UMASS/AMHERST 312066 0308 1429 0 kL., FIVE COLLEGE ^^^^^yj^ DEPOSITORY #^ I TMi; FARMERS' REGISTER: A MONTHLY PUBLICATION, DEVOTED TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE PRACTICE, SUPPORT OF THE INTERESTS OF AGRICULTURE. And he gave it as his opinion, " that whoever could make two ears of corn, or two blades of grass, to grow upon a spot of ground where only one grew before, would deserve better of mankind, and do more essential service to his country, than the whole race of politicians put together." Swift. EDMUND RUFFIN, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. VOL. IX.— 1841 PETERSBURG, VA.: PRINTED BY EDMUND AND JULIAN C. RUFFIN, 1841. V. ^ TABLE OF CONTENTS OF VOL. IX. Acids, action of, in soils 222 Agricultural legislation 419 Agricultural disputed questions 477, 539 Agricultural periodicals, their usefulness not confined j to their particular region 38 Agricultural Society oi Cumberland, addresses to 65 639 Agricultural Societ}', National, proposed 477 Agricultural Society of Pee Dee, premiums offered by 144 Agricultural Society of Henrico, premiums, and pro- posed exhibition of 240 ; show, premiums and fuir of 360 ; address to 430 ; explanation in regard to 442 ; premiums offered by 493 Agricultural Society of Maryland, extracts from Gen. Emory's Address to 634 Agricultural Sociel}'^of South Carolina, address to 91 of Queen Ann's, Md., address to 99 Agricultural Societies, benefits of and objections to 57; suggestion for 493 ; of South Carolina, list of 559; extracts from proceedings of — of Pee Dee 185 ; ol Massachusetts, reports to on premium farms 592, 594; of Fredericksburg, addresses to 29, 678 Agricultural Society, National, the establist;ment ad- vocated 249 Agricultural sfatistics accompanying the reports of the census, their great want oi' truth 437; defend ed 490 ; rejoinder 492 Agricultural conversation meetings 68, 69, 140, 146, 224 Agricultural exhibitions, proper subjects for 653 Agriculture, Board of, the inefficacy of the law to es- tablish 239, 323; appointment of members to 377; proposed meeting 565 ; organization aid proceedings of 688, 720; first report of, to the legislature 68S ; plan of operations 689 ; queries by 690 Agriculture, law of New York to i)roinote 296, 386 Agriculture of lower South Carolina, great defects of 287 Agriculture, southern, northern opinions on 168 Agriculture, propriety of its receiving aid (rom go- vernment 336 Agriculture of the Netherlands 402 Alpaca 501 Animals, domestic, their diseases and food 49 Anti-friclion 269 Apple gathering and keeping 603 Apple jam 604 Apple trees, soil most suitable for 173 ^lisiida gracilu. A. dicholoma, and A. oligantha, poverty grass ()I3 Artesian well at Paris 458 Asparagus 102; on gathering 306 Association for Bank Reform, establishment of 505 ; earliest effects of 530 Atmospherical moisture and temperature, its effects on vegetation 522 B Bacon, preserving 290 Baldwin's patent corn and cob crusher 457 Bank and bankrupt items of news 186 Bank usury 533 Banking, the Farmers' Register course in regard to, attacked and defended 372, 617 Banking, condition of, in New York 242; dividing capital in Pennsylvania 242 Banking reform, movement of the people for promot- ing 505; association tor promoting currency and banking reform 505; constitution 506 ; petition to the legislature for resumption of specie payments 506 Banking system of this country, essay on the abu.^es of 244; the several kinds of banks, of deposite 246; of discount 246 ; of circulation 277 ; mixed opera- tion 278; safest course of illustrated 278; the par- ties who gain, and those who lose 279 ; the most prosperous condition of 281; exceptions to general positions 281 ; beginning of depreciation, and de- cline and prostration of credit 282; proper course for suspended banks 283; mode and rate of "cur- tailing" 284 ; effects of irredeemable paper curren- cy 285 ; loss and gain from, to the community and to the banking interest 324; depreciation of notes of solvent banks 324 ; and of insolvent 326 ; abuses in selection of bank directors, and by their proce- dure 327 ; banks dealing in exchange 329 ; reme- dies for abuses 330 ; measures for thorough reform 332; paper money not necessary for remittances 332 ; savings banks (of deposite and discount only) 333 Bank notes, depreciated, affecting the profits of the Farmers' Register 362 Bank suspension, Gallatin's views of, 704 Banks, non-specie paying, remedy against 664 ; bor- rowing from, by the state, operation and effects of 684 ; the proper substitute for 685 ; suspension of payment by 684, 685; of Virginia not preparing to pay specie 531; proved not to be "specie-paying" as they pretend to be 163 Baths for factories 163 Bee-moth 490 ; hiving 443, 656 Bees, management of 207; (Affleck's pamphlet) 425 Beet-culture, a first experiment of 47 Beet, sugar 175 Beets for cattle 44 Bermuda grass 606 Birds, preservation of, by law, in Pennsylvania 604 ; prognostications of weather by 9 Blackberry jam 602 Blister flies 527, 528,502 Blue-grass of Kentucky 58 ; (green-sward) minute descrijition of 365 Blue wash for walls 553 Bone manure, experiments with 1, 475 ; on grass lands 400 Bones, decomposition of 229 Bones as manure 250, 714 Bottom heat 393 Bramble, to eradicate 315 Bran as manure 560 Breeding of stock 547 ; in-and-in 544 Butter, preservation of 585 Buzzards, protection of 310 IV THE FARMERS REGISTER— INDEX. Cabbage, as food tor hogs 44 Cabbage woniis 80 Calcareous earth discovered in a new locality (in South Carolina) 217 ; essa}- on 202 Calcareous deposites in Carolina 177 Calcareous manures, long continued action of, and especially in preventing rust in wheat 173 Calcareous lock and soils of South Alabama 59 Calcareous soil important to grape vines 307 Calves should not run with their dams 49 Candles, saving in 145 Canker-worms 218, 358, 478 ; locality of 436 Carbon in plants, source of 503 Carolina Planter, union of Farmers' Register with 1 Carrier pigeons 456 Carrot, white 175, 208, 209 Cassia asp era, sandy beach bean 612 Cassia chamacrista, Eastern Shore bean, described 611 Caterpillars, destruction of 363 Cats and animals of the cat kind in North America 693 Cattle pens, temporary 299 Cattle 90 ; principles of breeding 543 ; recipe for dis- eases of 272; short-horn or Durham, as milkers 307; portraits and puffs of 228 Cave, Mammoth, of Kentucky, account of 14 Cement, hydraulic, and common lime from the rock marl of Virginia 270 Charcoal, action of, on vegetation 488 ; for diseased lungs of hogs 554 Cheat, modes of producing, from wheat 482 ; the transmutatioii from wheat, affirmed and denied 11 ; reward offered for the proof 12 ; experiment in con- tradiction 12 Chickens 218 'Chrysanthemums 8 £!ider making 661 Climate of America 308 •Clover and other grasses, in France 476 Coal ashes, analysis of, 707 Coal dust, a substitute for soil 567 ■Colts, on castrating 443 Commercial reports, 63, 127, 184, 251, 314, 378 Commercial system of the Dutch 567 Compost dressing for mowing grounds 390 Corn, essay on cultivation of 193 Corn crushed for stock 36, 290 Corn culture in South Carolina 539 Corn from seed 2000 years old 677 Corn, experiment in planting, as to distances, and number of stalks at a place 551 Corn, Indian, culture of 116, 193 ; in France 583 Corn sheller 128 Corn, new utensil for cutting down 605; stocking 70S Cotton and corn, a dialogue 454 Cotton culture in India 274 Cotton, experiment of different distances of 296 Cotton planters, convention of 37 ; American, in In- dia 536 •Cotton, Egyptian, cultivated in Mississippi 312 (Cotton raanul'acturing. America ahead of England in 17 Cotton, picking out 144 Cotton, report on culture of, to Barnwell Agricultural Society 593 Cotton gin 347 Cotton trade 269 Cotton worms 603 Cotton stalks, on burning 143, 294 Cows, treatment of, before and after calving 455; used for ploughing 401 Crab apple jam 606 Credit, the honest and beneficial system compared with the predatory and injurious 367 Curculio 4, 45, 582 ; and fruit worms 4 Currency ,'bad, cause of 77; as affecting the interests of agriculture 156, 157 Cijnodon dactyhn, wire-grass, de?cribed, 568 D Dahlia 603 Dairy management 321 Dog, natural history of the 230 Draining 154; thorough 158; of the swamp lands in North Carolina 5 Driving nails in hard wood 577 Duck, Eider, in Iceland 555 E Editorial articles and remarks — denying the transmu- tation of wheat to cheat, and offering a reward lor the proof 11; on the soils and marling of King Wil- liam county 21; reaping and thrashing machines 33; on objections to agricultural periodicals, and espe- cially to the Farmers' Register 38; on salt as manure for cotton 55, 56; on the farms and farming of the rich Lexington district, Ky. 56; on the general inef- ficiency of agricultural societies, and the causes 57; on the calcareous soils and rock of South Alabama 59; on the fallacy of a new supposed discovery as to Hessian fly 62; on agricultural conversation meetings 68; green-sand in Georgia 87; on measuring corn in the ear 99; on the confusion in the vulgar names of grasses 113, 115; account of wire-grass 115; on green- sand experiments, &c. at Coggin's Point farm 118; on poudrette 130, 131: on the injurious effects of the existing banking system and depreciated cur- rency on agricultural interests 157; on Dr. Horton's *' Prize Essay" 159; on the false pretences of the banks of Virginia to pay specie 163; on Mr. Ronald- son's importation of seeds and implements 176; on melilot, and the controversy thereon 211; Essay on the abuses of the banking system, commenced 244; on the marl of South Carolina 217; on previous ar- ticles OR green-sand 233, 4, 5, 6; on the plan of fur- nishing a nomenclature of the grasses 238; on the defects of the law establishing the Board of Agri- culture 239; on the proposal of a National Agricul- tural Society 249; on the reports of marling in James City and Surry counties 264 ; the defects of the agriculture of lower South Carolina 287; on proposal to try Hussey's reaping machine 303; transmutation of plants 306; season and crops 314, on patent family freezer 345; on show, &c., of the Henrico Agricul- tural Society 360, 442; on the depreciated paper currency, and its injurious effect on the receipts of the Farmers' Register 362; the treatment of banks and banking in the Farmers' Register defended 372, 617; on the water-borne marl and limestone of Jamee river 3S8, 9; on the marl of South Carolina 415; on Judge Beatty's opinions on soils 429; on error in re- gard to paper money and exchange in J. H. Turner's Address 433; on failunes to give credits for selected articles 438; on the proper time to reap wheat 470; on the alleged modes of producing cheat from wheat 482; on specimens of greensward and blue grass, &c. 518; Irish potatoes raised under straw and leaves 520; the necessary consequences of admitting the plea for continued suspension of specie payments 547; soils of Surry county 563; on collecting specimens of fossil shells 565; on the plan of describing grasses 568; on wire grass (cynodon dactyloH) 569; spelt (lolium temulentum) 569; rye-grass (lolium peren- ne) 571; the Westover Manuscripts 577; on no- tices of grasses 611; on grounds of preference ol different kinds of wheat 644; surface manuring 645 ; correction of misstatement in regard to the Missourium 654; to subscribers 663; on the pro- ceedings of the Board of Agriculture 688; on the degenerating of wheat 706; on "the stone house," 710; abandonment of the ♦Southern Magazine,' 720 Everglades of Florida 241 Farm in Kentucky, profits of 83 THE FARMERS' REGISTER-INDEX. Farming, European 652 Farmers, two good 45 Farmers' Club of Halesvvorth (Eng.) report of 340 Farmei-s' Register, to subscribers to CC3 Farmers' wealth 51 Fencing by inarching 232 Filbert, cultivation of 423 Fishing laws of Pennsylvania, and their effects 322 Florida, productions of 295 Flower beds, arrangement in regard to colors 602 Fossil siiells, specimens 565; ot the secondary and ter- tiary formations of the southern Atlantic states, ac- count of 607 Four field rotation, admissions in favor of 299 Freezer, patent family 345 Fruit, to mark names upon 322 Fruit trees 143, G53, advantage of planting on declivi- ties 230 G Gapes in chickens 363 Garlic, wild 436, 438 Geological report of the Eastern Shore of Md. re- marks on 347 Glanders and farcy communicated from hoises to men 131 Gralting, curious experiment in 591 Grafted fruit, elfects of the stock on 81 Glass, Bermuda, its great value 395; discovered to f be the same with wire-grass 606 Grasses 54, 125 ; different kinds compared, for hay or pasture 316 ; essay towards the elucidation of the popular synonymy of 691; names and descriptions of various kinds 114; on mistakes of the names of 453 ; on indicating and describing 289, 437 ; reme- dy for the confused and contradictory names of 237 ; mode of preserving specimens 237 Grasses, true, {Graminece,) a discourse on the cha- racters, properties, and importance of, &c. 495, 513 Grass lands, laying down 10 Grass seed sown among corn 43 ; on inverted sod 577; should be sown thick and even 52 ; the saving of 482 Grass, sweet-scented vernai, on poor land 310. Grasses and weeds, notices of, 567, 611 ; descriptions and vulgar and scientific names of, 567, 611 Green sand, comments on foregoing cirticles upon, 233 ; of James river, remarkable effect of 645; ex- periments with on Coggins Point farm, and remarks on 118; discovered in Georgia 86 Green-sward and -blue grass of Virginia 518 ; or Ken- tucky blue-grass 113 Green crops 401 Gieen fodder, seven tons from an acre 540 Greensward, remarks on 54 Giovee, ornamental 397 Guano dung as manure 400, 556, 717 Gunny bags for packing cotton 600 H Handsaws, renewing 559 Hay, making 252 ; curing clover 10 Hemp, cultivation of, in Kentucky 135 ; vats for water rotting 521 ; importance of the culture 521 ; direc- tions for water rotting 522 ; water rotting 72 Hessian fly, supposed discovery of its babits 60 ; the views opposed 62 ; and other wheat insects 801 Hogs 97 ! on raising 72, 552 ; exercise beneficial 552 large 16, 113; medium sized versus large 657; Berk shire 70; more disputes among the sellers of 4S4 heavy weights of 174; white and black Berkshire exneriment of fattening 392; Woh\irns and Berk shires, trial of fattening qualities of 590; sale of 372 report on, to the Newberry Aijricultural Society 541, fattening 571; improvement in fattening 7; dise.ises of 201, 561; management of 561; wintering of 36 ; mode of feeding 46; improved breed of 137 Hoof-ail 133 Hop plant, to protect from insects 567 Horn-ail 658 Horses, feeding 290; founder of 377; cruelty to 212; cutting for the haws, and burning for the lampas 212; receipts for some diseases of 273; distemper 273; Georgia fever among 90 Horton's " Prize Essay" on manures, &c., strictures on 159 Hussey's reaping machine, tria] of, at Brandon 434; and at Sandy Point 436 Ice-houses, construction of, 518 Ice-mountain in Hampshire, Va., account of, 151 Importation of live stock proposed 79 Irrigation 409; of rice lands by pumps 219 Inoculating 58 Insects prevented from climbing fruit trees 185 Insects that infest turnips, 420, 695 Iron, us€8 of, 424 K Kidney-worm, garlic a remedy for, 536 Law, Mr. George, his live stock, 601 Leather, dissolved, 15'* Leaves of plants, functions of, 353 Legacy for young farmers 272 Liebig's Organic Chemistry, review of, 459; a new edition designed 554 Lexington district, Ky., the rich farms and the farm- ing of, 56 Lichens, operation of, 566 Lie, salt or spent, 530 Lime, importance of, in soils, 637; on the use of as manure, 412; quick, as an indirect manure, 202 Lime and marl on Eastern Shore of Maryland 528 Liming on the Pennsylvania " barrens," 28; in Fair- fax 124; in Nottoway, without benefit, 385 Limestone, and cement from it, of James River, 389 Live-stock, discussions on-, at agricultural meetings, 140, 146, 149 Locust tree, cultivation of, 95 Lolium perenne, rye grass, d escribed 570 Loiium temulentuni, darnel or spelt, described 568 Lucerne 615 M Machine, thrashing and reaping, inquiry respecting, 33; for making drain tiles 160 Magnesia, native, influence on vegetation, 158 Malaria 633 Manure, applied to the surface 628,677; liquid, on turnips, 346 ; liquid, saving of, 83 ; for cotton 63; fermented 308; bone dust and crushed bones, 714; guano dung, 400, 556, 717 Manures, 224; the saving of, 83; manner and effect of, 396; operation of, 502; bone, experiments with, 1; artificial, 43; application, 48; comparison of value of, 709 Manuring at Westover 35; on the surface 677 Mares casting foal 708 Marl, found in Soineisot, Md., 127: of Alabama 423; j water-borne, of James River, use and expense 388; i in the Pee-Dee country 469; in Vermont 453; que- '. ries on, and an-wers to, in regard to lands on the I Pamunky 20, in King William 24, in James City ! county 264, and in Surry 265, 6, 7 j Marling in E^sex 80 ' Marsh weeds a? a substitute for green crops 454 VI THE FARMERS' REGISTER-INDEX. Measuring corn in bulk 98, 153 Melilot recommended 58, 629; objections to 210 Milk, quality of, 269 Milk-sicknes3 306 Mines and mining of England 45 Missourium, or leviathan skeleton, account of, 654 Moisture of the soil and watering 479 Money of the government, on the manner and cost of transferring, and the small need of a national bank for that purpose, 439 Mud as manure 615 Muscardine 367, 448 N Naras, an African fruit, 311 JVew Jersey, the barren sands of, 297 New York, western, sketches of, 40 Nitrate of soda as manure 218, 220, 224, 261, 262, 348; experiments with 483 Nitric acid, natural formation of, and supply to plants, 712 Normandy, agricultural sketches of, 411 Nut grass, to extirpate, 534 - Nutrition, vegetable and animal, 348 O Oats transformed into rye 806 Oil dregs as manure 248 Oil-soap, and syringe for, 566 Olive, value of, 28 ' Organic Clieraistry,' by Liebig, reviewed, 459 Owl, used to decoy crows, 305 Oxen, fitness of Durham cattle for, 377 Oyster trade 596 Pea, Indian 539 Peach trees, affected by the yellows 357 Pear trees 390, 528; cultivation of 83 ; mode of guard- ing from the worm 153 , experiment upon 500 ; me- thod of planting and managing 174; preserved from blister flies and grubs by lime. 523 Peas, field, as a crop 251 ; to prevent injury to stock feeding on them. 231 ; among corn, profit of 4 Peat 560 ; conpressed for fuel 211 Peat compost ^23' Peat meadows $;2 Piggery, Wm. ^lien's 161 Pine, cultivatlbn of on the shores of Gascony 591 Plants, growth of without mould 487 Plum and peach trees, fish oil used upon 528 Poll-evil, cure for 443 Pools for water 72, 133 Pork business of Cincinnati 416 Potato, African, description of 2 Population statistics 75 Post-oflice regulations in England 105 Potato, sweet, culture of 610 ; and keeping 629 Potato CKip, (Irish) means of preventing the failure of 566 Potatoes grown under straw or leaves 520, 644 Potatoes, Rohan 71, 169; value of 252; compared with other kinds 2!)7 Poudrette, or night soil, the preparing of 207, 226; as manure 129, 130, 156 , Praii-ies of Arkansas' 6S2 Prairie soils from Alabam:i, analyses of 220 P.ickly comfry 248 Profits of publication, a sample of 507 Public works of Pennsylvania 31 ; and profit of 311 Pruning 619 Pumpkins, productiveness of 161 I Reaping machine 129 •, Hussey's, proposal to try 302 ; reports of performance 434, 436 Rhubarb plant 13 ; for tarts 364 Rice, synopsis of the culture of, on Black river 170 Rice grass {leersia orizoides) Ridgmont, a day at 658 Roots 90 Root culture in France 665 Root feeding 58 Rose, propagation of 33 Rose bug 424 Rotation of crops of Kentucky 10 ; change on West- over farm 35 ; necessity of a proper one 614; query on, 707 Rotation of oats and tobacco, profitable and meliorat- ing 308 ; objections to 557 Rural comforts, French and American compared 385 Ruta-baga 74 Kye, a substitute for clover 299 R Rats, fecundity of 561 ; means of destroying 3c prevent tLeir cutting through partitions 144 to Salt, for stock 443 ; and as a preventive of disease 274 as manure 105, 243 ; for cotton 55 Salt formation discovered in Virginia 458 Saltpetre, experiments with as manure 483 Sand drift, to restiain 229 Sandy Point estate, account of, and management 213, 343, 485, 586 Sassafras sprouts, extirpation of 386 Sauer kraut, mode of preparing 105 Sausage making 83 Sawdust, as material for manure 241, 536, 711 Scour in calves 401 ~ Scrofula, remedy for, 706 Season and crops 314, 442, 506 Seed sowing and saving 578 Seeds and implements imported by Jamas Ronaldson . 176 Sheep, comparison of different breeds of 49; salving of, for the benefit of the fleece 417 ; poisoned by the common red cherry 453 Shoes, water proof, varnish for 29 Shrubbery and flowers 553 Silk, bounty for in New York 209 ; product of, to the acre 171 Silk culture, on the prospects of 216; first fruits ot the sedson 376 ; in Arkansas 307 Silk-cultutists, caution to 303 Silk reeling in Tennessee 298 Silk-worms, successful experiment in rearing in Ma- thews 8; sprinkled with quick lime, to prevent dis- ease 73 ; direction for killing the chrysalides of 125; paper nets for cleaning and ventilating 583; the "two-crop" kind, compared with others 68; disease of "muscardine," liow treated 227 Silk-worms' eggs— Dr. Smith's new theory concern- ing 375 Slugs, (or naked snails) destroyed by lime 216 Snails in flower gardens, to destroy 228 Snake, cure for bite of 424 Snow storms in mountain districts 537 Soil, means of enriching 82 Soils, 224; relation of their constitution to their fertility and improvement 428 Soils, and marling improvements of King William county 21 Soot as manure 230 Specie, its scarcity not the cause of the suspension of bank payments, but the suspension the cause of continued decrease of specie 632 ; sold by the banks of Virginia 533 Specie payments, resumption of by the banks, peti- tion for 506; the necessary consequences of admit- ting the plea for suspension 547 Spider, red, to destroy 242 Springs, Shocco mineral, of North Carolina chemical and geological account of 145 Stabes, damp 53, 117 THE FARMERS' REGISTER-INDEX. VU Statistics, agricultural, of the census, remarks on 437, 490, 492 Stone House, and ancient ruin, description of 710 Strawberry jam 606 Stucco wtute wash 554 Stumps, to remove 534 Subsoil plough 652 Subsoil ploughing S7, 390 Suckers of corn, curious fact concerning 3 Sugar, from Indian corn stalks 55S ; on the extraction of 70S ; from pumpkins 28 Summaries of news, for March 189 ; for April 252 ; May 315 ; June 378 ; July 444 ; August 507 Surry county, on the soils of 563 Swamp lands of North Carolina, report of, drainage of 5 Table mountain, S. C, 667 Tallow, vegetable, 167 Tare culture 493 Tea, cultivated in Europe, 312 Timber, best time for cutting, 261, 408; preservation of, 546; Boucherie's process for preserving 661 Tobacco, essay on cultivation and management of, in Maryland, 177; and in Virginia, 198; prize essay on cultivation of, in Kentucky, 257; European duties upon, remarks on, 35; statistics of, 687 Tobacco planters, convention of, 33 Tockaw haughe, (or Tuckahoe,) natural history of, 3 Tomato, culture of, 589 Tomato tart 590 Tomato figs 502 Top-dressing, 455, 528 Transplanting 667, 673 Trees, age of, 62 Tuccoa fall, Ga., 667 Turnips 516; storing, 616; mode of transplanting, 899, raised by liquid manure, 346 ' Vegetation without soil, and tillage substituted by co- vering matter, 643 Vine, cultivation of in the west, 3; soil proper for, 551; the growth of in England, 555 Vines, to defend from bugs, 620 W Wash, incombustible 585 Wax procured from sugar canes 458 Weather, progrosticated by birds 9 ; weather and temperature, remarkable states of 662 ; diary of, at Old Point Comfort 304 ; at Washington, Ark. 807 Weeds of agriculture 290 Weights of cattle &c., mode of ascertaining 86 Well, frozen, in New York 173 Westover (or Byrd) Manucripts, remarks on the commencement of the publicatian 577; (This por- tion of the year's publication paged for binding se- parately.) Wheat, late sown 566 ; prices of 443 ; in France 583 ; experiments to show the proper time for reaping 470 ; benefit by trampling 401 ; degenerating, and necessary changes of seed 705 ; selecting seed 706 Wheat and peas alternately 555 Wind, as a moving or working power 131 Wire-grass, account of 115 ; destroyed by hogs 295 Wire-worm 401 Wolves, poisoning of 597 Wood-land, preservation of 95 WooU how affected in staple by climaite 452 Woollen rags as manure 677 Wrens, their usefulness 606 Yak, Thibetan 559 Yellows, a disease of peach trees, remarks on 857 Tl THE FARMERS' REGISTER-INDEX. Measuring corn in bulk 98, 153 Melilot recommended 58, 629; objections to 210 Milk, quality of, 269 Milk-sickness 306 Mines and mining of England 45 Missourium, or leviathan skeleton, account of, 654 Moisture of the soil and watering 479 Money of the government, on the manner and cost of transferring, and the small need of a national bank for that purpose, 439 Mud as manure 615 Muscardine 36V, 448 N Naras, an African fruit, 311 JVew jersey, the barren sands of, 297 Nevp York, western, sketches of, 40 Nitrate of soda as manure 218, 220, 224, 261, 262, 348; experiments with 483 Nitric acid, natural formation of, and supply to plants, 712 Normandy, agricultural sketches of, 411 Nut grass, to extirpate, 534 - Nutrition, vegetable and animal, 348 O Oats transformed into rye S06 Oil dregs as manure 248 Oil-soap, and syringe for, 566 Olive, value of, 28 • Organic Ghemistry,' by Liebig, reviewed, 459 Owl, used to decoy crows, 305 Oxen, fi(ness of Durham cattle for, 377 Oyster trade 536 Pea, Indian 589 Peach trees, affected by the yellows 357 Pear trees 390, 528; cultivation of 83 ; mode of guard ing from the worm 153 , experiment upon 500; me- thod of planting and managing 174; preserved from blister flies and grubs by lime. 528 Peas, field, as a crop 251 ; to prevent injury to stock feeding on theui, 251 ; among corn, profit of 4 Peat 560 ; conpressed for fuel 211 Peat compost ^23' Peat meadows ^2 Piggery, Wm^jAllen's 161 Pine, cultivation of on the shores of Gascony 591 Plants, growth of without mould 487 Plum and peach trees, fish oil used upon 528 Poll-evil, cure for 443 Pools for water 72, 133 Pork business of Cincinnati 416 Potato, African, description of 2 Population statistics 75 Post-office regulations in England 105 Potato, sweet, culture of 610 ; and keeping 629 Potato ciop, (Irish) means of preventing the failure of 566 Potatoes grown under straw or leaves 520, 644 Potatoes, Rohan 71, 169; value of 252; compared with other kinds 297 Poudrette, or night soil, the preparing of 207, 226; as manure 129,130, 156, Praii-ies of Arkansas' 632 Prairie soils from Alabami, analyses of 220 P.ickly comfry 248 Profits of publication, a sample of 507 Public works of Pennsylvania 31 ; and profit of 311 Pruning 619 Pumpkins, productiveness of 161 R Rats, fecundity of 561 ; means of destroying 353 ; to prevent tLelr cutting through partitions 144 I Reaping machine 129 ; Hussey's, proposal to try 302 ; reports of performance 434, 436 Rhubarb plant 13 ; for tarts 364 Rice, synopsis of the culture of, on Black river 170 Rice grass {leersia orizoides) Ridgmotit, a day at 658 Roots 90 Root culture in France 665 Root feeding 58 Rose, propagation of 33 Rose bug 424 Rotation of crops of Kentucky 10 ; change on West- over farm 35 ; necessity of a proper one 614; query on, 707 Rotation of oats and tobacco, profitable and meliorat- ing 308 ; objections to 557 Rural comforts, French and American compared 385 Ruta-baga 74 Kye, a substitute for clover 299 Salt, for stock 443 ; and as a preventive of disease 274 as manure 105, 243 ; for cotton 55 Salt formation discovered in Virginia 458 Saltpetre, experiments with as manure 483 Sand drift, to restiain 229 Sandy Point estate, account of, and management 213, 343, 485, 586 Sassafras sprouts, extirpation of 386 Sauer kraut, mode of preparing 105 Sausage making 83 Sawdust, as material for manure 241, 536, 711 Scour in calves 401 ~ Scrofula, remedy for, 706 Season and crop's 314, 442, 506 Seed sowing and saving 578 Seeds and implements imported by Jamas Ronaldson . 176 Sheep, comparison of different breeds of 49; salving of, for the benefit of the fleece 417 ; poisoned by the common red cherry 453 Shoes, water proof, varnish for 29 Shrubbery and flowers 553 Silk, bounty for in New York 209 ; product of, to the acre 171 Silk culture, on the prospects of 216; first fruits ot the season 376 ; in Arkansas, 307 Silk-culturists, caution to 303 Silk reeling in Tennessee 298 Silk-worms, successful experiment in rearing in Ma- thews 8; sprinkled with quick lime, to prevent dis- ease 73 ; direction for killing the chrysalides of 125; paper nets for cleaning and ventilating 583; the "two-crop" kind, compared with others 58; disease of "muscardine," how treated 227 Silk-worms' eggs — Dr. Smith's new theory concern- ing 375 Slugs, (or naked snails) destroyed by lime 216 Snails in flower gaidens, to destroy 228 Snake, cure for bite of 424 Snow storms in mountain district? 537 Soil, means of enriching 82 Soils, 224; relation of their constitution to their fertility and improvement 428. Soils, and marling improvements of King William county 21 Soot as manure 230 Specie, its scarcity not the cause of the suspension of bank payments, but the suspension the cause of continued decrease of specie 532 ; sold by the banks of Virginia 533 Specie payments, resumption of by the banks, peti- tion for 506; the necessary consequences of admit- ting the plea for suspension 547 Spider, red, to destroy 242 Springs, Shocco mineral, of North Carolina chemical and geological account of 145 , Sfabes, damp 63, 117 THE FARMERS' REGISTER— INDEX. Vll Statistics, agricultural, of the census, remarks on 437, 490, 492 Stone House, and ancient ruin, description of 710 Strawberry jam 606 Stucco wlute wash 554 Stumps, to remove 534 Subsoil plough 652 Subsoil ploughing 87, 390 Suckers of corn, curious fact concerning 3 Sugar, from Indian corn stalks 55S ; on the extraction of 70S ; from pumpkins 28 Summaries of news, for March 189; for April 252; May 315 ; June 378 ; July 444 ; August 507 Surry county, on the soils of 563 Swamp lands of North Carolina, report of, drainage of 5 Table mountain, S. C, 667 Tallow, vegetable, 167 Tare culture 493 • Tea, cultivated in Europe, 312 Timber, best time for cutting, 261, 408; preservation of, 546; Boucherie's process for preserving 661 Tobacco, essay on cultivation and management of, in Marylanci, 177; and in Virginia, 198; prize essay on cultivation of, in Kentucky, 257; European duties upon, remarks on, 35; statistics of, 687 Tobacco planters, convention of, 33 Tockaw haughe, (or Tuckahoe,) natural history of, 3 Tomato, culture of, 589 Tomato tart 590 Tomato figs 502 Top-dressing, 455, 528 Transplanting 667, 673 Trees, age of, 62 Tuccoa fall, Ga., 667 Turnips 516; storing, 616; mode of transplanting, 899. raised by liquid manure, 346 ' Vegetation without soil, and tillage substituted by co- vering matter, 643 Vine, cultivation of in the west, 3; soil proper for, 551; the growth of in England, 555 Vines, to defend from bugs, 620 W Wash, incombustible 585 Wax procured from sugar canes 458 Weather, progrosticated by birds 9 ; weather and temperature, remarkable states of 662 ; diary of, at Old Point Comfort 304 ; at Washington, Ark. 307 Weeds of agriculture 290 Weights of cattle &c., mode of ascertaining 86 Well, frozen, in New York 173 Westover (or Byrd) Manucripts, remarks on the commencement of the publicatian 577; (This por- tion of the year's publication paged for binding se- parately.) Wheat, late sown 566 ; prices of 443 ; in France 583 ; experiments to show the proper time for reaping 470; benefit by trampling 401; degenerating, and necessary changes of seed 705 ; selecting seed 706 Wheat and peas alternately 555 Wind, as a moving or working power 131 Wire-grass, account of 115 ; destroyed by hogs 295 Wire -worm 401 Wolves, poisoning of 597 Wood-land, preservation of 95 Wool, how affected in staple by climate 462 Woollen rags as manure 677 Wrens, their usefulness 606 Yak, Thibetan 559 • " -. Yellows, a disease of peach trees, remarks on 857 T H E FAUMEUS' IIEGISTER. Vol. IX. JANUARY 31, 1841. No. I. EDMUND RUFFIN, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. I'MON OF THE CAROLINA PLANTER AVITH THE farmers' register. By an arrangement, just completed, between the proprietors of the Farmers' Register and the Carolina Planter, the two publications will be united from this time forward, and tlse subscri- bers of the Carolina Planter will be supplied, instead, with the Farmers' Register, issued, however, in weekly form of publication. This change of the times of issue has been adopted upon the advice of judicious friends of the work in South Carolina, and also because, agreeing in this respect with tiie Carolina Planter, it was supposed it would be more ac- ceptable to its readers and patrons. The monthly form of the Farmers' Register will continue unchanged, as heretofore. The sub- scription price and conditions for both the monthly and the weekly publications will be the same, (as stated at full in the Conditions of publication of the Farmers' Register,) and any subscril>er who is supplied with either of the forms, and should prefer the other, may have the change made at the end of any month, by sending a post-paid order to that effect. To each of all the original subscribers to the Farmers' Register, to whom we are now in- debted for their generous support for all of nine volumes, (and of whom nearly 400 names still are left on our list,) we shall send an extra copy in this new form, as some evidence of their kind and sustained and sustaining favor. This of course will not apply to those among them who have before chosen to avail themselves of some equivalent privilege or premium, of- fei'ed by the conditions. We hope that it will be acceptable to these, our oldest and best friends, to receive thus gratuitously the week- ly publication, for more frequent and thei-efore more inviting reading, while their regular monthly numbers will contain all the same agricultural matter, and somewhat more, for binding, to be placed in their libraries. The agricultural matter of both publications will be the same. But some articles of the monthly form must necessarily be omitted in the weekly publication, and these will be such as are not strictly of an agricultural character. On the other hand, the weekly sheet will con- tain a summary of news, and also some adver- tisements, both of which will (as heretofore) be excluded from the monthly publication. Each of these forms of publication has its earnest advocates, and opposite advantages; and to each there are also strong objections. In issuing both, we shall incur much addilion- VOL. IX.-l al trouble and expense ; but, at this sacrifice» and by offering the choice to all subscribers, we trust that w-e may finally please all. To furnish a summary of weekly news, in the manner which M'ill be attempted in the weekly sheet, will cost m.ore labor than to fill five times as much space with other and origi- nal matter. But without such labor, any such summary must be stale and worthless ; and so long as we may offer such a dish as part of our bill of fare, it will be our care and pride to have it composed of the best ingredients, prepared in the best manner, and served up to our customers as fresh and new as a weekly supply will permit. — Ed. F. R. experiments with bone manure. To the Editor of the Farmers' Register. Fairfax county, Va. December lOth, 1840. On reading the ariicle headed ' Exiraneous Ma- nures,' |);iife589, Oftober iiunihor oflhe Fririners' Register, 1 iim reminded of my promise to give you ihe result of my experiment wiih bone-dust, or more properly speaking, crushed bones, as a manure. JVly first ppplicniion of bone manure was on turnips, in 1838 ; liie result, so far as relates to ihe first crop and the expense, is elated at page 152 3, vol. 7ih of the Register. I have theretore only to add the results of two years' adduional ex- perience in ihe use and efliect of bone manure in comparison with stable or other putrescent ma- nures produced on a farm. In order to ascertain, with as much precision aa I could, the requisite qnatuity of bone per acre, as well as to be precise in its application and com- parison wiih oiher manures, I laid off an acre of ground which I designed lor turnips, and divided it into eighty-one efjual parts by cross furroivs at the proper distance. Upon two-thirds of the ground thus laid off, a good two-horse carl load of stable or (arm yard manure was dropped in each square, which of course was manuring at the good rale ol 81 loads per acre. To other parts of the ground, crushed bones, from the Koxhury IVIass. mills, were applied at the rate ol 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 81 bushels to the acre, pure as tliey came to me, without adulteration or ad- mixture of'any kind. On the residue ofthe acre, a compost, consisting ofthe sumn)er scrapincrsolihc cow yard, without straw or litter ol'any kind, with only 8 per cent, of bone, was applied at the rate of 12 loads, ol 25 bushels each, per acre. The ground had previously been well ploughed early in the spring, and a dressing of sixty bushels of good fresh lime had been applied on the furrow, imme- diately preceding the first harrowing. The farm- yard manure was regularly distributed on the ground and lightly ploughed in as fast as epread ^ having previously, as well as every other part of th» ground, received a good dressing olplaster ofPai;= iTHE FARMERS' REGISTER. The bone manure anil compost were harrowed in with a heavy iwo-horse harrow, ami the ground 80 rested until ilie appearance of rain, tlie 8ih of August, when, immediarely preceding a shower, the seed were sown and ivell harrowed in. The rain which (ell was not a soaking one, hut a transient summer shower, much of which ran off, especial- ly Irom that portion ol' the ground to which the bone manure had been applied ; the part manured from the (arm-yard, presented a rather more un- even surlace, one consequently more favorable for the reception and reten'ion of rain, which fact was well eslatilished by an examination of the ground the next morning, when 1 foimd thai the moisture had penei rated at least two inches deeper in the one rase than in the other, and which circumstance gave to thut portion of the trround manured li-om the farm-yard a very decided advantage over the bone manure for the first two weeks, or until am- ple rain supplied sufficient moisture. The ground upon which this experiment was made is high and dry, and was, at the time, exceedingly poor Btiff clay land, upon which I had in vain, two years in succession, tried to produce black-eyed peas. The growth of turnips on such parts of the ground as had received not less than sixty bush- els of crushed bone, was quite equal in liie end to the best growih when the farm manure was used ni the rate of 81 carl loads to the acre ; whilst the growih on all smaller allowances of bone, was interior, and most so where the least quantity was used. But on that portion of the ground which was dressed with the bone compost, as above slated, the growth throughout was decidedly euperior to any other part, and the product, at ma- turity, was at least one third triore than was produ- ced on an equal quantity of the jrround manured from the stables. The succeeding yei.r, 1S39, the entire acre was planted with sugar beets, and eve- ry part treated precisely alike, viz. : the seed drill- ed and covered by hand witli a light compost Irom baskets ; the crop, owinij to an unfavorable sea- Bon and neglect oi early weeding, was nothing ex- traordinary, though decidedly best where the hone manure had been applied. The heel crop was Ibl lowed, this year, (1840, ) by Italian spring wheat. The growth of straw was most splendid, but hke our Winter sown wheat and rye, this season, was almost ruined by the rust; but in this, the third crop in two years from one manuring, the supe- riority of the bone manure was more apparent than ever, and as helore, on that portion of the ground to which the compost was applied was greatly euperior to everj' other part, aiul even on ihose |ians of the ground where the smaller por- lions of bone had been applied, the straw was as heavy as it was on the ground which had received manure from the farm at the rate of 81 loads per Here. The wheal siubhle was not grazed aller harvest, and although the season was very dry, the volunteer red-clover and crab grass, yb/Zowmg a spring crop, was so rank as to make it exceeU- ingly difficult lo turn it under, wiih a first-rnte two-horse plough, witli the usual appendage of a heavy chain ! Thus aflordiiig inconiesiable proof of ihe, as yet, undiminished effect of the bone ma- nure under most severe croppinL". Of the "-ompost above describe!, I applied, at the rale of 100 bushels per acre, to a poor piece of newiy mowed meadow, (in 1838;) the eucreeding crop was more than doubled by the application; the crop of the present year (1840) was still better than ihe last, and Irora the af er-growih this year, I have little doubt of further and progressive im- provement for several years lo come; as the coarser particles of the bone are not yet entirely decom- posed. A r>iei!e of wheat on which a like propor- tion of the bone compost was applied, and harrow- ed in with the seed, wat^ greatiy benefited by ihs applicaiion; and the clover which followed the wheat was 100 per cent, better than that on either side of the bone compost belt, which ran through the fie'd, although the other pans of the field were similarly treated, exceptintr only the addition, of not more than at the rate of 24 hus-hels of bone manure to the acre. The conclusions, then, to which my mind is brought by the foregoing ex- periments are, First, That when applied at the rale of from 50 to 80 bushels per acre, on the exhausted lands of Virginia, one bushel of criishcd bone, is more than equal to one ciirt-load of 25 bushels ol" jjood farm- yard manure, in its eflii^ct upon the first crop. Se- condly, That the eifect of bone manure is more du- rable than that of any putrescent manure usually [)roduced on a faim. Third, That when applied to land wliich is in goodheart, Ihe eflectis much more powerful than it is on ren/ poor land. Fourth, 'I'hat when combined wiih mnnure and applied in the form of compost, the efl^ct, both instant and re- mote, far exceeds any other applicaiion of the components when spparated with which I am ac- quainted or ever witnessed. And lastly, if stable manure has to be purchased or even hauled more than half a mile from yovr oivn stables, bone ma- nure at fifty cents per bushel, the price it cost me delivered on the farm, is the cheappsi manure of the two. Yours, Thobias Ap C. Jonks. DESCRIPTION OF THE AFRICAN POTATO; READ BEFORE THE BAUNV/ELL AGRICUL- TURAL SOCIRTY. From the Carolina Planter. The yam viassicot, or potato of St. Domingo, and siipfiosed to be a na'ive of Africa, is raised in the garden of Mr. John Michel, of Charleston, from cutiirigs of Ihe Iruit. It does not produce in the earih. but grows upon a vine which runs upon trees to llie height of twenty or thirty feet. Jilach vine bears, more or le.^s numerously, from twenty lo lliiriy potatoes of the kind here shown. Many of tfiem are twice or thrice the size of these, while others are smaller. The vine is rich and luxuriant ; the fruit issues from the several joints, probably, for 10 inches apart. The leaf, which seems to grow also at the joints, is large and beautifully shaped like a heart. The plant readily grows in the open air, and, it is thought, would be £articu!a''Iy fruitful in a warm, sandy region, like larnwell, if planted with a southern open expo- sure, against woods upon ihe north. The woods would serve for the vine to run upon, whicj^ in the garden of Mr. Michel, is planted within a foot of the tree which supports iis fruit. This potato is described as being superior in flavor lo the Irish potato. It is not sweet. It is cooked in the same way with all other potatoes — may be boiled, baked or roasted, and when cooked is said to be of a bright gamboge color. S. THE FARMERS' REGISTER. CULTIVATION OF THE VINE IN THE WEST. From the Western Farmer. I res.)]ve(J to be present at tlie vintage this fall, at pome ot' the many vineyards in our vici- nity, and accordinaly on Wednesday the 16th ulf. rode wiih a smiiii party to one oanetl liy JMr. Lonuworlh, but leaced to Mr. Morlimer, wlio is liis own vigneron. It is kept in fine ordtr, every tliinir neat and business-like. Tliere are about seven acres planted, only about two-thirds ol wliich, however, is yet in l)earin On the 10; h of July I opened the ground under a peach tree and found the insects in great numbers, from two to lour inches beneath the surface, in all stages cf their metamorphosis. July 19!h, I found one in the earth under an apple tree, but could find none under peach trees. Il appears then that this insect retreats into the earth about the first of June, where it divests itself of its skin, and changes into a bug before the I9th of July, by ivhich time it leaves the earth. What becomes of the bug from July to May following, remains to be discovered." " The curculio is not the only insect that pro- duces ftie worm in our fruits. 1 stated above that about twenty peaches were placed in the tumbler. In the earth under them were six small, oval cocoons, thick, strong, and smoothly spun, which contain worms that manifest no approach toward a change. The same cocoons are also found un- der peach trees; The worms in these envelopes are difierent from those of the curculio ; they are smaller, they are white throughout, while the larvae of the curculio have orange colored heads. There is reason lor the belief that the larvae of the curculio, all or most of them, leave the various fruits in which they are deposited as early as the beginning of July, and that the worms found in fruits after that time, have a diH'erent parent. Some years ago, I preserved a worm from a Vergalieu pear, which produced a gray miller. Last November a worm (rom a Newiown pippin placed itself in a cavity on a board, covered itself with a web, and remained till April, when it pro- duced a gray miller like that produced from the pear." 1 continued my observations during th«\t sum- mer, and sent another communication to the 'New- York Farmer' (vol. iv. p. 248,) fi^om which the .following is an extract: " I have said there is reason for the belief that the larvae of the curculio, all or most of them, leave the various fruits in which they are deposited as early as the beginning of July, and that the worms found in li-uiis after that time have a different parent. One reason for this belief is, that after that time very little fruit is left in which their eggs can be depo- sited, and what little is left is, for the most part, untouched by the curculio. Let me present a hasty estimate of cherries, apricots, plums, and peaches, in my orchard; on the first of JVlay last, there were probably 200,000. On the first of July, the number lemaining on the trees did not, I am confident, exceed 500, perhaps 20, before the middle of August contained a curculio ; the rest continued fair. I think it would puzzle Dr. Tilton to say where that vast multitude of cur- culios that deposited 199,500 eggs before the first of July, have deposited them since that time, if they ' continue their ravages,' and equally puz- zling it must be to devise a reason why any fruit has escaped — why only 20 eggs should be de- posited and 480 peaches left undisturbed, if this vast swarm of insects has continued its operations ever since the first of July. It may be said that they resort to apples and pears. But before the first of July the greater part of the apples had also disappeared from the trees ; most of those remaining have continued since untouched by the curculio. The worms found in them are 7iot the larvQi of that insect, i have not succeeded in finding a curculio in a pear, at anytime. The THE FARMERS' REGISTER. only worms that I liave (bund in [)enr9, [and I liave taken pains to collect a considerable nutiiber this summer,] are llie larvic [I believe] ol'\\\e gray miller memioned in my Ibrmer commimicaiioii. They resemble liie larvtv ol' ilie cnrciilio in having orange colored heads, l)u!dilier from them by be- ing larger, and having a slight tinge ol' scarlet or brick color upon portions ol' llie liody. Instead of popping into the ground, they crawl under the rough bark ol' the trees, inclose themselves in a web, and are translbrmed into a chesrnut colored chrysalis. Placed in a tumbler with moist earih, they (brm a web upon the cover ol' the tumbler, and there undergo their change. As none have yet left the chrysalis state, [ suppose [as was the case wiih those which I have before preserved] that they do not complete their meuimorphosis liil spring. All the worms Ibund by me in apples, since the first of July, Aajjc been similar lo those in the pear. ^^ An excellent observer, David Thomas of Ca- yuga, maintained the prevailing opinion in regard to the worms in our fruits, and wiih a view to show that I was incorrect, he took " a worm with an orange colored head, from a bell peir, and put it in a tumbler, with moist earih," on the fifth of August. On the eighth of August he look from a/7/?/es " three n:ore worms vviili orange colored heads, and which appear lo be the Itill grown larvfe of the curculio — another similar, but only half as long — and two others resembling the fbrmer with brown heads, but 100 [10?] limes less in bulk than the first kind. Viewmg these last under the microscope, i am satisfied that they also are larvce of the common curculio, thus (iir con- firming Dr. Tillon's remark, that this insect ' con- tinues its ravages from May until autumn.' " — New- York Farmer, vol. w. p. 205. In a subsequent communication, in October, wiih his accustomed candor, he says, "N. Darling may be interesied to learn ihatihe worms which I confined, ' wiih orange colored heads,' left the moist earth, and encased themselves in a web un- der ihe cover of the tumbler. S 'on after one ol them came forth a dark gray miller ; and / con- clude there was no curculio amongst them. We are therefore indebted to him lor tlie interesting discovery that the larvae of several insects lieed on our fruits ; and it is now rendered at least probatile that Dr. Tilton ascribed too much of this mischief to the curculio." — A'. Y. Farmer, vol. iv. p. 281. With these ficls before us I 'hink we may salely conclude that the worm in apples is a larvce (if a gray miller, and 7il>< of the cu7cnlio, rrhich is a bug. Also that the. curculio leaves the ground in ashort time after entering it. lis want er retreat has not, within rny knowledge, yet been discovered. If your correspondent will look under Ihe rouijh bark ol' his apple trees in October, he will find a great many ol' the worms from his fruit, which have shut themselves in with a web. and are trans- formed into a chestnut colored chrysalis. If he will carefully preserve them, he will find them comingout a gray miller. By sfiiiply scratching off, or rather picking off Ihe rough bark [the scales or flakes, I mean] a vast multitude of these insects may be destroyed — not all, however, (or they resort to other places of concealment, such as crevices in boards, posts and rails. Yours, very respectfully, N. Darling. JVcw-Haven, Conn., September 19, 1840. REPORT OF MAJOR GWYNN ON THE DRAIN- ING OF TIIK SWAMP LANDS. To the president and directors of the Uterary fund of Noi til Carolina : (j!entlemen:—\ have the honor to report to you the result of the operations since the drainage ol' the swamp lands was committed to my charge. The (easibility of the undertaking has been so fully and clearly established, by fbrmer statements lo the board, (particularly by the report of Mr. Shaw,) as to render any comment from me un- necessary on the present occasion. I shall there- fore proceed to the subject immediately belbre me. T'he only trad of land, owned by the slate north c>f Pamlico Sound, sufficiently elevated to afford a (all for ilsdrainings, is situated on the high grounds which divide the waters thai flow into the Albe- marle from those that run into PalmicoSound, lying between Ihe angles (brmed by the meeting of the boundary lines of Washington, Hyde and Tyrell counties, near lake Pungo, which it embraces: it extends lo Ihe west shore of Alligator lake and five miles to the south o( lake Pungo ; on the norlli it includes a portion of lake Phelps, and contains, exclusive of the area of the lakes, 64,500 acres. A reference lo the map herewith submitted will give a more perfect idea of its location, and exhi- bit, both in plan and profile, ihe main and lateral canals by which it is proposed to drain it. This tract is a portion of a swamp containing about a hundred thousand acres, an idea of the formation of which may be had by conceiving it to (brm, what in reality it does, a large basin, filled with decomposed, putrescent vegetable matter, saturat- ed with water, confined and prevented (iom run- ning off by an impervious subsoil and an embank- ment, or elevated strata of clay and sand extend- ing nearly all around it, not sulKcienlly dry (or till- age at the extremities and higher parts at any season of the year. When over-saturated, as ia the case in the winter and spring and sometimes in the summer, the surplus water flows into Alliga- ter and Pungo Lakes, and into Lake Phelps from the south — towards Alligator the descent of the surface (iom the south is three feet and a half from Ihe verge of the swamp or basin. The re- dundant water, after filling the lakes to overflow- ing, is discharged into Alligator, Pungo and Scup- pernong rivers over the surli=ice and by percola- tion. In dry weather, the loose, spongy soil of the surrounding swamps draws ihe waters again from the lakes ; and so j;real is this attraction up- wards as well as horizontal, that the very surface of the swamps is kept wet during the greatest drought and hottest summer sun — thus throug.h the medium of this filaceous soil, the lakes and swamps reciprocally supply each other with water as there may be a preponderance in either; or, to render the description still more plain, this swamp (and so nearly all of the swamps in the state) may come under ihe denomination of land- locked bogs or morasses, such as " are neither pio- duced by water rising in themselves, nor by that of springs in the adjoining banks, but become wet by an accumulation of rain water stagnating on an impervious subsoil through which it can have no descent, and beinir surrounded by higher ground through which there is no vent or natural discharge (br the water." The plan of drainage is, therefore, obvious, and THE FARMERS' REGISTER. consists in culling through (he high grounds or elevalcd strata thai surround the swamps and pen up the lake waters, drains, of sufficieiH capiu-i- ly todiaw oH'the surplus rain water which in iliis great basin, or laboratory of nature, has contri- buted, and, indeed; IVom its agency, in a state of efagnation. in nourishing, we may say generating, those aqueous plants and trees from the decompo- eilion ot which the earthy matter ol' the swamps is entirely composed, may be said to be the cause of their lormaiion. In accordance iherelbre with | this plan, two canals, denominated 7nain drains, \ have been laid out, one leading Irom Punijo lake , lo Pungo river, the oiher leading liom Alligator j lake 10 Rutman's creek, a tributary to Pungo j river. Tlie former, which we will call Pungo i canal, is six miles, seven hundred and eeveniy- j four yards in length, with an average width, at | bottom, of twenty-two leet, an average depth of j eix leet, and a fall in the bottom of twelve and a | Jburlh lt?et. Tiie latter, the Alligator canal, is I five miles, fourieen hundred and hiiy six yards I Jong, an average width, at bottom, of thirty leet, an average depth of seven leet, and ii total iall ol ten leet. These canals will leduc*^ the wafers of each lake four leet, and are of sulTirient capacity and fall to draw ofi' all the waier that may be llirown into them by the lateral canals traced on the map as necessary lor the fan her facility of draining; llie immediate effects of these canals will be to render a belt of land adjacent to iliom as well as the land aroun I the lakes, susceptible of tliKiough drainage and cu'livaiion. A I the time I took charge of the woik, in April, 1839, the se&son lor hiring hands by the year had passed, and the competition (i::r laborers, by the mon h, from the VViiniinLrton and Raleigh and the Gaston and Raleigh Rail Roads then in rapid progress, rendered it impossible to procure a suffi- cient force to prosecute the work with the energy that was desired. The two main canals were, nevertheless, put under contract and commenced ; but owing to these causes, not much progress was made during the past year. At Chrisimas, the season for procuring laborers, the contractors were enabled to obtain a large force, and the work has since progressed steadily and rapidly, uninterrupt- ed even by sickness of any kind. Nearly one hall of the Alligator canal has been comiiletpd. The tributaries have been commenced, and on the 20th of October the water of Pungo lake was let into Pungo canal. All the eflecte which were anticipated of drainage on its borders and reduc- tion ol the lake water, have been realised ; enough has already been accomplished lo inspire confi- dence and to remove all doubts and appreliensions (if any exist) as to the success of the work. There are now ready for sale 8000 acres of land bordering on Pungo lake, on the west and north ■west. This tract is covered with a heavy growth of cypress and maple, and has been pronounced, by competent judges, unequalled by any lands in the state ; and such also is my opinion, after hav- ing contrasted it with the rich lands of Pasquotank and Perquimons, and with those of lake Phelps and Maltamuskeet. In addition to this, ihere are 7000 acres of prairie land (the growth formerly cypress, now cane and bamboos, bordering on the canal, and on tlie northeast side of the lake, that may also be oflered for sale. In confirmation of the producliveneM of these land?, of which no one acquainted with them entertains a doubt, 1 would observe that similar lands in the neigbboriiood, but of inlerior quality, euljiH'ted to the n'ost ruin- ous system of cultivation lor more thansi.xty y»\3 in succession, are still productive, yielding when the seasons are favorab e to the imperl'ect plan of drainage, (which with but few exceptions prevails every where) from six to eight barrels of corn per acre. 1 would respectfully recommend some imme- diate aciion towards bringing these lands iiito market; the first step, that of laying them oil into sections, is one of muidi labor, and can be most easily perlbrmed at this sejisou. During the ensuing year Alligator canal will be completed, and also some of the tributary canals, and before the expiration ol' two years, we expect to complete the eniire system of drainaiie in reli^rence to this extensive tract of land. My estimate for the accomplishment of this object will consume the whole amount (.9200,000,) aji- propiiatcd for this purpose, and unless some I'uriher appropriation is made, the only fund appli- cable to an extended system of drainage will be the proceeds of the sales of the lands — which, if for cash, would be ample (together with the amount of sales accruing I'rorn time to time on account of 0' her lands prepared for market) to drain all the swamp lands which the state owns. This will more readily appear from the following estimate, based u| on [uices considerably lower than those alTixed to the lands by some ol the most competent and experienced judges who liave examined ihem. Under this view, prelerable to exciting expectations that would not be fully realized. I will assume ihe low price of §6 per acre, and the nnmtier of acres which the present appropriation of §200,000 will drain to be 60,000 and even at this low estimate, we have a sum ex- ceeding the cost of drainage by ^160,000. Ap- plying this ratio between the cost of draining and the income arising therefroin to the million of acres owned by the state, the sum although enor- mous would Iall short of the realization. This result, so beneficial and cheering, in itself calculated to inspire confidence and recommend a steady and vigorous prosecution of the work to the end, is only one among the many beneficial efllscts which will grow out of its completion. Some of the ettects to which I allude, and confi- dently calculate upon, have been caused by pre- cisely similar operations in Great Britain, and are so a[iplicable, although referring to land in a par- tial slate of tillage, that 1 beg, in lieu of my own words, to substitute those ol the engineer ap- pointed by the British parliament to report upon the mosses and marshes of that country. He says the climate is rendered more healthy and genial to both animal and vegetable lile, by the removal of stagnant water, and ihe prevention of those noxious exhalations arising from large tracts of moss and marshy ground, wliere the herbage gives but little nourishment and only promotea disease. Since the introduction of drainage into this country, the health of the inhabitants lias been greatly improved; agues and other distem- pers being now comparatively unknown that were formerly so frequent, occasioned by the humidity of the soil, and consequent impurity of the atmo- sphere, producing that miasma which so often proves fatal. The produce of the harvest, lor- THE FARMERS' REGISTER. nierly precariou? on such land, booomos, by drain- ai|e, ample and pio.iuciive in qiianiiiy, and t!ie quality ol' ilic iii'nin is improved al^o. Ifiand that is in lillaire remains wet, every manure thai is ap- plied to it loses its cHect to a certain extoni, and iails to produce that abundant crop which a loss quantity would yield, i( such land were laid dry. In wet land, seasons of tillage are lost, the labor is greater and the return les-p. The produce is always scanty and inferior in quality; but when land is properly drained, every exertion of good husbamiry IS attended with success, and the far- mer thrives where his predecessor was ruined. By drainage alone, it is wonderful to see the verdure that soon takes place ; a bog of ilie worst kind after being thorouirhiy laid dry (without any other melioration whaiever) will spontaneously produce so many new and fine grasse?, the seeds and roots of wliich hitherto laid dormant, owing to tlie superfluous moisture, but now spring forth and afterwards continue to flourish and increase. The rushes that formerly occupied tfie whole sur- face, soon decline, and better grasses rise in abun- dance. In addiiion to these many beneficial ed'ecfs, the advantage of draining the swamp lands that lay scattered over liie whole of the eastern portion of the state, from the RoanoUe river to the Wack- amavv, and from the liills of the rivers to the seaboard, are of great importance in other re- spects. No scheme has been or can be devised, tliat will so effectually slay the tide of emigration which flows hke a miizhty torrent from this portion of the state. The poor man who gains a scanty Bubsisience by the " roundshave and broadaxe," who hovers around the home of his nativity, until he exhausts the last pine tree, and is finally driven off penniless to the tar west to seek a home among strangers, will liere find an asylum ; all his dreams otvvealih and plenty can be realized in his own beloved state. A lijw acres of the land which from his childhood he has looked upon as a wilderness, a fit abode only lor fijrocious wild beasts and disgusting reptiles, now invite his labor and will reward his industry. The health and the morals of the people will be improved, the coflers of the stale filled, the community will be benefited by a greater supply of useful comn)od;ties — in short, the benefits that will result Irotn a general and complete system of drainage, 10 the agricultural and general improve- ment ol" the stale, are so many that the lew in- stances (if any there be) in which they are neither Been nor acknowledged, can only proceed from prejudice. I herewith present a map of the state lands in Carteret county, which exceed in quantity and are equal in quality to the tract we are operating upon, and can be drained at a less price than per- haps any other lands of the same extent in the slate. The tract lying between Core Sound and Neuse River at their junction contains 65,000 acres ; its elevation is 12 leet above Long and Nelson IJays, and other small streams, into which it can be readily drained. This tract is mostly an open prairie ; the soil a deep vegetable mould. There are two other tracts which were surveyed ; one containing 12,000 acres, situated in the Newport Pocoson, between Newport River and the Clubfoot and Harlow Canal. The other 16,000 acres in extent, lays north of Lake Ellis, ai the head wa- ters of Hunter's Creek and Newport iviver. Both of these tracts are also of superior quality, and are susceptible ol' being drained at an expense that would am[jly repay the state. But the improvement that offers more imme- diate lienefits and direct returns than any other is the drainage of Lake Mailamuskeel ; and if the stale's title to the flats can be established, it should, in my opinion, afier the completion of the work in which we are engaged, be the first to command the attention of the Board. I am gentlemen, very respectfully, your obedi- ent servant. Walter Gwynn, Civil Engineer. Raleigh, IGth Nov. 1840. AN IMPROVEIMKNT l.\ FATXEKISG H008. Fxom tlie Soutliern Cabinet. Maury County, (Tenn.,) lMarch23. 3Ir. Clayton:— It is maniliest to every person that there is a great lack of economy in the waste- ful manner weconunordy leed our stock in Ten- nessee, i am satisfied that no one is more guilty in this respect than I am myself. I believe, wiih a little trouttle and trifling expense, we might save full one half the provisions we feed to our stock every winter. In these hard times that would help very much to get us out of our embarrass- ments. So fully was I convinced of this that I deter- mined the past winter to try to make an improve- ment in feeding tny fattening hogs, JMy praclic« heretofore was Hke my neighbois' generally, and I believe almost every person in Tennessee iattena his hogs in the same way. I usually put my hogs up in a small lot with water in it, and throw them as much raw corn in the ear as they will eat. This with a little salt now and then, is all they get, and in the course of six weeks or two months ihey are regarded as in good pork order, and ready for the kniie. The last fiill my hogs were put up in the usual way in September. The number I do not now recollect. Bui I observed particu- larly the amount of corn they consurned each day. They were led by throwing the corn to them raw- in the ear. The corn was carried in a large cot- ton basket, which 1 suppo-ed would hold about two bushels. This nine times full was given them every day. It was about as much as they would eat. I had previously engaged Col. D. Looney to have some large kettles cast at his furnace in Wayne, of the size and dimensions that would accomplish the objects I had in view. My design was to boil all the corn I gave my hogs, and by having the kettle of suitable dimensions, to use it to scald them in when killed instead of a trough or hogshead. The kellles were not ready until I had fed my hogs some time. I at length got one, set it in a very simple furnace, which did not take thirty minutes to construe; and from that time until my hogs were killed they were led ihree times a day on corn well boiled. The corn was taken to the kettle in the same basket and put in it uniil it was full, the kettle then filled with water and a fire kindled under it. This was sufficient. If at nighl, it would be well cooked by morning ; and if in the morning, it would be ready by the middle of tha 8 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. day. One not accustomed to it would be eurpi is- ed to see how little luel was necessary. A biilei not larger than a common fence rail was en:ire!y Bufficient 10 cook one mess. When ihe keitle was emptied it was immedialeiy filled as before, ami a small armful of any wood was suffii i»'ni to couk it suiiably by ihe nexi leeding time. In this way it required but six baskets full in the day. Belbre I got the keiile it required nine. Here was a clear saving of thirty-ihree and a third per cent. If one should have a lot of hogs that would ordi- narily consume in luttening one hundred and filiy barrels when led raw, he would save by the pro- cess of boiling, fifty barrels, which wou'd twice over pay ihe price of the kt^itle. Mine, 1 believe, cost tweniy-tive dollars. Had 1 got it when i first put up my hogs, I am certain I would liave saved filiy barrels ol' corn. At killing lime the kettle was of great conve- nience. Its oblong form makes it very suitable to scald in. Formerly the preparation lor killing was a great lrout)le. We would make a large heap and put on it many rocks, and alter it had burnt so as to heat them they were put in a hogs- head of water to heat it — and after they were removed the water was ready for scalding. All this took much time, and was a great trouble. Now with the kettle quiie a small fire is sufficient, and when once healed it can be kept in a good scalding condition throughout the whole day; you have nothing to do but make the water boil, and then put in the iiog, and in a lew minutes it can be taken out, and you may put in another, and so on until you are done. There is no necessity lor delay. Keep the fire constantly burning, and as fast as you can kill you can scald. This I Ibund to be a great saving of time and trouble, and a Bufficient reason of itself to juslily the purchase ol a kettle. After my hogs were slaughtered (he kettle still continued to be of great use. It is excellent to prepare food in lor milk cows and any other stock that are led on corn. I have often heard it said that one fp.c.i is better than many theories. Here then is a fact. I have tried it, and saved precisely one-third of corn — more than enough tiie first winter to pay the cost. If any one should doubt it, I would advise him first to try it, and I am sure, he will then believe. Will. E. Kennedy. CHBYSANTHEMUBIS. From tlie Western Fanner and Gardener. Messrs Editor : — Through the medium of your paper, 1 would propose to address the votaries ol Flora on behail of a much neglected, though beautiful flower, the chrysanthemum. It may be disputed, and with propriety, that any plant more amply repays the care of its cultivator, even sup- posing that it possessed no other qualification* ihan the splendor, variety of cclorand duration ol its flowers ; — but when we reflect that the Chrv- santhemum delights to reveal its gorgeous beau- lies, when all else of ornament to a garden is gone, its value is incalculatily enhanced. The idea has often suggested itself to me, that Flora, not wishing lo produce satiety, allows her lamily to rest during the latter months of the year ; but not being able to dispense with all, she has [)rodu- ced a plant, to tiloom at that dreary lime, possess- ing all her most beauiiful and biilliani colors of the empire ; anil tbrming it so hardy that there is no difficulty in kee|)iiig it, and at ihe same time of easy p opagalion. Yet this l>eautiful gilt of the soddess, is almost universally neijlpcied. One honorable exception I would make — Chandler of London. The intrinsic merit ol' the flower, has led him to become its most enthusiastic admirer, and at the same time, its most succcsslul culiiva- tor. To his exertions we are indebted lor a 1 the finest varieties in cultivation. His rhr^santhe- miim house presents a niore magnificent appear- ance during November and December, than it is possible to conceive — stand rising above stand, covered wiih thousands of blossoms o'' everj' shade and hue. Let me, then, claim lor this lovely flower, that share of attention which its merits entitle it to, and assure your readers, that in its perfection, its place cannot I'e sup|)lied by any other. A word as to its propagation — this may be done by dividing the roots, by cuttings in the spring or by layers in July. They may be grown in large pots, filled with rich earih, adding a por- tion of rotten dung to each — or the plants may be grown in beds until fall, when they should be taken up, with balls of earth, entire, and potted, watered and staked, when they may be placed in a warm room, pit, frame or green-house, until I hey have done flowering, when they may be again turned out. Let me hope that these faw remarks, may call attention to this splendid flower — those who give it that share it deserves, will be well repaid. Jas. Kennedy. A SUCCESSFUL, EXPERIMENT IN REARING SILK-WORMS. To tlie Editor of llie Farmers' Register. Byco, Matthews, Dec. 9th, 1840. Although personally unknown to you, and not in the habit of writing for the public eye, I deem it the duty of every individual, however humble iheir efl'orts may be, to withhold nothing that can in the least benefit the community, or in ilie small- est degree add to its welfare and prosperity. You have repeated'y requested, in jour valuable pa- per, all who had made any experiments in ihe silk culture, to make known the result ihroiigh the pages of your journal. I have made a small ex- per inenl ihis year in raising worms, and having succeeded in |)roducing very fine cocoons under every disadvantage. I wish to lay before you the result, to publish or not as you think proper; and I would likewise wish to make a few inquiries of you lor my own benefit and the instruction of all others who have been similarly situated. My husband, like many others, raised a great many muliicaulis trees, which he found unsaleable. Ra- ther than grub them up, I requested that he would permit me to make a trial of raising silk, promis- ing to lake the trouble of the superintendence my- sell! My worms (the two-crop white) commenced hatching the 22d of April, about which time we had a lew days of warm weather. The largest multicaulis leaves at that time were not larger Ihan a fourpence. The worms of course hatch- THE FARMERS' REGISTER. ed Ion soon, but it was too late when I pot ilienn to retard that process. For the (irsi lew dajs, or duriMir the firsi a^'e, I Ibund Ibod enough (or my worms, by tratlierinii every leal' almosi as eoon as it expuiuied. This however left iliem a'nintft des- lilute as they grew larger, so thai 1 was lorced to resort to our native trees, which are more lorward in iheir Ibiiage. I have no means ol ascenaining iiow many worms I had. The eugf! were not weighed, but. bougiil l:)y the lump. I have a large garret room, in which I made my ex|)enment, I su['pose some 30 feet square. It had no fiieplace in II, and a part of ii is unplaslered. I had no means of warmini^ it. In the very cool season, wluth occurred the first oT May, the dampness peneiiated every part of the room, in that long wei s'>ason. and Irequendy the rain would drive in. The thermometer sometimes was as low as 50°, and on orieoi i wo occasions the worms seem- ed to be almost benumbed. In addition to this, their Ibod became very scarce, every leaf was stripped so soon as it appeared on the multicaulis and all the wdd mulberry trees in the neighbor- liood were reduced to the same condition. Alier my worms reached the third age, I divided them and put a part in a spare bed-room, which I had leil exclusively on the multicaidis, JVly object was to ascertain if there would be any difference in the silk. Tliose that I led on the native tree were colored, with very liew exceptions, (I mean the cocoons,) three shades of yellow, some straw color, some bright, some almost nankin color. They were fed on the white Italian, the red, and the common black mulberry, all of whicfi we have in our woods; the latter they would never eat if they could help it. I have seen them devour the stems of the white mulberry in preference to a fresli leaf of black.* In the room where I fed exclusively on multicaulis there were only three yellovv cocoons out of 6 bushels. In the garret room, I think there was one peck of white cocoons ou' oi"seven bushels ; 13 bushels was the first crop 1 made. Those who saw them and were judges, said they were beautiful cocoons, a great many ol" them were as large as some of the mammoth white, which I saw afterwards in Mr. C. Carter's cocoonery near Richmond. I was comjjelled to feed on wet leaves, fiom the scarcity of Ibod, and sometimes my worms actually suflered for want ol them. None of my worms were diseased; and I do not believe, I had a dead worm among them, I was carefid in keeping them clean, and had plenty of room and liesh air. I raised a second crop of six bushels ; out of all tliese 19 bushels I saved but one barrel of co- coons, owing to the moth cutiing out in spite of all I could do. I followed the directions of Clarke, end the ' American Silk-Grower' in endeavoring to cure my cocoons in the sun. The weather proved rainy ; and after the moths commenced coming out, nothing would slop them. Tfiey would come out while in the oven, and bake to * The tree here (as usually) called the "black mulberry," is properly the red [morus rubra) of bo- tanists. That which our coiresi)on(lent speaks of as the " red," is probably a variety of the white mulber- ry {morus alba) which, though originally introduced from Italy, has become perfectly naturalized in Vir- ginia, and exhibits numerous varieties of leaf and of fruit in the seedling progeny, — Ed. .death. I wish tn know which is the most ap- proved mode of killing the mollis; for I find tl'e sun entirely loo uncertain, and alier ihey reach a certain degree of maturity, nothing will have much effect, for I tried both baking j\nd steaming. I intend, the next year, to repeat my experiments, and am convinced ilie business may be made pro- fitable. I think it is an enqilojment that suits our sex, and should my leeble end.iavors be crowned wiih succe^•s, a silk fJictory or cocoonery lor poor widows nml children, established in my own county, where they are so numerous, would he an object of my highest aiybiiion. These remarks are penned in trreat linste, if they can in any way be made useliil, you can use your own pleasure as to their fiublicaiion. I think there is great injusiice done the kind of worm called two-crop white. They are a very hardy, healthy worm, as I think my experiment will show. We can get two crops Irom them wiih- oul the risk of retarding, and they piodvice beauii- (ul silk. Please stale in your paper the price of the eggs, and where the pea-nut variety can be procured. If yon publish this, let ihe signature !e E. A. T.* PROGNOSTICATIONS OF COLD WEATHER FROM BIRDS. From tlie Western I'anncr and Gardener. We think a linv remarks, under this heading, in each number of the " Farmer," will not be unin- teresting. It is a favorite study uiili us, and one on which we might be apt lo dwell at too great length, did we not bear in nund the intention of our work. We shall try to Ibllow up these inten- tions by only speaking of birds, as friends or enemies of the fiirmer and gardener — of their migrations, as a lest of the climate of different sections of country — and of such insects and plants as are (amiliar to all. Our object is to induce a habit of observation in our renders, each of whom may be the means of recording matters that may be of importance. Even those confined by their occupations lo large cities, have opportu- nities for studying the great book of nature, which ought not to be neglected. An old farmer, remarked to me, some weeks ago, that the approaching winter would be a very severe one. lie said that, for fifty years, he had observed that whenever the chaff of wheat and other small grain iind the corn shucks were un- commonly abundant, thick and heavy, the fullovv- * We are much pleased to be enabled to present fo the public this interesting experiment ; but would have been better pleased if the lady who wrote the communication had not withdrawn the permission to give her proper signature in full. We have found the heat of tha sun sufficient to kill the chrysalis in the cocoon ; and as a single day of full exposure to hot sunshine is sufficient, it rarely happens that one such day does not offer, before it is time for the moths to come out. Whatever may be the mode used for killing the worm, it should be tried sufficiently early, or it will be but partially effectual. For the prices of pea-nut, and other eggs, we refer our correspondent to the advertisement of T. S. Plea- sants on several of the covers of late numbers of the Farmers' Register, and of G. B. Smith on the Journal of the Silk Society.— Ed. 10 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. ing winter was invariably a severe one. I thought ; ihat (hough a cause lor inis iiiighi be iound m liie \ luxuriam vegetation oi' last summer, there might i yet be some truth in it — that nature, aware of ihe | coming severity of the w inter, might tlius lurni^^h j the grain with an extra covering. At all events, \ the old gentleman's remarks set me to making additional oLservations. In confirmation ol his opinion, I Iound that the snovv-Lird, (Iririgilla Hudsonia, of Wilson,) arrived uncotnnioniy early this fall, and in great numbers, 'i'he redheaded woodpecker, winch rarely leaves ue altogether, except in the very depth of winter, has entirely disappeared. The bine bird is only to be seen in flocks, as if preparing to go farther south, while their sweet warble, in an ordinary winter may be lieard every fine day. The gold-finch or thistie- bird, generally so abundant with us at all seasons, is only to be seen in small tiocke, in and about the city. I have observed the nut hatch, sitta caro- binensis, (this liule insect-hunter and the downy woodpecker, are commonly, but most absurdly, called sapsuckers.) busily engaged hammering pieces o/ acorns, and beechnuts into crevices in the bark ol' trees, and alter making tliem last, carefully covering them o^'er with moss, as if to secure a supply of [irovisions during the severity of the coming season. Even the crows, whicii generally Vvinier with us in great numbers, seem, with an occasional exception, to have lorsaken us. 1 am told that numerous flocks of quails have alighted in the city and still continue to do so — this has always been marked as a sign of the np- jjroach of severe weaiher. The mocking or Ca- rolina wren, (certhia Caroliniana of Wil.) is al- ways abundant with us. His lively, quaint and varied notes are to be iieard, ringing ihrough the woods, both summer and v^inter. 1 observed a large flock of small birds, finches, rise out of a garden yesterday, which were strangers to me. They sal so close and silent, until they at once rose and flew ofl, with a clear note like that of the gold-finch, that 1 conid not determine what ihty were, and [ am averse to killing the little beauties, unless when reallv needed. T. A. LAYING DOWN OPEN LANDS IN GRASS — KEN- TUCKY ROTATION — STOCK FODDER, MA- NURING AND GRAZING — CURING CLOVER HAY. From tlie Soutliern Cultivator. {Near) Colbyville. Ky., Nov. 5th, 1840- I eiiall now proceed to the laying down open lands in grass, and the length of lime the grass is intended to occupy the ground will determine the kind of eeed to be used. If it is intended for permanent pasture, blue grass should perdomi- naie. There should also be a considerable portion of timothy and clover seed. As soon as it is de- termined to put a field in grass, if in the fall the field should be sowed in wheat or rye, which should be ploughed in and afterwards harrowed, and, though not essential, it will be of service to have the land rolled. The next spring one bushel of clean timothy seed should be sowed upon every ten acres, one bushel of clover seed upon the same ()uantity of land, and half a bushel of blue grass seed upon each acre. This should be sowed in March or early in April and I have put calves and sheej) upon the rye or wheat and kept them upon it until the grass began to sprout, when every thing was taken ofll and no stock allowed to go on it again until after liarvest. By the time the clo- ver is going out the blue grass will be ready to take its place. I found considerable advantage from harrowing and rolling in the spring — the harrowing belijte sowing the grass seeils and ihe rolling immediatidy after. The harrowing would appear as if it would injure the rye or wheat, but such has not been the result. If the ground is put into grass with the expectation of breaking It up in two or three years, then the blue grasa should be omitted, as it would not get sutRcienlly strong before breaking up to be of much service. As an auxiliary in setting fields in grass, it is of great service to pasture small stock, calves or cnlis, upon the rye or wheat fields during the winter, and feed them with hay that has been permitted to ripen its seed. Some of the best seeded fields I have ever seen has been ellected by leeding stock upon them without adding any other seed than those contained in the hay. In those cases care was taken to distribute the feeding over the field. And the hay used had a mixture of seed in it. The usual rotation in out crops is two years in grass, two in corn, and one in wheat, rye or oats. Under this kind of treatment our lands are increas- ing in lertiliiy ; especially where the small orrain has been fed down by hogs. I have one field that has been alternately in small grain, (led ofi' by hogs,) and corn ; this field has also increased in ferlilil}'. Whilst the fields are in grass, all the slock Ibdder (a name wiih us of the corn-stalks after the corn has been husked out of the shock,) is led to stock uj)on the grass fields ; this with the dropping of the cattle serves to enrich the field. As a general rule the stock should be fed upon grass lands that will some day l)e ploughed. In this way the manure in made and dropped where it will be wanted to nourish the succeeding crops. About the first of March, (two weeks earlier with you,) the slock is taken oH' the grass fields, and put into pens of three or four acres for each kind of stock, and are led in those pens until the grass gets a good start in the spring. The secret of having good grass consists in giving it a good start in the spring. Sometimes there are points of srround where the soil has been worn off or washed away. In such cases it is best to haul out a \'ew loads of manure and spread on those barren places, which will make it pro.iuce grass readily. Where the points are stony they should be broken up small with a sledge hammer, and if loo abundant, a pari of them removed. Grass will grow well where the surface is covered with lime- stone provided the stone be sufficiently small. I preli^r putting gross upon wheat or rye but it will do very well put in with oats. When put in with oats, the smaller kind of oats should be used, or less seed than usual of the larger kinds. When the larger kinds of oats are sowed thick, they entirely emother the grass. When the grass is intended to be cut for hay, timothy should be sowed either alone or with the eapling clover. They botii ripen together, while the common red clover is ready to cut two weeks THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 11 sooner than timothy, and on that account not Buitable lo be mixed vvilii it iur huy. Clover alone malies excellent hay, and is easily cured. Alier it lias been cut a half day, ii' ihc weather is good, it should be turned over, and in two or three hours it will be reaily to put up in shocle : the top of the passage is arched with the same solid rock, which would render it im|)ossible that such a cause should have produced this effect. It is na- ture that has arranged these correspondinij co- lumns and curves according to the laws of afhtniy, attraction, crystallization, &c. &c. The rooai we are now in is called the " pond room," from the circumstance of there being oi\ is surface a small pond or basin of water, of a few feet in circumlerence, and about three feet in depth. Th's water is of crystal clearness, the smallest object thrown into it may be distinctly seen on its bottom. Although this basin ts three leet deep, it has the appearance of being not more than two inches in depth, and a gentleman who had the curiosity to attempt to )ump across it, did not quite reach the opposite side, and found himself half his depth in water. Thus it seems that a man cannot always trust his own eyes, and although persons may sometimes be very positive in regard to matters and things, still, like this gentleman, who under- took to Jump across the pond, may unfortunately find themselves positively mistaken. The water in this pond was what I term pure xoaier — holding nothing at all in solution. Ev^ery earthy particle had been f)reci|)itated by time and temperature, and the stillness of the atmosphere favors such an operation. What may be the properties of the surface which surround this body of water to^ refract the rays of light from our lamps, so as to make the water appear of less depth than its true depth, I cannot determine. Near to the b^isin of water in the pond room, is a pile of round stone, about the size of paving stone, quite black, and covered with an incrusta- tion of a semi-vitrified substance, which renders the appearance nnich like a pile of cinders. V'isiters have named this place " Vulcan's work- s'lop." In one part of this room, a body of water lails in a solid column, from a circular liole in the roof, about the size of the head of a barrel, and peilectly round, into a well in the bottom of the cave of about the same shape, but of larger size and of great depth. The main cave, in those places where it is inter- cepted by other rooms or branches, is (renerally of •rreat height and tncreased width. The traveller, in passing up the main cave, frequently meets with rooms and branches which are inaccessible, Irom the fact that entrance to them is several feet above his head, and can only be reached by means of a ladder. There are also va?t numbers of apartments running in various directions under- neath, and the sound of the footsteps denote where these apartments are. Great numbers of these branches and apartments have never been visited. The cave may truly be said to be a perfect wilder- ness to explore. About 1 1 miles from the mouth, the walls and roof of the main cave are very hiizh, and covered with incrustations o( the purest white and deepest black, checkered in every variety and interspersed with beautiful crystallizations of every size. Some of the incrustations have a shining frosted appearance, while others are with- out any such ornament, presenting a pleasing, beautiful, and harmonious contrast. When the 16 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. rays of liaht from the lamps strike these surfaces I Ihe walls and roof present the most hrilliani, hean- tiful, fxrand and suhlime appearance imauinable. ; The shininor sides of milhons of the beautil'ul crystals, reflecii.ifj, and re-rL'fieciinj]^ the liifhl, and their little puinis litce distant stars in lite fir- mament, twinkling and shininir as if trying to i outdo each oilier, present to the view of ihe as- tonit^hed and enrai)iured beholder the rich beauties j of the harmonies of nature in all their firandeur | and maffiiificencc. Here, in a vast hall, in one of | nature's migliiy subterranean mansion?!, eleven miles from ihe li^lit oi' day, in soft and solemn silence, stands the astonished beholder wrapt in admiraiion, — in wonder, in asioniehment. On every side, he beholds naiure in ali her maornifi- cence, bi-auiy, harmony and order; every move- ment of the lamp^ preseiUs to his view new teflectinif surlacfs, ihat seem as if alive, vvelcom- iii<' and enjoying as with enra[)iured ecstacies ihe rare visit of the rays of terrestrial light. Wliere is the human beiniz who could stand unmoved in such a place? Impossible! Admiration, con- templation, medilaiion, and adoration will fill his soul, and he will, as it were, involuntarily and spontaneously otter up to the adorable and al- mighty Crea'or of the heavens, the homage of adoration and the tribute of praise. Here, every crystal has its own peculiar shape ; nature knows no variation in Ihe laws of cry- etall'zation ; every variety preserves its own pecu- liar order and (orm. To the learned geologist, my description will not be deetned lanciful ; he can easily picture to himself the effect of the rays of terrestrial, moving light, thrown upon the surface of crystallized walls, in a dark apartment of great height and extent. AVhat a place ihis for coniem- planon and meditation ;—iheslillness, the silence o(_ midnight, yes, and ten times more— the stillness of silence— yet surrounded by ten thousand times ten thousand living lights, changing with every breath thai moves the hand which holds the lamp, the rays of the light of which are thus newly reflecied. Here respiration is easy— the lamps burn bright — here man may enjoy life, even in a subterranean dwelling. Doct. Smith, of New Jersey, who visited this portion of the cave in 1811, thus speaks of its appearance. "Imagine to yourself a superb hall brilliantly illuminated with ten thous- and times ten thousand lamps, with its superb walls irradiated with millions of the richest dia- monds, and you will have but a faint idea ol' its lustre." The walls of the cave are generally of an even eurliice. A description of the numerous rooms. apartments, and branches, would swell this article to a great length. I have traversed various por- tions of the cave a great number of times, and at every time found something new and interesting. Some apartments of the cave contain Glauber and Epsom salts in great abundance. These salts are in a crude state, and have been collected and used in lhat section of the country. The examination of the cave has developed this fact, viz. : that the temperature is the same at five hundred (eet, as it is at two thousand feet be- low the surface. The members of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris have been some years experimenting upon the heat of the interior of the earth, by boring into it to a great distance below its surface, and have expressed the opinion that the heat increases as they progress down- wards. In this cave such is not the case, but on the contrary, the temperature is equal and unilorm* With respect to water, although the cave is m many places deep, still it is in nearly all its apart- ments perl(3cily dry, that is, in all apartments whicii are protected from surface water produced by rain. The temperature of the cave is so low that no moisture is produced by evaporation. Aa there are numerous apartments beneath the main cave, these ol' course would preserve the upper apaitments dry, unless the heat of the earth in- creased in fliriher progressing downwards, in which case eva[)oration would produce dampness in the upper apartments, as a necessary conse- quence. The quantity ol water whicli fiills upon the surface of the earth in that latitude averages about Ibrly inches per annum. The atmosphere of the cave is another subject of great importance, being uniform throughout the year, and perfectly dry, or rather comparative- ly so, — and whatever moi-ture there may be, is attracted by the dry earth which covers its floor, by which ii is absorbed and crystallized. Many of the readers of this article may not be aware that where two crops of sand are placed side and sitle, the one wet, and the other perfectly dry, the dry sand will attract moisture from the wet, until both become equal. Meat lelt in the cave twelve hours will become so completely impregnated with nitre that it can- not be eaten — and meat that is slightly tainted, if pl.iced in the cave will be divested of its putrefying properties, and gradually dry and become hard. I have no doubt that in process of time, this cave will be resorted to for the restoration of healtii. A person coul'l, without any inconvenience, travel in the cave five or six hours every day for a suffici- ent length of time to allow the atmosphere to have a powerful eflect upon the animal frame. The circumstance that there has never at any time been a single case of sickness among the great number of persons who, lor several years, wrought at this cave, is most conclusive on this point. The Mammoth Cave has been, at some very remote period, inhabited. Mr. Miller, the former superintendent of the workmen at the cave, found, in the excavated earth in the cave, a human jaw bone of very large size, which would go eniirely outside of the jaw bone of niost living persons. This jaw bone was kept at the cave several years to show visiters, and is still, probably, somewhere in exis'.ence, as it was in a good state of preservation. The cave is visited by several hundred persons annually and the showing of its rooms has now become a source of revenue, the superintendent requiring i^l from each visiter as compensation lor furnishing a guide to show the cave. Formerly, in traversing the cave a great distance, it was requisite for the traveller to mark each corner which he passed, with the figure of an arrow, pointing outward. A full account of this cave would fill a volume. M. LARGK HOGS. From tlie Kentucl<5' Farmer. November 26, 1840. Sold by Dr. S. D. Martin to H. Savary, mer- chant, at Colbyville, Clarke county, Ky., five hogs THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 17 of the Woburn breed, of (he Ibllowing weights. Seven and a lialf pounds deducted liom each one lor weiiilu of the breeching. No. 1 weighed 640 lbs. No 2 " 630 " No. 3 " GGO " No. 4 " 748 " No. 5 " S2i " The foliowini; jienllemen were present when the hogp were weighed. liev. Wm. (runn, Edmund Taylor, and Henry Savary. Two of the above hogs had been u.-?ed as boarp, and were three ye:irs old in JNlarcli laa.. Tiie 01 her two were two years ohi in February and April last. Sam'l,. D. Martin. ed by an advantage over Englishmen of 33 per cent. In other words, the goods which cost the American manufacturer ten cents a yard, the American coni^unier must pay him 13 cents (or, belbre the ascending scale of profits will bccliecUed by (breign coinpetilioii. In our judgment, the agricultural interests of the country would show little of the sagacity lor which the Yankees are liimed, if they sliould be led to make farther sacri- fices in (ijvor of manufiicturers. The spinning of cotton is a business as firmly established in our country as the grinding of wheat, and no more needs protection. In truth it has a much broader field of enterprise, and is less encumbered by competition. The manufiicturing interest of our country in all its branches has great reason to be satisfied with its present position. Manufacturing was never so healthy under the American system as it has been since that system was overthrown. At no period in our history have the prospects of our manufacturers been so good as they are at this moment. The mushroom growth of esta- blishments has in a great measure ceased. Men who know nothing of manufiicturing have learned to abstain from it. The same prudential princi- ples have been found applicable to this as to all other branches of business. It has been learned that, as in other avocations, so in nianufacturing, a man must understand his business and manage it himself. There is nothing which our manu- facturers have to fear so much, as an abandon- ment of these sound maxims, and a return to poli- tical gambling fbr manufacturing prosperity. We are glad to know that in all this we speak the sentiments of the more intelligent portion ol' our manuliicturers. There is no danger that those who are now engaged in manul'acturing, will not find domestic competition springing up li:ist enough around them, without the stinmlants of a high tariff. Nor is there any danger that the home market fbr the products of agriculture, will not be enlarged as last as the best interests of the country require. The business of spinning cotton, though recently depressed, has not at any moment vvithm the last three years been carried on in well regulated establishments at a very great loss. And now such establishments are making good AMERICA AGAINST ENGLAND IN COTTON MANUFACTURING. From tlie Journal of Commerce. The Monthly Chronicle, published at Boston, contains an article prepared by Mr. Montgomery, an Englishman practically acquainted with the cotton manuliictures of England and the United States. In connexion with the remarks of the editor of the Chronicle, who also is learned in such matters, the article presents a minute statement of the comparative expense of manufacturing in both countries, and proves that we have the advantage and can make cotton goods 4 per cent, cheaper than they can be made in England. These statistics are of great value ; fbr they dissipate the false opinion which has been inculcated so indus- triously, that labor is vastly cheaper in England than here, and that she, by means of the abject poverty of her operatives, has the ability to over- whelm and destroy our manufiicturers, unless they are saved by high duties. There has been a great deal written, and liicis have been abundantly stated, proving the truth; yet some men high in honor have not yet left ofi' talking about the degradation which Americans must suffer if left to contend unprotected against (he " pauper la- bor" of Europe. The fact is, that American ma- , nufacturers are able to pay the wao-es which have '• I"'ofi>s on all the goods they can turn out, and are been so much complained of, and so enable our | "nable to keep pace with the demand. In the laborers to maintain their own respectability and coming five years there will be a great increase of thatof their families, and yet sell their fabrics all cotton factories in this country. This business over the world cheaper than the English. In the will enlarge itself more, in all probability, thaa supply of our own market with plain cotton (roods I "''Y «'l»er ; and the enlargement will be created the advantage in favor of the American nTanu- i by the stimulant oi high profits. Since, then, the manufacturers have been placed in the very best possible position, we trust they will be too sagacious (o abandon it. We annex same extracts from the Chronicle I article, taken from the Boston Daily Advertiser. I TTie Cotton Manufacture of the United States I compared with that of Great Britain. lacturer stands about thus : — Greater cheapness in prime cost of the goods, 4 per cent. Difference of interest, freight and other charges of importation, Duty according to compromise, 9 13 20 The last number of the Monthly Chronicle con- 33 tains an analysis of an important work lately pub- It is proved by these facts, that neither thejlished at Glasgow; by "James Montgomery, success of our manuliicturers, nor the honor of I superintendent of the York Factory, at Saco, our laboring population, nor the furtherance of a ^ Maine." The author is an Englishman, and is home market for the products of agriculture, | well acquainted witli^ the state of the cotton ma- require an increase of duty (or the purposes ol protection. The American manuliicturer, as (he matter will stand two years hence, will be protect- Vol.. IX.-2 nufacture in Great Britain, by many years' prac- tical acquaintance with the business, and he has also become ac()uainted with the state of the 18 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. manufacture in ihis country by four years' expe- rience and observation, under the most favorable circumstances. His work is, iherefore, full of facts of great interest, and whicli it is important for ilie manufacturers of tills country to know. The article in the Monthly Chronicle, to which we refer, gives an analysis of the more imi)ortant facts, with tables abridged from the work, giving the comparative prices ol'each description of ma- chinery, and each branch of labor. It is too long for publication in a newspaper, but we here give the general recapitulation of the estimates there presented, showing the cost and produce of an American and an English cotton mill of the de- ecription there given, with the general remarks ol' the Chronicle, which we recommend to the atten- tion of those who are interested in this subject. Recapiiulalion. EXPENSES OF OUTFIT. In America. Gr. Brit. Cost of buddings, &c. - - $44,000 $11,904 00 Machinery in preparation de- 14,401 60 8,920 32 8,227 20 partment, - Do in spinning Do in weaving 21,662 do 23,554 do 14,620 Total - - $103,836 EXPENSES PER FORTNIGHT. Preparation department - $250 50 Spinning do - - 224 00 Weaving do - - 734 95 General charges - - - 161 00 Miscellaneous charges - - .584 00 Total $1,954 45 $1,123 62 PRODUCE PER FORTNIGHT. Throstle warp spinning, spin- dies, [Am. 18's; Br. 16's yarn,] . - . - Speed . . - - Pounds produced Hanks do - - - Do per spindle - Weft, No. 18, spindles [Am. throstle ; Br. mule,] Speed . - - . Pounds produced Hanks do Do per spindle - Pieces* of cloth woven from 128 looms, ... Yards woven ... Speed of looms per minute Effective shots obtained From the foregoing estimates, is deduced the comparative cost of manufacture in the two countries. The expenses of a fortnight's opera- tion in the American Mill, ^1954 45, divided by the number of yards produced, gives the cost of a yard 3 4-5 cts. The expense of the British mill for the same period SJ133 62 cts., divided by 35,200 yards, gives a cost of 3 1-5 cents per yard. The dlHerence of cost 3-5 of a cent is eijual to an excess of 19 per cent, in the cost of the American manufacture over the British, the former, though * The American pieces of 2,400 threads, a three- leafed tweel, 18's warp, 30 inches broad, 30 yards long, weighing 10 lbs. ; the British, a shirting 2,000 threads, 16's warp, 18's weft, 35 inches broad,' 25 yards long, weighed 8J lbs. 2,880 2.160 4,700 4,400 10,080 6,345 181,440 101,520 63 47 2,112 2,400 4,700 4,200 7,744 5,660 139,392 102,000 66 42,1 1,710 1,408 51,300 35,200 120 95 104 77J narrower, being the heaviest cloth, and containing the most threads. To this is adiled an estimate of the comparative cost of the raw material to the British and Ame- rican manufacturer. The charges to the British manufacturer, on the import of cotton from an American southern port, for shipment, freight, insurance, importer's profit, duty and inland car- riage, are estimated at 27 1-2 per cent., which supposing the cost of the cotton at the place of shipment to be 7d. or 14 cenis, and supposing 2-5 of a pound of cotton to be required lor a yard of cloth, makes the oriirinal cost of cotton 5 1-2 cents, and the cost in England 7 cents for each yard of cloth. The charges (o the American manufacturer, are estimated at 11 percent, on the cost of cotton at the ex; orting market, or 6 1 5 cts. at the mill for the quantity required for a yard of cloth. The American manufacturer, therefore, has the advantage of 4-5 of a cent per yard in the cost of the raw material, while the English ma- nufiicturer, has the advantage of 3 5 of a cent in the cost of manufacture ; making the advantage in the assregate in favor of the American manu- facture 15 of a cent, per yard, or 1 35 or 3 per cent, nearly in the whole cost. From other modes of calculation, it will be apparent that in the cost of cotton, the American manufacturer has the advantage of about half a cent a pound in the freight from the place of production, as much more in being free from import duty, and probably another half cent in the difference of other charges. This makes a great ditt'erence in his favor. In reference to the comparative expense of the cotton manufacturers, in Great Britain and this country, the author remarks as follows : '• That the general rate of wages is higher in the United States than in Britain is admitted, par- ticularly the wages of females employed in the factories. The greater [.art of these are farmers' daughters, who go into the factories only for a short time, until they make a little money, and then " clear ou'," as it is called : so that there is a continual changing amongst them, and in all the places I have visited, they are generally scarce ; on that account the manufacturers are under the necessity of paying high wages, as an inducement for girls to prefer working in the fac- tories to house-work ; and while this state of things continues, it is not to be expected that wages in this country will be so low as in Great Britain; and although they iiave undergone a considerable reduction during the late depression still they are hiizher than in any part of Britain." " Throstle spinning is nearly as cheap in this country as in Britian, in consequence of the higher speed at which the spinning frames are driven and the greater quantity of work produced in a given lime. But the price of carding is fully double that paid in Britian, because here, men are generally employed to attend the cards, spreading, scatching machines, &c., while the same work is done by boys and girls in Britain. The lowest wages paid to any girl in the card room, that I am aware of, is one dollar per week and her board ; and taking her board at the lowest rate, viz : one dollar and twenty cents per week, her wages in all will amount to two dollars twenty cents, equal to 10s. sterling per week. The ave- rage rate of wages for girls in the card room, may THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 19 vary /rom lis. to 12s. 6d. per week. Men's wages miiy vary from 13s. lo 18s. per week. Thus in every department, the rate o( wa<^es is generally liigher in the United States than in Britian : nor do I think that they will, at least for many years, be so low in this country as in Great Britain. " The price of living here is higher, and the hours of labor longer, besides the greater part of the factory workers being connected with liirniing, whenever wages become reduced so low, as to cease lo operate as an inducement to prelcr factory labor above any other lo which they can turn their atleniion, then a great many factories will have to shut up. During a stagnation of trade, it is common for the manufacturers here to stop a part, or the whole of their factories, and then the workers retire to their larms ; such was the case in 1837, when a vast number of factories were entirely shut up. Yet it seemed not to aifect ihe workers very materially ; indeed, many of the girls who had been some time in a factory, seemed to rejoice and regard it as a time of recreation ; eo that the manufacturing population of America are an entirely diti'erent class, and placed m very different circumstances li-om those of Great Bri- tain, and very great changes must lake place be- fore the wages in the former can be so low as in the latter country ; and, indeed, the manufacturers here can afford to pay higher wages than the British, because they run Iheir factories longer hours, and drive their machinery, at a higher speed, from which they produce a much greater quar-tily of work, at the same time they can pur- chase their cotton at least one penny a pound cheaper, and their water power does not cost above one-fourth of the same in Great Britain. But though wages cannot be reduced much lower than they are at present, there are other means by which manulacturers might abridge iheir ex- penditure. Their establishments might be erected at much less expense — a more improved arrange- ment might be adopted — and the work conducfed with much more economy. All these, however, are matters which the Americans will very speedily learn ; every successive depression of trade will lead tfiem more and more to see the necessity of managing every department of the business with the least possible expense ; and as soon as they can equal the British in this, they will be able to compete wiili them, and that suc- cessfully too, in any market whatever. *• The British have, no doubt, attained lo great perfection in the art of manufiicturing cotton goods ; but whether they will be able lo maintain that high pre-eminence to which they have arrived, or have to yield to the increasing improvements of foreign nations, are questions difficult of solu- tion. Their most powerful rivals are, doubtless, the Americans. The manufacturers of no other country can purchase their cotton so cheap, and it is presumed no country possesses so extensive water privileges; only a small portion of which have as yet been occupied. If we add to these the intelligence and enterprising spirit of the people, it will at once be obvious to every unprejudiced mind, that the American manufacturers are the most formidable competitors with which the Bri- tish have to contend in foreign neutral markets." It will be observed that the foregoing estimate embraces no compulation of the cost of working power or of the comparative expense of steam and water power. 'I'he estimate of 7 1-2 per cent, for the wear and tear of machinery and buildings also, if intended to embrace, besides wear, the interest on capital, seems to be inade- quate, and perhaps hardly more than sullicient to cover the charge of wear and repairs, in which case a further allowance of 6 per cent, in this country, and 5 in England, should be made for interest. We can hardly imagine, however, that there is not some error in the estimate of the comparative cost of buildings in the two countries. The sum of $4,608, appears to be a very small sum for the cost of a building of the dimensions described, and we can hardly suppose it to be adequate to the erection of such a building in a style of strength and durability, bearing any comparison with buildings used for the same purpose in this coun- try; since the difference of cost slated is evidently much greater than can be accounted for from the greater cheapness of labor and machinery in Great Britain. The cost of water wheels and geering, and also of a sleam engine, is given in the estimate above quoted, but no estimate is made of the cost of water power, or of coals for producing steam. These are important items, and the question of their comparative cost is one of considerable interest. We regret that it is overlooked in this work. Among Ihe miscellaneous articles at Ihe close of the book, are calculations of the cost of water power as it is sold by the proprietors of' the locks and canals at Ijowell, Massachusetts, and also at Manayunk, Philadelphia. At Lowell, a mill power sufficient to carry 3,584 throstle spindles, witli the accompanying machinery, computed to be equal to 54 l-'2 horse powers, together with lour acres of land, is sold at the rate of $4 a spindle, amounting 10^14,336. Deducting !ii8,436 lor the value of the land, it leaves $! 10,900 for the cost of the water power, or $200 per horse power, the interest of which at 6 per cent, is .