UMASS/AMHERST * ^ ) ..-" MASSACHUSETTS STATE COLLEGE SPECIAL COLLECTIONS t ARCHfVES f C PER S 1 F4 ^ ^APEL This book may be kept out TWO WEEKS only, and is subject to a fine of TWO CENTS a day thereafter. It will be due on the day indicated below. * ittuM FARMERS' CABINET, FARMERS' CABINET, AMERICAN HERD-BOOK, DEVOTED TO AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE RURAL AND DOMESTIC AFFAIRS. .BY JOSIAH TATUM. Perfect Agriculture is the true foundation of all trade and industry. — Liebio. Vol. XII.— 1847— 1848. PHILADELPHIA: PUBLISHED BY THE EDITOR, NO. 50 NORTH FOURTH STREET. 1848. t— • TABLE OF CONTENTS. Agricnitural facts 16 Advice to boys 16 Agricultural premiums 25,324 Agricnllural Society, Burlington co 50 Agricultural Society, Committees of 63 Agricultural Society, Royal, of England 95, 157 Address, Silas Wright's 98, 122 Animals, ^fal,'and large crops 102 Agriculture in Scotland 110 Agriculture, Discourse on 138, 218 Agricultural Society, Prince George 146 Acorns, use of 154 Anti-book farmer, portrait of " | Agricultural experiment 156 Acclimation of Fig tree 160 Address, \V. H. Dillingham's 169 Agricultural Society, Brussels 172 Animals in good order 180 Agricultural Society Report 183 Association, British 189 Agricultural Society, officers 190 Address, A. S. Roberts 19li Apple orchard, young 198^ Agricultural Society, New Castle 205 ^ Agricultural population, Chinese 210 Apple, Geography and History of 21 1 j Agriculture in Iowa 224, Agricultural discussion 234 Agricultural Implements 237 Ass, sagacity of 260 Agricultural dinner at Sir R. Peel's 265 Agriculture, American 281 Agriculture of Belgium 287 Agricultural Minutes 333 B Bread stuffs, demand and supply 9 Beef, loss in cooking 13 Buys, good advice to 16 Bread stuffs, prices of in Europe 28 Bay-side farming in Talbot 31 Bouts and shoes, children's 46 Birds, sympathy of 58 Bacon, to cook 59 Bean, Soy 78 Bed-rooms, cold 129 Barn, Shaker, in Mass 165, Bees 176 Bees, Swarming of 186 Break the crust 188 Butter, to make good in winter 239 Belgium, Agriculture of 287 Butter for exportation 308 Bridge, Suspension, Niagara 316 Boy, the, and the Man 338 Butter dairies and butter 339, 350 O PACE Club foot in horse 12 Cottage and Roses 15 Culture of the Peach tree 86 Cow, puerperal fever, cure 113 City, Hymn of 114 Cattle Show and Fair 116 Curculio, new remedy for 125 Cranberries, upland 143 Chess — deep ploughing 145 Chess, iJromus Secalinus 149 Country, Hymn of the 151 Chester county farms 153 Cisterns for farm buildings 155 Cranberries 155, 205 Cattle for fattening and for dairy 156 Cattle, supply of 188 Cattle, best mode of feeding 213 Cattle, rules for selecting 214 Corn, mode of raising 237 Cabbage, Pomeranian 247 Crops, 1847, estimate of 248 Cultivation of onions 250 Cotton manufacture, history of 293 Cheese dairies 313 Calves, rearing and feeding 321 Cheese trade, American 322 Currants, grafting 326 Canine madness 363 Cow Peas 367 C Durham Cow Victoria 22 Destruction of trees and birds 69 Draught, the principle of 86 Disease of the Potatoe 88 Draining 113 Dogs, propensity in 151 Drover, Whittier's 185 Drink and shade for stock 229 Discussion, Manures 234 Digestion 244,326 Draiiiage 253 Dairies, Cheese 313, 356 E Kxtensive farmer Ill Economy 120 Eggs, pickled 261 English vendue 270 Evergreens, transplanting 371 Fodder, green and dry 13 Farm, productive 19 Farmers' Club 22 Fuel in Paris 23 Farmer, patter n. in Belmont 27 VI. TABLE OF CONTENTS. Farming, good and bad 29 Fattening poultry 46 Frying 57 Fruit Treos. transplanting " Field work fiyrvvanled 67 Farm of Tii .mas Bell 81 French funsiing 83 Farming in Western New York 84 Flour and wlieat, exports of 95 Fruits, improvement of 108 Fair and ("attle Show 116 Farm, productive little 133 Farms, Chester county 153 Fig tree, acclimation of 160 Farm-yard manure, expense of 161 F^arming, profits of 175 Flour, price of 188 Fruit Culture, profits of 209 Farmers, hint to 230 Farming, true 239 Farming, philosophy of 261 Flowers, hints to lovers of 275 Fencing 276 Food, preservation of 303 Farmer's, day at a 331 Fruit, improvement of 341 Farm of Clark Rice 343 Figs 352 Fruit's, stone 353 Funguses of England 365 Farms, fine, in Duchess County 370 Flour, CJieese and Butter trade 378 G Grapp.the 63 Guano, prepared 79 Grafting on the Mountain Ash Ill Grapes for winter use 1,30 Grape, the Scuppernong 182 Grape culture in the United States 195 Gentle wonts 202 Gardening on the Bosphorus " Grafting grape vines 260 Guano 292 Gypsum, or plaster of Paris 308 Grain trade of the United Stutes 320 Gooseberry, the 346 Gardeintig, effect of 374 Goose, the 380 II Horses, to save from fire 22 Horse, the 26, 336 Horticultural premiums 32,224,368 Horses — Oxen 44 Horses, foundered, cure for 78 Horticulture, influence of 79 Hymn of the City 1]4 Holkham, seat of Lord Leicester 144 Hymn of the Country 151 Horticulturists and Lumbermen, hints for 1.52 Horse, contrary treatment of I54 Horse, tratment of 184 Horse, management of I93 Horses, death of 198 Horse, food of 227 Hydraulics for farmers 245 Horticulture 270 Hints to lover.* of flowers 275 Hogs, Burlington county 302 Hair, natural uses of 30fi Highways 323 Hens, to make them lay 326 Horse, anecdote of 3.59 Haymaking 373 Horse Chesnut 376 I &J Irrigation 13, 275 Institute, American 22 Industry, results of 23 Industry, Peruvian 179 Indian corn, vegetation of 261 Inspections at Philadelphia 284 Implements, take care of them 310 Immigrants on James River, Va 319 L Lamps, to prevent from smoking 26, 160 Lightning rods .59 Leaves, practical use of 74 Lime 91 Lard, its management 129 Local Technicalities 188 Light, different coloured, on plants 201 Lord Leicester 220 Long Island Peaches 246 Letter of R.L.Allen 273 Locust, the 279 Lambs, rearing lor market 285 M Mice 24 Men of business, hints to 34 Milk, adulterated 41 Mexican farming 43 Modern farmer 47 Manure heap, management of 48 Marl on worn-out lands 61 Mutton, smoked 87 Milch cows, food lor 102 Manures 105 Manures, Sevvage 126, 171 Milk, to keep from souring ; 150 Manure, expense of 161 Manure fiir strawberries 165 Marshes, their efiects on health 174 Milking, rules for 181 Mahogany 187 Milk in Boston '. 198 Manures, sugiiestions on 207 Manures, report on — turnips 216 Mineral substances, Rammelsbcrg's 219 Murrain, potaloe 271 Mint of the U. States, at Philadelphia 294 Murrain among cattle 303 Mushroom, cultivation of 305 Moths, remedy against 318 Mustard plant 325 Mattrasses, wool 332 Material, new, for flooring, roofing, &c 334 Maize in Mexico 354 N Nutrition of superfine flour 60 Nurseries 63 Notice, discontinuance of Cabinet 330, 361 Nut for the curious 335 O Oxen — horses 44 Order on farms 45 Onions, cultivation of 59, 250 Onions, early gg Oak, cultivation of the 75 Old Pears — are they extinct ? 271 Oxen, use of 282 Ohio, vineyards of 289 Osage Orange 318,335 TABLE OF COiNTENTS. P II s • J9 Swim, to learn, Dr. Franklin's mode 12 Ploughs ool Strawberries, manure lor 16 Polaioe disease ool'sirawberries and milk 27 KoeThe'" ;;;;;;;;;; 2v;37;f86,34oi>''p.por.awe ....... 47 lotaioe, me ....... ... ochfeuijerline flour, nutrition ol cO Premiums, Agricultural „?I;Swam[.s, reclaimed 64 Peaches, Iresh in winter 27 Pear tree, root pruning • • • • • • ~« Premiums, Horticultural M, .iOJ, coo Pruning 35 Poultry, fattening 4b Poultry, age of .••••• 47 Plank roads 51. 27b, dij Pickles ^l Peas, summer crops of "^ Plough, the .• • • ^3 Potatoe rot in Ohio °^ Potatoe disease, remarks on °o Pears, memoranda on pears "1 Potatoe, value ol a H* Phenomenon, Curious 121 Pickling, remarks on Philosophy for farmers 1^" Pomology in Philadelphia 165 Plough, the Wood 171 Potatoe roi, remedy lor 1'^"' Soy Bean Sheep, house feeding 94, 137 Sheep, Saxony % Scraps for the economical 108 Smaller fruits, improvement of " Sailor, the 112 Sewage manure 126 Steam plough 157 Stock feeding 208 Straw berry runners 221 Soiling 225 Sale of crops in Scotland 270 Strawberries, productiveness of 273 Sheep, summer management of 285 Sewer water, value ol 307 ?"oles, machine for cutting " Suspension bridge, Niagara Falls 316 Swarming bees, artificial 349 Strawberries. Prince's 351 rotaioe ro., remeuy lor -- Sheep, soil for 381 Peruvian industry ^'^I ' Plum, culture of 181|i 1 Peach, yellows in 182 Timber, preservation of 17 Potatoe disease — British Association 189 Terrace cultivation in China 56 Potatoe cultivation " j Trees, altering old 69 Pear tree, blight of 203 i Trees, longevity of 143 Poriicos, floors of 210 ] Turpentine, spirits, cure for poison 275 Parents, advice to 2161 Toad, the 358 Poisons, animal, their cure 222jl y Phosphates, importance of '' I Victoria, Durham cow 22 Portico floors, to preserve *2r Vermont farming 43 Potatoe murrain ^'^ ' Vineyards, Malaga Raisin 66 Potatoe murrain Pears, old — are they extinct? " 1 Pork, loss in making bacon 278 Pork packing in New York 291 Plough, New hold's 300 Potatoe, cultivation of 317 Peach, best mode of pruning 325 Pear tree, geography and history of 355 Potatoe Problem 362 Plum, the 379 Ploughs, American, in England 381 Q Quinces, secret of growing 54 Quince, geography and history of 330 R Root pruning, &c 28 Roads, plank 51, 276, 347 Report, Philadelphia Ag. Society 114 Rye and w heat, to prevent the fly 1 33 Raspberries, cultvation of 164 Rooms, healed 1 80 Rot in the sheep 1 95 Rope, value of old 261 Railways, effects on agriculture 297 Virginia, new settlers in 130 Vinos, grafting 260 Vineyards of Ohio 289 Vegetables, field cultivation of SOI Vitality and longevity in fruit trees 310 W Wheat, great yield 15 Woollen Kags " Woodpecker, the 30 Wool 56 Weevil in wheat 68 Wheat, preparation of seed 69 Wright's, Silas, Address 98 Water in transplanting trees 145 Wheat, soil for 178 Wheat, early sow ing 257 Wool trade of the United States 302 Wheat, sowing in July 309 Wool mattrtisses 332 Weeding, early, stirring the soil 340 Wool, fineness and softness of 357 Wheat raising 367 Y Yellows in the peach 182 IS^© AND ^^ERICAN HERD-BOOTi DEVOTED TO AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, AND RURAL AND DOMESTIC AFFAIRS. Perfect Agriculture is the true foundation of all trade and industry. — Liebio. Vol. XII.— No. 1.] 8th mo. (August) 14th, 1847. [Whole No. 151. PnStlSHED MONTHtY, BY J O S I A II T A T U M, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR, No. 50 North Fourth Street, PHILADELPHIA. Price one dollar per year.— Forconditions see lastpage. The Question of Breadstuffs— The De- mand and the Supply. Extract of a letter to the Editor of Bick- nelVs Reporter, dated Liverpool, July 3rii, 1847. For a month past the papers of England and Ireland have teemed with contradictory reports of the present and prospective re- sults of the potatoes "set" this year; some afSrming' that the disease which was so very destructive last year, has reappeared, and that, most likely, the same disastrous effects will result from it; others stating in equally as positive a tone that there is not the slight- est ground to fear any evil to the present planting of potatoes from the "aphis vasta- tor" of Mr. Smee, or any other insect or cause of disease — that the plants in every section of the country look exceedingly healthy, and from a thorough investigation, in many parts of the land, they are induced to believe that the disease will not appear this year, or if it does, it will do but little Cab.— Vol. XIL— No. 1. injury. These reports may be traced to va- rious causes. One set of newspapers is en- deavouring to prepare the public mind for what may be the truth — the total destruc- tion of the plant — and the other, fearing the present effect on breadstuffs and trade, en- deavours to disguise the truth, or at least, to lessen the evil, by denying at present the appearance of the disease, and then, as the summer advances, to hint remotely at the likelihood of its again preying on the "un- fortunate potatoe," as it is called by some. So far, this has been the course with several influential papers that I could name. A month since the idea of disease was laughed at, but the opinion is gradually gaining-, ground that the potatoe is affected as it was last year, and that the quantity destroyed will be equally as great of this year's crop as of last. Indeed the fact of the di-sease cannot, with truth, be denied. Even the new potatoes brought to market tell the story too plainly — they appear much spotted and eaten away, and when boiled have a sweet and disagreeable taste, as well as being dark in colour. The disease has, aa I feel certain from my own observations, made its appearance in a decided form, and if I am able to form an opinion, it will be more virulent this season than in any previ- ous one, from the fact of its appearing in June this year, and not until a much later period in former years. As vast numbers of people in the United States are interested in agriculture, it will (9) 10 The Question of Breadstuff's. Vol. XII. be well to inquire what will be the probable effects of a failure of the potatoe crop in Great Britain this year, and whether the demand for breadstuffs which has existed for some time past will be likely to continue. In the first place it is an admitted fact that much less land is under culture of potatoes this year than previous ones. This informa- tion has been gathered from undoubted sources. Throughout the north of Ireland, the quantity of potatoes planted in the pre- sent year is rather less than one-fourth; in some parts of the south and east, in answer to inquiries addressed to gentlemen cogni- zant of the facts, I learn that "one-fortieth," •' one-seventieth," " one-half," and " one- fourth" has been planted— in the west the proportion will barely reach one-fourth of the usual quantity; and to put down the whole of Ireland as one-fourth, is a full esti- mate. In Scotland the cultivation of the potatoe has been almost wholly abandoned, except in the immediate neighbourhood of the largo towns and cities, so that I think not more than one-fifth is planted in pota- toes. In England the proportions are as va- rious as in Ireland. In some sections the land in potatoes equals one-half the usual quantity; in others one-fourth, or one-sixth, so that if I assume one-fourth as the average, I do not think I wander far from the truth. Mr. McCulloch, in his admirable work, "Statistical Account of the British Empire," estimates the cultivation of " potatoes, tur- nips, and rape," to extend over 2,000,000 acres in England, of which 1,200,000 at least are usually planted with potatoes. The same work estimates this plant to occupy 2,000,000 acres in Ireland and 200,000 in Scotland. From which estimates I make the following table: Land usually Cultivated Uncultivated cultivated with this year, or otherwise potatoes. appropriated. Jicres. Jlcres. ^crca. England 1,200.000 300,000 900,000 Ireland 2,000,000 500,000 1,500,000 Scotland 200,000 40,000 100,000 3,400,000 840,000 2,500,000 F(pm this, which is, I believe the most correct estimate that can be made, it will be seen that 2,560,000 acres usually devoted to the cultivation of the potatoe, are, this year, devoted to other purposes or remain unculti- vated. One of the most important questions con- nected with the annual failure of the pota- toe, is the comparative number of persons that can be supported upon a given surface planted with potatoes and any grain that may be substituted. From several interest- ing works relating to this subject that have come under my notice, I learn that the aver- age yield of an acre of potatoes in Ireland is 400 bushels of 60 lbs., whilst the same land under wheat would produce 2S bushels of 60 lbs., or of oats 64 bushels of 40 pounds. Thus: 1 acre of potatoes produces 1 " wheat 1 " oata 24,000 lbs. ],6fc0 " 2,560 " The Commissioner of Patents in his Re- port to the Congress of the United States establishes the fact that one pound of wheat will furnish as much nourishment as four pounds of potatoes; therefore as one acre of potatoes produces equal to 6,000 lbs. of wheat, it follows that this quantity of land will support as many persons as three and a half acres of wheat. This calculation of the relative amount of nutritious matter in wheat and potatoes, is an extreme one, as many intelligent writers on the subject make the proportion as one to three, instead of one to four, as I have asserted. I am not able to give the same exact data for calcu- lating the relative nourishment which oata bear to potatoes, but will take as a starting point the generally received opinion in Ire- land, that one pound of oat meal is equal to three pounds of potatoes. The loss of oats in grinding is about five-fourteenths — hence I draw the following conclusion, that the yield of an acre of oats ground will be equal to 1646 lbs. meal, — then one pound of oat meal being equivalent, in nutriment, to three times that weight of potatoes, it fol- lows that one acre of the latter will furnish as much food as four and eight-tenths acres of oats. These calculations, if based upon proper data, establish the fact that, in order to support a population whose principal food has been the potatoe, on grain, the quantity of land must be increased in the proportion of at least three and a half acres of wheat or four and eight-tenths acres of oats. The immense increase in the cultivation of the potatoe during the last quarter of a century, from being a garden vegetable, has enabled Great Britain to support a rapidly increasing population, at even less prices that when this plant was almost wholly unknown. This increased population still remains, but how are they to be fed? The potatoe has been failing for three years past, and now is too uncertain to be depended upon as an article of food. Hence we see that it occupies less land than formerly, that many have wholly cast it aside as producing a profitless crop. This sudden abandonment of the potatoe is virtually an abandonment of three and eight- tenths or two and a half acres in every four and eight-tenths or three and a half acres, No. 1. The Question of Breadstuff's. 11 accordinoly as wheat or oats are substituted. So that whether the potatoe crop be good or bad this year is an unimportant matter, when the fact of the extent to which the cultiva- tion of the potatog has been abandoned, is brougiit under consideration. By the first table in the article, it will be teen that 2,560,000 acres usually planted with the potatuc, are this year devoted to other pur- poses, principally to the Swedish turnip, so that the articles substituted will not be of much value in sustaining human life. The crop of potatoes in Great Britain last year, bad as it was, yielded over 12,000,000 tons of good tubers. In this year I find but 840,000 acres planted. So that admitting this land produces 400 bushels to the acre of good sound potatoes, the yield will still be less than that of last year"by more than 3,000,000 tons. If the plants prove diseased, the defi- ciency will be increased the amount of the disease — hence it will require 1,300,000 acres of oats, or 1,000,000 acres of wheat to have been cultivated over the usual quan- tity, to place this country in as good a posi- tion as she occupied at the gathering in of the harvest last year, as well as the diflljr- ence between the amount of stock on hand last June and this June. Official documents furnish me with the following figures: Stock on hand— June 5th, 1846. June Ifith, 1847. Whoat, qrs. 1,477,922 qrs. 10,780 Barley, 106.284 1,012 Oats, 175,653 3,949 Rye, 34 Peas, 25,315 312 Beans, 66,644 700 Indian Corn, 2,773 1.905 Buckwheat, 334 328 Flour, cwts 1,298.683 cwts. 29,355 Oatmeal, " 673 " Corn Meal, " 22 1,125 Equivalent in grain qrs. 2,226,710 qrs. 27,694 The same documents enable me to give the amount of grain, &c., taken for consump- tion from June 5th, 1845, to June 5th, 1846, and from June 5th, 1846 to 1847 — as per under — Foreign grain and flour taken into consumption from June 5, '45 to '46. June 5, '46 to '47. Wheat qrs. 99,162 qrs. 2,.'520,793 Barley 97,361 846,166 Oats 477,309 1,444,531 Rye 5 18,474 Peas 90,714 223,994 Beans 184,559 342,413 Indian Corn 184,048 1,802,384 Buckwheat 223 37,975 Flour cwt. 726,132 cwt. 4,824.875 Barley Meal 20,099 Oatmeal 65,846 16,880 Rye Meal 2,629 Indian Meal 383,664 Buckwheat Meal 296 Equivalent to total Grain, qrs. 1,359.388 qrs. 8,435,730 Showing that no less than 8,43.5,730 qrs, — equal to the produce of 2,000,000 acres of land — of foreign grain have been con- sumed during the past year. The aggre- gate imports from June .5th, 1846, to June 5th, 1847, have been as tbliows: Stock on hand June 5th, 1846, Deduct quantity consumed qrs. 6,692,709 2,226,710 8,919,419 8,435,730 leaving qrs. 483,689 now on hand. So that the diflference between the past and the coming twelve months may be summed up thus: Deficiency in yield of potatoe crop Tons 3,000,001) Difi'erence between amount of foreign grain on hand, June 5ih, '46 and June 5lh, '47, Qrs. 1,743,021 From the first item, however, must be de- ducted the produce of the 2,560,000 acres hitherto appropriated to the potatoe, and principally now to the cultivation of the turnip, carrot, and other green crops, which, so far as food for mankind is concerned, is of little value. Looking fairly at all these tables and calculations, I am led to believe that the demand for breadstuff's, from the United States, which probably amounted the past year to about one half the quantity brought into the United Kingdom, will be fully as great the coming season as the past. For much of the foregoing information I am indebted to the London Economist, which publication has lately devoted much space to the subject of the potatoe, its cultivation, and probable e.xtinguishment. A few evenings since Lord John Russell in an able speech on the Irish Railway Bill, eA'pi-essed his belief that the potatoe would fail this year, as it had done for the past two years, and that the famine which had already cut otf hundreds of thousands of human beings, was, as yet, in its infancy. In ad- verting to the prospective condition of Ire- land, he made use of the following language : "Take the condition in which Ireland may be in future. Some people say that the quantity of potatoes planted this year is one- fourth, one-fifth, or one-sixth, of the usual quantity. But whatever may be the amount, the potatoe crop is in the utmost peril. There is at least a reasonable fear that a great portion of that crop may perish. The peo- ple, however, though there was not that ap- pearance for some time, have exerted them- selves latterly with great industry to sow the ground that hitherto produced potatoes, with different kinds of corn, and a great deal of land has been sown with turnips, which will produce a far greater amount cf 32 Learning to Swim. — Club Foot in the Horse. Vol. XII. green crop than hitherto. But it has been calculate?) thai with respect to nourishment, you would require three acres of wheal to replace one acre of potatoes. Then, can any man look to the condition of Ireland during, I will not say the ensuing six months, but, for the ensuing five or six years, without very considerable apprehensions that the suf- fering of those people may be extreme. That country now contains people to the amount of many millions, living in the most wretched habitations, and feeding upon the lowest and cheapest description of food. I conceive that this condition has been influenced, not by the policy of the Government existing at the present moment, but by Governments long since passed away. I think it but jus- tice to Ireland to assist them by every means in rescuing its people from their present state, and that therefore the House ought to agree to the proposition now before it." The effects and extent of the famine in Ireland may be seen in the desolation and almost total destruction of a 'large village called South Reen, in the west part of the county of Cork, which, the Southern Re- porter says, in the early part of the year was composed of sixty-two houses, and contained 320 inhabitants, and now has but 50 inhabit- ants and eight small hovels remaining, the rest of the people having died of starvation, and the houses having been broken up to furnish coffins for the dead and fuel for the living. This is one among many such places. With respect to the coming harvest, ac- counts generally agree that it will be late, but fully an average. This I think will be found to be the case with wheat, but not with oats, which, in almost every section that I have seen, look thin. The weather has been extremely variable. In the month of May, for three consecutive days, the ther- mometer stood in London at 88, at 50, and 75 degrees, being difall of 38 degrees in 24 hours, and a rise of 25 degrees in the fol- lowing 24 hours. Rain has fallen nearly every day, in greater or less quantities for a month past, and the mercury has kept so low, that fires and overcoats feel quite com- fortable. In fact the weather is like our March. The fluctuations in the corn market within the past two months have been extraordina- ry. The following were the prices on May .5ih. June 29th. Julv 3r(l. Indian meal por blil. 31 a 33s. 20s. 20 a 20s. 6d. " corn white. qr. 70 a 75 39 a 39 a " vfllow 08 a 72 38 a .38 a Flour per bbl. 47 a 49 34 a 36 32 a 34 The slightest cloud obscuring the sun for •an instant only, seems to produce a change in price either up or down as it may be. Sometimes there is too much rain, up go the rates — then comes a day of sunshine, and its effects are seen as well at the stock market in advancing consols, as at Mark Lane in depressing grain, and so it will be until the gathering in of the harvest. The Relief Commissioners of Ireland in the Report just presented to Parliament, state that 1,923,361 rations, at an average cost of 2^d. (5 ct.s.) each are daily distri- buted, and* that 2,022,684 persons are in the receipt of gratuitous relief This will give some idea of the extreme distress prevailing in that island. Yours truly, IM. T. M. Du. Franklin's Mode of Learning to Swim. — Choose a place where the water deepens gradually, walk coolly into it till it is up to your breast, then turn round, your face to the shore, and throw an egg into the water, between you and the fhore. It will sink to the bottom, and be easily seen there, as your water is clear. It must lie in water so deep as that you cannot reach it to take it up but by diving for it. To encourage yourself in order to do this, reflect that your progress will be from deeper to shallower water, and that at any time you may, by bringing your legs under you, and stand- ing on the bottom, raise your head far above the water. Then plunge under it, with your eyes open, throwing yourself towards the Ggg, and endeavouring by the action of your hands and feet against the water, to get for- ward till within reach of it. In this attempt you will find, that the water buoys you up against your inclination; that it is not so easy a thing to sink as you imagined ; that you cannot but by active force get down to the egg. Thus you feel the power of the water to support yon, and learn to confide in that power; while your endeavours to overcome it, and to reach the egg, teach you the manner of acting on the water with your feet and hands, v/hich action is afterwards used in swimming to support your head higher above water, or to go forward through it. — American Agriculturist. Clubfoot in the Horse. — A fine black wagon horse, the property of Mr. Millet, miller, of Newton St. Cyprus, was some time since sent to Mr. Tremlett's kennel to be slaughtered, being considered incurable, having a distortion of the foot from a con- traction of the sinew, which made him walk on the front of his hoof, with the heel ele- vated perpendicularly. Being an animal in such good condition, Mr. Trcmlett was un- No. 1. Loss of Beef in Cooking. — Fodder for Cattle. — Irrigation. 13 willing' to destroy him. He therefore re- quested Mr. Read, veterinary surgeon, to examine him; who decided that the only chance of renderinfj' the animal useful would be the division of the great flexor tendon of the leg. Accordingly the operation of tendo- tomy, or dividing the tendon, was performed Ten days after the operation he walked flat on the sole of his toot: one month after- wards he was put to the plough. He is now as useful as any horse on the farm, and per- forms all the duties a horse is required to perform. Four months have elapsed since the operation was done; a fair trial has therefore been given to test the utility or inutility of the operation. — Western Times. Loss of Beef in Cooking. Beef is the staple animal food of this coun- try, and it is used in various states — fresh, salted, smoked, roasted, and boiled. When intended to be eaten fresh, " the ribs will keep the best, and with care will keep five or six days in summer, and in winter ten days. The middle of the loin is the next best, and the rump the next. The round will not keep long, unless salted. The bris- ket is the worst, and will not keep longer than three days in summer, and a week in winter." In cooking, a piece of beef, con- sisting of four of the largest ribs, and weigh- ing eleven pounds one ounce, was subjected to roasting by Mr. Donovan, and it lost du- ring the process two pounds six ounces, of which ten ounces were fat, and one pound twelve ounces water dissipated by evapora- tion. On dissection, the bone weighed six- teen ounces, so that the weight of meat fit for the table was only seven pounds eleven ounces, out of eleven pounds one ounce. It appears that when the butchers' price of ribs is 8^d. per lb., the cost of the meat when duly roasted is 11-^d. per lb., and the average loss arising from liquefaction of fat and evap- oration of water is 18 per cent. With sir- loins, at the price of 8^d. per lb., the meat cost, when roasted. Is. I l-6d. per lb., at a loss of 20^ per cent. A loss of 18 per cent, was also sustained on boiling salted briskets; and on salted flanks at 6d. per lb. the meat cost 7i^d. per lb., at a loss of 13 1-.5 per cent. In regard to the power of the stomacli to digest beef, that which is eaten boiled with salt only, is digested in two hours and forty- five minutes. Beef, fresh, lean, and rarely roasted, and a beef-steak broiled, take three hours to digest: that fresh and dry-roasted, and boiled, eaten with mustard, is digested in three hours and thirty minutes. Lean fresh beef fried takes four hours to digest, and old hard salted beef boiled does not di- gest in less than four hours and fifteen min- utes. Fresh beef suet boiled takes five hours and thirty minutes to digest. — Combe. Comparative Nutritive Powers of Green and Dry Fodder for Cattle. — A communication has been made to the Paris Academy of Sciences, by M. Boussingault, on the comparative nutritive powers of green and dry fodder for cattle. Hitherto the re- ceived opinion was, that natural or artificial grasses, on their being converted into hay, lost a portion of their virtues. To deter- mine this point, M. Boussingault fed a heifer alternately, for ten days at a time, upon green or dry food, and weighed the animal after each ten days. He found no difl^erence in the average weight; and therefore comes to the conclusion, that the hay made from any given quantity of natural or artificial grass has the same nutrition as the quantity of green food from which it was made. — London Alhenceum. Irrigation. We liave repeatedly in the course of our editorial labours, adverted to tliis subject, and take pleasure in introducing the following very clever extract from Stepkevs' Book of the Farm. Many situations offer fa- cilities for enriching land, and greatly adding to its productiveness, by this method, which are suffered to remain unimproved: and it were well to recollect that every advantage unappropriated, is, according to Poor Richard's theory, so much lost. — Ed. The mode in which water acts in produc- ing the effects witnessed in water-meadows, has not yet been completely ascertained. It is not the sediment in the water that alone works the charm, for clear water produces similar results; though, no doubt, enriching ingredients carried by the water encourage the growth of plants more rapidly than clear water, as witness the produce of foul- water meadows in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh. Profe.ssor Low has these observations on the theory of the process: "The theory of the process of irrigation," says the Professor, "has not been satisfactorily exp'ained. That the effect is not produced by the mere sup- ply of deficient water, appears not only from the period at which the water is admitted, and when in our climate the soil is always saturated with the fluid, but from the cir- cumstance that the effect is not produced when the water is alloiced to stagnate, and sink down in the soil, but lohen it is kept in a current over it. When the water is suf- fered to stagnate, the soil tends to produce carices, junci, and other sub-aquatic plants; but when it is kept in motion, and drained off at intervals, the finest grasses peculiar 14 Irrigation. Vol. XIT. to the soil and climate are produced. Nei- ther does the fact of the deposition of mud, or other fertilizing sediment, explain the phenomenon; for however such depositions may increase the effect, it is likewise found that water, without the least perceptible sediment, may be employed with success. It has been supposed that the water acts beneficially by maintaining the soil at a higher temperature. Water, at a tempera- ture of 40°, is of greater specific gravity than at a lower temperature; and hence as the water tends to the freezing point, the warmer portion of it is next the ground. Much, however, cannot be ascribed to this cause, in a current so shallow and constant as that which passes over the watered mea- dow. It is probable, therefore, that the main effect is produced by a mechanical ac- tion of the water, acting upon and bringing nourishment to the fibrous roots of the plants." Although it may be very true, as Mr. Stephens observes, that " however authors may disagree on this interesting subject — the theory of irrigation, — I believe all ex- perimentalists acknowledge that early win- ter watering is necessary to produce early and abundant vegetation ; in what way this operates is, as to practical purposes, less ma- terial;" yet it is always satisfactory to man to be able to give a reason for what he does. To this view I shall add another theory of irrigation, that has been suggested by Pro- fessor Rennie, late of King's College, Lon- don. It is believed by some vegetable phy- siologists that plants excrete certain matter from their roots, which proves inimical to the health of other plants of the same kind. Hence it is concluded that grasses do not continue permanently in a healthy state in the same site, because they are in time in- juriously affected by their own excretions, which, encouraging the gfowth of plants of a different nature, such as mosses, they spring up and extirpate the grasses. It is supposed to be probable that every species of grass is not alike affected by its own, or the excrementilious matter from other grass- es, and therefore some species withstand the poison longer than others. Now the water of irrigation, in its descent through the soil and subsoil, washes away or carries off in solution the injurious excrementitious mat- ter exuded by the grasses, and thereby cleanses the soil in which they are growing, free of it. Hence the perennial verdure of irrigated meadows. In order to arrive at a satisfactory expla- nation of this subject, and believing that both this theory, as well as the one given by Sir Humphrey Davy, referred to by Pro- fessor Low, contains truth, I proposed some time ago a conjunction of the two theories; and the compound theory certainly explains the four great points of irrigation, namely, that it supplies moisture to the soil in dry seasons and in tropical climates; it affords protection to plants against the extremes of heat and cold ; it disseminates manure in the most minute manner to plants ; and it washes away injurious matter from the roots of plants, i'he benefits derived from irriga- tion I therefore maintained are purely me- chanical, and doubted the correctness of Sir Humphrey Davy's opinion, when he says that "in the artificial watering of meadows the beneficial effects depend upon many dif- ferent causes, some chemical, some mechan- ical," because chemical action only com- mences c/ier the act of irrigation has ceased, as the nature of the following particulars at- tending irrigation will show. No doubt, the effects of the substances, whatever they may be, which are deposited by the water of irri- gation, may be chemical, as well as those of manure applied to grass by the hand of man. But the act of the water in depositing fertil- izing materials, can be no more chemical than that of the instruments used in spread- ing dung upon the soil. The truth is, that whenever the water of irrigation, or the subt^tances contained in it, act chemically upon the grass or soil, while subjected to the process, that moment irrigation proves inju- rious to the plants. The chemical action and the injury are both evinced by the same phenomenon, namely, the existence of white scum floating on the water. " If the wea- ther should be mild," observes Mr. Stephens, "and you suffer the water to run over the meadow too long without intermission, a while scum is generated, which is very de- structive to the tender grass^ The par- ticulars of irrigation I referred to are these: " The operation of water bringing matter into minute subdivision; the sediment w-hich it contains when used in irrigation being minutely distributed around the stems of the plants; water protecting plants in irrigation against the extremes of heat and cold, by completely covering and embracing every stem and leaf; and the supplying of moisture to the soil and washing excrementitious mat- ter out of it, are all purely mechanical ope- rations." For, ^^ could the hand of man dis- tribute manure around the roots and stems of grass as minutely and as incessantly as turbid water; could it place a covering of woollen texture upon each blade and around each stem of grass, as completely as water can embrace each plant and keep it warm; could it water the grass as quietly and con- stantly as the slow current of irrigation; and No. 1. Great Yield of JVheat. — Woollen Rags. 15 could it wash away hurtful matter from the soil as delicately from the fibres of the roots of grass as irrigating water, there would be no need of irrigation; the husbandman could then command at will verdant pasturage for his flocks and herds, throughout the year, and in the driest season. His mechanical agency would be as effective as irrigation ; but constituted as the relative state of things at present is, between man and the action of physical laws, he employs irrigation as an in- strument of his will, and induces nature to assist him in maintaining his live stock by an application of her peculiar mode of acting, under his own guidance, but in which she nndoubtedly displays her superiority over him, both in perseverance and dexterity." Great Yield of Wheat. Having sometimes seen in the Cecil Whig, accounts of extraordinary agricultural pro- ductions, I am induced to contribute ray mite to the good cause, by forwarding an ac- count of my present wheat crop. The ground was in oats last season, and almost as soon as it was taken off, the ma- nure was hauled out, stubble broken up, well harrowed, and then left until the 25th of Au- gust, when 1 commenced sowing the Medi- terranean wheat upon it at the rate of a little more than two bushels to the acre, and ploughing in pretty deep; then ran a large harrow over it, and left it. 1 think I have discovered several important ad vantages from thus early sowing, and ploughing in. In the first place it gives the wheat an early start, and consequently a strong and vigorous root, and it is not near so liable to be thrown out by the winter frost, and as was the case with mine, the first growth was to all ap- pearance destroyed by the fly, but this proved to be no injury to the plant, which having an early start stooled out wonderfully from the root, as will appear from the samples I have sent as the produce of two grains, tied up separately. There are 5-5 stalks to one, and 54 to the other, and I presume they will yield about 3000 grains of good sound wheat. Yesterday I shelled out the heads of a single grain numbering .52 stalks and counted them carefully; they numbered 1307 grains. I have the produce of another grain number- ing 58 stalks, which I have no doubt will yield 1.500 grains of wheat. This may ap- pear almost incredible, and I could hardly believe the evidencesof my senses that such could be the result, but I took the several parcels as they were pulled up by the roots in the field, and washed them till there was scarcely a particle of dirt remaining, and then examined them very minutely, and the result was as I have described it ; it was only the product of one grain. I have, I believe, without a solitary exception, obtained better crops of wheat by ploughing in, than when I harrowed in. Wheat sown late, and har- rowed in, has but a poor chance against the winter and spring frosts. Peter Askew. Brick Meeting-house, Md. Woollen Rags. — Woollen rags, the clip- pings of woollen cloth obtained from the fac- tories under the name of shoddy, and wool dust, and woollen refuse of every .description, make a most valuable manure. Indeed, none ranks higher in value. Besides its own intrinsic efficacy, it becomes mixed or strongly impregnated with oil, used in the processes of manufacturing. Its effects are not immediate, and therefore it is not to be considered as a foicing manure, but they are very durable; and when spread upon grass land, its efficacy is great and permanent. It is deemed, in the highest degree, rich in all the elements of vegetation. It is considered extremely valuable as an application to hop- grounds. The hop-growers in Surrey in- formed me that it was to be preferred to any other manure. It is deemed best to mix it very copiously with earth or mould ; and in this way it should be repeatedly shovelled over, in order to assist its decomposition. Mr. Hannam, in his excellent little treatise upon waste manures, states the case of a farmer, who, on applying eight tons of shod- dy compost per acre, obtained nine tons of hay, in a small hilly field, which before never gave him four tons. It is transported in large sacks, and is a regular article of mer- chandise.— Colman's Tour. Show me the cottage, the roses and the honeysuckles on which are neatly trimmed and trained, and the garden behind is well stocked with culinary herbs and a few choice flowers, and I will speedily find you a cot- , tager who never wastes his time or his mo- ney, or debases his mind, and learns the " broad road which leadeth to destruction," in the contamination of an ale-house. If the garden is neat, one may rest assured that the cottage, however humble it is, is the abode of contentment and happiness; and that however simple the fare may be, it is wealth and luxury in full store to the in- mates, because they are satisfied with it, and grateful for the possession of it. DoDMAN says "a very litt'e care and judi- cious selection of sorts will insure pears daily from the end of July till May." 16 Interesting Agricultural Facts. — Good Advice to Boys. Vol. XII. Interesting Agricultural Facts. Read before the Farmers' Club and comiiiiinieated to the Farmer and Mechanic for publication. BY H. MEIGS, ESQ. The care of enlightened and patriotic men has caused the introduction of precious plants and animals into countries, which had never, since creation before possessed them. LucuUus first introduced cherries into Italy, from Pontus, and he first planted them in his princely gardens in Rome, where they have ever since flourished, as greatly as they had done in Pontus. The Malus Pyrus, or rather Epyrus, (the pear) from Epirus. The peach (Malus Pun- ica) from Carthage. The apricot (Malus Armeniaca) from Armenia. The quince (Malus Cydoiiia) from Syria — these after having been naturalized to the climate of Italy, were afterwards transplanted by the Romans, into all the countries conquered by them. The tree from which the first sweet oranges were raised in Portugal, is, perhaps, still living in China, and they bear the name of| China oranges, for they were not natives of Portugal. Rice was first introduced into Carolina about the year 1740. In England, about the year 1500, there were no musk melons, sallads, cabbages, turnips, carrots, nor any of those garden roots 60 important now to the people. Long after that, the cauliflower was introduced, which now grows so finely in England. About the years 1525 to 1550, hops and pippin apples were first introduced ; goose- berries, also currants, roses, July flowers, carnations, asparagus, oranges, beans, let- tuce, plums, musk roses, tulips, and arti- choke. About the year 1769, the rhubarb plant was deemed so naturally confined to Tartary, that tlie Emperor of Russia regu- lated the quantity brought to market and the price of it, much in the same way that the Dutch have done cloves and mace, and they made England pay annually nearly a million dollars for it, and it now grows in England to great perfection, and as easily as the com- mon dock. As to birds, the peacock was introduced into England from the East Indies, the phea- sant from Asia Minor, and it flourishes in England. Our barn yard fowls were brought origi- nally to England from Asia. Our horses are from Barbary, Turkey, Persia, Andalu- sia of Spain, and from Arabia, and they flou- rish among us. James I. introduced the cattle. Before the reign of Tiberius it was sup- posed that the silk worm could exist only m China and Persia. But about the times of Augustus and Tiberius some enterprising man carried the eggs to Greece, where they were found to hatch and thrive perfectly well. They afterwards were carried to Asia Minor, but it was several ages bef()re they were naturalized in Italy by the Francs. Good Advice to Boys. Be brisk, energetic and prompt ! The world is full of boys, — and men too — who drawl through life, and never decide on any thing for themselves — but just draggle one leg at\er the other, and let things take their own way. Such people are the dull stuff' of the earth. They hardly deserve as much credit as the wooden trees ; for trees do all the good they can, in merely growing, and bearing leaves and seeds. But these drawl- ing, draggling boys, do not turn their capa- cities to profit, half as far as they might be turned ; they are unprofitable, like a rainy day in harvest time. Now the brisk ener- getic boy will be constantly awake, not merely with his bodily eyes, but with his mind and attention — during the hours of bu- siness. After he learns what he has to do, he will take a pride in doing it punctually and well — and would feel ashamed to be told, what he ought to do without telling. The drawling boy loses in five minutes the most important advice; the prompt, wide- awake boy never has to be taught twice — but strains hard to make himself up to the mark, as far as possible out of his own ener- gies. Third-rate boys are always depending upon others; huX. first-rale boys depend upon themselves, and after a little teaching, just enough to know what is to be done, tliey ask no further favours of anybody. Besides it is a glorious thing for a boy to get this noble way of self-reliance, actiiity, and en- ergy. Such an one is worth a hundred of the poor draggling creatures, who can hardly wash their own hands without being told, each time, how it is to be done. Give me the boy who does his own work promptly, and ivell, without asking — except once for all, at the beginning — any questions; the boy who has wits about him, is never behind- hand, and don't let the grass grow under his heels. — Partner and Mechanic. Manure for SxRAWEERRiES.-r-The best top-dressing for strawberry beds is a little leaf mould, pointed in with a fork, early in March. A good addition also is nitrate of soda, three ounces to each square yard, sprinkled over the surface at the same sea- son. Bonednst and charred turf, pointed in with a fork in October, have also been found highly beneficial. No. I. Preservation of Timber. 17 Preservation of Timber. Timber is sometimes seasoined by previous total immersion in water. It has been held that this process favoured the thorough dry- ing, by dissolving out certain deliquescent salts which are found in the sap, and pre- vented after-shrinking. However this may be, it is quite certain that in warm countries especially, it is advantageous to sink fresh- cut timber in water, with a view to prevent it from splitting, apparently in consequence of drying too quickly. The old Venetian sank for a season in the sea, the oak timber which was destined for the construction of their galleys. Elm and beech, in particular, are said to improve greatly by the process of submersion in salt water, and to dry after wards perfectly by simple exposure to the air. Duhamel advises strongly, that in ship- building all timber from trees already on the decline should be rigorously rejected; and this the rather, that the most careful exami- nation often fails at first to perceive any a teration in the heart-wood of such trees, although it never fails to show itself by and by at a sufficient interval after the felling. This is undoubtedly a precept which it would be well to bear constantly in mind; but tim- ber does not always carry within itself the germs of its speedy decay; and that which has been seasoned with the most scrupulous care, and was originally of the best quality, does not escape the rot when it is placed un der unfavourable circumstances, any more than that which was of inferior worth and less carefully treated. Wood appears fo perish or decay through three principal and appreciable causes, which all require similar conditions to come into play, viz., stagnant air, sufficient warmth, and moisture. Like the generality of or- ganic substances, wood, when moistened in contact with the oxygen of the air, and un- der the influence of a sufficiently high tem- perature, undergoes decomposition of a kind which has been compared to a slow combus- tion, upon which we shall find occasion to say more by and by. It is with a view to escape this kind of decay as much as possi- ble that timber is never, or ought never, to be employed in the construction of ships and buildings until it has been thoroughly sea- soned. Besides this first cause of decay, vi'hich may be prevented in a great measure by using certain precautions, wood has still two redoubtable enemies, insects and certain plants of the family of the cryptogamia?. In one case, the wood perisiies because it is fed upon by certain animals which live and grow at its expense ; in the other it decays be- cause it serves as the soil to one crop of fungus after another which luxuriate on its surface, while their roots penetrate deeply into its interior. There is nothing in either accident which excites astonishment, now that we know the intimate constitution of wood. We know, in fact, that among the number of soluble principles which impreg- nate the woody tissue, there is an azotized matter analogous in its composition to those that exist so abundantly in all the ordinary esculent vegetables. There is, therefore, in wood ample nourishment for the insects which we find living on it; and if I state now — reserving to myself the opportunity of demonstrating the fact — that all organic azotized matter becomes an active manure by decaying, we shall understand how it happens that plants, which have the power of living in dark, warm, and damp places, wax and multiply in the joistings of houses, and in the ribs and planks of ships, causing a dry rot, which separates the integral layers of the wood, and reduces the strongest beams to dust. The rapidity with which wood is, in some circumstances, devoured by insects, is almost incredible. Some years ago the thermites, or white ants, spread in such strength through the docks and arsenals of Rochelle and Ro- chefort, that in a very short space of time serious damage was done. A learned ento- mologist, M. Audouin, commissioned by the ministry to take information on the subject, reported that the ravages committed by these insects had been very considerable. But it is principally in warmer climates, where the temperature is steady throughout the year, and where there is no winter, that the ther- mites occasion the most alarming injury. At Popayan, for example, it is difficult to meet in a building, even of recent construc- tion, with a piece of wood which is not gnawed and ant-eaten. The hardest and most compact woods do not always resist the attacks of these insects, which, further, do not spare every kind of odorous wood, cedar for instance. In such countries it is altoge- ther impossible to preserve books and papers. I remember, in connection with this matter, that having received instructions to examine the archives of Anserma, one of the oldest towns in Popayan, in 1830, I found nothing but books illegible and in pieces; neverthe- less, the date of the documents, which it was my business to consult, could not have been older than the year 1600. The dry rot, which results from the de- velopment and growth of cryptogamic plants upon wood, is the curse of navies. Mr. Knowles is of opinion that this disease of 18 Preservation of Timber. Vol. Xll. timber has been known from the most re' mote antiquity; he believes that he can even recognise dry-rot in the sore called house- leprosy, mentioned in the 14th chapter of Leviticus, A ship attacked by dry-rot, be- comes in a very short space of time unfit for sea. The Foudroyant, of 80 guns, is often quoted as an instance of its destructive pow- ers : launched in 1798, she had to be taken into dock and almost rebuilt so soon as 1802. The fungi which induce dry-rot have been studied by Sowerby. Mr. Knowles signal- izes two species in particular; one of which he describes under the name of Xyloslroma giganleum, the other under that of Boletus lacrymans. The Xylostroma does not ex- tend beyond the part where it is developed ; but the Boletus, on the contrary, is propa- gated with frightful rapidity, and disorgan- izes deeply and to a great distance around the texture of the wood where it once ap- pears. These fungi are generally found on board ship, between the planking and the ribs, in damp situations, and where the air is scarcely, if ever, changed. The temperature most favourable to the development of dry-rot has been found to lie between 7° and 32° cent, or 45° and 90^ F. These are the extreme limits: below the minimum, vegetation languishes; above the maximum, the fungi droop. With this piece of information it was hoped that vessels might be freed from dry-rot by raising the temperature sufficiently. The trials were made in winter in the "Queen Charlotte," the air in the lower part of the ship being raised as high as 55° cent, or 130° F. But the general result did not answer expecta- tions; for although the fungi were destroyed in the lower part of the vessel, it was found that their growth was rather favoured in places at a certain elevation above the kel Bon, The warm air, in fact, as it rose through the timbers became robbed in its course, and deposited the greater portion of the moisture which it had taken up at a lower level. Above the orlop deck, conse- quently, there was just about the tempera- ture and the quantity of moisture most fa- vourable to the development of the fungi The evil was therefore only transplanted, not destroyed. It was now proposed to heat the "'tween decks" at the same time as the hold, making use of due ventilation; but this method of proceeding has not been put into practice. The extreme slowness of the growth of trees, stands in strong contrast with the ra- pidity of their decay when they are reduced to the shape of timber and employed in con Btructions of almost every kind. In coun tries well advanced in civilization, every description of industry tends to consume timber, at the same time that an increasing population is every day contracting the ex- tent of forest land, and diminishing the num- ber of trees grown. In some countries, in- deed, it is certain that the production of wood for all purposes, firing, «Slc., &c., is no onger in relation with its consumption. The price of the article, necessarily high, is there- fore tending continually to rise; and it is not surprising that various measures have been suggested and essayed of giving this perish- able material greater durability. The well-known great durability of cer- tain trees, the teak, ebony, lignum-vitag, &c., naturally led to the conclusion that the fatty or resinous matters which they contain have the property of preserving the wood against the greater number of the ordinary causes of decay; and unctuous and resinous mat- ters appear in fact to have been the means most anciently employed to preserve wood from the air, from moisture, and from the attacks of insects. But it is scarcely neces- sary, at the present time, to say that these varnishes only accomplish the object pro- posed in their application in a very imper- fect way; paint and varnishes crack, rub, or scale off with the slightest friction ; nor do they always remove the causes of internal ' decay; on the contrary, by preventing more complete dryness, they sometimes even pro- voke or favour them, when applied to tender, that is, imperfectly seasoned wood. Merely laid on the surface, indeed, it has always been seen that varnishes of any kind were but indifferent protectors; that a really good preserver ought to penetrate the substance of the wood, and unite with the tissue itself. But herein lay the whole difliculty; how was the needful penetration to be effected? for the number of chemical substances, from which good effects might reasonably be an- ticipated, is pretty considerable, — unless, in- deed, we find ourselves prevented from using them by the consideration of the price; for it is imperative that any preservative pro- posed be extremely cheap. For a long time the only process for ef- fecting the penetration of timber by sub- stances proposed for its preservation was to macerate them for a longer or shorter time in a solution of the substance. But this means was found as tardy of accomplishment as it was ordinarily imperfectly effected ; to have got to the heart of logs of large scant- ling, years would have been required. Any delay, however, in such circumstances, is of itself a cause of enhanced price of the arti- cle. By and by a variety of processes, the element in one being pressure, in another exhaustion, were put in practice, and very No. 1. A Productive Farm. — Ploughs. Id satisfactory results obtained. M. Breaiit showed, that by moans of strong pressure he could fill the largest logs from one end to the other with any unctuous or resinous substance proposed, in the course of a few minutes. M. Moll, a learned German, pro- posed creosote introduced in the state of va- por by tbrcing, as an effectual means of pre- serving timber, which it probably would be found; but the high price of the antiseptic, were there no other objections, would neces- sarily be an obstacle to its general employ- ment. The same objection applies to the bichloride of mercury, — Kyan's patent; and arsenic is inadvisable from its deleterious effects upon the animal economy. Some workmen are said to have lost their lives in consequence of working timber which had been impregnsited with a solution of white oxide of arsenic. It had been observed that vessels engaged in the lime-trade lasted long; and then it was naturally thought that by impregnating the wood to be used for ship-building with lime, it would be rendered more durable. But the result did not answer expectation ; the timber treated with lime did not even seem to last the usual time. — Boussingauli' s Rural Economy. From the Farmers' Library. A Productive Farm. Mr. Mordecai Abraham is a neighbour of mine, living upon rented land, and pays $1 50 per acre for ninety-six acres. He has just given me the following items as the amount of his crop for the year 1846. His farm has been worked exclusively by himself and son, with a team of two horses. Bushels 28 acres Winter Wh^at 858 9 acres Snring Wheat 164 39 acres Corn 2,050 5 acres Oats 300 \ acre Potatoes 50 A patch of Onions 7 Total, 3,429 In addition to the above, Mr. A. had one and a half acres of flax, which was a good crop, but not saved for want of time; and three to four acres of spring wheat which he was unable to harvest. He also had nine acres of good timothy hay, which was well saved; and one hundred and sixty bushels of apples, one-half of which were sold for fifty cents per bushel. The wife and daughters made a piece of silk— enough for 11 handkerchiefs, which sold for $1 50 each, and they have kept a hand-loom in motion for most of the season. For harvesting and threshing, Mr. A. paid 161 bushels of wheat, which, with the $144 rent, shows the amount to be deducted from the above, in estimating the value of the labour of the family. I send you this for the purpose of showing your readers abroad what tim men and two horses can do in the way of furnishing some- thing to eat, when they set themselves to work upon our prairies. The land upon which the above crop was raised is not above a medium quality of the lands in this region; and I verily believe there are 30,000 sections or square miles in the State which are as productive as the farm in question. If I am right in this opinion, there are then 120,000 quarter sections which might be made as productive as the one upon which Mr. Abra- ham raised the above crop. Again, we have some 20,000 square miles not so fertile, which may be set down at half the productiveness of those first named — equal to 40,000 more quarter sections — making in all 160,000 farms of equal productiveness with the above. Now if you will take the trouble to cipher up how many people could live comfortably upon the provisions raised by Mr. A. as before stated, and then multiply that number of people by 160,000, you can, I think, give a pretty shrewd guess how many human beings can be fed upon the productions of Illinois when the same shall be brought into tolerable cultivation. E. Haekness. Fruit Farm, Peoria co., Feb. 1847. Ploughs. Although the Dutch and Flemish made considerable improvement in the plough as early as the sixteenth century, and their ex- ample was followed up by the Scotch and English, bringing it to a high state of per- fection, in Blythe's Rotherham plough, as early as 1730, 1 cannot learn that it received any attention on the part of American me- chanics, with a view of its improvement, till after the close of the Revolution. Indeed, till quite recently, the ploughs in general use throughout the United States were ex- tremely rude and highly primitive in their construction. A winding tree was cut down, and a mould board hewed from it with the grain of the timber running as nearly along its shape as could well be obtained. On to this mould board, to prevent its wearing out too rapidly, were nailed the blades of an old hoe, thin straps of iron, or worn-out horse- shoes. The land-side was of wood, its base and side shod with thin plates of iron. The 20 Ploughs. Vol. XII. share was of ^iron with a hardened steel point. The coulter was tolerably well made of iron, steel-edged, and locked into tlie share nearly as it does in the in'iproved lock- coulter plough of the present day. The beam was usually a straight stick. The handles, like the mould board, split from the crooked trunk of a tree, or as often cut from its branches: the crooked roots of the white ash were the most favourite timber for plough handles in the Northern States. Tlie beam was set at any pitch that fancy might dic- tate, with the handles fastened on, almost at right angles with it, thus leaving the plough- man little control over his implement, which did its work in a very slow and most imper- fect manner. It will be proper to give some account of the improvement made in ploughs in Eng' land and Scotland, before proceeding to the consideration of the improvement in Ame- rica. James Small, a Scotchman, constructed a plough on true mechanical principles, and was the inventor of the cast iron mould board for it as early as the year 1740. He was extensively engaged in the manufactory of ploughs and other agricultural implements in Berwickshire, Scotland, for a great num- ber of years. His ploughs are still consider- ed as a standard for the elements of good plouiih making, notwithstanding the improve- ments since his death up to the present day. The basis of Small's improved plough was the Rotherham plough, which had been quite generally adopted. His improvement con- sisted in the better form of the mould board and particularly in making it of cast iron. His plough, rendered cheaper by the easier construction and tlie greater certainty of the regular form of the mould board, obtained a general use in all the nortli of England and in Scotland. In its turn Small's plough be- came the basis of the improved Scotch plough, so widely known and used now in both Eng- land and Scotland. From the year 1740, when Small first in- troduced the cast iron mould board, there seems to be no evidence th^it any other part of the plough was made of cast iron until the year 17S5, when Robert Ransome, of Ipswich, England, introduced tlie cast iron share. This was an improvetnent of vast importance and was soon ibllowed by others. From the facility and economy with which parts requiring nicety and uniformity in their form can be made and multiplied to any e.x- tent when cast, cast iron superseded wrought iron wholly in the plough. The next improvement in the cast iron parts following Ransome's cast iron share, was made by a plain farmer in Suffolk coun- ty, England. It consisted in making the bottom of the land side of cast iron. This was immediately fallowed by making the whole of the land side of cast iron, and soon after the first introduction of the cast iron share, ploughs were produced of cast iron in all parts of their bodies. Thus about the year 1790 the plough in Eni^land was perfected to the point, that it was made entirely, in its body, of cast iron. A single improvement yet remained to be effected, viz: a greater hardness in the share; and this was made by Robert Ran- .some, who in 1803 took out a patent for case hardening, or what we term, chilling the points and edges of the share. When in England, in 1841, I became acquainted with his son and successor in business, Mr. Allen Ransome, in whose admirable work on ploughs and agricultural implements, the curious reader will find full particulars in regard to this interesting subject. It will thus be seen that the cast iron plouoh is wholly an English invention. The first person in America, of whom I find any record as having taken up the plough with a view of its scientific improve- ment, was Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, late President of the United States. He invented a new mould board, an account of which he first gave to the French Institute; but more minutely describes it in a letter to Sir John Sinclair, in 1798. Having never seen this plough of Mr. Jefferson, I am un- able to give any opinion as to its merits; but understand, indirectly, that it was a great improvement upon those generally then in use in Virginia and further south. We now come to a very important im- provement in the material and manufacture of ploughs in America, which so cheapened their construction, that those for one horse, strong and well made, after the most im- proved patterns, can now be had in New York at $;2 to -$4 each, and a two-horse plough from 1*5 to $7; thus placing this most useful of all agricultural implements, withm the means of every farmer, however limited they may be. If the farmers are not furnished with good ploughs now, the fault is their own entirely. The important improvement which I al- lude to, is, the cast iron plough complete, which asnear as I can ascertain, was made about the year 1790, by Mr. Newbold,* an * This, we apprehend, was Charles Neubold, of Springtield, in Burlington county, an ingenious man, who gave much time to the improvement of ilie plough, and died within a few years up the North River. We well remember the barbarous wooden mould board of our boyhood, with pieces of iron hoop nailed No. 1. Ploughs. 21 ing-enious farmer of Burlington, New Jersey. Hi's was undoubtedly the first cast iron plough ever used in the United States, and to him should be awarded the honour of its intro- duction, although thus far it has been gene- rally accorded to .Teihro Wood of New York, who had the shrewdness to get out a patent for one in 1814. He undoubtedly derived his idea from Mr. Newbold — who took no interest in getting it into general use — or from those of English manufacture, and was never entitled to the least merit as the ori- ginator or improver of the cast iron plough. Mr. Newbold made his improvement with- out any knowledge of the progress in the same direction, in England. Mr. Peter T. Curtenius, of the city of New York, kept ploughs for sale as early as 1800, the shares of which were cast iron ; but whether these were got up by himself or made from Mr. Newbold's patterns, I have not yet been able to ascertain. These ploughs were highly approved, as may be seen by reference to an article on the subject, by Col. John Smith, in volume first, page 173, of the Transactions of the Society of New York for the promotion of Agriculture, Arts and Manufactures, the second edition of which was published in 1801. Mr. Newbold's plough not having obtained a general use, even in his own neighbour- hood, the old wooden mould board and wrought iron share still prevailing for many years after the introduction of his complete cast iron plough, others took up the subject in part. Mr. Peacock, of New Jersey, made a great improvement in ploughs as early, I am informed, as 1805, by substituting the cast iron for the wooden mould board. The form of this, however, and the manner of putting his plough together were very im perfect. In the year 1808, Peacock's plough was 60 far improved as to be made share and mould board both of cast iron; and in vari- ous forms was extensively used in the vicin- ity of New York, on Long Island, and in New Jersey, under the name of the Peacock plough. This was six years prior to the first patent obtained by Wood. Mr. Edv/in A. Stevens, of Hoboken, New Jersey, took up the plough in 1817, and for nearly four years devoted his ingenious tal- ents to its improvement. He often tested it with a very accurately arranged dynamome- ter, and in various other ways, and against on it — the beaai and handles partly as long as a row of corn; and we well remember too, the introduction of Peacock's plough, that opened a new era in the practical part of a ploughboy's life.— Ep, the best ploughs within his reach, and at length succeeded in making it so perfect that it found great favour with the public, and has been a standing model tor most of the best ploughs since manufactured in the United States. He informs me that he took his idea of a cast iron plough from Mr. New- bold's invention. Mr. Stevens patented his plough on the 23rd of April, 1821, and was the first in this country to make use of the process of cold chilling the base of the land-side and lower edge of the share — a most important im- provement— which was also embraced in his specification for a patent. Mr. Davis of the District of Columbia, Mr. Bergen of Long Island, N. Y., and Mr. Nourse of Massachusetts, have improved the mould boards and other parts of the plough more or less, for particular purposes; and so far as I can learn, have done the same inde- pendent of any knowledge of each other at the time. These gentlemen are consequently entitled to more or less praise for their im- provements. There are probably one hundred different kinds of ploughs to be found in the United States, each of which has its advocates, and is entitled to more or less merit. To under- take a description of these would be tedious, I shall therefore content myself with a brief summary of such as are best adapted to par- ticular purposes. 1. The Root Breaker. — This is a powerful implement, made without mould board, some- thing like a subsoil plough. It has a thick, strong coulter running down from the beam, locking firmly into the point, which is wrought iron, steeled at the end. The ob- ject of this plough is, to operate in newly cleared forest land, for the purpose of cutting up the roots of the trees and preparing it for cultivation. It will sever roots three inches in diameter with ease, and after once passing over the ground, the common mould board plough can work it freely. 2. The Prairie Plough.— This, like the one above, is used for breaking up a virgin soil ; but as it is the thick fibrous roots of grass centuries old that are to be severed, instead of those of forest trees, its construc- tion is entirely different. Those now most approved, have their mould board and point terminating flat and wide. The point is of wrought iron, steel-edged, and must be kept very sharp in order to work well. Like the Root Breaker, it requires a powerful team to move it. 3. Sod and Slvbble Ploughs.— Among the best we know for this purpose, are the different kinds made by Messrs. Ruggles, Nourse and Mason, of Worcester, Massa- 22 Durham Cow. — Potatoe Disease. — American Institute. Vol. XII. chusetts. Their improvements are quite numerous, one of the most important of which, is their recently patented dial-clevis. Combining this with the draft-rod, it enables the plouTfhman to run his plough close along side of a fence or ditch, or turn up wet mea- dows, or rice lands, with the off as well as the near animal treading on the unbroken ground, instead of the open, miry furrow. It also enables him to guage the running of| his plough more exactly in its work than any other clevis I have seen. — New York Agricultural Transactions, 1846. From the Farmers' Library. Mr. Phelps's Durham Cow Victoria. Messrs. Editors, — In redemption of the pledge made you when last in your city, and in obedience to the wishes of our mutual friends, who have solicited it for your col- umns, I send a brief notice of my Durham cow Victoria. She was calved on the 30th day of March, 1841, and slaughtered on the 6th day of January, 1847, being five years, ten months, and seven days old — has had four calves at three premature births, none of which have been reared. Her standard height was 4 feet 8 inches. Length from horns to tail 7 " 4 " Breadth across the hips 2 " 1^- " Size in the girth 7 " 9 " Weight on foot 1890 lbs. Net weight of quarters 1312 lbs. » " hide 98 " " " rough tallow 176 "—1586 Loss in slaughtering, 304 lbs. She would probably have weighed 2,000 lbs. had she been kept until maturity. Journalizing the weight of animals having become somewhat fashionable, I will add that I marketed with Messrs. A. D, & H. Reed, of Farmington, the present season, fifteen hogs, averaging 416 lbs., the lightest weighing 332 and the heaviest 524 lbs. William J. Phelps. Elmwood, Peoria co., Feb., 1847. To SAVE Horses from Fire. — " I recom- mend first, to blind the animal thoroughly, and second, to unloose or cut the halter, and the terrified animal will, with kind and gentle usage, at once suffer himself to be led past, nay, even through the raging ele- ment. I have myself been benefitted by possessing the knowledge of this plan, and have satisfactorily and practically put it to the test, after all other means that could be thought of — both gentle, persuasive, and compulsory — had been tried in vain." Potatoe Disease. At an agricultural discussion at Albany, a few months since, S. Cheever remarked that he had " read much; examined much; experimented much on this subject, and all his investigations had only confirmed him, that this terrible disease was one of those inscrutable dispensations of Providence, sent in its wisdom ; sent for its own mysterious uses; and its causes are yet hid from the mind of man. We only know that it exists. It had been supposed to show itself only in this soil or in that, and yet where one person has proved to his own satisfaction, that it was only in this combination of circum- stances th^t it was evinced, it has shown itself in its direct opposite. It was like the cholera, which came and went, no man knew why or whither, but its dreadful work, all saw. It passed over in its destruction, goino- as it came. He had suffered very little in his own experience, but had seen its effects, and had seen its varied phases, its eccentric features, so much so as to establish to his belief, the truth, that the potatoe disease was a calamity, with no known cause. All Europe had endeavoured to investigate the origin of it. It had been discoursed upon, experimented upon by scientific men abroad, to a greater degree than any other recent subject, and yet^he result of all these elabo- rate and scientific researches had been to establish the truth, that the real causes were hid in the mysteries o'f a Providence that has motives unknown to men. American Institute— Farmers' Club. April 20th, 1847. Robert Lawrence, Esq., in the chair — H. Meigs, Secretary. Mr. Meigs read the following translation made by him from the Revue Horticole: Paris, 1847. Growth of Potatoes in the earth without stalks or leaves, Lefevre remaiks that the winter culture of potatoes ought to attract the attention of the learned and the practical agriculturists to this curious problem. Question. — Can the potatoes continue to grow in the earth when the vegetation of their stalks and leaves is suspended by coldl To this question practical men say there is no difficulty, for they find that the potatoes often develope in cellars and in the banks where they are deposited, young potatoes. Besides, what are potatoes but swelled roots or stems'? Last year Mr. Francoeur gave a state- ment to the Royal and Central Society of No. 1. Results of Industry. — Fuel in Paris. 23 Agriculture, of an experiment he had made after the method of Mr. Chaugarnier. Potatoes planted about the end of August, gave him a crop at the end of the ensuing winter. A discussion arose in the society on this subject — and .it seems to have been agreed that these potatoes had, in the spring, at- tained their full size. Monsieur Masson, in the experimental garden of the Society, planted in August, 1846, the Marjolin potatoes; the growth of the stalks was very slow; at the time of hill- ing them there were no young potatoes. The cold weather having come, he covered the potatoe bed with dry leaves, and at that time the young potatoes were not larger than the finger's end. Frost came on shortly after; the stalks were completely disorganized, but the vegetation of the potatoes in the earth, nevertheless continued. We recollect that Mr. Vilmorin proved the same flicts twenty years ago, when he introduced the Marjolin potatoe by the name of the kidney. Mons. Naudin. — Agriculture is, in our day, a very complicated science, borrowing for the most part from every other. Besides a knowledge of vegetable physiology which it claims imperiously from every one who takes that career, it also demands an exact appreciation of the different soils, of climate, of local circumstances which often power- fully influence the productions of the earth. We must understand the effects of various manures — what kinds of animals we ought to raise, &c., and in fact, in order to be a good farmer one ought to be a meteorologist, mineralogist, chemist, natural philosopher, and an economist. And it is to these grave and important questions, that the professor of the garden of plants at Paris takes such pains to call the attention of people. France, says he, is one of those countries in Europe which demonstrates best this great truth, that agriculture is a complex art. With her vast plains of the tertiary formation, her masses of granite mountains, her oceanic regions in the west, her oriental provinces participating in the continental climate of the centre of Europe, with such a varied mineralogical nature of soil, and above all, with her north and south regions — what a study does she present for the philosopher and for the learned farmer. — Farmer and Mechanic. From the Cultivator. Results of Industry. The following furnishes a good example of what may be accomplished in farming by laborious industry and perseverance. There are probably many such in our country, and it is proper that they should be held up for the encouragement of others. The writer of this article, it should be remembered, is located in a region which many look upon as very unfavourable to agriculture. I commenced clearing land fi-om a wilder- ness estate in 1820; the growth was heavy hard wood of beech, maple, birch, with some hemlock and spruce. I felled but little each year, at first, as I had neither ox, horse, nor man to help me, unless I hired or exchanged my own labour for them; — the latter I often did. I practiced clearing every movable thing from the land, sowing it with some kind of grain and grass seed. It scarcely ever failed to produce a good crop of grain, and afterwards grass in abundance, for ten, and sometimes for fifteen years. 1 have cleared, with the assistance of my own sons, principally, about one hundred acres of wood- land. I have about twenty-eight acres well cleared of stones, which is in a good state of cultivation. My stock consists of oxen, cows, and young stock, to the number of twenty to twenty-five, one horse, and about forty sheep. I have plenty of hay for my stock, and sell from five to ten tons yearly. My barn, previous to 1846, was 40 by 50 feet, standing where the grdHnd sloped to the southwest, about four feet in fifty. In 1846 I built an addition on the lower side of the old part, one hundred and two feet long and thirty wide. I have dug a cellar under the old part seven feet deep — dug a trench still deeper for drain under the wall, which is substantially built under the two sides and upper end of the old part, leaving the lower end immediately connected with the space or cellar under the new one, which is from six to ten feet deep, — without a single post to interfere with carting, — as the floor over it, with its contents, is supported by king posts. My cattle are watered under the new barn from a well. Young stock is fed at racks under the barn. The cattle are chiefly tied over the cellar of the old barn, and are kept abundantly littered with straw, &c. The manure is tlfrown into the cellar through a scuttle. John McGlauflin. Charlotte, Maine, March, 1847. Fuel in Paris. It is quite cold to-day, and I have been obliged to have a fire; I therefore purchased two francs' worth of wood. There is a mar- chand de bois across the street, who occu- pies not a spacious wood-yard, as you would probably imagine, but a small shop, and that shop, small as it is, is large enough to stow 24 Mice. — The Potatoe. YoL. xn. many thousand francs' worth of this precious article. They would no more think of ex- posing it to the depredations of the needy and unprincipled, in the open air, than a sil- versmith with us, would pile up his wares in a yard; why, while the marchand de hois was looking' away, some scoundrel might fill his pockets and be off. For two francs I got twenty-three sticks, short sticks, rather small ; and for two sous each I purchased two bundles of kindlings in fagots. It is, I believe, about a franc and a half for fifty pounds. Wlicn a fellow was going to buy a foot, they hardly thought him sane, and inquired if he would pay on the spot. The shop of the marchand de bois is decorated outside with paintings of piles of wood in perspective, presenting a perfect El Dorado, like the piles of gold in the broker's win- dows, only less real ; they sell also charbon de terre and charbon de bois. They also sell — it will make you laugh to hear — small pine cones, four for a sous, for fuel. In the winter they burn English coal, which is dear too, mixed with wood. The forests in France are mostly consumed, and great complaints are made of the high duty on English coal. astonished his barber by telling him he had burnt up while camping out, many thou- sand francs' worth of wood in one night! Their manner of sawing wood expresses the value they put upon it; instead of subjecting it to the rude contact of a saw-horse, they hold it carefully in their hands, and rub it up and down the saw; the sawdust is of course carefully preserved; they would as soon waste gold dust. A good deal might be said on the influence which the scarcity of fuel has had on the French character, driving them to the cafe and the spectacle, from the fireside.— Pan's Corres. Salem Gazette. Mice. The harvest mouse is the smallest of all known British quadrupeds, only one-sixth of the size of the common house mouse, for two harvest mice placed in a scale will not do more than weigh down a single halfpenny. Its little nest is beautifully constructed of leaves, and sometimes the softer portion of reeds. About the middle there is a small hole, just large enough to admit the point of the little finger. This is the entrance to the nest, which the n)ouse closes up when it goes in quest of food; and yet this fairy structure, which a man might enclose in the palm of his hand, and which might be tum- bled across the table like a ball without dis- arranging it, often contains as many as eight or nine little mice; for even when full grown the whole length of the head and body scarce- ly exceeds two inches. During the wititer months it retires to its burrow under the ground, unless it should be fortunate enough to get into a corn-stack. It is one of the prettiest of our English animals, and may be kept in a cage like white mice, where it v/ill amuse itself for several minutes at a time by turning round a wire wheel. Its chief food is corn, although it will occasion- ally feed upon insects. How the harvest mouse contrives to give nourishment to eight or nine young ones in that round confined little nest, was a puzzle to that clever naturalist Gilbert White; and as he could not resolve so difficult a question^ he imagined that she must make holes in different parts of the nest, and so feed one at a time. It is very amusing to watch the habits of this beautiful little creature in a cage; to see how she will twine her tail around- the wires, clean herself with her paws, and lap water like a dog: it is the little tomtit of animals. Even the common mouse, which is so great a pest to our houses, is an elegantly shaped little animal, although it is such a plague in the cupboard and in the larder. Wherever man goes, it follows him; let him build ever so princely a man- sion, he is sure to have the little mouse for a tenant. He walks in we cannot tell how, and when he has once obtained possession, he is in no hurry to start again. He helps himself to whatever he can get, without asking any one's permission ; and he never saw a carpet in his life that he thought was too good for himself and his little com- panions to play upon. — Rural England. The Potatoe. — Whether indigenous to Peru, or imported from the neighbouring country of Chili, it formed the great staple of the more elevated plains under the Incas, and its culture was continued to a height in the equatorial regions which reached many thousand feet above the limits of perpetual snow in the temperate latitudes of Europe. Wild specimens of this vegetable might be seen still higher, springing up spontaneously amidst the stunted shrubs that clothed the lofly sides of the Cordilleras, till these grad- ually subsided into the mosses and the short yellow grass, pajonnl, which, like a golden carpet, was unrolled around the base of the mighty cones that rose far into the regions of eternal silence, covered with the snows of centuries. — Prescott. TriE object of a rotation, is the production of the greatest profit in crops with the least exhaustion of the soil. No. 1. AgricuUural Exhibition. 25 Agricultural Exhibition. Premiums offered by the Philadelphia So- ciety for promoting Agriculture, for the Exhibition, to be held at the Lamb Tavern, on the Lancaster turnpike road, one mile west of the Schuylkill, on Thursday and Friday, the 14th and Ibth of October, 1847. Horses.— For the best thorough-bred Stud Horse, $10. For the next best do. Colinan's Agricultural Tour. For the best Stud Horse adapted to the field and road, $8. For the next best do. Colman's Tour. For the best thoroughbred Brood Mare, $8. For the next best do. Culuian's Tour. For the best mare adapted to the field and road, $8. For the next best do. Colman's Tour. For the best Horse Colt between two and four years old, $8. For the next best do. Colman's Tour. For the best Filly or Mare Colt, do. $3. For the next best do. $1. For the best Horse Colt between one and two years old, $4. For the next best do. Washington's Letters on Agri- culture, m For the best Filly or Mare Colt, do. $4. For the next best do. Washington's Letters. NEA.T Cattle Over Two Years Oli>. — For tlie best Durham Bull over three years old, $10. For the next best do. Colman's Tour. For the best do. between two and three years old,S8. For the next best do. Colman's Tour. For the best Bull of Devon blood, $8. For the next best do. Colman's Tour. For the best Ayrshire Bull, $8. For the next best do. Colman's Tour. For the best Alderney Bull, S?- For the next best do. Colman's Tour. For the best Durham Cow over four years old, $8. For the next best do. Colman's Tour. Por the best do. between two and four years old, $8. For the next best do. Colman's Tour. For the best Durham Heifer between two and three years old, .$6. For the next best do. Colman's Tour. For the best Heifer of mixed breed between two and three j«ars old. $i. For the next best do. Washington's Letters. For the best Heifer of Native breed, $i. Por the next best do. Washington's Letters. For the best Cow of Devon blood, $n. For the next best do. Washington's Letters. For the best Ayrshire Cow, $0. For the next best do. Washington's Letters. For the best Alderney Cow, $(5. For the next best do. Washington's Letters. For the best Cow of mixed blood, $4. For the next best do. Washington's Letters. For the best cow of Native breed, $4. For the next best do. Washington's Letters. For the best yoke of Working 0.x;en, reference being had to their performance, $10. For the second best do. $6. For the third best do. Colman's Tour. For the best fat Ox or Steer, $6. For the next best do. Colman's Tour. For the best fat Heifer over three years old, $4. For the next best do. $2. Npat Cattle Under Tvvo Tears Old.— For the best Durham Bull between one and two years old, $6. For the next best do. Colman's Tour. For the best Devon Bull. do. §4. For the next best do. Washington's Letters. For the best Ayrshire Bull, do. $4. For the next best do. §2. For the best Alderney Bull, do. $4. For the next best do. $2. For the best Bull Calf between four months and one year old, of each of ihc above breeds, $2. For the best Durham heifer between one and two years old, f 6. For the next best do. Washington's Letters. For the best Devon do. S4. For the next best do. $2. For the best Ayrshire do. $i. For the next best do. $2. For the best Alderney do. $4. For the ne.\t best do. $2. For the best Heifer of mixed breed, do. $4. For the next best do. $2. For the best Heifer of Native breed, do. $4. For the next best do $2. For the best Heifer Calf of each of the above breeds, between four months and one year old, $2. Sheep.— For the best Bakeviell or Leicester Buck over one year old, $4. For the next best do. $2. For the best do. under one year old, $2. For the next best do. SL For the four best Ewes over one year old, $4. For the four next best do. $2. For the four best Ewe Lambs between four and twelve months old, $2. For the next best do. $1. For the best Soulhdou ii Buck over one year old, $4. For the next best do. |)2. For the best do. under one year old, ^2. For the next best do. $1. For the best Merino Buck over one year old, $4. For the next best do. $2. For the four best do. Ewes over one year old, $4. For the next best do. $2. For the four l)est Ewe Lambs between four and twelve months old, $2. For the next best do. $1. For the four best do. Ewes, §4. For the next best do. $2. For the best Cotswold Buck over one year old, $4. For the next best do. $2. For the best do. under one year old, $2. For the next best do. SI. For the two best do. Evi'es over one year old, $4. For the next best do. $2. For the two best do. Ewe Lambs, between four and twelve months old, $2. For the next best do. §1. For the best improved Buck of mixed breed, over one year old, .f2. For the next best do. $1. For the four best E^^ es, do. $2. For the next best do. $1. IIoos.— For the best Boar of any breed, over one year old. $4 Fur the next best do. $2. For the best Boar do. over six months and under one vear, $4. For the next best do. $2. For the best Sow do. over one year old, $2. For the next best do. $2. For the best Sow do. over six months and under one year, $4. For the next best do. $2. For the best Boar Pig between two and six months old, i3. Fnr the next best do. $2. For the best Sow Pig do. $.3. For the next best do. 62. For the five best Pigs, under two months old, $4. For the five next best do. $2. Poultry.— For the best pair of Jersey Blue Fowls, $2. For the next best do. $1. For the best pair of any other improved breed, ^. For the next best do. $1. For the best pair of Capons, §2. For the next best do. .ftl. For the best pair of 'J'urkeys, §2. For the next best do. $1. For the best pair of Geese, §^ For the next best do, §], 26 The Horse. Vol. XII. For the best pair of Ducks, $2. For the next best do. $1. Agricoltoral lMPLSMENT3.-»For the best Plough, the merits thereof to be decidedliy trial, $10. for the next best do. Colman's Tour. For the best Drill Machine, $4. For the next best do. $-2. For the best Straw or Hay Cutter, $4. For the next best do. $2 For the best Horse Power Straw or Stalk Cutter, $6. For the next best do. Colman's Tour. For the best Corn Sheller, $4. For the next best do. ^2. For the best Wheat Fan, $4. For the next best do. $2. For the best display of Agricultural Implements, ftlO. For the next best do. Colman's Tour. Suitable premiums will be given for any improved Implement of merit, not included in the above. The Ploughs intended for trial must be at the Exhi- bition during the whole time. Premiums will be awarded to the best ploughmen: For the best, $.5. For the next best, Colman's Tour. A0R1CULTUR.4L PRODUCE.— Fur the best five pounds of fresh butter, a silver Butter Knife, value #5. For the second best do. Colman's Tour. For ihe third best do. $2. For the best Firkin or Jar of Salted or Preserved Butter, not less than 20 lbs., a Silver Butter Knife, value $5. For Ihe next best do. Colman's Tour. For the best sample bushel of Red Wheat, $3. For the next best do. $1. For the best do. White Wheat, $3. For the next best do. tl- For the best sample bushel of Eye, $2. For the next best do. $1. For the best sample bushel of Flint Corn, $2. For the next best do. ftl. For the best do. Gourd Seed Corn, $2. For the next best do $1. For the best do. Mixed Corn, $2. For the next best do. $1. For the best sample bushel of Oats, $2. For the next best do. $1. For the best sample bushel of Potatoes, $2. For the next best do. $1. For the best bushel of Sweet Potatoes raised in this State, $2. Fur the next best do. $1. For the best display of Agricultural Produce gene- rally, $8. For the next best do. Colman's Tour. A suitable premium will be given for any new va- riety of Grain of improved quality. A statement of the mode and manner of making and preserving the different kinds of Butter, will be re- quired of competitors. The preserved or salted butler must have been put up at least two months previous to the Exhibition. M. S, Powell, Seedsman, 23 Market street, above Front, Philadelphia, will lake charge of any samples of Seeds intended for the Exhibition. A Ploughing Match, for the trial of Ploughs and Ploughing, will lake place on the second day of the Exhibition, the 15th of October, at nine o'clock. tEr" Stock entered for the foregoing Premiums can- not compete for others. No animal that has previously taken the Society's first premium, will be allowed to compete in the same class. Ample evidence will be required as regards the pedi- gree, age and character, of all stock entered for pre- mium. All premiums uncalled for within six months from the lime of holding the Exhibition, will be considered as donations to the Society. The Judges are authorised to withhold premiums where the object is not entitled to distinction; and where but one of a cla.^s is exhibited, they will award such premium as they think it merits. Those persons who intend bringing animals for competition, must nform theCommitteeof Arrangement before 10 o'clock on the first day of the Exhibition. Premiums to be confined to animals owned exclu- sively in this State, except "here assurance is given that they will be allowed to remain here at least nine months. All Stock, &c , contributed, must remain on the ground during the two days of Exhibition. ROBERT T. POTTS, ISAAC W. ROBERTS, DENNIS KELLY, AARON CLE.MENT, DAVID GEORGE, DAVID LANDRETH, GEORGE BLIGHT, MANUEL EYRE, A. L. FLWYN, A. S. ROBERT.-!, Committee of Arrangement. July 22, 1847. The Horse. — I will state a few thing? that I have learned, and they may be of benefit to your readers. A horse that is driven on hard roads is liable to get stiff" in the joints. In 1833 I had an animal, which after driving- three or four days, got quite lame. An old Baltimore teamster told me to wash the mare's legs in a tolerably salt brine, which was done accordingly, three times a day for the balance of the journey. The stiffness disappeared in a few days, and I drove the mare 1,400 miles afterward, and there was no more trouble on that account. What pleased me most was, the mare had a very poor foot to Viold a shoe, when I started. It wasvery brittle and hard. It would break out when a nail was put in. But it grew together at every shoeing. A blacksmith in New England remarked to me that her foot had a singular appearance; where he pared it was soft and tough. I account for it in this way; salt will attract moisture from the atmosphere, which keeps the foot moist all the time; and salt has nearly the same effect that grease has on a fc^t or a piece of timber. The drippings from salt on a floor if continued long, cannot be got off"; the wood becomes moist and tough, and so with a horse's foot. After washing the legs, turn up the horse's foot, clean the bot- tom, pour the hollow full of brine and hold fur a few minutes to soak the bottom. The practice of rasping the foot all over to tough- en it is abominable. — Farmer able to re- form them as well as possible, by cutting all the most disagreeable stumps close to the branches, leaving these at full length, espe- cially if apples, pears, &,c., and reserve an occasional supply of young wood in different parts, and thus, in two or three years, you may reduce such trees to a regular figure and a proper state of bearing. Too severe pruning is greaily prejudicial to the health of some sorts of fruit. Plums and cherries^ in particular, are often greatly damaged by a too severe discipline of the knife, these trees being very liable to gum by large amputations. It is, therefore, of importance to attend to these trees well in the summer pruning, to retrench all the su- perfluous and irregular shoots while quite young, and pinch others occasionally where wood is wanted to fill vacancies, so as to re- quire but little pruning out of large wood in winter. — Johnson's DicCry of Gardening. No. 1. The Potatoe. — Editorial Notices. 37 The Potatoe. Solarium tuberosum. This plant is a native of South America. Two English travellers, Messrs. Caldcleugh and Baldwin, were so fortunate as to meet with it lately in the wild state in Chili, and not far from Monte Video. It is probable that the cultivation of the potatoe spread from the mountains of Chili to the chain of the Andes, proceeding northward and ob- taining a footing successively in Peru, at Quito, and upon the plateau of New Grana- da. This, as Humboldt observes, is precisely the course which the Incas took in their conquests. The potatoe does not appear to have been introduced into Mexico until after the European invasion of that country; and it is well ascertained that it was not known there under the reign of Montezuma, al- though there are not wanting some who maintain that tlie potatoe was found in Vir- ginia by the first colonists sent thither by Sir Walter Raleigh. It is said that it was then brought mto England by Drake; but it seems well established that long before Drake's time, namely, in 1545, a slave mer- chant, John Hawkins by name, had intro- duced tubers of the potatoe from the coasts of New Granada into Ireland. From Ire- land the new plant passed into Belgium in 1590. Its cultivation was at this time ne- glected in Great Britain, until it was intro- duced by Raleigh at the beginning of the seventeenth century. When the potatoe came from Virginia to England for the se- cond time it was already disseminated over Spain and Italy. It has been ascertained that the potatoe has been cultivated on the great scale in Lancashire since 1684; in Saxony since 1717; in Scotland since 1728; in Prussia since 1738. It was about the year 1710 that the potatoe began to spread in Germany, and that it there became a plant in common use ; it had, indeed, before this time been cultivated in gardens; and had even made its appearance at the tables of the rich some time previously. The se vere dearth of the years 1771 and 1772, seemed necessary to lead the Germans to cultivate this useful plant upon the great scale. From this time it was shown that it was a substitute for bread ; and once fairly introduced, men were not long of perceiving the many recommendations which it pos- sesses as an article of food. In fact, of all the useful plants which the migrationsof com- munities and distant voyages have brought to light, says M. Humboldt, there is none since the discovery of the cereals, that is to say, from time immemorial, which has so decided an influence upon the well-being of man- kind. In less than two centuries it may be said literally to have overspread the earth, or to have been welcomed in every country suited to its cultivation, so that at the pre- sent day it is found growing from the Cape of Good Hope to Iceland and Lapland. "It is an interesting spectacle," adds the illustri- ous traveller quoted, " to see a plant, a na- tive of mountains situated under the equa- tor, advance towards the pole, and growmg even more hardily than the grasses which yield us grain, brave the inclemencies of the North." The potatoe, like all other tubers, is a collection, an exuberance which is evolved upon the subterraneous stems. Its varieties, which are very numerous, present rather remarkable differences in reoard to size, form, colour of the surface and" of the interior, taste, and the time which they re- quire to come to maturity. — BoussingauWs Rural Economy. The Cincinnati Horticultural Society, at the suggestion of N. Longworth, Esq., have offered two prizes of )^1(J0 each, for a new American seedling raspberry and strawberry, which, afler thorough trial, shall prove supe- rior to any now in cultivation. Mr. L. offers to pay one half of the premiums. / THE FARMERS' CABINET, AND Philadelphia, Eighth Month, 1847. It is a very common observation founded upon the experience of every man who has even bejjun to grow grey headed, and whose days have passed with toler- able comfort to himself, that as tho wheels of time grow older, they increase in rapidity of motion. It seems but yesterday that we closed the tenth volume of our unpretending paper, and we find ourselves now commencing the twelfth. Of our readers and subscrib- ers, we would have an increased number; we cannot afford to part with any. To them all we tender the good wishes of a new year: good crops — good prices, and good farming. We particularly invite our friends to exercise their quills, and give us matter to add to the originality, variety, and interest of our paper. A LA.TE number of the Southern Cultivator, published at Augusta, Ga., brings to us the mournful intelligence that James Camak, its Editor, died at his residence in Athens, after a protracted illness, on the ICth of sixth month last, in the prime of his life, being aged about 52 years. 88 Editorial Notices. Vol. XII. He was well and extensively known as an agricul- tural writer, and boing gifted by nature with a mind of more tiian ordinary power, his perseverance and industry enabled him to surmount many obstacles, and procured for liim a position of high respectability in his native State. His paper had scarcely its superior in the country. The Agricultural Press must acknow- ledge the loss it has sustained in the early death of such a man. The results of his practical philosophy and active philanihropy, will also be missed by a large community. A New York correspondent of the Pa. Enquirer, under date of the 9th inst., says a committee of fifteen was recently appointed by the Academy of Medicine to e.vamine into the eflects upon the general health of the city, caused by the numerous milk manufactories, distilleries, &:c., and particularly to report the effect on the human economy, of milk from cows fed on swill. WuEAT fiour may be quoted at $5 50 to $0 per bar- rel, and wheat at $1 20 to $1 25 per bushel— corn 75 to 80 cents— oats 50 to 55 cents. Good old Timothy hay is worth $25 a ton — new, $20. It is announced in a late number of the Oenesee Farmer, published at Rochester, N. Y., that it is here- after to be enlarged from twenty-four to thirty-two octavo pages, the price to remain as heretofore. We called a few days ago at the "Black Bear" in Fifth street, to look at a loading rake, which was con- trived, as we are informed, by a person in this city, for the purpose of raking, and at the same time load ing hay. The rake is attached to the wagon, both moving together; and instead of the hay being left in the winrow, it, with the rake is raised by means of pulleys, and emptied into the wagon. A VERY handsome copy of Vr. Gardner's Discourse, pronounced in the third month of last year, before the .American Agricultural Association, on the Chemical Principles of the Rotation of Crops, has been kindly forwarded by an unknown friend, and we have perused it with much interest. There is scarcely a more important matter to the intelligent and ambitious farmer, than a proper rota- tion in his crops ; one that shall be adapted to his lo- cation, his soil, and the market on which he depends for disposing of his surplus produce. Here we have corn, oats, wheat, grass: and not a few of our good farmers, have doubts respecting the expediency of fol- lowing this system so exclusively as we do; but how to improve it, is yet to be explained. The Talbot County Cattle Show and Fair, will be held at Easton, Md., on the 27th and 2Sth of tenth month next, for the exhibition and sale of live stock, agricultural implements, &,r. Liberal premiums are offered both for stock and good farming. On the se- cond day of the Show, a ploughing match will com- mence at 9 o'clock, A. M. The kindness of B. P. Johnson, Secretary of the New Vork State Agricultural Society, has put us in possession of the premium list and regulations of the Society for the approaching Show, which, it has alrea- dy been stated in the Cabinet, will take place at Sara- toga Springs on the Hth, 15th and ICth of next month. Silas Wright will deliver the Annual Address at two o'clock in the afternoon of the Ifith: immediately after which, the Reports of the Premium Committees will be read. We would ask attention to the list of premiums to be awarded at the Annual Exhibition of our Agricul- tural Society, at the Lamb Tavern on the 14th and 15th of Tenth month next. Our farmers and agricultural implement makers, we trust, will see that we have a fine display of their stock, produce, &c., and thus give a further impulse to their noble calling. The list will be found on page 25. A DisE sE has appeared among the cattle in some parts of Salem county, N. J., which has been cause of much alarm, and is said to be similar to what appeared in the same neighbourhood a few years ago. Running at the nose, and drooping of the head and ears, are symptoms which attend the disease, and copious bleed- ing is found to be a principal remedy. We have been told of several farmers who have lost six or eight cat- tle, and some horses too, have died. It is thought to be contagious. After the drought and coolness of the spring, we have since harvest, had copious rains and warm wea- ther. The promise of the corn crop is abundant, and there is no lack of pasture. Butter is still, however, high— 25 cents to 35 cents. Why is this, now in the midst of the grass season, when butter is mostly plen- tiful and cheap? Why, but because our farmers find it more profitable to freeze their cream than to churn it, and thus avail themselves of this rapidly increasing demand for the rich produce of the dairy. So be it. In ice creams or butter, we wish them well remune- rated for every trouble. If they will only keep up the character of our good city for its butter, and improve it— for there is too much poorly made butter comes here— we will be satisfied to give a good price for it. The Newcastle County Agricultural Society in Del- aware, has offered a premium of $3, or a copy of the Farmers' Encyclopedia, to the best shocker of grain. This is a judicious proposal. Where wheat is cut be- fore it is sufficiently ripe to place in the barn— and we believe it is always best so to cut it, if practicable — it must be shocked, and it is a nice art to shock well. Rye will stand almost any amount of rain in shock, but wheat requires abundantly more care. Secure shockers are not found in every field. Odr friend John Jones, of Wheatland, Delaware,— who, by the w.iy, is one of Delaware's most enterpris- ing farmers, and who drills in all his wheat and corn, has purchased the right for Newcastle county, to Pen- nock's Patent Drill, and has generously offered to each member of the Agricultural Society, who has paid up all his dues, or to any pi-rson who may become such member before the next Exhibition, a right to have one Drill made for his own use. No. 1. Editorial Notices. 39 KEPKAHT'S PATENT Fruit and Vegetable Preserver. An admir.itile invention, hy which fruits, vegetables, ic, viz. oranges, lemons, apples, pears, peaches, &c. — potatoes, green corn, melons, &c., can be kept as long as desirable with all their natural juices and sweet ness. Also, butter, eggs and bacon can be kept through- out the year, fresh and sweet, at an expense not greater than in an ordinary warehouse in the city. A full description will be found in the June number of the Cabinet. The undersigned having purchased the Patent-right for the United States, except the stales of New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland, and the cities of New York and St. Louis, offer for sale Patent rights for the con- struction of the Preserver, by states, counties or in- dividual rights, upon terms that will induce all inter ested in the preservation of the above named articles' to purchase rights and construct houses. FL.ACK, THOMPSON & BROTHER, Coates Street wharf, near Fairmount. All communications will receive prompt attention, if addressed either to PETER KEPHART, Western Hotel, Baltimore, Md Or to FLACK, THOMPSON & BROTHER, Spring Garden P. O. Philadelphia July 15th, 1847.— 6t. FOR SALE, AT D. O. PROUTT'S No. 194 J Marl-el Street, Philadelphia, Corn-Shellers in great variety, price from $1 50 to S50 each; Hovey's Patent Hay, Straw, and Corn-stalk Cutters; Grant's Patent Fan Mills, for chaffing and screening wheat at one operation, warranted to take out cockle, cheat and smut. Also good Fans, for $14 to $18 each. . Whitman's Fiorse-powers and Threshing Machines, with Straw Carriers and Fan Mills attached; Spain's Improved Barrel Churns, the dashers of which may be taken out to clean. Cheese-presses, &c. ; Centre- Draught, Self sharpening. Right & Left-hand Ploughs, warranted to give satisfaction in their operation. May 15«A— tf. SSED STORS No. 23 Market Street, Philadelphia. The subscriber keeps constantly a supply of White and Red Clover, and other grass seeds; fresh Perennial Kye-grass, and Lucerne seed. Field seeds, consisting of choice Spring Wheat, Barley, Potatoe Oats, North em and other seed-corn. Also, in season, Fruit and Shade Trees. Garden and Bird seeds generally. Gua no in parcels to suit purchasers. M. S. POWELL. Philad., Feb., 1847. tf. Agency for the Purchase & Sale of IMPROVED BREEDS OP CATTLE & SHEEP. The subscriber takes this method of informing his friends and the public, that he will attend to the pur- chase and sale of the improved breeds of cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, &c., for a reasonable commission. All letters post paid, addressed to him at Philadelphia, will be attended to without delay. AAEON CLEMENT. April 15th, 1847. NEW Horticultural and ilgricultural Ware-house, 84 Chesnut Street below Third, Soutlt side. The subscriber has for the better accommodation of his customers, opened the above ware-house, with a large stock of Garden and Field Seeds, crop of 1840. Imple- ments and Books on Gardening and Farming; he calls the particular attention of farmers to his pure stock of Sweede Turnips, Field Carrots, Beets and Parsnips, Pruning Shears, Saws and Knives. March 14th, 1847.— ly. R. BUIST. COAL.. The subscriber has made an arrangement for a con- stant supply of superior Lehigh and Schuylkill Coal — carefully prepared for family use, which he will fur- nish at the usual cash prices, on application at the office of the Farmers' Cabinet, where samples of the different kinds and sizes may be seen. JOSIAH TATUM. Philadelphia, Seventh rrionth 15th, 1*47. * COATES' SEED STOUE, No. 49 Market Street, FRUSII TIMOTHY SKED^ Of various qualities, from good common seed to the purest and finest that can he produced, TOGETHER WITH A COMPLETE ASSOUTMENT OF GltiLSS & GiLRBmr SIIBBS, Of the finest Quality and best Varieties,— Bird Seeds, &,c. JOS. P. H. COATES, Successor to Oeorge M. Coates. May 15th, 1847. 53- SHORT ADVERTISEMENTS, The subject matter of which, may correspond with the agricultural character tf this paper, will be inserted at the rate of one dollar for each insertion often lines or less; and so in proportion for each additional line. Payment'in advance. The quantity of rain which fell in the 7th month, 1847, was a little more than two inches and three quarters. 2.76 in. Penn. Hospital, 8th mo. 1st. 40 Editorial Notices. Vol. XII. We keep on hand at this office, and will supply our friends with Agricultural works generally. Among which are THE FARMER'S ENCYCLOPEDIA, full- bound in leather;— Price $3 50 you ATT ON THE HORSE, with J. S. Skin- ner's very valuable Additions; 2 00 BRIDGEMAN'S GARDENER'S ASSISTANT; 2 00 THE AMERICAN POULTRY BOOK; 37^ THE FARMER'S LAND MEASURER; 37| DANA'S MUCK MANUAL; 50 Complete sets of the FARMERS' CABINET, half-bound, II vols. 9 SO DOWNING'S Landscape Gardening, 3 50 Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees of America, 1 50 SKINNERS Every Man his own Farrier, 50 AMERICAN Poulterer's Companion, 1 25 BOUSSINGAULT'S RUR.AL ECONOMY, 1 50 FARMERS' & EMIGRANTS' HAND-BOOK, 1 00 MORRELL'S AMERICAN SHEPHERD, 1 00 STAELfi ECONOMY, 1 00 BEVAN on the HONEY BEE, 31i BUISTS' ROSE M.\NUAL, - 75 THOMAS' FRUIT CULTURIST. 50 SKINNERS CATTLE & SHEEP DOCTOR, 50 AMERICAN FARRIER, 50 THE FARMER'S MINE, 75 HOARE ON THE VINE, 62i HANVAM'S Economy of Waste Manures, 25 LIEBIG'S AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY, 25 ANIMAL CHEMISTRY, 25 FAMILIAR LETTERS, 12i JOHNSON'S DICTIONARY OF MODERN GARDENING, 2 25 Subscriptions received for Colman's Agricultural Tour— or singly numbers sold. |]3' We are prepared to bind books to order. AFRICAN GUANO. First quality African Guano, from the island of Ichaboe, warranted genuine. Also a few tons Peruvian For sale by J. B. A. & S. ALLEN, No. 7 South Wharves, 2nd Oil Store below Market street. Philadelphia, March I7tli, 1847. PoHdrette. A valuable manure— of the best quality, prepared in Philadelphia, for sale at the office of the Farm- ers' Cabinet, No. 50, North Fourth Street, or at the manufactory, near the Penitentiary on Coates' street. Present price, $1 75 per barrel, containing four bushels each, or 35 cents a bushel. Orders from a distance, enclosing the cash, with cost of porter- age, will be promptly attended to, by carefully deli- vering the barrels on board of such conveyance as may be designated. The results on corn and wheat have been generally very satisfactory. Farmers to the south and in the interior, both of this State and of New Jersey, are invited to try it. We are now ready to supply any demand for turnips, buckwheat, &c. JOSIAH TATUM. Fhilada. 