) .... 4'3

Ashes, the use of, m lUMres, & '. the cultivation of,

orchards, q leries relative to, - - S7

Agi'iculturai Society of Culpeper, premiums ad-
judged by, On the 1st Sept. - Iv ."•

Ditto of Frederick county, Vji'ginia, prera;'ims

adjudged by, on lith September, ISIO, l'^7

Assaying copper ores, new method of, - 110, 1 4<

Agricultural and other productions of the last se-
ven years com ) are d with those of 1790. 1 .')

Agricultural S )C!ety, Columbian, p-cni ums ad-
judged by, at their Fall me :ting, 13 iO, - 1 7 ..

» ■ at their Spring exhibition oi 1811,

proceedings of, at their Fall meeting, - j

or ->

Almshouse of Piiiiadelphia, Pennsylvania, - j/i
Analysis of soils, -' - 235,252,264,27:]

Agricu'tural Society of Richmonj?, Va. account of, '■ZID

schools, the propriety of, - - >,-j-j,

i Society of Richmond, queries pro-
posed by, - - - - ■ -?, 9
Society, Colunibian, regulations for

their exhibition in May,
Arlington sheap shearing,
Agricultural Society, Columbian, exhibition of,

and premiums given by, « . . 2QG

49

^ns INDEX.

Bricks, a new machine for making them, - 38

Bridge, a new one, at Charlestoti, 3. C. - 37

Broom, experiments for obtaining flax from, - 72

Botany, - - - - - 75

Butter, how to make it Winter, - . 223

Coiumbian xVgricultural Society, constitution of, 8

■ premiums offered by the, at their 1st May

exhibition, - - - - - 11

premiums offered by, at their Nov. exhib. SfT

Columbia District, on its advantages as a market
for produce, and on the importance of attending

to agriculture therein, - " - 33
Copper ores, new method of assaying, - 110,114

Chymical manufactures, • - - 122
Cotton twist manufactory on Four-mile Run, an

account of, (Smith and Drinkers,) - - 137

Corn, new machine for dtying, - - 138

Cider, of superior quality, directions for making, 159

Cotton factories in Manchester, England, - 186

Cider, receipt for converting it into wine, - 205

on the fining of, ... 222

Calves, on the feeding of, - - - 224
Cornstalks, cut as rye straw, on the use of, for

feeding cattle, . . - . 2^10

Caterpillars, methods of destroying, - 36l»

Dyes, durable, for which premium was obtained
by Mr. M. P. Grahan, at the exhibition of the
Columbian Agricultuial Society, - - 175

^^^ say on sheep, (loi d Somerville's,) - 49

j^^^j^j. acts from lord Somerville's essay on sheep,

63, 65. 88, 98, 103, 129, 154, 161, 178, 193, 213
Essays on *'^^ estal>lishment of an university, bo-
tanic garo'v^n, and agricultural farm, in the
District of Coinnr.bia^ - - 177,209,341

INDEX. S8»

Plax from broom, experiments for obtaining:, 7'i
Flax, on the culture and manurach.-re of, from tiie

papers of the Culpepper Agr. Societj-, 124, 153

Flax, observations on, ... 20S

Forest trees, American, Michaux^s history of, 244

Flax, directions for raising it in old grounds, 320

Flax, on the culture of, - - - 337

French National Institute, report of. - §85

Georgetown, ship channel to, - - 96

Groundnut, on the extraction of oil from the, 231

Gunpowder, manufacture of, - - 257

Hessian fly, - - - - 39
Hemp, Russian mode of cultivating and preparing-, 229
Hessian fly, &c. method of destroying it, &c. - 239
Hemp, on the eolrnrc^ of, in lla-;sia. - 296, 304
in the United States, - 307

July 4th, celebration of, at Humphreysville, - 41

Inland impr.jv£;:it;iits, &f. in Nciv York, - 48

Inland nivigation, and roads, - - 49

Internal prospects, . - - - 157

f

Kentucky manufactures, . . . 4<j

Livingsion's (Hon. R. R.) Clermont sheep shearing, 35

Essay on Sheep - - ?'5

Ljnn entei-prize, - - - - - ^ 223

Manufactures, the state of, in Georgetown, and

in the other parts of the District of Cola;ribia, 24
in Ne\\ port, I>elawaie, . 2f)

Merino sheep, Mr. Brooke's and Lord Somcr-

ville's tiack, sales of, - - - 29

Manufactorj' of millstones, in America, - 33

Merino sheep, .... 3S, 225

* £00 INDEX.