$12 per annum. At Manayunk, water power has been sold at a much higher rate, viz. at a rate computed to be equal to $1,016 per horse power or a rent of $60 96 per annum. The first of these statements may be considered as affording a just criterion of the cost of water power in this country in an eligible position lor extensive manufacturing operations. Among the same miscellanies we find an esti- mate of the costs of steam power in a mill in Massachusetts, where an engine of 40 horse power carries 3,700 mule and throstle spindles with the accompanying machinery. This esti- mate is for cost lor coal and attendance, $12 20 a day; which is equal lo $3,782 per annum, and to $94 55 per horse power. This is exclusive of oil, packing, &c., which would swell the estimate to $100 per annum for each horse power. The only information given in the book relative to Ihe cost of steam power in Great Britain, is the remark appended to the above statement, that the estimate there given is about double the cost of the same power in Glasgow. At this rate the cost of the steam in Glasgow is equal to four times the cost of that in Lowell. In the testimony of Mr. Kemplon, given on an examination by a committee of the house of com- 20 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. mons, as quoted in a pamphlet on the factory question, by Rev. R. H. Gregg, published in JLondon, in 1837, (he cost ol' steam power in Eng- land is stated to be £ 12 10s., (or t$60) per horse power. If this be a correct statement, and iC we offset the cost and repairs of the engine against the cost and maintenance ol' the water wheel, we have the cost of steam power in England, equal to five times that of water power, at one of the principal manufacturing towns in this country. This diffierence however in the cost of power is reduced to the proportion of about two to one, if the author's estimate be correct, of the greater amount of power required in the American mills in consequence of the exclusive use of the throstle spindle. The cost of power thus estimated, which should be added to the author's computation ol the cost of manufacture ol a yard of cloth, is equal to 1-14 of a cent in the American mil! and 1-6 in the British mill ; the difference of power being about 1-11 of a cent in the cost of each yard of cloth, if the machinery in the American mill were of the same kind as that in the English mill, the difference in the cost of power would be about 1-8 of a cent. This difference, although it Beems insignificant in the cost of a single yard of cloth, is an item of some importance in the expenses of a year, and amounts to about 1 per cent, on the whole cost ol" manufacture, including that of the raw material. If the author's estimate of the ditTerence in the cost of manufacture be correct, the addition of this advantage swells that differ- ence to 4 per cent. It will be observed that these computations apply only to those branches of the cotton manu- facture, to which the advantages of mechanical power can be applied with the greatest effect, and which the experience of our countrymen has enabled them to prosecute most successfully, and not at all to the finer and more complicated manu- factures, which require the application of a greater amount of manual labor, and of skill which is the result of continued experience. Yet this result presents a most encouraging view of the prospects of this important manuliicture in this country. It shows that in the manufacture of those descrip- tions of cloth for which there is much the greatest demand, (he mills of this country are at this moment able to sustain a competition with the most favorably situated establishments of Great Britain, and to supply the articles produced at equal prices in markets foreign to both countries. But this is not all. The whole comparison shows that those items in the computation which pro- duce a result in our favor, are of a permanent character, secured to us by our national position, and of which we cannot be deprived; while a portion of those, in which we labor under a disad- vantage, will change in process of time, and ren- der the general result of the comparison still more favorable to us. This remark will apply particu- larly to deficiencies in economical management, deficiencies in certain portions of the machinery and the want of equal experience and skill in a portion of the hands employed. These considerations must relieve those who are interested in the American cotton manufac- ture, from any serious apprehensions of perma- nent decline of this branch of industry in this coun- try. An ample pledge (or the continuance of a demand for the products of this manufacture, is to be found in the universal want of the civilized world, of a material which can be in no other way so cheaply supplied. If this material could be furnished by foreign laborers on better terms than by our own, the American manulticturer might well feel, that he held his command over the mar- ket, even of his own country, by an uncertain te- nure. But if it be proved that the advantages of his position are such, that notwithstanding the materially higher cost of labor in this country than in Europe, he can still furnish his products at a price at which he cannot be underbid, even in a ibreign market, by the manufacturers of any other country, his position is as safe and independent, as in the nature of things the emoluments of any occupation can be. ANSWERS TO GENERAL QUERIES** ON MARL- ING, IN REGARD TO GREEN-SAND MARL, USED ON THE PAMUNKEV RIVER LANDS. (Continued from p. 639, vol. 8.) V. Answers of Edmund F. fVickham in regard to the use of marl, on his South fFales farm, Ha- nover county. Answers to Isf. Query.— \ commenced the use of marl in 1824. Id. — It was my property, and in a general way under the management of an overseer then and now. He ibilows my directions with suf- ficient exactness. 3(/. — In 1824 there were about 545 acres of clear- ed land, exclusive of some open land in the forest. Ath. — I have cleared about 40 acres since, of land somewhat similar, but inferior to the rest of the farm, making in all 585 acres, between the pub- lic road and the river. To this part of the iarm my marl and manure have been exclusively applied. I do not include a clearing of about 225 acres of forest land, which is used for a standing pasture, &c., and which will not be embraced in my answers. 5lh. — In the early part of my operations my pro- gress in marling was slow. For the last ten years I have been thoroughly satisfied of the great importance of this work, and my overseer knows that I am well pleased to hear he is ac- tively engaged with all the force he can spare in hauling marl. I have marled to this time not less than 425 acres. This winter I am en- gaged in marling a second time the land which 1 first marled in 1824. Qlh. — The marl I use is taken from the pits of my brother William F, Wickham. He estimates the quantity of carbonate of lime at 45 per cen- tum. My South Wales farm is situated on the South Anna river just at the junction of the North and South Anna rivers, [which form the Pamunkey.] 1 have repeatedly dug and bored for marl on my land, without finding it. At several points on the river side where the plant you term the "marl indicator" is found grow- ing with great luxuriance in the water, which oozes out of the bank, I have sunk deep pits, and made diligent search, hoping to discover * The queries are repeated on page 24 of this No. THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 21 marl, but without findino; it. From my want of success, I am led to believe the marl indicator does not alwajs point out with absolute certain- ty the presence of marl, as one would infer from a communicaiion in your Farmers' Ivcgisier vol. 6, page 454. As lar as I am inlbrmed, marl has not been found in a single instance on the South Anna river, above its junction with the North Anna. Ith. and Sth. — There is some green-sand in the marl I use, but what proportion I cannot say. There are no hard masses of marl to diminish its value.* 9//t. — JMy constant aim is to apply about GOO bushels of marl to the acre. \Qth. — 1 have never knowingly used less than 500 bushels. Wth. — I liave made no trial of any much hea- vier dressings. I believe the carbonate of lime is the chief lerlilizing principle contained in the marl, and I endeavor to apply to each acre, as near as I can, 300 bushels o( lime. Had I not so great a distance to haul the marl, 1 would ap- ply more than 600 bushels of marl to the acre. \2th. — Previous to my use of marl, the farm was cultivated on the three-field system, corn, wheat and pasture. 13/A.— The same system was pursued until 1826, when I commenced with the four-field rotation, wheat, corn, wheat, and one year in clover, which I still continue, and am very partial to it. My firm has improved rapidly under this course. I believe it yields greater fertility to the land, and more profit to the owner, than any other system. If your clover is not grazed, but turned under for the wheat, all the materials afforded by the crops converted into manure, and due diligence used to get out marl, which is one of the main, if not the chief pillar in the system, I feel confident the land will improve rapidly, and your fields be kept clear ol' blue grass, which is often so prejudicial to wheat, af- ter a clover lay of two years' standing. At pre- sent this rotation appears to have lost some fa- vor with Mr. Selden of Weslover, and Mr. Carter of Shirley ; but 1 anticipate their return to it, with additional encomiums, before many years elapse. \Ath. — On the crops next following, when no ma- nure was mixed with the marl, which was some- times the case, when I first commenced the use of it, the benefit was not so great. Its eflfect on the clover which succeeded was very apparent. It acts more immediately on stiff than on light land. \5ih. — The earliest effects of the marl have in- creased and continue to increase. \Qth. — 1 do not apprehend any diminution from the increased product of my marled land. I es- teem it a most valuable and lasting manure. * From three principal diggings of Mr. W. F. Wickham, which are those also used by Mr. Edmund F. Wickham, specimens deemed of average strength were carefully selected, and reported at p. 684 of vol. 8. The proportion of carbonate of lime ascertained accu- rately, and also the green-sand as merely fixed by the eye, were as follows: No. 1 No. 2 No. .3 Carbonateof lime in 100 grains .32.50 44 ?.(i Green-sand 22 8 5 Vlth. — My land has euKlained no damage by ap- plying marl too heavily. 18/A. — i find the manure from my farm- pen and stable yard, when mixed with marl, (lecidedly more efficacious on the first crop, and frel confi- dent it is rendered more permanent. Wherever manure is put out, marl should be spn^ad with it, and both ploughed in together. Gypsum acts well on clover. 19iA.-^l should suppose the average productive power of my land in corn before marling was from three to three and a half barrels per acre. 20th. — The present average is from six to seven barrels per acre. 21s^. — My crops of wheat have varied with the season. They have increased at least in the same proportion with the corn crop. 22d. — I estimate the increased product of my land, from the use of marl and other manures, at an average of near 100 per centum. The chief advantage has resulted fi-om the marl, as it enabled me to extend my improvement the more rapidly, and by the increase of my crops has furnished more materials to enlarge the. amount of putrescent manures. 23c?. — My observation does not contradict any of the important theoretical opinions advanced in your 'Essay on Calcareous Manures;' but, on the contrary, my experience every year con- vinces me more and more of the great import- ance of the views brouffht forward in that va- luable work. The benefits already derived from it have been great, and as yet they are but in their infancy. I am firmly convinced your Es- say is destined to work a vast improvement throughout the whole marl region of the United States, and, if the farmers will zealously work on the principles there laid down, it will be the means of converting an arid and sterile country into one abounding in ever}^ thing that can de- light, and reward the toils of the husbandman. You have cause to congratulate yourself on the great aid you have rendered to the agricultural community. December 15th, 1840. ON THE SOILS, AND BIARLING IMPROVEMENTS OF KING WILLIAM COUNTY. INTRODUCTO- RY TO ANSWERS TO THE GENERAL QUERIES ON MARLING. By the Editor. The county of King William is the lower part of the peninsula formed by the Pamunkey and Mattapony rivers. The soils of the county may be classed in four general divisions, viz.: 1. the Pamunkey low lands (described at piige 679 of vol. viii.); 2. the Mattapony low lands, which are still more sandy than the former, and of inferior quality; 3, the level high land draining towards the Pamunkey, which is most generally very stiff, and 4. those draining into the Mattapony, which are as remarkable fbr extreme sandiness. The line of separation between these two last di- visions is not precisely the ridge, or summit level, which separates the water flowing in opposite di- rections to the two rivers, but is nearly so. In my 22 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. recent has'y visit to the county, my personal ob- eervations were almost confined to the first and third of the above divisions, not having seen any of the Maltapony low-grounds, and very lilile of the sandy high or "forest land," that being the common designation in this and the neighboring counties for the high and naturally poor lands back from the rivers, and which name has no relation to the existence of trees on the land. Hence the term "forest land" before used in the Iburlh ofthe queries on marling, would here be mis- construed, unless explained to mean wood-land, as it was designed, and as it will now be changed lor. The high or "forest" land, or "ridge" land, as I have elsewhere termed such, whether of the s;ifJ' or light class, was originally poor, as euch soils are every where else in the tide- water region of Virginia. Before I had seen any of this stiff kind, it was so described to me by Mr. Fontaine, (in reference to his own farm,) that 1 recognized it at once as the same kind which forms a small part of the Coggins' liirm, which I formerly occu- pied, and nearly the whole of the Maycox farm adjoinins surprising when we consider that, at least in Virginia, corn has been our chief staple ever since i he country was settled. But ignorance of the best methods must still be our portion, unless each corn-grower of our country, instead of conceiting his own ways to be best, (as too many of us constantly do,) would impartially and diligently pursue a course of comparative experiments between the modes most generally recommended, solely v/ith a view to ascertain which was preferable. * * * * I have repeated two experiments with Irish po- tatoes, both oj' which contribute to confirm opi- nions deduced fi-ora my previous trials. The first was by planting in hills, the shoots from growing roots, after these shoots were six or seven inches has proceeded from two causes. A severe drought in September and October was one cause ; and the almost entire destruction of the leaves in Sep- tember, by some insect which I could not discover, was the other. They took, however, a seconcl growth, which saved the roots from destruction. But if a late writer in the Albany Cultivator may be credited, this crop is worth little or nothing ; for he asserts that he fed away last winter and spring, some fifty-odd ton to hogs and cattle, without per- ceiving any benefit, except some increase of milk in his cows. It is true, that there are, I believe, some hundreds of well authenticated experiments, accompanied by results very minutely detailed, of most manifest benefila from the use of the sugar- beet, in feeding both cows and hogs ; so that we may venture, u'ithout at all impugning this gen- ileman's veracity, at least to pay very little regard to his solitary authority, until more gainsayers may join him. We may, I think, go a liitie ffir- ther, and suspect him of belonging to that class of 32 TliE FARMERS' REOtSTER. farmers whose eyes can rarely see any thing which operates against their preconceived opinions. With respect, however, to root crops in general, it is evident that none of us, especially in Virginia, have yet bestowed on them that attention which they well deserve. Still less have we ever made any such trials between the different kinds, as would enable us to determine certainly which should be pre/erred. Hence, opinions vary almost beyond computation, and, what is very remarka- ble, the two roots which most (arming books pro- nounce to be the best, I mean carrots and parsnips, we very seldom cultivate at all, except lor table use. Nothing but a long course oi' trials, often repeated, and accurately made, can ever settle this much mooted question ; and such a course, I fear that very few of us will ever take the trouble to pursue, however desirable it may be. But until we do, we surely ought to abstain, most carefully, from dog- matizing on the subject — not only because it will be discreditable to ourselves, but injurious to our cause. Another of my experiments which 1 deem worth slating, was with a mixture of clover, orchard grass, and timothy seed, sown and rolled immediately after wheat, which was put in about the middle of October, 1839, with the large 2 horse-harrow. The ground was an old clover-lot that had been well ploughed about a month be- fore. But a small portion of the clover-seed was clean, the rest having been cut when ripe, was thrown into small cocks, and suffered to remain on the ground, until just before it was sown. It was then trodden out, and alier the stems were taken out, was immediately committed to the earih. The unclean seed came up much better than the clean, but did not show vvell, until the eprin"', when it soon appeared to have taken perfectly. After the wheat was taken off, it attained by mid- summer, an average height of nearly 3 feet, The timothy and orchard grass seed both failed, probably from being defective. This experiment, which 1 have known to be successfully tried on several other farms in the middle states, justifies the conclusion, that to clean clover seed is a need- less trouble and expense, and that in our climate, unclean seed sown upon wheat in October, will very rarely, if ever fail to come up well, whereas, clean seed, sown as usual, on wheat in the spring, without harrowing, will almost certainly perish. With me, it has done so, I think at least 5 times out of 6. Another great advantage in fiill sowing is, that you may cut your clover, at least 7 or 8 months sooner, than if you sow in the spring. My experiment with ruta baga was made by sowing tlie seed on the same ground which pro- duced iheiTi last year. It was first well manured from the horse stables and cow yard. I was induced to make this trial by having heard from several persons of unquestionable veracity, that they had known many old planters successfully to pursue this practice with the common varieties of turnip, for a number of years in succession. The reason they assigned was, that this method always secured the turnips from the fiy, and with- out any diminution of the crop, if the ground was manured each time of sowing. Whether this be true or not, certain it is, that no f]y has molested my present crop of ruta baga, and that it promises to be quite as good as that of the last year, mak- ing due allowance for the excessive drought, du- ring a part of the two last months. If the old planters referred to, were right in their opinions, as to the effects of their practice, it forms another striking exception to the alleged necessity of the constant rotation of crops, (beneficial as I admit it to be generally,) in preserving the productive- ness of our lands, whilst this practice goes far towards disproving the correctness of the opinion maintained by the celebrated botanist, M. Can- dolle, and a few others, that every plant when ripe, deposites in the e^rth, some substance whicli is poisonous to plants of tiie same kind. True it is, that lands are said to "get sicA;" of the same crop, (clover, for instance,) often repeated, al- though 1 have known this repetition to be made of several different crops, for many, many years together, without any apparent injury whatever. But surely, even if we admit the sickness to the fullest extent, we may easily account for it, without the agency of poison — simply by supposing that the diminution of the crop arise? solely from the lessening of its appropriate food, and must neces- sarily continue until ihat food is restored in proper quantities, by the application of some of those fertilizing substances which contain it. To look fanher than this for an explanation of so common an occurrence as the impoverishment of our lands, seems to me to be taking a very needless flight into the boundless regions of fanciful theory and visionary speculation — a practice, by the way, which has excited stronger prejudices among the illiterate, against agricultural works in general, than all other things put together. Before I conclude. the subject of experiments, I will here call your attention to one wfiich 1 stated two or three years ago. It was made with Guinea grass which I neglected afier two trials, from a belief that it could not be here acclimated. In this I find myself mistaken; for a small spot which was not destroyed, has increased so much as to become a thick mat of grass that reached this year a height of at least five feet, in land by no means rich, and ripened its seed. 1 can now cer- tainly say of it, that you may cut it four, and in good seasons five times, that in good land each cutting will be about three feet high, and that it stands drought better than any other grass I have ever tried. It is best propagated by the roots, which should be cut into pieces two or three inches long, and planted about three inches deep, in rows 15 inches by eight or nine apart. The ground requires cultivation the first year. I cannot say to what kind of soil it is best adapted, having tried it only in high land, the soil of which is rather liffht. #*##*#* THRASHING MACHINES. To tlie Editor of the Farmers' Register. Halifax, N. C. Jan. 8th, 1841. Having sown a large crop of wheat, and in- lending to put a full crop of cotton and corn in the ground this spring, it is of course a great object with me to save all the manual labor possible. I should be glad, therefore, if you will give your readers, through the medium of your valuable journal, all the information you can as to the ad- visability of purchasing any of the newly invent- ed reaping and thrashing machines ; and would be glad also, if convenient, that you would mention their cost, and where they can be best procured. THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 33 I have just received one ol' Barmuii's mndiinea lor liealiiiji waier, .mil, 6o (iir ;ss I hsive tried it, think il hcder suited to the laundress '.han the liirmcr. [We cannot jet recommend tiie new reaping machine, (IJutisey's ;) because we have not jet eeen a trial ofii ; and those who have tried it difl'er as to its merit and economj'. As to thrashing ma- chines, our correspondent, and every man who Diakes even as much as 500 husheis of small grain, ought to Iiave one. \Ve cannot pronounce as to the best ; but we latelj' chose and bought one ofJabez Parker, ilichmond, with his horse power annexed, lor four horses, lor our own use, which was put up complete lor ^236. V\'e are well satisfied with it. — Ed. F. R.] PROPAGATION oy THK HOSE. Eioiii tlie Soutlicrri Cultivator. There are reckoned by botanis's about fifty spe- cies of the rose, and from tweive to fiTteen hun- dred varieties. Many of the most choice kinds that I have seen are hardj' shrubs, capable of withstanding our winier weather in the open gar- den, and, as bel()ie observed, bearing buds and flowers from A()ril to November. Any oC ihe.s'e n)ay be propagated either by layers or cul'ings, or by budding, and may be re-produced Iroiu the seed, ll'vou desire to propagate by layers, (which i.s one of the surest methods,) in the month ol' April or May, or even later, bend to the earth a small branch or shoot of last year's growth, and bury it three or four inches beneath the surlacc, leaving its extreme end out of the ground, and the other end in connection vviih the bush ; it is also nacssary to place a flat rock, or other weight, over the part which is under the ground, to pre- vent it from rising up, and also to retain the mois- ture about it. If the weather is dry, it may be watered with advantage. The layer will take root in a few weeks, when it maj' be separated from the parent stem. In the month of October or in the early part of November, it may be trans- planted into any rich soil where it will maintain an independent existence. Sometimes it is very difficult to get a layer to take root ; when this is the case you will be very apt to succeed by cutting the layer half in two and splitting it up about an inch and introducing a small wedge, and then proceeding as above directed. To [tropagaie by cuttings, choose a slip of re- cent growth, liom live to eight inches in length. If the buds at the base of \Ue petiole or common stalk of ihe leaflets is well developed, the slip is sufficiently old ; otherwise, it is too young. The ends of this cutting may be either transverse or oblique, and may be planted in any month of the year while the sap is up, or in the month of No- vember. I usually preler the month of Apiil, Au- gust or September, and place two-thirds of the cutting in an oblique direction beneath the surface, leaving above only one or two inciies, or one or two buds ; if the cutting is planted early in the spring it will take root and blossom the following eummer. Damp, cloudy weather is most favora- VoL. IX.-3 ble for plantiiiir, and the cuttings should be shaded until they lake root. The smallest cuttings are sometimes the best, especially in the months of June, July, and Augnst. Those at the extremity of which the rose has lirst dropped its petals ar« generally to be |)relerred, and when the buda above alluded to are lidl and well-lbrmed, will ge- nerally succeed with more certainty than those of a larger size. These cuttings need not exceed more than lour incites in length, or contain more than three buds. In planting it i^ sufficient to leave only one bud above ground. They should be well watered, and in very hot or dry weather the moisture may be retained about them by in- verting a glass over them during the day. The process of budding is also a favorite and speedy mode of propagating the rose, but may be readily seen by consulting any of tlie works on gardening, as also the manner of sowing seed, to which source I nmst reler the reader. CONVENTION OF TOBACCO PLANTERS. Hon. Daniel Jenifer, from the committee of thirteen members appointed yesterday to consider and recommend as may be deemed most expedi- ent to be adopted by this convention, made the followinir report. Mr. Jenifer, from the committee appointed by the President to consider and recommend sucifi measures as may be most expedient to be adopted to accomplish the objects ol' this convention, re- ported that the limited time allowed them has compelled the committee to confine their report to a genpral review of the subject. That since the adjournment of the tobacco con- vention which met m this city on the 1st, of May last, there has been no change in the bunlens and restrictions imposed upon the tobacco trade of the United States by the nations of Europe, except in some unimportant matters by one or two king- doms; and the facts stated by the committee in their report, to that convention are now referred to, and by us reasserted, and their arguments and suggestions adopted. Since the publication of the documents by Congress at their last session, no correspondence has been received at th.e depart- ment of state on this subject, except a few unim- portant communications from Sardinia and Bel- gium. No change has taken place with foreign governments in regard to this staple, and from what has already transpired, we have no hopes of a favorable action on their part until the Con- gress of the United Stales shall adopt measures commensiirat;. in iheir communications with our Minister in J785. in all their comniercial intercou:se with the Uni Jed Slates. Their remonstrances have met no other response than an act of the French cham- bers extending the law creating the monopoly of American tobacco to the year 1852. By negotiation, therefore, nothing can be ex- pected from her. The last ray of hope from that source has expired, and the American Tobacco planters must look to that tribunal which can alone afford them relief for the evils they endure — ID the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in congress assembled, we their conetituents must appeal lor a redress of the grievances herein set forth. And we rejoice that this appeal has been most ably seconded from other sources in vurione states in the union. Amongst our agents abroad communications tVoiu Mr. Dodge and Mr. Miles have been repeat- edly received by our government, which evince great zeal and labor in the ditl'erent spheres in which liiey have acted. We have seen with pleasure a resolution intro- duced into the Senate of Georgia to instruct their senators, and request their re|)resentatives to use their besi effort- to have a law passed by conjjresa to tax all French wines, silks and brandies, in projjortion to the duty which they lay upon our tobacco in their ports. 'J"he governor of Virginia has called the attention of the legislature of that siaie to the subject in his message to them at their present session, and submitted whether it is not expedient, through their representation in con- gress, to enforce the just claims of their tobacco planters to a reduction of the enormous duties imposed on tobacco by most European govern- ments. And as early as January, 1837, the legislature of Maryland unanimously passed the following resolution : Resolved, That the senators and representa- tives of this Slate in the conizress of the United States be recinesied to lake under their especial care this highly important and much neglected interest, and that they be particularly requested to oppose all and every adjustment of the present fariti', without obiainiiig lor the tobacco interest a fair and equal participation in the benefiis to be derived from such adjustment." In conclusion, your committee recommend to the convention the adoption of the following resc- lutions : 1st, Resolved, That the only effieclual remedy for the evils the tobacco interest labors under from the hiffh duties imposed by Great Britain, and the monopolies of France and other nations of Europe, is to be Ibund in the action of congress, by coun- tervailing duties: and that the convention relies on the wisdom of congress in discriminating be- tween those governments which have and those which have not manilesled a disposition to abandon or modify their present oppressive duties and restrictions imposed on tobacco from the United States. 2d. Resolved, That it be recommended to the crovernment of the United Slates that the treaties now in existence with foreign countries which contain no stipulations for reciprocity in duties on their res^pective products be not renewed. 3d, Resolved That the governors of the several sta'es ol' the union engaged in the cultivation of tobacco, be earnesily rcquesied to call the atten- tion of iheseveial lfgisl;ttures of their respective states to this subject of the American tobacco trade with foreign nations. 4\b. Resolved, That a copy of the proceedings of this convention be laid before the Senate and House of Representatives of the United Stales, and that the senators and representatives from tobacco-growing states be earnestly requested to take such speedy and efficient means as in their judgment may be best calculated to accomplish the^object contemplated by this convention. The report and accompanying resolutions hav- ing been read — The convention was addressed at great length by Hon. Philip Triplett and Hon. Jos. R. Under-_ wood, of Kentucky ; Geo. H. Sieuart, Esq. of Baliimore; Hon. Jas. Garland, of Virginia ;_ Walter Bowie, Esq. and Hon. Daniel Jeniler, of THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 35 Maryland ; Hon. Walter Coles of Viriri n ia Hon. Wni. I). ]Merricl<, ol' JVIary'and ; lion. John .laniopnn, oC Missouri; and Tliomae F. Uowie, E-^q. of JMaryliind. Alier which, ilie report and resolutions were adopted. From the Richmond Whig. THE EUROPEAN DrXIES ON TOBACCO. OPI- NIONS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF TH E QUES- TION. [We have at several different limes piihlished onicles in opnosiiion to the European pys'em of hiiih duties on this important produet of Virginia. We shall now present a piece taking opposite views of the question. — En. F. K.] I see from the papers, that much interest seems to be lei' by ihe tobacco growers in Virginia (I shall confine my remarks to the interest of the Virjjinia planters) on the subject of high duties r barged on the article of tobacco, by some of the European governments, and particularly by Great Britain where our finest and highest priced tobac- roes are used ; and France and Italy, where it is a government monopoly, and where our next best and highest priced iobaccoee are used. The im- pression seems to prevail with the planters, and, probably, the politicians of our stale, that if tiie duty on tobacco was reduced, or done away en- tirely in those countries, that the demand fi)r the article grown in Virginia would be greatly in- creased, and that prices would thereby be hiaher, thereby greatly benpfiting the planter and increas- ing the wealth of Virginia. Now, I believe this opinion to be erroneous, and that some liew (acts are wonh a thousand theories, and may satisfy many that, in some things, free trade is not always the best for every body. In the first place, Vir- ginia only raises about one-third of the tobacco made in the United States, and nearly one-half ol it is manufactured at home, and the labor put upon It doubles the value — a good deal of which is exported in the manufactured state with the increased value, and is of a quality to command a preference, and in consequence of the high duties paid in the European markets named, par- ticularly England, completely excludes them from compeiini; with us in all the lesser markets in the world where the articles used are admitted at moderate duties or free. Again — tobacco is raised in Hungary and France and many other places in Europe and South America and the VV. Indies, and very near, if not quite as much tobac- co is raised in Europe and European possessions, as there is in the United States. Do our planters know this fact ? 'J'obacco can be raised in Ire- land to a great extent, and even in par's of Russia. Why has not more been raised in Europe, espe- cially in Ireland, France and Holland? Simply because theirs is an inferior article to ours, and as such, could not pay the high duty that ours can bear. But look at Holland and Germany, where the duty is very inconsiderable, almost no'hinir, and you find tobacco so low in price, that these markets are worth nothing to the Virginia planter, except merely to take off some 5 000 or 10,000 hocrsheads of Iu2s and inferior leaf, annually, at $31 to $41 and 0.5. And why is this ? Because they use tobacco principally Hjr smoking, and an inlL'rior, cheap article will do ; and, as there \a little or no duly, the moment prices get above $3^ 10 $5, they resort to the use of their own irrowili —but at $3^ to ^4 to $5, they give the preli'rence to American tobacco- Suppose the trade in Great Britain, France and Italy, placed upon the same looting of Holland and Germany, is it not reason- able to believe that all Europe, where tobacco can be raised, will raise it? — lor labor is cheaper there than here. 'I'he conspfpi.^nce wouM be, more tobacco would be raised and more would be consumed; but thegruwers in Virginia would have to take what they could raise it lor in Europe; (or we must bear this (act in mind, that in Europe, (except in great Biiiain) tliey do not chew to- t»acco — they smoke and snuff. The Virginia to- bacco is used principally (or chewing and mixing with other tobaccoes to make enuff; very little of it is used in smoking, and yet much the larger portion of tobacco used in the world, I presume, IS consumed by smoking. There is now, and has been for years past, a demand (br Virginia tobacco beyond her ability to raise it, and at pricts paying the cultivator of the soil better than anything else. Let the planters, then, raise more if they can, and when the product becomes so great that they find it necessary to increase the consumption, and they are willing to compete with the European growers, by selling their crops at ^3 to ^4, and S'5 to ^6 per 100 lbs, — then, indeed, it may be well to seek to have the duly taken ofl\ But it does seem to me, that unless we can gel foreign governments to take the duty ofl^" of a!l American tobacco, and to prohibit the cultivation of it by their own subjects, and to keep the duty on all tobacco raised in Europe, we have no right to complain, but should be well satisfied to find our better article protected by a duty so high as al- most to exclude their inferior article, raised at home, and which, if used to any ffreat extent, must reduce the value of ours. It is not the interest of our planters to cultivate double the quantity of ground, and exhaust their lands to make a large quantity of inlerior tobacco, to sell at ^3 to S5 ; they had much better cultivate half the quantity of land, make good tobacco, and get for it $4 to SIO, as they now do. Those, gentle- men, are my views on this subject, hastily sketched no doubt erroneous some particulars — but in the general, I believe to be correct. JMy only object in presen'ing them is to benefit the tobacco grow- ing interest and the trade of Virjiinia. ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES RESPECTING THE MANURING AND ROTATION OF CROPS OF WORCESTER. To the Editor of the Farmers' Register. JVestnver, January \3lh, 1S41. As I am now housed ti-om incessant rains, enough almost to produce a flood, I have been looking back over the numbprs of the ' Register' lor the last year; and find in the August number a communication with the signature ' R.,' asking of me information wiih regard to the application of iny manure, under the change of system (r-om the mur to the five-field. I owe the author of the [)iece an apology (or my remissness in not paying iliat attention to his wishes that he po much de- served at my hands ; and now thank him (or the 36 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. flattering manner in vvliich he there epeaks of my adopted live fw'ld rotation. In the communication I wrote, as^i-jning my reasons for a contcmi.lated change ofsyeiem, from the four lo the five, and published in your January number, (1840,) (and which by the way you did me (,'reat injustice, in ihe many lypograpiiical er- rors therein committed, enough to discourage ano- ther attempt almost in your columns,) I uf^ed the the (bliowing very imperfect manner of expressing j myself with repaid to the mode of preparing the] Foil by manurinir, lor receiving tlie oat crop, &c.; although I ihinU it might be inli^rred oiiierwise. The passage 1 used was iliis : " As the oat crop is so valuable a one with me lor feedinij my teams, I propose seeding one tliird of Ihe field mtended i'oT peas in that crop, and on which I propose to put my manure. Should tlie manuring extend far- ther than ttie third for oa's, I propose putting the remainder of the marmred laud in pumikins, and the balance of the field of course in peas, Sec." In the paragraph here re(i?rred to, and al)0ut which Ihe author of ' K.' asks information, ! did not probably express myself as understandinijly as I should have done ; I will therefore give the mode 1 contemplate improving the field intended (i^n- the oat crop. My habii and prelerence have been to manure as much land as I could for corn. The portion of the field to be manured for corn i.^ allot- ted off", and not manured until after I have planted the rest of my corn crop, allowing the manure to remain in its compact state in the pens, to tie tram- pled and dunged by the stock, as lonix as possible in ihe sprimr before it is broken, that it may be- come the better lermen'ei'. So scon as we have planted all of the field not intended to be manured lor corn, which is not done before the lOih or 1.5ih of April, and sometimes later, we turn in every thing to getting out ad the manure we cnn in the por- tion of the field allotted lo be manured, and for corn also ; which is usually about one third of the field. It is this portion of tlie fit Id manured lor corn that I propose seeding in oats the fbllowinjj spring — and not manured thi3 same sprimr for ihe oat crop, as was inffirred by ' K.' The nianure made dur- ing the summer, lull, and winter, from the s'ahles, hog-pens, &c., can be used lor the oat crop alone, if preferred ; as those manures might be in a slate to be used. But the idea of using coaise, unfer- mented farm-pen manure, as early as would be re- quired for ihe oat crop, never entered my head. And ' K.' is riglit enough in the opinion, that ihe manure of this winter would be in too crude and unltrmented a state to be used for ihe oat crop olihis epring; lor my impres&ion is that oats should be sown as early as the last of February wilfi us; which would of course be loo early to break the winter-larm pen? of manure. I prefer using the coarse mnnure in the forego- ing manner l(.)r corn, to any other use to which we can apply il ; because Ihe corn crop is more bene- fited by il in its coarse state, probably, than any oiher crop. The succeeding spring il will cor.s'i- tiite a fine pabulum li^r the oat crop to feed Irom. Benefiting ifie succeeding wheat crop essentiolly, and, I think, ensuiing a clover crop, to resuscitate the land. By s'lrh a process we derive all the be- ncfi s that could possibly be expected from it, viz.: ihree grain crops and a stand of clover. My mode of manuring, however, has been very various of late, and probably not used as judicious- ly as it might, have been. I have been governed by circumstances. Portions of my estate I lound in good condi'inn, wliile other porti'ons were very much exhausted. JMyoliject has been to equal- ize its fertility as much as possible. To accom- plish ihis otiject. I have been obliged lo use my mnnure irregularly, and at times not the most de- sirable, or possibly wiiJi considerable los;^. Aa soon as I can equalise the fertility of my fields, (which I hope soon lo do,) I shall fully carry out the mode of manuring lor the corn crop above re- commendcii as the most judicious and preferable. I do not consider it so important as some do that the manure should be handled and prepared into a compost, with so much expense and trouble before its application. 1 think the great object should be lo make as much as possif)le, and to give it lo the earth, almost in any state, whenever you can. You will be sure to derive its benefits sooner or later. All the manure i make iscertainly carried out ivvice a year, spring and fall, and sometimes oliener. I have practised, I think, to great advantage, top-dressing my clover, early in llie spring, with vviieat straw. Ail ihe straw that cannot be car- ried through ihe pens in time to be sufficiently fer- mented is us<'d in ihis way. And if a dry season, the benefit lo the clover is very sreat. I have ma- nured, by top-dressing wheat, but never to any advantage lo the wheal crop. I have almost in- variably lost it by the Hessian fly or huir. Hoping that what I have written may prove satisfactory to my kind friend ' R.,' I remain, your friend and obedient servant, John A. Selden. CRtSFJED COUN MEAL— WINTERING HOGS, &C. For tlie Farmers' Register, Indebted to the Farmers' Register for many va- luable fact- and suggestions, in relation to agri- cultural operations, I feel myself bound to endeavor to discharcre the obligation I have ihus incurred, bv commiinicaiin!!, from tjmo to time, for the be- nefit of yonr correspondents and readers, brief notes of such improvements in the prevailing modes of management in rural economy, as I can recommend to ihe adoption of my brother farm- ers, upon the auliioriiy of my personal experience and observation. A few words at present as to the bpst mode of wintering hotrs. Mv slock consists of two la'-rre breedinrr sows, far advanced in prcgnancv. I desiirn their pi^s for perk next winter, and eleven slioa's, ei^ht about five and ihree about seven months old ; all pronounced by my neighbors very fine animals. The piirs are confined in a pen of good size, bo situated that ihey can bask at pleasure in the sun- shine, and provided with a warm and dry sleeping apartment, separat.'^d from the body of the pen by a close wail of rails, about two and a half feet high, with a hole at one end for ingress and egress, an^l covered wiih a sloping roof of plank over- lapping each other. The pen is not floored, but is kept sTifliciently dry by an abundant supply of shucks, corn stalks, and refuse s'raw, out of which my piiTs are industriously maiuifacturincf several loads of excellent mnnure. JMy breeding sows run at lartre, because I have not lound if conve- nient as yet lo build a pen for them ; but they find a warm bed in my elable, and rarely wander far THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 37 from my prcmipes. I feed my liogs rojrulnrly twice a (i:iy, morning ami evpiiiiiir. I would irreaily prefer feedine: younii hogs three times a daj-, iC I roiil.l do it with any sort of ronvenience, with plop mpde hy hoiliriiT meal made of corn crushed in the ear, and rrround corn and cob together. I find, by repeated experiments, that one gallon of crushed corn- meal, w'c/Z io(7c(/, will, when cooled, malliels of sugar beet are equal in product to 40 bushels of corn to the acre, then, if each hog lie allowed a peck of sugar beet daily, the 40 bushels of corn ground up, cob and corn together, and boiled into good slop, will, upon the principles of calculation furnished by my experiment, go more than twice as far as the 500 bushels of sue- r beet. As to whole corn, it is evident that four times the quan- tity I consumed in slop, that is, a peck daily, would hardly keep thirteen hogs in living order. My corn is crushed at a neifrhhoring mill, where I haul it by the wagon load, and take away the meal when I want it. For crushing and grinding I pay a toll of one-tenth. A neighbor of mine, a large iron manufiicturer, feeds his nmles on crushed corn-mea! mixed with cut straw, and though they work hard every day they are as fat as it is desirable to have them. Crushed corn-meal, at from 15 to 25 cents a bu-hel, according to tlie price of eorn, is, if seems to me, the cheapest horse-feed that can be used. Ii is certainly cheaper than oats, or rye, or whole corn. The larmers in this neighborhood are beginning to use it quite extensively. It is much healthier than whole corn, as well as cheaper. A neighbor informs me that he fattened an old cow last fall on crushed corn- meal, tliat she fat- tened remarkably fast, made first-rate beef' and yielded an enormous quantity of tallow for a cow of her size. I feed my milch cow twice a day with half a trallon of cruslied corn-nteal boiled in about four gallons of water ; and I would not want better i-^lop lor a milch cow. Crushed corn-meal being so valuable for feeding all kinds of stock, every mill, and every |)lantcr and fiirmer having a horse-power, eiilier for a cot- ton gin or a thrashing machine, ought to be pro- vided with a corn crusher. While he wotild thus promote his individual interest, the country would save millions of dollars annually. I observed, in a late Cultivator, a notice of a machine called "ended as manures either for top- dressing or ploughing in. Some of these accounts are elaborately and no doubt faithfully written ; and sometimes favorable, or, as it may happen, unfavorable. Sometimes, too, we are told of the same material having a contrary effect on land of precisely the same character, especially if situ- ated in distant parts of the kingdom. Now the discrepancies may often arise from ignorance, want of consideration of the peculiar effect or action of the material employed. Besides the various substances which have been used for manures from time immemorial, there are others chiefly minerals which are brought into use with various success. The reports of such trials are not always uniform, and defective in so far as the character of the weather or season following the application is omitted to be elated. In my own practices 1 have used soot extensively for top-dressing wheat, and have harrowed and rolled it in ; but if a dry spring and summer fol- lowed the soot was of no service. I have used chalk and lime as dressing for light gravelly land ; but ifa wet season succeeded little or no immediate eH'ect was observable. The same result followed the application of salt, on the same description of land under the like circumstances of season. The reason for the non-efficiency of these three last named substances was perfi-cily obvious: all three are ready absorbents of water from the air, and in a dry season are eminently useful to growing crops ; whereas, in a showery time, the crops need no such assistance. Saltpetre and nitrate of soda are at present fashionable top-dressing ; and those best acquaint- ed with those substances affirm that they are often injudiciotisly used. On wet tenacious land they never can be so efficacious as on dry sandy or gravelly soils ; nor in wet seasons so much as they certainly must be in dry. If I be not mista- ken in attributing to them such eflects they will always be considered as doubtful fertilizers; be- cause they must be used before it can be ascer- tained, except by conjecture, what sort of season ia to follow. Mr. Cuthbert Johnson observes that " the agri- cultural uses of saltpetre have not been examined so carefully or generally as they ought to have been ;" and G. Kimberly, Esq. o( Trotsworth, "regrets that it has been hastily adopted without references in many cases to season, soil, or quan- tity, and as a few fortunate experiments have started into a fashion the use of tl\ose articles, so one or two unseasonable or improper applications have at once condemned them to neglect and oblivion." Such reports show decidedly how necessary it ie to know correctly the eflects of those artificial manures ; whether as the food of plants or improv- ers of the staple ; whether as exciters of vegetation or solvents of nutritive matters already in the soil ; and also under what circumstances of weather or season they are most active or altogether neutral. These are questions for the agricultural chemist to prosecute; so that no fijrmer need work on this twilight or be in doubt concerning the direct eflTecls of any manure which comes recom- mended from competent authorities. And in all future reports of experiments made with any of those uncommon articles of manure, the reporter should not omit to stale what kind of vyeather has prevailed during the experiments ; for the effects, especially of saline substances, are very much determined by the state of the weather. J. Main. [Our respected correspondent is right. Much of the success or otherwise of these and many other manures we could name must depend on peculiar circumstances of soil and season. We have heard saltpetre abused one year and highly extolled in the other ; although tried on the same soil, the same description of crop, and by the sarao person.— Ed.] HAY SEED AMONG CORN. From the New England Farmer. We saw an article in one of the southern paper* a few weeks since, mentionins that some one, we think in the middle states, had sown clover seed among his corn ; and the inquiry waf added, 44 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. •' whether 'any one at the north or east had tried it^" In reply, we would inlorm the inquirer that Hon. VVm. (Diark, ol JSorthamplon, Mass., has ior many years been accustomed to lay down his light lands to grass in this way. His communica- tions upon the subject led to the trial ol' this pro- cess upon the Carui where we have earned our bread. And we are disposed to recommend a trial of this method. Our belief, Ibunded upon the observation ol' results in four different fceasons, is that the seed will be less likely to tail in this way than when sowed am.ong grain; that the first crop is much more free from weeds ; is en- tirely Iree from dead grain stalks ; is easier to mow ; is equally abundant ; and better in quality. We tiiink also that grass lay thus made holds out better than oihers. By tiiis process the young grasses are exempied Irom the baneful influences ol the overshadowing grains, and from the wither- ing heat to which ttiey are exposed when the grains are removed. They are saved from the Btmting to which they are usually subjected. The process. — Spread all the manure; make no hill; and at the last time of hoeing, say the middle of July, sow the grass seed among the corn; pass through with the horse-harrow or cul- tivator, (simple harrow teeih are best,) then hoe, making all smooth, and the work is done. At the proper lime cut the corn as near the ground as can conveniently be done. Should the grass do well, the stubs would probably sofien so much Hs to oHer very little obstruction to the scythe. But if one be/earllil that it might be otherwise, he may take, as is our custom, an old adze or a strong and heavy hoe, and go over the field while the ground is liozen and by a single blow at each hill pare all smooth. An acre may be gone over by an active boy in three or lour hours. Alter llie li-ost is out, let the ground be rolled. In the early part of the season, appearances will be un- promising for a crop ; but about the middle of June it will come forward rapidly, and about the lOlh or 15ih of July will be fit to cut. Land, we suppose, can be laid down as smooth in this way as any other; though we have not heretolbre been very particular in this respect, and our grounds, though even enough to work upon with- out inconvenience, are not made quite as level G8 when a grain crop is put on. The last season we took up graes land in the spring; planted to corn, and in July seeded down to grass. We do not advise any beginners to make ex- tensive experiments, but we do think it will be found good husbandry to adopt this process to a considerable extent on many Jarms. SECTS FOR CATTLE. From a Weitem Paper. As cxperienre, and not speculation, is what far- mers need, I will give my observations in feeding beets to my cows during the two past winters! In 1838, I put up about 300 bushels of mangel wurlzel beets, 100 bushels of turnips, and some potatoes, (or the purpose of experimenting in feed- ing my cattle through the winter. I knew nothing but what 1 learned from books, as I was acquaint" ed with no farmers, (nor am I yet) who fed with roofs. At first I was at a loss to know how to feed them, whether in a raw state or cooked, but having determined to try both plans I commenced the work, and each did well, "ifoung animals are peculiarly fond of the raw beets, and thrive asio- ii'shingly on them ; but for cows that give milk, they are better boiled, particularly il' a steamer can be used in the process. Though milk cows should have raw beets once in every two or three days if grass cannot be had. The turnips and potatoes were given precisely as the beets ; but I could not determine that either had the preference over the other, as the cowa gave about the same quantity of milk, and their condition did not seem changed by either. In feeding the same animal with beets, it was easily told that one-third less than of the turnips or po- tatoes would make them give the same quantity of milk, of better quality, and they showed better keep. — The beets made the milk better, the butter better, and the cows look much belter. On one half bushel of beets per day to each cow, without straw, and a little meal or bran mixed in, they continued in good condition through the winter, gave as much milk as in the summer, and the butter was liill as good as in May. My expe- rience during the pact winter (1839—40) while 1 fled on roots, only confirmed my former conclu- sions. CABBAGE AS FOOD FOR HOGS. From the Farmers' Cabinet. A gentleman remarked, in our hearing, a few days since, that cabbage was a valuable food for hogs. The idea was new to us, and we inquired the manner of feeding. In reply, he gave the following as the result of his experience, the last summer. Having a fine patch of plants, and observing the bottom leaves beginning to decay, he directed hia farmer to procure a water-tight cask, and gather a bushel of the lower leaves from the cabbage plants and deposite them in the barrel, with a handful of salt, and one quart of corn meal. On this was poured the contents of the kitchen swill pail, and the whole was sufl'ered to stand undisturbed for twenty-four hours, when the process was repeated, with the exception of the salt — and so every day until the cask waa filled with a mass of wilted leaves, about six quarts of meal, potato pealings, crumbs of bread, &c., from the kitchen ; all in a state of partial fer- mentation. He now commenced feeding it to the hogs, and they eat with greediness, leaving other food for this. They were evidently ae fond of this kind of mush, as ever " Mynheer" was ol sour- krout. While the hogs were eonsuming the confenia of the first barrel, a second vvas in course of being filled, and so alternately, till the stock of leaves was exhausted. This gentleman gave his opinion, that he could not have prepared any other kind of food for his hogs, at double the expense, that would have produced results so decidedly beneficial. An in- crease of appetite, improvement in their general appearance, and better heart, was the result of tills method. The cabbage, he thinks, were greatly improved by plucking the redundant fo- THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 45 liajre; and he intends lo plant a large patch of cabbnups, the cominn; season, more lully to lest the advantages ol'ihis kind ol Teed (or liogs. We invite him, and oilicrs who may "experiment" in the business, to give us the result for publication. EKGLISH MINES AND MINING. From tlio English correspondent of the N. Y. American. Newcastle-upon-Tyne, jlugust, 1840. That man must be insane who should write a letter at Newcasile-upon-Tyne, about any ihing hut coal. He has but one idea — coal ! One Ihini? fills his vision — coal ! Coal is the standard of va- lue, and coal dust the circuhuinff medium. The houses are built of coal. The streets are paved with coal. The inhabitants live on coal. The children look as if they were made ol' coal, and even tlie white clouds are black I What a wonderful reijion is Durham and Nor- thumberland shires ? The whole country is un- dermined. Buildiiirrs are erected 700 and 800 leet below the surlace of the earth, and streets and railways running (or miles in all directions, are daily traversed by thousands of human beings. Newcastle, with its population of 60,000, stands on the crust of a subterranean city. Some ol its houses have sunken their foundations in con- sequence of the yielding of the ground beneath. The River Tyne, as large as the Thames at London, floats its commerce over these vast ca- verns; while at Sunderland and other places on the coast, the ocean rolls its waves over the heads of the miners. The chief wealth of Durham and Northumberland lies hid in the bowels of the earth where a very considerable portion of the in- habitants pass half their time. The coal-pits open their black mouths on every hill and in every valley. They may be distinguished far off by the towering enginery erected over them employ- ed in raising the coal and water from the depths below, and the piles of the former which lie around in hillocks waiting to be transported to market. The country is lined with railways — more abundant than hedgerows — used in "car- rying coals to Newcastle." At every half mile, you meet with the little villages of the pitmen (as the laborers are called.) The snug brick cot- tages are arranged with regularity and taste- each having its petit grass plat in front, usually decked with flowers, and its vegetable garden and fruit trees in the rear. What a contrast between these smiling though humble abodes, and the dis- mal caverns where the villagers spend nearly their whole conscious existence ! Great labor and expense attends the sinking of the shaft of a coal mine. The exact location of the strata must be ascertained by boring before the excavation commences. This determined, you know not what obstacles you may encounter from veins of rocks or streams of water in your descent. And, then, the destruction of human life almost invariably in these perilous enterprises ! the gigan- tic nature of which may be inferred from thelact that the shafts are generallv sunk to the depth of 600 or 700 feet, and sometimes to 1200 ! TWO GOOD FABMERS. From the New Genesee Farmer. Not too good farmers — lor those that are merely good, are almost as rare as white blackbirds. When we say ^^ good,^^ we do not mean what is commonly understood, — industrious, money-ma- kiiiii men, — but who perhaps apply a large poriion of their labor to very bad advantage ; but those whose whole course, in all its departtnents, id such as accurate and repeated experiments have proved best adapted to the soil and climate ; which not oidy affords ihe greatest prt)fit each year, but is constantly improving instead of exhausting the land. These two specimens are given in the late, report of the Farm committee of the Hartford County Agricultural Society, published in the New England Farmer. The first is that of John B. Davis, of Derby, whose farm consists of seventy-five acres, and from which the Ibllowing very respectable average annual receipts are derived. Apples and Cider, - . - $500 Hay, 2f)0 Potatoes, 100 Pork, 80 Sheep, . - - . - 75 Grain, 75 Wool, - . - . . 25 Two men labor on the farm the year through, with occasional additional help, but no precise account of the amount expended was rendered. It will he seen that the orchard is the most pro- fitable, the trees being kept in the finest condition, to which frequent tillage doubtless contributes. F'ive hundred dollars were received last year (1839) lor winter apples of \he choicest varieties, and forty dollars lor cider sold, besides thirty bar- rels kept [for what purpose ?] and apples fed to hogs, cattle, and horse. All the farm, except the woodland, has been subjected to the plough, although hay is the chief ol)ject aimed at in cul- tivation. Only small portions of the land are tilled, on which the cultivated grasses have be- come less luxuriant. The routine of crops adopt- ed is, Isi, corn on sward with manure ; 2d, pota- toes with manure (sometimes Ibllowed by tur- nips ;) 3d, rye or oats or grass seed. For the corn, (which is Dutton and wliite flint,) twenty double loads of manure are spread on the grass before ploughing, and afterwards holes dug at each hill in which a small handful of plaster and ashes is dropped and mixed with the soil at plant- ing. The average crop is seventy bushels an acre. The potatoes are planted with equal ma- nuring, and yield two hundreil bushels. The rye yields twenty-five, and the oals seventy bushels, two and a half bushels of the latter being sown lo the acre, which is ploughed in, harrowed, and the grass seed covered with a bush. About twenty acres are kept in meadow, which continue in grass from six to eight years, and the average crop is estimated at two and a half tons to the acre. Of manure, seventy-five loads are made yearly, and fifty purchased ; one ton of plaster, half a ton of shell lime, (which is added, as indispensable, to the compost,) and fifty bushels of ashes are also used. 46 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. The stock consists of two yoke of oxen, two milch cowa, seven liogs, thirty-five Bakewell sheep, and one horse. The other farm is that of VVm. K. TownsencI, of East Haven, on New Haven harhor, arid con- sists of 43 acres of salt grass, and 118 acres o( upland. The report of this larm, by tlie commit- tee, we have read with sreat satisfiction, and, did our limits admit, we should i)e glad to give it eniire. Such a report, mere matters of lad statement as it is, is more calculated to inspire a tasle (or firming, than ail the fine declamation and eloquent reasoning we ever heard or read. As it is, we must content ourselves with a state- ment of some of the most interesting facts. The buildings are arranged with a strict regard to convenience, being erected "after approved models, and they show conclusively that much labor may be saved by judicious arrancements, with but trifling additional expense. For each implement of husbandry, a special and convenient place of deposite is also provided." The fences throughout are good. The soil is sandy and gravelly loam, naturally light and thin, and left in wretched condition by its former occupant. Suc- cessive portions have been reclaimed from this condition, by carelui and thorough tillage, collect- ing the stones into strong and durable lences, and applying a heavy coating of manure. With the exception of two fiiHds, which have not thus been reached in the regular order, the farm has been greatly improved. "After such improvement, however," say the committee, " these lands are not, as is too often the case, again reduced to their former condition, or rendered still less productive, by injudicious and excessive croppings, without any return to the soil ; but by such subsequent careful treatment, as every good farmer ought to give his land, they are kept constantly im- proving." The corn crop, by measurement, has averaged seventy bushels the acre ; potatoes, two hundred and fifty bushels ; rye, twenty-five bushels ; oate (rarely raised,) forty-five bushels ; and barley, thirty-two bushels. Great crops of pumpkins are also obtained, by planting in large manured hills ten leet apart each way, six or eight seeds, the two most vigorous shoots being allowed to remain. Three hundred double loads of manure are annually made on the farm, of which more than fifty are from the hog-pen. It is always applied unfermented, except to meadows and root crops, where compost is used. Three-fourths of a ton of plaster are yearly spread upon the meadows and pastures, and fifty bushels of shell lime ap- plied to the compost heap. Great profit has been derived from the breeding of improved stock, consistinor of Durham cattle, "Thin Rind" hogs, and Bakewell sheep. The use of the revolving horse-rake in securing hay, of the cutting box for feeding stock, and of stables for cattle in winter, has effected a great saving. Accurate and regular accounts of all operations are constantly kepi, from which the following statement is taken of cash received the past year, ■over and above the consumption of a large famiVj : Fruit, ^200 Vegetables, . . - - 60 Neat stock, ... - 1,310 Hogs and pigs, - - - - 585 Wool, 50 Milk, butter, and calves, Rent of stock, - - - . Gross income in 1839, Deduct cash paid for labor and feed of CO ws, _ _ - - Net income in 1839, - - - ^2,936 The great profit thus secured, appears to have resulted Irom the establishment of a well digested system of (arminir, liiithfullv and energetically carried out, and from the guiding of all the opera- tions by constant and accurate accounts. HOGS — MODE OF FEKDING. From tlie Boston Cultivator. Wm. Buckminsler, esq, — Sir : I send you an account of some hogs I killed this fall, and the manner of keeping, which you can publish if you think deserving a place in your valuable paper. I killed two hoL's, one sow, and six pigs, which the sow raised ; their weights were : One Hog, 631 lbs. " " 566 " Sow, 509 Six pias, 1200 making 2909 lbs. They have eat 250 bushels corn, at 60c— ^150. " " 200 " vegetables, 30c— 210. My manner of feedinor them was as follows : From the 1st day of September to the 1st day of March, their breakfast was raw potatoes, their dinner raw turnips, beets or carrots ; their supper one quart of corn each. The Isl day of March 1 filled their trough with corn and water, and kept it so until the day I killed them. I have a warm place for them to sleep in, and a yard where I make my manure, 36 by 20 ft. with a stone bottom, and have now in it, which I have made this summer, 125 horse loads ; 1 care not what the breed of a hog is if they will eat well, and we do our part, and give them plenty of corn. Six years ago I bought 20 pigs, and sold to my neighbors all that were saleable, and they told me I had belter knock the brains out of the rest of them and save their keeping, but I raised as large hogs as any of them ; I kept the breed during the time, only shiftinir the sows twice in six years. Last year I killed 3 hogs weighing 1500 lbs. BENjAftiiJv Smith. Duxbury, Ms. Dec. 13, 1840. Our friend of Duxbury does not seem to think highly of cooking food for hogs ; but many accu- rate experiments have been made which show the advantage of cooking it. No doubt many of these are exaggerated. Horses will work quite well on corn, provided always they have time enough to chew and digestif. It should always be given them in the evening when they have time for both. Hogs need a change of food, and whole corn may take its turn in the change — but we must think that well cooked food is in general far supe- rior to that which is half cooked. To prove this we have need only to compare heavy bread to that which is made in the best manner. I THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 47 There is a difference also in breeds of animalp, in regiirti to tiie quantity ol" food necessary lo fatten them. We want small bones, small headc;, and break backs, for e wine. Do we not see that some men eat more than twice as much as others. and yet are more lean than they I In improving the breeds ol" animals we are liable to one general error, — we make pets of the selected slock and the animals are soon overgrown. We gain nothing by rearing very large horses, oxen, cows, or hogs. Our main object should be lo improve their proportions. Ed. B. C. FIRST EXPERIMENT IN BEET CULTURE — MA- NAGEMENT OF HOGS. For tlie Farmers' Register. About the middle oCApril last, I was presented, by the editor ofthe Farmers' Register, with about two pounds of sugar beet seed, which had been sent him with a number of other seed, for gratui- tous distribution, by that public-spirited and enter- prising individual, Mr. James Konaldson, of Phi- ladelphia. Being anxious, though unprepared, to make a small experiment in root culture, I accept- ed the seed, and bought at the same time two pounds of mangel wurtzel seed, which I determin- ed also lo plant. The season being well advanced, and all the land which had been prepared during the winter having been either planted in corn or sown in oats, 1 deemed it entirely too late to plough any grass or sward land for roots, and was at some loss to know what to do with the seed. I at last determined to take a piece of ground which was planted in multicaulis the preceding year, and which was left in a very clean state. Previously to the multicaulis crop, this land, a light sandy loam, would have produced not more than 25 bushels of corn to the acre, and after that crop 1 think nmch less, as I conceive the multicaulis to be a great exhauster. Under these circuaistances, some of my friends prophesied that my land was entirely too thin lor roots, and that planted in beets it would bring nothing. I was, however, not deter- red from the trial, as I conceived it the best 1 could do. I first ploughed the land seven or eight inches deep. Spread over it a heavy dressing of unfer- mented farm pen manure, mixed with some stable and also some hog pen manure. The manure, though 1 picked for the finest the pen would yield, was still very coarse ; and would have been pro- nounced entirely too much so lor root culture. I again ploughed to cover the manure and laid off my rows with a marker three leel apart. The land was well pulverized by the second plough- ing, and the manure well incorporated with the soil. Some of the rows were ridged before mark- ing off; but in the result [ cannot perceive that the ridging was at all beneficial. On the 14th of April I planted the seed, after soaking them (i-om twelve to Ibriy-eight hours. Those soaked longest came up quickest and best. I am inclined to think they would not be injured by soaking seventy-two hours, and would prefer that time to any less than forty-eight. The seeds after soaking were rolled in a little dry slaked lime, merely to enable the planters to handle them more readily. They were then dropped by hand, for I had ao drilling ma- chine, two to four eeedri in the row, at intervals from six lo eight inches. On the lOih of May the beeis began to show very prettily throughout ihe whole row. On the 21st of same month thinned to six or eight inches apart, and set out in missing [)laccp, the day being rainy. A lew days afierwurds the fiisl hoe weed- ing given. First day of June the first ploughing was given, and I thought the beets promised badly. A second weeding was given on the 23d June, and by the middle of July they looked very promising. This was all the work given them, viz., one ploughing with the common trowel hoe plough, and two hoe weedings. 1 did intend giving another ploughing, and the land was foul enough to demand it, but on attempting it the tops of the b'^ets were so flourishing, and at the same time so brittle, that the horse did more da- mage by breaking them off than I conceived he did good. On ihe lOih of August the beets seem- ed to mc to have reached their prime, and I com- menced boiling them lor my hogs. On the above land, and with the above labor, (land and labor both insufficient for a first rate crop of corn) I have made a very pretty crop of beets, the stand being pretty good, and many of the roots weighing twelve pounds, 1 do not wish, in giving the de- tails of my own trial, to be understood as advo- cating poor land and little work lor beet culture j but only to show how easy and sure the culture isj and how very successful it would be in good land and with good culture. On no account would f hereafter be without my patch of beets. I also sowed a pound or two of carrot seed, un- der exactly the same circumstances, and in the same land, but the return was very far inferior lo the beets. I have no hesitation in saying that the beets yielded more food lor my hogs llian any thing else I could have put on the same land. I also for the first lime tried the ruia haga. One patch, sowed July 10, previously cow-penned, deeply ploughed and heavily dressed with ashes and scrapings from the negro quarters, did well. The stand was good and roots large. I am satis- fied they would have done belter had I sown ear- lier, say June 28th. Another patch sown a very few days alter the first produced nothing. A dry" spell happened to come on and Ihe seed were a long time vegetating , and, when they did come up^ the young plants were all destroyed by the fly. In common with many of my neighbors 1 am trying to throw off the heavy burthen of annual tax which we have been so long paying lo our western farmers for pork and beefj and am now attempting to raise my hogs by grazing and sty- Iceding. I have an undoubted grazingl)reed, and the only difficulty I have had is the frequent inju- ries done to the hogs by the little negroes attend- ing them. My plan, or rather the plan 1 aim at, is to have my pigs born twice a year, viz., ihe first litter about the first of March, and the second about the first of September. In the latter case my object is for such growth to be attained by the pigs before winter as will enable them to stand the cold. Pigs of both litters are killed the following De- cember 12 months, being respectively 15 and 20 months old. The pigs of ihe fall litters I find do not stand being kept in sties during the following winter. I have constructed a email wood range for them, inclosing a running stream of water. In Ihia lot they pass the winter, being confined 48 THE FARMERS* REGISTER. every night in warm and comfortable pens at the house ol my hog-minder. All my other hogs, viz. : sows and store pigs of the springs h'.ters are kept in sties at ihe larm-yard. Tiieir pens are regularly hitered and cleaned out once a week. 1 litter with leaves from the woods when I can get them dry, and with straw, wlien I cannot. As to food, I aim at the (bilovving plan. As soon as the clover is sufficiently started 1 turn all my hogs in it. They remain on the clover till wheat is cut. They then glean the wheat and oat fields until all tlie grain is well picked up. My hogs never fail to improve very last on the clo- ver and wheal fields. By the time the wheat and oat fields are well gleaned, cimblins will be ready lor them. Cimblins will last till pumpkins come to hand. At the same time that pumpkins are ready, beets may also be boiled and will make a most excellent wash mixed with a little bran or hominy. Wash made of beets, carrots, parsnip and ruta-baga, together with a little grain, euch as tail-ends li-om wheat and short (or " refuse") corn, I look to (or carrying them up to clover time again. iMy fattening hoirs I teed liberally with short corn for 4 weeks before killing, if I have it, and if not, with good corn. This year I liave fat- tened GOUO wt. of pork without resorting to good corn. If Ihe above crude remarks induce a single farm- er to make a crop of roots, I shall be more than compensated lor the short lime they occupied. A LOWLAKDER. MANURES AND THEIR APPLICATION. From tlic Boston Cultivator. Flesh of all kinds is strong and valuable ma- nure— il operates rapidly when buried in the field, and in the compost heap it contributes more rich- ness than almost any substance which wc are in the habit of using. All kinds of oil, fat. blood and offal of animals are exceedingly powerful, and none of these should be lost. At this season of the year, when farmers kill their hogs and cattle, this offal, &c. should all be covered in ihe compost heap. Hogs' bristles, hair, tanners' waste, and shavings may often be collected in great quantities. Fish were formerly used in many places near the seacoast lor manure, but the practice is now discontinued — twoalewives were placed in acorn or a potato hill, and nothing else was applied. In a course of years it was discovered that this ma- nuring impoverished the soil, and some thought it broueht a curse upon it on account of the misap- plication of what was providentially intended for food. The truth is, a small mess of manure of any kind put in the hill only, for the raising of exhaust- ing crops, will impoverish all kinds of soil, for it creates a greater draft in the roots where it is ap- plied, and shoots them out in search of food in places not artificially supplied with enriching matter — a rank growth of stalks in the hill requir- ing more to nourisli them than a small growth. Had these fish been put in the compost heap and then spread over the ground and covered, the effect would have been different. We see the powerful eflfect of matters of an oily nature when we witness the operation of wool waste on grass lands. No animal manure, or excrement of animals, is known to be half equal toil. It is true some animal manure is usually found in wool waste, but the exiraordinary effects of this manure must be principally owing to Ihe animal oil in the wool. Large quantities of this matter may be found at woollen and carpet facto- ries, and farmers who can will do well to procure it at considerable cost. It should always be put into the compost heap and mixed with sand or loam before it is carted on to the mowing land. Horse stable manure. — We rank this next to oil, fat flesh of different kinds, and offal. No manure will hold on longer than tliis, and when il is properly managed there is no difficulty in bringing it to operate early. Yet in many places horse manure is not highly valued. The reason of this is it is either suffered to lie in a heap and to heat too much, turning white like the ashea of walnut wood after all ihe substance is con- sumed— or it is suffered to lie scattered abroad until its goodness has nearly all evaporated. We have known many farmers who were very careful to make the most of their hog manure, yet I hey would have less than two cart loads an- nually from the horse stable. When this manure is thrown out of ihe stable it should be imme- diately mixed with something that requires to be heated. Peat much, soil of almost any kind may be used ; ihese will keep the horse manure from heating too much and washing away. But a still better mode is to keep the horse standing on his manure. This cannot be practised in large tavern stables, but in most private establishments there is no diflir.uliy in it ; and both in winter and summer a horse may be kept much more comfortable than in any other manner. The horse stable should have no floor— and where the ground will admit of it the horse should be kept in the barn cellar, or where he may be partially under ground. Here he is warmer in winter and cooler in summer than when he is whol^ above ground ; ihe flies pester him less — they will not trouble him in the least if the stable is darkened, as it may be — without a floor, he stands on his manure, well covered daily with litter — and here his hoofs are never known to crack, and the horse never becomes lame on ac- count of fever in his feet, arising from the dryness of a floor. Here also the horse lies at his ease and rests his bones. But this is not all — his manure is more than six times as valuable as when he is kept in the com- mon way, for fifteen loads of the best kind may be made each year from a single horse. Il is very fashionable to speak of the quantity that may be made from hogs, but many seem not lo consider how much may be made from other animals. In this mode only do we save all the urine of the horse ; and this contributes to keep the whole from burning; and while the horse stands on it there is no danger of losing its virtues — we can keep it till we want to use it. As soon as we overhaul this heap or throw it out, we must watch it, and not let it heat too much. THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 49 CALVES RUNNING WITH COWS. A wriler in the Farmers' Cabinet saj's — " My experience extends to many hundred cases, lor upon the hills ol' JSootlaml it is the universal prac- tice to permit the calves to remain with their dams durinrinia have nearly ceased. In our northern ports the prices range li-om 80 to 100 cents. Flour, $4^ to 5. The quantity received from the north-western slates is immense. For example — there passed the Erie Canal at Buffalo, In 1839, 288,165 bbls. flour, and 965,000 bus wheat Inl840, 639,633 " do. 883,000 » do. 291,000 bbls. flour, 416,000 do. 617,000 do. 430,000 do. .560,000 do. 780,000 do. Inspected at Philadelphia in 1838, 1839, 1840, At Baltimore, 1838, 1839, 1840, There arrived by the Ohio ca- nal, at Cleveland, on Lake Erie, in 1S39, 1,520,000 bus. wheat, and 266,000 bbls. flour, In 1840, 2,151,000 bus. wheat, I and 505,000 bbls. flour. I Corn sells at 45 to 50 cents per bushel. Pork, ^6| to 7 per hundred weight. Exchange on Eng- land, 8 to 9 per cent premium. I January 27th, 1841. CONTENTS OF THE FARMERS REGISTER, NO. I. VOL. IX. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. Page Union of the Carolina Planter with the Fanners' Ren;ister ....... 1 Experiments with bone manure .... 1 Natural history of the tockawhoughe . . 3 A successful experiment in rearing silk- worms . 8 The supposed transmutation of wheat to cheat . 11 Continuation of answers to general queries on marling, in regard to green-sand marl used on the Pamunkey river lands: V. Answers of Edmund F. Wickliam in re- gard to the use of marl, on his South Wales farm, Hanover county ... 20 On (he soils, and marling improvements of King William county. Introductory to answers to the general queries on marling . . 21 I. Answers of Richard Hill, in regard to the Rumford Academy farm ... 24 II. Answers by William S. Fontaine, in re- gard to Fontainbleau farm, in King Wil- liam county .26 III. Answers by Thomas Robinson, in -re- gard to Mount Pisgah farm, on Mattapony river ....... 27 IV. Answers of Thomas Carter, in regard to Pampatike farm, ; . . . . 27 Liming on the Pennsylvania barrens ... 28 Thrashing machines 32 Answers to inquiries respecting the manuring, and rotation of crops, of Westover . . 35 Crushed-cor nmeal. Wintering hogs, &c. . 36 Convention of cotton planters in Alabama . 37 A common objection to agricultural periodicals, and especially considered in regard to the Farmers' Register 38 Sketches of western New York ... 40 First experiment in beet culture. Management of hogs 47 Domestic animals — their diseases and food . 49 The farmer's wealth 51 Remarks on greensward, orchard grass, and other grasses 54 Inquiries and remarks on salt, as a manure, and especially for cotton 55 The farms and farming of the rich Lexington dis- trict in Kentucky 56 Agricultural societies 57 Inoculating -57 Root feeding 58 Comparative value of the cocoons of the " two crop white" silk-worms, and other varieties . 58 Kentucky blue grass supposed not to be the same with greensward. Grasses improved by calca- reous soil. Mellilot , .... 58 Inquiries and remarks upon the calcareous rock and soils of South Alabama ... 59 Manner of deposit of Hessian fly eggs . 62 Monthly commercial report .... 63 SELECTIONS. Description of the African potato ... 2 Cultivation of the vine in the west . . 3 A curious fact 3 Profit of peas amongst corn ... 4 The curculio and fruit worms .... 4 Report of Major Gwynn on the drainage of the swamp lands of N. C. - . . . . 5 An improvement in fattening hogs . . 7 Chrysanthemums 8 Prognostication of cold weather from birds . 9 Laying down open lands in grass — Kentucky ro- tation— stock fodder, manuring and grazing — curing clover hay 10 Rhubarb plant 13 The Mammoth Cave of Kentucky . . 14 Large hogs ....... IG America against England in cotton manufacturing 17 Value of the olive 28 Pumpkin sugar 28 Seasonable hints 29 Extracts from the address of James M. Garnett, to the Agricultural Society of Fredericksburg, Va., November 13th, 1840 . . . . 29 Propagations of the rose .... 33 Convention of tobacco planters .... 33 The European duties on tobacco. Opinions on the other side of the question ... 35 Reporting experipaents with artificial manures . 43 Hay seed among dorn 43 Beets for cattle 44 Cabbage as food for hogs 44 English mines and mining .... 45 Two good farmers 45 Hogs — mode of feeding 46 Manures and their application .... 48 Calves running with cows .... 49 A comparison of the different breeds of sheep . 49 Sowing grass seed thick and even, not thin and irregular, is the true interest ... 52 Damp stables 53 Remarks on the supposed discovery «f the Hes- sian fly 60 Manure for cotton 63 Age of trees 62 Erratum.— In heading of article, page 35, for «• Worcester," read " Westover." .. •x^-dcms'SxiKn HOrML^tL^v^M^r-a^Mir^ muna THE FARMERS' REGISTER. Vol. IX. FEBRUARY 28, 1841. No. 2. E U M U N D R U F F 1 N, EDITOR A N U PROPRIETOR. ADDRKSS OF DR. W. S. MOUTON, PRESIDKXT OF TIIK AGKICITLTURAL SOCIETY OF Cl/MBER- LANO. Delivered ISlli Is'ov. 1340 — Published by order of (he society. Gentlemen. — The iinu&ual preerure of profes- sioiial engagements lias, ol iaie, ielt me hui little time to prepare tD. Boston Cultivator. 72 i'HE I ARMORS' Il£GiS'i£K. RAISING PORK. From the Southern Cultivntor. The raisins and fatiening of hogs, v\hen prooi) breeds are employed, is considered a very profita- ble business in the state of Kentucky. Two methods are practised in raising the pige wiih ij.-, both ot which are thought best by iho^e who follow then). I will detail both methods. One plan is, never to suffer the sows to breed but once ; lor this pur- pose, a pariii-ular number (say filiy) of sow pitrs, pissed in JNlarch or April, are selected, and one boar pig of the same ase (or every eigiit sows. These are separated when twoortliree montli.^ old, ond the boars kept by themselves. The boars and sows .«honld not lie related, on which account it is best to buy the boars or exchange with a neighbor. The pig.s are all to be kept well, but the sows are not to l)e made loo fat. About the 10th of December, the boars and sows are put together, and after all the hows are served the boars are castrated. The pigs will come in April. The sows, a short lime before pigging, are sepa- rated, so as to have but finv togeiher, and sheliers tire provided sufficient for half the number of pows. Some iiave as many shelters as sows. These shelters are frequently made by laying a rail in a (i^nce corner, and covering it vvnh boinls. etraw or corn-stalk lodder. During the time ol having pigs, the sows should have !ree access to pleniy of water, and a careful person provided lo attend to ihem ; five or six pigs are allowed to each sow, and two sows to suiy together until ihe pigs learn to distinguish their mothers. Some keep each sow by herself After ten days or two weeks, each niir will have learned to ktiow its mother, and the sows are ihfMi lamed into a larse lot, and ((2d Ireely whilst suckling their jjigs ; when they are six or eight weeks old, the old sows are spayed, and another selection made of the best sow pigs for breeders. The boar pigs not inten- ded lor use should be altered, and the sow shoals spayed, when eiyht or ten weeks old. They should be well (iid until old enouirh to turn on clover; and a/ler they are turned on clover, a little corn every day is very advantageous. About the Isl of July they are turned into the rye-field and have also the gleaning of the wheat and oat fields. The other plan, vvht^'h is most practised where I live, (Clark county, Kentucky.) is to select Ihc best sows and keep ihem as breeders as Ions as we find them profitable ; and when they become unprofitable, kill them lor pork or spay ihem and fatten them for sale, and supply iheir places with young ones. These are tired twice a year, in December and June. Some preler breeding in October or November, for though fioin cool wea- ther tficy may not save as many pigs, they will make tlieir meat of those pisged in February and March that fall, and so save the wintering. The advantage ol the first plan is, that the hogs sold are nearer of an age and size ; and hav- ing all the piss at once, they will be of sufficient age to go through the U'xt winter belter, and are not as liable to be overlaid by larger ones. It is also much less trouble lo attend to sows all bavins their pigs at once than at ddl'erent times. The disadvantages are. killing those sows that are good breeders, and having a new set of sows every spring, Kvery person who hag attended 10 the subject, knows that some sows are much belter breeders than others, and that some are also better nurses. In either case, it is important, where many sows are kept, lo keep the sows from colleciins in cold weather in large companies, as they are very a[)tlomish each other so as to make them mis- carry. Piss that come in Fibrunrv or March, may he made to weish from 200 lo 250 pounds net meat, in the November following, if the boar be of the beet improved breeds. Whtre many sows run logeiher, when they have pigs, some of the stronger ones frequently take the teat of the weaker ones, and starve them. This can be prevented by separating ihem. Very few of our farmers either srind or cook the corn lied lo their sows or pigs. From an experi- ment I maile last sprins, I am cnnvinred Ihat ihe piss would be gieatly benefited by having iheir feed made imo mush. Saiw'i,. D. Martik. Colby vi'tle, ICy., Dec. 8, 1840. POOI?5 FOR WATER — ROTTING HEMP. From the Kciiluct of hemp. JMr. Myerle's ac- count of i!ie process is complete, except telling how the pools are cnnstrucied, he gives the di- mensions without felling ihe material with which the pools are encased. Will you please tell throush your paper thn best manner of constructing the pools, or the plan that Tvlyerle has adnjiK^d. Yours, most respect fnllv. W. W. McDowell. In answer to the inquiries of the above letter, it is only necessarv to say that in all Ihe pools which have been constructed this season, no casins has been used. The ground being found siifRciditly impervious to retain the amount of water necessary lo the process. The most ordi- nar}' invention can suggest the siz^', number, ar- rangement and locality of p: ols best suited to each cultivator's peculiar circunnsiancea. Considering alone tlie convenience of filling and employing the pools, the best locality would be near a spring or bninch ; if a spring be chosen, they should be placed at such a distance as will prevent the back- insof the water into the spring Irom the poo'8 when full. If a branch be chosen the same result m,ay be cflected by raising a slisht head in the stream by a lemporary dam, A very slisht (all should be siven lo the bottom o( the roof, thai if possible it may be suffiiiently above the water of the branch or outlet of the spring to insure a per- fect drainage when the [jools are desired to be empty. A gentle current of water is decidedly advantageous. Mr. Mverle advises that the size of the pools be made 20 li»et by 40— but if neces- sary to give a sufficient fall to drain ihem they may be longer and narrower. If more than one THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 73 is needed they may be constructed so that one may rei^cive the surpliis water of the oilier. To prevent ciiving c'wc the siilcs a slope at 45°. Ecich pool should have a gale at each end lo con- trol the entrance and etjcape of the water, and (•lo?in(r ilie npper should tu)n the water from the pools into lis natural channel, and opening the low one?, drain the pools. It is useless to add more as we have said the construction necessary is- so simple any man may plan them to suit his peculiar tiiuation. See J\Ir. INIyerle's publication. ON THE USE OF QUICK-LIME ON SILK-WORMS, TO PUEVEAT DISEASE. Translated from the ' Propagateur,' for the Silk Journal. " Crest, (Drome,) Jan. 1840.'' " To the Director : — " I had promised you some observations, made durinfj many consecutive years, upon the contagion ol" the muscardine ; hut these observations would be supeifiuous alter the, excellent article on this subject lurnished by M. Bezard. The rontacion is a fact too positive to be doubted, and iC some persons still contest the point, it is because they have not taken ihe pains to assure themselves of the truth. I will under- take to communicate the contagion to any worms that may be presented to me, even though they may be upon the point of forming their cocoons. The principle of contagion being established, it remains lor us to <)iscover the means of prevent- ing it, and if possible of curing tlie disease afier it has appeared ; and 1 do not hesitate to say that such a discovery would be the most valuable pre- sent that could be made to those engaged in the. silk culture. Preventive means are in fact insuf- ficient in many instances, as I have been taught by sad experience duriiifr the past season. I was perfectly successful in 1837. There were no miis- cardines, or almost none ; — about twenty in the whole course of the rearing. Not wiihstandinir that, as I had Buffered considerably the year before. I caused the walls, the ceilinnr, and the floor of my laboratory lo be while-waslied anew. The shelves, the ladders and all the utensils were washed in caustic lie, and the eggs were disin- fected. I commenced my rearing of 1838, under the most favorable auspices ; my worms were su- perb, and every thins led me to hope for the most complete success. When, in &e Iburth age, the disease manifested itself. Its progress, although elow up to the time of mounting, soon induced me to predict what happened : i had no harvest. 1 must conless that I did but little in the way of combatting the disease. I had tried in vain the Vi^ashing of the leaves in a solution of potash, as recommended byJVl.Bassi; and Ihe immer- sion of the worms in this solution was aitended with no better success. I contented myself wiih hastening ihe maturity of the worms, and keep- ing the air constantly renewed. The two last ages were spent almosi in the open air, the ther- mometer standing at IT'"*,* and the hygrometer at 68°. I should not omit in this place the mention- ing of a curious fact, viz. : that the mortality was always greater during the prevalence of northerly * Reaumur. winds, than when the wind blew from the fouth. "From what has just been siale 1810. 1,377,810 375,081 " 37.4 IC 1820. 1.771,436 393.626 " 28.5 Ii 1830. 2.328,626 557,190 " 31.5 U 1840. 2.735.000 406,374 " 17.0 (( THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 17 Progress of the whole population. Year. 1790. ISOO. ISIO. 1S20. 1830. Number. 3,929.827 5.30.5,925 7.239.814 9,038.131 12,n06.920 Increase. 1.376,098or 35.1 percent. 1,933.889 " 36.3 " 2.398.317 " 33.1 " 3,228,789 " 33.5 " lS40.abt. 10,900,843 4,033,923 " 31.4 " By nn examination of these tables it will be seen that ilie while population has increased in a very unilbrm ratio (rom 1790 to I lie present time ; the increase in no decade being less than 34 per cent, nor more than 36.1 per cent. The ra- tio of increa.--e among tiie free colored people has been very fluctuaiing; but taking the colored population en masse, slaves and Iree, the fluc- tuation has been moderate down to 1830, and the average ratio of increase nearly as great as onions ihe whites. But lor som.e reason or other, (P'Thaps the abolitionisis can explain it,) the ratio ol' increase lor the last ten years, has been great- ly reduced, among both free ncL'roes and slaves. A few have gone to Texas and Canada, perhaps 30.000 in all, but this affords a very imperfect ex- filanaiion of the phenomencn. CAUSES OF BAD CfRRENCY. From tlie Journal of Commerce. It will turn out when ll)e truili is known, that more money has been lost by banks within the last ten years,_than the whole country would have sold for when our fathers fought the battles of in- dependence ; 3'et the fault is not in the banks, nor their directors. The wide spread ruin shows that the evil is not local nor particular, but universal. It is in the system. We have waged a Great bat- tle wiih the laws of trade, and we have been severe- ly flogeed lor our folly. All that is necessary is, that we should be con- vinced of our folly and leave currency to itsell^ It is the easiest thing to manage in all the deparl- mentsof business. Ilcongress will but make a bank-: rupt law, which shall compel all banks and all men to pay their debts or divide their effects, and then if congress and the stale legislatures will just let the whole matter alone, there will grow up of itself the bet currency in the world. What we want is, to get rid of a sijsiem and of regula- tion, so that every man shall act for himself and act i'reely. Then, whatever is wanted will be pro- vided. If we want paper money accredited in all parts of the country, we shall liave it. Tiien, if a banker fails, he will fall out of the ranks. Our euspeneions grow out of the fact that our currency is managed by a great system. If one important wheel breaks, the whole system stops. Let cur- rency become an individual matter, like other branches of business, and suspensions loould be impossible. When we become wise enough to leave currency to take care of itselt; after congress has discharged its constitutional (lu'y of coining money and fixing t[ie value thereof, then we eball have the safest and steadiest and every way the best currency, which the imperfect state of this world will admit. From the Journiil of the English Agricultural Society. AN ESSAY On making compost heaps from liquids and other sub- stances ; written on tfie evidence of many years' experience. To which the prize of ten soverei<^iis was awarded. By James Dixon, Es(j , Secretary to the Mancliester Agricultural Society. The force and power of an agricijlturist to pro- duce good crops mainly depend on the manures he can command ; and how to derive the greatest possible benefits from liis immediate resource.? is oneo! the most usel'ul subjects that can engage his atteniion. The English Agricultural Society having offered a premium for the best mode of making compost lieaps, 1 venture to forward the committee my ideas on this most important branch ol' rural management ; and in doing this I shall state the course I have pursued in this particular for many years, and in wliieh every adilitional experience inclines me not to make any systematic alteration. My firm is a strong, retentive soil, on a substra- tum of ferruginous clay; and being many times disappointed in what 1 considered reasonable anti- cipations of good crops, I determined on a new system of manuring. Though quite satisfied of the expense which would necessarily be incurred by my plan, I s'ill deiermiiied on its adopiion. At ihe onset I effectually drained a considerable part of my farm. JMy next object was how to improve its texture at the least cost — (perhaps I may be allowed to slate that my holding has al- ways been at rack-rent) ; for this purpose we carted great quaniiiies of fine sawdust and peat earth or bog; we had solar to go /or the latter that two horses would letch little more than three tons in one day — one horse would fetch three cart- loads of sawdust in the same time. Having brought great quantities of both peat and saw- dust into my firm yard, I laid out lor the bottom of a compost heap a space of considerable dimen- sions, and about three feetindepih: three fourths of this bottom was peat, the rest sawdust; on this we conveyed daily the dung from the cattle^ sheds, the urine also is conducted through chan- nels to wells lor its reception, — one on each side of the compost heap ; — common water is entirely prevented from mixing with it. Every second day the urine so collected is thrown over the whole mass with a scoop, and at the same time we regulate the accumulated dung. This being continued for a week, another layer, nine inches or a foot thick, of peat and sawdust (and frequent- ly peat without sawdust) is wheeled on tlie accu- mulated heap. These matters are continuously added to each other during winter, and in addition once in every week never less than 25 cwt., more frequently 50 cwt., of night-soil and urine ; the latter are aUvays laid next above the peat or bog earth, as we think it accelerates their decomposi- tion. It is perhaps proper here to state that the peat is dug and exposed to the alternations of the weather for several months before it is brought to the heap for admixture; by ihis it loses mucti of iis moisture. In some cases, peat conta'ns acid or astringent matters, which are injurious to useful vegetation. On this I have not tried any decided experiment, but am led to tlie supposition by fre- 78 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. quenily seeing stones some in a partial state, of decoiuposiiion, others wholly decomposed in t)ogs, and at the depth of several leet Iroiii the surface. Some years' e.xperience has convinced me of the im[)ropriety of using recently dug peat ; proceed- ing in the manner I recommend, it is superior aiid more convenient on every account— very much lighter to cart to the farm-yard or any other eiiuatiori where it is wanted ; and so convinced am I of its utility in composts lor every descrip- tion o( soil, except that of its own character, that wherever it can be laid down on a farm at less than 4s. per ton, I should recommend every agri- culturist and horiicuhurist that can command it, even at the cost here stated, to give it a fair trial. So retentive and attractive of moisture is peat, that if liberally applied to any arid, sandy soil, that soil does not burn in a dry season ; and it so much improves the texture and increases the pro- duce of an obdurate clay soil, if in oiher respects rightly cultivated, that actual experience alone can fairly determine its value. For the conveyance of niijiit-soi! and urine, we have the largest and strongest casks, such as oils are impoited in; the top of which is provided with a funnel to put the matters through, and the casks are fixed on wheels like those ot a common (iungcart. For the convenience of emptying this carrTago, the compost heaps are always lower at one end ; the highest is where we discharge the contents, in order that they may in some degree spread themselves over the whole accumulation ^ t!ie situation on which the wheels of these car- riages stand while being discharged is raised con- siderably ; this we find convenient, as the com- post heap may be sloped six or seven feet high : low compost heaps, in my opinion, should be avoided. The plan here recommended I have carried on lor some time. I fiud no ditficuUy in manuring my liirm over once in two years ; by this repetition I keep up the lijriilily of my land, and It never requires more than a moderate appli- cation of manure. 1 am fully aware that there are many localities where neither peat nor night-soil can be readily obtained ; but it is worth a farmer's while to go even more than twenty n)iles for the latter sub- stance, provided he can have it without deteriora- tion : the original cost is otien trifling. On a fnrra where turnips or mangold are culiivaled to some extent, the sysiem here recommended will be al- most incalculably advantageous; a single horse is sufficient for one carriage — mine hold upwards of a ton each; six tons ol' this manure in compost with peat, or, if that is not convenient, any other matters, such as ditch scourings, or high head- lands which have been properly prepared and laid dry in a heap for some lime, would be amply sufficient for an acre of turnips or mangold. This manure is by far the most invigorating of any I have ever yet tried ; bones in any slate will bear no comparison with it fur any crop ; but it must be remembered that i went on the supposition thai it has not been reduced in strength before it is fetched. Convenience frequeniiy suggests that compost heaps should be raised on ditlierent parts of a farm ; but, unless in particular instances, it is well to have them in the yard : in the farm-yard, all the urine from the cattle stalls may be employed with the greatest economy ; and be it remarked that the urine from animala, in given weights, is more povverful than their solid excrements.* How imporiant then must it be to the farmer to make the most extensive and the most careful use of this liquiil. It is sometimes carted on the land, but that practice will not bear a comparison with making it into composts in the manner here recommended. Great waste is ofen made in putrescent manures after they are carted on the land ; instead of being immediately covered of incorporated with the soil, we not unlrcquently see them exposed for days together in the hot rays of a scorching sun, or to the injurious influences of a dry wind. 1 have before stated that compost heaps should on many considerations be raised ia the farm-yard ; still circumstances are frequently such that it is more proper to make them at some distance in the field. If a headland becomes too high by frequent ploughingsor workings of tha land, in that case it should be ploughed at the time when clo\er or mixed grass seeds are sown with a white crop, for instance, barley or oats, and clo- ver for the year following : a headland might then be ploughed, and a number of cart-loads of some manuie heaped from one end to the other. Immediately after this it should be trenched with the spade (or what is sometimes called digging,) and ridged high, in order that an action should take place between the soil and manure; by this means the mass would soon be in a condition for turning over, and any ditch scourings, or other matters which had not in the first instance been used, miglit now be added to the mixture. The heap should then be allowed to remain closed for a few weeks, then turned over again; at this turning, in all probability, the mass would be much reduced; if sufficiently reduced, raise the ridge of compost well on both sides, but, instead of its top being pointed, make a trench or cavity on the top from one end of the heap to the other. This cavity should be made tolerably retentive of moisture, which may be efTected by treading with the feet ; carriages of night soil, or urine from the cattle stalls, may then be emptied into the trench, and the bulk of the heap would determine how many were required ; this being done, a little earth should be thrown into the trench, and the heap allowed to remain in that state until the mid- dle or latter end of autumn ; it will then be ready for anoiher turning; but at this time care must ba taken to have the heap well made up at the sides and pointed at the top ; in this situation rain will be thrown oflj and the compost preserved dry until winter presents some favorable opportunity for laying it on the young clover, wheat, or for mak- ing any other use of it which may be required. The beneficial efl'ec's of top-dressing young clo- vers or mixed grass seeds is scarcely ever regard- ed with due attention. By this help crops are not only much increased, even 30 or 50 percent., but Ihey are also ready fbrcutiing much sooner, which in a backward spring gives the slock farmer ines- timable advantages for sorting his cattle, and thereby raising manure at his pleasure. The full eflects of this practice I first experienced in the dry season of 1826 : I had some clovers which had been manured the previous winter; my land * This must be taken with some limitations, for urine contains 90 to 95 per cent, of water; and un- mixed dung contains all the salts of urine, besides much mucus and other substances.— W. L. Rham. THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 79 was soon covered wilh crop, and ihat so viirorons a one, that the hot weather did not overpower it. JNly cows thill fumiuer were lied up duiit'jf tlie day- time, and in the niifht they were turned out into the pastures ; most of the stock in my dis tricl were much distressed from over-heat as well as i'roni bein^ sliort of Ibod lor some weeks; milk yielded little butter, scarcely any lor a time was oHcred in our large market town : — no doubt thai year will be remembered by many gentlemen on the Agricultural Society's committee. I, however, was under no dilRcullies on account of the season: my clovers produced plenty of Ibod l()r my cattle, and in return tiiey yielded as much milk and but- ter as I ever recollect from the same number. I am persuaded that the same satisfaciory results woukl have followed if the same sy'stem had been adopted for leeding stock; it was that year my attention was first directed to raising compost heaps from urine. This I now do frequently without the help of any dung from the caitle- etalls ; the same occasion called my mind to an- other matter well worthy every farnjer's attention • — I allude to tlie great superiority of the manure raised in summer soiling to that produced in the stalls during winter. I verily believe t lie difference is fifiy per cent., unless slock are fed in a great measure during winter wilh arlificiai Ibod. In an arrangement tor making compost heaps from urine, I would recommend a receptacle to be made at the back of the catlle stalls just outside the building; this should hold about 20 CArt-ioads of mould, or any other matters to be employed ; if its situation were a little lower than the callle- ehcds all the urine would pass into it, and remain there until the mass is completely saturated, which will be sufficient ; when the eanhy matters are covered over with it, the compost may then be thrown out and the proceeding again renewed. In order to show part of the benefits of this prac- tice, I beg here to observe that the most foul or weedy mould may be used ; the action of the urine, if not reduced by water is so powerful, thai wire-worms, the black slug, niany olher de- stroying insects, and all vegetables, weeds, &c., when in contact with the urine for a time are de- prived of tlieir living functions. The situation lor raising this compost should be protected from the weaiher by a covering similar to a cart-shed , in- deed, the deteriorating influences of rain, sun, and arid winds, on all putrescent matters or compost are so serious, that in my humble judgment it would be worth while to have places under cover where these are usually laid down. I beg to conclude this essay wilh some observa- tions made on a former occasion. No amelioration connected with the rural art is of more lasting im- portance than correcting the constitutional defects of a soil. The best horticulturists and market- gardeners are many of them perhaps, unacquaint- ed with the iheorj', yet perlectly understand the great results fom that practice ; and in this par- ticular information they are all of them superior to many practical farmers. How ofien do we see a siiff soil sterile in a great degree from that cause only ; yet, in the vicinity of a sandpit and adjoin- ing most bogs there is a considerable breadth ol cofierent land, which might be made double its present value by judicious and liberal top-dress- ings of peat, which is also unproductive from causes of a contrary nature. The present poverty of many extensive tracts of land is a manifest exhibition ol" the want of skill or enterprise of their owners and cultivators. PROPOSED IMPORTATION OF SHCEP AND HOGS, AND REMARKS. For the Farmers' Reaister. To Jlrginin Parmerfi. — Whereas, I desire to obtain a lew more blood sheep and hogs, and being satisfied that they can be obtained in Eng- land at t)elter rates, and of better quality than at the north, I propose Ibr this purpose, going to Enirland in August next ; provided other farmers will conirihute so as to jusiily the expedition. Three or four thousand dollars would be sufficient, and perhaps a lew spirited men would make up the sum. I am not pariicularly desirous of goino- myself; consequently if a better judge of stocl?, who may be inierested in the adventure, and can give satisfactory references, will offer his service, then I thank ully wiihdrav/ my name as ajrenf. Let the compensation be fixed at ,950 the month and expenses paid, and let the bills of sale be the price at which each shall receive his por- tion ; no one to choose for himself, hut all by lot. And let it be understood that only Colswold and Lincolshire sheep, and Berkshire hogs, are to be imported. One cannot afford to go for a couple of sheep or a pair of pigs; consequently he sends, and gen- erally gets what olhers refuse, and sometimes what nobody should have. Again — when we take pigs from the north at a few weeks old, they are put on food which perhaps they never before tasted, and consequently, the loss of milk, the new food, and transportation, make them runts ; or if we buy thence grown stock, we always pay hicrh grade prices, and generally get low grade animals. A sheep fhculd noi be moved a distance unless more t'lan one year old ; and Ibr the sake of economy, perhaps imported hogs should be sows youriu' with pig, and young boars. ° In the November Culiivator we have a f rofile of a Co'swold buck, lately imported, which at eighteen months old, measured five leet two inches in length, and computed to weigh in net meat 180 pounds. In a previous Cultivator, we also see the profile of Mr. Clift's Lincolnshire buck. None- such, measuring four feet seven and a half inches in length, but computed weight not given ; we may know, however, that the Lincolnshires are very valuable, as Mr. Clifi sells his bucks at S'50 to ^100, his ewes at about one-third less, and his wethers from ^20 to ,^30. I have one of the eons of Nonesuch, now rising two years old, which bids firiir to make a match for his sire, also many other fine sheep, yet am not satisfied, nor shall I be, until my flock may reach a weight of 100 to ISO pounds, and 6 to 12 pounds of wool. In the December Cultivator, we read that Wm. P. Curd, Esq., of Kentucky, purchased 17 sows and 6 boars of the Berkshire and Irish grazier breeds ; that in two years he had from them sold 110 pair of pigs at $40 the pair, .S4,400 ; that 2.54 sows had been to his boars, (some fmm the distance of 200 miles,) at S'lO each, -92,540 ; that he had taken in premiums 31 silvercups, making a total of $7,000. But this is not all— Ibr we also 80 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. read that lie sold pork, (o what amount ia not staled; bullet us suppose llmi ihe 17 !?o\vs in the two years produced 510 pigs, from which take 220 pigs sold, and we have 290 rentaiuing lor porkers; which, if weighing only 250 pounds each, gives 72,500 pounds oC pork, which to a Virginian, would be worth ^4,350, and whicli add- ed to S7,000, gives a grand total oC ,S' 11,350. But let us suppose that none of the proguiy were snid as pigs, but all made into pork, ihf-n we have 127,500 pounds, worth .