8tk mo. le.tk, 1847. CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. Page Question of Breadstuffs— the demand and supply, 9 Dr. Franklin's mode of learning to Swim, — Club- foot in the Horse, ]2 Loss of Beef in cooking. — Comparative nutritive powers of green and dry Fodder for Cattle.— Ir- rigation .. ]3 Great yield of Wheat.— Woollen ras?, 15 Interesting Agricultural Pacts.— Good Advice to Boys.— Manure for Strawberries, ](i Preservation of Timber, 17 A Productive Farm.— Ploughs, 19 Phclp's Durham Cow.— To ?ave Horses from Fire — Potatoe Disease. — American Institute.— Farmer's Club, 22 Results of Industry.— Fuel in Paris, 23 Mice.— The Potatoe, .^ 24 Asricnltural Exhibition, Philadelphia, 25 The Horse.— To prevent Lamps from Smoking, ... 20 Fresh Peach s in Winter.— Strawberries and Milk. — Pattern Farmer in Belmont County, 27 Root Pruning and Management of Pear trees. — Prices of Breadstiift's in Europe for 30 years past, 28 Good and bad Farming, 29 The Wood-peci er, :)0 :tay-side Farming in Talbot Co. Maryland, 31 Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Premiums, ... 32 Hints to men of business, 34 Pruning .* 35 The Potatoe.— Editorial Notices, 37 THE FARMERS' CABINET, IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY JOSIAH TATUM No. 50 NORTH FOURTH STREET, PHILADELPHIA. It is issued on the fifteenth of every month, in num- bers of 32 octavo pages each. The subjects will be illustrated by engravings, when they can be approprj. ately inlroduccil. Terms. — One dollar per annum, or five dollars for seven copies — payable in advance. All subscriptions must commence at the beginning of a volume. Having lately struck off a new edition of one or two of the former numbers, which had become exhausted, we are now able to supply, to a limited ex- tent, any of the back volumes. They may be had at one dollar each, in numbers, or one dollar twenty-five cents half-bound and lettered. For eight dollars paid iti advance, a co?npZc«ese{ of the work will be furnished in numbers, including the 12th volume. The whole can thus readily be forwarded by mail. For twenty-five cents additional, per volume, the work may be obtained neatly half-bound and let- tered. Copies returned to the office of publication, VI ill also be bound upon 'he same terms. By the decision of the Post Master General, the "Cabinet," is subject only to newspaper postage. < Joseph Rakestraw, Printer. ^^ ^mmmf^/-\^^g^^ "^^ERlCAN HERD-BOOli DEVOTED TO AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, AND RURAL AND DOMESTIC AFFAIRS. Perfect Agriculture is the true foundation of all trade and industry. — Libbio. Vol. XII.— No. 2.] 9th mo. (September) 15th, 1847. [Whole No. 152. PUBLISHED MONTHLY, BY J O S I A H T A T U M, EDITOR ANIJ PROPRIETOR, No. 50 North Fourth Street, PHILADELPHIA. Price one dollar per year. — For conditions see last page. For the Farmers' Cabinet. Adulterated Milk. To THE Editor, — I noticed in tlie last No. of the Cabinet, a reference to a Com- mittee appointed in New York, to enquire into the character and effects of certain nianufaetured milk, which is not a little complained of in this said city of Gotham. Since the issuinn- of the Cabinet, I have come across some remarks in the Farmer and Mechanic, at the severity of which I was not a little astonished : but I should be still more so, could I entertain no doubt of their justness. I send the extract, and hope to see it in the Cabinet, not because I sus- pect that we are imposed upon here with any such abominations, but that we may be on our guard, as it is too true, that what is perpetrated in one city, may also be in an- other. Adulteration of milk should be dis- couraged and frowned upon, and reprobated without benefit of clergy: no quarter should be shown it. We take it ourselves and we give it to our infants at their tenderest age, Cab.— Vol. XII.— No. 2. and the idea is revolting, that we may pos- sibly be administering to them a drugged — a poisoned beverage, which we would not offer to a decent cat, if we knew its compo- sition. Honest men should be dealt with for milk, and they should be paid a good price for it. We want not even pure water added to it; and if we did, we have our own hy- drants. Excuse my earnestness, and believe me, &LC. D. Philadelphia. Were a stranger perfectly unacquainted with the various tricks and deceptions of our city, to pass through the streets and with all the other paraphenalia of the life- movements and business of New York, no- tice the number, appearance and inscriptions on the thousands of milk wagons that are constantly passing through our streets, he would at once be struck with the idea, that probably in no city in the world, the people were so favoured with pure and wholesome |milk as ours. We have vast numbers of ve- hicles, many of which are handsomely paint- ed covered wagons, conspicuously labelled "Pure Orange County Milk," "Premium Dairy," "Pure Country," "First Premium," i"Bloomingdale Meadow," "Pure Milk from lConnecticut,"&,c.,&c., together with nume- jrous other attractive titles. Who uninitiated in the nefarious arts of the venders, would .suspect that four-fiflhs of these vehicles con- 'tain the most abominable and deleterious 'compound that ever disgraced, — we had al- (41) 42 Adulterated Milk. Vol. XII. most said, — the beasts to which they are at- tached, but more appropriately, the brutes by which this poison is sold ! Reeking from the inflamed and half-putrid, unnatural fountains of the diseased and swiil- fed animals that produce it, odorous with the peculiar scent of the distillery, aud nauseous from the filth of the miserable stalls where the cows are constantly imprisoned, this wretched, fevered, and poisoned liquid is served to the families of our citizens, carry- ing with it the germs of intemperance, dis- ease and death, and very essentially contri- buting a generous part to the weekly bills of mortality in the city. In these details we are not mistaken. The fact is obvious to all who will take the trou- ble to investigate the subject, and its truth cannot be controverted. That we may not be mistaken in this mat- ter, we will merely refer to one milk estab- lishment in this city, without adverting to some score of others in its vicinity, where our " Pure Orange County" and " Premium Dairy Milk" is manufactured. This establishment alone furnishes some 15,000 quarts per day, which may be distin- guished from good milk by its peculiar smell. It carries with it the odor of the slops from which it is made, and no one, as we are as- sured, need be deceived by it, at least no one who is in the least acquainted with that odor. The stalls in which the animals are con- fined, are made to occupy the smallest possi- ble space; the ceiling is laid within a few inches of the cows' backs, giving no chance for the fresh air to find its way to the impri- soned beasts, which, having once taken their places, never stir from them till they are re- moved to be converted into beef, or what very frequently occurs, death from the unnatural and deleterious food and injurious keeping, and their bloated carcasses are given over as food to the hogs, which are, in their turn, to become " wholesome food" for the stalls of our markets. The swill with which the cows are fed, already a thin and diluted substance, is still further diluted with water, and this is used hot to insure a more rapid operation of the animal distillation, or rather filtration, through the fevered and diseased animal to the milk cans of ^the still dairyman. But such production is attained with the loss of the natural colour of that article, which now assumes a light blue complexion. To restore it to the rich yellow white, which is desirable, a process similar to that of the liquor distiller is resorted to, and the same substance is used to produce the effect that is applied to colour "pure spirits" and manu- facture " Pure French Brandy" '■'^for medi- cinal purposes,'''' viz., burnt sugar. This colouring, however, is by tar the most inno- cent article in the whole compound. The distillers themselves, generally, do not engage in the milk manufacture, but construct the stalls and let them out to others, at about 84 per annum. These stalls, says the Tribune — in an article on this subject — are occupied by persons de- voted to this branch of business, owning from one cow to fifty, according to their means. " Those who own cows enough have a wagon painted 'Pure Orange County Milk,' 'Bushwick Premium Milk,' or some equally attractive rural title, disguise them- selves as countrymen, and sell the product of their own capital and labour to be con- sumed by the families of the city; those who have fewer animals sell their milk to the more extensive dealers. " Beside the $4 yearly rent, the honest milkman pays for the distillery slops which his cows consume, at the rate of eight or nine cents for a barrel, which is the daily ration of one cow. He formerly paid six cents, but as the demand is now greater, the price has risen in obedience to th^ well nown principle of political economy. To produce a barrel of this liquid of good qual- ity requires a bushel of grain; but here, as in i-ome other branches of trade, competition comes in to injure that honour which the proverb declares to exist even among thieves. The manufacturers of swill have, it is said, discovered that water may be used to in- crease the quantity of that as well as of other fluids which they produce. Taught by the sharp suggestion of interest, they have thus in shrewdness gone beyond that liquor dealer, who boasted that he had in his yard a simple pump which netted him $2000 a year. By means of hot water properly ap- plied, the distillers convert a barrel of gen- uine slops into a barrel and a half. This enables them to supply a greater number of cows, and while for every bushel of innocent grain daily forced to yield its contribution of intoxicating spirits, they formerly provided sustenance for one animal, they now make ' two bushels do for three. Such is the inge- nuity practiced in these establishments. "When the cows begin to cease giving 'milk,' the time approaches for them to be slaughtered for the market. Indeed, they could not long exist after they had ceased to fulfil that function, which is a great channel for the escape of the disease induced upon them by the close confinement, and the food which the troughs daily waft to them from the distillery. When killed, their bloated flesh is said to have the appearance of whole- No. 2. Mexican Farming. — Vermont Farming. 43 some meat, but in cooking it shrinks into not more than a quarter of its original quantity; the difference consists of foreign or diseased matter, which passes off" in the process." These are facts notorious to some of our citizens, and should be understood by all, particularly tho>e who feel an interest in the health of the community. The subject is one of deep interest, and the press, as the faithful ouardiaris of the welfare of our citi- zens, sjionld not be silent on the subject. Let it be shown to those who are now un- mindful of the fact that the above is, in a great m;ijority of cases, the base and villain- ous compound — the baneful and poisonous article purchased and used as "pure milk," and put into the mouths of our friends and our children; and further, that this very drug, for it cannot be called by a better name, is a most prolific cause of disease and death among a great part of the younger portion of the community. We say to all. Beware of Distillery Milk Slops ! Mexican Farming. At the New York Farmers' Club on the 20th ult., a person by the name of (Jregg, said that his acquaintance was with North- ern Me.xico, Saltillo, Monterey, Chihuahua, and where sheep are raised to a large amount, whence the city of Mexico obtains mutton. He understood and believes that five hundred thousand of these sheep are annually driven from Northern Mexico, south. This breed is excellent for its mutton. He never tasted better, and very little as good. The sheep are quite small, not more than half the size of the common sheep of the United States. Their fleeces are hardly finer than goat's hair, and are only used for coarse purposes. The wool hair is four to six inches long — some say it is a hybrid of sheep and goat. The animals are furnished in many cases with two pairs of horns, sometimes a few of them are found with three pairs. These sheep are generally valued at about one dollar each, and their mutton sells for three or tour cents a pound. Ill Northern Mexico there is no tillable upland. None butvallies and river bottoms, lands which lie so thai they can be irrigated, are used for cultivation. Hogs are not used to any considerable extent — they are chiefly used for their lard. The moat of goats is very commonly used by the lower classes — and tnutton by the higher classes. Their cattle are rather smaller than those of our western country, and are remarkable for their long horns. He had seen many of them three feet in length. Indian corn is raised everywhere — cotton, wheat and sugar also are raised in considerable quantities. He saw some of the largest sugar cane growing near Monterey. He had seen stalks well jointed for eight feet in length, and they were about six inches in circumference. The sugar cane of Cuba is larger, but it grows seldom more than two or tliree years from the root, while the Mexican cane grows tour or five years in succession from the root. The agricultural implements of the country are very badly contrived. Their plough is made of a couple of sticks of wood, seldom pointed with iron, drawn by oxen pulling by their horns. Common labourers are the same poorly paid — generally run in debt to the landlord, and not allowed to leave him in debt — which they are usually unable to pay. The pasture on the uplands is very fine, for where the grasses are dried up by the season they constitute fne feed as hay. The farms are fenced by chapparel — a term signifying a thicket. They make no butter, but a good deal of poor cheese. He never saw a Mexican have a churn. Some of our Yankees at Saltillo, who were connected with a cotton factory there, make and sell butter to good account. The markets at Saltillo are well supplied, but the great body of the people live poorly. They chiefly sub- sist on cakes made of Indian corn — and on beans. They use lime in boiling water to hull their corn, and then grind the grain to a paste, between two stones — something as a painter grinds paint. They make it into small round cakes, called Tortillas, and bake them on a piece of sheet iron, if they have it, or on a stone. Great crops of In- dian corn are raised in the valleys of Mon- terey, Chihuahua and Mondova. JPine wheat is also raised all the way from Saltillo to Chihuahua. They get thirty and forty, and sometimes fifty bushels to the acre. They say that they sometimes get mi hundred fold ! He said at Mier, some two years ago, an iron plough was introduced, but that it was brought before the Inquisition and sentenced to have its wood work burned and its iron thrown into the river. Vermont Farming. — The largest farm in Vermont is said to be that of Judg-e Meech, at Shelburn, eight miles .south of Burlmgton. A correspondent who has been over it, says this year he will mow over 500 acres and cut 1000 tons of hay. He keeps 300 sheep, and has now 400 head of neat cattle. A few days ago he sold fat oxen enough to amount to the sum of $2460 He has also sold this season 1000 bushels of rye. 44 Horses — Oxen. Vol. XII. Horses— Oxen. To the Editor of the Farmers' Cabinet: As his horses are the most expensive arti- cle in the farmer's outlay, after he has bought his land and built his house, it is of course of the first importance that he should be well instructed in all that relates to their keep and general management. In reading the following extract from Colman's Tour, I was not only of the mind that we might, in this country, gather some valuable hints from it, respecting the treatment of this ani- mal, but that it would be to the general ad- vantage if oxen v^'ere much more used among our farmers than they now are. I was also rather surprised at our superiority over the English in training these patient beasts. No- where, I apprehend, is the ox more thorough- ly disciplined than in the old Bay State. If I may be allowed to wander from the horse to the ox, and from him again to the horse, without method or rule, just as my thoughts occur, I would here remark, that farmers in this country, spend too little thought or la- bour in the care of their horses. "A horse well groomed," I once heard an experienced old man observe, " was half fed :" and the writer of this is well satisfied, there is much reason for the saying. L. P. Among the most improved animals in the kingdom, horses take a prominent place; and a circumstance of difference, in this matter, between England and the United States, which strikes one at first sight, may be called the division of labour among the horses. The American horse, in most of the States, is, generally, a horse of all work. Here, the horses are bred and trained tor, and exclusively confined to, particular de- partments,— sporting, pleasure, travelling, draught or agricultural labour; and nothing is more rare, than the transfer of the animal from one department to the other. So we find the race-horse, the hunter, the carriage horse, the draught horse, the roadster, the saddle horse, the pony for children and la- dies, the general Jiack, and the farm horse. This comes of the immense wealth of the people, and is adapted to give them the best advantages of each kind. It may surprise some of my friends, to tell them, that I have more than once found forty hunting horses in one gentleman's stable, for himself and his huntsmen ; and in one instance, I found a stud of eighty horses, of diflfereriit kinds, exclusive of the farm horses. The perfec- tion to which these animals have been brought, the condition in which they are kept, the tenderness, and kindness, and care, with which they are treated, and the admi- rable manner in which they are groomed, are circumstances, here, all over the coun- try, in the highest degree worthy of remark. I have already referred to them. Their hours of rest, of feeding, and labour, are ob- served with strictness; their stables are spa- cious, lofty, well-ventilated, and adapted to preserve, as far as may be, an equable tem- perature; they are carefully bedded, and cleanly littered, and whatever would be of- fensive, at once removed; they are thorough- ly curried and brushed, and a horse brought into the stable in a state of perspiration, is never left until he is completely dried by rubbing : nor, in any case, have I seen a horse left to stand still, exposed to a cold draught of air. The treatment of them is most exemplary and creditable ; and is no more than just to animals, incapable of taking care of themselves, to whom we are indebted for so much of pleasure and so much of profit. At the house of an eminent nobleman, whose hospitality I enjoyed, it was the invariable custom of the family, — ladies and guests, as well as the mat^ter, — about nine o'clock in the evening, to go, by a covered passage, into the stables, where thirty horses were kept, to see that the grooms and ostlers were at their post, that the horses were well, and cared for, and the stable in good order. No- thing could exceed the cleanliness and order in which everything appeared. At one of the principal breweries in London, where forty of the largest size dray-horses are kept, the manager informed me that, after six years hard service, the horses receive their free- dom, are sent into the country, exempted from all labour, and kindly cared for during the rest of their lives. I confess, in observ- ing these kind provisions and this extraordi- nary care, I have not been able to suppress the wish, that many of the bipeds, who share with these animals in the labour of the field, — not unfrequently performing the hardest part of it, — could experience, in their own persons, an equal care, and find in their cot- tages, on their return from a hard day's work, even a moiety of the comforts with which the stables of their co-labourers are provided. It would be doing great injustice, to say that this is not often done by many persons, who have no greater pleasure than in providing for the comfort and welfare of their depend- ants. It is only to be regretted that the practice is not universal.* * No person can have passed through the highly im- proved territory of the Duke of Biiccleuch, in Dumfries- shire, which the public road traverses for more than twenty miles, and observed the clean and comfortable cottages of the labourers, which constantly meet the eye; nor have seen the almost luxurious provision made by the Duke of Devonshire for his dependants. No. 2. Horses — Oxen. 45 In the breweries in London, and in the drays in the cities, horses of an enormous size are employed ; and the same kind of horses are employed on many of the farms. The weight of one of them, ascertained in my presence, exceeded seventeen hundred pounds; and he was by no means extraordi- nary lor size. I do not desire to see such horses introduced among the farmers of the United States. Their motion is slow and clumsy, and their keep expensive. In cities, where the vehicles are heavy, and the bur- dens of coal, and beer, and other goods, very great, they are well suited to the service for which they are used. As tar as proportion, colour, and action, are concerned, they are, certainly, magnificent animals. With many farmers, these horses are raised, not as being preferred for farm labour, but for sale in the cities ; and after being broken to service on the farm, are, at a proper age, sent to mar- ket. But the horse best adapted to agricultural purposes is of a smaller size, a compact form, short, strong, and muscular limbs, full-breast- ed, and with round buttocks. There are three breeds of horses in the kingdom, distinguished for their valuable properties as farm horses ; these are the Cleveland Bay, a horse of great strength, and good size and figure; the Suf folk Punch, a large and serviceable horse; and especially the Clydesdale horse, almost e.vclusively preferred among the excellent farmers ot Scotland, particularly in the Lo- thians. 1 have seen nothing superior, in my humble judgment, to the last horse, for farm labour, combining good size, with compact- ness, strength, and action. In Ayrshire, the farmers, being of an opinion that their tine breed of horses was deteriorating, recently imported a stallion from Flanders. This horse was a model of compactness and strength. He was fifteen and a half hands high; his girth, behind his shoulders, was seven feet four inches, and seventy-five inch- es round his neck, at the base; he was twelve years old, and cost sixty guineas, m Flan- ders. in his picturesque village of Edensor; nor the humane provision made by the late Lord Leicester for his aged and decayed labourers, at Holkham; nor have wit- nessed the extraordinary and beneficent exertions of Lady Noel Byron, by allotments, loan, and benefit so- cieties, and industrial schools, for the comfort, instruc- sion, and improvement of herdepemiants and the poor; nor the beneficent and parental conduct of many, many others, to whom the strong and unaffected attachment of their labourers and dependants evinces the deepest sense of kindness, but whose names it might seem in- vidious to mention,— without a grateful acknowledg- ment of the goodness of Heaven, in making minds so just and generous the almoners of its bounty. The farm horses in ploughing, are never worked more than eight hours a day. The ploughman feeds and cleans them at four o'clock in the morning. They are harnessed and the plough started at six o'clock. They are brought to the stable again at two o'clock, and fed, and thoroughly groomed, curried, cleaned, bedded, &c., and left for the night, at dark. The feed is almost always cut for them, or if given long, given in small quan- tities; and the oats and beans are crushed. On one farm, the allowance for a farm horse of the largest size was, two bushels of oats, and one peck of beans, and two trus-ses of hay, — fifty-six pounds each, — per week, in winter; in summer, green feed, vetches, clover, or rye grass, was substituted for the hay. The general allowance is a peck of grain, half oats and half beans, and fourteen to sixteen pounds of hay, per day. The army allowance for a horse is fourteen pounds of hay, ten pounds of oats, and seven pounds of straw, per day; "with hard, work, less hay and more corn ; with little work, less corn and more hay." The horses belonging to the Queen's Guards, which are often to be seen in the streets of London, and always on state occasions, are beautiful animals, and subjects of universal admiration. They are of a black colour, and bred, I believe, on the continent, purposely for the army. The general rule is, to keep, on arable farms, a pair of horses for every forty acres; in some cases the proportion of land to the team is larger. One of the best farmers in Scotland allows seven horses for two hun- dred acres. His land is accessible, and ex- tremely favourable for all farming operations. The cost of keeping a working horse — ex- clusive of interest or deterioration — he esti- mates at twenty-five pounds, or more than one hundred and twenty dollars per year. The?e expenses all have reference to the local prices of agricultural produce; and I give them ratlier as matters of curiosity, than of direct utility to my American readers. The amount of ploughing for a day's work is an acre of land, but in some cases, an acre and a half. One farmer speaks of ploughing, usually, seven acres in a week, with one pair of horses. The furrow slice varies from eight to eleven inches, and the distance travelled in such case, is from twelve to sixteen miles a day. It does not lie within my province to speak of other horses than those employed in agricultural labour. Oxen are employed for farm labour to a small extent, and in few counties. On Lord Leicester's farm, at Holkham, so much and so long celebrated,*they are used and worked in leather harness; and in some places I 46 Fattening Poultry. — Order on Farms. — Children's Shoes. Vol. XII. have seen them worked singly in harness. The general impression is, that they will not do so much work as horses, are not so easily trained, and are more expensive to keep; every one of which positions is, in my opinion and experience, erroneous. I be- lieve these opinions arise out of an entire ignorance of the training of oxen. Nothing can be more awkward than the management of them, which I have seen here. As they are managed and trained in the best parts of New England, their docility is perfect ; work- ing without a driver, in the plough-field, as well as with one; performing as much work as a pair of horses, and performing it as well ; costing comparatively nothing for harness, since a wooden yoke and bows, and iron chains, which will last for years, are all that are required; when well cared for until six years old, paying, by their growth, for the feed which they consume ; and when kept in good condition, as they always should be, if ruined for work by any injury, or if at an age to be turned off for beef, exposing their owner to no loss. In everything but road work, I am quite satisfied that a pair of well trained oxen will perform as much work as a pair of horses, and at a much less expense. This was the opinion of an Eng- lish ploughman, who lived some time in my service, and worked wholly with oxen. He had, before this, been used to horses, and a more skilful ploughman I have never seen on either side of the water. The use of oxen has become much less common than before the introduction of the improved breeds of cattle, which are now brought so early to maturity. Formerly, it was not the custom to send oxen to market, before five years old ; now the Durham stock, and others, go at eighteen months to three years old. Under this arrangement, there is no oppor- tunity to get any work out of them. The Scotch plough with two horses abreast, and seldom use more than two. In many parts of England, horses are worked tan- dem; and I have sometimes seen five and six, at length, to a single plough. This is certainly excessive, and the turnings, in such case, most inconvenient; but the mo- tive for putting the horses at length is, that, where the land is heavy, it may not be trod- den hard. — Colman's Tour. Fattening Poultry. — It is asserted in the " Transactions of the Society of Arts," that there is a great advantage in fattening geese, turkeys, and in short, fowls of every description, on potatoes mixed with meal. On this diet they are said to fatten in less than one-half the time ordinarily required to bring them to the same condition of ex- cellence, on any kind of corn or even on meal itself. The potatoes must be boiled and mashed fine whilst they are hot, and the meal added, just before the food is to be pre- sented. Order on Farms. One of the editors of the Cultivator in his recent peregrinations, visited the farm of John Delafield, con- sisting of 350 acres, in the neighbourhood of Seneca Lake. He was highly gratified with Ihe system, order and neatness observable in every department. We make the following extract from his notes.— Ed. Every person employed on the farm, is furnished with a printed card, comprising the rules and regulations. It is expected that all persons employed on the Oaklands Farm, will carefully at' tend to the following system : Regularity in hours. Punctuality in cleaning and putting away implements. Humanity to all the animals. Neatness and cleanliness in personal ap- pearance. Decency in deportment and conversation. Implicit obedience to the proprietor and foreman. Ambition to learn and excel in farming. Maxims of order and neatness. 1. Perform every operation in proper sea- son. 2. Perform every operation in the best manner. 3. Complete every part of an operation as you proceed. 4. Finish one job before you begin an- other. 5. Leave your work and tools in an or- derly manner. 6. Clean every tool when you leave off work. 7. Return every tool and implement to its place at night. Children's Boots and Shoes. — The at- tention of every mother should be given to the state of her children's feet. How much subsequent pain, distortion and lameness, might be spared, if a little consideration were given in time to the child's shoes and boots. As a general rule, if proper length and width be given, all will be well ; but this must be seen to frequently, as little feet will soon grow larger. If shoes are worn, they should be easy across the toes, and of good form in the sole, hollowed and arched at the waist, and snug No. 2. Age of Poultry. — Portable Soup. — A Modern Farmer. 47 at the heel — if boots, then the elastic the same as ladies'. If the ankles are weak, a surgeon should be consulted without delay. I have benefit- ted many children by making- an elastic lace boot, which, from the support it affords, com- pressing the muscles of the foot, and by bearing well up by means of a spring under the arch of the foot, has prevented lameness, and restored the feet and ankles to their na- tural form. — Hairs Book of the Feet. Age of Poultry. Farmers usually sell poultry alive, ex- cepting in some parts of the' country, such as the Borders, where geese are killed and plucked for the sake of their feathers before being sent to markel. Poulterers in towns, on the other hand, kill and pluck every sort of fowl for sale, so that the purchaser has it in his power to judge of the carcass; and if he buys an inferior article at a high price, it must be his own fault. It is easy to judge of a plucked fowl, whether old or young, by the state of the legs. If a hen's spur is hard, and the scales on the legs rough, she is old, whether you see her head or no; but the head will corroborate your observation, if the under bill is so stiff that you cannot bend it down, and the comb thick and rough. A young hen has only the rudiments of spurs, the scales on the legs smooth, glossy and fresh coloured, whatever the colour may be, the claws tender and short, the under bill soft, and the comb thin and smooth. An old hen-turkey has rough scales on the legs, cal- losities on the soles of the feet, and long, strong claws ; a young one the reverse of all these marks. When the feathers are on, an old turkey-cock has a long beard, a young one but a sprouting one; and when they are off the smooth scales on the legs decide the point, beside difrerence of size in the wattles of the neck, and in the elastic snot upon the nose. An old goose, when alive, is known by the roughness of the legs, the strength of the wings, particularly at the pinions, the thickness and strength of the bill, and the firmness and thickness of the feathers; and when plucked, by the legs, pinions and bill, and the coarseness of the skin. Ducks are distinguished by the same means, but there is this difference, that a duckling's bill is much longer in proportion to the breadth of its head than that of an old duck. A young pigeon is easily discovered by its pale co- loured, smooth scaled, tender, collapsed feet, and the yellow, long down interspersed among the feathers. A pigeon that can fly has always red coloured legs and no down. and is then too old for use. — Stephens'' Book of the Farm. Portable Soup. When one pound of lean beef, free from fat and separated from tiie bones, in the fine- ly chopped state in which it is used for beef sausages or mince-meat, is uniformly mixed with its own weight of cold water, slowly heated to boiling, and the liquid, af^ter boil- ing briskly for a minute or two, is strained through a towel from the coagulated albu- men and the fibrine, now become hard and horny, we obtain an equal weight of the most aromatic soup, of such strength as can- not be obtained, even by boiling for hours, from a piece of flesh. When mixed with salt and the other usual additions, by which soup is usually seasoned, and tinged some- what darker by means of roasted onions or burnt sugar, it forms the very best soup which can in any way be prepared from one pound of flesh. The influence which the brown colour of this soup, or colour in gene- ral, exercises on the taste, in consequence of the ideas associated with colour in the mind, — ideas of strength, concentration, &c., — may be rendered quite evident by the fol- lowing experiment. The soup, coloured brown by means of caramel, is declared by all persons to have a much stronger taste than the same soup when not coloured, and yet the caramel, in point of fact, does not in any way actually heighten the taste. If we allow the flesh to boil for a long time with the water, or if we boil down the soup, it acquires spontaneously, when concentrated to a certain point, a brownish colour, and a delicate flavor of roast meat. If we evapo- rate it to dryness in the water-bath, or if possible at a still lower temperature, we can obtain a dark brown, soft mass, of which half an ounce suffices to convert one pound of water, with the addition of a little salt, into a strong, well-flavored soup. The ta- blets of so called portable soup prepared in England and France are not to be compared with the extract of flesh just mentioned ; for these are not made from flesh, but con- sist of gelatine, more or less pure, only dis- tinguished from bone gelatine by its higher price. — Liehig^s Researches on the Chemis- try of Food. A Modern Farmer. Ten years ago it was a goodly thing to visit the Philadelphia market, and see the excellent provision which the honest hus- bandman set forth to gratify the palates and increase the flesh of our citizens. Each 48 Management of the Manure Heap. Vol. XII- farmer appeared to be a proxy for the God- dess of Plenty, and poured tbrth from his Cornucopia the fat of the land, and the abundance thereof; flesh, fruit and vegeta- bles,— tomatoes, plums and spring chickens — potatoes, strawberries, and sucking pigs. His stall was up-heaped with the bounties of nature — the shambles groaned with an overweight of nutrition. Long-bearded tur- keys loomed forth in lengthened Imes, luxu- riously lucious; great geese gleamed out in greasy garnishment, stimulative of glorious feats in gormandizing gastromy; delicate ducks, deliciously dainty, dangled by do- zens, and the anxious trenchman was puz' zled how to choose from so many piles of portly poultry. Substantial solids were also there to please the purchaser, and add their quota to the support and gratification of the inward man. Beef, the fattest and fairest, veal, tender and delicate, mutton, fresh and juicy, pork, corn fed and substantial. In the white tub, the golden butter peeped out from amidst green and moist leaves ; in the rustic hamper, white eggs were nestled among cut straw; peas, beans, beets, carrots, and other vegetables were gathered round in appropriate vessels. In truth, it was a goodly sight to see the farmer part with his treasures, to adorn the domestic feast and gladden the hearts of civic partakers — whilst he, in exchange therefor, was gladdened with shining stores of gold and silver. Such were the scenes which our markets daily afforded, and such were the husband- men of other days, and such husbandmen are there yet, but they are becoming rare. Go into our markets now and ask for the farmer, and you will be shown an individual whose air and apparel put you strangely in '^mind of a journeyman confectioner. In amazement you ask, is that a farmer"! Yes, that is a farmer of the modern school; there is the provision he brings, in those tubs, and there is his stock, a ladle, a japanned tray, twelve saucers, and twelve leaden spoon He is a real modern farmer, one who culti- vates the soil and raises ice cream. He finds the labour of tilling the stubborn earth comparatively profitless — his plough is broken, and his sickle rusted — wheat and corn do not cover his broad acres, because grass is more suitable for cows, and rich creams, riches to him when frozen, can thereby more easily be obtained. But kw poultry cackle round his farm house, or run with eager bills to pick up the scattered grain. Nor does the cheerful maid sing at the churn, and rejoice as she views the golden lumps — nought is heard but the cracking of the ice, or the eternal see-saw of the freezer as it is stirred amidst rock salt. Yet his marketing finds a ready sale, and his frozen creams are lapped up by hundreds. Nor is he to blame; he but supplies the de- mand made by the citizens. JMeanwhile, housekeepers groan at the scarcity and dear- ness of produce. Milk and cream, to dwel- lers in cities, are daily becoming more wa- tery, and will soon become fabulous, butter and cheese will exist only in legend — poul- try, flesh and flour, are also becoming scarce. The cause is evident, so long as it is more profitable to the farmer to grow ice creams than cultivate the soil and increase his farm stock, so long .will he turn his attention to such a valuable branch of agriculture. It may be a new thing to many, but it is un- doubtedly true that the, present high price of provisions is partly owing to the fact that so many farmers in the neighbourhood of our Atlantic cities have turned their attention wholly to the manufacture of luxuries to tickle the palates of our dainty loving citi- zens.— Ledger. Management of the Manure Heap. No one, who has been watching the pro- gress of agriculture for the last few years, can for a moment dispute the importance of the foreign substances, which, like nitrate of soda and guano, have been introduced into husbandry. But admitting to the fullest ex- tent, the value of these materials; admitting, too, the utility of some of the artificial ma- nures compounded for sale; we must ob- serve, that it is most absurd for the cultivator to put himself to the expense of purciiasing them until he has utterly exhausted all the ■ means which his farm affords him, of in- creasing the fertility of his land. Such sub- stances should be employed in aid of ordi- nary manure, not instead of it. The art of farming and market-gardening consists, or should consist, in obtaining the greatest pos- sible amount of food at the smallest possible expense. Now, it must be obvious, that those ma- nuring substances which are necessarily produced on a farm, are the least expensive of all things; to the careful collection and preparation of them should the good hus- bandman turn his attention in the first in- stance ; and when all the resources of skill are exhausted upon that preparation, it is time to look abroad for assistance. Farm yard manure is, therefore, the firt;t object of improvement; and it is to this great end that our remarks upon manures have of late been directed. The man who wastes his No. 2. Management of the Manure Heap. 49 farm-yard manure and buys other things, can only be compared to him who should leave his wheat upon the oround, and buys rice or maize to make e^ood his prodiofality. We assert, without fear of contradiction, that the farmer does, in the great majority of cases, commit a folly equivalent to this;^ not indeed, intentionally, but from not know- ing better. It is not, however, merely because of its cheapness, that farm-yard manure is the best of all substances for enriching land, but be- cause it contains such a great variety of sub- stances, among which each crop finds that which it most requires, and in the fittest state for becoming its food. "Fortunately," says Dr. Daubeny, in one of his excellent agricultural discourses, "we are provided, in the dung of animals, with a species of manure of which the land can never be said to tire, for this simple reason, that it con- tains within itself not one alone, but all the ingredients which plants require for their nutrition; and what is perhaps of equal im- portance, existing too, in that precise condi- tion in which they are most readily taken in and assimilated." No wonder then, that the Royal Agricultural Society of England should have made the subject of tarm-yard manure the subject of one of their prizes, and that we should in the meantime be turning our feeble efforts in the same direction. It must be evident to those who have con- sidered the subject, that the great points to attend to are, first, to reduce the animal and vegetable matter of manure to a decayed state; and secondly, to keep everything that results from this decay, whether fluid or solid, or invisible, after it has been obtained. It is of no use to catch the hare, if you do not hold her. The farmer lets his stock trample straw and manure together in the yard, and by degrees it becomes partially rotten ; it is then thrown into heaps, and al- lowed to ferment; and then it is used. The market gardener carts the long stable-litter from town, throws it into a heap, lets it fer- ment, and then applies it to his land. In both these cases, rain and other fluids wash away one part, which runs to waste; the fermentation drives off another, which dis- appears in the air; and what is left is, at the most, about half as good as it should be. This cannot be the way to manage manure. What should be done, is something like this: every husbandman should have a place for preparing manure. It should be a trench or ditch, large in proportion to the quantity of manure to be prepared. The bottom and sides should be made firm with clay or any other material that will prevent a waste of the water used in preparing the manure. This trench should fall towards one end ; and at that end a hole should be made — which we will call A, — and well puddled or lined with clay, so as to hold water, into which all the liquid matter that runs from the manure should drain. By the side of the trench should be a pump and well, which might be so contrived as to throw water in a stream all over the manure, when neces- sary. All things being ready, a quantity of raw manure, consisting as usual, of straw and all sorts of impurities, should be placed in a layer at the bottom of the trench, well watered, and trampled down; by this means it will be enabled to decay faster than if it was dry, for the mass will begin to heat; what water the straw cannot suck up, will run into the hole A, out of which it should afterwards be drawn, and poured again over the heap. At the same time that the layer of raw manure is placed on the floor of the trench, there should be scattered among it a quantity of gypsum — plaster of Paris — if that can be had cheap, or else some pow- dered green vitriol : then the fluid which drains away will consist of those ingredients or their elements, water, etc. The object of adding such substances, is to prevent the loss of ammonia, an invaluable substance, which flies away from manure, if you let it alone, but which either the gypsum or the green vitriol holds fast, and keeps with them- selves in the manure. Gypsum — plaster of Paris — is, in many places, the cheapest ma- terial ; but the wholesale price of green vit- riol is not more than five shillings per one hundred weight in the London market; and probably the material called salt-cake, and now worth about three shillings and six- pence per one hundred weight, would an- swer the same purpose. When there is a fresh supply of raw ma- nure ready, it should be placed in a layer over the first, mixed with gypsum or green vitriol, or some other " fixer," and well trampled down ; then let it be thoroughly watered with the fluid in the hole A, if there is enough there; or with water from the pump, if what is drained into A is not suffi- cient. Water or drainings should be con- stantly added to these heaps, for it is of the first importance that the manure should be kept continually moist, in order to hasten its decay. In this manner the manure heap may be increased from time to time, as raw manure accumulates, until it is too high to be conveniently raised further, or to allow of water or drainings being easily poured over it. By degrees the whole mass will become a soft pasty substance ; and when in that condition, will be fit to put upon the land, or to lie by till wanted. In the latter 50 Burlington County Agricultural Society. Vol. XII. case, however, care must be taken not to allow any of its "goodness" to be wasted out of it ag^ain; and reservoirs sliould be formed at the edge of it, to receive what does run frotn it, which should be poured over it again, or carried and used elsewhere. If this plan were merely speculative, we should have nevertheless thought it worth proposing; but it is, in fact, the result of ex- perience. It is essentially the same as that practiced by Mr. Schattenmann, and seems to us the best method of managing the dung- hill that has been yet proposed. It has the great merit of saving everything, of wasting nothing, and of causing no other additional expense than that of the purchase of the gypsum, — which would probably be bought without being thus applied — or of a boy oc- casionally to attend to the watering the dung hills. Although we entertain no sort of doubt of the extreme importance of attend- ing to these suggestions, and of the ample return tliey will make for any expense con- nected with them, we shall be quite satisfied if any of our readers will try them first in a small way, and then ascertain for them- selves the relative effect per load of common farm-yard manure, and manure prepared in this more careful manner. — Professor Lind- ley. Burlington County Agricultural Society. First Annual Exhibition, at Mount Hully, October 20th, 1847. Premiums will be awarded according to the following schedule: For the best cultivated Farm, of not less than fifty acres, exclusive of woodland, re- gard being had to the quantity of produce, the manner and expense of cultivation, and the profits, $10. Horses. — For the best Stallion, $5. For the second best do., $3. For the best Mare, $5. For the second best do., $3. For the best Gelding, $5. For the second best do., $3. For the best pair of Matched Horses, $5. For the second best do. $3. For the best pair of Work Horses, ^2. For the best Colt, under one year old, $3. For the best Colt, under two years old, $3. For the best Colt, under three years old, $3. Mules, — For the best team of four mules. ^2, For the second best team, of two mules. Cattle, Blooded Stock. — For the best Bull, under three years old, !§5. For the best Bull, under two years old. *3. For tlie best Bull, under one year old, $2. For the best Cow, $5. For the second best Cow, $S. For the third best Cow, $2. Cattle, Common Stock. — For the best Bull, under two years old, $.5. For tlie best Bull, under one year old, S3. For the best fatted Calt; under six months. $3. For the second best fatted Calf, do., $2. For the best Cow, $5. For the second best Cow, $3. For the third best Cow, $2. For the best Cow, Steer, or Heifer, fatted, $0. Sheep. — For the best Buck, $d. For the best Ewe, $3. For the best Flock, not less than twelve $5. Swine. — For the best Boar, $3. For the best Sow, $3. For the best sucking Pigs, not less than six, S3. For the best lot of Pigs, under nine months, not less than four, S3. Poultry, Live. — For the best lot, not less than eight, S3. For the best pair, S2. For the best pair of Capons, S3. For the second best pair of Capons, S2. For the best Turkey Cock, S2. For the second best Turkey Cock, S'l. For the best pair of Geese, S2. For the second best pair of Geese, SI. Dairy. — For the best Cheese, not less than thirty pounds, S5. For the second best Cheese, not less than twenty pounds, S2. For the best lot of Butter, not less than six pounds, S3. For the second best lot of Butter, not less than six pounds, $2. Fruit. — For the best sample of Apples, not less than ten named varieties, S2. For the second best sample of Apples, not less than ten named varieties, SI- Grain. — For the best White Wheat, not less than one bushel, S2. For the second best White Wheat, not less than one bushel, SI. For the best Red W^heat, not less than one bushel, S2. For the second best Red Wheat, not less than one bushel, SI. No. 2. Plank Roads. 51 For the best Oats, not less than one bush- el, SI. For the best field of Wheat, not less than five acres, $5. For the second best field of Wheat, not less than five acres, $3. For the best field of Oats, not less than five acres, S3. For the second best field of Oats, not less than five acres, S2. For the best field of Indian Corn, not less than five acres, S5. For the second best field of Indian Corn, not less than five acres, l?>3. Potatoes. — For the best sample of Seed- lings, S5. Fot the best bushel of Potatoes, $1. For the best Acre, $5. For the secfind best Acre, $3. For the best bushel of Sweet Potatoes, $1. For the best specimen of any agricultural implement, a Certificate of First Merit. For the best article of manufacture in iron, cutlery, glass, woollen, and cotton fabrics, and of manufactures generally, a like Cer- tificate. For the most satisfactory experiment, in converting green crops, or other vegetable matter, into manure, with full details, a like Certificate. For the most satisfactory experiment in top dressing grass and grain, a like Certifi- cate. For the best experiment in increasing ma nures, a like Certificate. Plank Roads. Their construction and advantages, with observations on the present system of mak- ing public roads. By Georoe Geddes, Esq., Civil Engineer, Fairmont Onondaga County. Good roads are very important to the in- terests of agriculture. The surplus produc- tions of the soil are valuable to the producer, just as they are near market, and if distant, the avenues for their conveyance, become a consideration of the first importance. The common roads of the country are very gen- erally badly located, little or no regard hav ing been paid to the grade ; and the system by which they are attempted to be kept m repair, is such as must result in their being in bad condition a great portion of the year. The tax is an unfair one ; for the persons who are to enjoy the benefits of the road do not pay for the repairs ; but the persons who own property within the town or road dis- trict, are taxed in proportion to their proper- ty, without regard to the amount they are to use the road ; and it often happens that in the vicinity of large towns the road districts are entirely unable to keep in repair a sec- tion of road, over which not only the pro- duce of these districts is to pass, but the whole business of perhaps fifty such districts. The results of such a system must continue to give us bad roads; and the only remedy, is to adopt some course which shall result in taxing the travellers with the expense of keeping the road in order. No tax can be more equitable, if it be not in excess, than that of the toll gate. The only thing to guard against, is the diversion of the money thus raised from the repairs of the road. In those sections of the country that are yet but sparsely peopled, it would be impracticable perhaps, to introduce a system requiring the payment of tolls from the traveller, as the expenses of collecting the tax would bear too large a proportion to the total amount. In such districts, the first settlers must open the roads, and continue to work them, until the amount of travel will justify the collection of toll. But in all those parts of the State that have been settled for any considerable period of time, we cannot too soon commence levying a tax upon those who use the roads, and expend the money thus raised, in the immediate vi- " cinity of the gates, in repairing the roads. As the roads become better, we may lessen the rates of toll, being always strict in ap- plying the receipts for the benefit of those who pay. In some instances, it would be for the ad- vantage of the public, to make a large out- lay in order to have a good road before the receipts from tolls would be sufficient to make it. In such a case, the creation of a company, who will furnish the capital neces- sary to at once make a good road, and trust to the tolls to pay the interest and reimburse the capital within some fixed period of time, and besides keep the road in repair, will be for the public advantage. Common road making, is a branch of en- gineering that perhaps has received less at- tention from scientific men, than almost any other. Canals, railroads, tunnels, and works of like splendor, are more attractive than the humble country road ; and it has been trusted to a class of men who possess but small qualifications for the charge of so im- portant an interest. It might be impossible to determine the cost of all the roads in the State, so that the comparison might be made with the cost of the canals and railroads ; so too, it might be impossible to make a correct comparison of the cost of the cars and boats, and the wag- ons and sleighs; but it is certain that the 62 Plank Roads. Vol. XII sum total of the cost of railroads and canals, and the cars and boats, is vastly below tliat of the cost of the highways, and the wag'ons and sleighs that are used on them. The importance of the interest demands judicious legislation; and the application of the high- est intelligence in the expenditure of the means provided. A proper system of laws would develope the skill necessary, and we must be content to wait for such legislation before we can expect to see such great skill exhibited in constructing roads. In every county, three commissioners should have charge of all the roads in their county; hav- ing in their employment a competent engi- neer, to direct the expenditure and superin- tend the erection of bridges, and all the re- pairs; this would soon produce a change vastly beneficial to the public. The Revised Statutes contain a general law relating to turnpikes, in which the par- ticular manner of construction is all speci- fied, as though the revisers knew all that would ever be known about making roads. It is strange that it should have happened, that McAdam should have rendered himself so famous by teaching a system of road mak- ing precisely the reverse of the one deter- mined upon by the revisers; but so it was. They fallowed the old English plan, which required a bedding of stone upon which to place the facing of broken stone. The peculiarity of McAdam's plan is, that there shall be no such foundation, but that the broken stone shall be placed directly upon the earth; experience having proved that, if there was a stone of any considera- ble size under the broken surface, it would in time rise up through it; and he discarded every stone over four ounces in weight. Plank Roads have very recently been in- troduced into this country. According to the patent office report of January, 1843, they had their origin in Russia, and were introduced into Canada by Lord Sydenham, he being induced to try the experiment in consequence of the great cost, in the first instance, of McAdamising a road, and the expense of keeping it in repair. The first road made of plank was near Toronto. The three miles nearest tiie city having been McAdamised; the plank road commenced at that distance from the city, and was extended some miles into the coun- try. The plank road lasted eight years, re- quiring during that time merely nominal repairs. The McAdam road in the same time required an annual expenditure of four hundred dollars a mile in repairs — amount- ing in the eight years to $3,200 a mile, a sum much more than sufficient to replank a road. When the plank road required a new covering, one-half of the stone road was duor up and Hung on top of tbe other half, and a track of plank eight feet wide was laid down in the place occupied by the stone. It hap- pened that I visited Toronto at the time the plank road was rebuilding, and the eight feet track was being put into the stone road. The plank first used were sixteen feet long and three inches thick. They had worn out in the middle for a space of about seven feet wide — the ends of the plank being entire. The middle of the road had settled by the weight of the teams, and loads that had passed over it. The sills were sound enough to justify their use for another covering. I saw the eight feet track in use; and then expressed the opinion, that, as the narrow road was so much more evenly pressed down by the loads than was the wide road, it would be firmer, and that if more than one eight feet track was demanded by the travel, it would be vastly better to lay two eight feet tracks, than one sixteen feet, not only be- cause they would settle more evenly, but that the facilities for passing would be greatly increased. A road sixteen feet wide, experience proved would be used in the middle. A wide load, going slowly along it, rendered it very difficult for a vehi- cle that was moving faster, upon overtaking the wide load to pass it. In making my re- port to the commissioners for the distribu- tion of the stock of the Salina and Central Square Plank Road, at whose request 1 had visited Toronto, for the purpose of obtaining information upon this subject, I proposed two eight feet tracks for their road, and made my estimate of the cost accordingly. A year later I again visited Toronto, and to my sur- prise long planks were entirely abandoned. The road as it was extended into the coun- try being made of a single eight feet track — having a smooth earth road to turn out upon, along side the plank. The result of these examinations was, that we determined upon making a single track upon one side of the centre of the road, and wherever we had ordinary earth to grade twelve feet wide upon the other side of the centre. Over some light sand we laid two tracks, and in one instance for a short distance, we laid a sixteen feet road, owing to peculiar circumstances; so that we have a single plank track on one side of the road, and an earth road to turn out upon; and we have two tracks, four feet apart, of plank; and we have a wide plank road. The two separate tracks of plank are the most perfect road, and furnish the greatest facility for teams to pass. The eight feet track is next in convenience, for it being on the side of the centre of the road that gives No. 2. Plank Roads. 53 it to the loaded team that is going into town, — and the loading is chiefly going to town, — the unloaded team generally does all the turning out, while the loaded team travels on one side of the centre, and not in -the middle of the road ; while on the sixteen feet plank the traveller inclines to keep the centre, and the slow movements of the load- ed team in turning out, very generally drives a light team oft" the ends of the plank upon sidling ground. When a team upon the single track is overtaken, it is much easier to pass it than it is when it is moving along the middle of the wide track; for the slow going team is on one side of the centre, in the case of the narrow road ; and there is a twelve feet earth road on the other side of the centre, for the fast going team to pass by upon. The only way to make the wide track as convenient for passing as the nar- row, is to grade an earth road outside of the ends of the plank; and that would add to the cost, and make the road bed so wide that it would be difficult to drain it well. It has been proposed to fasten a scantling upon the middle of a sixteen feet track, leaving occasional vacancies for teams to cross from one side to the other, as a means of causing the travel to pass upon the ends of the track. This remedy for the evils of a wide single track, is expensive and objec- tionable from the inconvenience in crossing freely at any point. Every view of the question results in this: that roads, that are not greatly travelled re- quire but a single eight feet track, save over very soft ground; and that roads that require more than one such tracks, should have two narrow tracks in preference to one wide track. It is safe to say that whenever two tracks are demanded for the accommodation of the travel, — unless the necessity grows out of the fact, that the earth is very unsuit- ed to road making, — that, that demand will surely justify the investment of the money the second track will cost; for it must be a very great amount of travel that will not be accommodated by a single eight feet track, with a carefully eared for earth road to turn out upon along side of it. Experiments have been made to test the proper mode of laying the plank: "On the Chanibly road the planks are twelve feei long, but laid diagonally, so as to make the road but eight feet wide. The weight of half the vehicle and load coming suddenly upon one end of the plank, and the other end not being kept down at the same time, the traffic constantly tends to disrupt the road, and the planks are loose, and spring from end to end." * * * "At Quebec part of the road has been planked, the plank being laid lengthwise. It was considered that the planks would stand better the tric- tion, and when necessary, could be more easily taken up, and the road repaired. One strong objection to this mode of laying the plank is found to be, that the horses cannot keep their feet when much weighted, and are much exposed to falling, in consequence. Under all these circumstances most have approved the manner in which the planks are laid on the Toronto road." (Patent office report, 1843, page 129.) In constructing plank roads, it is necessa- ry to have the earth upon which the plank are to be laid, broken up and made fine, that they may touch the earth at every point. This is important, for if any space be left for air under the plank, or alongside the sills, dry rot follows. The sills should not be large: four mches square is sufficient. They should be perfectly bedded into the earth, and there should be broken earth un- der them, care being taken that they should not rest firmly upon rocks or other hard sub- stances, that will not allow them to settle. All earth formations of this nature will settle some, and the sills must be permitted to go down as the rest of the structure set- tles, or a space for air would be left between the plank and the earth, and the sills would thus support the plank; whereas the plank should rest upon the earth at every point. Nothing is gained by wide or deep sills, and the whole support of the road is the earth that is covered by the plank, and the amount is in no wise increased by wide sills. The chief use of sills, is to grade by, and to keep the road in form until the earth has become settled. There is in the vicinity of Toronto a short plank road, that has no sills at all under it, and the grade is very nearly as exact as in those roads where sills are used. The plank having been laid, the next thing is to grade a road some ten or twelve feet wide on one side, and two or three on the other, by taking earth from the ditches on each side, and bringing it by a ditch scraper jast up to, and even with the upper side of the plank, so that if a wheel runs off the track, it passes upon a smooth surface of earth. The ends of the plank should not be laid even, but a part should project from two to four inches by the general line, to prevent a rut being cut just along the ends of a plank. If the ends of the plank are even, and a small rut is made, the wheel of a loaded wagon will scrape along the ends for some distance before it will rise up to the top of the plank, unless the wagon moves in a direction nearly across the road; but if the wheel cannot move two feet forward with- 54 Tlie Whole Secret of Growing Quinces. Vol. XII. out coming square against the edge of a pro- jecting plank, the difficulty of getting on the road is avoided. It is not neces: 86 Smoked Mutton, 87 Remarks on the Potatoe disease, 88 Memoranda on Pears, 91 Lime, 93 House-feeding Sheep, 94 Flour and Wneat.— The Royal Ag. So. of England, 95 Saxony Sheep, .- 9G Silas Wright's Address, read before the N. Y. State Ag. Society, by John A. Dix, 98 Editorial Notices, 102 THE FARMERS' CABINET, IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY JOSIAH TATUM, No. 50 NORTH FOURTH STREET, PHILADELPHIA. It is issued on the fifteenth of every month, in num- bers of 32 octavo pazes each. The subjects will be illustrated by engravings, when they can be appropri- ately introduced. Terms.— One dollar per annum, or five dollars for seven copies — payable in advance. All subscriptions must commence at the beginning of a volume. Having lately struck ofl' a new edition of one or two of the former numbers, which had become exhausted, wo are now able to supply, to a limited ex- tent, any of the back volumes. They may be had at one dollar each, in numbers, or one dollar twenty-five cents half-bound and lettered. For eifiht dollars paid in advance, a com;>/e(eseJ of the work will be furnished in numbers, including the 12th volume. The whole can thus readily be forwarded by mail. For twenty-five cents additional, per volume, the work may be obtained neatly half-hound and let- tered. Copies returned to the office of publication, will also be bound upon the same terms. By the decision of the Post Master General, the "Cabinet," is subject only to newspaper postage. Joseph Rakestraw, Printer. '• M ^^ ^m^'^fmmiximr ^^ERICAN HERD-BOOTi DE VOTED TO AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, AND RURAL AND DOMESTIC AFFAIRS. Perfect Agriculture is the true foundation of all trade and industry.— Libbib. Vol. XII.— No. 4.1 11th mo. (November) 15th, 1847. [Whole No. 154. PUBLISHED MONTHLY, BY JOSIAH TATUM, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR, No. 50 North Fourth Street, PHILADELPHIA. Price one dollar per year. — Forconditions see last page. Manures. The following remarks are taken from a Lecture on the application of Chemistry to Agriculture, delivered by J. C. Nesbit, at Farnham, the latter part of last year; and we are indebted for it to the British Farm- er's Magazine, for the fourth month last.— Ed. M.\NY persons, whose farms are near the sea, import fish on their land. These fish contain abundance of phosphate of lime and magnesia — bone dust, — a very important in- gredient; and they contain ammonia, carbon, a little salt, and potash. They are what is called a quick manure; that is, they act quickly; but if you put them year by year by themselves, without applying something more solid, they would not continue to pro- duce a good effect. When those who are near the sea use fish, I would advise them to mi.x them with other manures, to prevent their quick action from deteriorating the value of the land, by taking more from it in the year than it is capable of affording without injury. There is another most gen- eral means of introducing manure on land, Cab.— Vol. XII.— No. 4. though it is not generally known* as such, viz., by feeding cattle with oil-cake. This is not generally regarded in that light; but still, it is neither more nor less than a means of manuring land. The oil-cake being com- posed of linseed which has been pressed from t^ie oil, still contains considerable quantities of carbon and hydrogen, which are derived from the air, and of nitrogen, and forms a very good food for animals; they can derive from it a large quantity of fat, and some flesh; and that which is given out from them as manure contains large quantities of the mineral ingredients, together vvitii a very considerable amount of ammonia. Well, the mineral ingredients and ammonia thus fur- nished by the oil-cake, is one way of ma- nuring the farm. Oil-cake is very expensive, and it would not pay to feed cattle on it— -at least, so many farmers have told me — were it not for the manure. They feed the ani- mals because the manure which they get is so valuable. They tell me, " We sometimes lose £100 or £150 a year by our bullocks;" "but we must feed bullocks," they add, "be- cause we thus manure our crops." When I was lecturing at Maidenhead, and had occa- sion to speak on this subject, I had to disa- buse the minds of certain gentlemen as to the absolute necessity of submitting to a loss for this purpose; whether I was right or wrong you will be able to judge. A gen- tleman told me last spring, when you will recollect there was a great deal more tur- nips than the sheep would feed off. at least (105) lOG Manures'. YoL. XIL in that part of the country, that he would give any one £2 an acre to send a flock of sheep to feed off his turnips. It struck me that this was too nl^uch ; and I said to him, "Do you expect to derive anything from their feeding on the turnips!" He said, "Certainly." I rejoined, "In my opinion the sheep can give you nothing but what the turnips contain; the turnips will only pass through the bodies of the sheep. Do you not think that £2 spent for guano, with the turnips ploughed in, would give you more manure than £2 paid to feed offsheepl" I had a strong argument to maintain in the presence of a great number of gentlemen. The gentleman, of whom I have spoken, said, "If you will come to me to-morrow morning, at my farm, I will convince you." I replied, "I will be with you." I went over the farm in six hours; and that day I gained two converts, the gentleman and his eon ; and I believe they are now two of the first agriculturists in the neighbourhood. I had time to explain my views to them, and they soon saw that if you could get the tur- nips to rot in the ground, and were then to apply j£2. worth of guano, you would get very much more than you could obtain by feeding off a certain number of sheep merely on the turnips. Well, then, I say that under certain circumstances it may be profitable to you, instead of feeding sheep, to use a cer- tain amount of guano and other matters which may be put on the land, or to plough in your crops. It is a money question en- tirely; if we can obtain what we want for a pound less in one way than in another, it is necessary, in a commercial point of view, to get that which will cost the least. I do not call upon you to go and try a whole farm full of experiments of this kmd; but the next time you are placed in the position which I have described, try an acre or two; and if you find, subsequently, that the crops are as good or better, you will have lost nothing by the experiment, and you will be enabled from your own experience, when placed in Bimilar circumstances again, to do without the advice of a chemist. You see, in fact, with reference to the oil-cake, that the farm- er imports the produce of one farm to put on another. Now there is another valuable manure which is well known, though it has only been recently imported. This manure, like all other manures, is derived from the vegetable world. Our rivers arc pouring down, year by year, from the surface of the land, bone dust and potash and soda and am- monia, and a thousand things besides, into the ocean. All the soluble mat'ers of the earth's surface are poured down by the rivers and rivulets into the sea; not, gentle- men, to exist there for no purpose at all. As large and extended a vegetable kingdom ex- ists under the surface of the waters as above them, and the source of animal life in the sea is the same as that which sustains it ck, $1. The committee report that they were highly pleased with the general display of fowls. VViiliam Leonard deserves great credit for the attention he has given to the improvement of the PoJand fowls; also, unich praise is due to Michael Grouse for his white and black Poland chickens. The Jersey Bhies exhibited, were very superior. To John Thomas they award the first pre- mium of a silver butter knife, $5. For the ne.xt best, to Tothweight, GolmaK's Tour, George Wuigkt, James McPhersok, Homer Eachus. The committee on implements and pro- duce, report — that the olijects brought toge- ther have been unusually numerous, and worthy of attention. The most extensive and best display of implements made by one person, was that of D. O. Prouty, to whom they award the first premium of $10', and the ne.\t best that of E. Chandler, the second premium, Golman's Tour. The Wheat Fan made and exhibited by Edwin Chandler, of Philadelphia, besides preparing the grain for market, has an ar- rangement by which the seed of Timothy is deposited so as to be obtained separately. The committee award for this the first pre- mium for Wheat Fans, $4. For the next best Fan, which also sepa- rates t]\e Timothy, they award the second premium to J. Bamborough's Fan, Lancas- ter, Pa., $2. For the best Corn Sheller they award the first premium of $4 to D. O. Prouty, for his improved large double Cora iSheller, for shelling and scieening corn, ajid separating it from the cobs, adapted to hand or horse power. For the next best to E. Chandler, for his double Corn SheJler, they award the second premium of .**2. For the best horse power Straw or Stalk Cutter, to Jesse Urmy,of Wilmington, Del., for his Corn-stalk Cutter and Grinder, $6. For the best Strav/ or Hay Cutter, they award the second premium of ^4 to J. G. Talbot, for Richardson's patent. For the next best Straw or Hay Cutter, they award the second premium of $2 to D. O- Prouty, for Hovey's patent. For the best Drill Machine, they award the first premium of $2 to Pierson's Grain Drill. For the second best to Smith's Grain Drill, $2. For many machines and implements of great value no premiums have been offered by the Society. Among those which par- ticularly attracted the attention and admira- tion of the committee, may be named, the Grain Thresher and horse power exhibited by W^keeler, Meleg & Co., of Norristovvn, Pa., together with the Cutter adapted to the horse power, for which the committee award an honorary premium of '$4. The committee would also deem worthy of special notice the Double Geared Self- Adjusting Chain Horse Power, of Jesse Urmy, of Wilmington, Del, together with ihis Stalk Cutter, and Corn-cob Crusher and Grinder. R. T. Potts exhibited a drill for planting corn, made by E. J. Dickey, of Hopewell, Chester county. Pa., which had proved itself very efficient in putting in the crop of the present season. For this Corn Drill the committee award aa honorary premium of To D. O. Prouty, for his Churn, the com- mittee award an honorary premium of ^2. To J:icob Rogers, Jr., a premium of $2 for BirdselTs Double Pointed and Self-Sharp- ening Cultivator. The committee also noticed an alleged im- provement in the Water Ram made by N. and G. M. Kohl, of Willow Grove, Pa., — said to consist in the substitution of brass inner valves. 120 Economy. Vol. XII. For the Wheat Fan of Armstron. See New York Agricultural Transactions for 1846; aud Farmers' Cabinet, p. 19. current volume. No. 5. Editorial Notices. 167 KEFHi&.RT'S PiLTEM-T Fruit and Vegetable Preserver. An admirable invention, by which fruits, vegetables, &c., viz. oranges, lemons, apples, pears, peaches, &c. — potatoes, green corn, melons, &c., can be kept as long as desirable with all their natural juices and sweet- ness. Also, butter, eggs and bacon can be kept through- out the year, Yresh and sweet, at an expense not greater than in an ordinary warehouse in the city. A full description will be found in the June number of the Cabinet. The undersigned having purchased the Patent-right for the United States, e.xcept the states of New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland, and the cities of New York and St. Loiiis, offer for sale Patent rights for the con- struction of the Preserver, by states, counties or in- dividual rights, upon terms that will induce all inter ested in the preservation of the above named articles, to purchase rights and construct houses. FLACK, TtlOMPSON & BROTHER, Coates Street wharf, near Fairmount. All communications will receive prompt attention, if addressed either to PETER KEPHART, Western Hotel, Baltimore, Md. Or to FLACK. THOMPSON & BROTHER, Spring Garden P. O. Philadelphia. July 15th, 1847.— 6t. SSED STOKE, No. 23 31arket Street, Philadelphia. The subscriber keeps constantly a supply of White and Red Clover, and other grass seeds; fresh Perennial Rye-grass, and Lucerne seed. Field seeds, consisting of choice Spring Wheat, Barley, Potatoe Oats, North- ern and other seed-corn. Also, in season. Fruit and Shade Trees. Garden and Bird seeds generally. Gua- no in parcels to suit purchasers. M. S. POWELL. Philad., Feb., 1847. tf. NEW Horticultural and Agricultural Ware-house, 84 Chennut Street below Third, South side. The subscriberhasforthebetteraccommodation of his customers, opened the above ware-house, with a large stock of Garden and Field Seeds, crop of 1846. Imple- ments and Books on Gardening and Farming; he calls the particular attention of farmers to his pure stock of Sweede Turnips, Field Carrots, Beets and Parsnips, Pruning Shears, Saws and Knives. March 14th, 1847.— ly. R. BUIST. Agency for the Purchase «& Sale of IMPROVED BREEDS OF CATTLE & SHEEP. The subscriber takes this method of informing his friends and the public, that he will attend to the pur- chase and sale of the improved breeds of cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, &c., for a reasonable commission. All letters post paid, addressed to him at Philadelphia, will be attended to without delay. AARON CLEMENT, Jlpril 15th, 1847. CO All. The subscriber has made an arrangement for a con slant supply of superior Lehigh and Schuylkill Coal — carefully prepared for family use, which he will fur nish at the usual cash prices, on application at the office of the Farmers' Cabinet, where samples of the different kinds and sizes may be seen. JOSIAH TATUM Philadelphia, Seventh month 15th, 1847. COATES' SEED STORF, No. 49 Market Street, FRElSn TIinOTHY SKED, Of various qualities, from good common seed to the purest and finest that can be produced, TOGETHER WITH A COMPLETE ASSORTMENT OF GHASS & Gi^RDSM* SXiSDS, Of the finest duality and best Varieties,— Bird Seeds, &.C. JOS. P. H. COATES, Successor to Oeorge M. Coates. May 15th, 1847. PREMIUM IMPLIMENTS. PROUTVS Improved Machine for Shelling and Screening Corn, and Separating it from the Cob. For this Machine the Philad'a Agricultural Society awarded their first Premium for Corn Sheller, 1847. Grant's Patent Premium Fan Mill, For Chaffing and Screening Wheat, at one operation. Three Silver Medals, and nine First Premiums, have been awarded for the above Mill. Prouty and Mears' Patent Centre -Draught, Self- Sharpening Ploughs. First Premium awarded for these Ploughs, by the Philadelphia Agricultural So- ciety, 1844, 1845, 1846 and 1847. Corn and Cob Breakers and Grinders, Corn Stalk Cutters &. Grinders— Sugar Mills— Spain's Improved Barrel Churn, the dashers of which may be taken out to clean. Also, a full assortment of Ag- ricultural Impliments, Manufactured and for Sale by D. O. PROUTY, No. 194i Market Street, below Sixth, Pkildelphia. Nov. 15, 1847.- tf. irr SHORT ADVERTISEMENTS, The subject matter of which, may correspond with the agricultural character of this paper, will be inserted at the rate of one dollar for each insertion often lines or less; and so in proportion for each additional line. Payment in advance. The quantity of rain which fell in the 11th month 1847, was 2,83 in. Penn. Hospital, 12th wo. 1st. 168 Editorial JVotices. Vol. XII. We kefip on hand at this office, and will supply our friends with Agricultural works generally. Among which are THE FARMER'S ENCYCLOPEDIA, full- bound in leather;— Price $3 50 YOUATT ON THE HORSE, with J. S. Skin- ner's very valuable Additions; 2 00 BRIDGEWAIV'S GARDEIVER'S ASSISTANT; 2 00 THE AMERICAN POULTRY BOOK; 37^ THE FARMER'S LAND MEASURER; 374 DANA'S MUCK MANUAL; 50 Complete sets of tlie FARMERS' CABINET, half-bound, 11 vols. 9 50 DOWNING'S Landscape Gardening, 3 50 Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees of America, 1 50 SKINNER'S Every Man his own Farrier, 50 AMERICAN Poulterer's Companion, 1 25 BOUSSINGAULT'S RURAL ECONOMY, 1 .50 FARMERS' & EMIGRANTS' HAND-BOOK, 1 00 MORRELL'S AMERICAN SHEPHERD, 1 00 STABLE ECONOMY, 1 00 BEVAN on the HONEY BEE, 31i BUISTS' ROSE MANUAL, 75 THOMAS' FRUIT CULTURIST, 50 SKINNERS CATTLE & SHEEP DOCTOR, 50 AMERICAN FARRIER, 50 THE FARMER'S MINE, 75 HOARE ON THE VINE, 624 HANNAM'S Economy of Waste Manures, 25 LIEBIG'S AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY, 25 ANIMAL CHEMISTRY, 25 FAMILIAR LETTERS, 124 JOHNSON'S DICTIONARY OF MODERN GARDENING, 2 25 Subscriptions received for Colman's Agricultural Tour — or single numbers sold. O" VVe are prepared to bind books to order. AFRICAN GUANO. First quality African Guano, from the island of Ichaboe, warranted genuine. Also a few tons Peruvian For sale by J. B. A. &. S. ALLEN, No. 7 South Wharves, 2nd Oil Store below Market street. Philadelphia, March 17th, 1847. Poudrette. A valuable manure— of the best quality, prepared in Philadelphia, for sale at the office of the Farm- ers' Cabinet, No. 50, North Fourth Street, or at the manufactory, near the Penitentiary on Coates' street. Present price, $1 75 per barrel, containing four bushels eacli, or 35 cents a bushel. Orders from a distance, enclosing tlie cash, with cost of porter- age, will be promptly attended to, hy carefully deli- vering the barrels on board of such conveyance as may be designated. The results on corn and wheat have been generally very satisfactory. Farmers to the south and in the interior, both of this State and of New Jersey, are invited to try it. We are now ready to supply any demand for wheat. J03IAH TATUM. Fhilada. 8th mo IfitA, 1847. CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. House-feeding Sheep, pao3 137 A Discourse upon Agriculture, by Dr. Win. Dar- lington, 133 Upland Cranberries. — Longevity of Trees, 143 Holkham, the Seat of the Earl of Leicester, .... 144 Chess.— Deep Ploughing.— On the use of Water in Transplanting Trees, 145 Prince George Agricultural Society, 140 Chess. Bromus Secalinus, 149 Mode of keeping Milk to prevent Souring, 150 Hereditary propensities in Dogs. — Hymn for the Country, 151 Hints for Horticulturists and Lumber-men, 152 Chester County Farms, 153 Use of Acorns. — Portrait of an Anti-Book Far- mer.—Treatment of a Contrary Horse, 154 Cisterns for Farm Buildings —Cranberries, 155 Cattle for Fattening and for the Dairy.— Interest- ing .Agricultural Experiment, 1.56 Royal Ag. Society of England.- Steam Plough, .. 157 Philosophy for Farmers, 158 Acclimation of the Fig tree.— To prevent the Smoking of a Lamp, 160 The expense of Farm Yard Manure, 161 Cultivation of Raspberries 1C4 Pomology in Philada.— Shaker Barn at Hancock, 165 Manure for Strawberries.— Editorial Notices, . . . 166 THE FARMERS' CABINET, IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY JOSIAH TATUM, No. 50 NORTH FOURTH STREET, PHILADELPHIA. It is issued on the fifteenth of every month, in num- bers of 32 octavo pa^efl each. The subjects will be illustrated by engravings, when they can bo appropri- ately introduced. Terms.— One dollar per annum, or live dollars for seven copies — payable in advance. XW subscriptions must commence at the beginning of a volume. Having lately struck off a new edition of one or two of the former numbers, which had become e.xhausted, we are now able to supply, to a limited ex- tent, any of the back volumes. They may be had at one dollar each, in numbers, or one dollar twenty-five cents half-bound and lettered. For eight dollars paid in advance, a romp/etesf?. of the work will be furnished in numbers, including the 12th volume. The whole can thus readily be forvvarded by mail. For twenty-five cents additional, per volume, the work may be obtained neatly half-bound and let- tered. Copies returned to the office of publication, will also be bound upon 'he same terms. By the decision of the Post Master General, the "Cabinet," is subject only to newspaper postage. Joseph Eakestraw, Printer. AMer ICAN HERD-BOOl^' DEVOTED TO AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, AND RURAL AND DOMESTIC AFFAIRS. Perfect Agriculture is the true foundation of all trade and industry. — Likbis. Vol. XII.— No. 6.] 1st mo. (January) loth, 1848. [^\ hole No. 156. POBLISHED MONTHLY, BY J O S I A H T A T U M, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR, No. 50 North Fourth Street, PHILADELPHIA. Price one dollar per year. — For conditions see 1 ast page. '"William H. Diilinsham's Address. On the 10th of Ninth month last, W. H. Dillingham of this city, delivered an Address before the Horticul- tural Society of Chester county, Pa., at West Chester. The following are extracts from it.— Ed. The name of the State in which we re- joice, is descriptive of its characteristic fea- tures tdl the first settlers. Penn found the country granted to Iiim by his sovereign, a forest, and the designation assigned to it, equally simple and appropriate, means, in plain speech, Penn's woods. It has been our lot to see it, in "bud and blossom like the rose;" and it is 'our business here to-day, surrounded by the treasures of Pomona and the splendors of Flora, products of the rich inheritance of a Tiappy soil and clime, per- petuated to us by the virtues of our ances- tors, while felicitating ourselves in these en^ joyments, to increase its fertility and beauty To the region occupied by the members of this Society, as part and parcel of the origi- nal county of Chester, pertain the honour and the responsibility of having been the Cajj.— Vol. XII.— No. 6. first resting place of the Proprietary of this then noble forest, the chosen spot to begin the development of his great idea of a com- monwealth founded upon the blessed princi- ple of " peace on earth and good will to man." You are the children's children in the third and fourth generations of his com- panions; many of you still cultivate the pa- ternal acres which Penn himself granted to your ancestors. You have still the custody of the earliest muniments of title, and the records of the first judicial proceedings in our commonwealth, which secure to you the possession of the soil that produces these plants and fruits and flowers. Invited upon this occasion to speak for you 'and to you, the speaker has identified him- self with you, and feels that he has a right to do so, not alone from a devotion to the common objects of your interesting anniver- sary. Our children have a common ances- try in the friends and companions of Penn.. Within these walls, now decorated by fair hands for this autumnal festival, for half a life- time he took an earnest, anxious part in the questions connected with the settlement of the estates where you plant your gardens and cultivate your grounds. Here he has toiled, as some present can bear him good witness, for days and weeks, to demonstrate, [that a decayed relic of one of the ancient [monarchs of Penn's woods, "to vi'it," a cer- jtain black-oak stump, should determine all 'questions about a boundary line of one of |the estates "aforesaid." But this ancient (169) 170 William H. Dillingham's Address. Vol. Xli. hall of justice, identical with the history, transmission, and partition of every estate in this courvty for the last sixty years, and with the present title to each particular spot where these flowers and frnits were grown, is soon to pass away. It was well to deco- rate it thus before the final sacrifice. Al- ready its elegant and classic neighbotir seems impatient of its humbler presence, whose interesting memories it cannot sup- In reviewing the history of this time-hon- oured hall, how arc we reminded of the con- trast between those warlike demonstrations from ancient upland, which threatened, with artillery, to batter down these rising walls, and the peaceful decorations, redolent of| beauty and harmony, which grace its exit. 'These flowers and fruits, methinks, are kindly tokens which mother earth sends up to bid the Old Court House good bye. As Chester county led the van m the set- tlement and culture of Penn's woods, so should it still be the banner county in agri- culture and horticulture. It possesses the elements for this distinction in the virtue, industry, intelligence, and thrift of its popu- lation, and in the fertility of its soil, its ge- nial climate, its varied surface, its beautiful streams, its abounding springs, its rich, indi- genous Flora — and in the good fortune to have produced a son, the pride and pleasure of whose life it is, to develop the history, character, and properties, the beauties and the uses of the vegetable world. Permit me to add to these commanding advantages, your vicinity to and daily improving facili- ties of intercourse with our great metropolis, justly famed for its devotion to science, and particularly to the study of the natural sci- ences. Her scliools and her collections in these departments are scarcely rivalled on this continent, and they are all within your reach. You have already set an exampla worthy of imitation by every other county in the state, in your own Collections of Na- tural History. They evince a taste and spi- rit worthy of all commendation. As Pennsylvania was the first to establish an Agricultural Society, so she was the first State of this Union to establish a Horticul- tural Society: still earlier she made an at- tempt at a botanic garden. It is now near an hundred years since Bartram began his enterprise on the Schuylkill, and its glory has not yet departed. You have still the evidence before you of what Humphrey Marshall attempted, soon after, in this vi- • cinity. Botany, an essential element of Horticul- ture, has still higher claims upon you: the first cultivators of the ancient county of Chester were countrymen of the immortal Linna?us, the great discoverer of that secret, whereby the whole vegetable kingdom was first reduced to system through all its varie- ties, from the trees of the forest to the moss. The Swedes were the true pioneers in this cultivation, now our pride and boast. Within a century after the hardy sons of the North set foot upon this soil, and with stout heart and strong arm assailed the giant forests, their illustrious countryman possess- ed himself of his master key. Within a few years Horticultural Socie- ties have given it an impulse in all its de- partments unknown before. It is not fifty years since the Horticultural Society of London was founded. The labours of this Society have produced results truly wonder- ful. The example has been followed, and similar Societies have multiplied both in Europe and in this country. That of Paris, established in 1826, lias been patronized by the court, by the nobility, and very gene- rally by their distinguished men. The Jar- din du Plants, at Paris, is regarded as the best establishment of the kind in the world, and includes what may be called a school for horticulture. These are, perhaps, the main sources of that impulse which has been given to this pursuit throughout Europe. Horticultural societies are now universal, and rapid pro- gress has been made here as well as there, within the last thirty years. Nothing is more obvious to those in the habit of resort- ing to our own' markets, than the improve- ments in esculent vegetables and fruits, within this period, both in variety and qual- ity. Still greater advances have been made in the general diffusion of a taste for plants and flowers. The florists constitute now an important class in our large towns, and some of their establishments are truly magnificent. The Greenhouse, the Hothouse, and the Conservatory, are regarded as among the most refined and elegant indul|fences of men of wealth and taste, and very gene- rally introduced. Many of our most distin- guished men, in the various professions and in the higher walks of life, took an active part in the formation of the Pennsylvania Society, gave great attention to it for years, and still help sustain it. It has always been a special favourite with the fair sex, whose tastes and habits are so' congenial to the beautiful flowers, and their virtues so well reflected in them. The monthly exhibitions furnish opportunities for pleasant re-unions to those who do not indulge in the gaieties of dissipation, and are uniformly character- ized by pervading cheerfulness and innocent enjoyment. It is impossible to be selfish or No. 6. Sewafre Manure. — The Wood Ploiish. ni ill-natured at a horticultural exhibition. It is the appropriate place for cordial greet- ings, kind words, winning looks, and cheerful smiles. Our anniver?ary festival is well known to you as the most popular and most joyous of the year. Nor do the votaries of Flora and Pomona grow weary in their assiduitie> to keep up the interest of these annual exhibi- tions. Few know how much time, and care, and thouglit are given, and cheerfully given, in the preparation^ There, as here, no doubt, the participation of the ladies adds a zest to these labours — what else, indeed, could have drawn such thousands and thou- sands to our gala through such a succession of years — the gay and joyous throng in creasing at each succeeding anniversary. It has in some measure supplied that, in which it is said we were deficient — sources of in- nocent amusemenl. Sewage Manure. The attention which has been lately paid to sanitary statistics, has thrown much light upon many subjects of importance which were not, at first sight, very evidently con- nected with them. It appears, from some of the striking facts which have been evolved during these enquiries, that the land in the neighbourhood of populous cities may be so fertilized for agricultural purposes, by the judicious application of that which is now one of the principal causes of impure atmos- phere, disease, and death — the sewage ma- ni/re — that the country may be enabled to support its present population, nay, even a much increased one, in years of average produce, in ease and plenty. Dr. Liebig said, some years ago, that, by the applica- tion of chemical principles to agriculture, England might be made to produce half as much more breadstuffs than she had ever yet done ; but these sanitary reports very much exceed the calculations of the learned Doctor. For instance, the report on the sanitary condition of the borough of Shef- field shows, as clearly as figures and the ap- plication of scientific principles can show, that tlie sewage manure of that town, with its one hundred and ten thousand inhabit- ants, is equal annually in fertilizing power to 3,140 tons of guano, — in value £30,000 — and sufficient to keep one hundred thousand acres of land in a constant state of fertility on the four-course system of farming. On the ratio of this calculation, the refuse of London, with its two millions of inhabitants, would be equal to 56,520 tons of guano, its value j£540,000, and its fertilizing power would suffice for one million eight hundred thousand acres of land. The Rev. Mr. Hux- table presented some most extraordinary facts upon this subject, at a recent meeting of scientific agriculturists, held at Sir Ro- bert Peel's. The reverend gentleman stated that, by the application of liquid manure, a farm of ninety-five acres of land, ten of which only were under the plough when he entered upon it, and which then supported fourteen dairy cows and grew 48 bushels of wheat and 40 bushels of beans, was caused to produce annually 1,600 bushels of wheat, support 40 head of cattle, cows and calves, and fatten 100 sheep and 80 pigs. Of course the whole of the 95 acres were now broken up. This farm, too, which under its former management only partially supported four labourers, now employs twelve all the year round. When two such important ends as the getting rid of a most dangerous and deadly nuisance, and the conversion of it into a source of profit and plenty, can thus be answered by one simple and ready appli- cation, is there not every reason to hope that at least some portion of this application will be adopted. Am I right in supposing that these facts will interest your readers? They are of the highest importance to the English community, for what can be more so than the increase of their country's salu- brity and fertility] — National Intelligencer, From the Cultivator. The Wood Plough. I WAS intimately acquainted with Jethro Wood for nearly thirty years, residing within five miles of him during the whole period in which he was engaged in improving the plough. In the early part of 1812, I tried to procure one of Peacock's, near Philadel- phia, but failed ; and on my return I spoke of my disappointment to him, when a long conversation on improvements in the plough ensued. From that time the subject con- tinued to claim his attention. In 1814 he obtained his first patent, the specifications for which I drew. The chief improvements — if my memory is correct — consisted in the superior shape of the cast-iron mould-board, and a small ivrought share, fastened on with screws. I had one of the first that was made, probably before it was patented. To understand the importance of these improvements and of those which followed, it may be necessary to learn how farmers had to manage in early times; and for this purpose I give an extract from The Plough Boij of 1821, vol. 3, page 5, with some ver- bal alterations: " Ten years ago, the farmers of this town; 172 Agricultural and Horticultural Society of Brussels. Vol. XII. were satisfied with the Bull plough. They thought it superior to every other amono: roots and stumps. It was easily drawn back when it got fast, for it generally had no coulter; the share but little slant, and a short nose. " Hard gravelly ground, however, soon dulls a plough share. Many of us had to go far to a blacksmith's. While we were gone, the team was idle at home. When we arrived the shop floor would be partly covered with plough shares, but first come, first served, was the rule. From one-fourth to half a day was often lost in this way. But this was not all our trouble. The share sometimes came back in a different shape — it no longer ran like the same plough. It often had too much or too little pitch, and the share warped in hardening. A load of dirt fastened on it," &c. Such was the state of things when Jethro Wood introduced his plough. Its permanent shape, and cast-iron edge, wrought a total change in our condition, but not without great opposition for a time. He told me that all his friends, — with one or two excep- tions,— endeavoured to discourage him from trying " pot-metal !" and the same opinions were prevalent when he proposed to dis- pense with the old sheath or standard, and substitute a projection from the upper edge of the mould-board, to pass through the beam. His language to me at that time was, "I intend to make it as simple as a skimming dish." For this improvement alone, — whether it pass through or be fast- ened under the beam — his name should be immortalized, and no candid person can deny him extraordinary merit, when he considers that every plough, down to that time, had been encumbered with a heavy sheath of wood or wrought iron — expensive, and liable to get out of order. In his first patented plough, nearly a dozen screws were employed ; but in that of 1819, not a screw was seen; and the ploughman was rendered independent of the blacksmith — avoiding long bills and great loss of time. The e.xercise of mind and amount of la- bour to perfect these improvements, can scarcely be appreciated by those who have not been engaged in similar pursuits. It was a new field, and everything had to be learned by experiment. To discover and procure the best materials for patterns, as well as to prepare them, employed him for a long time; and most men would have shrunk from the difficulties that met him at the foundries. Often he had to overcome the awkwardness or unwillingness of the moulders by presents, or by showing them how to succeed with his own hands. I am satisfied that all his patented im- provements were inventions of his own — originating in his o\vn mind; and to avoid encroaching on what others had invented, he had every volume within his reach that treated of ploughs — including several Ency- clopedias,— carefully examined for that pur- pose. To Jethro Wood's name belongs the hon- our of rendering the plough that cheap and efficient instrument that we now find it — enabling us to cultivate our fields at less than a quarter of the former expense, and saving millions to the country. David Thomas.' Greatfield, Cayuga co., Twelfth mo. 10th, 1847. Exhibition of the Agricultnral and Hor- ticultural Society of Brussels, October 1st, 1847. The middle of one salon was devoted to the various kinds of grain, which were shown in the straw; three rooms were com- pletely occupied with samples of potatoes, consisting of almost every known variety. Some idea may be formed of the interest the Belgians take in the cultivation of this useful root, by the fact that there were more than one hundred and eighty collections of potatoes, among which I counted about forty exhibitors of seedlings raised in 1846 and '47, the particulars of which I will give presently. Vegetables of every description were numerous and generally fine, especi- ally carrots, pumpkins, and cabbages. The fruit was magnificent. I hardly know how to express myself sufficiently complimentary of the pears and apples, — finer, I believe, were never before exhibited, certainly never surpassed in quantity or quality. The inte- rest was further increased by some speci- mens of fine seedling pears, of which more anon. This rich display entirely filled one large salo7i and two ante-rooms. As for flowering plants, of course, no one expected to see the brilliancy of a spring exhibition, that is out of the question at the end of September; but in every other respect it was splendid. The noble specimens of palms, ferns, conifers, cacti, orchids, &c., &c., were the admiration of every lover of horticulture. Roses were neither numerous nor fine, certainly not to be compared with those I have seen exhibited in France, more partic- ularly at the Chateau des Fleurs. Two collections of well-known varieties, in small pots, were all that were shown. General collections of stove and greenhouse plants were numerous, but of course this was not the season to see them to advantage; among; No. 6. Remedy for the Potatoe Rot. 173 those few were two or three excellent flow- ers, and one superlative, named Toison d'Or, which was considered by every ama- teur present to be one of the finest dahlias ever raised, being- large, finely cupped, very symmetrical, high in centre, and colour gold- en orange or buiff; it unanimously obtained the first prize, and I was informed it had been exhibited at several dahlia shows du- ring the season, and always gained the prin- cipal prize ; among the continental varieties for 1848, this will be the flower of the sea- son. I must not forget some charming bou- quets sent by Madame Vauriet, of Brussels; these consisted of an elegant "Bouquet de Noce," two beautiful "Bouquets de Bal," and three splendid large " Bouquets de Ta- ble," all arranged in exquisite taste. I now come to the fruit rooms; here there were upwards of eighty exhibitors, among whom were the Due de Brabante, Comte de Flandres, and Princess Charlotte. I had been led to expect a large collection of fruit; Flanders has the reputation of being par excellence the land of pears ; in it have been raised more and better varieties than in all the rest of Europe put together; I was not disappointed, for certainly finer specimens, as regarded size and form, it would be difficult to produce. I have, it is true, seen both in England and France as fine single specimens, but here you meet them in almost every collection. Among the vegetables were some very large collections; that of M. Simonis, of Liege, contained more than three hundred and twenty different varieties; in it were seven varieties of beet, fifteen of carrots, nine of celery, eight of endive, forty-seven of cabbages and broccoli, fifty-three of Hari- cot beans, twenty-four of lettuce, thirteen of turnips, nine of onions, thirty-two of peas, eight of radish, eight of tomatoes, &lc. That of M. Galoppin consisted of one hundred different kinds of beans and peas. Mr. Van- derschriek had some very large cabbages, pumpkins, vegetable marrows, haricots, let- tuces, and turnips; but in the collection of M. Rampelbergh, were some most beautiful specimens of broccoli, cabbages, carrots, en- dive, beans, cucumbers, and pumpkins; bet- ter it would have been difficult to meet with. Potatoes occupied a considerable space in the exhibition. The Society had ofl'ered one gold, two silver gilt, and two silver medals, for the best collections and for seed- lings, and certainly there was no lack of competitors. As might be expected among so many collections, some were very even and good, and others mediocre. There might be seen varieties that had been culti- vated in every kind of soil, and with all sorts of manure ; in one place was the pro- duce of sets received from South America, in another from the south of Europe, and in another from the most northern climates. In some collections it was indicated that they had been raised from diseased tubers ; in others that sound tubers had been planted in land which had for the two previous sea- sons entirely failed; in fact, it was evident that a grand experiment had been tried to avert the danger of a national calamity. Several of the collections contained from twenty to seventy varieties, among which were numerous specimens of early white and red Kidney, early white and red round, Ash-leaved Kidney, early and late Irish Shropshire red, Shaw's red Antwerp, blue Saxony, Grosse Monstreuse de Mons, Rouge de Landen, long blue Dutch, spotted red and white Ghent, Rohan, Rose, Mousson, early and late Champion, blue Saint Helena, Rouge de Vosges, Corne de Vache, red Scotch, white and red Havannah, Howard, Nine Weeks, Ovale de Growland, Langue de Boeuf, late American red, and many others. — Hovey^s Magazine, Remedy for the Potatoe Rot. In 1846, one of the editors of this paper planted potatoes on land manured with mo- rocco tanner's manure, which contains a good deal of lime. The crop was healthy and good, while other fields in the vicinity were diseased. In considering what it was in the tanner's manure, that protected the po- tatoes from disease, he came to the conclu- sion that it was principally the lime. Ac- cordingly, in the spring of 1847, after his potatoes were up and ready for the first hoeing, he put about a pint of shell lime — slacked — on eacii hill, having, previous to planting, ploughed in a moderate dressing of stable manure. The result was 200 bushels of the finest potatoes to the acre, — mealy and sound, on land naturally poor and sandy. They continue sound and good. We were about to state these facts for the bene- fit of others, when we met with the follow- ing in the American Agriculturist for Janu- ary, 1848. •'When the seed is dropped, sprinkle about a pint of slacked lime over it in each hill, and then cover it. •'There is this value about the lime, if it does not prevent the rot in the potatoe, it will be worth its cost and the labour of ap- plication in fertilizing the land." The mode of applying the lime, or rather the ti?ne of doing it, recommended by the Agriculturist, , is difl^erent from ours, and may possibly be the best, though we are 174 Marshes, and their effects upon human Health. Vol. XII. not sure of it. We would prefer that the lime should not come in immediate contact with either the seed or vines. In addi- tion to the remark of the Agriculturist, as to the value of lime as a manure, even if it does not protect from disease, we would ob- serve, that it is especially adapted to the potatoe, imparting to the tubers that ingre- dient which makes them mealy, and which is particularly needed on sandy soils. Pota- toes of the first quality are now worth 75 cents and upwards per bushel, and will pro- bably be a dollar in the spring. At these prices, they are the mopt profitable crop that can be raised. But if the application of lime is as efficacious as we suppose, and it should be generally adopted, the price would come down to nearly its former level. — Exchange paper. Marshes, and their effects upon human Health. It is well known that the effect of marshes on health is great and decided. In districts which abound in them, the inhabitants suffer not only from intermitting fevers, but from rheumatism and its kindred diseases. Their influences are not of that insidious character which some suppose, or at least the effects are always evident in the countenance and frame of the individuals. Emaciation, en- larged abdomen, feebleness, are some of the general effects which manifest themselves in persons who claim to enjoy health. But it is not necessary that these wet and marshy grounds should bo extensive in order to ex- hibit a deleterious influence upon health; even ditches, stagnant pools, motionless wa- ter, each exhale matters which change healthy to unhealthy actions of the system. Puddles and pools, drains and sewers, ope- rate most injuriously, and contain poisonous elements, which are exhaling so long as a particle remains to moisten the surface. Our country abounds in marshes. Some places which are now healthy and free from inter- mittents, were once abounding in them. The progress of agriculture has in many instances entirely banished this severe dis- ease, and so as good husbandry extends a two-fold influence, beneficial in its charac- ter, is sure to follow healthfulness and wealth. Man never benefits himself in a legitimate way, without doubling his bless- ing, first receiving them into his own bo- som, and then that of his neighbour. It is not however at all essential that a marsh or pool should exist, in order that poisonous va- por should be generated. Animal and vege- table matters in combination in deep mould, Buch as is found in the western prairie, is sufficient to generate a pestilence when ex- posed to the sun beams, and when moistened merely with dew, is sufficient in itself to form the miasm and float it in the atmos- phere. Turf new ploughed, or turned over, especially if the areas are large, turns a country before healthy, into a region of sick- ness. From researches which have been instituted by Thenard and Dupuytren, Mos- cati, and by M. Regaud d 1' Isle, the mias- matic exhalations have been found to contain animal matter, and hence it is probable that it is really composed of both animal and ve- getable matter. It has been shown by Vau- quelin, that the exhalations from the Pon- tine marshes, afforded animal matter in a putrescent state. In the foregoing instances however, this matter was obtained from the water or soil, but Boussingault succeeded in obtaining it from the atmosphere over the great southern American marshes, a fact which goes to show that the poisonous efflu- via is exhaled in a tangible state. These poisonous gasses contain in addition to ani- mal matter, light carburetted hydrogen, azote and carbonic acid, and sulphuretted hydrogen, and sometimes a trace of phosphu- retted hydrogen. By vaporization of dew in the rains upon our western prairies, and the water of marshes, these organic and poisonous effluvias are disseminated in the atmosphere, and are wafted by the breeze over wide areas. An interesting and important fact may be stated in this place, viz: that age influences or modifies the effects of marsh miasm. In- fants or children under two, are less affected than those of three or four years. This may arise from the greater exposure of the latter. So old persons are less affected than those of middle age, or who arc engaged in artisan pursuits. Children when attacked vyith disease, fall victims to its influence more easily than adults; their mortality is greater in the proportion of 1000 to 1546, and it has been observed that fewer deaths occur in infants below one year, than in those of three or four years; alter ten years the influence of marshes is less to be feared, and the capability to resist marsh miasm in- creases up to twenty-five years, from twenty- five to fifty-five the susceptibility again in- creases, though it is never so great as in children between the ages of two and ten years. Old persons, as already stated, are more exempt from marsh influence. Food and exposure furnish conditions which favour its influence. Bad and ill-conditioned food, night air, especially when heavy dews are formed, favour very strongly miasmatic dis- 'ease. When ill-clothed and ill-fed troops are forced to march by night in a marshy No. 6. Profits of Furming. 