]Vl::;r-, Pv'rkj'cmeii, - . . - 4i^

Aliiii'ia! I)iack, a new discovery, - -. 4(>-

J\lti!!n!actures In Kentucky, - . - 46
iVJ.'jRjraet'!re of cloth in a private family, a letter

U-viv. Rinaklo Johnson, esq. of St. Mary's co.

31: -yiand^ to the e(;itor, - - - 5(j-
Miinuiactures^ dumcstic, an account of, in Mary-

iand, - . .- - - 61

JMeihios, on the iinproveinent of, in the U. S. 87
JMaiMires, queries relative to, and to the use of

afhes, and the ca'tivation of orcliards, - 97

3.1crino sheep, recent importations of, - 109

. sale of, in New York, - 122,

^Janulartm-ing con^pany in Raleigh, N. C. - 12S
jManafactory of cotton twist on Four-mile Run,

an account of, .... 137

JMichaux's history of American forest trees, - 2'i-t
I\- i ul'act rt* >'■. fine ch;th encouraged in New

Yoi ;. by the legislature, - - - 2fi0

Ma::u:Ts, - - ' - - - 3*27

JMciinos slill improving in the United: States, 381

Orchards, cultivation of, the use of ashes and ma-

iinre^ queries relative to, . . . 97

_ on the pruning of, - •. - 167

Oxen, the advant:igos of working, - 211, 26:-5

Oil, c 11 the extraction of, from the groundnut, 2'U

Porky omen mires, .... 40

Potatoe:-, en the culture of, - - - 70

P.ii)cr,ve;jretabie materials for making, - - 7o

p3-t 0*:jcc establishmen!;, - - - 94
Premiunis for manufacUu es offered by the Icgisia-

turc of New Yoik, - - - - 1<"^C>

P. Miitig of orchards, - s. - - - 167

Porv.clain, American, -,,..•- 2C)^>'.

Putcii: oillco of tiic United States, - - ~'-.i

mDRX, ' ^l

i?eacli ivees^ .- - - -. «5P. SIS

potatoes, on the use of tliem as a Summer fallow, S"-'5
y - oil the culture of, c . . , o7T

Koads and inland navigationj » « * - - 49
'Riddle, a merino one, - > - - , 14©

Sheep, five minutes reflection on, - » 13, 11*

Sheep shearing, II R. Livingston's, - -31^

Som<TvilIe's (Lord) Essay on Sheep, - - 43

^ — ^- — ^ — ^ Extracts from, - 63, 65, 8S, 98, 10*

129, 154,161, 178,193,21*
ffinclair (Sir John) on seed wheat, and the causes
of smut and otlier disorders to which wheat ig
liable, ----- «|

S^heep, Livingston's Essay on, - , 75

Sheep shearing at Woburn in England, - 76

Sb.ip ciianne! to Georgetown, - - S6

Sheep of America, summary of facts relative to,

&c. with notes and remarks, - 140, 1-iS

Scab of sheep, .... iq$

^teer of Mr. Steinbergen, for which a premiura
was obtained at the exhibition of the Colum-
bian Agricultural Society, * - - 176
Baltworks on the Keuliawa, - - 22T
Soi'is. analysis uf, - - 235,252,254,273
^oils, lucubrations on, - 280. 289, 310, 321, 355, 371
Seaweed, ... . 29^
Sheep shearing, Mr. Custis's, at .Arlington - 354
J?toam engine, observations on, . - ^60

Turnpike roads in Penns\]vania. - - 5f
•yable, conipai-sng ti:e .igricultural and other pro-
ductions of the last 7 y.^ars wifh those of 1790, 139
Tvti<--^7 '<^ eompositioii fjr hcalii^g wounds in, - 315

V>r;*ig;is, on (he mannfacture of,

104

098 INDEX.

Wool cardlng^ machines at Adelphi mills, - Si

'Wheat, a new variety of, f:'om the papers of the

Culpeper AgriculUiral Society, - 81

Wine, from the native grape, » - 92

W'^orms in fruit trees, - - . 313

Wheat, on the diseaseso f, - - - 343

4jnf .. "' ■ " ■■ "oae

Errata.

Page 228, line 11, for woolen read woven.

Page 368, line 6 from the bottom, the * ought t»
Mave been prefixed to the word washed, and the f to.
the word unwashed.

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