$^7,G50, or 83,825 the year, from 17 sows and say one boar. Again, in the Comjilete Farmer, we read, that a pig at eighi nionths old was driven to Danesburg and slaughtered, and weighed 311 pounds, and that many ol' the same age were nearly ol' the same weight. Now, whereas my hogs at eight months old, at best, would not weigh more than 150 pounds net, aiid although this weight would justily my slaughtering both lall and spring, yet I cannot, should not be satisfied. Are not the above exhibits enough to open the eyes and purses ol' the Virginia larn)er'? Are they not enough to con- vince him that it requires spiiited men lo do busi- ness I As to the old breed of hogs, the case is nearly over with them; lor although some are yet cry- ing out, " I want the woods' hog,'" yet no one in Ins proper senses will much longer hold on to them. If is true, that some persons who have purchased, or thought ihey had purchased blooded iiogs, have been disappoiiued by other means than those above enumerated ; fur they had been in the custom of giving their hogs daily atiout three grains of corn each, and supposed (hat by obtaining blood, they could get rid of a portion of this burthen ; but as the scrub at a year old weighed as much as 60 pounds, and the blooded hog at the sauie age only 80 or 90 pounds, they considered themselves terribly humbugged. As I do not proless to be a judge ol' horse or cow, 1 propose to impoit neither, nor do I care lor them. Persons desirous of contributing lo the above purpose, are requestt^d to give their names and amount either in the Farmers' Register, the Rich- mond Whig, ihe Lynchburg Republican, or the Lynchburg Virginian. And any person pro- posing to go to England, will give name and re- ferences through one of the same mediums. The money will be wanting the last of July, and can be deposited either in Richmond, Peters- burg, or Lynchburg, and the delivery olstock can be at Noriblk, Petersburg, Richmond, Columbia, Scottsvilie, New Maiket,and Lynchburg — but of this, more in time. Relereiices. — INIessrs. Cocke, Brown, Cabell, Dorm an. Toler, and Kyle of the Virginia legisla- ture; S. S. Baxter, (Attorney General,) Joseph Allen, (C. C. Appeals,) and'Capt. John Goddin, city o( Richmond ; John Ganh and James Fariss, Esqrs., and Rev. John N. Johnston, of Buchanan ; Sundry persons of Lexinffton, Lynch- burg, New Glasgow, Duiguidsville, New Market, Lovingston, Charlottesville and Scottsvilie. Editors of newspapers are requested to insert the above at least once, and charge to chariiv. Za. Drummond. Amherst, Jan. 20th, 1841. Tliere is anoth.er good reason for carrying into effect such a scheme as is proposed by Mr. Drum, mond, besides all that he has urged. Each of the best known breeders and salesmen of Berkshire pigs and other highly prized live-stock, has pro- bably produced his sale animals from a single pair, or at any rate, from too small an original num- ber, and by continuing to breed in-and-in, for succes- sive generations. This course will certainly and greatly deteriorate any family of animals; in what- ever cases it has been pursued, the original purity of blood (supposing it to have been the best at first,) is no guaranty against the purchaser being supplied froin a feeble and worthless progeny. Against this very common and general source of bad stock, at the highest prices, the distant pur- chaser has no safeguard, but in the moderation and integrity of the stock-breeder and salesman. We ought to obtain new breeders, and enough in number to avoid breeding in-and-in ; and this may be done by enough individuals, either separately or in partnership, uniting in the impoitaiion. — Ed. F. R. MANURIAG WITH PURCHASED MARL AND LIME. For ihe Farmers' Register. Essex, Va., Jan. 26th, 1841. I have received all the bat:k volumes of the Farmer's Uetjister and had them bound, and look to them as a never-failing source of interest and improvement. 1 have been for the last two years using marl and shell and stone-hme to a very con- siderable extent lor my means, and am pleased lo say, that thus liir, my expectations have been fully realized. The marl, of very superior quality, is brought from Urbanna, in Middlesex, and pur- chased by me at my landintj lor from 4 to 6 cents per bushel. Shells can sometimes be bought at liom 90 to 100 cents per hogshead; and I buy all I can gel at that rate; and by burning them with pocoson wood, cut by my hands in the winter season, when they would otherwise have nothing to do, I do not esiima'e the actual cost of the shell-lime to exceed 7 cents per bushel. The stone- lime I buy either in tierces or loose in the hold of the vessel ; lor the former (Thomaslon,) I have paid ^1,25 a tierce, and lor ihe latter, purchased at the kiln ol' E. J. Cooper, near Baltimore, I pay 12.\ cents per bushel. It is a very expensive method of improvement, but I still hope the ia- vestment will prove profitable. Yours, very respectfully, Richard Baylor. CABBAGES WORMS. From the Albany Cultivator. A writer in the Southern Cultivator, says he " had a square of very fine cabbages in his garden upon which the worms had commenced making THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 81 groat rax ages. Pennyroyal whs ftathrrrd anrl sf'attereil omt the caljh.iiff-liPiKls plenlil'ully, iind the work of cUvlriuMioii clmsciI." The wiiier did noi kiioiv iviii'.ilii'r the. discovery was a new une, but i( tieenis lo have been a very easy and ellec- tual one, and well worth a trial. EFFECTS OF THE STOCK ON GRAFTED FRUIT. From tlie New Genesee Farmer. A late number ofihe Yankee Farnner, coniains some remarks of the edi;or, relative lo ihe influ- ence of ihe slock on frral'led fi'uit, copied from a (brmer volume, in which he lays down the (ollovy-- iiii^ propositions : 1. "Stocks have an eflect as to hearintr years. "2. Stocks aHect the scion in hastening or retard- ins 'he ripening ol" Ihiii. 3. S'ocks produce defects on grafied fruit. 4. Slocks affect the color of fruit. 6. Stocks atiect the quality of fruit. 6. Stocks have an influence in increasing or de- creasing the size of fruit." This subject is not new to horticulturists. An elaborate article by Dr. Mease of Philadelphia, nfBrming such influence was reviewed by us se- veral years airo, in the 3rd volume of the Genesee Farmer; but we did not think at the time that the evidence was conclusive : and we have seen nothing since to induce us to chatiire that opinion. Siill, we are willing to examine the subject anew with fairness atid candor. We should have been gratified if the editor h;ul given in detail, the liicts on which he Ibunds those opinions; but as he has only done so in |)art, we would respectfully suggest ih^t if these proposi- tions are true, it would not be ditRcull to prove them by experunents laithfully recorded, from the commencement to ilie termination, and belbre wit- nesses of unexceptional)le character. Statements of this kind vvoidd have a weight that solitary or imperfect recollections can never produce; and more especially where the observations are has'ily taken, without a thorough examination of all the circunrsiances connected with the subject. But we cannot properly omit on this occasion the statement made by Professor Lindley, that " no such influence can be exercised." He adds: " Those who fancy that the quince, for instance, communicates some of its austerity to the pear, can scarcely have considered the question physi- ologically, or they would have seen that the whole of the food communicated from the alburnum of the quince to that of the pear is in nearly the same ptale as wh.en it entered the roots of the former. Whatever elaboration it undergoes, rhust necessa- rily take place in the Ibilaire of ifie pear ; where, far from the influence of the quince, secretions na- tural lo the vaiiety goon with no more interrup- tion than if the quince (brmed no part of the sys- tem of the individual." This decision is emphatic ; and so far as we can perceive, the reasoning is as clear and conclusive as can be expected frotn theoretical considerations alone. If there are fiicts, however, that come in conflict, their weight must fie allowed, and the theory should then be revised and amended. Bearing in alternate years is a habit chiefly ob- Voi.. IX.-6 servable among apple trees; for when the pear, the peach, Ihe plum, and the quince fail lo be re- gular bearers in this quarter, the deficiency is to he ascril>ed lo unfavorable seasons, or the depre- dations of insects. The case is otiierwise, how- ever, with some vaiieties of the apple ; and we have supposed the habit was owing to the trees becoming, through exhaustion, unable to produce blossom buds for tlie next season. In this, indeed, we may be mistaken ; but oi ivvo Ihinga we arc confident ; moderate bearers are commonly annual bearers; and tho3'3 thai we find unproduclive, have generally borne profusely in the preceding season. As examples, we would name Veduer'e pi|)pin3, and the sweet bough, or htirvesl apple. The former is an alternate bearer, but the latter bears every year ; and as we have half a dozen trees set on as many different seedlings, among which we have observed no variation in point of regularity, earliness or productiveness — we feel at liberty to infer that these slocks have had no influ- ence on the graft.s. But alternate bearers conform to circumstances in commencing their biennial course. We had six trees of a ruseet apple, all of thesame variety, half of which bore abundantly at one time, and ihe other half in the following year. Now if aliernale bearing is caused l)y excess in one sea- son, and we prevent that excess by destroying a portion of the blossoms, we shall certainly prevent ■rdiernnte bearing. How then can a siock piib- Ject to such conli)rmtiy induce a graft to alter ^\a lime of bearing 7 It appears lo us it cunnot l>e. There are some things in regard to the ripening of the same variety on different stocks, however, thai we are not prepared to explain. For instance, we have three trees of ihe transparent guigne cherr)?-, one of which ripens a week or ten dny3 before the others. The lale trees stand near to- gether—the other at the distance of six'y leer. The subsoil in that part of the fruit garden is very variable — small beds of sand in sopjb places, and clay and stones in others; but we know not whatlhe subsoil is under those trees. Nei- ther,do we know whether the stocks are all suckers ofthemorello*ora part of the Kentish* cherry. We may ascertain this nextseason. In the meantime, we are quite as much disposed to ascribe the difl'er- ence ir* the time of ripening, to the subsoil, as we are to the stocks. It is well known, however, that stocks have an influence on the riitening of wood, and tender s.irts become hardier when grafted on hardy storks — not because the latter exerts any specific influence on the former, but because the usual supplies of sap are withheld earlier iti the season, and ihe wood has more time to mature. Tlie same efText i9 produced when tender shrubs are planted m dry, sterile, rocky situations. In examining appearances out of the usual order of things, great care is necessary to prevent us from drawing wrotig infi^rences. When diflerent trees derived from ihf same parent variety. G MANUREa. We have made as yet, sm;dl advances in tlie art oC savinjj and compounding manures. There is liiile doubl that as much valuable manure is now lost or ihrown away, through ignorance or negltct, as is used. Tlie practice ol renovating and enriching land by plouifhing in green crops, or by invertiuir the old yward, is seldom practised among us, alihougli where this has been done, the eliects have surpassed the niosi sanguine anticipations. The introduction ol' bone manure and poudreite, is likewise recent; but from their proved elficacy and the facility ol' their Iraiir^jwr- tation, they are likely to prove extraordinarily be- neficial, in New Jersey, I have witnessed the must remarkable effects of a newly discovered marl, of an alkaline character, and of great efficacy. It has more than doubled the value ol lands in the neighborhood of the [)its where it is Jbund. The application ol' one hundred bushels oT this marl to land which under common cultiva- tion would pro{luce not more than 20 bushels ol corn to the acre, causes it to yield 60 bushels, and wheat and clover in [)roporlional abundance. Nor are its etiects transient, but it produces a perma- nent improvement of the soil, the duration ol which is not yet ascertained. In this respect it differs most favorably Ironi ashes and many other manures, whose efficacy is continued seldom more than one or two years. At [ircsent this marl is delivered al the pits at seven cents per bushel, and might be delivered at many of ihe ports of New Jersey at a small advance upon thai price. The farmers of Long Island have lor years tieen in the habit of purchasing lor ilieir wheat fields our leeclied aslies at a cost of ten and tvselve cents per bushel. If these shrewd farmers have then found an advantage in coming to our ports alter our drawn ashes, why may not we import marl from New Jersey — a substance lar more efficacious and more enduring in its effects than asties, at even a less price than is paid for our ashes ? In regard then to manures and the means of enriching our lands in New Knglnnd, there is no deficiency ; but we are greatly wantinir through- out ihe state, in frugality to save tlie vast amounts which are now wasted ; in industry to collect the means around us ; and in skill and labor in pre- pariuirthem lor use. In soil, climate, and n\anu- factu res there is no impediment in New England to a successlul agriculture. — Ibid. We prepare our sausage meat in the usual way Then, instead of putting the meat in skins, pre- pared Irom the hogs' entrails, we make l)ags of white clean cotton or linen cloth, as large, say, as a man's arm, larger or smaller as may suit, and of convenient length, say about a loot long, and put the sausage meat in these bags, and hang them up to (iry. In this, we ."save much lahoi* in preparing the skins, and considerable in cook- ing ; we slip off ilie bag from so much as is needed, and cut the sausage into slices of sufficient thickness for cooking. I mucHi prefer sausngea put in bags to those put in skins, as they keep more moist. Oibers, (or the same reason dislike them. Respectfully yours, Calvin Butler. p. S. Ripe elder berries make good pies. Try them, ladies. C. B. Plymouth, (^Conn.) Sept. 17, 1840. CULTURE OF THE PEACH TREE. From the New Genesee Farmer. It has been mentioned by writers on the culture of the peach tree, that hot water poured around the trunk at ihe surface of the ground, will destroy the worm. We have not yet tried it, but we intend to do so ; and in the meantime we would suggest to our readers, that it may be done at any time durinir the winter or spring when there is no snow and the soil is unfrozen. We think the work would be more thoroughly done, iiuwever, if the gum be first removed, so that the hot water may enter the habitation of this insect. Soot has been Ibund excellent for this free. In one CBS8 that has come to our knowledge, its pale leaves were changed into a dark green by thia application round its rools ; and though Ihe effect may in part have been caused by the destruction of the worm, it has doubiless acted also as a ma- nure. Those who have stove pipes to clean and peach trees to cultivate, should save the soot for this purpose. One of the most deplorable conditions that a peach tree can be placed in, is to stand in a meadow or grass ground which is annually mowed. Some- times we see them in door-yards where the grass grows stiong, but where neither pigs, nor sheep nor cattle, are allowed to enter. A half starved tree however, is no ornament in front of a house ; but we will not find fault without proposing a remedy. Cultivate a circle round each tree, ol two or three feet in diameter ; and hoe in manure from the stable, the hog pen, the hen roost, the leach rub, or the wood pile, not forgetting the stove pipe, and the tree will soon compensate lor the labor by its beauty and pioductiveness. SAUSAGE MAKIXG. From ttie Albany Ciilli%'ator. Should you think our mode of making sausages worth a place in your chapter on domestic econo- my you can place it there. PROFITS OF A KENTUCKY FARM. Frankfort, January, 1841. To the Editor of the Farmers' Register. The invpsimenf ot capital in any branch of pro- ductive industry should be guided by authentic, practical facts. Political economists, private capi- talists, and, indeed, all orders of men, but especi- ally those belonging to the productive classes, ar« 84 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. interested in those facts which relate to the cost of productions and the exchangeable value of con- sumptions. Producers and consumers are more immediately concerned in ihem, as atl'ordins use lul guides leadmg to a knowledge of ihe amount of productions necessary tom^et the wants o! con- Bumplion, and to the establishment ol' equitable and remunerating rates of valuation. JStatisiic facts, accurately ascertained, and periodically au- thenticated and published, serve also to render the interests of both producers and consumers more permanent, and consequently, in the long run, more productive. They indicate the mutual rela- tion and dependence of each upon the others ; and thus contribute to remove ihose causes ol fluc- tuation which influence so unfavorably all branches of industry. The industrial forces erpployed in agriculture, and the value of its productions, are less perfectly known than those ol any other important producing interest. We have occasional reports of the amount of our exports, embracing agricultural productions to some extent, and these are certainly interesting and uselul documents ; but we know little of the extent of our entire pj'oJtidions. Our Etalisiics of agriculture, therclore, furnish only a knowledge of our surplus productions. But what ratio do they bear to the whole amount of produc- tion 1 We can only form conjectural estimates; but certainly the surplus consists of but a small proportion of the entire production. Looking at this fact, and seeing that the action of the federal and state governments has been conducted by the light of statistics relating merely to our exports, I have been often tempted to accuse our legislators with criminal ignorance o/, and ingratitude to- wards the greatest interest of the country. Legis- lation has begun and operated upon the wrong end of affairs. Il com\nences at the end instead of the beginning; and the position is the most un- fljrtunaie, because it cannot look back, for the be- ginning has been leaped over ; nor forward, for the end has been assumed as the starting point of legislative action. It should be directed primarily lo the increase (if production ; and this, of course, would increase the amount of surplus lor export. If", therelbre, our governments, while furnishing the facilities fcjr the transporiaiinn and export ol our surplus prod'iciions, would direct their labors towards the increase of the whole productions, we ehould have more surplus to export, and the works intended for the convenience of commerce, and acting indirectly in favor of production, would prove lar more profitable, and more direct benefits would result to all interests. My notion of the duly of government, then, is, that it ehould fur- nish to the producing classes, those means of in- struction, fitiing them for the more intelligent and enccessl'ul prosecution of their various pursuits, and the expense and labor of cnnduciiiig which are too onerous to be borne by individuals or asso- ciations of individuals. Th's scheme would, o( course, embrace agricultural schools; for in the present elate of our country, we can hardly hope to organize them efficiently witliout the aid of go- vernment. These opinions, 1 am aware, are not generally isubscribed to by our politicians; and what is worse, the farmers thems^elves do not appear to have generally adopted them ; or if they have, they have not acted upon them. Under tiie pe- culiar forms of our political infstitutione, we can scarce expect the action of government to antici- pate public sentiment, let it be never so saluta- r}'. The goveriunent, so lar from leadinir or giving direction to popular setiiiment, is driven (ofi' and on) by it, h is the duly of (he press, therefore, more particularly the agricullurtd press, to a'^aken public seniiment on this subjt'ci, and conduct it to riszlu conclusions and effective aciion. I think, perhaps, the first necessary step in this matter is to lake measures to ascertain ac- curately the entire productions and consumptions of ihe country, which would necessarily also em- brace the exports and imports. I can hardly be- lieve the reiurns of the United Stales census, re- cently taken, will be full and satisfactory ; and I have strong reasons lor doubting the accuracy of even the partial information ilicy will afford. Ful- ness and accuracy are essential to the utility of statistics. We have had frequent disputes here as to the produciiveness of agricultural capital. We hear it frequently asserted, that in general less than five per cent, is realized ; and I presume this opi- nion is a near indication of Ihe iruih. It is certam that he, who in addition to supporiing his family from his farm, realizes six per cent., is deemed a thrifty husbandman. But there are many who double, and more than double, this rale of profit. They are, of course, farmers of more ihan ordinary intelliifence and practical abiliiy ; and 1 think the publication of facts, derived liom such sources, will serve a useful purpose by stimulating others to improvement. I have before me a letter from a friend, distin- guished alike in ihe walks of agricultural and po- litical life, detailing some lacis which, under the belief they will prove interesting lo your readers, i am induced to transcribe. As ilie writer fears hia neighbors may deem him a boasier, I am not au- thorized to give his name to the public, though [ do to you, individually ; but I will say upon the responsibility of my own, that no man in the na- tion bears or deserves a more exalted reputation lor integrity. And I will add thai, under his course of husbandry, simple as it is, his soil, so far from depreciatinir, has inqjroved and is improving in fenility ; and an acre of his corn-field will mea- sure out as much grain as two acres olhis neighbor's field, originally as good >-oil, but cultivated vvilh less skill and judgment. My correspondent's farm is in a section where land is neiiher deemed so pro- ductive nor valued so highly as in oilier sections. It is, however, a fine calcareous soil, ihesubsiratum of fine clay ; ihe natural timber, oak, sugar tree, walnut, locust, &c. The price at which he values it, too, is high for land in his county, sixty miles from Lexington ; and is rarely obtained, unless exiraordinary improvements tempt the purchaser. He has offered his firm at the price estimated, hut has not met a purchaser. It has not what, in ihe more higbl}' ap[)rcciaied seciions, would lie deemed a due prn[)ortion of level arable land, being cut by a meandering creek, giving the hill-sides running down to iis margin, lo perpeiual pasturage instead of ihe advanta^^^e of alternating with tillage. The profits made on this farm, though highly satisfactory and far belter than the general ave- rage, are nevertheless exceeded by others in Ken- tucky. With these observations 1 subjoin the let- ter, tid Ibilows: Yours, truly, Tho. B. Stevenson. THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 85 , December 7lh, 1840. Dear Sir— S'mcc the couversalioii we haii in relation lo liie profits upon capital invested in Jarminji, I have reflected upon the suhjecl, and now present you a more accurate estiniaie of my experience on that subject. I have, in my larm,'450 acres, oC whicli about 300 are cleared. I estimate the land lo be worth, m crtsA, filty dollars per acre, - - §22.500 5 nei^'ro men at §800, - - - 4,000 3 negio women, (one old,) - - - 1500 3 boys Irom two lo six years old, - - 1,01)0 8 work horses and mules, at §70, - - 500 3 carriage and ridini; horses, at §S0, - 210 30 c^itiie of all a^es,"ai §15, - - - 450 350 Merino sheep, at 83, - - - 1,050 65 younjif sows, shoais and | igs, at §2, - 130 (A part ol my Uiiling hogs lijr next year, will be (Vom pigs yet to come.) Farming implements— 2 wagons and light carl, 250 Ploughs, harrows, &c., including gear l()r hwrses, 150 Poultry, Sic, (including omissions,) say - 170 Total amount ofcapital, - - - Legal interest on capital, (.^.32,000,) ai 6 per cent. - - - - §32,000 - 81,920 price by holding on to my crop a year or two, when it gets below that price. 60 acres of hemp, averaging one year with another 20 tons, at §120, ^2,400 CO acres o( corn, intended Ibr liieding stock and lor bread, . . - QOO 350 sheep, average at the present low price oC wool, §1 per not fleece, - 350 Value of coarse parts of wool and in- crease of flock, - - - - 50 Sale of hogs, bacon and lard, average - 400 Sale of milch cows and beef cattle, say - 100 Of the cleared land I cultivate, say 60 acres in hemp ; 60 in corn ; 3 in seed hemp ; and 7 in pumpkins, beets, potatoes, &c., includins garden, total of piough-lund in cultivation, 130 acres. After planting corn two years on the same grounil, I have been in the practice of sowing it down in rye Ibr leeding ott'to stock, and permitting it to remain in r^e two years ; consequently^, f have in crop, in addition lo the 130 acres, say 60 acres in rye, 25 in meadow and orchard, and every other j'ear about 10 acres of rye Ibr seed, makinir an average ol about 220 acres in crop. The residue of the cleared land, about 80 acres, is in pasture ; and all my wood-land is enclosed, and about three- fourths of it well cleaned up and set in blue grass, and I am annually progressing in cleaning up and setting the reniainder in grass, so that I have plenty of permanent pasture, including my rye. My rotation of corn and rye was adopted when I was engaged in raising mules; but having quitted that business, 1 intend to make the rotation in fu- ture, corn and clover, two years earh ; and as a preparation lor clover, to sow down my ground [in wheat] every second year, and sow clover on the wheat in February Ibllowing. I have, as yet, practised no rotation in relation to my hemp ground, but this may be conveniently done, by sowing hemp in a field on which two crops of clover have grown, and converting an equal quantity of hemp land into corn ground ; and after two years, sowing it in wheat in the fall, and clover in February, and after two years return again to the hemp crop.* Havingr iluis given you a general outline of iny mode of farming, I will now state the value oi'my average products, premising that I have estimated hemp at §120 per ton, because it will average that ' Hemp, if an exhauster o ' soil, is a very slow one. Deterioration can scarce be perceived in the last of ten successive crops on the same field. — T. B. S. Total, §3,300 My cattle are of the old fashioned Teeswater and Patton stock. Though excellent for the rich- ness and abundance of their milk, they will sell ordinarily for only §25 or §30 per head, grass-fed. After reserving what is necessary Ibr our own use and consumption, my sales will not average more than the above sum. To the above, the following additions should be made ; Within the three last years I have .=o!d 55 mules, and have added those to my working stock, which have fully kept up their value. The increased value of these mules, (2 and 3 years years old when sold,) 1 estimate at §35 each, making a total of §1,925, and a profit for each of those years, of - 622 the followinfj From the above, _ should be made : Wages of a young man to work and superintend the negro la- borers, . - . - §200 Cash lor culling and breaking hemp, 200 Clothing and lax for 5 men and 3 women, .. . . - Tax en land and other properly, Blacksmith's and wagon-ma- ker's account, average §3,922 dexluctiona 160 - 30 - 60 §650 But from this amount, should be deducted what is saved in family expenses by living on a farm ; such as house-rent, fuel, bread, bacon, vegetables, poultry, fresh meal, butter, milk, &c.. which may be estimated at §500, leaving §150 to be deducted from the above sum of §3,922, and making the profit on the whole sum invested, §3,722. 1 may have omitted some small items of ex- pense which have not occurred to ine, but these will be more than covered by several small items of profit ; such as hay, cord-wood, hides of cattle and sheep, potatoes, apples, and other vegetables, butter, &c. I throw them in to balance any pos- sible omissions 1 may have made on the other side. 1 have allowed nothing for expense and fax on young negroes, because their increased annual value will fully pay for such expense, and also keep up the number of hands by supplying losses by death. Nor have I made any allowance for ihe annual increase in value of 1,500 or 2,000 young locust trees, an item of no little importance io my judgment, and which might lairly be esti- mated as a part of the annual profits of my farm 86 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. The profits upon mule stock, (as I have quitted that business,) will cease alter the present year; but they will be fully supplied by llie increased nunnberof hojrs and sheep which 1 shall be able to keep, and by the crop of wheat which I shall raise every second year. Sixty acres of clover will liiriiish ffreat facilities for increasing the num- ber of my hogs, and besides the corn consumed by my mule slock, will now go to my hugs; and a furiher improvement of my land will result from adopting ifie clover in my rotation. Inteiest on the capital invested at the rate of 12 per cent, per annum, - 93840 Net profit as above, - - - - 3.720 Profit 12 per cent. less, - - - §120 Do not the facts herein detailed, show that es- timating land at $5 ) per acre, farming is a most profitable business'? And do they not show the additional fact, that the raising of hemp is more profitable than the culture of cotton or grazing of cattle. Yours, truly and sincerelj', Thos. B. Stevenson, esq., Frankfort, Ky. HULE FOR ASCERTAINING THE WEIGHT OF CATTLE, SHEEP AND HOGS. In the " Cattle Keeper's Guide" there is a short and easy method given to find the weight of live stock, which will be of considerable utility to breeders. Let the animal stand square, put a string just behind the shoulder blade ; then put the string on the tail so as to form a plumb line with the hinder part of the shoulder blade ; take the dimensions on the rule as before, which is the length, and work the figures in thefblloiving man- ner: girth 6 It. 4 inches, length 5 ft. 3 inches, wfiich muhiplied together make 33^ square su- perficial feet, that again multiplied by 23 (the number of pounds allowed to each superficial loot, for an animal measuring not less than five nor over eight feet in girth,) makes 766 lbs. Where the animal measures less than 6 and over 8 feet in girth, 31 is the number of pounds to each superficial toot. Again, suppose a pig or any small beast should measure 2 feet in girth, and two feet along the back, which multiplied to- gether make 4 square feet ; that muhiplied by 11, the number or pounds allowed lor each square foot, when measurement is less than three liset in girth, makes 44 lbs. Suppose again a calf; sheep or hog should measure 4 ft. 6 inches in girth, and 3 ft. 9 inches in length, whicli multiplied together make 16| feet, that multiplied by 16, the number of pounds allowed to animals measuring less than five feet and more than three in girth, makes 268 lbs. The weight of cattle, sheep and hogs may be as exactly taken this way, as is at all ne- cessary lor any computation of valuation of stock, and will answer exactly to the (bur quarters sink- ing the offal ; which every man if he knows a few of the first rules of arithmetic and can get a bit of chalk and a string can readily perform. A reduction must be made for a half fatted beast, of one pound in twenty, more than from a fat one ; and from a cow that has had calves and is only half lat, two pounds in twenty must be deducted. For ttie Farmers' Register. GREEN-S.^ND IN GEORGIA. Mount Zion, Hancock Co., Georgia, January 23rd, 1841. Dear Sir. — Nothing but a wish to improve our practices in agriculiure, and to develope the natu- ral resources already provided liar us, has caused me, a siriinuer, to intrutle this communication on j'our attention, and I beg of" you to dispose of it as the above reasons may direct your betier judg- ment. It is on the subject of what you call green- sand or gypseous earth. During last year J. R. Colling, our slate geologist, made an examination of this section, and found immense beds of what he pronounces to be this earth, commencing at what he considers the wesiern limit of" the oceanic region, and exiending through a parallel region of some 30 or 40 miles. It appears to be by no means continuous or of uniform qualify; and we are anxious to make a proper use of it, though not to be duped by quackery or an inordinate zeal; and I know of no oiher means of diffusing useful information on that subject than through the Farmers' Register. I have had a specimen from my /arm analyzed by Mr. Colling, and he says he has done it with all possible care and accuracy, and reports 100 grains dried to contain Water of absorption, - - - 6 grs. Fine silicious sand, - - 9 " Sulphate ol'iime, _ _ _ 9.75 » Carbonate of lime, - - - 5.46" Protoxide of iron, - - - 4 <« Carbonate of magnesia, - - - 3 " Potassa, 12.37" Silicia, - - . . 36 " Alomiue, - - - - - 6 " Loss, - . - . 8.42" 100 JMy residence is about 10 miles above the oce- anic region, in latitude 33.26, longitude 83.2, and about 700 feet elevation above the ocean, on a small water course making into the ocean. The virgin soil was remarkably fertile, particularly lor tobacco and grain; and isso now wJien the forest is taken ofl', though by neglect it is easily gullied and galled Irom the soil being soft. We generally find the green-sand in the gullied bluHs near the creek bottoms — I believe in every case under what is called aferro-argitlaceous sub- edil of a deep red color, though the strata of rocks beneaih this subsoil, and in the neighborhood of the green-sand, varies exceedingly. I believe what is called feldspatic gneiss is most common, but you will frequently find in the same gully horn- blende, hornblende slate, pyrites or sulphuret of iron, mica slate, and some blocks of-granile. JVlr. Colling found in different places what he con- ceived a full gold formation, quartz, &c. In an- alyzing [the green-sand] from the neighborhood from the ridires, he found from 4 to 5 per cent, of carbonate of lime, though no sulphate of lime; from the creek deposites he found less carbonate of lime, but about 3 percent, of sulphate of lime. How deep the deposites of green-sand are we can- not tell ; we penetrated one bed about 10 feet, and it appeared to get better. It is generally of a blu- ish-green wiih white streaks, and cfianging from that to a yellow and chocolate color, alternating THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 87 from one to the other in veins, is always soft, more (iisposeii to at^sorb water than common earth; ami, as it dries, (i\lls into an ash-coloreJ powder, and 1 should suppose its average depth below the origi- nal soil would be from 6 to S Itjet. In some speci- mens there is a good deal of fine mica and sul- phuret of iron. I have been thus particular in describing boih the substance and the location, thinking it miirht aid you in your speculations on its natural history, and probably its apphcalion as a fertiliser. There appears in this section some disposition to change the old ruinous system of agriculture, and lo adopt in its stead an improving one; and though I am but little used to v;riiing, i( I can lur- nish you vviih any facts that would enable you to eti'ect the revolution, I shall be amply compensat- ed for my time and labor, 1 am but illy prepared for geological discussion ; but this green-sand earth does not look to me, when in place, to be a deposile. It has more the appearance of" rock or some solid substance de- composed ; and as it shows very {'ew or no animal remains, I am very much inclined to think it an older substance than marl or the carbornate of lime and shell formation of the oceanic region, (tliough this opinion is merely lor what it is worth.) What we now desire ot you is, through the Farm- ers' Register, to teli us how to use it. Very respectfully, J. S. Whitten, As little as we know about green-sand, (and we have as often admitted our ignorance on this mysterious subject, as we have charged it on others who pretend to abundant and all-sufficient knowledge,) there is no difficulty in pronouncing that the earth in question is certainly what geolo- gists call "green-sand;" and according lo the analysis, it is uncommonly rich. Besides a larger proportion of potash than usual, (to which some geologists ascribe the effect as manure,) there is a valuable amount of carbonate of lime, and per- haps of carbonate of magnesia, and a very large proportion of the unusual ingredient, sulphate of lime, or plaster of Paris. Now with all our disbe- lief of what geological surveys state, or indicate, on the effects of green-sand as manure — and with our distrust of its genera! and profitable effects as promised by geological "quackery," we should, if inourcorrespondent's place, expect much benefit from the use of this earth. If put on calcareous Goil, and on suitable plants, (clover especially,) the green-sand of itself will be beneficial; though to what extent, and for what length of 'ime, is the question yet to be settled. If put on acid soil, where the green-sand of itself would be utterly useless, as we think, the calcareous ingredients (carbonate of lime and magnesia) of the manure would neutralize the acid of the soil, and then permit the green-sand and the gypsum to act be- neficially. For our opinions, expressed at length on this subject, we can here but refer our correspondent to the whole report on the use of green-sand and green-sand marl on the Pamunkey lands, contain- ed from page 679 to 691 of volume 8, Farmers' Register.— En. F. R. ON SUBSOIL PLOUGHING. From the New England Farmer. The English agricultural journals for the last few years, have contained many articles upon the practice of subsoil ploughing. Our readers, we suppose, understand this to be the use of a plough having a narrow double share, or a small share on each side of" the coulter and no mould-board. It is used in eai h furrow after the common plough, and breaks up and stirs the subsoil to the depth of several inches, without bringing it up and incorpo- rating it with the soil. Many liirmers in England have derived great advantages from this process, in connexion with under-draining. Others have found it waste labor. Tlie January No, of the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of Eng- land contains a communication upon this subject by H. S. Thompson, Esq., pans of which we ex- tract below. Heretofore we have received the impression that our Transatlantic co-workers deemed this pro- cess peculiarly suited to stiff and heavy soils, con- sisting mostly of compact, adhesive clays. They now begin to intimate that shallow soils of the lighter kinds may be quite as susceptible of im- provement under this process as any other. We have often conjectured that it must be thus ; and have supposed that many of" our shallow, gravelly and sandy soils in New England would be ren- dered more retentive of moisture and more fertile by simply subsoiling without under-draining. Some of the observed facts, leading lo the suppo- sition are, that we have seen apple trees growing better in gravel that had been moved, than in the deepest and richest mould ; that grass, on a nar- row strip where the subsoil had been thrown but and replaced when putting down the logs of an aqueduct, was much more abundant than on the adjoining portions of the field; that an immense — a mammoth squash had grown upon an unmanured gravel heap that had been formed when digging a well. The loosening of the subsoil, making it more pervious to air and water — bringing many particles into cohtact with panicles that have not touched them before, and thus, perhaps, promot- itig slight fermentations and new chemical com- binations, may fit the subsoil to attract, receive and nourish the roots of plants. Can our practical men give us anv usefiji f"acis or observations upon this subject? The matteris worthy of attention.— Ed. N. E. F. BY H. S. TH03IPSON, ESQ, "Public opinion is still much divided on the sub- ject of subsoil ploughing. Some very eminent farmers maintain that it is lost labor ; while others, equally eminent, ihink no system of" husbandry complete without it. When men of sense and experience differ respecting matters of fact which have come under their own observation, it will generally be found that, like the travellers disputing about the color of a chameleon, neither would be wrong if he would only allow his opponent to be right. To take a case in point— one farmer of 88 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. my acqiifiintance, drained deep and used the eub- poil plough with every precaution and care, yet /'ound it liiil ; another, ibilovving precisely the same plan, permanenily improved il)e texiure oi' the soil: both were anxious iliat their (riends sliould profit by eiiher the ixample or the warning, and Josi no opporiuniiy of making ihe result public. For want o("a better term, both experiments were eaiil to liave been niaile on stiff soWs: both are credible men ; and ihe natural result ol' such con- flicting testimonies is, that tlie question remains undecided. Here we (eel the want of soiiie ac- knowiedijed classification of soils, (bunded on che- mical an-ilysie. No two witnesses could be more directly at issue than those alluded to above : and very possibly, both one and the other may have been quoted by the supporters or opposers of the subsoil plough as triumphantly establishing their position. The moment, however, that the two experiments are referred to their place in the se- ological map, the »vhole uifHculiy vanishes. One was made in a slilf, marly clay, on the new red sand-stone formation ; the other on that most te- nacious of all soils, the liaa clay : the one was permanently improved; llie other ran together again almost as soon as done. it wouia be but waste of lime to give any addi- tional proof of what has already been fully estab- lisiied, viz : thai on some soils the subsoil plouiih has been eminenily useful ; that on otliers it has signally failed. 'I'lie grand desideratum, at pre- sent, is the discovery of some test which shall ena- ble U-, on the examinaiion of any given soil, to P'O ounce tolerably coiiHiiently that it would be ailvis^iible or useless to subsoil it. I leel lully per- suaded that the per centage of alumina, or pure clay, in any soil, iurnishes the required criierion. In the two instances quoted above, i [irocured an analysis of the soils, and found that, in the one on which subsoiling was of no use, the proportion of alumina was twice as great as in the other : this most unexpected result first suggested the rule above stated; and in all the ca.-es which I have since had an opportunity of examinmg, it has been fully confirmed. A rule of this kind can only be established by numerous experiments on vari- ous soils ; but if those gentlemen who are so anx- ious to promote agricultural improvement, would liindly Ibrward to the secretary of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society the result of their own expe- riments with the subsoil plouiih, accompanied by either an analysis of the subsoil on which it was tried, or even a specimen of the subsoil for analy- sis, the quesiion of subsoil ploughing would very soon be set at res! ; and tt would be as easy to point out the soils which would be benefited by 1', as ii is now to distinguish turnip and barley eoiis (rom tliose adopted tor wheat ami beans. I will now etate ttie steps taken to test the truth of the rule above mentioned, viz: that the per centage of alumina ought to guide us in the selec- tion of soils lor subsoiling. I wrote to several gentlemen whom 1 knew to have used the subsoil [)lough, and on whose accuracy 1 could rely, and begged that they would furnish me with some ac- count of their experiments, and send me a speci- n>en of the tubfoil lor analysis. I have, wherever practicable, given the account in the words of the writer ; and can onlj' regret that the shortness of time has prevented my collecting more evidence on the subject. The following essay was sent me by that very intelligent farmer, Mr. Black, land-agent to the Earl ot' Zetland, at MarsUe, in Cleveland : " There is probably no agricu'tural operation that has f)een so strongly recommendeil by some, and so much censured by others, as subsoil plough- ing. Its advocates have represented it as the great panacea lor all soils and situations; and its introduction, they say, will fijrm a new epoch in agriculture. Iselieving that neither party have viewed the suliject [iroperly in all its bennngs, 1 beg leave humbly to offer a few remarks, first, on Ihe soil that will receive the most permanent im- provement (i-om subsoil ploughina; and, second, where it can be of no utility. The soil that I be- lieve w;ll receive the most permanent improve- ment from subsoil plougliingis one in which silica predominates; indeed all shallow soils, of the liirhier kind>, will be improved by it ; and particu- larly so il there is any moorland pan, or indurated incrustations, formed by the weight ol the plough going for a number of" j-enrs ai itie same dt-pth, or from other causes. If tlie subsoil is of good qua- lity, and a greater depth of furrow is wished lor, the subsoil plough may be used with advantage ; the percolation of water prepares the subsoil for amalgamation with the surlace. Stong clayey land cannot be permanently im[)roved by subsoil ploughing. Alutnina is a tenacious, compact, ad- hesive substance, iis parts are in minute divisions, and have irrent afRiiity (or each other. In Septem- ber, 1838, I subsuiled two fields of 10 acres each, which hnd been previously drained, and as th^i nomencldlure of soils is not at all inieliigible, and has led to much mischietin detailiuiJ- experiments, I send you the analysis of 300 grains ot" the field since ploughed. 300 grains consisted of — Grains. Moisture, 61 Soluble matter, principally vegetable, 3 Lime, in ihe state of carbonate, 2 Peroxide of iron, 50 Alumina, 130 Silica, or fine land, 20 Vegetable matter, 33 Los3, 1 300 "One ofihese subsoiled fields produced 35, and the other 27^ bushels of wheat per acre ; the field that produced the greatest number of quarters per acre was subsoiled across the drains; the other parallel with them. I do not attribute this great (ailing off per acre altogether to the parallel sub- soiling, although I think the other is decidedly the tteet method. In December, 1839, one of the fields was ploughed, but no traces remained of tha subsoil plough having been used. I expected, from the complete breaking up of the subsoil, that the parts would have remained distinct (or years ; but such was not the case: they had run tosjeiher, and were as compact as when first moved by the plough, without even the appearance of water- shake or fissure. This I was not prepared to ex- pect. Separated hy a fence only is another field of a similar descrii)tion, which was (iillovv at the ^ame time, but not subsoiled ; the crop on this field was quite equal to the other. A neighbor subsoiled one acre of a field which was sown with THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 89 beans ; lliis field I frequently eaw fhroupli the euniriitT, anil durinjj iliai peiiud the pnil fiubsoil- ed vvas by no means superior lo the oilu'r."' On reading tills accouni my atieniion was na- turally arri'Sied by llie great dlH'eronee between the produce ol" the two fields subsoiled l)y Mr. Black ; and as it was in poriant to at-cerlain WiU'tlier any siilRcient ;;aui=e could be a>si;riied iu- ilependt ni ol the different nielhiuts adi'pted in Bubsial ploughing them, ! addressed him ihe Ib'- lowing questions : — 1.-= the field which produced 35 bucihels per acre ol' belter quality than the one which produced 27| ; or vvas it betier nianured, or the seed time nuire favorable? His answer was as follows ; — "The land, (viz., that which produced 35 bushels) is much inlerior. I ascribe ihe superior crop lo the field having been more recently drained than the other. 1 have always found the first crop alier draining above an aver- age. Lime, too, was applied to this field two year* belLre, winch did not appear to have acuni until the water was taken oH': and last, althouiih not least, it was subsoiied across the drains. As regards manure, I consider the fields alike in ih n respect. Both fields were sown under lavoralile circumstances." Draininir after lime appears quite adequate to account for this increased pro- duce; but even should we aitribute a poriion of it lo subsoiling across instead of parallel to the drains, the whole effect seems to have vanished before the next ploughiiig, as we read in JMr. Black's account. In confirmation of Mr. Black's views, I will quote the opinion of Mr. Vansi;tari, of Kirkleatham, wfiose e.x|)erimeiiis I had an op- portunity of observing whilst in progress. I need hardly add that they were made in the mosi judi- cious and effectual manner. '■ Upon subsoihng I have nearly made up my mind, and am satisfied that it is not of permanent use on this soil." We have here the experience of Mr. Vansittart, Mr. Black, and a neighboring Ifirmer, all of whom agree in thinking that subsoiling is of no use on their land. 'Ihe quality of land is the same in all : consisting of a level and uniform tract of that pe- culiarly tenacious soil, the lias clay, containing, as we see by the analysis furnished by Mr. Black, (made at Edinburg,) no less than 4.3 per cent, of alumina or pure clay. The next evidence I shall ndduce is that of Mr. Stevenson, of Rainion, near Boroughbridge, a very enterprisino: and judicious tenant-farmer; whose farm chiefly consists of a etiff red clay, on the red sand-stone formation. He began by subsoiling 17 acres in the win'er of 1835- '6: the summer lollowing, these 17 acres grew a remarkable crop of turnips, though the year vvas in general a failing one for that croM. The turnips were Ibllowed by barley, seeds, wheat — all good crops. When ploughed deep again lor turnips, at the end of the course, it was fimnd to work much fighter than the land m.t subsoiled. The man who held the piouirh in botii instances Ibund a great difiierence in the mellowness of the soil turned up, and consequently iri the labor of the horses. The subsoil, on analysis, showed 24 pr-r cent, of alumina. The exact analysis is as loi- iows : Specific gravity, 2,070. 100 parts contain— Of water of absorption, 7 Silica, 6.5 Alumina, 24 Oxide of iron. Soluble mutter, Loss, ^ 2 100 JMr. Stevenson found so much benefit from the operation, that lie has since subsoiled 27 acres, and means to continue it on a large scale. A irlance at the experiments above described ena- tiles us to make a first approximation to the solu- tion of this much debated question. It appears probable that a soil containing not more lirin 24 per cent, ol alumina may be subsoiled with advan- tage, bui that when it ex ecds 40jpcr cent, no per- manent improvement is derived Irom the oj)era- lion. Many more experiments must be made helbre this approximation can be so modified aa to make it of general application : and I would beg to suffgesl to those gentlemen who may liiel disposed to assist in the inquiry, that any account of the use of the subsoil plough on land containing more than 24 and less than 40 per cent of alumina would be particularly valuable, as the first point to ascertain is, the maximum quantity of alumina which may exi-t in Innd wiihuui making it unfit Ibr subsoiling. From what has been stated above, there is reason lo suppose that this maximum point lies between 24 and 43 per cent.; every experiment, therelbre, made on soil containing more than the one and less than the other, reduces the doubtful soils within nar- rower limits. It would also be advis.ible to try ihe effect of subsoiling on two soils containing- equal quanliiies ol alumina, but otherwise difler- ingin tile composition, as it is possible that other substances, in combination with alumina, may in some degree a Heel the result. I have, thus liir, confined myself to stiff soils; but as the subsoil plough has been liule used on light land, and ils effect therefore is little known, the Ibllowing paper Irom Mr. Denison, of Kiln- wick, Percy, will be read with great interest: [Mr. Denison's operations were made on a field consisting of sandy hills, light, blow away soil, j and marshy hollows — peaty soils. After having j described the drainage and ils expense, he says:] I "The first process after the driiins were com- plete was in the months of March and April to pare and burn ; and lo sow rape and turnips, drilled with half-inch bones and soot in the lollow- ing month. The crop was not at all regular ; being good where the soil vvas deep and black, but very bad where it vvas sandy : the sole being hard and the action of the sun having great power lo the very roots of the plants. " In the winter of the same year, after the tur- nips and rape were consumed, I plouizhed land in the direclion of the old furrows, and the subsoil plough fbllowed, vvoiked fiy two oxen and four- horses; loosening the" hard sandy sole on the hiizher ground, and tearing up Ihe roots of the rushes, &c., on the low. In this stale the land lay till the month of April Ibllowing, when Finlay- son's drag-harrow was applied across the plouirh- ings, which brought up all the roots and rutibish to the surface; these were then raked off and burnt. Ithensovved the black Tartarian oats, and ploughed them in ; the ground was tlien harrowed and pressed down widi a clod-crushing roller,, made by Mr. Crofckill, of Beverley, which imple- 90 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. mcnt has been of the greatest service lo me in al- most every stage and crop. Ii has been ihe means orconsolidaiinif the earth, which would otherwise have been loo light, and it lias kept the moisture in also. It has a decided advantage over every other kind ofroller in this respect, because it leaves an uneven surface instead oT a flat one, Iroin which the rain, in sandy land especially, is apt to run of} without nournishing or relreshiiig ihe crop. "The oats came out very healthy and had no check : in sixteen weeks (roin the limeol sowing they were reaped, and \vhen thrashed yielded lOj quarters |)er acre, which were sold at 26s. per quarter, and iliis (i-om land that was let two years before at 2s. 6d. per acre. " I calculate the e.xpense of subsoil ploughing, according to my mode ofusing it, at 26s. per acre, thus : Four horses and two men, per day, 14s. Two beasts and one man, 5s. 19s. *' These will do 3 rods per day. The oxen are yoked to the plough, and the four horses precede. I sowed 40 acres with oats, of the same flat of land that had been pared and burnt, but not sub- soiled, from want of time. The produce of this was not more than 3 quarters per acre, and straw small and short ; a very fair proof of liie advantage of subsoiling. " I have now 100 acres of wheat and oats grow- ing on what was the very worst part of the whole property, and considered perfectly useless. It has been drained, pared and burnt, and suhsoiled ex- actly after the mode detailed ; and it looks as promising as what was so good last year. Tiie land upon which I had potatoes exhibits as de- cided a superiority ; and I shall in another year he able to state what efliect subsoilinraiii n)ado iis apjiearaiice ihi.< winter, in the city, and in the hvery siabies. Some of n)y friends wlio unlbriunateiy carried their horsea there, ^oi them inlecied, and liave lost several. The dis- ease has spread into the conniry, producing much uneasiness, and loss, in the services of the anitnals, and in many cases tlie loss of tiie animals them- eelves. My ol^ject \n addressinir this note to you is, to request inlbrmation as to t!ie orim. We cannot contend with the planlersof Alabama and Mississippi, in a wild and desiructive system, by which even they have sunk under embarrassment and ruin, with all tiieir advantages of soil and climate. We can make up Ibr our infrrior soil and climate only by a superior sysiem oC husbandry. While they are exiiauslinif ilieirsoil and preveming the natural increase of their slaves by a reckless system of pushing and driving, let us improve (he fertility of the one, by resting and manuring it, and increase the number oC the other, by moderate working, and by providing every thing necessary for their health and comlbrt. And I have no doubt that a South Carolina planter who shall limit his cotton crop to five bales to the hand, and rely mainly upon the natural increase oC his negroes, will leave a larger estate to his children, at the end of ten or twenty years, than a south-western planter who follows the system generally pursued in that quarter, though he should make eight bales to the hand, and annually apply his surplus income (o the purchase of land and negroes. Though they are really struggling for the benefit of" their children, there is no class of men who do so little for posterity, and will leave so (ew monu- ments behind them, as the cotton planters of the south. What sort of an estimate must be placed upon wealth, and to what rational end can he desire it, who, with an income of ten or twenty thousand dollars a year, brings up a family ol children imperfectly educated, in a log cabin, with scarcely the romlbrts of such a dwelling? A stranger travelling through our country could not be persuaded tliat it was inhabited by a race ol wealthy, hospitable and enlightened planters, so few of the monuments and improvements that indicate a wealthy and prosperous community would meet his eye. And if, by one of those great political revolutions which overvvhelmed 'he ancient Greeks and Romans, our race of con- querors, and our name only descended to posterity, what classic memorial, what substantial monu- ment, would bear testimony that this '"delightful region of the sun" had been once inhabited by a civilized and enlighlened people, eminently dis- tinguished Ibr their industry, their wealth, and the freedom of their institutions'? In thus urging a more provident regard to the future in our general economy, it will be perceived that 1 have still kept in view the important object ol' diminishing the aggregate cotton crop of the country, by giving a more useful direction to a portion of the capital and labor devoted too ex- clusively to its production. It will be also per- ceived that I have made no disclosure or recom- mendation of any improvement by which large cotton crops may be made. I have intentionally abstained from any suggestion of this kind believ- ing that every one may be safely left to his own impulses and his own resources on this point, and regarding over production as one of the greatest evils to which the cotion planting interest is ex- posed. Indeed, if I could now reveal a process by which our common soils could be made to produce two bales of cotton to the acre, I should have great doubt whether the revolution would be a blessing or a curse to that great interest. I that I preach one doctrine and practice another. But such a supposition would do me injustice. With the largest cotion crop I ever made — that of 1S39— I combined all the other branches of eco- nomy I have here recommended. I have now a surplus of 1500 bushels of corn made that year, hogs sufiicieni to supply my wants, that have been fat enough to slaughter since July, and very large slocks of cattle and of sheep, the latter of which supply all the wool required for the winter cloth- ing of my negroes ; and a stock ol' young horses and colts fully adequate to meet the exigencies of my plantation. Alter making due provision (or all these objects, it is of couise the true interest of every planter to make as large a cotton crop as he can without over-working his operatives. In doing this, however, he should never lose sight of the great object of improving the productive power of his estate, instead of exhausting it. To this end, it should be his constant ef- fort,, b}'^ manuring and resting the soil and by superior cultivation, to produce a given result fi-om the smallest possible number of acres. It is scarcely possible to overestimate the value of this rule in the actual condition of the old plant- ing stales. Every resource Ibr making manure should, therefore, be improved to the uttermost, without begrudging the necessary labor and at- tention. No labor exerted on the plantation is half so well rewarded. Every description of stock should be regularly penned every night in yards constantly coveted with straw, leaves or other lit- ter. Thequaniiiy of manure that can be thus made in a year is quite inconceivable to those who have not made the experiment. Cornsliouid be habitual- ly planted in old land, of a quality least adapted to cotion, and every hill should be thoroughly manured, scrupulously avoiding the miserable economy too often witnessed, of losing one half its,utility, lo save the inconsiderable labor required to apply it properly. I can bear personal tes- timony that by these means the crop per acre can be invariably doubled on soils originally strong. My corn is principally produced on level lands that were considered lo be exhausted when they came into my possession, and yet by thorough and careful manuring, I have reduced the num- ber of acres cultivated in corn fully one half, ma- king n)ore certain and abundant crops than I did before with double the number ol' acres and more than double ihe labor of cultivation. All the manure not required /or the corn crop, should be applied to the most exhausted of the cotton lands, and it should be made an invariable rule, both in regard to corn and cotion, to list in and bury all the stalks and vegetable matter found upon the soil. My experience justifies the belief that this process aione, if comiTienced before the soil is loo fijr exhausted, will perpetuate if not improve the lerlility of originally strong and level lands, though constantly cultivated in cotton. In fact vegetable matter, as it was the principal element in the original formation of soils, so it must be in their restoration and preservation. Nature be- neficently provides it to our hands, but we too of- ten destroy it as if it were a nuisance, while we vainly employ our speculations and direct our re- searches to find out some mure scientific means of improvement. In proportion as the quantity am aware that as I have obtained some reputation | of land required for cotton and corn is diminished for making large cotton crops, it may be supposed I by the means proposed, will that be mcreased THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 95 which is left Hillow, and for small grain. These, I after one year's rest in good soils, and always be- fore they become coviired wiili broom scd^re, ehouhi be ralK)\vod m liie autumn, carciiiliy lurn- inir ill all tile stubble ami weeds, with two lioiric plouijlis adapted to (he purpose. On the process ol' cultivation, one or two re- marlom the piazza. Most of our fruits have been raised by us from the seed, or propagated by grafting ; yet we can now enumerate more than two hundred kinds, includ- ing varieties, which we are in the habit of ga- thering annually from the trees, vines, &c., of our own planling." With this instructive example before theireye*, if any of your readers fail this spring to plant out THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 97 orchards of apple?, peach, pear, plum, cherry, damson, quince irecp, &c., tliey deserve to be de- prived ol Iruil (or the rennainder of (heir lives. From about a dozen trees ol' well-selccied Iruit, i had la^t year the (rreaiest abundance of delicious apples liom the Isi oC June until the 1st ol" .Jaiiu- arv. But my sheet is lull. Plough-boy. 'Rockbridge, Va., Feb. \st, 1S41. From the Kentucky Farmer. ir Kentucky may be said to be Ihc " breeding state," in reference to horses, mules and cattle, the distinction may perhaps t)e no les«: justl}^ claim- ed in reterence to swine. Andiftlie number ol varieties Irom which selections may be made, in view of making new crosses, and promoting and perpetuating increased improvements, be deemed a lorttinate facility for ati'ecting the object, it would >eem that we are peculiarly favored. Of the names of different varieties, all claimed to be ol " improved breeJ" and po5se?sing peculiar ex- cellencies, we remember, just now, the followins: Berkshire, (black with a little vvhite ;) white Berk- shires; Woburn, (sometimes called Bedlord :) Bedford, (distinct from the Woburn;) Chinese; Neapolitan; Leicester, Lancashire; Irish gra- zier; Kussian ; Bjfield : Thin-rind; and there may be others. And each variety has its sturdy advocates ; and no doubt each has its peculiar excellence. But out on such a wide ranye, how is an inexperienced breeder to choose intelligibly ? ft is true we have the awards rendered at the lairs of the agricultural societies ; we have reports ol great weights attained at an earlv age ; we have the positive assertions of A and B that this and that breed are ike verj' best, without the least doubt; and we have the "fashionable taste'' here in favor of certain breeds, as well as in refer- ence to the breed and color of cattle. But after all, we have not all the facts, which would salis- iactorily conduct the judgment to an intelligent decision and choice. In saying this, however, we do not mean that facts are wanting to prove the value of the various breeds. They do exist, but they are not made known. Neither do we doubt the sincerity of the advocates of the various breeds. Nor, for ourselves, can we permit the inference that, on this important subject, we have no "opinion of our own." We have an opinion, (mind, reader, we say an opinion — ) but like cer- tain politicains, we'll keep that to ourselves till it is wanted. It would be idle for us to state our opinion that this or that breed is the best, when we should instantly be met by the counter asser- tion of the advocates of twenty other breeds whose facts might prove to be as much in point as our own. We have no taste for eniraging in a controversy in which we confess ourselves defici- ent in some of the leading facts by which its me- rits should be decisively determined. But we are circuitously ainfing at a point to vvhich we meant to ir.ake a direct ap|)roach. We say then, the facts n^uv before the public, in refer- ence to the merits of various breeds of hogs, are not decisively satisfactory. We iiave seen the report of no experiment by which the matter has been indicputably settled ; and hence the nume- VoT>. IX.— 7— A rous advocates of various breeds. The reports of great weights attained at early age and of pre- miums given to individuals of varioiis breeds, arc not decisive of" relative superiority ; for we know that the animals have been kept, pampered in a manner impossible to be adopted in the general economy of (arm management. If a pig, stuffed daily to bloating, with every description of nutri- tious food, shall out-weigh another at a given titne, it does not conclusively prove, we imagine, that the breed of which he is an individual is a better one for farm-stock. But, at the same time, we confess, it by no means proves it a worse. Yet the test is not a fiiir one ; and we propose a new mode of settling the difriculty Let some unpre- judiced farmer who is not engaged in the "pig business," take any adequate number, say twenty, fifty or a hundred pigs of each of several of the vaunted breeds, of hke age, and give them, in all respects, precisely the treatment and keep vvhich are commonly bestowed upon swine. It is not, and cannot be, the custom here, to put stock hogs in pens and gorge them. We can't adopt, for general farm, economy, the S5'stem of manu- facturing pigs for show. We must raise pork lor profit; and the breed most profitably under the system of economy which the circumstances of the country compel farmers generally to adopt is, unquestionably, the best breed — the assertions of pig dealers to the contrary notwithstanding. Let this mode of keeping be adopted, and the result reported to the public; and then we shall know more about the subject. It is out of the question to talk of betting upon one or two individuals, kept in a most extravagant manner that will cost more than the pork is worth. But we shall be told that no breeders can spare a sufficient number lor such an experiment — the demand for pigs is too great and pressing ; and besides they are too valuable to be slaughtered — they must be kept lor breeders. It is to be hoped the driy will yet arrive, when, in reference to improved cattle as well as hogs, some of the vaunted breeds will be devoted to the legitimate objects of making beef and pork. We shall then, at least, have some accurate means of testing relative merits. What we have said is not to be taken in an unfavorable light towards any of the improved breeds. We confess the superiority of many of them, from the evidence we have.: but we want more conclusive evidence. Let those, therefore, who advocate this or that breed, join in the purposed experiment. If they are so confident as they profess, they have nothing to fear; and even if they should be beaten, their own interest requires them to know it. It may to some, be a very profitable business to mislead (innocently) others, but it is extreme (oily to deceive themselves. Every intelligent fiend of genuine improvement should be willing even to have his cwn favorite stock beaten, if ilone fairlv ; and he ought to rejoice in the result. The sensible breeder, finding himself beaten, will with equal good nature and sound judgment, pro- cure the better and put away his own. After Eclipse beat Henry, Mr. Johnson wisely bought the former. We published (in vol. 3. p. 142) an experiment of Benj. Gray, esq. of Woodford, with the half blood Thin-rind. He treated them in all respects as ordinary stock and reported the result to the public. It was a Itighly satisfactory one, and 98 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. ppoke well for this breed, po much ridiculed and derided by the breeders of other varietie?. We do not pretend to pay that other breeds would not turn out as well or belter ; but the same kind ol' proof has not been furnished. We presunDR now, if there is no herd of tho- rough bred swiiie to report upon, that nl least numbers of part bloods have been .■^laushfered this fait. Let us hear from them. Come now. ye advocates of Beikshiie? and Wobums and "other breeds — report your ordinary keep with your vaunted breeds, and pive us your arirumen's in avoirdupois. Show us a lot of hall bloods that, kept in the manner of JVlr. Gray's despised Thin-rind — that is, in the ordinary manner of raisin^ slock hof^s — will make morp net pork. Now we doubt not, pome of the '* eminent breeders" will think wp. talk very like a fool, in asking' them to show facts relating to iheir stock, against those re- ferring to such an imfashionabh heed as the Thin rind ; and some of them will even affect to he a Llavgnlhv. Nov. U, 1840. To T. B. Sievevsnn, esq. — Dear Sir :—\n the "Kentucky Farmer" of Tili insi. there i,.; publish- ed a rule flir measurmg bulks of corn by Mr, Murray, esq. of Souih Carolina, It is very simple and of ea*y application. But alihoimh in Virginia and S. Carolina the assumption that it takes two bushels of corn in the ears to make one of shelled corn, is admiMed and acted on in their measurement, here, in Ken- lucky, that aasvmpiion is not ndmiifed. The proportion ofshclleH corn is certainly greater than one iialf of the bulk of ears. What is the pro- portion herel I mean that (if any) which is es- tablished l)y common consent ol the people. la there any ? Ff there is not, there should be ; be- cause sales of corn in the ear are very common, and there should be an uriform mode of adjuslins" the proportion. In different neichhorhoods I have heard that different practices in this matter prevail. It is however, true, that any fixed propor- little angry with us. But we can tell them an ! tion falihough such is necessary) can only be an old proverb, that he who loses his temper loses his argument. So they need not be offended with us ; we mean no harm to any of them, but good to all ; and if any grow ill tempered, we f-hall only laugh at them. Undoubtedly many part bloods have been slaughtered this fall— let's have their keep and weights. T. B. S. approximat on to the truth, as the different va- rieties of corn shell out very different proportion."? of grain. The Baden, for instance, in this country, shells out eleven quarts to the lialf bushel of ears, equal to eleven-sixteemhs of the bulk of corn; while some varieties' shell out only nine-sit- teenths of grain here in Kentucky. If in Vir- ginia and South Carolina the same varieties should onl}' sliell out elcrhtsixieenths or one-half that here shell out. eleven-sixteenths what can be the cause of the difference? Certainly not difference in f>riiJify nfihe soil alone; for some lands on the Drapron swamn, JMa'apony, Cliicka- hominv, &c., in Virrrinia, are as rich as our best lands here, and wiFI produ''e ns cjrea' a bulk of unshellei! corn to the acre. Those rich lands in lower Viro-inia are diffcrenily constituted from ourp. Here, we have more alumine and lime ; there, more sand and as much verretabfe mailer. Is there in clay and time, a tendency to produce greater depth ol" crrains in Indian corn, nnd in From the Kentncky Farmer. M EAST RING CORN IN BULK, Uqual bulks of corn in the ear, groicn on diffe- rent soils yield different products of shelled grain. Ttie following communication is made public because it presents considerations of some interest 'o the farming community. Alihoutfh it is be- lieved by many intelligent farmers that a bulk of rorn in the ear yields more than half lis measure i p^nd to increase' the.'roh or hu'ski'on which tlie in shelled grain, the general practice adopts the Ftandard used in Virginia and Sou'h Carolina; that is, a bushel of ears shells out half a t)ushel of grain. The idea tliat equal bulks of corn in the ear, grown on difterent soils, yield diffierent pro- ducts ofphetled grain, is new to us. We were i (liici'no- the same bulk of ears?" If so.'" obviou; aware that corn grown on uplands, is heavier | menns of increapin-T the product ar^ in.Ticated. than that grown in l3ottoms; and we believe that j Yon correspond I bel'eve with Mr Ruffin irrain grown in hieh latitudes is harder and hea- ; He, I presume, throuch his arrriculturat friends vier than the product of warmer climes. There could obtain iuformation on these points. 18 also a riifierence of product in shelled corn from - - - - - - (Trains grow ? Do ttie virirlcd lands of lower Virginia produce a frreater proportion of shelled corn than sandy lands, which, immarled, produce an equal hulk of ears ? Do the clayey lands in VirL'inia shell out more than tlie sandy lands pro- equal bulks ol ears, owing to the relative size of the ears — the emaller ear yielding more shelled grain. As to (he influence of various soils in deepen- ing the grains on the cob and enlarging the di- nmeter ol the cob, we have no Tnformaiion. These subjects ouirhi, tiowever, to be invesrii/aled. We are generally too deficient in accurate know! y/ biishelmcasxire is rather too small for our Kentucky crops of corn, especially in such years as ttiis wlien our Baden corn is yieldinc from four- teen to sixteen barrels to the acre. This variety, notwilhstandinET its great yield, is impopular on several accounts. The ears, heins not targe, there is r)iore shucking; and this opera'ion is harder to perform than in the ordinary varieties, . ,. , ^ , . , ; as the shucks adhere with greater tenacity to the edge o tlie facts which concern many branches ! pob ; and then it takes so many ears to make a of; rural economics. Lxperiments should be in- ; barrel or (o feed a horse. This'last obieciion will Plituted and reported. , , ^ . , soon be obviated by the soil and climate ol Ken- Mr. Kutnn no cioubf could furnish interestincr ^ facts, ihrouah his invaluable Fanners' Recrjgter, on the subject indicated, as he has already done on so many othen? of deep importance. T. B. S. tucky. The ears are getting larger in every suc- cessive crop. If we were to asstime half the bufk of corn to be the quantity of shelled corn, as they do in Virijinia, the fbllowinrlithnii(i figures and you have the barrels ol' slielieJ roni. Thus : 12 loiiij. 11 wide. 132 (3 deep. 792 cubic feet. 8 62,36 equal 63 bushels of shelled corn. Yours, very truly, John Lewis. [We regr«t that the calls so courteously made above upon our information must be unavailino:. "We only know from former observations and trials, (made more by accident than design, and not worthy to be named as experiments,) ihattlie proportion of grain to a barrel measure of ears, even of the same kind of corn, was variable, and often fell below half the measure of ears. It seems reasonable that corn produced in great per- feciion, or on the best soils and with tlie best sea- sons, should have more grain in proportion to the cob, than under reverse circumsiances. We shall be glad to obtain facts and opinions on this sub- ject from any of our better informed readers. — Ed. Farmers' Register. VARIETY AND EXTE.VT OF VEGETABLE MFE. From the Dr. Rogefs Brirl^'ewater Treatise on Animal and Vegelablu Physiology. If we review every region of the globe, from the scorching sands of the equator to the icy realms of the poles, or from the lofty mountain summits to the dark abysses of the deep ; il" we penetrate into the shades of the forest, or into the caverns and secret recesses of the earth ; nav, ii' we take nn the minutest portion of stagnant wa- ter, we still meet with lile in some new and unex- pected form, yet ever adapted to the circumstan- ces of its situation. The vegetable world is no less prolific in wonders than the animal. Plere also, we are lost in admiration at the never-ending variety of forms successively displayed to view in the innumerable species which compose this king- dom of nature, and at the energy of that vegeta- tive power which, amidst such great differences of eitnation. sustains the modified life of each indi- vidual plant, and which continues its species in endless perpetuity. It is well known that, in all places where vegetation has been established, the germs are so intermingled with the soil, that whenever the earth is turned up, even from consi- derable depths, and exposed to the air, plants are soon observed to spring, as if they had been recently sown, in consequence of the germination of seeds which had remained latent and inactive during the lapse of perhaps many centuries. Islands formed by coral reefs, which have risen above the level of the sea, become, in a short time, covered witli verdure. From ihe materials, of the most sterile rock, and even (iom the yet recent cinders and lava of the volcano, nature [)repares the way for vegetable existence. The slightest crevice or inequality is suffi''ient to arrest the invisible germs that are always tioaiing in the air, and afibrcls tiie means of sustenance to dimi- nutive races of lichens and mosses. These soon overspread the surface, and are lollovved, in the course ol" a lew years, by successive tribes of plants of gradually increasing size and sirengtli ; till at length the island, or other favored spot, it* converted into a natural and luxuriant garden, of which the productions, rising Irom grasses to shrubs and trees, present all the varieties of the fertile meadow, the tangled thicket, and the widely-spreading forest. Even in the desert plains of the torrid zone, the eye of the traveller is often relieshed by the appearance of a lew hardy plants, which find sufficient materials for their growth in these arid regions ; and in the realms of perpetual enow which surround the poles, the navigator is occasionally startled at the prospect of fields of a scarlet hue, the result of a wide ex- panse of microscopic vegetation. From Uie American Farmer. ADDRESS, Delivered before the Queen Anne's County Agiicultu- ral Society, at its annual meeting, in July last, by Wm. Carmichael, Esq. At our last meeting I was requested to deliver an address, and I propose to submit some subjects, which I deem worthy of your consideration. The object of this association is to advance ag- riculture and to improve our lands. To that end it would be desirable to ascertain the original fer- tility of our soil, but on this subject we have but little information. The first settlers were too much occupied by their immediate wants and personal comfort to leave memorials of the quality of the soil in its early occupation ; and tradition upon this, as upon all other subjects, is very uncertain. Some reasonable deductions may be made from ita products, of which, irdbrmation may be derived fiom the legislation of the stale, and the records of our county police. We learn from these, that the first crop cultivated as an object of merchan- dise, was tobacco, (equally pernicious to the soil, and to the human constitution,) which continued the staple crop till the revolutionary war ; a period of more than one hundred years. The grain grown in our infant settlements was for d.Tmeslic consumption. Fresh lands grow the finest tobac- co, and they were gradually cleared with a view to this crop, and cultivated till they were incapable of profitable production. New clearings were then made for this object, and there are perhaps but few of our arable lands which have notundeigone this scourging cultivation. When none remaineil to be cleared. The planters, of necessity, resorted to the lands previously exhausted, to which they applied the manure collected on the farm. As population increased and trade expanded, bread-stufis came into demand, and lands which would no longer produce tobacco, were appropriated to the growth of grain under the three-field system; under which 100 THR FARMERS' REGISTEK. rotation of cropSj one field was in wheat, another in Indian corn, and the third a common pasture for horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, till ploughed for the next crop. Some more provident farmers, alter the wheat was gathered and secured, re- moved their stock to the stubble field, that the lands intended next year for corn, should have ihe benefit of a growth o!" grass in the fall ; but ge- nerally, when the fields had not a crop of crrain, 1 he inclosures were neglected, and the slock roamed at large. Old habiis and tlie facility of the sys- tem, Jiave induced many to continue this course ot husbandry, and they are but litile incommoded by grass in their cultivation, or burdened with gath- ering heavy crops of grain. In eaily lil'e 1 heard a lamier say, that n good growth of grass, on a field anterior to cultivation, was as beneficial as a light dressing of manure. I did not then, but now understand the correctness of the opinion. Pu- trescent manures impart immediate fertility, but its durable effects, 1 apprehend, result from the production of grass. It was formerly thought that the greatest advantage from this manure was to plough it down as soon as spread ; now it is be- lieved better to keep it near the surface. If this opinion be correct, it must result from the combi- nation with the atmosphere. Putrescent manures act well on a sandy soil, but are lost after two or three grain crops. I have heard it said that they sink. In a slifi" clay they are more lasting, but their more permanent effect is on a friable soil, which I liavc attributed to the superior production of indigenous or artificial grasses. I have some Btilf while oak land, though lor the most part the Boil of my farm is friable, and my experience is that putrescent manures are more lasting on the latter. If this theory be true, that through the agency of grasses the soil derives permanent im- provement, it is a matter of deep interest to farm- ers who hold stiff or sandy lands to seek the means of their production. Experience I deem the best instruction. Some of Mr. Hollyday's lands in Talbot, are the stiffest clay I have ever seen. Formerly after the wheat crop, June grass suc- ceeded, but since his application of marl, with which liis estate abounds, I have seen his fields covered with white clover. Two years ago in an excursion I made to the north, I learnt from a source in which I had confidence, that the newly cleared lands on the coast of Jersey, which are sandy in the extreme, after being dressed with marl, produce white clover. In some agricultural paper which I have lately read, I have seen it Btated that some of the most lertile lands in Bel- gium were once blowing sands, which have been reclaimed by the application of lime with other manures. On some of my wood-lands, where the Boil is light and poor I have strewed marl, and find they produce white clover, and I am now clearing a part of them of underwood lor a sheep range. I have a general knowledge of the lands of this county, and believe there are but few which could not be brought to a state of fertility with profit by our own internal resources. Marl has been dis- covered in many districts, and 1 entertain no doubt that a diligent search would disclose much more. Upon our rivers and creeks marsh mud has been uised with great effect, and I have understood from Iresh branches, itJias been found of great utility. Marl is generally Ibund in our low grounds; rais- ing and carrying it out is attended with no small expense, but its value its great. Mr. Ruffin holds it to be indestructible, and if putrescent manures or vegetable matter wliich is necessary to its be--.- neficial action be exhausted by hard and continued cultivation, that the marl cominues in the soil and may be brought into action by application of pu- trescent manures, or the gradual accretion of vege- table matter. The soil of the Elk-horn Paradise in Kpntui'kv is supposed to be inferior to none in the United Siates. It is there the finest hemp ia ijrown and the finest pastures abound, and where Durham cows sell at Irom S^OO to ^1,000. The land is highly calcareous, and 1 have lately seen it stated that if it be exhausted by coniinued and se- vere cultivation, and sulfered to rest, it soon recov- ers by the accretion of vegetable matter. In proof of the durability of marl, I will state a fact within my own knowledge. Mr. Edward DeCourcy of this county, late in life discovered a marl bank on his estate, which he determined to work. He drew out a few loads, but falling into bad health, the scheme was abandoned. This was twenty years ago ; Ihe spot is near the road leading to the family mansion, and lbs effiect is unimpaired by time, and manifests! itself on every crop. Marl is irenernlly estimated in value by the quantity of shell it contains. This is not invariably a true test. When Professor Ducatel passed through this county, on his geological survey, I had two marl pits open, one blue and other yellow ; he pro- nounced the yellow the best, as it contained the largest quantity of shell ; I found upon using both, the greatest product Ir-om Ihe blue ; this I commu- nicated t)y a paper in the Farmers' Register, and my opinion has been supported by the Hon. Dixon H. Lewis, of the House of Representatives, a gen- tleman of distinguished worth and talents. He states that the effiect of blue marl on a cotton crop in Alabama, was greater than stable manure. Mr. RulTin supposes that the color arises from a combination of vegetable matter. If he be right, it is a Ibrlunate combinalion, as it will relieve ihe necessity of applying putrescent manures with marl, to a soil where there is no vegetable matter. r cannot pass Mr. Ruffin by without a just tribuie. If Dean Swift's apothegm be true, " that he who causes two ears of corn, or two blades of grass, to grow where but one grew before, would deserve better of mankind, and do more essential service to his country, than the whole race of politicians taken loo-ether," then the claims of our politicians must wither and fade. Dean Swift lived not in the days ol our Washington, Henry, and Jay, men illustrious lor their virtues, and distinguished for their devotion and services to their country, at a period when patriotism was attended with peril. It is no uncommon error to form opinions Irom our immediate circle of observation. Dean Swift had been much about the British court, he had wit- nessed the daring and reckless ambition of the Duke of Marlborough, the heartless blandish- ments of the wily and accomplished St. John, and the dart< and gloomy jealousy of the Earl of Ox- ford. The intrigues of the Dutchess of Marlbo- rough, the more subtle artifices of Mrs. Masham, were not calculated to inspire respect for female politicians. Without drawing comparisons be- tween men engaged in different pursuits, in my opinion, in agricultural science, Mr. RufRn stands unrivalled in our country. His ' Essay on Calcare- 0U8 Manures' will remain a standard work, and his tHE FARMERS' REGISTER. 101 writings in ihe Farmers' Rpglster, are marked with soiuul tiense anJ jtidicioiis ohpervMtioii. Mr. John S. Skinner has nirain hecoinc the EJi- lor ol' ihe American Farmer. I have lukei'i ii fur the last year, and find it lo contain many valii- ahle papers on agricuhure, horlicuhure and stock, atul perhaps on the prodnciion of silk, seasoned with a h'.ile cookery. I iliink it claims the patron- aye of larmers, |)lanters, graziers, and gentlemen of ilie turf. The mie of specniative philosophy has passed hy. The suhile theories of Hume and the dark oracles of Bolingbroke and Slialisbury are but little known to the present generalion ; the perilous principles of V^ollaire, Helvelius and Con- dorcet, were fully tested by Frenchmen in their ter- rific revolution. They converted civilized men into hordes of savages thirsting (breach other's blood. Science has now taken a new and a better direc- tion. Practical philosophy has become the ruling spirit. Agriculture is novy esteemed among the liberal arts, and men of a high order of talents have enlisted in her service, of whom Sir Hum- phrey Davy, Sir John Sinclair, and the Count Chaptal are among the most distinguished. I have sometimes thought it straniie that inlelli0ent men, who on other subjects seek information from books and papers, on agriculture are satisfied with their own and their neighborhood experience. Our country, in common with the Eastern Shore, Jias suflered by the e.migralion of our citizens, ancl the transportation of the black population; we have not now suffii;ient labor for the cultivation of our lands. Some years ago the tide of adventure set to the south-west, and many were swept into the vortex. But few succeeded, and some returned with ruined fortunes and broken constitutions, and had cause to deplore that they had abandoned the home of their fathers in pursuit of sudden wealth. That large fortunes have been acquired in the new states by fortunate speculation, I readily ad- mit ; but for the purpose of agriculture, I think an exhausted farm might be purchased and improved to more profit than a new settlement made in the new states. Our domestic sources of improve- ment are abundant, and our facilities for market rarely surpassed. Our soil is equally adapted to wheat and Indian corn ; all vegetables and fruits (with the exception of those of the tropics) which grow in all parts of the United States flour- ish here. Apples, pears, peaches and melons at- tain their highest perfection, and the Irish and Bweet potato find a genial soil. Navigable rivers and navigable creeks run into every district ; we stand in no need of turnpikes, canals or rail-roads, which are serious drawbacks to agriculture. That our impoverished lands can he rapidly improved we have abundant proof. The farm of Dr. Tur- pin, which adjoins this town, when purchased by the late Mr. Turpin was greatly exhausted. By his prudence and good judsment it soon became valuable, and I am pleased to see it continue to improve in the hands of his son. 1 have lands which I had ceased to cultivate, deeming t he profits j not equal to the expenses, which by a dressing of! marl and a crop of clover are now in a state of ' profitable production ; and I do not think I make an extravagant estimate when I say that a (arm where an accessible bank of blue marl is disco- vered has added to its value fifty per cent. The devastating ware prosecuted by the pow- ers of Europe, for more than thirty years created heavy demands (or our bread -stiifl's, and during iluil period wheat ranged from 150 to 200 cents per bushel. Since ihe izeneral peace there has been a great decline in the price anil a diminution ill the |)roducls ; (or the latter, a variety of causes has been assigneil, some have su|iposed the cool- ing of the fires in the centre of the earth ; others that there is an occult native element in the soil nece.-sary to its production which wears out by cultivation, vvhicli no means can restore. I have supposed the fiiilure is lo be found in more obvious cause — the progressive impoverishment of our soil, the inauspicious seasons, and the Hessian Hy. This pernicious insect was unknown to our coun- try till about forty years ago. It appeared first to the norih,and some supposed it was brought over by the Germans, (in their provender) who our old enemy George the 3rd called to his aid lo enforce his roya! authority. This seems lo be an error, a^ there is no such insect known in Germany. Perhaps, like many other insects, it is native lo the country, and, like the tobacco worm and cotton fly, multiplies as cultivation advances. It seems to be a permanent evil fastened upon us, and we can only hope to lessen i's mischiefs. Since I have been absolved from the weighty matters of the law, I have sought for inlbrmaiion upon the habits and operations of this insect, to which I now add my own observation and reflection. It seems agreed that there are regular flighis of the Hessian, fly in the fall and'sprinir, dependent, as lo lime, upon the giaie of the weaiher. I believe that it is ihe natural hislory of the winged insects, that ihey lay iheir eggs upon the leaves of trees or plants, and I have supposed that the llessinn fly, lays upon the blade of the wheat, and alter the egg is hatched the maggot hy i.".stincl seeks the folds of the wheat where it is (ound. Animals and birds seek places of salely (or their yonnor, and the ties of nature are not dissolved till ihey can take rare of themselves ; but it would be placing the Hessian fly in point of sagacity before other insects of the same class, to suppose it sought the folds of wheal as a safe deposit (or its eggs. My theory is, and I shall refer to some facts to support it, that if the egg is hatched on ihe blade of the wheat in its young and tender stale, that its soft and smooth surface enables it lo make its way and penetrate the folds of ihe wheat; but if the blade has some growth if becomes comparatively rough, and the maggot finds the ohsiruction too great (or its strength and perishes, li rarely hap- pens that wheat sown after ihe weather becomes cool is injured by the (iill fly. Cool weather para- lizes stronger insects, as house and vvood flies and musquitoes. If wheat be sown in the fill soon after the fly is disarmed by the weather, in well improved lands, it will take good root by winter, and in the spring it will get such a growth that it will resist thefly after itis hatched, unless there be a very early burst of warm weather. You may esteem my views visionary, I do not advance them with great confi(]ence, but thev are not the result of random speculation. In 1838 I sowed two fields in wheat adjoining each other, one in October and the other in November; the soil (or the most part was the same, both had been marled and otherwise improved and neatly equal in size. The field sown in October took good root before winter and grew ofi well in the spring; the field sown in November canie up well, but was checked by the early frost. 102 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. and thouizli iis appearance in ihe spring indicated that it had survived the winter (i-ost, it was feeble when compared Id the other. It was taken liy the ppring fly, and I did not get more lium imlf the crop reaped from the other. Last year I prepared a lot for irrass. It had been highly improved by marl and pnlrescen; manures. 1 desired to show the grass early, and at the same lime to obtain a crop of wheat from it; the wheat was sown on the 22(id ol' September, and grar^s seeded on it. The wheat came up (]uickly and made a beauti- lijl appearanc-e, but was attacked by the fly in its early vegetation. This spring from its appear- ance, [ entertained the hope that I should gel some crop, but I did not gather the seed. I commenced my general sowinij on tlie 7ih ol" October and fin- ished on the 24ih. Some of the wheat last sown was a little damaged by the fly, but not materially. A (jentleman whose farm adjoins mine commenced sowimx his crop the 1st of October, and I under- stand his early sown wheal has been much injured. From these circumstances I have come to the conclusion that the best chance to escape injury from the fly is to sow after the state of the vveaiher aflbrds good reason to believe thai the fall fly has been checked, and then to sow as quick as possi- ble, thai the wheat may obtain such root as will give vigorous growth in the spring belbrethe fly comes out. I am aware that my notions may seem in contradiction to the e.xperience of 1836 and 1S17, when the failure in the crop w^s gene- ral ; some gentlenien now present may recoiled the early burst of warm weather in 1S36. In 1817 we had summer days in March, which is im- pressed on my mind fiom this circumstance : Mr. Monroe was inaugurated president on the 4!h,and some gentlemen at Washington were speaking of the splendor of the scene in the presence oJ' the Portuguese minister, when he remarked that the brilliancy had been increased by borrowing a day from Brazil. This remark 1 learned from report. I did not attend the inauguration, and I lake this method to say that I lament the increasing inclina- tion among the American people Cor public shows and spectacles ; they divert our citizens from the sober and solid pursuits of business. It is there the young and unwary are sometimes seduced into schemes of desperate and jirofligate ambition, by the masterspirits who circulate ihrousrh the coun- try. History records that the declining days of the Roman republic, upon which the throne of the Caesars was erected, was attended by ban- quets and revels, and iTiarked by the exhibition of rhretoricians and gladiators. Among the important inventions in agricultural machinery, Mr. Hussey'e reaper.may be justly es- teemed. His first invention has (or two years been in successful operation on the farm of Mr. Wm. DeCourcy, and I understand other gentle- men of the county have used them. I purchased one upon a new construction, which I pre/erred on account of Ihe greater simplicity of its works. It broke, in the second day's cutting, in an important though not a costly part. I attempted to have it repaired by the agency of a blacksmith, but was not successful. Mr. Ilussey came to my house near the close of liarvest to put it in order ; it did ex- cellent work lor part of two days, and iiar three days in my oat harvest. It saves wheat better than the most expert cradlers or hooksmen, and in heavy wheat I think it will do the work of eight cradlers. An advantage not the least in my esti- mation is, that it relieves men Irom heavy and ex- hausting work, which, in very hot weather, often produces disease and sometimes death. Indian corn is the valuable crop of our countr}-, not because our soil is unfavorable to the produc- tion of wheat, as some persons who are but little acquainted with its qualities have erroneously sup- posed, but on account of the pro[)erties of the two crops and circumstances connected with them. Wheat has many enemies to contend with : Hes- sian fly, severe frost, rust and scab, and storms in its maturation. Indian corn is a hardy plant; it is sometimes injured by Ihe cut worm, ihe ant and the chinch bufr, but lands which are in a condition 10 produce 20 bushels of wheat to tiie acre in a good season rarely fail to yield forty bushels of corn, if judiciously cultivated. We have months then to gather the corn crop. If wheat be not se- cured soon after it arrives at maturity it is lost. A large extent of country in Ihe United States pro- duces excellent wheat, and when a full crop is made, the price is generally depressed. Indian corn is a precarious crop, further north than Jersey and further soulh than North Carolina. They do nol srow a sufficiency for home consumption ; within these limits the eastern states get and must continue to receive their sufiplies. I understand under the hiirh prices of 1838 and '39, corn waa shipped from New Orleans to New York ; but when corn is from fifty to sixty cents per bushel, I do not apprehend rivalry Irom that quarter. The cost of transportation is too heavy, and corn is lia- b'e to be injured in the hold of a vessel, particu- larly in passing through a hot southern climate. In the present year there has been a great fall in the price. The full crop of last year may have had its efl'ect, but I consider the great cause is to be Ibund in the extravagant and pernicious spirit of internal improvement. It has been ascertained that a certain number of ihe stales to aid these companies have issued bonds and certificates to the amount of two hundred millions of dollars, and many of the banks by purchase or pledge have been d^-aling largely in these securities. The money paid out tiy them to the internal improve- ment companies has been abstracted from the or- dinary channels of trade. This has led to embar- rassment and derangement, and its kindred evils, low prices and a spurious currency. I have submitted for your consideration matters of common interest to the cultivators of our soil ; you may deem many of my notions visionary. If they shall excite a spirit of inquiry I shall be con- tent. By tracing the errors oi' others we some- times obtain just views and arrive at true conclu- sions. VVai. Carmichael. ASPARAGUS. From tlie SoiiUiern Agriculturist. The name of this plant is of Greek origin, sifrnifyinga young shooi before it unfolds its leaves. It is evidently a iiative of this country, being Ibund wild in Essex and Lincolnshire, li is also found on the borders of the river Euphrates, in Asia, where it grows to a very large size. Asparagus is Bald lo promote appetite, but is not considered to afford much nourish ment, and is THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 103 comp,iratively a vegetable of luxury. It occupies a iari;fe proportion ol' a genlieniairs jrarilcn, ar.d i^ seiiium vseon in iliat of the cottnger. The vounfT pIiooIs are l>()ile,d a lew m nutes, uniil they become polt ; lliey are [irincipally served to table on a toast witli nieiied biiiier; seasoned, tliey also make an e.xcelient soii[). This vegetable is culiivaled very exlcnsivcly for the London niarUeis; and it must appear almost increditile to those who have not witnessed the loads of this article daily hea|)ed on the green stalls of the meiropoits for the space ol" three months, ihat Ibrty acres are under asparagus in the neighborhood of London at one time. Wil- mott, a great grower, at Deptlbrd, has liad eighty acres entirely under this cro|). Until towards the end of the seventeenth century, a large quantity of remarUat)!y fine asparagus was exported Irom I]olland, the deep, rich, moist soil ol" that country being genial to its growth. Asparagus is propagated only by seed, which, as well as one and two or three-year old plants, may be purchased of the nurserymen or seeds- men ; when a new plantation is Jcirmed, the latter practice is generally adopted in order to save time. There are three varieties of the asparagus named in the seedsmen's catalogue, but there is a great similarity between them, and I doubt il these supposed varieties were cultivated in the .same soil and atmosphere, whether there would be Ibund any dili'erence between them, except, perhaps, in the color. The tbilowing is a descrip- tion of them : — 1. Battersea is famed for producing fine aspara- gus, the heads being larire, full, and close, and ihe tops tinted with a reddish green color; this is the sort generally cultivated by market gar- deners. 2. The Gravesend asparagus is more green lopped, and not generally so plump and close, hut is reckoned better flavored. Both varieties are held in sreat estimation. 3. The Giant asparagus is greatly extolled by the l^ondon seedsmen, on account of its size ; but the author considers the secret to lie in the quality of the soil, for occasionally buds of immense thickness are produced in common beds ; and in the Gardeners Magazine there is an account of sixty buds haviui^ been cut near Leeds, in Yorkshire, which weighed nearly seven pounds. Caliure. — The middle ot March, {_ February,'] or thereabouts, if the weather is suiiat)le, will be found a good tin)e to sow the seed in quantity, according to the number of plants required Ibr a small garden. A pound of seed will produce a requisite number of plants. The seeds are generally sown broadcast on a four-foot bed, but by far the better way is to sow it thinly in drills about two inches deep and fifteen inches from row to row. It should be sliirhtly trodden in, and the bed made smooth with the rake ; the ground tTiust he kept as free of weeds ae possible, and siirred with the hoe two or three times during the summer. If the soil is not very rich, some good rotten dung must be dug in belbre sowing the seed, as strong one-3'ear's plants are the best for transplanting. About the end of the following October some stable litter should lie spread over the ground to protect the young roots from the frost. The beet ground for asparagus is a light, rich, saiuiy loam. The soil should not be less than two and a half feet deep. Belbre planlinii, it should always be trenched to the depih of twoli^et, and plenty of dung buried at the bottom, as no more can be applied there after the beds are planted. The ground can be scarcely be too well manured : Ibr, although the plants naturally grow in a poor, sandy soil, it is lound that the sweetness and tenderness of the shoots depend very much on the rapidity of the growth, which can only be promoted by the ri('hness of the soil. The (rround being well trenched, mantircd, and levelled, the quarter must now be divided into beds Ibur leet wide, with two (eet alleys, as being the most convenient for cutting the shoots and weeding, &c. The work should all be done in fine weather, as the ground can be more easily worked, and the planting better performed, than il the ground is wet anil cloggy, it is also a good plan to prepare and trench the ground a month or six weeks belbre hand. Afier the beds are marked out, and before the plantins com- mences, a layer of rotten dung should be spread over the beds, and regularly dug in with the spade, taking care to reject all the stones which appear, as ihey are hurtful to the plants, and occasion inconvenience in cutting the buds. The beds being prepared, and a strong slake driven in to the depth of two or three feet at each corner, about the middle of March, [any time during winter, hut if possible it should not be delayed later than February, though ihey will succeed even as late as March,] il ihe weather is dry commence the planting. Take up the plants carefully wi(h a fork from the seed-bed, and expose them to Ihe air as short a lime as possible; and, at the time of plantinix, place them in a covered basket, with a little silted earth mixed with them. The distance at which they are commonly planted is nine inches in t!ie row, and one foot between the rows ; so that, if the piece of ground to be planted is perfectly level, and the rows quite, straight, every Iburth row can be left to l()rm the alley. The crowns of the plants are generally covered two inches with mould. The method of planting is as fbllows : — Stretch a line lengthwise along the bed, nine inches from the edge, and with a spade cut out a small trench about six inches deep, turning the displaced earth to the other side of the trench, on the bed ; and having the plants ready, set a row along the trench, nine inches apart, with the crowti of the roots two inches belo\tr the surface, drawing a I little earth upon them, just to fix them as placed. Having finished planting the row, cover them directly with the earth taken from the trench, raking it back regularly an equal depth over the crown of the plants. Proceeci then to open an- other trench, a foot from the first ; plant it as above; and in the same manner plant three or four rows to each bed. Tjien lightly rakins the beds lengthwise, draw off any stones or hard clods, and dress the surlace neatly and evetdy. Let the edges be lin<'d out in exact order, allowing two feet to ,each alley. If the weather at the linte of planting is very dry, water them occasion- ally, till the plants are er^fablished. An asparairus quarter should not contain less than a rod of ground, as it often requires Ihat 104 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. quantity to furnish a sinsjle een made. The first of ihese causes must undoubtedly have the most import- ant influence. Regarding its action upon vege- table matter as that of a stimulus, it is natural to conclude that its effects must be varied very greatly by the proporiion applied. If used in large quantity, it has a tendency — like ever}' other excessive slimulus — to disorganize and destroy the vegetable substances with Vi?!iii-h it comes inio contact : when a smaller proporiion is applied, or when it is mixed up into a compost and employed in this state, it may be regarded, by the moderate stimulus it gives to the action of the vessels in the plants, as a promoter of vegetation, and conse- quently as a valuable manure. In this respect its effects are analogous to those produced by a eimilar application of lime; the influence of both substances upon vegetation being varied greatly by the proportions employed. In some instances, as when tlie land is lying in fallow, it would appear probable that the application of salt might be productive of advantage, by effecting the de- struction of all useless vegetable and animal matter. Its quantity would also be so far diminished by the lime the seed was put into the ground, as to fit it for affording that degree of slimulus which is most beneficial to veseiaiion ; for, by being mixed sufficiently with the soil before the grain is sown, it adds a strong nutriment, and ensures the best of crops. To this some observations to the following effect are added by Sir Thomas Brooks, in his tract upon the eall-dutiee, from inlbrmation ob- tained through Mr. Hollinshead, of Chorley, in Lancashire, a gentleman who devoted a great portion of his long life to a scientific and practi- cal inquiry into the uses of salt as a manure. With regard to the quantity to be applied*, lie observes, that ' When a farmer intends to fallow a piece of ground, he ought first to sow it with I such a quantity of salt as would be sufficient fo destroy vegetation,— namely, 40 bushels per sta- lute acre, which, by cutting and dividing the viscous substances in the earth, would redTice it into a proper stale to become food for plants. The farmer must take notice that this salt is to be sown on the ground some time before he be- gins to work his (allows with the plough: the autumn will be the most proper season, in order to give the salt sufficient time to -destroy the grass and other roots upon it, before he begins to work it. The salt, being thoroughly mixed and in- corporated with the soil during the spring and summer (bllowing, will, while the land is°under the plough, be reduced, by the time the seed is sown upon it, to that streni^th which is the most proper for effectually and vigorously assisting and supporting vegetation when the grain Is in the ground. This method of sowing the intended (iillows with salt will therefore serve very much to lessen the labor of the husbandman in working his grounds ; (or the lough and adhesive clods and lumps, which are generally so troublesome, especially upon clayey soils, will be so completely broken and dissolved by the operation of the salt as to give much less obstruction to the harrow at the first working.' Such is the practice which he recommends on deep loamy dry soils ; but, for other corn lands, sown in the usual way afier a spring ploughing, he advises the spreading of 16 bushelsof salt per acre immediately after the grain is covered in by the harrow, and afterwards sowing 10 bushels per acre annually, by which means he affirms that ' these lands will be ever after considered exceedingly productive.' In the Report of the Committee of the House of Commons, various experiujents, are also stated in which salt has been applied to fallows : one, representing the crop as nearly treble in proportion to the rest of the same field, and both the grain and the succeeding crop of clover, as of a supe- rior description ; but it appears from the same report, on the testimony of respectable indivi- duals, that in three of liiose cases it was of no use whatever as manure. In two of the experi- rnents, however, the quantity has not been dis- tinctly stated ; and in the third, which was made wilh great accuracy, ihe utmost amount laid upon the land did not exceed 10 bushels in one instance and 12 in anotherf; whereas nothing less than (rom 30 lo 40 bushels of foul salt per acre can be employed upon fallows with any prospect of success. On its application to corn, the following experi- men^s in the field practice are taken from Mr. G. Sinclair's Prize Essay, communicated to the board of agriculture, in 1820|: : Wheat after barley. Soil, without manure - , dressed with 11 bush, of salt Wheat after flax. Soil, with 11^ tons of spit manure Soil, with 6^ bush, of salt on the surface produced 16^ bush, per acre. " 22| " produced 16^ bush, per acre. K 22 " » It should here be remarked that the quantity mentioned applies to /ouZ sa/f, the strength of which is not more than generally one-third, or at the most one-half, of that of pure salt ; if the latter be used, it should therefore be diminished in a similar pro- portion, t Rep. of Salt Com. pp. 152, 162. X This essay contains tables of the result of a great variety of experiments upon the comparative use of salt, lime, soot, dung, and oil-cake ; as well as trials of the effects of salt upon wheat, when applied after various preceding crops, and affords much curiouJ and important information. 