175 country, it may be expected their ranks will be decimated. The emigrants from New England to the rich western prairies, or to the rich bottom lands of the western rivers, may expect disease and death; provided they plough up those prairies or bottoms, and thereby expose themselves to exhala- tions from a surface charged with animal and vegetable matter. These are calami- ties which the first settlers can scarcely ex- pect to escape; circumstances may delay the development of diseases, when a favour- able season may occur, but they seem to be inevitable in the end. From observation, it appears that disease will be in proportion to the concentration or amount of miasm to which an individual may have been exposed. Hence precau- tionary measures will not be useless. A residence by the side of a marsh or upon a prairie where the turf has been newly turned up, should be closed upon that side towards the miasmatic grounds, when the wind blows from them. So the night air should be avoided, especially after hot and sultry days, when much dew will be formed, or rather where much exhalation will take place when the miasm will be concentrated in it at night fall. So it is important that the vigor of the system should be promoted, and that during the period when there is greater exposure to poison, the different ve- getable tonics should be employed, as qui- nine, which is the most powerful, or for want of this, pulverised bitter barks, or in- fusions of them, as the eupatorium, boneset, &c. Such a plan would at least mitigate the effects of the effluvia. Great fatigue, hard labour, favour also the influence of marsh poison. Closing windows, keeping within doors, avoiding dews, moderate labours, and a tonic regi- men, may be set down as some of the pre- ventives to the influence of the poisonous exhalations of marshes. — American Journal of Agriculture and Science. Profits of Farming. Messrs. Editors, — I have been much interested with various papers that have ap- peared from time to time in the Cultivator, on the profits of farming; but in my opin- ion, some of the writers have taken a wrong view of the subject — making the profits of farming to resolve itself into a mere ques- tion of dollars and cents; than which, no- thing can be more foreign to the object, or less satisfactory to the reflecting mind. But, as example teaches before precept, here are the reflections of a man, an adjoining neigh- bour, who two years ago left a lucrative bu- siness in Philadelphia, and bought the farm upon which he now resides, for the sole pur- pose of making a profit, and in which he has succeeded beyond his hope, and equal to Ills most ardent desire. To the question, whether he did not find the profits of farming few and small, when compared with those of trade! he answered, "Quite to the contrary; I have already real- ized far more than the most I had dared to contemplate, and am, at the end of two years, richer than I ever could have become in twenty years of successful trade. It is true, I made more dollars and cents in trade than I now do, but that is dross, when com- pared to the blessings of health of body and peace of mind, which gold and silver c&n never purchase. Do you remember what a heavy, paunchy fellow I came among you"? See me now leap this gate — there; why the attempt would then have burst me up! And the best article I could take to the city for sale, would be my appetite at 12 o'clock dinner; at which, the bacon and cabbage re- quire no topping off, with either pie or pud- ding. You remember when I was as broad as long; I am now as proportionate as your- self; eat, drink and sleep, with an appetite; yawn at bedtime, and never in the morning; am up before the sun, yet the day is never too long: and more than all, I have no ac- ceptances to take up. Money ! why what use have I for it] I grow my own bread and meat, poultry and eggs, honey, milk, cream and cheese, with vegetables and fruits of every kind, and in the greatest abund- ance ; feathers for my beds, wool for my stockings, blankets and common clothing; lard for my lamps, candles and soap, and straw for my hats; enjoying the luxury of my dog and gun, a carriage and pair for my- self and family, with house-rent and fuel free ! At the same time, by good manage- ment, my estate is annually increasing in value; while my property— no longer con- signed upon trust to the four winds — is se- cured on the surest foundation; surrounding my dwelling, and under my own eye. Then, what on earth is the use of money] I can't eat or drink it, even if it were cut into mince meat. It is not only the " root of all evil," but the source of disease of body and anxiety of mind, inseparable. So I, for one, am content with the profits of farming; for the fact is, it leaves me scarce anything to wish for, much less, to care for." — Boston Cultivator. It is not known wtere he who invented the plough was born, or where he died ; yet he has effected more for the happiness of man than the whole race of conquerors. — Cotton. 176 Bees. Vol. XII. From the Cultivator. Bees. A KNOWLEDGE of facts Constitute science. Correct observation alone, can lead to a knowledge of any science ; from such know- ledge only, will correct practice result. The honey bee has been a prolific theme for guessing', among ancients as well as mo- derns. Numerous contradictory theories are advanced, extremely perplexing to the inex- perienced apiarian, some of which must be refuted or reconciled by attentive observa- tion, before uniform success can be expected. To refute some of these incorrect theories by. a relation of facts, is the object of this communication. That my observation may not appear too limited, I will say that I have had the care of bees for more than twenty years; and since 1840, of over one hundred hives. In my experience, whenever I have disco- vered any dead larvse, however few, they have never failed to increase and ruin the hive. When I first had diseased bees, I pruned out all the brood comb, leaving such only as contained honey. The bees made new and filled it with brood, which invari- ably became diseased. This suggested the idea of its being a contagious disease, and that the honey in such hive contained the poison. I have accordingly taken such ho- ney and fed it to healthy young swarms, while raising young brood, as many as a dozen times, and never knew an instance where they escaped the contagion. Three years ago in March, I had a good swarm leave the hive and go in with another good one ; and as there was a plenty of ho- ney, I expected an early swarm, but got none at all. They gradually diminished till the last of June, when not more than half a swarm remained, and upon examination, I found the comb filled with larvaj, nine-tenths of which were dead. In 1840, I had two large swarms come out together, which were put into a barrel, and in the fall they were diseased. Several young swarms shared the same fate. The strongest are just as likely to become diseased, as the weakest colonies. I have not escaped a year in fifteen with- out having several hives to sufl"er before swarming, and last year no worse than others. When swarming time arrives, and I have any that have not increased as usual, on examination, I generally find diseased bees, and as my only remedy, drive them out, satisfied that the^'will grow worse afler catching the distemper. So well assured am I of this fact, that I make two general examinations. About three weeks after the first swarm haa left a hive, the young that are alive are generally hatched. If I find any of the breeding cells closed, — which is always the case with dead larvffi, — I open them with the point of a knife, and if dead give the bees a new habitation at once. Again, in the fall, every hive is looked to, and a half dozen diseased larvce condemns it at once, for a stock hive. I will give any person twenty-five dollars, who will give me an unfailing preventive or remedy for this disease ; and I can well afford to do so, as I lose yearly by it twice that sum. I have objections to some theories offered by Mr. Weeks, but befere I state them, I must say that I am greatly indebted to him for information through the Cultivator, on the subject of bees. I would not exchange what I have learned for all the paper has ever cost me. But error, from any source, ought to be corrected. First, then, he says: " two causes, and two only can be assigned why bees ever swarm; the first, the crowded state of the hive ; the second, to avoid the battle of the queens." I object to the first, because it is insufficient in all cases to make them swarm, and swarms do actually come out independent of either of these causes. I do not say bees being crowded will not sometimes bring out swarms, but some other cause must exist in such instances as the following. I have known all the bees to swarm from a hive, when a pint measure would contain the whole of them. Ten years ago, I had bees in a large box ; before it was a quarter full, a regular swarm left. Last spring, to give the principle a fair test, I placed under five full hives of ordinary size, others of equal dimensions, without a top, so that the bees could continue their combs to the bottom if they choose, but not one has done so; each has swarmed without filling the lower hive an eighth part full. Want of room could not be the cause here, nor could they have swarmed to avoid the battle of the queens, for I have good reason to be- lieve that the old queen led each swarm. I have known bees so crowded that a great portion of them were obliged to re- main out all summer, and yet they did not swarm at all. I have known swarms come out and return two or three times, and then continue in the old hive all summer, not- withstanding the young bees continued to hatch and increase the crowd in the hive. The fact is, no smgle theory will account for all swarms. I have noticed, however, that all regular swarms must be in a season when there is plenty of honey, and this ia generally between the middle of May and the middle of July. We often have swarms in this section in August, between the 15th No. 6. Bees. 177 and 25th, when the bees are at work on buckwheat. At such times all good swarms will raise a brood of drones, whether the queen be young or old. Although this con- tradicts the theory that the queen must be at least eleven months old before they lay eggs for the drones, it is certain they will raise them at any time when they get plenty of honey, and as it gets scarce they will de- stroy them — consequently the last of July is a time of massacre. In the summer of '42, they killed them the fore part of June, and we got no swarms, but the hives were crowd- ed with bees. I never had a swarm when they were destroying the drones. Mr. Weeks says — "when the first swarm leaves the hive, no queen, in any stage of existence, is left." But I have examined hives the same day that the first swarms left, and found cells finished containing queena This has been the case in four hives out of five. I have driven out a swarm after several days of bad weather, and found queens' cells finished. Four hours of sunshine in the middle of the day, would probably have brought out the swarm. While examining a glass hive, during the past summer, I saw the bees constructing a royal cell. I watched it for more than a week. When finished I predicted a swarm, — although none were crowded outside for want of room. The very day I expected them, they came out. In eleven days after, a second swarm came out. Previous to the last leaving, I had the satisfaction of seeing a young queen several times while making the piping noise, such as we can always hear just before the coming out of all swarms excepting the first of the season. She appeared very uneasy, running about in all directions, only stopping to vibrate her wings against her body, which was done simultaneously with the sound. This proves that queens sometimes make the noise when they are not in the cells. The other bees made no attack^npon her, as some writers have stated ihey will do in such cases. The supposition that all hives are left des- titute of a queen when the first swarm leaves, has led to error in practice. Mr. Colton, of course, thinks, that young queens are unnecessary to produce swarms, as it is said his hive can be made to swarm within two days, at any time. Mr. Jones' dividing hive is en the same principle. I had sup- posed it was an established fact, that if a ewarm was driven out with the old queen, leaving plenty of bees and young brood in the comb, queens might be raised as well as if they had swarmed, but I was mistaken. I tried three at first — not one swarmed. The only way in which I have ever succeeded in making them raise a queen from workers' eggs or larvse, is to give them but a small piece, and then twelve days is as soon as they can perfect one. When I have occa- sion to take out a swarm and leave bees in the old hive, I find I must be very cautious, especially if it is not in swarming season. If I can see no preparation for a queen, I generally supply them with one in the cell. If any one doubts there being any young queens commenced at the time the old one leaves, they can be satisfied that they are so, — at least sometimes, — by the following mode of examination. The evening after a swarm has left, or the next morning, blow some tobacco smoke into the hive to stupify the bees; turn the hive bottom upwards, puff some smoke between the combs; the bees will retreat and give an opportunity to examine the combs, to the distance of six or eight inches into the hive. In many hives there will be some sheets of comb that do not extend across the whole way, making an edge somewhere near the middle. On this edge is generally placed the royal cells. Sometimes they are on the outside, next the hive, and often on the bottom. Look through the hive, giving the bees a puff of smoke occasionally, to keep them quiet. It is very seldom the queen cells are so near the top as not to be seen. I counted nine the past summer, in one hive, within two inches of the bottom. Some were sealed over, others not more than half done. This was the next morning after a swarm had left. Another point in dispute, is whether the queen ever leaves the hive, excepting when leading a swarm. I have seen them do so often, in all instances between one and three o'clock, P. M., at which time more drones are out than at any other. She always came from a hive that a first swarm had left some fifteen or twenty days previous; con- sequently they were young queens. Mrs. Griffith, of New Jersey, I think, has watched for this, and felt confident that no such occurrence ever took place, and she has added as an objection, that as the pros- perity of the hive depended on one bee, and that one should leave for an excursion in the air, it would be liable to be devoured by birds, driven off by winds, or destroyed by other casualties, by which the hiVe would be lost. Now, just such cases do actually oc- cur. The queen at this period, from some cause, is occasionally lost — one in twenty, on an average, — and with me, this year, one in ten. The apiarian who cannot ascertain this loss, does not understand his whole bu- siness, and as there are many who do not, I will say that if they would take the trouble to look at their hives for a minute in the 78 Preparation of Sandy and Light Soils for Wheat. Vol. XII. morning-, before the bees commence work, about fifteen or twenty days after swarming, they could, by the commotion of the bees, ascertain the loss of the queen. They will see the bees running about in all directions, while in other hives they are quiet. In the middle of the day it is not so easily per- ceived. After two or three mornings they seem to become reconciled to their fate, and continue their labours as others do. I no- ticed this in one of my hives before I had half a dozen, and occasionally ever since. The result generally has been, that before cold weather, or very soon after, the bees would all be gone, and yet the hives nearly as heavy as others. Now, when I have a case of this kind, and I have had a swarm within a week, I proceed to look for queen's cells, and with a broad knife I cut out one or more — as they generally have several I have no fears of leaving them destitute, — and introduce it in a vertical position into the hive that has sus- tained the loss. In a short time all will be quiet. I have often put it in through a hole in the top of the hive, taking care that the lower end shall touch nothing. If more than a week has passed after a swarm has left a hive, it is unnecessary to look in that for a spare queen, for they are generally all destroyed by that time, unless they intend to swarm again, which can be ascertained about the eighth day, by listening close to the hive for the piping noise. Second and third swarms often have seve- ral queens — I once had six in one swarm. When necessary, I take one of these and put it in the hive — even if there is but one, I take it and let the swarm go back; which is often an advantage, besides giving the old hives a queen. But if no queen can be had in any way, a piece of brood comb contain- ing eggs or larvae of workers must be intro- duced, but this is more uncertain to produce a queen. If all these circumstances were duly attended to, we should have less com- plaint of hives being found destitute of bees and full of honey — or as is often the case, full of worms. Such instances often occur with negligent bee-keepers, when they sup- posed the bees were doing well. Some suppose that bee-bread is changed to honey. I wish the time necessary to effect the change was stated. I have had it two years old, or more, and it was still bee- bread. I have "lots" of it every year when I am making wax. I have put it on my garden, but can see no great effect from it as manure, and should like to turn it to some better account. There is no doubt that the bees collect the pollen or bread for food for their young. One circumstance in particu- lar confirms me in this belief When a hive loses its queen, and is not supplied with one, there is of course no brood, but if there is plenty of bees, nearly every cell will be two-thirds full of bread, and finished out with honey and sealed over. The comb looks very well outside, but it is disagree- able to eat in this condition, and it is impos- sible to separate all the honey from it, and I have never been able to get out all the wax. I have had two or three young swarms lose their queen a few days atler being hived, and they filled the hive nearly full of what appeared to be very nice honey; but a person taking it for such would be greatly mistaken — it is as much bitter as sweet. Other theories have been advanced which are contrary to my experience, but the ob- jections would lead to little practical utility, and J shall say nothing of them here. I did intend to have said something on economy in the construction of bee-hives, but have not room. M. Quinby. Coxsackie, N Y., 1847. From the N. Y. Agricultural Transactions, Preparation of Sandy and Light Soils for Wheat. B. P. Johnson, Esq., Sec, &c. : As these are truly the days of improve- ment in the various sciences, it is somewhat surprising that agriculture should be so far in the back ground. There are some en- couraging appearances, and inquiry begins to pervade the public mind, to see if their cannot be some improvement in this all-im- portant branch of public industry also. I would therefore offer my mite to my brother farmers, on the preparation of fallows for wheat. Some nine or ten years since, I adopted a new method of preparing fallows for wheat, which was one fJoughing — and this I fol- low whether I plough in June, July, or Au- gust. I apply the cultivator as often as ne- cessary, to prevent any vegetation from growing, and the land is thus kept perfectly clean for the seed. Should the land be quite hard it makes no difference, but is all the better, if you can obtain sufficient loose soil to cover the seed. When I first commenced this mode of farming my neighbours laughed at the idea of obtaining a crop in this way. In the course, however, of two or three years, they became convinced, by observing that I raised the best wheat, according to the quality of the soil, and I am happy to say, that very many in this region, have adopted the same plan, and I do not know of one who has had No. 6. Peruvian Industry. 179 occasion to regret it, for in every instance that lias come to my knowledge, it has suc- ceeded well. My land is what may be called coarse sand and gravel, sandy loam, and some rather stiff sand. Whether the same practice would answer on a hard and clayey soil or not, I cannot tell. I sow my wheat generally between the 10th and 23th of September. When the wheat is sown the cultivator is passed over the land bat once, which covers the wheat better than two or three times with the har- row. By the above plan, about one-half the usual labour on fallows is saved, and a more bountiful crop may be anticipated, than from the former method of ploughing three times, and using the harrow two or thrccymes. It is a well known fact, that a stiff, nard clay soil, provided the ground had been well pre- pared, will grow more wheat to the acre than can be grown on a sandy or loamy soil. Now the question is, why is this sol To me it is obvious, the wheat plant grows most luxuriant on a hard soil, and that is the rea- son that one ploughing on these sandy soils, is preferable to three, and that land thus prepared will produce more wheat to the acre. The one ploughing leaves the ground hard compared with three ploughings, which, in these soils, leave the land loose, open and spongy, unsuited to the plant. This has been tested often in this neighbourhood within the last few years. The practice which I have adopted, is confirmed by a statement given by Henry Col man, Esq., in his account of the culture of wheat in England. He says: "The soil preferred for wheat is a strong soil, with a large proportion of clay; but experience has of late years, contrary to early and strong prejudices, determined that even the light and loamy soils are capable of bearing heavy crops of wheat, provided they can be suffi- ciently consolidated. This is often done by driving sheep over the land after sowing, and by an implement called a presser." ' "This implement passes over the land in the direction of the furrow, and it forms on the furrows two deep drills at a time, the two rollers being eight or nine inches apart, and the blade of the roller, if it may so be called, or the rim being thin at the edge, and growing wider above the edge; and forming as it revolves, two furrows, hardened by its weight, into which the grain drops as it is sown; and when it comes up, it appears as if it had been regularly sown in drills of eight or nine inches apart, according to the width of the revolving pressers from each other." " The steam-pressor is in fact an abstract of a drill roller, consisting of but two cvlinders of cast iron, which following the plough in the furrows, press and roll down the newly turned-up earth." "I believe the soil for wheat cannot be too deep; though, as I have already stated, it may be too loose at the top, and in such cases, requires shallow ploughing and tread- ing, or pressing on very light soils, in order that the roots may be firmly fixed in the soil, and the dirt not liable to be blown away from them." I use a two horse cultivator for putting in all seeds, such as wheat, rye, oats, barley, and best of all for peas. This covers about six feet at a time. I use a smaller one for corn, having given up entirely the use of the plough. I have given above my views with regard to the proper management of sandy and light soils for wheat; and if it shall prove advantageous to the farmers of New York, I shall be satisfied. Yours respectfully, Elias Cost. Oaks Corners, Ontario co., March, 1847. Peruvian Industry. Those who may distrust the accounts of Peruvian industry, may find their doubts re- moved on a visit to that country. The tra- veller still meets, especially in the central regions of table land, with memorials of the past, remains of temples, palaces, fortresses, terraced mountains, great military roads, aqueducts, and other public works, which, whatever degree of science they may dis- play in their execution, astonish him by their number, the massive character of the materials, and the grandeur of the design. Among them, perhaps, the most remarkable are the great roads, the broken remains of which are still in sufficient preservation to attest their former magnificence. There were many of these roads traversing differ- ent parts of the kingdom; but the most con- siderable were the two which extended from Quito to Cuzco, and again diverging from the capitol, continued in a southern direc- tion towards Chili. One of these roads passed over the grand plateau, and the other along the lowlands on the borders of the ocean. The former was much the more difficult achievement, from the character of the country. It was conducted over path- less sierras buried in snow; galleries were cut for leagues through the living rock; rivers were crossed by means of bridges that swung suspended in the air; precipices were scaled by stairways hewn out of the native bed; ravines of hideous depth were filled up with solid masonry; in short, all the difficulties that beset a wild and moun- tainous region, and which might appal the 180 Animals. — Heated Rooms. — The Potatoe. Vol. XII. most courageous engineer of modern times, were encountered and successfully over- come. The length of the road, of which scattered fragments only remain, is various- ly estimated from fifteen hundred to two thousand miles; and stone pillars, in the manner of European mile stones, were erected at stated intervals of somewhat more than a league all along the route. Its breadth scarcely exceeded twenty feet. It was built of heavy flags of freestone, and in some parts, at least, covered with a bitumi- nous cement, whiclvtime has made harder than the stone itself. In some places, where the ravines had been filled up with masonry, the mountain torrents, wearing on it for ages, have gradually eaten a way through the base, and left the superincumbent mass — such is the cohesion of the materials — still spanning the valley like an arch ! — Pres- cotCs History of Peru. Keep Animals in good Order. It is an old saying, that animals in good condition in December, are half wintered. This is no doubt true, they not only require much less keep during the winter months, but are far more profitable for labour or for whatever purpose they are kept. Cows, oxen, steers, sheep, horses — in fact, all ani- mals, as soon as the food becomes short or insipid, should be fed regularly from the barn. It is often the case that animals that have had the advantage of what is consi- dered a "good run" during the summer months, upon the decrease of food in au- tumn, suddenly fall away, become poor and dispirited, and require regular feeding to preserve them in health and heart. A little attention, under such circumstances, will often be the means of obviating much trou- ble and expense. By exposure to the winds and chilly storms of the late autumn, there is often laid the foundation of wasting and cureless disease; debility and languor, loss of appetite, and inaptitude to fatten, by this means often induced, occasioning suffering to the animals and loss to the owner, who is not unfrequently ignorant of the true cause, and at a loss to conceive why his animals are not in as good a condition and health, and as thrifty and well-looking as his more careful neighbour's, who provides botli food and shelter for his stock, and is careful to see that no circumstance requisite to their comfort is neglected or overlooked. There is probably no animal more gene- rally and shamefully neglected in this cli- mate than the sheep. The presumption that they are capacitated to endure extreme cold without any obvious or serious detri- ment, is an error that cannot be too speedily corrected. No animal is more severely af- fected by cold storms and exposure, or more capable, consequently, of rewarding amply an extra expenditure in the provision of se- cure shelter and good keep. The old adage, "A merciful man is merciful to his beast," is one that we wish to see more generally recognized and applied. — Olive Branch. Heated Rooms. Rooms heated with anthracite coal, and rooms heated with close stoves, in which wood is burnt, have very dry atmospheres. The use of water in such rooms is very con- genial to health, but the water should not be placeJ in an iron or tin vessel upon the stove, for the reason that it will undergo that degree of heat which will make its va- pors offensive and injurious to breathe. It is as injurious to the human system to breathe putrid water vapors of this kind, as it is to breathe the vapors from stagnant ponds in hot weather. If water is used upon a stove, an iron pan should be made use of, and this filled with dry sand ; in the sand set an earthen bowl, filled with clean water, which should be changed twice a day, and the bowl washed and kept as clean as if used for a drinking vessel. Where hard coal is burnt in a grate, a glass globe should be suspended in the room, filled with clean pure water, and as the heated air rises to the top of the room, it will steadily evaporate the water and moist- en the dry and heated air. Persons who prefer the atmosphere of salt water vapor, can add salt to the water, or, if they prefer an aromatic atmosphere, they can add co- logne water, or any other perfume which they prefer. It is as important to have clean air for breathing, as to have clean water for drinking. Basement rooms, where hard coal is burnt, should be frequently ven- tilated. Small children accustomed to stay in basement rooms, find a bad air near the floor. The air should be removed by allow- ing the doors to he opened frequently, to let in fresh air. A little care in these matters wiJl tend wonderfully to comfort and enjoy- ment.— Ex. Paper. The Potatoe. The Morris Jerseyman says: For a few years past public attention has been directed to the cause of the potatoe rot, as also the remedy, but nothing satisfactory has been elicited. One of our farmers, a few days since informed us, while in conversation on that subject, that he planted his potatoes earlier this season than usual, and that h© No. 6. Rules for Milking. — Culture of the Plum. 181 ducf and put in his cellar some 30 or 40 bushels before the rains came on. These are still perfectly sound, while those which remained in the ground during the recent heavy rains are utterly worthless. To the autumn rains many have attributed this rot, and consequently they put their crops in very early, to enable them to arrive at ma- turity before the rains commenced. The experiment mentioned below may be consi- dered of some consequence, as we have seen it satisfactorily tried. A lady from Missis- sippi spent the past season with her friends in our town. The all-engrossing subject of the potatoe rot was on the tapis, when she observed that in that region many of the planters had been experimenting on that vegetable, and the best result was from transplanting the slips into rows, similar to the method of cultivating the Carolina pota- toe. Her friends tried the experiment, and finer potatoes we have not seen or eaten for many years. The potatoe is planted early in a hot-bed, and the slips when about three inches in length, are taken off and trans- planted some eight or fifteen inches distant. The original will continue to send forth shoots for a long time. Rules for Slilkiug. A WRITER in the Maine Farmer gives the following rules for milking cows: "Having milked more or less, every season since I was a boy, and having seen it done so poorly as to injure the cow, I purpose to give a few rules for it which I have learned from my own and other's experience. They are as follows : 1. Have a good stool to sit on. 2. Have all your finger nails pared short and smooth. 3. Sit down and clean the bag, and wet the teats with the first stream of milk. 4. Then set your pail under, and milk as fast as you can conveniently — the faster the better. A cow will give more milk when milked fast than when milked slow. 5. Milk as though the teats were full to the last, otherwise it makes them long to "strip in a little while." 6. Never scold or strike a cow for running about the yard or kicking. It generally does more harm than good. 7. If she runs about, have patience, talk kindly to her, and tie her up as a last resort, till she is not afraid. 8. If she kicks, sit forward far enough for your knee to come forward of her leg, and she cannot easily hurt you or spill the milk. 9. If she switches you with her tail, in " fly time," fasten it by parting her hair and tying it around her leg. Use a string, if the hair is not long enough. 10. If slie holds up her milk, butt with your hands. What else does a calf butt for, but to make the mother give milk down? For the Farmers' Cabinet. Culture of the Plum. There are few things in the horticultu- ral line that has surprised us more than the small quantity of fine plums cultivated in the vicinity of Philadelphia. It is true the cur- culio is a most persevering enemy to the plum — but this enemy is found more or less everywhere, even up the North river coun- try, where thousands of bushels of the finest quality of plums are produced for the New York market. What the plum most requires is a soil of heavy loam — if there is a large portion of clay, so much the better — for it is a fact well known that near Albany and Hudson, where more new fine varieties have been produced within a few years, than all other parts of the country — the soil is nearly a stiff clay. It would seem from the above that where the soil is sandy, or very mellow and porous, a good load of clay should be mixed with the soil about each tree. Swamp muck also, where it is difficult to procure clay, will an- swer an excellent purpose, A great variety of measures have been tried to prevent the ravages of the curculio. We will now name some of the most suc- cessful. Salt has been used with the utmost success. Mr. Downing, in his admirable work, the "Fruits and Fruit Trees of Ame- rica," states that the most successful culti- vator of the plum in the neighbourhood of Newburg, applies half a peck of coarse salt to the surface of the ground under each bearing tree, annually, about the flVst of April. There is no doubt but salt is a most excellent fertiliser, and greatly promotes the growth of the tree. It is beneficial to most productions of the earth, and why not to the plum tree] A good plan, according to Mr. Downing, is to strew salt under the limbs of the tree about a qarter of an inch in thickness, when the punctured plums begin to fall. Should there be heavy rains, the salt must be re- placed. A correspondent of the Horticultu- rist last season, raised an uncommonly fine crop of plums from having strewed under his trees a quantity of long horse manure — he supposes the ammonia that rose from the manure was so powerful as to drive off the curculio. Another method is to turn in a sufficient number of hogs to eat up all the diseased fruit as it falls to the ground. 182 The Scuppernong Grape. — Yellows in the Peach. Vol. XII. In some sections of the country the black knots are nearly as troublesome as the cur- culio. For this disease there is one simple and effectual remedy, and that is, whenever the knots are discovered, to cut oft' all the limbs so diseased, and immediately burn them. Sometimes it will be necessary to look over the trees two or three times in a year. To show that plums can be and are raised in our own State, by those who choose to do so, we will n)Gntion a few facts within our own knowledge. Jacob Steinmetz, in Coates street, has a tree of the Blue Gage variety, that has produced ten bushels of fuiit in a season. James Laws, in Seventh street be- low Noble street, has a Bolmar Washington tree, that has produced more than five bush- els in a season — five of the plums weigh a pound, and the crop would in market com- mand sixty dollars. In our next we propose giving a descriptive list of the thirty finest varieties of plums in the country. B. G. BOSWELL. Philadelphia, Dec. 29th, 1847. The Scuppernong Grape. This grape is destined without doubt to take a high rank as a fruit — and when the culture and the season are propitious, and the art of managing the fermentation is fully understood, a wine resembling the wines of the Rhine will be produced of excellent quality. The culture of this vine is simple, but it must always be recollected that it does best in rich dry loam. The growth is rapid after the first year, and will produce a fair crop the third year, if properly treated. The distance at which the vines should be planted, as standards, depends upon the object the planter has in view; if for shade and fruit, then twenty feet each way, but if for wine, and are intended to last for many years, then forty feet is the shortest distance. Arbours ,are, I think, best, because if the grape is ex- •posed to the full rays of the sun it becomes 'hard and the skin is thick and tough. Trel- lis training exposes the fruit more to the sun, and causes maturity earlier than arbour training, and perhaps admits of pruning more easily — but all things considered, I give the preference to arbour training. The old cultivators of this vine insist that pruning is not required, and that it is hurt- ful to the vines. I have not found it so — and when the vine is four years old I prune moderately every year. I whitewash my vines in the mouth of April, and cut into small parts the pruned wood and lay it about the roots of the vines. The fruit is .'larger and better when the vine is pruned. and I venture to say that it will be found, where wine is the object of the cultivator, that all the rules known for pruning will be observed on this vine as strict as any other. I am very particular to layout my ground so that no water stands about the vines. The manure I use under my vines, when planted as standards, is composed of old bones, old shoes, old hats, old hoop-iron, and anything else of that class. E.\'cavations being made, say twelve inches deep, are to be filled up to within an inch or two of the surface, and then planted, the roots of the vine being spread out and then covered one or two inches deep, and then train them up and never suffer them to fall to the ground. The training of the vine is all important upon the arbour, for if suffered to run toge- ther, it will, by means of its tendrils, mat together and produce but little fruit. It should be trained with great care and the main branches spread upon the arbour, and tied down so firmly that the wind can- not move them. — Alabama Planter. YelloAVS in the Peac"h. For many years the peach tree has been subject to a disease known as the yellows. 'I'his disease seldom makes its appearance before the tree has arrived at maturity, as its great vigor and rapid growth appear to preclude the developement of the disease previous to the tree fruiting. Much time, labour, and research have been spent in fruitless endeavours to eradicate this disease afler it has made its appearance in orchards, and the only result arrived at is the neces- sity for replanting new trees, to take the place of the old ones at short intervals of time. Many applications to trees have been recommended, and potash, lime, tobacco, banking up trees in winter, &c., have had their advocates. Although individual cures may have been effected, or decay for a time arrested by the remedies, yet such instances are extremely rare; and when applied on a large scale are shown to be without value. The disease, a true consumption, still con- tinues, and will continue, unless some radi- cal method is adopted to eradicate it. From my own observation and experience, I am led to the belief, that this formidable disease has been much aggravated and spread throughout the country by budding from trees containing in themselves the seeds of incipient consumption, not yet externally developed. A bud may be taken from a tree apparently sound, but after a time both trets will be afl^ectcd and decay, and so on ad injinitum. The only remedy appears to be to bud from' trees which are known to be No. 6. Report of the Barnstable County JlgricuHural Society. 183 entirely sound, and in which no disease has appeared for several generations. By taking this precaution, growers may rely upon hav- ing trees, that with ordinary care, will live and bear fruit for many years, and in time eradicate this evil. That the disease, how- ever it may have originated, has not its ori- gin in either the soil or the climate of this latitude, is pretty evident. Natural trees can now be found in great numbers, of many years growth, alongside fences and other neglecfed situations, perfectly sound, and likely to remain so. These are the trees to propagate from ; and although the fruit is generally of an inferior quality, yet a culti- vation of a few years will render it of supe- rior flavor. — Farmer and Mechanic. Report of the Barnstable County Agri- cultural Society. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FARMS. In the performance of their duties, the committee have travelled nearly from one extreme of the county to the other, to ex amine into the present condition of its agri culture, and note the improvements which have been adopted in the management of farms, and in the cultivation of particular crops. Though the inhabitants of the county are, as a whole, a commercial people, the committee observed in all the towns the evidences of an increased interest in rural employments. The old system of planting exhausting crops for successive years, and till the diminished products do not repay the labours of the husbandman, now finds few advocates among the observing and the intelligent. Very few now plant more land than they can manure and lay down to grass in better condition than it was when broken up. More attention is paid to the collecting of materials and the making of compost ma nures; to the kinds of crops which are to succeed each other; to the reclaiming of swamps and boggy lands and meadows ; and to the cultivation of trees and shrubbery for use and ornament. The effects of these improvements are visible in all our towns, in the appearance of the pastures and mea- dows; of the crops; of tlie enclosures, and of tlie grounds about the buildings. The attention of the people has been gen- erally directed to the utility of planting forest trees on the sandy beaches and commons in this county. Forest trees improve the soil on which they grow, and are a source of profit for timber and fuel ; but their greatest use is the protection which they afford to the cultivated fields against the winds from the ocean, which stint and blast vegetation exposed to their unbroken violence. The high price of corn last year induced the farmers in this county to extend its cul- tivation, and more land was planted with corn than in any one year for a long time past, probably more than was ever planted. The crop is not so good as last year. Many complain that the ears are not well filled; but on rich, well manured and well culti- vated lands the yield proves abundant. The potatoe crop is alt^ost a total faiture. The rot prevails in all the towns, and the com- mittee have scarcely met with one who did not complain of his loss. Nearly all the in- stances in which potatoes have not suffered by the disease, are where dry sea weed was used for a manure. Little fruit has been raised this year. The trees liave suffered from the depredatioRs of worms and insects, some of which have been unknown in this county till within a few years. The committee cannot, in this report, re- fer to all who have made "valuable and eco- nomical improvements in the cultivation apd management of their farms and appendages." The following, among others, the committee conceive to be deserving of particular no- tice. Thomas Lathrop, Esq., has accomplished a task which men of "ordinary enterprise and industry would have considered imprac- ticable or visionary. He has rendered fields, taken up in the low lands, among the barren sands of Provincetown, fertile in the pro- duction of corn, grass and vegetables. John Doane, Esq., of Orleans, has by skil- ful management, rendered his farm five times as productive of grain and grass, as it was when he purchased it twenty-seven years ago. The soil was then exhausted, and most of it was thrown out to commons. The soil is generally light and sandy, and he has renovated it by carting and plough- ing in sea weed, and by making ctimpost manures in his barn-yard. The principal material used by him is sea weed. Mr. Simeon Higgins, of Orleans, has also greatly improved his lands. He has made nineteen acres very productive, which a few years ago were barren and of little value. These changes he has effected by stable ma- nures and composts. The largest farms visited by the commit- tee were those of Mr. Lewis Doane and Mr, Beriah Doane, situate in the east part of Orleans. Mr. Lewis Doane's farm contains about 130 acres of arable land. The soil is natu- rally good and easily cultivated. He has clay, loam and sandy soils. His average annual crops for several years have been .500 bushels of corn, and 2-50 of rye, wheat, and barley, besides potatoes, carrots, &c.. 184 Treatment of Horses. — Plants. Vol. XII. He pastures from 2.5 to 30 head of cattle, 50 sheep and three horses. The hay which he cuts is consumed on the farm, and he de- pends mainly on sea weed for manuring his lands. Mr. Beriah Doane's farm contains about 230 acres of arable land. Tlie soil is mostly clay and gravelly, and is naturally rich and productive. He pastures about 30 head of cattle, 50 sheep and four liorses, and raises annually an average crop of 750 bushels of grain. Mr. Charles Sears, of Yarmouth, paid $350 for his farm adjoining his homestead in 1832, and it was then thought that he paid its full value. It contains about thirty acres, and its annual productions at that time were, pasturage for two cows and 25 bushels of grain. Now' the same land pro duces annually, pasturage for three cows, ten tons of English hay, 200 bushels of grain, 100 bushels of potatoes and other ve getables. Most of the land is sandy — a small portion sandy loam and peat. On a part of the peat land which he has reclaimed, he cut, this year, at the first mowing, hay at the rate of four tons per acre. He has a field of four acres planted with corn, which will yield at least 40 bushels to the acre. Mr. Sears, besides the manure from his stables, composts two or three hundred loads of manure annually from sea weed, marsh and fresh pond mud and other substances. Only two farms were entered for premi- ums, and they were visited in July and Oc- tober by the committee. Mr. James H. Knowles' farm, in Eastham, contains nineteen acres of arable land, of easy cultivation. The soil is mostly a sandy loam, rich and deep and abounding in shells. Mr. Knowles is an intelligent and skilful farmer, and turns everything on his premi- ses to .some good account. His buildings and fences are substantial and neat. He has what no good farmer should be without, a cellar under his barn, open on the side ne.xt to his large barn-yard. He has made about 400 loads — of 25 bushels each — of ma- nure the present year. He carts peat, sea weed, loam, muscles, and salt mud into his 'barn-yard. His cattle are yarded every night, and their droppinj^s and the manure from his stable are intimately mixed with .the materials carted in. Mr. Knowles has pastured on his farm the •present year, fourteen head of cattle, two horses and one colt, and cut ten tons of Eng- lish hay. He planted two and a half acres to corn, the estimated product of which is 40 bushels an acre; three and a half acres of rye, which produced 60 bushels; three- fourths of an acre of oats, 35 bushels; ore acre of barley, 37 bushels; and one-half an acre of potatoes, 70 bushels. Beside the above he has raised beets, carrots, and other vegetables. A particular statement of the products of his farm, the mode of cultiva- tion, &c., will be furnished by him within the time prescribed by the Society. The , gross income of his farm last year was 8547, I and his e.xpenses for hired labour were $90. His income and expenses will not be mate- rially different this year. The farm of Braley Jenkins, Jr., of West Barnstable, was also entered for a premium. Mr. Jenkins has not furnished the committee with a particular statement of the products of his farm, mode of cultivation, &c., and was absent at the last examination. The farm is not one of the largest or most pro- ductive in the country. The soil is mostly sandy. A portion is loam, and naturally good. During the past year much attention has been paid to the composting of manures and the appearance of the grounds and crops indicated careful and skilful management. The committee have awarded the follow- ing premiums, to be paid by the treasurer, if the statements required by the rules of the Society are filed with the Secretary by the 15th of November next: To Mr. James H. Knowles, of Eastham, the first premium — one copy of Farmer's Dictionary and eight dollars and fifty cents. To Mr. Braley Jenkins, Jr., of Barnstable, the second premium, $6. — Yarmouth Re- gister. Barnstable, October 21st, 1847. Treatment oe Horses, brought in hot from a journey or from any other labour. — On taking ofT their saddles, bridles, or other harness, turn them into afield, and let them, for 15 or 20 minutes, roll and amuse them- selves at pleasure. After this take them to the stable, and rub, curry, and groom them in the usual manner. By observing this me- thod you will find your horses much sooner dried, and much less liable to break out into fresh sweats or to catch colds, than if at once taken into the stable. I tried it with my own horses, — saddle, coach, and farm, — for more than twenty years, and therefore speak from my own knowledge on the sub- ject. An Englishman. "Plants intended to be acclimatized, should never be subjected to artificial heat during the winter that precedes their being planted out; if obtained from seeds, as little^ heat as possible should be employed in raising them." No. 6. The Drovers. 185 The Drovers. BY JOHN G. WHITTIER. A freer, manlier life than ours, No son of toil is living — Through heat and cold, and sun and showers Still onward cheeriy driving. But, see, the day is closing cool. The woods are dim before us, The white fog of the wayside pool Is creeping slowly o'er us. The night is falling, comrades mine, Our foot-sore beasts are weary, And through yon elms the tavern sign Invites us all to tarry. The landlord beckons from his door. His beechen fire is glowing; These ample barns with feed in store Are filled to overflowing. From many a valley frowned across By brows of rugged mountains; From hill-sides where through spongy moss Gush out the river fountains; From quiet farm-fields, green and low. And bright with blooming clover; From vales of corn the wandering crow No richer hovers over ; Day after day our way has been O'er many a hill and hollow; By lake and stream, by wood and glen. Our stately drove we follow. Through dust clouds rising thick and dun, As smoke of battle o'er us. Their white horns glisten in the sun, Like plumes and crests before us. We see them slowly climb the hill. As slow behind it sinking; Or, thronging close, from roadside rill Or sunny lakelet drinking. Now, crowding in the narrow road, In thick and struggling masses, They glare upon the teamster's load Or rattling coach which passes. Anon, with toss of horn and tail. And paw of hoof and bellow. They leap some farmer's broken pale, O'er meadow-close and fallow. Forth comes the startled good man ; forth Wife, children, house-dog, sally. Till once more on their dusty path The baffled truants rally. We drive no starvellings, scraggy grown. Loose-legged, and ribb'd and bony. Like those who grind their noses down On pastures bare and stony- Lean oxen, rough as Indian dogs. And cows with dust-dry udders. Disputing feebly with the frogs The crop of saw-grass meadows ! In our good drove, so sleek and fair. No bones of leanness rattle; No tottering, hide-bound ghosts are there, Of rharaoh's evil cattle. Each stately beeve bespeaks the hand That fed him un repining; The fatness of a goodly land, In each dun bide is shining. We've sought them where in warmest nooks The sweetest feed is growing. And priced them by the clearest brooks Through honeysuckle flowing; Wherever hillsides, sloping south. Are bright with early grasses. Or, tracking green the lowland's drouth, The mountain streamlet passes. But, now the day is closing cool. The woods are dim before us. The white fog of the wayside pool Is creeping slowly o'er us. The cricket to the frog's bassoon His shrillest time is keeping. The sickle of yon setting moon The meadow mist is reaping. The night is/alling, comrades mine. Our foot-worn beasts are weary. And through yon elms the tavern sign Invites us all to tarry. Tomorrow, eastward, with our charge We'll go to meet the dawning. Ere yet the pines of Kearsarge Have seen the sun of morning. When snow-flakes o'er the frozen earth Instead of birds are flitting; When children throng the glowing hearth, And quiet wives are knitting. While in the fire light strong and clear, Young eyes of pleasure glisten, To tales of all we see and hear The ears of home shall listen. From many a Northern lake and hili. To Ocean's far-off water. Shall Fancy play the Drover still, And make the long night shorter. Then let us still through sun and showers And heat and cold be driving; A freer, manlier life than ours, No son of toil is living! Jfational Era. Sheep are more subject to disoa.ses of the eye that lead on to blinclnes.s, than many persons who are most accustomed to them imagine. It is a singular circumstance, and not so well known as it ought to be, that if the eyes of a flock of sheep are carefully examined, half of them will exhibit either disease then present, or indications of that which existed at no very distant date. 186 Swarming of Honey Bees. V^OL. XII. From the American Agriculturist. SAA'armiiig of Honey Bees. The cause of swarming, in all cases, is an excess of population, the bees not havinn; room for all to work to advantage. When bees are placed in very large hives, or when they are quartered in an open room, as is sometimes done, they never swarm. Swarm- ing may also be prevented by affording ad- ditional room, either at the bottom, top, or side of the liive during the swarming season. As a matter of profit, in the increase of stocks, bees should never bo placed in rooms, or in hives larger than twelve inches square If we should hive two swarms, the one in a hive two feet square, and the other in a hive one foot square; or in hives of the same solid contents, though differently shaped, the re suit of the increase of each, at the end of five years, would be, with good management, about as follows, viz: the swarm in the larger hive would about half fill it with comb the first year; the second year it would be completed, but no new swarm. The following spring would find the hive full of comb, but only half full of bees ; and it would require the third year to replenish, and so it would continue ad ivfinilum, yearly replenishing its lost population, and at the end of fifty years you would have no more bees than when you commenced ! The other hive would be plumply filled the first year; the second year a couple of prime swarms might be calculated on; the third year, we will say, only one swarm each — a very low estimate — we now have six swarms; the fourth year we will double to a certainty, and the fifth year the same, making twenty-four swarms, while the larger hive ''stands alone in its glory," if not en tirely annihilated by the ravages of the moth, the more probable result of the two. In each hive there is but one queen, which is the source of all the increase. The eggs are laid by her. A hive one foot square is as large as she can use. In such a hive all the workers that she desires to carry out her ends can be fully accommodated. Ten thousand bees to a hive in the spring are all- sufficient — more would be but an encum- brance; hence, we find, that though there be one hundred thousand in a large hive du ring the breeding season, the following spring finds them departed to that "bourne whence they never return." The principal laying of the queen depend much upon the mildness of the spring, and much upon the strength of the stock. I am case with any populous stock we have abun- dant proof, in cases where the stock has been destroyed in the heart of winter, as an expe- riment to test the fact. Where such is the case, there is not that diminution in the number of the bees from fall to spring that ordinarily occurs. In weak stocks, the inter- nal heat necessary for the maturing of the young brood cannot be produced, and we find that such stocks arc compelled to await the approach of warm weather. Hej-e we have the basis of prosperity in a nut-shell. If we cannot so manage that our hives will be populous to their greatest capacity, we may as well give up the idea of perfect suc- cess at once. If the hive be well filled, the queen is fully aware that a large portion of her in- crease, which the laws of nature compel her to give, must leave her domicil ; and she also, through instinct, learns that each swarm must be provided with a queen-re- gent, like herself, in order to perpetuate their species. These queens, or rather prin- cesses, are produced from the common egg from which issue the workers, or from a common worker-grub, in its primary stages of advancement by a particular treatment. This fact is shown by the mode of artificial swarming, now practised to some extent; the philosophy of which is this: if a piece of comb, containing the young brood of dif- ferent stages of maturity, be attached to the top of an empty hive, and a quantity of bees be placed therein, having no queen, they will select a certain aged grub from the comb afforded them, and by a particular pro- cess of nursing and feeding — the nature of which never was nor ever will be known by us — they will produce a perfect queen, and proceed in their avocation as usual. Without this piece of comb no power or ingenuity of man could cause the bees to perforjn a sin- gle day's labour. As each swarm requires a princess from the old stock, from two to six are generally produced every spring, and such as are not wanted are immediately put to death, as it is entirely out of the question for more than one to exist in the same hive, unless it be during the short period awaiting the issue of a swarm. A very remarkable circumstance occurs in the developement of these young princesses; they are so timed in their matu- rity as to issue from their cells respectively just as thay are wanted to take their depart- ure with the swarms. That is, giving them a short period afler quitting their cells to gain strength for the journey, say forty-eight fully satisfied that many of my stocks are in 1 hours. It must here be borne in mind, that progress of breeding through the entire -win- I where there is sufficient room, as in very ter, to some extent. Indeed that such is thej'large hives, the queen sees no necessity of No. 6. Mahogany. 187 swarming, and consequently takes no mea- sures to furnish the young' princesses. Indeed it often occurs, that she neglects to do this in cases where the greatest neces- sity exists for them ; and as a swarm never leaves in such a case, we find many of our hives loaded with bees, clustering around and below during the entire warm season, wiiich we watch with anxiety from day to day, or hour to hour, wondering what can keep them spell-bound to their tenement! As tlfe needle invariably points to the north pole, and no human power can change this law of nature, so is the queen-bee the load- stone that draws every bee to her. The broiling rays of a summer sun, famine, nay, the prospect of a certain death cannot move them. But when a young queen sallies forth on the wing of uncertain destiny, she is the magnet that draws after her a goodly portion of the animated mass. Whither she goes they follow, and as she would gather her sub- jects around her, preparatory to the journey, she selects a slender branch of some small tree and alights. The bees at once com- mence clustering around her, perhaps some few minutes before the last have left the hive. Whether the bees ever select a hab- itation before leaving the hive, is a matter of doubt witli me. They sometimes do take at once, after issuing, to some suitable tene- ment, such as a decayed hive, or some hole in a building, or perhaps they may cluster for a few minutes, and then rapidly take their flight to the forest. All of this may be and probably is concerted after swarming. In confirmation of this, I once had a swarm issue from the hive in which the day previ- ous it had been lodged, and after revolving a long time in the air, settled down upon the very hive from which they had just issued. Now here is an instance where a particular location is fixed upon wdiile on the wing. What caused this singular operation I can- not say, unless it was that they took some dislike to the hive, and afterwards concluded to try it again. In order to remove such a difficulty, I took another hive, and as soon as they had fully clustered set it upon a table, and also set the hive with the bees upon its side near it; then with a dusting brush swept them gently down upon the table, and they quietly entered the new hive, and did well. The number of bees produced from April to July, in a strong stock, may be estimated at from 20,000 to 30,000. The first swarms I have generally found to be the largest, though some consider that in general* the second are. The third are usually small. The period between first and second swarms is nine days; between second and third six or seven, and if yet another, the next day or two. The time, however, is dependent upon the weather. If we have hot, sultry wea- ther, the bees mature more rapidly, and are increased in numbers, and consequently throw off swarms faster, but we need never look for a second swarm sooner than a week, and if the weather be cold and wet, it may be delayed fourteen days. There is a catastrophe attending a rainy spell of weather during the swarming sea- son, that many persons may not be aware of, which is this: the queen, in laying the found- ation of new princesses, calculates upon their maturity at certain periods; when, if tlie weather should permit, swarms would be ready to issue, according to her principles of the science; but as she cannot foretell the weather, she is often caught with three or four of these royal scions on hand, and the weather does not permit the issue of a swarm for several days, as fine weather for such an operation alone will do. As these princesses ripen in maturity, a spirit of jealoiisy begins to be engendered, that sets the whole hive in an uproar. Here is a sad dilemma ! The old queen expects to go ofi^ with the first swarm, in person, as soon as the weather becomes fine; in the mean time there are several young expect- ants of assuming the reins of government, who begin to show a spirit of revolt as they grow in strength and age. If this state of things last for a week, through rainy wea- ther, their jealousy becomes so furious that a general fight of extermination takes place, and the one that finds herself alive last, as- sumes the reins of that stock ; and if all the princesses have matured, there will be no more swarming that season. This is another reason why bees do not swarm, when we think they do not know what is for their own interest; but I assure the reader, that when they do not send off swarms, it is for a good and sufficient cause, though we way not be able to comprehend it. T. B. Mi.NER. Ravenswood, L. I., May, 1847. Mahogany. — Dr. Gibbons, an eminent physician, in the latter end of the seven- teenth century, had a brother, who was the first that brought from the West Indies some mahogany logs to London, for ballast. The doctor was then building him a house in Covent Garden, and his brother, the cap- tain, thought they might be of service to him, but the carpenters found the wood too hard for their tools, and it was laid aside as useless. Soon after, Mrs. Gibbons wanted a candle box, and got a cabinet maker to make it out of the useless wood lying in tlie gar- 188 Break the Crust. — Technicalities. — Flour. — Cattle. Vol. XII. den. The box was made, and the doctor was so pleased with it, that he got the cabi- net maker to make him a bureau of it, and the nne colour and polish of it induced him to invite a great number of his friends to see it, and among them the Duchess of Buck- ingham. Her Grace begged the doctor for some of the wood, and got Woolaston, the cabinet maker, to make her a bureau also, on which the fame of mahogany and Wool- aston was much raised, and it became the rage for grand furniture. No other wood has excelled it yet. — Farmer and Mechanic. " Break the Crust." — Many years ago, when I lived in Connecticut, a man from among my acquaintance removed from that State into Vermont. He was a farmer that understood his business and attended to it Some years after, I made a tour into Ver- mont, and the first call that I made after crossing the river out of New Hampshire, was at his house. He had got a fine farm, a good proportion of which was intervale on the Connecticut. There was a field of three acres on the intervale before the door, which, he said, when he came to make his purchase, had on it a very stunted growth of corn. To use his own words, "it was but little bigger than pennyroyal." He asked the owner the reason of the corn making such a miserable appearance. He said he did not know. But, said my friend, "I knew." He finally bought the farm, and the next season undertook to renovate that field solely by ploughing. He ploughed every opportunity through the sea- son, taking care to plough only when the dew was on, or immediately after a rain. He went over it a number of times in the season, and sowed it with wheat in the fall; and when he came to harvest and thresh it, he had ISA^- bushels, averaging 51^ to the acre. — Cultivator. gunpowder is only a small keg holding 25 lbs., — and that reminds me of cotton, a bale of which is 400 lbs., no matter in what sized bundles it may be sent to market. Price of Flour. We are indebted to a friend for the follow- ing average of prices of flour in this city from the year 1824 to 1846 inclusive. It is an interesting, and we believe a reiiable statement. The averages have been taken on the prices during the season of canal navigation. Years. Mv. price. High. price. Low. price. Dif. in price. 1824 $5 38 $5 50 $5 25 8 25 ]8'35 4 77 4 87 4 64 24 ]826 4 01 5 13 3 88 1 25 1827 4 72 5 75 4 63 1 12 1828 5 78 7 50 4 50 3 00 1829 5 69 7 00 4 50 2 50 1830 5 19 5 25 4 88 37 1831 5 69 6 25 5 19 1 06 1832 6 02 6 25 5 75 50 1833 .5 55 5 75 5 38 37 1834 5 01 5 31 4 81 50 1835 0 34 6 94 5 75 1 19 1836 8 19 10 00 7 00 3 00 1837 9 64 12 00 8 50 3 50 1838. 8 09 9 00 7 00 2 00 1839 6 99 8 75 6 00 2 75 1840 4 94 5 63 4 75 88 1841 5 61 6 75 4 88 1 87 1843 5 36 6 50 4 13 2 37 1843 4 93 5 38 4 50 88 1844 4 53 4 88 4 13 75 1845 5 00 6 88 4 25 2 63 1846 4 90 6 00 3 75 2 25 Highest average price %Q 04 was in 1837; lowest average price $4 53 was in 1844. Highest price $12 was in 1837; lowest price $3 75 was in 1846. — Albany Argus. Local Technicalities. — A Ready Rule for Farmers made Readier. — A "quarter of wheat," is an English measure of eight standard bushels — so, if you see wheat quoted at 56 shillings, it is 7 shillings a bushel. A shilling is 22\ cents; multiply by 7, and you will have $i 57^ per bushel. In Kentucky corn is measured by the bar- rel, which is five btishels of shelled corn. At New Orleans, a barrel of corn is a flour barrel full of ears. At Chicago, lime is sold by the barrel, and measured in the smallest size cask of that name that will pass muster, A barrel of flour is seven quarters of a gross hundred — 112 lbs. — which is the reason of its being the old measure of 196 pounds. A harrcl of tar is 20 gallons, while a barrel of Supply of Cattle. The following is a carefully prepared statement of the amount of live stock re- ceived monthly at the Philadelphia cattle market, during the year ending the 30th of December, 1847, inclusive — to which we have added the total supply in several pre- vious years: Beeves. Cows & Calves. Sheep. Swine. January, 3620 9.30 1900 3800 February, 3650 900 1450 4150 March, 4000 1070 1425 4530 April, 4590 1.570 25'.I0 5190 May, 4240 1080 3280 3740 June, 5570 1120 4030 5350 July, 4070 1040 3970 4800 August, 4100 970 3600 5560 September 4420 1010 3340 5370 October, 4560 890 3620 5190 November 4280 1140 3570 4860 December, 1847, 4450 51,550 1200 3640 36,420 4590 Total in 12,990 57,1.30 same time 1846 54,980 12,210 2-1,700 77,350 1845 49,290 9,680 52,710 77,030 11 11 1844 44,360 22,112 24,7.14 75,242 11 11 1843 37,420 15,121 22,490 80,480 11 11 1842 34,293 13,270 21,2M 79,559 11 11 1841 29,657 10,863 2ti,G30 08 805 Pa. Inquirer No. G. British Association — Potatoe Disease. 189 British Association.— Potatoe Disease. June 28tli — Mr. Westwood made some remarks before the British Association, on the e.xistence of the potatoe disease in Ox- fordshire. Some potatoes of his own had been attacked this year, and in three differ- ent districts aronnd Oxford he had observed its presence* As an entomologist, he wished to deny most distinctly, that he thought the disease arose from the attacks of an insect It had been stated by Mr. Smee that it arose from the attacks of a new aphis, which he called vastator, but this aphis, far from being new, had been described many years ago, and was a very common insect on decaying plants. Another gentleman proposed to call the insect A. pestilens. Mr. Westwood drew attention to the ignorance such ob- servers dis[llayed, as rendering it necessary that zoology should be taught as a branch of education. He was sorry to be speaking on this subject in an English University, where neither zoology nor comparative anatomy were recognised as necessary to complete the education of the professional man or gentleman. Mr. J. E. Gray stated, that he had compared some specimens of the aphis vastator with species of aphides in the Brit- ish Museum, and found that under this name Mr. Smee had included three or four well known species. Dr. Lankester, drew atten- tion to a bundle of potatoe stalks which he had brought from Pangbourne, which gave every sign of disease, but not an aphis could be found among them. One fact of this kind was sufficient to prove that the disease had no dependance upon the insect. He had heard from a gentleman in Manchester that potatoes sown in new soil on Chat Moss were free from the disease, whilst those sown in old soil all had the disease. This looked as if the inorganic constituents of the soil or potatoe were the source of the disease. Mr. Babington referred to the po- tatoe stems from Pangbourne. He had ex- amined the roots of these plants, and found that wherever the disease appeared in the leaves there was evidence of disease in the roots. He believed the root or haulm was first at fault. He quite agreed with Mr. Westwood in the necessity of a more gene- ral knowledge of natural history. Sir W. Jardine said that chemical investigations of a very accurate nature, both of the soil and the potatoe, were being carried on in Edin- burgh. He had found that potatoes grown on moss soil were more free from disease than others. This did not arise from the newness of the soil, for he had had some po- tatoes entirely spoiled which were planted in an orchard recently turned up. He had seen the stem and root very much affected without the leaves being diseased at all. He was happy to say that in Edinburgh all students of the University were expected to attend the natural history lectures. Mr. Hogan called attention to a method he had pursued of preventing the disease in the po- tatoe by growing them from seed. Mr. C. Darwin had brought the seed of the potatoe from Peru, and the tubers grown from it were quite as much affected as any other. Dr. Kelart stated that he had recently heard from Ceylon that the potatoes had been at- tacked in that island. A member said that he had just received letters from New Zeal- and, and the potatoe was also affected there. The Rev. N. Young, of New College, ex- hibited some potatoe leaves affected by the aphis. On the Vitality of potatoe seeds, by John D. Murray, Esq., of Murraythwaite. In 1832 or 1833, a portion of ground in my garden, which produced a crop of potatoes, was trenched to the depth »of 18 inches, and after bearing various crops for several years after, was turned into a flower garden, and covered with turf, which was kept regularly mown. After having been kept as a flower garden for eight or nine years, I this spring turned it into a kitchen garden, and for tliat purpose again had it trenched 18 inches deep, and sown with beet- root. About a month ago, when weeding and thinning the beet-root, I observed that a considerable number — perhaps 30 plants — of seedling po- tatoes had sprung up. They were spread irregularly over the whole piece of ground, a few being in the rows with the beet-root, but the greater part in the intervals be- tween the drills. When I last saw them — about three weeks ago — they were looking very healthy, and exhibited considerable va- riety in the shape of the leaves. I have no doubt that they are the produce of seed from the crop of 1832 or 1833, which had been allowed to ripen on the ground, and the seed having been buried 18 inches deep, had remained dormant until brought again to the surface by the trenching this spring. Potatoe Disease. — Mr. C. R. Bree said : In September, 1846, I ventured to suggest that we should endeavour to arrive at sound conclusions about the nature and cause of the potatoe disease, by registering and rea- soning upon facts alone. I also stated that for two years I had observed symptoms of the disease for the first time on the 23rd of August. When I observed, therefore, your notice of the 20th ult, that we had nearly escaped the disease, I could not help think- ing that the remark miglit still be prema- ture, and the experience of the last ten 190 Officers of Philadelphia Agricultural Society. Vol. XII. days — I write September 1st, — has unfortu- nately verified — at least partly — the truth of my anticipation. Previous to the heavy rain wiiich fell throughout this district in the thunder storm of the 16th of August, I heard no complaint of disease; 1 had not a vestige of it in my own garden, nor could I hear of it in those of my neighbours, with one exception, and that of a limited character. Between the 16th and 20th of August rumors of disease in this neighbour- hood sprung up, and by the 30th it became general. In some instances the loss is as great as in 184.5. We thus find that in the three years tiiis pestilence has destroyed our potatoe crop, it has invariably exhibited itself most severely and extensively between the 15th and 3lst of August. This fact allowed, we make one step towards a rational descrip- tion of the disease. Now, with regard to its nature; it appears in different parts of the plant at the same time, in the form of small black patches, resulting from the death of a portion of thp tissue of the plant. These blotches in the leaves are generally dry, and crumble beneath the touch, and in some in- stances are covered with a parasitical fun- gus, the Botrytis lufestans. No person, I think, who has had the slightest experience, will fall into the great error of attributing the accession of the blotches to the injury caused to the leaf by an apliis, or any other insect. The two phenomena are widely different. The aphis causes the leaves which it infests to curl and form hollows, in which it generally is found to congregate in large numbers long before the vitality of the leaf is affected. This is not the case with the potatoe disease. I have looked carefully through my rows without finding an aphis of any description; but there is no mistaking the dark, isolated, gangrenous-looking spots, which are appearing on the leaves, along the stems, and among the tubers. IIow is this? 1 take up a root, and find five tubers perfectly sound and one diseased. I look at once at the stem and leaves, and find patches of the well known disease isolated, perfectly distinct from each other. Now I know of no law in vegetable physiology which en ables an insect to cause phenomena like these. The notion is too absurd ; it will not bear a moment's examination. In one of my deductions last year, I suggested the soi" might have a greater or less influence in effecting a change in the vital process; but I find tiiat the gardens on our rail-road, some of which are many feet below the usual surface, are all infected. One attri bute of the soil I feel quite convinced has considerable influence over this disease, viz: its moisture. I have planted some potatoes in a line, part of which are among goose- berry bushes and very damp; the other por- tion is very dry. In the former the potatoes are nearly all diseased, in the latter they are nearly all sound. With regard, then, to the nature of this disease, I think we may fairly define it "gangrene of the plant, oc- curring in the first instance in isolated patches, either in the leaves and stem alone, or simultaneously in the tuber, which if left alone will ultimately destroy the plant and tubers entirely." Nearly 200 years ago, Sydenham described a species of cholera affecting the human subject in August. Pop- ular error has generally attributed this dis- eaf^e to the plum season ; but this is a great mistake. The disease described by Syden- ham may have been studied by many ob- servers in 1847, without a variation in the symptoms. It occurs in those M'ho do not eat plums, and the disease caused by plums is not that described by Sydenham. It is, in fact, one of those periodic phenomena of which we know little more than its appear- ance and disappearance at certain seasons of the year, and which we judge by analogical reasoning is caused by some or other of those little understood, or rather little studied, laws which belong to the science of meteorology. That the potatoe disease belongs to the same class of diseases must, I think, be perfectly clear. It has all the characters, all the va- riations, and all the obscurity of a periodical epidemic. We may describe it as "Morbus niger — a gangrene of the tissues of the po- tatoe plant occurring epidemically in Au- gust; the diseased parts generally covered with a fungus, which appears subsequent to the disease. More extensive in cold and damp situations." More than this, so far as regards the etiology of the disease, I do not think we shall ever know. — Gardener^s Chronicle. Officers of Philadelphia Agricultural Society. At the annual meeting of the Philadel- phia Society for promoting Agriculture, held on the 5th inst., the following named gentle- men were elected to serve as officers for the ensuing year. President — A. S. Roberts. Vice Presidents — Dr. A. L. Elwyn and Robert T. Potts. Rec. Secretary — Aaron Clement. Assistaitt Rcc. Secretary — P. R. Freas. Corresponding Secretary — Owen Jones. Treasurer — George Blight. Ctiralors — David Landreth and S. S. Richie. Librarian — Aaron Clement. riiiladelphia, Jan. 6lh, 1848. No. 6. Address of Algernon S. Roberts. 191 Address of Algernon S. Roberts, President of the Philadelphia Society for iwomoting Agriculture, at their annual meeting, Jamiary blh, 1848. Gentlemen, — Deeming- our annual meet- ings,— when more members are usually as- sembled than at the ordinary monthly meet ings, — a proper occasion for addressing to you a few thoughts and observations con nected with the interests and objects of our Society, and respecting the agricultural ca pacity of this district, I must ask your in dulgence for a ^e\N moments. It is the good fortune of those who con' stitute this Society to live in a highly agri- cultural country, the soil of which has been tilled for almost two centuries, and a large portion having lost its virgin richness, must rely on good cultivation and liberal treat- ment for a bountiful yield to the husband- man. We have within a circuit of some fifteen or eighteen miles around Philadelphia, in- cluding both shores of the Delaware, a greater variety of soil than can be found within the same limits in almost any other region : this variety of geological formation is consequently accompanied by as great a variety of productions, requiring various modes of cultivation and a high degree of agricultural skill to insure success. On the eastern side of the Delaware, we have the cretaceous, or warm and silicious soil, which borders the Atlantic coast of all the States south of Connecticut, and whence we are supplied with fruit, vegetables, &lc., of an almost tropical clime — crowding our markets with melons, peaches, sweet pota- toes, and other luxuries peculiar to equato- rial or low latitudes, and most of them too in greater perfection than similar produc- tions of the south; for it is a singular, and I believe a well established principle, that the quality and flavour of fruit, vegetables, &c , improve as we proceed north, up at least to a certain limit, which probably will be found where the heat of the sun has no longer the power of ripening, or the length of the season, of maturing the respective kinds. Thus, for instance, the apples, peaches and pears of high latitudes, it is well known are superior to the same articles raised with- in the tropics, and so of the common potatoe and of all the cereal grains — their yield is greater and the quality better in temperate or northern latitudes, than in the sunny south. Tiie same rule is said to hold good with the productions that are confined exclusively to what we term the South — the cotton and eugar of our Southern States being better than those of the equatorial South, ajid the oranges of Florida superior to those of the West Indies. Along the western shore of the Delaware and in a part of the peninsula formed by the junction of the Schuylkill with that river, we have an alluvial soil of finely comminu- ted silicious and argillaceous deposits, with sufficient vegetable matter to make a fertile soil, well adapted to the raising of vegeta- bles. To this " river deposit," and to the diluvial formation with which in many places it alternates or is intermixed, we owe in a great measure the high reputation of the Philadelphia vegetable market. The alluvial or river deposit in the lower part of the "neck," and on the western shores of the Delaware and Schuylkill, below the city, becomes flatter; more difficult to drain in wet weather, and the soil more argilla- ceous and compact, which renders it unsuit- able for the spade or plough, but well adapted to the raising of grass ; hence the extensive and rich meadows which border those streams and aflbrd pasturage to the numerous herds with which they are enlivened. The next formation that I shall notice, is probably the most important in this section of country, and is known to the geologist as the "diluvial," or ancient deposit, consisting chiefly of gravel, sand and clay — the detri- tus of primary formations, either in alternate layers, or intermixed and comingled, fre- quently abounding with water-worn or round- ed boulders and pebbles of sand-stone, flint, gneiss, &c. To discuss the speculative theories that have been advanced regarding the formation of this interesting deposit, on which our beautiful city reposes, would require more time than is consistent with my present pur- pose, and I shall confine myself to a few descriptive remarks on its agricultural cha- racter and influence. The diluvial forma- tion in the immediate vicinity of the city, consists chiefly of strata of gravel and sand, over which is a stratum of loamy clay, form- ing the subsoil of the surface coat or arable loam — the latter being originally from six to ten inches, but now depending a good deal for its thickness on tillage. There is much of this formation, which I doubt not would be greatly benefited by under drain- ing and subsoil ploughing. This system of culture should, however, be cautiously ap- plied where gravel or sand constitutes the subsoil. The diluvium, or drift, as it is often termed, thins off as we recede westward, and the primitive formation begins to appear, con- sisting of gneiss, hornblende, mica, and clay slate. These primitive rocks would make 192 Address of Algernon S. Roberts. Vol. XII. the surface extremely rugged, and in many places barren, were it not that the diluvium still to a considerable extent covers the sur- face, though greatly modified by the disinte- gration of the rocks. The primitive form.ation of eastern Penn- sylvania is with few exceptions stratified, being the metamorphic, or changed rocks of Lyell, and to this circumstance together with their diluvial covering, we owe the gradu- ally undulating surface, that enables the farmer to work with facility. The soil, as before observed, is influenced by the underlying rock, wherever the disin- tegrating hand of time has been at work. Where gneiss or laminated granite prevails the soil is light and open, but not so much so as where micacious stones form the sub- soil or approach the surface ; while the de- composition of hornblendic and argillaceous rocks forms a more retentive soil, and capa- ble of producing heavier crops. The happy blending of these materials has, however, in most cases, formed a surface soil well suited to the cultivation of cereals, and of natural and artificial grasses. The primitive formation makes its appear- ance boldly in the granitic gneiss of Fair- mount, but as we recede from the banks of the Schuylkill, the rocks are not visible on the surface until we progress further west. This formation extends across the State in a north-east and south-west direction, and in- cludes the crystaline marble and limestone, which form a still more fertile soil, adding largely to the resources, both agricultural and mineral, of eastern Pennsylvania. The limestone is overlaid and succeeded by the red and grey sandstone, and shales or middle secondary formation of Rogers. This Is a highly valuable section for the farmer, and with the addition of lime as a manure becomes exceedingly fertile. This secondary zone, like all the other geological strata of our State, runs in a north-eastern and south-western direction, crossing the Schuylkill a little below Norristown, and extends with few interruptions to the base of the south mountains below Reading. It may be known by the deep reddish brown colour imparted to the soil, and which is oc- casioned by oxide of iron. In the primitive formation is a stratum of steatite or talcose rock, which crosses the Schuylkill about two miles above Manayunk, from which is obtained the soap-stone so ex- tensively used as hearth and fire-stones, &c. Where this description of rock forms the subsoil or has but little coverhig, sterility prevails, and it frequently makes itself known by a barren strip of land. This stratum is well defined where it crosses the Lancaster turnpike twelve or fourteen miles from Philadelphia, and again near the inter- section of the Columbia and West Chester rail roads. The sterile character of this rock is probably owing to its indestructable nature, and its destitution of fertilizing ma- terials. It abounds in the vicinity of Balti- more, and bids stubborn defiance to the cul- tivator. There, however, a variety of it has been turned to profit in the manufacture of epsom salts. In the year 1826, Dr. G. Troost, under the auspices of this Society, made a geological survey of the semi-circle of fifteen miles around Philadelphia, limiting his examina- tions to this side of the Delaware. As a pioneer, he opened the way and imparted considerable information for that early age of the science, but his report and map should be considered only as introducing the work of exploration, which I regret to say, has not since been followed up sufficiently to make us well acquainted with the earth we daily tread upon. Dr. Troost divides the land within fifteen miles of the city, and on the western side of the Delaware, into four classes, namely, " 1st, granitic soils, which probably owe their origin to the disintegration of gneiss, mica slate, and feldspar : these soils are in general, light and of a sandy nature. "'2nd. Amphibolic or hornblendic soils, originating from the decomposition of am- phibolic rocks," (and he might have added, from all rocks of an argillaceous base.) "These soils are of a loamy nature, having generally a ferruginous colour, approaching even to a brownish red, and containing a large quantity of iron. " 3rd. Limestone soil, being partially pro- duced by the disintegration of limestone; and "4th. Alluvial soil," which includes dilu- vial, no distinction being made between these two classes in his report. Peter A. Browne, Esq., has also written an essay on the diluvial formation of Philadel- phia county, correcting some of the views of Dr. Troost, and noticing the remarkable fact, that in several — probably in all — parts where the diluvial strata of Philadelphia have been penetrated through, they are found to be un- derlaid by an alluvium, in which are depos- ited bark, shells, timber, and various organic substances, proving that this formation must have been anterior to the diluvial. Professor Rogers, in his geological survey of the State of Pennsylvania, has described in general terms the formations of this part of the State, but almost unaccompanied with agricultural views or opinions; and in fact no writer on the subject with whose No. 6. Management of the Horse. 193 works I have met, except Dr. Troost, ap- pears to have given much consideration to the agricultural properties of the respective geological formations in this vicinity. It would be highly gratifying to learn that some of our scientific men had turned their attention to this important subject. It is one, however, that every farmer as well as philosopher, may study with advantage, and may acquire a fund of practical knowledge in the investigations that would result from geological inquiry. With a soil so diversified, and most of it susceptible of being made exceedingly fer- tile and productive, with good roads and navigable waters, with a market unsurpassed and with the numerous facilities of com- merce and manufactures around us, we may well boast of having the elements of agri- cultural wealth and prosperity w'ithin our reach. It is then our duty and should be our am- bition as the occupants of this favoured sec- tion to improve the advantages we enjoy; — to enlarge the sphere of our usefulness; to make ourselves, not merely members, but active and useful associates of this the most ancient agricultural institution in the Union. In this age of advancement the most numer- ous portion of the community, the cultivators of the soil, must not be listless or indifferent spectators. We have, by our annual exhibitions, our monthly discussions, and our frequent social intercourse, contributed materially to the improvement, which I am happy to say, is visible in the agriculture of eastern Penn- sylvania ; but by vigorous and well directed action we may effect much more in future for the cause we espouse. As one means among the many to promote the objects of our Society, allow me to suggest the fre- quent visiting and inspection of farms, whe- ther belonging to members of the Society or others. Visits of this kind might be made either officially or semi-officially, by self constituted committees of two or three, calling on such of their neighbours as are convenient, communicating to our meetings whatever they may think worthy of remark, and suggesting useful hints and improve- ments wherever occasion offers. The dis- cussions and frequent interchange that would be elicited by a practice of this kind, could not fail to be highly beneficial, not only to this Society, but also to the agricultural community at large, whose favourable opin- ion we should cultivate and merit. A. S. Roberts. The peach may be rendered quite a dwarf, by budding on th^Mirabella plum stock. Management of the Horse. The breathing of pure air is necessary to the existence and the health of man and beast. It is comparatively lately that this has been admitted even in the management of our best stables. They have been close, and hot, and foul, instead of airy, and cool, and wholesome. The effect of several horses being shut up in the same stable is complete- ly to empoison the air; and yet, even in the present day, there are too many who care- fully close every aperture by which a breath of fresh air can by possibility gain admis- sion. In effecting this, even the key-hole and the threshold are not forgotten. What, of necessity, must be the consequence of this] Why! if one thought is bestowed on the new and dangerous character that the air is assuming, it will be too evident that sore throat, and swelled legs, and bad eyes, and inflamed lungs, and mnnge, and grease, and glanders, will scarcely ever be long out of that stable. Let this be considered in another point of view. The horse stands twenty or two and twenty hours in this unnatural vapour-bath, and then he is suddenly stripped c'f all his clothing, he is led into the open air, and there he is kept a couple of hours or more in a temperature fifteen or twenty de- grees below that of the stable. Putting the inhumanity of this out of the question, must not the animal thus unnaturally and absurdly treated be subjected to rheumatism, catarrh, and various other complaints'? Does he not oflen stand, hour after hour, in the road or the street, while his owner is warming him- self within, and this perhaps after every pore has been opened by a rushing gallop, and his susceptibility to the painful and the injurious influence of cold has been excited to the utmost] It is not so generally known as it ought to be, that the return to a hot stable is quite as dangerous as the change from a heated atmosphere to a cold and biting air. Many a horse that has travelled without harm over a bleak country, has been suddenly seized with inflammation and fever when he has, immediately at the end of his journey, been surrounded with heated and foul air. It is the sudden change of temperature, whether from heat to cold, or from cold to heat, that does the mischief, and yearly destroys thou- sands of horses. Mr. Clarke, of Edinburgli, was the first who advocated the use of well ventilated stables. After him Professor Coleman es- tablished them in the quarters of the cavalry troops, and there cannot be a doubt that he saved the government many thousand pounds 194 Management of the Horse. Vol. XII. every year. His system of ventilation, how- ever, like many other salutary innovations, was at first strongly resisted. Much evil was predicted; but after a time, diseases that used to dismount whole troops, almost entirely disappeared from the army. A hot stable has, in the mind of the groom, been long connected with a glossy coat. The latter, it is thought, cannot be obtained with- out the former. To this we should reply, that in winter a thin, glossy coat is not desirable. Nature gives to every animal a warmer clothing when the cold weather approaches. The horse — the agricultural horse especially — acquires a thicker and a lengthened coat, in order to defend him from the surrounding cold. Man puts on an additional and a warmer covering, and his comfort is in- creased and his health preserved by it. He who knows anything of the farmer's horse, or cares about his enjoyment, will not object to a coat a little longer and a little rough- ened when the wintry wind blows bleak. The coat, however, needs not to be so long as to be unsightly; and warm clothing, even in a cool stable, will, with plenty of honest grooming, keep the hair sufficiently smooth and glossy to satisfy the most fastidious. The overheated air of a close stable saves much of this grooming, and therefore the idle attendant unscrupulously sacrifices the health and safety of the horse. If the stable is close, the air will not only be hot, but foul. The breathing of every animal contaminates it; and when, in the course of the night, with every aperture stopped, it passes again and again through the lungs, the blood cannot undergo its pro- per and healthy change ; digestion will not be so perfectly performed, and all the func- tions of life are injured. Let the owner of a valuable horse think of his passing twenty or twenty-two out of the twenty-four hours in this debilitating atmosphere ! Nature does wonders in enabling every animal to accom- modate itself to the situation in which it is placed, and the horse that lives in the stable- oven suffers less from it than would scarcely be conceived possible ; but he does not, and cannot, possess the power and the hardihood which he would acquire under other circum- stances. The air of the improperly close and heated stable is still farther contaminated by the urine and dung, which rapidly ferment there, and give out stimulating and unwholesome vapours. When a person first enters an ill- managed stable, and especially early in the morning, he is annoyed, not only by the heat of the. confined air, but by a pungent smell, resembling hartshorn; and can he be sur- prised at the inflammation of the eyes, and the chronic cough, and the disease of the lungs, by which the animal, who has been all night shut up in this vitiated atmosphere, is often attacked ; or if glanders and farcy should occasionally break out in such stables J [t has been ascertained by chemical experi- ment, that the urine of the horse contains in it an exceedingly large quantity of harts- horn ; and not only so, but that, influenced by the heat of a crowded stable, and possibly by other decompositions that are going for- ward at the same time, this ammoniacal va- pour begins to be rapidly given out almost immediately after the urine is voided. When disease begins to appear among the inhauitants of these ill-ventilated places, is it wonderful that it should rapidly spread among them, and that the plague-spot should be, as it were, placed on the door of such a stable? When distemper appears in spring or in autumn, it is in very many cases to be traced to such a pest-house. It is peculiarly fatal there. The horses belonging to a small establishment, and rationally treated, have it comparatively seldom, or have it lightly; but among the inmates of a crowded stable it is sure to display itself, and there it ia most fatal. The experience of every vete- rinary surgeon, and of every large proprie- tor of horses, will corroborate this statement. Agriculturists should bring to their stables the common sense which directs them in the usual concerns of life, and should begin, when their pleasures and their property are so much at stake, to assume that authority and to enforce that obedience, to the lack of which is to be attributed the greater part of bad stable-management and horse disease. Of nothing are we more certain than that the majority of the maladies of the horse, and those of the worst and most fatal charac- ter, are directly or indirectly to be attributed to a deficient supply of air, cruel exaction of work, and insufficient or bad fare. Each of these evils is to be dreaded — each is, in a manner, watching for its prey; and when they are combined, more than half of the inmates of the stable are often swept away. Every stable should possess within itself a certain degree of ventilation. The cost of this would be trifling, and its saving in the preservation of valuable animals may be im- mense. The apertures need not be large, and the whole may be so contrived that no direct current of air shall fall on the horse. A gentleman's stable should never be without a thermometer. The temperature should seldom exceed seventy degrees in the summer, or sink below forty or fifty de- grees in the winter. — Youatt''s Horse. No. 6. Grape Culture. — Rot in Sheep. 195 For the Farmers' Cabinet. Grape Culture in the United States. It cannot but surprise all thinking per- sons that so little has been done in this coun- try in the grape culture, compared with what might have been done. This state of things can only be accounted for from the fact that there are so many pursuits in our widely extended country, that the grape culture has been overlooked. It has also generally been supposed that there was some great mystery in cultivating grapes, and particularly in making wine. Mr. Longworth, of Cincinnati, commenced the culture of the grape twenty-five years ago, with what is there called the "Cape grape." At Philadelphia it is called the "Alexander;" at Flushing, N. Y., " Schuyl- kill Muscatel;" at York, Pa., "Madeira;" at Vevay, Indiana, " Constantia." Mr. Long- worth by pressing out the juice as soon as the grapes were mashed, produced a wine resembling Teneriffe. He also cultivated the Isabella extensively — but this grape rots badly in the vicinity of Cincinnati: — it does the same thing at Brinckleyville, North Ca- rolina, and these are the only locations in the middle, western, and southern States that we know of, in which thi>: happens. A short time after starting the grape cul- ture, Mr. Longworth obtained the Catawba from Major Adlum, of Georgetown, D. C, and this is now the favourite variety at Cin- cinnati. Major Adlum appears to have had a pro- per appreciation of the value of the Catawba grape. In a letter to Mr. Longworth, he remarks, "In bringing this grape into public notice, I have rendered my country a greater service than I would have done had I paid the national debt." Mr. Longworth concurs in his opinion. Mr. Longworth next imported many thou- vSand grape vines from Madeira, France, and Germany. His last importation was five thousand vines, comprising twenty-two va- rieties from the mountains of Jura, where the vine region suddenly ends. Mr. L. says, "I gave them the best southern exposure on sides of hills, and expended two hundred dollars on one-eighth of an acre of ground, on a side hill with a southern exposure, in my garden. I took out the natural soil to the depth of three feet; laid a layer of gravel in the bottom, two inches thick, and over it a layer of thin paving stone, and filled it up with rich earth with a portion of sand added, and a drain to carry oflT the rain from the bottom. They grew slowly, were subject to mildew, and though covered in winter, would not succeed in our climate, and not! a solitary plant of them is left in my garden or vineyard, except one plant of the Meunier (Miller's Burgundy.)" Mr. L. has also made wine from the Ohio, Lenoir, and Herbemont varieties. The two first named do not produce a fine wine. The Lenoir and Herbemont are loth liable to rot — both are fine table grapes, and the Herbe- mont makes a fine wine. The Missouri is tender at Cincinnati, while in the poor soil of New Jersey it grows luxuriantly, bears well, and is hardy. For some years Mr. Longworth and other vinegrowers at Cincinnati, have made from the Catawba several varieties of wine, per- fectly resembling the best Hock wines of Europe, and when one year old, command- ing one dollar and fifty cents per gallon. Five years ago, Mr. L., partly by design and partly by accident, produced a fine arti- cle of Champagne. All wines, except the Champagne, are made without any sugar or alcohol. Mr. Miller and Mr. Selves sell their Champagne at twelve dollars per do- zen— bottles returned — and thus far have found a ready sale. In our next we shall give an account of the grape culture and wine making at Read- ing, Pa., and also what has been done in North Carolina and Georgia. B. G. EOSWELL. Philartelphia, Jan. lltli, 1S48. Rot in Sheep. This disease is classed among those of the liver, because, except when the animal dies perfectly worn out by the malady, the most striking and the supposed characteristic mischief is found in this organ. Happily for the American farmers, this destructive malady is, comparatively, of un- frequent occurrence in their flocks; but in Great Britain, on the authority of Mr. You- att, more than a million of sheep and lambs die every year by this disease. "In the winter of 1830-31 this number was more than doubled; and had the pestilence com- mitted the same ravages throughout the kingdom which it did in a few of the middle, eastern, and southern counties, the breed of sheep would have been, in a manner, extir- pated." Many of the farmers lost their en- tire flocks, not an individual sheep escaping. It appears, however, the disease is not pe- culiar to England. Many sheep are destroyed by it in Germany. In the north of France they are frequently swept away by it; and in the winter of 1809, the ravages were terrific throughout the kingdom. It has prevailed at some periods nearly over all Europe, as far north as Norway. 196 Rot in Sheep. Vol. XII. The compiler has no personal knowledge of tills destructive malady, and is therefore compelled to rely on the account presented by Mr. Youatt, all of which that is of inte- rest is subjoined. "The early symptoms of this disease are exceedingly obscure; this is much to be de- plored, because in the first stage of it alone does it often admit of cure. The animal is dull, lagging behind his companions — he does not feed so well as usual. If suspicion has been a little excited by this, the truth of the matter may easily be put to the test, for if the wool is parted, and especially about the brisket, the skin will have a pale yellow hue. " The eye of the sheep beginning to sicken with the rot can never be mistaken; it is in- jected, but pale ; the small veins at the cor- ner of the eye are turgid, but they are filled with yellow serous fluid, and not with blood. Farmers very properly pay great attention to this in their examination or purchase of sheep. If the caruncle is red, they have a proof which never fails them that the ani- mal is healthy. There is no loss of condi- tion, but quite the contrary, for the sheep in the early stage of the rot has a great pro- pensity to fatten. Mr. Bakewell was aware of this, for he used to overflow certain of his pastures, and when the water was run off turn those of his sheep there which he wanted to prepare for the market. They speedily became rotted, and in the early stage of the rot they accumulated flesh and fat with won- derful rapidity. By this manoeuvre he used to gain five or six weeks on his neighbours. "As the disease becomes confirmed the yellow tinge begins to spread — the muzzle and the tongue are stained — the animal is more dull and dispirited — his false condition rapidly disappears — the membrane of the nose becomes livid— the tongue gradually assumes the same character — the eyes are dull, and their vessels charged with a yellow- brown fluid. The breath now becomes fetid the bowels variable — sometimes costive, and at other times loose to a degree that de- fies the power of medicine. The skin often becomes spotted with yellow or black— the emaciation is more and more rapid — the general fever increases — the vessels of the eye are more distended and red — the skin becomes loose and flabby, and if it is pressed upon, a peculiar crackling sound is heard — the wool comes off when pulled with the slightest force— the appetite entirely fails— the belly begins to enlarge— on pressure fluid is easily recognized within it, and hence one of its names 'the hydropic' or dropsical rot. The animal is weak in every limb— a violent purging is now very fre- quently present — the sheep wastes away to a mere skeleton, and at length he dies — the duration of the disease being from two to four or six months. "When a rotted sheep is examined after death, the whole cellular tissue is found to be infiltrated, and a yellow serous fluid everywhere follows the knife. The muscles are soft and flabby; they have the appear- ance of being macerated. The kidneys are pale, flaccid, and infiltrated. The belly is frequently filled with water, or purulent matter; the peritoneum is everywhere thick- ened, and the bowels adhere together by means of an unnatural growth. The heart is enlarged and softened, and the lungs are filled with tubercles. The principal alter- ations of structure are in the liver. It is pale, livid, and broken down with the slight- est pressure; and on being boiled it will al- most dissolve away. When the liver is not pale, it is often curiously spotted. In some cases it is speckled like the back of a toad. Nevertheless, some parts of it are hard and scirrhous; others are ulcerated, and the bili- ary ducts are filled with flukes. Here ies the decided seat of the disease, and it is here that the nature of the malady may be learned. It is inflammaiion of llie liver. In consequence of this the secretion from the liver is increased — at first scarcely viti- ated, and the digestive powers are rendered more energetic; but soon the bile flows so abundantly that it is taken into the system, and the eye, the brisket, the mouth, become yellow. As the disease proceeds, the liver becomes disorganized, and its secretion more vitiated, and even poisonous ; and then fol- lows a total derangement of the digestive powers. The liver attracts the principal attention of the examiner; it displays the evident ef-' fects of acute and destructive inflammation; and still more plainly the ravages of the parasites with which its ducts are crowded. Here is plainly the original seat of the dis- ease; the centre whence a destructive in- fluence spreads on every side. Whatever else is found, it is the consequence of previ- ous mischief existing here. Then the first inquiry is a very limited one — the nature of this hepatic affection, and the agency of the parasites that inhabit the liver. Are they the cause or consequence of disease ? The Fluke — the Fasciola of Linnaeus — the Distoma hepaticum of Rodolphi — is found in the biliary ducts of the sheep, the goat, the deer, the ox, the horse, the ass, the hog, the dog, the rabbit, and various other animals, and even in the human being. It is from three-quarters of an inch to an inch and a quarter in length, and from one-third No. 6. Rot in Sheep. 197 to half an inch in greatest breadth. The head is of a pointed form, round above, and flat beneath; and the mouth opens laterally instead of vertically. There are no barbs or tenacula, as described by some authors. The eyes are placed on the most prominent part of the head. No difference of se.x has yet been discovered in the fluke-worm, and it is believed to be an hermaphrodite. Then, is the fluke-worm the cause or the effect of the rot"! To a certain degree both. They aggravate the disease; they perpetu- ate a state of irritability and disorganiza- tion, which must necessarily undermine the strength of any animal ; they unnaturally distend, and consequently weaken the pas- sages in which they are found ; they force themselves into the smaller passages, and, always simming against the stream, they obstruct the flow of the bile, and produce inflammation by its accumulation; they con- sume the nutritive juices, by which the neighbouring parts should be fed; and they impede the flow of the bile into the intes tines, by clogging up the ducts with their excrement and their spawn. Notwithstand ing all this, however, if the fluke follows the analogy of other entozoa and parasites, it is the effect and not the cause of the rot. The ova are continually swallowed by the sound animals and the diseased ; but it is only when the fluids are altered, and some- times essentially changed, and the condition of the digestive organs is materially im- paired, that their appearance is favoured, or their multiplication encouraged. What, then, is the cause of the rot in sheep 1 The knowledge of the cause can alone guide us to a cure, or at best, to the preven- tion of it. It docs not arise from deficiency of food ; a sheep may be reduced to the low- est state of condition — he may be starved outright, but the liver would not be necessa- rily as off^en in a diseased state. It is not to be traced to the effects of sudden flush of grass. The determination of blood to the head, diarrhoea, dysentery, might be thus produced, but not one symptom resembling rot. Some persons, led away by a favourite theory, have traced it to defective ventila- tion ; but in the closest keeping to which the British sheep is usually committed, there is no foul air to be got rid of, and defective ventilation would be words witliout meaning. The rot in sheep is evidently connected with the soil or the state of the pasture. It is confined to wet seasons, or to the feeding on ground moist and marshy at all seasons. It has reference to the evaporation of water, and to tlie presence and decomposition of moist vegetaiale matter. It is rarely or al most never seen on dry or sandy soils and in dry seasons. In the same farm there are certain fields on which no sheep can be turned with impunity. There are others that seldom or never give the rot. Some seasons are far mora favourable to the development of the rot than others, and there is no manner of doubt as to the char- acter of the seasons. After a rainy sum- mer, or a moist autumn, or during a wet winter, the rot destroys like a pestilence. A return and a continuance of dry weather materially arrests its murderous progress. It is, therefore, sufficiently plain that the rot depends upon, or is caused by the exist- ence of moisture. A rainy season, and a tenacious soil, are fruitful or inevitable sources of it. But there is something more than moist- ure necessary for the production of rot. The ground must be wet, and its surface exposed to the air; and then the plants, previously weakened or destroyed by the moisture, will be decomposed; and in that decomposition, certain gases or miasmata will be developed, that cannot long be breathed, or scarcely breathed at all by the sheep, without pro- ducing the rot. Chemistry, even in its present advanced state, will afford no means of analyzing these deleterious gases; and it is a matter of little practical consequence to be ac- quainted with their constituent principles. Then the mode of prevention consists in al- tering the character of as much of the dan- gerous ground as he can, and keeping his sheep from those pastures which defy all his attempts to improve them. Treatment. — In the early stage of the disease, bleed. Abstract, accordmg to the circumstances of the case, eight, ten, or twelve ounces of blood. There is no dis- ease of an inflammatory character, at its commencement, which is not benefited by an early bleeding. To this let a dose of physic succeed — two or three ounces of Ep- som salts; and to these means let a change of diet be immediately added — good hay in the field, and hay, straw, or chaff" in the straw-yard. To this should be added — a simple and a cheap medicine, but that which is the sheet anchor of the practitioner here — common salt. The farmer is beginning to be aware of the valuable properties of salt in pro- moting the condition, and relieving and pre- venting many of the diseases of ail the do- mesticated animals. In the first place, it is a purgative, inferior to few, when given in a full dose; and it is a tonic as well as pur- gative. Its first power is exerted on the di- gestive organs — on the stomach and intes- 198 Apple Orchards.— Milk. — Horses.— Editorial Notices. Vol. XII' tines — augmenting the secretions and quick- ening the energies of each. It is the stimu- lus which nature herself points out, for, in moderate quantities and mingled with the food, men and beasts are fond of it. The sheep, having a little recovered from the disease, sliould still continue on the best and dryest pasture on the farm, and should al- ways have salt within their reach. It should be rock salt. — MorrelV s American Shepherd. Young Apple Orchards. It is an indispensable requisite, in all young orchards, to keep the ground mellow and loose by cultivation; at least for the first few years, until the trees are well establish- ed. Indeed, of two adjoining orchards, one planted and kept in grass, and the other ploughed for the first five years, there will be &n incredible difference in favour of the latter. Not only will these trees show rich dark luxuriant foliage, and clean smooth stems, while those neglected will have a starved and sickly look, but the size of the trees in the cultivated orchard will be treble that of the others at the end of this time, and a tree in one will be ready to bear an abundant crop, before the other has com- menced yielding a peck of good fruit. Fal- low crops are the best for orchards, — pota- toes, vines, buckwheat, roots, Indian corn, and the like. An occasional crop of grass or grain may be taken; but clover is rather too coarse-rooted and exhausting for a young orchard. When this, or grass, is necessarily grown among young trees for a year or two, a circle of three feet diameter should be kept loose by digging every season about the stem of each tree. When the least symptom of failure or de- cay in a bearing orchard is perceived, the ground should have a good top-dressing of manure, and of marl, or mild lime, in alter- nate years. It is folly to suppose that so strong growing a tree as the apple, when planted thickly in an orchard, will not, after a few heavy crops of fruit, exhaust the soil of much of its proper food. If we desire our trees to continue in a healthy bearing state, we should, therefore, manure them as regularly as any other crop, and they will amply repay the expense. There is scarcely a farm where the waste of barn-yard ma- nure,— the urine, etc., if properly econo- mized by mixing this animal excrement with the muck-heap — would not be amply suffici- ent to keep the orchards in the highest con- dition. And how many moss-covered, bar- ren orchards, formerly very productive, do we not every day see, which only require a plentiful new supply of food in a substantial top-dressing, thorough scraping of the stems, and washing with diluted soft soap, to bring them again into the finest state of vigor and productiv^eness'! — Downing'' s Fruit Trees. Milk in Boston. — A statement of the quantity of milk brought to Boston over the Fitchburg rail-road, will perhaps interest some. A gentleman, who has the means of knowing, states the quantity to be, on a careful average, at least 900 cans per day. Each can holds four gallons, and weighs about 25 pounds. By quantity, this would give one million twenty-three thousand and two hundred gallons per year, and by weight, three thousand five hundred and ten tons. Heretofore, upon this road, the milk cans have been attached to the passenger trains, but after the 1st of April next, in conse- quence of the great increase of the business, a special milk train is to be run in the night. The milk is sold chiefly in Boston and Charlestown, at five cents per quart. We believe the only rail-roads that convey milk to any extent are the Fitchburg and Wor- cester.