108 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. Wheat after beans. Soil, without manure -----_. , with 6^ bush, ofealt on the surface - ^ . Wheat after psas. Soil, without manure - - , with 6| bush, of salt with the sepfl ... , with 6^ do. dufj in with the seed , with 6Jr do. and Q\ bush, ofsoot dugin Barley after turnips. Soil, without manure ....... , with 5.^ bush, of sail applied before sowincr ■ " ■ do. - - - - with 11 do. produced 11 1 bush, per acre. " 21 " produced 16 hush, per acre. " 175 " " 2.3i " " 20 " produced 12 bush, per acre. '• 28^ The experiments were unfavorable to the use of salt on oats, so far as they were then carried ; but the quaniity applied appears to have been too laro;e to admit of a fair trial of its real merits. Mr. Sinclair also mentions experiments on spa- ces of 36 feet square, manured with salt at the rate of 5^ bushels per acre, drilled with Talavera tvheat on the 5th of November, and reaped on the 2d of August, which respectively yielded pro- duce at the extraordinary rate of 91, 73, and 82 bushels per acre, when mixed, in the first in- stance, with the soil four inches deep, before sow- ing ; sown, in the second, with the seed ; and in the third, simply applied to the surface. On which he observes, that the result of this extraor- dinary produce upon these small plots of ground must not be considered erroneous, for that he has seen produce equal to upwards of 23 quarters an acre, although one-eighth of the ground was without plant. Such instances are, no doubt, rare ; but experiments are usually conducted with greater care on small spots of ground than in fields of larger size ; the quantity of land is ac- curately measured, the soil generally of superior quality, and the product collected to the last grain ; whereas we all know that, in the common^prac- tice, there is much waste both in the reaping and the carrying ol grain, as well as much ground lost in roadways and fences. The same result cannot be expected as in more extended opera- tions, but such trials are valuable as affording evidence of the comparative advantages arising from different kinds of manure. To this we have to add a recent communica- tion from Mr. Sinclair, in reply to an application to him for some further information on the subject, in which he says, ' that the fiicts here staled may be depended upon ; that his opinions of the utility of the manure remain unaltered; and to these experiments he refers, as the fullest evidence of his convictions on the subject.' But, with that candor which distinguishes every man whose object is unprejudiced investigation, divested of any bias to the promotion of a favorite object, he adds, ' that it is not free from anomalies, which time and further experience can alone reconcile.' On the subject of ivheat and barley, Mr. Cuth- bert Johnson also mentions, in his observations on the employment of salt, that on his own farm, at Great Toiham, in Essex, he had increased the produce of the former, upon a light ijravelly soil, to the extent of 5^ bushels per acro^ by the use of 20 bushels of s^lt. On the same land, he also states the result of the following experiments on wheat to have been:— Soil, wiiliouf any manure lor four years, pro- duced 13 bushels 26 lbs. per acre. Soil, manured with stable-dung to a previous crop of potatoes produced 26 bushels 52 lbs. per acre. Soil, with 5 bushels of salt per acre, and no other manure lor four years, produced 26 bushels 12 lbs. per acre. Another Essex farmer, Mr. James Ciiallis, of Panfield, — whose soil is described as being of" a loose, hollow description, — had a dressing of salt put on it in November, alter the wheat was sown, of about 14 or 15 bushels per acre, which is also stated lo have produced at the rate of 6 bushels per acre more than that which was not dressed, and was considered lo be 20s. per load better in quality. Several experiments, indeed, have shown the grain to be heavier, in proportion as the quantity of salt was larger. Oiher accounts are likewise given of the produce of wheat crops when manured with stable- dung, in comparison with salt, which are so largely in iavor of the lat- ter, that we fear to repeat them, lest they should appear lo throw a doubt over the accuracy of the statement*. On the subject of barley dressed with salt, Mr. Ransom, of Sproughton, in Suflblk, says that ' it presented no diflerence of appearance to the rest of the field, until a fortnight before harvest ; the sailed crop was then brighter, and about one week forwarder than the rest of the field ; and the following were the re.sulis when carefully cut and measured : — Soil, without any manure, produced 30 bushels per acre. Soil, dressed with 16 bushels of salt per acre, in March, produced 51 bushels per acre. Regarding root crops, Mr. Cuthbert Johnson also mentions his having been informed by Sir Thomas Aclaml, that salt has been laid upon his farm at Killerton, in Devonshire, at the rate of 40 heaps of earth to the acre, in each of which heaps .33 lbs. of salt were well mixed, and let to lie a a fbrtniijht before being spread upon the land, which was afterwards ploughed three times, and then sown with mangcl-wurtzel, which had roots that weighed 32 lbs. each. A field was also dress- ed for turnips ; one-third with salt prepared in the same manner, one-third with lime, and the re- mainder with hearth-ashes. When the seed came up, the turnips appeared most promising where the hearlh-ashes were ; but, after the first month, ihey did not grow so fast as where the salt or lime was; after that time, the turnips * See a publication by the Rev. B. Dacre, entitled 'Testimonies in favor of salt as a manure and a condiment for cattle.' THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 109 where the ground was mnnnred with ealt grow faster, the green looked stronger, and at the end or the season tliey produced Mie best crop. To this he adds the testin)ony of Mr. Collyns, of Kenion, in Devonshire, who says that ' barley and oats which used to yield only 15 to 20 bush- els per acre, now yield Iroui 10 to 45 ; the wheat is also much improved in quality but not so much as was expectetl in quauiiiy. Thirty-five bush- els of wheat have been produced from an acre, dressed with lU bushels o( saU ; and from the same field last year, after the same quality of soil, 140 bags of potatoes. This year, however, it has only produced 20 bushels, though again manured with 10 bushels of salt ; but the quality is very superior, and the root of clover in it is very fine and luxuriant. From a communication by Mr. Davies Giddy on the culture ol turnips, it appears that on a pari of a field which had tieen previously exhaust- ed, half a crop was produced, but totally failed on that part where the ordinary manure was laid without salt. In another instance three acres ol land, which on the preceding year had borne a crop of wheat not exceeding 12 bushels to the acre, were ploughed belbre Christmas, and brought into fine tilth by the midsummer following. On each acre were sown 20 bushels of salt, excepting that two ridges, towards the middle of the field, were purposely left without it ; and on these the turnips totally failed, though the remainder of the ground produced an abundant crop. It is further instanced, that four acres of land, completely worn out by successive tillage, were sown, — three acres with salt, at the rale of 25 bushels, and the remaining acre with 18 bushels, without any other manure ; the crop was in general a good one, but was visibly the best where the greatest quantity of salt had been used*. Mr, "Hare, of Beaconsfield, in Buckingham- shire, has used salt at the rate of 2 cwt. per acre on a large field of very gravelly soil, part of which was left without any manure, and the remainder (lunged as usual ; yet the turnips produced on the salted acre were just as good as those raised from any other part of the ground. In the following j^ear, on another field of the same quality, he manured the whole of it with farm-yard manure, adding to one acre of the field thus manured 2^ cwt. of powdered rock salt; and on this salted and manured acre, he had a larger and a finer crop of turnips than was produced upon any other field of equal extent in the whole parish. Sir John Sinclair has also tried it, on a small scale, with equally good efTeclt. Some comparative experiments have been like- wise made with salt and soot, as well as wi;h stable-dung when applied in diffierent proportions to carrots and potatoes, which produced crops at the following rates per acre. Those by Mr. G. Sinclair, of Deptlord, were : — No. 1. Carrots sown without any kind of ma- nure, produced 23 tons. 9 cvvts. 107 lbs. No. 2. 13^ bushels of salt mixed and sown with the seed, produced 30 tons 12 cwts. 79 lbs. No. 3. G^- bushelc of salt dug in previous to sowing, pro- duced 44 tons 14 cwts. 17 lbs. No. 4. 13|- bushels * Annals of Agriculture, vol. xxvii. fSee his Code of Agriculture, 3d edit., note in the App., p. 40. of salt dug in previous to eowinir, produced 31 tons 13 cvvts. 40 lbs. No. 5. G^ bushels of salt and G.^ bushels ol soot, dug in [irevious to sowing, pioduced 40 tons 4 cwie. 97 lbs. Tiiose of Dr. Cartwri<>ht, ol' Tunbridge, upon a ferruginous sand, brouglit to a due texture and consistence by a liberal -covering of pond mud, were : — Potatoes, without any manure, produced 157 bushels per acre. Potatoes, with 9 butjliels of sa't per acre, produced 19S bu.«h(!sper acre. Pota- lops, with 8 bushels of salt per acre, and 30 bush- els oi' soot per acre, produced 240 bushels per acre. Poiaiops, with 30 bushels of soot per acre, produced 182 bushels per acre. The etl'ect of salt mixed with snot is remarka- ble;* the roots of the carrots in No. 2 were the smallest; in No. 4, the largest; and in No. 5, the healthiest. The experiments made by Mr. G. Sinclair upon potatoes, planted in a soil com- posed of three-fourths siliceous sand, — both with- out any kind of manure, and at the rate of 13.| and 6^ bushels of salt with the seed, as well a.s 13^ bushels mixed with the soil — left no room lo doubt of the advantage of 13 bushels per acre, applied to the land previous to the planting, over the other modes of application ; but the superi- ority in either case was no! very great. Those of Mr. Cuthbert Johnson, upon a light gravelly soil, were : — Potatoes, without any manure, produced 120 bushels per acre. Potatoes, with 20 bushels of salt per acre, laid on in the previous September, produced 192 bushels per acre. Potatoes, with stable dung at the time of planting, produced 219 bushels per acre. Potatoes, with stable dung and 20 bushels of salt produced 234 bushels per acre. Potatoes, with 40 bushels of salt alone, 20 laid on in September, and 20 in the spring, after the sets were planted produced 192^ bushels per acre. Potatoes, with 40 bushels of salt, as in the last ex- periment, and also with stable dung, produced 244 bushels per acre. The trials made by Mr. Forbes, of the Pine- field Nuseries, near Elgin, upon salt, when com- pared with farm-yard manure, as dressings for root crops, however, tend to show the latter to be in every instance superior; and also to prove that when used in a large quantity it is injurious to vegetation, as it will be seen by the annexed table that the crops were lighter in proportion as the amount of the salt employed was larger. It was laid on in the proportions there stated per Scots acre, and an equal measure of land was moderately dunged ; but though it appears from the produce that only a very small spot of ground was devoted to the experiment, yet that will not invalidate its accuracy. * Dr. Cartwright remarks, ' that there is no reason to suppose that the effects of salt, when combined with soot, were produced by any known chemical agency upon each other. Were I to guess at the pro- ducing cause, I should conjecture it to be that proper- ty of saline substances by which they attract moisture from the atmosphere ; for I observed those beds on which salt had been used were visibly and palpably moister than the rest, even for weeks after the salt had been applied, and this appearance continued till rain tell, when, of course, the distinction ceased. This property of attracting moisture had greater in- fluence possibly on the soot than on any of the other no THE FARMERS' REGISTER. Sctli, at the rate of 2 tone. U ton. 1 ton. ^ton. Dung. lbs. oz. lbs. oz. lbs. oz. lbs. oz. lbs. oz. Onions 8 0 8 4 10 8 15 0 20 0 Cnrrots 13 0 17 0 20 8 24 0 28 0 Turnips 30 0 32 0 30 0 27 0 34 8 Potatoes 11 0 11 0 12 0 14 0 24 8 Man. 177 ; and of Derbyshire, vol. ii. p. 182. THE FARMERS' REGISTER. Ill others are deciJeilly unfavorable. One of these reports, indeed, which is both minute and appa- rently accurate, stales that it was tried upon crops ol' potatoes, cats, barley, and turnips, as well as upon natural and cultivated ijrass. Refuse salt was applied, mixed wiih ashes in the proportion of three-lburtiis ot ilie (brmer to one ol' the latter, and laid on at various rales Iron) sixteen to thirty bushels per acre, both drilled in, and as a surlace dressinij upon land in some parts unmaiiured, and in others well spread with the best larm-yard manure. On the oats and barley, however^^ no perceptible diHierence was occasioned by its use ; and on all the other crops it appears to have been injurious. 'I'he deficiency in the amount of pota- toes produced upon that part of the ground which was only salted was indeed comparatively enor- mous ; for, in two instances in which it was laid in the drills, (he crop was only one-third of that upon which dung was used alone*. In a paper published in the second volume of the Communication to the Board of Agricul- ture, the writer relates several experiments, in all which the application of salt, in various cjuanii- ties, bothon arable and pasture, was either com- pletely or in a great measure unsuccessful. Some statements to the same eflect have like- wise been lately published in the British Farmer's Magazine,t which show — 1st. That 24 bushels, equal to 1 Ion of rock- ealt, were ground into powder,f and on the 10th of April were sown on four separate roods of meadow land, at the rate of one-lourih, one- fifih, one-sixth, and one-seventh of a ton to the acre : on the 21st it appeared to have destroyed the grass on that part where the greatest quan- tity had boen, but that was not the case even- tually, as it afterwards recovered. 2nd. On the 14ih of April it was sown on three equal portions of land, at the rale of one- fourth, one-fifth, and one-sixth of a ton per acre, on fallow, and on wheal growing, which was afterwards sown with red clover: on the 21st the weeds appeared to be destroyed, but at harvest time were like the rest. 3rd. At the same time it was laid at the rate of one-sixth of a ion per acre, on some fallow, which was afterwards sown with oats and clover. 4th. On the 25ih of April, on the tliird ploughing for fallow, it was spread at the rale of one-lburth and one sixth of a ion per acre worked and manured as the rest. 6th. At the same lime, and the same rale, on the same ploughing, on some land that was sown with rape. The above experiments were tried on a strong loamy clay, with a clay subsoil, and the result of the whule proved that they were not attend- ed with any advantage. 6th. On the fifth ploughing of a good loam. It was laid at the rate of one-lburth and one- Bixth of a ton for turnips, which had been re- gularly dunged, some of it being placed in the ridges be'ore, and some after the manure. K * ^fon^! Pi:°'^^edings of the Society, from Novem- ber, 1820, to December, 1823, vol. vi. t No. ix. vol. ii. p. 427. i When broken into small pieces, it runs through bJ^desiJ^d ^"'^ '^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^"^^"^ ^^ ^"*" ^^ ""^y Some potatoes, on the same land, were also similarly treated ; but no diU'erencii wiiatever was api)aretit in their fiivor. These trials ajipear to have been made under the personal superintendence of the writer, and the editor vouches iUr the accuracy of the state- ment. The result is certainly in ex'raordinary contradiction to those of other experimenis, nor is ii possible lo account for it in any other way than by attributing it lo the nature of the soils on which they were made. If to be finally relied on, if would prove ' that the use of salt, as a manure, is of no value on strong or loamy soils ;' but we are so liir from agreeing to that conclusion, that we think it only atibnls additional proof of the propriety of every farmer judging only lor himself, throuiih his own experienre. yipplicaiion of Salt. — From what we have thus stated, it must be apparent that nothing decisive has been ascertained regarding either the quantity or the season in which salt should be laid upon the land. It appears, however, that its efl'ecia are most visible and satisfactory when applied to hot, dry soils, and in very warm summers ; but on cold, wet land, and in rainy seasons, or under a humid climate, its powers seem to become neutralized, and of little value. We are of opi- nion that, on arable land, it will be Ibund more advisable to lay it on before sowing, than eithef with the seeds, or afterwards as a top-dressing. If applied, lor instance, to a clover ley, either^a lew weeks belbre seed-time, or immediately after the first crop is o(i', it would efi'ectually banish the slug ; and ii has been justly observed that, if all stuhliles (not laid down vviih seeds) were to receive a slight dressing of salt belbre winter, it would not only tend lo keep the land free from the slug, but probably also otherwise benefit the soil*. In preparing the land under the fallow-process, il has been recotnmended lo spread from 30 lo 40 bushels per acre for the purpose of destroying the I roots and insects in the soil, and breaking alT the tough and adhesive clods which are lound lo be so troublesome in working the ground. This should be done in autumn,some time before the first ploughing'; as the salt being thoroughly incorporated with the soil during the spring "and summer following, its strength will be so°mate- rially reduced by the time when the seed is eown^ that instead of injurini?, it has been found to pro- mote vegetaiionj. With regard to the destruction of insects, that object can, however, be attained vyith half the quantity ; and we must a^ain cau- tion our readers against the indiscriminate recom- mendation given of the use of salt, without dis- tinguishing whether it is fml or pure : on ihe application of 40 bushels of the latter, vegetation ceases. When applied in composts, it is said to have been found more effectual than lime. It has been tried in Cheshire on barley and seeds, and greatly exceeded the most sanguine expectations that had been formed of it. A quantity of refuse salt having been also mixed up with earth, and another portion of the same earth with lime, the vegetation of that part of the field upon which * British Farmers' Maf,azine, No. xiv. p. 66. tHoIlinshead on Salt ?.s a Manure, 2nd edit., p. 17. Sir John Sinclair's Code of Agriculture, 3rd edit., p. 38. 5 > . 112 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. the salt was laid was by far the healthiest and the most vicTorous*. In Ayrsiiire it has been mixed with 32 bushels of lime-shells, and either spread sinsly or made up into a compost with 40 cart- loads of peatmoss, and has thus been found pecu- Harly favorable to the growth of wheat and beans. In those parts of the coast of Cornwall where the pilchard fisheries occasion considerable quantities of salt to be condemned, it is also much used as a preparation (or turnips in composts mixed up with seasand, and spoiled fi!^h, dunu, and rotten slaty earth, in vnrious proportions, to which from 40 to 60 bushels of lime are commonly added. The quantity of this kind of compost commonly applied to an acre, is usually about a ton of the fish and salt, — more or less as the fish prevails, and in that country it has been long considered as a most valuable and laslini; manure, though pro- bably its effects may be at least equally due to the oil and refuse fish, as to the salt with which it is combined.! It may also be advantageously mixed with stable-dung alone. On meadow ground, Mr. Hollinshead advises the farmer Mo sow six bushels of salt per aci'e, immediately after the hay is got in ; which will not only assist vegetation, and cover the face of the ground with grass, but will induce the cattle to eat up the eddish.' ]Pov pasture land, he how- ever recommends the application of foul salt at the rale of 16 bushels per acre ; or, which he seems to prefer, to apply it in the same quantity, mixing with every 16 bushels of the sail 20 loads of earth, turning it two or three times to incor- porate it, and laying it on in the auiumn. In frosty weather, it has excited the surprise of many persons that, when the land was quite white through heavy hoar-frost, crround which had been top-dressed with salt remained perfectly green, and apparently free from its effects. It is, indeed known to chemists to be an enemy to congela- tion ; but we have, aa yet, no practical know- ledge of its effects, in that view, upon vegetation, nor are we aware that its application would tend to preserve crops from the consequences of frost. The quantity of pure salt recommended to be applied to land as manure is from 4 to 16 bushels per acre, beyond which it has been generally found to become injurious to crops when sown with the seed ; but, if laid in the autumn upon land intended for a clean summer fallow, from 30 to 40 bushels may be spread, according to the condition and nature of the soil. In the directions for its use given in the recent treatises of Mr. Cuthbert Johnson, from 5 to 20 bushels are assumed as the limits of its application to different crops ; and although we think that, in most cases, the latter quantity would be found too large, and that, in all, the rules for its adoption savor^some- what too much of theory, yet as, with due discre- tion, in many instances they may serve as guides for its employment, we here transcribe them with very slight alteration : with this observation, that they only apply to the first year's manuring ; though it has been stated by" Mr. Hollinshead and others, that an annual application of a much less quantity will always keep the land in a state of the greatest fertility : — * Cheshire Report, p. 237. t SirH. Davy, Elem. of Agric. Chem.,4to., p. 295. For wheat and rye, 10 to 20 bushels per acre put on alter tlie seed has been harrowed in ; the earlier the belter, but may be done until March. For barley, oais, peas, and beans, 5 to 16 bushels per acre. For these crops it has how- ever been found beneficial, in the west of Eng- land, to lay it on after the seed has been har- rowed in ; but in counties less humid, it would be more advantageous to spread U in January or February. For turnips, and most green crops, 5 to 15 bushels per acre, put on about a month before eeed-time ; or in January or February, as the salt will then meet the insects in their weakest slate. Mr. G. Sinclair, however, says — that, lor the destruction of slugs, salt should be used in not less quantities than 10 or 15 bushels per acre, applied to the surface of the land. For potatoes, 10 to 20 bushels per acre in January or February, if no other manure be used ; but if a light dressing of dung be intend- ed at the time of planting, then half the salt to be spread after the plants have been covered in. For hops, 15 to 20 bushels per acre, in No- vember or December. For grass-land, 10 to 15 bushels per acre in the autumn, and, if possible, not later than No- vember ; but may be put on, without injury, until February. If applied to the extent of 40 to 50 bushels, the old turf will be com[)!etely destroyed, but has been generally succeeded by a new sward of sweeter herbage. In Dacre's ' Teslin)onies,' which contain a voluminous mass of facts adduced in favor of the use of salt for agricultural purposes, it is said, that although the fertilizing qualities of salt, when used by itself as a manure, are very great, it yet requires discretion to guard against putting on too much , a few bushels to an acre are sufficient, if any large quantity be put on, it will by its pun- gency and strength destroy vegetation for a time ; but afterwards, when the salt has been well dis- solved in the soil, the land becomes very rich. That when mixed with dung and other manure, it is highly efficacious ; but the safest way of using it is, to sprinkle it occasionally over the dung in the cattle-yards, that it may amalgamate with it, and ferment. The effects, as ascertained by the result of its use upon the continent, are described by that emi- nent agriculturist. Von Thaer, to be nearly similar to those we have stated. VVIien applied in large quantities, vegetation seems completely stopped ; but when the salt has been washed in by the rain, and partly decomposed by the mould, it adds to its force during several following years. On rich land, when spread in small quantities, it pro- duces very sensibly favorable effects, though of short duration ; but if laid upon a poor soil, in an equal quantity, it has been found wholly inef- fectual*. * Principes Raisonnes d'AgricuIture, 2nde ed.,tome ii. p. 432. THli FARMERS* REGISTER. 113 LARGC HOGS. From the Kentucky Fanner. Mr. Silas Evans, of this couniy, sold lo Mr. Harrison Tlionison, of Clarke, a large lot ol' 75 hogs, intended for the southern market ; tlie average weight o(" the whole lot being 375 lbs. the heaviest weighing 480 lbs. Taking the number into consideration, we think this is as fine a lot of hogs as any we remember to have heard of. They were of the old Kentucky stock, with a slight mixture of the improved breeds. We have also heard of another lot of about 20 hogs, raised and fattened by Mr. James Rainey, near Coibyville, well crossed with the Berkshire etock, which averaged 426 lbs. They were from 13 months to 2 years old, generally about 15 months. KENTUCKY BLUE-GRASS, OR GREKN-SWAUD. To the Editor of tlie Farmers' Register. Washington N. C. January 30lh, 1841. Dear Sir : — A lew days since I had the plea- sure of receiving V^ol. viii. of Farmers' Register, from your hands, for which please to accept my thanks. Though I am no farmer, and have not a foot of soil to cultivate. I have ever leit a warm interest in the progress of anenlightened husdandry. I shall rejoice in the success of the cause which you advocate with so much ardor and ability, as well in the due appreciation and reward of your efforts. The Register does not come within my proper line of reading, but whenever I have met with a number, I have invariably found some article to interest and instruct me. It was for some time a mystery why I had been honored with Vol. viii. I presume, however, that the solution was at length discovered in the words " see page 651," written on the cover of No. 1. If 1 hare correctly taken thehint. I will reply, that you are heartily welcome to any aid I can give in removing the difficulty alluded to by Mr. Stevenson. It was but a few dHys before 1 received your present, that I had the pleasure of learning, through Mr. Stevenson's letter, what the famous Kentucky blue-grass is ; and also of informing some inquirers in this place that it grows on their own lands. I liave been long familiar with this grass, which, with its congener, poa annua, enters largely into the composition of the pastures of New England. My attention has been forcibly drawn to this grass, in the low country of this state, where lew if any really good grasses are (bund besides this, by its perpetual verdure. Wherever yards or lawns are turfed with it, they are verdant through the entire winter; thus indicating, as I supposed, its adaptation to this climate as a wmfer (bod. But what is more important still in this climate, it is the only grass of any value, that I have no- ticed, which endures the long continued heat of our warm season. It is only a long severe drought that parches it. So long as any moisture remains in the soil it continues verdant. 1 should judge, as this plant seems to aflect shade, that it might be preserved through the severest drought in places where there are trees enough to check evaporation from the soil. Ite endurance, in long continued heat, indicatCB its being more eucculent Vol. IX.-8— a than grass which l>urn up quicker, (and conse- quently more nulrilive ?) Muhlenberg says of It, "optmium p^ibulun)," but I suppose the larm- ers know better than the botanists about that miiiter. The great confusion'in the vulgar synonymes of the grasses is a serious inconvenience lo the farm- er, and it must certainly be a great desiderntum to have it cleared up. All plants which are ex- tensively used are subject to the same confusion. I have not been able, after long inquiry, lo settle the synonymes of the oaks and pines in this slate. Every neighborhood seems to have a peculiar no- menclature. ( would suggest, as the most likely method of attaining Mr. Stevenson's object, that all persons interested in the subject should send to you two or three specimens of each kind of grass, wiih all the common names written upon a label attach- ed to each kind. The labels might be numbered, and notes be sent, relerrinff lo the numbers on the labels, communicating any valuable information that can be given upon ihe several species. If you can interest your correspondents in this plan, so as to secure their action upon it, you will in two or three seasons have the material in hand for the consummation so strongly urged by you, vol. viii. p. 651. If you have no friend more convenient, or better qualified for completing the work, ader the ma- terial is collected, you are at liberty to command Your obedient friend and servant, M. A. Curtis. P. S. If you should approve of the plan I have suggested, and be inclined to propose it to your readers, will inform me thereof. I will give you the mode of collecting, preserving, and trans- porting the grasses. It is very simple, and will cost no one any trouble. We take the liberty of publishing the foregoing private letter, with its author's signature, though not so designed to be used, and which we would not have done, if the writer were not already well known to the scientific and reading public, as one among the first of American botanists. We shall be much gratified, and the cause of agriculture aa much aided, by his fund of knowledge being drawn upon, to furnish light to this obscure sub- ject. We will gladly receive specimens of grass- es, prepared and secured, as directed above, to transmit to the Rev. M. A. Curtis ; but it will be much better, if as convenient, that they shall be sent to him directly, (at Washington N. C.) aa our ignorance of botany would forbid our forward- ing the object in any other way than the very humble one of serving as the channel of convey- ance for the specimens. But as it is desired to have the various provinceal and incorrect names, as well as Ihe botanical names and descriptions, of each grass, it will require lor the formation of i a list of synonymes, extensive enough to be very i useful, the labors of botanists m different and re- 114 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. tnole rehe farmers term it — ?'. e. it supersedes ihe oilier grasses. As it is unnecessary lo sow it in a rich fH)il, 60 would it he labor lost lo sow it in a poor one. I'iie only way, iherelbre, to iiave the he- nefit of this admirable ject were placed in the printer's hands, is li-om the pen of Dr. U'm. Darlington, of Pennsylvania, a disiinguished bo- .tanist, and invesiii^ator of the botany of ihe re- ligion in which he resiiles, (of wliich he lias vvriilen and published a ^ Flora') and some of whose communications lo other periodicals we have taken pleasure to copy into iliis. bo far as it goes, the lijrm and plan of this list of grasses, and their synonymes, are excellent ; and it only requires to be amplified where it i< deficient, and corrected where erroneous, as to vulgar names, ((or in this the most learned must be sometimes misled by the most ignorant nomenclaiors,) and to be extended to other grasses and plaiiis, either of imporlani utility, or whose habits it is desirable to know, as indicating peculiar qualities or conditions of soil. 'J'he latter is a curious and interesting subject, which botanists have almost entirely overlooked. 'J'he prevalence of certain plants in some locali- ties, and iheir emire absence in others not far dis tant, have been ascribed (and often most absurdly) to supposed diflerencea of temperature, exposure^ elevation, &c., when in iruth it was the diflerence ofthe chemical consiiiuiion of soil, ihounh not pcr- ro[)iib!c by any other indicaiions. 'I'lius, sheep sor- rel, and ''hen's rif-si grjss," or what we haveiHrmetl " poverty arass," are unerring in.licaiiuiis of ex- cess of acidiiy in soil, and d> ficiency ol ca'rareous mailer, as the growih of saint loin (in Europe) and-of red clover, or of our " wi(e-gr;'..-s," is of op- posite qualiiies. 'i'hus, if ohserved and marked, ihese and many oilier plants would offer the most unerring indications cf the consiiiuiion and the warns, and the means of improving Sbils, We take Ihe liberty of suggesting to botanists, and lo oihers who are disposed to aid this olj^ct, which we have several limes urged, Ihat the lore- iioing list of Dv. Darlingion, as numbered, shall be t.iken as ihe commencement ami ground-work of a general list of synonymes of ilie grasses and weeds of agriculture in the United Slates; and ihat other persons shall aild lo, or correct ihcse and any subsequent descriptions, by reference lo ihe botanical names and numbers here, or here- after used— and that other grasses and weeds, as presented, be numbered in order, as a coniinualiun of iliis list. It will not only be botanisfs and sci- entific men only wlio can aid this woik essentially, but also tiiose wiihout any knowledge except such as oniinary care ill oliservaiion would snpiily, add- ed to ai-quaiulance wiih the pnriicular plant uiidei" consideration. It will also add much to llie use- lulness of such a lisi, if ihe peculiarities and cha- racter of each plant, as alleciing agiiculiure inju- riou-ily or otherwise, should be stated. Even if such descri()iions are to be (bund in any exislin" ' Flora' or oiher botanical woik, ihey would not be there sought liar by unlearned inquirers. In furiherance of this proposal we will ofTer here a slight correction in regard to one name in Dr. Darlington's synonymes, the " wire-grass" of Virginia, which he supposes lo be ihe same with ihe "wire-grass" of Pennsylvania, or "blue grass" of Pennsylvania and Virginia, (2. pea compreasa,) but wliich is in fact his No. 11, triti' cum repeiis, or couch grass of England. This grass prefers dry and light soils, and will -carcely grow except where there is enou"h of li.me to consiiiute a good and (iBriile soil. Thus it is one of the most sure indicaiions gf a well consliiuied end improvable soil, whether made bo by naiure or by an. On liie acid and naturally poor soils, ^)est adapted to produce sorrel, poverty L'rass, broom sedge, and pines, tv ire-grass will rarely if ever be Ibund, and never can be a irou- Mesonie weed, no matter how mtuh pulrescent manure is applied, and temporary fcriili'y ihcreby induced. Bui if the land be made calcareous, by marling, or by the ashes deposited ia ilie course el" 116 THE F.IRMERS' REGISTER. time around old dwellings, this grass will be sure to appear, and lake possession of the ground, un- less great care be used to restrain its production. To eradicate it effectually, on its favorite soils, is aimosl impossible. It extends its growth not only by its seeds, like other grasses, but still more by its long running or jointed superficial roots, which stretch several feet from the parent stock, and striking in new roots from every joint, commence at each place a new growth. Every joint of these runners, when broken or moved by the plough or harrow, if covered by earth, becomes a growing eel, and new source of supply. The vitality of the roots, even after being taken out of the earth, is remarkably enduring; and they have been known to live and grow, after exposure to dry air, or long immersion in water, which had been deemed cer- tainly destructive. This grass was (and still is) the great pest of Weyanoke, the highly improved farm of the late Fielding Lewis, on James river. And while that admirable farmer and improver carefully saved every other material fur' manure produced by his land, he removed and threw away the enormous amount of wire-grass roots which he had every year to get out of his ground, lest he should increase the evil, if using them as a material lor manure. The running roots abound in saccharine matter, and must contain much nour- ishing aliment for animals, as well as enriching manure for land. The proportion of roots is enor- mously large, (perhaps greater than all the growth of the grass above ground,) and therefore the loss of value as well as the amount of labor, in remov- ing and destroying them is very great. There would be lew discoveries more valuable to improv- ing farmers, than to learn how to subdue this grass, as a weed, economically, and to utilize its undoubtedly valuable material, when necessary to be subdued. — Ed. Farm. Kkg. CULTURK OF INDIAN CORK. To the Editor of the Farmers' Register. Ussex, Feb. 20th, 1841. As the time of planting corn is near at hand, 1 will veriiure again to offer you a lew more re- marks on this most useful of all the grains at pre- sent known to us. And this I will do, even at the rirk of being deemed by yourself and your readers, as quite hohbyhorsical on this subject. All, I believe, will agree that there is nmch yet to be learned in retrard to it ; and that corn-grow- ers, eef)eciHlly, should ever be willing^ to encourage every inquiry, the object of which is to ascertain, as far as practicable, what are its distinctive quali- ties, and what its proper culture. Ol this grain we have already a considerable number of va- rieties, and these are increasing every year. Ii becomes, therefore, more and more iu)porlant to determine which of them nil is intrinsically best, (if any be so,) in all the three pariiculais whicli render one kuiJ more valuable than another; to wit: greater productiveness per acre, greater weight per bushel, and superior nu'riiive proper- lies per pound. None, I presume, will deny that the variety which is found to possess most of these three qualities, (if any does,) is justly entitled to be prelerred to all others. So far, I believe, there is no dillerence of opinion among corn-growers. But when they come to decide between the vari- ous kinds, we find almost as many opinions aa there are disputants. Opinions, too, which, unfor- tunately, are very olien maintained — not with that calm, investigating temper, which is indis- pensable in the pursuit of truth — but with a de- gree of dogmatism, petulance, and obstinacy, that would be (lisgracelul even among squabbling children. Kach of these wranglers has his fa- vorite, whose claims to superiority he often urges with as much warmth and vehemence as he would use in a political party controversy ; al- though he may not be able to stale a single fair experiment that he has ever made to support his opinion. There is only one thing m which they can agree, and in which I think 1 can prove that they are perl'ecti'y right. This is, the belief that there is a great and radical difference between the varieties in all the qualities of productiveness, weight, and nutrition. There are, however, some few corn-growers, I believe, who maintain, that there is no essential difference in the productiveness of the different varieties of corn : in other words, that if one kind is ever liiund to measure more than another, the difference is ascribable to soil and climate, rather than to any innate qualities in the varieties themselves. To support this opinion I have searched, but in vain, for the citation of even a single well conducted experiment ; and am there- fore compelled to attribute the maintenance there- of to that fbiulness lijr odd notions which some men seem to take a most unaccountable and sin- gular pleasure in avowing. To these may truly be applied the old rhyming couplet, " A man convinced against his will. Is ot the same opinion still." None, therefore, of the foUowins: remarks are de- signed ihr them ; as it would be quite presumptuoua in me to attempt what so many better farmera than 1 am, have failed to achieve. But believing, as I do, that a vast majority ol' us are boih willing and anxious to learn from each other whatever may increase our knowledge of the various things connected with our profession, I will proceed, li>r their sake, to state my experience in regard to ten or twelve different varieties of corn, with which I have been busily engaged, for some years past, in making comparative experiments. All these kinds were in hiyli repute in the parts of the country from which they were procured; and the result of n)y various trials warrants me, I think, in as- serting that there is an innate difference between the lightest, and the heaviest, a difference little if at all affected by soil and climate, of at least, ten pounds per bushel, making fifty pounds per barrel 1 and an average difference in productive- ness per acre of not less than fifteen per cent. This is not mere matter of opinion, but proved by actually weighing and measuring the varieties THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 117 compared together. The lightest kind is the pure gourd-eced ; the heavieet is the white and yellow Hint, which is cultivated chiefly in the norih- ern and eastern slalee, witere the iarjire south- ern corn will not ripen belbre frost. The most productive variety has proved to be tiie twin-corn, alter a trial of five years, during which it was fairly compared, each year, wiih two or three other popular kinds, until the whole number men- tioned above had been subjected lo comparison. On each occasion there was no guess-work, no striding off the yround, no conjecturing the contents ol' cart-loads ; but the surveying tape, and the half-bushel were used in every case, and the number ot corn-stalks accurately counted. I had no pet-corn among them, but was anxious only to ascertain the best, lor profit's sake. As a proof of this I will here state, that I am still de- sirous to make a trial of every new variety I can hear of, and have the promise of two or three lor the coming spring. My own experience in regard to the superior productiveness of the twin corn, which weighs as much as any of our large varieties, and is heavier than most of them, is confirmed by several gentlemen with whom ! have corresponded on the subject, in Maryland, and several diflierent parts of my own state. Moreover, I have the authority of two repniable millers for saying that it produces more meal from an equal measure, than any kind, out of several, wiih which they have yet compared it. The other advantages which I myself have ascertain- ed that it possesses, are, that it may be planted about six inches closer each way ; that it will ripen about ten days or a fortnight earlier than any of the large varieties usually cultivated in the tide-water part of Virginia ; and having a inuch j smaller cob in proportion to the grain, will mea- sure more to ihe bulk. I can speak only conjec- turaliy in regard to the respective quantities of nu- trition contained in the different kinds of corn of which I have made trials, having no apparatus by which to analyze them. But if the nutritive properties in each variety depend on its weight, still the most productive per acre should be pre- ferred for a crop, unless the excess of nutrition in the heavier kinds exceeds that in the lighler, con- siderably more than the productiveness of the latter surpasses that of the former ; for we should take into the account the extra quantity of food for stock yielded by the most productive kinds. But some still think it most profitable to culti- vate the yellow varieties of corn, even admittinor they produce less, because they command from 3 to 6 cents more per bushel, in the northern markets. than the while. Now, if either of the white kinds yields 15 per cent, more on an averaire, than the yellow, (and I have proved by several accurate trials, that the "twin-corn does so in our climate, over all with which I have compared it,) then is it perlectly easy to demonstrate, that he who cuhivates a crop of twin-corn will sell it for more at the usual prices of the white kinds, than he could get for a crop of yellow, made on the same Jand, even if sold at 6 cents a bushel more. Sup- pose, for instance, that an acre produces 20 bush- els of yellow corn. This, at 55 cents per bushel, would bring SH ; at 65 cents $13; and at 85 cents §17. The same acre in twin corn would have produced 23 bushels, which at 60 cents would bring ^11.60 j— at 60 cents ^13.80; and at 80 cents $18 40 cents ; Ihe superior profit, in each case, being greater in pro[iortion as ihe price per bushel was liighcr. Another gieat mistake about yellow corn is the common notion, that it is generally heavier ihan while. The weight, however, of any kind depends not upon its color, but its Jlintineas, of which quality some of our white varieties have as much as any of the yellow kinds that we cul- tivate, and consequently are full as heavy. Should any of your rearders suppose that I claim (or Indian corn a higher rank among our various grains than it is justly entitled to hold, I will conclude this communication by referring ihem, first, to the opinion of ihe late Professor Cooper of South Carolina ; and next lo the recent census of Eastern Virginia. The professor as- serts in his 'Emporium of Arts and Sciences," (a very valuable work, now, I believe, out of print,) that "it contains more nutritive matter than any other grain." And then he proceeds to say, that "the greatest quantity of nutritive mai- ler, under ihe least weight, can be put up in ihe form of bacon-fat, moiierately salted, to be eaten with ^'■Tossamanonny,^'' which is an Indian name lor "Indian corn just ripe, parched to a light, clioco- late or brown color, and ground lo a powder." The whole article is highly instructive and inter- esting, especially as regards the economy of food, and its effects upon Ihe health of both man and beast ; but it is too long to copy. My reference to our late census will show a vast difference in the quantities of the various grains which we cultivate, and thereby affords a still more conclusive proof of the superior value of Indian corn, when compared with any one, or ihe whole of them. Here is the item to which I refer. " No. of bushels of wheat 4,825,851 ;— of barley 5,449 ;— of oats 7649, 592 ;— of rye 382, 433 ;„of buck-wheat 26,785 ; — and ol Indian corr> 21,756.87d." Even this statement, as large as it may appear, falls short of the truth, for we are authorized lo say, that "in several ofihe counties, answers were altoL'eiher reliieed to the questions relating lo products." I remain, dear sir, yours, verv sincerely, James M. Garnett. N. B. From what I have said of the twin- corn, I shall hardly escape being suspected by those who never themselves do any ihinsf from disinterested molivee, of seekino' to Thorbornize ihem. But I hereby notify them that I have none to sell at any price. If, however, the peru- sal of this letter should excite a wish in any person lo buy, I am almost sure they can procure what they want at reasonable rates, from any one of ihe following individuals,— Mr. J. Goiildin of Caroline, Mr. J, Derieaux of Essex, Dr. Braxton of King-William, and Mr. Lewis Berkley's agent in the same county. DAMP STABLES. From the New Gonespe Farmer. A correspondent of the Farmers' Cabinet siaifs that on lakinff possession of a newly purchased farm, his horsBs beca.Tie poor, diseased, and incapa- ble of labor; hie cows became sickly, their milk di- 18 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. minished, their buiter became bad, (bur lopt their calves, two died ni' scours in ef)ri(iir, with oiher at- leiutant evils, 'i'jie (iMm|)ne(-& ol'ihe Pi;iti!e which was built under larae trees in a low siiuaiion. and Willi a nonliern aspect, [t was ininiediatly lorn down, and another crecli'd on a drier siMiaiion, when, as was expected, all these evils vaiii-hed ai once. S'ables made oi' sione, are more liable to this difHuulty. EXPERIMENTS WITH AND OBSERVATIONS ON GRCKN-SAND EARTH, AS MANURE, ON COG- GIn's POINT FARM. By the Editor. At varioMS times and in various parte of the Farmers' Ri'sisler, I have oifered my uncertain opinions on the interesiinir, and as yet obscure piibject ol'the operation and efiects ol creen-sand as miniire; and have expressed my dissent, (as to the efiects already produced, or possible to be produced, in lower Virginia,) to the received opinion thai this manure, used alone, is either irenerally opera- tive, desirable, or at all profilable on llie far iive beds near the loestern limits of our ordina- ry marl. ■ No one, excepi the writer oflliiU coni- niunicaiion, couiii liave ti>en more ofcaiified lo see it, iluin i was; itnd no one iheii eniertaiiied more respect lor I lie autliority than [njseU". I was re- juiced 10 see scieiiiific fiit^earch ai last directed to ihis very interesiiMh, at the lime, I considered the acting power to be the same. 'J'he following extracts from my oKJ journals and memorandum books, for the Cogi^ins' Point farm, will present every eniry there made, and omitting nothing that bears upon (he result, or conclusions thence to be drawn. For (he con- venience of alier-relerence and designation, the experiments and observations will be here num- bered, though not so marked before. Any vvord.3 now adiled lo the quoted extracts, for explanation, will be enclosed [ihus] in brackets. I. " lOih [January, 1818.] Three acres ofnew- ground were plastered at the rate of 7 or 8 bushels 10 the acre with gypseous earlh, from the river bank near the meadow." Oct. 1818. " No benefit derived." This was poor acid soil, and not then marled. The land was part of that which was the subject of (subsequent) marling experiments, 1, 2, 3 and 4, slated at pp. 37 to 40 of 2d edition of ' Es- say on Calcareous Manures.' This green-sand earlh was far from being rich in gypsum. The crop (1818) was corn. II. 1 remember that on another part of this around, same year, this earth was applied, at planting the corn, a handful to each hill. Also, the remnant of (he car(-load was scatiered around very thick, broadcast— some of which was cer- tainly as thick ae 600 bushels to the acre. No el- 120 THE FARMERS* REGISTER. feet was seen, on that crop, (corn,) or any subse- quent crop. III. 1818. "May 1st. Carted and sowed gyp- seous earth in small quantities, on various parts of my land. Most of \he places are in clover." " June 7ih. Observed a remarkable etiiect pro- duced by the gypsum [meaning the gypseous earth, or green-sand,] put on clover in Finnie's field, May 1st. Soil, alight calcareous loam, near the river bank." Ae this is the only case mentioned of eliecl be- ing seen this year, it may be presumed that it was the only case ofeffect, on the "various spots" tried. I remember nothing more of them than what is here stafed. IV. " 1819. March 19th. Two acres of a point of Finnie's field marled at from 50 to 25 loads — one load of gypseous earth iiad been previously well mixed with every 30 of marl, except for the two middle rows. Six bushels of the same [gyp- seous earth] sowed on three-quarters ol' an acre without marl. Land in clover, and more infested with sorrel than any on the liirm." "Result. May 8. Decided benefit from the gypseous earth, the clover being 50 to 100 per cent, belter; on that sowed by hand, [the clover] quite regular — that applied by mere mixture with niarl is unequally distributed. The effect here is as striking on partridge pea as on the clover." Y V. "May 10. Sowed gypseous earth on all that was not before plastered." October. "No effect." This land, though so ilill of sorrel, was not na- turally a very acid soil. It was light, dog-wood and hickory land, and at first very productive. After bringing one crop only, after being cleared, (because then surrounded by wood, and thetelbre the corn exposed to the ravages of vermin,) it was left out, and covered by a very thick growth of young pines, which were afterwards cut down, and left to rot on the ground ; and which covering, no doubt, produced most of the sorrel. The pro- duct in corn was then about 20 bushels. VI. " 1819. March 12. Ploughed two acres of open part of the grove, (among large oaks,) and Bowed clover seed. " May 10. Clover came up very thick, and stands well. Sowed on it 9 bushels of gypseous earth. Good rain the following night." " Afterwards [the clover] destroyed by grazing. Some little remamed until 1828, and never showed any effect of gypsum." This soil was a moderately stiff clay loam, and rather poor. VII. " 1819. May 10. Sowed 9 bushels of gyp- eeous earth on the clover not before plastered on the point of Fmnie's, on which experiment [marked here IV] was made. Two small spots left out, A heavy rain the night after. "Sept. 2. No effect this year." " Nor on the corn in 1820, or the wheat in 1821." VIII. "1825. Two rows of cotton (House field,) had a small handlLiI of gypseous earth thrown on each parcel of seeds, before covering. Kows passed through rich calcareous high-land, (site of the old negro-houses,) newly marled land, and low-ground. No perceptible effect." IX. " 1819. Jany. One ox-cart load of gypse- ous earth was strewed on about half an acre of the Point field just before ploughing : (about four bushels of pure gypsum per acre :) soil calcareous, dark loam, rich enough to produce four to five barrels per acre; had been grazed, but was still covered with a good growth of vegetable matter. " Result. June 2d. The plastered corn is from 50 to 100 percent, better than the adjoining, and the spot easy to distinguish at the distance of 200 yards, " Oct. 15th. The difference gradually became less until the corn was ripe, when there was still an apparent difference of 25 or 30 per cent. A square of the plastered corn, 16 by 17 corn-hills, and the same quantity adjoining of unplastered, were to-day gathered anil carefully measured : the latter produced three bushels of shelled corn, and (to my astonishment) the former only one peck more, or about 8 per cent. The growth of the corn was by the plaster made much more rapid, the plants much more luxuriant, and the size of the stalk and shuck is now evidently much increased ; and yet there is scarcely any increase in the grain. Seasonable weather until Aug. 1, then severe drought, Aug. 27, heavy rain, which, of course, was beneficial according to the backwardness of corn." X. " 1819. On poor, light, acid land, marled previously at the rate of 800 bushels of poor marl (25-100) to the acre, 4 acres were sowed with gypseous earth at the rate of 20 bushels, and one acre at 10 bushels. On another part of same field, ofsomewhat belter land, and which was not then marled, a quarter acre was covered at the rate of 40 bushels of gypseous earth to the acre. Planted in corn, 1820." The marl had great effect, " The gypseous earth had not the slightest effect, [nor was any certain on any after crops of corn or wheat. No clover sown. In 1824, the corn on this part of the field was the best; but the marks had been lost, and no outlines could be traced ; and therefore the better growth might or might not have been caused by the gypseous earth.] Season very favor- able ; enough rain, and never too much." - XI. " 1820. Feby. Eight bushels of gypseous earth strewed on a quarter acre of very light, free land ; had borne only two crops since being clear- ed. In corn. No effect. Nor on the wheat, fol- lowing— nor on the little clover that stood." XI. " 1820. Feb. 24 bushels strewed on new- ground [3d. Div. of South Field] soil, cold poor whitish clay. In corn. No effect." Nor on the wheat succeeding. No clover sown here on the wheat. The field in which both the last were, was well marled in 1823, fallowed, and in wheat in 1824, In 1825, I was surprised to see a fine growth of clover, 18 inches high, from the remains of seed sown in 1818, and which produced scarcely any visible growth before. No effect of the gypseous earth could be seen on this fine growth of clover. But on another part of same field of cold clay soli, where some of the gypseous earth had been spread two years before, a great effect was evident on the clover. This had been marled also in 1823. At the close of the year 1819, notwithstanding the predominance of failures, I still had hopes of gypsum (i. e. the gypseous or green-sand earth) being profitable on my land. In some remarks at page 37 of my Farm Journal for 1840, I express- ed the intention of following wheat by clover generally, " if I find gypsum and clover to equal my expectations." No other gypsum had then THE FxVRMERS' REGISTER. 121 been ueed by me, except in very email experi- niiMils niado, wilh pulverized ciyslald oblained Ifoni llie pnnie beds olearlh. I bad not then learned, as I diil alierwardcJ, iluil ihe rases ol successCul operation were almost entirely confined to clover, and that on calcareous soils. I used the gypsri>. For tije sulphuric acid is taken up by the lime, and (he union Ibrms jrypsum, and in such great quantity, that no additional quantity can do any 20od. This however does not account for the inefRcacy of the creen-sand ; unle?s in this re- spect, as it seems to me in al! others, the acMon end effects of the green-sand and gypsum are precisely alike. XXII. The Farm Journal for 1S29 refers to the several experiments stated here as made in operating cause, marling, has produced on my ijrain crops [by excessively iieavy dressings.] It opens a valuable prospect of improvement from my plaster beds, which have only lately been used to any extent, and which I deemed almost useless, ('or my ?nils) for years after I liad disco- vered the existence and value of this manure, in this neisrliboihood. ^^^sl of my mowing was where gypseoua marl bad been used, (i'om 4 lo 8 years airo ; and but Utile nihcr clover, nn marl from other pits, teas worth mowivg. This sea- son, however, has been remarkably favorable to liie growth of clover." This relijrence to gypseous mftrU and its pecu- liar Vcdue to clover, refjuires an explanation which will serve (o 'hrow additional liizht on the subject of green-sand. What I called gypseous marl here, and also in the ' Essay,' is the only eocene marl on my farm, and is (he overlying stratum of the bed of ureen-sand, and which was, undoubted- ly, from'every appearance, originally the same cal- careous marl. This kind of marl contains, besides its calcareous ingredient, a small proportion of gypsum, and also some green-sand. This is (he bed lying undr-r the extremity of (he promontory of Cogirins Point, and which has been used by Collier Minir(>, fl:ll Carter, and some o(her firm- ers across the river. The peculiar benefit produ- ced to clover, in every case, by this kind of marl, was to me one of (he s(rongest proofs ol the value of gypsum, when accompanied by marl — and the value which 1 thus ascribed (o gypsum perhapg as n)uch belonged (o the contained green-sand, of ihf presence of which I then knew no(hing. XX i ! F. " Gypseous earth and clover on marl- burnt land. 182S. Febv. 28th. about 6 or 7 1828, and adds — " ncnerally (here was not (he, r t^- ■ ■, c , ^ u- , ^ r ■ i eliah(est benefit Ibunddurit.g last vear from anvap-j^".^t°' btnmes field, whtch (after rest.nnr and plication [of £rreeen.sand earth] made in ([^e "otf.e,n0;^srazed for 2 years) had been ploughed ' "'■ -' - 'well m December last spring of 1828; (housh some of (hem show mostly 7 inches deep. rema.kabledifTerence this year." [From (he use "°^^ T'V '" "^'^',-^' '" ^.V 'wice well harrow of (he word " some" it may be inferred that (he '"^'- ^"^^f '"7'- ^^ed sown,_3 quarts to the acre. greater number of applications were altoirether inoperative, even the second year.] "No bene- fit has been (bund from the gppsum [trreen-sand ear h] put on (he new land of Cour(-Housp field, which was ridge pine and whortleberry acid land, [the subject of first 4 experiments stated in ' FJ^- eay on Calcareous Tvlanures" and I. and XV., here] whether on corn, wheat, or clover, (fjir that ro- tation,) though tried very thick as well as thin, nnd after, as we'l as before marling. However, there were some spo's of remarkably rank volun- teer clover, last year, where clover had been sown and gypsed without benefit, 4 to 6 3'ears before." On this land, green-sand earth, containing a con- siderable proportion of gypsum, was afterwards put on clover, at the rate of 20 bushels to (he acre. The efT'ecl wag very unequal ; but a part of it made as heavy a growth of clover as I ever eaw. To show (he iiiyh expectations! entertaine present, it seemed that these transient and uncertain efiects would be more cheaply obtained by sowinsr the gypsum of commerce. This was then tried to the amount of 10 Ions or more. But though gypsum seemed to act and to (ail as the green-sand earth would have done, it is certain that the effects of the latter were greater than gypsum sown in the usual quantity ofa bushel to the acre, or even thrice that quantity. But though the green-sand and gypsum com- i bined, and in large quantities compared to the! gypsum of commerce, produced greater effect, i yet, in every thinreading them for three suc- cessive wecl<>'. The cocoons must not be thrown into bulk earlier than three weeks after the chrysa- lides have been killed. 2. Mice. — Alier the cocoons have been cured, (by which I mean killing the chrysalides, and airing lor three weeks,) they may be placed in bags made of cotton cloih, lo coniain about two busliels each, and suspended by a strong twine to nails fastened in the joists. JMice will rarely if ever touch lliem in this situation. Some persons, as soon as the chrysalides are killed, pack their co- coons in boxes and barrelrf, and put them ni the garret ; and when tliey are subsequently examin- ed, it is Ibund that mice have taken up their abode among thern, and destroyed all that had not been previously spoiled by lermenlaiion. Layton Y. Atkins. Stafford County, Fa., Feb., 1841. From ihe Mass. Agiicultural Journal of 1824. GRASSES. Jiy Hon. John TVelles. In the Agricultural Journal of January last, I ofl'ered some observations on grasses, and gave the result of an experiment showing their loss by exsiccation or the process of drying, in the sum- mer of 1822. This subject has been pursued during the past season, and still farther extended. The variation, in the comparison of the two years IS not, it is apprehended, greater, (exce|it in one or two instances which will be explained) than will often occur li-om the nature of the soil, diH'er- ence of season, closeness ol" vegetation, exposure to the sun, &c. &c. As lar as a general principle may be established by experiment, it will, in some degree, go to fix the relative value of our natural grasses, as they prevail in our pastures, or of those artificial grasses which should be selected as fit objects ol' cultivation. In collecting these several s[)ecies, I have found the natural gra.?ses which generally prevail in this neighborhood, so few in number, that a sh>ort and yet sufficient de- scription of them could be most properly first given with advantage. The earliest grass we have is the Avena spicala (Linn.) or spiked oat crass. It is peculiarly indi- genous to the United States, and grows, it is said, as far south as Georgia. This grass ripens so early that it mostly sheds its seed and thus repro- duces itselfj and is widely progagaled. For th's reason, as well as from its short growth, it is unde- serving of culture, yielding little to the scythe. But it is of great value lor early feed in our naiu- ral pastures, in which it abounds. One hundred pounds cut on the 15lh July last, gave lllty pounds of hay. The next grass which we fhall mention is the Poa pratensis, (Linn.) with us falsely called red lop, a color it never has. Tiiis, both in Europe ;uid America, is the common and prevailing ijrasa of the pastures. It grows in almost every soil and situation, and is one of those materials which, as that excellent botanist, Mr. Nutiall, of Cambridge, informs me, i.'^ used in Europe (or ihe manulaclure of bonnets. The color of its top, or lianiele, is ol' a yellowish brown. The number of fioreis in tlie spike varies from three to five. Tlie seed is sometimes saved and sown ; but these fine spired grasses have so minute a seed, that, eiiher from exposure to dampness and fermentation, or sooie other causes, which it is difficult lo prevent or discover, they too often fail of vegetating, by which great injury and disappointment occurs in the wished lor crop. Though this grass is amongst those which lose the least in drying, yet, as it piesents liiile to the scythe, it cannot be recommended lor culture. It is excellent in our pastures, and comes in nalurally as the artifii-ial grasses go out of our mowing lots. Indeed it has a preference with our litrmcrs generally, lor horned caille, over every oilier grass. One hiui- dred pounds cut July 17, gave Ibriy-six pounds. It was p.isi flowering. The notice of our prevailing natural grasses might here be closed, but as the grasses which we shall next describe appear in our pastures, as well as cur culiivated grassland, and are men'ioneJ by several writers in answer to the question pro- [)osed by the society, as to " what natural grasses prevail in ihis part uf the country," we shall give their description here. The grass here cidied Rhode Island, is Ihe aijroslis alba, (Linnajus) the marsh bent grass of England, or the agrostis stolonilt;ra, Schrader, German. Mr. Nuliall, to whom I exhibited a sample, pronounces it the famous fiorin grass of Dr. Richardson and the Irish agiiciiitiirisis, on the authority of Hooker, who describes '• the panicle thereof as purple, and the branchlets |)afent." The color, at firsi, of the branclilets is of a deep red, and they adhere closely lo the spike, but as they flower they become patent and change to a lighter purple. This grass has six to eight branchlets, and flowers more fully than the Poa pratensis though often conlbunded therewith. It is amongst those which lose least by evapora- tion, and would be a more favorable object of cultivation, were it not liable toilie same uncer- tainty as lo its vegetating and producing a crop as the preceding grass, and frotp probably a like cause. In Ireland it is said lo suit a wet soil, and lo produce over six tons to the acre. In thia country it does not flo'irish in such soil, nor does it give a great crop, especially compared wiih the herds grass. Siill the hay is very excellent, and perhaps not exceeded by any other for its intrinsic value in nutriment. One hundred pounds in early (lower, cut July 17lh, gave Ibrly pounds. The grass, in Ihc answer given to the society called Cambridge, dog and garden grass, is the iriiicum repene. Dr. Elliot calls it the "hurtful blue or Dutch grass." In England it is called couch, knot, or dog grass. Every joint of its root produces a new plant, and it is said to be there, as it is found here, one of the worst weeds and most difficult lo extirpate. It resembles wheat, of which it ia a species. The best mode to destroy it ia lo keep the lands longer under the plough, 126 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. with a frequent use of the hoe, as where this ia !iol done, two years plouiihiii^ only not merely multiplies, but opcusions ii lo eufxross the whole soil. It has a hard woody fihre und is disliked by cattle. It flourishes ino?ily near cow yards, and gardens, and is called Cambridtje, from ils abounding on the salt banks ol' the Cliarles river. One hundred pounds cut July 22ilj in late flower, gave lbriy-ein;lu pounds. The grasses above described are those which prevail in our uplands, and are indigenous liere. They are probably, most oi'tliem what Dr. Elliot, in his Field Husbandry, denominates English K[)ear grass, and speaks of as natural to the soil and more hardy. The. term English has been applied to our upland hay, ever since the settle- ment of the country. These, with the red and wiiite clover, and the varieties which nature, in a course ofcuhure, or otherwise, produces, are what give verdure and feriility to the face of the earth. Of the cultivated grasses, the first in importance is the herds or timoihy grass, phleum pratense (Linnaeus.) Dr. Elliot eays "it is a native, and early discovered in this country by a man of the name of Heard, in Piscataqua." It is doubtless admirably suited to our soil and climate, and not only flourishes in uplands, but may be sowed to advantage in low grounds, especially when drained or raised with gravel or loom. It ofien attains in height five leet, and has been known to produce over four tons to the acre. It does not yield much till the second and third years. For which reason it is sown witli clover, which being biennial and ofshorter duration, gives it space to succeed, in this vicinity, such is the pielerence given to it, that it sells at about one Iburtli more than any other hay. It lasts, with one or two top-dressings, six to seven years. The answers lo the inquiries of the society as to the quantity of seed sown, are two to six quarts. There should not be less seed than half a bushel to an acre, which later experi- ence establishes most decidedly. One hundred pounds cut July llih, gave thirty-nine. Red clover (trifolium pratense) is a most valua- ble grass : when cut green, it affords an excellent nourishment for cattle in the soiling process, as well as lor swine. When made into hay, cattle are exceedingly (ond of it. The flower and leaves are apt to separate from the stem, (or which rea- son great care should be taken that it is not made brittle by too much exposure to ilie sun. It is best cured, as far as may be, in cock, and should be carted after the dew begins to fall. When pro- perly dried, salt is used advantageously, as it may be housed with safety, more green than any other hay. This prevents fermentation and heating, and it is kept in better order. Many in this vicin- ity not only salt their clover, but all other hay. Lord Somerville observes that he "usee half a bushel of salt to a ton, and its benefit surpasses all belief, producing the best possible effect in color, flavor, and general result;" with damaged hay, he says " it is a great restorative." The benefit of salt in the culture of the soil be- ing now BO generally acknowledged, and the use of it 60 necessary lor cattle in the interior or re- mote from the sea coast, it is difficult to assign a reason why its use is not more prevalent. To hind highly manured, two to four pounds of seed in this neighborhood is used. Bt)t in the interior eome apply eight pounds, and many more. One hundred pounds cut July 6lh, gave twenty-five pounds. The white clover (trifolium repens) ia an abid- ing grass, sendinif out roots fi-um every joint, and forming a close mat on the ground, and is very excellent lor pastures. But it is Ibund lo afford so little to tlie scythe as to discourage the culture thereof. One hundred pounds cut June 26th, giive twenty-seven pounds. or the grasses which grow in our meadows two only have been tried. The fowl meadow, which Dr. Elliot supposed to have been brought to Dedham by birds, is said to be the Poa iiemo- ralis, or marsh meadow grass of England. It is an excellent grass and deserving of cul- ture. It is believed, however, to have extended itself more by its shedding its seed early than by any artificial means. One hundred pounds cut Julv 23, give fifty-three pounds. The common grasses of our wet meadows it is believed, are various kinds of carex. This, in all its varieties, is a poor grass, and where the land can be ditched and made to produce a better growth, the means should be taken. It is a bad economy to flood lands with mere water for a long time, to increase a nearly worthless burthen. The effect is to destroy all sweet nuiriiive tender plants. One hundred pounds cut 23d July, gave forty-four pounds. The "marine fox-tail grass." which is the pre- vailing grass of our salt marshes, we receive from nature without knowing how to aid in ils increase. One hundred pounds, cut July 18i!», gave sixty pounds. The black grass (juncus bulhosus) grows prin- cipally where the water is freshened by streams from the uplands. It is the most valuable salt irrass we have, and but little inferior to upland irrass, we know no means of artificial increase. One fiundred pounds, cut July 18ih; gave thirty- eight pounds. We have too far trespassed on the time of the readers to do more than allude to some of those grasses which have been introduced and proved uneuiiable liar our culture. The wild oat grass (Avena elalior) with the rye, ray or darnel grass with which it is said to be confounded, are often seen in our pasture.^ and meadows, but animals seldom touch them. They have a strong woody fibre and afford little nutri- ment, though well spoken of south of us as well as in Europe. The burnet scarcely shows itself for a year and then disappears. The succory has been praised by Mr. Arthur Youn?, that distinguished agriculturist, who sent it to Gen. Washington. It has been introduced here, is disliked by cattle, and has become one of the most troublesome intruders in our fields. These, with the St. Foin and lucerne and many others, have passed away and seem to have ceased with us to excite expectation. Of the orchard grass or cocks-foot (dactylis glomerata) the trials I have witnessed do not enable me to speak so decisively as one of the trustees, Mr. Prince does who approves of it. It may be considered as in a course of experiment. My desire, sir, in the preceding, has been to aid in exciting an attention to the beet means of culture for our grass lands. The process of sow- ing grass seeds was far from universal within the THE FARMERS* REGISTER. 127 lecollpciion of many in \h\s country, ami is la- mentably insnlTident now. Its neglect has been complained oC even in Europe. It lias been roiiietuleij ibat nature would I'urnish according to her own capacity the power ol' increase in tlii.-^ particular. Tlius the eoil was to be llirnished wiih the means oC promoiing vegetation by labor mid art. J3iit here these were to slop, and the Fiirnuiating f)rinciples were lo evaporate and be wasted, and one or two good crops lost in waiting for this slow process. But the blindness of this doctrine is vanishing belbre the litiht and improvement of the present nge. We learn from e.xperience that the earth presents to industry and skill her ceaseless efi'orle, and never pauses but from our neglect. ISubjoined is a table showing the loss of weight in drying grasses. The white clover of 1822, was taken in the shade. That of 1823, from a light warm soil exposed to the sun. The red clo- ver in 1823, was taken in the first year of its pro- duct, in close growth, and for that reason falls Fhort of 1822. The salt grass of 1822, was, I have reason to suppose, a second growth, which accounts for the difference of the two vRfirs. 1822 1823 100 lb?, of green white clover gave — 17A 27 ' ' red clover 27| 25 ' ' herds grass 40 39 ' ' fresh meadow 30 44 ' ' salt grass 39 60 • ' 2d crop or English Rowan 1S| 19 ' ' corn stalks 25 25 ' ' spiked oat grass gave 50 ' ' red top 46 ' ' Rhode Island 40 ' ' couch grass 48 ' ' marine black grass 38 MONTHLY COMMEHCIAL REPORT. For the Farmers' Register. The resumption of specie payments, as noticed last month, was of very short duration. The runs on the United States Bank of Pennsylvania are stated to have reached to about six million dollars, and on the other banks ol' Philadelphia to about an equal sum, when they were obligrd to suc- cumb on the 4ih inst. The banks of Delaware and iVlaryland readily followed the example. Those ol Kichmond declined to do so, as did some of their branches, but in this respect there is no unity of action. It would be impraciicable, of course, for banks to pay specie, whenever de- manded, lor checks based on deposiies of the notes of other banks, or on collections made in other places; and those banks which proless to pay specie, confine such payments to their own issues. They must do this, or refuse deposites of current money, which would be a greater inconvenience to the community than suspension is. This course is pursued by all specie paying banks.* A diff'er- * Being opposed generally to the opinions of our much respected commercial correspondent in regard to banks, it is perhaps enough for us to enter a gene- ral disclaimer, without objecting to any particular passage. Otherwise we should positively oppose the above description of "specie paying banks," as in- ent one ie impracticable, and it is unreasonable to lequire if. This failure of the United States Bank, (for fai- lure it is called,) which lias caused this renewed suspension, and the consequent derangement of money matters, have increased the pressure which previoiiely existed, and which now extends to New York. The depression of some stocks is enormous, lor example, Indiana 6 per cent., 001 Illinois 6 per cent., 54!! United Stales Bank stocks, ^23 I ! !t Vicksburg Bank stock ^5^ ! ! ! 1 Many other stale and bank slocks are greatly depressed, and those of rail roads, and other joint slock companies generally are in a .-imilar condi- tion. Thus the great mass of what were consi- dered secure investments, is unavailable and un- productive, and many persons are deprived of the income on which they relied (or support. In the prices of produce in Virginia, there has been little change during the monih. Tobacco, SI to $8. CoMon, 8^cts. to lO^cts. Flour, ^4^ to ,^4f. Corn, 42cts. io45cts. The recent accounts from Europe (to 4ih inst.) are rather favorable (or cotton and tobacco, but not for flour and grain. The warlike aspect which Europe presented a (<;w months ago, has become pacific, except that the means are retained, without any threat of be- ing used. Even the Celestial Empire is said to have lowered its tone towards Great Britain, find- ing herself worsted in the conflict. An effort has been made to raise a belligerent tone here, but it found no response. Wiihout any preparation (or the encounter, it was worse than idle to raise the shout, and even with preparation, it were folly to act precipitately, belbre resorting to a pacific course. Exchanges m New York are thus quoted. On Boston par. Philadelphia, 4| dis dis. Baltimore, 4 Virginia, 4 N. Carolina, 4-^- Charleston, 3 Savannah, 5 Augusta, 9 London S per cent, premium Feb. 26th. Mobile, 9 N. Orleans, 6^ " Missouri, 9 " Tennessee, 14 " Kentucky, 8.^ " Ohio, 8| " Mississippi, worthless. X. SHELL BIARL FOir&D IN A NEW REGION OF niARYLAND, To tlie Editor of the Fanners' Register. Somerset, Md., Feb. 3d, 1841. I am pleased to be able lo say, that a depoeiie oi' Ibssil shells has been discovered, within a few weeks, in Somerset county, Md., on the farm of Theodore G. Dasheill, esq. 1 have seen and examined a specimen of this shell marl, and although I did not analyze it, from its apfiearance it is fine marl. I have seen much of the shell marl applicable— but which is quite applicable to all the banks of Virginia and other states, (at least south of New York,) which now profess to pay specie, but do- not, and probably never will pay it again, to such extent as to deserve the name of "specie-paying," or their paper being called truly convertible into specie. [En. F. R. fSince, United States Bank stock has fallen to $18i', [Ed. F. R, 128 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. ofTalbot rounty, Md., Rnd recognize thai so re- cently discovered in Somerset to be the same ma- terial. I have been informed that, tlie bed ol marl on Mr. Dashiell's land is about two feet below the eiirlace, and that it is believed to be extensive. This lact is miporlant to be made known lo tlie public. As Proiessor Ducatel, the sta'e geoloiiist, has intimated a belief that if ench deposiies exiet in Dorcester, Somerset and Worcester counties, they lie loo deep lor practical purposes. I have no doubt there is much of the Ibesd shell deposite within our county. I have used lime quite freely on my land, nnd am s^uisfied with the results, and, perhaps, some day I may yive you a lew pages from my memorandum book. This first discovery ofshcil marl in this locality is, indeed, imporlanf, and v;c trust its value will be fully availed of. The promised communica- tions, and any others, from our correspondent, will be very acceptable. — Ed. From the Maine Fanner. We examined a very simple machine the other <1ay for .'^heilins corn, invemed and patented by a Mr. Dinsmore of Vcrmon*. A piece of p!ank, say a loot long and eight or fen inches wide, is made a little concave on one side. This is filled with nai's without heads pro- jecting about a quarter of an inch : at one end a handle projects to take hold of, and at the other is a hole througii which a bolt coes loosely which pins it to another plank of similar size, but made convex, so as to fit the concavity of Ihe other, and also filled with nails as Ihe first one; this fastened firmly to a rude frame and the whole set over a tub or basket. When you wish to shell an ear, you raise the moveable side, put it in, and then bring it (the moveable side) down, pressing the ear gently. One movement downward is cnougli to shell the ear. In this way a bny-power can be much more effectually and economically employed in shelling corn than in an\' other way (or the same amount of expense of apparatus. Mr. Wm. A. Herick of Greene has the patent right for Kennebec county. Any farmer can make one, and every farmer should have one, provided he raises any corn to sell. BONK MANURK IN EKGLAND. From ttie Farmer^' Gazelle. In 1823, bones to the amount of £14 395 were in)poried ; in 1837, they had increased to £254,- 60U. CONTi:KTS OF THE TARMEES REGISTER, KO. II. VOL. IX. ORIGINAL COMMIKICATIO^S. Page. Address of Dr. W. S. Morton, President of ttie Agricultural Society of Ciimberland - 65 Agricultural meetings and discussions - 6S Proposed nnportation of sheep and bogs, and remarks ------- 79 Manuring with purchased marl and lime - 80 Probts oi a Kentucky i'arm - - - - 83 Green-sand in Georgia 86 Preservation of woodland. Cultivation of the locust tree, Sec. . . . ■ - So Kentucky blue-grass, or green-sward. Re- marks on grasses — their botanical and vulgar designations, &.C. 113 The wire grass of Virginia - - - 115 Culture of Indian corn - - . . HQ Experiments with, and observations on green- sand earth, as a manure, on Coggin's Point farm 113 Liming in Fairfax county - - - . 124 Directions foi killing the chrysalides and pre- serving cocoons of silk-worms - - - 124 Monthly commercial repmt - - - . 127 Shell marl found in a new region of Maryland 127 SELECTIONS. Second agricultural raeelingat the State House, Massachusetts 69 Pierlishires no longer B' rksiiires - - . 70 Koban potatoes --.... 71 Raiding pork 72 Pools for water — Rotting hemp - - - 72 | •e crop was tree from blight of every description, and proved a fine sam- ple. And 1 was reminded of this experiment when reading ihe note at page 179 of the Cabinet for January, where it is said that mucii of the in- jury which is placed to the account ofcanker, mil- dew, &c., will, on investigation, prove to originate in the unwholesome supply of i?ttpuri7(/ ol' Ibod: and this, F have no doubt, is the liicl. [n the hope of receiving, through the pages of the Cabinet the inlormalion which I am seeking on this important subject, I am. respectfully, Jacob Smith. Bucks County. We always like the appearance ol'lhe caution, and even distrust, which are ejshibited in flie above article, and very willingly give it a place next to the one preceding it, conveying different views. There is not the least ground left to doubt the great richness and value as manure of human ex- crements ; and if the manure prepared from it is not as valuable, it can only be because the mode of preparation is so defective as to cause much of the rich principles to be wasted in the process ol' desiccation. — Ed. F. R. other time he will work furiously for a whole night, when we would with him to sleep, fie has so many eccentricities, that it is absolutely necessary to employ some management, and con- trivance, l)e!bre wc can fairly depend upon his ser- vices. By the proper use of these restrictions, he may become a valuable farm laborer. 1. If he will pump too much water, so as to drain the well improperly, a ball-cock and return pipe may be fixed, so as to return the surplus water into the well. 2. If he will work all night, the pu.mp may be thrown out of gear, so as to stop it. 3. irhe will sometimes run too fast, a regulator may be so contrived as to equalize the motion. This may be done in several ways. a By means of friction-lock. This may be so fixed that the fiiciion will increase with the sirenrrih of tlie wind. b The wings may turn on pivots, and rest on springs, so as to yield to the increasing Ibrce of a gale, and thus lessen the surfaces exposed to the wind. c The obliquity of the wings may be changed by the centrifugal force of weights, and counteract- ing spring. Or, d The wings may be made to slide on the arms. This mo}' be effected by means of weights eliding on the backs of the arms, and connected by cords with the opposite wings ; the weights must be such, and so adjusted by springs, that as the velocity increases, the centritugal Ibrce will carry them outwards, and draw their respective wings nearer the centre. I would be glad if some com- pettxit person would give us a complete descrip- tion and drawintfs of a vvind pump on Ihe best plan, its dimensions and mode of construction, so as to enable us to have them erected. Aqua Fontana. Chester County. MAKE THE WIND WORK — HO 1 From tlie Farmers' Cabinet. I have lately been gratified to learn that a friend of mine has applied a windraill to his barn pump, for the purpose of raising water lor his stock. It is said to cost only a moderate sum, and to work well — so well that it is likely to come speedily into general use. The plan which he has adopted is said to be essentially the same as was projjosed in the Farmers' Cabinet, vol. 2, p. 162. This means of working a pump seems particu- larly well adapted to the purpose of vvatering stock, and is equally applicable to the barn yard and the pasture-field, whether the water is derived from a well or neighboring stream. The wind, how- ever, is objectionable as a pumper, un\ess closely watched. Some times he wont work at ail- sometimes he will work too fast. At one lime he will lie still, in spite of all our promptings — at an- GLANDERS AKD FARCY. From tlie (London) Sporting Magazine, for January, 1841. The liability of grooms and all persons goin;^ about glandered horses to be infected with those diseases; and prophylactic measures to be had recourse to against their baneful infiuence. The subject of glanders must always be one of lively interest to the hunting and racing sports- man : indeed, when we consider ihe direful con- sequences resulting from that disease when it once breaks out in a valuable stud, we know of no other topic which has a stronger claim upon our attention. A very lew years have elapyed since the allied diseases, glanders and farcy, were considered as belonging exclusively to the horse, the ass, and the mule. The results of scientific inquiry have overthrown that opinion, and have proved that these affections are not confined to the quadru- mina, but that the human sti! ject is as liable to be aflected as either of the animals above-named. It has, moreover, been fully ascertained, that glanders and farcy can be transmitted ff-om man to the horse by inoculation, and vice versa. These are practical truths of much importance to the sportsman, truths w hich cannot be too well or too 132 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. extensively known, as we have lately i=een amply proved and iilusiraied at the " Ecole Veterinaire" o( Alfbit, near Paris. Presiinning that foinc in- formation on these suhjecis would prove iiselid as well as interesting to ihe readers oi' " The Sport- ing Magazine," we propose in the tbllowiug ariicles to lay helbre ihen> a succinct view of liicis and experitnents relating to the disease both in man and in the horse, and, by inlerlardiiig the subject wihsonie incidental matter, we hope lo divest it of liie dryness of detail — in a word, to blend together, as lar as lies in our power, the uiile et dulce. M. Wnldinger, veterinary surg' on at V^ienna, was the first to direct attention to the liability ol man to be atfi'cted with glanders. He stales "that the greatest precauiion is necessary in going about glandered horses, or those that died from glanders or farcy, as the severest injury and even death olten arise from inoculation.'' iVl. Lorin piiblishcil some observations shortly after on the same subject, in which he men'ions that a groom had his fingers affected with inflam- mation in consef]uence of o[)eratinir on a farcied horse: tumors precisely similar to those observed in the horse were soon developed in this man's limbs; they were cut out, anil he was ultimately cured by filling the wounds with small pieces ol lint or cotton steeped in turpentine. Sidon, another veterinary surgeon, published a paper about the same lime, in which he staled that glanders was transmissible fiom the horse to man, causing the worst kind of ulcers; and mentions an instance where a horse took ilie dis- ease from a farrier who had a glandered sore on his hand, which came in coritaci with the animal while he was giving it a ball — boih ilied of the disease. We might multiply instances of a similar bear- ing from Ibreign sources, but these will suffice. We shall now briefly narrate lads which came under our own immediate observation. A groom named Frost slept in a stable at Paris occupied by a glandered horse. Some days after the death of the animal, Prost was attacked wiili the same disease, whicli was characterized by pustular and gangrenous sores over the body, in the nose and thioat. below the ears, on the gfans, and on the leet. He died on the 12 h oi' lust February. On the evening of Prost's death, a small quantity of mailer was cofected on watch glasses from the gangrenous eorcs beneath the ear, on the lore-arm, and from the back and shoulder. A li)undered mare was iinmediately inoculated liy a veterinary surgeon with ihedifle- rent portions of matter. First, at ihe ri^bt ndstril he inoculated ihe mat- ter by ihree punctures, of which two were within the nostril and one external: the two first punc- tures gave rise to a weeping of blood ; but the other produced scarcely any. Second, on the wiiile pan or conjunction of ihe riiiht eye he applied a small ipianiiiy of ihe matter.^ Third, at the imernal and upper part of the right buttock he inoculated the mailer by three punctures. Fourth, at the internal part of the right artnpit he also inserted the matter by three punctures. The left s'de of the animal was inoculated in a similar manner. MM. Leblanc, Dupuy, Vigla, and Desir, gen- iJemen belonging to the Veterinrjry t'ollege, were present at the inoculation of the horse. A diary of the diHerenl resuhs was kept. On the ISih and 14ih no appreciable change could be observed in the state of ihe parts inocu- lated. On ihe evening of the 15:h, at 7 o'clock, slight circular and circumscrilied redness and swelling were observable round the punctures on the right buttock ; at the centre o( the swelling a depression was seen corresponding to each punc- ture : there was a painful swelling in the region of ;he leli buttock where the f;unctures had been made. The circumference of the wings of the left nostril were a little tumefied ; there ooz^d a small quantiiy of [)ale colored fluid from the internal wing; there was also effused a small quantity of serum from the internal wing of the right nostril ; but the circumference of the punc- tures was not so swollen. The pulse was natural, fortv-eiijht pulsations in a minute. On the 16th, at seven in the morning, no changft was observed. In ihe evenins the symptoms of inoculation were beginning to be marked. 17ih. — At eight in the morning the tumefaction of the puni'tures was increased ; the tumors are more hot, harder, and more painful. On the side of the upper lip, near the angle of the mouth, two elevated hands were observed about an inch in thickness, elongated, irregular, and slightly painful. The left eyelids are greatly swollen, and the conjunction red. The air expired by the ani- mal has a disagreeable odor, and the nostrils are snveared with fluid. The pulse still natural; the animal eats well. 18th. — At seven in the morning: the nodulateund to be exacllv Ihe same as those commonly found in glandered animals. Several useful inlerences may be drawn from the foregoing detail. In the first place, it proves beyond a doubt that it was glanders the man died of, as a horse otherwise healthy was impiegnaied with that disease by the inoculation of matter taken from Prost alter death. Every one knows that the horse usually lakes ihe disease, without being inoculated, by cnntogion, as it is called ; but until Ihe foregoing inquiry was instituted, it was THE FARMr:RS- RKGISTER. 133 believed lliat the liunnn pulject coulil not lake Klandeis williout iiioculati"n. Tlie reader will bear in mind iliat ilie man I'rost merely plept in a stable where died a S to his re<.'iment. After the operation, he introduced his hand into the cavity, which was covered with matter, in order to explore the extent of the sore; unlornmately he had at the lime a slic/hi scar or abrasion on the index finger of this hand, which changed its ap- pearance in a few days : it increased in size, be- came very painfiil, and covered with fungus-like growths. The wound was cauterized, but did not heal for three months. Three days after the operation, and a! the same time that the sore on the finger was advanciiiii. M. L. recognized the presence of several painful hard tumors like iho«e of farcy developed at the inside of the left elbow ; soon after, the joint itself became painful and swollen ; an abscess formed, and was opened ; others succeeded ; fistulous sores were established, and to this day the arm is still diseased. Six weeks alter liie operation, the right knee-joint becamlk painful and swollen ; the tutnors here did not break, but the disease attacked the instep and foot, which were swollen and painful ; tumors formed, and soon broke, anil still remain open. M. L. had the assistance of several physicians, but without any success. He alleges that he knew many veterinary surgeons who were affiict- ed with the same unlbnunate malady derived from the same source. The foregoing is an ex- ample of inveterate chronicyj/rcj/. Very recently we have seen in this metropolis two instances of men suffering from farcy and glanders: one was a groom, the oilier a larrier. The former was taking care of a glandered horse, and had a small puncture on one of his fingers* at the time, which soon began to throb, and on examining it found a dark spot round the punc- ture; swelling of the second joint of the same finger soon followed, and thence passed on to his arm : so rapid was it in its course, that he was obliged to cut the sleeve of liis coat to enable him to withdraw the arm at night: this broke and ulcerated, and shortly afier the left leg began to swell and (eel hard and knotty. Although this man suffered from incessant pain and want of sleep, it is worth remarking, that the only thing which seemed to cause him any anxiety was the fear (to use his own expression) that " he had given the disease to a horse that ivas perfectly sound when he v:ent to attend it, but soon became glandered.''' His own suffering seemed to be lost in this idea. These are melancholy details, but is it not better that they sliould be "known? They lead us irresistibly to the following general conclusions— I first, that a man is liable to the infection of glan- ders, a disease liiiherto supposed to l)e peculiar to the horse, the ass, and the mule; — second that larcy, which is only a modificaiion of glanders, miiy co-exist wiih that disease, as lias been proved by inoculating the virus of llie two dis- eases; as with fi^ircy you may |)roduce glanders, and vice versa: — third, that inoculation is not alisoluiely necessary tor the production of glan- ders or fiircy, as sometimes the simple cohabita- tion with glandered animals seems to produce these diseases effectually, from which we are led to infer that it is contagious: — Iburth, tliat glan- ders, in its severe form, seems to be an incurable malady, both in man and the horse. Prophylactic measures, &c. — Although it is very true that sportsmen — that gentlemen them- selves— rarely meddle with glandered horses, it by no means follows that they should not possess information which might l»e nselLiI for tfiose in I heir service who may be obliged to do so ; and as there is no cure lor glanders, every precaution should he taken to guard against that memento mori disease. The following simple measures are tho-e which we can recommend from consi- derable experience. Whenever an animal is suspected of being glandered, the groom or per- son attending it should make a strong solution of alum, and keep it by him in the stable: as often as be lias occasion to go near the horse, to dress his sores, open an abscess, remove the halter, or administer medicine, lie should immerse his hands in the alum solution, and keep them there for some moments; if there is a cut on his hand it should be carefully covered with adhesive plaster previously. This is not a mere quack remedy, and anatomists know that well ; for prior to ex- amining a brain, the most dangerous part of the dead human subject, they use this very remedy in the same way. A'um is an astringent, and by this properly it can (or a certain time stop the pores of the skin of the hand, and consequently prevent any a6sorjDfion of poisonous matter fi-om taking place. Perhaps other astringents, as sulphate of copper, would answer as well, but alum is cheaper, easier managed, less dangerous, and equally efficacious. JKrinexsis. WATERING PLACES — HOOF AIL. From the New Genesee Farmer. Messrs. Editors — In an editorial article in the December number ol"the " Cultivator," page 184, are remarks on the subject of watering cattle in winter, some of which appear to be objectionable. The sentiment to which I refer is, ''that it is no disadvantage to cattle to go a suitable distance to water, but rather a benefit, as promoting circulation in the feet, and thus preventing disease o( the ex- tremities.'" The same idea is advanced in the February number of the same paper, page 22. And putting both articles together, we should con- clude the " suitable distance" lor cattle to travel for their water in winter was from fifty to one hundred rods. And the advantage set forth is the exercise which prevents what is called the hoof ail. " Now it strikes me very forcibly," as thejudgft says. tbRl this course, both in theory and practice, 134 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. is, to say ihe least, somevvliat olijeclionahle. It is I liie opinion of many, that cattle should not be com- ' pellej to go out of their yard forwater ; and the following among other reasons are atlduced. IT water Ciinnot be obtained bycatiie u-iihout travel- ling one fourth of a mile, they will many times Buffer exceedingly lor the want ol' it, rather than go Eo lar lor it. It good fresh watercan be had by them without going out of the yard, they will drinU very much oftener than in the other case, especially in cold weal her. Again. The oldest and sionixest cattle v/ili generally go first to water. When ihey have drunli, they reuirn, and on their way meet oihero in the narrow enow-path, and of course drive them back. In which case, the youngest and most leeble of the herd will have much trouble and vexation in obtaining vv'alerat ail. And again. The amount of manure which is dropped, and for the most part lost, in such case, is very consi- derable in the course of ihe winter, and it is by many farmers esteemed a mailer of no small importance that £[// the manure should be saved. Some say, even, that they may as well vvasie the food of cattle as the food ofplanis. And besides, when cattle go to a spring to drinic, especially if Ihe snow is deep, ihere will generally be great difficulty in reaching the water on account of the bank of snow and ice, unless they siep inio it, which cattle are very unwilling to do. I have seen many watering places where caitle, in order to obtain a drop of waler, were obliged to get down upon their l-s, &c. W. Parsons. Thorn Hill, near Lockporl, Dec, 1840. THE CULTIVATIOIS' OF HEMP IN KENTUCKY. From the Agriculturist. [The following; article, first published in the Com- plete Fanner, was written by the Hon. Henry Clay.] The preparation of the ground for sowing tiie seed is by ihe plough and horses, until the clods are sufficiently pulverized or dissolved, and the surface of the field is rendered even andsmooih. Il should be as carefully prepared as il it were lor flax. This most important point, loo often iie- glectedj cannot be attended to too much. Scarcely any othercroj) better rewards diligence and careful husbandry. Fall or winter ploughing is practised with advantage; it is indispensable in old mea- dows, or old pasture grounds, intended lor pro- ducing he.mp. Plants lor seed are ordinarily reared in a place distinct fi-om that in which ihey are cultivated lor the lint. In this respect, the usage is different from that which is understood to prevail in Eu- rope. The seeds which are intended to repro- duce seeds Ibr the crop of the next year, are eowed in drills about four leet apart. When tiiey catch the seed as ihey shatter out. Afler the seeds are separated, the stalks which bore them beini; too larL'C, coarse, and hari«h, to produce lint, are usually thrown away ; they may be pro- fitably employed in making cliarcoal Ibr the use of powder-mills. In Europe, where the male and female plants are promiscuously grown to- gether in the same field, both (or seeds and for lint, the male stalks are first gathered, and tlie lemale suflered to remain jirowing until the seeds are ripe, whf n they are also gathered ; the seeds secured and lint obtained, after the rotting, li-om both descriptions. After the seeds are thrashed out, it is advisable to spread them on a fioor, to cure properly and prevent their rotting, before they are finally put away for use the next spring. Seeds are not generally used unless they were secured the fall previous to their beinu sown, as it is believed they will not vegetate if older ; but it hai? been ascer- tained that when they are properly cured and kept dry, they will come up after the first year. It is important to prevent them from heating, which destroys the vegetating properly, and lor that purpose liiey should be thinly spread on a sheltered floor. The seeds, whether to reproduce seeds onlv, or ihe lint, are sowed about the same time. Opi- nions vary as to the best period. It depends a Uood deal upon the season. The plant is very tender when it first shoots up, and is affected by frost. Some have sowed as early as the 1st ol' April ; but it is generally agreed, that all the month of May, and about the lOih of it espe- cially, is the most favorable time. An expe- rienced and successful hempgrower, in the neigh- borhood of JLexington, being asked the best tiTne to sow hemp, answered, immediately before a rain. And undoubtedly it is very fortunate to have a moderate rain directly after eowino-. When the object is to make a crop of hemp, the seeds are sown broad-cast. The usual quan- tity is a bushel and a half to the acre ; but here naain the farmers difler, some usinfr two bushels are grown siitTicienily to distinguish between the or even two and a half. Much depends on the male and female stalks, the Ibrmer -are pulled strength and fertility of the soil, and the care and thrown away, and the latter are thinned, j with which it has been prepared, as well as the leaving the stadis separated seven or eight inches from each other. This operation is usually per- formed in the blooming season, when the sexual character of the plants is easily discernible ; the male alone blossoming, and, when agitated, throwing ofl' larina, a yellow dust or flour, whicli falls and co'ors the ground, or any object that comes in contact wiih it. A few of the male plants hnd belter be left, scattered through the drill, until the fariim is completely discharged, Ibr an obvious reason. Bet.veen the drills a plough is run sufficiently often to keep the ground li-ee from weeds and grass ; and between the stalks in each drill the'hoe is employed Ibr the same object. The seed plants are generally cut after the first smart frost, between the 2.5th Sep- tember and the middle of October, and carried to a barn or stack-yard, where the seeds are easily detached by the common flail. They should be gathered after a slight, but before a severe frost ; and, as they fall out very easily, it ie advisable to haul the plants on a sled, and if convenient, when they are wet. If transported season. To these causes may be ascribed the diversity of opinion and practice. The ground can only sustain and nourish a certain quantify ol plants ; and if that limit be pas?ed, the surpfw will be smothered in the growth. When the seeds are sown, they are ploughed or harrowed in ; ploughing in best in old ground, as it avoids the injurious effect of a bealinw rain, and the con- sequent baking of the earth. It would be also be- neficial subsequently to roll the ground with a heavy roller. Af^ter the seeds are sown, the labors of the cul- tivator are suspended, until the plants are ripe, and in a state to be gathered ; every thinor in the intermediate time being left to the operations of nature. If the season be favorable until the plants are sufficiently high to shade Ihe grounds (winch they will do in a few weeks, at six or eight inches' height,) there is strong probability ol a good crop. When they attain that height, but few articles sustain the effect of bad seasons better than hemp. It ie generally ripe and ready to be gfithered on a cart or wagon, a sheet should he t=pread to I about the middle of August, varying according to 1S6 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. the lime of eowing. Some sow at difFerpnt pe- riods, in order thar llie crop may not all lipcn at the same lime, and tliat a press o( labor in rear- ing it may be thus avoided. The raaturiiy of the plant is determined by the evaporaiion of the farina, already noiicrd, and the leaves of the plant exhibiting a yellowish hue : it is then gene- rally supposed to be rii)e, but it is safest to wait a li^vv days longer. Very little attentive observa- tion will enable any one to judge when it is lully ripe. In thai respect it is a very accommcdaling crop, for if gathered a little too soon, the lint is not ma-erially injured, and it will wait the leisure ol' the larmer some ten days or a Ibrtnighl alter it is entirely ripe. Two modes of gathering the plants are prac- overa whole year, before the plants are exposed" to be rotted. By rrniaining that period in sialics, ihp plants iro through a s\veat, or some other pro- cess, that improves very much the appearance, and, 1 believe, the quality of the lint, and this improvement lully compensates the loss ol time in bringing it to market. TI.e lint has a soft texture and a lively hue, resembling water-rotted hen)p ; and I once sold a box of it in the Bidii- mcre market at the price of Russia hem)). In every oiher respect, the plants are treated as if they were not Kept over a year. 'i'he method ofdew-roiling is that which ia Generally practised in Kentucky. The lint so spread i.s not so good lor niany purposes, and especially for rigging and ships, as when the Used, one by pulling them up by the roots, an { plants have been rolted by immersion in water, or easy operation by an able-bodied man, and the other by cutting them about two inches (the nearer the belter) above i he sarliace ol the trround. From a quarter to a third of an acre is the com- mon task of an average laborer, whether the one or the other mode is practised. The objections to pulling are, that the plants with their roots re- maining connected with them, are not afterwards so easily handled in the several operations which they must undergo ; that all parts ol' the plant do not rot equally and alike, when expo>ed to the dew and rain: and, fmally, that belore you put ihem to the brake, when the root should be sepa- rated from the stalk, the root drags oH' with it some of the lint. The objection to cutting is, that you lose two or three inches of the best part of the plant nearest the root. Pulling being the most ancient method, is most generally practised. ] prefer, upon the whole, culling ; and 1 believe the number who [irefer it is yearly increasing. When pulled, il is done with the hand, which is better for the protection of an old leather glove. The laborer catches twenty or thirty plants toge- ther, with both hands, and by a sudden jerk draws them without much difficulty. The operation of cutting is performed with a knile, ollen made out of an old scythe, resembling a sickle, though not so long, but broader. This knile is applied much in the same way as the sickle, except that the laborer stoops more. Whether pulled or cut, (he plants are carefully laid on the ground, the evener the better, to cure; which they do in two or three days, in dry wea- ther. A light rain falling on tliem whilst lying down is thought by some to be beneficial, inas- much as the leaves, of which they should be deprived, maybe easier shaken off or detached. When cured, the plants are set up in the field in which they were produced, in shocks of conve- nient size, the roots or lust-ends resting on the ground, and the lops uuiied above by a band made of the plants themselves. Previous to putting them up in shocks, most cultivators tie the plants in small hand bundles of such a size as that each can be conveniently held in one hand. Before the shocks are lormed, the leaves of the plants should be rapidly knocked otl with a rough paddle or hooked stick. Some sufler the plants to remain in these shocks until the plants are spread down to be rotteil. Others, again, collect the shocks together as soon as they can command leisure, (and it is clearly the best,) and form them into stacks. A k\v farmers permit these stacks to remain as it is generally termed, water-rotted. The greater value, and consequently higher price of the article, prepared in the latter way, has induced more and more of our firmers every year to adopt it ; and if that prejudice were subdued, which every American production unlbrtunately encounters wlien it is first introduced and comes in contact with a rival Eurofiean commodity, I think it probable that in a few years we should he able to dispense altogether with Ibreign hemp. The obstacles which prevent the general practice of water-rotting are, the want of water at the best season for the operation, which is the month of September; a repugnance to the change of an old habit ; and a persuasion, which has some Ibundation, that handling the plants after their submersion in water during that month is injurious to health. The first and last of these obstacles would be removed by wafer-rotting enrly in the winter, or in the spring. The only dilference in the operation, performed at those seasons and in the month of September, would be, that the plants would have to remain longer in soak be- fore, they were sufRcieniiy rotted. The plants are usually spread down to be dew- rotted from the middle of October to the middle of December. A farmer who has a large crop on hand puts them down at difltirent limes for his convenience in handling and dressing them. Autumnal rotting is more apt to ffive the lint a dark and unsightly color than winter rolling. The best ground to expose the plants upon is meadow or grass land, but they are not unfrequentfy spread over the same field on which they grow. The length of time they ought to remain exposed depends upon the degree of moisture and the temperature of the weather that prevail. In a very wet and warm spell five or six weeks may be Ions enough. Whether they have been sufficiently rotted or not is determined by experi- ment. A handful is taken and broken by the hand or applied to the brake, when it can be ea- sily ascertained, by the facility with which the lint can be detached from the stalk, if il be pro-, perly rotted. If the plants remain on the ground too long, the fibres lose some of their strength though a few days longer than necessary, in cold weather, will not do any injury. If they are taken up too soon, that is, beiore the lint can he easily separated from the woody pan of the stalk, it is harsh, and the process of breaking is difficult and troublesome. Snow-rolling, that is, when the plants, being spread out, remain long enough to rot, (which however requires a greater length THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 137 ol time,) bleaches the lint, improves the qualiiy, and makes il nearly as valuable as if it had been waicr-rottod. After the operation of rotlinfr is performed, the plants are again collecied togeiher, jjiit in shocks or stacks, or, which is still belter pnt under a shed or some covering. When it is designed to break and dress them immediately, they are freciuenily set np against some neighboring fence. The best period for breaking and dressmg is in the months of February and March, and the best sort of weather, frosty nights and clear lliawing days. The brake cannot be used advantageously in wet or moist weather. It is almost invariably used in this state out of doors and without any cover; and to assist i's operation, the laborer often makes a large fire near it, which serves the double purpose of dr3'inij the plants and warming himself It could not be used in damp weather in a house without a kiln or some other means of drying the stalks. Tlie brake in general use is the same liand brake whicli was originally introduced and has been always employed here, resembling, though longer than the common flax brake. It is so well known as to render a particular description of it, perhaps, unnecessary. It is a rough contrivance, set upon lour legs, about two and a half feet hiirh. Tlie brake consists ol two jaws with slits on each, the lower jaw hxed and immovable, and the upper one movable, so that it may be lifted up by means of a handle inserted into a head or block at ihe front end of it. The lower jaw has three slats or teeth, made ol' tough while oak, and the upper two, arranged approaching to about two inches in front, and in such manner that the slats are about six or seven (eet in lengih, six inches in depth, and about two inches in thickness in their lower edges; they are placed edgewise, rounded a little on their upper edges, which are sharper than those below. The laborer takes his stand by the side of the brake, and grasping in his left hand as many of the stalks as he can conveniently hold, with his right hand he seizes the handle in ilie head of the upper jaw, which he lifis, and throwing the handlLiI oi" stalks be- tween the jaws, repeatedly sirikes them by lilting and throwing down the upper jaw. These suc^ cessive strokes break the woody or reedy part ol the stalks into small pieces or shoes, which (all oft during the process. He assists their disengage- ment by striking ihe handfiil against a stake^or with a small wooden paddle, uniil the lint or bark is entirely clean, and completely separated from the Avoody particles. After the above operation is performed, the hemp may be scutched, to sofien il, and to strengthen the llireads. That process however, is not thoufht to be profitable, and is not therelbre generally j^er- ibrmed by the grower, but is leli to the nianufaciure-r, as well as that of beating and hackling it. Scutch- ing is done by thelaboi'or taking in his left hand a handful of the lint, and grasping it firmly; then laying the middle of it upon a semi-circular notch or a perpendicular board of the scutching-frame, and striking with the edge of the scutch tliat part ol the hni which hangs down on the board. After giving It repeated strokes, he shakes the handful of lint, replaces it on a notch, and continues to strike and turn all parts of it, until it is sufficiently cleansed, and the fibres appear to be even and Btraifiht, The usual dnily task of an able-bodied hand at the brake is eiixhty pounds weight ; but there is a greater diflierence not only in the state of the wea- iher and the condition of the stalks, produced by the greater or less degree in which they iiave been rotted, but in the dexterity with which ihe brake is emfiloyed. Some hands have been known to break li'oni one hundred and filly to two hundred pounds per day. The laborer ties up in one common l>uiidle the v/ork cl one day, and in ihis state it is taken to market and sold. From what has been mentioned, it may be inferred, as the lact is that the hemp of some growers is in a much belter condition than that of others. When it has been carelessly handled or not sufficiently cleansed, a deduction is made Irom ihe price by the |)urchaser. It is chiefly bought in our villages, and manufac- tured into cotton bagging, bales, and other kinds of unlarred cordage. Ttie price is not unilorm. The extremes have been as iow as ihiee and n,s high as eight dollars (or the long hundred, the customary mode of selling it. The most general price during a term of many years has' been Irom lour to five dollars. At five dollars it com- pensates well the labor ol' the grower, and is considered more profitable than any thing else the farn er has cultivated. The quantity ol net hemp produced to the acre is from six hundred to one thousand weight, v;iry- ing according to the lerliiily and preparation of the soil and the slate of the season. It is said ihal the quantity which any field will f)roduce may be anticipated by ihe average height of the plants throughout Ihe field. Thus if Ihe plants will ave- rage eight feet in height, the acre will yield eight hundred weight of hemj); each foot in height corresponding to a hundred weight of Ihe lint.° Hemp exhausts the soil slowly, if at all. An old and successful cultivator told me that he had ta- ken thirteen or Iburteen successive crops Irem the same field, and ihat the last was the best. That was, however, probably owing to a concurrence of favorable circumstances. Nothing cleanses and prepares the earth better for other crops (es- pecially lor small grain or grasses) than hemp. It eradicates all weeds, and when it is taken ofl', leaves the field not only clean, but smooth and even." IMPROVED BUEED OF HOGS. From tlio Kentuclvv KarintT. There has l)een much controversy in Kentucky in reference to the relative merits of the various breeds of improved hogs; and the subject has in- deed engendered some of the spirit ofpartizan- ship. It is not our purpose to take a side in the controversy; being determined to deal with the utmost impartiality towards the advocates of each of ihe various breeds. Our object shall be, in conducting this paper to take such a course as will serve to bring out tUefacfs referring to the merits of all subjects in which the farmer is inter- ested. While we deem an honest collision of sentiment favorable to the investigation of truth ; we deprecate that parlizan epirit which has an exceedingly keen vision in looking at one side of a subject and is utterly blind in viewing the other. Long ago, and repeatedly since, we proposed a test f)y which the relative merits of the various breeds of hogs could be satisfactorily ascertained ; and that was, to rear a large number of each 138 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. breed, under the usual mode of treatment which the county is compelled to adopt, nolintf carclully all the lacls involved in the ex[)erinicnt. When this proposition was first made, it was ohjected, that the demand for blooded pigs, for breeders, was loo great to allow a sufficient number of them to be devoted to the experiment. The "pitr busi- ness" is indeed too profitable to be abandoned for ihe sake of makintr experiments and we have strong doubts whether any of the prominent breeders of the various vaunted breeds can ever be induced to go iuto such an experiment as is proposed. But the object can be efl'ected in spite of them and without their co-operation. JNlany farmers have purchased blooded pigs, not (or the purpose of going into the "pig business," but of improving their stock; and they will rear their pro- geny ; not under the siufilng and gorging system, but in the usual way, and the results of such treat- ment will indicate the best breeds. It cannot be long till we shall have reports of practical experi- ments, showing the entire treatment, the ages, the amount of food consumed, the weights attained, travelling qualities, &c. &c. This is the kind of information we have sought to elicit, because we believe it the only satisfactory kind. We have some facts, relating to various breeds, which we take the liberty of gleaning from our private correspondence, believing that the writers can have no objection to their publication. The facts are interesting in themselves and may lead to th^ develo| ement of others more explicit and satis- factory. We begin with the statement of an experiment by rvir. B^ P. Gray of Woodlbrd, made in the usual practice of rearing hogs. It will be recol- lected that we published an experiment (Vol. 3, p. 142,) of this gentleman upon half blond Thin rinds, highly favorable to that breed. The pre- sent experiment relates to some pigs by an Irish boar out of hall blood Thin rind sows, and a com- parison between ihem and some pigs of scrub breed. The result will astound two classes of men, — those who deny the great superiority of blood and those who all'ect to ridicule the Irish and Thin rind hogs, for neither of them are now considered the "fashionable" breed. We have the notes belbre us furnished by Mr. Gray and no one who knows him will doubt the correctness of his statements. And it is proper to say that he is not a " pig dealer;" his hogs were reared and killed for the use of his own family ; and no one must regard this notice either as a "puff or an cdv^ertisement in disguise." He killed 46 hogs last fall. Of these, 22 were scrubs, pigged in October, 1839; the residue were out of hall blood Thin rind sows by an Irish boar, 22 of them pigged in January 1S40. and the other two pigged in October 1839 about the time of the scrubs. The scrub pigs were well wintered in the usual way; and as soon as the blooded pigs were weaned, the whole 46 were turned together and well treated. The clover was good but the rye was very indifferent [nobody grew good rye last summer.] The whole were put up together in a pen on the 15th Sept. 1840, to be fattened on corn. Now mark the result. The 22 blooded pigs, pigged in January 1840, plaufhlered November 19, ten months old, weigh- ed neat, 5120 pounds, being an average of 232 pounds each, neat. The 22 scrubsj pigged in October 1839, slaugh- tered December 17, near a month later, when four- teen months old, weighed neat, .3930 pounds, be- ing an average of 178 pounds each, neat. So the scrubs, lour months older, and fed on corn near a month longer, averaged each 54 pounds less than the average of the blooded pigs. The two blooded pigs, pigged about the same time of the scrubs, and killed a month sooner, weighed respectively 306 and 298 pounds, neat. The heaviest blooded pig weighed, neat, 296 pounds, the lightest, 193 ; t he heaviest scrub, 206, lightest, 104. These facts need no comment; they speak for themselves and every farmer can make his calcu- lations as to the relative value of blooded and common pigs. The scrub pigs were considered of good slock ; and we presume the weights they attained will prove them equal to the average of common hogs. Mr. Joseph Reed, of Montgomery county, had 6 pigs, pigged afiout the fiist of April, by Dr. Combs' Berkshire boar, out of a common sow, which averaged 175 lbs. neat, killed about the middle of November, when seven and a half months old — ordinary treatment. We will now quote from a letter by Dr. Martin, dated Dec. 7, 1840. He is a distinguished breeder of cattle and various breeds of hogs, but is un- derstood to be an advocate of the Woburn hog;: "Now for avoirdupois. I sold to Henry Savory, five hogs of Woburn blood, that were two and three years old — three year olds had been used as boars. No. 1, weighed 640 lbs ; No. 2, 630 ; No. 3, 660 ; No. 4, 748; No. 5, 824. 7^ oflf each for weight of breeching — I have sent this to the Kentucky Farmer. " I had some pigs, pigged 23d of last December ; they were kept with their mother, after some cat- tle, until April, when they were turned on grass, and Ist July upon rye that was less than two bushels to the acre, (what was cut and I cut the best of it,) after which about a hundred were turned upon a stubblefield and they had access to an apple-orchard of one hundred trees, winter fruit, very little down until a storm 3d October. They stayed here until put up to fatten and were killed 17tli November and weighed neat meat 261. These were the refuse of the Woburns — I don't know what the best would have done. I killed a pig, a little older than Gov. Wicklifte's boar which was pigged 14th February, with same kind of ireatiTient as the last, that weighed 250 lbs. neat. I killed a refuse pig, much Ihe least in the litter, pigged 14th May, half white Berkshire and half Woburn— killed Nov. 17, that weighed 110 neat meat. The best of this litter, I think, (a mere ma'- terofopiiiian,)wouldhave weighed 200 lbs. each." The statement in reti>rence to the big hogs, so far as relates to the expense of their keep, the quantity of food consumed, and the length of time they were fully fed, is about as definite and satis- factory as the phrase— "big as a piece of chalk." And the Doctor had been more satisfactory, in reference to the pigs, had he stated the length of time they were corn fed. Our next quotation is from a letter by A. B. Allen, Esq., of Buffalo, New York, a diaiinguish- ed breeder and advocate of Berkshire hoffs, under date, Columbus, Ohio, December 9, 1840 ; and we are glad to find one so eminent, concurrmg in our views as to the proper mode of ascertainmg the real merits of the various breeds : THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 139 «' But to return to Berkshires. I know tlint j der date December 23, but with no view of its the VVoburiis can beat ihe present Bcrkshires* in wei^jht at s;ime age, but that is nolhiiij:lit, unless you use the lulloivinir precaution, ilis ten to one an ordinary candle will gutter away in an hour or two, s^omeliines to l!ic endangering the salety of the house. Tills may be avoided by placing as much common salt, finely powdered, as will reach from the tallow to the bottom of the lilack part of the wick of a partly burnt candle, wlien, if llie same be lit, it will burn very slowly, yielding sutficient light lor a bedchamber; the salt will gradually sink as the taliovv Is consumed, the melted tallow being drawn through the salt, and consumed in the wick. — £conomist. A CHBMICATv AND GKOIOGICAt- ACCOUNT OF THE SHOCCO SPRINGS. For the Farmers' Register. The followirig account ol'a spring, once in high repute and still the liivorite resort of tl;e elite oC North Carolina, will, it is presumed, [)Os>ess suffi- cient Interest to juslily lis publication. This sprins is situated In Warren county, North Carolina, and is the source of one ol the rumor tributaries ol' Tar Kiver. It rises in a talco-micaceous slate, belonying to a class oC rocks generally considered primary, and hence referred to an igneous origin. Ills however contended, by a modern school of geologists, that this class of formations was origi- nally deposited from water, and subsequently altered by heat, they are hence called meta/nur- phic rocks. Of the truth of*this theory, trium|)h- ant proof is atibrded by the band ol rock5liocco spring, belongs to the class ol sulphurelled waters, as, in addition to the solid ingredients mentioned below, it contains sulphuretted hydrogen ; which, thouoh not evolved in sufficient quantity to be perceptible to the eye, is evident, both tu the taste and smell, and was proved to be present by chemical tests. From the want of the requisite apparatus at the springs, the amount of sulphuretted hydrogen could not be ascertained, and owing to lis gaseous nature could Vol. IX.— 10 0.8 grs. 1.4 u 9.3 (( 3.4 (I 0.2 (( not be preserved fJir analysis elsewhere. The spring Is generally free from deposiie ol every kind ; in one instance alone, was a small deposite of the white hydrate of sulphur detected, |)ossessing the usual singular arborescent form, which, it is said by Professor Daubeny of Oxiord, is causrd by lis being deposited upon a peculiar vegetable flin- giliirous substance, to which he gives the name of glairine. Shocco. 1 gallon of water contains of Muriate of soda 7.234 grs. Sulphate of soda 1.041 " Sulphate of lime 51.370 "' Carbonate of lime* 8.555 " Muriate of alumina a trace. Phosphate of alumina a trace. t Total, ■ 68.200 " Temp. Sept. G(h, 1840. 59 degrees. Bath. 1 pint of water contaius of Carbonate of lime Sulphate of soda Sulphate of lime Muriate of soda Silica Oxide of iron a (race. • Total, 15.1 " To show the close resemblance in composition of this spring to the Bath water, (England,) so celebrated lor its medicinal virtues, the analysis of the latter by the celebrated Phillips, is annexed. The (brthcoming work of my friend, Professor Wm. B. Rogers, on the Virginia Springs, will afiord a comparison with the springs of that state. Experience has proved this water to be a stimulant tonic. Aperient, cathartic, diuretic, diaphoretic, emmenagogueand alterative. Most of these pro- perties would naturally be expected from the re- spective medical qualities of the dlHerent ingre- dients contained in the water. Some of the enu- merated properties cannot be thus accounted for. This, however, is by no means rare, as mineral waters frequently possess medical properties whicli cannot be referred to either of the contained in- gredients, and which do not belong to the artificial mixture of them ; although the imitation may accurately represent the natural compound, both in the nature and relative amount of the ingredi- ents. It Is this which renders natural waters t- it a temperature so singnlarly independent of all those influences which usually determine the temperature of ter- restrial bodies — a temperature upon which the summer's heat, neither in ordinary nor unusually long and intensely hot seasons, exerts the slightest influence. The solution 1 conceive is to be found in the large and unusual collection of rocks, which liom their porous, homogeneous texture, are ex- tremely poor conductors of heat. By reference to the fbrev llie bad conductint^ sides oftlic relrigeralrtr. The Ice IMnuntain only requires lor ilie ox|)ianalion of its plienomenon, the application of the familiar principle npon wliieii is cnnslrncted the comnion roCritrerator, which, by the t)ad cotiductinir nature of its side*^, temporarily ed'ects what the Ice JMounlain per- manently does ; a (pmperature independent olall exiernal causes. 'I'he Ice Mountain is in ("act a hufje sandstone relriirerator, whose increased and unusual effects beyond those of the ordinary re- I'riiierator, arc due to the increased and unusual collection of poor conducting materials, whicii form its sides. Similar, ihoujjh in'erior, accumulations to that of the Ice Mountain, lixm geolos^ical causes un- necessary here to explain, frequently occur in Hampshire, and the adjoininor counties. Obser- vation in every instance showed them to, have a temperature (ar below that of the surrounding at- mosphere. That this low temperature is perma- . pent, is proved by the universal custom of persons residing in the vicinity of these accumulations, so constructing their dairies that three of their sides are enclosed by th^ rocks in the same manner as the one already mentioned at the Ice Mountain. Even a thin layer of poor conducting materials affords a much greater protection than would be anticipated by those whose attention had not' been called to the subject. The means resorted to by the shepherds of Mount Etna, for supplying their flocks with water, exhibits the protecting influence of a sliglit covering of bad conducting materials. The shepherds, during the winter, cover the enow with a layer of volcanic sand and ashes a few inches in thickness, which perfectly protects it from the sun, and preserves it throughout the fummrr, thus affording them an abundant supply of water for their flocks where it could be obtained from no other source. A still more interesting and striking proof of the perfect isolation from external causes, by a poor conducting covering, is attested by the fact, that a large glacier of ice and snow was over- flowed by a stream of hot lava from Mount Etna, without being destroyed.* The ire ihus covered by the lava was protected by it from the sum- mer's heat, and continues thus preserved to the present day. This can only be explained by sup- posing that the lower poriion of ihe lava current immediately upon its contact with the ice, was re- duced to liie temperature ol the glacier, and that this reduced stratum, from its imperfect power of conducting heat, protected the ice from the hot lava above.! Whatever may be the explanation of it, or however paradoxical it may appear, the flict is attested by too high authorities to be doubted. Public attention was first called to this interesting fact in 1828, when the discovery was made by Signor Gemmellaro, in searching afier ice. It has been subsequently examined by Lyell and other distinguished geologists, who confirm the report of Signor Gemmellaro. Excavations made for removing the ice, have exposed the lava for several yards, overlying the glacier, and so su- per-imposed, that the relative position of the lava and glacier can only be accounted for by supposing that the latter was overflowed by the fjrmcr, in a molten stale. Monte Testaceo may be instanced ac= presenting a phencmienon more strictly parallel with that of the Ice Mountain, and as aflbrdin"' a happy illustration of the principle so fre(jucntly alluded to. Monte Testac(«) is situated in one of the suburban r/(wf ofKome. It is merely a large mound, composed of fragments of earthenware vases and urns, and is snp|)oeed to mark Ihe site of an extensive ancient poller}-. _ This accumu- lation of bad conducting materials preserves a uni'orm leniperaiure, many degrees below the mean temperature ol the climate, and on this ac- count artificial cavities formed by digging in the sides of the hill are used as wine vaults.* In July, 1773, Prof. Pic.tei Ibund by observation the temperature of one of the caves to he 44"^, while that of Ihe external atmosphere v/as 78°. If this comparatively small accumulation produces tliis effect in Kome, where the mean temperature is 60°, it can readily be conceived that the still greater accumulation at the Ice Mountain, would produce a similar but increased efl"ect in a climate wliere mean temperature is but 51 or 52°. f In endeavoring to elucidate the phenomenon of the Ice Mountain, the eflect resulting from the bad conduciins power of the rocks has alone been considered. Their nature as absorbents of heat should also be estimated, as from their dull white color most of the heat would be renec:ed, leavintr but a small portion to be absorbed by the rocks! It should also be borne in mind, that the air, im- mediately in contact with the ice, would be, Irom iis low temperature, specifically heavier than Ihe exiernal atmosphere, except in midwinter, and could only be replaced by atmosphere heavier than iiself, wfiich would necessarily he colder. It hence follows that the ice could only be allected by the hot air of summer, so far as its heat is conducted by the surrounding rocks, which, as will appear liom the foregoing explanations, must be very in- considerable. These remarks and the examples adduced, will, it is presumed, suflicienily illustrate the proposed explanation of Ihe low temperaUire of the Ice Mouniain. Should this rxftlanation prove unsatisfactory, it may at least serve to in- vile attention to ^he sul'ject, and elicit a more sa- tisliictory solution from abler sources. C. B. Hayden. Smithfidd, March 1st, 1841. *Lyell's Geology, Volume 2nd, page 124. t Lava, from its open vesicular texture, i tremely bad conductor of heat. BIODES OF MEASURING GRAIN. To tlie Editor of tlie [''arnicrs' Register. i:disto Island, S. C, March 1st, 1841. In the Southern Agriculturist of May, 1834, I published a " rule for ascertaininir the quaniity of shelled corn in a house of any given dimensions." I perceive, in your last number, that this rule has been referred to, by a wriicrin ihe Kentucky Farm- er, Mr. John Lewis. He admits ihal it is simple, and of easy application, but suggests that it can- not be accurate in cases where a given measure of corn in the ears, turns out, when shelled, less or more than half of that measure. The gentle- man is right ; the rule is derived from arithme- tical principles, and, so far, is correct, but il ope- * Jameson's Philosophical Journal, t Deduced from ob.sprvations on the temperature of thi^ .spring.s. 154 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. rales upon the presumption, ihai a bushel of corn in the ears, will turn out iiall' a bushel of shelled corn. Where this is not ihe case, it can, how- ever, be modified, and the true quantity ascer- tained. The follovving is ihe process: Measure off, accurately, ten or more level bushels oi' ear corn, (the (rieater the quantity the smaller will be the error) ; shell the same, and by correct mea- surement, determine what proportion it bears to the corn in the ears. Suppose, ibr instance, that it is ascertained that the lot of corn turns out 22 quarts ol'shelled, to the bushel of ear corn.^ Fmd the cubic contents in Ceet, by multiplying the length, breadth and depth of the bulk to be mea- sured, together; multiply the product by 8, and cut oti' the right hand figure, (not the two right hand figures, as slated by Mr. L.) At this period of the operation, we have ascertained the num- ber ofbushes ofear-corn, and the rule would apply with perlect accuracy, in the measurement ol wheal, rye, oats, or grain in bulk; the figures on the left hand are the nuniber of bushels, that on the right liand, the decimal of a bushel. To reduce this quantity to shelled corn, we now make use of the prof)orlion established above. Multiply the figures on the lelt hand, (rejecting the decimal as unimportant,) by 22, and divide by 32, the xiumber or quarts in a bushel; the quoiient will be !he number ol' bushels in the bulk. In a bulk of ear corn which measures 12 feet in length, 11 in breadth, and 6 in depth, there will be Ibund, by the above calculation, 633 bushels and 6 tfnths ol'ear corn, or 435 bushels and 6 quarts ol'shelled ^orn. JSxample. 12 11 132 6 792 cubic feet. 633.6. 22 32 1 13926 435 bushels, 6 quarts. In this spciion of the country, the bushel of ear corn will yield about half a bushel of shelled corn; accordingly, adopt the rule given in Ihe Southern Agriculturist. It is the same in princi- ple as that given above, but is more expeditious in practice, owing to our being able to arrive at the result by simply mulliplying the cubic con- tentSj when found, by the decimal 4. Thus, 792 cubic leet, 4 316.8 Three hundred and sixteen bushels and eight tenths. VVm. M. Murray. out of certain refuse and waste animal substances. He has established a manufactory near Vienna : no part of ihe process is explained ; but it is stated that the substance is at one stage in a stale of fluidity, and may then be cast into boots, ghoeJ, &c. — Bristol Mirror. LIQUID LEATHER. Dr. Beruland, of Larria, in Germany, is said to have discovered a method of making leather A NEW AND SUCCESSFUL BIODE OF GUARDING PEACH TREES FROM THE WOR3I. ^ To the Editor of tlic Farmers' Register. Fincastle, Va., Feb. 27th, 1S41. Although my name is not on the list of your subscribers, I have had the satisliaction of reading some of the valuable articles which appear in your journal. Though unacquainted with 5'ou personally, a^ I !eel some interest in your periodi- cal, I will lake the liberty ol' introducing myself) by giving a brief sketch of an experiment I have made, with success, on the peach tree; and if you deem it of any importance, or worthy the notice of your readers, you can give publicity to it. As I consider the peach the most delicious fruit of our latitude, I have long since thought it a de- sideratum that it should be made independent of the destructive worm which* kills the tree. 1 thought it practicable; and it occurred to me that there was in reach an antidote for the enemy to that luxurious growth. Having observed, in the practice of medicine, that the cedar berry was a powerful vermifuge, I transplanted cedar scions and peach scions together six years since, in the following manner: I set one of each in a hole, with the roots entangled and set close together, believing that Ihe strong odor peculiar to the cedar would prove offensive and sickening to the worm, and thereby prevent its approach to the peach tree. Every circumstance seemed to con- spire in favor of ihe experiment ; there was no danger of the peach tree being choked by the cedar, because the former is a rapid, whilst the latter is of very slow growth. The peach scions bore ihe second year, and have put forth iheir leaves as black as a cloud every season, and bore most luxuriantly every season, until Ihe last, which was the sixth year. I have set out a number since, in the same way, which are all flourishing. I think a soil should be selected much mixed with sand, in order to prove successful. VVm. N. Anderson. DRAINING. From tlie Farmers' Cabinet. iSiV; — A friend has put into my hands a pam- phlet on draining, and deep ploughing, by- Smith, of Deanston, the inventor ol the subsoil plough. It is an interesting work, on subjects that have, hitherto, shared but little of our regard, but which are of the highest importance ; Ibr, if we wish to better our condition, we must adopt that mode of management by which England has been enabled to support a population the increase of which has been in the proportion of one third, in a very short space of time, and without which this never could have been accomplished. The work naturally divides itsell'inio two parts, first, draining; second, subsoil ploughing; which, although closely connected, in beneficial results, THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 155 are not, ol' necessity, depentlcnt on each other, as either the one or ilie other may be adopted sepa- rately, with decided advaniaf^e. But it must he conliessed, there arc, to appearance, serious dil- ficuiiies to the introduction of either at present, to the extent there proposed, if it be only on liie ecore ofexpense, lor lew persons would be in- (iuced to incur an ouilay of Ibriy-five dollars per acre lor draining, and six dollars an acre lor one subsoil ploughing in cotiteniplation of I'ulure re- muneration ; such inanagenieni must, lor a sea- son at leasi, be confined to men ofcapital and am- ple resources. Smith's system of draining is novel ; and it is introduced to no'ice by disparaging that of Klk- ington, wliich has, lor many years past been considered as the most perlect that could be de- vised ; and the author ol the new system admits that many inieliigent men still advocate and prac- tise that mode, which is, to carry the drains across the declivity, cutting oH Ihe s|)rings before iJiey rise to the surface, by which, when they are judiciously laid out, one deep cut has been known to supersede.the necessity of dozens when conducted according to the old mode — in lact, one drain has been known to draw off' the water from many acres of wet land, a mile or more distant. But by the new mode adopted by Mr. Smith, every field upon the larm, whether wet or dry, or whatever be its subsoil, be it never so porous, is drained at regular intervals, from a distance of ten leet only between the cuts, up to Ibrty ; by two leet and a half to three leet in depth, all car- ried down the declivity, instead of across it ; which, to any one accustomed to the practice of draining, will appear novel indeed ! He says, " it has been pretty generally believed and argued, that drains laid off, in this manner, on a steep, will not be so effectual in catching water ; but this notion can be shown to be erroneous. Drains drawn across a steep, cut the strata, or layers of subsoil, trans- versely ; and as "he stratification generally lies in sheets, at an angle to the surface, the water, pass- jngin or between the strata, immediately below the bottom of one drain, nearly comes to the surface belbre reaching the next lower drain ;* but as wa- ter seeks the lowest level, in all directions, if the strata be cut longitudinally, by a drain directed down the steep, the bottom of which cuts each stratum to the same distance from the surface, the water will flow into the drain at the intersecting point of each sheet, or layer, on a level wiih the bottom of the drain leaving a uniform depth of dry soil." Now, it is reasonable to ask what is to prevent the water which rises to the surface by these " strata which lie in sheets, at an angle to the eurlace," at the top of a declivity between these drains, from flowing down to the bottom, if there be not a cross drain to receive and conduct it away 1 To be sure, it might be argued, that if drains are but ten feet apart, the distance for the water to flow to find them will be but five feet, at any given point ; but as water always seeks the lowest level, which is at the bottom of the declivity, it is natural to ex- pect that it will make its way thither directly down the hill, without turning either to the right or left ; and this has often been witnessed where * But this will not happen if the drains are conduct- ed, as he proposed, at the distance of ten feet only apart. drains have been injudiciously placed ; indeed, it is novel to propose to drain a spouty hill, by carry- ing drains (ioty/i the declivity, instead ol across it. And as to the lear of "the water |)assing in or between the strata, immediately below the bottom of one drain, nearly con)ing to the surlace belbre reaching the next lower drain," any regu- lar drainer knows, upon inspection and examina- tion, the |)roper disiance at which to lay olf his drains across the hill, to prevent all that. It is novel to find it proposed to drain every acre of the larm, without regard to soil, situation, or state of moisture ; and many will consider it a waste of labor, and expense, and by no means necessa- ry. Ii is indeed strange to find any one advocat- ing the drainage of" beds of open sand and gra- vel," but so says the. book. "In the natural cir- cumsiances of the soil on the surface of the earth, the drainage is extremely various, from that of the light, dry loam, incumbent on deep beds of open sand or gravel, lo that of the thin, sterile crust ol'soil resting on massive beds of impervious till : in the former, there is no water springing to thai soil Ironi below, and whatever falls upon the surface in Ihe shape of rain, is instantly absorbed, and passes through the sand, or gravel, to some outlet at a lower level;" (then why, in the name of common sense, drain 0 j " 'n 'he latter case, on the contrary, water, whether springing from below or lalling upon the surface as rain, must either run slowly off over the surlace, however great the distance, or in the event of a horizontal, surliice, must remain stagnant until evaporated, by Ihe sun, or absorded by the atmosphere^^ (then, in the name of common sense, drain) ; "on such a subsoil, a sulHcient depth of active soil caft never be long maintained, for gram ; if trenched and enriched by lime and dung, it will bear but scanty crops. Some soils, again, are incunibent on snb- so'ils partially pervious to water — such, by judicious management, produce sometimes good crops, in fijvorable seasons, but when much rain prevails, they are neither large or (>fgood quality ; these are unfit for wheat, as the alternate frosts and ihaws of winter, acting upon the water in the soil, are sure to throw out the plants. But on those soils incumbent on open rock, especially on whin, or green stone, which is very open, from its many fissures, the land is uniformly fertile^'' (then why drain?) '' But," he observe?, " the drains should be run parallel to each other, and at regular dis- tances, and should be carried throughout the whole field, without reference lo the wet or the ap- pearance of portions of the field ; as uniform and complete dryness is the object ;" directing that the drains, in a stiff, strong till, be run within ten or fifteen feet of each other ; if in a lighter and more porous subsoil, from eighteen to twenty- fbur feet will be near enough, but in very open soils, forty feet may be sufficient. He says ; " a very impor- tant advantage of having the drain down the steep, is the prevention of mud or sand, the current having force, from the declivity, to carry them along to the main drain ;" but, he afterwards adds ; " indeed, the water passing into the drains by filtration, being perlectly pure, has no sediment to deposile, for even during the heaviest rains, the water passing from a properly made drain, has merely a milky tinge." Now how is this to be understood? If the water is perlectly pure, it will have no tinge at all, and whether at any 156 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. time, milky or inky, must depend on ihe strata ihrough which it has passed ; but vvhaiever the colour, ifit has any tinge, there mus! be sedi- ment. In forming under-drains, it has ever been the custom to lead them by as easy a descent as would be prudent, to prevent the possibility of washing, lest they might thus become choked, and blow up ; and even Mr. Smith himselfeeenis to admit the danger of this, for he says, '" it is quite necessary to fill the drains, which, are car- ried down the slope, with stones of a small size, or with danders or gravel, to prevent the current of water from culling or running Ihe bottoms of the drains," and by which they would, of course, become choked, and blow up. Any how, the subject is one of great import- ance, and ought to be examined inio, with the view to establish some system for adoption when- ever necessary; for there is no improvement so great, profitable, or lasiing, as druinioii, when properly execuied. M. C. JVilmington, Delaware. Mr. Smith has, within fifieen years, formed on his land under drains to llie extent of one hun- dred miles in length ! PREPARED NIGHT SOIL MANUfiE. From tlie Farmers' Magazine. MM. Payen and Curcn, chemists, in France, have produced a powder, ihe mixUire of which with night soil, almost inmiedialely frees it from clfensiJe smell. It is then prei)ared, and when ready lor use, resembles fine black mould, so dry and "powdery as to be passed through the drill, and deposited wiih the seed. The efficiency pi this manure has been mnsi saiisfactorily firoved in France. A quamity suffinent l()r manuring two acres can be packed in a sugar hogshead, at an expense of from thirty shillings to twenty-six shillings an acre. cal, (bra given stipenJ, he is bound, ae long as so engaged, tocnnlbim to the views of his employer; and he, like the rest of mankind, must be expect- ed, in the first instance, to consult his own interest. Unlbitunately lor the independence of llie press, and the good of society, such are the force and prevalence of deeply rooted prejudices, and the intolerance of party spirit, which soon spring up and gain ascendency in all reput»lics, that he, who, regardless of both, would boldly maintain the cause of truth, and of the public weal, too soon finds himself m the unenviable predicament of the old man, his son and his ass. His journal is de- serted by all parties, and himself left, with hia family, to starve, unless like a bear, he can live by sucking his paws ! That system of government is to be esieemed the most perfect, which insures the greatest conlbrmity of individual interests with the interests of (he public. A system under which he who in a fit ol' jealousy, or to avoid the tor- meriis of love, throws himself into a gulf) shall be considered a fool — while, for the same action, to save his country, he would be regarded as a hero. Alas! how many publishers of papers miirht, in this our republic, sacrifice themselves in the cause of patriotism, before one ol them would gain lor himself the name of Curtius ! We have tuore than once expressed the con- viction, that no class of American ciiizcns can be more deeply interested than ihe farmers and plan- ters, in understanding ihe true principles of the cwrrenc),', and in having these principles embodied in the legislation of the country. If there be any one sound coi;setvative ma.xim, more than another, that we would indelibly impress on the minds of our countrymen, it is that ihey should look more 10 iis legislation, and less to iis executive action, for the developements of our internal resources of wealth and happiness ; and ihe security of private rights and the maintenance of public hberty ; and what 6ubJF!ct of legislation is more important than that of the currency — the circulating medium which shall serve as a standard or measure of value for all the products of agriculture and all other branches of industry 1 But, to ihe discus- sion in this journal of a question so intiiDately blended with the business and prosperity of every community, there are various obstacles, and diffi- culties. In. the first place, (let the truth he fold them frankly, by one who has devoted his labors 1o their wellare, conamore, for more than a quarter of a century,) liirmers are, in general, too little addicted to thinking for themselves — too impa- tient of the intellectual exercise necessary to an understanding of this question — not at once see- TJIE CURRENCY — AS CONNECTED WITH THE INTERESTS OF AGRICULTURE. From tlie American Farmer (Editorial). Text. — " Does the plan and purpose of your work, preclude essays on political economy^ (I am fully aware that party politics are properly ex- cluded.) If not, I would suiTsiest that some well selected articles on currency, be inserted. At this particular time, it is essential to ihe interests of | ing its palpat.le connexion with their every day coiK-erns, ihey look on it as an abstruse problem, 10 be studied in ihe closet of the politician, and solved only by elaboraie writers on political econo- my and the wealih of nations— and secondly, the question has been so mixed up with the struggles of contending /jf/rh'es, that it is impossible to dis- cuss it in a pa|)er which honestly aims at the pub- lic weal, without being at once set down as the pariizan or slave of one or another of the parties agriculture, that the true and unchangeable prin- ci|)les of currency, be understood by ihe (ijrmers, so that an end may be put to that false system, by which so many evils are engendered to afflict the country." Commeni.— In the above sugscsiion of a cor- respondent, whose valued communications, like ano-els' visits, are loo " Cev; and far between,'' we heartily agree. "At this parti. 'iilar time, it is e.-^sential To the interests of agriculture, that the i contending for supremacy in the government. — true and unchangeable principles of ihe cusrency | How, except in this way, and under this appre- be undeislood by the farmers. But let us fiisl ' hension, can we account for the silence of all our answer the inquiry, whether the plan of this work ; agricultural journals on a subject which, if pro- [trecludes essays on that subject. When an editor , perly touched, would reach at once, by the IS but the " hireling" of the publisher of a periodi- 1 "pocket nerve," the sensorium ol all their read- THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 157 ers? Who that admires, as all must do, (he i viilue in the property of the agricuHural interest, abilities of niniiv of the condnclors ol' our Far- i aniounted to hundreds of millions ordoliars. Truiv mers' Kofrisiers, will ascribe their silence on this all-absorbinc» topic of the currency, to any want of appreciation of its importance, or of capacity to investipate it? Those ainonn; agriculturists who cannot be charsred with nei?lect of all intel- lectual exercise, yet have their feelinirs ton much entjrossed, and their reading too much confined to parly recriminations, or to mere practicfil details of experimental agriculture in the strictest sense of the word. Commerce could not flourish without agricul- ture and manufactures, and their productions as its basis and material ; on the other hand what but commerce can iiive activity and value to 'he culture and products of the soil and the loom 7 Aijain — did any nation ever exist where credit was so necessary and important, to purchase labor, to foster .genius, and tn developo dormant but fruitllil resources, as in this vastly extensive and unexplored country, whose mountain sides and valleys need but the plough and the pick to yield unbouded wealth and the mea'hs of sustaining a population without limits — yet if an agricultural paper should eulogise commerce, and invoke the legislature to irivc it encouragement, as the hand- maid of agriculture, and the great promoter of civilization and the arts; if it should advocate a system of financial legislation under which credit shall supply to genius and industry ihe place ol capital — straightway it shall he denounced, and by many thrown up, as being inimical to a party, there is no question of more vital importance to I he agricultural interest than the proper regulation of the currency; and we greatly desire, and will lend our humble efloris, in this journal and else- where, to extend information on this subject, and to urge the agricultural class to assume their right, and io act and to govern in this matter. But it is very strange, that, agreeing so perfectly in the premises, our brother editor and we should differ so widely in our conclusions. For, from his remariis following the above, (and which we do not copy,) it is evident that he considers the policy that would most restrain bank paper issues as the most hurtful to a sound condition of the currency ; while, on the contrary, we would advocate still more restraint, (though not by the usual and abjurd and ridiculous mode ot'legislalive prohibi- tions and penalties ;) and deem irredeemable paper money and irresponsible banking operations and bank credit, existing and sustained merely by go- vernment, as constituting the greatest curse of our country. By the fraudulent and irresponsible banking- system of this country, a state of general bankruptcy was produced between 1S13 to 1819 ; whose views have been interpreted and condensed | and a like condition of things is now threatening, in the memorable exclamation — "perish com- unless prevented by restraining or stopping the merce, perish credit." Hence the difficulty of dis cussing, impartially, a question which, next after a iew cardinal principles of liberty, — such as the freedom of speech and of suffrage, the independ- ence of the legislature on the executive branch of the government, and the trial by jury, — is of the highest practical importance to every citizen of the republic, and we repeat, to none more, if as much, as to the farmer and planter. * * * We entirely concur with our brotlKir agricultu- ral editor in the general position assumed by hinn above. The agricultural interest, more than an,v other, is deeply concerned in securing and preserv- ing a sou?i^cwrrenc!/; and though the direction (or misdirection) of banking and the currency, has been heretofore left to the management exclu- sively of merchants, and bank debtors, and exer- cised for their exclusive profit, 'it rightly belongs to the agricultural class — not only because of their legal right, as forming the great and general in- terest of the country, but because of their much deeper stake in the game. A change of only 5 per cent, in the value of (he currency, which is but an ordinary and every-day degree of fluctua- tion, is enough to alter the value of the lands and farming stock, and other property of farmers, to the amount of perhaps twenty millions of dollars. And when money values are altered by the depre- ciation of the currency to the extent that was produced in 1815, the losses, or the destruction of opera'ions of all really bankrupt institutions. We are far from belonging to the " perish credit, perish commerce"' school, stigmatized above. We value, and desire for the country, as much as any can do, a sou7id credit system founded on confi- dence properly placed. And we would leave banks as well as individuals to acquire and retain or to lose their credit, and the confidence of the public, by their acts, and their reputation for wealth, honesty, and fidelity to their engagements. We would not oppose, but would advocatey>ee trade in banking and in money, as in every thing else ; and would not object to any amount, of baukino-, if done upon the proper capital and credit of the bankers. But while being thus willing to accord to the business every facility and degree of free- dom that any other trade or mode of investing capital possesses, we would not grant a tittle more than other pursuits enjoy by law ; but would leave banks and banking to stand or to fall, by their own acts, and their own success and credit, or the re- verse, and to be as strictly responsible as any in- dividual traders; and by no means would we con- sent to build up their credit and their profits, by giv- ing them the Use of the mone_v, or sustaining them by the credit, of either state or federal government, and still less of using government interposition in their favor whenever requisite to save them from the proper eoneequcncce of bankruptcy. 158 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. But, whether these or the opposite and prevail- ing opinions are correct, we ami our fellow odilor, though standing exactly opposed in conclusions, agree that the subject ought to he brought belbre our readers and the agricultural community. We shall therefore follow hie example in 'Ins respect. And, in the first place, as there, is a most deplora- ble want of inlbrnmtion, and of facts, in regard to the frauds and evils of banking — owing to the influence and power which the banks and the commercial class possess, and exercise to muz- zle the newspaper press — we shall endeavor to throw some liille light upon this deeply darkened and disguised subject. The weekly summaries of news, which have been presented in our weekly issues, have been principally made up of bank items ; not from previous intention, but be- cause, in the two months since the publication was commenced, there have been as many and import- ant bank events — resumption and re-suspension of payments, acknowledged and unacknowledged bankruptcies, wholesale frauds of officers, &c. — as ought to be looked for in twenty years. We shall continue this record, and print together the weekly Eummaries of banking news at the close of each monthly number, and also present some more ex- tended views and arguments, for the purpose of giving light where it is so much wanting.-Ei). R. means of calciferous suhsfanccPj as rubbish, chalk, ashes, marJ, &c., provided the oiher conditions be lulfilled. THOROUGH DRAINING. INFLUENCE OF NATIVE MAGNESIA ON VEGE- TATION. From the Jouiiirtl de Pliarmacie. The presence of magnesia was regarded as a cause of barrenness in lands, until the investiga- tions of Bergman proved magnesia to Ibrm one o( the principal constituents of fertile soils. This inquiry has been taken up by Prof. Giobert, who concludes from various experiments: Isf, that native carbonated niagneeia is no! injurious lo the various functions of vegetables ; 2nd, that on ac- count of the solubility of magnesia in an excess ol carbonic acid, this earth can exercise an action analogous to that of lime; that a magnesian soil may become (eriile when the necessary manure is employed. From these facts naturally proceeds the conclusion, that il' the magnesia was dissolved in an excess of carbonic acid and water, and had entered, like the lime, into the composition of the eap, it ought to be found in the plants with the potash, lime, oxide of iron, &c. M. Abbene has ascertained this by the analysis of the ashes of plants which had grown in magnesiferous mix- tures. He has also confirmed the experiments of Prof. Giobert as regards the influence of mag- nesia on vegetation being analogous to that of lime; and he likewise concludes that when lime and magnesia exist in arable lands, the former is absorbed in preference by the plants, on account of its greater affinity lor carbonic acid. The barrenness of magnesian lands is not referable to magnesia, but to the cohesive state of their parts, lo the want of manure, of clay, or of other com- posts to the large quantity of oxide of iron, &c. Barren magnesian soils may be fertilized by From tlie Ayr Advertiser. I would particularly impress upon you the im- portance ol' furrow or thorough draining as a means of improvement. Its wonder-working effects have only lo be seen to be appreciated, and not the least astounding lad connected with its history is this, that while a difference of opi- nion exists with respect to most other agricultural matters, there is no instance of any person remain- ing unconverted with respect to thorough draining, where the practice has been at all known in hia district. To show you the extent to which tho- rough-draining is carried on in Scotland, I shall mention one instance — in the county of East Lothian, a very small county, above 3,000 miles of tile drains were made in the year 1839, besides stone drains. Buf nothing would surprise you so much as to see the land which it is there consider- ed necessary to drain, land which would here be considered perfectly dry. I had a letter, a lew days since li-om a friend of mine, an extensive farmer in East Lothian, who thus writes upon this subject : — " Every day's additional expe- rience convinces me more and more of the im- mense extent of land, at present considered dry, which actually requires lo be furrow drained, and which would, in a very short lime indeed, amply remunerate the occupier, were the operation care- fully and correctly perlbrmed, notwithstanding the heavy outlay, which makes it almost a landlord's question. We have at present thirieen men cutting drains in one field, and the quantity of water in every drain is almost incredible ; and this on land that was thought dry ground, and a part of the small quantity of ground deemed fi/r/i//? land in Fenton twenty years ago." I should trespass too long on your time were! to enumerate all the advantages of thorough draining, even supposing I could enumerate them ; hut there are one or two so obvious, and of so much importance that I can- not avoid mentioning them: — 1st, You may do away with narrow ridges on drained land, by vvliich a great point is gained — the making what are at present deep furrows, and producing no- thing as productive as the rest of the field. 2d, Less manure will suffice. Lord Gosford, from the opi- nions I have heard him express, will tell you how great an enemy to manure water is, which ex- plains the reason of this effect of draining. 3d. Less seed and labor will be required. 4th. Your crop will ripen evenly. 5th. You may clean your land of weeds at almost any season, and while you have more time to remove them you are likewise cutting off" one great cause of their growth. In conclusion, I would particularly press upon you this consideration, that if it is worthy a farmer's while to pay men for making drains in a country where daily laborers are earning 10s. per week, how much more inexcusable in you is it, having your own hands lo work with, and, probably, much spare time, to allow your land to suffer from that fatal disease which may be well compared to dropsy in the human patient. — Mr. Filgate's Speech. THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 15^ REMARKS ox SOME PORTION OF TIIK " PRIZ K essay'' OF DR. WM. L. IIORTOiV. An essay on manure?, and oilier means of en- richins; lamls, by Dr. Wm. L. [lorton of Ilarlord county, JMd., was published in a late number ol the 'American Farmer' in the imposing attitude of having received the prize ottered by the pro- prietor of that paper for the best essay, to be pre- pared and ofTercd on that subject, and wiih that view. The high ground thus assumed for this communication, and which will probably cause it to be republished and praised in many other papers, makes it proper /or us to take some notice oC it— instead of passing it unnoticed, as would otherwise have been done, if judging it upon its merits, instead of its pretensions. This essay is any thing but a practical guide to agriculture. The opinions advanced and direc- tions given do not appear to be the result of experi- ence and practical knowledge. Wheiher prac- tical or theoretical, there is but little in the es- say that is either new or original, and that liitle is worthless. Some of the things which we admit to be both new and original, are the following opi- nions on turnips and white clover: " As lo turnips, they area very worthless vegeta- ble, and not worth the trouble of cultivation. Six or eight bushels are as many as any former need care about raising." " White clover bears the same rank, in the esti- mation of the writer, among grasses, that the tur- nips do among roots — " a very worthless kind of thing" — I would never wish to see a spear of it on a farm of mine. It is a cursed vine that runs from Dan to Beersheba — It is a pest and intru- der. We intend to serve it as others have served the Canadian thistle— salt it." We deem no particular comment necessary on this rare and sweeping sentence of condemnation. Of lime, as manure, the author speaks in very high commendation, but with even less informa- tion than on most other branches of his subject. However, he rejects the different received opi- nions of the mode of operation, and presents a theory of his own, which, as we cannot pretend to do justice to by abstract or abridgment, will be copied at length in his own words. " It may be expected that we should offer our views as to the modus operandi of lime ; this part of the subject we approach with some diffidence, and without any pretension to freedom from error; but as we have embarked on the troublesome ocean of philosophical speculation, we may, as well as our compeers, hazard a conjecture, leaving it to our readers to judge of its accuracy. " Lime cannot long remain in the soil as a calx, calcium, or quick-lime ; but by its attraction of carbonic acid from the atmosphere, it becomes a carbonate. In this primary action of absorbirtg carbonic acid, a portion is at the same time taken up by the plant. But why, it maybe aske<], ia lime so durable in its eflecis upon the; Foil ? 'I'liat lime has the effect of loosening a iieavy, cluyey soil, is a point conceded by all who hnvf ufivd \t on such soils. 1 do not believe, wiili Protestor Ducatel and some other chemists, that the oxalic, or any other /ree acid exists to any considerable extent in any soil ; lime then is not necessary to neutralize an acid in the soil. Calcium, or quick lime, is more readily di^salved than the carbonate; and as almost all plants, and particularly wheal and oats, contain a portion of lime, they may receive it as a part of their necessary food in this way. Carbonate of lime, or lime-stone, requires a much larger quantity of water to dissolve it ; nevertheless it is while in the soil always under- going a slow decomposition, and is thus taken up by the plant. " h is admitted by all who have used lime on such soils, that it renders clayey ones lighter, and sandy soils more compact. The experiments of the writer have been on a soil of ihe first descrip- tion— argillaceous — and belbre he used lime he had great trouble in pulverizing it. Land that was limed five or six years ago is at this time quite sufficiently pulverulent and friable. "How does lime produce this effect 7 Is it merely such a mechanical division as is effected on clay with sand, or is it something different ? " Certain bodies, although they may not enter into chemical union, attract each other — repulsion is a properly of other bodies. Let us take quick- silver lor instance. The ultimate panicles of thia metal have an attraction for each other, as may be observed when violence is used lo separate them, the)' form into innumerable sphericlcs, or globules. With some substances it will enter into chemical union — with others it will form no such compound. We never see, nor hear of, a carbonate of quicksilver. It will mix with some metals as an amalgam. Tin, lead, silver, gold, are of this cinss ; but it will not mix with iron. There is such a powerful repulsion existing be- tween turpentine and this metal, that the more you'attempt to unite them, the more the metal ffies into a million parts and utterly refuses an admix- ture until it is reduced to an impalpable powder or oxide. Honey of the same consistence will not have any such effect. " Lime has a metallic base — calcium — and Orfila says that clay or argil has also — aluminum — others deny this to clay ; but it does not destroy our hypothesis, which is this: — that lime and clay are two distinct heteroiren*^ous bodies; and that so far from having a chemical affinity, or attraction for each other, they are decidedly re- pellent, and that in atiemptini? to mix them they not only refuse to come in contact, but ffy asunder like the balls of an electrometer — or the dust froa> sealing wax excited by electricity. "If it be said that the division is mcchanicaf, and such as would be effected by sand, we deny (he assertion, and can prove to the contrary in two ways. 1st. We say that the same quantity of sand will not have the same effect on clay. 2d. That a solution of lime will cause clay to become friable. Then beside the natural food which lime affords to plants it loosens the stiff clayey soils, and renders them permeable to their roots in search of their necesary aliment. "If it be true, as is asserted by many, that lime 160 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. renders eandy soils more cohesive, it fijllows as 9 corollarj' of vvhai lias been said concerning lime and clay, that tiie oilier two are more hoiriogeiie- oiis in their nature; and liiat a kind of adhesive atiraclion exists between thern, ihiis rendering such soils more retenlive ol' moifture. " These are merely speourative opinions of the writer, which may not be new toothers ; they are so however to him. II'-: attaches no great import- ance to them ; yet thinks them quite as reasona- ble as some others that have been propagated on higher authority." It is indeed an unquestionable and a very va- luable effect of lime, and other calcareous ma- nures, to render stiff" soils lishter, and light soils stiffer. But so far Trom this being the sole or main operation of lime, or mode by which it adds to the productive power of soils, it is surpassed by several. others, only one of which the author re- fers to, (the neutralizing of acid principles,) and that but to deny it, upon his mere ipse dixit. If lime did nothing more than to alter the texture of soils, (however beneficial that may he in ad- dition to other more important benefits,) we would readily admit that it would not be worth applying. We do not pretend to unravel the author's explanation of the modus operandi. It is however not a little strange, and amusing, that one, making such pretensions to science, and using scientific terms so freely throughout the essay, should make so gross a blunder, as is done in the above extract, as speaking of "calx, calcium, or quicklime," as synonymous terms, descriptive of the same chemical substance. Calx was for- merly u?ed,« before the general adoption of the modern chemical nomenclature, to express the very opposite oC quick-lime — that is, the carbonate of lime, or lime, mild, and not quick. Kirvvap so uses the term "calx" thronirhout his " Essay on Manures," a work which Dr. Horton either has read, or ought to have read before undertaking to enliiihten the world on this subject. " Calcium'^ which he twice uses as but another name for quick-lime, and expressing precisely the same sense, is neither quick-lime nor carbonate of lime — but the metallic base which modern chemical disco- very has shown to be one of the elements of lime. It is no more lime than hydrogen is water, or than soda is common salt. It is true that in a feubsequent and totally distinct paragraph, the author speaks of calcium in its proper sense. That can only be accounted for by supposing this paragraph to have been subsequently added without noticing the contradiction to the lore- going and more substantive part ; or that this was put down immediately after consulting books, and the two previous statements upon general knowledge. or marl, (which is treated of as being a different manure from lime,) there is no mention in the body of the essay ; and it is only after having put down all the prose and also the poetry designed for the article, that the author remembered, and in a " postscript" .aientions this manure, which has been so largely and beneficially applied in hia own state, (Maryland,) to go no farther from his home. All that he says on this branch of his general subject is contained in the following lines: " Marls. — We have unaccountably overlooked these valuable materials lor manure, and think proper to say something concerning them here. Marls are mostly found near tide water. They abound from the Hudson to the Gulf of Mexico, in the alluvial formation. They are of two kinds, argillaceous and siliceous, with carbonate of lime. In applying marl as a manure, attention should be paid to this circumstance, as the siliceous will be better li^r clayey soils, and so on the other hand the argillaceous for sandy. The lime they con- tain is either from decayed shells, or from shells worn down by attrition. They are durable ma- nures, and should not be neglected when they can be obtained at a reasonable expense." To green-sand, the writer gives something more of space. He has never seen the earth, but sug- gests that its valuable constituent, for manure, is not carbonate of potash, as some preceeding scien- tific investigators have taught, but carbonate of soda, which he supposes (for what reason he has not stated) they mistook for the other. The new suggestion is perhaps worth as much aa the old, which it is opposed to ; and Dr. Ilorton's opinion on green-sand has the additional merit of being less likely to mislead, by the authority of his name and scientific reputation. THE MARqUlS OF TWEEDDALES DRAIN- TILES MACHINE. From tlie Farmers' Magazine. This machine will make 10,000 drain-tiles a day, one man and two boys to attend it, and 20,- 000 uf ffat tiles for the drain tiles to lie upon ; but if the tiles are broad, for rooting, it will maKe 12 000 a day. These draining tiles are fifteen inches long, so that three machines would make in one season (of thirty weeks) as many tiles as would lay a drain from London to York. Now, a man and two assistants will only make 1,000 drain-tiles in a day, and these only one (bot long, which is 1,000 leet per day ; so that if the drain be laid at a distance of twenty-five feet, it will make in one day sufficient titles for six acres. The advantages are — 1st, the tile is much stronger from being compressed, and less pervious to wa- ter ; it is not only compressed, but it is smoothed over, which gives it a surface as though it were oflazed. They are capable of being made of a much stiffer clay than usual ; and in nine cases out of ten the flay may be used directly on being dug, if passed through the crushers, being much drier. Clay unfit for bricks and tiles, by the com- mon method, is available by the machinery. The expense of draining will be paid in three years, but not unfrequently in one. THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 161 PKODUCTlVliNliSS OF PUBIPKINS. From the Western Farmer and Gardener. Gentlemen: — In my last pnmplilet, ! ohservei] two mainmoih pumpkins spoken oK I vvisli to iiilorin you of someihing of ihe same kind. I Buw 00 a piece of jjrrountl, about 75 leet scjuare, this (all, IHO pumpkins, ami I saw one of ihem weighed — the weight was 150 lbs., artd I am sure that tiie whole number would have averaged 100 lbs. or upwards. They were raised by Jonas Beeson, Esq., on the bank of the Ohio, in Wood county, Virginia. Yours, A Subscriber. A VISIT TO MR. Allen's piggery. From the Albany Cultivator. Messrs. Editors— Be'incr at Buffalo a short time since, and having heard much of the celebra- ted Berkshire and China stock of swine, and be- ing an admirer of fine domestic animals withal, I determined to make a visit to Mr. Allen and ascertain whether his stock realized the descrip- tion 1 had often had of them. The farm of Mr. A. is charmingly located on the immediate bank of the Niagara river, two miles below Black Kock and five from Buffalo. The ride is a pleasant one. You are scarcely out ol the city on a broad and noble avenue, before you are within Black Rock, which stretches along the river for upwards of a mile, on a broad and level street, with several mills attached to its im- mense water power, created by the great state pier wiiich walls in a portion of the Niagara river, and here forms the liead of the Erie Canal, and supplies it with water for half iia length to- wards Albany. One ca'n hardly imagine a pleasanter location in the summer season, than is presented from the house of Mr. A., having a fine view of Lake Erie some five miles distant ; the town of Black Hock and the steeples of Buffalo, with the ascend- ing highlands stretching liir away beyond them — the broad and clear Niagara, here two miles wide, checkered with beautiful grassy islands, and the green cultivated shores of Canada opposite. The canal passes immediately in front of the house between the main road and the river, giving every defcirahle facility of access and Transporta- tion east or west, by canal boats every hour in the day. Mr. A. B. Allen was not at home, havincr gone to Ohio to pass Ihe winter ; but I found his brother residing there lor the present, who kindly showed me their extensive establishment, and gave me much valuable information regarding their stock, and other matters appertaining to the domestic and improved animals of our country. The piggery, including a new erection recently enclosed, is now 100 feet long, by about .30 wide and two stories high. It is divided off by a spacious alleyway in its whole length through the centre in two long ranaes of rooms. These are subdivided into separate pens from 8 to 12 feet square, as circumstances require, and fitted up in the most approved style of convenience. In these were the breeding sows, some with young litters of pigs, others two or three together, and some Bingle, as their difierent conditions and circum- VoL. IX.-ll-A stances required. In one end was a steaming apparatus, with huge tanks or vats for steaming ihe food, supplied with water liy a large cistern under the builditiir. Overhead were stored quanti- lies of straw for bedding, corn, oats, Indian meal, shorts, &c. ; in a word, all the varieties of tbod with which the swine are li'd. Placed at [iroper distances through the building were glasa windows which pushed back and forward aa voniilation was required, but always admilting an excellent light through the day inio each apart- ment. In the rear of each enclosure was a small door for the passage ol' the animals out into the open air in good weather, and lor exercise, a thing almost daily practised. In short, every conve- nience which thorough and approved breeding required, was here furnished in a cheap and eco- nomical manner. Surround ng the piggery, were three or lour grass fields lor the summer range of the swine, with temporary pens erected lor shelter, and suitable feeding troughs in their proper places. As you. will observe that every thin^ for the convenience and due accommodation ol Ihe ani- mals was in apple-pie order, I shall now attempt lo describe what I saw of animated nature vvithin. The first object that struck my eye on entering at my right, was an enormous, yet beautifully pro- portioned Berkshire sow, with eleven young piga at her side, about three months old. This mag- nificent animal (excuse the term, for I can assure you that although applied to a hog, it is to one so elevated by the successful application of a noble science in natural economy, that the coarse mate- rial of the animal is transformed into an almost superior nature from the common groveling brute of the name,) I learned was imported, with three other sows and a boar, (Sultan, the finest and largest animal of the kind I ever saw,) last year, from Berkshire in England, at a great expense. They were all from separate stocks, in no way related, and of incomparable value to Mr. A. in enabling him to avoid [heiii-and-in breeding sys- tem, which much of the finer stock of our country is subjected to, for the want of proper selectiona from foreign stock of the same blood. This in- and-in plan of breedinir, Mr. A. has always avoided, and has spared neither painsnor expense in imporlations and selections fi'om the best stock of this country, to improve and cross with his own, and -make it what it now is beyond a question, the most extensive and superior swine breeding estab- lishment in America, if not in the world ; now consisting of between 30 and 40 of the finest breeding sows, 2 imported boars, and pigs of every intermediate stage and growth. But to the detail. This fine sow would weigh as she then stood, near 500 pounds, was in a capital condition and of a perfect model. Fancy could not picture a more beautiful creature of the kind ; she was gentle too, as possible, and quiet- as a lap-doij. These pigs, I learned, were all engaged at ^40 to ^50 the pair in the spring. In an adjoining pen was another fine young imported sow with Spifjs equally good with herself; and all perfect of their kind. Adjoining them also, were the two remaining sows of the last import- ation, now about fifteen months old, and promis- ing in size and appearance, to equal at the maximum, either of the others. Passing along I observed the fine and stately sows purchased 162 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. last summer of the Shaker family at Niskayuna, ' and of Messrs. JMeifis and Middle'.on ol' Albany, ail select animals of excellent (brm and propor- tions. Then, again, were a fine pnir of young sows from the stock of Mr. Koich, of. Oisego, one of the most scientific, perlect, and fastidious of breeders, not excelling in size, but in beauty of proportion and fineness of limb, perhaps surpass- ing almost any other. Here loo were Ravenhair and Picaninny, ihe prize animals of the ilocks, bred with all the honesty and good manai^ement of Justice Harvvood, one of the principal mana- gers, besides many others, the reserved stock from time to time bred by Mr. Allen himself Many of these noble sous would weigh lour to five hundred pounds in good breeding condition as I saw them. Their (bod was principally cooked shorts obtained from the flouring mills at Black Kock, a coarse yet substantial food, with occa- sional changes of corn meal, potatoes, raw and boiled, sugar beet, boiled corn and oats, as the health or appetite of the animals required, both of which were studiously observed, daily and continually by a careful manager. No animal tliat I saw was fat, yet all were in good condition, and of course contented and ivell to do. Scattered along throughout the pens, I observed several pigs of various ages and sizes, which the closing navigation had prevented shipping away, or which had been reserved to add to the stock of grown animals ; for 1 found that it was the policy of Mr. A. occasionally to part with a superior, or even a favorite from a well established breedmg sow or boar, in extraordinary cases, when he had others equally good at hand, or coming on ; but that he made it an undeviating rule never to sell the very best sows in -liis herd; and by that restriction never suffering any one to possess abetter ani- mal than himself. " I fancy that if all breeders would adopt and adhere to a rule so correct as this, the standard of perfection in domestic ani- mals would not fall so low as is olien witnessed in our country. After inspecting for several hours, and with great interest, the inmates of the piggery, I was shown in another building, each in his own dis- tinct apartment, the two boars Sultan and Prince Regent. The former is of the tatesi importation, ancfis now two years and a half old ; an enormous animal, whose weight, if in high condition, would be about 600 pounds. For so large an animal he is fine in his points, being long, rangy, high shouldered, and broad in his hams ; of great con- stitution and vigor, in fine, a most valuable ani- mal for the extensive pork countries of the west, where great size and hardihood are in demand. The other, Prince Regent, now about 18 months old, is the most perfect male animal of the swine family that 1 ever saw. His size is medium, now weiofhing, 1 should judge, about 300 pounds; his head remarkably small and pointed, his ears short and erect ; his neck short and highly set ; his shoulders broad and firm, body round, deep and long ; hams large, well set, and tail properly elevated, with a beautiful silky black hair, and the usual white intermixture of the improved Berkshire in the finest style and fashion. His pigs have proved remarkably fine. Several of them were shown me of uncommon symmetry and excellence. The stock also of Sultan, has proved remarkably good, and those which I saw at this establishment can hardly be excelled. In short, 1 know not how JMr. A. can improve his present selection. He has been for several years engaged in breeding and selecting his animals. No one has taken so much pains as he has ; his opportunities liave been good, and thoroughly improved; his eye and judgment are correct and discreet; and he has, as a matter of course, ex- celled when perseverance, intelligence and a high sense of integrity in his business have been call- ed to the aid of a natural emhusiasm, and lauda- ble public sjjirit. Not only personal advantage to himself is the result of all this labor, but a vast public good, and it is no exaggeration to assert, that by the services of this individual, and other spirited breeders of domestic stock in ilsis country, our agricultural profns will in a few years be enhanced millions in the diffusion of improved breeds of domestic animals throughout -our se- veral states. I should not omit to slate that I also saw seve- ral breeding sows of the celebrated China breed, which is yet retained in its perfection ai his esta- blishment. Although much less in size and length than the Berkshires, they are still the ori- ginal of all true excellence in the family of swine, and by many are preferred for crossing the native breeds of the country, to any other. They are exceedingly scarce in the United States, and 1 know of no other piggery in the country that possesses them. They are beautifully spotted of about equal parts of while and black ; are quiet feeders, easily kept and early matured. The gen- tlemaii's hog, the world over. Having viewed the piggery in all its parts, and admired its order and good management, 1 ac- companied Mr. A. into the house, where he showed me numerous letters and correspondence, which, to judge by their bulk, must be no trifling affair of itself There were letters of inquiry; others containing ordeis; some soliciting informa- tion ; others imparting it. The writers were statesmen, planters, farmers, large and small — professional men and merchants, breeders of fine stock in distant parts — in fact, from all classes of our citizens, the attention of each of whom has been turned to improvement in his domestic stock, and who intends to be on the high road to excel- lence in all these important subjects of domestic economy. I found that during the past year Mr. A. had sent pigs to Maine and Georgia, and to almost every intervening state on the sea-board, and to Wisconsin and Missouri at the west, and to Tennessee, Kentucky, and the intermediate states in the Ohio Valley. I confess I saw with honest pride that the highest talent of our coun- try was not too exalted to overlook the substantial improvements so rapidly making in our agricul- tural stock ; and when we find numerous exalted individuals of the present time, diligently devot- ing a part of their attention to the improvement of domestic animals as they now do, it is a gra- tilying indication that we are in a stale of rapid proaression. Henry Clay is said to be one of the besfand most extensive stock breeders in Ken- tucky. He last year ordered a pair of Berkshire and China pigs, each from Mr. Allen, and a pair of valuable Chinas were also ordered by one of the wealthiest retired gentlemen in the vicinity of Boston. I name these things as no matter of form, but to show that gentlemen of the first THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 163 talent, intelligence and wealih of the country are sedulously turnineared in anyone of the principal newspapers of Virginia, or of the union, it is more than we have been able to learn. It would be as vain to look to the commercial newspaper press, any where south of Philadelphia, for full and correct statements in regard to the banks, as it would have been under the rule of the Inquisition of Spain to have sought in that country for testimony against the doctrines and claims of the catholic church. We therefore readily admit that we have no (/irecitestimony that all or any of the various banks of Virginia, other than those of our neighborhood, are not now in the fullest sense *^ specie-paying banks''' — in as much as not a word oJ' contradiction in any newspaper has reached us, to the general declaration of general specie-paying, which had been put out by all the banks and newspapers on Feb. 1st. But, we may venture to infer, (in the absence o( all more cer- tain and trust-worthy testimony,) that the gene- ral course of all the banks of Virginia, in this respect, is alike — and, at any rate, that the course of all the different branches of one bank must (in essentials) be the same ; and, il" we shall show that there is certainly no specie-paying bank Iq Richmond, nor in Petersburg, it cannot but be believed that there is no such thing in all Vir- ginia— ^il' indeed, now in any other state south of New York. Fur greater certainty and clearness, let us nar- row our ground and our observations to the town of Petersburg, in which we reside. Ot' the three banks here, as belore stated, two slopped specie- payments, immediately after the first news of the last suspension in Philadelphia, and alter only six days of (so-called) "resumption of payments ' in Virginia. This stoppage of payment would still have been called (in bank language) C()nti7iuing to pay specie J but a check on one, and bills of lh£ other bank, having been proiwplly protested, and the demand lor specie, by check, having been .eri/orcec/ upon the Farmers' Bank, the pretence of paying specie, as ke|)t up by other banks, would have been manilestly lutile and ridiculous in these cases at home. The question then is settled as to these two banks; and they are entitled at least to the credit of confessing (no matter how reluctantly It was exiracied from ihem) that they do not pay specie ; and in this respect, at least, they deserve more commendation than any of their "specie- paying-' sisterhood. The branch bank of Virginia of Petersburg, then, is the only one of our three banks which still professes to pay specie ; and we shall proceed to examine the value of that profession. And here let us remark that we take that office as a sample, and from which to infiir the conduct of all others, because we fully believe that noneother in Virginia has better complied with its obliga- tions, or better deserves the character of a "specie- paying bank." And we are thus particular in acquitiing this bank from charges which many others are justly obnoxious to, because of .our desire to subject one whose course we deem the least objectionable, of all known, to the test question of specie-paying or not. THE FARMERS' REGISTER. ]65 This hank pnys (since February Isl,) all its own notes presented lor specie, and has paid .some checks, But the circulation ol Petersburg, and of all the surrounding country, is filled up almost entirely with the paper money of other and remote banks of Virginia, and of North Carolina; and scarcely can a note o( tlie Petersburg branch bank of Vir- ginia be found in the circulation of the town. We liave. examined every note which has passed through our bands. since early in January, and can assert .that, in the two months, we have not seen a single note of the Petersburg brancli bank in circulation in tliis town. Of the other two banks, very Ccw of their own notes (and which they do not pay) have been met with in that time in circulation here — all of which together would not have amounted to a hundred dollars. A person who had heard nothing conccrnintr the tricks of the banking trade, would be at a total loss to conceive how the circulation of any town and its neighboring country, consisting exclusively of paper currency, should be almost destitute of any notes htil those of the banks of distant towns, with which there was no trading connexion. We, who are not in the secrets ofthe banks, can only inter the causes and the motives, from the visible course of procedure, and the general results. Since the general bank suspension in 1837, (which came unexpectedly upon the banks here, and before they had prepared to pay specie as is now so easily done,) it has been the policy of all of theni to send the notes of each bank as far i'rom home as possi- ble, and to use, in their issues, the notes of (he most distant banks. The wide extent of Virginia, and the lillie commercial intercourse between several of the different sections and the existing system of mother banks and branches, all ad- mirably helped to aid this object. Of course we cannot prove that the notes of the different banks were systematically exchanged for this purpose; but we all know these facts : that, as a general rule, a check on the bank of Virginia, at Peters- burg, would, (unless some peculiar circumstances caused an exception,) be paid in notes of other and distant branches, or, still rpore generally, in North Carolina notes entirely. Nobody objected to these notes of other banks, (as they had both a legal and moral right to do,) because, all being non-paying banks, the notes of ail were equally good, or equally ba'd. The friends of the banks of course wished payments to be made in this manner, for the benefit ofthe banks ; and the (ew enemies who ilared to avow hostility, had no ground to object to this substituted foreign pa- per, as it was equally current, equally responsible, and alike inconvertible into specie. It is easy enough, then, to understand how, by this policy being pursued for years together, that eacli bank should very effectually fill the circulation of its own sphere of operations with foreign notes, for which no demand on it for specie could be made. And thus, every bank and branch in Virginia has been so liir safe from any considerable demand for specie, made by presenting its own notes. But this exception cannot last long. There is now an inducement, which did not before exist while no notes were paid, to return all notes to the sources whence they issued, and where alone they pos- sess the value of being convertible into specie. Already the brokers (who alone can and do, for their own gain,'eiiher curb or punish the worst transgressions of banks,) are working to produce tliis end ; and their operations would soon compel all our banks to be honestly responsible, or to stop, if the expected legislative act of indulgence and indemnity should be withheld. Well ! we have satisfactorily explained how it it is, that BO far, it has cost the "specie-paying banks" very little specie to claim and maintain that character, by paying their own notes. But their heaviest responsibility was upon checks — and these they refuse to pay, except in "current notes," which new (but now very current) term nseans the worst money that the bank, for its own purposes and gain, has chosen to receive on de- posite — as the notes of Wheeling, and Winchester, and Wytheville, and Kanawha, by the Richmond banks, and the notes of North Carolina, by the Petersburg banks. Thus this principal source of claim for specie is efiectually cut off. We will not undertake to affirm that this course is indefensible at law — though we fully believe so. But it certainly never, could have been designed to be permitted by the charter. If the law indeed sanctions such an evasion ofthe obligation to pay specie, then it would be just as well to remove every check and restraint. For when once the people have been accustomed, by use, to this new principle-of bankmg and of bank moraHty, it can be extended so as to cover every desirable case. If the most remote branches in Virginia are not far enough apart, and enough unconnected in trade to prevent the return of the notes, nor even the exchange with (^or borrowing from') the North Carolina banks, to effect the desired purpose, then the notes of Virginia may be sent to Tennessee and Michigan, and the notes of those states brought here and made " bankable " money, and of course " current notes;" and it would be then next to impossible to draw enough money eveii from a solvent bank, to compel its insolvency to be tested. If this system makes a " specie-paying" bank, it is very ridiculous for any contest to be made, either by the bank men against paying 166 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. specie, or for it, by their opponents. We wouIJ not give a cent to choose between this kind of "specie-paying," and the most open, bold, and fraudulent denial to pay a single dollar, on any ground of claim whatever. It is one of the common arguments of the day, which we may hear any where in the streets, and which are as current as the banks' ^^ promise to pay,'''' that " the bank has received on deposite all sorts ofnotes— not only of all the branches in Vir- ginia, but of the banks of North Carolina— and that it would be monstrous, and most unreasona- ble and unjust, to demand specie lor checks, drawn for deposites so constituted." Now, in the first place, the rule thus set up for the bunk, if good, should work both ways. 11' North Carolina notes, for example, are to be paid out to checks, because euch. notes had been deposited, (Jby the hank''s own rule, adopted for the bank's own benefit,) either by the drawer, or by others, in ordinary business, then it certainly would follow, that a de- positor of specie, or of notes issued by the bank, should rightfully draw specie, or these onl}^ specie bringing notes, Tor his checks. Yet it is well known that such would not be permitted, unless as a matter of favor to the drawer, and a departure from the rule of the bank's right. All checks, for mo- ney previously and generally deposited, stand (and of right ouiiht to stand) on equal footing ; all deposites which the bank chooses to receive as its own notes, are thereby made the same (as to that bank) as its own notes ; and the bank is in every sense bound to pay for them in its own legal and proper currency. If the consequences were likely to be inconvenient or injurious, and if the practice had not been adopted for the special bene- fit of the receiving bank, it would be very easy for it to refuse to receive deposites in any notes ex- cept such as it agreed to redeem in specie ; or, if receiving them, to return them for payment to the banks whence they issued. But this returning foreign notes and receiving iheir own, is precisely what the banks wish especially to avoid. But, in fact, (though it is not required to sustain our position,) it is just as convenient and easy for a bank to pay specie for deposites made in one kind 0^ paper, as another. Whether made in the notes oftlie bank receiving the deposite,orol Noith Caro- lina notes, it would not add a dollar to the bank's stock of specie; nor would the payment diminish that stock more in the one case than the oiher. If then it be true, (as is alleged in defiance of the banks,) that it would be " impossible for them to pay specie fordeposites made in foreign notes," it is equally true that it would be just as impossible to pay them if every deposited note had been of their own issue. We are very willing to admit the impossibility in both the cases. As it presents a curious incident in the history of the progress of irresponsible banking in this country, we will copy the notices of this bank, (signed by the cashier,) under which it claims ex- emption from paying checks, and seeks to avoid all such demands. They are now stuck up at the counter of the Branch Bank of Virginia ; and un- der these, or some equally potent safeguards, the like exemption from paying checks is maintained by all other banks in Virginia. ^^ Notice. "All deposites made in this office are to be con- sidered as made in current bank notes." Oct. IG, 1839. " In addition to the above notice, depositors are further notified, that in order to avoid any difficulty at the counter, they are required to make their checks payable in current BAivjf notks." Feb. 11,. 1841. Thus, if this be indeed a "specie- paying bank," (and if this is not, then there is certainly not one in Virginia,) it is guarded at all points against paying specie to any extent either injurious to the bank, or beneficial to its creditors, or to the public interest. First, all of its own notes (by some means, whether designed or accidental, natural or super- natural, it is not our business to establish) have been taken out of the home circulation, and sub- sUtuted by others issued by remote banks ; and, therefore, readily as its own notes may be re- deemed by the bank, there are almost none that can be presented for redemption. Secondly, all deposites are rendered irredeema- ble in specie, by virtue of the above notices; or in any other currency than the worst paper money which the bank may choose at any future time to receive. , Thirdly, even if the bank authorities opposed no such obstacles as are above slated to the making payments in sjiecie, the fear of their enmity, and the tremendous influence which they wield over the trading community, would deter nearly every in- dividual from claiming his just rights. And fourthly, lest all these safeguards should prove too weak, the aid of new legislative enact- ments will be called in, and of which the purport and force are yet to be seen ; but which will cer- tainly fail of their designed object, if they do not secure the banks still more efJectually than now, against all possible demands to pay their debts and comply with their obligations. The three banks in Richmond, like the one spoken of here, pay bills of their own issue only ; and, siill more strictly, pay no checks, and have paid none, (as a general rule,) since their pre- tended resumption. It is only a matter of inference that all the other banks and branches in Virginia THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 167 do no betler, and therefore arc not, now, nor liavc tliej' ever been, even for a da}', truly spccie-pnying banks. And if any doubt now e.xisis, we think it will be speedily removed by their admission of the lact of genera! re-suspension. Tiiai will pro- bably be the acknowledged state ol" things before this ariicle can be issued from the press. The North Carolina banks, which occupied precisely the like grounds, (of pretended resumption ofpay- ments, and real continued suspension,) have al- ready, since the foregoing remarks were written thrown aside the thin disguise, and for the pur- pose of saving the brokers the trouble of collecting their notes to obtain specie, and themselves from the odium of refusing to pay while professing to be "specie-paying" banks. The Virginia banks will all follow the same course as soon as it shall be deemed less profitable to them to keep up the present deception, than to publish the truth of a general refusal to pay all demands. If the lapse of another week does not bring them to this result, (wo months certainly will.— Ed. F. LI. March 12. OIV THK CULTURE OF RICE-GRASS. — LEERSIA ORIZOIDES. From tlie Southern Agriculturist. Pendleton, October 21, 1840. Mr. Editor : — [n the hope of inducing some of our farmers to turn their attention fiom the exclu- sive cultivation of cotton, to the improvement of stock, I send you the result of eight years' expe- rience in the culture of hay, on a piece of mea- dow land", one mile distant from the village of PendJeton. Two branches, whose united streams are sufficient to turn a small grist mill, are kepi: con- tinually running over the meadow, except during harvest. A day before cuding" we remove a small obstruction placed in the natural channel of the branch, when the water leaves the land suffi- ciently dry for the mowers to work, and a narrow wheeled two horse wagon to take off about 800 lbs. at a load. Immediately after harvest, the bar is replaced across the channel in a few minutes, by drawing mud against a rail laid over it, and the land ^gain put under water. Having made abun- dant crops of hay several years, at so little ex- pense, I last year laid ofi' one acre, had the wa- gon carefully loaded by a white man, directing him to make every load as neir as possible of the same size, and on weighing one load, found the average product of the acre to be more than three tons, of two thousand pounds each, at the first cutting. The same directions were followed this year, and the product was more than four tons at the first cutting. This greater product may be attributed to a late harvest, and a summer of more rain. The soil, on which these crops were made, is the ordinary quality of low land, near the creeks overflowed only by high freshets. It had been cleared and cultivated several years, producing good crops in dry seasons. I first saw it in 1831, when the corn on it was nearly destroyed by a wet season; in '32 it produced more weeds than f;ra?s, they were all moved — in '33 I was atto- nishcd by the product of hay, which has been good e^er since. This hay is made from the rice-grass, the " Leersia Orizoides''^ of the bo- tanist, called Nimble Will, in the upper country ; it has a fine thin stalk, covering from four to five feet in length, but not being erect, it does not stand more than three to lour leet on the ground ; no part of the stalk is one-eighth of an inch in diameter, they have been measured more than six feet long. It grows well on the low grounds of branches, and may be Ibund in every part of the state: it is killed by host, and does not grow in the interior, belbre May. I have made various experiments with red clover, herd's grass, orchard grass, and timothy, the two former on wet and dry soils; alter two or three years they have been overpowered by the native weeds, grasses, briers and shrubs, which spring up spontaneously when the soil is unbro- ken. The single enemy of the rice grass is the rush, large and small, which appears to be the only noxious growth of land covered by running water, and this is so entirely outgrown by the rice-grass, that notwithstanding its formidable appearance in the spring, I have taken no mea- sures to eradicate it. IJylheend of June the rush is so completely covered by the grass, that it is scarcely thought of until the ensuing spribg. One great advantage of this grass is, that you can choose the lime for cutting, as it does not blossom early. Towards the end of July it seems lo settle or lodge in spots, but I am not aware of any injury that results. We commence mowing with a brier scythe, the first fair weather after oat harvest, — the task is a quarter ol' an acre for the mower ; one woman can toss and turn half an acre, which should be done as soon as it is cut, and put up into cocks by evening. When the dew leaves them next morning they are opened at the top, and alter an hour's sun on them, all the hay cut belbre twelve o'clock of the pre- ceding day, may be carted home and put away. Eight or twelve hours' sun is sufficient to cure the hay, il" properly tossed and turned immediately alter culling which is easily done with a wooden hay fork. An iron fork is used for loading and unloading the wagon. The bloom and seed appear late in September, A liew days belbre we expect Irosi, a second crop is cut and harvested. As this occurs at a busy period in October, we have never measured or weighed the product of an acre ; it has been variously estimated at a third or lialf of the first cutting. 1 have never made any comparative experi- ments of the nutritious qualities of this hay, but have been informed that it sells in the Columbia market as readily as northern hay. One of our most experienced farmers told me that he preferred it lo corn blades when wagoning to Hamburg. Yours, respectfully, C. C. Pinckney. VEGETABLE TALLOW. On the 2d of March, Dr. lloyle and Mr. E. Solly read lo the Asiatic Society two distinct 168 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. papers on ihe vegetable tallow tree (Valeria Indica) of the Malabar and Canary coasts. This tree, which has been fiirnred and described by Rheede, is Ibund in ilio Wynaad and Bed- nore districts, growinfi; abundanily both in the interior and along the coasts, where it is called the Piney, or Dammar-tree. It grows lo a great size, and supplies excellenl wood. It also sup- plies a varnish which is used on the coast in a liquid stale : but, when dry, is commercially termed cojoaZ and am'me. By boiling the seeds, a fatty matter is obtained, which floats on the sur- face, becomes solid, and somewhat resembles tallow; being in its most important characters intermediate between wax and tallow, and well adapted in its properties, as a substitute lor com- mon tallow, both in the manufacture of candles, and likewise for many other purposes to which the latter subtance is now exclusively applied. This vegetable tallow emits no disagreeable smell at any time ; therefore, when candles are made of it, they have not that oft'ensive smell vvhich attends common tallow candles. Dr. Bahington placed a portion of this vegetable tallow in the hands of a candle-manufacturer, who praised it very highly ; he having succeeded in making good candles of it, which came freely from the mould. In 1825, it sold at Mangalore at two- pence-halfpenny per pound. Some brought from rndia, in January, 1838, sold (or £2. 4.s. Qd. per hundred weight — nearly the price given for good Russian tallow. Mr. Solly thought that if it could be obtained at such a price as to admit of its being imported as a substitute for common tallow, its valuable and superior properties would soon obtain it a market. Mr. S. Dyer, of the Madras Me- dical Service, who had long resided at Telliclierry, stated, that the tree will grow readily, even when the branches are put into the ground ; and many of the trees were planted on the roadsides in Malabar, about twenty years since, a greater period than is necessary to bring the tree generally 10 perfection. NORTHERN OPINIONS OF SOUTHERN AGRI- CULTURE AND AGRICULTURAL PUBLICA- TIO-NS. To the Editor of tlie Farmers' Register. Shreivsbury, JV. J., 2 mo. 19, 1841. Esteemed friend, — In reading the editorial article on a common objection to agricultural peri- odicals, as contained in the number of the Re- gister just received, I was sorry to notice thy opinion, (ibr such I must accept it, although stated as a fact,) viz.: that nearly all the farmers north of "Mason and Dixon's line" hold every thing in and about southern agriculture, and agricultural opinions, in supreme contempt. This is, indeed, a grave charge, and did we not verily believe such an opinion of us to be errone- ous, we should be inexcusable. The privilege that I have had of associating with some of the distinguished agriculturists in at least four of the stales north of said line, emboldens me to deny it. Thou surely cannot be aware of the esteem in which Ruffin's 'Essay on Calcareous Ma- nures ' is held with us, to say nothing of ihe com- pliments and praises (which thou calls 'unsub- stantial food') offered to 'Arator' and other southern agricultur-al writers. I have estimated as a prominent advantage attending farming, that of a freedom in good measure from that petty and nairow-minded jea- lousy of the success of others in the same line which so commonly attaches to most other kinds ol business. I am proud to say, that the disposition " to do good and communicate,''' as relates to successful modes of improving our practice, is, and I hope will ahvays be, a leading feature of our craft. I pray that national, much more sectional feel- ings, may never produce "supreme contempt" lor the honest opinions or practice of one tiller of Grod's earth, wherever his lot may be cast. Commending thee to a reconsideration of thy remarks, and. more full inquiry as lo our lack of fraternal regards, and if we are, indeed, alienated from our southern brother farmers, bear with us, we entreat ii of thee, and with our folly as pa- tiently as may be, and trust to kindness, persua- sion and forbearance, to win us back to the bonds of good liillowship. Robert White, Jr. We receive the friendly and well-meant rebuke of our correspondent, in a betlcr spirit than that which prompted the hasty and too general ex- pression of ours, which he censures. If the words were to be taken literally and strictly, and without any allowance /or the manner in which they were brought in, we would admit, to the fullest extent, that all the censure of our friend was deserved. But while confessing the wrong of not having mentioned, or referred to as existing, the excep- tions lo the rule which we stated, we must still maintain our opinion as generally, though certain- ly not universally, and, without any exception, true. We could present sundry striking proofs of the very general disregard by northern agricultu- rists, and agricultural journals, of southern agri- culture, (even the most improved and admirable,) and agricultural opinions, which would justify our strong expression of this general opinion amount- \n!, down or any'lijzhlsubtance, when thrown in, sifili wiih a rapid and accelerated motion. Owego, Feb. 26th, N. Lai. 42° 10". Prof. Silliman, in atiempiing lo solve this exiraordinarv and difficult problem, observes : At the depth ofmore than sixty I'eet, the water ou'Tht not to Ireeze at all, as it should have nearly the'same temperature ol'ihat film ol the earths crust, which is at this place aflected by atmo- spheric variations, and solar influence, being ol course not far from the medium temperature ol the climate. Could we suppose that compressed gases, or greatly compressed atmosphere were escaping from llie water, or near it, this would indicaie°a source of cold ; but as there is no such indication in the water, we cannot avail our- selves of this explanation, unless we were to suppose that the escape of compressed gas takes place deep in the earth, in the vicinity of the well, and in proximity !o the water that supplies it. Perhaps this view is countenanced by the blowing of the candle at the depth of thirty leet, blowing it to one side, thus indicat- ing a jet ol gas which might rise from the water as^low as at its source; and even if it were car- bonic acid, it might not extinguish the candle, while descending, as the gas would be much diluted by common air; and still, in the progress of time, an accumulation of carbonic acid gas might take place at the surface of the water, sufficient to extinguish a candle. HEAVY BERKSHIRE HOGS. From tlie ICentucky Farmer. [Here are some facts th-at tell well for iliispo pular breed of hogs. If the breeders in variou sections of the country would report the facts— kind of keep, age, &c. ; in reference to the vari- ous breeds of animals, the country would soon be able to estimate the improved breeds by an intel- ligible standard. There has been a vast deal too nTuch puffing and blowing about all the breeds in certain agricultural papers. It is time these humbun'ging appliances were laid aside for the more honest and more useful statements of ascer- tained truths. If ever this paper sinned in this way hitherto, it will sin no more. We are de- vout believers in the superiority of various breeds of domestic animals and shall use every legitimate means of furnishing the public those grounds of enliuhtened opinion which will tend to their great- er diffusion; but from this day forth, be it lairly known to all concerned, we shall admit no article in this paper which is a mere pufF or advertise- ment in disguise, of this, that, or other breed. But we shall feel at all times thankful for the facts on which a preli^rence for any breed is based by the writer. — Ed. Ken'. Far. Mr. Editor. — If you think the following facts in relation to some of the weights of our War- ren county hogs are worth publisldng in your valuable paper, you are at liberty to do so. Mr. Geo. Deyche slaughtered a lot of 40 half blood Berkshire hogs 18" months old, with no orrain durin" the summer months, their aver- a^^e weifht^net was 304 lbs. Mr. Steddom's lot of 38 three quarters and seven eighths Berk- shires 16 months old averaged 343 lbs. net. All his choice pigs having been selected lor breeders, led solely on grass during summer. Mr. Ebe- nezer Halhaway's lot of 10, half Berkshire, at 20 months old averaged 373^ lbs. net. Mr. Hathaway gives it as his opinion that it cost him no more loot! and attention to bring his hogs up to the above weight than it did his old stock to 250 lbs. at the same age. Mr. Gallagher's lot 65 hogs half Berkshire, from 14 to IS months old, fed solely on grass during summer, averaged 309 lbs. net. Mr. Longstreet's lot of 55 head ave- raged net 318 lbs — all the choice pigs were sold lor breeders ; no grain until he had harvested his oats and wheat, then run in the stubble. &c., were from half to three quarters bred Berkshires, with a cross of the Irish Grazier, &c. Mr. Tache of Springborough slaughtered a barrow 30 months old, half Berkshire, gross weight 900 lbs. net 814 lbs. Mr. Samuel Irons wlio denied the fur- ther improvement of his hogs, being prejudiced against not only Berkshire hogs but Durham cattle, &c., was induced by the persuasion of his son to send a sow to his Berkshire boar, selecting his poorest with design evidently to disgrace the stock, the sow had nine pigs; Mr. Irons sold two of the best lor breeders, the other seven at 20 months old, averaged net 435 ; his old stock, with precisely the same food and attention, as they were fed together, did not average as much by just 102 lbs., although .^ix weeks older on each hog. This may seem to border on improbability with som.e, it is nevertheless true, as can be made to appear. Mr. Leievre slaughtered a lot of 5 half Berkshire pigs farrowed 17th March 1840, average at 253 lbs. net ; one weighed 290 lbs. Dr. Keever's lot of 6 or B'March pigs (the choice ones sold for breeders, (averaged 260 lbs.) The writer of this article bred a big thorough-bred Berkshire, got by Mr Lossing's imported boar Newbury, out of sow bred by the society of Sha- kers near Albany, N. Y., that at 5 months and5 days old weighed 185 lbs. gross. M. B. £,ebanon, Ohio, Jan. 16, 1841. AN ACCOUNT OF THE METHOD OF PLANTING AJND MANAGING PEACH ORCHARDS, As practised in New Jersey. By T. Hancock, Nur- seryman, Burlington, N. J. From the Magazine of Horticulture. The peach tree is very extensively cultivated throughout New Jersey, and large quantities of the fruit are annually sent to the New York and Philadelphia markets. Since Ihe opening of the communication by rail-road between these two cities through the interior of the state, it has been the means of greatly increasing the number of peach orchards, and many large and extensive plantations have been made. Within a few years, from the increased facilities of rapid and safe transportation by rail-road, between Boston, Providence, and Stonnington, the eastern cities have been supplied, to a very great extent, with New Jersey peaches, and the opening of such a market has induced cultivators to plant more extensively, in order to supply the demand. The crop proves a very profitable one for the light soils of a portion of the state, as the trees flourisli THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 175 very well where llie lanJ is not pufficiently good I to |)rodiicc liut a very lew busliels ol' corn to the acre. ir the few followitij^ remarUs, in relation to our uioile of culiiv;iiiiie ploughed up out of the clover until late in April, and the slock should be kept off the clover from February, so as to permit it to grow two or three inches high. Clover', in a young and grnvvinii state, turned in by the plough, soon r'ots and considera- bly improves the land. Land broken up late will require but one more ploughing belbre it is laid off lor to make the to- bacco hills ; whereas, if it is ploughed up early in the spring it will be necessary to plousrh it over twiee before the tobacco is plarrted. When land that is intended for tobacco has a wreat deal of litter on it, I think it' best to break it up, either in the fall or early in the spring. I always, whea my tobacco land is rich enough, cut the clover for hay if 1 can do so, if not, i try to pasture it closely; fbr, if the land should not be quite as rich as it ought to be, the clover hay furnishes manure which goes back to it. For, as I have belbre r-emarked, tobacco will not srrow quickly on land that has much litter in it. (D.) A planier,'in laying off his tobacco lots, should select such parts of his plantation as are adapted to the growing of fine tobacco : all light soils ar'e of this de.'