— Pa. Inquirer. Death of Horses.— ^Within a ^e'w weeks past, Mr. Thomas Craige, whose stable is located in an alley running south of Race street near Broad, has lost six valuable horses, in a very singular manner. Adjoin- ing the stable of Mr. C. is another, occupied by Mr. Ramage, which latter it appears, has been long infested with rats. In order to destroy these troublesome customers, poison has been used in various parts of the build- ing; it was only when the seventh horse of Mr. C. sickened and died, that the cause of their death divulged itself — the infusion of the poison, by the rats, into the feed of the poor animals. — Pa. Inquirer. THE FARMERS' CABINET, AND Philadelphia, First Month, 1848. A YODNG man without a family would like a situa- tion as Gariiener. He is well acquainted with the business, and can give unexceptionable reference.'. Letters post paid, addressed to Rev. JOHN C. LYONS, Phcenix St. below Front, Kensington. Philadelphia Co., Pa., will be attended to. January Idth, 1848. No. 6. Editorial Notices. \Qd KZlFHil.RT'S PATENT Fruit and Vegetable Preserver. An admirable invention, by which fruits, vegetables, &c., viz. oranges, lemons, apples, pears, peaches, &c. — potatoes, green corn, melons, &c., can be kept as long as desirable with all their natural juices and sweet- ness. Also, butter, eggs and bacon can be kept through- out the year, fresh and sweet, at an expense not greater than in an ordinary warehouse in the city. A full description will be found in the June number of the Cabinet. The undersigned having purchased the Patent-right for the United States, except the stales of New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland, and the cities of New York and St. Louis, offer for sale Patent rights for the con- struction of the Preserver, by states, counties or in- dividual rights, upon terms that will induce all inter- ested in the preservation of the above named articles, to purchase rights and construct houses. FLACK, THOMPSON & BROTHER, Coales Street wharf, near Fairmount. All communications will receive prompt attention, if addressed either to PETER KEPHART, Western Hotel, Baltimore, Md. Or to FLACK, THOMPSON & BROTHER, Spring Garden P. O. Philadelphia. July 15th, 1847.— 6t. SEED STORE, No. 23 31arket Street, Fhiladelphia. The subscriber keeps constantly a supply of White and Red Clover, and other grass seeds ; fresh Perennial Eye-grass, and Lucerne seed. Field seeds, consisting of choice Spring Wheat, Barley, Potatoq Oats, North- ern and other seed-corn. Also, in season, Fruit and Shade Trees. Garden and Bird seeds generally. Gua- no in parcels to suit purchasers. M. S. POWELL. Philad., Feb., 1847. if. Agency for the Purchase & Sale of IMPROVED BREFDS OP CATTLE & SHEEP. The subscriber takes this method of informing his friends and the public, that he will attend to the pur- chase and sale of the improved breeds of cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, &c., for a reasonable commission. All letters post paid, addressed to him at Philadelphia, will be attended to without delay. AARON CLEMENT. Jlpril 15t!i, 1847. NEW Horticultural and Jlgricultural Ware-house, 84 Chesnut Street below Third, Souili side. The subscriber has for the better accommodation of his customers, opened the above ware-house, with a large slock of Garden and Field Seeds, crop of 1840. Imple- ments and Books on Gardening and Farming; he calls the particular attention of farmers to his pure stock of Sweede Turnips, Field Carrots, Beets and Parsnips, Pruning Shears, Saws and Knives. March 14th, 1847.— ly. R. BUIST. COATES' SEED STORE, Nu. 49 Market Street, * FRUSIEI TIMOTHY SEED, Of various qualities, from good common seed to the purest and finest that can be produced, TOGETHER WITH A COlirLETE ASSORTMENT OF GH/ISS & GikHD£}X7 SSISBS, Of the finest Quality and best Varieties, — Bird Seeds, &c. JOS. P. H. COATES, Successor to Oeorge J\I. Coat.es, 3Iay 15th, 1847. CO AI.. The subscriber has made an arrangement for a con- stant supply of superior Lehigh and Schuylkill Coal — carefully prepared for family use, which he will fur- nish at the usual cash prices, on application at the office of the Farmers' Cabinet, where samples of the different kinds and sizes may be seen. JOSIAH TATUM. Philadelphia, Seventh month 15th, 1847. PREMIUM IMPLIMENTS. PROUTY'S Improved Machine for Shelling and Screening Corn, and Sej3arati7ig it from the Cob. For this Machine the Philad'a Agricultural Society awarded their first Premium for Corn Sheller, 1847. Grant's Patent Prcminm Fan Mill, For Chaffing and Screening Wheat, at one operation. Three Silver Medals, and nine First Premiums, have been awarded for the above Mill. Prouty and Mcars' Patent Centre -Draught, Self- Sharpening Ploughs. First Premium awarded for these Ploughs, by the Philadelphia Agricultural So- ciety, 1844, 1845, 184G and 1847. Corn and Cob Breakers and Grinders, Corn Slalk Cutters & Grinders— Sugar Mills— Spain's Improved Barrel Churn, the dashers of which may be taken out to clean. Also, a full assortment of Ag- ricultural Impliments, Manufactured and for Sale by D. O. PROUTY, No. 194J Marlcet Street, below Sixth, Phildelphia. Nov. 15, 1847.- tf. IC?- SHORT ADVERTISEMENTS, The subject matter of which, may correspond with the agricultural character of this paper, will be inserted at the rate of one dollar for each insertion often lines or less; and so in proportion for each additional line. Payment in advance. The quantity of rain which fell in the 12th montb 1847, was 5 78 in. Penn. Hospital, 1st mo. 1st. 200 Editorial JVotices. Vol. XII We keep on hand at this office, and will supply our friends with Agricultural works generally. Among which are THE FARMER'S ENCYCLOPEDIA, full- bnuiid in leather;— Price $3 50 YOUATT ON THE HORSE, with J. S. Skin- ner's very vaUia'ole Additions; 2 00 BRIDGEMAN'S GARDENERS ASSISTANT; 2 00 THE AMERICAN POULTRY BOOK; 37^ THE FARMER'S LAND MEASURER; 37^ DANA'S MUCK MANUAL; 50 Complete sets of the FARMERS' CABINET, half-bound, 11 vols. DOWNING'S Landscape Gardening, Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees of America, SKINNER'S Every Mandiis own Farrier, AMERICAN Poulterer's Companion, BOUSSINGAULT'S RURAL ECONOMY, FARMERS' & EMIGRANTS' HANDBOOK, MORRELL'S AMERICAN SHEPHERD, STABLE ECONOMY, BEVAN on the HONEY BEE, BUISTS' ROSE MANUAL, THOMAS' FRUIT CULTURI3T. SKINNER'S CATTLE & SHEEP DOCTOR, AMERICAN FARRIER, THE FARMER'S MINE, HOARE ON THE VINE, HANVAM'S Economy of Waste Manures, LIEBIG'S AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY, ANI^^^L CHEMISTRY, FAMILIAR LETTERS, JOHNSON'S DICTIONARY OF MODERN GARDENING, 2 25 Subscriptions received for Colman's Agricultural Tour — or single numbers sold. jCf" We are prepared to bind books to order. 9 50 3 50 1 50 50 1 25 1 50 1 00 1 00 1 00 31i 75 50 50 50 75 C2i 25 25 25 12i AFRICAN GUANO. 9 First quality African Guano, from the island of Ichaboe, warranted genuine. Also a few tons Peruvian For sale by J. B. A. & S. ALLEN, No. 7 South Wharves, 2nd Oil Store below Market street. Philadelphia, March 17th, 1847. Poudrette. A valuable manure— of the best quality, prepared in Philadelphia, for sale at the office of the Farm- ers' Cabinet, No. 50, North Fourth Street, or at the manufactory, near the Penitentiary on Coatea' street. Present price, $1 75 per barrel, containing four bushels each, or 35 cents a bushel. Orders from a distance, enclosing the cash, with cost of porter- age, will be promptly attended to, by carefully deli- vering the barrels on board of such conveyance as may be designated. The results on corn and wheat have been generally very satisfactory. Farmers to the south and in the interior, both of this State and of New Jersey, are invited to try it. We are now ready to supply any demand for wheat. JOSIAH TATUM. Philada. 8th mo. Idth, 1847. CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. pagb Wm. H. Dillingham's Address, delivered before the Horticultural Society of Chfster Co 169 Sewage Manure.— The Wood Plough 171 Exhibition of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society of Brussels, 172 Remedy for the Potatoe Rot, 173 Marshes, their effijcts on human health, 174 Profits of Farming, 175 Bees 176 Preparation of Sandy and Light soils for Wheat, 178 Peruvian Industry, 179 Keep Animals in good order. — Heated rooms. — The Potatoe 180 Rules for Milking.— Culture of the Plum 181 The Scuppernong Grape.— Yellows in the Peach, 182 Report of the Barnstable Co. Agricultural Soc'y, 183 Treatment of Horses, 184 The Drovers— by J. G. Whittier, * 185 Swarming of Honey Bees, 186 Mahogany, 187 Break the Crust.— Local Technicalities. — Price of Flour.— Supply of Cattle 188 British Association— Potatoe disease, 189 Officers of Philadelphia Agricultural Society 190 Address of Algernon S. Roberts, before the Phila- delphia Society for promoting Agriculture, .... 191 Management of the Horse 193 Grape Culture in the United States.— Rot in Sheep, 195 Young Apple Orchards.— Milk in Boston.— Death of Horses 198 Editorial Notices, 199 THE FARMERS' CABINET, IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY JOSIAH TATUM. No. 50 NORTH FOURTH STREET, PHILADELPHIA. It is issued on t'10 fifieenth of every month, in num- bers of 32 octavo pajfvs each. Th? sibjocts will he illustrated bv engravings, whan they can be appropri- ately introduced. Terms. — One dollar per annum, or five dollars for seven copies — pai/able in advance. .\ll subscriptions m ist co;nuience at the beginning of a volume. Having lately struck off a new edition of one or two of the former numbers, which had become exhausted, we are now able to supply, to a limited ex- tent, any of the back volumes. They may be had at one doll.nr each, in numbers, or one dollar twenty-five cents half-bound and lettcretl. For eight dollars paid in advance, acomp^^iesci of the work will b;; furnished in numbers, including the 12th volume. The wliole can thus readily be forwarded by mail. For twenty-five cents additional, per volume, the work may be obtained neatly half-bound and let- tered. Copies returned to the office of publication, will also be bound upon 'he same terms. By the decision of the Post Master General, the "Cabinet," is subject only to newspaper postage. Joseph Rakeatraw, Printer. ^ AND ^^£RICAN HERD-BOOTi DEVOTED TO AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, AND RURAL AND DOMESTIC AFFAIRS. Perfect Agriculture is the true foundation of all trade and industry. — Liebiq. Vol. XII.— No. 7.] 2iid mtH (February) 15th, 1848. [Whole No. 157. PUBLISHED MONTHLY, BY JOSIAH TATUM, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR, No. 50 North Fourth Street, PHILADELPHIA. Price one dollar per year. — For conditions see last page. For the Farmers' Cabinet. Effect of Different Coloured Lights upon Plants. Mr. Editor, — I take the following article from the Scientific American — an excellent paper published in the city of New York. "The warmth of the sun has compara- tively little to do with the specific action of his rays on the chemical functions of the plant, which is illustrated by the experi- ments of Mr. Hunt of the Royal Agricultu- ral Society of England, on the effect of the rays of light of different colours on the grow- ing plant. He sowed cress seed, and ex- posed different portions of the soil in which the seeds were germinating, to the action of the red, yellow, green, and blue rays, which were transmitted by equal thicknesses of so- lutions of these different colours. 'After ten days, there was, under the blue fluid, a crop of cress of as bright a green, as any which grew in full light, and tar more abun- dant. The crop was scanty under the green fluid, and of a pale green unhealthy colour. Cau.— Vol. XIL— No. 7. Under the yellow solution only two or three plants appeared, but less pale than those un- der the green ; while beneath the red a few more plants came up than under the yellow, though they were also of an unhealthy co- lour. The red and blue colours being now mutually transferred, the crop formerly be- neath the blue in a few days appeared blight- ed, while on the patch previously exposed to the red, some additional plants sprang up.' " Besides the rays of heat and of light, the sun-beam contains what have been called chemical rays, not distinguishable to our senses, but capable of being recognized by the chemical effects they produce. These rays appear to differ in kind, as the rays of different coloured lights do. It is to the ac- tion of these chemical rays on the leaf, as- sociated with the blue light on the solar beam, that the chemical influence of the sun on the growth of the plant is to be as- cribed, by the decomposition of the carbonic acid absorbed from the air by the leaf of the plant on the interior of the leaf, the reten- tion of the carbon, and the rejection or omis- sion of the oxygen contained in the carbonic acid of the plant, which is returned to the atmosphere, which carbon retained, uniting with the elements of water — hydrogen or oxygen, — absorbed at the same time by the roots, give rise to and furnish the elements for the formation of woody, cellular fibre, &c., and for which cause it is that 'z/ light be excluded, vegetation never produces a leaf or a stock.'' (201) 202 Gentle Words. — Gardening on the Bosphorus. Vol. XII. " The decomposition of the carbonic acid contained in the atmosphere, and the emis- sion of ox'ygen gas from plants, is deter- mined by the solar light, pure oxygen gas is, therefore, separated by the action of light, and the operation is stronger as the light is more vivid. By this continued emission of vital air the Almighty thus incessantly puri- fies the air, and repairs the loss of oxygen occasioned by respiration, combustion, fer- mentation, putrefaction, and numerous other processes which have a tendency to contam- inate this fluid, so essential to the vigor and comfort of animal life; so that, in this way, by the agency of light, a due equilibrium is always maintained between the constituent parts of the atmosphere." It will be seen by the above account, that the blue rays contribute very greatly to the growth of plants. This is demonstrated by numerous and definite and well authenti- cated experiments. Judging from these re- sults, if we place such plants as we desire to cultivate, under glass — as in hot-houses, •SiC, — under such glasses as have a blue tinge, we may propagate them more rapidly, certainly, and productively, than in the usual manner. Hot-houses, &c., ought, therefore, to be glazed with blue glass, or else with glass that has been painted blue. If the glass is painted blue, care should be taken that the coat of paint should not be so thick as to entirely exclude the rays of light. A slight coat of very dark blue paint on the common hot-house glass, will, in all proba- bility, be sufficient. The use of blue glass, or common glass, painted blue, will, if used with good taste, add materially to the beauty of a building in which exotic plants are cultivated, as many varieties of blue are admired by most persons. A thin dark blue curtain arranged between flower plants and the direct rays of the sun, would perhaps have a favourable effect on their growth. This could easily be done where the plants are grown in parlour win- dows, &c. I recommend our florists and others to try these experiments, and give the results to the public. I have no doubt of their success. Chemico. For the Farmers' Cabinet. Gentle Words. I HAVE observed that the editor of the Cabinet is not unfriendly to the outpourings of the "Nine," but loves to give his readers occasionally a taste of good poetry. I know not who is the author of the following stan- zas— of the first three, I mean. I like the sentiment conveyed in them, but they ap- peared to me incomplete — the chain of ideas was not extended to embrace the most im- portant link. I have ventured to add a fourth stanza to supply the deficiency — and I make this acknowledgment, that the author, who- ever he may be, may not stand obnoxious to the charge of having perpetrated such an offence against the Muses. A. A young rose in summer time Is beautiful to me. And glorious the many stars That glimmer on the sea: But gentle words and loving hearts And hands to clasp my own, Are better than the fairest flowers Or stars that ever shone. The sun may warm the grass to life, The dew, the drooping flower. And eyes grow bright and watch the light Of autumn's opening hour — But words that breathe of teudernesi. And smiles we know are true, Are warmer than the summer time. And brighter than the dew. It is not much the world can give With all its subtle art, And gold and gems are not the things To satisfy the heart ; But oh, if those who cluster round The altar and the hearth. Have gentle words and loving smiles, How beautiful is earth! And brighter still, if gentle words Are whispered in the breast. By Him whose healing balm can give The burthen'd spirit rest. Than gold or gems, or earthly friends. More precious far are they; — O then for these all-soothing tones, Let's listen, day by day. Gardening on the Bosphorns. The follawing notes on the state of Hor- ticulture around Constantinople, were not written for publication ; but as they possess much interest, we take the liberty to copy them, knov/ing that they will be read with much gratification. Messrs. Hovey & Co. have forwarded the writer some of the finest kinds of American pears, apples, and peach- es; and we have no doubt but their intro- duction into the sultan's garden will be the means of extending their cultivation into all the finer gardens on the Bosphorus, — and the Baldwin and Northern Spy apple be better known than even in the gardens of some of tiie highly civilized portions of Europe. — Ed. Hovey's Magazine. "The sultan, a most amiable and gener- ous person, has an extensive garden attached to his winter palace on the European side of the Bosphorus, as yet but new ; and I wish No. 7. 0?i the Blight of the Pear Tree. 203 to furnish it with a few of our American trees, among which I have thought of a few sugar maples, — such as we make sugar from in Ohio, — hickory, (shell-bark, &c.), and our black walnut (fir), — tiiere is abund- ance of what is called the white or English walnut here (regia), — oak, magnolia (that flowers), — I have seen the latter in Ohio, where it is much colder than here, — beech, tulip-tree, sassafras, catalpa, cranberry, &,c. All of these, I believe, are wholly unknown here. The poplar, elm, persimmon, horse- chestnut, scrub-green oak, linden, and the usual fruit trees, (none of them very good,) are abundant, and, in thevvoods, tiie arbutus is common and very pretty. "I may mention, that the climate here is very mild. There are snows during our winter, which commences in January and ends in April; but they last but a day or so, and soon melt away. The atmosphere dur- ing the winter and spring is very damp and chilly, and fires are indispensable. We have no good apples about here, near; but the cherries, plums, (large as hen's eggs, red, blue, and white,) and pears are good; so are the peaches; but neither of the two last are to be compared to ours of the United States. Of course, the grapes are excellent, — gene- rally of a large white kind called Tehauch grapes; the large blue are also good, but too fleshy. Figs are also good, but not so abund- ant as in Smyrna. Almonds grow well here, English walnuts, filberts, chesnuts, — large but not very sweet, — and large strawberries in abundance. Medlars and persimmons grow here ; the latter are from Trebizonde on the Black Sea, and here bear the name of Trebizonde dates. Among the garden orna- mental trees, I may mention the acacia, of two kinds, — the one bearing small yellow flowers of a strong rich odor, and the other producing a light-red flower, like a floss of silk, and is called by the Turks ' Gul Ibra- sAim,' or, the 'Rose-silk tassel tree.' The Turks have much taste for flowers, and their summer-houses are much ornamented about the steps with choice flowers in pots, and their gardens look beautiful to the passer-by. JVIy office of interpreter to the legation leads me frequently to these summer retreats, and I cnnnot tell you how much I admire the taste shown for natural embellishments by those whom the world regards as scarcely half civilized. " I was last autumn at Erzeroom, not far from the Persian frontier, where I procured a few flower-seeds, among which is the 'Morina Orientalis,' peculiar to that place, and named, by the French traveller Tourne- fort, after a friend in Paris. I havesentsome of the seeds to the American Oriental So- ciety, of your city, of which I am a member, for the Horticultural Society. I have some fruit kernels, and other seeds, which I will send you from Smyrna, with a few of this same Morina, and I beg you to try it. The cli- mate of Erzeroom is cold, and the soil, where it grows, poor and s*ony; and on that side near its base, there is a beautifiil crimson flower, the stalk about two feet and a half high. It is an annual. I will try and pro- cure for you some cherry seeds from Ceras- sum, the country on the shores of the Black Sea, from which place cherries are said to have their origin. I do not hope to furnish you with any thing belter than you already possess, but to give you some varieties. Yours, J. P. B., Legation of the United Stales of America, Constantinople, Oct. 8. 1847. On the Blight of the Pear Tree. It seems to have been taken for granted, by many persons, that the pear tree is sub- ject only to one kind of blight Hence have arisen the conflicting theories and specula- tions that have been published on this sub- ject. Having no theory to maintain, and no speculations to offer, but such as are founded on facts, I propose to show that insect-blight is a disease distinct from Jire-blig ht and fro- zen sap-blight. By the term insect-blight, as here used, must be understood the sudden withering of the leaves, and the death of the limbs of the pear tree in summer, occasioned by the in- ternal attacks of one or more of the insects, called Scolylus Pyri by Professor Peck. This kind of blight is common in New-Eng- land; but it does not appear to exist, or to have been observed, in the western states, where, however, blights of the pear tree, somewhat similar in progress, and equally fatal in termination, prevail more or less every year. Blights, which are not the re- sult of insect attacks, inasmuch as insects have never been detected in the blighted limbs, occasionally afl^ect pear trees in New England. Some of my own trees have been thereby destroyed ; and the most careful ex- amination has failed to disclose any trace of insect depredation in them. On the other hand, numerous opportunities for seeing the effects of insect blight, and of dissecting specimens of Scolytus Pyri from the blight- ed limbs, enable me to declare confidently that the diseases are specifically distinct from each other; as much so as small-pox and measles. It is not my purpose to discuss the question, whether fire-blight and fozen sap- blight, or winter-blight, be identical ; the contrast between them and insect-blight be- ing what is now to be attempted. 204 On the Blight of the Pear Tree. Vol. XII. The effects of insect-blight begin to appear in June, and continue through July ; but the foundation of the disease may be traced to the operations of the parent insect during the previous summer. If all the limbs that were killed by innsect-blight in the summer of 1847, could have been examined during the latter part of the summer of 1846, there would have been found insects in them, in the larva or grub state, eating their way from the buds, where the eggs were deposited, in- wards, through the bark and sap wood. These insects continued the work of destruction till the following spring, when they were trans- formed to beetles, and finally came forth from their burrows. The insects, therefore, preceded the appearance of the disease near- ly a twelvemonth; from which follows the inevitable conclusion, that the blight of the limbs was the natural consequence of their previous attacks. To suppose that the female Scolytus Pyri, by anticipation, deposits her eggs only on those limbs which are to become affected by fire-blight, or by frozen sap-blight, is un- warrantable ; because none of these insects have been found in limbs that have perished by these kinds of blight, and consequently none could have existed in them during the previous summer. Hence, it follows that these blights are not caused by the attacks of Scolytus Pyri. Observation sufficiently proves that this insect attacks young and thrifty trees, ex- hibiting no visible signs of disease or decay. As the young Scolytus is found in limbs that were apparently in a thrifty state during the previous summer, the parent insect, though not indued with the power to foresee frozen sap-blight during the following winter, or fire-blight the next summer, must have had some instinctive perception of the nature and actual condition of the tree on which she deposited her eggs; and, in performing this act, she would not have been left to blind chance. As the Scolytus lays her eggs on sound and thrifly limbs, it follows that she does so from choice; and, hence, it is fair to conclude that she would not voluntarily lay her eggs on unhealthy or diseased limbs, so long as she could find those that were heal- thy. Therefore, the opinion is untenable that the insects, found within the diseased limbs of the pear tree, are not the cause of the disease, but that they are attracted thither by the previous existence of the disease. It should be remembered that the Scolytus Pyri requires a year, or thereabouts, to com- plete its transformations. In those limbs that perished by insect-blight in the summer of J847, the seeds of the fatal disease were sown by the parent Scolytus, in the summer of 1846. Those limbs that perished by fire- blight during the last summer, according to the theory of Mr. Cox and Mr. Ernst, must have been sun-struck during the same sum- mer. Those limbs that perished by frozen sap-blight, according to the theory of Mr. Beecher, had their death blow dealt to them during the previous winter. If the theories advanced by the above named gentlemen be correct, as to the time of attack, the specific difference in these three cases of disease is obvious. The occurrence of the insects in limbs destroyed by fire-blight, or frozen sap- blight, would be an exception to the natural order of things. But, even on the nnproven and unnatural supposition that insect-blight might, for a time, coexist with other blights, it is evident that the attack of the insects must have preceded the disease. Insect- blight, therefore, differs essentially and spe- cifically from fire-blight and frozen sap- blight, in origin and duration. "What can we reason but from what we know." Had the history of the Scolytus Pyri been well known and duly considered, the blight produced by the attacks of the insect would never have been mistaken for fire-blight, or frozen sap-blight. The mistake has arisen from taking too much for granted, and from not considering the possibility or probability that diseases, having some symptoms in common, and alike ending fatally, might be really and essentially distinct from each other. It may not be generally known that ap- ple, apricot and plum trees are attacked by the Scolytus Pyri, though less frequently than pear trees. In the latter part of May, 1843, a piece of the limb of an apple tree, affected by the Scolytus, was brought to me for examination. It was twenty-eight inches in length, and three quarters of an inch in diameter at the lower end. Its surface bore the marks of twenty buds — thirteen of which were perforated by the insects ; and, from the burrows within, I took twelve of the blight-beetles in a living state; the thir- teenth having previously been cut out. In July, 1844, I took one of these beetles on a plum tree; and, in August following, I found a large number of them in some pieces of a blighted branch of the apricot. To check the increase of this kind of in- sect-blight, it is not enough to cut off the infected limbs. The insects contained in these limbs must be destroyed; for, if they are suffered to make their escape, they will certainly continue to propagate the disease. To make sure of the destruction of the in- sects, every limb affected by them should be No. 7. Cranhernes. — Open and Under Draining. 205 cut off and immediately burned, as soon as the existence of the disease is discovered. Thaddeus Wm. Harris. I am, dear sir, yours very truly, Cambridge, Mass., Jan. 7, 1848. Cranberries. The experiment of Capt. Winthrop Low of Essex, is one of great interest. It esta- blishes the fact, so far as it can be done in one year, that cranberries may be raised in perfection, upon a dry upland soil, without artificial watering or the use of loam. The soil selected by Capt. Low was, most of it a sandy loam. It was perfect Indian corn land. The soil is porous, and would not re- lain water even if the ground were level. But it must be remembered, that in no part of the field can the water stand so as to keep the roots saturated any considerable time to- gether. A small rill of water indeed passes through the field, but confined to a width not exceeding five feet, and usually not more than one foot. As evidence of the completely upland na- ture of the soil, it may be stated that a row of white beans was planted between every two of cranberry vines, and although it has not been a good year for white beans, Capt. Low has harvested nine bushels from the one hundred and twenty rods, a fact, show- ing also, that the land is not lost to the cul- tivator even the first year, indeed that the bean crop has defrayed a large part of the expense. The cranberry vines had put out runners in many cases from three to four feet long, and have all the marks and numbers of health and vigour. Sand was applied to about one half of the hills, but without any apparent advantage whatever. The attention of the committee was called particularly to this fact, because the experiments in Barnstable county seem to have been all made with sand, and it is there thought and declared to be indispensable. There was no artificial watering. The cranberry sods were taken up, as appears by the statement below, on the 15th of May, and set out on the 16th, 18th and 19th. There was in that month (May) but two and seven-eights inches of rain. It could not have been the presence of water then, that caused every root without a single failure to live, and nearly every one to produce ber- ries. It should be borne in mind, however, by way of caution, that there has been more wet weather during the last six months, than the average of tiie previous four years, or indeed any of them. The whole quantity during the months of May, June, July, Au- gust, September and October last, is 25 3-4 inches; while during the same months in 1846, there was but 15 7-8 inches ; though in 1845 the quantity was as great as this year, wanting 2 1-2 mches. It should be recollected too, that this is the first year, and what the effect of the winter will be without the indispensable presence of water, as the Yarmouth Register would say, remains to be seen. At present the vines flourish like a green bay tree, and this, per- haps, is enough for the committee to say. The fact that the roots could be taken drip- ping from their native meadow bed, on the 15th day of May, put into a cornfield soil, and then with nothing but the rain of hea- ven upon them, in five short months to take root downward, and bear fruit upward, is most extraordinary. — Mass. Ploughman. For the Farmers' Cabinet, Agricaltural Society of Newcastle County, Del., Hares Corner, Exhibition Groand, October 15th, 1847. To the Committee on Open and Under Draining : Gentlemen, — Draining is a subject of great importance to the agriculturists of this State, of which no notice has hitherto been taken by this Society. There is no State in the Union, except it may be Louisi- ana, in which more draining has been done, or where it has been attended with greater success than in Delaware. A great portion of the eastern, or Delaware front, of New- castle county, from Naaman's Creek to Bom- bayhook, was formerly marsh, which has been reclaimed by embankments at great cost. These embankments are in some in- stances full twenty-four feet wide at the base, and six to eight feet high, sloping from the river side at least a foot and a half to one foot in height, and about one foot to one and a half on the land or inside; leaving the top about four feet wide. The earth for the con- struction of these embankments is generally taken from the outside, from ditches or pits cut perpendicular to the embankments — of length and depth, so as to afford a sufficient quantity of earth for that purpose. Great precaution must be taken when first locating these embankments, to set them sufficiently back from the river, that the growing reed may be a protection against the storms. Where they are exposed to the beating surf, they must be protected by heavy stone walls. Sluices of masonry or wood, of a capacity to vent all back water, should be constructed previously to putting up the outside embank- ments; and EG ought the leading drains or 206 Open and Under Draining. Vol. XIL main open ditches. Several thousand acres of prime meadow now in good condition, are being grazed with fat cattle for the sham- bles of Wilmington, Philadelphia and New York. Besides which many dairies for milk, butter, and cream for the ice-cream saloons of Wilmington, Philadelphia and Baltimore. These meadows when thus improved, sell from 20 to $200 per acre, according to qua- lity and facility for reaching market. For grazing purposes they are particularly well adapted. I was informed by John Ball, for- merly an agent of Martin Dubbs, late of Philadelphia, that they fed twenty-four bul- locks on only twenty-five acres on the St. George's meadows, near Port Penn, which cattle cost §40 and sold for i^90 when fat, netting near $50 clear profit to the acre. The neatest and best arranged of these marsh farms that I have seen for a long time, was Long Island, owned and occupied then by John Barney, late of Philadelphia. It was then far more beautiful and profitably cul- tivated than was ever that of Blannerhassett, (situated as it is at the head of the broad and beautiful bay of Delaware, where in the hot- test day of summer a sea breeze can always be enjoyed,) in the most palmy days of its proprietor. There is much other marsh yet in its wild state on Appoquinnimink, Black Bird, and Duck Creeks, in Newcastle, as well as on the creeks in the lower counties of Kent and Sussex, that might be equally well improved and profitably employed. The nu- merous steamboats now plying on the bay and inlets, add greatly to the advantages ot marsh owners, as well as to the upland owner, as a quick, safe and cheap mode of conveying their several products to mar ket. In Kent and Sussex, besides some well improved river marsh meadows on the creeks leading up from the river, the western bor- der of the State has much flat land, that has been brought into profitable cultivation by open ditches of great extent. This drain- ing both in the interior and on the Delaware front of the State, is done by chartered com panies. In one of these, — (the Marsh Hope, or Tappahanock, I am not sure which, com- panies;)— the ditch is near twenty miles long, varying in width from six to twenty four feet, and from two feet at the upper part to sufficient depth to vent the water. These lands when once well drained, are equal in fertility with the lands of the great Ameri- can bottom of Illinois, the Eldorado of the West, and are as well adapted to the growth of corn, rye, grass, &c. I was shown a field near the village of Vernon, a few weeks since, which my informant, Mr. Thorp, told me had been in corn for more than twenty years in succession without being manured, and was then supposed by some to yield fifty bushels of corn to the acre. His Excellency Gov. Thorp informed me, that he had ga- thered ninety-six bushels of corn from an acre of his meadows, which is pretty much the same quality as many of those reclaimed flat lands. The draining of these lands adds much to the beauty and health of the coun- try and neighbourhood in which they lay, as well as to their wealth. Within a few years, many farmers of Newcastle county, have greatly beautified and increased the value of their lands, by under-draining. Amongst the most prominent that have come under my observation and notice, are Arley Lore of Ap- poquinnimink, W. J. Hurlock, Major Rey- bold. Dr. C. Noble, D. Veasey, J. L. Clay- ton, John Gregg and Bryan Jackson. Be- sides these, many others of whom I have no knowledge, have also availed themselves of this mode of improving their wet lands. The most extensive and perfect experi- ment that has come under my notice, and to which I wish to call your attention particu- larly, is that of Bryan Jackson, who has some 4 or 5000 feet of perfect miry unsightly bog beautifully reclaimed. The process which he adopted was first to open a main and open ditch through or near the centre of the low lands, designed to be reclaimed, some four or • six feet wide, and two to three feet deep, or of sufficient width and depth to carry off all rain and other surplus water. Into which open or main drain all his under-drains lead. The covered drains are started at the lowest part of the land designed to be drained by this process, at the main ditch, running per- pendicular thereto, and extending as far into the fast land as to head off' the springs; then following up the fast land in a general di- rection, parellel with the main open drain, taking care to head all springs carrying the bottom of the main covered land drain to a depth as nearly level with the bottom, of the main open drain, as to give a gradual descent — the slower the better so as to lead off all spring water. To lead off the water from the main covered or land drain, he has cut cross drains, from it to the open main drain, in a direction somewhat down stream, and at dis- tances from each other sufficiently to com- pletely drain the land. Some parts of the main covered drain on either side of the cripple, was cut full five feet deep. The drains were form- ed as far as I saw them, by three boards, one of which was laid flat on the bottom ; the other two, after being cut so as to fit, are placed on their edges and brought together at the top, forming a triangular drain. The No. 7. Suggestions on the Use of Manures. 207 top boards of the lowest part of these drains, were near two feet below the surface. The whole of this work appears to have been done very similar to the plan laid down in Stephens' Book of the Farm, as now be- ing republished in Skinner's Farmer's Li- brary. By this mode of improvement in a few short months, an unsightly, and other- wise useless and unhealthy bog is reclaimed, the land cleared off and ploughed, and now the wheat is growing most luxuriantly. Re- cently, hollow tiles for under-drains have been used by some, and they bid fair to come into general use. They are about twelve or thirteen inches long. They are made in Cecil county on the farm of David Taylor, and sold at $11 per thousand. Mr. Taylor, who is a neighbour of mine, and lives on the Maryland side of Mason and Dixon's line, has several thousand feet of drain made with those tiles. Tiles for the purpose of drain- ing are made in Wilmington, I think by W. Lovel. The cost of under-draining sunk sufficiently below the reach of the plough, say eighteen inches, costs 25 cts. per rod, exclusive of materials, whether of tile or plank. From all that I have seen of draining, I think Bryan Jackson's is the best done, and if others think so, he will be deservedly en- titled to the premium. This is a subject which I think of great importance to the people of this state. Every acre of waste land that can be and is so re- claimed, is just so many acres added to our territory; and besides this, it adds to the beauty, health and wealth of the state. Respectfully and truly yours, J. Jones. Communicated for the Farmers' Cabinet. Su^estious which may assist in decid- ing whether Manures are more effica- cious Avhen "ploughed in," or used as a "top-dressing." By Dr. Hare, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry in the University of Pennsylvania. Communicated verbally, at a meeting of the Philadelphia Society Jor promoting Ag- riculture, on the 2n(l inst. It has been a question whether manures are prone to rise or descend, and consequent- ly whether it be better to employ them as a top-dressing, or to turn them under the soil by the plough. Before discussing this ques- tion, it would seem expedient to consider the meaning of the word manure, originally derived from manus, which is the Latin word for the hand. Evidently the word manure may mean anything which the hand of man may so associate with a soil as to increase its fertility. Compounds, or aggregates, which have this qualification, owe their effi- ciency either to ingredients which they con- tain, or to products which they generate by fermentation, by a gradual union with the oxygen of the air, or reaction with other bodies previously existing in the soil or the atmosphere. The gradual union with the atmospheric oxygen is also called oxidation, slow combustion, or eremacausis ; the last mentioned name has lately been given by Liebig, from Greek words of similar import. The word rotting, is ordinarily applied to the changes thus more scientifically desig- nated. Among the results of the processes thus alluded to, are various carbonaceous products called mould, or more scientifically, humus or geine, with certain acids alleged to result from the latter. There also results ammonia and carbonic acid, which having a great tendency to combine with each other, are usually united, forming, of course, car- bonate of ammonia: add to these sulphates, carbonates, and phosphates, either of potash, soda, lime, or magnesia, with free silicic acid, exemplified in its perfectly pure state by rock crystal : oxides of iron likewise are universally present, and together with char- coal, may contribute to fertility by attract- ing ammonia. Surely no chemist can, in allusion to this list of reagents, conceive them all, or any one of them, as prone invariably either to rise into the air or to descend into the soil. Either carbonic acid or ammonia, when free, would escape into the air, and when united as a carbonate, are still vola- tile. Yet either may be mixed or combined with the other ingredients of the congeries called earth. Ammonia especially unites with the aluminous or clayey portion into which it is carried by rain. Carbonic acid combines with water, and so does sulphuric acid. But whether united with water only, or with various bases, as, for instance, those of soda, potash, or lime, either are more or less soluble, and must tend to descend with water, unless arrested by absorption or de- composition. The earthy manure, such as slaked lime, carbonate of lime, phosphate of lime, silex and silicates, form a part of the soil, and of course are not likely to descend or to rise, their reciprocal coherence being much more powerful than any counteracting nfluence arising from difi^erence of specific gravity, causing one to subside relatively to another. Enough has been said to show, that both ammonia and carbonic acid are less liable to be lost when liberated under a covering of moist earth, the clay of which has an affinity for ammonia, while the water attracts both. \ 208 Feeding Stock. Vol. XII. Circumstances, however, must greatly vary the consequences of using manure as a top-dressing. The volatile portion, for which alone a covering of soil is desirable, arises, as above stated, from rotting, or ere- macausis; and these changes take place more rapidly in proportion as heat and a due degree of moisture are supplied. Hence it follows, that during winter volatile pro- ducts cannot be generated. Moreover, a top-dressing in winter may lie so long with- out losing any part of its virtue by ferment- ation, that by rains and alternate freezing and thawing, much of any manure consist- ing of dung, may be broken up; and impelled by the rain and its own gravity, may subside into fissures made by the frost, so that, when the warmth of the spring and summer sun comes to act upon the ground, the volatile matter may be yielded without so much ex- posure as to permit of its being carried away by the wind. But again, diversity of inclination may cause the result to vary, as respects differ- ent fields. A hill side being frozen, the rain may carry off from it the manure by a mechanical force which, upon a horizontal plain also frozen, would not have this effect. The soluble portions of a manure would like- wise be more liable to be washed away from the former than from the latter. I have adverted to the fact, that a due de- gree of moisture is requisite to the processes of decomposition, by which some of the most fertilizing products of manure are generated. Moisture is almost invariably indispensable to fermentation, as well as any other process of organic decay or decomposition. There is no such thing as an absolutely " dry rot.'''' Well seasoned timber, in buildings where it is kept perfectly dry, lasts for ages. It is equally well known, that under water, wood has an unlimited durability. Of course a very moist, or a very dry season, must check the fertilizing emanations from manure. In consequence of the difference of cli- mate, it must be evident that a winter top- dressing is not likely to answer equally well in different latitudes, even when other things are equal. Of course it will always be a question, how far the expense of ploughing and har- rowing can be compensated by the greater efficacy which may arise from the soil being turned over the manure. It is obvious that the value of the sod is an important con- sideration where an old pasture is in ques- tion. Agreeably to Liebig's recent views, as stated by Professor Horsford in a letter to Dr. Webster, the inorganic part of manure is that which is mainly important; so that the ashes of a load of dung would be as fer- tilizing as the whole, when spread upon the ground in its natural state. This seems to me an ultra doctrine, though I lean to his view of the subject. But if that view be correct, the volatile portions of manure being of secondary importance, there can be little motive for ploughing it under in order to prevent volatilization. Feeding Stock. A MAN who was noted for the excellence of his working oxen, once observed to the writer that he could seldom hire a man who was " fit to drive a yoke of good oxen to water." We think it is quite as difficult to find a man who is capable o^ feeding cattle or stock in a proper manner. There is generally a great deal of unnecessary waste. Some men will carry stock through the winter with half the quantity of hay or fodder that others will use, and yet the stock which has con- sumed least, will come out in the best order. To feed economically, the animal should have just the quantity he requires and no more — none should be given to be trampled under foot and left, unless it is intended for manure, without being first eaten. It is best, generally, to feed under cover, in clean mangers; though in dry weather coarse fod- der, or that 0: an inferior quality, may be fed in mangers in the barn-yard, or on dry hard ground, or clean, hard snow. Coarse hay, clover and timothy (herd grass,) and corn stocks, had better be passed through a cutting machine, and if some bran, shorts, or a little meal can be added, the improved quality of the whole will render it much better relished by the animals, and they will, in their increased flesh or milk, repay the cost. A good food for work-horses or oxen, is cut hay, with from three to six quarts of corn meal per day — regulating the quantity according to the degree of labour to be per- formed. Oats and corn ground together make a good provender. Moisten the hay, and mix the meal with it. If the labour is not severe, two quarts of meal with the hay, and the addition of a peck of carrots per day, will keep the horse in good condition. The carrots are good for the blood, and will im- prove the horse's health. Carrots are also valuable for milch cows — increasing the quantity and improving the quality of the milk. — Exchange paper. During the month of December 5339 tons of ice were exported from Boston, of which 1782 tons were exported to foreign ports, and the balance to New Orleans and Mobile. No. 7. Profits of Fiuit Culture. 209 From the Horticulturist. Profits of Fruit Culture. Having seen in a. late number of the Hor ticulturist, an account of a cherry tree that produced ten dollars worth of fruit in one season, permit me to give a chapter of facts on fruits, most of which are within my own personal knowledge. C. A. Cable, of Cleveland, has an orchard of an hundred cherry trees, now twenty-two years old. In the year 1845, his crop sold for upwards of one thousand dollars. Mr. C. manages his orchard better than any other person in the Union, so far as my knowledge extends. The trees are planted out twenty-five feet apart, tlie ground kept properly enriched and cultivated, but no crop is put in. Elisha Swai7i, of Darby, near Philadel- phia, has the remains of a cherry orchard, numbering seventy trees, mostly of the Mayduke variety. In the height of the season, his sales amount to upwards of $80 per day. Mr. S., to ensure a good crop every season, digs in a horse-cart load of manure to each tree in autumn. Hill Pennell, of Darby, has twenty apple trees, of the early Redstreak and Early Queen varieties, that stand on half an acre of ground. In 1846 these trees produced three hundred bushels of fruit, that sold in Philadelphia market for 75 cents per bushel, or .S225 for the crop. Mr. Pennell has a grape vine of the Rac- coon [Fox grape] variety, that covers the tops of fourteen apple trees. It has never been pruned, but produces 75 bushels of grapes yearly, that sell for $1 per bushel. The apple trees produce good crops of fruit, and under the trees is produced a crop of grass; thus making three crops from one lot of ground. James Laws, of Philadelphia, has a Wash- ington plum tree, that produces six bushels of fruit yearly, that would sell in market for ten dollars per bushel. Five of the above plums weigh a pound. Mr. Laws has a small vineyard of Isabella and Catawba grapes, near Chester, sixteen miles below Philadelphia, three-eighths of an acre of which came into bearing in 1845. The sales amounted to three hundred dollars at eight cents per pound, or at the rate of eight hundred dollars per acre from vines only four years old. Brinton Darlington, of West Ciiester, Pa., has a Catawba grape vine, that pro- duces ten bushels of grapes yearly. This crop is worth $40 at market price. Jacob Steinmelz, of Philadelphia, has a Blue Gage plum tree, that produces ten. bushels of fruit in a season, worth in mar- ket, i30. My friend, Ellwcod Harvey, Chaddsford, Pa., the present season, gathered thirteen quarts of gooseberries from one plant. A gardener near Philadelphia, has two rows of gooseberry plants one hundred and fifty feet long. One afternoon he gathered with his own hands, six bushels of fruit, and the next morning sold them in Philadelphia market for $24. A gentleman of Philadelphia having two apricot trees that produced more fruit than his family could consume, concluded to send the balance to market, and expend the mo- ney it would bring in purchasing wood for the poor. The amount thus sold for the benefit of the poor was $40. Judge Line, of Carlisle, Pa., has had two Syrian apricot trees that have produced five bushels to each tree in a season. In the Philadelphia market, they would have com- manded $120, in the New York market, $140. Hugh Hatch, of Camden, N. J., has four Tewksbury Winter Blush apple trees, that in 1846 produced one hundred and forty market baskets of apples. Without any extra care, ninety baskets of these were on hand late in the spring of 1847, when they readily sold at $1 per basket. The following facts relative to fruit grow- ing near the North river, I have never seen published. Three years ago, Mr. Charles Downing, of Newburgh, N. Y., informed me that a fruit grower of his acquaintance in Fishkill Landing, N. Y., had gathered fifteen barrels of Lady apples from one tree, and sold them in New York for $45. The same gentleman you speak of, in your Fruits and Fruit Trees of America, as having sent to New York sixteen hundred bushels of plums in one season, has sent to New York apricots and received $14 per bushel for them. The above gentleman has often said that his plum trees, which are set out about the buildings, and take up but little room, pay him more profit than the whole of his valuable farm of two hundred acres. Another fruit grower in your neighbourhood, has sent four hun- dred bushels of Frost Gage plums to market in one season, and received $1200 for them. Yet with all these facts before us, there is no full supply of any kind of fruit in the Philadelphia market, except peaches. Many farmers and gardeners neglect setting out fruit trees from a natural negligence; others dislike to pay fifty cents for a fine plum tree; others again are afraid that every body will go to fruit growing, and bring down the price to almost nothing. But we would ask, if there is any more danger of everybody com- 210 Chinese Agricultural Population. — Floors of Poi'iicos. Vol. XII. mencing on a large scale the culture of fruit, than there is that everybody will commence the raising of onions, or the making of razor strops, or the cultivation of roses? Yours, etc., B. G. Boswell. Pliiladelphia. Chinese Agricultural Population. There are fevi' sights more pleasing than a Chinese family in the interior, engaged in gathering the tea leaves, or indeed in any of their other agricultural pursuits. There is the old man, patriarch-like, directing his de- scendants, many of whom are in their youth and prime, while others are in their child- hood, in the labours of the field. He stands in the midst of them, bowed down with age. But to the honour of the Chinese, as a na- tion, he is always looked up to by all with pride and affection, and his old age and grey hairs are honoured, revered and loved. When, after the labours of the day are over, they re- turn to their humble and happy homes, their fare consists principally of rice, fish and ve- getables, which they enjoy with great zest, and are happy and contented. I really be- lieve that there is no country in the world, where the agricultural population are better off than they are in the north of China. La- bour with them is a pleasure, for its fruits are eaten by themselves, and the rod of the op- pressor is unfelt and unknown. I was one day travelling amongst the hills in the interior of the island of Amoy, in places where I suppose no Englishman had ever been before. The day was fine, and the whole of the agricultural laborers were at work in the fields. When they first savv- me, they seemed much excited, and from their gestures and language, I was almost inclined to think them hostile. From every hill and valley, they cried, " Wyloe-san-pan- fokie,'''' that is, "Be oft' to your boat, friend;" but on former occasions I had always found that the best plan was to put a bold face on the matter, and walk in amongst them, and then try to get them into good humor. In this instance the plan succeeded admirably; we were in a few minutes excellent friends, the boys were running in all directions ga- thering plants tor my specimen box, and the old men were offering me their bamboo pipes to smoke. As I got a little nearer to the village, however, their suspicions seemed to return, and they evidently would have been better pleased had I either remained where I was, or gone back again; this procedure did not suit my plans, and though they tried very hard to induce me to " wyhe" to my ^'■san-pan," it was of no use. They then pointed to the heavens, which were veryj black at the time, and told me it would soon be a thunderstorm — but even this did not succeed. As a last resource, when they found I was not to be turned out of my way, some of the little ones were sent on before to apprise the villagers of my approach, and when I reached the village every living thing, down even to the dogs and pigs, were out to have a peep at the " FoAie." I soon put them all, the dogs excepted — which have the true national antipathy to foreigners, — in the best possible humor, and at last they seemed in no hurry to get rid of me. One of the most respectable amongst them, seem- ingly the head man of the village, brought me some cakes and tea, which he politely offered me. I thanked him, and began to eat. The hundreds who now surrounded me were perfectly delighted; "He eats and drinks like ourselves," said one. "Look," said two or three behind me, who liad been examining the back part of my head, "look here, the stranger has no tail!" and then the whole crowd, women and children included, had to come round and see if it was really a fact that 1 had no tail. One of them, rather a dandy in his way, with a noble tail of his own plaited with silk, now came forward, and taking off" a kind of cloth which the na- tives wear here as a turban, and allowing his tail to fall gracefully over his shoulders, said to me in the most triumphant manner, "Look at that!" I acknowledged that it was very fine, and promised if he would allow me to cut it oft", I would wear it for his sake. He seemed very much disgusted at the idea of such a loss, and the others had a good laugh at him. — Fortune^s Wander- ings in China, For the Farmers' Cabinet. Floors of Porticos. Mr. Editor, — Will some of your scien- tific correspondents have the goodness to give information on the following subject, in which many of your readers are interested. Is there any substance or material, economi- cal and durable, that would answer to cover the floors of porticos and piazzas, so as to be impenetrable by water and unchanged by the action of the atmosphere. A floor of boards tongued and grooved is not so, as the boards, though dry when put on, will change, swell and shrink, with the changes of the weather. Further, it is ascertained by ex- perience, that the joints, after being puttied and painted, will, after a spell of wet wea- ther, close and force out the putty; and the joints, after the boards again shrink, will be left open for the admission of water at the first dashing rain, to the injury of the ceil» No. 7. Geography and History of the Apple. 211 ing underneath, or perhap.^ things in the cel- lar, which are often put under porticos. It is desirable to know some cheap material, which, if put on the board floor, would answer the object desired — imperviousness to water as well as durability'. Many substances have been suggested, yet not free from objections. Muslin or canvass spread over and well painted; — this, however, is considered too temporary. Tin or zinc have been suggested, but these would be too expensive when a large surface was to be covered, while at the same time they would be no effectual protection. Is there any form of caoutchouc that would answer the objects desired 7 If not, what else"! Will the chemist or the scientific give the information, for which many will be grateful 1 A Farmer. Chester co., January 25th, 1848. Geography and History of the Apple. The Pyrus malus, or some of its varieties, grows spontaneously in almost every part of the northern hemisphere, except in the tor- rid and frigid zones, and some of the islands in the ocean. It is found throughout west- ern Asia, China, Japan, North America, and in the north of Europe, as far as West Fin- land, in latitude 62°; in Sweden, in latitude 58° or 59°; and central Russia, to •55'' or 60°. The crab of Europe, however, is want- ing in Siberia, where its place is abundantly supplied by the P. m. prunifolia, and the P. m. baccata. In Britain, Ireland, and North America, the common apple-tree occurs wild, in hedges, and on the margins of woods. It is cultivated for its fruit, both in the tempe- rate and transition zones of both hemispheres, even in the southern parts of India, on the Himalayas, and in China and Japan. That the apple tree is a native of the east- ern part of the world, we have the authority of the earliest writers in "Holy Writ," as well as of the naturalists of ancient Greece and Rome. The prophet Joel, where he de- clares the destruction of the products of the earth, by a long drought, mentions the fruits which were held in high estimation, and among thom, he names the apple, "The vine is dried up, and the fig tree lan.***** ghall come into the land, and shall have plaTited all manner of trees;" neither by Hesiod nor Homer, although 212 Geography and History of the Apple. Vol. XII. forming a part of the subjects on which they wrote.* Whitaker, in his " History of Manches- ter," conjectures that the apple was brought into Britain by the first colonies of the na- tives, and by the Hsedui of Somersetshire in particular; hence Glastonbury was distin- guished by the title of "Avellonia" or apple orchard, previously to the arrival of the Ro- mans. Before the third century, this fruit had spread over the whole island, and so widely, that, according to Solinus, there were large plantations of it in the "Ultima Thule." The manufacture of wine from the apple, appears to have occurred in Norfolk, at the beginning of the thirteenth century; for it is stated by Bloomfield, that, in the sixth year of King John, (1205,) Robert de Evermere was found to hold his lordship of Redham and Stokesly, in Norfolk, by petty sergeantry, the annual payment of two hun- dred pearmains, and four hogsheads of wine of pearmains, into the exchequer, at the feast of St. Michael. The making of cider was introduced into Britain by the Normans, who, it is said, obtained the art from Spain, where it is no longer practised. This liquor is supposed to have been first known, how- ever, in Africa, from its being mentioned by the two African fathers, Tertullian and Au- gustine, and was introduced by the Cartha- genians into Biscay, a province unfriendly to the vine, on which account it became the substitute in other countries. Many of the better varieties of the apple were probably introduced into Britain from the continent, as the greater part of their names are either pure or corrupted French. Thus the "Nonpareil," according to old herbalists, was brought from France by a Jesuit, in the time of Queen Mary, and first planted in Oxfordshire. On the other hand, the celebrated " Golden Pippin" is consider- ed as of British origin ; and is noticed as such by French and Dutch authors. It is described by Du Hamel under the name of "Pomme d'or," "Reinette d' Angleterre," and " Grosse Reinette d' Angleterre." Pip- pins were probably very little known in England until towards the close of the six- teenth century. Fuller states that one Leon- ard Maschal, in the sixteenth year of the reign of Henry VHI., brought them from over sea, and planted them at Plumstead, in * The art of grafting, as well as tliat of pruning, has been ascribed to accidental origin. The occasional natural union or inarching of the boughs of distinct trees in the forests, is thought to have first suggested the idea of grafting; and the more vigorous shooting of a vine, after a goat had broused on it, is said to have given rise to the practice of pruning. Sussex. They were called pippins, because the trees were raised from the pips or seeds, and bore the apples which gave them celeb- rity, without grafting. The fine cider orchards of Herefordshire began to be planted in the reign of Charles I. The adaptation of the trees to the soil was soon discovered, and they spread over the face of the whole country. The cider counties of England lie something in the form of a horse-shoe, round the Bristol chan- nel, the best of which are in Worcester and Hereford, on the north of the channel, and Somerset and Devon on the south. Of the varieties of the cider apples, the "Red- streak," and the "Sline," were formerly the most prized; and the cider of these apples, and the perry of the " Squash Pear," were celebrated throughout the kingdom. Some of the orchards occupy a space of forty or fifty acres, the produce of which is very fluc- tuating, and the growers seldom expect an abundant crop oftener than once in three years; and in a good year, an acre of or- chard will produce about six hundred bush- els of fruit. The introduction of the common apple tree into the North American colonies, dates back to the earliest periods of their settle- ments. In the middle, northern, and some of the western States, no branch of rural economy has been pursued with more zeal, and few have been attended with more suc- cessful and beneficial results, than the culti- vation of orchards. It was not undertaken on an extensive scale, however, until about the commencement of the present century, when experience had taught the hardy yeo- manry of the soil, that "the moderate use of cider, as a common beverage, was highly conducive to sound health and long life." It appears from Dodsley's London "Annual Register," that in the year 1768, the Society for promoting Arts, &c., at New York, award- ed a premium of £10 to Thomas Young, of Oyster Bay, for the largest nursery of apple trees, the number being 27,123. Between the years 1794 and 1808, Mr. William Coxe, of Burlington, New Jersey, enriched his lands in that vicinity with extensive or- chards, containing in t)ie aggregate several thousand trees, which occupied a space of seventy or eighty acres; and within and since that period, nuinerous other orchards have been planted in various parts of the country, equaling, and even surpassing them in extent. Among the largest, and perhaps the most select, are those of Mr. Robert L. Pell, of the county of Ulster, New York, which have been planted about twenty years, and are said to contain 20,000 trees. America, too, has given birth to several val- No. 7. On the Best Mode of Feeding Cattle. 213 uable varieties of apples, which enter ex- tensively both into her foreign as well as her domestic commerce, and are eagerly sought after in almost every civilized coun- try of the globe. The most celebrated, and unquestionably the best variety extant, for shipping and for winter use, is said to have been the spontaneous production from a seed, more than a century and a half ago, in New- town, on Long Island, near New York, and is well known by the name of " Newtown Pippin." The original tree stood on the es- tate owned at present by Mr. John J. Moore, of that town, and for a long time its fruit was called "Gershom Moore Pippin," in honour of its former proprietor. After en- during for more than one hundred years, it died, in about the year 1805, from excessive cutting and exhaustion. Its scions were in great request by all the principal amateurs and orchardists of the day, and engrafted trees of it are still to be met with in the neighbouring towns, which have stood be- yond the " memory of man."* It is to be regretted, however, that the trees bearing this excellent variety of fruit, in many parts of the country, begin to manifest symptoms of decline; and it is believed by many, that the period has arrived in which nature is to terminate their existence, and like their pa- rent stock, are about to pass into decrepitude and final decay. As the longevity of the apple tree is com- paratively limited, which is obvious from the perishable nature of its wood, there are but few very aged individuals to be met with, either in Europe or in America. The oldest trees of which we have received any ac- count, are said to be growing near Plymouth, in Massachusetts, and are represented as being upwards of two centuries old. An ancient tree of the "Pearmain" variety also stands on the Charter Oak place, in Hart- ford, Connecticut, which was brought from England by Mr. George Wyllys, previous to the year 1645, and consequently must be more than two hundred years of-age. Its trunk, though much decayed, still sends forth several thrifty boughs, which annually produce from two to three pecks of excellent fruit. On the authority of Dr. James Mease, of Philadelphia, there is a mammoth apple tree at Romney, in Virginia, which grew spon taneously from seed, and is estimated to be fifty years old. It has attained a height of forty-five feet, with a trunk more than a * On the estate of Mr. Gardner G. Rowland, Flushing, there are several old trees of this description which bear abundantly every other year, and are sup- posed to be one hundred years of age. yard in diameter, and a spread of branches of fifty-five feet. It is said to be in a flour- ishing condition, and continues to increase in size. In 1835, it produced 180 bushels of large fruit, besides four or five bushels left under its boughs as damaged, and seve- ral bushels, which, it was calculated, had been taken by visitors, in the course of the season ; so that the total produce, in the opinion of Dr. Mease, amounted to nearly two hundred bushels. The greatest quantity of fruit borne on a single tree, in England, in one year, that we have heard of, is recorded in Dodsley's" An- nual Register," for 1777, It grew in the orchard of Mr, Hackman, of Littlefield, in Sussex, and produced 74 bushels of fruit, which, on being weighed, was found to ave- rage 14 pounds to each peck, and conse- quently the total product of the tree was nearly two tons. The largest recorded apple tree in Brit- ain, is at Herbert's farm, near Hereford, which, in 1836, was forty-eight feet in height, with a trunk five feet in diameter, and a spread of branches of forty-eight feet. —Broione's Trees of America. On the Best Mode of Feeding Cattle. BY PROFESSOR JOHNSTON. The following is the substance of a lec- ture delivered at Inverness, before the High- land Society of Scotland. After a few pre- liminary observations, the lecturer observed : As a cattle importing district, therefore, the extension of sound information in regard to the economical use of food, must be of the very greatest importance ; that is, in what way they could grow the greatest amount of beef or mutton at the least possible expense. This he was prepared to show was to be effected by the use of certain mixed food, and pre- pared food. An individual going from one end of the country to another to observe the state of agriculture, will look not merely at the kind of stock, but he will more particu- larly observe the implements of husbandry in use throughout the various districts. In order, therefore, to form an estimate of the degree of attention paid to this matter of pre- pared food in England, on his visit to New- castle, at the great cattle show recently held there, he turned his attention particularly to the examination of the implements exhibited, having a bearing upon this point. Amongst these he found chaff-cutters, a peculiar ma- chine for crushing corn and other seeds, and other instruments; all showing how much regard was being paid to this subject by practical men. There was no doubt but that the subject of the quantity of food which cattle require to produce a certain weight 214 Rules for Selecting Cattle. Vol. XII. of beef, was beginning to attract general at- tention; but before he entered upon the few points which he meant to notice in connexion with this question, perhaps it would be ne- cessary to explain shortly the general com- position of food. In all kinds of bread there were contained three different kinds of mat- ter. First of all, there was a certain quan- tity of fat, which the butter they ate repre- sented ; secondly, there was a certain amount of sugar ; and then there was besides, the third constituent, which was represented by the white of an egg. Now it was of the very greatest importance what description of food was used, and what proportion it con- tained of these three kinds of matter, as bearing upon the purpose it was mtended to serve. Cattle had in their bodies different kinds of matter, also, but particularly flesh and fat; and the farmer should be sufficiently acquainted with the nature of food, to be able to distinguish what he should use when he wished to produce fat, or when he wished to produce fat and lean both together; and the food which was given would effect the one or the other of these purposes, according to its composition. The white of an egg or albumen would supply nothing, or nearly so, to the animal but muscle. The fat went di- rectly to form fat. The starch in food kept the body warm, and when fat was wanted served the purpose of making the oily mat- ter more readily become fat in the body of the animal. Now, in fattening cattle, as in everything else, using the proper means produced the proper effects; and after the explanation which he had given, they would see at once that a mixture of food was better than the use of one kind alone. If they wanted to lay on muscle, they would feed with food containing the largest amount of gluten ; and if they wanted to lay on the fat, they would give starch and oily substances, and only a small proportion of the other ingredient. Se- lecting food in any other way would not serve the purpose they had in view in the most economical way. He had a table re- presenting the different proportions of fat in the food which they were in the habit of using; but he would illustrate what he had to say by a few simple illustrations. Wheat contained two per cent, of fat, and sometimes a little more; but oats contained sometimes from four to five per cent., or about double the amount which was to be found in wheat. •Oats were next to Indian corn in this re- spect, the latter of which they were aware contained a large amount of fat. Gluten .was the matter out of which the muscle was produced, and there was more of that sub- stance in the bean or the pea, than in the oat; but the oat was better than wheat. But there was another kind of food used for fat- tening cattle, namely, oil-cake, which con- tained a greater amount of fat than the same weight of any other kind of grain. Linseed, from which oil-cake is made, differed from other descriptions of grain, in containing a greater amount of fat, and a larger amount of gluten likewise, with the exception of the bean. Now, practical men have derived great advantage from feeding their cattle on oil seeds; that food, from the peculiarity of its composition, laying on fat and muscle at the same time. Oil-cake, however, was the best food only when the greatest amount of fat was required; and according to the purpose which they had in view, farmers would give their cattle other descriptions of food. It was u remarkable circumstance, that the bean and pea contained very little fat, and as the wheels of the animal system required to be greased, these kinds of grain would not serve for that purpose, although they contained what made muscle. Al- though be^ns and peas were good food, there- fore, they were not good as the sole food of animals. Besides, they would observe, that from their different constituents, plenty of oil seeds, and plenty of beans and peas, would be far more profitable than if they were to give either of them singly. That was the principle upon which the use of mixed food was founded — to give all the substances the animal required, and to give them at the cheapest rate ; and the researches of the scientific man were directed to discovering the means by which these objects could be best accomplished. He had selected oil seeds, but he might have taken potatoes or turnips for his illustration. — Amer. Jour, of Agriculture and Science. Rules for Selecting Cattle. In selecting cattle for feeding, their quali- ties may be in some measure known by ex- amining the hide, horns, &c. "It is well known that the grazier and the butcher judge of the aptitude that any aaimal has to fatten from the touch of the skin. When the hide feels soft and silky, it strongly in- dicates a tendency in the animal to take on meat; and it is evident that a fine and sofl skin must be more pliable, and more easily stretched out to receive any extraordinary quantity of flesh, than a thick or tough one. At the same time, thick hides are of great importance in various manufactures. Indeed, they are necessary in cold countries, where cattle are much exposed to the inclemency of the seasons; and, in the best breeds of Highland cattle, the skin is thick in propor- No. 7. Method of Ascertaining the Weight of Cattle. 215 tion to their size, without being so tough as to be prejudicial to their capacity of fatten- ing. It appears, from Columella's descrip- tion of the best kind of ox, that the ad vantage of a soft skin is not a new discovery, but was perfectly well known to the husbandmen of ancient Italy." These are the observations of Sir John Sinclair, who adds the following as a summary of good points to be attended to in choosing cattle. They should be — 1. Of a moderate size, unless where the food is of a nature peculiarly forcing; 2. Of a shape the most likely to yield profit to the farmer ; 3. Of a docile disposition, without being de- ficient in spirit ; 4. Hardy, and not liable to disease ; 5. Easily maintained, and on food not of a costly nature; 6. Arriving soon at maturity ; 7. Producing considerable quanti- ties of milk ; 8. Having flesh of an excellent quality ; 9. Having a tendency to take on fet; 10. Having a valuable hide; and, lastly, Calculated (should it be judged necessary) for working." It is thought best to begin to break-in oxen at three years old, and to give them full work at four. With respect to judging of cattle by their horns and teeth, we offer the following ob- servations from the " Cyclopedia of Practi- cal Husbandry, by Martin Doyle," (Rev. Mr. Hie key). " The ordinary guide for ascertaining the precise age of cattle is the horn, which is also indicative of the. breed ; at three years old (this is laid down as a rule) the horns are perfectly smooth, after this a ring ap- pears near the root, and annually afterwards a new circle, so that, by adding two years to the first ring, the age is calculated ; but the contributors to the volume so frequently quoted, have clearly shown that this is a very uncertain mode of judging; 'that the rings are only distinct in the cow ;' and that, ' if a heifer goes to the bull when she is two years old, or a little before or after that time, there is an immediate change in tiie horn, and the first ring appears, so that a real three-year old would carry the mark of a four years old.' ' In the bull they are either not seen until five, or they cannot be traced at all ;' nor in the ox do they 'appear until he is five years old, and they are often confused ;' be- sides, 'there is also an instrument called a rasp, which has been said to make many an arm ache a little before a large fair.' With- out any delusive intentions, however, an ugly set in the horns of young cattle is often remedied by filing a little off the sides of the tips opposite to the direction which it is de- sired that the horns should take. Some men have an antipathy to horns al together, and would even carry their dislike so far as to extiroate them from the brows of all their cattle ; they can indulge their taste by paring off the tops of the horns when they first break through the skin. Perhaps it is not generally known, that the larger the horn the thinner the skull. The age is indicated with unerring cer- tainty by the teeth, to those who have judg- ment and experience, until the animal reaches the age of six or seven; until two years old, no teeth are cast, at that age two new teeth are cut; at three, two more are cut ; and in the two succeeding years two in each year ; at five the mouth is said to be full, though not completely so until six, be- cause until that period the two corner teeth (ihe last in renewal) are not perfectly up. The front, or incisor teeth are those consi- dered, for a full grown beast has altogether thirty-two teeth." METHOD OF ASCERTAINING THE WEIGHT OF CATTLE WHILE LIVING. " This is of the utmost utility for all those who are not experienced judges by the eye, and by the following directions, the weight can be ascertained within a mere trifle: — Take a string, put it round the beast, stand- ing square, just behind the shoulder-blade; measure on a foot-rule the feet and inches the animal is in circumference ; this is called the girth; then, with the string, measure from the bone of the tail which plumbs the line with the hinder part of the buttock; di- rect the line along the back to the fore part of the shoulder-blade ; take the dimensions on the foot-rule as before, which is the length, and work the figures in the following manner: — Girth of the bullock, 6 feet 4 inches; length, 5 feet 3 inches ; which, mul- tiplied together, make 31 square superficial feet ; that again multiplied by 23 (the num- ber of pounds allowed to each superficial foot of cattle measuring less than 7 and more than 5 in girth), makes 713 pounds; and, allowing 14 pounds to the stone, is 50 stone 13 pounds. Where the animal mea- sures less than 9 and more than 7 feet in girth, 31 is the number of pounds to each superficial foot. Again, suppose a pig or any small beast should measure 2 feet in girth, and 2 feet along the back, which, mul- tiplied together, make 4 square feet; that multiplied by 11, the number of pounds al- lowed for each square foot of cattle measur- ing less than three feet in girth, makes 44 pounds; which, divided by 14, to bring it to stones, is 3 stone 2 pounds. Again, suppose a calf, a sheep, &c., should measure 4 feet 6 inches in girth, and 3 feet 9 inches in length, which, multiplied together, make 16^ square feet ; that multiplied by 16, the number of pounds allowed to all cattle mea- 216 Advice to Parents. — ExpeHment with Special Manures. Vol. XII. suring less than 5 feet, and more than 3 in girth, makes 264 pounds; which, divided by 14, to bring it into stones, is 18 stones 12 pounds. The dimensions of the girth and length of black cattle, sheep, calves, or hogs, may be as exactly taken this way as it is at all necessary for any computation or valua- tion of stock, and will answer exactly to the four quarters, sinking the offal, and which every man, who can get even a bit of chalk, can easily perform. A deduction must be made for a half fatted beast of 1 stone in 20, from that of a fat one ; and for a cow that has had calves, 1 stone must be allowed, and another for not being properly fat."* — Chatnbers's Information for the People. Advice to Parents. — My father liked to have, as often as he could, some sensible friend or neighbour to converse with him, and always took care to start some ingeni- ous or useful topic for discourse which might tend to improve the minds of his children By this means he turned our attention to what was just and prudent in the conduct of life, and little or no notice was ever taken of what related to the victuals on the table; 60 that I was brought up in such a perfect inattention to those matters, as to be quite indifferent what kind of food was set before me. In after life this has been a great con- venience to me; for my companions are often very unhappy for want of a suitable gratifi- cation of their more delicate tastes and ap- petites.— Franklin. The Journal of Health says that a person accustomed to undress in a room without a fire, and to seek repose in a cold bed, will not experience the least inconvenience, even in the severest weather. The natural heat of his body will speedily render him even rfiore comfortably warm than the individual who sleeps in a heated apartment, and in a bed thus artificially warmed, and who will be extremely liable to a sensation of chilli- ness as soon as the artificial heat is dissi- pated. But this is not all ; the constitution of the former will be rendered more robust, and far less susceptible to the influence of atmospherical vicissitudes, than that of the latter. Report of an Experiment with Special Manures, as applied to the Growth of Turnips in the Summer of 1846. Charles Barclay, Esq., Bury Hill. Sir, — In compliance with your request, I beg to present you with a Report of the ex- ♦ Caitle Keeper's Guide. periments made with special manures for the growth of turnips, on your estate during the last summer. In order that the nature of the several experiments may be the better understood, and consequently a more correct estimate formed of their different results, I will state as briefly as possible the nature of the soil, the course ot^ cropping which it had previ- ously undergone, and the preparatory culti- vation of the land for the crop ; together with any other attendant circumstances which may serve to illustrate the subject. The nature of the soil in question, is a light blowing sand, very shallow, with a considerable quantity of rubbly surface stones, resting on a subsoil of sandstone rock. In point of quality, I believe I am justified in saying, it is almost as pcor as any land in the county of Surrey, The part of the farm chosen, on which the trial took place, was a field of ten acres in ex- tent; an old ley of three years standing, the layer commencing immediately after a crop of oats. The land was broken up with the plough as deep as it was possible to go, in the autumn of 1845. In the following April, the land was again ploughed, in an exactly opposite direcUon to that taken in the autumn. The plough was never again used, the cultivation being completed by the use of Biddel's scarifier; the couch and roots of the grasses were collected by Grant's lever horse-rake, some small part of which was burnt on the land for the sake of expe- dition, and the remaining greater portion carted to the yards. From the backwardness of the season, and the multiplicity of work which necessarily attends an extensive breadth of turnips, the sowing was delayed till the 22nd and 23rd of July. The seed and manure were depos- ited by a drill manufactured by Smyth, of Suffolk, worked by two horses, drilling three rows at 18 inches apart at each breadth. The kind of seed the "Red Round." The field was divided into ten portions, containing an acre in each; but owing to some part of the manure not being suffici- ently dry to work quite properly, the divis- ions first made were necessarily altered, which will account for there being but nine portions mentioned below. I here subjoin a tabular statement of the quantities and kind of manure applied to each portion ; together with the cost of each, and also the weight of the whole pro- duce per acre. It should be observed that the field was as nearly as possible of uniform quality; and the cultivation, both previous and subsequent to the sowing, on all parts exactly alike. No. 7. Report of An Experiment icith Special Manures. 217 A Particular of the quantity and description of dressings applied for the groioth of Turnips on the Ten Acre piece of Land at Merriden ; with the cost of each kind, and the weight of the produce per Acre. No. of the Piece of Land. Quanti- ty of Land contain- ed. Descriptions of the dressings applied. Quantity of each kind used with their respective costs. Cost per Statute Acre. 1 1 Weight of Weight of Roots per Tops and Statute Tails per Acre. Acre. Total Weight of Produce per statute Acre. 1 a. r. p. 1 " " Crushed Bones and Turf Ashes. 8 Bush. Bones 2s. 6d. 16 " Ashes 5d. £ s d 1 " " "68 £ s d T n n.. IK T r Or ih T C Qr lb 12 2 1 36 1 6 8 1 " " "68 " 11 6 ' 16 6 1 6 8 i 9 T 1' 20, *3 0 T 16 2 1 " " Crushed Bones, Turf Ashes, Nitrate Soda, and Nitrate Potash. 8 Bush. Bones 2s. 6d. 16 " Ashes i cwt. Soda 239. I cwt. Potash 33s. 13 1 2 24 2 14 8 2 14 8 jlO 1 1 20 3 0 1 4 3 1 " 30 Crushed Bones, dissolved in Sul- phuric Acid, Turf Ashes, and African Guano. 4 Bush. Bones, 84 lbs. Acid Id. 16 Bust]- Ashes. 1 cwt. guano £8 10s. " 10 " " 7 " " 6 8 "86 1 7 1 2 10 8 J2 0 2 24 3 1 2 24 15 2 1 20 1 12 2 4 1 " 30 Crushed Bones dis- solved in Sul- phuricAcid.Turf Ashes, African Guano, Nitrate of Soda, &. Ni- trate of Potash. 4 Bush. Bones, 84 lbs. Acid Id. 16 Bush. Ashes, 1 cwt. Guano, i cwt. Soda, i cwt. Potash, " 10 " " 7 " "68 "86 " 11 6 " 16 6 14 1 1 4 5 0 14 19 1 2 8* 3 " 2 5 1 " '■ Muck of an Ordi- dinary kind, African Guano, & Turf Ashes. 8 Cart loads of Muck at 4s. 3 cwt. Guano, 20 Bush. Ashes 1 12 " 1 5 6 "84 3 5 10 13 1 2S24 5 0 0 0 18 1 2 24 3 5 10 6 1 " " Muck, African Ouano, Turf Ashes, Nitrate of Soda & Nitrate of Potash. 8 Loads of Muck 3 cwt. Guano 20 Bush. Ashes i cwt. Soda 1 cwt. Potash 1 12 " 1 5 6 "84 " 11 6 " 16 6 4 13 10 4 13 10 13 1 0 10 4 0 0 10 17 1 0 26 7 1 " 30 Muck, Crushed Bones dis- solved in Sulphu- ric Acid and Turf Ashes. 8 loads of Muck 4 Bush. Bones 84 lbs. Acid 16 Bush. Ashes 8 Loads of Muck 4 Biish. Bones 84 lbs. Acid i cwt. Soda 4 cwt. Potash 1 12 " " 10 " " 7 " "68 2 6 0 7 1 2 2( 3 0 1 20 10 2 0 18 2 15 8 1 13 " " 10 " " 7 " " 11 6 " 16 6 8 1 " 30 Muck, Crushed Bonos dis- solved in Sulphu- ric Acid, Turf Ashes, Nitrate of Soda, & Nitrate of Potash. 3 4 10 12 " " " 3 114 15 1 1 4 3 17 6 9 1 1 " Muck, Crushed Bones dis- solved in Sulphu- ric Acid, Turf Ashes, and African Guano. 8 loads of Muck 4 Bush. Bones 84 lbs. Acid Ucwt. Guano 16 Bush. Ashes 1 12 " " 10 " " 7 " " 12 9 "68 3 8 5 2 14 8 12 1 2 20 3 13 8 15 3 2 0 * By measure, 820 bushels per acre, weighing 40 lbs. per bushel. 218 Heated Rooms. — MgricuUure. Vol. XII. The weio-ht of top and tail per acre may seem small in proportion to the weight of roots; but it must be remembered, that the weighing' took place immediately after a month's unusually severe weather, the land being at a considerable elevation, and very much exposed. The crop was hand-hoed twice, and thrice horse-hoed. On all the portions where dissolved bones were used, the plants came forwarder to the hoe than where they were not used; but be- yond this there was not much perceptible difference in the appearance of the different parts, until from a month to six weeks had elapsed, when No. 7 began to grow less rapidly than the rest. At the end of be- tween seven and eight weeks. No. 1 began to fall off; and in a few days No. 2 followed. Further than this difference, the eye could hardly detect where the separation of each kind of dressing took place. It will doubtless be looked upon by some as rather a curious account; but I am per- suaded that it is by making experiments such as these we shall practically arrive at that knowledge so mucli to be desired, viz., the specific dressing which each crop re- quires, and hoiD this shall be varied to suit the different descriptions of soil. The crop of turnips, which, by the bye, are considered exceedingly good, are now being fed off on the land ; after which, it will be sown with barley, cow grass follow ing. The growth of these crops will be narrowly watched, and any particular effects which may be noticed will be reported at a future period. I am. Sir, Your very obedient humble servant, Thomas Page. HolmwootI Farm, Dorkms, Surrey, 11th of February, 1847. fensive and injurious to breathe. It is as injurious to the human system to breathe putrid water vapors of this kind, as it is to breathe the vapors from stagnant pools in hot weather. If water is used upon a sim- ple stove, an iron pan should be made use of, and this filled with dry sand, in the sand set an earthen bowl filled with clean water, which should be changed twice a day, and the bowl washed and kept as clean as if used for a drinking vessel. Where hard coal is burned in a grate, a glass globe should be suspended in the room filled with clean pure water, and as the heat rises to the top of the room, it will steadily evaporate the water and moisten the dry and heated air. Persons who prefer the at- mosphere of salt water vapor can add salt to the water, or if they prefer an aromatic atmosphere, they can add cologne water, or any other perfume which they prefer. It is as important to have clean air for breathing as to have clean water for drinking. Base- ment rooms where hard coal is burnt, should be frequently ventilated. Small children accustomed to stay in basement rooms find a bad air near the floor. The air should be removed by allowing the doors to be opened frequently to let in fresh air. A little care in these matters will tend wonderfully to comfprt and enjoyment. — Pa. Enquirer. Heated Rooms. Complaints of dizziness and headache are common during the winter among those occupying close heated rooms, and the com- plaints are most common among females, because they are most confined. To re- move, in part, the cause of these unpleasant sensations, follow the hints of the following paragraph: Rooms heated with anthracite coal, and rooms heated with coal stoves, in which wood is burnt, have very dry atmospheres. The use of water in such rooms is very con- genial to health, but the water should not be placed in an iron or tin vessel upon the stove, for the reason that it will undergo that de- gree of heat which will make its vapors of- Agriculture. — Andrew Stevenson, once speaker of the House of Representatives, and afterwards minister to England, in an address on agriculture in Virginia, says: " What occupation more full of dignity, duties more full of joy, than those which distinguish the husbandman! When was it that man ever rose from a state of servitude and dependence to proprietorship of land and its cultivation, that he did not learn self- respect and become more elevated in hia own esteem 1 Then it is that an entire change takes place. Then it is, that breath- ing no low or abject spirit, he reaps from the soil a harvest of virtues. The sobriety of the father — the economy of the mother — the devoted labour of the son — the virtue of tiie daughter — these, these are the fruits of glorious agriculture. And this is my an- swer to all who decry it. I pity those who know nothing, or are incapable of enjoying that soothing, cheering, and unsurpassing influence which agriculture sheds over the mind and heart of man. " O ! friendly to the best pursuits of man ; Friendly to thought, to virtue, and to peace, Domestic life in rural leisure passed!" No. 7. On the Distribution of Mineral Substances. 219 Translated for the Farmers' Cabinet. On the distribution of Mineral substan- ces in different parts of Plants, by C Rammelsberg. From Annal. de Poggendorff, translate ind the Journal de Pharrnaciet de Chimie. The chemical examination of colza and peas, has conducted M. Rammelsberg to the following interesting results, viz. that the substances contained in the grain, differ both in quality and quantity from those found in the straw. The seed of colza and of the pea contain potash without a trace of soda. In the straw on the contrary he has found both alkalies, the soda predominating. Both plants contain lime and magnesia; the first abounding in the straw, the latter in the seed. Phosphoric acid, which is an essential part of the seed, is found in the straw in but very small quan- tities: thus for example, the seed of colza contains eight times, and peas three and a half times as much phosphoric acid as the same weight of the straw of these plants. The proportions of minerals and sulphates is the reverse of this : the straw presenting them in considerable quantities, while but very minute portions are found in the seed. This is also true of the carbonic acid pro- duced by the incineration of the organic parts. The following are the Results of the experiments of M. Rammelsberg. I. Colza. Potasse, Soda, Lime, Magnesia, Peroxide of Iron, Posphoric Acid, Sulphuric Acid, Carbonic Acid, Muriatic Acid, Silica, II. Peas. Potash, Soda, Lime, Magnesia, ) Peroxide of Iron, \ Phosphoric Acid, Sulphuric Acid, Carbonic Acid, Muriatic Acid, Silica, 25.18 12.91 11.39 ) 0.62 S 45.95 0.53 2.20 0.11 1.11 100.00 Seed. 43.09 4.77 8.06 40.56 0.44 0.79 1.96 0.33 100.00 Straw. 8.13 19 82 20.05 2.56 4.76 760 16.31 19.93 0.84 100.00 Straw. 8.20 12.50 30.53 6.93 9.21 7.01 16 36 7.15 0.62 100.00 Ashes form 100 parts of each substance. From the Colza, seed, 4.54, straw 5.21. From the Peas, seed, 3.28, straw, 4.15. In these experiments the vegetable sub- stances were carbonized at a gentle heat in a covered crucible, to avoid loss and decom- position ; the charcoal, reduced to a fine powder, was washed with boiling water, and the extract submitted to special examina- tion. The remaining charcoal was treated with muriatic acid, was well washed, dried and incinerated, and the ashes added to the acid solution. The carbonic acid, sulphuric acid and ciilorine were determined sepa- rately. The following is the composition of the soluble portion contained in 100 parts of the preceding: I. Colza. Seed. Straw Potash, 3.08 7.53 Soda, It 18.63 Lime, i( (( Magnesia, u (( Phosphoric Acid, 1.74 II Sulphuric Acid, 0.53 7.60 Carbonic Acid, 0.42 4.77 Muriatic Acid, 0.11 19.93 5.88 58.46 11. Peas. Seed. Straw Potash, 747 6.74 Soda, II 9.90 Lime, 0.03 0.29 Magnesia, 0.15 0.15 Phosphoric Acid, 2.10 0.64 Sulphuric Acid, 0.44 530 Carbonic Acid, 0.79 4.75 Muriatic Acid, 1.96 715 12.94 34.92 The preceding numbers do not, of course, represent the entire quantity of soluble parts, for the structure of vegetable charcoal does not permit their complete extraction, espe- cially those contained in the seed. M. Rammelsberg concluded his paper with a review of the principal re.'-uUs heretofore obtained by other chemists in Iheir analysis of the different parts of maize, wheat, rye, barley, oats, and of the pine. lie thought, at present, it would be ])remature to draw general conclusions from the analysis, yet would call attention to the constant presence and large proportion of phosphoric acid in the .=eed, whilst it was found in but small quantity in other parts of vegetables. In like manner, lime is especially abundant in the straw and in wood, while magnesia is met with in the seed. 220 Lord Leicester. Vol. XII. Lord Leicester. The following extract from the Speech of Andrew Stephenson, our late minister to England, delivered al a meeting of the Agricultural Society of Albemarle, Va. is taken from the number for last month of Skinner's Farmer's Library. And here, Mr. President, I cannot forbear alluding to one extraordinary and distin- guished farmer of England, to whom not only she, but the whole world, are indebted, as one of the greatest patrons of Agriculture, and benefactors of man. I allude to the late Lord Leicester, better known as Mr. Coke, of Holkham, the great farmer commoner of England and the devoted friend of America and all Americans. I can speak of him and his farms, with some degree of accuracy, as it was my good fortune to obtain his friend ship and regard, during my residence in England, and spend many weeks with him in the country. This celebrated Holkham estate, (or rather farms, for it is divided into many,) contains many thousand acres. The house, one of the most magnificent piles of architecture in the kingdom, covers an en- tire acre of ground; the immediate pleasure grounds ten acres, and the park eight or nine miles in circumference, and had just been entirely enclosed with brick, when I paid my first visit. The house was built by the first Earl of Leicester and wife about 1734, and they dying without children, it de- scended to Mr. Coke the nephew, as the next of kin. He was then quite young. It remained totally neglected until he took pos- session of it on reaching his majority, with no means however to cultivate, or improve it. He was advised to pull down the house, sell the bricks, and dispose of the lands at any price or abandon them. It was about this period that, speaking of the poverty of Holkham, one of the females of the Walpole family wittily said of it, " that there was al- ways two rabbits contending for one blade of grass." Its character and poverty how ever admit of no doubt, for over the door of the entrance hall is the following remarka- ble inscription in marble. "This Seat, On An Open Barren Estate Was Planned, Planted, Built, Decorated, And Inhabited, The Middle Of The 18lh Century, By Thomas Coke, Earl Of Leicester." On taking possession of the estate the first effort was to sell. He offered it at 2s. 6d. an acre, but being unable to get even that, he determined to borrow the necessary funds, and reclaim it. He did so, removed to it in his twenty-second year and devoted himself to it for life. Amid the prejudices, ignorance and apathy of the people of Norfolk, he continued firm and resolute, and kept to his opinions and persevered for years with all his charac- teristic energy of purpose. Then it was that things began to change. Men of talent and enterprise began to take up the matter. The people were awakened outof the sleep which precedes dissolution, to consider and reflect on the subject, and their duties; and in less than a quarter of a century, his patriotism and industry triumphed over ignorance and apathy, and a poor barren estate that could neither be sold nor cultivated, in its then state, was made a perfect garden spot, yield- ing an income of 40 shillings or more an acre, and producing average crops in later years of forty to fifty bushels of wheat and more to an acre. It was during one of my visits, that he told me that he had lived to see all his expectations more than realized and justified ; and that one of the most gra- tifying things, connected with his agricultu- ral life was, that only a {e\v months before, he had embarked with his wife and four sons on board of a vessel which was launched at Wells, a small town near Holkham, which had been built out of Oak produced from acorns of his own planting ! He was then I suppose more than eighty, and of course the oak was some sixty years old! I will not suffer myself to speak of the extent and vast- ness of the estate, created as it were by one man alone and unassisted. To give you, however, from certain data, an idea of the extent and character of the cropping, I will read an extract from a Treatise on Practical Farming and Grazing, by C. Hilliard, Esq., a distinguished agriculturalist, published in 1837, and a copy of which he was good enoug-h to present to me. In page 32 he says; " At Holkham the wheat, being short in the straw, is mowed with a cradle scythe: youths, women and boys, immediately follow- ing the mowers, binding it up (assisted by horse-rakes) into sheaves, which, as the straw is free from weeds, if the weather is particularly fine, they will carry without setting the sheaves up in the usual manner in shocks. I was at Holkham, about eight days, in the year 1831, at the time wheat was harvesting, and a most animating sight it was. I counted above one hundred, men, women, and boys, employed in one large field. In this way, three hundred and forty- five acres of wheat were cut, carted and stacked, in six days. This was getting on with wheat harvest more expeditiously, per- haps, than is in the power of any other per- son in the kingdom. I saw at the same time, four hundred and fifty acres of turnips, of different sorts, and mangel wurzel, in which Mr. Coke challenged me to find a single weed, excepting some that might have just No. 7. Strawberry Runners. 221 sprung up out of the ground. I could not see one weed that was three or four inches long, and this was clean farming on a large scale as probably could not be seen in any part of the world." Now I call upon our anti-scientifics and of the " Good Enoughs," to e.xplain how these results could have been produced under any circumstances, upon such an estate as this was, without the aid of the most high and finished system of scientific cultivation ! One field of three hundred and forty-five acres producing between fourteen and fif- teen thousand bushels of wheat, and four hundred and fifty acres more in luxuriant " turnips !" Why gentlemen, it must strike the imaginations of these friends of ours as more like the enchantments of fable and story than sober reality. But why speak of him as the most remarkable agriculturalist that ever lived ! It is matter of history and not to be questioned! Will you pardon me, in referring to what one of the distinguished writers of the day says of him and his farm- ing: " The country and not alone the country, but the world, it may truly be said, acknow- ledges the benefits of Mr. Coke's exertions in the advancement of the first of Arts. For himself, both as regards his happiness and his after reports to posterity, nothing could have been more full of congratulation than his early selection of such a study. To prose cute with such advantage any pursuit to such a period ; to enjoy so long a duration of uninterrupted health; to see the patrimony of his ancestors improved beyond all possible computation ; to know that from his example, his spirit, his skill, and his encouragement, not alone his own estate, not the country where he lived, not the country itself only, but every civilized nation on the face of the globe, may be said to owe some portion of obligation to his labors; to be able to assem ble the curious, the scientific, and the emi- nent, in vast numbers around him; to hear his just praises spoken from the lips not only of men distinguished in arts, in arms, and in letters, but of princes of his own and foreign lands. All these together form an aggregate of fortune that attends but a very few among those who are born and die. Yet such is the consummation (and a proud spectacle it is both for the individual and for his coun try) that Holkham has existed — and that, under Divine Providence, Mr. Coke has been made the instrument of diffusing so many and such great blessings among man- kind." And well may England place among her first men, and her most beneficent benefac- tors, the man who shed such a lustre upon her agriculture, and that of the world. He did for the agriculture of England, what John Hampden did for the liberties of Eng- lishmen against tyranny. And if the reward of popular praise, and popular honours, are due to those who, guided by a wise philo- sophy, and whose objects have been the wel- fare and improvement of mankind, then are they due to Thomas William Coke. Strawberry Runners. I BEG to give my opinion in favour of cut- ting the runners off strawberry plants. Be- ing a lover of this fruit, and therefore anx- ious to procure information upon its cultiva- tion, my attention was arrested by an able leading article in the Chronicle some years ago, against mowing ofl' the foliage of the strawberry at the fall of the year, as also against other abuses which had crept into its cultivation. The directions given in this article I implicitly obeyed, and have every reason to be grateful for the knowledge which it imparted. But the cutting oft" the runners being a subject upon which that article did not enter, I was induced to experiment upon it myself. For this purpose I made a new plantation, in which the plants were placed eighteen inches apart in rows, and the rows themselves two feet asunder. I have never allowed a runner to exceed half a foot in length upon any of these, and the conse- quence has been that the plants have become strong and bushy. The crop this season has been abundant and the fruit individually large in size. While my neighbours' plants during winter seemed to be creeping back whence they came, not being able to bear the withering and biting blast of the season, mine stood up full of freshness and vigour, aud ready to start into growth at the first approach of spring. So convinced am I of the propriety of cultivating this fruit in se- parate and distinct plants, and of cutting oft" the runners, that I have this season taken out a plant between each of my plantations, thus making the distance between each plant four feet by three. From these I am cutting off" the runners with the greatest care. But why huddle up strawberry plants together and cultivate other fruits separately and dis- tinctly ■? Does not this plant, as others, ex- claim, in language not to be mistaken, "Give me air or I shall AieV — Gardener's Chro- nicle. Mahoganit is becoming so cheap in Eng- land that ship builders are using it instead of teak wood. The reduction in price is caused by the extensive use of other woods, as black walnut, oak, &c., in the manufacture of ca- binet ware. 222 Animal Poisons — their Cure. — Phosphates. Vol. XII. For the Farmers' Cabinet. Animal Poisons— their Cure. Mr. Editor, — The lamented death of Dr. Wainwright, from the bite of a rattlesnake, induces me to send you a communication I wrote some months since, on the subject mentioned in the title of this article. About two years ago, you published an article in which it is stated that a professor of a Southern college — if I recollect right — discovered that aqua ammonia or spirits of hartshorn, was an excellent remedy for the bites of mu?quitoes, and that he had used it very successfully for the stings of other in- sects. A few more hints and recommenda- tions upon that subject, would, perhaps, be acceptable. It would seem that all animal poisons are of an acid nature, for I find by numerous experiments, that the application of alkaline substances to them, has the effect of destroy- ing their power. This I suppose they do by neutralizing them. I find that our common washing soda, pulverized very fine, and laid on the spot where the sting of the insect has inserted the poison, and a drop of water added so as to dissolve it, will, in a few moments entirely allay the pain, however severe it may have been before the application. And another desirable result follows — there is but little or no swelling afterwards. The soda seems to penetrate into the wonnd, and en- tering into chemical combination with the poison, renders it harmless. The reason why ammonia does this, is because it is an alkali — and all the alkalies have a like effect. Soda, fresh burnt lime, potash, and ammonia, are the alkalies most easily ob- tained. Salts, such as com.mon table salt, epsom salts, glanber salts, sal seratus, &c., have a very good effect when applied in the same manner, but not so good as the alkalies, as it is the alkaline principle of the salt that operates, and the power of the alkaline prin- ciple to do good is lessened by the other con- stituents of the salt. lam told that a mixture of brandy and common salt is much used on the prairies, and in the woods in the West, by the hunt- ers and trappers, as an antidote to the bite of rattlesnakes, rabid wolves, and rabid In- dian dogs, and I have no doubt that the soda of the salt is mainly instrumental in pro- ducing the good effect. I have but little doubt that if weak ley of potash, or soda, were administered by injection, and given to the stomach in a powdered form, to those afflicted with hydrophobia, they would soon get rid of their awful feelings. And I am strongly disposed to think, that the same treatment would be highly beneficial to those who are suffering from the effects of a bite of a rattlesnake. I make it a practice in the summer to carry with me whenever I go into the woods, or where I am liable to meet with rattle- snakes or poisonous insects, to take a small bottle filled with water, in which is dissolved as much of the common washing soda as the water will dissolve, and I frequently have occasion to use it for the bites and stings of insects, and with uniform good success. If I were bitten by a rattlesnake, I should im- mediately apply it to the wound, as it cannot do harm, and I am disposed to think, would be of the most essential service. I recommend to others, most heartily, the course I thus pursue. Chemico. Lewisburg, Pa , Feb. 3rd, 1848. .X — '^1 Importance of Phosphates. My Dear Sir, — My recent researches into the constituent ingredients of our culti- vated fields, have led me to the conclusion that, of all the elements furnished to plants by the soil, and ministering to their nourish- ment, the phosphate of lime, or, rather the phosphates generally, must be regarded as the most important. In order to furnish you with a clear idea of the importance of the phosphates, it may be sufficient to remind you of the fact, that the blood of man and animals, besides com- mon salt, always contains alkaline and earthy phosphates. If we burn blood, and examine the ashes which remain, we find certain parts of them soluble in water, and others insolu- ble. The soluble parts are, common salt and alkaline phosphates; the insoluble consist of phosphate of lime, phosphate of magnesia, and oxide of iron. These mineral ingredients of the blood — without the presence of which in the food, the formation of blood is impossible — both man and animals derive, either immediately or mediately, through other animals, from vegetable substances used as food; they had been constituents of vegetables, they had been parts of the soil upon which the vege- table substances were developed. If we compare the amount of phosphates in different vegetable substances with each other, we discover a great variety, while there is scarcely any ashes of plants altoge- ther devoid of them, and those parts of plants which experience has taught us are the most nutritious, contain the largest proportion. To these belong all seeds and grain, especi- ally the varieties of bread-corn, peas, beans, and lentils. It is a most curious fact that, if we incin- erate grain, or its flour, peas, beans, and No. 7. Phosphates. 