-cription. Almost any soil may be said to be adapted to the growth of tobacco that will STOW it quickly. Tobacco that grows off immediately after beirrg planted is soon r'eady fbr the house, and the consequence is, it will with proper attention cure good. (.E.) I shall close my remarks on the management of a tobacco plantation in as few words as possi- ble. In the first place, raise such crops as re- quire the least labor fbr the support of the men and animals on it. In the next place, save all the manure you can ; keep no more stock than is necessary fbr the use of the plantation — parti- cularly horses, for a few well fed horses are of more use than a host of ill fed, half starved things. Suffer no manure or tobacco stalks to lie about your barn sills, when your land is in want of manure. Try and make corn enough for your own use. Keep the plantation in good fences. Having made the foregoing remarks on the management of a plantation where tobacco is the only crop made fbr sale, I shall now proceed to make such remarks on the cultivation of to- bacco as I think are calculated, if followed, to pro- duce a good and fine crop; and in making my remarks, I shall treat the subject pretty much as if writing for a person unacquainted with the manner of growing tobacco. I shall begin by giving directions how to choose suitable land and places for beds. The best sitU' ation fbr a plant bed that will grow plants early is on a hill side, having a slope towards the south, and if the land suit, the bottom or fbot of the hill side is best. This situation fully exposes the bed to the 12 o'clock sun, and keeps ofi' the north- west winds, which are frequent and cold during the spring months. I always select places for beds on the margin of running streams if the land suits. The running water keeps the tobac- THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 179 CO flies away on that side, and furnishes water to put on the bed in very dry vveaiher. I have liequently watered tobarco beds 'with great ad- vaniage. The water can be thrown over tiie beds a consiiierable distance by means of any thing in the shape of a coniinoii scoop with u long handle. All the parts of a bed that can be reached by the water thrown out of the scoop are soon watered. The part that cannot be reached in this manner, can, as the water is con- venient, be soon watered by taking the water out ol' the branch and carrying it and putting it over the bed. Swamp beds may also be watered in ilry weaiher, and ihc planis made to grow much Jaster in this manntr. (F.) In choosing land fi^r a tobacco bed, a planter should be carelijl so as not lb take that which is likely to sponge — that is, land that dries quick alter a rain; lor, in Ibis kind of land the to!)acco seed will not come up so well, as the ground very I'requenily dries below the seed afier they have sprouted, and consequently kills ihem. Tiie best kind of land is that which is well covered with vegetable mould. Almost any land or situation would answer very well for beds it' it was not for the tobacco fly: hence the g'-eat iniporiance of' choosing places for beds where the flies are not so likely to eat. Fl:es frequently eat worse in some pJaces than they do in others. I have found them to eat worse in small pieces of woods where beds had been sown in succession tor a number of years. They aie not so apt to eat in places, distant from other places,' where beds have been sown or tobacco has been grown. I have always (bund the first situation that I have mentioned the best, on account of flies ; thaf is, a place noi exposed to the northeast or northwest winds. It is a fact that has been Ions known to tobacco planters, that the flies eat worse during the pre- valence of cold northeast winds, than at any other time: hence they do not injure beds in warm so much as they do in cold situations. An- other thing is, the plants grow faster in warm places, and are sooner out of their way. ' As yet, I know of nothing that will prevent flies from eating when once they have gotten in a bed, nor ed even if found to be a preventive. In very large pieces ol woods, the flies are not so likely to injure plants. But at thg present day the woods are so cut down thai many planters have no such places. Alter all the experiments that have been tried, with respect to flies destroying tobacco planis, the situation of the bed has been found to be of more consequence than any thing else ; that is, places where the fhes are not likely to be. I have been rather tedious on choosing suitable places for planting beds ; for I consider, that upon these in a great measure depends the successful glowing of a tobacco crop. (G.) Almost any kind of soil or situation might be made to grow plants, were it not for the flies. These little insects are the greatest obstacle to the culture ol tobacco. If it was not for them, the cultivation ol tobacco would be as successful as any other culture. The best and surest time to sow plant-beds in upland, is about the middle of March. Beds sown at this time will f)roduce more planis, and require less picking or weeding to keep the grass and weeds out. There are several objections to the custom of sowing seed in the winter months. One of them is, if there should be a warm spell of weather shortly afier the seed are sown, they will come up too soon and are likely to be killed by hard freezing weather. Another objection is, the beds, from having bef.n piopared too early, become so liard before the warm weaiher com- mences in earnest, that the plants will not grow kindly. The plants also frequently come up in a sickly state, and very often remain so. Where- as, beds that are sown in March, from having been lately prepared, grow the plants off quickly. The seed comes up quickly and in a healthy state, and the plants are not inju;-ed by drought, as much as they would be had the "beds been prepared in the winter. The best time to sow lowland beds is about the first of April. (H.^ In preparing of plant- beds, ii has been the cus- tom fi-om time immemorial to burn them over with brush or wood. This no doubt is the best way where it can be done. It certainly is best to burn a place that has not been used lor a plant-bed liir several years belbre. But a bed that has been do I know of any thing that will kill them. Many j sowed the preceding year, will grow planis without experiments have been tried, but with little or no j being burned again. A planter who is scarce success. I have known persons to sow sulphur ] of stuff to burn his beds with, many obtain a great on their beds. Others have sprinkled over them ! deal of briers and brush by clearing up early liis the juice of common elder leaves. Some I have known to sow rye flour on their beds, under the impression, that the flour, by forming an incrus- tation on the plants, prevented the flies fiom . eating. Some suppose that keeping the beds covered with pine brush keeps the flies away. If any covering is of any advantage, it is a co- vering of well rotted stable manure put on very carefully so as nearly to cover the plants, witliout covering them entirely up. 1 have found some advantage from enclosing the beds with a waiting of pine or cedar brush. This kind of fence around beds, whilst it fences ifiem in from the intrusion of stock, prevents in some measure the flies from getting in them from adjacent lands. Some have supposed that a light plank fence around beds would prevent flies tirom getting in them, especially if the plank was tarred : as ihis mode would he atienLled with considerable ex- pense as well as labor, it is not likely to be adopt- land intended for corn and tobacco that year. I have fi-equently burned beds with briers and leaves. Briars can be put in a cart with a pitch- fork and put over the bed with the same. Beds, before the seed are sown, should be well pul- verized and cleared of all root or other litter. When sowing the seed it is best to sow one half the seed intended for the bed, and tlien rake them in the ground. The other half of the seed should then be sown across the way the others were sown, and the bed then trvd or pat led. By this mode of sowing seed the bed is prepared for dry or wet weather ; that is, should the weather be dry the seed raked in will come up ; if the weather is wet both sowings will come. The surest way to have plants is to sow plenty ol seed in a bed. It is true, beds will be belter with a certain quan- tity of planis in them but as plants are liable to be destroyed in so many ways, it is surest to sow (hick. A great many planis are destroyed by 180 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. picking the grass out of" the beds. Besides, thick eowing is a great security against the flies. Beds that a°e thinly set wiih plants are soon cleaned when the flies get in them ; whereas, beds thickly set may be considerably eaten by flies, and yet plants enough left : hence the triie saying "sow some for fly,°and some for I." I have known per- sons to miss planting their crop oC tobacco by not sowing seed enough in their beds; but 1 never knew one to miss by sowing too many. Beds that have too many plants in them can be raked and the plants thinned. This has lor a long time been customary. A rake for i he purpose is soon made. I have made the teeth with twenty pen- ny nails. Plant-beds, if the land is not rich, should be manured, this can be done before the seed are sown or afterwards. If the land is poor it is best to manure the bed before it is sown. Any well rotted manure will answer, but stable manure is best. Ashes answer very well lor light soils, and have the advantage of having no grass seed in them. In saving manure for plant-beds, care ought to be taken lo prevent grass seed from getiing with it ; so that stable manure, to be free from wrass seed, ought to be saved when the horses are not turned loose out of the stable, and when they are fed on some kmd of Ibod that contains no seed. Corn-blades are one of those kinds of Ibod. Hen- houses and the roosts of poultry tiirnish good ma- nure for tobacco beds. Hog-pens also furnish very good manure for plants. When beds are manured after the plants are up, the manureshould be put on in a very fine state. (I.) It 16 a custom with many planiers to cover their beds after they are sowed with pine or cedar brush. This is a very good way to get the plants up, as the brush keeps the land moist. The brush should be taken off' the plants soon after they are up, as it makes them tender and what is termed long- To keep up places for tobacco beds from year to year, as soon as they are done with for that time, they should be hoed or wed up, and then covered with straw or tobacco stalks, three or lour inches deep. I now come to the transplanting of the plant. Having kept the land in which they are to be transplanted clear of too much grass and weeds it is now to be got ready lor making the hills. The ground should be ploughed over, and il it should be soddy or lumpy, aheavytooih harrow should be run over if. It is now ready to be laid off, which is done by running fiirrows from two and a half or three teet apart one way, and then turning and running furrows the same distance apart directly across the others, at what may be termed right angles ; these furrows should be very shallow. Deep furrows make the hills too high, and when they come to be worked away the plants are left standing as if they were in pin- nacles. When making ihe hills, the top should be rounded off',so that the pat of the hoe will be no lower than any other part of the hill. This, though seemingly of little consequence, is more so than it appears to be at first sight. In times of heavy rains it prevents the water and sand (rom settling about the plant. Very often when plants have only been planted a day or two, there are heavy rains. If the hills are not made so that the water can run off" immediately, the plants get covered up by dirt washing over them. When drawing the plants from the bed they should be drawn with as much of their roots as possible. A common table fork, by being run under their roots, enables a person to draw the plants wiih all the fine fibres to their main roof. This mode should not be resorted to until the beds have been drawn several times, as the fork is apt to loosen the earth about the roots of'the plants left in them, and consequently injures them ; t)ut lowards the latter part of the planting time, when they will not be much longer wanted, the drawmg with a Ibrk will cause the late planting to grow oflT immediately. For plants drawn in this way, will, by leaving all their fine roots com- mence growing much quicker after they are trans- planted, ihan plants will which have been drawn by hand. Plants that are used to replant with ■ should be drawn in this manner. When Ihe plant-beds are within a short dis- tance of the tobacco land, the plants should be carried to it in baskets or tubs that will not hold more than a bushel ; for by carrying them in large baskets they become bruised. The m.ost con- venient way is to haul them in a cart ; but this way bruises them. The best way to manage when the beds are not too far off', is to set the most careJul hands on 'he plantation in the beds drawing plants, while the smaller and less useful hands should carry the plants to those who are planting them. When setting the plants in the hills, care should be taken not to put more of ihe plant in the ground than the root ; that is, the plant should be set as near as can be as it was in the bed. By putting the plants too deep in the hills, they frequently stand some time and then rot off at the root ; if they should not rot off' they will not grow lor some time. Afiertheplants that hnve been transplanted have commenced growing, or in the language of plant- ers, taken hold of the hill, weeding time com- rnences. It is well not to weed tobacco too soon alter it is planted ; lor if most of the grass seed do not get up before the hill is taken away, they will come up'after the tobacco is wed out, and it will have to be wed again. But on the other hand too much grass ought not to be suffered to grow about the tobacco hills. For filih is (bought to be the means of producing what is called the web-worm which is sometimes very destructive to crops. Many planters are of the opinion that weeding away the hills in a short time alter the plants are planted, will prevent the web worm from getting in the crop. I have known some to have all the • grass carried out of their tobacco ground when their crop had become grassy) under the impres- sion that that would prevent the web-worm. This is a very good way ; for grass left in tobacco lands, even if it is no cause of web- worm, prevents the tobacco from growing kindly. When tobacco is being wed, too much of the hill should not be taken away, as it leaves the plant standing on a small spire of earth, and in dry weather exposes the root too much to the sun. Some planters al- ways weed their tobacco plants without running a plough or cultivator in the space between the hills, because the plough and horse sometimes knock out of the hills some of the plants. This is a very laborious way, and a great deal of labor is lost. 1 have always found the most labor saving way to be, to weed, when the tobacco THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 181 ground is not very f^rassy, around ilie plant only, and afterwards plough the land by running two furrows between the plants each way. While the plants are youn^j, if the ground does not get too grassv, I do not plough until the tobacco makes some growth. If the land should become grassy soon after the tobacco is planted, the ground should be ploughed by running too fur- rows in each row, and should be wed afterwards across the way it was ploughed. Alter tobacco has been wed out some time, it is very often necessary to go over it again with the hoes, and take from around the plants grass that was left by oversight. This should be done without taking away any earth from the plants. Two ploughings are enough for tobacco after it is planted. A cultivator should be used after- wards. When tobacco begins to cover the ground in which it is planted pretty well, it should be laid by ; then it should be gone over again with the hoe and a hill put to it. Hilling tobac- co is not absolutely necessary ; for I have seen fine crops that were not hilled. The most advantage of hilling is, it keeps the tobacco from blowing down in storms. There are two kinds of worms which have not been mentioned in this essay; either of which are at times troublesome to tobacco growers : the common ground-worm and the tobacco or horn- worm. The ground-worm is troublesome to early planted tobacco. I know of no way to get rid of this kind of worm only the old one, and that is to hunt around the plants and kill them. This worm never cuts much after the 10th day of June ; about tliis time they appear to have had iheir day and disappear. The horn- worm is troublesome from the tiaie of planting a crop of tobacco until it is housed. A large gang of tur- keys manage this worm pretty well. When the turkeys cannot manage these worms, they must be pulled off the tobacco and killed. 1 vvill suppose the crop laid by, and that the next stage has arrived ; that is the tapping of it. There are two opinions about which is the best time to top. One opinion is, that the tobacco will cure a better color if the plants are permitted to get out in full blossom before they are topped. The other opinion is, that tobacco should be topped as soon as it shows an inclination to flower, or in the language of planters as soon as it buttons. I think it should be always topped as soon as it shows a button, for the growth of the top takes from the plant of tobacco so much that would have gone to it had it been topped earlv. The same remark applies to succors that grow between the leaf and stalk. They should be taken out early; that is, they should not be permitted to grow large, for they take away much from the leaf which at this tmie is making its principal growth. (J.) After a crop of tobacco is laid by, that is, after it is ploughed and hoed enough, there are from three to five weeks before it is ripe and ready to go to the house. During this time, a planter ehould make all the necessary preparation for housing. If he intends to cure liis tobacco with fire, his wood should be cut and hauled to his barns. If he has not got tobacco sticks enough to hang all his crop they also should be prepared. If he intends curing without fire, his scaffolds should be put up around his barns. Id short, every thing that will be wanted, should be in ila place before he commences houssing; lor alter he gels Adiy to cutting his tobacco, he will have enough to do without having to do what might have been done before. (K.) 1 will in this place make some remarks on cur- inir of tobacco. Firing — that is, making fires in the barn, under the tobacco, alter it is hung — is the surest way to cure fine tobacco. Tobacco that is intended |o be^rec/ should be hung in the house as quick as can be after it is cut. The house should be filled in a day, if possible, and fires put in immediately. The quantity oi' heat from fires during the different staires of curing'a house of tpbacco, should be regulated by the state of the weather. When fires are first put in a house, under tobacco just hung in, they should not be large, especially if the weather is warm and dry. For the first, second and third day, the heat should be such as will yellow the tobac- co without sweating of it. Af^ter this time, the fires should be larger, so as to keep the tobacco as it cures dry. In dry warm weather, very lit- tle fire under tobacco will cure it best. In wet or cool weather, of course, more heat from fires is necessary. Tobacco cures of a yellow color, when managed in this way, if the fires are kept under it from seven to eight days. It is a very good way, also, in firing of tobacco, to let it hang in the house until it yellows by the air, betijre fire is put under it : then three or four days firing will answer. But the tobacco is not likely to cure yellow — it will, if properly managed, cure what is called a fine red. (L.) After all that may be said about firing of to- bacco, I would not recommend it only at particu- lar times, unless barns could be fixed with (Lir- naces so as to carry off the sparks and smoke, so as to prevent the barn fiom taking fire. I am apprehensive that even furnaces would not be per- fectly safe ; for there would be some danger even from having fire in the barn ; and the pipes that would carry off the smoke and sparks, might, by passing through the tobacco as well as the barn, communicate fire to some part of it. The loss of a barn, with its contents, is a heavy one. It takes also a great deal of wood to fire a barn of tobacco ; and this on plantations where fuel is scarce, is of considerable consequence. Even if wood is plenty, it takes some labor to cut and haul it. I have for several years past cured my tobacco without putting a panicle of fire near it ; and I have found it to be nearly, if not quite as fine, as if it had been./irefZ. Tobacco of good color, cured without fire, is worth more money in a foreign market, from the circumstance of it8 not being smoked by the firing process. Tobacco that is to he cured without fire, should never be put in the house without its being hung out of doors, after it is cut, lor several days. There should be erected around each barn a scaffold — the tobacco, as it is cut and slicked, should be hung on the scaffold, and if there should be no appearance of rain, it may remain there for five or six days before it is put in the house. Tobacco, before it begins to cure on a scaffold, is not injured by rains; and after it be- gins to cure, a rain that lasts a short time does not injure it. If is rain that lasts two or three days that injures tobacco hung on a scaffold. (M.) A scaffold is const ruc'ed by burying in the 1S2 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. frround about two feet, forks set up perpendicular- ly, about ten feet apart I'rom each other ; in which I)oies are put nearly (he distance ol' a common lence rail from each other. Fence rails are thus put across from one pole to another, leaving a space of lour feet between each rail. These are what are called tiers. A scaffold should not be very iiiyh, fot if it is, the lower leaves of the to- bacco will become bruised (rom the winds. A scafJold should be of such a height, as to leave the ends of the tobacco leaves from one to two Jeet from the orround. It is not so well to erect scaffolds on the north or north-west part of a barn. They should always be made on the warmest sides of the barn. A planter ean always, fret his forks lor his scaffolds in the winter season, whilst cutting wood and rail stuff. Having said this much about scatlolds, I now return to the curing and housing of tobacco. A person unacquainted with scaffolding of to- bacco, would suppose that there could not be so much put in a barn in this way, a^^ there could he by firing. It would be entirely a mistake. There can be as much tobacco cured in a barn by scaffolding, as there can be by firing. It is true it could not be done po quickly ; yet in an or- dinary housina season there is ample lime to do it. A planter who has several barns, when f-caffold- ing of tobacco, should manaaeso as to be able to take into the house a part of a scafiold of tobacco every day, except rainy ones, during the season, When tobacco is being carried in the barn from the scaffold, the lower part of the barn should be huntjfull; and if that part of the barn will hold all that is at that time to be taken from the scaffold it should be left there uniil the space is wanted for more tobacco from the scaffold. By this means, the tobacco may have the advantage of several days in the barn, before it is finally hung away. The best time of the day to take tobacco ■in the barn, li-om the. t^caffold, is late in the even- ing. It should be handled very carelully, so as not to crumble the cured leaves. Tobacco should not, whenever it can be avoided, be carried in the barn from the scaffold, while wet with dew. This can always be avoided, except when there is an appearance of rain. When about to fill a barn with tobacco that has been scaffolded, the tobacco should behungsoas! leave ^rc holes, for if, about this time, there should come a spell of wet weather, the tobacco can have fires put under it, and be kept from being injured by the weaiher. However, tobacco that has been well killed by being scaffolded, will not injure in wet weather as near as soon as a person might suppose. It is only in long spells of warm wet weaiher that firing is necessary for tobacco that has been scaffolded. There are only two cases in which I would recommend firing of to- bacco— one is- in the instance just mentioned. The other is when a crop of tobacco, from unto- ward circumstances, ripens, or is not fit to be cut until late in the season for housing. Fires, by curing the tobacco quickly, prevents it from freez- ing in the house, which the lower leaves are apt to do, if left to cure by the air, when housed late in the season. Sometimes i)lanters fire for want of house-room ; that is, they cannot wait for their tobacco to cure by the air. ( have always thought it best to have a sufficient number of hams. A planter had better build two barns than to have one burnt down. I will here make some remarks on the con- struction ol tobacco houses. Tight houses will not cure tobacco as well as moderately open ont^s. P^ven when tobacco is cured by fires, a very tight house is not the best. There is a large quantity of moisture in a house of uncured tobacco — so there must be some opening lor it to escape. I have seen barns where the main building was shedded all around with no other covering except the roofs of the main building and sheds— that is, no weather boarding put on any part of it, except the rools. Barns of this construction certainly cure tobacco best when there are no long spells of wet weather ; for these kinds of barns cannot be fired in. It is also liable to be injured, if not stripped shortly after it is cureil. 1 have also seen barns of this construction with the sheds partially weather-boarded by setting up narrow planks around the sheds two or three inches apart. This is certainly some security against wet weather; yet (he tobacco is no,i suffi- ciently secured against it. Those who have the limber, can build no kind of barns that will answer better lor tobacco than the old fashjoned barns built ol oak boards and shingles: ihey let in suffi- cient air when it is curing, and keep out damp air after it is cured. IBarns, when built with plank and shingles, always cure tobacco best when the plank is put on with one end upwards, though the flames of barns weather-boarded in this way, will not last as long as when the plank is put on horizonlal.y. The best way probably to build a barn to suit all times, and all kinds of weather, would be to have all the plank intended lor weather-boarding, made into large doors, and well hung wiih good hinges, so tliat when the tobacco wanted air, all the doors could be opened — when damp air would injure it, the doors could be shut. A barn constructed after this manner, would cost a little more money lor hinges lor tb- doois, and latches lor fastening of them. I h ve seen one built alter this manner, which ansA'ered very well until it was burnt down. The doora could reach only to the eaves of the house, it' so far ; of course the other parts of the building must be weather boarded in the usual man- ner. (N.) When tobacco is ripe and fit to be cut, there are around the roots of the plants several leaves nearly cured. They can now be saved either before or after it is cut. Tobacco should have no leaves taken from its roots until it is ripe; taking away the leaves too early stops the growth. The tobacco saved from around the roots of the plant, is called ground leaf. The usual way of saving this kind of tobacco, is to pull the leaves by hand from the roots of the plants, and tie* them up in small bunilf's, and straddle them across a s'ick, until they ate cured enough. When fine ground leaf is cured, the usual ^vay is to select the largest leaves that are about half cured, and run a peg three or four inches long through \he large end of the stein, filling the peg with leaves, but leaving a space of about half an inch be- tween them, and then hang them across tobacco [sticks. The best time of the day to gather ground leaves, belbre the lobacco is cut, is Tate in the day about an hour from sunset ; when the tobacco * Sweet potato vines make a <];ood tie. THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 1S3 irrouml ia wet, the leaves are at tliis linie. of the day ill order to be iralliered. Leaves ixalliereil wlien ihe dew is on them, will injure belore iliey fj;et dry. Tobacco, wlicn beinjj cut, siiould not, il' it can be i)revented, be sutfered lo fall too much — tiuu is, lie on the j: cut and carried to the housfc; it must not be sufler- od to lie in heaps and heat. While laying in the field, if the sun shines hot at ihe time, it will be burnt by the sun, if permitied tf; lay too long. When hauling il to the house, the loads should not be large, as it will bruise when hauled in large loads. I have seen some persons have bushes wiih green leaves Jaid in the bottom of their carts belore the tobacco was put in the cart. This was done to prevent the .tobacco Irora being bruised. (O.) There are three ways in use Ibr hanging of the tobacco plants on the stick, one way is, by split- ting the stalk before the plants are cut, another way is lo put a peg in the big end of the stalk ; this is a tedious way and though in old limes the only way used, lias now nearly gone out of use. The other way is to put a sharp pointed iron spear, with a socket like a chisel on a tobacco stick, and then run the plants on the stick, by running the iron spear through the stalk of the plants. This is the quickest way of the three, but unless there is a considerable space left be- tween the plants, the tobacco will injure. The most careful hands should only be permitted to slick tobacco in this way. Those hands who could not be trusted to put tobacco on the sticks, could be engaged in the tobacco field at other work. The splitting of the stalk and afterwards strad- dling it across a stick, though not so quick a way as the one just mentioned, is a belter way for several reasons, one is, the plants can be easily regulated when they are put in the house ; ano- ther is, the tobacco cures quicker, and when housed late is not so apt lo be li-ozen in the house. It does not require so muchjudsment when put- ting the plants on the stick. The tobacco also, is much easier to get off the stick when it is wanted lo strip. We will now suppose the tobacco to be housed and cured and ready to be stripped, that is, taking the .leaves from the stalks ; whenever the tobacco is moist enough, or, in planter's language, in order, this can be done. The different kinds and colors must be tied up in separate bundles, and each kind put away by it,sfir. x\fter tobacco is stripped care must be taken to prevent it Irdm iieating in the hulks, which it quickly does in warm weather if put away in too moist a state. It it should begin to get warm it should be taken out of bulk immediately and put in a situation lo cool and dry. If bulks of tobacco should heat in warm, wet weather, and the weather con- tinues so, the best way then is to straddle the bundles across sticks and hang them up in the house. Tobacco of a fine color and good leaf should never be suffered to heat in bulk; Ibr the color, as well as the leaf, is considerably injured thereby. Tobacco of a dull color and coarse leaf is not injured so much by heating in hulk; though heating in bulk injures any tobacco more or less ; the old notion that tobacco was not conditioned lo pack in hogsheads until it had heated in bulk id entirely erroneous. 'J'obacco may be packed without injuring in the hog.-head, if properly dried alter being siript from the stalks; indeed lubacco after ills siri|)t retiuiresa great deal of atiention to manage it properly ; and if managed properly until it is in the house and cured, may be by improper management or neglect, made to be worth less money, afier this lime. 1 have seen tobacco myself put up in bulks, and sudeied almost to rot before any thing was done to it. It is |)rincipally the management and handling of tobacco alter it is cured, that makes the distinction between a nice planter and an indifferent one. When bulking of tobacco the leaves should be kept straight and the bundles spread open somewhat like a fiin, which can easily be done, by placing loo or three bundles at a lime, by the person who is handing the tobacco to the bulker, against his breast, and giving them a stroke down with the other. I have (bund the best way lo condition tobacco when stripf, lo be as follows : Take two tobacco sticks and lay them parallel and about one Ibot apart, then bulk on them about one hundred pounds, by placing the bundles across the slicks. The tobacco should be kneed down; iwo persons can move these bulks when- ever wanted by taking hold of the ends of ihe slicks. Tobacco when bulked in this way, if not very moist, will not want anything more done lo it until wanted to pack, especiall}' if the bulks are put up on the tiers of the barn, which can be easily done by liftinir them up by the tobacco slicks. After tobacco has been bulked in the way here recommended the small bulks should be on a drying day taken and opened, and the tobacco laid down by hand on the large bulking places. Bulking places should be fixed for the diflerent qualities, and as the small bulks are pulled to pieces the different qualities should be placed apart frona each other. Though in bulking on sticks as recommended, each quality as near as can be at that time ascertained, should be bulked to itself. In moving tobacco from the smaller to the larger bulks, the large bulks should, if the tobacco is very moist, have only three or four courses of bundles of tobacco placed on them at onetime; alter they have dried somewhat, three or four more courses can be placed in the same manner, and the operation repeated as long as necessary. Thus a barn of tobacco may be con- ditioned in this way without any of the lobacca healing. The best direction that can be given about packing of tobacco in hogsheads are, that the tobacco should only be moist enough to keep it from crumbling, and that fine tobacco should not • be pressed so hard as to bruise it. Tobacco, though often packed belbre, is hardly conditioned enough belbre the month of May. I shall now make such remarks on the cultiva- tion of tobacco and the management of the plan- tation, as have been omitted in the preceding part of this essay. Plaster of Paris, on suitable land, acts well on tobacco, though it will not cure so fine a color if there is a great deal of plaster put on it while in the field. When there is much litter in the land a small quantity of plaster is of great service; aa 184 THE FARMERS* REGISTER. it gives the tobacco a healthy jrrou'th which ottierwJBe would be sickly. Some planters sow the land with plaster belbre the tobacco is planted and afterwards piaster the plants, alter they are transplanted. This way makes a heavy crop, but it will not cure so fine as it would have done with less plaster.' I have generally found that a large spoonlul is enough, if put in the bud of the plant directly after being xoed-out. When manuring tobacco land with manure that is well rotted, or with ashes, the best time to ptat it on is when the land is readyto be laid off lor making the hills. The plough then throws the manure where the hill will be when made. I have said that plant beds should be sowed in March ; they may, in case of accidents, be sown much later and yet bring plants in time. In the year 1826 I had most of my plants killed by a spell of freezing weather, about the middle of April. About the 18ih or 19th day of the same month, I burnt and sowed a bed in low land. 1 selected the place along the margin of a branch <6r the purpose of having water at hand to water che bed if necessary ; Ibr late in the spring as it was, 1 knew it would only be by great attention that the plants would come in time. It so turned out that Httle or no rain lell until near the last ol June, and I regularly, every evening, watered die bed : by the middle of June the plants were large enough to plant, and if there had been a planting season, at that time, a great many plants could have been planted for the size of the bed, out of it. I knew a bed that was sown in Feb. 1820; the plants came up in March ; on the 2d r- ward to England from New Orleans, New YoiU, &c. Domestic exchanges are rather worse. Die receipts of cotton at tlie principal markets in ih(^ United States to t[ie latest dates are 1,105,000 against 1.872,000 at the same period last year. 7>/arcA 29, 1841. X. TO PREVENT INSECTS CLIMBING UP FRUIT- TREES. At a late meetintj ofthe Entomoloffica! Society, Mr. James H. Fennell commnnicaied the follow- ing successlid mode of preventinj; insects ascend- iuiT the trunks of fruit-tees. Let a piece of fndian ruhher he burnt over a jrallipnt, into which it will iiradually drop in the condition of a thick viscid juice, which slate it appears it will always retain ; f()r Mr. Fennell has at the present time some which has been melted for upwards of a vear, and has been exposed to all weather uiihoni undergoing the elitrhiest change. Having melted the Indian rubber, let a piece of cord or worsted be smeared with it. and then tied several times round the trunk. The melted substance is so very sticky, that the insects will be prevented, and generally captured, in their attempts to pass over it. About three pennyworth of Indian ruhher is suflicient for the protection ol twenty ordinary sized fruit-trees. PROCEEDINGS OF THE PEl^-DEE AGHICUI.- TURAI. SOCIETY, AT CHERAW, S. C, FEB- RUARY 22, 1841, Extract From the Farmers' Gazuttc. The following premiums were awarded : To Gen. James Gillespie, for having produced the greatest quantity of cotton on three acres of upland the amount be- ing 1735 1-3 lbs. per acre of seed cotton, aeilver cup ofthe value of ^30 00 To Samuel Keeder for the greatest production of sweet potatoes, he having produced on one acre three hundred and twenty bushels, a silver cup of the va- lue of 10 00 The following is a memorandum of the cuhure ofthe cotton, soil &c. by Gen. Gillespie. " Land red or mulatto, about three hundred bushels of manure chiefly from the stable, a part fermented and a part not, was spread broad-cast io the acre. The ground then broken up with a Vol. IX,-12-D two horse turning plough ; then run off with a 10 inch shovel, into rows 3 1-2 leet apart. Scat- tered lorty bushels of partially killed cotton seed to the acre in these furrows, upon which a ridge was made by runninji two furrows with a dagon lilouuh. I'hen sowed one bushel of plaster of Paris to the acre broad cast, and ten bushel.s of slacked ashes per acre on the tof)« of tlie ridges. Planted 13ih April, the seed was rubbed in plaster of Paris. Chopped out with 9 inch hoes .5th May. First ploughing 6ih May run two lurrows ia each row with a sweep. First hooing May 19ih and thinned to one and twostalkd in each hill ; the cotton had died consi- derably, replanted at this hoeing Ibr the third time. Second ploughing, May2lst, run two furrows with a shovel in each row near the cotton: June 1st ploushed out the middies with two sliovel fur- rows. June 2d hoed second time and replanted the Iburth time as the cotton was still dying ; the previous replanting had come up but most of it died. June 23d plouirhed third time ; three shovel fur- rows in a row : June 28lli hoed third, time. July 20ih ploughed fourth time run dajron plough (mould board to the cotton) and shovel in the miildle : Jidv 28ih hoed fourth lime. Product : 5206 of seed cotton making an averajre nf 1735 1-3 lbs to the acre.' It will be observed that thiscotton died so much as to make (bur replanlings necessary, and even then a perfect stand was ribt obtained. This I attribute to the too creat formentaiion ofthe cotton seed placed under the ridge, combining probably with the unrolled stable manure. It was hoped that this rapid fermentation would be checked or carried off by running a furrow on each side of the ridge on the 21st of May and leaving it open for a Cew days, but in this I was disappointed. The object in placing the cotton seed under the ridre, was to force the plant forward early. The stable manure was spread broad cast, 1st. Because tliat quantity under the bed would be likely to destroy the plant before the roots could pass through it. 2d. If placed under the bed and a drought of but short duration occurred in the latter part of the season, if the offers of forms did -not drop during the drought, a good season would cause so sudden and rapid a growth of the plant as to cause the forms then to drop. 3d. To feed the plant through the latteral roots when maturing the balls. The plaster of Paris was put on to assist the cotton in case of droaght or ordinary season, but rainy as the year was, [ should say, judging from former experiments with it, that the plaster did no good. The ashes were used because I believe them Co be a good manure in all lands well drained ; I have never tried them on wet lands. The above is a true account p.f the method of working and product of 3 acres of upland cotton to the best of my knowledge. Jas. Gillespie. The following is a memorandum of sweet po- tatees raised on one acre of land by Samuel Keeler. 183 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. The land on which the palatoes werr planted | was sandy. It was broke up in April and thiny- five two liorse loads ol' manure, the s'-rapinir ol the yard, was applied. This manure vva?: ploughed in and then the land was made inio hills ihree feet by three and a half, [jlouirhed three limes and hoed out each plouiihinif- product, three hundred and tvvemy bushels. The poiatoes planted were the Spanish variety. 1 certify the above, to the best ol" my knowledge. S. Keelkr. COOKING BEETS. From tlie Albany Cultivaloi . Take beets of middle size, and after removinfr the tops and dirt, roast them in a fire as potatoes are roasted. When done, they are peeled and served up in the usual manner. One who has tried them in this vvay, says they are much sweeter and richer than when boiled. SUIMIBIil-IlY or ME-WS. BANK AND BANKRUPT ITEMS. Republished from the weekly siimma-iies of news, attached lo the Weekly Farmers' Register. [It is dcsjirned that the concise summaries of gene- ral news prepared for jhe Weekly Farmers' Register, shall also hereafter be presented together at the end of each monthly number, as will be commenced in this. One of the main objects of this is, (in pursuance o( views stated at page 157 of this number,) to present to the agricultural public facts and truths in regard to the banks and their operations, which the publishers of newspapers generally are unwilling to utter, and in regard to which, therefore, there is a deplorable want of information. To bring up the banking history of these eventful days, from the pretended "resumption of spe- cie payments," all items relating to the banks which appeared in the weekly numbers of January and Fe- bruary, will be here republished ; and the entire sum- maries of news thereafter, commencing with the pre- sent month.] Extract From the Weekly Farmers' Register, Jan. 16, 1841. The time fixed by the laws of Pennsylvania, Mary- land and Virginia, for the banks to resume specie pay- ments, is Jan. 15, or soon after: and some of the news- papers are urging (and we fear successfully) that the resumption should beposponed, on the grounds that to meet it the banks must contract their issues. No doubt ! — but when will not the same reason exist, and the argument be equally good? The banks which cannot pay after a suspension since 18.37, (acknowledged or virtual,) will never pay. It is time for those institutions which are bankrupt, to be made to appear so, and that the most rotten parts of a fraud- ulent general system shall be allowed to sink, by withdrawing from them that support of government which alone upholds them. On the 11th, the presidents of all the banks in Bal- timore held a meeting and resolyed that it was irtex- pedient to resume specie payments unless the Virgin- ia banks did so also, simultaneously. This, we ?up- ^ pose, settles the matter that the reitin of irredeemable paper and irresponsible banking is to continue— as the resumption in Virginia, by law, was \.o follow that of the more noithern banks. New York Jan. 6. — United States Bank stock fell 7 per cent during this day, having sunk to .53. The whole decline of price is 10 per cent since the recent publication of the bank's own report of its own afiairs. July 71h further decline to .50|. The Franklin Bank of Baltimore has failed. The Philadelphia Ledger of 14th, from which the above is copied, expresses the opinion that the Phila- delphia banks would resume specie payments on the loth — and considers the declaration of the presidents of tlie Baltimore banks (stated above) as decisive that they will not resume at_ present. Saturday, January 2.3, 1841. On the 1.5th, the Philadelphia banks resumed specie payments, and the Maryland and Virginia banks did not. The resumption law of Maryland requires her banks to pay specie after Virginia — and the law of Virgirda requires her banks to resume specie pa'yments after the banks of Maryland. The banks of each state pro- claim their entire ability and readiness and anxiety to resume payment — but both stand upon the point of law, (or the point of bank honor perhaps,) and wait for the banks of the other state to pay either first or "simultaneously !" How long will these contradictory " sayings and doings" continue ? $,11(),()()0 are stated to have been drawn from the Philadelphia banks the two first days after resump- tion, the United States' Bank having bled for more than halL—Whtg. Large sales of United States bank stock at Philadel- phia on January 20, opened at 52, and closed at 53. A .=mall amount between the boards sold at 54. Same day in New York, 975 shares of this stock sold at from 51 to 51^ Satxirday, Januaty 30, 1841. The Baltimore and Virsjinia Banks, have at last agreed upon a " simultaneous" movement, and now promise to resume specie payments on February 1st. Qu. Have they gained any thing, in reputation or otherwise, by the addition of 15 days delay to their previous failure to pay ? Philadelphia, January 22. The correspondent of the Journal of Commerce writes that " business of all descriptions is less active, and money in greater request than for the past year. It now commands a rate of interest running from 1^ to 2^ per cent per month — indeed it is next to impossible, except on the most unquestionable paper, to obtain it at anv price. The banks are not discounting, and dare not, while they stand coupled with the Bank of the United States. The confidence, which it was mainly hoped would be extended to our currency on a united resumption, is not yet apparent, nor will it be, while institutions notoriously insolvent contribute in any large degree in furnishing it." It is ascertained that the New Brunswick Bank has stopped, and it is feared, finally, lb. The Governor of Mississippi states, that he has issued his proclamation declaring the charters of the follow- ing banks forfeited : The Tombigbee Rail Road and Banking Company; The Hernando Rail Road and Banking Company ; The Mississippi Rail Road and Banking Company; The Benton and Manchester Rail Road and Banking Company ; The Aberdeen and Pontotoc Rail Road and Banking Company ; The Bank of Vicksburg; The Mi.ssissipi Union Bank, and Tne Citizens Bank of Madison County ; THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 187 Several othpr."!, he bolicves, have failed to coinpl_y with the injiinctioiis of the IJaiik Law. Xew Yuik.Jcin 27. — The stock market a;;ain ^ave way to-day, and our quotations are lower, without any exceptions. United States Bank Stock fell 1.^, Dela- ware |, iS^orth American Trust i, Hailein i, Stoninu;- ton .J ; and the market closed with a tendency decided- ly downward. — Ev. Post. Saturday, February 6, 1S41. The Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of New Bruns- wick, (N. J..) has broke, and the doors were closed on the 2Sd lilt., by an injunction oi the Chancelloi^ On Feoniary 1, tlie banks of Virginia and Maryland resumed specie payments, after a fashion. By each bank, and each branch havirjg previously exchanged. or otherwise sent its own notes as tlir irom home as possible, and by issuitig no other than the notes of other banks or branches, (vvhich they can, and of course will, refuse to pay in specie,) and by inducintr the merchants under their control to draw their checks for "current notes," the banks had admirably well "prepared lor paying specie" — that is, they had so arranged as to pay as little of it as possible. To for- ward this great object still more, there is now a bill before the Virginia legislature to authorize the banks to issue small notes, (fir sums under !^'o) ; and it is to be feared that this additional measure to serve mere bank interests, and to keep specie out of circulation, will pass that body. The northern brokers, who alone are enabled by their position to counteract these non- paying designs of the banks, will be the only persons who will obtain specie to much extent. And whether drawn and carried off by loreign brokers, or otherwise remaining in the vaults of the banks, the specie will be of very little service in filling the circulation of Virginia, so as to guard against the worst evils of the next bank suspension. The proper policy, for all who prefer the interest of the country to that of the banks, and who dare so to act, is to refuse all checks for "cur- rent notes,'' and to draw specie wherever it can be carried to the country, and diffused through' the country circulation, and to receive from no bank or branch, any notes but its own, which it can be required to re- deem. Since the resumption of specie payments, Unfted States bank stock h.is fallen from 52 to 48 and a frac- tion. February 13. The advice to draw specie from the banks, and dif fuse it through the counlr3' circulation, as offered in our last week's summary, was too late ; and flie occurrence of another bank su.?pension, which was fhenintimated, had then actually begun in Philadoljihia. The Uniteii States Bank, alter a very short resumption, again stopped payment on the 4th. The news reached this place on Sunday, the day after our last weekly publi- caiion, and on Monday morning, in the first banking half heur, the Brarich Farmers' Bank and Branch Exchange B.ink again stopped specie payments, after a. six days "resumption.'" The thirteen other banks of Philadelphia also stopped a day after the United States Bank, after having first, but the night before their stoppage, held a joint meeting and declared and published to the world that they would continue to pay. The New Jersey, Delaware and Baltimore banks have followed their example, of course, and so will all in Virginia, and probably all south of New York that have not already done so. The banks in Maryland and Virginia may not have paid away mucli money in their six days resumption; but another and so speedy a suspension, will serve as a heavy draft upon, and pro- digious, lessf'hing of, their remaining credit and reputa- tion, and hold on the confidence of the country at larice The banks throughout this country are above all law and all restraint ; and they are made by law impregna- ble against all assailants, except themselves. And by their own hands, or measures, they are now reaching I that end which is approaching, however slowly, but ' which is yet inevitable. Now will ensue another long time of suspended payments— if indeed payment will ever be resumed bona fide, and to full extent, by the existing banks of this country, or any future baidcs es- tablished upon the present system. Every body (ex- cept the most submissive an-troy(!d by a mob a lew years ago, has b en iii- deliniteiy postponed, by a vote of nearly five to one. The num- ber against it however does not diminish the justice of the claim. We learn from Capt Collier, of the bark Ilobart fnim the coast of Afiica, that all the slave factories had been broken up by the British cruisers. The Madisonian, of Saturday, publishes the following extract of a letter, dated, Halifax, I N. S.] ^eb. 19, 1841. "Several re- giments have been ordered to New- Brunswick, and we are in- formed that orders liave been sent from the home goveriinient to the West Indies, to embark all the regular troops there for this place; the Islands to be garrisoned by the militia. The Legislature of Ketitucky have passed a resolution offer- ing a reward of ,$3000 for the discovery of the cause of milk sickness in cows at any time wiUiiii live years. In the appropriation bill, some salutary reduction and limitations have been imposed by the House of Representatives, on the excessive indirect emoluments of roUectors, postmasters, district attorneys, marshals, clerks, &c. if4c. Some of tiie most Ibrtunate of those officers have, recently received seveially from 10,000 to (SO, 000 dollars a year. This point of time, or turn- ing of the political tide, when one party is just about to go out of power, and another to come in, is the most favorable juncture, to repress gross abuses, and it has been now, advantageously used for that purpose — and whatever may have been the motives, so far as they go, the results will be excellent. An out-going party, when surrendering the spoils to their opponents, will of course be very willing to lessen the profits of ofhces which thej' cannot expect to possess ; and the in-coming party will be ashamed, so soon, to object to reforms, which they had been calling for so loudly. Either a year earlier or a year later, these salutary reformations of abuses would be much less easy to effect. An able letter from a Boston merchant to Gov. Porter, on the condition of the Pennsylvania banks, and his action thereupon, has the following passage. "A suspension of payments in specie is a breach of con- tract, a state of discredit and dishonor, which, if to- lerated at ail, should be considered as a deplorable calamity, the result of a dire neces.sity, and only to be submitted to for the shortest possible peried. The idea that resumption can be attempted too soon, that a depreciated currency will cure itself, that any course of trade will bring specie where its use is dispensed with, are amongst the oft repeated fallacies, which all experience confirms as such. The depreciation of a paper currency issued by banks considered solvent, arises wholly from its excess. The only remedy is its contraction — its reduction in quantity." On March Sd., the legislature of Virginia elected the Hon. Wn). S. Archer, senator of the United States. A prodigious croud of visiters, from all parts of the United States, had assembled at Washington to be pre- sent at the inauguration, of President Harrison, on the 4th instant. On that occasion, there must have been assembled together more hungerers for, and expec- tants of loaves and fishes, than had been at any pre- vious time since the miraculous provision of them for the multitude in the wilderness of Judea. Since our last report, United States Bank stock was sold as low as $16, but since, the price has recovered a little. Judge Peter V.Daniel, of the United States Circuit Court lor Virginia, has been appointed to the vacant seat in the Supreme Court, and Judge John Y. Mason of this district, has been chosen to fill the place va- cated by Judge Daniel. By last night's mail (March 5) received the " Euro- pean," printed in Liverpool, Feb. 10, and brought by the President steamship, which furnishes the following items : Advices from Canton were, to November 3, gloomy. 190 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. Apprehensions were entertained by the Enj^lish of the | It is stated that the notes of the Union Bank, Buffa- tinai result of the negotiations with the Chinese autho- I lo, are no longer redeemed by the agent at Albany, rities. It was supposed tliat the British comtnander | [Jour. Com. would be duped, and his conduct was severely cen- I The Raleigh Register of the 6th says, th|t the North sured. The British troops hoidino- the Island of [Carolina Banks have again suspended specie pay- Chusan were very sickly— out of 3G50, there being | ments— or con/fsseii having done so, as we would say. only 2(iS6 fit for duty. " i So they go— and so they will go. The pretence of The Earl of Mountcash^l (Feb. 8) had brought the I paying specie by a bank will soon be held as ridicu- case of McLeod before the House of Peers, and spoke j lous, as would be the claim of chastity by an inmate highly in reprobation of his treatment. In reply to ! of a brothel. his Inquiries, the premier said that he " might rest as- ; Saturday, March 20. sured that every measure wouid be taken that was j The Richmond Compiler, alter stating the recent necessary to secure the safely of her majesty's sub- i (acknowledgment of) suspension by the North Caroli- jfcts, and to uphold the honor of the British nation." na bank.s, adds,—" Our banks stand now pretty much Tiie subject had been debated more at length in the alone. If ihey can continue to pay specie while there House of Commons. The cotton market had declined a little— owing to the ditliculties of the stock and money market. Saturday. March IS/A. All the nominations to places in President Harrison's cabinet were confirmed by the Senate. M. Daguene has announced that he has succeeded in making the photographic plates so sensitive as to is no place whence they can draw specie to restore that they pay out, and, what is worse, exchange with New York, fire per cent, against us, and render the proper aid to trade at the same time, they will do winders." Thpre is a still greater wonder re-asserted in the above pa^jage, with the absurdity and impossi- bility of which our friends of the Compiler are not yet tn pressed ; that is. that the notes of the baidca of Vir- receive an impression in less than a second ; and that, \gima, if truly paying specie, as asserted, should be five in consequence, he is able to receive the forms of all per cent, below par in Neiv York. But, upon our moving objects, as perfect a? those of thing* stationary. | ground, maintained throughout, that our banks do not British cruisers continue to exercise, illegally, the j pay specie, the high price of exchange ceases to be a poiver of searrh on American vessels, suspected hy wonder. The history of the world presents no such Them of beincj enirasred in the slave trade. The fol- | bare -faced and manifestly flilse pretension, as this of lowing is the latest example: "A letter, writt'^n at ;sea, on board the hrig CluTokee, Capt. Webb, of Sa- lem, dated Dec. 27, 1840. slates, that a few days before they reached the Cape, the brig was oveihaul.'d by her Britannic Majesty's bri": of w.ir Curlew, and. after a lull examination of the Cherokee's paper=. her hatches were torn open, und^r pretence of searchins forslaves!"' Branch Georgia R. R. Baiilr.—We observe in the reports of the exchanges in Columbus, that the bills of the Branch of the Georgia Rail Road Bank in this city, are quoted at 15 per cent discount, and, as the bill holders in the western part of the state may be led astray by this quotation, we take this occasion to assure thf-rn, that the Braiich is paying specie, and will continue to do so. and as a consequence, her bills are worth as much in this city as the bills of any other city bank. — ^'lug. Chronicle. In strrct accordance with our rule of interpreting such bank notices as the above, the bank in question stopped specie pavments immediately alter, and so etlectually and undoubtedly, as to make an official publication of the fact. The very interesting case of the Spanish vessel Amis- tad, and the Africans who captured her, is at l'MiThe second number of the 'SOUTHERN MAGAZINE AND MONTHLY REVIEW is rea- dy for delivery. CONTENTS OF THE FARMERS REGISTER, NO. III. VOL. IS. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. Hussey's reaper . . - - Chemical and geological account of the Shoc- co Springs . - - - Ice moutitain of Hampshire county, Va. Modes of measuring grain New and successful mode of guarding peach trees from the worm . . - Editorial on the currency - Remarks on the "prize essay"' of Dr. Wm. L. Horton . . * - - Specie-paying and non-specie-paying banks - Northein opinions of southern agriculture and agricultural publications Long continued action of calcareous manures, and particularly in preventing rust in wheat Sugar beet and white carrot. Mr. Ronaldson's imported seeds and implements Monthly commercial report SELECTIONS. Poudrette as a manure ... Poudrette ..... Make the wind work - - - - Glanders and farcy ... Watering places — hoof ail - The cultivation of hemp in Kentucky Improved breed of hogs . . - Fourth agricultural meeting of Massachusetts — Live stock .... £urn your cotton stalks ... Page 129 145 151 153 154 157 159 163 168 172 175 184 129 130 131 131 133 135 137 140 143 Fruit trees . . - . - Good work .... To prevent rats from cutting holes through floors and doors .... Agricultural society .... Economy in candles ... Live stock — Dnrhams, Ayrshire and native breeds of cattle .... Ho^s, horses, sheep and cattle Liquid leather .... Draining ..... Prepared night soil manure ... The currency — as connected with the interests of agriculture .... Influence of native magnesia on vegetation Thorough draining .... Marquis of Tweedale's drain-tiles machine Productiveness of pumpkins - Mr. Allen's piggery Culture of rice-grass (Leersia orizoides) Vegetable tallow - - . - Rohan potato ..... Synopsis of the culture of rice on Black river What will an acre yield in silk Most suitable soil for apple trees - Frozen well . . . - - Heavy Berkshire hogs ... Method of planting and managing peach or- chards . . . . - Lime - - . - Pemedy for kidney worms Essay on the cultivation of tobacco, and the management of the plantation - Page 143 144 144 144 I4& 146 14f> 154 154 156 156 158 158 160 161 161 167 167 169 170 171 173 173 174 174- 176 177 177 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. Vol. IX. APRIL 30, 1841. No. 4. EDMUND RUFPIN, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. AK ISSSAY ON THE CULTIVATION OF CORN.* , From the Kentucky Fanner. Iiulian corn is a grain so necessary in raisinii and fatieninii stocit, that it must ever be regardeil as very imporiant, in any system of agriculture, suitable for tlie western country. Tliough an ex- hausting crop, it may be raised, for a succession of years, upon the san)e ground. But although a rotation does not appear so essentially necessary in this, as in some other crops, yet the fact of a continued cultivation of this grain, even upon our richest land, (or a succession of years, gra- dually deterioratmg the soil, and diminipjiing the annual product, should admonish the husband- man, that a different system ought to be pursued. It should be a settled principle, with every farmer, so to cuhiva'e his land, as never to deteriorate his soil. He should constantly aim at improvement, as the best and most certain means of preventing deterioration. The first consideration, therelbre, with every farmer, shouITi be to adopt such a sys- tem, in the cultivatjon of corn, as will not only prevent his soil from being reduced, but will trra- dually increase its (eriility, and the product of his crop. The means, by which this may be accom- plished, depend very much upon the native qua- lities of the soil, and the degree of deterioration it has undergone. To treat this subject in a practical and useful manner, it is necessary that we should distinguish between the white oak lands, of the west, having a clay soil, with little or no vegetable mould on its Burlace, and the rich calcareous soils, having a deep vegetable mould, with a sub-soil of clay, founded on limestone rock. The latter, in its native state, is extremely fertile, and very pro- ductive in corn. But most of the lands, of this clescription, in Kentucky, have been so lontr, and 60 unskilfully cultivated, as to have considerably reduced their Jeriility. Yet experience has shown that they may (when the soil has not been too much washed oti',) be restored to their origi- nal (ertilily, by a proper system of cultivaiion. This renovation may be accomplished bf a judi- cious system of grassirjo: the land, and restoring to it, in the form of manure, as nearly as practi- cable, every thing which .is taken from it by the growing crops.' Ground which has been much exhausted, should, altera wheat crop, beset in clover, by sowing, about the middle of February or between that and the first of iVIarch, among the growing wheat, one-tenth of a bushel of clo- ver seed per acre. It should be suffered to remain three summers under pasture, exclusive of the one in which the wheat is harvested. In the third year the clover should be permitted to go unpastured from the first of July until about * This is one of four essays on different subjects to all of which were awarded the highest prize offer- ed by the Kentucky State Agricultural Society. The author, Judge Beatty, is one of the most judicioojs and successful practical farmers in Kentucky.— Ed. F. E. Vol. IX.- 13 the time the clover ripens,* when it should be turn- ed under by a well-constructed plough, so as to bury every part of it. The belter to accomplish this, a harrow, with the teeth reversed or a heavy brush should be, drawn over the clover so as to lay it flat, in the direction the ploughs are to run. A harrow should follow the ploughs to fill all the interstices, in order the more completely to cover up the clover. During the winter, while the ground is frozen, a dressing of manure (as far as the farm will furnish it,) should be hauled over the ground, but left in heaps till the proper lime for ploughing, when it should be spread and imme- diately |)loughed in. The field, thus improved, might now grow two crops of cornin succession, and then be again sowed in wheat and clover, and treated as in the first instance. A second field, in the mean lime, might under- ffo the same system of improvement, and so on in succession, till all the cultivated land shall have been renovated. If the soil is naturally rich, and has not been much reduced by cultivation, instead of three crops of clover in succession, two might be adopted, when the rotation would he as follows, clover, clover, corn, corn, wheat. This rotation would require five fitlds, two of which would be annually in corn, two' in clover, and one in wheat ; so that in every five years each field would produce two crops pf corn, two of clover, and one of wheat. But if the soil has been much reduced, a shift of six fields would be necessary, and the rotation as recommended above, to wit: three years in clover, two in corn, and one in wheat, which would leave three fields annually in clover, two in corn, and one in wheat. This rotation, with a judicious application of manure, would gra- dually renovate any of our naturally rich calca- reous land, where the soil has not been washed ofT. When land is naturally rich, and has not been much reduced by bad husbandry, the follow- ing rotation will be found very convenient and profitable, particularly for small farms. Corn, wheat, clover and so on in succession. This will require but three fields, and the farmer will every year have one field in corn, one in wheat, and one in clover, besides the advantage of pasturing the clover after his wheat comes off'. But the clover must be suffered to dder will scarcely be fit lor any kind of stock. Thus, by attempting to make superior fodder, the farmer frequently raises boih fodder and corn. The cutting of corn should not be commenced until all the blades below, and nearly all above the ear are dry. When onjy two or three blades above the ear show any remains of the green color; and when such is the general state of the field, the operation of cutting up corn should be commenced, (taking care to begin with that part of the crop which is most advanced,) and should be completed as rapidly as possible, as the blades, after they be- come dry, are liable to injury from dews and rain. Hemp hooks are most convenient instruments for cutting. It should be cut about a foot from the ground, as it will stand much betier in shocks, when the ear is brought nearer to the ground than it would do if the corn were cut close to the earth. There will also be less weight to handle in shock- ing, hauling, ricking, feeding &c., while nothing will be lost, that is fit for fodder. From fourteen to sixteen hills square should be put in each shock. The former will contain 196 hills, and will give nearly fourteen shocks to the acre, sup- posing the corn to be planted four feet apart, each way. The latter will give lOf shocks nearly per acre. [ prefer the former, if the corn be large, and stands well in the hill, that is, three stalks in each. But if it does not stand regular in the hill, or if the stalks be of moderate size, then sixteen hills square will make the shocks of a better size. The saving of corn in the shock, without injury, depends altogether uj)on the manner in which the shocks are put up. If they are set up so as to stand firmly, there is no danger ol'the corn injur- ing: but if the operation is carelessly, or unskil- fully performed, they are liable to twist round, and settle down, so as to leave the top open. When this hapens the rain will penetrate the shocks, ruin the fodder, and greatly injure the corn. Shocks should be thus constructed. The stalks of lour hills (left standing for the purpose,) should be inclined towards each other, and tied by their tops, so as to fcirm a kind of cone over the centre between the four hills. When this is done, while some hands are cutting, those, who best understand the process of shocking should gather the corn. by armsful, and set it up around the four hills, thus tied together, setting the first four armsful in the intervals between the bent corn, bringing the buts so near to each other as to make the stalka occupy nearly a perpendicular position. In hke manner the successive armsful should be set regularly all around the four hills of corn, tied aa above directed, still keeping the buts well pressed together at the bottom, so that the pressure at the top towards the centre, may not be so great as to break down the stalks tied together. This should be fiirther guarded against by placing equal quantities of corn all around, so that the pressure may be equal li-om all sides towards the centre. The tops of the corn stalks being smaller than the buts, they \vi[ naturally incline inwards, so soon as the fbddir becomes dampened by rain or dew ; but this inclination should not be very great, otherwise the shocks will not so well turn the rain; besides, as the corn may not be equally distributed all around the shocks, the pressure will be unequal towards the centre, and the efiect of this inequality v/ill be greater in proportion as the corn varies fiom a perpendicular position. Care should also be taken to set up the corn, so as not to give it an inclination to the right or left, or a leaning sideways. If this be not attended to, the shock in settling together — as it will when it becomes damp by dew or rain — will be certain to twist round, and cause the top of the shock to open, and thus expose it to great injury from the weather. This point is the most important thing to be attended to, in shocking corn, an operation upon which the complete preservation of the crop depends. That part of the corn which is not intended to be fed way with the fodder, must of course, be shucked in the field. This should be done while the fodder is damp, otherwise there will be a considerable loss by its crumbling. As fast as the corn is shucked, the fodder should again be put in shock, and this cannot be well done, when it is dry. Hence, after a damp spell, or when the weather is warm and giving, is the best time lor shucking corn out of the shocks, if this operation is in progress during the feeding season, a part of the fodder may be hauled at once, to ihe feeding pen, and to a rick adjoining it, and so far the trouble of re-shocking may be avoided. Some farmers do not pursue the practice of cut- ting up their corn, and among these, two different methods of saving their crops prevail. By some it is contended that shucking the corn upon the stalks, as they stand in the field, and hauling the 198 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. corn ihence, to the crib, is the most economical, or greatest saving of labor. The practice with others is to pull their corn, haul it to a Fuitatile place, and slinrk, and then crib it. There can be no doubt that ihe same number of hands will, by the former meihod, secure in the crib, a erieaier quantity of the corn, in the same time, than by the latter. The plan is, however, subject to two objections. 1st. By this meihod all the corn, good and bad, must be cribbed together. 2d. The shucks must either be lost, or stock turned in the cornfield to feed upon them. If this be done, the ground will be much injured by the trending of the stock, when renderfd soft by rains, or by freezing and thawing. This evil may, in some degree, be avoided by turning the stock into the field only • when the ground is fozen hard. But our winters ♦arc so open, and the changes in the weather so frequent and sudden, as to defeat almost every precaution of this kind. In point of fact we rarely see farmers take the trouble to have their Btock removed at every sudden change of the weather, particularly when that change is accom- panied by heavy, and long continued rains. Com- fort is most generally con^uhed, on occasions of this kind, and the cattle are left to feed themselves rather than encounter the trouble and inconve- nience of removing them to a place where they may be fed. And thus the ground is left to suffer rather than expose the^rmer or his hands to in- convenience. The other plan is somewhat more tedious, and (if ihere be no shelter under which to throw the corn as it is hauled, and to shuck it, and save tlie Bhucks,) is liable to more serious objections than the other. If, however, the fiirmer will provide himself with a cheap and suitable buildinor, under which his corn can be. protected while he is gathering, hauling and shuckintr it ; and where he can save, salt, and stow away his shucks till the time for feeding them, the latter plan will, perhaps, be en- titled to the preference. Much of the corn, ac- cording to this plan, can be shucked durinj; bad weather. It can be assorted, and the different kinds hauled to the appropriate places lor feeding. The shucks can be salted, and secured from the weather, and fed away without much inconvenience in bad weather. The stock, fed upon them, will furnish some manure; and above all, this plan will keep the stock from injuring the land, by treading it when rendered soft by rains, and by freezing and thawing. If this plan be adopted, there should be a crib, fiir holding the nubbin corn, and that which is unsound, so situat- ed that this part of the corn may at once be put into it, and thus leave none but the sound corn to be removed to distant cribs. The process of assorting the com may thus be performed while shucking it, and the defective parts, by means of baskets, deposited in the adjoining crib ; or it may be assorted as the sound corn is thrown into the wagon to liaul to the appropriate crib, and put in- fo the crib intended (or it, while the wagon is un- loading. A. Beatty. September, 1840. KOTES TO THE ESSAY ON TOBACCO CULTURE, (Continued from page 177.) (Note J.) This essay is adapted n)orn particularly to the culture of the bright Kitelbol, Maryland tobacco. The writer of liiese notes dues not pretend to know any thing about the management of that particular variety, nor would he in any way call in question the views or skill of the writer, or pre- sume himself to prescribe lor its management. There are however in its culture, and process of management for market, many things in common with the practice of the best planters in Virginia, and many in which they differ. It. is the design, therefore, to point out in a Irief way those par- ticulars in vv^hicb they disagree. It will be borne in mind that the Maryland tobacco is sold in a very different market, and put to a very different use from that which is made in Virginia. Al- though in Baltimore it commands a higher price than ours, yet in Petersburg, or Richmond, it would be con^ered thin, chaffy, and almost va- lueless. C^ote B.) This has not been the impression of the best to- bacco growers in Virginia. Owing perhaps to the peculiarity of our soil, or more probably to the dislike which they have to the thin bright to- bacco, they prefer that it should not grow ofT loo rapidly, or mature too early. It is always a mat- ter of regret with them if the seasons force iheir plants so as to compel them to put them in the hills before the 1st of June — the 10th is much more preferred — though when their plants are large enough, and the weather is suitable, they avail themselves of it for fear that there may not be "seasons' as they call it, to plant out, wherj they might desire it. That which is planted out about the lOih or 15ih of June, grows broader leafed and heavier, and is thrown back later to re- ceive the heavy dews of August and September, which our planters consider very important to make it thicken and ripen. Our writer's opinion, too, of the importance of rapid growth to make a fine article, will not apply to the fijcts of the case in Virginia. We believe, too, that it is generally conceded that the thin, poor tobacco of Kentucky, is owing to the rapid and luxuriant growth which their fertile soil gives it. Within the last few years, however, the character of that tobacco has very much improved ; owing no doubt in part to the improved management, but not less is due to the improved condition of soil for that particular crop. The exuberance of fi^rtility which formerly produced a coarse and spongy article, has been worn down to a more healthy fertility, {Note (7.) The practice of the best planters in the middle counties in Virginia, (and we think they grow the best tobacco in the state,) is to fallow up their rich clover fields in the autumn as soon as it is well matured, letting it remain to rot till the spring, when it is ploughed and reploughed to mix the manure before hilling and planting. Some of the prettiest " pie-bald," fawn-like tobacco we have ever seen in the field, has been made under such circumstances, and brought the highest prices in our markets. Another successful plan is to fallotv THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 199 in the autumn their herdsgrase meadows, (for they have (heir rej^ular rotations lor that purpose,) which they, by tillage, in the spring prepare (or the crop. The decaying roots and vegetable matterleedand nourish the plant during its growth. They continue to cuhivate their grass land (or two or three years, when it begins to get close or clammy (or want oC the vegetable matter which has been exhausted, and which is considered so important ; it is again seeded down in small jirain and grass. Oihers again seed the land which is intended (or tobacco, in oats, which, when ma- tured, are turned in with the plough. The volun- teer oats will perhaps seed the land for the next spring, if they are not killed by the frost, or the land can be again sown if the owner thinks it not rich enough. More than one crop however is rarely necessary to enrich it (or one or two years, on land which we may suppose to be in good heart before. It is also very common to ap- ply half rotted straw and- other litter from the farm pen on the land in the spring, to be ploughed and mixed in with the soil belbre hilling, and thus • it rots and feeds the plant while growing as under the systems be(bre mentioned. It is perhaps use- lees to speak of the destructive practice of cutting down tbrests, so long and extensively used in Virginia for the cultivation of tobacco. As de- sirable as virgin soil is to the growers of fine (obacco, but (ew will have that kind of land left many years longer, {Note D.) We think that by fallowing at the proper time in the autumn, the clover would be converted into manure, and tliereby the difficulty which the wri- ter alludes to would be obviated. There is another view of thesubject which we should be glad to see discussed by some of our able agriculturists. It is this. Whether the protection fi-om cold afforded by clover or other vegetable covering is ot more service to the soil, and to the subsequent crop, than would be derived from the same covering when converted into manure by the autumnal fallow. It is the opinion of some that the freezing of land improves it, and prepares it lor the coming crop. And yet it has not escaped the observation of all that wherever the land has been protected from frost by a stack, or in any other way, although no vegetable matter may have remained, to en- rich it, that the subsequent crop will show the ad- vantage. (Note E.) A. free, light, gray, loamy soil, is preferable (or the growth of tobacco— that medium texture, I should say, which was equally removed (rom the sand and the clay. It was remarked by a very intelligent, observant, and successful farmer, Mr. Richard Venable, of Prince Edward county, that the gray lands of that county produced the finest tobacco that he ever saw. And in connexion with the eaime subject, he said that the rich low grounds of James River were comparatively in- ferior for that crop. He thought it probable tha' the latter soil was more or less calcareous from dc posiie brought down from the lime stone country of the Blue Ridge, and he did not think that lime- stone lands produced the finest tobacco, If this be the fact, may not the inferior quality of the article in Kentucky be accounted for? (Note F.) The application of water to the plant-beds by throwing it, is probably not the best niode. It is disposed to bake the land. It would be attended with much better effects i( the water weredammed above the bed and conducted round it, to ooze througjh from little rivulets. - Or another mode of irrigation, which is perhaps equally good, can be effected by placing barrels in different parts of the bed, containing water, with email gimlet holes lor it to trickle through. (Note G.) As has been remarked by our writer, the fly is always most troublesome in cold and dry seasons. The best mode of protection which we .have known, and we have thought it almost a preven- tive,^ is what the writer has partially alluded to. Warmth and moisture arc the opposites of cold and dryn'ess. The beds should be on some southern exposure, and kept in a moist condition, either ir- rigated, (which if only one is used is preferable,) or by covering pretty thickly with brush. We would not use pine brush, as they exclude the sun too much, and there is something cold in their na- ture ; but simply brush, which serves the two-fold purpose of keeping the land moist and preventing it^ (rom washing, if there should be hard rains. To cover the beds over with well rotted stable manure is found to be a valuable auxiliary to ir- rigation. We have kept the brush on till the plants were out of the reach of the fly, or within a (ew weeks of planting. They are then removed to let the plants harden by the action of the sun before planting. If it is necessary to remove them (or the purpose of irrigating or manuring, or hand- weeding, or trampling the beds, they must be laid on again, and when they are finally removed, it should be gradually, or during a cloudy or wet spell. (Note H.) The beds which are sown reasonably early, produce plants wiih the best roots, which is im- portant to their living when planted out. It is as- tonishing how hardy the plant is when very young. Contrary to the usual order of nature, it will stand ten times the degree of cold that an old and ripe plant will. (Note I.) If the beds are manured with stable manure, it is thought advisable to throw it in a heap or put it 111 barrels, (which is perhaps the best) to (er- ment for ten days or two weeks, to destroy the vegetative principles in the seed. The remark of the writer about the quantity ot seed necessary to be sown is very correct. Every observant planter knows that two plants, even indifferent, put into the hill together, will more certainly live than one good one planted alone. A plain old farmer of our acquaintance, who never failed of having a 'stand,'' used to remark that "while other people were replanting, he was thinning." It is very easy to pull up one, if both should grow, or to turn one down and cover it up. (Note J.) The process of " topping^' is conducted by the most skilfurand prudent hands on the IJarm. A few leaves, say four or five, are broken ofi' from the bottom and usually thrown away, which is called "priming," and then so much of the top is 200 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. taken off as will leave from b'ix to ten leaves, (according to the season of the year and ihe vigor of the plant,) to grow and mature. No judicious planter would thini< of leaving more than ten leaves to make Virginia tobacco, though we have been told that Maryland tobacco was Irequenlly topped as high as sixteen or eighteen leaves. If not topped too high, the upper leaves will be the largest and ripen the first. It would moreover be considered most slovenly manajjement, and great waste of the strength of the vegetative process, 10 permit the plant to button beiore it is topped. Virginia tobacco, to be valuable, should be thick, and rich, and uily ; but when permitted to button before it is topped, it is thin and chaffy. The writer says nothing about the process of priming, by which we infer that it is not practised in Maryland; indeed we have heard it was ^ot. Although, as we have' stated, the reverse is' the practice with the majority of the best planters in Virginia, yet there are some few whose success both (or the quantity and quality of their tobacco would entitle them to rank with the foremost, whose practice has not been for many years to prime. They top as high as they would do if the priming had been done. They maintain that those leaves (which are always small and take very little nourishment from (he plant) serve to protect the more valuable ones above froin the dust. They are very little in the way of hilling, and if they cover one occasionally, there is nothing lost. The quantity o^ fine and passed tobacco is believed to be larger, and the offal, or " iiigs,^^ as they are called, are also increased, and the price is thought to be fully equal to that managed by priming. We have ourselves made some experi- ments on this system, (or several years, and are inclined to think lavorahly of it. This may look a little heretical, but be it so; truth disdains to be fettered by (brms and dogmas. (Note K.) The wood should be cut in the previous winter and hauled to the barns at convenient times beiore the busy season of firing tobacco begins. The wood is better, too, (rom being half seasoned — the fire is more unilbrm — there is less smoke and le.?e sap and steam rising to coddle and scald the to- bacco which itself already contains too much fluid. Large wood is best, either split or otherwise. (Note L.) Many of our best (iirmers differ in their man- agement of tobacco after it is carried to the barn. All agree in the necessity of its being ripe before it is cut. One portion, (though we think (ewer than formerly) are in the practice of taking it into the barn as soon as it is cut, and yellowing it with fire, and then curing it. The plan however most In use, and which we think most advisable, is to ecaffold it to be killed and yellowed by the sun, from three to six or eight days, according to the weather. I( should be crowded on the scaffold, and if the weather is warm it will be in a condi- tion to house and fire in a few days. This condi- tion is known by its emittinor a certain mellow odor, and by its beginning to assume a yellow appearance, somewhat like a hickory leaf before it falls in autumn, or perhaps spotted more like the shell of a highland terrapin. It should be re- marked that the practice of splitting the stalk a^hen the tobacco is cut is universal in Virginia, which makes it dry quicker and also makes it more convenient to hang over the stick. Not more than eight or ten plants should be put on each slick, and the respective sticks when placed in the baru should not be nearer than ten inches apart. Indeed it is desirable, il" there is a plenty of house room, that the plants should not touch each other, as they are liable to be scalded by the quantity of hot sap which must pass off during the curing process. After the tobacco has been taken into the house antl properly regulated as to distances, a fire should be built across the house under each tier. These fires should at first be moderate, and increased very gradually from day to day as ihe tobacco dries and cures, till it is thoroughly cured up. Some, however, stop the fires when the stems have been killed and turn dark, leaving them to dry up, or apfjiy the fire again some days after. We have found it much easier to regulate the heat by building the fires between two large log? placed parallel. If the heat gets too high, they can be drawn fi^irther asunder, or put nearer, if too low. A third log on the top is generally neces- sary as the curing operation is brought to a close. It requires the most careful, viorilant, and judicious hands on the farm to attend to the curing, nor can the mow* careful and detailed account of the ope- ration be substituted for experience. {Note 31.) It is best that tobacco should not be caught ir> rain after it is cut, neither is it desirable to cut it immediately alter rain. (Note N.) In V'iririnia our tobacco barns are usually con- structed nl logs squared at the ends, and they are cellared 18 inches, or 2 feet, to secure the logs from :lie action of the fire. Some planters build their houses very close ; but there is a great deal of good sense in the remarks of our writer on thia subject. If, is best to have them close lor some feel near the ground to prevent the action of the wind on the fire. (Note O.) Ground leaves are not gathered with us before the plant is cut. There are always infi^rior leaves near the ground, which are permitted to remain and cure on the stalk. When the stripping is going on, they are taken off and tied to themselves and are called "/»gs." (Note P.) Many of the writer's remarks are judicious and correct ; but it is very apparent that the manage- ment alter the crop is cured is not in Ihe same style of our best Virginia planters. He speaks correctly when he says that the greatest skill of the planter is needed from this time till it is brought to market. Indeed we may say that almost every thing depends upon the subsequent treatment. We have seen very indifferent crops, by skilful management, command the finest prices ; and on the contrary, the richest and best cured have been sacrificed (or paltry sums. Hence the high wages which the judicious overseers have commanded in the tobacco region. The diflference in price between two hogsheads well managed, and the same number indifferently managed, would pay his wages, as high as they may appear. We will proceed to state somewhat in detail the dif- THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 201 lerent operations by which it is prepared for mar- ket. No crop periiaps requires such unremitting atientibn, vigilance, and system. The crop is al- ready cured and hanging in the house ; but as our writer remarks, it should not be permitted to "come and no," as the planters say; that is, it should not be allowed to come in "order"' every wet season, as it will change the color which was given it in curing. Small fires should be put under it in damp seasons to keep it dry. It should hang till alter a lew keen north-west winds in November have thoroughly seasoned and cured the stems, some ol' wiiich would easily mould wilhoutit. It is now to be taken down, or " struck,^'' as it is called, In tolerably supple order, as there is not much danger of its moulding during the winter's cold, (which is the time lor stripping,) and as it should be shaken and whipped moderately to get off the dirt. It is now to be laid away, or bulked straight upon the slicks, elevated on logs or skids to keep it off the damp floor, and covered care- fully with straw and slicks. Now the process of stripping begins. The best judges of tobacco are made what are called "sorters,^^ whose business it is to take up plant by plant, and separate accord- ing to quality into four parcels — " /wgs," " short,'''' second, and first quality. There are strippers at each ol'those respective parcels, who strip and tie up the leaves in bundles containing from five to eight, according to the size ol' the leal'. Before it is tied, the bundle should be held up lo see that the leaves are all of the same length. Small, nice leaves are to be kept by each stripper to tie wilh. He should never take a good large leaf lor that purpose, which would be bad economy. The top ofthe bundle should be covered by the tying, so that the ruggedness of ihe leaves do not show, and the tie be continued down about two inches. The stripping being gone through, each quality should be bulked to itself^ A floor is made ofthe tobacco sticks, raised Irom the ground. Two or three of the hands now place themselves in a row, one of them takes up two bundles and places the bul-ends even, and straightens them. They are then passed through his hands by squeezing from the top to the bottom, and passed on lo the^next, who goes through the same operation, and then the next, and so on, till it is in the hands ofthe bulker, who is fixed on the floor above described, on his knees. He presses the bundles close side by side wilh the buts out, and pressed down with the knees, and is by that time supplied wilh more, which are disposed of in like manner, till he passes through the whole length ofthe floor. He now begins and reveiees the packing, so as to have the tails lapped one-half or two-thirds, and the buts facing at opposite sides. Thus the pro- cess continues till the whole is disposed of; which is called " windrows.''^ The wiiole is now co- vered with sticks and'weighted with logs of wood or rocks, and straw thrown about to prevent too much exposure. When the buts are thus turned out, there is not much danger of its mouldinff, though it is best to examine it in warm and moist spells. It remains in this condition till some time in March, when it is hung up on small tobacco sticks to be dried out by the cold hard winds. It must not be permitted to " come and go" by the chaniies of the season ; but after being once thoroughly dried, it must be again struck for "prizing" in some warm season, when it is just soft enough to keep from breaking. It must now bn, bulked as in the lormer case, with this exception, that one bundle only is taken through the process at a lime, and packed down as straight as possible lor prizing, and well weighted. It is a matter of the greatest importance that the bulk should be so protected Irom the changes of the atmosphere that it will remain precisely in the onicr in which it was " struck,^^ as it is called. With this ob- ject, it is tlie practice of some (and we ourselves adopted it, and think it most invaluable) to have tight boxes in which it is packed. They should hold about one hogshead of tobacco each, and are made about 10 feet long and 4 wide, with a lid to fit in close. The workmanship should be strong and with as few apertures as possible, and heavy weights should be placed upon the lids af- ter the tobacco is bulked. When the planter is ready to prize, he will find the bundles to come oat ofthe box almost as straight as candles, which very much lacilitates the prizing operation. In putting the bundles in the hogshead, they should always be laid on tiie edge, if they are anywise flat — the longest bundles in the middle and the short ones around the edge, which fit in more neatly. There is very great art in prizing, and the same tobacco will command more or less by several dollars in the hundred, according as it is prized. There are different modes of placing the bundles in the hogshead, but this would be im- possible to describe on paper, and could only be acquired by observation. The few remarks which have been made in these notes, are merely an outline — a sketch of the process of the tobacco culture amongst the best planters in V"irginia. We have not the leisure to go more into detail, and many things could only be acquired by observation. Tobacco is a crop of much labor, and the cultivator can only be paid for it by getting the best prices — and to do this, he must lake great pains. We consider that no man is paid for his trouble if he does not get $10 per liundred. This remark may be qualified, how- ever, by saying that those who live near market would perhaps find it to their interest to adopt a more summary course, by taking it to market in a loose state as soon as it can be stripped out. In this way, although they may not obtain the high- est prices, yet they get it off their hands — have the use of their money several months sooner — avoid a great deal of waste, and have more lei- sure to raise manure and improve their farms. DISEASES OF HOGS. From the Agriculturist. As we rank (he hog among the most useful and indispensable of our domestic animals, it is but right that we should investigate their diseases and endeavor to apply some remedies. The number lost in this neighborhood last fall was 4 to 500 — this is a matter of some interest with a' community that have to raise or buy as much pork as we do, for we consume more to the popu- lation than any other people — from the fact i hat the negro population consume nothing else. The most of our farmers attribute the death of their swine to the stock pea. Can anv of your nu- merous readers tell if peas are injurious to hogs 202 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. under any cirnumsfances'? and if so, what is an antidote 1 We are in the habit of growing peas with our corn liir the purpose of" sustaining our young hags through the lall and winter, and lor the further purpose of enriching the soil. The pea is the most certain and prompt restorer of worn soils we have ever tried. If we have to abandon the pea for its bad effects on hogs, we shaji be in a had condition. The hogs that died here this fall had none of the common diseases of swine — they continued to decline — refused to eat, and died without any uncommon symptoms — none ever recovered ih^t were noticed to decline. They were taken off the peas and led liberally with corn smeared with tar and sulriliur, and the disease was arrested. The season had been very wet and something maj?^ have grown out of that fact. The three common diseases of swine are, brealtinj; down in the loins, staggers and thumps. I will give iny experience on these diseases. I am inclined to think that the disease of the loins is of two grades or kinds ; 1st, where the hog is without motion from the loin back. 2d, where (hey have motion in the hind legs but cannot rise. Whether the affection proceeds from the same cause, and one a mild and the otlier an aggra- vated case, I cannot tell ; but it is true, that in cases where there is no motion in the hind legs they always die. But in the second case, most all may be raised, by plucking out the hair on the Joins and making an incision near the spine, and rub it well with tar and feed on slops, with a good portion of red pepper — [ have raised and fattened many. If I do not mistake the Ken- lucky Farmer, or Southern Cultivator, asserts that ihis disease of the spine is incurable. The staggers is a disease of the head I think — the tendency is to turn round and round till the hog falls on a particular side, and it is difficult to make them lay on the other side. Bleed by cutting the tail and ears — they will generally recover, but will never distinguish the direction of sound so well afterwards, if they have been badly afflict- ed. Thumps. — 1 have never noticed this disease in hogs of much size. It generally attacks shoats that have been badly raised, and generally proves fatal. Cotton seed, straw and dust, I think, create this disease— though I had a shoat that was fat, had never seen cotton seed and had slept in the woods, where there was no dust, that died wiih this disease last fall. G. L. Cockrix.l. ESSAY ON CALCAREOUS EARTH, AND RE- MARKS ON QUICK-LIME AS AN INDIRECT MANURE.* By William B. Smith, M. D. Delivered before the Cumberland Agricultural Society, Nov. 13th, 1840 ; and communicated for the Farm- ers' Register, by order of the society. Many modern philosophers are inclined to the belief, that all the calcareous earth on this globe is of animal origin. But such an opinion cannot * Lest our silence should be misconstrued into as- sent, it is proper for us to say generally, that we do be supported, for this plain reason : that if lime is a primitive elementary sul'Stance, it must have existed before animals could have 'been furnished with it. Lime in all probability is co- eval with this earth, and has undergone solution, precipitation and crysialization ; and it has also entered largely into the structure and composition of the animal and vegetable kingdoms. Chaptal says, "the fbrinaiion of lime-stone appears to us to be l()r the most part, owing to the wearing down of shells. The identity of the constituent principles of shells and calcareous stones, and the presence of these same shells, more or less altered, in the lime-sione mountains, authorize us to conclude that a great part at least of the calcareous mass of our globe owes its origin to this cause only. "Again'" he says, "it may easily be conceived that these shells, when carried along by currents of water, must strike to- gether, and wear their respective surfaces; and that their pulverulent remains, after being long carried about and suspended by the waters, must at last subside, and form heaps or banks of shells, more or less altered according to circumstances." Lime changes vegetable blues to green^ and combines with all the acids ; it also combines with sulphur, sulphuretted hydrogen and phos- phorus, and is very abundant in the mineral kingdom, forming the basis of animal bones and shells." The earthy part of animals la chiefly, if not altogether, calcareous ; in most cases it is united with phosphoric acid, but frequently with the car- bonic. The calcareous spars, lime-stone, stalactites, marble, alabaster, chalk and marl, consist chiefly of lime. This eanh is pretty generally diffused, more or less, over the whole surface of the globe ; but we will direct our attention principally to quick or caustic lime, most commonly found \\n strata combined with the carbonic acid ; and is obtained by exposing the carbonate of lime to a high degree of heat, which drives off the car- bonic acid in a slate of gas. In this condition it is brought to market, to be employed in medicine, the arts and husbandry. To obtain lime in the greatest degree of purity, pounded chalk is boiled in pure water, and dissol- ved in aceious acid (vinegar) and precipitated with volatile alkali; this precipitate, when well washed, is pure lime, soluble in six hundred limes its weight of water. It has a penetrating, burn- ing, acrid taste, unites readily wiih water, falls into powder, increases in bulk, evolving at the same time heat and phosphoric light. Acids rea- not concur with Dr. Smith in some of the views presented in his essay, in regard to the action of quick-lime, and compounds of lime in soils. We do not usually feel called upon thus to express dissent from the opinions of correspondents, and there is still the less need of doing so in regard to papers which are parts of the transactions of societies, and ordered as such to be published. Still, as the subject of calca- reous soils and manures has heretofore engaged so much of our attention, it seems proper to make, by this note, an exception to a general rule— and we trust that it will not be deemed either indecorous or disrespect- ful.—Ed. F. R. THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 203 dily dissolve lime, and there are probably as ma- ny calcareous sails as there are known acids. Lime coniracis the living fibre, and ihereCore possesses asiringont powers ; it is also a powerlul antacid and stands liiifhiy recommended in chro- nic diseases ol'ihe skin, cancer and ill-diijesled Bores : it is used also in diseases depending on jnxiiy and debility of the solids, as in diarrhcea, diabetes, scroliila and scurvy. This earth neu- tralizes noxious air. Calcareous countries are for the most part free from infectious diseases ; while sandy and clayey soils of the same climate are subject to levers. Where ihefe is no calcareous earth, the inhabitants should wash their rooms annually with lime ; strew it before their donrp, lime the trunks of their fruit and ornamental trees, and it will have the double eflect ofpreserv- ins: health and destroying insects. Lime after having been deprived of fixed air unites with it again with great eagerness. This process goes on so rapidly, that quick-lime, by { being exposed to the open air, will grow mild again by the absorption of carbonic acid. ''■ Lime powerfully atiracts the carbonic acid, of which it was deprived by heat, and that acid is uni- versally diffused through the atmosphere (though in a very small proportion, and is produced by every decomposing putrescent substance. Con- sequently caustic lime, on land, is*continually ab- sorbing and combining with this acid ; and, with more or less rapidity, according to the manner of its application, is reiurning to its former state of mild calcareous earth. If spread as a top dress- ing on grass lands — or on ploughed land, and superficially mixed with the soil by harrowing — or used in composts with fermenting vegetable matter — the Hme is probably completely carbo- nated before its causticity can act on the soil. In no case can lime, applied properly as manure, long remain caustic in the soil. Thus mogt ap- plications of lime are simply applications of cal- careous earth, but acting with greater power at first, in proportion to its quantity, because more finely divided, and more equally distributed." See "Calcareous Manures" chapter viii. page 33. From the avidity with which these two bodies unite in ordinary circumstances, it has been imagined that quicfi-lime acted upon land, or manures, by hastening putrefaction ; that is by disorganizing animal and vegetable manures, and depriving them of iheir fixed air. Lime, in the absence of carbonic acid, unites with various other acids of the soil, tempering their stimulant and corroding properties. This sometimes hap- pens, but the carbonic acid of the atmosphere unites with lime as soon as it is given to the soil. In order then to derive the greatest benefit from this mineral as a manure, it should be immediate- ly covered with the plough, to exclude atmo- spheric air; it will then more readily unite with the carbonic acid of the earth, and hasten the decomposition of animal and vegetable matter. The wonderful effects produced on land by gyp- sum, or plaster of Pans, seem to astonish the farmers, and yet these effects are produced by the action of lime alone and not the combined action of sulphuric acid and lime which forms gypsum : unless the carbonate of lime and sulphate ol lime undergo decomposition when given to the soil, they are inert, and can exert no influence on vegetable or animal matters. These salts may undergo slow decomposition when applied in fine powder; but if we wish' to renovate our lands speedily we nmst use quick- lime. The plaster of Paris will be decomposed by the IbllowiiiiT sails, when given to our hinds : 1st. By the niiraie of potash (saltpetre.) 2(1. By the nitrate of foda. 31. By the muriate of soda (table salt.) 4th. By the carbonate of potash (vegetable alkali.) 5ih. By the carbonate of soda (mineral alkali.) The sulphate of lime, is more apt to underuro decomposition from the various agents in the earth and atmosphere, than the carbonate of lime; for none of these salts, that is, the nitrate of so- da, muriate of soda, carbonate of potash, or car- bonate of soda, will readily decompose the carbo- nate of lime. When gypsum and the nitrate of potash are united, a double elective attraction takes place; the potash of the nitre attracts the sulphuric acid of the plaster of Paris and forms sulphate of potash, and the disengaged nitric acid unites with the lime and forms the nitrate of lime.. When plaster of Paris is applied to soils impreg- nated with muriate of soda, (table salt) a dou- ble elective attraction also takes place. The sulphuric acid unites with soda, and forms Glau- ber's salt, and the muriatic acid unites with lime and forms the muriate of lime. This double decomposition will not hasten the growth of plants^ for the sulphate of soda and muriate of lime can- not decompose animal and vegetable manures. Gypsum then should not be given to lands on the seaboard, or to soils impregnated with muriate of soda, or table salt, because the lime is lost by its union with muriatic acid. But why this chemical process? Let us drive off tlie sulphuric and carbonic acids by heat, and give the pure lime in its caustic state to our lands. It will then immediately commence action, by con- densing the principles of the atmosphere, attract its moisture, and at the same time seize upon every blade of grass, every leaf and indeed all kinds of vegetable and animal matters and hasten their decomposition by robbing them of carbonic acid. 1 find in the •' Medical Repository," (he follow- ing review, vol. i. p. 346. "Agricultural Inqui- ries on Plaster of Paris, Also, Facts and obser- vations, on that substance as a manure, &c. By Richard Peters." With great pleasure we an- nounce this small publication, which is intended, as the author modestly says, " to invite as well as to give information," and which is collected chiefly from the practice of farmers in Pennsylvania. The subject of manures appears, as yet, to be in need of much further elucidation than it has hitherto received ; and on scarcely any article of the whole tribe of fertilizing substances is a ra- tional theory more wanted than in the case of gypsum. Mr. Peters has proceeded in the pro- per way to come at a right understanding of this subject, by laboriously and patiently collecting, not only the facts which fell under his own eye, but those which occurred to the intelligent farmers of the country around him. "The mode adopted to collect information was by a circular letter, containing about a dozen queries. To these queries answers have been re- turned by Messrs. West, Frazer, Price, Hand, ;Curwen, Sellers; Duffield, Wharton, Roberts, 204 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. Heckewelder, and by Mr. Peters himself. So that the materials collected are to be considered as the result of the agricultural .experience of these respectable cultivators. They all agree in the vast uiiliiy of gypsum as a manure in most parts of Pennsylvania, where it has been tried, it seems to be agreed on, that after ten or eleven years' use, the gentlemen still entertain their good opinion of it: that it remarkably recovers exhaust- ed and impoverished land; that one bushel and' a half, or two bushels, will be sufncieni, if year- ly repeated, lor clover ; that it will answer well in a sandy loam, upon a limestone bottom ; that though it is serviceable when sirevved in powder^ on gorwing plants, it succeeds best in repetition, after cultivaiinir and dressing slightly with stable manure, or with ploughing in green manures. As to the supposed sterility occasioned by gyp- eum, Mr. Peters observes, that his own experience teaches him it does not exhaust more than other, manures do, particularly dung, and that, to pro- duce its full effect, it must have something to leed on, as some farmers expjess it; that is, as we animal manures ; causing them to yield back their principles to the earth and atmosphere as food lor plants. In this decomposition the lime of the plaster of Paris, unites wuh the carbonic acid of the earth and air, forming carbonate of lime, and the sulphuric acid unites with potash or soda forming viiriolated tartar, or Glauber's salt. These two alkalies, potash and soda, have the -strongest affinity for sulphuric acid ; and gypsum when given to the soil, will not be decomposed unleeg it contains potash and soda, or their combinationa with carbonic, muriatic and nitric acids, which form the carbonate of potash and soda, the nitrate of potash and soda, and the muriate of soda. These five salts, as I have before stated, will de- compose gypsum, as well as their bases. Farmers are olten disappointed in the use of gypsum, and it is owing lo the circumstance that there is nothing in the soil to decompound it. We have reason to believe that this salt, when used aa manure, lies dormant in the earth (or many years. Dr. Meriwether inlormed me that in one in- stance ten years elapsed, after using gypsum, be- suppose, to be valuable and active, gypsum musi lore the soil reteived any benefit fi-oni it. Gen. T meet with something in the soil lo decompound it ; and where this is wanting, the plaster of Paris does no good. When strewed on the surface, it most remarkably benefits white and red clover, and most grasses ; though it did not appear to do any good to winter grain. It is good in all legu- minous plants, buck-wheat, flax, hemp, rape, and oily seeded plants; most products of the kitchen garden, and for (ruit trees ; as well as for oats and barley, when sprinkled at sowing time on the wetted seeds. Mr. Peters has sowed gypsum at all times of the year, and has (bund it answer well, if strewed over the land at any time from the be- ginning of February to the middle of April ; and he directs it to be sowed in misty weather, to avoid the loss of having it blown away by the winds if sowed in a dry time. Some do not sow it until vegetation begin-', thouah our author thinks it will have an effect if sowed at any season. As to the quantity of produce by the acre, Mr. Peters affirms he gets as much from gypsum as from any other manure ; that the hay is better than that produced by dung; the cattle waste less of it ; and, if the grass is used for pasture, the crea- tures are much more fond of the plastered than of the dunged produce. He is satisfied with a ton and a half the acre at a cutting ; he mows twice, and has a third growth lor grazing afterwards. Its durability is such that, though sometimes it will be exhausted in one year, yet the effect of one dressing, of three or four bushels to the acre, has been felt for five or six years, gradually decreasing in its powers, and seems to be capable of proiorrg- ing the efficacy of dung ; and has been known to do good, when sowed repeatedly, and in small quantities, for a continuance of twenty years or more." . I regret that this valuable little work on gypsurti cannot be obtained in Vircinia ; but from the "review," brought before the reader, Mr. Peters, is of the opinion, that " gypsum must meet with something in the soil to decompound it ; and where this is, wanting the plaster of Paris does no good." So says his reviewer ; or in other words, the plaster of Paris, belore it can benefit the soil, must undergo decomposition ; and the lime being B. Randolph, uspd jnuch plaster on his Green Creek (arm 12 or 15 years ago and it has not, until within tiie last three or (buryears, fertilized the soil. Both salts and alkalies decompose gypsum or sulphate of lime ; but the carbonate of lime seldom meets with agents in the soil to reduce it lo its principles ; hence it is that farmers fiiil in the use t)f lime united with carbonic acid. Many theories have been given to the v/orld on the suliject of lime as a fertilizing agent in farming; but I cajinot believe lime acts as a ma- nure, nor has it in my opinion any nutritive pro- perties. By uniting with carbonic acid it sets free a number of gases and other principles in the earth and atmosphere, and they stand ready to be taken up by the inhaling vessels, and tender roots of plants. So that lime hastens the decom- position of vegetable and animal manures, and is nothing more than an exciting agent, disen- gaging nutritive elements; and they become Ibod (or plants to be elaborated into sap, mucilage, oil, &c. From what has been said, it would seem that lime acts indirectly as a manure, by perform- ing the great work of disorganization, and may 1 with propriety be considered a stimulant. Quick-lime unites first with carbonic acid, if within its sphere of attraction, and this union con- tinues until the carbonate of lime is completely formed; it then becomes inert, and the soil will require another dose of lime in order to carry on vegetable and animal decomposition. If the sub- soil of eastern Virginia was composed of the car- bonate of lime, it could not exert any influence on its soil ; because in that state it would be inactive, and must undergo decomposition and give up its lime belore it can benefit the soil. In all calca- reous countries the soil becomes exhausted by the continued action of carbonic acid, and cannot be reclaimed without the application of quick-lime, flence we find in the richest limestone regions the farmers are busily employed in burning lime-stone as a manure for their lands. I should inler from this circumstance, that lime loses its efllect, and is not a permament manure. " Mr. Ruffin assures us, however, that it is per- manent, and I beg leave here to quote his own Bet at liberty immediately acts on vegetable and language from his invaluable ' Essay on Galea- THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 205 reous iMariiires,' chap, xvii, p. 58-9. " Lord Kamcs nieniions a lact of the coniinued beneliciul elit'ct ol' an application ol' ralfareous mainire which was known to be 120 years old. Every auihor who has treated ol' manures ol" this naiure attests their lontr duraiion : but when they say thai they will last 20 year?, or even 120 years, it amounts to the admission that at some I'uture time the ef- fects of these manures will be lost. This I deny ' — and, Irom the nature and action of calcareous earth, claim for its eHects a duration that will have no end." With all due delerence and re- spect (or an opinion coming liom such hi^'^h autho- rity, I beg leave to differ. Lime is not lost when given to the soil, but we ha^e reason to believe its general properties are chanced byunitinir with carbonic acid. Now there is a"wide diflerencc between the carbonate of lime and quick-lime, when used as manure — the former is a mild inac- ive neutral salt ; the latter a caustic, disorganiz- ing earth, thai leeds plants by selling at liberty the components o( the atmosphere, vegetable and animal matters, putrid sewers, dunghills and grave-yards, until the (ell destroyer becomes sa- tiated and neutralized with carbonic acid; and, being unable to pursue the wofk of destruction any lonirer, remains quiescent. I doubt whether ihe'carbonaie of lime, when given to the soil in extreme division, undergoes decomposition. For, according to Mr. Lavoisipr's table of the combi- nations of carbonic acid with the salifiable bases in the order ol' affinity, lime stands first, with the exception of barytes, an earth seldom found in Virginia. Carbonic acid, then, having the slronsi- est affinity for lime, will unite with it, and the longer it is exposed to atmospheric air the harder it becomes. Marine sheila remain on the sur- face of the earth for ages, in a state of preserva- tion, exposed to heat and cold, moisture and dry- ness, resisting at the same time the action of the acids. Lime used in building becomes so hard from atmospheric exposure and age, that it is with difficulty broken ; and 1 suspect the lime mortar in the old church steeple in Jamestown has be- come by age as hard as lime-stone. Lime water exposed twenty-four hours to the action of air, forms a carbonated crust, and, if it- remains any length of time, all the lime dissolved in the water will unite with carbonic acid, and form a neu- tral salt. May we not conclude, then, that quick- lime, when given to our lands as manure, ulti- mately becomes a salt by the laws of affinity? Am I right, then, or wrong, when 1 say our lands must be periodically limed? Lime alone must be used as manure, and not its combinations with the carbonic, sulphuric and other acids. Those who purchase lime With a view of improving the soil, should get it in light casks, and ploftgh it in as soon as possible ; (or a lew days' exposure to the action of the air destroys its caustic properties in a great degree, and deprives it of the power of decomposing animal and vegetable manures. Dr. Meriwether, a distinguished farmer, was the first, I believe, who used lime as a manure in Amelia ; and he regularly limed his little farm of 250 acres once in four j^ears, and was amply paid for the lime and labor. In eastern Virginia, we have the sand, and the clay, and the labor, but we are without lime; how are we to get it? My answer to the ques- ion is, that we must buy, if it cost 75 cie. per bushel, for without this useful mineral our lands can never be reclaimed. We may t;o on slowly to in)proveour (arms, with vegetable and animal manures, rest and native srrasses, but all our worn lands cannot be reclaimed without lime. Now the question is, shall we continue the pre- sent system of agriculture, or shall we lime our lands? Two ounces of quick-lime will cover one yard square ; and as there are 4,900 square yards in an acre of ground, two ounces to the square yard brought to us at 75 cts: per hundred pounds, 612^- lbs. will cost S4.59 the acre. I am not [irepareJ will amount to 612| lbs. ; and as lime can be to say this quantity of lime will reclaim our worn lands, but think it will incre.-^se our grain crops, and enable us to purchase again the same amount of lime, which will reclaim, it' not enrich our worn laiids ; at the expense of a quarter of a pound of lime to the square yaid, or 1225 lbs. to the acre, wh:ch will cost §9.18, if lim.ecan be furnished ai 75 cls. per hundred pounds, is it then to the inieret^t of land holders In eastern Vir- irinia, to improve their (iirms, by liming at from 84.59, (0 ,'#9.18 per acre? It appears to be the only alternative, and the farmers of eastern Virgi- nia, ought to give half a pound of lime, to the square yard, or 2450 lbs. to the acre, which amount to $ 18.36, in preference to emigration. And why? Because their farms would be rich, crops abundant, and ample returns made for every dollar given lo the soil. The population of Cumberland is less in 1840 than it was in 18.30, owin-j I suppose to the dete- rioration of our lands, and the only way we can slay emigration, and save eastern Virginia, is to lime the soil and plough it deep. But while I am inculcating this doctrine, I must be candid enough to say, that I have never limed my farm, and am hiring out laborers annually, because the farm has no lime to support them. If rail-roads, contemplated some years ago, from Richmond to Farmville, Lynchburg and Danville, should ever be completed, it would then be within the opportunity of every land- holder in this section of Virginia, to purchase lime at a very reduced price. But as this great work will not be carried out in many years, a rail-road from Planters' town, the head of navigation on the Appomattox, to some point on James River, above Warminster, a distance of 25 miles, would furnish a large portion of eastern Virginia with lime. A section of the state then most remote from calcareous deposites, would be supplied with lime at 20 or 25 cents per bushel. Such a road would be valuable not only on account of lime, but va- rious other minerals would be transported across the country, and cut off the long route down the James River and up her tributary streams. Bui it may be said, that there are many land- holders who could not incur the expense of lime at any price; this is true, unless they would sell a part of iheir worn lands, to improve the balance. If they are not disposed to make such a sacrifice, the only alternative will be, to improve a part of their worn (arms, with manures collected from the stables, farm yards, cowpens, wood yards, leaves from the forest, ashes and so on. That part of the farm, which cannot be manured, should be in- closed, and every lall turn ia the coat of vegeta- 206 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. lion with ihe plough. Such a system of hus- bandry will, in time, reclaim ail our worn lands. The cheapest plan, however, will be to use lime, if we are under the necessity of selling properly to pay lor it. I beg leave here to give a word of truth (or farmers, from the ' Raleigh Register.' In one of the old Roman writers there :s a siory told of one Paridus, "who had two daughters and a vineyard. When (he oldest was married, he gave her a third part olthe vineyard ; notwiiii- standing which, he obtained from two-ihirds the same crop as from the whole. When the other was married, he portioned her with half of what remained, and still the produce of his larm was undiminished." This story is an excellent moral, and should be improved, it illustrates the advan- tage of cultivating a small quantity of land well, rather than a greater quantity badly. It is a fact •which strikes the most superficial observer, that farmers generally cultivate too much land. The evils of doing so are obvious : great expense of labor, and imperlect cultivation, by which land is impoverished, and comparatively small profits re- alized. It IS a common idea among farmers, that the best investment of property, because the safest, is in land. When, therelbre, they have accumu- lated a sum of money, they will, if possible, en- large their farms. But, in most instances, it would be as much for their interest to bury their surplus money as to multiply their acres beyond their means of thorough cultivation. Nothing is more true than the remark of a celebrated writer, that "farmers are yet to learn the immense pro- ductive power of a perfectly cultivated acre." Lime, when applied to sandy soils, without vege- table matter, will have nothing to act upon but sand, which forms mortar, such as we use in building. Lime given to clay soils, without manure, forms marl, and in either case there is no improve- ment of the soil. Lime given to poor soils, hav- ing a thin coat of vegetation, exerts but a (eeble influence, because there will not be nutritious gases enough after vegetable decomposition to produce luxuriant vegetation. Thin lands, must be manured as well as limed before they can be reclaimed. Lands of ttiis character may, in time, become rich by liming without manure ; if we are careful not to give more lime than such lands can bear; a small quantity on poor soils will be sufficient to decompose its vegetable matter. But if manures be used with lime on poor soils, they are speedily reclaimed.* Worn lands in eastern Virginia, such as we cultivate in grain, yielding three bushels to the acre, will be wonderl'ully improved by the applica- tion of lime. Two barrels, or 600 pounds of lime on such lands, will more than double the crop the first year. Rich lands require no lime, it is our worn and exhausted fields we wish reclaimed ; and in order to do this lime must be used as an exciting agent, and vegetation of all kinds will be pushed forward ; the native grasses will in a short time become more luxuriant, and ultimately bring back worn lands to their native fertility. Our lands should be limed, as soon as the coat * Some farmers lime heavily; but six bushels on thin land will answer a better purpose than six hundred; unless there was in the soil, vegetable matter enough to neutralize it. of vegetation is killed by the frost ; or as early in the fall as convenient: immediately alter lim- ing the soil, turn it over with the plough, and the vegetable matter in the spring will have under- gone partial decomposition, and be in a proper state to yield its principles to the tender roots of plants, as soon as the warmth of spring pushes them Ibrward. Where vegetable and animal manures are very fine and well rotted, lime may be used with advantage in the spring ; but coarse unrotted vegetable matters require lime in the fall, in or- der to carry on the work of disorganization through the winter months; and ttie various nu- tritive gases will be evolved for the spring crops. Decomposition will then go on through the spring and summer months and give the growing plants a due portion of aliment : (or their evolution and growth depends on the decomposition of vegeta- ble and animal manures. Some farmers lime in ihe hill, or roll small grain in lime belbre seeding; and it is astonishing to see with what rapidity vegetation is pushed forward for a few weeks. But as soon as the roots extend beyond the hill in a hungry slate, it is truly mortifying to see how rapidly the plant declines ; hence the necessity of spreading lime or manures over the suriace of the earth, that the young roots may be continu- ally supplied with food. Observation and experience both teach us that worn lands may be made rich by liming and ploughing. Lands we do not intend (or immediate use, should be inclosed, limed and ploughed, and the succeeding crops of vegetation, being more luxuriant, will increase their fertility : but if we wish to enrich the soil for immediate use, I would suggest the (bllowing plan of treatment. Give to an acre of land, yielding five bushels of wheat, two barrels, or 600 lbs. quick-lime in the fall, and turn it in with the plough; in the spring, seed it in oats or buck-wheat and fallow the crop at harvest. The second crop, will be ready lor the plough in October, to be fkllowed lor wheat and clover. Under favorable circumstances the crop of wheat, the followingyear, will yield 12 bushels, and the land v/ill be made rich when the clover crop is turned in eighteen months after taking the crop of wheat ; or in three years after the application of lime. Expense per acre. 612^ lbs. lime, 75 cents per cwt. - ^4 50 1 bushel oats ----- 40 1 gallon clover seed - - - 1 00 $5 99 Credit. By 7 bushels wheat, from increased fer- tility of soil 87 00 So that the first crop of wheat, overpaya the expense of lime and grain given to the land ; — this is not all, the soil is enriched and will produce from the clover fallow 15 or 20 bushels. This plan of treatment should follow hoe crops, with a little variation. If a hoe crop be taken from a field in 1840, the land should be seeded in wheat and clover in the fall, and in the spring of 1841, give one barrel of caustic lime per acre, to the young clover; the wheat crop will be removed in the summer, and in the spring o( 1842, lime the clover again with ihe same quantity, and fallow it in the fall. Lands treated in this way will bear a hoe crop THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 207 once in 3 or 4 years. The old system ofcultivaiion wiih the hoe is improper ; and I have no hesita- tion in saying that the hoe crops of eastern Vir- trinia have exhausted our best lands. Where is the fine soil of eastern V^irixinia now? Much of it has been carried down hills, branches, creeks and rivers by the hoe crops, leaving nothing be- Jiind but galls, gullies, and the sub-soil. It is lime they were given up except in a hmiied way ; and let us make more small grain and grass in order to secure the soil we have remtiiiiing. Such a system ofagriculture, assisied by lime, deep ploughing, and hill-side ditches, will renovate the worn lands of . eastern Virginia, in four years. Then let us go to work in good liiith, and use lime alone on our lands, tree from the carbonic and sulphuric acids, and it will peribrm the work ol' dissolution in the earth, until the great destroyer becomes neu- tralized. ON THE MANAGEMENT OF BEES. By Thomas Ward Jestoti, Thames. Esq., Henley-on- Froni the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society. I have found by experience my plan for the management of bees, and mode of taking their superfluous honey, without destroying the parent hive, fully to succeed : in a bee-country it will afford the cottager a very ample return for his trouble, and not require so much watching as the old plan — lor the older the hive is, the less chance will there be of swarming, but a greater chance of a large deposite of honey. I have kept bees more than twenty years; have tried Huish's, Null's, and various other plans, but the one sug- gested by this industrious insect itself I have found to be the most simple, cheap, and success- ful, and will not cost the cottager more than six- pence to adopt, in addition to his old hives. Some years ago 1 placed an empty butter-tub under the board on which the hive rested ; the sun cracked the board, and the bees enlarging the opening, took possession of the tub, and, after filling their own hive, deposited 26 lbs. of honey and comb in the tub below. This I took jiosses- sion of for my own use, leaving their hive full of honey for their winter's consumption. By im- proving on this simple plan, 1 have carried ofT the prizes lor honey at the Henley Horticultural So- ciety for the last (bur years. A board, half an inch in thickness, 18 inches in width, and perfora- ted with two holes, each an inch in diameter, is placed between the hive and the butter-tub. The ^^^ should be placed under the hive as early as March ; the bees having a great dislike to any disturbance of their arrangement. I last year took upwards of 40 lbs. of honey in this way, althouffh.ihe season was so bad, and an ample supply of food was left for the bees to subsist on during the winter. This plan will prove a good substitute for the "rear" used to enlart^e the common hive ; with ihis advantage, that a supply ol honey can be obtained from the stroncr swarms as well as the old hivea. I have never found occasion to feed the bees from which honey had been taken in the mode cescnbed ; but previously to the adoption, I was in the habit of feeding them with coarse euo'ar boiled in beer, and a little old wax-comb, to the consistence oi' a syrup. As an experiment I once led some bees with treacle, made from graiinw 112 lbs. of beet-root, pressing Irom ii one gallon of juice, and boiling this with one tea-spoonful of sulphuric acid (commonly called oil of vitriol) and three lea-spoonfuls of common chalk, or whiting in powder, which will clarify it and throw off all impurities, leaving, on evaporation, a clear syrup fit for feeding b^es. There is little or no gnrse or heath near Henley, and the character of the country is arable. The market-price of virgin honey (such as is obtained on my plan) is in the town from Is. 6d. to la. 8d, per pound, and the wax from Is. 6d. to 2s. The following are the weights of seven hives, taken in April 1838, from which honey had been taken in the previous autumn, and yet the season of 183S proved so bad that I obtained no honey that autumn, and two of the hives perished in the following winter: Hive No. 1. - - - 28 lbs. " 2. - - - 28 " " 3. - - - 25 " " 4. - . - - 25 " " 5. - - - 24 " '• 6. - - - 23 " " 7. - - - 22 " This season my five old hives, and Nutt's hive also are in full vigor and operation. Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, May, 1840. ON PREPARING NIGHT-SOIL. From the (London) Farmer's Magazine. Sir — I observed a {'e.w days ago in one of your late periodicals, an inquiry, by a correspondent, for the best method of preparing night-soil for manure. He said " he had mixed it with lime, and a very strong smell of ammonia was evolved, whereby he feared the eflicacy of the manure might be impaired. These conclusions are per- fectly correct ; its efficacy as organic manure would be destroyed by the use of lime. When an organic body containing nitrogen undergoes putrelaction, and moisture present, the nitrdgen unites with tfie hydrogen of the water and forms ammonia ; the oxygen, the other element of water, unites with the carbon of the putrifying oody, and forms carbonic acid ; both these transformations, in their nascent state, com- bine and form carbonate of ammonia, a volatile salt, which is always evaporating with water, as long as the decomposition continues. Such inva- riably takes place in nitrogenous bodies. When lime is added to a body holding carbo- nate of ammonia in solution, as in night-soil, the ammoniacal salt is decomposed ; the lime robs it of its carbonic acid, and caustic ammonia, a still more volatile compound, fllies off in gas : thus we have got rid of all the nitrogen the organic com- pound contained. Organic manure, without nitrogen, is of very little value. It pervades every part of the vege- table structure, and no plant will attain maturity, even in the richest mould, without its presence. The relative value of manure may be known by 208 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. the relative quantity oi nitrogen it contains. Tiiere docs not appear to be any manure so ricii in nitrogen as liuman excren>ent (except bone ma- nure, whicii contains upwards ol 30 per cent, of gelatine in its iniersilices) ; so much so, that accordiniT to ihe analyses of JVlacaire and Marcet 100 parts of human urine are f^tpjal to 1300 parts of frosli dunfT of the horse, 600 parts of the cow, and 450 parts ol' the urine of the horse. Hence it is evident that it would be of n^iuch importance W none of the human excrements were lost, espe- cially when we consider that with every pound of urine a pound of wheat might be produced. Now I would sugiiesl to your correspondent the best and most economical method I know of pre- serving unimpaired the most valuable element in night-soil, which is as follows : To every 100 lbs. of night soil add 7 lbs. ol" sidphate of lime (gyp- sum) in powder, a double decomposition will ensue, and the result will be, instead of sulphate of lime and carbonate of ammonia, carbonate of lime and sulphate of ammonia ; the latter a sola-, hie salt which cannot be volatilized. It might now be mixed wiih other compost, or dried any way thought proper, and applied to the roots of the vegetable, to be again transformed into bread, butter, cheese, &c. Chloride of calcium, sulphuric or muriatic acid, substances of low price, would completely neu- tralize the urine, converting its ammonia into salts which possess no volatility. I would also suggest that if the floors of stables be strewed li-om time to time with a little sulphate of lime, they will lose all their otl'ensive smell, and none ol the ammonia which forms can be Inst, but retained in a condition serviceable as ma- nure. In close stables the horses' health would- be better preserved, and they would not be so liable to get blind as now. If lbs. of sul|)hat^ of lime will fix as much ammonia as is produced by 100 lbs. of horse's urine. I am, sir, your obedient servant, JVanebridge, Nov. 14. Gregory Brabyn. ON THE WHITE OR BELGIAN CARROT. £y John C. Morton, Esq. From tlie Journal of tlie Royal Agricultural Society. Chester Hill Nov. 18, 1840. Sir : — I am desired by my friher to send you the particulars of the crop of white or Belgian carrots on Lord Ducie's farm at Whitfield. The extent of the piece is 1 acre 36 perches, from which 64 cartloads of roots were taken. The average weight of a cartload was found to be 10 cwt. This gives 32 tons as the total weight of the crop, which is at the rate of 26 tons 3 cwt. per acre. The soil is a deep, sandy loam, belonging to the new red sandstone formation. This is a heavier crop than any other on the farm. The seed was sown in the second week in April, on land which had been ploughed ten inciies deep. It was sown on the flat, in rows eighteen inches apart, by the common Suffolk drill. The seed had been mingled with damp sand for several days previous, as well to sprout it partially as to render it capable of being drilled, as carrot seed clings so much together. They are singled out when a fortnight old at intervals of six inches in the row, and two horse-hoeings, with a hand-lioeing whenever tlie weeds made their appearance, was all the cultivation they received. The result is a crop not only much more va- luable per ton than any other green crop we have, but also heavier per acre, and raised at an expense less by at least one half than that attending the culiivation of turnip. The crop on the land the year before was Swedes, which were carried off ihe land and sold. No dung of any kind was put to the carrots. I am, sir, your most obedient servant, John C. Morton. • Fh. Pusey, Esq., M. P. Note by Mr. Pusey. This carrot, though it has been long grown as a field-root in Flanders, has been but very lately introduced into England : it is, however, much liked by those who have tried it in my own neigfi- borhood. A liirmer, Mr. W. B. Harris, who has grown it for two years on a good free loam, gives me the iijilowing account of it : — "On taking up my carrots and weighing ihem, 1 find they tall short of the quantity 1 grew last year. Instead ol the white carrots weighing nearl}' 82 tons per acre, they will only weigh 20 tons this year ; and instead of the red ones weighing about 16 tons, they only weigh twelve tons this year. 1 have generally found the difl'erence between the red and white carrots to be as follows (in all cases where I have weighed them, and in all cases of inquiry): — The white generally exceed the red ones in weight from 8 to 9 tons per acre, when you take the average of the field as I have done now. I attribute the failure in my crop this year to two or three things. In the first place the land was not subsoiled ; in the second, they were planted late, and the weather too dry ; and in the third place, they were hoed too thin — they were hoed the last time with a bean-hoe." Even the diminished crop of Mr. Harris, however, is very considerable, as it is equal in weight to an excel- lent crop of Swedes, and is twice as valuable. On some lighter land 16 tons of the while carrot were grown last year, where the red field-carrot gave a very poor crop. I ought to add that I have not succeeded' in raising more than 8 or 9 tons myself ; but this new root has in its favour the high practical authority of the Yoxlbrd Farm- ing Ciub, who " recommend strongly the cultiva- tion of the long while carrot, as it produces a heavy crop of good quality, and adapted to strong as well as mixed soil lands, will keep well, and is excellent Ibod for cart horses." It has been stated to me that there are two varieties, and that the best of the two is that which makes a large por- tion of its root above ground. Sir C. Burrell haa grown it in Sussex, and has found it very produc- tive. Colonel Le Couteur informs me " that in Jersey the prize crop of parsnips this year afford- ed 318 lbs. to the perch, or 23 tons to the acre ; while the white carrot, a prize crop also, which he had cultivated experimentally, gave him 524 lbs. to the perch, or nearly 38 tons to the acre — an enormous crop," he adds, "which, if equally va- luable lor butter as the parsnip, will of course supersede it, as his parsnip crop in the same field, cultivated alike, only produced 16^ tons, which^ neverthelessj was a very fair crop." THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 209 BOUNTY FOR SILK. The legislature of New York have passed an act allowing a bounty of 15 cents per pound for all cocoons produced in the state, and 50 cents per pound for the reeled silk. The act is to continue in operation until June 1, 1846. WHITE CARROT. From the Sussex Express. We beg to draw '.he particular attention of our readers to an excellent letter Irom Sir C. M. Burrell, Bart., on the subject of growing the white carrot, the value of which we can fully con- firm, having this year (although the season has been very unfavorable) obtained highly satistac- tory results respecting it. We were induced to experimentalize on this root at the recommenda- tion of the Hon. Baronet, given last year. Next year we shall offer a premium for samples of white carrots. Knepp Castle, Nov. 3. Sir, — Perceiving, on perusal of your last Ex- press, your notice respecting the premiums offer- ed lor specimens of turnips and mangel-wurzel, with accompanying statements of their culture, and appreciating the probable beneficial results of such an exhibition at Lewes, I trouble you with the following practical statement in support of my last year's published opinion on the prefisr- ence of the culture of the white cattle carrot over that of the parsnip for agricultural purposes, and which was made in consequence of a let'er from a correspondent in the Lewes j^dvertiser, advocating the growth of the parsnip, in which 500 bushels per acre was stated as the produce. Conceiving that from my then crop of whiie carrots, grown on a very indifferent field, the yield of which was 100 bushels per acre, without tht^ green tops, that their culture would be more ad- vantageous on stiff soils than (hat of the parsnip with a return of about a moiety of the produce only, I laid a comparative statement of my crofi belore the public, that agriculturists of inteiligence and spirit might try the results by sowing both sorts on similar quality of land. But saiitfied as I am myself of the prelerence of the white cattle carrot on my farm over all roots fit for cattle, I again sowed (bur acres broadcast on land o\' better quality \h\e year, nnd so far as experience shows m the raising and housing of about half my crop, there will be, as near' as we can determine, 1300 bushels per acre, after separation from the green tops; and considering Uie depth whence their nourishment is obtained (in one instance no less than 3 feet 5^ inches, and in several others nearlj as deep,) I do not view it as a very scourging crop, especially considering the vas^t increase ol nutritious winter fodder, with consequent economy of hay, for both fatting and lean stock, and espe- cially milch cows, their cream and butter being as good and free from any ill-flavor as when feeding on the pastures ; and likewise looking to the great increase of larm-yard manure resulting from its consumption, to which may be justly added the clean, friable, and finely pulverized Vol. IX.— 14-A stale in which llie ground is left alter the removal of the crop, particularly well adapted lor ridging up during winter and sowing with barley and seeds in the ensuing spring. .1 do not hesitate to bring the results of my experience to your atten- tion and consideration ; how far it may be desira- ble hereafter to introduce the white cattle carrot among those encouragements you otier in the shape of premiums Jbr turnips and mangel-wurzel. For the obtainment of the seed ^recommend both Messrs. Wrench and Sons, ol King William- street, seed merchants, and Mr. Gibbs, of Half Moon-street, from either of whom good seed may be depended upon. My first inducement to try it was the representation of Mr. PJaton, M. P., whose father, I understood, obtained the seed Irom Holland ; with a result on sowing it, on in- different laiid in Cambridgeshire, of 1000 bushels per acre, with which my crop in 1839 tallied very accurately, I led myself to believe (but from the dryness which prevailed after sowing my seed last spring, and ihe consequence of a Iresh growth on rain tailing after hoeing in summer) that the carrots would have been ol more equal size, and (he amount of the produce possibly greater in weight and value. For the cultivation of the white carrot, fi-ee-working deep soils, well and deeply drained and subsoiled, are to be preferred ; and the better heart the ground is in, and the cleaner the tilth, the greater will of course be the chance of a remunerative and beneficial crop. Mine were sown broadcast, 6 lbs. to the acre, costing last spring Is. per lb. ; but whether being sown in drills at proper distances, and ridged up, would improve the crop, I leave to the dibcrimin- ate judgment of practical and more scientific farm- ers. 1 shall only add, that those who at my recommendation have sown the white cattle carrot express their satisfaction at their adoption ; and my neighbor, the Kev. William Woodward, of West Grinsiead, having eown them on a small breadth ol land, has had cause to be satisfied with the result equally with myself You are welcome to make what use of my observations you think proper, accepting my excuse lor sending them hastily, and, 1 lear, rather incoherently written, my time being too much occupied to make a fair copy. 1 am, sir, your humble servant, Charles Merrick Burrell. ON COAL ASHES. From the Farmer's TJagazine. Coal ashes have long been knon'n as a valuable article in improving all stiff tenacious soils, in opening ihe texture, and in correcting the tenacity; and in a pulverized state they form an excellent top-dressing (or young grasses. They are very seldom found unmixed with other substances from the dwelling-house— a calx or cinder mostly ac- companies, and except near large towns they form an inconsiderable article as a manure. Lime and magnesia are found in coal-ashes ; but they are chiefly composed of silicious and aluminous earths, and vary much in their nature and pro- portions. They contain much carbonic acid gae, carbon and hydrogen, with some iron; but our knowledge ol them is very imperfect. The principal use ia 210 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. in top-dressins clovers in March and April, at the rate of 50 to 200 bushels per acre, and usually applied in moist weather, when the effects are very great and certain. The calcareous matter they contain imparts the warming and sweetening quality that is found attached to all residual suh- Btances from combustion ; and accordingly the use of coal-ashes, and of all alkaline and saline mat- ters, is always recommended on all soils that produce sorrels, rushes, and mosses, in order to banish those plants, by depriving the land of the peculiar properties liiai are necessary for their production. But it may be observed, that such plants cannot exist where (iirming pre- vails, and that the action of manures should be restricted by every possible means to the promo- tion of those plants which the cultivator uses as a crop. In inland situations, where the supply of ashes is limited, an excellent use may be adopted by throwing them into the night-soH reservoirs, where they will absorb the liquid pgrts, and ulti- mately form a solid mass, thoroughly impregnated with the urine ; and in the neighborhood of towns, where they can be got in quantity, and where the pulverization of the ashes is sufficiently fine, they may be very beneficially used as a top-dressing ; or probably equally, if not more beneficially, by being mixed in a compost with good earths, and applied in the spring on grain lands, and harrow- ed in with the seed. Coal-dust, or the pulverized panicles of coal produced during the different operations at the pits, has been Ibund useili! in some cases on siiff lands; but, it is evident, that the action in that case would arise wholly from mixing with the soil, and opening the texture as an earthy ingredient ; for the substance apfilied contains none of the elements of vegetation, to be supplied directly by itself, or the power of pro- ducing thereby any stimulating and reciprocal action. Ashes, in a fine or riddled state, are useful for mixing with bones, at the rate of 1 to 20, in order to produce heat before sowing; though practice is far from confirming that process as being essentially necessary, which may arise from different temperatures of soil, and air during the applications. J. D. MELItOT. To the Editor of the Farmers' Register. J)ear Sir: — In ycur January number, some contributor, who signs no name, either real or fictitious, nor mentions the county in which he lives, has made a eulogium upon melilot, which eeems to require some notice, lest it should be- tray young farmers into an experiment which they will repent as surely as they venture to make it. The writer just mentioned states, that about old settlements, " rendered calcareous by ashes, melilot grows with amazing luxuri- ance ;" but that " he could easily turn it under, when necessary, by bis large Clute and Reagle ploughs." He says, moreover, that '= it affords ffne grazing for sheep and cows during winter ;" and that "it will not grow in other than calcareous lands." He concludes with hoping " that you will hear from it again }" and I shall no w endeavor to fulfil his hope, (if you will permit me,) by a few statements somewhat difl'erent from his. • Melilot is an old acquaintance of some forty or fifty years' standing, and many a fruitless effort have I made to extirpate it from every foot of land with which I have had any thing to do ; but it has bid me defiance. It will certainly grow with " amazing luxuriance," about "old settle- ments,"—even to the height often of six or eight feet. But I must be permitted to doubt the possibility of any such growth hein«r ensily turned under, by any plough ever yet constructed. It is true that I never saw, nor heard of a Clute and Reagle plough, and therefore will not take upon me to say what one of them could or could nut do. But i have been and used all the most, celebrated ploughs ever introduced into middle Virginia, and can affirm, without (ear of contradic- tion, that even the best of them could not possi- bly perform such a (eat as to turn under melilot growing as thick and as tall as it generally doep at maturity — about old settletrients. Nay, it will grow e'-sewhere with equal luxuriance ; (or 1 know that a part of the celebrated farm in Gloucester county, called Todsbury, formerly the properly of the late Philip Tabb, esq., Vv-as so infested with it, that none of his ploughs, although uncommon- ly good, could plough the land at all, until the melilot was burnt off. 1 must conclude, therelijre, that when your correspondent speaks of easily turning it under with his Clute and Reagle plough, he means that he can do it before this plant reaches half its ordinary growth in good land. His next assertion is, that " it affords fine grazing for sheep and cows during winter." Novv, i( it remains green during that season in his climate, I can only say, that in ours, which is about 38°. it continues as dead as a door nail for the whole of that period, and until late in the spring, i can moreover assert, that if his sheep and cows are fond of it in any season, ours, so far as I' know and believe, will not touch it at any time. It has a strong, and very ofl^ensive smell, such as I should suppose would stink in the nostrils of quadrupeds quite as much as it does in our own. ^^ De guslibus nil disputanduvi''' — there is no disputing about tastes in men ; and therefore it seems equally reasonable that there should be none in brute beasts ; consequently ] have not a word to object to the fancies of his stock quoad melilot. Much and long may they chew tlie cud upon such a dainty, if their owner imagines that they enjoy it. He farther says, that " it will not grow in other than calcareous lands." But if you are right — as I believe you are — we have precious little, if any such in Virginia, unless they have been made so, h^ the application of marl, lime, or ashes ; yet I have seen melilot grovvinir in almost every gart of the state which I ever visited. As to the fertilizing properties ascribed to it by your correspondent, I believe that it possesses some, if ploughed into the lands. But many other plants possess as much, if turned in of the same weight, with this diH~erence in their favor, that they will not interfere with any subsequent crop of small grain, as melilot inevitably does. It certainly has more vegetable matter after it reaches maturity, than any of our high land plants, for it grows taller, and equally thick. But in that state no plough ever yet formed can THE FARMERS' REGlStER. 211 bury it ; the growth must be burnt off before the land can be worked by any implement. And then, with such an indesiruciible occupartt, (for it is perennial, with top roots — like the trumpet flower, which penetrate the earth to the depth oC at least three or four feet — ) our fields become unfit lor the culture oremall grain, and are thereby dete- riorated much more tlian benefited, by sowinj^ them with melilot as a lertilizer. That it may be so I will not deny; but in all the situations wherein I have seen it growing, it seemed to me to be rather the effect, than the' cause of fertility. And this, by the way, is a mistake which careless observers of tiie vejjetable world have not un- frequently made. I once heard a ludicrous in- stance of it related of an old farmer who was re- markable for great eccentricity of thought and action. Thus nn the story. The old man h;id taken a crotchet into his head, about plantinLf corn time, that poke-root would enrich land ; because he bad always seen it grow in rich soils. Forthwith therefore he ordered a quantity of it to be dug up — sufficient to drop a piece or two in each corn hdl, and chuckled at it as a grand dis- covery. But he was greatly disturbed- the next da}', by recei-vjng notice that his overseer was about to quit him. As he was an excellent ma- nager, who hud long- lived with the old ftjllow, on perfectly friendly terms, he anxiously sought an explanation of this most unexpected notifica- tion. This he obtained, after long importunity, by the overseer's addressing him thus : — " Why sir, if I must tell you why I gave you notxe, ii was because I don't understand any thing at all of your pfn'losnphy way of piantinflr corn ; and am sure, if I try i', that I >hall loseniv character, upon which 1 and my firimily depend for a l.viniir.''' The conference, ('twas said,) ended in the oM mnn's irivinsr up his " philosophy wa^" of en- riching corn-hills by poke-root, and retaining his good overseer. I remain, dear sir, your old friend, CoMMENTATon. If there was any thing to condemn in the form, or for the insertion of the piece commented on above, the fault was ours, and not the writer's, who had not Intended, and had given no autho- rity for its being so used. It was pari of a long private letter, from a gentleman of the highest character, and whose ability (or, and habits of care- ful observation are not often surpassed, and whose former contributions to this journal have been among the most acceptable and valuable. Deem- ing it the best mode of obtaining the information he desired, on a subject which his words showed manifestly he had not much or long experience of, we took the liberty of publishing the passage from his letter ; but, of course, did not presume to use his name, or otherwise indicate the author. Writing under these circumstances, even if the remarks hs'd been obnoxious to the charge of still greater incorrectness, they would have deserv- , ed no censure— or if any, it should be cast on the publisher without authority, and not on the wri- ter. The writer ia as well able to defend himeelf as any person ; but as it is probable that he. may not choose to thus pursue a matter which he did not designedly commence, we shall add some- thing in defence or explanation of his statements. We admit, and defer to readily, (and so we are sure would our prior correspondent,) the much more full experience of our friend " Commenta- tor," In regard to melilot ; and we are glad that his testimony has been thus drawn forth to prevent other mistakes as to the value of this plant. But still, to one who had seen much less of the plant than " Commentator," on less favorable soils, and therefore of smaller size, though still of remarka- ble luxuriance, for the soil — surely it was an error of opinion which was very nearly allied to accurate observation and correct deduction, to suppose that melilot would be a* valuable plant for enriching land by its growth. We had formerly taken up (upon similar grounds) the like opinion ; and we tried, in vain, (and luckily, as it now appears,) to spread the growth by scattering the seeds. A very intelligent friend and neighbor of ours, on whose farm grew a single patch of melilot, was so favorably impressed with its supposed value as an improving green crop, that he saved the seed and sowed it extensively ; but, though on marled land, we believe that his efforts, like our more limited attempts, were totally fruitless. Next, as to the melilot furnishing green food in winter, we have no question (upon Commen- tator's closer observation and better information,) that our first correspondent was mistaken ; — but that it was owing to his relying, for that fact, on statements of others, and not having himself had full opportunity for observation. Except in re- gard to the mistake, on this minor point, he was strictly accurate in all his premises, and also in hia deductions from all the facts before him. Still, by showing that the premises are more usually varied, and much for the worse, '' Commentator'^ has clearly shown that the views first presented wefe mistaken. — Eb. F. R. rOMPRteSSED f EAT FUEL. ■, ~ From the I'di'tii Courier. We have referred to a machine, sortie time ago invented by Lord Willoughby d'Eresby, and latterly perfected by skilful artisans under his di- rection, for compressing peats. One of his lord- ship's tenanis, on the Drummond Castle estate, Mr. Clark, at Coryour, has of late been rnanu- facturing the new fiiel, chiefly for the jewellers and steel forgers in fingland ; and this week a very large supply arrived at the new quay Ibf 212 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. ehipment to London. It is made up in the shape and size of soap bars, and so powerful is the compression employed that the original peat is hardly to be recognized in the blaclt and metallic looking mass which the machine perfects. The properties of this fuel are found to be highly ad- vantageous in the branches of manufactures above referred to, and its great economy is evi- denced in the reduced price at which cutlery wrought with it is offered for sale. Sheffield razors, bearing the mark '• peat compressed," have been on sale this year throughout the coun- try, we have been informed, as low as 27s. per dozen. We look for a rapid extension of the use of this valuable invention of Lord Willough- by's, not only as offering the means of procuring for the inhabitants an abundant supply of a more cleanly and useful fuel thafi they have hitherto, from their inland situation, been able to obtain, but opening up to them a profitable branch of in- dustry, for which the field is nearly as inexhausti- ble ae that of the material. . CROELTY TO HORSES. THE HAWS AND THE LAMPAS. 31arch Uth, 1841. The present communication will consist of a word or two in behalf of the hor?e. Although he is acknowledged on all hands to be lar the most useful of all the brute creation ever yet domesti- cated by man, I believe it may truly be said, that none are so cruelly and barbarously treated as the horse. Hardships and bodily sufferings excrutiat- ing in degree, and utterly useless to ourselves, are often most wantonly inflicted on him. He is frequently deprived of his ears and tail, by an ex- cessively painful operation, merely to gratify a most preposterous, absurd, and inhuman lashion ; he is olten killed or crippled in our selfish and sin- ful struggles to win each other's money by racing, or in working him lar beyond his powers- to iii- crease our wealth, or in the idle, ridiculous amuse- ment of moving our precious persons from place to place with more rapidity than any of our sense- less rivals in the same sport have ever done be- fore. But still worse, still more brutal than all, after the faithful animal has entirely worn out and exhausted, in his ungrateful master's service, all the energies which nature had given him, and is no longer capable of any kind of work whatever, he is turned adrilt, to die of old age and starva- tion! Would not those who act thus brutally to horses, treat their fellow men in the same way, if public sentiment had not stamped such conduct to- wards human beings with the indelible stigma of utter detestation and abhorrence 7 The foregoing are all cases of undeniable, enor- mous barbarity, which, however shocking to our humanity, are not to be cured either by persua- sion or reproof; for the perpetrators, generally, are persons liar beyond the reach of any moral ap- pliances whatever. But there are some instances wherein the horse is cruelly treated, not from design, nor mere disregard to his wants and well- being, but from sheer ignorance. The most re- markable of these instances is, the quack-remedy for two diseases to which the horse is liable. These are the *'Aat«s," vulgarly but improperly called ^^hooks,^^ (for there is no such word in any scientific book of farriery,) and the ^Ham- ;)as." The first takes its name from the ^'haw," of which the following account is given in that excellent treatise on the horse, published by the English Society tor the Diffusion of Useful Know- ledge. "We have, (says the author,) a provision for supplying the eye with the requisite moisture, and for washing from off the transparent part of it insects or dust which may annoy the animal. What becomes of these impurities when thus washed off? Are they carried by the tears to the corner of the eye, and so pass down this duct, and irritate and obstruct it; or do they accumulate at the inner angle of the eye? There is a beauti- ful contrivance for disposing of them as fast as they enter the eye. Concealed within the inner corner of the eye, or only the margin of it, black or pied, visible is a triangular shaped cartilage, the haw, with lis broad part before. It is con- cave within, exactly to suit the globe of the eye; and it is convex without, accurately to adapt itself to the membrane lining the lid ; and the base of It is reduced to a thin or almost sharp edge. At the will of the animal, this is suddenly protruded from its hiding place, passes rapidly over the eye, and shovels up everj' nuisance mixed with the tears, and then, being speedily drawn back, the dust or insect is wiped off" as the cartilage again passes under the corner of the eye. "How is this managed? This cartilage has no muscle attached to it, and the limbs, and the dif- ferent parts of the body, when put into motion by the influence of the will, are moved invariably by muscles. The mechanism is simple and effectu- al. There is a great mass of fat at the back of the eye, -and the eye may be easily moved; and this lat is particularly accumulated about the inner corner of the eye, and beneath, and at the point of this cartilage. The eye of the horse has like- wise very strong muscles attached to it, and one, peculiar to quadrupeds, of extraordinary power, and by whose aid, if the animal has not hands to ward off a danger that threatens, he is at least enabled to draw the eye back almost out of the reach of that danger. "Dusi, or gravel, or insects, shall have entered the eye, and annoy the horse. This peculiar muscle suddenly acts. The eye is forcibly drawn back, and presses upon the fatty matter. That may be displaced, but cannot be squeezed into less compass. It is forced violently towards the inner corner of the eye, and it drives before it the haw ; and the haw having likewise some fat about the point of it, and being placed between the eye and an exceedingly smooth and polished bone, and being pressed upon by the eye as it is vio- lently drawn back, shoots out with the rapidity of lightning, and, guided by the eyelids, projects over the eye, and thus carries off' the offending matter. In what way shall we draw the haw back with- out muscular action? Another principle is called into play, of which we have already spoken, and of which we shall have much to say — elasticity. It is that principle by which a body yields to a certain force impressed upon it, and returns to its former state as soon as that force is removed. It is that by which the ligament of the neck, while it aupports the head, enables the horse to graze, THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 213 by which the heart expands af\er closing on and propelling forward the blood in its ventricles, by which the artery contracts on the blood that has distended it, and by which many of the most im- portant functions of life are influenced or governed. This muscle ceases to act. The eye resumes its natural situation in the orbit. There is room for the fatty matter to return to its place, and it im- mediately returns by the elasticity of the mem- brane by which it is covered ; and it draws alter it this cartilage with wffich it is connected, and (he return is as rapid as the projection. "The old farmers strangely misunderstood the nature and design of the haw, and many of the present day do not seem to be much better in- formed. Whenfrom sympathy with other parts of the eye laboring under inflammation, and be- coming itself inflamed, and increased in bulk, and the neighboring parts likewise thickened, it was either forced out of its place, or voluntarily protruded to defend the eye from the action of the light, and could not return, they mistook it lor Bome injurious excrescence or tumor, and pro- ceeded to cut it out. The "Aaif in the ej/es" is a disease well known to the majority of grooms, and this sad remedy for it is deemed the only cure. It is a barbarous practice ; and if they were com- pelled to walk half-a-dozen miles in a thick dust, and without being permitted to wipe or to cleanse the eye, they would feel the torture to which they doom this noble animal, when afterwards em- ployed in their service. A little patience having been exercised, and a lew cooling applications made to the eye while the inflammation lasted, and afterwards some mild astringent ones, and other proper means employed, the tumor would have disappeared, the haw would have returned to its j place, and the animal would have discharged the j duties required of him, without inconvenience to himself, instead of the agony to which an un- guarded and unprotected eye must frequently ex- pose him. "The loss of blood occasioned by the cutting out of the haw may frequently relieve the infla- mation of the eye ; and the evident amendment which follows, induces those wise men to believe that they have performed an excellent operation ; but the same loss of blood by scarification of the overloaded vessels of the conjunctiva,* would be equally beneficial, and the animal would not be deprived of an instrument of admirable use to him." Of the lampas, and its proper treatment, the highly valuable work just quoted gives the fol- lowing account. "Some of the lower bars, (in the upper jaw of the horse's mouth,) occasionally swell, and rise to a level with, and even beyond the edge of the teeth, and they are very sore, and the horse feeds badly on account of the pain he suffers from the pressure of that food on the bars. This is called the lampas; and it may arise from inflammation of the gums, propagated to the bars, when the horse is shedding his teeth ; (and young horses are more subject to it than others) ; or from some slight febrile tendency in the constitution gene- rally, as when a young horse has lately been taken up from grass, and has been over-fed, or not sufficiently exercised. * The conjunctiva is that membrane which Unes the hds, and covers the fore part of the eye. "In the majority of cases the swelling will soon subside without medical treatment ; or a few mashes and gentle alteratives, will relieve the animal. A lew slight cuts across the bars with a lancet or penknife, and taking care to avoid the principal artery* and vein of the palate, will re- lieve the inflammation, and cause the swelling to subside ; indeed, this scarification ofthe bars, will seldom do harm, although it is far from being so necessary as is supposed. To the brutal custom ofthe farrier, who sears and burns down the bars with a red hot iron, we do most peremptorily ob- ject. It is torturing the horse to no purpose ; and it is rendering that part callous, on the delicate sensibility of which all the pleasure and safety of riding and driving depend. It may be prudent in case of lampas, to examine the grinders, and more particularly the tushes, to see whether either of them is eri'deavoring to make its way through the gum. If with the gum lancet, or penknife, two incisions across each other be made on the tooth, the horse will experience immediate relief.'' And now, Mr. Editor, before I conclude, suffer me most earnestly to recommend the study ofthe volume from which I have quoted so largely, to all persons who may be desirous to become ac- quainted with the anatomy of the horse — with ihe various diseases to which he i^s subject, and with the proper methods of treating them. Even if they consult only profit, to the utiei; disregard of humanity in the management of their horses, they will find no work of its size, I believe, which contains any thing like the same amount of in- formation, both scientific and practical, in regard to all they may wish to know of the subjects up- on which it treats. Moreover, it is very enter- taining as well as instructive, for the first part of it contains many interesting anecilotes of cele- brated English horses, and their extraordinary performances. James M. Garnett. NOTES ON THE SANDY POINT ESTATE.— NO. I. To the Editor of ttie Farmers' Register. ISandy Point, March I7ih, 1841. It has ofien presented itself to my mind, that if some of your numerous contributors to the pages of the Farmers' Register, instead of merely de- tailing the results of some experiments, and these generally only such as are successful, would favor your readers with a series of communications, which would not only embrace the result of any particular set of experiments, whether successful or otherwise, but which would also include a state- ment of their whole practice and general mode of management, that they would not only confer a greater amount of benefit on the agricultural com- munity, but, in return, would themselves derive a greater amount of individual benefit. Do not sup- pose that I undervalue these interesting reports of experiments — they have doubtless been the means of diffusing much valuable and useful informa- tion ; but, as a large proportion of these reports go no farther than a simple statement of results, • This vein is along the centre of the upper jaw, and the artery on each side, about mid-way between thai and the rows of teeth. 214 THE FARMEKS' REGISTER. omitting what is all-important to the general and inductive agricultural reader, a statement of the former and present condition of the soil, on which euccessful experiments have been made, and a correct detail of the means adopted to obtain such results, the want ol' this information is liable to lead others into errors, who may be induced to try the attainment of similar results, under circum- stances entirely different ; and whose unavoidable want of success leads tf:em to doubt or altogether discredit such reports. Nor is the evil confined to the doubting of such reports, but has also a ten- dency to lessen in the estimation of many the va- lue of agricultural communications, and the valu- able journals throush whose medium they are cir- culated and presented to the public. Wiih these views, and if the mode and object conlemplaled meet your approbation, I propose in this and subsequent commiiYiicalions to give you a statement of the present condition of the exten- sive farm now under my care ; our general nr.ode of operations, improvements about to be effected, and such results as may be obtained, whether they may prove successful or the reverse. I am well aware of my incapacity to do justice to such a subject ; one thing, however, I will promise, that nothing but facts shall be stated ; or, that where false inferences may be drawn, they will be the result of error of judgment, not intentional. I am also well awal-e that communications of this na- ture from a source so humble, will, with many, subject the writer to the charge of egotism. To such I have no other apology to ofl'er than to state, that though I own neither a slave nor one foot ol land, but till the humble station of manager of a farm, 1 am willing to communicate my practical experience, not only with the view of benefiting others, but in the hope, that by eliciting remarks from others of more experience and sounder judg- nnent, 1 may by that means be enabled lo attain such additional knowledge as may not only bene- fit myself, but may also enable me thereby to ren- der my services more efficient and profitable to my esteemed employer. I consider it my imperative duty that my employer shall not only reap the full benefit of whatever practical knowledge or expe- rience I may now possess of agriculture, but that I should use every effort in my power to mcrease and improve such knowledge, not only for my own, but his benefit. Whatever statements of practice may be contained in this, or following communications, must be considered as carried into effect either un- der the immediate instructions of my employer, or with his express sanction and approbation. Though not a constant resident on his estate, he never loses sight of the operations going on, or the measures most conducive to his interests and the improvement of his property. There are also some of your readers who 1 know not only consi- der the attempt of a farm manager to commit his views and practical experience to the pages of an agricultural journal as an unpardonable offence, but who also consider the reading of such periodi- cals as being entirely beyond his province; and who will also censure the proprietor who keeps an individual so presumptuous in his employment. To such there need no excuse or apology be offer- ed. It cannot but be matter of regret to every libe- ral mind, that so many of those whose livelihood is obtained as overseers of farms, are not only in- capable of committing their views to writing, but who from ignorance are incapable of reading or appreciating the important benefits which they, and, through them, their employers, might derive from the perusal of such periodicals; perhaps some will say, "Where ignorance is bliss 'tis folly to he wise." The estate now under my care is that of -Sandy Point, situated in the lower end of Charles City county, Va., and now the proper!-y of Robert B. Boiling, esq. In the present communication I shall endeavor to give aSfiort and general descrip- tion of the estate in its present condition, reservincr for a future opportunity statements which will point out improvements now in progress or about to be commenced. The location of this beautiful estate is on the immediate bank of ihe James River, along whose shores it extends upwards of six miles, and is pro- bably a location unsurpassed by any of' the nume- rous and fine estates in this section of country. The area of the whole is, from old surveys, esti- mated at SOOO acres ; and the area of that portion now under cultivation is 2372 acres, at present divided as follows into, 1st, The Neck, or lower farm of 6C0 acres, cultivated in three fields of corn, wheat, clover; 2d, Teddington farm, of 700 acres, 600 acres of which are also cultivated in three fields as above, and 100 acres divided into five 20-acre lots and cultivated in 1st. corn, 2d. wheat, 3d. clover, 4th. wheal, and 5ih. clover. 8d. Upper Quarter farm of 536 acres. This division of the estate is now nearly one half in wheat after (jlover and weed fallow, one fourth will be in corn this year, and one fourth in oats and peas as a preparatory fallow for wheat. 4th. The Rowe farm of 536 acres. This fisrm has also formerly been cultivated in three fields ; but contemplating an entire change of the now existing divisions of the estate, there will, as a preparatory measure be no corn cultivated this season on that portion of it, two thirds of which are now in wheat after cloverand weed fallowand after corn; the remaining third is in clover and its natural growth of grass and weeds ; the whole of this last division will be in corn in 1842. , The surface of the arable land in all of these di- visions is level, yet sufBciently undulating to af- ford facilities for the necessary drainage. The high- est portion of the land is probably not more than 20 or 25 feet above high water mark, the texture of the soil throughout is excellent and very nealy unilbrm, very little of it can he properly consider- ed as a sandy loam, and still less could be classed as a clayey loam ; a supposed medium between these would probably best designate the very nearly unilorm texture of the general soil. Gravel is very rarely to be met with, pieces of rock of any description are also rarely to be seen. The general character of the soil is, I believe, what you class as a neutral soil ; the only exceptions to this character are on the portions most remote from the river, or where the original soil has been washed off by galls. Occasional small spaces are to be found, where the natural growth of broom straw and sorrel would indicate an acid soil. These spaces however are small, and constitute only the exception. The color of the soil presents several variations, the prevailing is however a chocolate. The whole of the soil is susceptible of the highest improvement, and in its original and virgin state was doubtless very productive, and wherever THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 215 lime has been applied, the benefite reeuliing from its application Iiave been very decided. Tlie ap- plication ol calcareous manures has hitherto been very limited. The exertions now making lo supply this deficiency, will be noticed in a subsequent communicaiion. , The average crops lor the last 10 years have been 5000 bushels of wheat, and 10,000 bushels ol'corn. Six acres are also culiival- ed in cotton, not as a saleable article of produce, but 10 supply the necessary material lor ilie cloth- ing of the negroes, and to lurnish employment to a number ol old infirm women who are unable Jbr field labor. In addition to the present arable portion of the estate, there are upwards o( 300 acres cleared, and wliicii has lormerly also been under cultivation, and is now enclosed and used as a park, or summer range lor caille and sheep, a portion of it is also included in the hog pasture. The general texture and character of tliis soil is totally different from that of the now arable land. Neutral soil is herfe a scanty exception, the acid being the prevailing soil. A considerable portion of the woodlands bordering on the river have lormerly been under culture, and are now chiefly filled with a heavy growth of pines, or where free from Ibrest growth, broom straw is abundant; ihat large portion of the estate yet under its na- tural ibrest, is heavily covered with much and valuable timber, the surface is generally level, though broken into occasionally deeper ravines than on the cleared lands. On the borders of the Tomahund creek, which Ibrms one of the bound- aries of the estate, and yet in its primitive Ibrest growth, the occasional growth of locust would indicate the presence of neutral soil. The larger proportion of the woodland soil I believe to be ol an acid character. There is very little swamp or tide marsh on the estate. On the river boundary there are probably not more than 30 acres in all, and that divided into several and small portions, and might probably be easily reclaimed into per- manent meadows. The chief body of marsh is on the Tomahund creek; and the whole there pro- bably does not exceed 100 or 150 acres. The number of slaves employed in agricultural labor may be stated in round numbers as 90, nearly equally divided as regards the sexes. To this number is to be added 7 carpenters, 2 black- smiths 2 sawyers, 1 weaver, 1 sick nurse, and 9 old and infirm men and women employed chiefly in spinning, winding, knitting, making baskets horse collars, &c. The gardeners, fishers and house servants are not here included. The laboring force may justly be considered effective, quiet and well conducted. The police regulations amoncst them are strict,yet salutary and encouraging. They probably exhibit, altogether, more ha[)piness and contentment than is olien to be met with amongst so many slaves. In addition to existing regula- tions prohibiting their intercourse with other* ne- groes, the isolated situation of the estate is highly fav'orable to maintaining this necessary restriction, and greatly promstes the orderly and circumspect conduct so gratifying amongst them ; their ge- neral hours of labor are from sunrise to sunset, with nccessajy intervals for meals. They are comfortably lodged and clothed, and are well fed. An ample allowance of meal, and one half pound of bacon (or its equivalent in beef or fish occasion- ally) is daily cooked for each hand together with a plentiful supply of seasonable vegetables ; a hospital is kept for the accommodation ol the eick, where there is a careful nur^e lo attend to them and every necessary attention paid lo iheir comlbri. The number ol horses and mules employed in farnnng purposes are 38. These are good and ellicieni animals. To these are to be add«d 6 youn"- animals ol this description — 76 oxen are a so kept Ibr farm purposes, many of these are aged, and with a few exceptions their general description is inferior. The other stock on the larm consists of 30 cows, 1 bull, 37 young cattle, and 109 sheep, exclusive of lambs of this year. The latter stock aie only kept lor the purposes of supplying wool for negro tlotlMiig and mutton lor family use. A lew lambs are however annually sold. The general character of both cattle and sheep is decidedly inlerior. Until recently little attention has been paid to the proper ages when they were permitted to breed, or to guard agaiiisi their breeding ifi and in, the inevitable consequences ol' which have been the deierioration of stock origi- nally perhaps not remarkable Ibr good qualities. JMr. Boiling is now judiciously adopting measures lor the speedy impiovemeni ol every species of stock, which it is hoped will shortly raise them ' lo greater perfection and value. On an estate so extensive, the raising of an. adequate ■ supply of pork for the heavy do- mestic consumption is an important item, and. probably in no other department of the farm manaorement have the results been less satisfiacio- ry. The breed is the common Virginia hog, and. the present stock may be stated at 200 hogs.. Their description is inlerior, the same causes ope- rating to diminish the value of cattle and sheep, as stated above, have been operating on the stock of hogs to an extent even more injurious. Add to this the heavy losses yearly incurred by hogs getting esiray and becoming wild. Not less Uian 50 hogs have been thus lost last season. And what greaily aggravates the nature of such losses, is the fact, that they are often turned loose from their enclosed range, into an extensive body of unenclosed woodlands, by the wanton negli- gence ol individuals hunting within the enclosures pulling and leaving the fences down. Measures are also being adopted to improve 'he character ofthis valuable stock, and which will subsequently be more particularly advened to. On each of the divisions of 'he estate, the buildings for farm purposes are ample, ihouirh neither arranged nor located so well as they might have been. The buildings, with the excep- tion of those on the Teddingion division, are old. An entire remodeling, adapted to the intended improvements on the estate, is now being com- menced, and in another communication will be .Tiore particularly described. The family mansion house is beautilully located on a gentle eminence about seventy-five yards from the river, having a eloping lawn down to high-water mark, now in process of being enlarged. The garden and grounds around The house are tastefully laid out, and filled with many ornamental shrubs, and is now being further beautified by the planting out of numbers of the most ornamental of native forest trees, which is, in my opinion, in decidedfy better taste than by crowding together numbers of ex- pensive and unacclimated exotics. An extensive and thrifty young apple orchard is also well locat- ed in the near vicinity of the house, 216 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. I (ear I have already encroached too far on your patience. W the object of this communication meets your approbation, I will at an early date give you a detail of the various improvements now in progress and contemplated, in the seve- ral departments of the rural economy on this estate, as from the above you will easily perceive there is ample room for improvement. Future com- munications will also point out more accurately existing defects now shortly stated, when we come to contrast them with the improvements ef- fected. Our general mode of management and results will also subspquently follow as leis^ure and opportunity offer. Respectlully yoilr humble ser- vant, A. NicoL. INQUIRY AS TO THE PROSPECTS OF SILK C U LT U R E. • Charlotte, Va., Feb. 20, 1841. The Register has contained latterly but little on silk culture, which I (ear is a strong indication that you are by no means sanguine of th'^ success of the experiment. 1 should be much pleased to learn your sentiments at this time, with all the lights which the experience and speculations of culturists have thrown on that subject. Our ac- quaintance, Mr. Edmund Morris, with a liberality and benevolence equalled only by the gratuitous distribution of his paper on silk culture and multi- caulis (a costly gratuity to some poor souls) is circulating a new paper without charge. He seems to think the business cannot be carried on with success without the aid of his invention (or ventilating. Do you think it can be with all the facilities of his discoveries and the 'Burlington Silk Record' in the bargain? than formerly, but as at all time?,) we would re commend the utmost care and caution to be use in their mode of procedure and operations. In regard to the more particular inquiries, we have only to say that we know nothing of the merits of Mr. Morris' newly invented silk-worm frame, except from his own publications. We hope it may be all that he recommends it for ; but we con((?ss our general distrust, in the absence of the most abundant proof, of the facts, in(brma- tion, instruction and advice, which have proceed- ed in such quantity from the same abundant source.— Ed. F. R. Our correspondent has correctly inferred that we are much less sanguine than Ibrmerly of the success of silk culture in Virginia ; and we have already stated at length in an article in the last volume, (page 510,) our latest views on this sub- ject. We presented the grounds on which had rested our previous almost perfect confidence, and also the causes of subsequent disappointments, and great abatement of hopes and expectations. But we did not then despair, and have not yet de- spaired ; and hope that the further investigations, and patient and (ull trials of the many intelligent culturists who will still persevere, will serve to show how the diseases and disasters of last year may be avoided, and general success and profit be achieved. We have much, though not entire confidence, in the new theory of Dv. Gideon B. Smith, as to retarding the hatching of silk- worms' eggs ; and, if he is right in his views, they cer- tainly serve to account for most of the failures from disease last year. We liave not designed, and would be very unwilling, to say any thing to discourage our readers from further and sufficient trial of silk culture— though (now even more ON DESTROYING SLUGS BY LIME. From the London Fanner's Magazine. Sir, — As the season is again approaching, whe;! innumerable fields of what ought to be our most productive wheat land, (that is, our strong clays after beans,) afford to the agriculturists but a miserable prospect, owing to the ravages of the slug ; allow me through the medium of your most excellent journal, to inform them of a cheap and effectual cure, — one which I have adopted for several years and always with the greatest success. My plan is as follows : — as soon as the wheat should show itself fi-om one end of the drill to the other, but which, owing to their vora- cious appetite, appears but on the milder and finer parts oi' the field, I procure as many four bushel sacks of unslaked lime fresh (rom the kiln, as C have failing acres of wheat, and place the same in one or more heaps in the field, as occasion may require, and the dryness of the ground will permit; then choosing the first mild and misty day, (or in- deed the first day I can find them well out,) send two men as sowers into the field, each taking a breadth ol four yards or one land with us, the first man always keeping in advance from 15 to 20 yards. The instan' he has scattered the lime, to extricate themselves they cast away their only shield of defence, which is their slime ; the second man then overtakes them in their naked state, and the smallest particle falling upon them is instant death. I consider two great savings are effected by this mode of killing them, time and expense. Having noticed several people twice ploughing their land, harrowing, rolling, &c., for no other purpose than that of destroying them, and whilst domg the same, perhaps a heavy rain" sets in, and the seeding put off' till spring ; whereas, by my plan, they may proceed with getting in the wheat as soon as the beans are off the land, and the total expense of destroying the slug, including carriage, sowing, &c., does not exceed from 3s. to 3s. 6d. per acre. Should this meet with the attention of any brother clay-land farmer, I have not the least doubt of its success, and shall feel happy in be- ing instrumental in procuring him a f^ull crop of wheat. I remain, sir, yours very respectfully, Nov. 23rd. A Lincolnshire Farmer. THE FARxMERS' REGISTER. 217 CALCARKOUS EARTH DISCOVERED IN A NEW FOR3I AND A NEW LOCALITY. To the Editor ol'tlie rarmers' Register. Charlies Hope, jjbbev'ilh District, ) S. C, March Uih, 1841. <> As you are conslanlly cornplaiiiing tliut plaiitci si leJuse to coniiDuuicate any little, inroriiiaiioii ilicy may possess, or lo request soluiioiis ol' doubts and ililJioultieSjiliat rtiay present Uieniselves.l liavc at last been templed to acquaint you with a dis- covery that I have made ol' lime in some one or other olits numerous combinations, and at tliesanie time to request the aid ol your knowledije, and expeiience, to ascertain whether the discovery is likely to lead to results beneficial to the aji;riculture ol" the section ot country in which I reside. My plantation and residence is in Abbeville district. South Carolina, about hall' way between the centre (d* the district and Savannah river, distant about six miles trom the latter. 1 have been particular in designating my location, as it lias been universally believed that no lime existed in this pan ol' the state. The region of country lo which I reler, lies between the shell marl Ibr- mation, which runs through the low country, (be- low Columbia, crossing the Savannah river into Jiurke county, Georgia,) and the lime-stone ol Habersham in Georgia, and Spartanburgh in this state, distant respectively about SO nitles. J\]y attention has been lor some years (thanks to your work) turned to the subject of lime and marl, and accidentally, a short time past, 1 Ibund the sub- stance which I will proceed to describe to you. 1 commenced, some months past, draining a portion of low grounds on Little Ktver, a tributa- ry of the Savannah, lor the purpose ol cutting ofi tlie hill waters which in rainy seasons made it too wet for cultivation, and also lor turning a stream which ran ihrough its centre, so as to alter its course to the base of the high lands ; the ditches are several hundred yards apart, and their united length would be rather more than half a mile. The land is all subject to be covered several inches by the very highest freshets. The body of land lo which I particularly reter, contains, on both sides of the river, about 300 acres. 'J''he great propor- tion of the land is a rich, strong alluvial soil, of a dark chocolate color, to the depth of 10 to 12 inches; beneath this first coat lies a light blue, and very tenacious clay, with apparently no silicious matter, and invariably at the depth of 30 inches Irom the surface, we came to the marl, if it be rnarl, to which I alluded. This body of earth is' not so tenacious as the superincumbent stratum of blue clay, and when thrown out by the spade crumbles a little, but still adheres in masses. 1 his stratum is 13 inches thick along the whole line of both ditches, and contains a substance of. a dirty white color, resembling in shape and size Jerusalem ar- tichokes, the largest mass never exceeding the size of a hen's egg, and the smallest not larger than mustard seed. These concretions are so hard as to require considerable pounding to re- duce ihem to povvder; but when well pounded, be- come as fine as flour. I observed that when struck with the pestle, they separated in layers, or thin peelings, if I may be allowed the expression, and that the inside was of a bluish color. I analyzed a number of the concretions, (ac- cording to your directions in Vol. let,) and (bund Vol. IX.-14-B thero to contain 80 per cent, of the carbonate of lime. \ then took a spade lull of the earth, with- out selection, as it was dug up, containing of course many of the larger and smaller concretions, :ind carefully picked out all the concretions larirer than a pea. I then dried and reduced to powder about one pound of this earih, from which I took 100 grains, which yielded 42 per cent, of carbo- nate of lime. I afterwards got the aid of a f^en- ileman who, from his knowledge of chemistry, \b fully capable of accurate exflmination, and the re- sult lie obtained corresponded to mine within a li-action. The growth of timber on this land is birch, poplar, ash, maple, and some gum. It may be necessary to state that the high land.«, adjoining the low grounds, were originally productive cho- colate or mulatto lands, and hard to wear out, or they certainly would have been completely ex- hausted ere this. I can make no use of this substance for the im- provement of mv land ; \'ov in older to manure an acre of upland, I should be forced to destroy the filth or sixth of an acre of land, worth 50 dollars. It is therefore useless to me, unless I can discover a thicker deposite; and it is respecting the proba- bilities on this point that I refjues! the aid of your knowledge. It may be proper to add, that on sinking a pit below the stratum of marl, say to the depth of 5 feet, we came to sand completely saturated with water, and the spade sunk almost by its own weight, two feet or more. The concretions of marl have no appearance of shells or of the im- pressions of shells. Excuse thf. length of this communication, which is at your service to burn or print. Charles T. Haskell. The facts stated above are to us mostly of novel character, and highly interesting. The stratum, as described above, is certainly very rich, and, we inter, might be used for manure just as when dug up, without the labor of separating and pounding the lumps. However, so far as the larger lumps might be easily separated, it might be advan- tageous and economical to do so, for the purpose of burning ihem to quick-lime, either for cement, or to reduce them (if very hard) more quickly for manure, than mere exposure would. The concre- tions, from the description, seem to be like those found in Prince Edward county, Virginia, and in Loudobn, the first body of which was described in the first volume of the Farmer's Register, and the latter in the eighth volume; but the whole deposite of the South Carolina body is much richer tkvm those in Virginia. We differ much from Mr. Haskell, as to the supposed difficulties and objections lo the use of his marl. Instead of admitting that the marl fur- nished by a certain space would manure only five or six tiiines as much surface, we suppose that one acre would fiirnish enough to marl 50 acres. For a dressing of a quarter of an inch thick would be very heavy, (perhaps much too heavy,) and at that rate, the 13 inches thickness of (he stratum 218 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. would serve to cover 52 times as much land as the space dug from. Again, we see no reason why the space thus dug up, and the two upper strata mixed together, in the digging, should be ruined, or even much injured, hy the operutioii, unless by lowering the surface too rauciiy tuui thereby increasing the danijer of irmridaiion by freshets. The mere mixture of soil and subsoil, especially when the ifiarl itself would be more or less disseminated throughout ihe moss, we are sure would still leave a good and improving s,oi|. Besides, by a proper course oi' procedure in dig- ging, and without much additional labor, the ori- ginal rich surliace soil might easily be kept [)rinci- pally on the top, after removal. And, provided the land could be kept as dry as before, we think it probable that the ground thus dug up and shift- ed, would be even a more productive soil than be- fore.—Ed. Far. K kg.] CANKER Vk^ORMS — CTIICKEXS. Krom tlie Farmers' GazeUe. Mr. Storer : — I wish through the medium ol your gazette, to call the atieniion of our citizens to a fact which occurred within my own personal knowledge ; and if like causes produce like effects, (and I see no reason in this case why they will not,) a fact of importance to all Who are suffer- ers liorn the ravages oi' thecanker worm. The fact is this : In the spring of 1840, I purchased three hens, which raised a brood of chickens each. When my fruit trees in my garden became literally co- vered with the canker worm, I thrashed them with a pole to the ground, where ihey were picked up by the chickens as greedily as they woyld pick up corn or grain. Several times a day 1 fed them, in this manner, until f had entirely cleared my trees of the worms. Now, as to the result ; in the month of November last, in some very warm days, when the moths were crowding up the elms in front of my residence by hundreds, I made repeated examinations of my fruit frees in tfie garden, for the purpose of preventing the moths from ascending ; but to my surprise, 1 found (nor could I discover) but a single moth on a tree in my garden, where there had been for .several successive years before, as many millions of worms as there were locusts in Egypt. This method, I believe, will be found altogether the most simple and economical, of ridding effec- tually our gardens of this troublesome insect, for it will be found that the chickens, while young, are of immense advantage in other respects than merely to clear ofi' the canker worms. The mil- lions of insects of every description, which are revelling in luxury on our cucumbers, our cabbages, and in fact every vetreiable in the garden, at a hea- vy tax upon our labor and patience, are entirely era- dicated by these industrious birds. As soon as it is light in the morning, and before the cut worm has finished his depredations upon our beans and cucumbers and retreated in safety to his bed in ihe ground, they have found and stopped his mischief. Then again, in the winter you have the pleasure of picking their bones in a fricassee, or a pie, or any other method you prefer. But their value as a complete annihilafor of Ihe caid.=ervp, in your laft paper, an inquiry repeated by Mr. Symonds, as to the durability of cubic-petre, as a fertilizer, which has been recently mride on several occasions. There is ho doubt but that its effects extc nd beyond the first year of its application ; this is certainly the case with saltpetre — thus Mr. Kimberley, of Trots- worth, when be used it upon his clover land, Ibund that i:s effects were enually great upon the following crop of wheat. — Journ. -Roy. y}g. Soc. vol. i. p. 276. Mr. Wilsher experienced a similar result. — My I^ssay on Saltpetre, p. 30. Mr. Lee, wlio successfully used it lor barley, found it im- proved in an equal ratio the following crop of clo- ver.— Edin. Quar. Jour, of jjg. vol. i. p. 302. Mr. Oakley, of Preston, in Hertfordshire, says, "it survives In the succeeding crop." — Essay on Saltpetre, p. 38. It is a very erroneous conclu- sion, that saline manures are speedily washed out of the soil by the rain, for I ascertained some years since, by very careful experiments with common salt, that at the expiration of twelve months, sixty per cent, of the quantity originally applied remained in the soil. — Essay on Common Salt, p. 156. I am glad to find that the use of cubic-petre is extending so successfully. In some receint trials on the estate of his grace the Duke of Norfolk, detailed by Mr. Anderson of Oakley, the follow- ing results were obtained (for an account of which I am indebted to Mr. E. Purser, of New Bridge- street, an extensive deafer in these powerful salts) : — One liundred and fifty pounds' weight of nitrate of soda per acre, were sown on a portion of a field of clover in April, 1840 ; the remaining part of the field was not manured. The clover was cutonfhe6th of July; on the 11th, when in a good state to cart, the clover was weighed. Ton, cwt, qr. lb. £ s. d. produce per acre, where the nitrate of snda was sown 3 1 1 20 value 41. per ton 12 5 9 Produce per acre, where the nitrate of soda was not sown - - - - 2 4 1 24 value 41. per ton 8 17 10 Difference in quan- tity per acre - - 0 16 3 24 In value - - 3 Cost of nitrate of soda per acre, and sowing - - 1 Profit, per acre, from the use of the cubic-petre - - 1 18 11 The benefit derived from thus increasing the produce of clover will hardly ever terminate with the first crop, (t is a well-known fact amongst THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 219 ihe Essex larniers, ihat by whatever means I hey increase the produce of clover, Ihe yield of the lollowiiiir crop of wheat will be in a similar ratio improved. 1 am, sir, yours, (iiilhruliv, CUTHBKUT VV. JoiIKSON. 14, Gray's Inn Square, Dec. 3, 1840. ON THE IRRIGATION OF RICE LANDS BY PUMPS. From tlie Southern Agriculturist. I have been desirous to obtain some maciiine to irrigate rice lands; in furtherance of this objert I wrote 10 JMr. J. Rearc, Pall Mall Kast, London, the inventor of a pump, said to combine many advaniages. I propounded several questions con- cerning his pump, and I enclose you his reply. Some rice planters are situated on rivers, lUat in dry seasons become loo salt at high water, to flow the land with, but which are fresh from half ebb 10 half flood tide. An efficient pumping ap- paratus would render lands in such situations as safe to plant, as those not having the evil of s^lt water to contend with. Inland swamps too miuht he drained or flowed at vvill. The only objection I see to the pump, (taking Mr. Beare's replies to be correct, which 1 do not doubt,) is the price. The quantity of water lifted per minute, would flow an acre six inches deep in Iwenty-lbur and a half minutes. If you could obtain any funh'-r information on this subject, you would pet;hai)« benefit a number of rice planters by publishing it, at any rate you would bne oi' your Subscribers. 7 Pall Mall East, LnndnUi ? 6ih July, 1840. ] Sir — 1 have the favor of your letter under date, Savannah, (Geo.,) 15ih May last, acquainting me that Capt. T. Baylis, of the British K. I. Army, has conveyed lo you an opinion, that my new plan, or new principle in pumps, must be ex- tremely useful in irrigating rice lands. You have submitted to me also a number of questions, and I have much pleasure in putting the same again under your notice, together with my replies thereto, given seriatim, and which will, 1 think, be found perfectly clear and satisfactory. I am very happy to learn that many rice plan- tations in your quarter of the world require lo be improved and benefited in the way you fioint ou'. that much uncultivated laijd also may be. brouffhi into use, with a cheap and durable apparatus lor irrigation and draining. In the low lands throughout England, the pa- tent pumps are tjetting into general use, and all the old methods are being last laid aside. \Vc are beginning now lo experience a good conti- nental demand, atid have lately had with us a de- putation irom the king of Holland, to consult on the draining of ihe Haerlem lake. 1 am quite sure, if 1 can have the honor of a li- beral correspoiidence wiih you, no doubt can ex- ist but a considerable number of our machines, both as pumps and as hydraulicans, will be readi- ly and advantageously disposed of. And if) on the receipt of these my refepecle, you will indicate from ilie descriptions given, what machines sliall be l^jrwarded to you, at the same lime fiivoring me with your remiilaiices lo any amount you may think proper, Irom £50 lo £500, you may de|)end that the machinery shall be pre- pared and forwarded witli the utmost care and at- tention, and that the prices charued lor Ihe same phall be the very lowest possible, to inpiire Ihe car- tying out a liberal correspondence. Waiting the favor of your tidvices, I am, with respect, sir, your most obedient servant, John Beare. Ques. 1st. What quantity of water can be raised per minute li'om five to nine feet high, by a tcn-horse-power steam engine driving a pump or pumps'? Ans. 1st., We are now workinsr a pair of hy- draulicans under my patents, with a ten-horse- power steam engine, and this pair of pumps deli- ver, at an altitude of eleven feet, twenty Ions of water jier minute, two hundred and ten imperial irallons to the ton, and a cubic foot of water being sixty-two and a quarter pounds, the stream pro- duced by this pair of pumps, when in flill action, is nine leel wiile and fourteen inches deep. Q. 2d. Will it make a difl^erence in the working of the pumps, if it be placed in tide water, which rises and falls six leet. -•/. The'eff'ect of tide water is quite immaterial, otherwise ihan when the water is highest, the pumps vvill. work ihe lightest. Q. 3d. How many pumps, and what power will be necessary lo raise seven hundred and ihirly.-five cubic i'eex of water per minute, from five 10 nine lt,'et high 1 ji. Reckoning the cubic foot of water at sixty- two and a quarter pounds avoirdupois, and ten pounds being the imperial gallon, seven hundred and thirty-five cubic feet of water per minute will be, equal to twenty-one tons, eighty-three gallons per reiinute. An^, as lifting from five to nine feet high only, is so much less than eleven leet, as slated in answer to query No. 1., a ten-horse en- gine to this power lift, would give by the pair of pumps about nine hundred cubic feet, or twenty- six tons, one hundred and sixty-five gallons of waier per minute. Q. 4. Will your patent pumps be less liable to injury from aliernaie cold and heat, moisture and dryness, Ihan llie pumps in ordinary use? . jI. The pateni hydraulicans can take no injury, if. I he workins paris are kept well oiled. Q. 5ih. Can your pump, if it becomes damaged, or worn by Use,- he repaired [<}• mecluuiics, not particularly drilled to such work? j-J. The palen! pumps can readily be refitted by any oife capable of handling a tool, requiring no nicety. Q. 6th. What vvill be the price of a pump or pumps which will raise i=cven hundred and thirty- five cubic feel of waier from five to nine feet high per minute ? j^. The price of a pair of pntppt hydraulicans, a.'j set foTlh in an.^wer to qupry No. 1, and to carry out the work iherein elated, will be £265. Q. 7ih. Will either manual labor, horse power, or a wind mill be as cheap and effectual in work- ing your pumps, as a steam engine? .i^. Cannot estimate the cost of manual labor with you. Wind is proved a bad motive-power 220 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. for raising water, because ofiis uncertainty. And steam-power is contingent on price of luel with you. Pro forma. — A double action patent I'ouritain pump in cast iron, cast iron suction or breeches piece for five-inch piping, with cast iron standard and wrought iron fire engine leverage, and wood cross pieces, having brass expresser buckets, with butterfiy valves, leather conncctois in metal rings, screw bolts, metal lower boxes and spindle valves, wrought iron rods, bolts, nuls, puis and l Braxton's answers to our queries; but at the same time, we intimated the strong suspicion that a wrong specimen had been sent us by mistake. We therefore asked for more specimens, and also, that Dr. Braxton would himself analyze the marl in regard to which a mistake was suspected. He has complied with both requests,. 234 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. We then consoled ourselves, that what they lack- ed in lime, they made up in green-sand, or may be, the happy compound of lime, irreen-sand, &c., whatever it may be, fonned a hap[)y dose for our sandy bottoms, or flats. But you now come out and tell us, that the green-sand is worse than useless. Now, my dear sir, what are we to do"? Our lands dreadfully poor, no lime, (which is the only thincr, as you say, that can benefit them,) and our green-sand, of which there is plenty, you say is good lor nothing.* I and the results show that there teas a mistake in the former specimen, and that the marl which he has used is about four times as rich in calcareous matter as the specimen which we before analyzed. He ana- lyzed by solution in acid, filtration, and subtraction of the undissolved residuum from the whole quantity — which mode will always make marl appear richer than it really is. We used Davy's apparatus (for the measurement of the gas evolved,) which is much more accurate. The results were as follow : Bassett's marl, used- by Dr. Eraxton, and by his ana- lysis, contained of carbonate of lime, 48 per cent. The same, according to Davy's appara- tus, - - - - - 45.50. The lower stratum, of the Newcastle green-sand marl, (formerly reported by us, p. 688 vol. 8, as containing 2 per 'cent,) by Dr. Braxton's trial contained, - - - 5. And by Davy's apparatus, - - 2.50. This stratum, it should be remembered, is the low- er, and the one lying above it, 5 feet thick, contains 36 per cent, of carbonate of hme. Another specimen from Bassett's land, contained only 11.50 per cent, of carbonate of lime. This, from its near agreement, was no doubt the same kind of which a specimen was before furnished by mistake, instead of the kind which Dr. Braxton used from. All three of these specimens contained larg'e pro- portions of green-sand also — estimated by the eye to be from 20 to 30 per cent, of the whole mass. — Ed. F. Register. • Not so, in either case. We reported, and cor- rectly, the marl sent as a specimen of the kind used so largely by Dr. Braxton, to be only 11 per cent, of carbonate of lime. It now appears (as stated in the pre- ceding note) to be rich, as we at first had supposed, containing 45.50 instead of only 11 per cent. As to the " happy compound of lime and green-sand," we readily admitted the manifest and very remarkable ef- fects, as seen on the Pamunkey lands. We only dis- trusted the permanency of so much of the effect as was due to green-sand alone, from our own varied and considerable course of trial elsewhere. The results of those trials we have fully and fairly presented, (p. 118, vol. ix.) and desire others to do the like ; and, so far from designing to discourage farther trials of green- sand, because of our own small returns, we have urged renewed trials, even where we had abandoned the use, in consequence of the greater benefits which we saw very much fi-ar that, in your "search alter truth,"' you will leave depopulated a large section of our country; lor I already hear some rumors of the return of the epidemic which prevailed in this re- gion some years since, with such alarming mor- tality, both in body and purse, that 1 have scarcely known of an individual who was subject to the malady, that ever finally recovered. I think the physicians called it the emigrating fever. As you are our great land " regulator," you must pardon me in again asking you what we are to do? for without this marl, or some sub- stitute, we are gone ; not going, but gone, and as you say we have none that is worth using, what would you advise us to do? go to the hospital, and be inoculated lor the lever, or slay a while longer, and try some more experiments with this green-sand 1 But from your experience, it seems the longer ihe trial, the worse the effects ; so, Mr. Editor, I can see no glimmerinor of hope lor us Pamunkeyites, but the very faint one, that your green-sand may not be like ours, that is, that ours may have some ingredient in it, whicdi is> wanting in yours, or, may be, our sandy lands may not labor under the same disease with your stitier soils, and therefore the same remedy, perhaps, that may have been inert upon your lands, may be beneficial. And may not that be the reason why the green-sand acts so well as is said on the sandy soil of New Jersey, and not at all on the James river lands ?t And now, my very good friend, badinage apart, let us try and reason this matter a little together, and compare your ideas and experience with mine; not at all though with the view of contrasting my knowledge or experience upon the subject with yours, but simply that both sides of the sub- ject may be presented, as iiir as my limited ex- perience goes. With the green-sand proper, I readily admit that my experiments have not been of such a character as to arrive at any thing like definite or lair conclusions ; but with the green-sand marl, (the admixture of lime and green-sand,) 1 claim to have had some experience ; and what- ever may be its component parts, whether it con- tains much or little lime, or whatever else it ma\ contain, certain it is, so lar as I can judge, its pre sent effects are very fine ; whether it may prove : on the Pamunkey lands. Still, there has been nothing adduced to show that we were wrong in pronouncing that the green-sand alo7ie, without any admixture of carbonate of lime, and applied to an acid soil, would be an unprofitable application, if not entirely without ef- fect.—Ed. t We should greatly regret such results of our in- vestigations and reports ; still, whatever may come of it, we will still aim to "search after truth," and urge all other investigators to do the same ; and not to trust to our opinions, or any others, or to seek to sustain any particular theory, but submit every doubt to the test of accurate experiment. Our green-sand was no doubt generally poor ; but the quantity would have made up for defect of quality. Besides, some of it was abun- dantly rich. Neither were the lands generally stiff, but in most cases light and sandy, though less so than I the Pamunkey low-grounds. — Ed. THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 235 permanent manure, time must decide. Althouifh I think your reasonio^ upon calcareous manures conclusive, I ivould liiin hope they may not he (bund so as respects green-sand. That is a sub- ject as yet, I tliiniv, but lilile understood by farm- ers, geologists, or chemists, as it would seem, at least in our country. Its etTects we know but little of; of its constituent character nothing. It is true, Prolessor llogers tells us it is the "silicate of iron, and potash"." We poor farmers are perhaps now as wise as we were before ; but il' the pro- fessor means to say, il is sand, iron, and ()olash in a state of combination, I should think that those materials would iorm an insoluble, semi- transparent, vitreous compound, which the oxalic,- humic, and all other acids, said to be contained in the earth, would hardly decompose. Cut to return. 1 cannot agree with you, that, the effect ol green-sand is only that of gypsum. I think so, first, because gypsum acts only on the clover, and other broad-lealed plants, giving at first, to be sure, an impetus to some of the grains, but no increase to the crop that I could ever discover ; whereas the green-sand not only produces a greater effect upon clover, but all oilier grasses, as I have seen a growth of hen's grass convert- ed, by its appplication, into luxuriant white clover and green-sward, as well as weeds of every de- scription quadrupled in size ; and land that! am satisfied would not have produced more than 2 barrels of corn to» the acre, by its application alone, now produce 4 or 5. Now in this I cannot agree, that it is the overdose of the gypseous mat- ter that produces these effects; as I have never seen any belter effects produced from any larger (]uan- tity of plaster liran one bushel to the acre. Not so the green-sand ; the larger the quantity I have yet applied; or seen applied, the better the effects. 2d, I have never se^n gypsum have any effect in neutralizing an acid soil, whereas after the ap- plication of a sufficiency of green-eand the sorrel ceases to grow. And 3dly, I have never seen any change in the appearance of the soil itself, pro- duced by any application o!' gypsum, whatever, much or little, and I have been in the habit of using it for the last 15 years pretty freely ; neither have I seen any permanent improvement of the land by its use, its beneficial eHects seeming, on our soils, always lo have passed off with the ef- fects of the clover, like any kind of putrescent ma- nure on acid soils. Whereas, alter the application of our green-sand, there is a manifest change in the appearance of the soil, and a continued fertility imparted thereto, as is evidenced by the growth of every thing on it, whether it be of grain, grass, or weeds.* How long this increased fertility may continue is yet to be determined ; but as " sufficienl for the day is the evil thereof," * We did not, in our recent articles, (p. 679, vol. viii. p. 118, vol. ix.) ascribe the effects of green-sand earth to the gypsum contained, (though that was our error, twenty years- ago,) and still less did we mean that green-sand and gypsum were the same. We only maintained that the manner of action of the two was sinfllar, though we readily admit the greater effect of the green-sand. We have found the effect of gyp- sum to increase with the quantity applied, from one bushel to four to the acre; but not in equal proportion. I should recommend iis continuance until its use- less, or jjernicions ellects are more manilijst than I have yet seen them. Now, in the case of my brother Carter's field at Newcastle, there was ns much green-sand as green-sand marl applied, the land seemingly of equal quality, and yet there appeared to be no difference in the crop of corn ; all seemed equally good, at least 100 percent, up- on what the land would liave produced without it.f What may be the chemical action produced on soils, or vegetal ion, by the combination of lime and green-sand, I am not agricultural chemist enough to determine. But from your analysis of my marl, or rather the marl I am using, I should not suppose (here was lime or green-sand enough to do much good ; but still the effect, as it appears to me, has been very great on my land. J It may perhaps be proper that I should here remark, that the happiest effects I have witnessed from the application of green-sand, was on a piece of land that had been previously marled, with a poor marl, which to the eye had not given much in- dication of improvement. But as soon as the green-sand (pure) was applied, a new appear- ance was produced; the while clover, and patches of green-sward began every where lo make their appearance. This piece of land was very light and sandy, with a gravelly subsoil, and not ca- pable, beibre it was improved, I should suppose, of producing more than 2 to 2^ barrels of corn to the acre. Last year il was in corn, and produced at least 8 or 9 barrels, (my overseer says 10) the adjoining land, in anolher field of originally simi- lar soil, did not produce 1| barrels to the acre. In the absence of all chemical knowledge on the subject of green-sand, (as Tconsider we know no- thing of it analytically, and as the eye, and its ef- fects, are all we have to direct us in its use,) I must think the deposite from which Mr. Williams Carter made his experiment is not of the same character as what we call green-sand lower down the river ; as in his, if I recollect aright, there are no shells at all, whether of a large or small kind, whereas, in the deposites found lower down the river, and above too, for aught I know, there are always more or less of small shells, and inter- spersed occasionally are found larger ones, of a peculiar character, as well as the saddle oyster shell; neither of which shells have I ever seen or heard of', except in connexion with green-sand. And neither have I ever seen the green-sand where these peculiar shells did not more or less obtain. And if your gypseous earth is like the banks I have noticed at City Point, (with entire defJirence to your better knowledge, and more ac- t The great improvement on Mr. Carter Braxton's land, from the use of green-sand earth containing only 2 or 21 per cent, of carbonate of lime, and the appa- rently equal and similar effect with the upper stratum containing .36 per cent, of carbonate of lime, we con- fess to be to us astonishing and inexplicable. But still the facts do not yet contradict our viev.'s ; though they will do so, should the effects of the lower stratum be found to be permanent. t This was written while supposing the marl to be as poor as 11 per cent. The force of the objection i« removed by the subsequent analysis, showing 45.50 to be the degree of strength, in carbonate of lime. 236 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. curate and scientific investigations of thespi depo- sites,) 1 niustihinlc yourgypeeouseartiiisBtill more variant from our fxreen-sand, tlian Mr. Carter' c!. Ao;ain— Prof. Rogers in his report particularly guards ua against taking any thing (or green- sand which has no shelly matter in it, and more- over i think says the green-sand has never lieen found in this coun:ry vvhen the saddle oyster shell Tvas not present.* Now ] am rather confident I " • We readily admit the general inieiionty of the green-sand earth with which we experimented. And it was so, not because there was not plenty of richer, but because we first sou^dit, not for the ereen sand ingredient, but for the greatest quantity of gypsum. But even if poor, enough of the earth was put on to make a very heavy and lich dressing of green- sand. And some of our applications were from the lower and much richer body, (and which also contains shells,) pronounced by Prof Rogers, (for whose inspec- tion the pit was dug.) to contain 60 to 70 per cent, of pure green-sand — and which also produced no lasting effect. The saddle-shaped oyster shell (osiraa sellifor' mis) is found in some of our green-sand ; and at Ever- green, (Piince George,) wherel first discovered the for- mation of green-sand in 1817, and where I afterwards carried Professor Rogers, (in 1835) we gathered the finest and most perfect shells of this kind he had ever seen. Indeed, he then thought this shell to be an un- known species ; and under that mistaken impression, at his request, I obtained for him beautiful drawings of two fine specimens, for the purpose of being engraved, •which were executed by a friend of mine. The same shell is very abundant in the eocene" marl at Cog- gins' Point, which lies over the green-sand, and which green-sand is manifestly changed from what was for- merly the same kind of marl. How the change was produced is a mystery — and we admit, as our friend's comment, afterwards made, intimates, that our specu- lations thereupon are of very little, if any value. The green-sand stratum at City Point, like most that we formerly tried at Coggins' Point, does differ in appearance, in constitution, and would ver)' likely difi'er in effect as manure, from that at Newcas- tle, which is the nearest to a pure green-sand of any that has been ])rofitably used there, containing no more than 2 or 2.50 per cent, of carbonate of lime. The City Point stratum contains no shells, but plenty of their empty impressions, and apparently no carbonate of lime. But however different, in some respects, from the Pamunkey beds, (and from our lower stra- tum,) this stratum, like all that we used from, has plenty of green- sand ; therefore, if it be contended (and we are not disposed to deny it,) that this and our own Coggins' Point green-sand earth cannot produce effects as manure equal to those produced by the Pa- munkey and New Jersey earths called by the same name, it will follow necessarily tliat there is some agent of fertilization other than, and superior to, the green-sand itself, and whose presence has not been detected by any scientific investigator. If this be true, it would remove all existing difficulties caused by discordant effects of the (supposed) same agent; for j^ieii Uicre would be no reason why the gf-een-sand saw no shell of any kind, particularly of the laiier, at Broad Neck, or at Ciiy Poin'. There are several, and I dare say many of the deposites on this river, or its vicinity, such as you describe in your wiiiinss as gypseous earih, with the clear and distinct impress ol shells, but ail traces of calcareous matter gone. Thai these depositee were or.ce calcareous, I suppose can admit of no duubi^ and, lor aught we know, the green-sand deposiies may have been much more calcareous than ihey are at present ; and may now he un- dergoing the decoinposintr process ; but certain it is to my mind, ihat ihere must have been some other ingredient in the green-sand deposites, than there is in the now gypseous earth deposiies, as a difl'erent result has been produced by the decomposition ; as it would seem liiere is a mark- ed difference heuveen the deposiies Ibund here, one ol' which is called green-sand, and the other gypseous earth. Again, if your rea>oning be correct, id the theory laiely advanced by you, that the sulphate' of" iron, lu percolating through the ditierent sirata of calcareous mailer, has de- composed ihe lime, or ntiher, that ihe sulphuric acid, from iis greater affinity to lime than iron, has produced the more insolutile compound of sulphate of lime, or gypsum, why is it, that we only find the gypsum, in the uppur or overlying stratum of green-sand, and that we still find tlie two lotrether in a se|!;irate state, tlie gypsum in crystals, and (he green-siuid a distinri sutistance, or raiher the crystals of gypsum sometimes as large as a pigeon's egg, intermixed here and (here, ihroui/lmut the straium of green-sand? This green s.uid being weaker, ihal is, containing less gieen-sand, ami a lighter colored earih tlian ihe green-sand ol'ihe lower siraium, and between ihis overlying' siratuin of green-sand, containing the gypsum,- and ihe underlj.iiig siraium of richer green-sand, bu» cnniaining no gypsum, as can be ascertained by analysi.