223 lentils, we obtain ashes which are distin- guished from the ashes of all other parts of vegetables by the absence of alkaline car- bonates. The ashes of these seeds, when recently prepared, do not effervesce with acids; their soluble ingredients consist solely of alkaline phosphates, the insoluble parts of phosphate of lime, phosphate of magnesia, and oxide of iron ; consequently of the very same salts which are contained in blood, and which are absolutely indispensable to its formation. We are thus brought to the further indis- putable conclusion, that no seeds suitable to become food for man and animals, can be formed in any plant without the presence and co-operation of the phosphates. A field in which phosphate of lime or the alkaline phosphates form no part of the soil, is totally incapakle of producing grain, peas, or beans. An enormous quantity of these substances indispensable to the nourishment of plants, is annually withdrawn from the soil and car- ried into great towns, in the shape of flour, cattle, et cetera. It is certain that this in- cessant removal of the phosphates must tend to exhaust the land and diminish its capabil- ity of producing grain. The fields of Great Britain are in a state of progressive exhaust ion from this cause, as is proved by the rapid extension of the cultivation of turnips and mangel wurzei — plants which contain the least amount of the phosphates, and there fore require the smallest quantity for their developement. These roots contain 80 to 92 per cent, of water. Their great bulk makes the amount of produce fallacious, as respects their adaptation to the food of ani- mals, inasmuch as their contents of the in- gredients of the blood ; that is, of substances which can be transformed into flesh — stands in a direct ratio to their amojunt of phos- phates, without which neither blood nor flesh can be formed. Our fields will become more and more deficient in these essential ingredients of food, in all localities where custom and hab- its do not admit the collection of the fluid and solid excrements of man, and their ap- plication to the purposes of agriculture. In a former letter I showed you how great a waste of phosphates is unavoidable in Eng- land, and referred to the well known fact, that the importation of bones restored in a most admirable manner, the fertility of the fields exhausted from this cause. In the year 1827, the importation of bones for ma- nure amounted to forty thousand tons, and Huskisson estimated their value to be from one hundred thousand to two hundred thou- sand pounds sterling. The importation is still greater at present, but it is far from being sufliicient to supply the waste. Another proof of the efficacy of tlie phos- phates in restoring fertility to exhausted land, is afforded by the use of the guano — a manure which, although of recent intro- duction into England, has found such gene- ral and extensive application. We believe that the importation of one hundred weight of guano, is equivalent to the importation of eight hundred weight of wheat — the hundred weight of guano as- sumes, in a time which can be accurately estimated, the form of a quantity of food cor- responding to eight hundred weight of wheat. The same estimate is applicable in the val- uation of bones. If it were possible to restore to the soil of England and Scotland the phosphates which during the last fifly years have been carried to the sea by the Thames and the Clyde, it would be equivalent to manuring with mil- lions of hundred weights of bones, and the produce of the land would increase one- third, or perhaps double itself, in five to ten years. We cannot doubt that the same result would follow, if the price of the guano ad- mitted the application of a quantity to the surface of the fields, containing as much of the phosphates as have been withdrawn from them in the same period. If a rich and cheap source of phosphate of lime and the alkaline phosphates were open to England, there can be no question that the importation of foreign corn might be altogether dispensed with afler a short time. For these materials England is at present dependent upon foreign countries, and the high price of guano and of bones prevents their general application, and in sufficient quantity. Every year the trade in these substances must decrease, or their price will rise as the demand for them in- creases. According to these premises, it cannot be disputed, that the annual expense of Great Britain for the importation of bones and guano is equivalent to a duty on corn — with this difference only, that the amount is paid to foreigners in money. To restore the disturbed equilibrium of constitution of the soil — to fertilize her fields England requires an enormous supply of animal excrements; and it must, therefore, excite considerable interest to learn that she possesses, beneath her soil, beds of fossil guano, strata of animal excrements, in a state which will probably allow of their being employed as a manure at a very small ex- pense. The coprolites discovered by Dr. Buck- land — a discovery of the highest interest to geology — are these excrements; and it seems 224 Horticultural Premiums. — An Agricultural State. Vol. XII. extremely probable that in these strata Eng- land possesses the means of supplying the place of recent bones, and therefore the principal conditions of improving agricul- ture— of restoring and exalting the fertility of her fields. In the autumn of 1842, Dr. Buckland pointed out to me a bed of coprolitcs in the neighbourhood of Clifton, from half to one foot thick, enclosed in a limestone formation, extending as a brown stripe in the rocks, for miles along the banks of the Severn. The limestone marl of Lyme Regis consists, for the most part, of one-fourth part of fossil ex- crements and bones. The same are abund- ant in the lias of Bath, Eastern, and Broad- way Hill, near Eversham. Dr. Buckland mentions beds, several miles in extent, the substance of which consists, in many places, of a fourth part of coprolites. Pieces of the limestone rock of Clifton, near Bristol, which is rich in coprolites and organic remains, fragments of bones, leeth, &c., were subjected to analysis, and were found to contain above 18 per cent, of phos- phate of lime. If this limestone is burned, and brought in that state to the fields, it must be a perfect substitute for bones, the etBcacy of which as a manure does not de- pend, as has been generally but erroneously supposed, upon the nitrogenized matter which they contain, but on their phosphate of lime. The osseous breccia found in many parts of England deserves especial attention, as it is highly probable that in a short time it will become an important article of com- merce. What a curious and interesting subject for contemplation ! In the remains of an extinct animal world, England is to find the means of increasing her wealth in agricul tural produce, as she has already found the great support of her manufacturing industry in fossil fuel — the preserved matter of pri- meval forests — the remains of a vegetable world. May this expectation be realized ! and may her excellent population be thus redeemed from poverty and misery! — Lie- big^s Letters. Horticultural Premiums. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society will hold its stated meeting in the Museum building on the 21st of next month, at 7| o'clock, P. M. The following premiums are offered. Rhododendron. — For the best specimen, to be exhibited in a pot, #3. For the second best do. do. do. $2. For the best American Seedling, do. -$3. Azaleas. — For the best, three named va- rieties to be exhibited in pots, $3. For the second best do. do. do. do. $2. For the third best do. do. do. do. $1. For the best American Seedling, to be exhibited in a pot, $3. Pears. — For the best, six to be exhibited, $2. For the second best do. do. $1. Apples. — For the best, five named varie- ties, three specimens of each, $2. For the second best do. do. do. do. $1. From the Cultivator. Iowa as an Agricultural State. Eds. Cultivator, — I consider Iowa as first in point of natural advantages of any state in the Union for Agricultural purposes. Our prairie soil is a black vegetable mould, from one and a-half to three feet deep. The subsoil is a stiff clay. The prairies are not generally over two to three miles in width, and the timber is good. There is, probably, about an equal proportion of prairie and tim- ber. We seldom or never have a failure in our corn crop, and vegetables of all kinds grow to an enormous size with little cultivation. Iowa is one of the best watered states in the Union for hydraulic purposes. Wheat some seasons is very abundant, but is frequently winter-killed. I trust we shall find by close and practical observation, a remedy for this evil before many years. Corn being our sta- ple production, it would naturally lead us to be a great pork-making people — and were we nearer the ultimate market for this great staple, or had we a direct railroad communi- cation to the Atlantic states, in five years we would be second to no state in the pro- duction of pork. We have made more fresh pork this sea- son in Iowa, than our capitalists are able to purchase, and the difficulty of getting it to market, as well as the want of knowledge in regard to the number of hogs to be slaugh- tered in our state, has prevented eastern ca- pital from finding its way here. Consequently, the price is very low, and a majority of the farmers are packing their own pork. This should never be the case. Farmers can never put up their pork and send it to market as advantageously as men accustomed to that business. They should, and generally would be willing to sell at a fair price, rather than have the trouble of packing and shipping for themselves. I am astonished that more capital is not invested in our state in the growing of wool ; from the experience of all who have engaged in it, to any considerable extent, it has No. ?. Soiling. 225 proved the adaptation of our soil and cli- mate to this important branch of husbandry — and is found as lucrative as any other branch of agriculture. I am informed by a pretty extensive wool grower in my neighbourhood from Washington county, Pa., that his sheep are not subject to many of the diseases here, that they were in Pa. I do not think it probable that the eastern wool grower upon land worth $50 to $100 per acre, and hay worth $15 per ton, could successfully compete with the western, where land is worth $5 per acre, and hay $2.50 per ton. We are only in the first year of our ex- istence as a state, and the fourteenth as the inhabitant of a white man — still our po- pulation numbers between 150 and 200,000 inhabitants, a greater portion of them from the New England and middle states; they are probably as well informed, and as indus- trious as the same number in any of our sis- ter states ; and all that we want to make us prosperous and happy, is the communication before spoken of with the east. The health of Iowa, off the water courses, is as good as in any other state. On the water courses, we, like all the west, are sub- ject to fever and ague. The ease with which we cultivate our prairie farms, would astonish our New Eng- land farmers. They would hardly believe that one man with a pair of horses, could cultivate forty-five acres of land in corn, and do it well ; but this is not an uncommon occurrence. We can raise 500 bushels of potatoes to the acre with no other work than to plough them twice or thrice, with the shovel plough after they are planted, that is, without the use of manure or hoe. The shovel plough is the only tool used in the after culture of corn, and an average crop is from forty to sixty bushels per acre ; besides, our corn fields are generally so well lined with pumpkins in the fall, that a man can walk on them all over his corn field. I may add that I raised the last season 150 bushels of potatoes from two bushels, planted in one corner of my corn field, without ma- nure or the use of the hoe. — J. A. Pinto. Hartford, Iowa, Dec. 13, 1847. Soiling. By R. L. Peil, Pelham Farm, Ulster county. For the last four years it has been my con stant practice to soil, not only cows, but hogs, oxen, and horses. My yards are large, en closed by stone walls, and so arranged as to collect all the manure in the centre. There is a pump and trough convenient to it, and open sheds where the animals may lie and ruminate at pleasure. Three times each day, at stated hours, green crops are cut and brought to them, such as clover and timothy grass, green oats, green corn stalks, green buckwheat in blcom, root tops, &c. Occa- sionally, by way of change, dry hay and straw are cut up and given to them, mixed with sufficient wheat bran to induce them to relish it. The stock are never permitted to waste anything ; that left by the cows is given to the horses, as horses will eat after cows, and vice versa, cows after horses ; but they will not eat after each other. The leavings of the horses is then fed to the hogs. The animals are enabled to consume their quantum in about thirty minutes, when they immediately lie down, rest, take on fat, and secrete milk. If pastured, they require many hours to obtain the requisite food, be- sides laboring diligently, which has a ten- dency to prevent the secretions, either of fat or milk. They have but little time to ruminate ; and when driven to and from pasture, run wildly about the field; are whipped, stoned, and chased by dogs, which causes them to become feverish, and as a re- sult, contract their milk vessels. Salt should always be within reach of the animals in the yard, as it is indispensable to keep the organs of digestion active, increase the milk and growth of fat; and it much im- proves the quality of the flesh. I have found, by actual experiment, that cows, when fed in the yard at regular pe- riods, with a change of food, not allowing them at any time to be overfed, and supplied at all times with an abundance of water, have doubled their milk ; that is to say, the same cows that were one year depastured gave, when confined, twice the quantity of milk, and of a much richer quality. When depastured, I did not obtain a particle of manure; it was dropped upon the soil, cer- tainly, but with very little advantage to it ; nearly all the volatile gases were immedi- ately given to the atmosphere, and many of its other valuable properties were withdrawn from it by flies; so that the soil received but little benefit. One of the principal and most valuable ingredients in manure is ammonia, which is converted to a volatile substance in farm-yard manure, called nitrogen, and ia, of all others, the fertilizer that must, if pos- sible, be saved, as neither seeds nor plants can be produced without it. The manure dropped in the field is deprived immediately of this indispensable gas. The potash and soda also being easily dissolved by water, are likewise practically lost, by being depo- sited in excess. In the barnyard these va- luable substances may be preserved by means S26 Soiling. Vol. XII. of charcoal dust, which absorbs the ammonia as it rises to escape, and the potash as it dissolves, by absorption, and holds them until saturated with rain, when the "fases are again disseminated in the heap, and the charcoal takes in moisture. This manure may then be placed on fields in large or small quanti- ties, as required, and in sucli a manner as to produce the most advantage. An opportu- nity is afforded likewise, of making any de- scription of manure needed. If highly nitro- genized substances are required for crops, allow the hogs to run in the barn-yard, and feed them corn ; it contains valuable nutri- tious elements, suitable not only to the growth of plants, but the animals themselves, being composed of nitrogen, potash, carbon, soda, lime, and other necessary chemicals, all of which, after having formed the bones, flesh, fat, skin, hair and muscles of the ani- mal, are finally returned to the manure heap in lesser quantities. The value of the ma- nure may be farther increased by feeding oats, rye, peas, buckwheat, cut straw, &c. One reason that the excrement of the horse is so much richer and more valuable than that of the cow is, that the horse is fed on farinaceous matter, corn, oats, &c., which the cow is not; and so likewise is that of man, because he partakes of a great variety of food, both animal and vegetable. My barnyard has yielded me a large amount of manure per annum, since I commenced soil- ing my stock; whereas, before, I did not ob- tain a single load, except in winter. The plan I adopt is, to cast daily all the refuse of the farm into the yard ; such as weeds, muck, leaves, refuse straw, sods from the hedge rows, pond mud, refuse vegetables, and numerous other substances that might be named; the hogs turn them over and in- corporate them one with another, and the stock tramples down and forms them into a solid mass; charcoal dust is once a week spread over the whole, which retains and preserves all the gases that would otherwise escape; every three months it is drawn out, placed in a square heap, and mi.xed with plaster, ashes, salt, muck, and guano; the whole is then covered with charcoal dust to the depth of six inches, and left until fall, when it is used upon the fields most requir- ing it; spread on broad cast, and ploughed under the earth, and the crops make use of the gases as nature provides, and all care ceases. Another most important advantage accrues to ihc soiler, viz: a piece of land that would support five cows, depastured one week, would amply furnish the same with an abun- dant supply of food one month, if cut and carried to them. The piece depastured would likewise be almost destroyed by poach- ing in wet weather, trampling, sleeping upon, and injury to the herbage by close eating. Horses do much more damage than cows, as they eat much closer, and frequently pull the grass out by the roots. When cattle are stall-fed, or soiled in the the yard, the nitrogen of the manure may be preserved by artificial means. It is an in- gredient absolutely indispensable to the growth of plants. By analysis it has been found in every>part of the growing plant; the roots, stems, leaves, &c., contain it, showing that without it plants cannot be grown. How important then is it, that so valuable a substance should be preserved. I have grown plants in pure charcoal dust, by watering them with rain water; the rain water yielded them ammonia, and conse- quently nitrogen as one of its elements. I found with spring water, I could not grow them after a certain period at all in charcoal dust ; but with rain water most successfully. Although the air must contain a vast quan- tity of nitrogen, I am confident the plants I grew, did not obtain the quantity they re- quired from that source; if they had, the spring water would have answered them as well as rain water ; they must have obtained it through the medium of ammonia contained in the rain water. This is a singular fact, and goes to show that although a generation of more than one thousand millions of the children of Adam, and 20,000 millions of animals cease to exist, aud the nitrogen which they contain, is yielded in part to the air air of heaven every thirty years, still plants cannot elaborate it in their system, except through the medium of their roots. The hydrogen unites with the nitrogen, af- forded, not only by dead animals, but by the excrement and urine of all animals while living, as well as other putrescent matter; thus forming ammonia, which combines with carbonic acid gas, and descends with every shower to the earth's surface, in a soluble form, easily taken up by the roots, and dis- tributed throughout the plant. Davy calcu- lates, that if a pint of rain water contain only a quarter of a grain of ammonia, a field of forty thousand square feet must receive yearly upwards of eighty pounds of ammonia, or sixty-five pounds of nitrogen; for it is as- certained that the annual fall of rain water in England, on this extent of surface, is at least 2,500,000 pounds. This is much more nitrogen than is contained in the form of vegetable albumen and gluten in 2,800 lbs. of hay, or 20,000 lbs. of beet root, which would be the yearly produce of such a field; but it is less than the straw, roots, and grain of corn, which might grow on the same sur- No. 7. Food of the Horse. 227 face, would contain; therefore, the farmer must supply the deficiency of nitrogen by using manures containing ammonia. Animal manure is chiefly valuable for the ammonia which it produces. Without it, fod- der for animals, or vegetables and grain tor man, cannot be grown. Manure without stint with nitrogenized substances, and the wheal grown will yield 18 per cent, of gluten, will weigh 64 lbs., and produce 50 bushels to the acre. Such has been the result of an expe- riment I trjed upon a wheat field, when the adjoining field, treated in the usual manner, yielded me wheat weighing 56 pounds, and 15 bushels to the acre, and probably noi more than five per cent, of gluten. I placed some of the same nitrogenized composition upon a barren piece of sandy land, which I had never seen covered with verdure of any description, and in a very short period of time, it was clothed with a dense dark green grass, which tillered well. White clover afterwards came in, (which, when it dies, affords food for a succession of plants) and the piece may be considered as reclaimed. — N. Y. Affricullural Transactions. Food of the Horse. The system of manger-feeding is becom- ing general among farmers. There are few horses that do not habitually waste a portion of their hay ; and by some the greater part is pulled down and trampled under foot, in order first to cull the sweetest and best locks, and which could not be done while the hay was enclosed in a rack. A good feeder will afterwards pick up much of that which was thrown down ; but some of it must be soiled and rendered disgusting, and, in many cases, one-third of this division of the food is wasted Some of the oats and beans are imperfectly chewed by all horses, and scarcely at all by hungry and greedy ones. The appearance of the dung will sufficiently evince this. The observation of this induced the adop tion of manger-feeding, or of mixing a por- tion of chaff with the corn and beans. By this means the animal is compelled to chew his food ; he cannot, to any great degree, waste the straw or hay ; the chaff is too hard and too sharp to be swallowed without con- siderable mastication, and, while he is forced to grind that down, the oats and beans are ground with it, and yield more nourishment; the stomach is more slowly filled, and there- fore acts better on its contents, and is not so likely to be overloaded ; and the increased quantity of saliva thrown out in the length- ened maceration of the food, softens it, and makes it more fit for digestion. Professor Stewart very properly remarks that " many horses swallow their corn in great haste, and when much is eaten, that habit is exceedingly dangerous. The sto- mach is filled — it is overloaded before it has time to make preparation for acting on its contents — the food ferments, and painful or dangerous colic ensues. By adding chaft'to his corn, the horse must take more time to eat it, and time is given for the commence- ment of digestion, before fermentation can occur. In this way chaff is very useful, es- pecially after long fasts." If, when considerable provender was wasted, the horse maintained his condition, and was able to do his work, it was evident that much might be saved to the farmer, when he adopted a system by which the horse ate all that was set before him ; and by degrees it was found out that, even food somewhat less nutritious, but a great deal cheaper, and which the horse either would not eat, or would not properly grind down in its natural state, might be added, while the animal would be in quite as good plight, and always ready for work. Chaft' may be composed of equal quantities of clover or meadow hay, and wheaten, oaten, or barley straw, cut into pieces of a quarter or half an inch in length, and mingled well together ; the allowance of oats or beans is afterwards added, and mixed with the chaff. Many farmers very properly bruise the oats or beans. The whole oat is apt to slip out ofthechafTand be lost; but when it is bruised, and especially if the chaff is a littled wetted, it will not readily separate; or, should a por- tion of it escape the grinders, it will be partly prepared for digestion by the act of bruising. The prejudice against bruising the oats is, so far as the farmer's horse, and the wagon horse, and every horse of slow draught,are concerned, altogether unfounded. The quantity of straw in the chaft" will al- ways counteract any supposed purgative quality in the bruised oats. Horses of quicker draught, except they are naturally disposed to scour, will thrive better with bruised than with whole oats; for a greater quantity of nutriment will be extracted from the food, and it will always be easy to apportion the quantity of straw or beans to the efiect of the mixture on the bowels of the horse. The principal alteration that should be made in the horse of harder and more rapid work, such as the post-horse, and the stage-coach horse, is to increase the quantity of hay, and diminish that of straw. Two trusses of hay may be cut with one of straw. Some gentlemen, in defiance of the preju- dice and opposition of the coachman or the groom, have introduced this mode of feeding mto the stables of their carriage-horses and 228 Food the Horse. Vol. XII. hackneys, and with manifest advantage. There has been no loss of conditioner power, and considerable saving of provender. This system is not, however, calculated for the hunter or the race-horse. Their food must lie in smaller bulk, in order that the action of the lungs may not be impeded by the dis- tension of the stomach ; yet manj' hunters have gone well over the field who have been manger-fed, the proportion of corn, however, being materially increased. For the agricultural cart-horse, eight pounds of oats and two of beans should be added to every twenty pounds of chaff. Thirty-four or thirty-six pounds of the mix- ture will be sufficient for any moderate-sized horse, with fair, or even hard work. The dray and wagon horse may require forty pounds. Hay in the rack at night is, in this case, supposed to be omitted altogether. The rack, however, may remain, as occa- sionally useful for the sick horse, or to con- tain tares or other green meat. Horses are very fond of this provender. The majority of them, after having been ac- customed to it, will leave the best oats given to them alone, for the sake of the mingled chaff and corn. We would, however, cau- tion the farmer not to set apart too much damaged hay for the manufacture of the chaff. The horse may be thus induced to eat that whicli he would otherwise refuse; but if the nourishing property of the hay has been impaired, or it has acquired an injuri- ous principle, the animal will either lose condition, or become diseased. Much more injury is done by eating damaged hay or musty oats, than is generally imagined. There will be sufficient saving in the dimin- ished cost of the provender by the introduc- tion of the straw, and the improved condition of the horse, without poisoning him with the refuse of the farm. For old horses, and for those with defective teeth, chaff is peculi- arly useful, and for them the grain should be broken down as well as the fodder. While the mixture of chaff with the corn prevents it from being too rapidly devoured and a portion of it swallowed whole, and there- fore tlie stomach is not too loaded with that on which, as containing the most nutriment, its chief digestive power should be exerted, yet, on the whole, a great deal of time is gained by this mode of feeding, and more is left for rest. When a horse comes in wearied at the clofe of the day, it occupies, after he lias eaten his corn, two or three hours to clear his rack. On the system of manger-feeding, the chaff being already cut into small pieces, and the beans and oats bruised, he is able fully to satisfy his appetite in an hour and a half. Two additional hours are therefore devoted to rest. This is a circumstance deserving of much consideration, even in the farmer's stable, and of immense consequence to the post-master, the stage-coach proprietor, and the owner of every hard worked horse. ]Manger food will be the usual support of the farmer's horse during the winter, and while at constant or occasional hard work; but from the middle of April to the end of July, he may be fed with this mixture in the day and turned out at night, or he may re- main out during every rest day, A team in constant employ should not, however, be suf- fered to be out at night after the end of July. The farmer should take care that the pas- ture is thick and good ; and that the distance from the yard is not too great, or the fields too large, otherwise a very considerable por- tion of time will be occupied in catching the horses in the morning. He will likewise have to take into consideration the sale he would have for his hay, and the necessity for sweet and untrodden pasture for his cattle. On the whole, however, turning out in this way, when circumstances will admit of it, will be found to be more beneficial for the horse, and cheaper than soiling in the yard. The horse of the inferior farmer is some- times fed on hay or grass alone, and the ani- mal, although he rarely gets a feed of corn, maintains himself in tolerable condition, and does the work that is required of him: but hay and grass alone, however good in quality, or in whatever quantity allowed, will not support a horse under hard work. Other substances containing a larger proportion of nutriment in a smaller compass, have been added. They shall be briefly enumerated, and an estimate formed of their comparative value. In almost every part of Great Britain, Oats have been selected as that portion of the food which is to afford the principal nour- ishment. They contain seven hundred and forty-three parts out of a thousand of nutri- tive matter. They should be about or some- what less than a year old, heavy, dry, and sweet. New oats will weigh ten or fifteen per cent, more than old ones; but the differ- ence consists principally in watery matter, which is gradually evaporated. New oats are not so readily ground down by the teeth as old ones. They form a more glutinous mass, difficult to digest, and, when eaten in considerable quantities, are apt to occasion colic and even staggers. If they are to be used before they are from three to five months old, they would be materially improved by a little kiln-drying. There is no fear for the horses from simple drying, if the corn was good when it was put into the kiln. The old oat forms, when chewed, a smooth and uniform No. 7. Drink and Shade for Stock. 229 mass, which readily dissolves in the stomach, and yields the nourshment which it contains. Perhaps some chemical change may have been slowly effected in the old oat, disposing it to be more readily assimilated. Oats should be plump, bright in colour, and free from unpleasant smell or taste. The musty smell of wetted or damaged corn is produced by a fungus which grows upon the seed, and which has an injurious effect on the urinary organs, and often on the intestines, produc- ing profuse staling, inflammation of the kid- neys, colic, and inflammation of the bowels. — Youait on the Horse. Drink and Shade for Stock. One essential requisite in all pasture-fields is an abundant supply of water for stock to drink. Both cattle and horses drink largely, and sheep grazing early on the dewy grass, do not require so much water to keep them in a healthy condition ; still, when there is no dew, they do drink water. The proper construction of a watering-pool is sadly mis- understood in this country. The entrance to it generally consists of poached mud of at least half a foot in depth, and to avoid this, the animals go into the water before they drink, when, of course, it is at once rendered muddy. Not unfreqnently there is scarcity of water, and if there is just suflicient sup- ply to prevent the pool being evaporated to dryness, the water is rendered almost stag- nant. So obvious are the objections to this mode of administering so necessary and wholesome a beverage to the brute creation as water, that all that seems necessary to an amendment of the system is to point out its inconveniences. True, in some cases, tanks of wood or stone are provided in fields, which are supplied from some adjoining spring, or even pump-well, and as far as the quality of the water is concerned, this is a much better mode of supplying it than in pools; but this mode, good as it is as far as it goes, does not provide all the requisites of a good water- ing-pool. In hot days, a walk through a pool is very wholesome to the feet of cattle, and in dry weather, a stand for some time among water is an excellent preventive of that troublesome complaint, the foot-sore. The external application of water in this manner allays inflammation, and prevents ir- ritation, and permits animals to take their food in peace even in scorching drought. Besides the tank of a pump-well is not unfreqnently neglected to be filled — because in cold and rainy weather it is scarcely visited by the cattle, in hot weather it is supposed to be viewed with the same indifference; and, even where tanks are duly attended to for cattle, there are none set down at a lower level for sheep. A watering-pool should be securely fenced, as cattle are very apt to push one another about while in it, and for that reason it should also be roomy. It should be of considerable length and narrow, to al- low access to a number of animals at the same time, if they choose to avail themselves of it; and I have often observed cattle de- light to go to the water in company. Pools are usually made too small and too confined. The access to them should be made firm with broken stones in lieu of earth, and gravel placed on its bottom keeps the water clean and sweet, while the water should flow gen- tly through the pool. The want of s/ia(fe in pasture-fields is also a sad reflection on our farmers. Observe, in summer, where the shade of a tree casts it- self over the grass, how gratefully cattle re- sort to it, and where a spreading tree grows in a pasture-field, its stem is sure to be sur- rounded by cattle. The stirring breeze un- der such a tree is highly grateful to these creatures; and such a place affords them an excellent refuge from the attacks of flies. In cold weather, also, observe how much shelter is afl^brded to cattle by a single tree, and how they will crowd to the most wooded corner of a field in a rainy day, even in sum- mer. Ought not such indications of ani- mals teach us to afford them the treatment most congenial to their feelings ! lam no advocate for hedge-row trees, even though they should cast a grateful shade into a pas- ture-field, and still less do I admire an um- brageous plane in the middle of a field that is occupied in course with a crop of grain or turnips; but similar effects as good as theirs may be obtained from different agencies. A shed erected at a suitable part in the line of the fence of a field, would not only afford shade in the brightest day in summer, but comfortable shelter in a rainy day, or in a cold night in autumn. Such an erection would cost little where stone and wood are plenty on an estate, and they could be erect- ed in places to answer the purpose of a field on either side of the fence when it was in grass. But no matter what it may cost, when the health and comfort of stock are to be maintained unimpaired by its means. The cost of a shed may, perhaps, in this way be repaid in the first year of its exist- ence, and it would stand, with slight occa- sional repairs, during the currency of a long lease. When such an erection is properly constructed at first, it is surprising how many years it will contiirne to be useful with a little care. Let it be roomy, and its struc- ture light, as it may be roofed at a moderate cost with zinc, or composition of some sort. 230 A Hint to Farmers. — Editorial Notices. Vol. XII. or tiles, when they are manufactured in the neighbourliood. It may be troublesome to carry straw for litter from the steading to a shed situate at a distance, but there is no occasion for straw for litter in summer; the rough grass from an adjoining plantation or ditch will supply litter, and the dung at any rate should be shovelled up and carried away before it becomes uncomfortable to the ani- mals. 1 should like to see a farm with such a shed erected in it for every two fields. — Stephens^ Book of the Farm. A Hint to Farmers. — Some time about the middle of the last century, a landed pro- prietor in one of the midland counties, re- solved to keep his property in his own pos- session. A little time convinced him, as it has frequently done others, that a landlord is his own worst tenant. He, therefore, let one-half of his estate to a person who was punctual in paying his stipulated rent. About ten years after this arrangement, he found difficulties increasing, so that he was forced to raise money, and having great confidence in his tenant, he consulted him upon the best manner in which it could be done. " Why, by selling that part of your estate which I possess, and reserving that which you still occupy." " Yes, but money is scarce ; where am I to find a purchaser ■?" "Myself." " You, who came in straitened circumstances to occupy at a high rent only half of the pro- perty upon which I, the proprietor of the whole, was nearly beggared by farming ! How are you enabled to purchase a moiety of my estate?" "Simply because you, lying in bed, said to your servants. Go! do so and so ; while I, rising before mine, said. Come .' do so and so. All my prosperity rests upon knowing the difference between Come, and Go r THE FARMERS' CABINET, AND Philadelphia, Second Month, 1848. Prom the following statements, it appears that United States flour is quite as cheap in Liverpool as in our own city. It is difficult to comprehend, whj-, with our abundant crops, and tlie prices abroad of bread stuffs, we should find our farmers able to obtain so ample a remuneration for their labours. Butter may be quoted at 25 to 30 cts. in our market, pork $G, and beef from $6 to $7. " For the six weeks ending January 8, 1848. Ster- ling reduced to United States money, 24 cents to the shilling : Wheat $1 58 Barley, 93 Oats, 61J Rye, 93 Beans, 1 34i Peas, 1 40 N.B.— The bushel of wheal weighs CO lbs., and the quarter of eight bushels 480 lbs. Oats, 45 lbs. per bushel. " January 15ih— Indian Corn at Liverpool was 32s- per quarter of 480 lbs., equal to 96 cents per bushel of 60 lbs. Indian Meal per barrel of 196 lbs., 15s , equal to $3 60. " U. S. Flour 28s. to 29s., equal to $6 72 and «G 90 per barrel." OoR friend, M. B. Bateham, of the Ohio Cultivator, will accept thanks for a copy of the Transactions of the J'J'urserymen and Fruit Gardener's Convention, held at Columbus, in the 9th month last. The discussions pertaining to the objects of the convention, were ani- mated, and they concluded to adopt as a standard in the classification of fruits, Downing's work on the Fruits and Fruit Trees of America. Freqdent inquiries are made in relation to the mode of i]sing Poudrette; and as the season for ap- plying it is near at hand, it may be well to state for the information of such as have not hitherto become familiar with it— that when applied to the corn in the hill, about one gill is generally used ; it may be dropped either before or after the corn, and covered up with it. In this way, 8 or 10 bushels are requisite for the acre, according to the distance of the hills of corn. When put on wheat broad cast, at this season of the year, from 20 to 40 bushels may be spread ; and about the same quantity when applied in the fall, and harrowed in with the seed. Many applicants were unable to procure the Poudrette, last spring: we were unable to satisfy the demand. There isnow a good supply on hand, though not to so large an amount as we had a year auo. It is suggested to our friends to apply early in the season; if it be postponed until near the period of using it, the throng is so great, that even if it can be procured at all, there is frequently, and of necessity, a considerable delay in forwarding it. For present prices, see the last page. GUANO. Peruvian & African Guano, in bags & bbls, ALSO, PREPARED GUANO. This article has been in use during the last year, and from the effect that it has produced, can be safely re- commended to farmers as a cheap and valuable fertil- izer; the object in preparing this article is to give the farmer a manure at a very low price, that will enable all to use it. It is prepared upon strictly scientific principles, and is recommended to general use by the Farmers' Club, and (he New YorJt Slate Agricvl- tural Society. For Sale by ALLEN & NEEDLES, 23 South Wharves, near Chesnut Street, Phila. Feb. 15th, 1848.— 6m. No. 7. Editorial JVotices. 231 NORMAN STALLION. The subscriber being about to quit the business of farming, offers at private sale, the thorough-bred Nor man Stallion " Norman." Norman was raised by Ed- ward Harris, Esq., of Burlington county, N. J., and was four years old last July. He was sired by Dili- gence, from a full-blood Norman mare, which Mr. Harris imported at the same time. He is a beautiful dapple grey, and measures 15 hands, possesses all the good points of his celebrated sire, and resembles him very closely. It is unnecessary to comment on the valuable properties of this breed, so well known as combining more action and speed with great strength, than any other race of horses in Europe or this country. It is sufflcient to say that this race is the progenitor of the Canada horse, and ia in fact the same horse on a large scale. Norman is one of only four thoroughbreeds that Dil igence has begotten, and it is believed he will bear comparison with either of his brothers. Persons de sirous of purchasing, and not wishing to go so far from the great lines of travel to see the horse at my resi- dence, before they know the qualities of the breed, can get every information about the stock, and see several of the imported horses at Uie farm of Mr. Harris, as above, which is only nine miles from Philadelphia, who is acquainted with my terms, and has been*kind enough to authorize this reference. RICHARD C. HOLMES, Cape May Court House, N. J. Jan. 31st, 1848. ^SEED STORE, No. 23 Market Street, Fhiladelphia. The subscriber keeps constantly a supply of White and Red Clover, and other grass seeds; fresh Perennial Rye-grass, and Lucerne seed. Field seeds, consisting of choice Spring Wheat, Barley, Potatoe Oats, North- ern and other seed-corn. Also, in season, Fruit and Shade Trees. Garden and Bird seeds generally. Gua- no in parcels to suit purchasers NEW Horticultural and Agricultural Ware-house, 84 Chesnut Street below Third, SoufJt side. The subscriber has for the better accommodation of his customers, opened the above ware-house, with a large stock of Garden and Field Seeds, crop of 1846. Imple- ments and Books on Gardening and Farming; he calls the particular attention of farmers to his pure stock of Sweede Turnips, Field Carrots, Beets and Parsnips, Pruning Shears, Saws and Knives. March 14th, 1847.— ly. R. BUIST. COATSS' SEED STORF, No. 49 Market Street, FRESH TIMOTHY SF3ES>, Of various qualities, from good common seed to the purest and finest that can he produced, TOGETHER AVITH A COMPLETE ASSORTMENT OF GRASS & GAIlI>£Xr SESDS, Of the finest Quality and best Varieties,— Bird Seeds, &,c. JOS. P. H. COATES, Successor to George M. Coates. May 15th, 1847. Philad., Feb.. 1847. M. S. POWELL, tf. Agency for the Purchase & Sale of IMPROVED BREEDS OF CATTLE & SHEEP. The subscriber takes this method of informing his friends and the public, that he will attend to the pur- chase and sale of the improved breeds of cattle, sheep swine, poultry, &c., for a reasonable commission. All letters post paid, addressed to him at Philadelphia, will be attended to without delay. Jlpril 15th, 1847. AARON CLEMENT. PREMIUM IMPLEMENTS. PROUTTS Improved Machine for Shelling and Screening Corn, and Separating it from the Cob. For this Machine the Philad'a Agricultural Society awarded their first Premium for Corn Sheller, 1847. Grant's Patent Premium Fan Mill, For Chaffing and Screening Wheat, at one operation. Three Silver Medals, and nine First Premiums, have been awarded for the above Mill. Prouly and Mears' Patent Centre -Draught, Self- Sharpening Ploughs. First Premium awarded for these Ploughs, by the Philadelphia Agricultural So- ciety, 1844, 1845, 1846 and 1847. Corn and Cob Breakers and Grinders, Corn Stalk Cutters & Grinders— Sugar Mills— Spain's Improved Barrel Churn, the dashers of which may be taken out to clean. Also, a full assortment of Ag- ricultural Implimenls, Manufactured and for Sale by D. O. PROUTY, No. 194 J Marhet Street, be' ow Sixth, Phildelphia. Nov. 15, 1847.— tf. CO All. The subscriber has made an arrangement for a con- stant supply of superior Lehigh and Schuylkill Coal — carefully prepared for family use, which he will fur- nish at the usual cash prices, on application at the ofiice of the Farmers' Cabinet, where samples of the different kinds and sizes may be seen. JOSIAH TATUM. Philadelphia, Seventh month 15th, 1847. Ill- SHORT ADVERTISEMENTS, The subject matter of which, may correspond with the agricultural character of this paper, will be inserted at the rate of one dollar for each insertion often lines or less; and so in proportion for each additional line. Payment in advance. The quantity of rain which fell in the 1st month 1848, was 2,30 in. Penn. Hospital, ind mo. 1st. 233 Editorial JVctices. Vol. XII. We keep on hand at this office, and will supply our friends with Agricultural works generally. Among which are THE FARMER'S ENCYCLOPEDIA, full- bound in leather; — Price $3 50 YOUATT ON THE HORSE, with J. S. Skin- ner's very valuable Additions; 2 00 BRIDGEMAN'S GARDENER'S ASSISTANT; 2 00 THE AMERICAN POULTRY BOOK; 37J THE FARMER'S LAND MEASURER; 371 DANA'S MUCK MANUAL; 50 Complete sets of the FARMERS' CABINET, half-bound, 11 vols. 9 50 DOWNING'S Landscape Gardening, 3 50 Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees of America, 1 50 SKINNER'S Every Man his own Farrier, 50 AMERICAN Poulterer's Companion, 1 25 BOUSSINGAULT'S RURAL ECONOMY. 1 50 FARxMERS' & EMIGRANTS' HAND-BOOK, 1 00 MORRELL'S AMERICAN SHEPHERD, 1 00 STABLE ECONOMY, 1 00 SEVAN on the HONEY BEE, 31^ BUISTS' ROSE MANUAL, 75 THOMAS' FRUIT CULTURIST. 50 SKIN.NfiR'S CATTLE & SHEEP DOCTOR, 50 AMERICAN FARRIER, 50 THE FARMER'S MINE, 75 HOARE ON THE VINE, 621 HANNAM'o Economy of Waste Manures, 25 LIEBIG'S AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY, 25 ANIMAL CHEMISTRY, 25 FAMILIAR LETTERS, 12^ JOHNSON'S DICTIONARY OF MODERN GARDENING, 2 25 Subscriptions received for Colman's Agricultural Tour— or single numbers sold. JlJ" We are prepared to bind books to order. AFRICAN GUANO. First quality African Guano, from the island of Ichaboe, warranted genuine. Also a few tons Peruvian For sale by J. B. A. & S. ALLEN, No. 7 South Wharves, 2nd Oil Store below Market street. Philadelphia, March I7th, 1847. Poudrette. A valuable manure— of the best quality, prepared in Philadelphia, for sale at the office of the Farm- ers' Cabinet, No. 50, North Fourth Street, or at the manufactory, near the Penitentiary on Coates' street. Present price, $1 75 per barrel, containing four bushels each, or 35 cents a bushel. Orders from a distance, enclosing the cash, with cost of porter- age, will be promptly attended to, by carefully deli- vering the barrels on board of such conveyance as may be designated. The results on corn and wheat have been generally very satisfactory. Farmers to the south and in the interior, both of this State and ^ tc 0,0 0_ CO, 0,0,0 o O^O 3 o^o^o o_o,o oo^o_o,oo o oo ^,oo^-i. ^— J, 'So'o'o'oo'oooooo'ocoooooooocToooo'crooo lO »i7 co^ t^ -SOQOr-HOXiOOOOC^OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Q 2Q0c\!r}<00'-'-HOoc^)OTOOO CO o^o o o o o,o^c o o o lo c o^o^ir: £?; Ofcf 10 COCicD'oD'OCO'cd CC lO'o'iO O ^lOi^t'cf COX'COIQ i> CO i-^>-^J 1— < t^ CD CO CO TO Cj "S ^ OO O O O O O O O O O O O COOOOO O oo "*- o o o o o o o o o c o o o oooooo o oo O' a ^ ccOooiooooooooc_o oooooo o oo lO ,^ "Sco'cTooTfo o'o'o'o'rf oo'oo . . . Qccdc^ooin o' o'o , co' 3 -Cl^CDCO QDCOCOQ&O— ii-HOi-H (MrHOOC^C^ ICi COC* 1 1 1> 2 ,_,,_, ^TOCOOCO rlC^ 1 1 1 1 1 C^r- • "«? o o'o'o o'o'o'o'o'io in o'lrs -riTo'io co''c4'o'"o'"o'o'i.o o'o o oo (?f b-' , ci -JSOiCOCiOOLOimOOiOt^OCOiCt^t^C^ OiOOmiOODrHOi l rn w «r-lrl<0 C<»C0CCOO OilOM COOOCNr-l 1 1 (^ r-T CO'co'ci p-T C^r-H 1 o « OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOO s o .OOOOO oo OOOO oo O O OO OOOOOOOOOOO ^^ 03 O 0 0^0,0^ O^O^O^OOO^ 0_ 0,0^0 0 0 oo O O O O OOOOO o o liO(MOCOr-(iO 05 i-l 1 f-lTt*CO-Hr-< r-l|C0iO| 1 1 ■>* ^ W 2C O 00 lO CJ5 J> C^ O 1 C<( O i-H 'S^ ^ S ^^^ ^ c^ r:^ fJi ,Ji rA QD'cDCO'K-^'rH 00 rHi-HpH KH i-H I— t i-H i-H I-H r-H OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO o ■S *■ OOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO o o o to S OOOOOOOOOCOOOOOOOOOOOOOO'^OOOOO oo o c5"ooc5oc^'ocolOOlOOLdlo"ooo~ooLOOOldo(^)Old^o^^ CO o' crJ" "S s^ OOiOCOCOOGO^WODOl^COOOOT+'i^lOiOiOCOCOOiOf^l^i-HCO^'^M '^ COCO00i-4COC0t-r:f*i-l ■^C^Jt-CDOOOCOTj^OOOODOt^CO.-ICO CQrHi-4 t^ =^1 ci ci i-T ph ^ .s CO'*OOQPQO>— iCDC0iO05r-On0 0}C0'-ir-HOQD{^C0C0(Nrtif^^-iraW OJ c* •f*> t^J^CJiCOJ^'^OJOCOaCi— l05rHC50iOLOi— 1— iC9COCOQ0i-Ht^COr^-^i— 1 I-H in s 0>OCDaOOOOCOOOOt-^'^TOC^t'~^CC'*C^XiT#OOi-Hi--,lOC^Tl<_0 t^ '^ ■So -2 ix) r-i-^v^<£d^r^a:'':<^'^di':i^'^<:5i6'ric^':^<£i£^<:f^t^ I-H CO (N -St CO i> TfC^t^iOCO lOCOCOOO t^iOCO'^ -^ CJ 1 1 o S "—1 Ci" i-T f-h" rH r-^ 3h I-H »^ llllllllllll>lllllll>ll»l»lt>l ' ' o ■ ■■■■•lllllllllltllllllllll^ll c 2 s J, .•2» .... ,..gg. ............ lb- 3 o ' o o csoi^^oaja>C ^ O) o .2§ QO No. 8. Tabular Estimate of Crops for 1847. 249 52 O CO O So S ^0 O O o o oo (^} CO ooo ooo ooo itf oo ■^O O o cf o o o o I o ' ooooo o o o o o O C5_0^0^0 O lO ira O lO lO 1— I CO l^ T— I J> CO OOOOOCOCOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOO OOiOO'OOOO o'o'o'o'o lo o'o o o'o'io'o OCOOOOrtO COO«Cl^C\> OOOOrf^^CO OJ CO CO i-H lO Ci\d-i O lO 05 CO 1-1 W I-H W 1-4 I I o o o o' o o o' o o o I I 18 QO o o ooooo o ooooooooo O O O' O O O O O O O O O O' O O O' o O O O O O' O O O O O O' o o o o o o O I O I O" O O ITS lO O O' O O' O' O' O' 'X' o" o CO lO IoOOCOOlOOCOOOOOC'TDOO CD ooo cQcocvfi-tooocr-rjotM LO O >* if7 lo an ot^ CO QD p-t s^ i I 1 I I I I I I I I I I M I 1 M-^S o o o ooo o o o o o o O O O iC o c o S 1 1 It I 1 I I o I O Ci CO 1.0 q6 i^ O 02 t^QO «6 CO ^ 0_0 O CO O CD a c4"(^f CO i-T(N <^J'I-H cJpHrf iritN i-H rj5" r-5" ' IS ^' s 'i. It) l-^ C3 a -^ 'o • — rs 03 rt 0) sj c c 1— 1 E^QO 250 Cultivation of Onions. Vol. XII. Cultiration of Onions> The cultivation of onions is in many sec- tions an important business. In some parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and other places, they are raised in large quantities, and disposed of both for house consumption and for exportation. The following essay was written by John W. Proctor, Esq., and received a premium from the Essex (Mass.) Agricultural Society. The culture of onions has increased so much, within a few years, in this vicinity, that it has become one of the staple products of the county. In the town of Danvers, more money is realized from the sale of the onion, than from any other product of the soil. Products of so much value, and com- manding so much attention, are fit subjects of inquiry; and if there be any facts relat- ing to their cultivation not generally known it may be useful to have them brought for- ward. In making these inquiries, our attention has been directed almost entirely to practical cultivators, without reference to scientific treatises. Our intention being to tell their etory, as near as possible, in their own way. We shall treat of the subject in the fol- lowing order: 1. The preparation of the land. 2. The manure best adapted to promote the growth. 3. The raising and planting of the seed. 4. The care necessary to be applied while growing. 5. The blights and injuries to which the crop may be liable. 6. The time and manner of harvesting. 1. As to the preparation of the land. Differing from most other crops, the onion grows well on the same land for an indefi- nite number of years. Instances of contin- ued appropriation of the same pieces of land to the growing of onions, for ten, fifteen, twenty, and even tliirly years, have come to our knowledge. It is the opinion of many that the crop is better, after the land has been thus used a ^qvj years, than at first. Whether this arises from any influence of the crop upon the soil, or is the effect of continued dressing of manures, we have no means of determining. Tliis is certain, that the qualities of the soil necessary for the production of good crops are not exhausted by continued cultivation. Rarely, if ever, have we known tlie onion sowed upon the turf wlien first turned over. It is usual to subdue and pulverize the soil, by the cultivation of corn, or some other crop. Not unfrequently the first year with c rn, the second with carrots, and afterwards with onions. It is important, before the seed is sown, that the surface be mellow, finely pulverized, and clear of stones or other im- pediments, to the free and unobstructed use of the machine for this purpose. The finer and more uniformly mellow the surface is made, the better. Shallow ploughing, say from four to six inches deep, is usaally prac- ticed. Once ploughing only in the spring, and frequent harrowings, are practiced. Be- fore the ploughing, the dressing is usually spread upon the surface of the field, so as to be covered or intermixed in the furrow. The mingling and subdivision of it, is effected by the use of the harrow. VVhether it would not be advantageous occasionally, to stir the land to the full depth of the soil, is a point on which there is a difference of opinion; most of the cultiva- tors inclining to the use of shallow plough- ing only. There are some facts tending to shovv, that occasional deep stirring of the soil does no harm to the onion crop, but on the contrary is decidedly beneficial. As for instance, onions do better where carrots have grown the year preceding, than after any other crop. The carrot necessarily starts t'le soil to the depth often or twelve inches. Possibly there may be some other influence upon the soil from the plant itself Our be- lief is, that the thorough and deep stirring of it, is the principal preparatory benefit. 2. The manure best adapted to promote the growth. Any strong manure, well rotted and finely subdivided will answer. But the general impression seems to be, that manure from stables, where the horses are freely fed with grain, is the best; and that it should be at least one year old, because it will not be sufficiently rotten in a less time. All agree that the dressing for the land should be kept near the surface, well mixed, and as fine as possible. Though we have seen the pre- sent year a very superior growth of onions, where green manure from the barn-yard was applied in the spring; but particular pains were taken to subdivide and intermin- gle it with the soil ; and to bush-harrow the land so thoroughly, that very little manure was exposed upon the surface. Muscle-bed is frequently used upon onion land. A portion of this is deemed by some almost indispensable. We have known the continued use of it for half a dozen years in succession, even without other manures, with a continuation of fair crops; but the general impression is, that it will not do to repeat tlie application of muscle-bed many years in succession. The eflect being to harden the land, and make too much of a crust about the surface. Without question the No. 8. Cultivation of Onions. 251 effect of the muscle-bed is congenial to the growth of the onion, giving those who live in the vicinity of rivers where it is found, a special advantage over those who are re- mote from it. Leached ashes are also a valuable manure in the cultivation of the onion ; more so when leached than before. All kinds of ashes are advantageously applied on onion land. Compost marmre made of meadow mud and droppings from the cattle, we have known advantageously applied on onion fields; but we have many doubts as to this being the best application of this kind of manure. A more lively and quickly ope- rating manure is better for the onion ; one that will give them an early start, and ad- vance them as fast as possible, in the first part of the season. The utmost vigilance and activity are used by our cultivators in getting their land ready, at an early period of the season, for the reception of the seed. It is the first field labour of the spring. The use of compost manure will depend much upon the constituents of the soil with which it is mixed. If the soil be a sandy loam, with a porous subsoil, the compost will do tolerably well; but if it be a black soil, with a clayey subsoil, such as are most of the lands where onions are raised in this vicini- ty, stable manure, or muscle-bed, or leached ashes, or a mixture of these, will be a better application. The quantity ordinarily ap- plied annually is from four to five good loads to the acre. Whatever is applied should be generously applied. It will be vain to expect full crops of onions, without full manuring. When the manure is col- lected, it is benefitted much by a free appli- plication of elbow grease in its preparation. The cultivator of the onion must work early and late, and in good earnest. Nothing short of forcible and persevering labour will answer. No man who is afraid of soiling his hands or the knees of his trousers, will do to engage in this business. Close work at the proper time, is the only sure guaran- tee of a good crop. 3. The raising and planting of the seed. In relation to the onion, as well as all other vegetables, much care is necessary in the selection of the plants for seed, and the cultivation of the seed. By the application of this care, the character of the article raised may bo modified almost at pleasure. Until within a few years ihejiat onion, hol- low about the stem, has been preferred. The thinner the handsomer. But it is now under- stood, that the round, thick, plump onion, is preferable in many respects. It is thought to yield better, and weigh heavier. It is found to have a decided preference in the market, commanding ten per cent, more in price. By selecting those of most desirable form, which ripen the earliest, and carefully setting them for seed, where they will not be exposed to the impregnation of the baser sorts, the quality has been materially changed and im- proved. These peculiarities in the onion were first noticed in this vicinity by Mr. Daniel Buxton. He was careful to select in the field before the crop was gathered, such onions as he preferred, and to preserve them for seed. By so doing, the seed which he raised soon acquired a character superior to any other. Many of those who had been accus- tomed to raise their own seed in the ordina- ry way, laid it aside, and purchased seed raised by Mr. Buxton, and found their ac- count in so doing. There are three varie- ties of the onion raised in this vicinity — the Silver-skin, the Red, and the White onion. The Silver-skin is the predominant species, and more cultivated than all others. The Red is preferred by some — sells better in some foreign markets, but does not yield so abundantly. The While onion yields as well as either of the others, is milder and preferable for immediate use; it will not keep as well, and is not fit for exportation ; which is the principal use made of our onions. The common drill machine is used for the distribution of the seed. This admits of regulation, so as to scatter it more or less thick ; and in this there is room for the ap- plication of sound judgment. The usual quantity sown is about three pounds to an acre. As a general rule, we should say, one pound of good seed was the proper quan- tity for a quarter of an acre of land of good quality well prepared. It is desirable to have the seed planted as thick as they will grow fairly, both to secure a full crop, and prevent the onion growing too large. Onions from one to two inches in diameter being preferred to tliose of a larger size. The skilful cultivator carefully looks after all these incidents relating to his crop. 4. The care necessary to be applied while growing. Much of the success of the crop depends on this care. At first the plant is extremely tender, and requires to be handled with much caution. Any derangement of the fibres or roots of the young plant, is attended with prejudicial consequences. Much attention is necessary to prevent weeds gaining the ascendancy; and in eradicating the weeds. Want of due care in this is often the cause of failure of a crop. We have known the present season, a highly promising crop to be injured twenty per cent, at least, by per- 252 Cultivation of Onions. Vol. XII. mittinw the weeds to remain unnoticed one week too long. This is especially true when there has been a want of due care in pre- venting the scattering' of the seeds of the weeds on the land in the years preceding. Care should be taken, both that no weeds shall ripen their seed upon the land, and that no weed seed shall be found in the ma- nure. In this respect, warm stable manure, musele-bed, and aslies, have a decided supe- riority over all other manures. Perhaps there is no plant more liable to be injured by weeds than the onion. The fibres it sends out are very numerous, minute and tender; any fracture of any of these neces- sarily impairs the perfection of the plant. When the land is in the proper condition, two careful weedings are all that may be neces- sary. The rest of the stirring of the ground that maybe required to promote the growth, can be done with the onion hoe. The dis- tance between the rows can be varied ac- cording to the quality and condition of the soil. Keeping the ground well stirred, Joose, and free of weeds, greatly facilitates the bottoming of the onion. There is no plant that will better reward diligent caro in the cultivation. The entire difference between a bountiful crop and no crop at all, often depends on this. The old maxim, "a 6titch in time saves nine," applies with great force in raising onions. 5. The blights and injuries (o which the crop may be subject. So far as we have observed, this crop is as certain as any other that is cultivated. We know that onions will not grow without a reasonable proportion of heat and moist- ure; but we have rarely, if ever known, an entire failure of the crop, where due dili- gence has been used. There are occasion- ally blights, the causes of which we have not learned. The more prominent will be noticed. Sometimes we have seen the plant co- vered with a small insect or louse, that gives: the top a while or light coloured aspect, and stops and stints the growth. These make their appearance about the time the bottom- ing commences. We have heard their ap- pearance charged to the use of muscle-bed ; but whether they are limited to land on which musele-bed has been used, we cannot eay. We think not We think they are natural associates of the plant. The effect of tliem is to diminish the qitantily, but not materially injure the quality of the vege- table. The crop is sometimes injured by a blue mould that gathers on the tops, occasioned by fogs, or an excess of moisture from fre- quent and long continued rains. There is a worm or maggot, occasionally found upon the onion plant, in the early stages of its growth, causing it to turn yel- low and die. This insect will be found in the bnlb, originating from eggs laid upon the leaves, by a small ash coloured fly, the scientific name of which is said to be Antho- myia ceparum, — see Transactions of the N. Y. State Agricultural Society for 1843, page 1.35. It comes to maturity in less than a month ; so that there may be several gen- erations in the course of the season. Their appearance in this vicinity is rare. Pulver- ized charcoal and fire have been found the most effectual remedies, against the ravages of this class of depredators. The most annoying enemy of the onion is the cut worm or grub worm. It probably is the same described by Dr. Harris, in his report on the Insects of Mass. injurious to vegetation, p. 324, there called '' Agrotis devastntor." And in the 1st vol. of Silli- man's Journal of Science, ^^ Phalcsna noctua devastator ;^^ though Dr. Harris does not mention the onio7i as among the plants upon which it feeds; probably considering it like Inbacco, as too noisome to be used by any decently civilized being. They are said " to seek their food in the night, or in cloudy weather, and retire before sunrise into the ground, or beneath stones, or any substance which can shelter them from the rays of the sun ; here they remain coiled up during the day, except while devouring their food, which they drag into their places of concealment." The remedy for these worms, suggested by our cultivators, corresponds nearly with that proposed by Mr. Foote, of Berkshire, " to catch them and pull their teeth out.'''' This being effectually done to ail, their operations will be of a limited cha- racter. When this is omitted, we have sometimes known whole fields almost en- tirely cut down by these rapacious devoiir- ers. Tey sweep clean where they go, not suffering even the weeds or any other herb- age to flourish. They are more frequently found on old ground than on neto; and par- ticularly where the ground has been covered during the winter with chichweed or other vegetable substance, on which the eggs from which they originate may have been depos- ited. Hence a benefitof clearing the ground of all vegetable matter or other obstructions in the autumn, after the crop is gathered. This clearing also facilitates the early plant- ing in the spring. Autumnal plougliing, as it exposes the soil more fully to the action of the frost, and disarranges all abodes for the winter made by insects, may have a tendency to diminish their number. 6. The time and manner of harvesting. Vo. 8. American Institute — Drainage. 253 When the tops beg-in to wither and fall, hen it is usual to start the onions from their led, and throw them together in rows — say ight or ten orowing rows into one. After hey have lain thus about one week, they re stirred and turned with a rake, and in bout one week more, when the ground is ry, and the weather fair, they are gathered ip by cart loads, and taken to the barn. Here hey are sorted and cleared of refuse leaves, nd then they are in a condition to be bunched r barreled. It should be remarked, that a large part of he labour of weeding-, gathering and sori- ng the onion, can be performed by children rom ten to sixteen years of age. Boys of his age, when properly instructed, will do bout as much as men. They are more imble, and can come at the work with reater facility. The sorting of the onion 3 frequently done by girls as well as boys. Vom three to Jive dollars a week, at one ent a basket, are usually earned by them uring the period of harvesting — which in- ludes the months of September and Octo- er. After the crop is taken off, if the sur- ice is sloping, it is useful to plough furrows bout one rod apart, to keep the surface from •ashinor. Unless this is done, all the herb- ge being gone, much of the soil will be kely to be misplaced, by the melting of nows and running of water in the spring. The inquiry arises, whether the growth f the onion is limited to soils of particular haracter, or whether it can be cultivated pen any good soil, with proper attention. Ve know that there is a popular impres- ion, that there are but few places in which le onion can be cultivated advantageously. 0 far as our own observation has extended, lis impression is in a great measure erro- eous. Like every other plant, the onion rows best on very good soils, in very good Dndition. But we have known very fair rops, on plain, light land, after the same 'as well saturated with manure, muscle-bed r ashes. A good substratum must be laid efore a good crop can be expected ; and lis being done, a crop may be expected on [most any soil, that will support other ve- etables. If we were asked, what course is best to e pursued with land, on which onions have ever been raised, to bring it into a condi- on for a successful cultivation of the crop, 'e should say — begin by ploughing to the ill depth of the nutritive soil, and during le first and second years, thoroughly sub- ue and mellow the soil by the cultivation f crops of corn and carrots, with liberal ressings of manure; then thoroughly incor- arate with the soil a dressing of strong ma- nure and muscle-bed, just covering this dress- ing; then harrow the surface thoroughly, and clear it of all roots, weeds, or other obstruc- tions; then apply a coating of lively, well rotted manure to the surface, and bush har- row it ; and then it will be in a condition to receive the seed, which is to be inserted as as soon as the opening of the spring will ad- mit of its being done. We are aware that we make the raising of the onion dependant upon severe labour and vigilant attention. We know that it cannot be successfully done without these. But it is not labour lost. No cultivation, within our observation, better repays for the labour and incidental expenses. We have known, the present season, acres that have yielded their owners a net income of more than two hundred dollars ; and we know that a man with two boys can well attend to half a dozen acres of such cultivation. Surely, when as at present, there is no limit to the demand for the article, and a ready cash market, those who have acres and are willing to labour, need not be in want of a fair compensation for their labour. As samples of the present year's produce in the town of Dan vers, we state the follow- ing that have come under our notice: JVama;. Acres. Produce. John Po,i?lee, 3 1,980 bushels. Daniel Oshnrn & Son, 1 1-.5 870 " James P. King, 1 1-3 660 " Aaron C. Proctor, 1 1-4 600 " E. & D. Buxton, 6 1-2 2,750 " Henrv Riir=tihv, 4 2,000 " Joseph Bnshby, 3 1,500 " Yielding an average of more than 500 bushels to the acre. — Cultivator. American Institute — Drainage. February 15th, 1848. R. L. Pell, of Pellham in the Chair. Henry Meigs, Secretary. Mr. Pell said that drainage, one of the subjects selected for discussion at the present meeting of the Farmers' Club, is a subject of vast importance to the agriculturists; whose success in growing crops, entirely de- pends upon the removal of superfluous water from lands naturally tenacious, and retaining constant moisture; which in nine cases out of ten materially injures cereal crops, and not unfrequently renders vast tracts of land entirely useless for agricultural purposes, which in many instances might be reclaimed at a small expense comparatively speaking. Often two or three land springs destroy acres of valuable land, by rising over the surface, and descending through alternating stratas of clay, gravel or sand, until they reach a hard bottom, where they accumulate and form re- 254 American Institute — Drainage. Vol. XII. servoirs — which ooze through the superin- cumbent surface, and keep it always wet. If there is a descent, this water may be readily got rid of by boring, by under drain, or open drain. If surrounded by high ground, select the lowest spring, and dig a well; the water will then follow the vein and thus thorough- ly drain the field. Should there be a suffi- cient descent, open or close drains may be made, conveying the water from the various springs to the lowest part of the field, where a pond may be formed, for the purposes of watering cattle, supplying ice, or even fish! The earth excavated, if clay, will form a valuable manure for sandy land — and vice versa, if sand, will render porous and fit for cultivation a clay soil. It not unfrequently happens that water is retained near the sur- face of a field, by a clay strata of inconsider- able thickness, thus rendering the soil unfer- tile ; this difficulty may be overcome at a small expense, by perforating the clay with a subsoil plough ; the water will sink into the gravel or sandy soil beneath, and escape. In many fields you often find alternate por- tions wet, and dry — upon examination it will be found that the wet portions are clay ; and the dry, sand or gravel. In this case your field may be reclaimed at once, by opening a drain from the wet to the dry land, which will immediately absorb the moisture. A drain should on no account be made di- rectly down a rapid descent ; lest its effici- ency might be destroyed by the impetuosity of the stream, and consequent collection of water at the bottom, inducing an overflow, and occasioning injury to the adjoining field; let it descend the field diagonally, and the water will naturally percolate slowly witfi out forming obstructions. If the slope is gradual, by all means run your drains in a straight line directly down it, in parallel lines; as it stands to rea- son where the situation admits of it, that a straight line carries the water more readily than a diagonal one. Main springs some- times render a field unfit for agricultural purposes. I have known fields that have been perfectly useless to their owners for years from this cause, which might have been remedied in a few hours by simply opening the channel of the spring; lands that have been long immersed in water, may by proper drainage be made to yield very large crops of grass, or grain: for the reason that water constantly absorbs gaseous matters from the air, and carries them with it wherever it goes in a solution — it is finally deposited by an arrangement of nature in the earth — and is constantly renewed by every succeeding overflow, until the land becomes rich in these impurities of the water, all of which are in a more or less degree indispensable to the growth of plants, being of organic origin, and containing not only decayed vegetable matter, but frequently animal. It is only necessary therefore to get rid of the super- fluous water by judicious drainage, and all these matters become at once capable of ministering nourishment to your cultivated plants. And land which in its undrained state was of no use to you, becomes of ines- timable value. While saturated with water it is impossible for the earth to obey the laws nature, |and radiate heat — as all bodies of on the face of the earth should ; all warm bodies throw out heat to cold bodies, as nature is forever striving for an equili- brium of heat. She is bountiful and yet provident in all her works; she ungrudg- ingly dispenses her favors to man, yet never wastes; her sun shines and throws ight upon all alike ; still science can assist nature, and proper drainage is calculated to benefit not only wet, but in many cases even dry soil may be benefited by drains. I once had a small piece of land which would yield me no return for my labor. I ran several drains through it, and ploughed it deep and thoroughly; the second year after it produced a heavy crop of grain. The conclusion I came to was, that the soil contained substan- ces injurious to vegetation; which were ren- dered soluble by the rain water falling upon the ground, and carried off through the drains. Undrained lands are called cold, and just- ly so, for the reason that they never derive proper benefit from the sun's rays ; they give off incessantly a very large quantity of vapor, and with this vapor nearly all the heat they may contain. It is not necessary to take my word for this fact, as you may by the same experiment I tried, satisfy yourselves. In the summer at mid-day place a thermometer in a dry field, and it will probably rise to 103 degrees — then in a moist undrained field, and it will fall perhaps below 80 degrees. Such was the case in my experiment. Immediately after the water is removed from the land, the air at once penetrates and possesses itself of all the vacant spaces; the consequence is that the roots of growing plants descend likewise, and find a virgin ^oil, of great depth ; accumulated by con- tinued washing of the rain perhaps for cen- turies. It will strike you as a natural conse- quence, that the deeper you make your drains, the greater the depth of available soil will be afforded for the purposes of ve- getable growth. Wheat and clover will ex- tend their roots four feet in depth, if the soil will admit of it. Practical men in Europe have found that the effects of draining have No. 8. American Institute — Drainage, 255 increased the products of their farms suffi- cient to pay for tlie most expensive system of drainage, in three years. There is a pri vate geutleinan in Grent Britain, who has made over 350 miles of drains on a single farm of 1000 acres land. Before it was drained, he rented it for two dollars per acre; and afterwards for eight dollars. As soon as the land becomes dry, the agriculturist had an opportunity afforded liim of displaying his exertions to advantage. Bones, ashes, nitrate of soda, lime, and other artificial manures, which on his wet soil exhibited no fertilizing v'rtue, now yield him adequate remuneration for all his labor and expenditure. The man who drains and improves a wet piece of boj land, should be looked upon by all his neigh bors as a public benefactor ; for the reason that mists, mildews, miasma, &c., arise from EU'h land, and injure all the crops in its im mediate vicinity — and not only that, but they do far gretiter injury to the surrounding po pulation, by causing intermittant, bilious, typhus fever, fever and ague, &c. By drain- age, then, the climate of the locality is en- tirely changed in reference to the general health of the inhabitants, and the growth of plants. "Dr. W'Ison, in the English Qtiar- terly Journal of Agriculture, vol. 12, page 317, has shown that fever and ague, which formed nearly one half of all the diseases of the population during the former ten years, had almost wholly disappeared during the latter ten, in consequence of the general ex- tension of an etTicicnt drainage throughout that part of the country, (district of Kelso) while, at the same time, the fatality of dis- ease, or the comparative number of deaths from every 100 cases of serious ailment, has diminished in the proportion of four to two. Such beneficial results, though not immedi- ately sought for by the practical farmer, yet are the inevitable result of his successful exertion. Apart therefore, from mere con- siderations of pecuniary profit, a desire to promote the general comfort and happiness of the entire inhabitants of a district, may fairly influence the possessors of land to for- ward this method or ameliorating the soil; while the whole people on the other hand, of whatever class, ought gratefully to acknow- ledge the value of those improvements which at once render their homes more salubrious, and their fields more fruitful." Drainage, then, in the first place changes the soil, improves the climate, and adds to the health of the surrounding people. In the second place — it deepens the soil, dissipates the water, and cleanses the sub- Eoii of unprofitable ingredients. And in their place renders the land capable of producing all the cerealia by the free admission of at- mospheric air. Three yenrs since, I made seven and r\ half miles of st(;ne under drains on a piece of bog land. The ditches were dug to the depth of three feet, and were three feet wide at the bottom. A wall was carefully laid on ecch side, 12 inches wide and 12 inches hitrh, leaving a 12 inch opening, over which flat stones were placed — and tiie interstices filled up with small stones; the whole were then covered with dirt; shortly after the field was plowed, harrowed, and seeded with rye, clo- ver, and red top. The crop of rye was a fine one, grain weighed 60^ lbs. to the bush- el, and the grass made capital pasture after the rye was harvested. This laud had never been cultivated before; and was always avoided by cattle, on account of the numer- ous quicksand holes contained in it. I brought all the drains to a point, and there formed a chain of two ponds 800 feet in length, and 14 feet deep — also a circular pond of less dimensions, connected with them. The muck taken from the ponds am- ply remunerated me for all the expense in- curred ; they are now stocked with European Carp, Pickerel, Shad and fish from the great lakes. I would not have the gentlemen who hear jme, understand that to drain a piece of ground effectually, it is only necessary to construct a drain with a sufficient descent to carry off" the water it contains, but that it is indispensable they should know the structure of the field's upper ciust, its capacity of per- mitting water to course through it, the vari- eties of strata of which it is composed, its porosity, &c. Some fields are not capable of allowing water to pass them at all, on ac- count of oblique strata running through them, and forcing the water to the surface; such fields may be considered unfit for agricul- tural purposes, and any expense laid out upon them, by the proprietor, for the purpose of draining, would be a dead loss. Before this system is commenced I would advise the farmer to examine his soil, and subsoil ; find out of what materials they are com- posed,— their depth, degrees of inclination from the horizontal, &c. The subsoil is most generally entirely different from the surface soil ; the surface may be composed of clay, and the subsoil of sand, or gravel, in which case deep subsoil ploughing will answer all the purposes of a drain ; most effectually break- ing up the clay surface, and thus enabling the sand or gravel to absorb all the excessive moisture. I have heard farmers say they derive no benefit from draining, although in their estimation their drains were perfect, 256 American Institute — Drainage. Vol. XII. having been made at great cost, and of prop- er materials, with sufficient descent, &c. Upon examination I found ttiey had not sub- Eoiled their land, the consequence was the clay subsoil being retentive, held the water in almost a stagnant state, which was abso- lutely poisonous to all vegetation above it. The only benefit the farmer derived from his drains was an improvement in the soil di- rectly contiguous to them. Whereas it is indispensably necessary that the whole field drained should be subsoiled as deep as pos- sible, the hard pan must be broken up, when the water will readily find its way to the drain, and through it to the level sought by the cultivator; you must not therefore con- sider the work accomplished until your land is perfectly tilled, and the air admitted to all the pores recently filled with water. Most farmers not bearing this fact in mind, con- struct their drains so shallow, that it is im- possible to subsoil; and consequently they have deprived themselves of all the advan- tages to be attained by its adoption, and their drains are comparatively speaking almost useless, draining and deep ploughing go hand in hand together, and it is by combining their effects, — that the greatest improvement to the soil is accomplisiied. Mr. Pell said that irrigation, is another subject, before the club this morning for dis- cussion ; and although of vast importance, is not as necessary for us in my estimation, as drainage ; for the reason that our climate is blessed throughout the growing season with an abundance of water, except in a few iso- lated instances. It is the art of watering lands in an artificial manner by means of channels, with a view of increasing their productiveness. In Eastern countries the heat of the climate is such, that without flooding, lands which now yield most abund- antly, would be completely sterile. The simile made use of by Isaiah to indicate de- solation, is "a garden that hath no water." Cato 150 years before the birth of our Saviour requested the Italian agriculturists to " make water meadows if they had water." The principal rivers in northern Italy, the Tagli- amento, Po, and Adige, are used for the purpose of irrigation, and all the country contiguous to them from Turin to Venice, is capable of being overflowed; they find it necessary to irrigate not only for grass, but for corn and vines. The waters of all these rivers belong to the States through which they pass, and no man can use them without paying the state a price regulated by the quantity of water required. Lands capable of being irrigated in northern Italy, rent nearly for one half more than lands which are not. In all the hot countries in Asia, and in all tropical climates irrigation is car- ried to a great extent as the most effectual mode of producing fertility. It is a fiivorite system of agriculture in Hindostan, Arabia and Persia, as well as in the empire of Chi- na. I noticed a statement made in the Jour- nal of Commerce yesterday, by a gentleman who had resided many years, 1400 miles up the River Ganges in India, that millions of people had died of famine, rain not having fallen for six months, and that the British government were now constructing a canal from the mountains in which the Ganges rises, 700 miles in length, at a cost of $50,- 000,000, for the purposes of irrigation. I was shown lands in the vicinity of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, belonging to Earl Moray, that had been irrigated by the street water from the city, and thus made superior to any other land in Great Britain, yielding six crops of grass in a single year, which is sold for the purpose of being fed to milch cows, for £29 sterling per acre, and has been sold as high when grass was scarce as j£55 per acre. Forty-two acres of poor sandy soil near the city was irrigated at an expense of j£900, and in 1833 when I was there, rented for £19 per acre, about S84,36. There are on Long Island within a few miles of this city, large tracts of sandy soil, now worth perhaps $5 per acre, which I am confident might be made worth .$150 by a proper and judicious mode of irrigation. Ad- joining many of these lands there are exten- sive ponds, which by the use of proper steam machinery, might be made to irrigate them.- The first expense in many instances, would be great, but the profits would be far greater. I would respectfully advise some of the Long Island millionaires to try the experiment on a small scale. It only requires the success of a single individual, to induce every inhabitant to follow his example, and Long Island would soon become the garden of New York. In Switzerland the mountain torrents as they descend in the fall are conducted over the vallies, which are flooded, and in many instances remain so during the winter; one winter's flooding is considered of more value to the grass, than 29 loads of the best rotted stable manure. Such being the case, how inconceivably valuable is the water, which daily finds its way into the river, and thence into the ocean, from this great city of New York, how effectual would be the improve- ment of our impoverished lands — if their valuable substances could find their way to them, instead of the ocean. By what our City Fathers call their improved plan of drainage, all the rich excrementitious mat- ters now find their way to the ocean like- wise. These substances if they could be No. 8. Effect of the early sowing of Wheat on the Hessian Fly. 257 saved, would be worth countless millions to the agricultural interest of the State. I will venture to say that more than one thousand tons of most valuable fertilizing matter, finds its way daily to the rivers from the city of New York ; sufficient to enrich 30,000 acres of the poorest land annually ; in such a manner as to render it capable of producing 130 bushels of shelled corn to the acre; instead of its present yield 25 bush- els. It would pay the Long Island, and Jer- sey Agriculturists, to construct at the mouth of the leading sewers, water tight chambers, to collect the enriched waters of the city : with which to irrigate their worn out and famished lands. These waters contain in solution every known requisite for the growth of plants, they contain calcium, lime, car- bonate of lime, sulphate of lime, nitrates, sulphates, phosphates, alumina, silica, magne- sia, oxides, organic and inorganic substances. In fact every matter requisite to agriculture is contained in them, refuse substances from the apothecary, chemist and soap boiler find their way into them, and they are beyond the shadow of a doubt of inestimable value for the purposes of irrigation. If Earl Moray obtained, as I before stated £55 or $244 per acre in a single year for his grass, grown on poor sandy soil, in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh; merely by the use of street water; what is there to prevent the Long Island farmer from obtaining like results. Let me entreat you gentlemen to collect by subscription a few thousand dollars and try the experiment! You will then leave your heirs a valuable inheritance. Pursue your present mode of agriculture, and you will impoverish yourselves, and drive your chil- dren to the western wilds. — Farmer and Mechanic. For the Farmers' Cabinet. The effect of the early sowing of Wheat on the increase of the Hessian Fly. Of late years it has been the practice in this neighbourhood, to sow wheat earlier in the season than had previously been custom- ary for a long time. It is also observable, that in a few years after this practice became general, the ravages of the Hessian fly were much increased. It is then an interesting inquiry, whether the latter fact is a conse- quence of the former: it is also important to know, if possible, whether a continuation of the practice will occasion a continuation of the ravages of this insect. This is an intricate subject — enveloped in much obscurity — but if we can obtain any light upon it, it will probably be derived from an examination of the habits of the insect before us. We may note then that the fly is known to make its appearance in the growing wheat early in the spring, in the form of a small larva or maggot. It ap- pears to feed upon the juices of the plant for some time, and then it assumes a brown covering, in which it lies in a state of inac- tivity for a length of time which I have not carefully observed — taking no food, and ap- parently doing no other damage to the plant than that which is produced by its mere pressure upon the growing stalk. In the early part of June — sooner or later, accord- ing to the season — it comes forth in its fin- ished stage of being, flies abroad and pro- vides for the perpetuity of its race. This brood we may call the first genera- tion of the insect. The second generation may be observed soon after the disappear- ance of the first, in wheat that is late in ripening; in barley, rye, and probably in some other gramineous plants, though of the latter fact I have no clear evidence — nothing but probable conjecture. I have, however, seen the fly in abundance at this season, in barley and in wheat; occupying the axil of the upper leaf, and assuming the brown or flaxseed appearance about the time the grain is ripening. Of course in this state it is carried into the barn or stack, and there pro- bably it goes through its final metamorpho- sis. This is the second generation. The third may be seen in the autumn, in early sown wheat, assuming the brown co- vering before winter, and lying in that state till the warmth of spring rouses it from its torpidity. It then obtains wings, bursts open its shell, flies abroad to enjoy the balmy airs of heaven and the rich scenery of earth; and after providing for the succession of an- other generation, speedily goes the way of all flesh. There are, therefore, three gene- rations of this pest of the farmer in each and every year; one in the spring, another in midsummer, and a third in the autumn and winter. Such is the outline of the his- tory of this insect, which I have deduced from observation, and I feel satisfied that in the main it is correct, though there is much wanting to fill up the picture. Now it is manifest that whatever favours the multiplication of the insect, must tend to increase its ravages; and it is not less obvious that the early sowing of wheat, by furnishinfr it with increased facilities for the propagation of its race, will have this efl^ect. It is rational therefore to conclude, that the great multiplication of the fly observable in this neiQ-hbourhood within the last fevi years, is mainly owing to the general practice of early sowing which had preceded that event. Nor does the fact that late sown wheat is as 258 Effect of the early soicing of Wheat on the Hessian Fly. Vol. XII. liable to be injured by the fly as that which is .sown earlj', militate against this conclu- sion ; for the principal darnao-e to the wheat crop is mostly done by the spring brood, and it the fly is in the neighbourhood it will be as likely to lay its eggs in that which was sown liite as in any other. Nay, it is not improbable that the younger plants furnished by the late sowing, may be preferred by it; and that to such it will be more destructive than to those which are older and more vig. orous. Thus he who by sowing early, raises a plentiful winter brood of these insects, cherishes an enemy which is quite as likely to destroy his neighbour's crop as his own. There is therefore no security to be found in late sowing when practiced by a few, while the general mass sow early enough to allow of tiie egg to be deposited in the young plants before the season of the fly is past. If anything is to be gained by the practice in the way of preventing the mul- tiplication of the fly, it must be universally, or at least very generally adopted. With regard to the other branch of the proposed enquiry, — whether a continuation ot the practice of early sowing will occasion the continued destruction of the wheat crop — there is a curious fact connected with the life of the Hessian fly, which it is very ne- cessary to take note of. This destructive pest has a deadly enemy in a parasite insect of nearly its own size, by which myriads of its kind are every year destroyed. This enemy attacks the fly about tiio time when it assumes the brown cover- ing, or perhaps somewhat earlier. It depos- ites its egg in, or on the bodyoftlie fly, where it hatches, and the young larva proceeds to feed itself thereon till it eats it all up, and occupying the shell which the fly had pro- vided for itself, it goes through its appointed changes, and in due time comes forth a winged insect, prepared to seek out a place for its progeny similar to that in which it was nurtured. These insects may be seen coming forth from a portion of the shells which the Hessian flies had prepared for themselves, about two or three weeks after the time wlien the Hessian fly makes it ap- pearance. They are assiduous in seeking a suitable place to deposite theireggs, of which on one occasion I had a striking illustration. I had gathered some stalks of grain contain- inir the fly at the time of harvest, and put them in a glass ves.sel in an open room used fordrying and preserving seeds. I intended to cover them up and watch their develope- ment, but being then much engaged, I left the vessel uncovered. On returning to it a few days after, I observed a number of those enemies of the Hessian fly — with whose ap- pearance I had previously been somewhat familiar — gathered about and on the straw in which the flies were enveloped, as if they were attracted there by something peculiar. Indeed they were evidently seeking a place to deposite their eggs. Through the agency of this parasite a large proportion of the Hessian flies are every year destroyed, and it is highly proba- ble that but for this destruction we should be utterly unable to raise wheat to profit. Now it is manifest that the destruction of the Hessian fly will be increased as the num- ber of its enemies is multiplied; and it is evident that these will multiply more or less according to the means of their subsistence. Whenever the Hessian fly is abundant, it furnishes the means for the multiplication of its enemies, and this increase of the para- site insect is only checked when the destruc- tion of the fly limits its supply of food. Thus when any circumstances give peculiar en- couragement to the increase of the Hessian fly, its power of increase is so great it soon multiplies to the extent of its means of ob- taining suitable situations for its brood, or at least it makes rapid strides towards this con- dition. Its enemy however is not much its inferior in such a race; but it cannot start until the other by its abundance has fur- nished it with the means. It then continues to multiply so long as these means are fur- nished, and it continues to hunt down the Hessian fly with unwearied assiduity, till a scarcity of its appropriate food arrests its further progress and thins its ranks. Its di- minished numbers cease to be formidable to the Hessian fly, and allow it to take advan- tage of the first favourable chance to start forward in another race — again it is pursued, overtaken, and hunted down by its unwea- ried adversary, and again that adversary partly perishes for the want of food — and thus a constant succession of floods and ebbs in the tide of being is naturally produced, in this department of the insect world. In accordance with these principles, we find that when the Hessian fly first made its appearance in our country, it was for some years much more destructive than it has been at any time since; and that the visita- tions of this plague since that time, have been of a more or less periodical character. We may conclude, therefore, that the practice of sowing wheat early in the sea- son, has for some years past given an im- petus in this district to the increase of the Hessian fly, which has enabled it to outstrip the pursuit of its destroyer, and to devastate our wheat fields; but we may rest assured that this state of things will not continue many years. The abundance of the Hessian No. 8. HortAcuHural Premiums. — Portico Floors. 259 fly will furnish the means of multiplying this parasite, so as to give a material check to its own ravages. They cannot, however, by such means be entirely prevented, and the fly will doubtless continue to infest our wheat fields as heretofore; sometimes more, sometimes less, but always in some degree. Whether the practice of early sowing will — taking many years together — cause an ave- rage increase of the devastations of the fly, is a question which I presume is yet to be decided by observation and experiment. My own opinion is, that it will do so; and that our true policy is to return to the practice of late sowing, so as to obstruct the increase of the fly. But further observations are wanting before much confidence can be placed in any judgment we may form in the case; the subject is enveloped in much ob- scurity, and principles may be in operation in relation to it which we do not even sus- pect. VV. Jackson. Harmony Grove, Chester co., Pa., March 8th, 1848. Horticultural Premiums. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society will hold its stated meeting in the Museum building on Ninth and George streets, on the 18th of next month, at 8 o'clock, P. M. The following premiums are ofl^ered. Pelargoniums. — For the best, ten named varieties, to be exhibited in pots, S5. For the second best do. do. do. $3. For the third best do. do. do. $2. Roses. — For the best ten Everblooming Roses, named varieties in pots, including Bengal, Tea, and Noisettes, $4. For the second best do. do. do. do. S3. For the third best do. do. do. do. $»2. Tulips. — For the best, single, twelve named varieties, $3. For the second best do. do. S2. For the third best do. do. $1. Hyacinths. — For the best, six named va- rieties to be exhibited, S2. For the second best do. do. do. $1. Pansies. — For the best, six varieties do. m. For the second best, do. do. $1. Auriculas. — For the best, four varieties .do. !ii;2. Polyanthus. — For the best, six do. do. $2. Cucumbers. — For the best, two in num- ber, do. .§2. For the second best do. do. $1. Cauliflowers. — For the best, three heads to be exhibited, $3. For the second best do. do. $2. Sea Kale. — For the best, six plants do. 82. For the second best do. do. $1. Rhubarb. — For the bo.st,six stalks do. $1. Asparagus. — For the best, twenty-four stalks, do. $2. For the second best do. do. $1. For the Farmers' Cabinet. To Preserve Portico Floors. In reply to "A Farmer," in your last number, 1 will give my experience on the subject, with some theory added thereto. Dry pine planed and grooved, the boards about six inches wide. A coat of paint upon this, a sufficient quantity of sharp clcHn screened sand; when the two firmly unite and dry, another coat, and a third. My porticos have been in use three years; there is neither the appearance of wear nor leak. There is nothing I could have done to the floor that would have met my appro- bation, in preference. Stone steps are ob- jectionable, they are very costly and un- yielding to the tread, and not agreeable. Here we have an agreeable substitute. The foundation steps is granite, and as the whole of wood steps and floor was painted light lead colour, it is almost impo.ssible to see the difl^erence, they are so much alike in ap- pearance, rendered more so, by being acci- dentally stained with leaves, «fcc. I am of the opinion that the dregs of lin- seed oil will be equally as good as pure, for the first coat. Thickness is desirable to lay the sand upon. I also think that the boards should be entirely free from knots, and not planed. It is indispensable to have the bot- tom step stone for all porticos. Some plan should be adopted to prevent rain falling on the painted sand till dry, — if it runs about, it cannot be so durable, nor look well. The thick oil or paint put on a common board as above described, will give you all the knowledge in a few days for a fip. I should be glad to learn the success of the Chester county farmer in the premises, E. Lewis. Bloomsbiiry, near Havre de Grace, Feb. 26lh, 1848. P. S. Since writing the foregoing, I have examined my floor more minutely, and think the width of the plank not material ; but should be well seasoned, and the steps should be one and a half inch, or two inches may not be too thick; one inch is not strong enough ; nor is the grooving essential, but must be grooved or slatted, to prevent the sand and oil passing through. E. L. 260 Grafting Grape Vines. — Sagacity of the Ass. Vol. XII. tiraftins: Grape Vines. By Alexander .Marshall, Ehq., West Chester, Pa. The cultivation of tiie grape is becoming very extensive as an article for the market, as well as for consumption by those who grow them : and one which cannot be too liighly prized as a delicious and wholesome fruit. Almost every one loves to eat a plate full of good grapes, but very few know how to cultivate tliem, and fewer still know what varieties to select as best suited to the soil and climate of their particular location. So that, after having reared a few vines to a proper bearing age, they are disappointed in the crop by having been unfortunate in their selection. They thus become disheartened, and suffer the vines on which they have be,-towed so much attention, and watched with so much solicitude, to perish for want of the very treatment that would make them productive of good fruit. To such I would say, Cheer up; those vines are very valu- able; their variety can soon be changed by the process of grafting. If the reader will have a little patience, I will give him my experience on this subject. Some years ago, I planted a vineyard, and, to make the variety as extensive as possible, having a strong partiality for native plants and fruits, selected cuttings from many wild varieties on the neighbouring hills and in the surrounding valleys. After bestowing a great deal of labour and attention on them for several years, I found that they would not meet my expectations as fruit-bearing vines, and concluded to try the experiment of grafting them. Having prepared myself with scions for the purpose, I commenced one morning, about the last of March, by re- moving the soil from the vine to the depth of live or six inches; sawed off" the vine about two inches below the surface; smoothed the end of the stump with a sharp knife — split the stump in the centre with a chisel — cut the butt end of the graft in the shape of a wedge, so that the first bud would come on, or immediately above, the shoulder of the stump, leaving but two buds on the graft, one of which would come above the surface of the ground. The stumps being from an inch to an inch and a quarter in diameter, I put two grafts in each stump, one in each side, with the outside bark to coincide with that of the stump — covered the top and cleft sides of the stump with grafting wax (made of beeswax, rosin and tallow) so as to prevent the bleeding of the sap — replaced the soil carefully around and over the stump, cover- ing the first bud and leaving one only above the surface, and marked the place with a stake to prevent accident. 1 used no mat- ting or tying of any kind, the stump being strong enough to hold the grafts. I thus grafted one hundred and twenty vines the same day. It so happened that when the grafts were set in the last twenty stumps, and the wax adjusted, ready for re- placing the soil, I was called from the field for some purpose, and the soil was not re- placed about the stumps for two or three days. Now mark the difference occasioned by so slight an accident. Of the first hun- dred, not more than four or five missed grow- ing— of the last twenty, full one half missed. The grafts that grew, did well, and the next year produced a crop of fine Catawba Grapes. I have since grafted grape vines the same way, and with equal success, always being careful to replace the soil immediately. — Hovey''s Magazine of Horticulture. Sagacity of the Ass. Not a ^e\v pens, and some of great ability, have taken up the defence of this ill-used ani- mal. "The ass," said the prophet of old, " knoweth his master's crib ;" but the ass of our times is not so fortunate, for, as a plea- sant writer observes, the poor beast is utterly unacquainted with the nature of a rack, and knoweth not even the existence of a man- ger. He is a houseless vagrant over com- mons and along lane sides; he is a beast among gipsies, and a gipsy among beasts. He is unfed, untended, unpitied, he is hated, kicked, spurned, thumped, lashed, torment- ed, troubled, and thrashed in every possible and devisable fashion — and for why 1 Your " most exquisite reason," good public ? Alas ! he is — an ass. In Britain, the nature and disposition of the ass is quite destroyed through careless- ness and cruelty — " The ass grows dull by stripes, the constant blow Beats off his briskness, and he moves but slow." But among the peasantry of Spain the ass is a petted liivourite, almost an inmate of the household. The children welcome him home, and the wife teeds him from her hands. Under this kind treatment his intellect ex- pands, and what we denounce as the most stupid of animals actually becomes sagacious, following his master, and coming and going at his bidding. Mrs. Child relates, that a Spanish peasant and his ass had daily, for many years, carried milk round to several customers in Madrid, till at length the pea- sant became very ill, and had no one to send to market. At the suggestion of bis wife, the panniers were filled with canisters of milk; an inscription, written by the priest, No, 8. Philosophy of Farming. — Value of Old Rope, SfC. 261 requested customers to measure tlieir own milk, and return the vessels; and the ass went off witli his load. He returned in due time with empty canisters, and thus he con- tmned to go to and fro for several days. In Madrid, the house-bells usually pull down- wards, and the ass stopped before the door of every customer, and, after waiting a rea- sonable time, pulled the bell with his mouth. — Blackwood's Magazine. Philosophy of Farming. Here is the secret of good farming. You cannot take from the land more than you re- store to it, in some shape or other, without ruining it, and so destroying your capital. Different soils may require different modes of treatment and cropping, but in every va- riety of soil these are the golden rules to at- tend to: Drain until you l^nd that the water that falls from heaven does not stagnate in the soil but runs through it and off it freely. Turn up and till the land until your foot sinks into a loose, powdery loam, that the sun and air readily pass through. Let no weed occupy the place where a useful plant could possibly grow. Collect every particle of manure that you can, whether liquid or solid. Let nothing on the farm go to waste. Put in your crops in that course which ex- perience has shown to lead to success in their growth, and to an enrichment and not impoverishment of the land. Give every plant room to spread its roots in the soil, and its leaves in the air. — Agriculturist, Value of old Rope. — Among the nu- merous worn out, and ot\en considered worth- less, materials, which the ingenuity of man has discovered means of remanufacturing, and rendering of equal value to its original sub- stances, are old tarred ropes which have long been in use at coal pits. Our readers will be surprised when we inform them that out of this dirty and apparently unbleachable substance, is produced a tissue paper of the most beautiful fabric, evenness of surface, and delicacy of colour, a ream of which, with wrapper and string, weighs 2 1-2 lbs. It is principally used in the potteries for trans- ferring the various patterns to the earthen- ware, and is found superior to any other substance yet known for that purpose ; it is so tenacious that a sheet of it, if twisted by hand in the form of a rope, will support upwards of one cwt. Truly we live in an acre of invention. — Farmer and Mechanic. Remarkable Instance op the Vegeta- tion OF Maize, or Indian Corn. — In the year 1754, a member of the Bath Society, England, obtained while in Strasburg, an ear of Indian corn, which was preserved with the husks on until the 28th of February, 1788, when six grains were taken from it, soaked in water fifty-four hours, and planted in earthen pots, in a hothouse. In about twenty days they began to appear, ami four out of the six grew to about the height of three feet, and two produced ears completely formed. The pots were taken out of the hothouse the latter part of June,and the ears were gathered the beginning of October. Six other grains taken from the same ear were planted in a garden without soaking, but showed no signs of vegetation. — Ex- change paper. Pickled Eggs. — In some parts of Eng- land, pickled eggs constitute a very promi- nent feature in the farm-house store-rooms. The mode in which the good dames pickle them is simply thus: at the season of the year when their stock of eggs is plentiful, they boil some few dozens in a capacious saucepan until they become quite hard. They then, after removing the shells, lay them carefully in large mouthed jars, and pour over them scalding vinegar, well sea- soned with whole peppers, allspice, a few pieces of ginger, and a few cloves of garlic. When cold, they a re bunged down close, and in a month are fit for use. Where eggs are plentiful the above pickle is by no means expensive, and is a relishing accoropanimeni to cold meat. THE FARMERS' CABINET, AND Philadelphia, Third Month, 1648, The Editor of the Farmer's Cabinet will relinquish its publication at the close of the current volume in the seventh month next. He wiM dispose of the con- cern upon terms that may be advantageous to anyone who may incline to continue it. An advertisement in the present number of the Cab- inet, win show that John Wilkinson, of the Duchess Agricultural Institute of Duchess county, New York is about to remove his eslablishtnent to Mount Airy, the well known residence of James Gowen, one of our most enterprising and successful farmers. The high character of those to whom the advertiser refers teaves no room to doubt &i8 thorough qualification for the responsible duties he is about to assume in our vi. cinity. We presume further, that ou? friend J. 6- 2Q2 Editorial JVbtices. Vol. XII. would be e.vceediiiply tenacious of his own higli repu- tation, ami therefore unlikely to risk the uniiertRkiiig with one in whom he did not place the most implicit eliance. We sincerely hope that this enterprise may be as successful in every particular, as its olijrcts are im- portant to the great farming interests of the country. The Jlmerican Journal of Agriculture and Science has passed from the hands of Dr. Emmons and A. Os- BORN, by whom it has for some time been ably con- ducted, into those of our friend C. N. Bement, well known to the readers of the agricultural journals of the day, as an experienced and valuable writer for them. We trust its usefulness may not be diminished by the change; and hope that the market, spoken of in the introductory remarks, may be a profitable one. It is still published monthly at Albany, N. Y., at two dollars a year. The estimate of the present population of the United States, and of the crops for the year 1847, com- piled from the Report lately laid before Congress by the Commissioner of Patents, on page 248, will be found a highly interesting paper. It is marked through- out with evidences of Ihe uninterrupted increase of numbers, as well as of the means of subsistence. The advertisement of Paschall Morris and Ezra Stokes, will be found on this page. To those who would supply themselves with good and genuine trees, every facility is, we think, afforded by them. Orders will be received by the editor, at this office. We do not recollect the recent introduction of any one convenience to the appliances of the farm house, that is at all comparable to that which attends the use of the Hydraulic Ram. Many farmers in this vicinity, not only in this State, but in New Jersey also, and Delaware, have availed themselves of it, and they find it to work well, and to save much labour. There may be many situations where the water may be brought by the force of its own gravity, to the house and barn, without the services of the Ram. The editor was a few weeks ago partaking of the open hospitality of his friend William R Tatum, whose farm lies on the north side of Woodbury creek, half a mile from Wood bury, the county town of Gloucester, in New Jersey. We were particularly pleased with the manner in which he had secured to his family and barn-yard stock, a plentiful supply of the all-important beverage, at all seasons, without the labour of pumping. About 500 yards from his house, on the south side of the creek, o-n his neighbour's land, he found a spring about ten feet higher than his kitchen floor. The water of this spring he has made completely tributary to hi wants and family comforts. He brings it through a leaden pipe of i or | inch bore, under the bed of the creek, and sufficiently below the surface of the ground to be out of danger from the frost, to a reservoir under his shed; from which, when the water reaches a cer tain height, it passes through another leaden pipe down to the trough in his cow-yard: this is always kept full, and the superfluous water is carried thence into his sheep-yard. The operation appears complete, and has been effiicted at an expense of about $125. We have been induced to make these remarks in conse- quence of the letter from W. Bacon, on page 245. Fruit and other Trees. The subscribers offer for sale at their Nurseries, Westchester, an extensive assortment of Fruit, Orna- mental and Evergreen Trees of fine size, and which are warranted true to their name. Their list of Apple trees comprises about 130 select kinds of thrifty grovvi h, and have been entirely free from the attacks of the borer, which have been so fatal in some sections. Trees packed so as to carry any distance, and delivered in Philadelphia if desired. Orders may be left with JosiAH Tatdm, from whom catalogues can be obtained. Orders by mail will receive prompt attention. MORRIS & STOKES, Westchester, Chester Co., Pa. Third mo. 15, 184&— 2t. COAL. The subscriber has made an arrangement for a con- tant supply of superior Lehigh and Schuylkill Coal- carefully prepared for family use, which he will fur- nish at the usual cash prices, on applicat-ion at the office of the Farmers' Cabinet, where samples of the different kinds and sizes may be seen. JOSIAH TATUM. Philadelphia, Seventh month 15th, 1847. GUANO. Peruvian & African Gnano, in bags & bbls. ALSO, PREPARED GUANO. This article has been in use during the last year, and from the effect that it has produced, can be safely re- comment'ed to farmers as a cheap and valuable fertil- izer; the object in preparing this article is to give the farmer a manure at a very low price, that will enable all to use it. It is prepared upon strictly scientific principles, and is recommended to general use by the Farmers' Club, and the New York State Agricul- tural Society. For Sale by ALLEN & NEEDLES, 23 South Wharves, near Chesnut Street, Phila. Feb. 15th, 1848.— 6ra. SEED STOHZ:, No. 23 Market Street, Philadelphia. The subscriber keeps constantly a supply of White and Red Clover, and other grass seeds; fresh Perennial Rye-grass, and Lucerne seed. Field seeds, consisting of choice Spring Wheat, Barley, Potatoe Oats, North- ern and other seed-corn. Also, in season. Fruit and Shade Trees. Garden and Bird seeds generally. Gua- no in parcels to suit purchasers. M. S. POWELL. Philad., Feb., 1847. tf. No. 8. Editorial JVotices. 263 A8RIGULTURAL INSTITUTE. Th!s IiisiitiitiDri is located at Mount Airy, German- town, spvcn miles from Philadelphia, being the grounds and Farm of James Govven, Esq., so favorably known to the a^'ricultiiral community — a site proverbia! for its salubrity, and ia every respect eminently adapted to the end and object of an Agricultural Seminary. The system of instruction is such as to afford the stu dent every facility for acquiring a thorough knowledge of Scientific and Practical Agriculture, with the use of the best modern farm implements and machinery. Chemistry and the other Natural Sciences requisite to an enlightened course of agriculture, and applicable to the general pursuits of life, receive special attention; Lectures, with experimental illustration, being con nected with each course. The best facilities are also afforded to those who may desire to pursue collegiate branches, or acquire a thor- ough Commercial Education, under circumstances highly favorable to physical and moral culture, so that in addition to the main object of the Institution, (Ag riculture,) the students may be prepared for any other respectable profession. The Institution has the advantage of adjoining the residence of Mr. Gowen, who kindly volunteers his ex perience and counsel in promoting the object of Ihe establishment — Agricultural Education. The year is divided into two sessions; the first ses- sion beginning on the first Thursday of April, the se- cond on the first Thursday of October. Terms ftl-.5 per sessijn, payable in advance— includ- ing bed, bedding, washing, mending, fuel and lights. Address the Principal, JOHN WILKINSON, (until 18th March) at Poughkeepsie, N. York ; (after that time, Germantown, Pa. Or, JAMES GOWEN, Esq., Philada., Pa. Referenci:?.— James Gowen, Esq. Philadelphia, Pa Ri rbeit Ewing, Esq., do. — Profess<.r John Frost, do.— Geo. W. Dobbin, Esq, Baltimore, Md.— Gen. Wm. 11. Rirhardson, Richmond, Va — Zebedee Cook, Esq , New " York,— Thomas M'Elralh, Esq., do — Isaac C. Ken- dall, Esq., do. — Rev. Frederick A. Fraley, Brooklyn. Hon. Alfred Conkling, Auburn, N. Y.— Ex. Governor Wm. C. Gibbs, Newport, R. I.— Geo. Vail, Troy, N. Y- C. N Bement, Esq., Albany, N. Y.— B. P. Johnson, Esq., do.— Robert Farley, Boston, Mass.— Hon Samuel Wilde, do.— Hon. Wm. J. Hubbard, do.— Hun. Francis O. Watts, do.— R. W. Crookshank, Esq., St. Johns, N. Brunswick. March I5(A, 1848.— It. NEW Uorticultiiral and ilgricultural Ware-liouse, 84 Chesnut Street below Third, Smith side. The subscn ber has for the bet ter accomnwdat ion of his customers, opened the above ware-house, with a large stock of Garden and Field Seeds, crop of 1846. Imple- ments and Books on Gardi-ning and Farming; he calls the particular attention of farmers to his pure stock of Sweede Turnips, Field Carrots, Beets and Parsnips, Pruning Shears, Saws and Knives. March 14th, 1847 —Iv. R. BUIST. COATBS' SEED STORF, iVo 49 Market Street, FRESn TIMOTHY SEEO, Of various qualities, from good common seed to the purest and finest that can he produced, TOGETHER WITH A CO.'WPLETE ASSORTMENT O*" GRiA.SS & ai^UDSIT SSEDSy Of the finest Quality and best Varieties,— Bir^ Seeds, &.c. JOS. P. H. COATES, Succtssor to Oiorge J\L Coates. May 15th, 1847. Agency for the Purchase «fe Sale of IMPROVED BREEDS OP CATTLE & SHEEP. The subscriber takes this method of informing his friends and the public, that he will attend to the pur- chase and sale of the improved breeds of cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, &c , for a reasonable commission. All letters post paid, addressed to him at Philadelphia, will be attended to without delay. AARON CLEMENT. April 15tA, 1847. PREMIUM IMPLEMENTS. PROUTTS Improvtd Machine for Shelling and Screening Corn, and S'paratingitfrom the Cob. For this Machine the Philad'a Agricultural Society awarded Iheir first Premium for Coin Sheller, 1847. Grant's Patint Premium Fan Mill, For Chaffing and Screening Wheat, at one operation. Three Silver Medals, and nine First Premiums, have been awarded for the above Mill. Prouty and Mears' Patent Centre -Draught, Self- Sharpening Ploughs. First Premioin awarded for these Ploughs, by the Philadelphia Agricultural So- ciety, 1844, 1845, 184fi and 1847. Corn and Cob Breakers and Grinders, Corn Stalk Cutters & Grinders— Sugar Mills— Spain's Improved Barrel Churn, the dashers of which may be taken out to clean. Also, a full assortment of Ag- ricultural Impliments, Manufactured and for Sale by D. O. PROUTY, No. 194J MarJcet Street, below Sixth, Phildelphia. Nov. 15, 1847.- If. BJ- SHORT ADVERTISEMENTS, The subject m.itter of which, may correspond with the agricultural character if this paper, will be inserted at the rate of one dollar for each insertion often lines or less; and so in proportion for each additional line. Payment in advance. The quantity of rain which fell in the 2nd month 1848, w as 1.443 in. Penn. Hospital, Zrd mil. lit. 264 Editorial JVotices. Vol. Xir, We kiiftp on hand at this otlice, and will supply cmr friends with Aijricultural works generally. Among which are THE FARMER'S ENCYCLOPEDIA, full- bound in leather;— Price $3 50 YOUATT ON THE HORSE, with J. S. Skin- ner's very valuable Additions; 2 00 BRIDGEMAN'S GARDENER'S ASSISTANT; 2 00 THE AMERICAN POULTRY BOOK; 37i THE FARMER'S LAND MEASURER; 37^ DANA'S MUCK MANUAL; 50 Complete sets of the FARMERS' CABINET, half-bound, 11 vols. 9 50 DOWNING'S Landscape Gardening, 3 50 Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees of America, 1 50 SKINNER'S Every Man his own Farrier, 50 AMERICAN Poulterer's Companion. 1 25 BOUSSINGAULT'S RURAL ECONOMY, 1 50 FARMERS' & EMIGRANTS' HAND-BOOK. 1 00 MORRELL'S AMERICAN SHEPHERD, 1 00 STABLE ECONOMY, 1 00 BEVAN on the HONEY BEE, 311 BUISTS' ROSE MANUAL, 75* THOMAS' FRUIT CULTURIST. 50 SKINNERS CATTLE & SHEEP DOCTOR, 50 AMERICAN FARRIER, 50 THE FARMER'S MINE, 75 HOARE ON THE VINE, 62i HANNAM'S Economy of Waste Manures, 25 LIEBIG'S AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY, 25 ANIMAL CHEMISTRY, 25 FAMILIAR LETTERS, 12J JOHNSON'S DICTIONARY OF MODERN GARDENING, 2 25 Subscriptions received for Colman's Agricultural Tour — or single numbers sold, 23" We are prepared to bind books to order. AFRICAN GUANO. First quality African Guano, from the island of Ichaboe, warranted genuine. Also a few tons Peruvian For sale by J. B. A. & S. ALLEN, No. 7 South Wharves, 2nd Oil Store below Market street. Philadelphia, March 17th, 1847. Poudrette. A valuable manure— of the best quality, preparec in Philadel|)hia, for sale at the office of the Farm- ers' Cabinet, No. 50, North Fourth Street, or al the manufactory, near the Penitentiary on Coatea street. Present price, $1 75 per barrel, containing four bushels each, or 35 cents a bushel. Orders from a distance, enclosing the cash, with cost of porter- age, will be promptly attended to, by carefully deli- vering the barrels on board of such conveyance as may be designated. The results on corn and wheat last year have been generally very satisfactory. Farm- ers to the south and in the interior, both of this State and of New Jersey, are invited to try it. We are now ready to supply any demand for corn, or as a top dres- sing for wheat. JOSIAH TATUM Pkilada. 8th mo. 16fA, 1847. CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. FAOS. Agricultural Implements. — Mode of raising Corn 237 True Farming— Great Farming on a small scale. — To make good Butter in Winter 233 Turkeys 240 Digestion 244 Hydraulics for Farmers 245 Long Island Peaches 246 Pomeranian Cabbage 247 Estimate of Crops for 1847 218 Cultivation of Onions 250 Drainage 253 Early sowing of Wheat— Hessian Fly 257 Horticultural Premiums.— Preserve Portico Floors 259 Grafting Grape Vines.— Sagacity of the Ass 260 Philosophy of Farming. —Value of old Rope.— Pickled Eggs.— Editorial Notices 201 THE FARMERS' CABINET, IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY JOSIAH TATUM No. 50 NORTH FOURTH STREET, PHILADELPHIA. It is issued on the fifteenth of every month, in num- hers of 32 octavo pages each. The subjects will be illustrated by engravings, when they can be appropri ately introduced. Terms.— One dollar per annum, or five dollars for seven copies — payable in advance. .\\\ subscriptions must commence at the beginnins; of a volume. Having lately struck off a new edition of one or two of the former numbers, which had become exhausted, we are now able to supply, to a limited e.t- tent, any of the back volumes. They may be had at one dollar each, in numbers, or one dollar twenty-five cents half-bound and lettered. For eight dollars paid in advance, a conjp/etescf of the work will be furnished in numbers, includin<; the 12th volume. The whole can thus readily be forwarded by mail. For twenty-five cents additional, per volume, the work may be obtained neatly half-bound and let- tered. Copies returned to the office of publication, will also be bound upon the same terms. By the decision of the Post Master General, the " Cabinet," is subject only to newspaper postage. Jo6«pb Rakeatraw, Printer. ^^£RICAN HERD-BOOTi DEVOTED TO AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, AND RURAL AND DOMESTIC AFFAIRS. Perfect Agriculture is the true foundation of alt trade and industry. — Limsio. Vol. XII — No. 9.] 4th mo. (April) 15th, 1848. [Whole No. 159. PUBLISHED MONTHLY, BY JOSIAH TATUM, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR, No. 50 North Fourth Street, PHILADELPHIA. Price one dollar per year. — For conditions see last page. Agricultural Dinuer at Sir Robert Peel's. The following are part of the extracts made by the Farmers' Library from a London Agricultural Journal, giving an account of a. farming party which assembled at Sir Robert Peel's, Drayton Manor, on the 24th of Ninth month last. The readers of the Cabinet may wish they could have been present at the gathering. Among the persons assembled were Earl Talbot, Lord Forester, Lord Hatherton, Sir Francis Lawley, Dr. Buckland, the Dean of Winchester, Dr. Lyon Playfair, tc. — Ed. Mr. Woodward said, that although un- accustomed to public speaking, and leeling diffidence in addressing an audience consist- ing of some of the most intelligent and sci- entific men that England can boast of, he would endeavour to give the meeting the result of his practical experience of twenty years as an agriculturist. In his opinion, thorough draining was the foundation of all good husbandry, wilhont which manures and skill are thrown away. Some undrained land had come into his occupation — heavy ]and, which only produced 10^ bushels of Cab.— Vol. XlL—JSo. 9. wheat per acre; he immediately drained it three feet deep, subsoiled it, dressed it with burnt clay, and the first year obtained from it 51 bushels. He regarded the e-xtensive burning of clay land as a most important practice. It rendered the soil so much more friable and convertible, and enabled the farm- er to work it with much less horse labour. The effects of burnt clay upon all green crops were wonderful — a most important fact, which could not be too strongly im- pressed upon the mind, as being very essen- tial to the growth of corn, especially when consumed upon the land by sheep, eating at the same time a little oil-cake or refuse corn. He had not, however, found advantage in the use of Italian rye-grass, which he thought undeserving the praise it had received. The treading of sheep was highly advantageous to the wheat crop, provided the land was thoroughly drained and subsoiled. In order to secure the requisite amount of pressure, he had not only employed sheep but horses, or even men, who he found could tread down land for Is. 6d. an acre. He had also found advantage, under some circumstances, in the use of an instrument which he called a peg- roller. This was formed of an elm-wood cylinder, studded with oak pegs about four inches apart ; it proved to be a most effectu- al implement when drawn over the land — imitating, as it did, the consolidating power exercised by the feet of a flock of sheep. He regarded pressing down the land as op- posing an invincible obstacle to the opera- (265) 266 Agricultural Dinner at Sir Robert PeePs. Vol. XII. tions of grubs and wire-worms. As to dead fallows, he entirely objected to them as wasteful and useless. On his clay land, when in turn for fallow, he planted vetches, and on his gravel, rye, and rye and vetches. For cleaning his stubbles after harvest, he employed the implement called a two-edged "skim," which he strongly recommended as a cheap and most valuable modern invention. Mr. Woodward then pointed out what he re- garded as the best manner of breaking up inferior pastures, and converting them into arable ; and concluded a very instructive speech, by forcibly pointing out tlie absolute necessity of sending back to the land ichal- ever is removed by a crop, and by expressing his entire agreement in opinion with Mr. Woolwich VVhitmore, Mr. Hu.xtable, and others, that farming properly and cjjiciently carried out, with capital and skill, may be made as profitable an investment as railways or other branches of commerce. Being asked whether he held his land on lease, Mr. Wood- ward replied that he did. But even if he had not, he, nevertheless, was of opinion that the expense he incurred in the improvement of his land would have answered his purpose, for his improved wheat crop repaid those ex- penses immediately. Mr. Woodward having expressed a desire that Mr. Mechi would bring under the notice of the meeting the result of his high farming in Essex. Mr. Mechi responded to the call. His practice in agriculture coincided so nearly with Mr. Woodward's, that it was only ne- cessary to say, that he grew alternately grain and root or leguminous crops, endeavouring as much as possible to grow wheat alternate years. He had originally drained his land two feet eight inches deep, with pipes and stones, at a considerable expense; but since he had had the good fortune to meet with Mr. Parke's, he had amended his errors, and was draining more deeply and effectually with pipes alone, at one-third the cost. He rented some land adjoining his own; although he held but a seven years' lease, he drained it five feet deep with one-inch pipes, at a cost of from 3.5s. to 50s. per acre [say $8 to $12.] He could not afford to deprive him- self of the benefit of drainage. He found it very unprofitable to farm such land un- drained. The very first wheat crop remune- rated him for the whole cost. The result of his improvements at Tiptree had been to double the produce of his farm and of his labour. A portion of it was formerly a swamp, not pro- ducing 5s. [.$1 25] per acre. He had been entreated this year by a gardener in the neighbourhood to let those four acres to him, at an annual rental of jj5 [$2.5] per acre. He had removed three and a hulf miles of unnecessary banks and fences. Taking the arable acreage of the United Kingdom, he thought they might safely dispense with 500,000 miles of unnecessary fencing, which, with its timber, displaced much food and la- bour. He considered the agriculture of this country in a very backward and unsatisfac- tory state, compared with its manufactures. The agricultural mechanical appliances were rude, costly, and unprofitable. The farm buildings generally were bad and uncentri- cally placed, causing a national loss of some millions — each ton of produce or manure costing an average carriage of 6d. per mile, renders the position of the building an im- portant national consideration. Wagons were a most unphilosophical contrivance. It was quite clear that a long, light, low cart, on two wheels, having an area of capa- city equal to a wagon, and only costing half as much, was a much more sensible and pro- fitable mode of conveyance. The question was not now an open one, having been tho- roughly discussed and decided upon at the London Farmers' Club; therefore the sooner the wagons were got rid of the better. With regard to the quantity of seed, his experi- ments— conducted now for three years, and publicly recorded — had uniformly been in t'avour of thin soicing — say from four to five pecks of wheat, and six to seven pecks of barley and oats. Some of the best tarmers in his neighbourhood adopted this system successfully. It was highly important, in a national point of view, that this question should be settled ; for, if the qaantities he had named were available, adieu at onee to the necessity fur foreign imports. It ap- peared to be admitted on all hands that, if a bushel of wheat vegetated, it was an ample seeding; and it was reasonable that it should be so, because if each good kernel produced only one ear containing 48 kernels — and that was not a large one, — there was no allow- ance for increase by branching or tillering, which we knew would take place to a con- siderable extent in well-farmed land, con- taining an abundance of organic matter. Thin sowing delayed the ripening three or four days; consolidation by pressure pre- vented the developement and action of wire- worm and slug. He had found salt tended to a similar result. He salted all his wheat at the rate of four to eight bushels per acre, and was determined to use much inore. He knew a gentleman in Northamptonshire, whose wheat crops could scarcely ever be kept from going down until he used salt, which had efTectually kept it standing. He (Mr. M.) salted the manure in his yards. He found that it sweetened them — he sup- posed it fixed the ammonia. It was a sin- No. 9. Asricuhural Dinner at Sir Robert PeeVs. 267 gular fact that, while salt tended to preserve animal substances, it on the contrary rapidly decomposed vegetable matter. It was a cheap alkali of native production, costing only about 20s. to lilOs. per ton, while all other alkalies were nearly eight times as dear. He strongly recommended the abundant use of bones, with and without acid, for root and green crops. It was evident that the bones formed in our growing animals and in our cows, from the produce of the farm, cost us 5d. [10 cents] per lb , or £45 [$225] per ton. Now if we could replace these, as we can do, by bone-dust, at jjl [JSSS] per ton, it was clearly good policy to use them. He consi- dered the waste of the liquid portions of the manure in most farm-yards a great national calnmi'y. It was a great mistake ever to allow water to fall on manure. Water was a very heavy article. A thousand gallons weighed 10,000 lbs., and was expensive to cart. He had heard farmers say, when rain was falling, that they should then litter their yards and make manure ! Straw and water, in fact. He found in practice that animals did well on their own excrements and straw under cover — that they consolidated the mass until it was four feet thick, when it would cut out like a good dung-heap, and be fit to carry on the land. But if rain water were allowed to wash this mass, an injurious effect resulted both to the animal and to the ma- nure. He could not afford to allow his ma- nure to be well washed in the yards by drain- age from the buildings, and afterward to be washed, dried, and mangled by putting it out in heaps and turning over. It was a waste of time and of money. He found that his crops grew better with unwashed manure. A farm-yard should be like a railioay ter- minus, covered in, but amply ventilated. There were comfort and profit in keeping everything dry. It did away with the ne- cessity for water carts and tanks — the liquid portions of the excrements being just suffi- cient to moisten the straw and burnt earth, or other absorbent material. He admired and practiced, to a certain extent, Mr. Hux- table's system of placing animals on boards. It would answer in a compact farm with good roads, and in cold climates, to feed sheep in the yards on roots. In mild climates, and dry, friable soils, it was most advantageous to consume the roots and green crops on the land by folding with sheep. There was no expense of carting off and carting back ma- nure. Farmers had found out that the whole of the excrements were thus applied to the land, whereas in open yards with untroughed buildings, much was washed out and wasted. He hoped to see the time when tenants would consider it to be their interest — as in parts of Scotland — to pay 10s. per acre more rent for properly farmed, permanent and con- venient building, and drainage, in lieu of the miserable and misplaced dilapidations of the present time. It was, no doubt, partly this difference that caused the Scotch rents to appear higher than our own. He was a de- cided subsoiler to the depth of at least two feet. It was a cheap and effective way of getting rid of strong rotted weeds, their crowns being generally just. below the ordi- nary depth of ploughing. He did this in dry weather, and with the assistance of a heavy Crosskill roller and scarifier, made his fal- lows cheaply, quickly, and efficiently. He drilled his wheat at intervals of about nine inches, so as to hoe them with Garrett's horse-hoe. It cost about Is. per acre. It was far more expeditious and efficacious than the hand-hoe, and only cost one-fourth the amount. He strongly advocated the abund- ant use of oil-cake, and also of chalk, on heavy clays deficient in calcareous matter. It had been proved that much more produce had resulted from oil-cake folding than where an equivalent amount was expended in corn. Good high farming was by far the most pro- fitable— the starvation principle was a losing game. If we borrowed from the earth we must repay, or we should soon find an empty exchequer. Rev. A. Huxtable then rose and spoke to the following effect: I think this by far the most interesting agricultural meeting that I have ever attended, on account of the varie- ty of important views and practices which have been brought under our notice. For my own part, at so late a period of the day, I must content myself with adducing a few facts that have come within my own farming experience, and defending one or two points of my farming practice which have been glanced at by the preceding speakers. As I see so many landed proprietors around me, I must beg permission to impress on them the duty of allowing their tenants to break up, un- der proper restrictions, the poorer lands now lying m grass. I think that I can show from my own experience that national wealth, the profits of the tenant, and the interests of the labourer, are deeply concerned in converting poor pasture into tillage. Thus, in my own parish, five years ago, there being many la- bourers out of employ, I obtained the con- sent of my landlord, Mr. Sturt, to break up the whole of the grass lands of a small dairy farm. It consisted of 95 acres, 10 of which only were then under the plough. When I entered on the occupation, the farm support- ed 14 dairy cows, and grew 48 bushels of wheal and 40 bushels of beans. Now it an- nually produces 1600 bushels of wheat, 40 268 Agricultural Dinner at Sir Robert PeeVs. Vol. XIL head of cattle, cows, yearlings, and calves, and 100 sheep are fatted, and 80 pigs, and where three and a half labourers were em- ployed, 12 are now sustained all the year round. But the farm, gentlemen, labours under one embarrassment, — such a one as 1 wish you all felt — such an accumulation of manure that, with the fear of laid wheat crops before my eyes, I know not where to place it. Allow me to detail briefly the Bteps by which this surely happy result has been brought abfiut. I began at the begin- ning. I first drained the land; but of drain- ing you have heard to-day so much that I will only say that, though it has been most successful, I yet heartily wish that I had earlier known Mr. Parke's drainage. My fields would have been far more economi- cally and effectually rid of their bottom wa- ter. I tried when this was done to improve the herbage of some of the better pastures, but neither liming, nor sheep-folding, nor guano, enabling me to cut more than 15 cwt. of hay per acre; I pared and burnt it all, and cut down, by my kind landlord's leave, all the hedge-row timber, and grubbed up all, eave the boundary hedge, and have now a glorious farm. The next object was to pro- vide for the permanent fertility of the soil by keeping a large amount of stock; for I hold that a farm ought to be made self-sup- porting as far as possible, and the purchase of manures should be regarded as only a temporary expedient, a necessary evil. My first effort to consume the green crops grown on half my farm was very expensive, and therefore unsuccessful; for with regard to the beasts, I was forced to purchase a ruin- ous amount of straw, and the sheep eating off the swedes on clay land in winter pud- dled the fields, and were themselves, amid good food, objects most pitiable. But when our principles are good, we must not allow slight difficulties to stop their application. I therefore determined to place my milch and Btore cattle on boards, as wood is an excel- lent non-conductor ; and after a series of de vices, I have succeeded in making them tol- erably comfortable, so that I am now no longer dependent on my straw for the quan- tity of cattle which I keep. I am only lim- ited in the number of animals which I keep by the amount of green food grown. In like manner, but with a variation of arrangement, the sheep were placed on small boards about three and a half inches wide, with an inter- val of about seven-eighths of an inch between each, to permit the manure to fall freely into properly prepared tanks below. This is by ftir the most successftil provision which I have made. Of 1,000 sheep so placed, I have never had one lame. The pigs in like manner, when fattened, sleep on a boarded stage above their feeding place, and except in very cold weather require no straw for litter. Thus I have dispensed with a large expenditure of straw, which my cereals — half the farm — could not sufficiently provide. But I hear some one exclaim, " What do you make of your straw?" First of all, a good deal is required for bedding the horses, and the young stock which are in loose. boxes; and as they never tread the green fields, they require a great quantity of white bed- ding. Secondly, a great deal is wanted for food, being mixed with the green leaves of the root crop and the mashed turnips. Third- ly, a ton per acre is used in making clover and vetches into imperfectly dried bay, with a due admixture of salt to arrest fermenta- tion. These uses fully take up all the straw which I grow. I think the methods env ployed in preparing the manure from the "boarded" cattle deserve mention. First the liquid manure flows into large tanks; below them is another, which I call the mix- ing tank, for in it the manure is diluted with water to any degree which the state of the weather may require, the rule being that, in proportion to the increase of temperature must be the increase of dilution; i. e. the hotter the weather the weaker should be the manure applied. In order to avoid the ex- pensive and oflen injurious water-cart, I have laid down over the highest part of my farm a main of green elm pipe, of two inches di- ameter, bored in the solid wood; at every 100 yards distance is an upright post, bored in the same manner, with a nozzle. A forc- ing pump fixed at the mixing tank discharges along these pipes, buried two feet in the ground, the fluid with a pressure of 40 feet; of course it rushes up these pierced columns, and will discharge itself with great velocity through the nozzle; to this I attach first of all 40 yards of hose, and therewith water all the grass which it can reach. To the end of this hose another 40 yards of hose are at- tached, and a still larger portion of the sur- face is irrigated, and so on for as many 40 yards as are required. When enough baa been irrigated at the first upright, the nozzle is plugged, and the fluid is discharged at the next too yards distanced column, and so on. For this application of the hose I am entirely indebted to that most able man, Mr. Edwin Chadwick; the green elm pipe is my own contrivance. The cost of the prepared can- vas hose, which was obtained from Mr. Hol- land, of Manchester, was Is. a yard — the wooden pipes cost me only Is. and being under ground they will be most enduring. By an outlay of JE30 I can thus irrigate 40 acres of land; and see how inexpensive, No. 9. Agricultural Dinner at Sir Robert PeePs. 269 compared with the use of the warter-cart and horse, the application. A lad of fifteen works the forcing-pump; the attaching the hose and its management require a man and a boy. With these, then, equivalent to two men, I can easily water two acres a day, at the rate of 40 hogsheads per acre of the best manure in the world: I say best, because all chemists will assure you that the liquid con- tains the principal nitrogenous and soluble Baits, and therefore is far more valuable than the dung, and it is plain enough to every man, though he be no chemist, that plants can only take up the manure in a liquid form. The principal use which I make of the hose is to water the clover, and, above all, the noble, but this day much decried, Italian rye-grass. How hard Mr. Wood- 'ward was upon its soft sweet herbage! Yet his own excellent principle, that you must carry back to the land an equivalent for what is taken away, may be successfully al- leged in defence of this most productive and nutritious of all grasses. It is certainly true, that if you cut and carry away Italian rye-grass, and do not also carry back the manure made in eating it, you will not be able to grow wheat after it. But from my own observation, I know that if after each cuttmg the hose immediately follows, you may cut it without wrong to the land as often as you like, and an amount of fodder will be obtained which no other plant can approach. It comes the earliest, and grows the longest of all the grasses; and I feel confident that, with such appliances as I have mentioned, you may secure fifty tons per annum of this milk-giving, fat-producing, murcle making grass. I can refer to Mr. Dickinson, of Curzon street, as an authority for growing at least this weight of green food, and I believe far more. That you can cut it, by the help of liquid manure, six times a year, admits of no doubt. With re- gard to the manure made by sheep, as previ- ou!?ly described, you will readily perceive its value, if you reflect that when you give a flock in their house 20 tons of Swedes and their tops, you have minus only the increase of their bone and wool made during the three months of their happy confinement, all the inorganic and most of the organic ingredi- ents of the crop being under the boards ; in fact you may say that on the boards you have a fatted flock, and below the boards yet 20 tons of Swedes and their tops. I think that a good deal of misapprehension prevails respecting this mode of shed-feeding sheep, for you hear frequent comparison made on the superior system of feeding ofl^ crops in the fields. I have no doubt that in the summer months, even fattening sheep will "do well" out of doors, and at the same time fertilize and consolidate the land; but I speak of feeding off' winter crops by sheep which you wish to fat: and here I cannot think that the two systems admit of comparison, so su- perior are the results of the house and board system. But the conditions under which an animal is to be reared are quite different from those which you would observe in laying on fat. In the one case, exercise is absolutely necessary ; in the other case, the quieter and more still the creature is kept the better. Briefly, then, my own practice, which sci- ence surely justifies, is this: the greater proportion, about two-thirds of my best roots are carted to the sheds, and given to the animals preparing for the butcher; whereas the tops and the smaller turnips are fed off by my breeding flock on the land, assisted by oil-cake and corn when necessary, and thus the land is rendered firm, and the ewes are kept in healthful exercise. Lastly, I must advert to the treatment of the dung made by the cattle and pigs. That on the boards is hourly swept down, and wheeled away to a long covered shed ; contiguous to this is another shed containing a large store of burnt earth and other ashes. The dung is worked up with the ashes, and therewith are mixed the other manures, dissolved bones, soot, powdered chalk, &c. This, about eight or ten cart-loads per acre, is carted to the field ready for turnip sowing. The manure is drilled in by one of those that deliver moist manure, and thus eight acres can be got over in a day drilled on the flat. If the field is very poor the drill goes over four acres in the morning without seed ; in the afternoon the same quantity is again de- posited in the same ruts, and the seed upon this double discharge. The advantage of this is, that the dung is never exposed to the drying of the sun or air; that the seed being deposited over a moist bed, germinates im- mediately in the driest season, and cares not for the fly, though for the prevalent grub it is certainly no remedy. The pig manure I consider the best of all ; because one-half of the corn I feed them on is in the shape of beans, which contains the best mineral in- gredient for growing Swedes, as I have en- deavoured to set forth in my " Lecture on Manures." These, gentlemen, then, are the principal points of the practice which have brought me into that pleasing embarrass- ment of which I spoke before, and which I wish may befall you all — more manure than you can safely put on your arable land. According to the reports of our friends from various neighbourhoods in this vicinity, the promise of a wheat crop is a fair one. 270 An English Vendue. — Sale of Crops. — Horticulture. Vol. XII' An Unglish Yendne. It may be entertaining to many of our readers, to know what is sold on an English farm on the breaking up of the establishment. As a sample, a friend has cut from a late paper the following, which will give us a favorable idea of stock, implements, &c. — Ed. Messrs. Morris & Son have received in- structions from the Executors of the late Mr. Huntley, to sell by auction, without the slightest reserve, on the premises, at Lan- sannor Farm, situate about two miles distant from the town of Cowbridge, on Thursday and Friday, the 20th and 21st of January, 1848, The whole of the undermentioned Stock, &c. : comprising 19 very excellent milch cows, either with calves at their sides or ex pected to calve in good season ; one fat cow, two four-year-old in-calf heifers, three three-] year-old ditto, four two-year-old ditto, six five-year-old oxen, in prime condition; four ditto ditto, four two-year-old steers, a remar- kably handsome two-year-old Hereford bull, 259 very prime Southdown ewes, in lamb; 30 Leicester ditto, ditto; 55 Southdown we- thers, 223 ewe and wether lambs, four rams and two yearling ditto. The sheep, which have been selected with the greatest care from the very best stocks, are perfectly Bound and in good condition. Nine valuable draught horses, of great power and good constitution; a six-year-old black gelding, of great beauty, and tractable in harness; a bay hackney, 15 hands high ; two two-year-old colts, by " Railway," out of well-bred mares ; an active five-year-old pony, quiet to ride or drive, and excellent in its paces; five sows in farrow, a sow and litter of pigs, and one boar pig ; two ricks of very prime barley, which will produce good malting samples; two ricks of wheat, one ditto seed clover, and two ditto of barley straw; a large quan- tity of very excellent and well harvested hay, about 10 tons of mangold wurzel, the crop of 15 acres of Swedish turnips, five well constructed wagons, four broad-wheel carts, one narrow-wheel ditto; a four horse- power threshing machine, by Cambridge, of Market Lavington ; an easy running cobourg, gig and harness, scarifier, iron roller, oak ditto, six iron ploughs, thee pair harrows, two pair of drags, turnip drill, winnowing machine, chaft'cutter, 10 cattle cribs, sheep- washing apparatus, sheep cratches, corn screen, winnowing fan and stock, ox yokes and chains, several dozen hurdles, 30 sets of fore, shaft, and plough harness; six dozen sacks, two wheelbarrows, an assortment of smith's tools, ladders, hay-knives, pikes, rakes, &.c. ; a general and useful variety of substantial household furniture, in excellent preservation, barrel churn, cheese stand, double and single cheese presses, milk pails, leads, and tubs, cheese vats, butter trendies, &c. ; eight hogsheads of very prime cider; cider press and mill, several various sized casks, and other valuable articles too numer- ous to particularise. Sale of Crops in Scotland. Above is given a specimen of the Stock, Imple- ments, &c. sold at an English Vendue — below is given from the Mark Lane Express an account of a sale of crops at Ayr. When shall our mode of farming be such as to give an average of $55, for wheat, and $200 for potatoes ?— Ed. The sales of crop this year in our neigh- bourhood, have been well attended, and brought excellent prices. At Macnairston, wheat averaged £11 per Scotch acre, tur- nips j£16; and at Friarland, beans from £10 to £12 15s. At Thornbrock, parish of May- bole, middling oats brought from £6 to £9; at Broadshean, £5 to £7 ; at West Enoch, £6 to £8; and, at Mackailston, potatoes brought upward of £40. Hay, in general, has also sold well, especially meadow, which is sought after for winter fodder. The above quotations are from a few of the last of the numerous sales conducted by Mr. Mitchell, auctioneer, Maybole, this year. Horticulture. There is probably no employment or recreation which has a stronger tendency to purify tlie heart, improve the taste, or strengthen the physical constitution, than a love of horticulture. If a man would truly enjoy his garden, take delight in his flowers, and appreciate his fruits, he must be his own gardener, prune his own trees, gravel his own walks, and cultivate his soil. It is related by Cicero, that when Lysander visit- ed Cyrus of Persia, a prince equally distin- guished for his empire and his genius, Cyrus showed him a piece of ground loell enclosed and completely planted. After the visiter had admired the tall and straight trees, and the rows regularly formed, and the ground clear of weeds and well cultivated, and the sweetness of the odors w hich exhaled from the flowers, he could not help expressing his admiration, not only of the diligence, but of the skill of him by whom all this was mea- sured and marked out; upon which Cyrus answered, " It was myself who measured everything, the rows of trees are of my dis- posing, the plan is mine, and many of the trees were planted with my own hand." A truly kingly recreation and a noble ex- ample.— Boston Journal. No. 9. Potatoe Murrain. — Are the old Pears extinct? 271 Potatoe Murrain. By the above name was disting^uislied a moist gangrene which attacked very gener- ally the potatoe crop of England, late in the summer of the year 1845. July and August were unusually wet and cold, and early in August there were sharp morning frosts. Immediately after, the stems began to de- cay; but the weather continuing wet, instead of their decay being dry, and attended with the usual phenomena of their reduction to mere woody fibre, the putrefaction was moist, and the smell attendant upon it precisely that evolved during the decay of dead po- tatoe haulm partly under water. The stem decayed whilst the fibres connecting the tu- bers with them were fresh and juicy — the putrefaction spread along these, the ichor being absorbed by their still energetic ves- sels, and passing into the still immature and unusually juicy tubers, imparted to them the gangrene; the infection first being apparent at the end nearest the connecting fibre, spreading gradually throughout the liber of the tuber, rendering it brown like a decayed apple, and lastly causing the decay of its in- terior portion. Previously to the final decay, the increased specific gravity of the potatoe was remarkable, amounting to one-third more than that of a healthy tuber — an in- crease caused by its greater amount of water. When boiled it became black ; but when sub- mitted to a dry heat of about two hundred degrees it rapidly lost moisture, and the pro- gress of the ulceration was retarded, if not entirely stopped. There can be no preventive for such a dis- ease as this — and the only chance of saving the tubers is to mow off all the haulms close to the ground the moment infection is appa- rent in them. This might prevent the cir- culation of the ichor to the tubers. These should be taken up forthwith and clamped as recommended by Dr. Lindley, with a layer of earth or sand alternating with each layer of potatoes. The disease seems to be the natural result of an excessive degree of wet and cold, at that period of closing growth when all bulbs and tubers require an increased degree of dryness and warmth. If the hyacinth, or tulip, or dahlia are submitted to similar un- propitious contingencies, their bulbs or tubers similarly decay. It is not a new disease, for to a less extent it has been frequently noticed before. The best preservative of the tubers in such un- genial seasons is to take them up, to dry them perfectly, and then store them in a dry shed in dry coal ashes. Much has been written on this subject, and the newspapers here and in Europe have been filled with speculations as to its dura- tion, &c. The failure to a considerable ex- tent of the crop of the present year, (1846,") would indicate that the disease is not of such temporary character as had been hoped and predicted. If it continue, all the old varie- ties must necessarily be abandoned, and re- liance placed on new ones, raised from the seed proper ; therefore, as a matter of pre- caution, we would recommend attention to that object. They are readily produced by carefully sowing the seed, and replanting the young tubers in successive seasons, until they attain full size. There is reason to hope such would be free from disease, or at any rate less liable to it, than the older va- rieties.— LandretK's Dictionary of Garden- ing. From the Horticulturist. Are the Old Pears Extinct? I FURNISH, for the Horticulturist, a few facts, relative to the condition of the White Doyenne or Virgalieu pear, in western New York. Having been familiar with this pear for more than twenty-five years, and with its uniform excellence, health and productive- ness, I had never taken the trouble to remem- ber any particular facts upon the subject; supposing that, however worthless it might prove in some localities, its vigour and fruit- fulness in most places would never be ques- tioned. I have, therefore, been compelled to apply to some of my friends for additional facts of a tangible nature, to demonstrate what I had before taken for granted. So far as my own experience extends, I may state that, during many years past, this pear has generally been regarded as incom- parably the best, for all qualities taken toge- ther, throughout central and western New York. During my business of raising trees for dissemination, I have had more inquiries for this variety than for all others put toge- ther. Many of the most enterpri.^ing culti- vators are planting large orchards, when they can obtain them from the nurseries, which are inadequate to supply the increas- ing demands. The old bearing trees with which I have been familiar, have regularly produced several bushels annually, and I have never seen a single specimen that did not possess the fine rich flavor, and delicious melting qualities, so conspicuous in this ex- cellent variety. A few particular instances, taken very much at random, may serve to exhibit defi- nitely the productiveness of the tree. P. Barry, of Rochester, informs me, on the au- thority of H. N. Langworthy, that a tree, measuring about eight inches in diameter, 272 Are the old Pears extinct? Vol. XII. produced annually Jive to seven bushels or fruit, which sold for ,d put them in separate pens. I fed one on raw corn, the other on boiled meal. Both had as much as they could eat. The one fed on boiled meal, well cooked, and made into a mush, was soiTiCw hat the fattest, but it did not consume one-fourth as much corn as the other. It commenced fattening earlier, arwi eat up clean all that was given it, while No. 9. The Locust. 279 the other, after becoming fat, would crack out the kernel or heart, and throw away the balance of the grain. I pretend not to give the reason for this; that I leave to you, but I know the practical fact well enough to de- termine me hereafter always to grind my corn, and boil the meal with which to fatten my hogs. M. Eatonton, Ga., January, 1848. The Locust. The common lf)cust naturally abounds in the country west of the Alieghanies, as far as Arkansas. It is also plentit\il in the Ca- nadas, but is not found indigenous in the United States east of the river Delaware, nor does it grow spontaneously in the mari- time parts of the middle and southern States, within the distance of fifty to one hundred miles from the sea. It is planted, however, for pur|)oses of utility and ornament, from Maine to Georgia. It was observed by Mi- chaux, tiiat " the locust forms a much smaller portion of the American forests than the oaks and walnuts, and that it is nowhere found occupying tracts, even of a few acres exclu- sively." Hence the tree, where it is met with, is often spared by settlers, as being ornamental, and comparatively rare, and old specimens, which formerly belonged to the aboriginal forests, are frequently seen grow- ing in the midst of cultivated fields. Of all American trees that have been cul- tivated in Europe, there is no one, of which so much has been said and done, as the lo- cust. It was among the first plants that w^ere carried to that country, and it has been more extensively propagated than any other, both in Britain and in France, where it has been alternately extolled and neglected ; and even at the present day, though the beauty of its foliage and flowers is universally ad- mired, and the valuable properties of its wood have enthusiastically been praised and ac- knowledged, it is not considered as holding a high rank as a timber-tree, or as being generally planted witii a view to profit. In Dr. Hunter's edition of Evelyn's "Syl va," published in 1786, we have a history of the employment of the locust in ship-build- ing, communicated by Mr. Joseph Harrison. This gentleman, who had resided some time in Virginia, states that in "about the year 1733, the first experiment was made respect- ing the application of the locust tree to any purpose in sliip-building, by an ingenious shipwright, sent over to America by some Liverpool merchants, to build two ships there. The shipwright thought that the oaks, elms, ashes, and many other timber- trees common to both countries, were much inferior to the same sorts in England ; but frequently spoke of the locust-tree as being of extraordinary qualities, both in strength and duration. He had observed some very old timber in houses in New England, that had been built of the wood of this tree, when tiie country was first settled, perfectly firm and sound; and, after having completed his engagement for his employers, he began to build a small vessel for himself; when, being at a loss for a sufficient quantity of iron, and having observed the extraordinary strength and firmness of the locust tree, he took it into his head that trenails, or tree-nails, that is, wooden pins, of that timber, might be sub- stituted for iron bolts in many places where they would be least liable to wrench or twist, (as in fastening the floor timbers to the keel, and the knees to the ends of the beams, which two articles take up a large proportion of the iron used in a ship,) purposing, when he ar- rived in England, to bore out the locust tre- nails, and drive in iron bolts in their stead. The ship, being finished and loaded, sailed for Liverpool, and returned back to Virginia the next year; the builder himself being the captain of her, paid particular attention to see the effect of the locust trenails. After the strictest examination, he found that they effectually answered the purpose intended. It was, however, thought prudent to take several of them out, and to put in iron bolts in their room ; and this operation afforded another proof of their extraordinary strength and firmness, as they required to be driven out with what is technically called, a set bolt, (an iron punch,) just as if they had been made of iron ; whereas oak trenails are usually bored out with an auger." The use of the locust for trenails was neglected for some years, till it was revived at the instance of Mr. Harrison, by a ship-builder of emi- nence, at New York, where, as in other parts of the United States, as well as in Great Britain, it has been in general use ever since. In the year 1823, an extraordinary excite- ment was produced in England concerning this tree, by William Cobbett, who resided in America from 1817 to 1819, and chiefly occupied himself in farming and gardening, on Long Island, near New York ; and during that period, as he tells us in his " Wood- lands," published in 1825 to 1828, that he was convinced that nothing in the timber way could be of so great a benefit as the general cultivation of this tree. "Thus thinking," continues he, " I brought home a parcel of the seeds with me in 1819, but I had no means of sowing it till 1823. I then began sowing it, but upon a very small scale. I sold the plants; and since that time I have 280 The Locust. Vol. XII. eo]d altogether more than a million of them !" Elsewhere, in the same work, he more espe cially directed attention to this subject, vng '\ng, in his clear and forcible manner, the immense importance of this tree in ship- building; and he was the means of thousands of it being planted in various parts of Bri tain. The name of locust, as applied to this tree, before Cobbett's time, was but little known in England, and many persons, in consequence, thought it was a new tree. Cobbett had a large kitchen-garden behind his house at Kensington, which he converted into a nursery; and he also grew trees ex- tensively on his farm at Barnes, in Surry. Although hundreds of the Robinia pseuda- cacia stood unasked for in the British nurse- ries, the " locust plants," which every one believed could only be had genuine from Mr. Cobbett, could not be grown by him in suffi- cient quantities to supply the demand. He imported the seeds in tons; but when he fell short of the real American ones, he procured others, as well as young plants, from the London nurseries, and passed them off as his own raising or importation. Had the people of England known that locust seeds and lo- cust plants were so easily to be obtained, it is probable that the locust mania would ne- ver have attained the height it did. To show the folly or the knavery of this extraordi- nary individual, we quote the following from Loudon's " Arboretum Britannicum," which should be preserved more as a literary cu riosity rather than a historical record. " It ii worthy of notice," says Loudon, "that Cobbett, apparently without ever having seen a hop pole made of locust, boldly affirms that the tree is admirably adapted for that purpose; that trees from his nursery, after being four years planted on Lord Radnor's estate, at Coleshill, were ' fit for hop-poles, that will last in that capacity for twenty or thirty years at least;' that ' such poles are worth a chilling each' (that is, nearly double what was at that time the price of good ash hop- poles) ; that 'five acres would thus, in five years, produce £529 ;' and that ' each stump, left after the pole was cut down, would send up two or three poles for the next crop, which, being cut down in their turn, at the end of another five years, would, of course, produce two or three times the above sum !' that locust wood is 'absolutely indestructible by tiie powers of earth, air, and water;' and that 'no man in America will pretend to say that he ever saw a bit of it in a decayed state.' After this, it will not be wondered at, that Cobbett should call the locust 'the| tree of trees,' and that he should eulogize it in the following passage, which is so charac- teristic of the man, and so well exemplifies the kind of quackery in which he dealt, that we quote it entire :— ' The time will come,' he observes, ' and it will not be very distant, when the locust tree will be more common in England than the oak ; when a man would be thought mad if he used anything but lo- cust in the making of sills, posts, gates, joists, feet for rick-stands, stocks and axletrees for wheels, hop-poles, pales, or for anythino- where there is liability to rot. This time will not be distant, seeing that the locust grows so fast. The next race of children but one, that is to say, those who will be born sixty years hence, will think that the locust trees have always been the most numerous trees in England ; and some curious writer of a century or two hence, will tell his read- ers that, wonderful as it may seem, 'the lo- cust was introduced to a knowledge of it by William Cobbett.' ' What he will say of me bet-ides, I do not know ; but 1 know that he will say this of me. I enter upon this ac- count, therefore, knowing that I am writing for centuries and centuries to come.' The absurdity of the above passage renders it almost unworthy of comment; but we may remark that, even supposing all that Cobbett says in it of the application of the locust were true, the uses which he has enumerated do not amount to a hundredth part of those to which timber is applied in this country. Hence, were his predictions to be verified, and were the locust to become more preva- lent than the oak, we should find its wood a miserable substitute, in the construction of ships and houses, for that of our ordinary timber trees. Every experienced planter or timber owner, both in Europe and America, has felt this ; and this is the true reason why the tree never has been, and never will be, extensively planted." The largest tree of this species recorded in England, is at Syon, near London, which in 1836 had attaiiied the height of eighty- one feet, with a trunk three feet four inches in diameter at one foot above the ground, and an ambitus, or spread of branches, of fifty-seven feet. In Scotland, at Airthrey Castle, in Stir- lingshire, there is a locust tree, which attain- ed the height of sixty-two feet in forty-three years after planting, with a trunk of two feet in diameter, and an ambitus of thirty feet. It grows in light loam or grave], and in a sheltered situation. In Ireland, at Shelton Abbey, in Wicklow, there is a locust which attained the height of sixty-five feet in fitly years af\er plantinor^ with a trunk twenty-five inches in diameter. In America the locust has been planted for ornament in great abundance about farm- houses, and along fences and avenues, for No. 9. American Agriculture. 281 more than fifty years; and since the forests were in a measure destroyed by the axe or fire, by the European settlers along the sea- board and navigable waters inland, many persons in the middle and eastern States have cultivated this tree with a view to pro- fit, and have not only supplied timber and trenails to the shipwrights of the cities or commercial towns, but have exported large quantities to England and elsewhere. These plantations seldom exceed an area of thirty acres, notwithstanding the agricultural so- cieties of several States have offered pre- miums for their encouragement. Though the Robinia had never been known to be injured by any insect, towards the end of the last century, in Massachusetts, it was gene- rally attacked by the larvae of the Cossus robinise, which gradually extended their ra- vages to the southernmost points where this tree has been propagated. In consequence of this discouragement, the locust has been but little cultivated for the last twenty years in any part of the United States or in Cana- da, except for the purposes of ornament or shade. In a communication from Mr. Ste- phen H. Smith, of Smithfield, in Rhode Island, dated on the 2'2d of November, 1844, he states that in the winter of 1817, he cut from a lot a heavy growth of timber, princi- pally chesnut. The soil on which it grew is a rich loam, or a slightly tenacious sub- soil. In the following spring he set out, in the same ground, at equal distance, about one hundred good-sized yellow locust trees to the acre. They kept pace with the natu- ral growth of the forest that sprang up about them. In 1837, twenty years after, all the wood was again cut ofi^the same lot, produc ing twenty cords to the acre, the locusts measuring at the stump from nine to twelve inches in diameter, each tree making three posts, seven feet long. The sprouts and offsets now occupy one half the ground, to the exclusion of a portion of the native tim- ber. The borers have not assailed these trees at any time. It may be reasonable to conclude that the thick underwood has pro- tected them from this enemy ; as those stand- ing near, in open, cultivated ground, of like quality, have not escaped. The soil in which the locust appears to grow best is a light and somewhat sandy loam, rich ratlier than poor; and to attain any considerable size, it requires much room, and an airy, but at the same time a sheltered situation, free from the fury of the winds. It has the quality of thrivintj for a time on poor, shallow soils, which no doubt is owing to its power of rapidly abstracting whatever nourishment such soils may contain, by its large, succulent roots, that run oear the sur- face ; but after a '{^■w years it becomes stunt- ed and unhealthy, decays at the heart, and never attains a size sufficient for any useful purpose, except for fuel. The only trees that will prosper on such soils and ultimately become timber, are the resiniferous, needle- leaved kinds, as the pine, the fir, the cedar, and the larch. When cultivated for orna- ment, this tree generally looks best planted separately on a lawn, or in small groups in a shrubbery, or along the confines of avenues and plantations, where it is allowed to ex- tend " its branches freely on every side, and to assume its own peculiar shape, feather- ing," as Gilpin says, "to the groond," — - Brown'' s Trees of America. From the American Agricullurist, American Agriculture. Value of Hen Manure. — The complaint of the f^y on turnips and bugs on cucumbers and other similar vines, is one of yearly and sometimes of long occurrence. The mis- chief done by these little pests is very pro- voking, and frequently results in losses of labour and good crops, which are very dis- couraging to cultivators. I have lately been informed by an intelligent and skilful culti- vator, that the following preparation affords an ample and complete remedy. Take hen manure one part, reduce it as well as you can to powder ; then with an equal part of plaster of Paris, incorporate well together, and sprinkle the mixture over the vines or sow it over the drills of your turnips. Hen manure is free from the seeds of foul weeds, and in consequence of the great abun- dance of ammonia it contains, it possesses a great efl^ect in pushing plants forward. Hence for tomatoes, peppers and similar plants, in our northern climate, it possesses high value. It is well worth being saved with care by farmers and gardeners for every purpose of cultivation. Care should be used, however, in its application, for if given in too large quantities and placed in too close proximity tjthe roots of the plant, its effects are fatal. Its value for all pur- poses is greatly increased by being mixed with charcoal, or when this is not at hand, with plaster. Every man who keeps hens should have his hen-tiouse so constructed as to save all the minnre, and save it dry as may be, and he will find it no inconsiderable item in his matters of rural economy. W. Bacon. Let every fanner at this season of the year, look well to Jiis kitchen garden. No labour is more advantageously expended than in providing for a good supply of vegetables. 282 Use of Oxen. Vol. XII. Use of Oxen. So deep is the conviction of the great saving which vvoulil be accomplished by in- dividuals, adding immensely, in the aggre- gate, to our national wealth, by a more ex- tended use of oxen in lieu of horses in the genera] labours of husbandry, that the occa- sion is here embraced to present the views by which that conviction has been establish- ed, and the editor feels persuaded that he might venture to introduce these views, on the score of their intrinsic importance, even though the subject to which they relate were not so naturally associated, as it seems to be, with a work on the diseases of cattle. That "a farming district may be judged of by its working oxen, as safely as by its barns or its corn-fields," has been laid down as an axiom by a Committee of Farmers, — working men in the true sense of the word, — of Massachusetts, at an exhibition where no premium was offered for horses, expressly on the ground that "it was believed that the interest of the farmer is promoted by substi tuting the ox for the horse, for 7nost pur poses, as he is fed with less expense, is more patient of labour, and is more valuable when his service is ended." This declaration in favour of the ox for "most purposes," is at once explicit and broad, and might seem to settle the question ; but there are considera- tions arising out of difference of soil and cli- mate, which obviously demand a comparison of circumstances to see how far that system admits of general application, which is here proclaimed on the best authority to be expe- dient throughout New England : and this brings us at once to the most formidable ob- jections to the use of oxen — their alleged incapacity to withstand, token labouring, the heat of more southern latitudes, and their slowness of motion. As to New England, in addition to the evidence already quoted, we may give here the answer of the venerable Josiah Quincy, now President of the time-honoured Harvard University, to a letter ncce addressed to him by the writer of this: " Oxen," said he, "are used almost wholly for plough and team work in this quarter of the coimtry. A single horse is usually kept by our farmers to go to mill and to church, and for the conveni- ence of the family. Tliis is so universal as to be almost without exception among mere farmers. They certainly answer ail pur- poses except perhaps speed, ami in this, on a long journey, they are considered as quite equal to horses. Our farmers are so satis- fied with their utility and economy, that no argument would induce them to change." Heuce it is seen that no reasoning is ne cessary to recommend the ox to general use in all that portion of America, and this evi- dence has been adduced to prevail upon southern readers to refect on the subject, by showing, what many of them do not know, that already, in many of our States where the folks are nice judges of economi- cal and labour-saving machines, animate and inanimate, oxen are actually substituted, and horses altogether banished for all farming purposes, and that their speed on long jour- neys is quite equal to that of horses. On the point of speed we shall speak again and conclusively, when we shall have dismissed the one in hand, to wit: — capacity to bear heat ! It was for a long time believed that the ox was a native of Europe, and that in the Au- rock, rurming wild in the forests of Pol and, his original type was to be found; but Cuvier's researches in comparative anatomy have es- tablished the belief that the cow is a native of Southern Asia, and thence may be deduced an argument that there is nothing in the na- tural constitution of the ox which forbids his manifesting his entire capabilities in south- ern climates. If there were, how is it that in South America he reaches his highest de- velopements of size and power 1 As one of the Commissioners to South America, Chan- cellor Bland, in a report which Mr. Adams pronounced to be one of the ablest papers ever presented to the government, thus de- scribes the ox-carts employed, and the won- derful powers of endurance of this patient animal in crossing the pampas of Buenos Ayres. It speaks conclusively to both the objections — want of ?peed and power to bear heat. "TheTecuman and Mendoza carts, at a little distance, looked like thatched cabins slowly moving over the plain — the whole machine is destitute of a nail or a bit of iron ; its great coarse wheels are not less than eight feet in diameter; six oxen, in general noble strong animals, move it; the two front pair have a great length of cord by which they draw; and the load of the cart, which, on an average, is not less than four thousand weight, is pretty nearly balanced on the axle- tree; the body of the cart is either covered with raw hide or thatch, made of reeds or straw; and with a collection of brushwood, as fuel, tied on the top, and brought from the westward of the primpas> these carts are seen crossing the plams in caravans of from thirty to forty together. On the journey the oxen are unyoked occasionally through the day and night, and permitted to seek their food round about. Thus without any other pro- vision than what is necessary for himself, the carrier pursues his way over a waste of No. 9. Use of Oxen. 283 thirty days or six weeks passage. From Buenos Ayres to Mendoza, the distance is nine hundred miles, and the journey is per- formed in about thirty days." In some parts of England they formerly had ox races, and it is said that some years ago an ox ran four miles, over the course at Lewis, for one hundred guineas, at the rate of fifteen miles the hour. We are told that in India bullocks are used for the saddle and coach, and that there travelling oxen are curried, clothed and at- tended, with as much solicitude, and much greater kindness, than we bestow on our best horses. The Indian cattle are extremely docile, and quick of perception, pitient and kind ; like the horses, their chief travelling pace is the trot ; and they are reported by those who have ridden them often, to per- form journeys of sixty successive days at the rate of thirty to forty-five miles a day. To come back to our own country on this point, it is worthy of being here added that in an address delivered before the Barnwell Agricultural Society of South Carolina in 1821, Dr. J. S. Bellinger remarked, that "in the lower districts of our State they appear fully to appreciate the value of their labour in heavy drafts. With those of us who have attempted the useof them, oxen appear fully calculated to answer the many purposes upon our farms to which we almost exclusively apply the more expensive, though nobler animal, the horse." Time was when the horse was not consi- dered "the nobler" of the two; else why the many cautions in Scripture in favour and in honour of the ox — thou shalt not muzzle the ox — thy ox shall not labour on the sab- bath-day— thou shalt not covet thy neigh- bour's wife nor his maid — nor his ox! The late .lames M. Garnett, of Virginia, honoured be his name by all friends of Ame- rican agriculture, stated in one of his ad- dresses— "A gentleman of my acquaintance had a mixed team of horses, mules and oxen — in each season his horses failed first, the mules next, althoujrh both were fed upon grain and hay; and the oxen, fed exclusively on hay and grass, finished the crop. But to come down to the present time and nearer home, in Maryland, at the hottest season of the year and the most busy one with the planter, the same teams of oxen are worked, durmg the whole day, hauling very heavy loads of green tobacco for weeks together, and do well without any food but the grass of common pasturage on being turned out at night — whereas horses, working steadily in the same way, on the national road in wag ens, consume twenty-five pounds of hay, and grain at the rate of tour bushels of oats per day for the five horses, or four-fifths of a bushel for each horse — or, what is considered equivalent, four bushels of corn in the ear — making of oats at the rate of two hundred and thirty-two bushels for each horse for a year! As to horse power on the national road, the following is the answer from Major Thruston : "Cumberland, Maryland, Nov. 17, 1843: The general result, — for they differ widely in their opinions, — obtained by conversation with the oldest teamsters on the national road, is this — A five-horse team with a load of sixty cvvt. — the average — will make daily, throughout the year, fifteen miles per day; the weight of the empty wagon between one and a half and two tons. At this work horses will not last as long as at farm-work by one-third, certainly. They average one set of shoes monthly, each horse; cost of shoes, one dollar each per month ; feed, four bu.shels of oats per day, or four-fifths of a bushel per day to each horse ; the same of corn in the ear; hay, twenty-five pounds. On this subject they are uniform in their statements. This amount of food is enough, and not more than will be consumed." In answer to the argument against oxen now under consideration, and the one which has had most influence in restricting the use of them, we now ofi^er the views urged by the illustrious Madison, whose pen sim- plified and enlightened every subject it touched, as could not but happen with a mind so pure and so bright. The objections generally made to the ox are — 1st, that he is less tractable than the horse; 2nd, that he does not bear heat as well ; 3rd, that he does not answer for the single plough used in our corn-fields; 4th, that he is slower in his movements; 5th, that he is less fit for carrying the produce of the farm to market. The first objection is certainly founded in mistake. Of the two animals the ox is the most docile. In all countries where the ox is the ordinary draught animal, his docility is proverbial. His intractability, where it exists, has arisen from an occasional use of him only, with long and irregular intervals; during which, the habit of discipline being broken, a new one is to be formpd. The second objection has as little founda- tion. The constitution of the ox accommo- dates itself as readily as that of the horse to different climates. Not only in ancient Greece and Italy, but throughout Asia, as presented to us in ancient history, the ox and the plough are associated. At this day, in the warm parts of India and China, the ox, not the horse, is in the draught service. 284 Inspections at Philadelphia. — Words to Children. Vol. XII. In every part of India the ox always appears, even in the train of her armies. And in the hottest parts of the West Indies, the ox is employed in hauling the vi'eighty produce to the seaports. The mistake here, as in the former case, has arisen from the effect of an occasional employment only, with no other than green food. Tlie fermentation of this in the animal, heated by the weather, and fretted by the discipline, will readily account for his sinking under his exertions; when green food even, much less dry, with a sober habit of labour, would have no such tend- ency. The third objection also is not a solid one. The ox can, by a proper harness, be used singly, as well as the horse, between the rows of Indian corn; and equally so used for other purposes. Experience may be safely appealed to on this point. In the fourth place, it is alleged that he is slower in his movements. This is true, but in a less degree than is often taken for granted. Oxen that are well chosen for their form are not worked after the age of about eight years — the age at which they are best fitted for beef; — are not worked too n)any together, and are suitably matched, may be kept at nearly as quick a step as that of the horse, might I not say quicker than thfit of many of the horses we see at work, who, on account of their age, or the leanness occasioned by the costliness of the food they require, lose the advantage where they might have once had it] The last objection has most weight. The ox is not as well adapted as the horse to the road service, especially for long trips. In common roads, which are often soft, and sometimes suddenly become so, the form of his foot and the shortness of his leg are dis- advantages; and, on roads frozen or turn- piked, the roughness of the surface in the former case, and its hardness in both cases, are inconvenient to his cloven f(X)t. But where the distance to market is not great, where the varying state of the roads and of the weather can be consulted, and where the road service is less in proportion to the farm service, the objection is almost deprived of its weight. In cases where it most applies, its weight is diminished by the consideration that a much greater proportion of service on the farm may be done by oxen than is now com- monly done ; and that the expense of shoe- ing them is little different from that of keep- ing horses shod. It is observable that when oxen are worked on the farm over rough frozen ground, they suffer so much from the want of shoes, however well fed they may be, that it is a proper subject for calculation whether true economy does not require for them that accommodation, even on the farm, as well as for the horses. — Skinner's Cattle Doctor. Inspections at Philadelphia. A CORRESPONDENT of the Bulletin gives the following as the total inspection of cer- tain articles in the District of Philadelphia, during the year 1647. Flour. 671,359 barrels superfine flour, 6,471 do. do. do. 20,408 do. fine do. 109 half barrels fine do. 11,320 barrels condemned flour. 64 half barrels condemned flour. 2,612 barrels middlings flour. 26,971 do. rye do. 937 do. condemned flour 292,347 do. kiln dried corn meal. 1,777 do. ' condenmed do. 168 half barrels corn meal. 1,475 hogsheads do. Estimated value of the above, $6,015,449 50 Butter and Lard. 29,052 pack. ex. butter, No. 1, 696,490 lbs. 130 do. do. do. 3,044 1,024 do. ex. lard, do. 62,819 30,206 Valued at 762,353 $97,175 66 A Few Words for Children. You were made to be kind, says Horace Mann, generous and magnanimous. If there is a boy in the school who has a club foot, don't let him know that you ever saw it. If there is a poor boy with ragged clothes, don't talk about rags when he is in hearing. If there is a lame boy assign him some part of the game which does not require running. If there is a hungry one give him part of your dinner. If there is a dull one help him to get his lesson. If there is a bright one be not envious of him; for if one boy is proud of his talents, and another is envious of them, there are two great wrongs and no more talents than before. If a larger or stronger boy has injured you, and is sorry for it, forgive him, and request the teacher not to punish him. All the school will show by their countenance how much bet- ter it is to have a great soul than a great fist. No. 9. Rearing Lambs for Market — Summer Management of Sheep. 286 Rearing Lambs for Market. At our request, Mr. George Edwards, of Mecbanicsville, Saratoga county, has fur- nished us the following account of his mode of managing sheep and rearing lambs for market: "As my farm is near our large markets, and well adapted to what I call mixed hus- bandry— that is sheep, grain and grass — the soil a loam, high and dry — I find the rearing of fat lambs the most profitable branch of farming. The ewes have generally been bought in September — always selecting those of rather coarse w-ooi, they be ng larger and generally the best nurses. The rams (pure South Downs) are put to them early in No- vember, and the lambs are dropped about the first of .April. The ewes are fed during the winter with cornstalks and straw, and about one month before lambing, and from thence till they go to pasture, thoy are each fed with three quarts of brewer's grains per day. "Last year 100 ewes raised 100 lambs. The wool, which was sold at Troy at 3"2 cents per lb., brought •'fil04 75. Twenty-five lambs sold at '^2 each, one ram lamb siii.5, one do. Jfe.S, and the remaining seventy-three at ^\ 75 each. They were all taken away by the last of July. The ewes were sold to the butcher at 82 each in October — so that the hundred ewes realized $490 50. " It is desirable to get rid of the lambs early, that the ewes may have time to fat- ten, so that they may be sold to the butcher in the fall — giving room for a new flock which should be brought in for the next season. "It is a good mode, and one which we have frequently adopted, if we have a piece of rye which had been sown on a clover sod, (or where the land was otherwise in good order.) to plough the stubble the very mo- ment the rye is off the field, and sow turnips. The furrows are first harrowed with a light harrow lengthwise and then crosswise — the seed sown broadcast, 2 lbs. per acre — ending with rolling the ground with a very light roller. The turnip called the stubble turnip is preferred. A larger quantity of seed is sown than some use, in order to get a good stand in spite of the ravage? of the fly. I have now procured one of Emery's seed- planters and shall probably sow the turnips in drills henceforth — the rows two feet apart, to give space to work between them with a horse and small plough or cultivator. As soon as the turnips are up about two inches, we put on the light harrows, passing both ways, keeping a straight course. If the tur- nips are in drills, the drags are only run across the rows. About two days alter the harrows are run over the turnips, they are gone over with hoes and thinned where they are in bunches. "Ten acres of turnips, with a tolerable even plant, will supply and fatten 1.50 sheep, and will afford fine keep for them from the first of October to the end of November, (if there is not much snow,) at a time when pasture is generally short. About one acre should be fenced off to commence with, and after four or five days add about one-fourth of an acre every other day. At first the sheep will not appear to like the turnips, but after three or four days they will eat them rapidly. A boy should he placed with the sheep for two or three hours each day, to chop up the shells — the sheep will fall back and eat them up clean. " While the sheep are on the turnips, it is an advantage to give them a little cut hay in troughs — say about three bushels per day for 150 sheep. " Let any man try this plan, and if his land is in good heart, he will not only find his sheep get really fat, but they will leave the land in fine condition for a spring crop. It must be observed, the more attention that is paid to keeping down the weeds, the better will the crop pay cost." — Cultivator. Summer Management of Sheep. Let us imagine the time to have arrived when the duties of the flock-master relative to foddering his flocks are about to be sus- pended by turning them to pasture. This period, in the northern States, is from the Ist to the 20th of April. It is a critical time with sheep, owing to the rigor and vicissi- tudes of the climate, and their long confine- ment to dry food, especially so with the finer- wooled varieties, and therefore claiming more than ordinary care. But many of the duties involved require to be e.xercised a month or more antecedent to the time under conside- ration. If sheep have been confined wholly within yards, and not permitted to taste the young grass until it is sufficiently advanced to sa- tisfy their hunger without the aid of other food, there is great danger in turning them upon it too suddenly. This results from ita flashy and stimulating properties, causing scours or purging, and unfortunately with that portion of the flock least able to endure the attack, namely, those in low flesh, and consequently feeble. In nearly all such cases death will often follow, unless a timely ar- rest of the disease is made by a return in part to dry food. But it is better to attend to the prevention, which is, to allow the flock to graze an hour 286 Summer Management of Sheep. Vol. XII. or two each day for at least a week previous; and durintr this time let the best of hay, ac- companied withi^rain, be provided. If sheep, however, have been trained to eat roots, and have partaken of them freely through the month of March, the danger accompanying the too sudden transition from hay or other dry food, will in a measure be avoided. Notwithstanding the duty of the shepherd may have been faithfully discharged by tak- ing out from time to time such as are failing in flesh during the winter season, and put- ting them to better keep, yet not a few in in- different condition will bo found in large flocks at this period, which had better be separated and treated accordingly. The two classes needing this attention perhaps the most, are generally ewes which have already or are about to yean, and yearlings. What- ever they are, let them be put upon the best pasture the farm will furnish, and a few only together. The separation will be quickest performed by adopting the following method : — Let the flock be stationed one or two hundred yards distant from a gateway or bars, and then, if called by the shepherd, moving on a run, the weaker sheep will soon fall to the rear, and when these are about to pass the gateway, let them be cut off" from the others by some one in the vicinity. This mode is sure, and is preferable to pounding the flock, as mis- takes are unavoidably committed by so doing, especially with yearlings, owing to the un- usual length of wool in individual cases, which frequently hides from the shepherd their impoverished condition. An important duty devolves upon the flock- master to see that his sheep are regularly and plentifully salted from the time they are turned to pasture till the commencement of the foddering season. Fortunately the question, whether salt contributes to the health and thrift of sheep, is, at the present day, no longer mooted, its salutary effects being universally admitted. It operates to stimulate the appetite, and es- sentially aids the disrestive organs in extract- ing the nutriment of food ; and within a few years it has been ascertained that its free use to sheep has mitigated, if not wiiolly pre- vented, in some localities, that terrible scourge to British flocks, the liver-rot. Its security against the attacks of other dan- gerous maladies, further time and observa- tion will doubtless demonstrate. In Mr. Youatt's work will be found the followinir remarks on the benefits of salting: — " Passing by the beautiful country of Montpelier and the mouths of the Rhone, the traveller can study the fine sheep and the sheep husbandry of Aries. The district of the Crau, in length nearly eighteen miles, and about half as much in breadth, extends from the mountains towards the sea-coast. It is one uniform gentle declivity: in no part of it is there the slightest portion of stagnant water, and not a tree or shrub is to be seen. The so 1 is dry and apparently barren enough, but produces a varied herb- age well adapted to the sheep. Not less than one hundred and thirty thousand sheep graze on this declivity." A writer in the Memoirs of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris attributes the thriving of the sheep on such a spot to the free use of salt, thereby enabling the diges- tive organs to extract every particle of nu- triment which the food contains. He says, "On this spot, seemingly so sterile, by the free use of salt, more numerous flocks of sheep are bred and reared than upon any other common of equal extent throughout the whole kingdom ; and, what is not less remarkable, the sheep are healthier, hardier, and endure the severity of the winter with less loss, though they have fewer sheep cots for covering, than those fed and bred on more copious pastures, and that have, besides, the advantage of more convenient shelter." For a short time after sheep have been turned to pasture, precaution must be ob- served not to salt them too freely, as, in con- junction with the stimulating nature of young grass, scours or purging will follow; and its effects upon ewes shortly before parturition, if allowed access to it without limit, will tend to abortion, as will be found more fully noticed in another chapter. If common fine salt (say Salina make) is used, two quarts to the hundred, given about once a week, is a prudent quantity at that time, and may be increased to four quarts after the first of May, for every fourth or fifth day, during the remainder of the pasture season. If coarse salt (St. Ubes) is used, a quarter to one-third less than of fine will be proper, it being of a much stronger quality. Salting in troughs would be well enough, provided the sheep could be stationary in one enclosure ; but the necessity of their removal frequently for change of pasture, requires the removal of the troughs also; and the flock-master with several hundred sheep will soon learn that that is quite too troublesome. Again, troughs arc thought by many indis- pensable during the season when the Estris Ovis, or sheep gad-fly, is winging its tor- menting career, for the reception of the tar (upon which salt is sprinkled) as a defence against its attacks. But this does not super- sede their removal, and if time and their ex- pense arc considered, it will be found cheaper to pound the flocks several times during the No. 9. The Agriculture of Belgium. 287 flight of the fly, and with a common paint brush or swab, tarring their noses can very quickly be performed, and far more effec- tually than it can be done by themselves in the troughs. The writer salts his sheep upon the ground before the dew evaporates, selecting a place which is clean, and the grass short, and di- vides a handful into two or three parts, as a large quantity thrown upon one spot will not scatter sufficiently the quantity used for the flock, and thereby the sheep are afforded a more equal chance. Salt is a fertilizer of the soil, and should any be left uneaten, which is not very likely, of course its effbcts will not be lost. Many suppose that sheep, late in the fall, require little or no salt. This is quite a mis- take, it being the very period when it will prove most useful to them, by contributing to extract the little nutriment left in the de- caying herbage, as well as causing its better relish. Salt is quite as necessary in the foddering season, if not more so, than at any other time, for the reason that dry food being harder of digestion than green, the stimiilaling proper- ties of salt is requisite to aid the process. It is not important that the hay, or whatever else may be fed, is salted, if the sheep have access to it in troughs or mangers. But if the hay is salted when it is secured, none else will be required. This is deemed by a large mnjority to be the better way, and coin cides with the writer's views and practice.— MorrelVs American Shepherd. The Agriculture of Belgium. No country in Europe of so limited a ter ritory, presents a greater variety of aspect than Belgium. The natural landscape of the two Flanders and Antwerp is charac- terized by a gloominess and monotony which the variety of soil and production can scarcely compensate. Here and there are scattered plains, bounded only by the visible horizon, and intersected by sluggish streams and arti- ficial communications, that serve to drain the country, and afford innumerable facilities for inland navigation. Flanders has a dense population, and her rural districts are de- lightfully diversified % woods and arable lands, and thickly studded with towns and villages. Towards the sea coast rise the gently undulating towns or dunes, composed of loose sand, often extending three miles in breadt!i, but of very moderate heiglit. On the contrary, turn to the coast of Hainault, Brabant, and the Walloon provinces, and you will find charming and romantic situa- tions. Here is a surface, broken by ravines or abrupt rocks, and there clothed with great masses of forest. Indeed, the whole of Bel- gium has a woody appearance. Trees are planted in the hedge enclosures of the fields, while the roads are lined with double rows of the majestic linden, and the canals shaded with poplars and willows. The western part of Belgium was early known as the centre of European manufac- tures and commerce, and while the rest of the civilized world was merged in compara- tive barbarism, the mechanical arts were successfully cultivated in this region. At the period of the crusades her navigation was so generally developed, that when the kings of France and the emperors of Ger- many sent their mariners by land or in Vene- tian or in Genoese bottoms to Asia, the Flemish marine boldly coasted France and Spain, passed the Straits of Gibraltar, and disembarked her troops on the coast of the Levant. There is Bruges, a few centuries ago the entrepot of the whole commercial world; and during the palmy days of the Hanseatic League, she was a leading city, and grand compting house for that wonderful trading establishment. Her ancient and splendid edifices are monuments of her former opu- lence and grandeur; but this whole country, except the margin of streams, was either a di-y sand bunk, or an immense morass, on which grew the heath and aquatic plants. Even now, if left to nature, instead of in- creasing in fertility, it would return to its original state. And what proves beyond the shadow of doubt that it was formerly sub- merged, is the alternation of its layers of sand and clay, mingled with marine shells. In- deed, the Rhine has brought down from the Alpine regions and deposited its debris, in the sha pe of sands. The Meuse and Scheldt, in their advances to the ocean, have formed a fine argillaceous and calcareous soil, the remains of animal and vegetable substances, drawn from their basins or brought by the oceanic tides. The barren heath, by a happy combination of clay and vegetable and animal manure, has thus become a garden, and its rich, black, loamy mould indicates the fertili- zation of centuries. Those salt marshes, called in the language of the country, schorres, have been reclaimed from the in- undation of tides by embankment and dykes, and are now proverbial for their fertility. In the vicinity of Ostend, the great Polden, for example, bearing the appellation of Snaerskinke, has been formed in this way, and exhibits a noble specimen of I'lemish industry and perseverance. Travelling over Pays de Waes, a perfect garden, we should (little suspect that the fine dark loamy soil 288 The Agriculture of Belgium. Vol. XII. which on every side teems with the rankest vegetation, was formerly a dreary waste, on which a blade of grass scarcely grow. The flourishing condition of agriculture in the low countries is unquestionably the mainspring of their prosperity in manufac- tures, which, in turn, by increasing the size of towns and the demand for the riches of the soil, give a stimulating activity to the interchange of the commodities. To what other cause can we attribute the extreme multiplication of the human species, but the development of these great sources of na- tional prosperity 1 Commerce and manufactures have multi- plied objects of cultivation and increased the demand tor them. The production of flax, hemp, oily and colouring plants, are thus made as profitable to the husbandman as the production of breadstufFs and animal food, and the field that grows the raw material of the white veil which throws such bewitch- ing charms around Flemish beauty, raises the price of the cereal and culinary produc- tions. The vascillating wants of trade may disturb for a season, however, the just equi- librium between production and consumption, but eventually all the fruits of agricultural industry become balanced. Thus the per- fection of rural economy that arises from the necessity of providing for the subsistence and comfort of an increasing population, is the glory of the country. But a stranger, on crossing the Belgian frontier, would be greatly surprised to find her rural districts so strongly wedded to antiquated notions and modes of husbandry. Even the introduction of new plants, except the potatoe and some colouring vegetables, has been of rare occur- rence. It is true that the genius of Napo- leon called into cultivation the sugar beet, but it maybe said the improvements in agri- cultural implements and seeds, for which other countries are so justly celebrated, have been slow to find their way into this region. What a striking contrast do the American and English farming utensils form, to the Hainault scythe and Flemish plow. The present King of Belgium has indeed intro- duced many modern improvements in the tillage of land and the breed of domestic animals, yet, strange to say, the character- istic tenacity with which the Belgians cling to old established notions have retarded the successful accomplishment of these govern- mental ameliorations. But when we advert to the fact of the enormous increase of the value of land and buildings within the last ten years, the bene- ficent supervision of the government is every way worthy of praise and imitation. The great council employed to watch the agricul- tural interests, together with a veterinary and agricultural college, all stationed at the capital, have elevated the standard of educa- tion among the cultivators of the soil, and called into successful activity an immense amount of dormant wealth. This college is liberally patronized by the State, and its chairs are filled by professors who are men of science and great experience; and under its auspices are delivered lectures on chemistry, botany, and agriculture. So- cieties iiave been formed in the various pro- vinces for the promotion of rural industry; but what has contributed in an eminent de- gree to develope the capacities of the soil, is the abolition of the feudal tenures, game laws, and partial and onerous burdens on the industrial classes. The law of equal succession, which has subdivided France .into many small estates, owned by frugal and temperate, but poor proprietors, works admirably in Flanders. The prospect of a rural retreat gives a sti- mulus to the industry and economy of the peasant. For here the cultivators of the soil either hold it in fee, or are tenants on dura- ble leases. What a contrast does it form to that miserable melayer system of tillage that blights the industry and enterprise of some of the finest territories on the continent. The operative classes are not content with the bare necessaries of life; their tidy wives and well clothed children show a vast supe- riority over the starving and haggard popu- lation of Ireland. Even a fondness for reli- gious processions and superstitious pageantry that connects Roman Catholicism with filth and squalidness in Savoy and Italy, are not the accompaniments of the rural populace of the lotD countries. On the contrary, what traveller is not de- lighted with a Flemish farmery, where order and neatness dwell? Even in the stalls in which the horse and ox are fed, you can be seated and regale yourself with a cup of coflee, or the smoke of the pipe, without oifending the most sensitive nerves. Go and ascend the lofty belfry which surmounts the old Town-Hall at Bruges, and the panorama to the north will fill your eye with a beauti- ful succession of vividly verdant fields, varied by masses nf wood, streams and picturesque villages. But this very soil, if cultivated like many parts of the world, would require a heavy importation of human food to supply the demand for the consumption of the peo- ple. But Belgium exports an immense quan- tity of her agricultural productions. Let us examine this matter for a moment, and see whether the true cause of this unsurpassed affluence of husbandry, may not be traced to the economy and industry of man. The No. 9. The Vineyards of the Ohio. 289 pervadinpf principle of her tillage is to make a farm like a garden. Even the pasturages are so subdued and fertilized that they yield four-fold more than the same land in less cultivated countries. It is conceded that ten acres of the best vegetables would maintain a larger stock of grazing cattle, than forty acres of common farm or coarse grass. The lease of land on long terms, based on im- provement, the payment of rent in money, or kind combined with money, the restraint not to sub-let, and the powerful motive to obtain profitable crops, joined with habits of sobriety, forethought, and a well balanced economy, have elevated the Belgian peasan- try far above the like operatives on the con- tinent. Flemish farms vary very much in size in the northern parts of the country, but rarely exceed fifty acres. You often meet with farms of twenty acres, on which you will find a pair of fine horses, four to six milch cows, a farmery that contains a good and substantial dwelling house, out houses and stables, kept with wonderful neatness and economy. Within the area, and below the rural buildings, is placed the urine tank, that receives the liquid discharges from the do- mestic animals, and hard by is the compost bed, on which is deposited whatever can form manure. Here permit me to say, that on a farm which I had the pleasure to examine, that contained but 45 acres, there were fed two horses, fifteen milch cows, and several hei- fers to supply stock, besides five cows and some calves fattened off yearly ; some few miserable sheep and long-legged and slab- sided hogs, and the master and family, with six male and female domestics. The pro- duce of the stock of live animals was not the moiety of the real income of the farm. The surface was teeming with artificial grasses, wheat, rye, rape, and flax, all richly remu- nerating the indomitable perseverance and unwearied industry of the cultivator. The Cattle and horses were continually stalled; fed in summer on green clover, and in win- ter with esculent roots relieved by meal made from small grain. But what was an inex- haustible source of fertility to this productive spot, took its rise from the careful preserva- tion of all vegetable and animal matter, to- gether with the excrementitious substances of every thing living within his shed. And what in other countries is wasted, is here an article of commerce — I allude to urine, which in a single cow is worth ten dollars a year. No wonder then, that the net returns to the cultivators of the soil will average more than a quarter of the value of the grass pro- duce. The deduction consists in the charges of production, such as the price of seed, manure, labor, interest on capital, repairs to buildings and farming utensils, or a rent to the proprietor, the public burden of taxation, and the annual loss by the decay of strength and mortality' of the domestic animals — nor is the cost of the food of men and beasts to be neglected — in this account. — New York Affricultural Transactions. From Downing's Horticulturist. The Vineyards of the Ohio. In writing upon the Vine, it is impossible to forget the many associations of antiquity which are inseparably connected with it. In sacred history, these are especially interest- ing. In all time, has the vine, and the en- joyment of its fruit, been regarded as a bless- ing especially adapted to the health, comfort and luxury of man. "And Judah and Israel dwelt safeh', every man under his own vine and under his own fig tree." The vine seems to have been given to mon in a more perfect state than most other fruits; for though many of the fine varieties are the result of patient cultivation, the finest wild grapes of either Syria or America are truly delicious, when compared with wild crabs or wild peaches. Its culture and en- joyment, in the earliest ages of the world, were considered synonymous with the pros- perity and happiness of man: "and they shall build houses and inhabit them, and they shall plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them." Though the world has grown old, the pa- ternal love of vineyards has not in the least diminished in the heart of man. We are just as busy, at least in this part of the new world, with planting vineyards as were Noah and his immediate descendants; and I may, therefore, I trust, be pardoned for giving some detail of the early history of this branch of agriculture in the valley of the Ohio. If we take a retrospective glance of fifty or sixty years — a period the scenes of which are perfectly within the recollection of some yet on the active stage of life — when the unexplored wilds of the Ohio — the now in- deed beautiful Ohio — were penetrated by a few hardy adventurers, seeking to better their condition, with but little to cheer them in their dreary course, but encountering, at every step, the shrieks of wild beasts, and their but little less ferocious companion, the Red Man, we shall have some data from which to start. The great abundance of the wild grape, found indigenous in the for- est, and the luxuriancy of their growth, 290 The Vineyards of the Ohio. Vol. XIL towering and spreadintj over the tops of the talle^^t trees, abundantly loaded with fruit, justifies the idea, that the better and finer gorts would flourish here also. How or from whence these were to be obtainf'd, or what sorts would prove adapted to the soil and climate, would remain a matter of slow in- quiry and experiment. This must, of ne- cessity, mainly depend on emigrants, in after time, from vine-growing districts, without a knowledge of the soil and climate, bringing with them old and valued sorts, and applying their old and accustomed modes of cultiva- tion. These emigrants brought with them a strong natural prejudice against native sorts, and a different mode of treatment. Before success could attend them, old preju- dices and predilections must be abandoned, and a new practice, and native sorts sought to occupy the place of old friends unsuited to their new locations. These were hard struggles, which required time to bring to a successful issue. Early attention was drawn to the subject, and efforts were attended with more or less success. None of tliese were, however, of much importance, until about the year 1796 or 7, when John James Dufour, a zealous Swiss, came to Lexington, Ky. Having previously looked up all the vine cultivators east and west, the smallest of them not es- caping his notice. He succeeded in form- ing a joint stock company, for the purpose ot extensive operations. The first difficulty presenting itself, was a want of plants. These were at much cost, collected partly about Philadelphia, New York and Balti- more, with some he had brought from Swit- zerland, to the amount in all, of thirty-five sorts, all foreign varifties. Most of these were brought to fruiting, and some speci- mens of wine were produced. "This was drank by the stockholders," I presume with much satisfaction. Unfortunately, however, these vines soon after perished with the mil- dew and other diseases to which the Eu- ropean sorts were foimd subject, except a few stocks of two sorts, the Madeira and Cape. This was so discouraging, that after a few years efforts to increase the stock of these, the former, in the mean time, sharing the fate of the rest, the project was aban- doned, and the little band dispersed. After- wards joining themselves to a small colony of their countrymen, who had commenced a settlement on the banks of the Ohio, in the then territory of Indiana, some fitly miles below Cincinnati, where they had com- meticed the cultivation of the vine in 1802 This location was afterwards named Switz- erland, and the town Vevay, in honour of their fatherland. Here, uniting their force, and adding their dear-bought experience, they commenced vigorous and successful operations with the Cape grape, [Alexan- der's or Schuylkill Muscadell.] As there is some doubt and dispute about the origin of this grape, I will here add Dufour's account of it. He says he procured it of one Le- goux, residing at Spring Mill, near Phila- delphia, who informed him that he imported it from the Cape of Good Hope. There, he supposes, it must have been carried by the Dutch settlers, and thinks it hence a Eu- ropean grape.* Be this, however, as it may, unportance must always attach itself to it as the foundation of a successful effort to cultivate the grape in the valley of the Ohio, for the munnfdclure of wine. Time will show whether for good or evil, to the morals of our people. Here these indefatigable strangers perse- vered in their efforts, and produced, for many years, a dark red wine, too harsh and astrin- gent, however, to receive general favour, which confined its use mostly to the German and French population. Its harshness was probably owing to tl;e age at which most of the cultivators found themselves obliged to sell their product. Bottled samples of it have been kept until it had attained an age of some years, which were pronounced, by good judges, to resemble and equal fine Burgundy, showing what ii is capable of making, with care and age. The average yield, per acre, in their early operations, was 180 gallons, and the market price $2. This price, how- ever, was greatly reduced by importation of French wines, so that they have been driven out of the market, and their operations aban- doned. The fruit of their vineyards not possessing the rich and pleasant flavor to re- commend it to public favour for the table. Experience conclusively showed that it is the native sorts on which reliance must be placed; as the foreign sorts, with no excep- tions, (unless the Cape be such,) have proved a failure, and disappointed all expectations. Although the culture of the vine was yet in its infancy, sufficient had been done to prove beyond dispute, that the soil and climate of thi.s valley are well adapted to the grape; and all that was necessary to complete suc- cess, was some suitable native sort. This had not been lost sight of, while the suspen- sion at Vevay tended to develop and to make room for a more varied and diffused system of cultivation, with different and better sorts. Of these, the Catawba has taken and main- tained the lead. So successful and profit- able has its culture proved, that I shall not be above the truth to set down the number * It IB unquestionably an American grape. No. 9. Pork Packing in Kew York. 291 of acres now covered with it in this vicin- ity, at four hundred. Of conrse it will be understood that only a part of these have come into fruiting'. With all this quantity under cultivation, such is the desire for wine making and its profits, that few markets where there is any pretension to cultivate the vine, are more deficient in the supply of the fruit than ours, at the higrh price of three to five dollars per bushel. The reasons as- signed for this, are, that the bushel of good fruit will yield, on an average, four gallons of wine, and this readily commands from one to one dollar fifty cents per gallon from the press. It should be borne in mind, that the extension of the Ohio vineyards, thus far, has been limited only by the supply of plants. From this, — as the plants are now multiplied with great facility and at low prices, — should their product continue to meet a demand, its future extension may be inferred. However, I promised to confine ray remarks to its infantile struggles into existence. My purpose in this article is answered, in having shown that every man may indeed set under his own vine, (if not his fig tree,) in our highly favoured valley, and enjoy the luxury not only of its shade, but the greater one of an abundance of fine rich fruit, with none to molest or make him afraid. Very respectfully, A. H. Ernst. Spring Garden, Ciocinnati, Feb. 1st, 1848. Pork packing in New York. At the pork packing establishment of Messrs. George Leiand &. Co., 536 and .538 Washington Street, in this city, we observed a day or two since a sample of unusually large and superior dressed hogs, ready for barrelling — all the product of Dutches coun- ty, in thifs State, as follows : Raised by, Hogg, Weight Averaging Egbert Smith 11 3,835 lbs. 249 lbs. B. Culver, 23 8,645 376 George Barlow, 9 3,235 359 David Hicks, 6 2,290 381 A. Hoffman, 22 10,759 490 A. Schryver, 10 4,370 437 Samuel Towner , 6 2,375 379 A. A. Schryver, 11 4,130 376 Philo Stukie, 3 1,170 390 D. Gifford, 9 3,426 381 110 44,135 lbs. 401 lbs. Of these, 110 hogs, the smallest weighed upward of 300 lbs. and the largest 700, the whole weighing 44,135 lbs., averaging 401 lbs. each ; a pig seven months and 22 days old weighed 410 lbs. This, we understand, considerably exceeds the average weight of Ohio liogs. We learn from Mr. Leiand that about 100,000 dressed hogs are received here annually, four-fifths of which are sold fresh for city consumption, this branch of trade having materially increased of late, while the packing, which ten or twelve years since reached 20 to 30,000 bbls. annually, has steadily decreased to about 1000 bbls. annu- ally. Large quantities are now cured in dry salt and packed in bales for the English mar- ket. When the Erie and Albany railroads shall have been finished, it is believed that dressed hogs will be received here from the West, and that in this city — which furnishes so many fiicililies for the business — a great part of the pork packing of the country will be carried on. Remarks. — some of our readers who have been taught to regard a pig of 200 pounds as a respectable porker, will hardly credit the statement, that one only seven months and 22 days old, ever weighed, when well dressed, 410 pounds. But be beg to assure our Southern friends that Dutchess county dairymen, while learning to make butter, which sells at thirty dollars per 100 pounds in this city, to butler the bread of exclusive planters, have found out a way to transform buttermilk, clover, corn meal, peas and bar- ley into pork, in a speedier and more profit- able way than most farmers are aware of. Suppose we were to ask every planter in Georgia how many pounds of sound corn nature requires to make one pound of good bacon, what number, think you, could an- swer correctly"? If 200 days' keeping on sound principles will suffice'to make a pitr weigh 410 pounds, why keep him so badly till he is a year and a half old, that he will weigh only 200 pounds? The quantity of food consumed in the .300 extra days of hia life and positively wasted, so far as making flesh is concerned, is prodigious. If it is your object to keep the animal, tliat he may grow to a fair size, why not make liim do up his growing and fattening also, on the least quantity of food, and in the shortest time? The art of transforming grass, peas, roots and corn into cheap pork, beef and mutton, needs to be carefully studied. If we mistake not the business of manufacturing the edible flesh of domestic animals can be rendered profitable at the South. The whole process must be conducted with perfect svstem. Corn should be ground into meal, and that boiled into pudding and mixed with cooked peas, potatoes, or some cheaper food. — Sovth- ern CtUlivalor. 202 Guano. Vol. XII. Gaano. From Travels in Peru, by Dr. John J. VonTschudi. Opposite to Pisco and Chinca there is a group of small island?, of which the largest, Sangallan, is six English miles distant from Pisco. These islands have of late years be- come celebrated on account of the great quantity of Guano that has been exported from them. Guano — (or according to the more correct orthography, Huanu, which is a term in the Quichua dialect, meaning "animal dung;" is found on these islands in enormous layers of from 35 to 40 feet thick. The upper stra- ta are of a greyish-brown color, which lower down becomes darker. In the lower strata, the color is a rusty red, as if tinged with ox- ide of iron. The Guano becomes progres- sively more and more solid from the surface downwards, a circumstance naturally ac- counted for by the gradual deposite of the strata, and the evaporation of the fluid par- ticles. Guano is found on all the islands, and on most of the uninhabited promontaries of the west coast of South America, especially in those parts within the tropics. I have otten been assured that beds of guano, several teet high, covered with earth, are found in land at some distance from the sea; but I never met with any, and I have some doubt of the correctness of the statement. If, how- ever, these inland strata exist, I am inclined to believe that they can only be found on hilly ground: and in that case, they afford strong evidence of a considerable elevation of the coast. Guano is formed of the excrements of dif- ferent kinds of marine birds, as mews, divers, siioarbeaks, &c. The immense flocks of these birds, as they fly along the coast, appear like clouds. When their vast numbers, their extraordi- nary voracity, and the facility with which they procure their food, are considered, one cannot be surprised at the magnitude of the beds of guano, which has resulted from un- interrupted accumulations during thousands of years. I kept for some days a living Sula varieqata, which I fed abundantly with fish. The average weight of the excrement daily was from three and a half to five ounces. I have no doubt that when the bird is in a state of freedom, the weight must be much great- er, tor these birds are constantly ploughing into the sea, in order to devour the fishes which they find in extraordinary numbers around all the islands. When an island is inhabited by millions of sea birds, though two-thirds of the guano should be lost while flying, still a very considerable stratum would be accumulated in the course of a year. The marine birds nestle on the uninhabit- ed islands, or on rocks near the shore; but they never settle on the flat beach, or on any place distant from it inland. On this fact I ground my conjecture that those beds of gu- ano in the interior, which may have been re- moved from the shore by important eleva- tions of the coast, are to be found only on hills. During the first year of the deposite, the strata are white, and the guano is then called Guano Blanco. In the opinion of the Peru- vian cultivators, this is the most efficacious kind. It is found in the Punla de Hormil- los, or the islands of Islay, Margarita, &c. As soon as the dealers in guano begin to work one of the beds, the island on which it is formed is abandoned by the birds. It has also been remarked, that since the increase of the trade and navigation, they have withdrawn from the islands in the neigh- bourhood of the ports. Much has been recently written on the employment and utility of guano; but the manner in which it is applied as manure in Peru, seems to be but little known. The Peruvians use it chiefly in the cultivation of maize and potatoes. A few weeks after the seeds begin to shoot, a little hollow is dug around each root and is filled up with guano, which is afterwards covered with a layer of earth. Aft^er the lapse of twelve or fit\een hours, the whole field is laid under water, and it is letl in that state for some hours. Of the Guano Blanco a less quantity suf- fices, and the field must be more speedily and abundantly watered, otherwise, the roots will be destroyed. The effect of this manure is incredibly rapid. In a few days the growth of a plant is doubled. If the manure be re- peated a second time, but in smaller quanti- ty, a rich harvest is certain — at least, the produce will be three-fold that which baa been obtained from the unmanured soil. The haciendas of the Valley of Chancay have, during the last fifty years, consumed annually from 33,000 to 3(5,000 bushels of guano brought from the islands of Chancha and Pisco. The price of the bushel of co- loured guano is one dollar and a quarter, and the price of the white from two to three dol- lars. The price has recently undergone many fluctuations, in consequence of the great exports to Europe. The employment of this kind of manure IS very ancient in Peru ; and there is authen- tic evidence of its having been used in the time of the Incas. The white guano was then chiefly found on the islands opposite to No. 9. History of the Cotton Manufacture. 293 Chincha: so that for upwards of 600 years the deposite has been progressively removed from those ishinds without any apparent de- crease of the accumulation. The uniformity of climate, on a coast where tiiere is not much rain, would contribute to render the Peruvian guano a more active manure than the African, as fewer of the saline particles of the former being in solution, they are consequently less subject to evaporation. — American Farmer. History of the Cotton Manufacture. The importance of the cotton trade to Great Britain, although generally admitted, is but seldom appreciated to the full extent of its value, even by those to whom its pro- gress lias supplied abundant labor, or those to whose wealth and atlhience it has so ma- terially contributed; I shall, therefore, en- deavor to bring this subject before the com- mercial world as concisely as possible in the subjoined pages, in the hope that in present- ing the details, and venturing upon a short outline of its general features, and a brief sketch of its progress in England, I may con tribute to the information and pleasure of many in the commercial world. To trace the manufacture of cotton from its very first stage, is a task which has never yet been fully accomplished, nor is it neces- sary for the objects sought to be achieved by these papers, to do so; suffice it, therefore, to give a few of the leading facts relative to its progression in other countries, and its in- troduction into Great Britain. Most authors agree that cotton goods were successfully made in the East long before the Christian era, but to what extent it advanced amongst Eastern nations at that period, it is now impossible to discover; we learn, how- ever, that the art of manufacture had found its way into Africa and China, a considerable time before mention is made of it in Europe. The earliest records of its introduction into Europe inform us, that it first made its ap- pearance in Spain and Italy ; but its progress in those countries was exceedingly limited, and it never appears to have attracted the serious attention of men of genius and per- severance, without whose aid and enterprise it would have failed even in England. As far back as 1298, raw cotton is recorded to have been imported into Great Britain, but it appears to have been exclusively used at that period for candle or lamp wick; and whether it was known as an article suited to the manufacture of clothing, is very uncer- tain. In the year 1560, there appears to have been a small importation of cotton from the Levant into England, but the quantity was very trifling, and it is not stated to what purpose it was applied ; but there can be lit- tle doubt that it was spun into yarn, by hand or distaff. It was, however, on a very limit- ed scale; as, in the year 1641, the principal part of the yarn in use here, was itself im- ported from the Levant, being used as weft only, and manufactured into what would now be called " Unions," the warp being of linen. This description of goods appears to, have been made without intermission from thai period until the year 1772, when Messrs. Arkwright and Strutts accomplished the art of making goods with a cotton warp. It will also be seen that little progress was made in the manufacturing of cotton in England, until the year 1782, when the im- ports for the whole of that year were 33,22.5 bales; spinning machinery being at this pe- riod in its infancy. VVJien we contemplate the present extent of the manufacture of cotton, the rapid stride it has made seems almost incredible. Not more than seventy years have elapsed since England's first profitable acquaintance with the cotton ma- nufacture. In the year 1781, the quantity of cotton wool imported, was only 14,603 bales; but in 1S4.5, it amounted to the enormous number of 1,8.5.5,660 bales, being 127 times as much as in the former year. In fact, our weekly consumption in 1846, was more than double the whole import of the year 1781. How deeply must the importance and mag- nitude of British enterprise and industry, and the power of man over the means of production, be impressed upon our minds, when we consider, that although so many centuries have passed since cotton was known in the East, and that within so short a period, (less than 100 years,) we were in- debted to that distant country for both our goods and yarn. Yet have the exports in yarn and calicoes to India alone, during the last year, amounted to the enormous quanti- ties of 20,.500,000 lbs. of yarn, and to up- wards of 196,000,0(K) yards of calicoes, and that it has been reserved to these times, tosend out persons of iirstrate ability, and at con- siderable expense, to induce the natives, (or, as may be said, the parents of the trade,) to increase and improve their cultivation ; in order to aid in supplying that want of raw material, which the more modern gigantic efforts, and almost incredible progress of the United States of North America, do not satisfy. It is an undeniable fact, that the cotton trade is much larger in amount than all the other descriptions of clothing. Notwith- standing its enormous extent, however, it ha'' been, and will continue to be, more ma- terially and suddenly affected by current 204 Mint of the United States. — Editorial Notices. Vol. XII. fluctuations than any other of our domef^tic fabrics. Some idea of the vast importance of this portion of British Commerce, may be formed from the follo\vin 38. do. 35. do. 1.70 do. 0.25 do. ' 6. do. 0.30 do. 316 Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge. Vol. XII. milk in nearly the same manner as that em- ployed for trying the strength of spirits. The difference in the quality of milk between par- ticular cows may thus be determined, but it does not show whether the caseous or buty- raceous matter predominates." "The making of butter appears to have been known from the earliest history of the island, for when invaded by Julius Cffisar it was a common food of the Islanders; but the art of making cheese they learned from their conquerors. It seems extraordinary, tiiat a people in possession of large herds of kine, could be ignorant of the art of making some sort of cheese from the sour curd with which they must have been acquainted; it is indeed described in many ancient authors; yet no mention is there made of the rennet with which it is now formed, nor is it known when the use of that article was first disco- vered." " The mode of making cheese, though in the main points apparently the same, yet is subject to more variety of minor details in the practice, than that of anything formed of one material ; and thus many different qualities are brought to market, each bear- ing some distinct character of its own. That nraany of those kinds, which are by connoi- seurs thought indifferent, might, by other management be more nearly assimilated to the superior sorts, there can be little doubt; these peculiarities have, in many districts, attached a certain degree of value to their flavor, while in others it would seem to be imparted by the natural grasses on the soil. This applies more especially to Cheshire than to any other county; for although imi- tations of different districts have been, in some cases, successfully made in others, yet in no trial has cheese of true Cheshire flavor been produced when made from cows fed on other soils. Whether justly or not, it has been attributed to the abundance of saline particles in the earth, as evinced by the nu- merous salt springs which abound through- out a large portion of that county, and is so old a remark, that Fuller, in his ' Worthies,' when speaking of the county, says: 'It doth afforde the best cheese for quantitie and qual- itie, and yet the cows are not, as in other countries, housed ih the winter. Some es saied in vain to make the like in other places, thoughe from thence they fetched their kine, and dairie maids; it seems they should iiave fetched their ground too, wherein is surelie some occult excellence in this kind, or else so good cheese will not be made.' There must indeed be some truth in the observa tion, for it is well known that where brine springs most abound, the cheese is ever es- teemed to be of superior quality. Whatever may be the foundation of the fact, the quality is, however, always better when the cows are pastured during the summer months. "Although cheese may be made from the curd, which has been formed by the coagu- lation of the milk when it turns sour, yet when thus obtained it is hard and ill flavour- ed ; many have therefore been found to cur- dle it with ' rennet,' which is made from the gastric juice of animals, but more espe- cially from that found in the maws or sto- machs of sucking calves, that have been fed entirely on milk." Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge. It is probably known to most of our read- ers who take an interest in such matters, that the Canada people have under contract and now in the course of construction, a rail- way, which is intended for high speed and heavy freight, from Windsor on the East shore of Detroit river, about a mile below the Falls. The distance is 228 miles. From the eastern shore of Niagara, oppo- site the terminus of the Canada railway, a railway through Lockport along the Erie Canal to Rochester, is in the course of Con- struction, Both of these roads, it is said, will soon be finished. They are, however, separated by the mighty Niagara, which runs between them in a gorge more than two hundred feet deep, with nearly perpen- dicular banks, and its waters are entirely impassable, owing to rapids tumbling over a rocky bottom on a great descent through which no water-crafl ever attempted to cross. To remedy this difficulty, some enterpris- ing gentlemen of Western New York and Canada, have set themselves about spanning the river from rail-road to rail-road with a bridge, to be suspended on wire cables, of sufficient strength to cross rail-road trains, as well as carriages and horses, and the work is already under way, under the superintend- ence of Charles Ellet, Jr., engineer. To ef- fect this, they are erecting two towers on each side of the river, built of substantial masonry, about sixty feet high above the rocky banks. Over the tops of these towers sixteen wire cables, four inches in diameter each, are to be stretched and anchored into the rock and fastened in the rear of the tow- ers. These cables will weigh twenty-seven tons each, and will possess a strength equal to the support of six thousand five hundred tons weight. From these cables thus extending across the river, the floor of the bridge is to be sus- pended on a level with the brow of the banks; and cars, carriages and passengers will enter upon the floor of the bridge between the tow- No. 10. Cultivation of Potatoes. 317 ers. There will be two footways on the bridge, of four feet width each; two carriageways of seven and a half feet each, and a rail-road track. The floor of the bridge will be two hun- dred and thirty feet above the water, and in full view of the Falls above and the whirl- pool below, and the bed of the river between; thus adding artificial sublimity to nature's grandeur, and making each contribute to the other. The expense of this bridge will be about two hundred thousand dollars, and the grandeur of the work, and the attractions it will present at this great resort of the curi- ous and the fashionable, would seem to form sufficient inducement for the outlay. But such was not the inducement. The gentlemen who have undertaken it — like most of our enterprising countrymen — are practical and utilitarian. Lakes Erie and Ontario are about thirty-six miles apart — joined by the noble Niagara, passable any time at only a few points, and sometimes passable nowhere between the two lakes on account of floating ice. On both sides of the river is a thick population of Anglo-Sax- ons, carrying on constant intercourse. To facilitate this, and annex the two countries, and join their railways, they have set them- selves to erecting this stupendous and seem- ingly impracticable structure. Western New York desires to avail herself of the transit of the Canada trade through the State and take its advantages. Canada is desirous of giving the Western States a pas- sage through her dominions and to avail her- self of whatever advantages may be gained by it. Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin, desire a winter trade, and are restless at being locked up so many nibnths in the year by ice from the Atlantic; and they desire also to have a shorter, quicker, and safer passage to the East than round through Lake Erie. And the farmers in Canada and the interior of the upper States are anxious to send down their produce, and would not like to be stop- ped by this impassable gorge in the river. Our readers will therefore see that the pub- lic interest of vast multitudes is very deeply concerned in this enterprise, and though pre- senting great inducements to the curious and fanciful, it is, nevertheless, a work of vast utility, in which the benefit of millions is concerned. The prime mover of this magnificent dis- play of civil engineering and combination of mechanical powers, is our worthy fellow- citizen Lot Clark, Esq., heretofore distin- guished in the public annals of his country; but certain now to be more widely and longer known by this momentous enterprise. This suspension bridge seems worthy to stand in view of that stupendous display of the grandeur of nature, the Falls of Niaga- ra ; the sight of which so well rewards the pilgrims who come annually from all quar- ters of the world to contemplate and admire it. No reader will need to be reminded of the inseparable connection which every where exists between the Agriculture of a country, and its roads and bridges, which serve — according as they are more or less perfect — to facilitate and cheapen trans- portation and exchanges between rural and manufacturing industry. — Skinner^s Farm- ers^ Library. From the American Agriculturist. Cultivation of Potatoes. . The cultivation of potatoes has become so precarious for the last four or five years, that it may be of service to publish an account of experiments, even if they have proved un- successful. I will therefore state my expe- rience, such as it is, with a hope that it will be of more or less benefit to those engaged in the same calling as myself. I have planted on a variety of soils, in- cluding a heavy clayey loam, gravel, black vegetable earth, loam, rich in animal and vegetable matter, and on a light, sandy loam. In the latter, I have always succeeded in raising sound potatoes, and I consider such a soil the most certain of producing a sound healthy crop. In 1845, I planted my potatoes in April, May, June and July. Those planted in May, I found succeeded best; and the vines of those planted late, decayed early in Septem- ber, soon after the young tubers began to form. On the 15th of May, 1846, I planted an acre of potatoes, on a moist loam, suitable for growing Indian corn. One part of the field I manured with newly slacked lime; one with wood ashes; one with charcoal; one with bone-dust ; one with poudrette ; and another part with plaster, lime, ashes, and salt, mixed. The result was, that the largest yield and the least rot, occurred where lime only was applied, at the time of planting, in the hill. Observing that the two rows of potatoes next to the corn, which occupied a part of the last named field, were entirely free from disease, and produced well, last season, (1847) I planted a lot, alternately, with two rows of corn, and two rows of potatoes; also, a small patch exclusively with potatoes, in the same field, manuring the whole with lime in the 318 Osage Orange. — Remedy against Moths. Vol. XII. hill. Those produced between the corn were all sound, and continue so to the present time, and were abundant in their yield ; whereas, the others, planted by themselves, were more or less affected with disease. A portion of the ground was subsoiled to the depth of 16 inches. On this part, the produce was one- third greater. From my experience, as above, I would recommend potatoes to be planted among Indian corn, before the 15th of May, in a light, sandy loam, or some other dry soil, subsoiled sixteen inches deep, with a gill of newly slacked lime, applied to each hill. D. Orange co., N. Y., March 27th, 1848. For the Farmers' Cabinet. Osage Orange. Mb. Editor, — By inserting answers to the following queries you will oblige some of your subscribers. 1st. Is the Osage orange preferable to the common thorn for hedges? And if so, why? 2nd. How many years must elapse from the time of planting the seed, before it will make a sufficient fence? 3rd, Is it liable to be attacked by insects? 4th. Does it impoverish the soil any more than the thorn ? 5th. Does its roots extend so as to offer an impediment to the plough? 6th. Do suckers arise from the roots, or does the seed germinate and grow where it falls? ^ 7th. What is the process employed in raising it from the seed ? 8th. Where can the seed or plants be pro- cured, and at what price? And lastly, — where is there a complete hedge of the kind to be seen ? W. D. S. To the above queries we have been kindly furnished with the following replies, from a friend who is famil- iar with the subject. — Ed. 1st. The Osage orange is held to be pre- ferable to the common Hawthorn for hedge, on account of its being better adapted to our climate, and because the spines or thorns are more formidable. 2nd. Under proper management a pretty good hedge of the Osage orange might be produced from seed or cuttings, in eight years. 3rd. It has not been known to be obnox- ious to insects. 4th. From its proneness to running, it might be inferred that it was a considerable consumer of soil, but have heard no com- plaints against it on this score. 5th. The roots extend considerably from the line of the hedge through the adjacent ground, and of course, will, to a certain de- gree, impede the plough or spade when com- ing in contact with them. 6th. Suckers will spring up of course from the portions of the roots cut asunder by the plough or spade, if left in the ground covered to a depth favourable to their sprouting. A well trimmed hedge could hardly be expect- ed to produce seed. 7th. The process of raising from the seed is one, we suppose, similar to that generally practiced, — soaking the seed a short time before planting, covering up one to two inches in fine mould, in a frame, or in open ground, having a south or south-eastern ex- posure. 8th. Most of the nurserymen of Philadel- phia can supply quicks or sets — the price varies as to size, and can, it is said, be had at from $10 to $15 a thousand. Mr. Land- reth may have a supply of the seed; of this, or the price it is held at, we can give no cer- tain information. James Gowen, of Mount Airy, is said to have several hedges of the Osage orange upon his farm, and doubtless would take pleasure in affording an opportunity to those who take an interest in such matters, to ex- amine the hedges and judge of their utility. Remedy against Moths. It is an old custom with some housewives to throw into their drawers every year a number of fir cones, under the idea that their strong reisonous smell might keep away the moth. Now, as the odor of these cones is due to turpentine, it occurred to Reaumur to try the effect of t\m volatile liquid. He rubbed one side of a piece of cloth with tur- pentine, and put some moths on the other; the next morning they were all dead, and strange to say, they had all voluntarily aban- doned their sheaths. On smearing some paper slightly with the oil, and putting this into a bottle with some of the grubs, the weakest were immediately killed ; the most vigorous struggled violently for two or three hours, quitted their sheaths and died in con- vulsions. It was soon abundantly evident that the vapor of oil of turpentine acts as a terrible poison to the grubs. Perhaps it may be said that even this remedy is worse than the disease, but, as Reaumur justly observes, we keep away from a newly painted room, or leave off for a few days a coat from which stains have been removed by turpentine, why therefore, can we not once a year, keep away a day or two from rooms that have been fu- migated with turpentine? No. 10. Inducements for Immigrants on James River. 319 It is, however, surprising how small a quantity of turpentine is required ; a small piece of paper or linen just moistened there^ with and put into the wardrobe or drawer a single day, two or three times a year, is a sufficient preservation against moths. A small quantity of turpentine, dissolved in a little spirits of wine, — the vapor of which is also fatal to the moth — will entirely remove the offensive odor, and yet be a sufficient preservative. The fumes of burning paper, wool, linen, feathers, and of leather, are also effectual, for the insects perish in a very thick smoke, but the most effectual smoke is that of tobacco. A coat smelling but slightly of tobacco, is sufficient to preserve a whole drawer. The vapor of turpentine and the smoke of| tobacco are also effectual in driving away spiders, ants, ear vvigs, bugs, and fleas. The latter tormentors are so abundant on the con- tinent, as frequently to deprive the weary traveller of his night's rest. If he would provide himself with a phial containing tur- pentine and spirits of wine in equal parts, and would sprinkle a few drops over the sheets and coverlid before retiring to rest, he would probably have reason to be grateful for the hint. Foreigners are in the habit of smoking in their bedrooms — a habit which excites surprise and disgust in England; it will now be seen, however, that there is rea son for the practice. — Sharpens London Mag azine. From the American Agriculturist. Inducements for Immigrants on James River. Notwithstanding the number of immi- grants from the north, who have located themselves in various parts of Virginia, and the many who have recently visited the tide- water region of James river, few or none of them have, as yet, become purchasers or set tiers; yet a more beautiful and a more healthful country I have never seen. Na- ture has here been prodigal of her favours, in affording a good natural soil, an abundance of marl, and excellent water. That noble river offers ample facilities to markets, for the sale of produce of every description, and to the immigrant it presents many induce- ments. Lands can here be bought cheap, and of the best quality. It is true, much of the land has been worn out, or exhausted, by improvident and injudicious cropping — everything taken off, and nothing returned ; but there are many noble exceptions to this unfavourable state of things. Take, for in- stance, the Brandon, Coggins' Point, Shirley, Westover, Weyanoke, and other estates. These farms, I believe, have been, at a com- paratively recent date, as unproductive as much of the impoverished lands in their se- veral neighbourhoods; and I hazard nothing in stating, that almost every acre of land on the margin of the river could easily and cheaply be made to yield an equal or a larger return of crops than these farms are now doing. On the estate which I now occupy, seven or eight years ago, six bushels of wheat, and from ten to twelve bushels of corn, would have been considered a high average crop per acre ; but last year 540 acres yielded an average crop of 23^ bushels per acre, of wheat, and 520 acres of corn produced an average of not less than 38 bushels per acre. These returns present a handsome and en- couraging increase, which has been brought about with comparatively little outlay, under a five-course rotation of crops; that is, corn, wheat, clover, wheat and clover, with the use of lime, gypsum, and the careful accu- mulation and application of manures made on the estate ; and under an improved sys- tem of farming, there is no doubt but these returns might be doubled. Your correspondent, " A New Yorker," I hope, will be able to extend his observations, and present your readers with his views of the capacities of this delightful region, and the inducements therein offered to immi- grants. As above indicated, I consider this a healthy region of country, as a residence in it, of nearly fourteen years, enables me to say so confidently. I moved here with my family almost directly from Scotland, and together with my children, have enjoyed an almost uninterrupted continuance of good health up to this time. I have heard several gentlemen from the Northern States, who have visited this part of Virginia, express fears that the working farmer and mechanic, together with their wives and daughters, would be considered as holding a lower position in society than they had been accustomed in their own States, and be so treated by the native Vir- ginians; but from my personal observation and experience, these fears do the ladies and gentlemen of the Old Dominion injustice; for the industrious, intelligent, and respect- able working farmer or mechanic, is sure to meet with a cordial and hearty welcome from every Virginian whose favourable opin- ion is worth having. A. Nicol. Sandy Point, Charles City, Va. March 7th, 1848. It is calculated that steam power effects in England, as much work as could be done by three hundred millions of men. 320 Scolding. — The Grain Trade of the United States. Vol. XII. Scolding. — It has neither reason, religion, common sense, or experience to recommend it; while there are reasons many and mighty to justify its total and immediate abolition. It sours the temper of the children; so that one thorough scolding prepares the way for two or three more. It sours your temper, provided it is sweet, wliich is a question, if you are prone to scold ; and thus the more you scold, the more you will have to scold, because you have become crosser, and your children likewise. Scolding alienates the hearts of your children. Depend upon it, they cannot love you as well after you have be-raled them as they did before. You may reproach them with firmness and decision, you may punish them with severity, ade- quate to the nature of their offences, and they will feel the justice of your conduct, and love you notwithstanding all. But they hate scolding. It stirs up the bad blood, while it discloses your weakness, and lowers you in their esteem. Especially at night, when they are about to retire, their hearts should be melted and moulded with voices of kindness, that they may go to their slum bers with thoughts of love stealing around their souls, and whispering peace. The Grain Trade of the United States. Growth — Consumption — and Supply. The Commissioner of Patents, says Bick- nell's Reporter, has prepared some valuable tables in relation to the grain trade of the United States. He has divided the subject under three heads — first, the production in 1847 — second, the consumption and the sur- plus— and third, the disposition of that sur- plus. According to his estimate, the whole crop was as follows: Brcadstuffs : — Indian corn bu. 530,350,000 Wheat, " 114,245,500 Ryo " i!9,2'22,700 Buckwheat, " 11,673,200 Grain not used for Bread: — Oats, " Barley, " 167,867,000 5,649,000 094,491,400 -173,516,000 868,007,400 Total grain. Other articles of Food: — Potatoes bu. 100,950,000 Beans and peas, " 50,000,000 Rice, pounds 103,640,390 Estimated population of the U. Stales, 20,740,400 The usual computation of statistics is, that five bushels of wheat are consumed by each individual ; but inasmuch as in this country, animal food is more largely used than in any other, while Indian corn is substituted for wheat by a large class, and especially the ■ lave population, it is assumed that an estimate of three bushels of wheat each for the entire population, or three and a half each, exclud- ing slaves, would be about correct. The es- timate for Indian corn is five bushels each, rye half a bushel, buckwheat a quarter of a bushel. This gives an aggregate of eight and three-quarters of grain for each inhabit- ant. An allowance is also made for animals — say five bushels each of corn for horses and swine, one bushel per head for neat cat- tle, and one quarter of a bushel for sheep. Poultry, it is supposed, consumes about 5,000,000 bushels of corn during the year. The allowance for seed is 6,000,000 bush- els for corn ; for wheat, one bushel in ten ; rye, one in eight; buckwheat, one in six- teen ; and oats, one in twenty. For distilling, the estimate is 25,000,000 bushels of corn, and 10,000,000 rye. These premises lead to the following con- clusions relative to the surplus : — Surplus. bu. 114,245,500 11,424,550 62,239,200-73,663,750-40,581,750 bu 539,350,000 Wheat. Production, 1847. Seed, Consumption, Corn. Production, Seed, 6,000,000 Consumption, 103,732,000 Do. by animals, 230,963,096 Distilling, &c. 25,000,000 — 365,695,096—173,654,904 Rye. Production, bu. 29,222,700 Seed, 3,652,587 Consumption, 10,374,200 Distilling, 10,000,000 24,025,787 5,196,913 Buckwheat. Production, bu. 11,674,278 Seed, 723,343 Consumption, 6,000,000 6,723,343 4,950,935 Total, bu. 224,384,502 With regard to the disposition of the sur- plus, the Commissioner says that the princi- pal corn-purchasing countries of the world are Great Britain, France, Holland, the West India islands, British American colonies, Bra- zil and South America generally. They annually require about 33,000.000 bu.>fhels of wheat, exclusive of other grain, as follows: Bushels. Great Britain, 20,000,000 France, 5,000.000 West Indies generally. 2,500,000 British American Colonies, 2,.5O0,000 North America generally. 350,000 South America generally, 1,900,000 Holland, 1,000,000 Total, 33,250,000 This is the estimate for the demand under ordinary circumstances. Of course a plen- tiful harvest will diminish it, while on the other hand a short harvest, or destruction of some crop like the potatoe will greatly in- crease it. In 1847 it was greatly increased by the latter cause. If the above estimate, and that which pre- No. 10. Rearing and Feeding Calves. 321 cedes it, are correct, the surplus wheat crop of the United States is more than sufficient to supply the ordinary deficiencies ofall that portion of the world which is likely, under any circumstances, to require it. The principal jrrain-exportinaf countries in Europe appear to be Russia, Prussia, Den- mark and Sicily; in Asia, Syria; in Afric.i, Egypt. Two estimates of the exports of these countries are given in the report. The first was prepared tor the London Mark Lane Ex- press, in April of last year, and includes — as we understand it — all descriptions of grain Bushels, 10,000,000 12,000,000 4000,(100 4,000,000 i,eoo,ooo Countries. Russia on the Black Sea, " " Danube, " " Northern Ports, Egypt and Syria, Prussian Pomerania and Danish ports on tlie Baltic, 37,600,000 Mr. Burk infers that the whole quantity of wheat for exportation, by the grain export- ing countries of the world, excluding the United States, is not far from 20,000,000 bushels, and that the great rival of the United States is Russia. She produces the most and sells it the cheapest, certainly at the port of Odessa on the Black Sea. She has, however, but few ports and lier transportations from the inte- rior are not so great as those possessed by the United States. It is doubtful, too, whe- ther Russia can produce grain cheaper than the Western States of the American Union. From inquiries submitted during the last summer, it appears that the cost of growing wheat in the United States is as follows : In New Hampshire, New York, Western, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Northern, Michigan, Indiana, $1 10 per bushel 64 GO 50 28 to G7i " 25 to 35 " These sums include every expense — inte- rest on the value of the land being one idem — which attends the cultivation of wheat, from the preparation of the land to thrashing and storing; of course the cost varies in dif- ferent years in proportion as the harvest is abundant or scarce. For example, the cost of raising a bushel of wheat in Michigan is given from four years' actual observation, and was as follows: — first year a bushel cost the grower, 27^ cents.; second year, 36 4-5 cents.; third year, 28 cents.; fourth year, 30 cents. In view of the facts above stated, it is con- fidently believed, that the grain growers of the United States can successfully compete with those of any other nation in the great corn marts of the world. — BicknelVs Re- porter. Rearing and Feeding Calves. Having had thirty-four years' experience in rearing calves, I hope you will excuse the liberty I take in sending you the following account of my practice — especially as I have found my method so much better than allow- ing the calves to suck their mothers. Whe- ther the animals were intended for keepers, or feeders, I have always found that my me- thod brings them soonest to perfection. It is shortly this: 1. For the first week the calf receives daily six quarts of new milk, as warm as it comes from the cow, in three portions — at morning, noon, and night. I carefully ad- here to these three times of feeding for the first twelve weeks. 2. In the second week the milk is in- creased by half a pint at each feeding time; so that the calf receives, according to its strength, not less than six and three-quarters to seven quarts a day. 3. In the third week the calf no longer receives new milk, but the milk of the pre- vious day skimmed; always taking care to warm the milk slightly, and at the same time increasing the quantity, so that the daily ratio.T is now seven and a half quarts. I also commence at this time to introduce into the drink small portions of boiled lin- seed, or linseed meal and crushed peas.* 4. I proceed in the same manner in the fourth, fifth and sixth weeks, except that the milk is increased each week by half a pint at every feeding time, so that in the fourth week the calf receives eight and a quarter, in the fifth nine, and in the sixth nine and three-quarter quarts of milk daily; the ani- mals also receiving more and more linseed meal, crushed peas, or rye meal in their drinks, which are always lukewarm. 5. In the next six weeks I gave them their food cold — with, however, more of these mixtures; the latter are always in- creased with the quantity of the milk, be- cause too much liquid food is very apt to make the calves poor and pot-bellied. Du- ring this period I also take from them a por- tion of their milk, adding in its place such a portion of the linseed or other substances mixed with warm water as still to make the total quantity of each day's drink — increased, as I have said before, by half a pint at each meal — in the seventh week ten and a half quarts, and in the twelfth week fourteen and a quarter quarts per day. 6. Whoever pays proper attention to the feediiisr of his cattle will soon discover whe- * Corn meal might be substituted for flaxseed, and for beans or other meal. 322 American Cheese Trade. Vol. XII. ther the proportion of food named be suffici- ently rich or not, and can easily add or di- minish the proper quantity. 7. There can be no animal so stupid about its food as the calf; it must therefore be taught from its earliest infancy. For this purpose, in teaching them to take their food when mixed with the linseed meal, &c., we generally begin by giving a small handful of oatmeal, and placing within their reach some good hay, or, if the season will afford it, some green food. 8. When the calves are twelve weeks old, the milk is entirely taken from them, and they receive in its place rye meal or crushed peas, made into pulp with water, and then thinned; the daily ration being increased until the end of the second quarter from 14^ to 20 quarts. 9. When the calves are h^lf a year old, the drinking food is gradually lessened and thinned — the quantity being regulated by the natural thirst of the animals, as it gradually takes on to more substantial food. — Farmers'' Library. American Cheese Trade. The cheese trade is rapidly augmenting in this country. The foreign exports of it have become a prominent article of supply for distant climes. Up to 1840 there was but a small quantity shipped, and that prin- cipally on foreign account. That year Messrs. Goodrich & Co., of New York, and the Messrs. Green, of Boston, made the experiment of large consignments to England. Of course, they met with the usual prejudices, the mar- ket before having been furnished with for- eign cheese from Ireland and Holland. By perseverance the American article gradually came into favour, until it has now reached a heavy consumption. It fills part of the car- go of almost every vessel that leaves our seaports for Liverpool. The statistics of ex- port, as will be seen by the following, be- token a still further extension, which is wor- thy the attention of the farmers of this State: 1840 lbs. 7-23,7 13 I 18-13 Ihs. 3,440,144 1841 1,748,7H1 1844 7,433,145 1842 2,456,077 | 1845 7,941 ,187 1846 8,675,390 This foreign export trade has now reached over a million of dollars annually. It goes to fifty-two countries. Our heaviest custom- ers in 1846 were — England, lbs. C,744,t)09 West Indies 807,040 f;uba 227,276 Canatlas 185,915 Havti, lbs. 150,046 Kritish Guiana, 162,420 Scotland, 88,041 Venezuela, 40,812 Until within five years, cheese has usually been kept on sale in our eastern cities by grocers and produce dealers, with a general assortment of other products. A total revo- lution in this reject has taken place. In New York and Boston, extensive houses, ex- clusively for cheese, are doing a large busi- ness. [Several commission houses are now solely engaged in it. The farmers of our State seem to have neglected this important branch of the dairy. Every other saleable product is produced here in abundance; why not add this to our list of exports! We certainly possess the graz- ing land. Still we do not make 20 per cent, of the cheese consumed in the State. Daily it is shipped here from Buffalo, and goes into the interior of this State. Ohio also sends her hundreds of tons to our markets. Nei- ther Western New York nor Ohio possesses more advantages for its manufacture than our own farmers. We are told that at the prices it has borne for the last five years, it is much more profitable than butter. In fact, for three months in the year, butter does not sell at any higher price. All dairy-women agree that two pounds of cheese are made easier tlian one pound of butter. Yet it is neglected. In several towns near Buffalo, (Hamburgh and Collins,) it is the principal busine.ss of the farmers, and all who have embarked in it have greatly added to their wealth. Chau- tauque county farmers have increased their cows for cheese-making ; Herkimer county, N. Y., produced 8,000,000 lbs. in 1845, ac- cording to the State census; St. Lawrence 9,000,000 lbs. In Allegany county, hereto- fore, lumber was the principal production; nearly every farmer now turns out his five to twenty casks of cheese in the fall. All the southern tier of counties in that State are largely embarking in it. The census of 1835 gives the quantity made in the State at 36,000,000 lbs. Ohio has doubled her ex- ports of it within five years. Indiana cheese is now becoming known in the market. As a sample of its increase, we give the following statistics of the amount that ar- rived at tide-water on the Hudson river, from the Canal Collector's books: Year. Pounds. Exported. 1834 6,340,000 1835 9,586,0(10 1836 14,060,000 1837 15,500,000 1838 13,810,000 1839 14,530,000 1840 18,620,000 723,713 1841 14,170,000 1,748,781 1842 19,004,000 2,456,677 1843 24,334,000 3,440,144 1844 26,672,o00 7,433,145 1845 29,371,000 7,941,187 1846 34,812,513 8,675,390 No. 10. Highways. 323 Here is a large quantity, but a ready mar- ket is found. The increase of foreign ex- ports is large. Up to last fall the duty on it in England was $;2 42 per 100 lbs. Sir Robert Peel's new tariff" reduced it to $1 per 100 lbs., which will cheapen it to British consumers. The prices range in Liverpool, according to quality, from ^10 to $15 per 112 lbs., and for three years past the London market has never been overstocked but three or four times, which has lasted but two to five weeks. It is getting introduced into all circles, and driving the Dutch article out of market. Mr. Colman, in his Agricultural Tour in Europe, says he found it gracing the tables of the lords and nobles, where, five years ago, it had never found its way. He dined with a Marquis, who treated him to American cheese, American apples, Ame- rican cranberries, and American cider in bottles. It is now exported to the East Indies in boxes; found in Calcutta; and goes, with other notions, to the Celestials of China. None but the real skim-milk grindstones, however, can stand a hot climate. — Detroit Free Press. Highways. BY WILLIAM BACON. And what, say some of our brother farm- ers, have highways to do with agriculture? much more, why should they furnish topics for agricultural papers? We certainly know enough about that matter. When the time comes round, we work out our taxes, and thus make the roads very passable, and that is the end of the matter, unless they are filled with huge drifts, when "we break through," or, if the drifts are too large, in which case we go through the fields, until they settle, so that we can pass over them safely. We admit all the above to be fact, so far as making, and repairing, and breaking out roads are concerned ; but we do not subscribe to the creed that they have nothing to do with agriculture, or agricultural papers; but on the contrary, in our opinion, the two are very nearly associated, and the organ of the one forms the very channel of communica tion through which the claims of the other should be urged most strongly. Good roads — what a luxury they aflrtrd to the traveller, the man of business, or the pleasure seeking public; what a convenience to the teamster, who moves along almost un- consciously over their smooth and well-fin- ished surface! what a contrast to the up and down, corduroy affairs, which are, even in this age of improvement, too often to be met with — so rough, that if they do not positively jar the very spirit of the traveller out of him, they are certain to inspire him with any thing but agreeable sensations either in body or mind. Our best public thoroughfares, as a gene- ral thing, are to be found where enterprising farmers are most abundant, and we have known very many instances where such men did not stop their labours when their " tax was worked out," but felt an obligatory re- sponsibility to see to the little repairs neces- sary in order to keep the work they had ac- complished, perfect through the year. What a ievf moments, thus employed, at proper times, will effect in securing public ways in right condition, and tend directly to a dimi- nution of highway taxes, experience would soon show if the practice could become uni- versal. Let a gully commence, and each succeediirg shower will tend to make it worse, until from being unpleasant, it be- comes uncomfortable, unsafe, impassable. In the end, days of labour and dollars of expense must be appropriated to put it where it was. "eft the preceding year. Now, had the indi- vidual of nearest access to the place, taken a hoe and turned the water ofl^, a labour which, in most instances, would not have oc- cupied five minutes, when it first began to wear this gully, he would have been four-fold compensated for his service, every time he passed that way; the public would have had the pleasant and agreeable thoroughfare to which they were entitled, a heavy bill of ex- pense in repairs, and perhaps a heavier one in damages, or a bill of indictment, justly rendered, might have been saved — all by five minutes labour before a shower. But we introduced this article to speak more particularly of the common method of repairmg highways, funds for which are usually raised by a tax to be paid in labour, at stipulated prices per day or hour. How large a proportion of this tax, in many of our towns, is worth six pence on the dollar, we leave it for the curious to decide in their own localities; we are certain, however, that within the sphere of our own observation there are some noble instances where men labour with their teams with the same fidel- ity that they would in getting in a crop on their farms. This is the correct principle. Every man who pays a highway tax contri- butes to a common fund, which should result to the benefit of all, and every man who can- cels his tax by labour ought to consider this labour as resulting directly to his own bene- fit, not only as a matter of personal conveni- ence and comfort, but in an economical point of view. Doe.s an individual wish to sell his 324 Agricultural Premiums. Vol. XII. property"? The road that leads to his premi- ses, is one item that goes to set a value upon it. If easy of access, its value will rise in estimation of the purchaser. Then, again, the general character of the road goes to tell the general character of the neighbourhood. If the highways are rough and unpleasant, the ways of the people about them are likely to be so too. And this class of people are the ones upon whose labours we would make a discount of ninety-four per cent, from the assessments. They are behind time in coming to their la- bours, and watching time with sluggish in- dolence to see the sun gain the meridian, or sink behind the western hills. They make it a holiday, a day of rest, unless perchance they exhaust themselves in fault-finding, be- cause those who work do not work faster, or do different. Thus they cheat themselves, for the sake of cheating others. In working highways, care should always be taken to leave them as smooth as possible, with a gradual slope from the centre. The smoothing will enable beasts and vehicles to pass smoothly and easily along, without dan- ger of stumbling to one, or an annihilating jolting to the other. The old practice of raising high bars across the road to stop the progress of water on hills was a pernicious one, and should be wholly abandoned. They were unsafe, and often highly dangerous an- noyances, fraught with no particular good. When the road, even on the steep hillside, is well worked, a much better remedy for washing may be found by opening slight outlets every six or eight rods, by which the water will pass off quite as well as though huge embankments were raised to effect the object. Much less injury will arise to wag' ons where this is done, and the passenger will find himself passing over comparative smooth surface. Another evil we will hint at, is the super- abundant quantity of ploughing which fre quently takes place at the time of repairing highways. Every one must have seen, not only in his own neighbourhood, but abroid, the ill appearance of ground ploufrhed and lefl in the furrow, or ditches badly cleared, to become the fallow for every noxious and unpleasant weed that the winds may see fit to sow. In repairing roads, no more land should be disturbed than is actually necessa ry to effect the object, and this is the most economical manner, so that, aside from such places and the travelled path, they may pos- sess a smooth, green, velvety appearance, always grateful to the eye, and pleasant to pass along. It is no visionary conjecture to contemp- late the time when our highways will all be adorned, on either side, with beautiful rows of stately shade trees, to ornament and en- liven the scenery. In that day, what a con- trast will deep ditches, naked fallows, large patches of weeds, rough and uneven furrows, aflbrd to their enlivening influence! Im- provement in these things is necessary, and where improvement commences her work, and the result rarely and beautifully devel- opes itself, its ultimate triumph may be well anticipated. — American Journal of Agri- culture and Science. Agricultural Premiums. At a stated meeting of the Philadelphia Society for promoting Agriculture, held at their rooms on the 5th of April, 1848, A. S. Roberts, President, in the chair. The min- utes of last meeting were read and adopted. Roswell L. Cott, Esq., of Patterson, N. J., was elected an honorary member. The committee appointed at last meeting to report a schedule of crops for which pre- miums should be offered this year, made re- port as follows, which was adopted. For the best Wheat, not less than three acres, $10. For the best Rye, not less than three acres, ,^8. For the best Oats, not less than three acres, S6. For the best Corn, not less than five acres, $10. Por the best Potatoes, not less than one acre, f^lO. For the best Ruta Baga, not less than half an acre, S6. For the best Sugar Beets, not less than half an acre, $6. For the best Parsnips, not less than one- quarter of an acre, $6. For the best Carrots, not less than one- quarter of an acre, $6. For t!ie second-best crop of each, or any of the above, a copy of Colman's Journal will be awarded, A committee of five members were ap- pointed to make inquiry, preparatory to hold- ing the next annual exhibition the approach- ing autumn, and to report at next meeting. Dr. Hare remarked that the health of farm- ers and others exposed to frequent changes of weather, would be greatly benefited by the use of additional clothing when required by such changes. He also recommended the use of the rain guage, a necessary and useful article, which farmers might obtain at a small expense. Mr. S. Williams recommended the use of zinc pans for dairies, as possessing the power No. 10. The Mustard Plant — Pruning the Peach. 325 of preserving the milk in sweet or pure state, mucii longer than other pans used. Dr. Hare remarked that great care would be necessary to keep them perfectly clean, or the milk and butter might be unwhole- some, lie thought it probable that a small block of zinc, placed in a tin pan, might pro- duce the same effect on the milk by prevent- ing its getting sour too soon. Extract from the minutes. A. Clement, Rcc. Sec'ry. The Mustard Plant. The following paragraph is found in an Address de livered by Jacob Green in Albany, in 1814, before the Society for the promotion of Useful Arts. In confirm ation of the sentiment there expressed more than thirty years ago, that this plant " might yield no trifling pro- fit to the American cultivator," we would refer to the 99th page of our ninth volume, where the account of a crop raised by J. H. Parmlee, of Ohio, is given by C J. Fell and Brother, of tliis city.— Ed. The Sinapis or Mustard, is a plant which might yield no trifling profit to the American cultivator. Small clusters 7ool, that makes all this difference; the covering is washed once a year; the wool is carded and a few pounds of wool added, and the bed is sweet and new. However luxu- riously he may be, let any gentleman have a good wool mattress made, and let him ride forty or fitly miles and thorouglily fatigue himself, he will then know the value of such a bed. My object is to increase the home consumption of our wool. There are twenty odd millions in the United States; say five to each family, four millions; say three beds to each family, taking the whole population twelve millions; say thirty pounds of wool to each bed, three hundred and sixty millions of pounds of wool ; say thirty-four millions of sheep in the United States, say eighty million pounds of wool; this will consume more than four years' clip of our wool. This ought to be promulgated to increase the con- sumption of our wool, and such wool as can- not be sold abroad. Independent of the bene- fit to all in their health who adopt wool mattresses on account of their cleanliness and durability, in the end, they are cheaper than any other bedding. Agricultural Minutes, Philadelphia. A STATED monthly meeting of the Phila- delphia Society for promoting Agriculture, was held on Wednesday, the 7th inst, at their rooms, Washington Hall, South Third street, A. S. Roberts, President, in the chair. Col. B. B. Long, of Philadelphia, was elected a resident member. Three gentlemen were proposed for membership. A letter from B. P. Johnson, Secretary of the New York State Agricultural Society was read, informing the meeting that Pro- fessor Johnson, so celebrated for his lectures on chemistry, as connected with agriculture in Great Britain, proposed making a visit to this country. The committee on the exhibition made re- port, stating that they had the ofl^er of the race-course for holding the Annual Show, and on motion of Mr. Ford, a committee of arrangement was appointed to make the ne- cessary preparation. 334 JVew Material for Flooring, SfC. Vol. XII. A resolution was offered, granting to J. S. Skinner, Esq., the use of the room, which was unanimously agreed to. He having de- termined to reside in this city, and to con- tinue the publication of his agricultural work. Some remarks were offered by Mr. Ford on the adulteration of plaster of Paris, and the disappointments and losses that would occur to the farmer in consequence thereof. Dr. Hare read from the North American and United States Gazette, a communication on the subject of sowing orchard grass seed, and the value of that grass for pasture and hay. Red clover sown with it ripens about the same time, and produces an abundant crop. On motion adjourned. Extract from the minutes. A. Clement, Rec. Sec'y. Philadelphia, June 8th, 1848. New Material for Flooring, Paving and Roofing. This new material or compound, which forms the subject of a patent taken out by Mr. Cassel, of Millwall, consists of many varieties, but possessing all these common properties — that they are impervious, very elastic, and — there is reason to believe — ex- ceedingly durable. When intended to be employed hr paving or flooring, or other like purposes, it is com- posed of four varieties, which, for the sake of distinction, are designated as compounds. No. 1, 2, 3, and No. 4, and are thus de- scribed : I prepare No. 1, compound in manner fol- lowing: I saturate a quantity of chalk, or marl, or lime, or loamy clay, or sandy earth, previously reduced to the state of a fine powder, with oil of tar, or mineral tar, or vegetable naphtha, or any other reisonous, oily, or fatty matter. I take one cwt. of rosin, and melt it in a caldron exposed to a gentle fire, until all the water in it is evapo- rated. I then throw into the caldron two cwt. of the saturated chalk or other earth, and mix it well with the melted rosin. I next add from three to six pounds of liquid caoutchouc, (India rubber) or from one to three pounds of essential oil of tar or tur- pentine, or some other oily or fatty, or ce- mentitious substance — varying the quantity according to the degree of elasticity desired to be given to the ultimate compound, — and afler that, from three to five pounds of sul- phur; and finally, two cwt. of fine dry grit, keeping all the while the contents of tlie caldron well stirred, till the whole are tho- roughly amalgamated. When cool, this com- pound is of a slatish grey colour, and of a close, granular texture. No. 2 compound is prepared in the same way as No. 1, and composed of the same materials, and in like proportions, excepting only that I substitute for the rosin, vegetable pitch, and use a larger proportion of sulphur, say from 6 to 8 lbs. No. 3 is also prepared in the same way as No. 1 and 2, and composed of the same materials in the like proportions, ex- cepting that instead of the rosin or vegetable pitch, I use equal parts of rosin and Stock- ton tar, and reduce the quantity of sulphur to about 4 lbs. No. 4 compound differs from 3 in the substitution of equal parts of rosin nd mineral, or coal tar, for the equal parts of rosin and vegetable pitch. These compounds may be used by them- selves— "being laid down in a hot and fluent state, and of sufficient thickness;" or they may be employed in any of the followlDg states of combination. Firstly — They maybe combined with any of the natural asphaltates or bitumens, or any artificial compound of a bituminous quality. Secondly — They may be formed, in com- bination with small pieces of wood, into large blocks for use. Thirdly — Any of the compounds before described may be used in combination with wood, in manner following: to form a floor- ing for the ground floors of buildings, which will be quite impermeable to under damp, and exceedingly durable. The ground is to be first covered over to the depth of about an inch, with a layer of any of the four com- pounds before mentioned — being previously well beaten down and levelled, — and then small square blocks of wood of equal sizes are to be set in this composition while yet warm, with the grain uppermost, and placed in regular order, side by side. Any inter- stices which may be lefl between the blocks are to be carefully filled up with the com- pound. Or, instead of using small blocks of solid wood, composition blocks of a large size, prepared as follows, may be employed : I take a number of pieces of deal, from three to five inches wide, and from ten to eighteen inches long, such as may be picked out of the woods imported from abroad under the denomination of fire-wood, and which, paying a small duty, may be had cheap, and lay them in an iron frame or mould, in the direction of the grain, jointing them roughly together lengthwise, but so that they shall break joint transversely. I then cover them to the depth of one or more inches with any of the four compounds before described, in a hot, fluent state, and leave this coating to settle and cool, whereby it becomes firmly united to the wood beneath. On removing this mass or block from the frame or mould, and fitting it into a piece of flooring, it is No. 11. The Osage Orange. — A NiU for the Curious. 335 placed with the wood uppermost, which re- mains ever after beyond the reach of a damp from beneath. For such a description of ground flooring- no joists are requisite. The blocks may be made of any length or breadth most convenient; but I prefer making them of about four feet in length, by two feet six inches in breadth. When a very strong flooring of this kind is wanted, I cross the layer of wooden pieces before described with a second of exactly the same description, but laid the reverse way, and upon an interposed bed of one or the other of the four compounds before mentioned. The two layers are then pressed together; and when the compound which unites them has cooled and set, I pour over the whole another coating of the same compound, so as to cover completely the se- cond layer of wood. Instead of the blocks being all of one sort of wood, or of one co- lour, they may be of different wood and dif- ferent colours, so as to give the flooring a tassellated appearance. — Journal of Agri- culture and Science. The Osage Orange for Hedges. The Osage Orange, known also by the names of "Osage Apple," and "Bow-wood," is indigenous to Arkansas, Texas, and Upper Missouri, and may be safely cultivated for hedges or ornaments, wherever the Isabella grape vine will thrive and mature its fruit in open air. In its natural habitat, the Os- age Orange forms a beautiful deciduous- leaved tree, often growing to a height of 2-5 to 30 feet, with a trunk from 12 to 18 inches in diameter; and in very favourable situa- tions it sometimes attains double these di- mensions. The general appearance of this tree greatly resembles the common orange; and when we view the beauty and splendor of its dark, shining foliage, large golden fruit, and the numerous sharp spines which the branches present, we are strongly im- pressed by the comparison. The juice of the young wood, leaves and fruit, consists of a milky fluid, of an acrid or insipid taste, which soon dries on exposure to the air, and contains a considerable proportion of an elas- tic gum. The fruit, however, in open cul- ture does not ripen its seed north of Phila- delphia. The most important use to which the Osage Orange can be applied is for the formation of hedges, and there is no plant, in our estimation, better adapted for this pur- pose in any part of the country where this tree will thrive. Apprehensions have been expressed by some that, from its rapid growth, it will soon become too large for live hedges, which, it is thought, will not endure for a great length of time. This, however, re- mains yet to be proved. We have no doubt in our own minds, that if a judicious system be pursued in trimming and heading down, they will serve an excellent purpose for twenty years ; for there are hedges of this plant in the vicinity of Cincinnati which are ten years old, and have thus far proved per- fectly hardy, very uniform, neat and hand- some in their appearance, and free from the attacks of insects or disease. The Osage Orange may readily be propa- gated by seeds, from which it will grow suf- ficiently large in three years to form a hedge. It succeeds best on land moderately rich, such for instance, as will produce good Indian corn ; but it will grow in almost any soil that is not too moist. The line of ground, intended for a hedge, should first be dug and well pulverised, say from 12 to 15 inches deep, and two feet wide, along the centre of which the plants may be set, at the distance of one foot apart. The seeds, before sowing, should be soaked in water, in a warm room, for four or five days; or they may be mixed with equal parts, by measure, of sand, and exposed a few weeks, in open boxes, to wintry weather, on the sunny side of a building, in order to freeze and thaw. It is preferable to sow them early in the spring, in a garden or nursery, where they will shortly germinate and form young plants. These should care- fully be weeded or hoed during the first sea- son's growth, and transplanted in the hedge- line in the month of March or April of the following year. — Exchange paper. A Nut for the Curious. — A singular phenomenon occurred this spring at the farm of Martin Mull, Esq., in Falls town- ship. His orchard is composed of the usual varieties. The blossoms on one of the fall pippin trees, which bears excellent fruit, has been peculiarly fatal to nearly all the bees of every description that have visited it — the bumble-bees in an especial manner. The ground is thickly strewed with the dead. The bees, after visiting several blossoms in their usual way, would be apparently at- tacked with vertigo, as if they had taken a deadly narcotic, and descend in spiral circles to the ground. Some would be dead very soon, others would linger a considerable time before they would die; and but few would recover to escape. The tree is now thickly set with young fruit. No other trees in the orchard produced such, or similar effects on the bees, nor was it ever observed before on the tree in question — Doylestoicn DemO' crat. 336 The Hm'se. Vol. XTI. The Horse. BY R. L. PELL. In changing the food of my horses from green to dry, and vice versa, I am particu- larly careful in seeing that it is done by de- grees, as on one or two occasions I have no- ticed that an immediate change has produced hoven in cattle, though I have not observed any ill effects in horses. Still, I think it best to break oft" gradually. If, for instance, you are feeding corn, add green food a short time before you intend to make the change, and increase it constantly while you diminish the corn. Horses, when soiled, should be fed in small quantities, and often. An im- mense advantage gained in soiling horses is, that you have them always at hand when required for labour, and not having enjoyed leisure in the fields, they never show any indisposition to render themselves useful; the time lost in catching them when re- quired, is frequently severely felt by the farmer. I have known half a day consumed in this way, by a hard working man, and all his farm help. Still, as his grandfather never soiled his horses, he would not, but contented himself by declaring the horse should never go unhoppled again. Hoppling is a result of pasturing. It is a bad prac- tice, and ruinous to the gait of any animal, besides rendering him incapable of defend- ing himself properly from the flies; the con- sequence is, he becomes poor in flesh, and a disgrace to his hard-hearted stubborn master. If the farmer will not take my advice and soil his horses constantly, for his own advan- tage, he should do it partially. He should cut grass for them during the day, and turn them into some well clothed meadow at night. Thus they will escape the detest able fly, and enjoy some quiet and ease, and be enabled to select grasses more congenial to their tastes, than those he had cut for them. In the agricultural report for Essex, in England, it is said, that two horses have been supported during four months upon a quarter of an acre of lucerne, with scarcely anything given to them besides; and that six horses, at hard work, have been kept on lucerne, instead of hay, but with an allow- ance of oats and cut straw for twelve weeks; six from the first cut, four from the second, and two from the third: which, valuing the hay saved at six shillings per horse per week, would amount to $'S6. A paper in the com- munications to the Board of Agriculture in England, states, that in one year, 23 horses have been kept 20 weeks, and in the next, 28 horses during 18 weeks, upon eleven acres alone; which gives an average of three roods per horse in nineteen weeks. J^n oxdipary sized cart horse could consume easily 100 lbs. of green food of any kind in one day, and a small allowance of oats, say two quarts. If the same horse was allowed to run over a three acre field, he would probably destroy three hundred pounds of food, while obtain- ing one hundred. I have found that a square rod of ground, covered with a luxuriant crop of grass, is sufficient to last a horse one day, with a small quantity of oats. The English cavalry allow their horses in barracks 12 pounds of hay and 10 pounds of oats per day, on which, they say, they are ept in high condition. I cannot imagine-it possible, as in 1,000 parts of the best grass, there are only 82 parts of soluble nutritive matter, 72 parts of mucilage or starch, 4 parts of saccharine matter, and 6 parts of insoluble matter. If the cavalry horses stood still, I should imagine that quantity of food might be sufficient, as inactive horses re- quire much less food than horses that are employed. The bodies of horses are all the time wasting, and the waste is proportioned to the activity of the animal; therefore the working horse requires nourishment propor- tional to the waste of his body. A horse soiled will consume as much food as eight sheep: a cow in milk as much food as twelve sheep : an ox when fattening, as much food as ten sheep: a calf as much food as two sheep. When you go upon a f^rm, and find the farmers' horses looking plump, well formed, high spirited, and powerful, you are apt to say at once, that horse must have come from prime stock; whereas the credit is entirely due to the farmer, as you may take an ani- mal bred from the best stock in existence, and if allowed by the farmer to suffer depri- vation of proper food, he will never become perfectly developed, either in bulk or propor- tion. He will never be free from disease, and will not have any constitution. The same rule will apply to all kinds of animals, whether man or beast. When, therefore, you find on a man's farm, fine stock, well proportioned, and of the standard size, you must award him the credit, and not the breed. You may take an animal of the most inferior kind, and by judicious use of nutri- tive food, make him attain great size; for examples, look at our monstrous hogs, made sometimes to weigh 1,100 lbs.; our immense prize oxen which have reached more than 3,000 lbs., the parents of which are fre- quently moderate in size. Who will say this degree of perfection was not produced by the farmer. It is from artificial feeding that our mar- kets are supplied the year round with fine beefi pork, calves and sheep, and the same No. 11. Tlie Horse. 337 farmers who now raise these animals in open fields, could, by soiling them, add 20 per cent, to their profits, provided the crops they raise for the purpose are supplied, while growing, with proper nutriment, from which they can assimilate organic or inorganic mat- ter. The animal derives his strength, his growth, and his bulk from the sustenance afforded by these crops. From every 1,000 parts of gluten a horse consumes in his food, he receives 557 parts of carbon, 78 parts of hydrogen, 220 parts of oxygen, and 14-5 parts of nitrogen. By manuring his crops with highly nitrogenized substances, the farmer adds vastly to the amount of gluten. If horses be kept fat in winter, their bones and muscles will be defended against cold, and the acids of aliments will be so tempered, as to strengthen and maintain their whole frame. Let it be remembered that the horse is a native of warm climates, and do not, as is usual among farmers in our northern States, turn them out in the barn-yard to obtain a scanty allowance of poor coarse food during the winter. They are liable to numerous diseases which are not unfre- quently brought on by such injudicious and cruel management. When once diseased, it is almost impossible to find out what that disease is, as his structure is amazingly com- plicated. There are but two indications showing internal disorder; the one is an in- disposition to work, and the other a refusal to eat. When either of these signs is ma- nifest, you must at once let the animal rest, and search for his disorder, and on no ac- count compel him to labour. Soil your your horses, feed them during winter on a variety of food, such as oats ground and whole, bran, ship stuff, beans, peas, turnips, carrots, potatoes, and parsnips, occasionally steamed separately, and together. In sum- mer, keep them always confined in airy sta- bles, and feed them clover, rye grass, bruised grains, green corn stalks, cider pumice, oil cake, hay, &c. Be particular to give them three-fourths of a pound of salt per week, occasionally two ounces of sulphur, and fre- quently two ounces of wood ashes. By good keep and judicious management, a pair of horses, perfectly sound when young, will last and labour constantly twenty-five years, and to the end will retain their spirits. I have a pair of bay horses on my farm, that are now 20 years old, during which time they have never been depastured, and have worked daily; they have never been incapa citated for work by lameness, or disease of any kind, and have always been perfectly sound and healthy. If driven through Broad- way, New York city, they would attract general attention. I have another pair of| sorrels that are 18 years old, which labour daily, and will do as much work as any pair of six years old in the town in which I re- side. Dr. Hosack, when he died, left a horse 28 years old, which I have frequently seen, and which was a very pretty animal, and would have passed for a middle age horse to any casual observer. Mr. Youatt quotes the record of a horse that received a ball in his neck at the battle of Preston, in 1715, which was extracted at his death, in 1758; he was, consequently, more than 43 years old. I have made the following rules for my own governance : 1st. The stable in which horses are kept should have a southern exposure. The ground ought to slope gradually from it to carry off the moisture. It should be kept perfectly dry, as dampness is exceedingly detrimental to horses, and will engender numerous diseases. 2nd. The stable for valuable carriage or race horses, should never contain more than five stalls, and a sixth one ought always to be constructed of greater size for one of them if somewhat indisposed. If particu- larly sick, he should be removed ; as conta- gion might be imparted to the others. If a stable contains a number of stalls, when five or six horses are on duty, the temperature would be so changed as to endanger the health of those remaining. 3rd. The stalls should be five feet six inches wide, and ahvays arranged on one side, instead of being placed opposite to each other with an alley between as is usual, for the reason that horses ought not to breathe each other's breath. The car- bonic acid gas exhaled would be detrimental to them, and if one should happen to be dis- eased, the others might, by constantly in- haling his breath, become infected. 4th. Stone floors should on no account be used in stables, for the reason that they are exceedingly cold, and apt to induce catarrhs, besides being slippery in winter, causing falls, and often injuring limbs. Three inch pine or spruce plank, tongued and grooved, should be laid perfectly level, after which a slight gradual slope may be planed leading to the centre, where a grating of iron bars, one-eighth of an inch apart, should be firmly set in a frame so that it may be taken out at pleasure, through which the moisture would pass into a drain under the floor leading into a cistern ; traps must be so constructed in the drains underneath, that the ammonia may not rise ; if it does, and there is no ven- tilation above for it to escape, the horses will become blind afler much exposure. 5th. The stable must be airy, and to make it so, there should be a window at either 338 The Boy and Man. Vol. XII. end, covered with copper wire cloth, which will not rust and corrode, and a ventilator above to carry off, as it ascends, the impure air, which, being- lighter than the atmos- pbere, immediately rises to the ceiling, and will at once escape if an opportunity is af- forded it. If there is danger of too much air being admitted by the windows, the bot- tom of the stable door may be latticed with the slope turned upwards, and covered with copper wire cloth, which will cause the un- wholesome gases to rise immediately to the ventilator. Five horses will, in a very few hours, destroy the vital principle of air in a confined, close stable. The carbonic acid gas ejected from their lungs, is a deadly poison, and totally unfit to be again received by respiration. It is not only their breath that must be avoided in stables, but the ex- halations continuously arising from their bo- dies. It should be generally understood that pure air is as necessary to horses as to hu- man beings. 6th. Stables must be kept comparatively speaking, light, and of equal temperature; in summer about 65 degrees, and in winter from 45 to 55 degrees. If this rule is not observed, the horses will suffer with rheu- matism, stiff joints, inflammation of the lungs, and numerous other diseases. It should be recollected, that we have no do- mestic animal existing in a more artificial state than the horse, or one requiring more care and attention. It is very rare that a horse is found useful to man after he is 14 years old, when by observing a few rules, and following them strictly, he may be made to last and labour constantly until 25 years of age. 7th. Never trust your horses to any other than an experienced groom ; let his duties be as follows : 1st. At day light in the morning, to place hay in the rack, in order that the horse may distend his stomach to the proper proportion before he receives his oats. If oats are first fed, he will satisfy himself with them, and not relish the hay; the consequence will be, he will present a gaunt and half fed appear- ance during the day, annoying not only the coachman, but the master. 2nd. To clean the stable, to carry out all the straw litter, separate the dry from the wet, place the wet in the manure heap, and expose the dry in the open air for the ammo- niacal gas to escape, and purify it for use as bedding at night; sweep the stable perfectly clean, spread a thin coat of charcoal dust in the stalls, to absorb the ammonia. The usual mode is to roll the wet litter day after day under the manger, and force the horse to inhale the gas arising from it, often en- tailing disastrous consequences, besides in- fecting his food, and rendering it unpalat- able. Sufficient time having elapsed while the groom was clearing his stable for the animals to consume their hay, he proceeds. 3rd. Water the horse, and immediately after give him his usual feed of oats or other grain. 4th. Curry and brush the horse thorough- ly, and well rub his legs, in order that the pores of the skin may be opened, the scurf removed to excite insensible perspiration, and the blood caused to circulate freely. Wash his eyes and nostrils with a sponge, to free them of dirt; take out all the sand and dirt that may have become fastened in and under the shoe, and comb his tail and mane. This rule may appear superfluous; still, next to food, it is the most important, and must be insisted upon by the proprietor, if he desires his horse to enjoy health, strength, constitution, and a fine glossy coat. High grooming and exercise fit the racer and trotter for the endurance of the fatigue of their great exploits, and show the importance of care at all times to horses. — N. Y. Agricultural Transactions. The Boy and Man. A FEW years ago, there was in the city of Boston, a portrait painter, whose name was Mr. Copley. He did not succeed well in his business, and concluded to go to Eng- land to try his fortunes there. He had a little son, whom he took with him, whose name was John Singleton Copley. John was a very studious boy, and made such rapid progress in his studies, that his father sent him to college. There he ap- plied himself so closely to his books, and be- came so distinguished a scholar, that his in- structors predicted that he would make a very eminent man. After he had graduated, he studied law. And when he entered upon the practice of his profession his mind was so richly disci- plined by his previous diligence, he almost immediately gained celebrity. One or two cases of great importance being entrusted to him, he managed them with so much wis- dom and skill as to attract the admiration of the whole British nation. The king and his cabinet seeing what a learned man he was, and how much influ- ence he had acquired, felt it to be import- ant to secure his services for the govern- ' ment. They, therefore, raised him from one post of honour to another, till he was created Lord High Chancellor of England, the very highest post of honour to which any subject can attain. About sixty years ago he was a No. 11. The Potatoe. — Butter Dairies and Butter. 339 little boy in Boston. His father was a poor portrait painter, hardly able to get his daily bread. Now, John is at the head of the no- bility of England ; one of the most distin- guished men in talent and power in the House of liOrds, looked upon with reverence and respect by the whole civilized world. This is the reward of industry. The studi- ous boy becomes the useful and respected man. Had John S. Copley spent his school-boy days in idleness, he probably would have passed his manhood in poverty and shame. But he studied in school, when other young men were wasting their time ; he adopted for his motto, " Ultra pergere," (press on- ward,)— and how rich has been his reward. You, my young friends, are now laying the foundation for your future life. You are every day at school, deciding the question, whether you will be useful and respected in life, or whether your manhood shall be pass- ed in mourning over the follies of mispent boyhood. — John S. C. Abbott. The Potatoe. Mr. Editor, — While the rain and hai' are falling without, suspending my farming operations, I seat myself within, with the view of eliciting information concerning the sweet potatoe, from you or some of your cor- respondents. Its cultivation and use, so far as my information extends, were unknown until the discovery of America by Columbus, since which time, the only method known to me of obtaining the seed, has been simply from the cutting of the potatoe itself, or from slips produced from the vine. But as this is nothing more than a continuation of the plant, it is highly probable that it will de- generate, or has degenerated ; for this we observe to be the case with the most ot plants produced in this way. It is well known that the vine has blossoms, and some writers assert that they also have seed ; and if this be correct, it is my opinion that plant- ing these seed would be the better way to continue the potatoe pure and undegene- rated ; and it is upon this point that I desire information, i. e., whether planting the seed obtained as above stated, has ever been tried, and if so, how it succeeded. It is said by some, that the only potatoe whose vines produce blossoms is the yam ; but although this is not correct, it may be that the yam does produce more than any other kind ; and it may be accounted for from the fact, that this potatoe is often raised differently from the other kinds; which may have had a tendency to continue it in its pure state. Upon this presumption, it is highly important that a different plan be pursued to obtain seed, or in process of time the potatoe may become of little or no use to us. Now, it is certain that the Irish potatoe produces small black seed, and it is asserted, that by planting these, very small potatoes are produced, and by again planting them, you obtain a much finer potatoe than by planting in the usual way. If this be cor- rect, with regard to the Irish potatoe, it may be with the sweet potatoe also; hence my inquiry. As information is my sole object in this communication, I forbear saying more, but will leave the subject to others more able to do justice to it than myself. — S. Ca- rolina Advocate. From the N. Y. Agricultural Transactions. Butter Dairies and Butter. The undersigned, having observed by the proceedings of the executive committee of the New York State Agricultural Society, that they oflfer premiums for the best butter dairies, is indnced (having been engaged in butter making) to offer the following state- ment for the consideration of the committee on butter dairies : My farm is located in the valley of New Lebanon, Columbia Co., in about 42^°; con- tains about 180 acres of improved land, which is composed of a variety of soils, viz: an al- luvial clay loam on the flats, — about one- third of the whole, — which are generally kept in meadow. The other portions are gravel loam and slate and gravel, with the exception of some 20 acres, which are wet clay and gravel pastures with a hard subsoil, bearing the variety of grasses usual on wet pastures. The other pastures used, are ploughed and cropped in their rotation, say two years in every five, and are stocked with clover and herds grass. Hay used, clover and herds, with a slight mixture of red top on the low grounds. My dairy is composed of 16 cows ; three three-years old heifers, and two two-years old. Cows of native breed, one full blood short horned heifer, the others half bloods; the full blood heifer suckled her own calf and another, a half blood, through the sea- son. One of my best cows lost her udder before the 1st of August, by the kine pox, which disease very much injured the whole dairy for some five weeks. I also parted with one cow the last of September. Estimating the four heifers to be equal to three cows, I had no more than 19 cows through the whole season. Add to this the hottest weather ever experienced for the 340 Early Weeding — Stirring the Soil. Vol. XII. same length of time, and a severe drought for some five weeks, and I believe I have enumerated all the disadvantages under which I laboured. The feed of the cows was hay, grass, and dry corn stalks, with the exception of 30 two-horse wagon loads of pumpkins. The product was as follows : 8,189 lbs. of butter, sold in Boston market, at an average price of 19f cents per lb., which price perhaps is a fair criterion by which to judge of its quality, $621 84 20 calves sold and two raised, 91 50 Cream and milk used in a family of 10 persons, at 15 cts. per day, 54 75 Skimmed milk and buttermilk fed to the hogs 215 days, at $1 30 per day, 279 50 $1,047 59 The average quantity of milk from each cow per day, for 215 days, 26 lbs. Aggre- gate quantity for each cow, 5,590 lbs. Quan- tity of butter to the 100 lbs. of milk, 3 lbs. 3 oz. Gross quantity of milk and butter, 109,395 lbs. Method of making. — Room used, kept as near a temperature of 60° as may be. Milk strained into a large can placed in the milk- ing yard, which adjoins the milk room, in- side of which it is drawn by means of a con- ductor and faucet into the pans, usually about eight quarts into each pan; it is drawn over ice placed in the can whenever the tem- perature requires, consequently the cream rises in much less time than when cooled in the ordinary way. It ought to stand thirty- six hours before being skimmed, but this time must be varied occasionally, as the weather changes. It should be skimmed when the milk is slightly changed and be- fore it is coagulated. The cream is put into stone jars and placed in a refrigerator in contact with ice, until it is churned, which is done every second or third day. Churn used, a circular one with revolving arms or paddles, framed into a shaft of wood; cream should never come in contact with iron. The motive power is a platform wlieel turn- ed by a small horse. The butter is salted with ground rock talt, passed through a fine sieve, that there may be no lumps or parti- cles that will not dissolve. (How often have you had your teeth set on edge by coming in contact with a lump of salt, in otherwise good butter 1) It is salted to suit the taste and the market, — which requires it very mild unless it is designed tor keeping a longer time than usual 0 it is then placed in the refrigerator and kept cool until it is taken out, worked on an inclined table with a break, packed in new tubs containing 25 lbs., and sent to market, which is done every week, always using ice in every part of the process, the weather requiring it. The committee will be better able to judge of the value of the milk and buttermilk, for hog feed, when I state that I have sold pigs, pork and lard, to the amount of $1,063.09, at an expense of $667, for purchase money and feed, other than milk, and that my hogs have made, of the feed and materials given them to work, near 300 half-cord loads of manure ; the value of which every farmer ought to know. All of which is respectfully submitted. B. H. Hall. New Lebanon, Jan. 8th, 1847. Early Weeding— Stirring the Soil. A GREAT deal is gained by early weeding. When weeds first start they may be easily destroyed, and if the land has been recently ploughed and planted, it will be light and mellow, and the hoeing it an early period requires but little time, compared to what is necessary when the weeds have become large and almost formed a sward, and the earth has become compact and hard. An- other disadvantage in delaying weeding till late, is the hiding of the plants by the luxu- riant weeds. In some cases the plants can- not be found without diligent search, and then, perhaps, the weeds cannot be removed without radically Axsiuxhmg the plants, which from their fragile forms, growing in the shade of tall weeds can hardly stand alone. Besides the great saving of labour in weed- ing early, there is a great advantage to the crops, for most all plants that stand in a good soil, free from weeds, will grow twice as fast for stirring the soil around them. When there are no weeds, plants will come up, grow a little, and then remain almost sta- tionary for weeks, when a little stirring of the soil around them would give them a start and cause a luxuriant growth. This is often shown by part of a row or piece of land being hoed while another part is left. So great a diflerence is sometimes produced by merely stirring the soil, that the casual observer has supposed that there was a dif- ference in the manure, time of planting, or something else which he would regard as more important than the mere stirring of the soil, as he would regard it. We have an account of a trial between two cultivators who competed for the greater success under the same circumstances as to soil, manure, seed, &lc. One thought to ex- cel by hoeing his lot twice a week, aware of No. 11. Improvement of Fruit. 341 the great advantage of frequently stirring the soil; but he was much surprised to find that he had been beaten, and was anxious to learn the management of his competitor, which was his own plan carried to a greater extent, for he had hoed his lot every morn- ing. "Farmers will find it profitable to prepare their lands, and arrange their plants so that most of the labour in destroying weeds, and stirring the soil, so essential to successful cultivation, may be done by animal labour. In this there will not only be a saving of ex- pense, but a greater profit by a large crop, for by the use of a cultivator or plough be- tween rows, the soil will be stirred deeper than by the hoe, and it may be done more frequently also. A good steady horse, in a well arranged field, in the hoeing season, will do as much as several men. — Boston Cultivator. Improvement of Fruit. In the whole range of cares and pleasures belonging to the garden, there is nothing more truly interesting than the production of new varieties of fruit. It is not, indeed, by sowing the seeds that the lover of good fruit usually undertakes to stock his garden and orchard with fine fruit trees. Raising new varieties is always a slow, and, as gen- erally understood, a most uncertain mode of bringing about this result. The novice plants and carefully watches his hundred seedling pippins, to find at last, perhaps, ninety-nine worthless or indifferent apples. It appears to him a lottery, in which there are too many blanks to the prizes. He, therefore, wisely resorts to the more certain mode of grafting from well known and esteemetl sorts. Notwithstanding this, every year, under the influences of garden culture, and often without our design, we find our fruit trees reproducing themselves; and occasionally, there springs up a new and delicious sort, whose merits tempt us to fresh trials after perfection. To a man who is curious in fruit, the po- mologist who views with a more than com- mon eye, the crimson cheek of a peach, the delicate bloom of a plum, or understands the epithets, rich, melting, buttery, as applied to a pear, nothing in the circle of culture, can give more lively and unmixed pleasure, than thus to produce and to create — for it is a sort of creation — an entirely new sort, which he believes will prove handsomer and better than any thing that has gone before. And still more, as varieties which originate in a certain soil and climate, are found best adapted to that locality, the production ofj new sorts of fruit, of high merit, may be looked on as a most valuable, as well as in- teresting result. Beside this, all the fine new fruits, which, of late, figure so conspicuously in the cata- logues of the nurseries and fruit gardens, have not been originated at random and by chance efforts. Some of the most distin- guished pomologists have devoted years to the subject of the improvement of fruit trees by seeds, and have attained if not certain re- sults, at least some general laws, which greatly assist us in this process of ameliora- tion. Let us therefore examine the subject a little more in detail. In the wild state, every genus of trees consists of one or more species, or strongly marked individual sorts; as, for example, the white birch and the black birch ; or, to confine ourselves more strictly to the matter in hand, the different species of cherry, the wild or bird cherry, the sour cherry, the mazzard cherry, &c. These species, in their natural state, exactly reproduce them- selves; to use a common phrase, they "come the same" from seed. This they have done for centuries, and doubtless will do forever, so long as they exist under natural circum- stances only. On the other hand, suppose we select one of these species of fruit trees, and adopt it into our gardens. So long as we cultivate that individual tree, or any part of it, in the shape of sucker, graft, or bud, its nature will not be materially altered. It may, indeed, through cultivation, be stimulated into a more luxuriant growth; it will probably pro- duce larger leaves and fruit; but we shall neither alter its fruit in texture, colour, or taste. It will always be identically the same. The process of amelioration begins with a new generation, and by sowing the seeds. Some species of tree, indeed, seem to refuse to yield their wild nature, never producing any variation by seed; but all fruit trees and many others, are easily domesticated, and more readily take the impress of culture. If we sow a quantity of seed in garden soil of the common black mazzard cherry, — Cerasus avium, — we shall find tliat, in the leaves and habit of growth, many of the seedlings do not entirely resemble the origi- nal species. When they come into bearing, it is probable we shall also find as great a diversity in the size, colour and flavour of the fruit. Each of these individual plants, differing from the original type, — the maz- zard,— constitutes a new variety; though only a few, perhaps only one, may be supe- rior to the original species. It is worthy of remark, that exactly ia 342 Improvement of Fruit. 70L. XII. proportion as this reproduction is frequently repeated, is the change to a great variety of forms, or new sorts increased. It is likely indeed, that to gather the seeds from a wild mazzard in the woods, the instances of de- parture from the form of the original species would be very few; while, if gathered from a garden tree, itself some time cultivated, or several removes from a wild state, though still a mazzard, the seedlings will show great variety of character. Once in the possession of a variety, which has moved out of the natural into a more do- mesticated form, we have in our hands the best material for the improving process. The fixed original habit of the species is broken in upon, and this variety which we have created, has always afterwards some tend- ency to make further departures from the original form. It is true that all or most of its seedlings will still retain a likeness to the parent, but a few will differ in some respects, and it is by seizing upon those which show symptoms of variation, that the improver of vegetable races founds his hopes. We have said that it is a part of the cha- racter of a species to produce the same from seed. This characteristic is retained even where the sport, — as gardeners term it, — into numberless varieties is greatest. Thus, to return to cherries, the Kentish or com mon pie-cherry, is one species, and the email black mazzard another; and although a great number of varieties of each of these species have been produced, yet there is al ways the likeness of the species retained From the first we may have the large and rich Mayduke, and from the last the sweet and luscious Black-Hearts; but a glance will show us that the duke cherries retain the distinct dark foliage, and in the fruit, some^ thing of the same flavour, shape and colour, of the original species; and the heart cher ries the broad leaves and lofty growth of the mazzard. So too, the currant and gooseberry are different species of the same genus; but .though the English gooseberry growers have raised thousands of new varieties of this fruit, and shown them as large as hen's eggs, and of every variety of form and co- lour, yet their efforts with the gooseberry have not produced anything resembling the common currant. Why do not varieties produce the same from seed ! Wliy if we plant the stone of a Green Gage plum, will it not always pro- duce a Green Gage? This is often a puz- zling question to the practical gardener, while his every day experience forces him to assent to the fact. We are not sure that the vegetable physi- ologists will undertake to answer this query fully. But in the mean time we can throw some light on the subject. It will be remembered that our garden va- rieties of fruits are not natural forms. They are the artificial productions of our culture. They have always a tendency to improve, but they have also another and a stronger tendency to return to a natural or wild state. " There can be no doubt," says Dr. Lindley, "that if the arts of cultivation were abandoned for only a few years, all the an- nual varieties of plants in our gardens would disappear and be replaced by a few original wild forms." Between these two tenden- cies, therefore, the one derived from nature, and the other impressed by culture, it i3 easily seen how little likely is the progeny of varieties always to reappear in the same form. Again, our American farmers, who raise a number of kinds of Indian corn, very well know that, if they wish to keep the sorts distinct, they must grow them in different fields. Without this precaution, they find on planting the seeds produced on the yel- low corn plants, that they have the next sea- son a progeny, not of yellow corn alone, but composed of every colour and size, yellow, white and black, large and small, upon the farm. Now many of the varieties of fruit trees have a similar power of intermixing with each other while in the blossom, by the dust or pollen of their flowers, carried through the air, by the action of bees and other causes. It will readily occur to the reader, in consi- dering this fact, what an influence our custom of planting the different varieties of plum or of cherry together in a garden or orchard, must have upon the constancy of habit in the seedlings of such fruits. But there is still another reason for this habit, so perplexing to the novice, who, hav- ing tasted a luscious fruit, plants, watches and rears its seedling, to find it perhaps, wholly different in most respects. This is the influence of grafting. Among the great number of seedling fruits produced in the United States, there is found occasionally a variety, perhaps a plum or a peach, which will nearly always reproduce itself from seed. From some fortunate circumstances in its origin, unknown to us, this sort, in be- coming improved, still retains strongly this habit of the natural or wild form, and its seeds produce the same. We can call to mind several examples of this; fine fruit trees whose seeds have established the repu- tation in their neighbourhood of fidelity to the sort. But when a graft is taken from one of these trees, and placed upon another stock, this grafted tree is found to lose its singular power of producing the same by No. 11. The Farm of Clark Rice, Esq. 343 seed, and becomes like all other worked trees. The stock exercises some, as yet, unexplained power, in dissolving the strong natural habit of the variety, and it becomes like its fellows, subject to the laws of its ar- tificial life. When we desire to raise new varieties of fruit, the common practice is to collect the seeds of the finest table fruits — those sorts whose merits are everywhere acknowledged to be the highest. In proceeding thus we are all pretty well aware, that the chances are generally a hundred to one, against our obtaining any new variety of great excel- lence.— Downing^s Fruit Trees. From the Cultivator. The Farm of Clark Rice, Esq. Messrs. Editors, — I was much gratified, in a recent visit to the farm of Clark Rice, Esq., in Dummerston, Vt., to find so trium- phant an illustration of the profitable results of enterprise and good judgment, in seizing hold of the natural advantages of the farm, and appropriating them to use. These ad- vantages consist in an abundant supply of swamp muck of fine quality, and the power to obtain and hold a large quantity of sur- face water for the purpose of irrigation. Mr. Rice's farm is mainly a grass farm, hay being the most profitable crop for his location and soil, and his operations are therefore con- ducted with a view to the raising of a large burden of grass, of good quality. He has recently erected new barns which are remarkably convenient and well ar- ranged; the main barn is 160 feet in length, east and west, by 30 feet in width, with am- ple shed lofts, and a horse barn and carriage house annexed. The ground upon which the barn is built is descending to the east, and under a portion of it is spacious barn cellar for the manufacture of compost, 100 feet long by 30 wide, open 24 feet on the southeast end ; the lower side, or east end of the barn-yard, being on a level with the cel- lar bottom, affords a convenient passage into and out of it from the yard. The liberal use of muck enables Mr. Rice to sell off large quantities of hay without detriment to the farm. He usually winters from 30 to 40 head of cattle, however, about half of which are stall fed, and the manure from these, composted with muck, together with other means of making compost here- after described, affords him all the manure necessary for the improvement of his land, making and applying about 500 loads annu- ally. Management of muck. — His bed of muck covers a number of acres from six to eight feet in depth, and is a vegetable deposit of the finest quality. The original growth of timber on the adjoining land, was hard wood mainly, and whatever wash there may ever have been of an extensive area of higher land around the swamp, would naturally flow into it. Excellent arrangements have been made for the thorough drainage of the swamp, which will be more particularly de- scribed in speaking of his system of irriga- tion. The main body of the muck, except from March to the middle of June, when the gates are shut and the swamp filled with water for irrigation, lies high and dry from moisture to the depth of five or six feet, and can be got out at any time of the year, when most convenient to do the work. Two or three times in the course of the winter, a quantity sufficient for a layer of a foot in depth over the whole cellar, is taken direct- ly from the swamp on sleds, and thrown in, it being but a short distance from the barn, and the ground a little descending. In the fall, a coat of muck a foot in depth, is deposited over the cellar bottom, and when a sufficient quantity of manure has accumu- lated under the scuttles in the stable floors to cover the muck eight or ten inches thick, the same is spread, and another coat of muck put over the manure; repeating these ope- rations from time to time, through the win- ter and spring, until the cattle are turned to grass. An immense quantity of compost is thus formed, and, judging from the smell and appearance, of the finest quality. A part of the muck is dumped through a scut- tle in the barn floor into the cellar, and a part is thrown in through windows in the underpinning, and what cannot be conveni- ently spread from these heaps with the sho- vel, is taken up on wheel-barrows, running on a plank, and distributed in due propor- tion ; the design being to incorporate two parts of muck to one of manure. A larger proportion of muck is kept under the stable floors, where the urine flows, than elsewhere, and this saturated muck is spread into the middle of the cellar froin time to time, in order to equalize the whole mass. The compost lays in this state until after the spring work is done, when at odd jobs, such as rainy days and other days of leisure, it is forked over from end to end. After haying, it is carted out on to the land where wanted for the next spring's use. None of it is applied to the soil until a year old — Mr. Rice being of opinion that composts, where large proportions of muck are used, require to be fully ripened by age and fermentation, in order to derive the greatest benefit from their application to the soil. 344 T)ie Farm of Clark Rice, Esq. Vol. XII. Mr. Rice lias been in the habit of apply- ing 50 loads to the acre ; 25 loads spread on the turf and ploughed in, and 25 loads spread on the furrows and harrowed in. He has come to the conclusion, however, from re- cent trials, with a view to ascertain the pro- per depth to bury compost, that he shall in future introduce the plough two or three inches deeper in breaking up his sward land, which his present facilities for making com- post will warrant, and spread the whole dressing on top of the furrow, incorporating it thoroughly with the soil above the sod. The building appropriated to the horse barn and carriage house, has a cellar under the whole of it, and the manure of two or three horses goes into the part under the stables, into which muck is also thrown, from time to time, and six or eight working hogs are faithful to their business of ming- ling and pulverizing the materials with which they are supplied. Bedding is freely used under the horses to augment the mass. Un- der the carriage house is the feeding apart- ment, also a kettle and arch for cooking their feed, and storage for the materials. There is still another cellar adjoining this, which receives all the wash of the house and the night soil, and which is liberally supplied with muck to absorb it as occasion requires. The objection to such places generally is that they are difficult of access, but in this case it is entirely obviated, the cellar being sufficiently capacious to back a cart into it. The barn-yard is constructed differently from any I have before seen. The main yard, whore the fatting cattle run, is slightly descending to the east to another yard, which is well supplied with muck, and is calculated to receive the wash or superabundant moist- ure of the former. This arrangement gives him a yard free from mire and water, which at certain times is deemed essential to the comfort of the fat cattle, and to his own comfort and convenience in carting to and f;om the barn such large quantities of hay, &c. During the day the coarser forage of the farm is mainly fed out in the lower yard to the cows and young cattle which run there, and the refuse of it is incorporated with muck by the treading of the cattle. Occasionally in the course of the winter, a moderate coat of muck is spread over it, this being deemed better policy than to put the whole quantity of muck that the yard will bear into it at once, in the fall. After plant- ing in the spring, the contents of this yard are carted out into a heap for fermentation; it is immediately supplied with muck again, and the cows are yarded on it over night through the summer, excepting when too wet and miry from heavy rains, when they are for a few days turned into the upper or dry yard. In the fall, the contents are again carted out, and a fresh covering of muck put in for winter. The litter, &c., of the upper yard is also carted out in the spring and com- posted with muck, in all cases designing to use tw^o parts of muck to one of manure. Irrigation. — ]Mr. Rice's system of irriga- tion is in the highest state of perfection. At the breaking up of winter quite a brook is formed from the rains and melting of the snow. It may be termed surface water from the adjoining high lands, and probably its marked effects in increasing the quantity and quality of grass, may be attributable in a great measure, to the fact that it is thus formed, and not a living stream fed by springs. A large embankment of earth has been thrown up on the lower side of the swamp, the other sides being surrounded by higher lands, and thus a large reservoir is made into which this temporary stream is conduct- ed, and with which it is filled in March, and afler, to the depth of several feet. Gates are constructed in the embankment to draw off this accumulation of water as wanted for irrigation, and they are also calculated for the thorough drainage of the swamp. The water is conducted in ditches at different heights, over 50 acres of grass land, which lies more or less descending from the swamp. The ditches run across the land at right an- gles with its descent, and the water is taken out of them by small outlets, made at suit- able distances in the lower sides, so as to flow gently over the whole land. The water is not let on the land till after the frost is out in the spring, on account of its liability to wash holes by getting under the frozen ground ; neither is it continued on the land afler about the middle of June, or when the grass has grown so as to cover the ground completely; if continued on longer, the quality of the hay is injured. Mr. Rice considers that the greatest benefit is derived from the irrigation in April and May, on account of the early and vigorous growth it imparts to the grass; this effect is no doubt increased greatly from the fact that the temperature of the water is considerably warmer by standing in the reservoir. Care and judgment is necessary in man- aging the irrigation. Mr. Rice frequently passes over the land when under the pro- cess, and if any part of it is getting over- charged with water, it is taken off, or if any part is not receiving its portion, the same is supplied as soon as discovered. When heavy rains occur during the irrigation, it is stop- No. 11. Tlie Farm of Clark Rice, Esq. 345 ped for a time; the object being not to drown the grass roots at all, but to keep thera gent- ly moistened. The contrast between the irrigated land and the land adjoining, which is above the highest ditch and cannot be flowed, is very striking. The latter, although lying more level, and oftener ploughed and manured, will not cut as much grass by one-half as the former, neither is the quality as fine. The irrigated land can be kept in produc- tive mowing, much longer than other parts of the farm that have not the benefit of the water, it is occasionally ploughed and ma- nured, however, and goes through a rotation of crops — no water being let on to any por- tion that may be under a state of tillage, until it is again in grass. The crop of grass on the irrigated land is not aflected by any drought, however severe, that may occur after the water is taken off, — the land having been well saturated, and the grass completely co- vering it, prevents the moisture from evapo- rating. The burden of hay is very heavy, and the quality excellent; the tendency of the irrigation being to produce a thick and fine bottom. Seeding to grass in August. — Mr. Rice has several acres of grass land too moist to plough and cultivate in the spring. He ob- tains fine crops of hay from this land by ploughing it in August, when a light coat of compost is spread on top of the furrows and harrowed in; the land is then stocked down to grass again, without sowing to grain. The new seeding is fit for the scythe the next season, although later than the old fields. The process is repeated about every fifth or sixth year, or as often as the more valuable grasses are supplanted by wild grass. He considers this by far the best management of a moist soil. Improvement of a light, hungry soil. — He has a piece of land rather inconveniently situated to get at with manure, upon which he is trying the following experiment to re- deem it from a state of comparative sterility: it is sowed to rye in the fall, and stocked with clover early in the spring ; the grain is taken off the next harvest, and the next year after, the growth of clover is ploughed in and the same process repeated. The plan has proved very satisfactory thus far, the land yielding more than double the crop it did five or six years ago. Planting a forest. — Mr. Rice had, a few years ago, a piece of side hill in pasturing, of rather thin unproductive soil, which ho ploughed up and sowed to rye, at the same time planting to chesnuts in rows about four feet apart. After the rye was taken off the land was left to run up to a forest. The first growth or sprout from the chesnut was rather crooked and scrubby ; but by cutting it close to the ground new sprouts started which grew straight and thrifty, and there is now a good prospect of a fine growth of chesnut timber — an article which is becom- ing more and more valuable in this section of country. I have thus given a very imperfect sketch of some of the more important operations of this intelligent and prosperous farmer. His enterprise and skill in the use and applica- tion of his muck, together with the appropri- ation of his natural advantages for irriga- tion, have told wonderfully upon the pro- ductiveness and profit of the farm. Some twenty years ago he commenced operations on a worn-out farm, the whole produce, all told, not filling the barn then on the place, 60 by 30 feet, and now, with all his ample barn room, he has none to spare. Among other things, his operations show in a strik- ing manner, the great advantage to be de- rived on our worn-out soils, from a liberal and judicious use of sicamj) mucli, and the im- portance and profit attending a strict hus- bandry of all the resources on the farm for making and saving manure. In the languaj-e of the chairman of the committee of our agricultural society, for awarding premiums on manure: "Every animal m the house or in the barn, on this farm, contributes something to swell the im- mense heap." "We hope our farmers will soon learn that the process of making ma- nure is not an impoverishing, but an enrich- ing process, as is proved in the case of Mr. Rice, of whom his neighbours used to pro- phecy that his muck-hole would send him to jail. It has proved, however, thst in dig- ging muck, he was digging money, instead of landing in jail." It is evident to any one, in conversing with Mr. Rice and witnessing the opera- tions of his farm, that he unites extensive agricultural reading with the most close and minute observation. He is a hard-working, practical man ; and he has adopted no new theory or practice simply because new, or continued in an old one because old ; but with excellent sense he has adopted those suggestions, from whatever source derived, that seemed applicable to his soil and condi- tion. Starting in life with nothing but a willing mind and a doing hand, he has risen to his present position by the force of his own enterprise and good judgment. He has been compelled to advance slowly and cautiously in his improvements, making them no faster than they would pay for 346 The Gooseberry. Vol. XII. themselves, and now he has a farm and plan of operations that may safely challenge competition. In this example we see forcibly illustrated, the value of agricultural reading, to the farm- er who has the good sense to follow those suggestions that are applicable to his soil, location and means. It is not to be expect- ed that every practically written article pub- lished in an agricultural journal of wide cir- culation, can be of universal application, for soils, localities as to markets, &-c., &c., must necessarily vary. The farmer, therefore, who fails to exercise suitable judgment in following the suggestions of others, has mainly to blame himself, probably, if he meets with disappointments. How many young farmers, commencing in life with heavy mortgages upon them, pursue the mistaken course of cutting off their wood and timber, ploughing up their pastures every few years for a grain crop, without even sowing grass seeds, and in- venting every other possible means to cheat "mother earth" of a crop, without returning her any equivalent; — in other vvords, "de- stroying the goose that lays the golden egg,'''' — and all from the plea that they are in debt. Let all such be reminded by the example of Mr. Rice, that this is no^ the true policy. Like him, let them seize hold of every means the farm affords for making and saving ma- nure, thus increasing the crops and the re- ward of their labour, affording a more sure and expeditious means of liquidating mort- gages, with a farm lefl wortb cultivating; a farm upon which they may live in independ- ence, with the pleasing reflection, in the evening of life, that theirs is an example safely to be followed by their children. Further remarks, suggested by the exam- ple of this farmer, might be pursued, but the unwarrantable length of this communication admonishes me to forbear. F. HOLBROOK. Bratlleboro, Vt. January 6th, 1848. The Gooseberry. The gooseberry of our gardens is a native of the north of Europe, our native species never having been improved by garden cul- ture. This low prickly shrub, which, in its wild state bears small round or oval fruit, about half an inch in diameter, and weigh- ing one-fourth of an ounce, has been so greatly improved by the system of succes- sive reproduction from the seed, and high culture by British gardeners, that it now bears fruit nearly, or quite two inches in di- ameter, and weighing an ounce and a half Lancashire, in England, is the meridian of the gooseberry, and to the Lancashire weav- ers, who seem to have taken it as a hobby, we are indebted for nearly all the surpris- ingly large sorts of modern date. Their an- nual shows exhibit this fruit in its greatest perfection, and a Gooseberry Book is pub- lished at Manchester every year, giving a list of all the prize sorts, etc. Indeed the climate of England seems, from its moist- ness and coolness, more perfectly fitted than any other to the growth of this fruit. On the continent it is considered of little ac- count, and with us, south of Philadelphia, it succeeds but indifferently. In the northern, and especially in the eastern States, how- ever, the gooseberry, on strong soils, where the best sorts are chosen, thrives admirably, and produces very fine crops. This fruit is in the first place a very im- portant one in its green state, being in high estimation for pies, tarts, and puddings, com- ing into use earlier than any other. The earliest use made of it appears to have been as a sauce with green goose, whence the name, goose-berry. In its ripe state, it is a very agreeable table fruit, and in this coun- try, following the season of cherries, it is always most acceptable. Unripe gooseber- ries are bottled in water for winter use, — placing the bottles nearly filled, a few mo- ments in boiling water, afterwards corking and sealing them, and burying them in a cool cellar, with the necks downward. As a luxury for the poor, Mr. Loudon considers this the most valuable of all fruits, "since it can be grown in less space, in more unfa- vourable circumstances, and brought sooner into bearing than any other." In the United States the gooseberry, in humble gardens, is frequently seen in a very wretched state — the fruit poor and small, and covered, with mildew. This arises partly from ignorance of a proper mode of cultivation, but chiefly from the sorts grown being very inferior ones, always much liable to this disease. Gooseberry plants should only be raised from cuttings. New varieties are of course raised from seed, but no one here will at- tempt to do what, under more favourable circumstances, the Lancashire growers can do so much better. In preparing cuttings select the strongest and straightest young shoots of the current year, at the end of Oc- tober— or very early in the ensuing spring; — cut out all the buds that you intend to go be- low the ground — to prevent future suckers — and plant the cuttings in a deep rich soil, on the north side of a fence, or in some shaded border. The cuttings should be inserted six inches deep, and from three to six or eight inches should remain above ground. The soil should be pressed very firmly about the No. 11. Plank Roads. 347 cuttings, and in the case of autumn plant- ing, it should be examined in the spring, to render it firm again should the cutting have been raised by severe frost. After they have become well rooted — generally in a year's lime — they may be transplanted to the bor- ders, where they are finally to remain. The gooseberry in our climate is very im- patient of drought, and we have uniformly found that the best soil for it, is a deep strong loam, or at least whatever may be the soil, and it will grow in a great variety, it should always be deep — if not naturally so, it should be made deep by trenching and manuring. It is the most common error to plant this fruit shrub under the branches of other trees for the sake of their shade — as it always renders the fruit inferior in size and flavor, and more likely to become moul- dy. On the contrary, we would always ad- vise planting in an open border, as if the soil is sufficiently deep, the plants will not suffer from dryness, and should it unfortu- nately be of a dry nature, it may be ren- dered less injurious by covering the ground under the plants with straw or litter. In any case a rich soil is necessary, and as the gooseberry is fond of manure, a pretty heavy top-dressing should be dug in every year, around bearing plants. For a later crop a few bushes may be set on the north side of a fence or wall. For the gooseberry, a regular and pretty liberal pruning is absolutely necessary. Of course no suckers should be allowed to grow. In November the winter pruning should be performed. The leaves now being off" it is easy to see what proportion of the new as well as old wood may be taken away; and we will here remark, that it is quite impossi- ble to obtain fine gooseberries here, or any where, without a very thorough thinning out of the branches. As a general rule, it may safely be said that one half of the head, including old and young branches — more es- pecially the former, as the best fruit is borne on the young wood, — should now be taken out, leaving a proper distribution of shoots throughout the bush, the head being suffici- ently thinned to admit freely the light and air. An additional pruning is, in England, performed in June, which consists in stop- ping the growth of long shoots by pinching out the extremities, and thinning out super- fluous branches ; but if the annual pruning is properly performed, this will not be found necessary, except to obtain fruit of extraor- dinary size. The crop should always be well thinned when the berries are about a quarter grown. The gooseberry is scarcely subject to any disease or insect in this country. The mil- dew, which attacks half-grown fruit, is the great pest of those who are unacquainted with its culture. In order to prevent this, it is only necessary — 1st, to root up and de- stroy all inferior kinds subject to mildew; 2nd, to procure from any of the nurseries some of the best and hardiest Lancashire varieties; 3rd, to keep them well manured, and very thoroughly pruned every year. We do not think this fruit shrub can be said to bear well for more than a half dozen years successively. After that the fruit be- comes inferior and requires more care in cultivation. A succession of young plants should, therefore, be kept up by striking some cuttings every season. — Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees. Plank Roads. We are indebted to Philo White, Esq., for a copy of a Report on Plank Roads, sub- mitted by him to tiie legislature of Wiscon- sin. Tiiis document furnishes a more full and complete exposition of the advantages of this description of roads, than we have before met with. The first question consi- dered is, what kind of roads are best adapted to the present wants of the community] And though railroads are admitted to afford the greatest facilities under particular cir- cumstances, yet it is concluded that there are many situations where a class of tho- roughfares less costly, " and more practical for every day use," are called for. The advantages of plank roads over Mc Adam or stone roads, are, that the former can be made in all situations, without regard to the character of the soil ; that they are less liable to be affected by fro.st, — which is sometimes very injurious to McAdam roads; and that they can be built and maintained at much less cost. It is calculated that horses will travel with wheel vehicles, one-fifth faster, and draw one-fifth more weight on a plank than on a stone road. "In fine," says the report, "plank roads are preferable to those of McAdamized stone in cheapness, in case of draught and in comfort to passen- gers; greater speed being attainable on them with less assistance to draught; and stage owners say that they are less fatiguing to horses than stone roads, at the same rate of speed." Plank roads, it is said, were first made in Russia; and their first trial in America was in Canada, where they were made by Lord Sydenham, who from a long residence in Russia, had become well acquainted with them, and was thoroughly convinced of their utility. We are informed that the Canadi- ans are now so well satisfied of the great 348 Plank Roads. Vol. XII. advantage of these roads, " that they have gone more extensively into the use of them than any kingdom or republic on the globe." These roads are chiefly m Canada West — the aggregate length of the different lines already constructed, being between 400 and 500 miles. We are not aware of the entire number of miles of plank road actually fin- ished in the State of New York, but this re- port informs us that the various lines for the construction of which companies have been organised in this State, amount in the whole to a distance of 500 miles. As to the width of the track, or the length of the plank used, the report states that it has been shown " most conclusively, that for a single track, eight feet is preferable to a greater width," and that where a double track is wanted, it is best to make them separately of that width. The planks are laid across the bed at right angles. In re- gard to the necessity of more than one track, the report quotes the remarks of Mr. Ged- des, in relation to the Salina road. Mr. G. observes "great speculative objection was made in the start to but one track ; but we have now the entire community with us in deciding that, on all ordinary roads, one track is fully sufficient. The reason is this : the travel in wet weather is entirely on the plank, except the turning out of the light teams; but they seek the plank again as soon as they can get around the team met or overtaken, so that the turn-out track is not cut with any continuous lengthwise ruts, and perhaps the wheels of not one team in a hundred turn-outs will strike the exact curve of another; consequently, in our experience, our turn-out track being well graded, pass- ing the water easily and rapidly from its surface, remains perfectly hard and smooth." Sleepers or Stringers. — In one or two in- stances, roads have been made without sleep- ers— the plank being laid immediately on the graded earth. The planks have kept their places quite well ; but it appears to be the conclusion that it is best to use sleepers or sills. " The sills," says the report, " should be well bedded in the earth, their top surface barely in sight, and the earth in which they are embedded should be broken and pulver- ized, so as to leave no stones or other hard substances to obstruct their settling evenly, and thus permitting the earth to sink down firmly on the earth as its main support. Two stringers only are used on the Salina road, 4 by 4 inches in size and none less than 13 feet in length ; they should be so laid as to break joints, as in laying brick, or putting on siding, that is, the ends of the stringers on one side should not be laid opposite the ends of those on the other side. About 6 feet 8 inches is the proper width between the two lines of stringers, for an 8 feet single track road, which will bring them under the wheels of most road vehicles, and thus give a con- tinuous bearing on them. One set of sleep- ers of good timber and well bedded, will last as long as two or three plankings." Grading. — It is directed that the road should be graded twenty-one feet wide, " measuring from the inside top Imes of the ditches on each side." Great care should be used that the road be kept dry by means of side ditches and cross culverts. They should be made fine, firm and smooth. In regard to lengthwise grading, it is ob- served that short rises are sometimes made of one foot in ten, though they are generally from one foot in twenty to one foot in thirty. Mr. Alvord's remarks on this subject are quoted. " It is easier to go over the same elevation on a plank road, than on a common dirt one; for on plank there is no cutting into the substance passed over, nor encoun- tering of stones by the wheels ; and if, as it ought to be, the plank way is covered with a slight coating of earth, the only danger suggested, the slipping of the animal, is avoided. It would be a prettier sight for the eye, were we to grade our plank roads more level; but while their practical utility is not lessened in any perceptible degree by their unevenness, economy forbids the ex- pense of levelling them for ornament.'''' The kind of timber used for planks is oak, hemlock or pine. Oak lasts as well as any wood, but is slippery in wet weather. The wear by abrasion is calculated at one-fourth of an inch in two years; "and as planking will not break through till one and a half or two inches of the surface is worn away, it follows that the duration of the plank, [if of pine or other soft timber,] would be eight years." Oak would generally last, it is thought, fitly per cent, longer. The cost of plank roads is estimated at from $1,500 to $2000 per mile. Plank Roads preferred by farmers. — The opinion is advanced in the report, that " rail- roads can never be made to take the place of teams for the transportation of grain, &c., within one day's drive of a market, because the farmer can carry the cheapest for that distance." " There are seasons when work is slack with almost every farmer; yet his teams are daily consuming as much food at such time as when fully employed. Availing himself of these seasons, he can haul his produce to market with a very few shillings' expense, No. 11. Artificial Swarming of Bees. 349 in addition to what would have been incur- red had his team remained idle in their stalls." The inducements for farmers to take stock in plank roads, are summed up as follows: " Now in view of these facts and sugges- tions, it must readily occur to every farmer, within a reasonable distance of the line of a plank road, that he can better afford to take stock in such a company than any other of our industrial classes, because he can more cheaply pay for his shares, — by working them out on the road. Every head of a family, with his teams, scrapers, shovels, and other implements which are always at hand in the cultivation, &c., of his farm, could, during those leisure times which every one occasionally enjoys, work out from one to a dozen shares, according to his force and prox- imity to the road, without any serious diver- sion of his attention from his regular voca- tion, or perceptive detriment to his crops. In fine, to all classes of farmers, no scheme was ever devised that afforded so rich an as- surance of immediate and positive benefits to them, as the construction of plank roads in the neighbourhood of their farms." — Cut tivator. From the American Agriculturist. Artificial Swarming of Bees. As the management of honey bees has been my sole business for these last twelve years, in the city of New York, I have thought it would not be amiss to give my own experience in a few particulars in re- gard to these industrious insects. Artificial swarming is not generally prac- tised in this country, owing probably to the want of sufficient practical skill in most of those who apply themselves to bee husband- ry. For several years I have divided my bees, not allowing them to swarm in the na- tural way; and I find a great advantage in so doing by reaping the full benefit of the stock. It saves the watching necessary in the case of natural swarms, and if conducted on right principles, it renders the artificial colony quite independent of the casualties to which they are liable. Moreover, it se- cures the multiplication of swarms in cases, where, if left to the natural process, there would be none. Sliould a continual spell of bad weather occur about the usual period of swarming, the old queen would have time and opportunity to destroy all the royal pro- geny— for the bees never oppose the queen mother in such cases, — and thereby entirely frustrate the hope of multiplication by natu- ral swarms. In order to avoid this evil, we must have recourse to artificial swarming. The general period proper for the operation, is about eight or ten days previous to the time when natural swarms might be looked for. At that time, it is likely that royal broods would be found in the combs ; at all events, an abundance of eggs and larv8e,';of workers, from which might be reared an ar- tificial queen; the males, or drones, are also at this time numerous — a state of things in- dispensable, in order to secure success. I had a number of hives which had not swarmed, probably owing to an unfavourable change of weather. In consequence of this delay, the reigning queen had an opportu- nity of putting to death her intended succes- sors. In this state of things, from the crowd- ed condition of the hives, a mass of bees, as large as a man's head, hung from the alight- ing board of each, while others were clus- tering on the outside of the hives. With these hives, I resolved to try artificial swarm- ing. I cut out of another hive, a piece of brood comb, containing eggs and larvae of the proper age, about three days old, and fixed it in one of my principal hives. I then removed one of the hives which had an out- laying, or rather, an outhanging mass at- tached to its alighting board, instantly clap- ping down in its place, on the same board of the hive already prepared; then with a brush, I swept these bees off by the new hive, and all that I could get out of it. Next, I re- moved the old hive some distance from where it stood, and with the help of a hot sun, forced them to enter. They made a tremendous noise, and seemed much disconcerted at find- ing, instead of the rich combs with which they had hitherto been familiar, nothing but an empty hive. This agitation was kept up all day by the continued arrival of those bees which had been abroad when the sub- stitution took place, adding greatly to the increase of the stock. At noon, the next day, I inspected the new establishment, and found, to my great satisfaction, that the ex- periment had completely succeeded. The foundations of six royal cells had been laid in the small piece of brood comb I had given them ; in due time, the queen was hatched ; the hive prospered, and I sold it for $25. At the end of the season, the hive was as good as any of my natural swarms. Another experiment in forming artificial swarms, and the one I generally practice, is to drive about two-thirds of the bees out of the old hive with their queen, into one that is empty. Then, I immediately replace the old hive on its former station, and remove the new one containing the queen, to a little distance. As the former will have a plenty of eggs and young brood, there will be no trouble in procuring another queen. 350 Butter Dairies. Vol. XII. Of the experiment I am now about to de- tail, the sole object was to prove the exist- ence of the power inherent in bees of rear- ing' an artificial queen, when deprived, by any accident, of their original mother. This, indeed, had been proved before; but only in- cidentally, and I was anxious to put the mat- ter beyond all doubt in my own mind, at least, by an experiment instituted exclusive- ly for that object, to be conducted with mi- nute and scrupulous accuracy. In June, my observatory hive was full of bees, brood, and honey. The queen was very fertile, and laying at the rate of about 100 eggs a day. I opened the hive and took her out, as I could see every bee within, and every cell in the comb. For about two hours, the bees continued their labours as earnestly and contentedly as if she were still with them. At the end of that time, they became aware of their loss, and all was instantly agitation and tumult. The bees hurried backwards and forwards over the comb, with a loud noise ; they rushed in crowds to the door and out of the hive, as if going to swarm ; and, in short, they exhibited all the symptoms of bereavement and despair. When night came on, they all went into their hive, and peace and tranquillity appeared to fol- low. Next morning, I observed they had laid the foundations of seven royal cells, having demolished the three cells contigu- ous to each of those containing Gggs, or worms, which suited their purpose; and by the next morning, there were visible rudi- ments of five more royal cells, all in quar- ters of the comb where before there were nothing but eggs and common larvas, of one or two days old. The bees paid all atten- tion to these royal cells, as the operation ad- vanced. On the seventh day, the first seven cells were sealed, and on the following day the other five. On the morning of the four- teenth day from the removal of the old queen, seven young queens emerged from their cells, strong and active, and exactly resembling those produced in the usual way; and on the next morning, I had the other five come forth, equally active and strong. I watched the hive with all diligence, opened the door, and took out the queens as fast as they emerged from their cells, keeping them for the pur- pose of making artificial swarms. Some of them escaped my notice, after which I found them lifeless on the ground in front of the hive. Edward Townley, Jiav! York, May 1st, 1848. Nearly fifty birds were found to have fallen victims to Crutchett's large lantern on the dome of the capitol at Washington, in one week. From the Michigan Farmer. Butter Dairies. It has already become an object to obtain some foreign market for our butter; and to do so, it is not only necessary that it should be superior in quality and flavor, but that it will retain its superiority in any climate. Hence it is of the utmost importance, that the farmer should know by what means his butter can be prepared so as to obtain a re- munerating price. The best Irish butter will be found to have retained its flavor, and to be as sweet and palatable after having been to the Indies, as when first put up, not from any peculiarity of the soil or climate, or in the breed of cows, but in the method of preparing* it for market. By following Mr. Hall's directions as set forth in the report of this and the last year, pure butter will be obtained. To make it keep in any climate, it will be necessary merely to add a greater amount of pure salt, say one ounce to the pound, and packing it in well seasoned oak firkins, with a thin stratum of brine between the upper head and the butter. An article will thus be ob- tained for export, that will be equal to the very highest priced and far famed Irish but- ter. The Irish butter dealer uses no timber for his firkins that has not been seasoned at least two years, and even then he takes the precaution of having the staves baked in an oven before they are set up. There is another important fact connected with the subject of preserving butter, and that is, the kind of salt used in the process of manufacture. Mr. Hall says, "another reason of bad butter is the use of impure salt," and recommends, "pwre rock salt, per- fectly pulverized ;" and he further says "Me Salina salt, after repeated trials, I have en- tirely thrown aside.'''' In this, his experience but corroborates that of some of our best western butter makers. There is now no doubt but that one great cause for the bad condition of our western butter, is owing to the impurity of the salt which the farmers are compelled to use, owing to the absurd tariff" of tolls imposed upon dairy salt, going west from tide water. The tolls now im- posed, amount to a prohibition for all the western and northwestern portions of this State. The manufacture of salt in this State is to this extent at least, maintained at the expense of one of our most important branches of agricultural wealth. The evil is felt to be so great, that arrangements are being made to bring foreign salt to Buffalo from Montreal, which can be done at a price that will soon compete with our own works. No. 11. Princess Strawberries. 351 If the true interests of the State were con- sulted, the tolls upon dairy salt would be re- duced to at least the same rate of our own salt. There is another fact mentioned in this communication, which is entitled to peculiar regard by all dairymen. Mr. Hall says, "he made experiments to ascertain what effect different kinds of feed had upon the quality and quantity of butter produced from any given quantity of milk." " From 1500 lbs. of milk," he says " weigh ed when feeding green corn stalks in addi tion to feed obtained in the pasture, I ob tained a little over half a lb., from each 100 lbs. of milk more than the average produced through the season, and the butler was of a superior quality," Our dry warm summers materially lessen the profits of the dairyman, by drying up our best pastures. True economy would dictate that he should have something at hand, that would easily and at a cheap rate remedy the evil. The experiment of Mr. Hall and others demonstrate beyond all doubt, that Indian corn is one of the most valuable crops grown for feeding green, and the committee would remark, that some of the most valuable re- sults have been obtained by planting in drills three feet apart, and working with a cultiva tor, rather than by sowing it broadcast. For the Committee, T. C. Peters. Albany, January 20lh, 1848 Statement of B. A. Hall. In the operations of butter making, the season past, I have made some experiments, to ascertain the exact degree of temperature necessary to produce the very best butter. Previous to trying the experiments, I became satisfied that one great cause of bad butter, was the high degree of temperature at which cream was frequently kept and churned. I applied the thermometer, and churned the cream at different degrees, varying from 55° to 66°, and found I invariably obtained the best butter when the temperature was below 60°, — say 58°. The great anxiety of dai- rymen to churn quick, is at the expense of a first rate article. Any person at all conver- sant with butter making, has observed the whitish yellow colour and oily appearance it will present when taken from the churn, whenever the cream has been, or is too warm, when the operation of churning com- mences, thus forever destroying its rich fla- vor and keeping properties. The buttermilk cannot be expelled without working too much, which makes it sticky and oily. On the con- trary, cream taken from the milk at a proper time, kept and churned at 57° or 58°, will require more time in churning, but the but- ter will present a high and rich colour, will be firm and hard — will not stick, and will readily break when being separated. The butter milk can be at once expelled, which should always be done before the salt is ap- plied, so that when it is subsequently work- ed, which should be very little, nothing will be expelled but a little brine, slightly disco- loured. My dairy has been composed the past sea- son of 27 cows. The produce of my dairy were as follows, viz: 3,736 lbs. of butter, sold in the Boston market by C. P. Adams, at an average nett price of 2^ cents, $1067 13 29 calves, averaging 37 days old, 151 83 Cream and milk used in a family of 12 persons, 16 cts. per day, 58 30 Skimmed milk and butter milk fed to hogs, 224 days, $1 40 per day, 316 40 $1,593 66 The quantity of butter to 100 lbs. of milk was a fraction less than 3 lbs. 5 oz. My sales of young pigs, which were fed on the skimmed milk and butter milk about two months and then sent to market, amount- ed to $236 65 Pork, lard, &c., 1640 39 Nett amount of sales, $1,877 04 Amount paid for hogs, 842 00 Amount to credit for feed, $1,035 04 I have not yet hauled out their manure, but think I can safely estimate it at 450 loads. B. A. Hall. For the Farmers' Cabinet. Prince's Strawberries. Editor of Farmers' Cabinet, — You no doubt have noticed the offer repeatedly made by Mr. Nicholas Longworth, of Cincinnati, of $500 for a staminate strawberry that will bear a good crop. By reference to the Hor- ticulturist of the ensuing month, you will perceive that I have accepted his challenge to produce such an one. I wish now to in- vite you and all other amateurs of the straw- berry to visit my collection when in fruit, from the 10th to the 15th of June, and I will guarantee that all shall feel satisfied that the time has not been mispent. I now an- nounce that there does not exist upon the earth any collection of strawberries present- ing any comparison to my present one, and those who will inspect it, will wonder that they should have been misled by cultivating the trash sent out from Europe with high 852 Figs. — Anecdote of a Horse. Vol. XII. sounding names, during the last ten years, when such superior varieties can be produced on our own soil. Mr. Longworth and myself are perfectly agreed, that every European staminate variety has proved comparatively worthless for American culture, and with regard to any pretended novelties from Eu- rope, the simple inquiry whether it is stami- nate or pistillate, will settle the point as to its value or worthlessness. On our own soil, however, we may produce staminate varie- ties more congenial to our climate, some of which will produce fair crops; and such has been the case with several of our new seed- ling varieties. Under this head I would call especial attention to the new seedling varie- ties of the Monteveido Pine; they are of stronger growth than any other class, the blossoms in many cases as large as a dollar, and they form the most splendid family of strawberries as regards size, form, flavor, and colour of the fruit, that has ever been seen. It is a singular fact that no seedling varieties of this magnificent species have yet been produced in Europe, and in fact, the original variety is there comparatively unknown, it being found in but three or four collections in all Europe. We may also re- fer to the large and beautiful seedling va- rieties which have been obtained from the Prince Albert and the Crimson Cone, which are unequalled by any but the preceding. During the last autumn and winter, we have been gratified at receiving orders from Europe for our new and superior American varieties, and we predict that in a few years every variety now cultivated in England, will be cast aside there as utterly worthless. Yours, very respectfully, W. R. Prince. Flushing, May 2-ind, 1848. Figs. With regard to these, I beg to offer a few remarks on what I have observed and put successfully into practice. The year 1818 was remarkable for abundance of figs, on ac- count of its long duration of heat and drought. Happening to call during that year at the Duke of Richmond's Gardens, Goodwood, near Chichester, in August, I was much pleased, and at that time quite astonished, to see a row of very large standard fig trees loaded with the greatest abundance of fruit, both ripe and unripe, in the highest possible perfection. The soil there is shallow, on a bed of chalk. I likewise observed during the same year, abundance of figs in many of the cottagers' gardens in Sussex, produced on standards that were growing in the same kind of shallow soil, and where the bottom was nothing but chalk. Figs appeared to be no luxury in that quarter. In Kent I have observed good figs and very fruitful trees on on a similar bottom. At the late Lord Aud- ley's Gardens, Belvedere, Erith, I have ob- served the most abundant crops of fruit, raised for several years in succession in the highest state of perfection, where the soil is shallow and dry, and where the subsoil is nothing but a rock or bed of pebbly gravel, called there pea-gravel ; after a heavy rain, scarcely a particle of earth was there to be seen on the surface. I have long observed that shallow dry soils are the best for pro- ducing good crops of figs, and where the trees have been planted without much care, and allowed to grow without much pruning or nailing, which does not at all suit the fig. Such places as stable-yards, farm buildings, in any dry corner, amongst stones, chalk, brick-bats, or lime-rubbish, where they are well trodden or paved about the trees, are the places to see fine crops of good figs. Trees in such situations have a number of joints in the length of one inch of young wood. Over-luxuriant trees never bear abun- dant crops. The wood of a fig tree that is long jointed, pithy, and soft, does not produce figs in perfection. The growth of the fig requires to be checked, if fruit is wanted. In preparing for growing figs, instead of trenching the ground, I should recommend merely forming a flooring under them with concrete, brickbats, stone, chalk, gravel, lime-rubbish, or with whatever is most con- venient to be had, if the bottom is not natu- rally chalky, rocky, or gravelly. Those that are troubled with over-luxuriant fig trees might practice the following method, which I have myself done with good success : Cut a trench, three or four feet wide, in front of the trees, — if against the wall, or all round them, if they are standards, — below all roots, which should be cut clean off as the trench is dug, then fill up with any of the above materials that can be procured, pouring a quantity of grout amongst it as the filling up proceeds, or the roots will soon get through it; otherwise, build a wall, as re- commended by Mr. Errington. Figs require to be planted high, and the depth of soil about them should not be more than one foot. If the season is very dry when they are ripen- ing their fruit, the trees will be much bene- fited by giving them a good soaking of wa- ter, as that is the time when they will be benefited by water. — Gardeners' Chronicle. Anecdote of a Horse. A GOOD horse story was told a short time ago, by a gentleman who was an eye-wit- No. 11. Stone Fruits. 353 ness of the occurrence, which, if we will not call it an effort of reason, was at least one of memory of not a very common kind. A man in the western part of the State of Ohio purchased a remarkably fine horse from a person who lived about thirty miles from his residence, and rode him to his future home, where he lived an easy and a happy life — turned out into rich pasture when not wanted for use. The only service required of him, being to carry his kind master daily in his rides around the neighbourhood. In short, no horse could be more fondled and caressed, nor do less to earn a livelihood. When he had lived there about six years, he was one day feeding near the house, crop- ping the rich grass and curvetting in the fulness of animal spirits, when his master observed that he stopped suddenly, and stood perfectly still for several minutes, looking as if he was debating some important question in his own mind. He then, as suddenly pricked up his ears, raised his tail, and started off at a brisk trot on tiie road lead- ing to his former residence. As he did not return, he was followed and easily traced to his old home, where lie had safely arrived, and taken possession of his former quarters in the stable, seemingly much pleased with the whole adventure. — American Agricul- turist. Stone Fruits. About ten years ago my attention was drawn to a plunj tree in my neighbourhood, which was rather celebrated as the only one that hore large crops of beautiful plums for several miles round. It stood behind the garden of a farmer, and just between two large hog pens. I might say, indeed, in the midst of a pen ; as there was hardly a space of two feet between the pens in which the tree grew. Well, this tree, as I have said, was loaded with the finest imaginable fruit, and the curculio did not appear to attack it in the least, while no other plum trees on the premises, bore any crops of fruit except the common preserving damson. Drawing the inference, that the swine destroyed or drove away the curculio, I im- mediately set about putting the information so derived into practice, I had already a few plum trees standing near my farm build- ings, and I immediately planted others there, so as to make a small orchard of that spot, entirely devoted to plum trees ; adding, by way of experiment, a few apricots and nec- tarines. I ought to say that I had hitherto failed, if possible, even more completely with these two latter beautiful fruits than with the plum. In tins small orchard of stone fruit trees, comprising, altogether, perhaps thirty trees, at fifteen feet apart, as soon as the trees came into a bearing state, I directly turned my hogs. I took the precaution, — by the by, a most necessary one, every year, — to have the trunks of the trees closely boarded round, about three feet high, to prevent the hogs from barking them, as they certainly would. The first year the trees set only a tolerable crop ; some of the curculio marks being visible on the fruit. But the second year I had a fine crop, and every year since, without a single exception, I have been able to gather a good crop of very fine plums. The apricots and nectarines have borne equally well, though sometimes the fruit of the latter tree has shrivelled from some cause unknown to me. To be more definite, I ought to add, that I have found it best to allow the hogs to "have the run" of the orchard for stone fruit all the year, with the exception of about two or three months. I shut them out as soon as the fruit is fully grown, and begins to turn colour, and approach maturity. This en- ables me to put tiie orchard in something like a visitable condition tor any of my family who themselves wish to gather fine and lus- cious plums, apricots and nectarines. I keep the hogs out until the latest ripening plums and nectarines are past, when they are again allowed free range of it. In order to accom- plish this exactly to my mind, I have my hog pen proper on one side of the orchard, with two doors; one door leading into the orchard, and the other into a small enclosure or yard, which they have the run of only when they are shut out of their regular quarters — the orchard. As I understand it, the hogs in the outset devour all the plums, &c., that drop from the trees in June and July, — as all the insect punctured ones infallibly do. In this way, they effectually prevent the increase of this insect ; since, if the fruit is allovved to re^ main on the ground, the young maggots soon leave it and go into the ground, where they stay till the time comes round for them to rise out of it to sting the fruit again. By continually rooting in the soil, the hogs not only keep it mellow, and, in the main, free from weeds, but they destroy any grubs of insects that still remain in it; while the ma- nure they furnish to the trees appears to be very much adapted to promote their growth, and keep them in good health. 1 cannot, of course, undertake to say that in a crowded neighbourhood, much infested with the curculio, this mode would complete- ly answer the purpose of securing a 'good crop, because it is well known that this in- 354 Maize in Mexico. Vol. XII. sect is Romev;hat migratory, though I think it never flies far. But I can say that at my place, some miles distant in the country, where, however, all the farmers round culti- vate the plum unsuccessfully, I have had very full success by following the mode pointed out. I have observed, in a previous number of your journal, that both a correspondent and yourself recommend depositing a pile of fresh stable manure round the trunks of plum trees, just before they come into blos- som, or soon after, in order to prevent the insects from attacking the fruit by the odor which rises from the manure. It has struck me since, that something of the same effect may follow from making a swine yard of a small stone fruit orchard. I find that a dozen hogs, kept in a space large enough for twenty or thirty trees, give it, for the time it is occupied by them, quite an atmos- phere of their own, which the delicate nerves of the curculio may not be able to bear. — Horticulturist. Maize in Mexico. From the Vienna Zeitung— by H. Carl Heller Trans- lated by E. Goodrich Smith, of the Patent Office. Maize, (zea mais Linnaeus,) not only on account of its elegant structure, splendid leaves, delicate inflorescence, and variety of colour of its pliant stalk, is one of the most beautiful of the grass kind, but likewise one of the most useful, and indeed, for Mexico and a large part of America, truly the most useful of them. Its beauty the Mexicans have at all times acknowledged ; they yet here adorn the al- tars in the churches and chapels with the stalks of maize, in which are twined flowers. Among the ancient Mexicans, maize was a sign in the calendar, and a holy ornament upon their groves. The Incas of Peru cultivated maize in their gardens as elegant plants, and among artistic works in gold of the ancient Peruvi- ans, the imitations of the maize plant are the most admirable. From what has been mentioned, the value of this plant to the inhabitants of America is evident, as well as the proof that its cul- ture was known, and especially in Mexico, long before the discovery of the new world. It is well established, that maize was not known in Europe till after the conquest of Mexico, and we know, likewise, that Ferdi- nand Cortez, after his first return to the court of Charles V., 1519, among the pre- sents from Mexico, had some ears of maize. Notwithstanding that, we cannot certainly fix upon Mexico as the true native country of this plant, yet America was indeed so, for only the Mexicans, the inhabitants of Hayti, and some natives of South America, had any peculiar names for maize — a circumstance that is not without importance, because we may assume that an object for which any language has no designation, is of foreign origin. Thus, for example, the Indians of Mexico have no word for wheat, barley, oats, apple, pear, grape, fig, sweet orange, &c., which they designate by the Spanish words, trigo, sevada, avena, manzana, pera, uva, figo, narranja, &c., but for all domestic fruits and plants they have, as tlaolli (zea mais,) choyoteslle, (lycios edulis,) mamei, (mameia Americana,) pitaya, (cactus pitoga,) cacahu- ates, (arrachis subterranea seu hypogea?) maguey, (agave Americana,) ^'omaZZ, (solnum lycopersicum.) Our word maize comes from the Haytien word mahiz, from whence it is formed by corruption. The Chinese and Japanese have also a peculiar word, though it was already known among these nations before the discovery of America. Thus the Chinese call maize ya- chu-chu, corn of chu or ya (kidney) or yu my, rice, resembling a kidney. The Japan- ese call it nanhamthbi, that is, corn of new bran, or, by nick-name, outlandish (foreign) corn, as the Germans, for example, call it Turkish wheat. It is, therefore, more than probable that the maize of the new world came to the old as an exchange, for had the Asiatic people carried maize to America, they would also have planted the cereals far more important for the old world. If, then, we admit that all men sprung from one stock, it must be that the first inhabitants of Ame- rica separated from their Asiatic brethren before the cultivation of the cereals were known. Notwithstanding, maize is nowhere found in the wild state, for as to that wild maize of Dr. Hernandez, it is very much as with his wild wheat, which he would have it he had discovered, and which he named triti- cum michoucum, but which is nothing but triticum compositum, and came from Eu- rope. We often find in Mexico, single plants of maize which grow self-sown, and flourish without culture, and though they may stand miles from any inhabited places, they cannot be considered wild, as notwithstanding the often monstrous variety, they always bear the characteristics of cultivated maize. By the parrots, for example, which come from the east, from the terra caliento to the terra No. 11. Geography and History of the Pear Tree. 355 templada, in large flocks, to visit the maize fields, the kernels of maize may be borne to a distance and thus sown. It is the same with maize as with the other cereals of Asia, considered as their native country. So far we may consider America as the native country of maize; neither are those found wild. Notwithstanding the many varieties of maize which are found in Mexico, yet there is only to be found the Linnsean species " mais." Here, in this country, indeed, we distinguish two kinds — a maiz alio, and a maiz temporal, but they present no botanical difference. The best known cultivated varieties in Mexico are — 1. Maiz de padus, with small eight-rowed ears: the most unimportant of all the varie- ties cultivated here. 2. Maiz manchado or Chinesco. A pro- ductive kind, with white, yellow and red kernels; sometimes, also, entirely blue, in which case it is called pinto. 3. Maiz bianco. A very productive va- riety, which yields a fine, sweet meal. 4. Maiz amarillo, which is subdivided into two varieties. (1.) Maiz amarillo grueso, which is more frequently cultivated, and rarely yields less than two to three ears each, with 300 to 600 kernels. (2.) Maiz amarillo pequeno, which is somewhat smaller, less stout, but in a fruit- ful soil, weighs 10 to 15 cwt. more than the grueso. 5. Maiz cuarenteno, better known in Mex- ico under the name of maiz tremes, or olote Colorado, which ripens quickly, and may be planted in the coldest districts in Mexico. 6. Maiz tardio, or de riego, the most pro- ductive of all the varieties, and that which is cultivated around the city of Mexico, and in many moist regions. It sometimes reaches to 500 per cent. Maize succeeds best in a moist and warm climate, but it has the great advantage above other cereals, that it may be successfully cultivated in Mexico as well in the terra ca- lienle (warm districts) as in the terra fria (cold ones.) Its highest limits here are from 2000 to 8000 feet above the level of the sea, therefore the time necessary for it to ripen is very different. It varies in all the periods from seven months to six weeks. Maize is the most important plant in Mex- ico, and the failure of the crop by drought, hail, wind, or disease, produces the saddest consequences. — Patent Office Report, 1847. From July, 1844, to July, 1845, 137,300 tons of guano were imported into England. Geography and History of the Pear Tree. The common pear tree is indigenous to Europe, western Asia, the Himalayas, and to China; but not to Africa nor America. It is found wild in most of the counties of Brit- ain, as far north as Forfarshire; on the con- tinent of Europe, from Sweden to the Medi- terranean ; and in Asia, as far east as China and Japan. It is always found on a dry soil, and more frequently on plains than on hills or mountains; and solitary, or in small groups, rather than in woods and forests. The va- rieties cultivated for their fruit succeed both in the temperate and transition zones of the two hemispheres, and it has been remarked that this tree, as well as the apple and the cherry, will grow in the open air, wherever the oak will thrive. The earliest writers mention the pear as growing abundantly in Syria, Egypt, and in Greece; and it appears to have been brought into Italy from these places about the time that Sylla made himself master of the last- named country, altiicugh there is but little doubt that the Romans had several kinds of this fruit long before that time. Among the trees which Homer describes as forming the orchard of Laertes, the father of Ulysses, we find the pear. Tlieophrastus speaks of the productiveness of old pear trees; and Virgil mentions some pears which he received from Cato. Pliny describes the varieties in culti- vation, in his time, as being exceedingly nu- merous, and says that a fermented liquor was made of the expressed juice. " Both apples and pears," he says, " have the properties of wine, on which account the physicians are careful how they give them to their patients; but when sodden in wine and water, they are esteemed as wholesome." Again, he ob- serves,— "All pears whatsoever are but a heavy meat, even to those in good health, and the sick are debarred from eating them ; and yet, if they are well boiled or baked, they are exceedingly pleasant, and moderately wholesome; when sodden or baked with honey, they agree with the stomach." Ac- cording to Pownell, the cultivated pear was imported into Marseilles by the Phoceean colonists, sometime dunng the middle ages; and Whitaker thinks that it was introduced into Britain by the Romans, but at what pe- riod, although it is mentioned by all the early writers of that country, we have no account. It was the opinion of Mr. Loudon, that all the wild pears growing in England, origi- nated from the seeds of the cultivated sorts, accidentally disseminated by birds. The pear tree is of great longevity, and all writers on the subject, from Theophl-as- tus to the present day, agree that, as the tree 356 Dairies, Vol. XII. grows old, it increases in fruitfulness, which is indeed the case with many other trees. In corroboration of these views, Mr. Loudon states that, "In Nottinghamshire, at Old Baseford, there is a pear tree, of the kind known as the brown dominion, which, in 1826, was upwards of a century old. It is forty feet high, with a head fifty-four feet in diameter, and a trunk two feet three inches in diameter. From 180(3 to 1826, the pro- duce of this tree, on an average, was fifty pecks of pears a year. In the year 1823, it bore one hundred and seven pecks, each peck containing four hundred and twenty pears; and in 1826, it produced one hundred pecks of two hundred and seventy-nine pears each; which, when gathered, weighed twenty lbs. each peck; making a total of a ton weight of pears in one year. As the tree grows older, the fruit becomes larger and finer; so that it requires more than one hundred pears less to fill the peck now, than it did twenty- six years ago. The increase in the size of the fruit, is doubtless owing to the field in which the tree stands being frequently top- dressed with manure." In Duncumb's "General View of the Ag- riculture of the County of Hereford," pub- lished in 1805, there is recorded a very ex- traordinary tree, growing on the glebe land of the parish of Hom-Lacey, that more -Lin once filled fifteen hogsheads with perry in the same year. When the branches of this tree, in its original state, became long and heavy, their extreme ends successively fell to the ground, and, taking fresh root at the several parts where they touched it, each branch became a naw tree, and in its turn, produced others in the same way, covering at that time nearly half of an acre of land. "Baing anxious to know the present state of this celebrated tree," observes Mr. Loudon, " we wrote to a highly valued friend, residing at Hereford, respecting it, and we have been favoured with the following reply: — I have been this morning to see the far-famed pear tree. It once covered an acre of land, and would have extended much further, had na- ture been loft to her own operations. It is now not a quarter the size it once boasted ; but it looks healthy and vigorous, and when I saw it, it was covered with luxriant blos- soms. The original trunk is still remaining; and there are young shoots which are only yet approaching the ground, but which seem nearly ready to take root in it. The tree would completely have covered the vicarage garden, if it had been allowed to remain. It is said to have been in its greatest perfection about 1776 or 1777. There is another tree of the same kind in the neighbourhood. Hereford, May 18, 1836." In Scotland, at Restalrig, near Edinburgh, in a garden adjacent to what was the house of Albert Logan, who was attainted in the reign of James VI., (of Scotland, and First of England,) there is a pear tree, which was probably planted before his forfeiture. It is of the kind called "Golden Knap," which, in that part of the country, is generally con- sidered as the best variety to plant for tim- ber. At two and a half feet from the ground, in 1836, it was four yards in circumference. Dr. Neill has mentioned a number of very old pear trees, standing in the neighbourhood of Jedburgh Abbey, and in fields known to have been formerly the gardens of religious houses in Scotland, which were destroyed at the time of the " Reformation." Such trees are, for the most part, in good health, and are abundant bearers; and as some of them must have been planted when the abbeys were built, they are probably from five to six hundred years old. The introduction of this fruit tree into the North American colonies, probably dates back to the early periods of their settle- ments. There are at present existing in this country many aged trees, celebrated for the improved excellence of their fruit, among which may be mentioned a venerable old tree, standing at the corner of the Third avenue and Thirteenth street, in the city of New York. It is said to have been planted in about the year 1646, by Peter Stuyvesant, then governor of New Netherlands, and has been a living witness of all the changes and political struggles through which this city has passed, for a period of nearly two hun- dred years. Although its trunk and larger branches are signally marked by the effects of time, it annually bears an abundance of delicious fruit, and at the present date, — April 17, 1845, — it is covered with a profu- sion of flowers. It is about forty feet in height, with a trunk one hundred inches in girth, at a yard above the ground. — Browii's Trees of America. Dairies. One of the largest dairies in our country is that of Col. Meacham, of Pulaski, N. Y. His farm consists of 1000 acres, 300 of which are devoted to grass, and he keeps one hun- dred head of cattle and ninety-seven cows. In one year he made 30,000 pounds of cheese, 20,000 pounds of which he sold at one time at New York, for from six and a half to seven cents per pound. He feeds his cows mostly on hay and carrots. Of the latter he raises 2000 bushels, and gives each cow half a bushel per day; and besides the benefit de- rived from his grass for his stock, he gathered No. 11. Softness and Fineness of Wool 357 not less than 300 bushels of grass seed. Ac- cording to tlie State census of New York, taken three years since, the quantity of but- ter made in a year was 79,501,770 pounds. This, at twelve and a half cents per pound, would amount to $9,937,716. The same year there were milked 999,490 cows, three- fifths of which, it is supposed, were for but- ter dairies, and the remainder for cheese dairies. This would give, for butter 599,685 cows, which would probably give 500,000 calves; so that a large increase may be cal- culated in this respect, on the amount of stock kept for butter manufacture every year in that State. The quantity of milk sold in our cities is great. Some idea of it may be formed from the fact that 50,000 quarts of milk daily are carried on the Erie railroad, equal, including the cans to sixty-three tons, not less, proba bly than 15,000,000 or 16,000,000 quarts a year, which did not find its way to New York before the road was constructed. The importation of cheese into Great Brit- ain is larger than that of butter. The total quantity in 1846 from Europe amounted to 249,664 cwt., and from the United States to 91,901 cwt. The American cheese, how- ever, is said to have some faults which need to be corrected to render it acceptable to the English market. These are stated by Mr. Coleman to be, 1st. The softness of the rind, which renders them liable to crack, and which is imputed to their richness, and the remedy for which is to let the cheese, when taken from the press, remain in brine so Btrong that it will take up no more salt for four or five hours. It must not, however, be kept too long in the brine, as it may re- ceive injury. The second fault complained of is the acid and sharp taste. This is im- puted to some improper preparation of the rennet, and possibly to something wrong in the feed or pastures. It is also recommend- ed that American cheese should be coloured so as to resemble the English cheese. The American butter is a poor article generally there, and does not find purchasers for table use, but is used to grease machinery in the manufacturing districts. — Patent Reports, Softuess aud Fineness of Wool. It is not as generally known as it should be, that softness is a quality of wool of much consequence. When the wool buyer and stapler proceed to an examination of a par eel, their judgment will be materially affect- ed as to its value, whether "soft in handle," or otherwise. This, however, generally speaking, is the result of comparative fine- ness; but by no means always so, for wool of the same quality of fineness has not the same degree of softness. There are several causes to account for it, and among tliem is soil; as, for instance, the chalky districts of England affect the wool to such an extent as to make it invariably brittle and harsh. This, however, is only local. The general cause of a deficiency of softness in wools of the same breed, may be referred directly to the condition of the sheep. It has already been stated that when the animal was kept in uniform good condition, the necessary quantity of yolk was supplied. Now if there is but little of this substance, which will follow an abuse in management, the wool will be less pliable and "kind to feel." Therefore it may be set down as a univer- sal rule, that wool owes much of its softness to the presence of a sufficiency of yolk. As a testimony how much this quality of wool is appreciated by the manufacturer, it is affirmed on the authority of an English author, "that two parcels of sorted wool being taken, possessing the same degree of fineness, but the one having the soft quality in an eminent degree, and the other being harsh, the cloth prepared from the first, at the same expense, will be worth more to the manufacturer than the other, by full 20 per cent." This term, when applied to wool, is wholly comparative; various breeds of sheep pro- ducing wool essentially different in quality, the same breeds varying much, and all breeds exhibiting qualities of wool of un- equal fineness in the same fleece It is also sometimes the fact that the extremity of the fibre, as ascertained by the micrometer, is five times greater in bulk than the centre and root. The fibre may be considered coarse when it is more than the five hundreth part of an inch in diameter, and very fine when it does not exceed the nine hundredth part of an inch, as exhibited occasionally in choice sam- ples of Saxon Merino wool. It is said there are animals which have a wool underneath a covering of hair, the fibre of which is less than the twelve hundredth part of an inch. Formerly, wool of short staple only was thought by the manufacturer indispensable to make a fine cloth with a close pile or nap, but the improvements made in machinery within a few years have superseded this con- sideration, and novyf long-staple wool is most valued. This in part proceeds from the fact that short wools have more "dead end," pro- portionally, than long; again, the new Ame- rican enterprise for manufacturing muslin de laines, calls for a long, tough, fine staple. The Australian wools, which are of Merino and Saxon blood, from the mildness of the 358 The Toad. — The Strawberry. — Editorial JVotices. Vol. XII. climate of New South Wales, are very much longer in staple than formerly, and are much used for the above object. It is a query, however, whether a fine and very compact fleece, possessing a long fibre, can be pro- duced on the same sheep. Very close, fine fleeces, are always comparatively short in staple; and close fleeces are indispensable in our rigorous climate, to protect the sheep from the effects of cold and wet; on the con- trary, open fleeces are usually long in staple, but a poor defence against a low temperature. It is, therefore, a question for the wool-grow- er of the North to consider whether, in oblig ing the manufacturer, he will not adopt a policy injurious to the constitution of his sheep. In a more southern latitude, this consideration is not so important. The alteration of the colour was the first recorded improvement of the sheep, and its purity, its perfect whiteness, should never be lost sight of by the sheep-master of the present day. It is, however, not so much considered as it should be. Manufacturers desire none other fine wools than those of the purest whiteness, for the reason that those of a black or dun-coloured hue, do not receive a perfect fancy dye, and therefore can be converted only into black cloths; hence, they are valued accordingly. Flock- masters should never breed from individuals that are otherwise than purely white ; for, independent of the above consideration, black or smutty sheep mar the appearance of a flock. — MorreWs Shepherd. The Toad. — That poor, despised, and harmless reptile is admirable in its proper tions, and has an eye of such transcendent beauty, that when I find one I place it on my hand to view it more minutely. Its skin, too, so completely adapted to the suh terraneous places into which it goes for shelter, is well worthy the attention of the philosopher. As this little animal is innoc- uous, I feel sorry when I see it trampled under foot by inconsiderate people, who have learned from their grandmothers that it is full of venom. — Essaijs on Nalural History. Cultivation of the Strawberry. — In order to show the importance of cultivating the strawberry, we give the following statis- tics:— In 26 days of last summer, 1847,4572 bushels sold in New York, — 514 in one day: 80,000 baskets, equal to 833 bushels, weigh- ing 25 tons, were brought in one day over the Erie railroad. Whole number of bas- kets sold in New York, equal to 602,040, being an increase of 212,000, or 24 per cent. over last year, (1846) value $!20,000 in a season ! — American Journal of Agriculture and Science. THE FARMERS' CABI1¥ET, AND A7!(II:B.10A.N herd-sook. Philadelphia, Sixth Month, 1848. The Stnithfielil market, long a great nuisance ia London, is about to be done away with, or removed. The attention of farmers will be drawn to the sale of fine Durham cattle on the 12th of next month, at the Rising Sun Hotel, on the Germantown road. The advertisement will be found on another page. This herd has been long celebrated as among the very best in the country. Through the kindness of Edmund Burke, Commis- sioner of Patents, we have recently received the .An- nual Report for 1847, containing as usual a large amount of valuable matter, connected with the great farming interests of the country. A tabular estimate of the crops for the past year, will be found in the 8th No. of the current volume of the Cabinet. 53= Subscribers to the Cabinet, will please observe the Notice on the first page. There are a good many who still owe for this paper. Its publication in this city will cease with the next number, and as bills have been recently forwarded to those in debt for it, they are earnestly requested to remit the amounts due by mail. T7ie jimerican Agriculturist, to which the subscrip- tion list of the Cabinet has been transferred, is edited by A. B. Allen, well known to our farming community all over the United States, as a man well qualified to conduct such a paper: and we trust our readers will very generally be disposed to continue their subscrip- tions; where, however, they determine otherwise, they will please not fail to comply with the recommenda- tion at the close of the JVoticc on the first page of this number. JCr SHORT ADVERTISEMENTS, The subject matter of which, may correspond with the agricultural character of this paper, will be inserted at the rate of one dollar for each insertion often lines or less; and so in proportion for each additional line. Payment in advance. Agency for the Purchase & Sale of IMPROVED BREEDS OF CATTLE & SHEEP. The subscriber takes this method of informing his friends and the public, that he will attend to the pur- chase and sale of the improved breeds of cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, &c., for a reasonable commission. All letters post paid, addressed to him at Philadelphia, will bo attended to without delay. Jlpril 15th, 1847. AARON CLEMENT. No. 11. Editorial JNotices. 359 FOR SALE AT AUCTION. The subscriber having purchased of Mr. James Gowen his numerous herd of Short Horn Durhams; the character of which is too well known to require comment here — and beingdesirous of adopting, for the benefit of his pupils, a more general system of culture than is practicable with the keeping of so large and increasing a stock of cattle, will sell some twelve or 'fourteen head at Public Auction, On Wednesday the \%\\ of July next, At the Rising Sun Hotel, On the Germantown Road, near Philadelphia. The Stock to be sold will consist of Cows with Calves by their sides; Cows in calf, all good, princi- pally young; one very fine Bull, four years old ; year- ling and two years Heifers, and Bull and HeiferCalves from five to eight months old. Descriptive Catalogues given at the Sale, which will be positive and without reserve. JOHN WILKINSON. Mount Airy Agricultural Institute, ) Germantown, May 28lh, 1848. j CO AI.. The subscriber has made an arrangement for a con- stant supply of superior Lehigh and Schuylkill Coal- carefully prepared for family use, which he will fur- nish at tlie usual cash prices, on application at the office of the Farmers' Cabinet, where samples of the different kinds and sizes may be seen. JOSIAH TATUM. Philadelykia, Sixth month I5th, 1848. COATES' SSX^D STOHB, No. 49 Market Street, FRESH TIinOTHY SEED, Of various qualities, from good common seed to the purest and finest that can he produced, TOGETHER WITH A COMPLETE ASSORTMENT OF GR.A.SS & GilRBXiXT SESDS, Of the finest Quality and best Varieties,— Bird Seeds, &c. May 15th, 1847. JOS. P. H. COATES, Successor to Qeorge M. Coates. SBED STORE, No. 23 Market Street, Philadelphia. The subscriber keeps constantly a supply of White and RedClover.and othergrass seeds; freshPerennial Rye-grass, and Lucerne seed. Field seeds, consisting of choice Spring Wheat, Barley, Potatoe Oats, North- ern and other seed-corn. Also, in season, Fruit and Shade Trees. Garden and Bird seeds generally. Gua- no in parcels to suit purchasers NEW Horticultural and jlgricultural Ware-house, 84 Chesnut Street below Third, SoutJi side. The subscriber has for the betteraccommodation of his customers, opened the above ware-house, with a large stock of Garden and Field Seeds, crop of 184C. Imple- ments and Books on Gardening and Farming; he calls the particular attention of farmers to his pure stock of Sweede Turnips, Field Carrots, Beets and Parsnips, Pruning Shears, Saws and Knives. March 14th, 1847.— ly. R. BUIST. GUANO. Peruvian & African Guano, in bags & bbls. ALSO, PREPARED GUANO. This article has been in use during the last year, atid from the effect that it has produced, can be safely re- commended to farmers as a cheap and valuable fertil- izer; the object in preparing this article is to give the farmer a manure at a very low price, that will enable all to use it. It is prepared upon strictly scientific principles, and is recommended to general use by the Farmers' Club, and the New York State Agricul- tural Society. For Sale by ALLEN & NEEDLES, 23 South Wharves, near Chesnut Street, Phila. Feb. 15fA, 1848.— Cm. Philad., Feb., 1847. M. S. POWELL, tf. PREMIUM IMPLEMENTS. PROUTY'S Improved Machine for Shelling and Screening Corn, and Separating it from the Cob. For this Machine the Philad'a Agricultural Society awarded their first Premium for Corn Sheller, 1847. Grant's Patent Premium Fan Mill, For Chaffing and Screening Wheat, at one operation. Three Silver Medals, and nine First Premiums, have been awarded for the above Mill. Prouty and Mears' Patent Centre - Draught, Self- Sharpening Ploughs. First Premium awarded for these Ploughs, by the Philadelphia Agricultural So- ciety, 1844, 1845, 1846 and 1847. Corn and Cob Breakers and Grinders, Corn Stalk Cutters & Grinders— Sugar Mills— Spain's Improved Barrel Churn, the dashers of which may be taken out to clean. Also, a full assortment of Ag- ricultural Implements, Manufactured and for Sale by D. O. PROUTY, No. 194| Market Street, below Sixth, Phildelphia. Nov. 15, 1847.— tf. The quantity of rain and snow which fell in the 5th month, 1848, was 4.902 in. Penn. Hospital, 6th m». Ut. 360 Editorial JVotices. Vol. XII. We keep on hand at this office, and will supply our friends with Agricultural works generally. Anionj which are THE FARMER'S ENCYCLOPEDIA, full- bound in leathor; — Price $3 50 YOUATT ON THE HORSE, with J. S. Skin- ner's very valuable Additions; 2 00 BRIDGEMAN'S GARDENER'S ASSISTANT; 2 00 THE AMERICAN POULTRY BOOK; 37, THE FARMER'S LAND MEASURER; .37i DANA'S MUCK MANUAL; 50 Complete sets of the FARMERS' CABINET, half-bound, 11 vols. 9 50 DOWNING'S Landscape Gardening, 3 50 Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees of America, 1 50 SKINNER'S Every Man his own Farrier, 50 AMERICAN Poulterer's Companion, 1 25 BOUSSINGAULT'S RURAL ECONOMY, 1 50 FARMERS' & EMIGRANTS' HAND-BOOK, 1 00 MORRELL'S AMERICAN SHEPHERD, 1 00 STABLE ECONOMY, 1 00 BEVAN on the HONEY BEE, 31^ BUISTS" ROSE MANUAL, 75 THOMAS' FRUIT CULTURIST, 50 SKINNERS CATTLE & SHEEP DOCTOR, 50 AMERICAN FARRIER, 50 THE FARMER'S MINE, 75 HOARE ON THE VINE, C2i HANNAINI'S Economy of Waste Manures, 25 LIEBIG'S AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY, 25 ANIMAL CHEMISTRY, 25 " FAMILIAR LETTERS, ISJ JOHNSON'S DICTIONARY OF MODERN GARDENING, 2 25 Subscriptions received for Colman's Agricultural Tour— or single numbers sold. O" We are prepared to bind books to order. AFRICA]:^ GUANO. First quality African Guano, from the island of Ichaboe, warranted genuine. Also a few tons Peruvian For sale by J. B. A. &. S. ALLEN, No. 7 South Wliarves, 2nd Oil Store below Market street. Philadelphia, March 17th, 1847. Poudrette. A valuable manure — of the best quality, prepared in Philadelphia, for sale at the office of the Farm- ers' Cabinet, No. 50, North Fourth Street, or at the manufactory, near the Penitentiary on Coates' street. Present price, SI 50 per barrel, containing four bushels each, or 30 cents a bushel. Orders from a distance, enclosing the cash, with cost of porter- age, will be promptly attended to, by carefully deli- vering the barrels on board of such conveyance as may be designated. The results on corn and wheat last year have been generally very satisfactory. Farir- ers to the south and in the interior, both of this State and of New Jersey, are invited to try it. We are now ready to supply the article to any extent. JOSIAH TATUM Fhiladc. Qth mo. 15th, 18-18. CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. VA.au. The American Agriculturist and Farmers' Cabinet, 329 Geography and History of the Q.uince, 330 A day at a Farmers, 331 H. Ancrum on Wool Mattresses, 332 Agricultural Minutes, Philadelphia, 333 New Material for Flooring Paving, &c 334 The Osage Orange for Hedging.— A Nut for the Curious 335 The Horse, 336 The Boy and Man, 333 The Potatoe.— Butter Dairies and Batter, 339 Early Weeding— Stirring the Soil, 340 Improvement of Fruit 341 The Farm of Clark Rice, Esq 343 The Gooseberry, 346 Plank Roads 347 Artificial Swarming of Bees, 349 Butter Dairies, 350 Prince's Strawberries, 351 Figs.— Anecdote of a Horse, 352 Stone Fruits, 353 Maize in Mexico, 354 Geography and History of the Pear Tree, 355 Dairies ....356 Softness and fineness of Wool, 337 Toads.— Editorial Notices, 353 THE FARMERS' CABINET, IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY JOSIAII TATUM, No. 50 NORTH FOURTH STREET, PHILADELPHIA. It is issued on the fifteenth of every montli, in num- bers of 32 octavo pasrM each. The subjects will be illustrated by emrravings, when they can be appropri- ately introduced. Terms. — One dollar per annum, or five dollars for seven copies — payable in advance. AU subscriptions must commence at the beginning of a volume. Having lately struck off a new edition of one or two of the former nunbers, which had become exhausted, we are now able to supply, to a limited e,x- lent, any of the back volumes. They may be had at' one dollar each, in numbers, or one dollar twenty-five cents half-bound and lettered. For eiirbt dollars paid in a.dvnnce, a complete set of the work will bo furnished in numbers, including the ]2th volume. The whole can thus readily be forwarded by mail. For twenty-five cents additional, per volume, the work may be obtained neatly half-bound and let- tered. Copies returned to the office of publication, will also be bound upon the same terms. By the decision of the Post Master General, the "Cabinet," is subject only to newspaper postage. Joseph Rakestraw, Printer. ^,1 ^mm^fjmm^f "^^ERICAN HERD-BOOTt DE VOT ED TO AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, AND RURAL AND DOMESTIC AFFAIRS. Perfect Agriculture is the true foundation of all trade and industry. — Liebib. Vol. XII — No. 12. 7th mo. (July) 15th, 1848. [Whole No. 1G2. PUBLISHED MONTHLY, BY J O S I A H T A T U M, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR, No. 50 North Fourth Street, PHILADELPHIA. Price one dollar per year. — Forconditions see last page. NOTICE. The Editor of this paper being about to relinquish its publication with this Number, which closes the current volume, has made an arrangement with the publisher of the Ame- rican Agriculturist, of New York, by which all the subscribers to the Cabinet will be supplied with that work: and it is earnestly requested that those who mean to continue their subscription, will immediately give evidence of it by remitting payment by mail, either to the publisher in New York, or to the present publisher of the Cabinet, 50 North Fourth street, Philadelphia. Subscribers in arrears for the Cabinet, to whom bills are now again forwarded, will see the necessity of settling their ac- counts, and remit by mail, as early as pos- sible. The American Agriculturist and Farm- ers' Cabinet, Will be published promptly on the 1st of each month in future, by C. M. Saxton, 205 Cab.— Vol. XII.— No. 11. Broadway, iV. Y., to whom all subscriptions and monies may be sent. The friends of the Farmers' Cabinet are informed, that the July number will be sent them bill enclosed for the year, those who do not wish the paper continued, will please return the number with their address distinctly written on the wrapper, and addressed '■'' American Agri- culturist, New York." TERMS. For single copies, ^\ per annum. 3 copies, 2 " 8 copies, 5 " 20 copies, 12 " The American Agriculturist is now in the seventh year of its publication. From its commencement it took a high stand; and has ever since been considered by the press and all unbiased judges, as the leading pe- riodical of its class in America. It has a large and rapidly increasing circulation ithroughout the United States, the Canadas, [and other British possessions, the West In- Idies, and South America; and we may fear- llessly assert, that it has given more reliable information on rural subjects, and been pe- rused with greater general satistnction, than any paper of the kind yet publistied. The Agriculturist treats of every descrip- 'tion of domestic animals and poultry; their [characteristics, breeds, the best and the iworst; their advantages and disadvantages; their mode of breeding, feeding, and rearing; jtheir uses, pro6ts, and management. It treats (361) 302 The Potatoe Prohlem. Vol. XII. of all cultivated crops, including fruits, shrub bery, and flowers; the best seeds, mode of planting, cultivating, gathering, and prepar ing for markets; the general principles of vegetation and the laws of vegetable life. It describes the principles of mechanics as ap- plied to machinery used by farmers and plant- ers; the best machinery and implements for agriculture, their uses and the particular su- periority of some over others, and their adapt- edness for particular purposes. It gives the latest improvements in those implements which may have been made, and suggests others; tells where they are to be found and the benefits that will follow from their use. It specifies new objects of cultivation, and how they may be better prepared for a pro- fitable market and more general use. This is the great design and scope of the Agriculturist; and these are the paramount objects of interest throughout America. No country can ever enjoy solid prosperity un- less an enlightened system of agriculture is practised among its people, and this cannot be done except by the aid of those works which are written to teach it. Let all aid, then, to spread them broadcast throughout the land. It is the duty of every good citi- zen to do this — nothing equal to it can be done to benefit the country. All editors inserting the above, and for- warding the paper containing it to the pub- lisher, will be entitled to the Agriculturist the current year, without further charge. — American As[ricuUurist. The Potatoe Problem. The solution of the Potatoe Problem is accoftiplished. At least. Professor Liebig thinks so. In his last work* he declares that the potatoes are attacked with influ- enza. "The cause of the disease is the game which, in spring and autumn, excites influenza; that is, the disease is the efl'ect of the temperature and hygrometric state of the atmosphere, by which, in consequence of the disturbance of the normal transpiration, a check is suddenly, or for a considerable time, given to the motion of the fluids, which is one chief condition of life, and which thus becomes insufficient for the purposes of health, or even hurtful to the individual." To say that the potatoe crop has caught cold, is new. But when we read in the same place thit the cause of the cold, or in- fluenza, is impeded perspiration or "sup- pressed transpiration," the novelty ceases. "The potatoe plant," says the learned chem- * " Researches into the motion of the Juices in the Animal Body." By Justtis Liebig, M. D. Taylor and Walton, 8vo. ist, "obviously (!) belongs to the same class of plants as the Hop-plant, namely, to that class which is most seriously injured by the stagnation of their juices in consequence of suppressed transpiration. According to Knight, the tubers are not formed by swell- ing of the proper roots, but by the develope- ment of a kind of underground stalks or runners. He tbuni thiit when the tubers under ground were suppressed, tubers were formed on the stalks above ground; and it is conceivable that every external cause which exerts a hurtful influence on the healthy condition of the leaves and stalks, must act in like manner on the tubers. In the districts which were most severely vis- ited by the so-called potatoe disease in 1846, damp, cold, rainy weather followed a series of very hot days; and in 1847, cold and rain came on, after continued drought, in the be- ginning of September, exactly at the period of the most luxuriant growth of the pota- toes." In this at least there is no novelty. It is the same view as that taken by ourselves in- August, 1845, when the disease first broke out, which was very generally adopted, but which we have long since shown to be erro- neous. The opinion was just that which would be formed upon the first hurried glance at the phfenomena, but which a full knowledge of the facts soon compelled its advocates to relinquish. The only material difference that we remark between Professor Liebig's discovery and the old hypothesis now referred to, consists in his introducing it in 1848 as something new, and surround- ing it with an array of quotations from the experiments of Hales, which are familiar to every student of vegetable physiology, toge- ther with some observations of his own on the motion of fluids in living bodies, the con- nection between which and the potatoe dis- ease we fail to discover. We wonder that Professor Liebig should not have perceived that the seasons of 1845, 6, and 7, in all which the disease was pre- valent, were very dissimilar; we wonder still more that he should not have weighed the mass of valuable evidence that has been collected on the subject in every country in northern Europe, before he jumped to his present conclusion. It is still more extraor- dinary that he should not have asked himself why impeded perspiration, influenza, cold, or whatever else he terms the disease, should not have attacked the potatoe crop before the year 1845, and should have continued to do so every year since through seasons es- sentially difl^erent from each other. It would seem, however, that men cannot reason calmly upon this subject. To our No. 12. Rabies, or Canine Madness. 363 great surprise we find Dr. Gregory, the translator of Professor Liebig's work, ap- pending to it Doctor Klotzsch's proposition as confirming his author's speculation. He thinks that by strengthening the potatoe plant it will be better able to resist the dis- ease, an opinion that we have expressed a hundred times. He believes that this strengthening may be effected by repeated- ly stopping the growth of the branches by pinching off" their shoots, so as to strengthen the tubers and prevent those changes which result in the production of flowers and fruit, or, as he terms it, "to restrict the metamor- phosis of the leaves." What that has to do with impeded perspiration we are unable to perceive. His object is to give the plant more vigor, by diverting into a smaller num- ber of leaves the food obtained by the roots and sent upwards into the stem, which food, under ordinary circumstances, is dispersed through a large number of leaves. In prin- ciple this method is like our English plan of destroying the flowers, and which has not been attended with success; for although in the e.xperiments in the Garden of the Horti- cultural Society, in 1847, topped or stopped potatoes were less diseased than others un- lopped, yet disease existed in both cases, and the difference was only as 9.56 to 13 per cent. There are, however, some peculiari- ties in the plan of Dr. Klotzsch, which make it desirable to try it this year e.xactly in the manner which he indicates. So far, how- ever, from pretending that the disease is impeded perspiration, he expressly declares himself" unable to explain the nature of the disease." For ourselves, we regard it with as much uncertainty as ever; of this, however, we are persuaded, that be it what it may, it is not explained by our own original hypothe- sis, now produced as a novelty by Professor Liebig. — {Lindley.) Rabies, or Canine Madness. Hydrophobia has been chiefly observed in Europe. It has, however, never been de- scribed as occurring beyond the Artie Circle; and indeed, according to some authors, it is seldom if ever heard of at Archangel, To- bolsk, or in the country north of St. Peters- burgh. Lisbon swarms with dogs, which prowl about by night and day without any owner, and yet it is said that no cases of hy- drophobia are ever heard of there, notwith- standing the fact that the thermometer is sometimes at 110 degrees Fahrenheit. To appease the thirst of these animals, a certain number of tradesmen place vessels of water at their shop doors. The disease has never been observed at Constantinople, which city swarms with dogs; and it is stated to be rare also in the northern parts of Turkey, and more so in the southern provinces. In the warmest regions of America it rarely occurs, but is common in the northern part of that continent. Hillary saw some cases of the disease at Barbadoes. It ip, however, extremely rare in the West Indies; in many of the islands it seems never to have been noticed. John Hunter says that in the hot island of Jamaica, where dogs are exceed- ingly numerous, not one was kiiov\n to go mud during forty years. The disease did not occur there formerly, but now it does. It occurs in India, but not often. Count Ja- copo Graberg di Hemso, in his work on Mo- rocco, states that dogs never have rabies in Northern Africa, nor in any Muhommedan country. At Aleppo and other parts of Syria, where great numbers of dogs perish for want of food and water, and the heat of the cli- mate, this disorder is unknown. Though they abound in Egypt, and often suffer from hunger and thirst in that region, which is subject to a burning climate, yet, as Clot Bey assures us, no one instance of hydropho- bia, either among men or animals, has been known there. The Egyptian dogs, which are somewhat fox-like, are during the day- time almost constantly in the shade, near basins which are daily filled with fresh wa- ter by the inhabitants. These dogs only run about in the night time, when they seek for carrion and offal. In disposition they are meek and peaceable, seldom fighting even among themselves. A precaution commonly adopted in Paris consists in fastening over the noses of the dogs slight baskets, like muzzles, which are easily fixed on ; and while they do not in- commode the animal, nor prevent it from eating and drinking, they preclude it from biting. Dogs running about without this safeguard are very properly destroyed by the police. In a small town on the western frontier of France, during the hot days of 1624, placards were posted up to announce that poisoned sausages would be thrown to all dogs found straying. A gentleman who kept a pack of hounds, finding, notwith- standing great precaution, that his dogs fre- quently contracted rabies, at length suc- ceeded in completely excluding it from his kennel, by making every new dog he ad- mitted previously perform quarantine. What is termed the tcorm underneath the dog's tongue, is a muscle which assists the movement of that important organ. From a belief that the absence of the worm pre- vents the dog going mad, it is not unusual to remove it. Pliny recommends the worm- 364 Rabies, or Canine Madness. XII. ing of dogs, and from his time to the present it has liad its advocates. The truth is, how- ever, that the removal of the worm does not protect the do at least, if a taproot is formed, it is of a much weaker description than it would otherwise be, and the number of lateral fibres is in- creased; all of which is favourable for trans- planting. When the tree is intended to at- tain the largest size, in the shortest time, the nut ought to be sown where the tree is finally to remain; because the use of the taproot is mainly to descend deep into the soil, to secure a supply of water, which, in dry soils and seasons, can never be obtained in sufficient quantities by the lateral roots, which extend themselves near the surface in search of nourishment and air." This is admitted, by Selby, to be the case for a cer tain number of years, but he doubts whether a transplanted tree will not ultimately attain as large a size as one reared in the manner recommended above. He cites an instance of a tree at Twizell, eighteen years planted, which measured, at two feet from the ground, tour feet two inches in circumference, with a height of 38 feet. Insecls. — The foliage of the iEsculus hip- pocastanum is rarely eaten by the larvae of insects, except by those of several species of the Geometrifc, some of which indiscrim- inately attack every tree within their reach, and persist in their devastations, unless the qualities of the leaves are disagreeable to them in the extreme. Among the trees, in which the leaves are unpleasant to them, are the Ailantus glandulosa, Catalpa syringi- folia, and Broussonetia papyrifera (Paper mulberry.) Properties and Uses. — The wood of the horse-chesnut is white and very soft, and ac- cording to Loudon, when dry, weighs from 35 to 37 pounds to a cubic foot. It is unfit for use where much strength and durability in the open air are required ; nevertheless, there are many purposes for which it is ap- plicable, when sawn into boards; such as for flooring, lining to carts, packing-cases, &c. In France, sabots, or wooden shoes are made from it; and it is said to be used by carvers, turners, &c. Boutcher says, that it is suit- able for water-pipes that are to be kept con- stantly under ground; and it is also recom- mended for this purpose by Du Hamel. The charcoal made of this species may be used in the manufacture of gunpowder; and the ashes of every part of the plant, more espe- cially of the fruit, afford potash in consider- able quantity. The bark, which is very bit- ter, is employed for tanning, and also for dyeing yellow; and it has been used medi- cinally as a substitute for Jesuit's bark. In Turkey the nuts are ground, and mixed with horse food, especially when the animals are broken winded; and in their crude state, they are eaten by goats, sheep, deer, and hogs. They are used in Ireland to whiten linen, and for this purpose are rasped into water, in which tliey are allowed to mace- rate for some time. The saponaceous juice, which they contain, is very useful, not onlj' in bleaching, but in washing linens and other stuffs. The nuts must be peeled and ground, and the flour of twenty of them is sufficient for ten quarts of water; and either linens or woollens may be washed with the infusion, 378 Flour, Butter^ and Cheese Trade. Vol. XII. without any soap, as it effectually eradicates spots of all kinds. The clothes, however, should afterwards be rinsed in clean water. The nuts, when ground into flour, and mixed in the proportion of one-third witli the flour of wheat, are said to add to the strength of bookbinder's paste; and when steeped in hot water, and mixed with an equal proportion of bran, it makes a nutritious food for pigs and poultry. M. Vergaud has proposed to change the starch contained in the flour into sugar, and afterwards employ it in distilla- tion. In Europe and America, the horse-chesnut can only be considered as an ornamental tree. It produces a splendid effect when in flower, either singly, in avenues, or on the margins of plantations. Gilpin objects to this tree, as being " lumpish in its form;" but in saying this, he evidently judged of the tree merely with reference to pictur- esque beauty, to which it has but few pre- tensions till it becomes very old ; whereas, in point of floral beauty, it is unequalled by few other trees. "To the painter the mag- nificence of its stature" and the richness of its drapery, especially when clothed in the beauty of its broad palmated leaves, and em broidered with its profusion of silver flowers, "scarcely atone for the exceeding regularity of its form, terminating, as it invariably does, when left, to the hand of nature, in an exact parabola." And in addition to these beau- ties, its massive and luxuriant summit con trasts well with those of trees of a more airy character, and thus produes that breadth of light and shade so essential to landscape scenery. — Browne's Trees of America. Flour, Cheese, and Butter Trade. The Rochester Democrat of Tuesday, furnishes a review of the flour trade at that place, which we copy in an abridged form The following table shows the amount of flour shipped from Rochester for three years past, during the season of canal navigation Total, 1845. 518,318 184G. 540,232 1847. 588,080 To ascertain tlie whole quantity manufac tured in the place, it is necessary to add to the above amount the 20,000 barrels forward ed east by rail-road during the suspension of navigation — 30,000 for home consumption, and a few thousand barrels exported by lake This w 11 show an aggregate of about 050,000 barrels turned out by the Rochester mills thi year, yielding, with the bran, shipstuffs, &c., to the State, a revenue of $200,000. The supply of wheat is derived from the Erie canal, Genesei; Valley canal, Tonawan da rail-road, Lake Ontario, and wagons from the country adjacent. The following will show the receipts by canal. The column for 1817 is brought down to December 1st, since when a few thousand bushels were received: Total, 1845. 1846. 1847. 1,042,426 1,034,006 1,879,110 The receipts by the Erie canal have in- creased this year, 25 per cent., while there is a considerable falling off in those by the Genesee canal. The receipts of wheat by rail-road are es- timated at 1.50,000, and those by the lake at 60,000 bushels. The mills, to manufacture 6.50,000 barrels of flour, require 2,825,000 bushels of wheat. Amount necessary to supply the mills, 2,825,000 Receipts by canal 1,879,110 By railroad, 150,000 By lake, 60,000 Amount supplied by team. The Cheese Trade. 2,089,110 835,890 The Western Reserve Chronicle says: By a reference to the books at the cana office, we are enabled to state the amount cleared for market during the last six years, viz: 1842, pounds, 1,230,168 1843, 2,415,177 1844, 3,944,404 1845, 2,995,376 1846, 4,763,723 1847, 6,599,170 The Albany Jouftial gives the following statement of the amount of cheese received at Albany and Troy during the past twelve years : 1836, pounds, 14,060,000 1837, 15,.500,000 1838, 13,810,000 1839, 14,530,000 1840, 18,820,000 1841, 14,170,000 1842, 19,004,000 1843, 24,331,000 1844, 26,677,500 1845, 27,542,861 1846, 35,-560,180 1847, 40,014,000 Cheese and Butter. The following are a part of the exporta- tions of cheese from the State of Ohio: Trumbull, pounds. Portage, Geauga, Madison, Ashtabula, Five counties. 4,000,000 2,000,000 2.50,000 200,000 5,000,000 11,450,000 No. 12. The Plum. 879 It appears, then, that the State must ex port at least twelve millions of pounds of cheese, probably much more. Of butter, the counties engaged in ex porting are much more numerous. The fol lowing are part: Carroll, pounds, 75,000 Crawford, • 200,000 Geauga, 50.000 Harrison, 250,000 Hancock, 85,000 Huron, 100.000 Muskingum, 200,000 M organ; 20.000 Trumbull, 160,000 Nine counties. 1,020,000 The exports of the State is probably about four millions of pounds. The dairy products of Ohio are, therefore, very large. — Patent Reports. The Flam. The original parent of most of the culti- vated plums of our gardens is a native of Asia and the southern parts of Europe, but it has become naturalized in this country, and in many parts of it is produced in the greatest abundance. That the soil and cli- mate of the middle States are admirably suited to this fruit, is sufficiently proved by the almost spontaneous production of such varieties as the Washington, Jefferson, Law- rence's Favourite, etc.; sorts which equal or surpass in beauty or flavor the most cele- brated plums of France or England. Uses. — The finer kinds of plums are beau- tiful dessert fruits, of rich and luscious fla- vor. They are not, perhaps, so entirely wholesome as the peach or the pear, as, from their somewhat cloying and flatulent nature, unless when very perfectly ripe, they are more likely to disagree with weak stomachs. For the kitchen the plum is also very highly esteemed, being prized for tarts, pies, sweetmeats, etc. In the south of France an excellent spirit is made from this fruit fermented with honey. In the western part of this State, where they are very abundant, they are halved, stoned, and dried in the sun or ovens, in large quantities, and are then excellent for winter use. For eating, the plum should be allowed to hang on the tree till perfectly ripe, and the fruit will always be finer in proportion as the tree has a more sunny exposure. The size and quality of the fruit is always greatly improved by thin- ning the fruit when it is half grown. In- deed to prevent rotting and to have this fruit in its highest perfection, no two plums should be allowed to touch each other while grow- ing, and those who are willing to take this pains, are amply repaid by the superior qual- ity of the fruit. One of the most important forms of the plum in commerce is that o^ prunes, as they are exported from France to every part of the world. We quote the following inte- resting account of the best mode of prepar- ing prunes from ihe Arboretum Brilanicum. The best prunes are made near Tours, of the Sf. Catherine plum and the prune d'Agen; and the best French plums (so called in Eng- land,) are made in Provence, of th(i Perdri- gon blanc, the Brignole, and the prune d'Ast; the Provence plums being most fleshy, and having always most bloom. Both kinds are, however, made of these and other kinds of plums, in various parts of France. The plums are gathered when just ripe enough to fall from the trees on their being slightly shaken. They are then laid, separately, on frames, or sieves, made of wicker-work or laths, and exposed for several days to the sun, till they become as soft as ripe medlars. When this is the case, they are put into a spent oven, shut quite close, and left there for twenty-four hours; they are then taken out, and the oven being slightly reheated, they are put in again when it is rather warmer than it was before. The next day they are again taken out, and turned by slightly shaking the sieves. The oven is heated again, and they are put in a third time, when the oven is one-fourth degree hotter than it was the second time. After remaining twenty-four hours, they are taken out, and left to get quite cold. They are then rounded, an operation which is per- formed by turning the stone in the plum without breaking the skin, and pressing the two ends together between the thumb and finger. They are then again put upon the sieves, which are placed in an oven, from which the bread has been just drawn. The door of the oven is closed, and the crevices are stopped round it with clay or dry grass. An hour afterwards the plums are taken out, and the oven is again shut with a cup of water in it, tor about two hours. When the water is so warm as just to be able to bear the finger in it, the prunes are again placed in the oven, and left there for twenty-four hours, when the operation is finished, and they are put loosely into small, long, and rather deep boxes, for sale. The common sorts are gathered by shaking the trees; but the finer kinds, for making French plums, must be gathered in the morning, before the rising of the sun, by taking hold of the stalk between the thumb and finger, without touch- ing the fruit, and laid gently on a bed of vine 380 The Goose. Vol. XII leaves in a basket. When the baskets are filled, without tlie plums touching each other, they are removed to the fruit room, where they are left for two or three days exposed to the sun and air; after which, the same process is employed as for the others; and in this way the delicate bloom is retained on the fruit, even when quite dry. The plum is usually propag-ated in this country by sowintj the seeds of any common free ijrowinff variety, — avoiding the damsons which are not readily worked, — and budding them when two years old, with the finer sorts. The stones should be planted as soon as igathered, in broad drills, — as in planting peas, — but about an inch and a half deep. In good soil the seedlinfjs will reach eighteen inches or two feet in height the next season, and in the autumn or the ensuing spring, they may be taken from the seed beds, their tap roots reduced, and all that are of suitable size, planted at once in the nursery rows, the smaller ones being thickly bedded until after another season's growth. The stocks planted out in the nursery will, ordinarily, be ready for working about the ensuing midsummer, and, as the plum is quite difficult to bud in this dry climate, if the exact season is not chosen, the budder must watch the condition of the trees, and insert his buds as early as they are suffici- ently firm, — say, in this neighbourhood, about the 10th of July. Insert the buds, if possi- ble, on the north side of the stock, that being more protected from the sun, and tie the bandage rather more tightly than for other trees. The English propairate very largely by layers, tiiree varieties of the common plum — the Muscle, the Brussels and the Pear plum, which are almost exclusively employed for stocks with them. But we have not found these stocks superior to the seedlings raised from our common plums, — the Blue Gage, Horse-plum, &c., — so abundant in all our gardens. For dwarfing, the seedlings of the Mirabelle are chiefly employed. Open standard culture is the universal mode in America, as the plum is one of the hardiest of fruit trees. It requires little or no pruning, beyond that of thinning out a crowded head, or taking away decayed or broken branches, and this should be done before midsummer, to prevent the flow of gum. Old trees that have become barren, may be renovated by heading them in pretty severely, covering the wounds with our so- lution of gum shellac, and giving them a good top dressing at tlie roots. The plum will grow vigorously in almost every part of this country, but it only bears its finest and most abundant crops in heavy loams, or in soils in which there is a consi- derable mixture of clay. In sandy .soils, the tree blossoms and sets plentiful crops, but they are rarely perfected, falling a prey to the curculio, an insect that harbours in the soil, and seems to find it difficult to pene- trate or live in one of a heavy texture, while a warm, light, sandy soil, is exceedingly fa- vourable to its propagation. It is also, un- doubtedly true, that a heavy soil is naturally the most favourable one. The surprising facility with which superior new varietie.s are raised merely by ordinary reproduction from seed, in certain parts of the valley of the Hudson, as at Hudson, or near Albany, where the soil is quite clayey, and also the delicious flavor and great productiveness and health of the plum tree there almost without any care, while in adjacent districts of rich sandy land it is a very uncertain bearer, are very convincing proofs of the great import- ance of clayey soil for this fruit. Where the whole soil of a place is light and sandy, we would recommend the em- ployment of pure yellow loam or yellow clay, in the place of manure, when preparing the border or spaces for planting the plum. Very heavy clay, burned slowly by mixing it in large heaps with brush or faggots, is at once an admirable manure and alterative for such soils. Swamp muck is also one of the best substances, and especially that from salt wa- ter marshes. Common salt we have found one of the best fertilizers for the plum tree. It not only greatly promotes its health and luxuri- ance, but from the dislike which most insects have to this substance, it drives away or de- stroys most of those to which the plum is liable. The most successful plum grower in our neighbourhood applies, with the best results, half a peck of coarse salt to the sur- face of the ground under each bearing tree, annually, about the first of K^xW.—Down- insT's Fruit Trees. The Goose. In Willoughby's Ornithology we find the following striking anecdote: "The following account of a Canada goose is so extraordina- ry, that I am aware it would with difficulty gain credit, were not a whole parish able to vouch for the truth of it. The Canada geese are not fond of a poultry-yard, but are rather of a rambling disposition. Oneof these birds, however, was observed to attach itself in the strongest and most affectionate manner to the house-dog, and would never quit the kennel except for the purpose of feeding, when it would return again immediately. It always sat by the dog, but never presumed to go No. 12. American Ploughs in England. — Soil for Sheep. 381 into tlie kennel, except in rainy weather. Whenever the dog barked, the goose would cackle and run at the person she supposed the dog barked at, and try to bite him by the heels. JSonietinies t^hc would attempt to teed with the dog; but this the dog, who treated his faithful companion rather with indiffer- ence, would not permit. This bird would not go to roost with the others at night, un- less driven by main force; and when in the morning she was turned into the field, she would never stir from the yard gate, but sit there the whole day in sight of the dog. At last orders were given that she should be no longer molested, but suffered to accompany it as she liked. Being thus left to herseltj she ran about the yard with him all the night; and what is particularly extraordi- nary, and can be attested by the whole pa- rish, whenever the dog went out of the yard and ran into the village, the goose always accompanied him, contriving to keep up with him by the assistance of her wings; and in this way of running and flying, followed him all over the parish. This extraordinary af- fection of the goose towards the dog, which continued to his death, two years after it was first observed, is supposed to have origi- nated from his having accidentally saved her from a fox in the very moment of distress. While the dog was ill, the goose never quit him day or night, not even to feed; and it was apprehended she would have been starved to death had not orders been given for a pan of corn to be set every day close to the kennel. At this time the goo.'^e gen- erally sat in the kennel, and would not suf- fer any one to approach, except the person who brought the dog's or her own food. The end of tins faithful bird was melancholy; for when the dog died, she would still keep po: session of the kennel; and a new house dog being introduced, which in size and colour resembled the one lately lost, the poor goose was unhappily deceived, and going into the kennel as usual, the new inhabitant seized her by the throat and killed her." American Ploughs in England. In a late Number of the Mark Lane Ex press, we find the following: "After maturely trying Mr. Slocum's plough against the best of ours, their per- formances were as follows: First, his ploughs tried against Adams' Northampton plough and Howard's Champion plough, on a clay soil, not very strong clay. Howard's plough at five inches deep by eleven wide, draught 31 stone: Adams' plough at the same width and depth, 30 stone; whilst the American at five inches by fourteen inches wide, drew only 26 stone. In justice to the American [)loughs, I mu.-t say that they cut and turned their furrow quite as well as the others, at the same time breaking the land to pieces, making a capital prepar;ition for either drill- ing or dibblmg; indeed they are the most simple, light, strong, and efScient ploughs that it is possible to conceive. Yesterday, a gentleman farmer and myself put one of them on trial with one of Comtam and Ilal- let'sdynamoiuetersagainst tlie lightest draw- ing plough of my own upon a field, one of which is a very strong clay, and the other a clayey lea mold, which very few ploughs will clear themselves in ; the middle a mix- ture of the two, with a little gravel in it. We first tried them at five inches deep, my own at 11 inches wide, which was as much as it would cut up and turn properly, in the strong clay, and it drew 44 stone; in the mixture, 48 stone; and in the lea mold 46 stone. We then tried it at 8 inches in depth by 11 in width, when we found on the strong clay 46 .stone; on the mixture 44 stone, and in the lea mold 48 stone. We then tried the American plough at 5 inches deep and 14 wide, and found the draught — in the strong clay, 38 stone; mixture 40 stone; in the lea mold, 32 stone; the same width, and 8 inches deep in the clay, 42 stone; in the mixture 43 stone; and in the lea mold 36 stone." Soil for Sheep. The soil most suitable for the sheep is a dry one. It is emphatically an upland ani- mal, and loves the short and varied herbage of hill and mountain slopes, provided the soil is not poachy from an excess of moisture. To no other domestic quadruped is water more repugnant, unless when necessary to lave its thirst, as will be seen in its aversion to crossing streams, and always selecting the driest points for feeding and rest. Whether it is thus, because it is endowed with the in- stinctive knowledge, that the presence of too much moisture in a soil engenders diseases too fatal to it, cannot conclusively be deter- mined. But there is strong presumptive evidence that it is so, from the fact that this intelligent principle abounds in all the brute creation to that degree, when free from the restraints of man, which induces the forma- tion of such habits only as conduce for the most part to their welfare and safety. The chalky districts of England, on which so large a portion of the Down sheep are fed, cause:! a liarsh and inelastic feeling of their wool. Blacklock says — "Soil, also, has much influence oil the pliability of the wool. Chalky lands, which are so notorious for injuring the 382 Editorial Alotices. Vol. XII. fleece, are supposed to act in the manner ofi may never have seen their faces, he can entertain no U corrosive, but tllC correct explanation is, [ofier H'an sentiments of esteem and kindness. In not that the chalky particles attack the fibre in a direct way, but that they render it brit- tle, by absorbing the oily moisture with which it is naturally imbued. Moreover, the plants growing in such situations cannot but be in-j jurious to sheep, owing to their impregna- tion, though a slight one, with calcareous matter; for grooms know well how soon a horse's coat becomes disordered by the fre-j qiient use of hard or well water, and prefer, therefore, the river for their steeds." — Mor- relVs Shepherd. taking leave of them, while he desires that their barns may be filled with plenty, and all their flocks yield their increase, he would also express the hope, that by and by, when the harvest is past and the summer is ended, and the great Husbandman shall have garnered his wheat, we shall all be gathered. YouATT says: " When little cold has been jnow than formerly. experienced in the winter, and vegetation|| has been scarcely checked, the sheep yields an abundant crop of wool, but the fleece is perceptibly coarser, as well as heavier. When the frost has been severe, and the ground long covered with snow — if the flock has been fairly supplied with nutriment, although the fleece may have lost a little in weight, it will have acquired a superior degree ot fineness, and a proportional increase of value. (Should, however, the sheep have been ne- glected and starved during this prolongation of c >ld weather, the fleece as well as car- case is thinner, and although it may have preserved its smallness of filament, it has lost in weight, and strength, and usefulness," Recently in England, at a public sale of Short horns, belonging to the estate of Earl Spencer, we learn that eighty-eight were sold fur the very handsome sum of £5,743 10*-., upwards of $i8,000. Sixteen bulls aver- aged $450 each. One, "Upstart,' sold for £2 10, and another, " Usurer," for X420, about ft2,100. This does not look as if Durhams were less valuable in England THE FARMERS' CABINET, AND il.Mi:RIC.A.IT HERD-BOOK. Philadelphia, Seventh Month, 1848. Odr Exchavge papers will please observe that we have no longer the Cabinet to send them:— they will therefore be discontinued. Our subscribers may remit for the American Agri- culturist, either to this oflice, or to the publisher in New Vork. The continuance of all is solicited. The 9th and 10th No's of Caiman's Tour have not yet been received. When they shall be, they will be immediately forwarded to our subscribers. With this Number, as our readers have been noti fled, the publication of the Farmers' Cabinet will cease. For twelve years its difl'erent editors have laboured tn give to the farmers of the United States such informa- tion on the subject of their calling, as their extended means of acquiring it, placed in their power. During the several years that it has been under the control of the present proprietor and editor, he has yielded much of his time to its preparation, month by month, and he is now able to look over the volumes with no small degree of satisfaction. The pretensions of the Cabi- net have never been very loudly proclaimed ; we have been content to allow it to tell its own story, and qui- etly show that it meant to be a substantially useful and a matter of fact paper — practical in its lessons — not visionary in its theories. The intercourse of the editor with his subscribers, has been pleasing and agreeable. The wide corres pondence which it has led to, has been productive of an interchange of a multitude of kindly feelings, as well ai kindly ofiices, and towards many, though he ^S3r Sdbscribers to the Cabinet, will please observe the Notice on the first page. There are a good many who still owe for this paper. Its publication in this city will cease with the present number, and as bills have been recently forwarded to those in debt for it, they are earnestly requested to remit the amounts due by mail. In order to make this reasonable request more impressive upon those for whom it is intended, we must repeat it; and ask all who are in arrears for the CABINET, to please do as they would be done by, and forward forthwith, the amount due. TTie American Agriculturist, to which the subscrip- tion list of the Cabinet has been transferred, is edited by A. B. Allen, well known to our farming community all over the United States, as a man well qualified to conduct such a paper: and we trust our readers will very generally be disposed to continue their subscrip- jjtions; where, however, they determine otherwise, they will please not fail to comply with the recommenda- tion in the J^otice in the first column on the first page of I this number. CO All. The subscriber has made an arrangement for a con- stant supply of superior Lehigh and Schuylkill Coal — carefully prepared for family use, which he will fur- nish at the usual cash prices, on application at the oflice of the Farmers' Cabinet, where samples of the difl'erent kinds and sizes may be seen. JOSIAH TATUM. Philadelphia, Sixth month I5th, 18^8. No. 12. Editorial JVotices. 383 PRINCE'S PREMIUM STRAWBERRIES. Wm. R. Prince & Co., proprietors of the Linnaeau Botat)ic Garileri and Nurseries, will after the 1st of August, offer tlieir splendid varieties of the Straw- berry, which have just received all the premiums of the Long Island Horticultural Society, and will then be described in the Horticultural periodicals; compris- ing the Charlotte, Primordial), Primate, Cornucopia, Crimson Cone, Crimson Pine, Brilliant, Le Baron, Montevideo Pine, Cashing, Eustatia, Unique, Reful- gent, Prolific Hudson, Scarlet Cone, Lizzie Randolph,- Abyssinian Prince, &c. Also Burr's 9 Ohio varieties, Hovey's Seedling, Boston Pine, Black Prince, Ebber lein, Buisl's Prize, Aberdeen Beehive, Bishop's Seed- ling, Hudson, Jenney's Seedling, Iowa, Ladies Finger, Large Early Scarlet, Victoria, Prince Albert, Alice Maude, Taylor's Seedling, Necked Pine, Pistillate Keen, Willey, Green, Prolific Hautbois, and Red and White Bush and Running Alpines. Descriptive cata- logues with prices will be sent to every post paid applicant. Flushing, L. I July 1st, 1848. Agency for the Purchase &. Sale of IMPROVED BREEDS OF CATTLE & SHEEP. The subscriber takes this method of informing his friends and the public, that he will attend to the pur- chase and sale of the improved breeds of cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, &c., for a reasonable commission. All letters post paid, addressed to him at Philadelphia, will be attended to without delay. AARON CLEMENT. April 15tk, 1847. SBED STORE, No. 23 Market Street, Philadelphia. The subscriber keeps constantly a supply of White and Red Clover, and other grass seeds; fresh Perennial Rye-grass, and Lucerne seed. Field seeds, consisting of choice Spring Wheat, Barley, Potatoe Oats, North- ern and other seed-corn. Also, in season, Fruit and Shade Trees. Garden and Bird seeds generally. Gua- no irf parcels to suit purchasers Philad., Feb., 1847. M. S. POWELL. tf. COATES' SEUD STORF, iVo. 49 Market Street, FRESH TIMOTHY SEEO, Of various qualities, from good common seed to the purest and finest that can be produced, TOGETHER WITH A COMPLETE ASSORTMENT OF GRJk.SS & G.A.HBEN seisds, Of the finest Quality and best Varieties,— Bird Seeds, &c. JOS. P. H. COATES, Successor to Oeorge M Coat.es. May 15th, 1847. Horticultural and /Igrirulliiral Warc-hoiisr, 84 Chesnut Street below Third. South side. The subscriber has for the better accommodation of his custon)ers, opened the above warehouse, w'ith a large stock of Garden and Field Seeds, crop of 1846. Imple- ments and Books on Gardening and Farming; he calls the particular attention of farmers to bis pure stock of Svveede Turnips, Field Carrots, Beets and Parsnips, Pruning Shears, Saws and Knives. March 14th, 1847.— ly. R. BUIST. GUANO. Peruvian & African Guano, in bags & bbls. ALSO, PREPARED GUANO. This article has been in use during the last year, and from the effect that it has produced, can be safely re- commended to farmers as a cheap and valuable fertil- izer; the object in preparing this article is to give the farmer a manure at a very low price, that will enable all to use it. It is prepared upon strictly scientific principles, and is recommended to general use by the Farmers' Club, and the New Yorh State Agricul- tural Society. For Sale by ALLEN & NEEDLES, 23 South Wharves, near Chesnut Street, Phila. Feb. I5th, 1848.— 6m. PREMIUM IMPLEMENTS. PROUTVS Improved Machine for Shelling and Screening Corn, and Separating it from the Cob. For this Machine the Philad'a Agricultural Society awarded their first Premium for Corn Sheller, 1847. Grant's Patent Premium Fan Mill, For Chaffing and Screening Wheat, at one operation. Three Silver Medals, and nine First Premiums, have been awarded for the above Mill. Prouly and Mears' Patent Centre- Draught, Self- Sharpening Ploughs. First Premium awarded for these Ploughs, by the Philadelphia Agricultural So- ciety, 1844, 1845, 1846 and 1847. Corn and Cob Breakers and Grinders, Corn Stalk Cutters & Grinders— Sugar Mills— Spain's Improved Barrel Churn, the dashers of which may be taken out to clean. Also, a full assortment of Ag- ricultural Implements, Manufactured and for Sale by D. O. PROUTY, No. 194^ Market Street, below Sixth, Phildelpkia. Nov. 15, 1847.- tf. The quantity of rain which fell in the 6th month, 1848, was 4.43 in. Penn. Hospital, "ith mo. lat. 384 Editorial JVotices. Vol. XII. We keep on hand at this office, and will supply our friends with Agricultural works generally. Among which are THE FARMER'S ENCYCLOPEDIA, full- bound in leather;— Price $3 50 YOUATT ON THE HORSE, with J. S. Skin- ner's very valuable Additions; 2 00 BRIDGEMAN'S GARDENER'S ASSISTANT; 2 00 THE AMERICAN POULTRY BOOK; 37^ THE FARMER'S LAND MEASURER; 37i DANA'S MUCK MANUAL; 50 Complete sets of the FARMERS' CABINET, half-bound, II vols. 9 50 DOWNING'S Landscape Gardening, 3 50 Downing's Fruits and Fruit Trees of America, 1 50 SKINNER'S Every Man his own Farrier, 50 AMERICAN Poulterer's Companion, 1 25 BOUSSINGAULTS RURAL ECONOMY, 1 50 FARMERS' & EMIGRANTS' HAND-BOOK, 1 00 MORRELL'S AMERICAN SHEPHERD, 1 00 STABLE ECONOMY, 1 00 BEVAN on the HONEY BEE, 31^ BUISTS' ROSE MANUAL, 75 THOMAS' FRUIT CULTURIST. 50 SKINNER'S CATTLE & SHEEP DOCTOR, 50 AMERICAN FARRIER, 50 THE FARMER'S MINE, 75 HOARE ON THE VINE, 62i HANNAM'S Economy of Waste Manures, 25 LIEBIG'S AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY, 25 ANIMAL CHEMISTRY, 25 FAMILIAR LETTERS, 12^ JOHNSON'S DICTIONARY OF MODERN GARDENING, 2 25 Subscriptions received for Colman's Agricultural Tour — or single numbers sold, jlj!" We are prepared to bind books to order. AFRICAN GUANO. First quality African Guano, from the island of Ichaboe, warranted genuine. Also a few tons Peruvian For sale by J. B. A. & S. ALLEN, No. 7 South Wharves, 2nd Oil Store below Market street. Philadelphia, March 17th, 1847. Poudrette. A valuable manure— of the best quality, prepared in Philadelphia, for sale at the office of the Farm- ers' Cabinet, No. 50, North Fourth Street, or at the manufactory, near the Penitentiary on Coates' street. Present price, $1 50 per barrel, containing four bushels each, or 30 cents a bushel. Orders from a distance, enclosing the cash, with cost of porter- age, will be promptly attended to, by carefully deli- vering the barrels on board of such conveyance as may be designated. The results on corn and wheat last year have been generally very satisfactory. Farm- ers to the south and in the interior, both of this State and of New Jersey, are invited to try it. We are now ready to supply the article to any extent, and will still be found at the same place — 50 North Fourth St, JOSIAH TATUM. Fhilada. 7th mo. IStlt, 1848. CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. PAOE Notice to Subscribers, 361 The Potatoe Problem, 362 Rabies or Canine Madness 363 The Esculent Funguses of England, 365 Raising Wheat.— Cow Peas— Will they kill Stock, 367 Premiums of the Pennsylvania Horticultural So- ciety 368 Fine Farms in Dutchess County, N. Y 370 Transplanting Evergreens, 371 The Theory of Hay making 373 The Effect of Gardening on Rural population, .. . 374 The Horse Chesnut, 376 Flour, Cheese, and Butter Trade, 378 The Plum 379 The Goose 380 American Ploughs in England.— Soil for Sheep, . . 381 Editorial Notices 382 THE FARMERS' CABINET, IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY JOSIAH TATUM, No. 50 NORTH FOURTH STREET, PHILADELPHIA. It is issued on the fifteenth of every month, in num- bers of .32 octavo pages each. The subjects will be illustrated by engravings, when they can be appropri- ately introduced. Terms. — One dollar per annum, or five dollars for seven copies — payable in advance. All subscriptions must commence at the beginning of a volume. Having lately struck off a new edition of one or two of the former numbers, which had become gXhausted, we are now able to supply, to a limited ex- ent.anyof the back volumes. They may be had at one dollar each, in numbers, or one dollar twenty-five cents half-bound and lettered. For eight dollars paid iu advance, acompleteset of tUe work uill be furnished in numbers, including the 12th volume. The whole can thus readily be forwarded by mail. For twenty-five cents additional, per volume, the work may be obtained neatly half-bound and let- tered. Copies returned to the office of publication, will also be bound upon the same terms. By the decision of the Post Master General, the "Cabinet," is subject only to newspaper postage. Joseph Rakestraw, Printer.