-;, ibere should l>e a vein or siraium of rich green-sand marl, containing someiunes as much as 40 per cent of lime. Il' it decomposed the up[/er, or overlying stratum of whhi WHS once as you suppose a body of marl, or calcareous matier, why dia it noi convert all into gypsum, and how did it pass the inter- beds of New Jersey, and of Pamunkey, if having this unknown fertilizing ingredient, should not be every thing that that the report of the state geologist pro- raises for green-sand in general, and yet the James river beds be worth as little as tt)e had inferred, be- cause, though rich enough in green-sand, destitute of that other and unknown ingredient. But if this be so, it takes away the merit as well as the mystery from green-sand, to bestow both on this newly sus- pected and slid unknown agent. In conclusion, we agree with our friend and cor- respondent, that almost nothing is yet known on the subject of green-sand ; and we would urge upon all farmers who are able to use it, to do so, in the man- ner best suited to make full experiment, and furnish useful results — and to throw aside as worse than worthless, all that has been yet said of this'raanure in geological reports, and to rely only on what are supposed to be facts, and the results of practical ex-- perience. — Ed. F. E. THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 237 mediate, or middle stratum, which ia now rich Willi calcareous matter, and pass to the lower stratum, ilie terminus ol" which we have never (bund, decompose this partially, (as there are siill many shells in it, perfect as to Ibrm, and retaining all their lime,) but stiU no traces ol' sulphate of lime, other than as you suppose from a siuiilarity ol action on the crowinfr crops'? 1 1' I am correct in my views, as I think I am, I should rather thinl< you will iiave lodipsiill deeper into the arcana of nature, than you have yet irone, belbrc any eatislactory solution of the enicma of ijreen-sand can be arrived at. I do not know but ihat you may be correct in your theory, or at least that it is a plausible one, of the sulphate of alumina and iron, aciinji partially upon the lime of the up- per or overlying stratum of ffreen-sand marl, as the sulphuric acid would in all probability, when cominw in contact wiUi limp and potash together, unite with the lime, in preference to the potash, and thereby produce the insoluble com- pound of sulphate of lime ; and should any ex- cess of sulphuric acid be present, and sulphate of potash be Ibrmed, it could not be delected, as it would, as soon as formed, be carried off by the water. But this admission can only apply to the upper or overlying stratum, in which is lound gypsum ; it could not apply to the two underly- ing strata, which both contain lime, but no gypsum. The more, my dear sir, I investigate this sub- ject, and seek alter the mot/us operandi of \he green- sand. the more I am involved in mystery. "Alps on Alps arise," at every step. I must therefore withdraw from the field of science, and leave it to the culture of your more skilful operations; while I confine myself within the more appro- priate vocation of a farmer, of trying experiments, to arrive at practical results. Yours. &c. CoRBiN Braxton. PROPOSED REMEDY FOR THE CONFUSED AND CONTRADICTORY STATE OF POPULAR NO- MENCLATURE OF THE GRASSES. From tlie Kentuclty Farmer. In a communication addressed by the present editor of this paper, some m onihs since, to the ediior of the Farmers' Register, on " Kentucky .blue grass," the idea was suo^gested that a work on the grasses, giving all their common names in connexion with their botanic description, so that they could be readily distinguished in all pans of the country, as well by the unlearned as the learn- ed, would prove a valuable acquisition to ihe agri- cultural literature of the country, i'he letter was copied froai the Register into this paper, current vol., p. 156. It is highly gratifying to find, flom the articles which fbllovv, that the suuaestion receives the powerliil support of the able editor of the Register, and that it has been so favorably entertained by the distinguished botanists, Mr. Curtis and Professor Darlington, who have writ- ten to the Register and the American Farmer on the subject. Every intelligent farmer appreciaies the importance of botanic science to the improve- ment of agriculture ; and it is painful to reflect how much this and other sciences, applicable to the art of farming, have been neglected in the education of the sons of the soil. May we not hope that, apfireciaiinr; the niility of the various sciences in aid of practical husbandry, a hiizher standard of education lor ilie I'arnu-r will be soon adopted. And such a work as the or.e pro[iosed, by showing the utility of botany, would promote ihe study of that beauiilul science by the larmer. There are some excellent sufr.'.restions in the letter of Mr. Curtis; and that of Mr. Darlintrlon tnay be reuch an amount of money in so short a space of time ? Has not its real Iops been constantly going on lor at least a period ol several years, and was it not arceleraied bv the very means taken lo avoid realizinij it ^ Did not the yery increase of lis own liabilities hold up the price of its own assets 7 ON THE DESTRUCTION OF THE RED SPIDER. From ihe Magazine of Horticulture. A certain remedy for the vile insect, known by the name of red spider, no matter whether it has made its appearance on the grape vine, peach tree, or any other tree or plant that is grown under glass: sulphur, will destroy them, used in the IbllowiniT manner : — Alier syringing the lieesoi* plants with water, as thoroughly as it is pot^sible so to do, in the evening, when the sun is leaving the glassj fill half a dozen saucer^ or more, (ac- THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 243 cording to the size of the house,) with sulphur, anJ place ihein on the lop of tiie flues, or pipes, il flues are not used, leti leet apart, and siait the fires ; the heat of tlie (lues or pipes will lioat the sulphur, and the vapor will rise and fill ihe house compleiely full, so much so that in the niornin^f you will smell it quite stronjr, when you enter the house: by lollowing up ihis o'eihod a week or ten days, ihe red spider will make its exit. A dry heat is ihe red spider's element, and they make rapid proj^ress if iliis is nOl counteructpd hy moisture and sulphur, which compleiely destroys ihen). J. W. KussELL. Mount Auburn Cemetery, Feb., 1841. We can attest to ihc certainly of Mr. Russell's plan for deslroyiiiir the red spider, one of the most desiructive insects which inTest green-houses, hot beds, and hot-houses ; sulphur and a plenty of moisture are the only thiiiirs which have ever enabled us to get rid ol ihis pesi. — J^d. REMARKS ON SALT AS MANURE, AND FOR STOCK. Extract from tlie London Farmars' Magazine. 4 We alluded 10 several experimenle which had heen instituted by iVJr. BlHckwood, in this neigh- borhood, lor the purpose o( ascenaining the rela- tive meriie of salt as a manure in raising potatoes, turnips, &c. ; and we are now enabled to say that the result of this year's crop of turnips, goes far to establish the fact that salt prepared in a com- pound, and applied in the way which we formerly described, will bear a comparison with the best dpscriplion of farm-yard manure in this particular. For not only has Mr. Blackwood againsucceed- ed in obtaining a very large crop, but we can a'so hear testimony to the fertilizing properties of the compound from our own experience, having this season, from its application, produced filteen acres of very fine turnips. In the compost which we applied there was mixed seventy-five bushels of salt, or at the rate of five bushels at^ acre, and we remarked, after the fermentation had proceeded for some lime, that the texture and nature of the compost chansed as it wpre, and the whole mass assumed a moist and rich appearance, which we ascribed to the operation of the salt in the mixture. It cannot however be expected that we are pre- pared to enter into a chemical analysis of this substance, or scientifically explain the manner and way in which it operates in the compound so as to produce these results. Our present obje'ct is rather to direct attention to the subject, for should this composition prove of general applicability, and we have no reason to apprehend the contrary f>om the success which has attended Mr. Black- wood's practice for the last six years, it will then be of the utmost imporiance to the agricultural community, that a knowledge of its beneficial influence as a manure orstimulant should be wide- ly disseminated amongst them, ft will be ob- served, that a general want of success has hitherto attended the numerous experiments instituted upon salt for agricultural purposes ; but then these were never performed in such a manner as to prove satisfactory, for the great secret appears to be in submitting ihe compost to that degree of heat which is necessary to produce fermentation, and the process should be continued for some weeks previous to the mixture being applied to the land, so that the salt may either be decom- posed or undergo some change from the fermenta- tion which seems necessary for developing its fertilizing |)roperties. Now the majority of those who have been in the practice of testing the pro- perties of salt have either applied it to the soil in Its mineral state, or have simply diluted it with some li(]uid ; and even when a compound was formed of earthy matters and other substances, ihe salt was simply mixed with these ingredients before being applied to the land, or at all events without any atiempt being made to produce that fermentation which appears lo be essentially necessary to the success of the whole operation ; hence the reason why reports of experiments on the use of salt as a manure have hitherto been as different as the soils on which they were made. We are aware that it has frequently been asserted by learned and scientific men, that salt is only a stimulant and possesses no nourishment, but may excite the vegetable absorbent vessels into greater action than usual. We are not prepared to controvert this assertion, but the result of seve- ral experiments would go far to establish a dif- lereni view ol the matter. In proof of this we may be allowed to relit^r to an experiment which is related by Dr. Holland, well known by his agriculiural survey of Cheshire. " After draining a piece of sour rushy ground about the middle of October, he ordered soiue refuse salt 10 be spread upon a part of the land at the raie ol eight bushels to the acre, and in another sixteen bushels. In a short lime the vegetation disappeared totally, and during the month of April following not a blade of grass was to be seen. In the latter end of the month of May a most flourishing crop of rich grass made its appearance on that part where the eight bushels had been laid. In the month of July the other portion produced a still stronger crop. The cattle were remarkably fond of it ; and during the whole of the ensuing winter (which is ten or twelve years since) and to this day, the land retained, and yi t exhibits a superior verdure to ihe neighboring closes." As further confirmatory of the above experiment, we may mention a circumstance that was related to us by Mr. M'Nab, the distinguished manager of the botanical garden near Edinburgh. For the purpose of exterminating the weeds with which the walks of the garden were infested, and if possible prevent their growth, Mr. M'Nab applied a pietiy large quantity ol salt to their surface, which had the dtsiied efltxt during ihe first season, as not a single vveed could be seen ; so powerful indeed had been its operation, that part of the box-wood edging with which the salt had come in contact gave way. But afiervvards, instead of having any efleci in checking the weeds, it lended rather to promote their growth, as they appeared during the second and third sea- sons in greater abundance and luxuriance than they had ever done belore. It would thus appear that salt is susceptible of undergoing certain changes, both befiDre and after being applied to the soil ; but belore we can arive at a just conclu- sion with respect to the mode in which it operates 60 as to become a fertilizer, science must lend her aid to practice, and both must be combined to 244 THE FARxMERS' KEGISTKH attain this end. One thing, however, appears to i they consumeil at the rate of one ton (or every be beyond the reach of dispute, that salt on j thousand sheep annually." Lord Somerville, to- certain soils, and applied in the manner we have j geihcr vviih Mr. Curvven, Sir John Sinclair, and alluded to, and in certain quantities, has a ler- i oihers, all unite in rfcommending the use of salt tilizing tendency. In alluding, however, to the j as a preventive again.^t the dl6ert^es incident to probability of salt becoming a useful auxiliary to | wet siiuations, ami iheir experience almost proves the larmer in the cultivation of his crops, we must not overlook the advantages that would result from its more extended application as a condiment and^ingredient in the toud of animals, qualities we apprehend, whicli as yet are very httle understood ; but that li might be so emt)loy- ed with great advantage, ihe lollowing extracts go far to prove. It is stated in the Edinburgh JEncyclopedia, '• That salt given with ihe lood of cattle augments us nourialimeiit. That in [)ro- poriion to ilie ([uaniity of salt euien by cattle, the effects ol' the augmentation are perceiveu. Tliat no ill conse.cjuences l(>llow its use even when given without stint. These pro|)Otfiuons are supported the necessiiy of it. Sir John Sinclair, in his Agri- culiurul btaie of the Nelherlanili^, says, "ihat at Mr. Alossel man's farm at Chenoi, beyond Wa- vie, he luund ihat salt was used lor sheep, and that by allowintr them to lick it, ihe rot was etfcciually cured." Mr. Bracehiidge, of Walion- on-Thames, also was induced to drench some sheep, which were aliened with the rot, night and morning with sirontf tirine, alier whicli he did not lose one ; ihey became lai, and the meat was as fine and good as if the animals had never been aHected. " In sirong pastures," otiserves Lord Somerville, " wlien seasons are wet, ihe rot oiien spreads desiruci ion over whole tracts of country ; by unquestionable evidence, and ihe trials of very here salt must be beneticial. It is; supposed, and many persons. Crau, in the jurisdiction ol Aries, in the couniy of Provence, I ranee, has an exieni ot' six leagues by three, the whole surjiice of which is covered with small rough stones, and not a tree or bush is to be seen upon the whole district, except a very lew scattered on the border : yet on this apparently barren spot, by the Iree use of salt, more numerous Hocks ot sheep are bred and rear- ed than upon any other common ot' equal extent in the kingdom ; and what is not less remarkable, the sheep are liealihier, hardier, and endure the eeveniy of winter with le&s loss than those led and bred on more luxuriant pastures, and that have the advantage of greater shelter. Add lo this, that the wool of the liocks bred and brought up in the Crau is not only the hnesi, but bears the highest price of any in France. It is conclud- ed that these surprising etiecis are consequent upon the unlimited u^e ol salt, lur allowing every excellence that can possibly be sup|)osed inherent in the herbage, yel the quaniity id sosnmil, that without the abundant use ol sali, a lourih pari ol the sheep kepi in the Ciau could not subsist on it." In Spain, where thehnest wool in the v\orld is produced, large quantities ol sail are given to the sheep, to which ihey aunbuie, in a great measure, the hneness ot' the wool. Lord Somerville, who was among llie first to inuoduce the practice ol giving sail to sheep in England, slates, in a com- municaiion with tlie Board of Agricuiiure, that " he purchased 200 Merino sheep m Spam at about 221. 10s. each, wliicu he brought to England, and as they had been accustomed to receive sail m Spain, he continued the practice when he brought Ihem to this country, and he also extended ilie practice to his other sheep. His lordship some years afterwards removed from the rich vale ol Taunton, in Somersetshire, to an estate which he had purchased in Surrey ; and this being aligiit, dry, sandy soil, he d:d nji think it necessary to go on at such a large expense, as salt then was so heavily taxed ; but liir some years afterwards he iost many of his young sheep, which he was alter- wards inclined to think might have been saved, had he continued as belbre, to give them salt, and he subsequently reverted to his former mode of giving his sheep their regular supply of this useful ingredient. He says, that sheep require more salt in the autumn and spring months, when the dews are heavier, than in summer or winter, and that with great iruih, to correct acidity in the stomach, a disorder common lo sheep even in Spain, bui ol a much more serious nature in the damp climate ol Great Britain, more particularly when stocked on moist green lljod, such as turnips, vetches, and young clover." In Sweden, in Saxony, in Si- iesia, and in France, salt is given to sheep with- out stint, and wiib ihe best results. Now, when we consider ihese unequivocal tesiimonies in fa- vor of the liee n^e of sail, we cannot but express our surprise with Mr. Arthur Young, that '• this prac'ice should he common manHijemeni in ahin'sl every couniiy in the world, England excepted." DESULTORY OBSERVATIONS ON THE BANK- ING SYSTEM OF THIS COUNTRY, AND THK EHFECTS OF ITS DIFFKKEM' MODES OF OPERATION. Addressed to Ihe consideration of the agricultural interest. The great agricultural interest of the United States exceeds noi only each oilier one, but all other interests logeilier, in the number of us members, in results of productive industry, in amount of wealili, and in constitutional and rightlul po- litical power. The agricultural interest indeed is identical with the general interest of the coun- try and nation ; and were it lo exercise its right- ful political power always, (as it does very rare- ly,) lor the advnncement of its own benefit, even that [lurely selfish ofject could not be aitained excepi by advancing the general interest and welliire of the country at large. This lollows, not because of any peculiarity of agricultural pursuits, but simply because agriculture in this country is the greater interest, and all others are minor, and comparatively much smaller interests. Yet, with all its political power, and the mani- fest expediency and propriety of exerting it, the great agricultural interest is continually influ- enced and directed by other classes, acting to forward their respective separate and opposite interests. And thus the general interest, which always agrees with the true interest of the agri- THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 245 cultural class, id frequently maJe to give way to the confliclinu; and adverse interests, either o( the conmierciiii, banking', manufaclurini; or oihor classes — any ol' which, Itecause heini; minor i:i- leresis, may be enriched by measures injurious to the ixeneral inierest of the connnuniiy. The most sirikint![ and deplorable example of such a condition of thinirs is presented in the long exisiitig and b-melui and yd commanding inHuence of ihe banKing and paper-money imer- osi ol this country — which, having ihe means and power, to govern the great commercial class, atid to influence and dircci the newspaper [iress, and addiiii; these gre.it poweis to iis own — hiis, b\' this combined inliueiice, deluded, govern- eil, and pillaged, and now has nejirly enslaved, the great agricultural interest of this country. Very few of those individuals who are well ac- quainted Willi the operaiion of this s^slem arc enough lice from its contrt.)!, whether exeriod ihiough inHuence, or bribes, or venireance, to dare lo expose its iniquities, even if they have not a direct private interest in their being upheld and continued. It is not only their debtors whom the banks can control, or otherwise punish, if re- fusing submission to their will. So cunningly and closely has their influence been wound around society, that not one man can venture to oppose their will, and expose their I'rauds, without injur- ing himself in his business, or in the opinion ol a large and influentiHl, and deservedly respected portion of the society in whii-h he lives, and by the joss of whose aftprobation no man can fail to suHer. We are lully aware of (he danger, the certain injury, to be incurred by daring to op- [lose and in any manner expose the frauds and abuses of the banking interest. We iiave al- ready been made to feel, (tiiough not thereby alarmed, nor to be deterred by,) the malignant power of their influence on society, and in con- sequence of Ihe opposition to the system, and ex- posure of i's action, made through this publication. But atallhazards, we shall proceed in this course — and endeavor if possible to awaken the members of the airricultural interest of Virginia, and of the whole conltjderacy, to a sense of the enoraious evils which they have sutlered, and the system ol |)illage which is siill pursued by the banking sys- tem of this country, which is Iraudulent in opera- tion even as authorized by (he laws, and lar more fraudulent in violation of law. In pursuance of this object, we respectfully ask tlie attention of ail readers, but especially of the agricultural class — and the support and countenance of all who approve our object in this warliire, which as yet we have carrieii on alone, without aid, and almost without a word of encouragement. Bejbre entering upon the subject, it may be necessary, to prevent misconstruction, lo stale in advance, what a re-ider might indeed liereafig- learn from the tenor of our subsequent remnrks. We do not oppose, as many have impro|ierly in- ferred, but on the contrary most heartily approve and desire to have established, a legiihnale and properly operating banking system. Banking proper \s a most important and indeed essential auxiliary to commerce, and high'y beneficial to ihe whole community ; and we would make such banking as free trom restraint as any oiher bene- ficial direction of industry or capital. But we Biiight have the proper and beneficial use, without the numerous existing abuses of banking; and in the existing condition of things, we have the abuses to the ilillest extent, and but little of the proper operation and use ol' banks and banking. We would no more desire to prevent or restraia the proper banking business or trade in money, than we WLuld lo restrain the commercial deal- ings in cotton cloths or hardware, or any other ordinary and useliil direction of trade; and at the same time, we would no more grant peculiar pre- vileges to the banking business, or exemptions from obedience to law, and compliance with legal obli- gations, than to these, or any other branches of trade. At this time ii would be difllcull to find any in- dividual, of any class in society, who would ad-^ vocate all the features Of' the bankiuir system, and the whole procedure ol the. banks of this country. The objections staled by diflerent per- sons would vary much, according to their amount of inlbrmaiion ; and still more according to the supposed inieresi of the individuals. But there is not one person to be found, even among bank stockhohiers, bank officers, directors, or the need- iest of the debtors and most submissive slaves of banks, who will not conli-ss, (when safe to uttir it,) that some one or rnoie abuses of the eystefn greatly recjuire abatemeni or reiorm. Without includinir the stronger and more general objec- tions which would be made by persons who have studied the suhipcl as a branch of political econo- my, and free, Irom the strong bias of self-interest, we are content to rely l()r proof of the position just assumed, upon the opinion of those who are friendly to the operation ol' the banking system, and who are the apoloifisis for the greater num- ber of the actual abuses. Yet out of the mouths of these, the liiends or favored liebtors, or evea truckling tools of the banks, there would be enough of condemnation of the acts of these institutions. And such objections have existed, and have been whis[iered, it not proclaimed aloud, lor years past, and are becoming every day more extended and more strong. Yet, to this day, there has been not one measure of reform of the banking system ado|Ued and adhered to by the irovernnieni of Virginia. It is true that some minor, but siili biMieficial restrictions on banking abuses have been enacted; but every one of these new limitations, as well as the'more import.int of the previously existing, have been repealed, or the operation suspended, as soon as the banks required it, and the annulling of such restri(;iions was deemed essential to the pecuniary interest of the banks. It is an all -important question for the country, which shoidd t)e ihorooi/hly investigated, w/ty i< is, that when gross banking abuses are admitted by all persons to exist, not one has been, or is proposed to be corrected ? To the answering of this question, as well as to marking the abuses, these and some succeeding articles will he devoted. It is not our purpose lo present an elaborate or systematic treatise on banking and currency in general. Able and profound works of this character are already attainaye by all persons who feel enough interest in the subject to draw information from the highest and most abundant sources. Neither do we design to state in minute detail, the acts of banking fraud and 246 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. Dillacre and iiiiurv 10 public inlerests and private 1 nefil both pariiee. B knows that at 60 days he can rights, which "would serve to illustrate and prove our assertions of the evils ol' the sysiem. Such an exposition, even if enibracinii only iinporlant acts and cases strictly in point, would require the whole epace I'urnished by this eiuire publicaiion, to the exclusion of every oiher sultj'^ct. We shall merely attempt to state important truths in plain ianjTuage, and which we trut^t will be read by numerous members of the irreat agricultural community, who would [lerhaps jrlndly learn so?ne truth on this subject, on which almost every existing newppaper in the southern stales, either is silent, lor the purpose of concealing truth, or speaks but to sustain and diff'ase lalsehood lor (he benefit, and at the dictation, of the all-|)owerl'ul banking interest. To clear away the fog in which banking ope- rations are enveloped, it is necessary to separate them, and describe each one separaiely. There are three several and eniirely different operations combined in every bank of this coun- try, and which, lor better understanding, we will describe as if separate, instead of being combined and mixed together, as they always are iif practice. These three operations belonir respectively to banks of deposite, banks of discount, and banks of issue or circulation. I. — The sole operation of a mere bank of de- posite would be to receive, for safe-keeping, and ibr convenient transfer, all sums of money de- poshed by individuals. Money would thus be belter secured from wear and waste, Irom thieves and from fire ; and guarded lar more cheaply, as one house and one guardian would do the duty for hundreds or thousands of individuals. This alone would be an important service to each depositor, and, in the agitregate, a great benefit to the public interest. Another important benefit would be, that of lacilitatintr payments between individuals by ihe use of chtcks, which is merely transferring a credit lor a.ceil^^in amount ol' mo- ney deposited, from the account of the payer to to that of the person to be paid. To make all the cash payments of a commercial city by ac- tually counting and delivering so much money, would alone require much lime and trouble, and some risk of loss. But by using checks drawn on deposites in banks, so far as convenient and prelerabic, not one quarter ol the trouble, time, and risk is requisite, nor the handling and count- ing of one tenth of the amount. Siill greater is the benefit when the payment is to be transmit- ted to a distant creditor. A check Ibr the amount can be conveyed more easily and chea[)!y than the amount of money, and Bhould the check miscarry on the way, no loss will be sustained. II.— A bank of discount is formed (wlielher by one or a tew individuals, or numerous stock- holders incorporated as a banking company,) to make a profit by discounting (Ibr the interest) notes of individuals, due in a short time, (or a pre- vious business transaction between the debtor and creditor, and which notes were given for a valuable consideration. Thus A, a tradesman or mechanic, who, IJir want of capital, needs early paymenis to be enabled to carry on his business, would sell commodities, wortli uay ^100, to B, R merchant, but that B cannot pay the cash •and A cannot do without it. The bank of dis- count serves to remove the difficulty, and to be- make the payment to A, either by the sale of the articles bought, or by liis receipts from other sour- ces. He theretore gives his noie to A, payable at 60 days, the payment being amply secured, as of course can always be done in such a case, by every judicious and honest dealer. The bank immediaicly discounts B's note, lor A, that is, pays liim in hand the full amount except the interest Ibr 60 days, which is retained, and con- siitutes ihe bard<'s profit on the iransaction. A does not even lose ihai interest, because as much was added to liis cash price, and willingly con- sented to by B, lor the benefit of the delay of pay- ment. Thus. A is served, by gelling cash m hand, wiihoui which hecould not have sold, and to obtain which he might otherwise have sufiered great loss. E obtains time, without which in- dulgence he could uoi have bought ; and the bank obtains interest on its capital, in the saliest of all possible modes of lending money ; and the public inierest is served by this and every such transaciion, because every legitimate and honest gain, by the exercise of the industry or use of the capital ol an individual, adds to the public wealth and jirosperity. This small and tiniple supposed iransaction is an illustration of all the benefits ol banks of discount, and the sale and beneficial mode in which such banks may (acili- lale trade and the credit system. The credit system might exist, and very beneficially, with- out the inierveniion of the bank. It would only be necessary, lur that end, that the producer of commodities should give credit to the niercliant, and the merchant also to the consumers. Bui this would be impractible, in the general ; and great sacrifices ol pi ices, and losses of debts, and ruinous disorder of business and employ- ments, would be incurred, if ihis kind of ex- tended credit were attempted. Banks of discount furnish all thai is wanting to lacilitate trade by making the credit system safely available by all persons who deserve to be trusted. And if ad- hering to this course, it would be a very rare oc- currence lor a bank to sustain a loss by making a bad debi. tor if the directors used any care or prudence in ascertaining that ihe drawer and endorsers were good, when the note was die- counted, they could scarcely all lail within 60 days. And if, byany different and less sale operations, such as will be mentioned hereafter, a bank should become embarrassed, yet if it had always strictly observed this rule in discounting, it need but to retain all receipts li-om debtors, and, as every debt would become due, and be paid within 60 days, of course in that short time its whole capi- tal stock wauld be in hand. There could not possibly be any serious " pressure ' upon a bank so operating — nor even an effective "run" upon it, even if it had added to these proper and ftel'ul operations that of issuing and circulating paper money within any reasonable bounds. But this system of discounting notes, given for real purchases of commodities, and to be paid at a certain fixed and early time, though it was the designed and is the only legitimate operation of banks of discount, has been entirely departed fiom, in alrnoEi all the transactions called " dis- counting" by the banks of this country. Notes are generally drawn, not to pay Ibr an actual consi- deration, and property transferred of equal value, but are merely fictitious pretences of such trans- THE FARMER'S REGISTER. 247 HCiione, made merely lo obtain loans, perhaps to pay debts already incurred, and the proceeds spent, or to net money lo be spent. The ilrawer does not owe the amount to the endorser who ob- tains the discouiiiim; of the noie*,^the arraiii/e- menl ol' their names is usually a mere fiction, knov\n as such lo the bank and to every body, ma le 10 obtain a loan, by Hiil of the securilyship ol" the endorser — and which wuulil he a liaud, except thai the procedure is perleciiy understood and encouraired by ihe bank. Funher — those who iliiis borrow money are rarely ready to repay 11 in (30 days, nor i.-i it iniendec! to be so paiil. Thereiore such noies are irenerally '* renewed" every 6i) days, until the bank needs and insists upon repayment. And llms the bank, instead ul thscouiilnig real noies, drawn lor valuable consi- ileraiion, and lor purpo^^es of trade, and to be paid at maturity, is in lact making loans upon long and uncertain times, to borrowers lor any ob- jects whatever. It is easy enouj/h to see, even if looking to the interest of the bank alone, that It thus must soon io.^e all immediate or early control of its capital, and must run great risk ol lijrining bad debts ; and, instead ol" facilitating trade and aiding real business, that the bank has become a loan-otBce (if not a usury office,) and its capital absorbed by men who are already in debt, or who, by this laciliiy lor forming debts will be led on to exiravairance, hazardous adven- ture, and ultimately perhaps to ruin. Such is the process, and such are the means by which many men are ruined by bank 'accommodation," and by which course, also, banks lose greaily in the debts of" such ruined and insolveni debiors. Bat let us return lioin the actual and general abuses and corruption of the sysiem, to the bank of discount operating legitimately and pniperly, as at first designed to operate. A bank ofdeposiie, simply, however beneficial, could yield no profit, as it would have no source of income. The depositors, however, could af- ford to pav someihing lor the safe-keepitiir of their money. Mild the facilities for transfierring it. And that is done, beneficially to all parties, by the two distinct operations of receiving and trans- ferring deposites, and of making discounts, being alwiys carried on by tlie same bank. The bank then has the use of the depositors' money, under the obliizaiion of repaying it whenever called li)r, (or otherwise at such notice as may be agreed ' upon,) as compensation for taking care of it; and by adding the use of the amount of unem- ployed deposites to its capital slock, for discounting notes, of course the profit of the bank will be so much increased, without injury to tlie depositors. Indeed, by thus employing the capital which would oiherwise lie idle and useless, whether in the various proprietors' desks, or in a mere bank of deposite, the trade and the productive wealth of the country will be benefited and incrtased, f)y thus drawing from what would have been otherwise a totally barren and unproductive source. So far, on our supposition, every thing has worked rightly, and every interest concerned fias been benefited by the combined operations of the bank of deposite and of discount. It is true thai after the union of lib two banks, or of these twn operations, there iij now for the first time some f-isk ; and the managers should take care not lo incur heavier obhgations than they can be Bure to nieet promptly. If the deposites are to be paid on demand, then a considerable proportion of itio deposited money must be kept on hand. idle lor the purpose of meeting, with absolute cer- lainly, all such uncertain demands. The direc- tors of a bank will soon learn what is a sufficient proportion (or this purpose ; and if (lor example) ihe average a'liomit of deposites is S'10,000, and ii is found that .*§ 10.000 retained will serve to meet all cliecks fruai depositors, then §30,000 of the deposites may be salely useil for discounting noies, and the inieresi thereof will go to increase the other profits ui' the b.tnk. If the deposites are not made gratuiiously, as supposed above, and as is usual with banks, but a lower rate of interest is allowed thereon to each depositor, as by the savings banks, then a short but suflicient lime of notice is given by the depositor before drawing. This time of notice secures the bank liom unjoidied for demands ; and thus it may, as the savings banks do, safely and useflilly dis- count to the amount of the whole of the depositee as well as of their original capital stock. And in whichever of these two ways deposites are made and drawn, (according to the rule established lor ihe l)aiik,) so long a.-^ the discounts are properly miide, every thing will be safe, and every opera- iion of the bank will be beneficial to all parties, and to the public. And if these were the only Banking operaiioris, they could not be too greaily extended lor the fiubli,; good ; and as long as such operaiions were demanded for the purpose.? ol trade, the profiis thereof lo the banks would be lijily erjual lo any other equally safi3 and secure investmenis of capital. It may perhaps f)e a novel annunciation to many persons, ihai there are already many banks in the United S'ates, and even in' Virginia, strictly of Ibis excellent character and mode of operation. The various savings' instiiuiions, if acting ho- nestly and according lo their charters, are'' pre- cisely banks of deposite and discount, and nothing else. And tliough they pay 5 percent, for all de" posites, alter 10 days continuance, and require but a week's notice lo return deposites when wanted, these banks are quite profitable to the stockhold- ers, and have been fir more so lor the last few vears, than the grent and rich institutions to which Ihe name of '-bank" is exclusively applied. And here we may pause, and ask of all who are well informed on the sufijeci, and who have no inlerest to be served fry the abuses and the frauds of the general banking system, why all banks might not beneficially, and profiiably for their stockholders Hiid the public, be conducted on precisely the sariie principles as are the savings' banks?* The savings' banks are indeed very small con- * The Mechanics' Savino^s Society of Petersburg was established, and has been in operation since April, 1837, which i."! precisely the tune the most disastrous to banks since 1S17. Yet thi.s humble institution has kept all its capital stock and deposites constantly em- ployed in discountinj,^ and has made profits equal to 10 per cent, per annum, on its stock, without having yet lost a dollar, or made a doubtful debt. Tliis shows the happy results of legitimate, priident and honest binkins;; as the course of the bank.s which issue pa- p^r money, throui^h that same tiioe, and their present firostrate condition, show the results of the illegitimate and fraudulent banking system. 248 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. cerns, each having but a small capital, few stock- holders, and operating on so small a scale, and so quietly, that their existence is scarcely known by half the public. It may, therefure, seem even ri- diculous to assimulate to these the operaiions of thegr eat and privileged, and nior.opoiv -pampered banking institutions, uliicli have s^o long lormed the most powerlul interest in this country, and which now occupy the attention of every indivi- dual, and agitate the whole conl^deracy, by the magnitude oftheir operations and their power, and by the baneful efi'ects ot both. But, inconsiderable as may be the operaiions of the savings' banks, it should be remembered that they have t^een esta- blished, have proved successful, and have been continually growing in number, in wealth, and in extent o( operations, in the face oli and under the opposing influence ol' the great banks, endowed by law with exclusive privileges and immunities, and guarded by law from all dangers, and penal- ties of misconduct — while the poor and weak savings' bardis have had no piivdeue whaiever, except a mere act of incorporation. Yet these ar^ constantly growing richer and stronger, while the highly privileged banks have been becoming poorer and weaker — and would sink at once into bankruptcy, and suffer its deserved penalties, but (or the government stepping in between them and their creditors, to protect the banks in their dishonest (adure to comply with their legal as well as moral obligations. (To be continued.) I know of no plant that would answer so well, if cattle would like it, and thrive upon it. I have no doubt that on good land it would pro- duce 40 Ions per acre per armum, wiih little or no expense in the%;ulture ; but I should like to know liow cattle would do upon it before giving up much ground to it. They do not appear to be fond ofit, but that may be owing to not having enough to give it a fair trial ; as many sorts of food are not eaten by cattle, readily at first, which they are fond of when used to. There appears to be a large qnan'iiy of mucilage in the plant, from which I should suppose it would be nutritious. Any inlbrmation from any one who grows enough to keep ptock upon ii (or any length of time, will be thankfully received. ON OIL DREGS AS MANURE. From tlie London Farmer's Magazine. In the present day a great deal is said about various kinds of manure, but that certainly niusi be the best which makes the land niost produc- tive. I have tried various kinds, but I find none to answer so well as od dregs ; I procured ol Messrs. Wake and OfHcer. of Hull, a quantity last spring, to drill in vviih turnips ; I put on about 1^ cwt, per acre, with about 6 qrs. of ashes, and I firid them to be much better than those drilled in with bones ; in fiict, they are the best piece of turnips I ever had, and there is none better in the neighborhood. 1 have drilled about 2 cwt. per acre in with my wheat ; how it will answer re- mains yet to be proved. As several farmers have tried oil dregs as a manure, perhaps this will draw from the pen of some one more able than myselfsome remarks on the subject. 1 am, sir, yours, A Constant Reader. N. B. The cost of the dregs was three gui- neas per ton. PRICKLY COMFREY. From the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society. Sir, — Allow me to inquire through ihe medi- um of your magazine, whether any of your read- ers have tried the prickly comfrey (symphitum aspeii-mum) for soiling, on such a scale as to be able to give any information as to how it will answer for that purpose? 1 have a few plants of it, and find it exceedingly productive, having cut 14 lis. of crreen food at a time from one root ; and For the Farmers' Itegister. TO THE FARMERS AND PLANTERS OF VIR- GINIA. yjpril 8lh, 1841. Friends and brethren — Will you permit one of your own fraternity, without deeming him ob- trusive, to solicit your attention to a subject deeply interesting, not only to our own class, but to every other in the community, since /AeiV prosperity is so intimately connected with and dependent upon ours, that neither can permanently prosper unless we do so — at least in the aggregate. The subject to which [ allude is, the establishment, at the city of Washington, of a National Society of Agri- culture. To such of you as are conversant with Ihe fiis- tory of this vital art, both in our own and other countries, it is needless to dvi'ell long on the well known fact, that there is not now a civilized coun- try upon earth, except our own, but what has had, (or years past, eiihersuch a society, or some simi- lar institution. It is equally well known, that the improvement of each nation in all the various branches of husbandry, has been almost stationary for centuries before the establishment of such in- stitutions, and rapid thereafter, beyond what any one could have imagined to be possible. Even in China, a country which we, in our self-imputed wisdom, deem almost barbarous, agriculture has always been fostered by the government, and held in the highest honor, ever since there was any au- thentic history of the country. Are our people and cotmtry so entirely different from all others in the world, that we can prosper without any resort to the means which every other civilized nation has deemed essential to their welfiire? 1 confi- dently think not ; and, with your permission, I will proceed to ofl'er a i'ew reasons to prove that no country whatever is more in need of a national society of agriculture than our own, if indeed there be any that require it so much. In addition to those general arguments in favor of such an institution, v;hich apply to every coun- try, there are some peculiarly applicable to our own, that seem to me unanswerable, and which I beg leave respectfully to state. Certain causes which have a strong tendency to destroy our here- tofore happy union have loiig been operating among us ; and, I deeply regret to say, have ma- nifestly been on the increase for some years past, 80 that it is now quite ccmmon to bear men talk- THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 249 in<' familiarly of disunion, whereas it was once considered a sort ol' treason even to sjjeak ot" it as a possible event. Eut this most liappy state ot ihini's no longer exists. Demons in human shape, who»e inmost souls are cankered wuh lawless ambition, and reckless Uinaiics, vviili too liiile sense lo perceive the latal tendency of their opinions and actions, have been indelaligably engaged in disseminating sectional jealousies and animosities throughout the United States ; and the success ol these diabolical ellorts has been lar greater than could well liave been anticipated. Tliey iiave, in Tact, most learililly disturbed that liannony and good will which might have bound us inseparably lOJ'elher, as long as time shall last, had the same etiorts been made to strengthen, as have been made to sever those ties ol'lnendsiiip and brother- ly love, upon the preservation of which the peace, the prosperity, and the happiness of the American people most unquestionably depend. To annihi- late, if possible, these baneful elements of dis- cord, or at least to neutralize ihem, uught to be the paramount duty ot our national legislature. But, alas ! the members themselves, or rather a considerable portion of them are deeply inlected with the deadly poison of disunion, and, of course, appear to have no other object in meeting but to aggravate all the causes ol sectional animosities and dissensions, by making party questions and quarrels of almost every subject ol' discussion that comes belbre them. This has so often happened of late years, that it is by no means uncommon in these times to hear Congress Hall stigmatised with that most disgracelul, but not unjustly bestowed, nickname, " bear-garden.^^ All ttie consequences of such shameful conduct are bad enough; but the worst of them is, that the hostile leelings thus ge- nerated, by those misrepresentativesof the people, are carried back by them, or transmitted through their vile party-newspapers, even to the extremi- ties of our union, and multitudes of the people thereol'have become so deeply infected with them, as to look upon each other as little better than na- tural enemies. If this deadly poison has not already reached the heart's core of our body politic, I beseech you to consider well, whether there is any thing belter calculated lo stop, or, at least, to mitigate its fatal progress, than a national society of agriculture. This would annually collect, Irom the remotest states of our conlederacy, many of the yeomanry ol the land— the very bone and sinew ofour coun- try— who, being drawn together by a common in- terest, and without any possible cause of quarrel, would very soon learn that they had been most grossly misrepresented to each other, and would part, after each meeting, with a desire continually increasing to meet again. All would learn some- thing new to them by such intercommunication ; and the professional benefits which each would derive from it would so increase their mutual good will, would so warm their hearts towards each other, that the fraternal regard of the farmers and planters of our country — who fortunately yet con- stitute a vast majority of our whole population — would continue to " grow v/ith their growth, and strengthen with their strensth,"' in defiance of all the attempts which could be made to destroy it. And the incarnate devils, who are now laboring «o hard to accomplish objects which, if attained, ^ould inevitably dieeolve our union, would soon fall into that utter contempt and detestation which their internal purposes most justly deserve. And now, my liiends, ifyou ajjprove of the fore- going suggestions, will you not give to the friends ot a national society of agriculture some cause to hope lor your co-operation in the attempt to esta- bliE-n one at the city of Washington I A meeting lor the purpose will probably be held during ifie extra session of congress, ot which due notice will be given, if there is a probiibility ol' eflecting it. And it only one person would attend from each congressional district, or c?ie ur two Irom each of our agricultural societies, (to the members of which I particularly appeal,) I have no doubt that a large assemblage, tiriendly to the object, might easily be convened; lor a similar appeal wiU be made to the agriculturists of the other states, many of whom have already manifested a strong desire to Ibrm such a national institution. Thousands of our citizens, I believe, would hail it, not only, as the harbinger of rapid improvement in all thedif- lerenl branches of husbandry, but as the peace- maker that would finally exterminate all sectional jealousies and animosities; every element of po- pular dissension ; and would unite in one perpetual league of concord and amity all the ditierent states of our union. Possibly 1 nfiay ascribe to a national society of agriculture more power than it could possibly ac- quire, more extensive influence than it could ever possess. But this sell-deception, if indeed it be one, can do no imaginable harm either to my country or myself: I will, therefore, continue to cherish it, and will still hope to witness the trial of such a society belbre I die. Should such trial be made, and tail, I will then, but not until then, ac- knowledge my error. On this subject, of a national society of agricul- ture, and the duty of congress to promote'some such establishment, there are some arguments so powerlul and conclusive in a late address of Chilton Allan, Esq., the patriotic president of the State Agricultural Society of Kentucky, that I could wish to see them republished in every agricultural paper in the United States; lor I have" read no- thing so well calculated to carry conviction to every mind. The man who could read them, and re- main unconvinced, must have an intellect very dif- tijrently constituted Irom any thing that I can imagine. Belbre I conclude, I must beg our friend RufRa lo tell us what he thinks of the tbregoing project. A lew favorable words ti-om him woufd greatly encourage the efforts of many others, as well as the hopes and exertions of your, and his old I'riend, James M. Garmstt. P. S. If any of the editors of our political jour- nals are Iriendly lo the establishment of a national society of agriculture, I hereby respectfully ask them to republish this communication, or to give us something of their own, which I should much prefer. Our esteemed correspondent rates our influ- ence and recommendation at much too high a value; but, whether worth any thing or not, our best wishes go for the success of his plan and proposal. But we confess our want of confidence, 260 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. naj', our despair, as to our government, state or I federal, doing any thing for agriculture. Further, we cannot believe our own class, the asricuiiural interest, could have enough of zeal, public spirit (or even enlightened sell-interest,) and energy to perlorm iheir part in the great and important work proposed. It might be easy enough to as- semble enough individuals at Washington to Ibrm a sufficiently numerous •' National Agricultural Society ;" but, we tear, it would be impossible to induce ihe proper men lo go, and es|)ecially liom the remote parts of the United Slates. More- over, it' a body, as well constituted as could be reasonably hoped lor, could be assembled lor this purpose in Washington, we doubt wheiher the novel at'.ractions and poliiical excitement of the I)lace would not divert the attention ot niany ol' the most disinterested and independent men:ibers Irom iheir designed labors ; and taking the whole body, tliere would probably be more exertion made by members of the society in using the opportunity for seeking office, or other private benefits to themselves individually from the pub- lic purse, than to promote the interest of agricul- ture and the common weal. If the individuals would not so act, they would form a rare exception to the general course of things in the corrupt po- litical atmosphere of the city of Washington. We have not examined the question of the con- stitutional power of the general government to aid the agricultural interest and improvement in this mode, and therefore do not mean lo express an opinion thereon. We would readily publish the argument of the subject, from the address of Chil- ton Allan, esq., but have mislaid our copy. But it is not any constitutional obstacle that will pre- vent the action of congress for this beneficial ob- ject. If there were no such objection, any favor- ed individual could more easily obtain money for some useless job or merely nominal public ser- vice, and given solely for his private emolument Ihan the same amount would be appropriated for the most important services to agriculture. Thus, as one example among hundreds, that scientific quack and empty pretender, Featherstonhaugh, though a foreigner, obtained from congress for two years ^5000 a year, upon the pretence of geological surveys in the North- Western teriito- ries, of which the plan was doubtless devised by himself, and solely )br his private benefit. The service was performed by his making a pleasure excursion in a couple of summer months, and the writing a report thereof, (to be published at the jjublic expense,) which report consisted princi- pally of loose generalities, and was more like an introductory lecture of a professor of geology, than presentmg precise results of laborious and accurate field investigation. This fat sop thus dispensed by favor, also enabled the recipient to assume and usurp impudently the title of "Geologist of the United States;" and the reputation thereby stolen no doubt helped him subsequently to the very important appointment by the Knglish government to survey the disputed boundary line, and by which he has been enabled to go far towards embroiling the two governments in war. It is to such applicants as these, who are sufficiently urgent and patient, and truckling enough to the money dispensers, that appropria- tions are readily made by government — and not to such public objects as the encouragement and promotion of ai^riculture. The Smithsonian fund will be wasted by congress in jobs for private be- nefit, just as has already been done with a very large part of the great general education fund bequeathed to the city of Philadelphia.* Ed. F. U. REMARKS ON THE USK OF BONES, AS MA- NURE, AND THE PROGRESS OF THE IM- PROVEMENT. From llie Fanner's Magazine. We shall briefly refer to this substance as being one of iho«e fertilizers which have more recently been brought muier the notice of agriculturists, not however with the intention of entering into its merits as a manure, ti^r these are manifold, and already well understood throughout the country. Our observations will therefore, in a great mea- sure, be confined to the circumstances attending the introduction of bones, and the difficulties which presented themselves before the agricul- tural community could be made aware of the ad- vaniases resulting from their a doption, affordinir, as it does, another powerful argument in favor of having a treneral centre of reference for the purpose of solving any problematical question, and disseminating the knowledge of it. When potatoes, turnips, clover, &c., were first introduced into this country, there were lew, if any, agricul- tural associations in existence, whether local or otherwise, and many circumstances might be brought forward in extenuation of the slow pro- gress which these made at that time before iheir cultivation was generally adopted ; but at the comparatively recent period when bones were introduced, agriculiuraf associations abounded in almost every district, and we therefore cannot reconcile the laxity displayed by farmers in adopt- ing so important an auxiliary in their manage- ment, without being convinced of the utter in- efficiency of these associations as at present * After the above had been delivered to the printer, we saw in the Edgefield Advertiser the following statement. If correct, the Smithsonian fund is already disposed of. After speaking of the sinking of the Girard bequest in the United States Bank stock, the writer proceeds : "We hear that tire Smithsonian legacy is in a simi- lar condition, having been invested, under the influ- ence of Col. Johnson, in Arkansas stocks, which are worth about as much'as continental money." THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 25 f conslUutcil, to bring ony system into notice, so I ihinfr in our present system which imperiously that its operation may be simultaneous and j^ene- rally beneficial. It was only about thirty years since, that the value ol bones began to be dis- covered in this country, and at iliai period, and for many years afterwards, lliey were only par- tially known in a few counties. The efi'ecls, how- ever, produced by the bone system of manage- lueni have been wontierlul ; in short, this import- ant article has been the means of bringing more demands an inuuediate and most searching iu- (juiry. MONTHLY COMMKIICIAI. REPORT, For ttie Farmers' Register. There is noihing of importance to notice in the ^"*^'iief=s of the present month. A slight advance wasrelaTdimocriuvaiionThurperh^ipr^^^^^^ laken place in tobacco and cotton-in the substance which has ever been brought under the lormer article, owmg to arge sales in England ; notice of agriculturists. and in the latter, Irom the tailing ofl ol the re- Butlet us now inquire how this great change ceipts, compared with last year. In flour and was brought about, and how long this system was grain there is no change, and the export demand pursued, by a lew isolated individuals, belore its j is small importance was generally known and appreciated. ■ Tlie lime is not so lar distant, but tliat many indi- viduals can remember, when bones were tiroken with the hammer in the counties of Lincoln and Nottingham, and put into the ground in very large pieces, at the rale of seventy to eighty bush- els°au acre. In 1S12, the bone-crusher from Nottingham might liave been seen with a saucer in one hand, showing his halt-inch bones, and in the other a turnip, as a specimen oi" their fertiliz- ing powers, at the same lime entreating the liirm- eis only to makealiiir trial of them ; subsequently they were drilled in with the seed, the turnips, at the rate of Irom twenty to twenty-five bushels an acre, while some of the higher managers put in Money matters and exchanges present little variation. Stocks of all kinds are dull, and most of them unsaleable. X. Apriniih., 1841. ON THK VALUE OF FIELD PEAS AS A CROP, AND TO PREVENT INJURY TO STOCK FEED- ING THEREON. To tlie Editor of tlie Fanners' Register. Hancock county, Ga., jJpril \Zih, 1841, j^i,-;_lhave lor several years placed a high value on the pea crop, as peculiarly adapted to our agriculture and wants in this section. It appears to me more lertilizing than any green forty bushels per acre. The benefits resulting Irom j cop we grow, grows taller on poor land, is easily using bones were, however, well understood lor | pia^ied, does not hinder us much during the busy- many years in several counties in England, before (he practice found its way into Scotland ; and although a few individual farmers may have adopted the system fromobseiving its advantages, yei we are mainly indebted to the mercantile body lor their final introduction and extended use in Scotland, For not only did our merchants com- mission the bones at their own cost and risk, but it was only by using the most pressing solicitations, and the greatest perseverance, that they were enabled to get the generality of farmers to com- prehend iheir advantages, or even to give them a patient trial ; and it is only within the last lew years that the demand has in any way been com- mensurate to the benefits derivable from their use, in connexion with the extension and advantages of the sheep system of husbandry. Now, when we consider the length of time that was allowed to transpire belore the beneficial etfiect of this highly important manure was made manifest in Scotland, even long after its advantages were known andap- 1 predated in England, we cannot but regret that improvements of such a nature should be left to the merest chance or accident; or that the best ! interests o( agriculture should be sacrificed and retarded for so many years, merely li-om the want of co-operation in that body whose interests it would tend most lo advance. But this is not a solitary instance Uiat might be brought forward in condemnation of our present inefficient means of co-operating for the diffusion of agricultural im- provements ; on ihe contrary, it will only be necessary to direct attention to rape-cake, saltpetre, nitrate of soda, soot, &c., &c., to show the partial manner in which such substances are understood by a few individuals, before they become of gene- ral import to the agricultural community. It therefore cannot but appear evident, even to the minds of the most indifferent, that there is eorae- season, and in every way, is a fine accompani- ment to a corn ciup, and furnishes a fine amount of fall and winter provender for stock (which we are generally much wanting;) but 1 have heretofore thought it left my stock, particularly my hogs, in an "unhealthy condition, and on that account less valuable than it at first promised. I have used much inquiry and thought to find a remedy for this delect, and hope I have suc- ceeded ; but it will be necessary to lest the reme- dy more fully, and on that account I send it fo you, if you think it worthy, lor the use of your subscribers. Last fall I was conversing on that subject with a very honest praciical farmer. He told me lor a number of years he had used the pea crop in fattening the most of his stock, that they ihrove as kindly on that as on corn, and that noae- vvere injured by it ; and he gave me his plan. He prepared in the pea field a large tight trough, and kept it at all times well supplied with salt and ashes dissolved in water. He never turned hun- gry stock into the field, only turning in his horses, cows and fattening hogs, I tried it last season, gnd the result was precisely aa he in- formed me; they all appeared lond of drinking out of the trough, and were healthy, and did well after they were turned off on other (bod, 1 used the precaution to turn my horses and cows off one or two days each week, and 1 would suggest that horses or oxen should never be put to hard work while filled with peas. Nor would 1 sutler my stock hogs to feed on them ; they are I think more unhealthy for young than older hogs, 1 cannot close this without giving you a hearty " well done" for your bank comments in the Farmers' Register lor March, and the political essays in the second number of the ' Southera Magazine,' J. S. Whitiex. 252 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. MAKING HAY. From the New Genesee fanner. The old proverb says, " Make hay when the eun shines;" but there is soraeihing else besides eunsiune necessary to make good hay. The grass niLisi be cut wlien it is maiure, or the ani- Tiiais that have to eat it will have a hard bargain. Many people, including some good larmers, judire ot ttie(iuulity of common hay by its green- ness and bri^liiness. it is a lallacious test. We have been leeding out, (or a week or two, (3 mo. 8,) hay iliat was as bright as any body could desire, well made without rain, and kept in the barn. It was a niixiure of red-top and timothy, cut about midsummer on account of clearing the enclosure for the catile; and which, had it been leli to stand one montli longer, would have made excellent hay. As it was, the cattle ate reluctantly, and evidently with some loss of flesh. It is now a pleasure to see with what eagerness they take hold of hay that was cut a/ierwards. There is a great ditierence between the natural and artificial grasses. The lormer, including red- top and timoiliy, yield their nutriment principally from the stem ; and like the sugar cane and other plants ol" the same natural order, should be suffer- ed to stand till the stems are mature. On the con- trary, ilie leaves of the artificial grasses, including the clovers and lucerne, are the most valuable parts; and lor this reason, these kinds should be ^:,ut when the leaves are in tlie most perlect stale. VALUE OF THE ROHAN POTATO. For tlie Farmers' Register. After a trial of several years, the value of the "Jlohan potato is lully established. And judging from the statements that have been published in the northern papers, it appears lo be equally as productive in Virginia, as elsewhere. A neigh- bor of mine last year raised a bushel and a half from one tuber ; and quite a large crop from a small quantity of seed. My own crop exceeded by far any thing that I have ever obtained from other varieties of the potato. From less than hall' a bushel of seed, and I'rom a very inconside- rable portion of my garden, I made potatoes enough lor almost daily use in my liimily, during the tall, v.finter and early part of spring, besides reserving an ample supply lor planting. And this was done without any extra care or cultiva- tion. My object in adverting to the Rohan potato now, is to express the belief that it is much bet- ter adapted than any other kind, for culture in this climate. In eastern Virginia, the Irish po- tato has never been cultivated with success, far- ther than as a vegetable tor early use. A square in the garden is perhaps as much ground as is usually occupied by it. We buy our potatoes for winter use, and even for seed, from the northern supply which is brought into our markets. With the aid of the Rohan, it is in the power of every farmer to fully supply his own table, and lo raise extensively for his stock, or for market. The (juantity of potatoes annually brought into this and Other southern slates from the north is im- mense; and the prices for a series of years would probably average at least 60 or 70 cents per bush- el. Now, when ilicre is a growing disposition to cultivate root crops, itjs respectfully suggcsled that the Rohan has claims which should not be overlooked. It may be made the means of ren- dering us less dependent on others lor so valuable a vegetable ; and by the abundance which it will supply, of contributing materially lo ihe wants of the li^rmer — who should be no more under the necessity of buying potatoes than meat or corn. In respect to quality, the Rohan is inlerior to no potato that is cultivated. If it has less deh- cacy of flavor than the " Mercer," it is equally farinaceous, and has more of richness, T. S. Pleasants. sjim:m.B,B.Y op i^u'ws. gBraimrngrHFTrii I iii iitg— — — "-^■™— ■■.°— »«"^"— .^— ■»— "«™'»'.'»:i.^fc»™^»^M^M' Reprinted from the Weekly Farmers'' Register. Saturday, Jprit 3, 1841. The new actinjj governor of Virginia, Mr. Patton, ordered to be delivered to the governor of New York, the counterfeiter Curry, who had tied from New York to Virginia, and had been demanded by the governor of New York. Thus Virginia fully performs to New York tliat constitutional leciprocal duty which New York retused to Virginia. The latter occurrences exhibit still more strongly the wrong of the earlier, in the slave-stealing case ; and also the firm resolve of Virginia lo do right, as well as to suffer no wrong. Even the ditierences of opinion as to the propriety of delivering up Curry, and the results, set lorth and strengthen tiie cause of Virginia; and they are in no respect to be regretted, except as being the cause of Gov. Gilmer's resignation, which is a matter of great and almost universal regret. The rights, inter- ests, and even political existence of Virginia and the other southern stales, are at stake in ttie main con- troversy with New York — and if not now maintained, will be now, and for ever, left undefended and de- fenceless. A new military projectile (the " Death dealer") of tremendously destructive power, has been discover- ed, and recently tried satisfactorily in England. Accounts continue to be received of great destruc- tion by the floods in the South. The Savannah Geor- gian says, '* that the flood did immense damage to the planters in the vicinity of the Oconee, Ocmulgee and Ogechee rivers. On Commissioners' creek, ten mills have been carrietl away. Many other mills ou other streams have been swept ofl. Numbers of cattle have been drowned. On one island in the Oconee 700 head of cattle w'ere destroyed, and several persons have lost 100 head. Valuable lands on the rivers have been much impaired in value, if not totally de- stroyed, by the washing of sand over the surface." Sixty-five Ivansas took advantage recently of the ab- sence of the Pawnee warriors, entered the encamp- ment and massacred all but 11 ol the women and children found in it. This massacre will be a signal for a fierce war between the Pawnees and Kansas. — St. Louis Rep. "The government of Bolivia has received intelli- gence that Mr. Willipm Wheelwright, of the United States, has arrived in the Pacific with a certain num- ber of steamboats to establish a more certain and ra- pid communication between the ports of Chile, Boli- via, Peru, Ecuador, and New G^ranada, and with Europe, by the isthmus of Panama, and that an ex- clusive privilege has been granted to him for this purpose by the government of Peru. Dr. Dyott, who is confined in the penitentiaryat Phila- delphia, for his fraudulent banking operations, is re- presented as being in a remarkable state of content- ment and cheerfulness — congratulating himself that " in this season of pecuniary distress, he has no notes to meet,* and none of that sleepless solicitude he once had Miout pay-day." It is a great pity that all the other unfortunate wholesale swindlers, through banks and paper money, were not put in the same place (en- THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 253 larged to accommodate so great a ntunber) wliere their worthy brother has found so much ease. But ii Dr. Dyott's bank had held out until now, he might have been made easy without g;oins to the penitentiarj^ ; for now there is ?!0 "/)rt(/-rfai/" for banks, except in paper promises, which of course Dr. Dyott's, as all other banks, could furnish in any desired quantity. Peter Robinson, has been convicteii and sentenced to death, for the mysterious and remarkable murder of Mr. Suydam, at New Brunswick, N. J. The recent elections at Lower Canada have been attended with much turbulence and riot, and some destruction of life. A larpe quantity of lead, the products of Wythe county, Virginia, has been sent to Fichmoml. The congress of Texas has passed an act that no sale of slaves shall be made under execution, unless for defalcation to the Texian government. This is otTering a high bounty for the emigration, from the United States, of bankrupt and frauduf^nt debtors, who hold or can acquire possession of slaves. A loan for the Texian Government has been obtain- ed in France. The Homer, one of the largest steamers on the Mississippi, sunk on the 16th. with a valuable cargo, part of which was 500 tons of railroad iron. The president of the United States, has been dan- gerously ill with inflammation of the lungs. The Wash- inffton papers of the 2d. report that he is better. United States Bank stock has lately been sold as low as 15.J. Saturday, Jpril 10, 1841. ^ The brig Richmond, of Salem, has been searched bv a British vessel of war. This is the tilth Salem vessel that has been so treated. Alonzo F. Weed, ex-president of the swindling Bank of Millington, has been arrested in New York on the charge of having embezzled upwards of §'10,000 of the funds of that institution. The State Bank at Macon, and all the banks of Columbus, Georgia, (except the Phenix,) and the Rail- Road Banks and some others, have acknowledged their suspension of specie-payments. Gen. William H. Harrison, President of the United State, died on the morning of the 4th. inst. His dis- ease was inflammation of the lungs, of which the com- mencement had been very recent, and the progress rapid to its fatal termination. For various con- siderations, no other death, nor perhaps any other isolat ed event, could have occurred which would have caused so much regret and disappointment to a very large proportion of the people of this country. The late Vice-President Tyler, now President of the United States, (and possessing the full power of his predecessor, and for the full term, save the one month of the passed administration,) now assumes the station under entirely novel, and also the most favora- ble circumstances. Succeeding to the chief magistra- cy by virtue of the constitutional provision for a va- cancy caused by death, President Tyler owes his exaltation not to election for this office, nor to the usu- al means for securing a presidential election — but fo chance — and the selection, and the fitness of the indi- vidual to perform the duties of the office, are not the worse on that account, but the reverse. Owing to this before unprecedented circumstance, he has come into power suddenly and unexpectedly, and free from any pledge or promise to, or bargain with any person or party. Being thus entirely unfettered and uncontrolled, he is free to do what he deems right, and the best for his country in all respects. His course may be a glo- rious one, and must be, unless he should throw away the most favorable opportunity that has ever been of- fered to a president, since the accession of Jefferson. President Tyler is now in the only possible condition of incumbency in which a chief magistrate is bound only by his duty to his country, hjs oath of office, and i his own previously avowed and well-known political principles. John Tyler has always professed, and gloried in professing, to be a slate-rights republican of the "straitest sect." He has been one of those w ho contended for the strict construction of the federal con- stitution, and strictly limited powers of tlie federal go- vernment. And to an auhercnce to the same course, in his now exalted station, he is pi -d'^cd by every act and profession of his whole political life. This gene- ral proposition includes several minor, but important, particulars, in regard to which the public mind has been much agitated, and the hopes of some and the fears of others strongly excited. Wliether_tliese hopcS and fears were before well-fotinded or not, there is no ground for them now. President Tyler cannot and will not sustain any measure that is not fully authorized hy the strict construction of federal poweis. The trial of McLeod has been continued to the next term. The British Queen steamer, which had been ex- pected for a week, arrived at New York on the 4th, after a stormy passage of 24i days, bringing English accounts to March 10th, of great interest. A war panic, and much excitement had been pro- duced by the McLeod affair, and the warlike tone of the report of the committee of foreign relations of Congress — and a stock panic also, mnde worse by the news of the bankruptcy of the United States Bank. A British squadron of ten ships of the line had been ordered to the coist of America, and three more battalions of infantry to Halifax. Cotton had advanced at Liverpool a farthing per pound, owing mainly to the fear of war with the United States. News from China to December 18th — to which time nothing more of any importance had been done by the British arms or negotiators; and the Chinese continued to delay the negotiation by shuffling and excuses. Charles F. Mitchell, a noted member of Congress from the State of New York last session, and, more re. cf>ntly, a noted office hunter, has committed sundry forireries of large amount, and moved off to Texas. On the 6th inst. the bank authorities of Richmond "resolved" and formally notified the public of the re-sus- pension of specie payments of all the banks in Virgi- nia. Thus has ended, as we predicted, the pretended resumption, which has been the most ridiculous and contemptible and disreputable farce that has ever been played by such grave and disinified performers. The whole bank proceedings in Virginia, for the last two months, would serve as an amusing and laughable hoax, if the joke were not too serious in its effects on the cheated and pillaged community. The Richmond Whig, when reporting and applaud- ing this re-suspension, adds, " We hope now that the hanks will consider suspension as indefinite — that is, that they will not pretend to the power of foreknow- ledire, and designate a period when they can resume, wliich depends upon so many contingent circum- stances— and that they will cease to grind the commu- nity to prepare for an event [the resumption of pay- ments] which may not and probably cannot occur, wisely, for several years." We are confident that the suspension will not only be for a time '■^indefinite," but that it will last as long as any of these banks will last, and even the swindling banking system of Vir- ginia itself. President Tyler's opinion of the banking system of this country, was expressed, years ago. as follows, in the congress of the United States. What was then prophecy, has now become history. "For one, I en- ter my protest against the banking system as con- ducted in this country ; a system not to hesuppoited by any correct principle of political economy. A gross delusion— the dream of a visionary— a system 254 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. that has done more to corrupt the morals of society than any thing else— which has introduced a struggle for wealth instead of the honorable struggle which p-overns the actions of a patriot, and makes ambition virtue— which has made the husbandman spurn his cottage, and introduced a spirit of luxury at variance with°the simplicity of our institutions." The " patroon war" of New York has been renew- ed; 300 of the Van Rensellaer tenants have refused to ^%hrMiiler's Bank of Clyde (N. Y.) has been wound up by due course of law, its securities and funds sold out, and the bill holders will get 90 cents in the dollar. The stockholders, we presume, will get i^othing. Saturday, April 17, 1841. The Acadia steam ship arrived at Boston on the 7th, bringing accounts 9 days later from Liverpool, to the 19th March. No important news. From the European (of Liverpool) of the 13th we gather the following facts or inferences. ., , ^, , The expectation of war with the United States, had somewhat subsided, owing to more full considera- tion of the grounds of recent apprehension ; but pre- parations for it were not the less going on. Every voice heard deprecates and opposes war, but at the same time all parties seem ready to meet it, if requir- ed by the execution of McLeod. The prospect of war had already operated very injuriously to the in- terests of the manufacturing districts. In consequence of tlie fear of disarrangements of markets, the cot- ton manufacturers at Manchester had agreed to reduce the time oi labor, by working their hands only four days in the week. In our opinion there is but little danger of war from the most prominent subjects of dispute— the trial of McLeod, and the Maine boundary ; but very great dan<^er from the illegal system of searching American vessels, by British cruisers, recently acted upon, in the African seas; and which unjustifiabi > procedure seems to attract but slight notice in the United States, and none whatever in England. The Marquis of Hertford owned stock in the Uni- ted States Bank to the amount of £500,000 (near- ly two and a half millions of dollars) which will be nearly all lost by its bankruptcy. European capital- ists will be very cautious hereafter of vesting in American stocks. Both the land and naval commanders of the British forces in China have been superseded — a sufficient in- dication of their incapacity, and the displeasure of their government. So far, the invasion of China is a fail- ure. Madame Restell, who has for a long time been ad- vertising, through the New York Herald, which was of itself an outrage on public decency and morals, to sell "preventive powders" or means to cause abor- tion, has at last been charged with, and is imprisoned for, an act of murder committed on a mother, when the object was merely to destroy her offspring. The gal- lows is too good for such a wretch, even if this last mistake had not been committed. At the general meeting of the stockholders of the United States bank. (Sth. inst.,) all respect for the late authorities, for the first time, was thrown off, and their names and acts strongly denounced. The report adopted is of course more moderate and guarded in expression, but still very severe. The resignation of the President, Dunlap, and six or eight directors, was announced to the meeting, and received with "ob- streperous applause." An exculpatory letter from the former cashier and European agent, Jaudon, was treat- ed with signal contempt — and even the great Nicholas Biddle, and the former directors generally, were cen- sured in the debate, in the strongest and coarsest terras, and reference made, for comparison and illus- tration, to Dr. Dyott's case, and his present residence in the penitentiary. "How are (he mighty fallen !" Since, letters in defence have been published by both Biddle and Dunlap. The old saying that, "when rogues fall out, honest men recover their rights," is certainly not true as to banks, whether the banks themselves or merely their agents be the cheats and thieves in ques- tion. But, even as to the banks, the great and legally licensed robbers ot the community, we trust it is now at least true that when the rogues quarrel, honest men may learn how they had been cheattd and robbed. The bill for relieving the banks of Pennsylvania, which had passed the legislature by a bare majority, has been vetoed by the governor. We trust that now these banks will be compelled to remain confessedly bankrupt, if they are so, and to meet the penalties of bankruptcy, and all their obligations, as all individual debtors would. If the government of Virginia had not been a lar'>-e partner in the banks of Virginia, the like honest and proper course would have been adopted in this state. As it is, the banks of Virginia will be pro- tected by law in every violation of law and of honest obligation, as long as the impolitic and infamous part- nership lasts, and until the existing system of fraud and pillage cannot be sustained longer. The great and only possible means for bank reform in Virginia, is to dissolve the partnership existing between the banks and the state. The New York Herald says — " The Virginia banks have again suspended for the ' relief of the people.' The following is a statement of the specie and circulation of the Bank of Virginia, before and after specie payments. Bank of Virginia. Dec. 28, 1840. April 5, 1841. Dpcrcase. Circulation, P88,.SS8 638,096 300,242 Specie, 295,132 262,092 33,040 Exchange Bank, Office at Richmond. Jan. 1.1841. April 1, 1841. Inc. Dec. Loans, 650,137 6.50,094 — 043 Specie, 78,748 63,709 — 15,0.39 Circulation, 229,975 149,465 — 80,510 Deposits 184,500 208.460 23,960 — " The returns show ihat, under specie payments, a most healthy reduction of a redundant currency was going on. This loss of circulation was injuring the profits of the banks, and the speculators and directors, who owe the banks most of the loans, not being in a condition to pay up, in order to allow the process of curtailment to be carried out, the institutions came to the conclusion to stop, and actually did so, with nearly as much specie on hand as they resumed with — an in- crease of deposites, and a discount line quite as high as when they commenced paying specie. This is seen in the return of the Exchange Bank. Such conduct requires no comment. The people are to be cursed and taxed by an irredeemable currency, because some dozen speculators, that have possession of the funds of the Bank, cannot repay it. If the business of the Bank was perfectly under its control, its assets matur- ing- in sound business paper, and promptly paid at ma- turity, it could go on until doomsday without regard to the movement of any other bank." j1 new operation hy a bank — The last indemnifying bank law, has a new feature, designed as a pretence of penalty on banks refusing to pay their notes, and of pretended recompense to the note-holders thus depriv- ed of their rights. This provision is, that whenever a note is presented for payment to the bank which issued it, and the payment refused, that the fact of such re- fusal shall be endorsed on the note, with the date, and signed by the cashier or some other officer of the bank; and that thereafter such endorsed notes shall bear 6 per cent, interest. Now this, whether as a pe- nalty on the refusing bank, or compensation to the wronged bank creditor, (or note-holder,) is so poor and pitiful a remedy, that it was probably expected that no one would require its execution ; and, therefore. THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 255 that, like most other leg;al remedies against IVauduIent banking, it would be null and void. If the notes, when so endorsed, should be retained by the first holder, the transaction would simply amount to lending the notes, or obligation of the bank, to the delinquent batik itself, and for a time altogether uncertain; and that the lender may finally get 6 per cent, interest for the loan, which he could get from any other and more prompt, and re- sponsible and trustworthy debtor, than the hank. If he puts the notes into circulation, he will get nothing by the endorsement, which would be erased as soon as it came into possession o( any bank, or any bank slave. Nevertheless, we desired to see how this new requisi- tion of law' would be obeyed, as we desire every one of the few and feeble penalties imposed on the banks by law to be exacted. By a rare chance, we recently received $900 all in notes of the Branch Exchange Bank of Petersburg. Specie was demanded for them, (as a preliminary matter of form) and, on the refusal, the endorsement directed by law was required. At the request of the Teller, the notes were left for the purpose, and called for the next day. The writ- ing then found aiBxed was simply "April lOth, 1841, P. Durkiii, Cashier ,•" and that was on the face of the note, and in such pale red ink as to be very nearly ille- gible, and in some cases entirely so. On one note only, black ink had been used, and which was abun- dantly plain. Regarding this writing as no endorse- ment, and, even if endorsed, as furnishing no obliga- tion whatever, we returned the notes for the authori- ties to try their hands at writing again. After two days more, (which we cheerfully waited, to give .abundant time for deliberate action,) we called for and again re- ceived the notes, endorsed indeed, but so illegibly in almost every case that no one can read the whole of each, and sometimes not a word, and signed by the bank runner. Now this mode of endorsing a legal ob- ligation is clearly a refusal to endorse ; and if we had chosen, or should still choose, we might exact, by law, the heavier penalty for a refusal. But, for the present, we prefer to take sufficient evidence of the signatures, and to send abroad, and especially to the countiy, these notable evidences of bank obligation. And, as the endorsements would not otherwise be noticed we have had printed and pasted below each endorsen^ent, a label with the following words : " The endorsement on this note should read thus : " Payment refused April lOth, 1841. James Boyle, Run." And, according to law, it carries interest (to be paid whenever the bank shall pay the principal,) at 6 per cent, per annum. But as the writing is too pale and indistinct to be read, this printed explanation is annex- ed for the information of all concerned. EcMUNn RUFFIN." We shall continue to compel the endorsement (legi- bly or otherwise as the officers may choose) of all the notes which fall into our hands, on which the demand can be enforced ; and if other individuals who are op- posed to the non-specie-paying banking system, would systematically do the s? me, feeble as the means are, (and intended by the legislature to be so,) they would not be without important effects, in correcting both the great frauds of the system, and the little and piti- ful meannesses of its practical operations. Dr. Benjamin Drake of Cincinnati, the author of several scientific and literary works, died on the 1st. " The book keeper of the Union Bank in Nashville, Tenn. has been arrested for stealing some eighteen or twenty thousand dollars of the notes of that bank, to which charge he has confessed himself guilty." " Gold and silver have been rushing off to the eastern specie-paying states ever since the suspen- sion of specie-payments in Pennsylvania, and the states south and west. Should any bill pass the legis- lature of this state, tolerating our suspension for a period, its effect will be to deprive the state of what specie yet remains in circulation. It is a most un- wise policy, and those of our newspapers which think the people are in favor of it will find themselves mis- taken sooner or later." — Phil. Ledger. " Gallipolis Bank. — The present maflagers of this late swindling shop, report that after having redeem- ed more of the paper of the bank than the late of- ficers said was in circulation, they have learned that there is still out more than .ift^OOjObo." "The bank of Mineral Point, Wisconsin Territory, has exploded, and the managers are charged with gross misconduct in conducting its aliairs. They were con- nected with the Gallipolis Bank's fraudulent opera- tions." ' Thomas L. Budd, book-keeper of the Union Bank of Baltimore, has been committed to prison for stealing about $10,000 of the funds of the bank. -'lie has heretofore borne a good character, and was believed to be a pious Christian." Saturday, April 24, 1841. Publications of self-defence, mutual crimination and recrimination, continue to be made by Nicholas Biddle and the other late and present authorities of the bankrupt and now prostrate United States Bank. Each of the disputants has succeeded much better in assailing his fellows than in defending himself; and their combined evidence serves to expose, in the bank and its management, one of the most stupen- dous and flagitious frauds, carried on by men of the highest reputation, that has been executed since the days of the great Law and his Mississippi scheme, and the South Sea bubble. " According to Mr. Biddle, the resumption of spe- cie payments was a fatal blow to the United States Bank ; its continued vitality depended upon a con- tinued suspension. The Boston Courier takes up this notion, and comments upon it in the following man- ner : 'Ah ! that fatal resumption of specie payments ! The bank might have enjoyed its ' vitality' to all eter- nity and the day alter, if its directors had not, in an evil hour, (good simple souls!) tliought it best to show a disposition to be honest, and meet a few of their promises to pay. Let all bank directors take warning trom this blunder of their Philadelphia cotemporanes, and never resume specie payments, il they have alrea- dy suspended. If they now foolishly pay specie for their bills and notes, let them suspend at once. If they have 'vitality' enough to issue bills and post notes, which they are bound to pay only wnen it may suit their pleasure, tliey may continue ' strong and prospe- rous for ever.' " — Phila. Ledger. The Vicksburg Sentinel ot'the 31st ult. says : " This city is now crowded with blacklegs. One of our prin- cipal hotels, we have learned, is literally crowded with them and their gambling apparatus." This shows that the outrage upon law, by hanging several gamblers, in Vicksburg, some years ago, has had no more benefit than mob law usually has. A Portuguese slaver was lately carried into Rio Ja- neiro by the British brig of war Tower. She had 380 slaves on board, and had lost 14(» on the passage ! On the recent benefit night of Fanny Elssler, the celebrated daiicer, at New Orleans, the receipts for tickets were $6,000, and the presents to her besides, in diamonds, &.C., raised her profits, for that night alone, to between .$8,000 and $10,000. Certainly the peo- ple of this country are the most gullible of all upon the face of the earth. It would be difficult to decide whe- ther the enormous tribute of money, and even respect, paid throughout this country to this foreign dancer and "demi-rep," or the tribute paid to the banks and their authorities, presents the stronger evidence of folly and slavishness, and willingness to be robbed. Accounts from China as late as Jan. 6'th have been received, by the American ship Panama. The pre- vious advices were to December 18. Still nothing more done, either by the British forces, or by negotiatioo with the Chinese authorities. 256 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. It is said in the New York papers that the newly ap- pointed collector of that port is still " literally besieged by applicants lor office," from morning till night. This is truly the age of oflice-seeking. "Daring the past week," says the Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle, "there has been quite an animated demand for specie-paying country notes. It has resulted in some measure from the plaintili's in execution refusing to re- ceive the notes of suspended banks. This lias been (he case latterly, in different parts of the state ; and Tuesday last, being sheriff's sale day, those who wish- ed to make purchases were obliged to supply them- selves with the better currency. Sales of property to some extent were made at our market house yesterday for specie-paying notes, and we were surprised to find that the sales were made at good prices." Such would be the case in Virginia, and thus a sound currency be restored, if the bank suspension were not legalized. As law is beginning to operate on the Georgia " spe- cie-paying" banks, (that is, paying specie wlien forced to it,) we trust the operation will there continue. The British ships of war continue their outrages up- on American vessels. The Baltimore Sun says that "Captain Wyse, of the Leonidas, at this port from Rio de Janeiro, states that on the 16th of March, in lat. 9 30 S. long. 35 47 W. he was fired into and brought to, by the British sloop of war Rose; the boat sent on board, the papers demanded and examined, under the plea of supposition that she was a slaver. Alter de- taining hiin for some time she was allowed to proceed.'' It has been proposed in the JNtvv York legislature to discharge McLeod. The discussion thereupon is still going on. The conduct of the British in the alfair lor which he is imprisoned, (the attack on and burning of the Caroline,) was boldly and ably defended by mem- bers in the debate. If not thus discharged, McLeod will no doubt be acquitted when tried. The British steam ship, Columbia, arrived at Boston on the evening of the 20th, bringing accounts 15 days later — to the 4th inst. No important news. The intelligence received from the United States had been deemed pacific, and had allayed the war ex- citement and feeling 'in England. It had also caused cotton to fall one-eighth of a penny. Flour had also fallen. There had been a revolutionary movement in Mar- seilles, which had been easily and promptly put down by the police. Fourteen of the insurgents were made prisoners, and the rest were dispersed. In New York (in consequence of the news from England) cotton fell a quarter of a cent, (April 21st.) A cartjo of southern corn sold at 42^ cents. In Rich- mond, corn 45 to 47 cents — and small quantities have sold at 50 cents. (22d.) From January 1 to April 1, there have been reported in the newspapers 74 murders and 63 suicides which have occurred in the United States. " A few nights since, twelve negroes, belonging to the Rev. Wesley Adams, of Jefferson county, Florida, were burnt to death. They were all in one building, and it is supposed were suffocated, and rendered insen- sible, as they gave no alarm, and when the doors were opened uttered not a groan." " We learn from the Savannah papers of Saturday, that the Planters' Bank of that city had been robbed of #37,000." CONTENTS OF THE FARMERS REGISTER, NO. IV. VOL,. IX. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. Page Notes on tobacco culture, - - - - lyS Essay on calcareous earth, and remarks on quick- lime as an indirect manure, - - 202 Bounty for silk, .... 209 Melilot ----- 210 Cruelty to horses. The haws and the lampas - 212 Notes on the Sandy Point estate. No. I. - 213 Inquiry as to the prospects of silk culture, « 216 Calcareous earth discovered in a new Ibrm and in a new locality, .... 217 Comments on the articles of the editor on the ef- fects of green-sand as manure, - - 233 Directions for collecting and preserving speci- mens of grasses, .... 238 Establishment of a board of agriculture by the go- vernment of Virginia, - - - 239 Proposed exhibition by the Henrico Agricultural and Horticultural Society, - - - 240 Desultory observations on the banking system of this country, and the effects of its different modes of operation, - - . . 244 To the farmers and planters of Virginia - 248 Monthly commercial report - - . 251 On the value of field peas as a crop, and to pre- vent injury to stock feeding thereon - 251 Value of the Rohan Potato - . 252 SELECTIONS. Essay on the cultivation of corn, - - 193 Diseases of hogs, - - . . 201 Management of bees, .... 207 On preparing night soil, ... 207 White or Belgian canot, - . . 208 White carrot, - - . . 209 Coal ashes, ..... 209 Compressed peat fuel, . - . 211 On destroying slugs by lime, - . . 216 Canker-worms. Chickens, - - 218 Durability of the nitrate of soda Irrigation of rice lands by pumps, Analysis of prairie soils, from Montgomery coun- ty, Alabama, Nitrate of soda, .... Action of acids in soils, ... Peat compost, . - - - . Failure of nitrate of soda as manure. Seventh agricultural meeting at Boston. Soils and manures, .... On preparing night soil, ... Silk culture. Important discovery. The muscar- dine in America, .... Destruction of snails in flower gardens, Portraits and pulls, . . . - Restraining sand-drift, ... Decomposition of bones, ... Soot as manure, .... Advantage of planting fruit trees on declivities. Dogs, ..... A principle of fencing, formed according to the laws of vegetable physiology, - Proposed remedy for the confused and contradic- tory state of the popular nomenclature of the grasses, - - - - - An act to establish a board of agriculture. Premiums offered by the Henrico Agricultural and Horticultural Society, ... The Everglades, - - . . Sawdust as an assistant to manure, - . - The position of New York in regard to banking and specie payments, Dividing capital, .... On the destruction of the red spider. Remarks on salt as manure, and for stock. Oil dregs as manure, ... Prickly comfrey, .... Hay making . . . . Summary of news .... Page 218 219 220 220 222 223 224 224 226 227 227 228 229 229 230 230 230 232 237 239 240 241 241 242 242 242 243 248 248 252 252 THE FAUMEUS' llEGISTER. Vol. IX. MAY 31, 1841. No. 5. EDMUND RUFF IN, EDITOR AND PUOPRIET-OR. PRIZE ESSAY. From tlie Kentucky Fanner. The undersigned have examined the essay on tobacco, submitted to them by the Kentucky Slate Agricultural Society, and award the pre- mium to that signed " A. Bealty." John Calhoon, John H. JNIcHekuy. James F. Ijuckner. Thos. Towles, Jr. Dec. 31, 1S40. AN ESSAY ON THK CULTIVATION OF TO- BACCO.* The first step in ihe process of tobacco culture is to make provision lor an abundant supply ol' plants. Tobacco seed are very small, and the plants, when they first spring Irom ihe ground, grow very slowly, and would soon be smothered by weeds if not carefully guarded against. The places selected for plant beds should be such as would not be likely to produce many weeds. New ground, or that wliich has been long set in grass, would be best lor this purpose. To guard siill further against weeds, and to ensure a thriliy growth of plants, it is essential that the place in which the seed are to be sown should be burnt. A light burning with slra%or other light material will not be sufficient. A good coat of brush laid upon the ground intended to be used for a plant bed, and arranged so closely as to make it burn readily, serves best for the purpose. Care must be taken also, belore laying on the brush, to rake all trash from the ground, so that the heat may readily destroy the seeds of any weeds whicii may have been deposited there. New ground is always to be prefi?,rred lor plant beds, and brush as the material for burning the ground. But if the tobacco planter have no new ground, then he must substitute grass land in its stead, and this should be well burned by having a range of logs (those which are seasoned answer best) laid along one edge of the ground intended for a plant bed, and heaped up sufficiently to make them burn readily. These must be set on fire, and after burning the ground which they cover sulli- ciently, they must be moved by means of hooks, to the adjacent ground not yet burnt ; and so on. * For this essay a premium was awarded by the Agricultural Society of Kentucky. The friend to whom we were much indebted recently, for the notes to an essay on the same subject from Maryland, speaks of this one as follows : " This essay on tobacco I consider very valuable. It is apparent, however, that the management of the crop for market is not such as would be approvt-d amongst our best planters in Virginia. The dilierent quahties are not separated, but are " prized" uj) toi^e- thtr — short and long, rich and thin, dark and bright, are put uito the same hogshead. This evidently in- jures the sale of the better qualities, and does not much enhance the value of the inferior." Vol. IX.— 17- A in succession, until the entire space intended for a plant bed is burnt, if one set of logs is not sullicient to burn a space as large as will be ne- cessary, others must be added so as to enlarge the space, or they nuiy be burut atdifliurent places as may be most convenient. Where sod ground is iutended to be used, it would be advantageous to have the sod lightly skinned oft with sharp hoes, belore the space ia burnt over. . Alter the ground is burnt it must stand suffi- ciently long to cool, and then the ashes should be carelully removed. The ground should now be dug up wiih hoes, to the depth of two or three inches, and so as to pulverize it as much as possi ble; and should be well raked with an iron tooth rake, so as to break up the soil into the most mi- nute parts, it will now be ready (or sowing the seed. It is important that this operation should be as regular as possible ; and care should be taken to put the proper quantity of seed upon the ground, if sowed too thick, the plants will be so much crowded as to injure their growth. If sowed too thin, a deficiency of plant may be the consequence. A common silver table spoonful ol seed will be suificient for fifty square yards. More than that quantity should not be sowed on that space of ground. But if the ground prepar- ed be abundant, the plants would grow more thrifty by sowing a spoonlul of seed on seventy or eighty square yards. The seed allotted for a particular bed should be put into a vessel half filled with fine mould or earth, and stirred so thoroughly as to cause the seed to be equally dis- tributed in all its pans. It should now be sepa- rated into two e(]ual divisions. And the plant bed having been divided into convenient lands for sowing, one portion should be sowed as equally as possible in one direction, and the other portion in Ihe same bed, in the opposite direction. The plant bed should now be well raked with an iron tooth rake, both ways, and should then be well trodden by the leet of men or boys, so as to render the loose soil firm and compact. The bed should be thinly covered over with bru'sh to keep it moist and to protect the plants from li-ost. Plant beds should be prepared and sown as early in February as the weather will admit ; thou^fi it will be in good time if sown any time in that month. Tobacco requires a rich soil, and that whicli is new or nearly so, answers best. Next to ground .which has been recently cleared, lands which have been long in grass, especially if pastured by sheep, answers best lor tobacco, in preparing ground tor tobacco, great care should be taken to plough it deep, and pulverize it completely. Grass land inte/ided for tobacco, should always be ploughed the previous fall. And it ia better that all kinds of land intended for that purpose, should be ploughed in time to have the benefit of the previous winter frosts. It should be kept light and free Irom weeds, by repeated ploughings, till near ihe time of planting. It should then be laid off' into ridges, by a single horse plough. 258 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. (to prevent the ridgea from beino; trodden bv the off horse) Troni three to three and a half feet from centre to centre, according to the kind of tobacco which is intended to be planted. The ground should be crossed at the same distance, by a shovel plough or one with a double mould board. The ground will now be in a condition, requiring nothing more to be done to prepare for the plant- ing, but to cut off the centre of the square or ridge with a broad hoe. This last operation should be performed when the plants are of sufficient size for setting, and should be made only so many at a time as there will be plants to fill the first .season that happens. Plants can only be set after a rain, and much care should be taken in this operation, for if plants are well set they will grow quickly, but if badly set they will be kept back some time, and many hills will require to be replanted. This will cause much additional labor and render the crop irregular as to the time of ripening. When the crop is planted its cultivation must be carefully attended to. The first thing to be done is to see that the cut worms do not destroy the young plants. These must be sought after and destroy- ed. The plants must be kept free from weeds. In this operation both the plough and hoe should be used until the plants become too large to use the former without breaking the leaves. During the last ploughing, tobacco should be ploughed only during the heat of the day, when the leaves will have wilted and will not easily break. Tobacco is very subject to be injured by the horn worm. This insect is very destructive, and if not destroyed will ruin the crop. The utmost care is, therefore, required from an early period of its growth, to save the tobacco crop. From the time the horn worm makes its appearance the crop should be gone over once a week till it is cut. Topping andpriming are next to be attend- ed to. The latter consists in breaking oil the leaves next to the ground, which, to the number of four or five, are of no value. The number of leaves to which tobacco should be topped, varies according to the kind of tobacco raised, and the season of topping. The first topping will always admit of a greater number of leaves being left ; and, in proportion as the season ad- vances, fewer leaves should be left. The heavier kinds of tobacco are generally topped early in the season, to twelve leaves, then to ten, and still later to eight. The lighter kinds of tobacco are topped to a greater number of leaves. The above rule is only applicable to a rich soil. If the soil is light, the topping should be regulated accordingly, and fewer leaves left. Suckering is a much more tedious operation. Every plant requires te be twice suckered before it is ready for cutting. The first suckers are of quick growth, and should be removed before they become large, otherwise they will not only injure the growth of the plants, but will sometimes break off the leaves in removing them. Tobacco is usually planted from the middle of May to the last of June. And the cutting season usually commences about the middle of August, and is rarely finished until late in September. Between the planting and cutting of tobacco, the labor of attending to it is light, but very tedious. It requires more hands than any other crop, for the same number of acres ; but weak hands and children can assist and do much of the work. When it begins to ripen, stouter hands are re- quired, though children may still aid in the sub- sequent operations. A little practice will enable the planter to distinguish, very readily, the ripe from the green plants. At the first cutting the former must be selected nnd cut, leaving the others to become riper. When tobacco is ripe the leaves become spotted, with a greenish yellow color, and the leaves are so thick and ridged that by folding and pressing them gently between the thumb and finger, they will break or crack. But a little experience will en-ible the planter to de- termine which plants ase ripe by sight alone. Tobacco must be split while standing; and such hands as can readily distinguish between the ripe and green plants, should be employed in the splitting process. The most convenient knife for splitting tobacco is in form somewhat like a broad chisel, except that the blade should be very thin. It should be three and a half inches wide, and of thesame length, having attached to it a thin spear or shank, to be inserted in a handle about a foot long, having a cro&s piece on the top, to be held by the hand. After the spear is inserted in the handle, the latter should be shaved flat on two sides, to prevent the end of the handle next the spear from siriking against the top of the tobac- co stalk as the knife is run down. With this instrument a skilful operator can split the standing plants with great rapidity. They should not be split nearer to the ground than six inches. The cutter may follow immediately alter the splitter or at any convenient time afterwards. A coramo'n hemp hook is the best instrument for cutting to- bacco. The cutting season is a critical time for the tobacco crop. It is subject to a variety of casualties; and vvithoift particular care, is liable to sustain great and irreparable injury. It is sub- ject to he bruised in handling, to be sim burned, and to be greatly injured by heating if suffered to lie too long in large heaps. Each of these will most materially injure the crop, and they must all be guarded against with the utmost vi- gilance. The first is the most difficult to be guarded against, when tobacco is cut in very warm weather. After it is cut, it must lie long enough to fall or wilt, so as to become sufficiently plrant to handle w'uhout breaking or bruising the leaves. The hotter the weather the more diffi- cult it is to accomplish this object without expos- ing the plants to the deteriorating eflects of being sun burned. It is surprising how quickly this takes place, when tobacco is exposed to the meridian rays of the sun, in the month of August, or early in September. The parts of the leaves which are sun burned turn white and soon be- come dry and crisp ; and when cured, assume a green color. The parts thus affected are com- pletely ruined, having lost all the qualities of good tobacco. To guard against this casualty, when tobacco is cut early in the season the operation should be performed in the morning or so late in the evening that the sun will not have power enough to injure it. Cutting, both in the morning and evening, may be practised as convenience may dictate, and may be managed as follows. The planter may commence cutting in the morn- ing, taking care to cut only so much as he can secure before the sun has acquired sufficient power to injure it. When the cutting is completed and the plants have fallen sufficiently, he should com- THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 250 mence piling it in heaps wiih the buts towards the sun, takinj;; care to handle the plants penily, holding them by the buts, and avoiding any pressuie upon the leaves. JJy handling llieni thus, and laying thcni as lighlly as possible in heaps, this process may be perlbrtncd belbre the tobacco has completely liilien. The heaping should always commence with the plants first cut 60 that they may as nearly as iiracticable, be ex- posed to the sun's rays an ecjual portion ol" time, or in equal degree, and should so progress till the whole is heaped. The stems o( the tobacco are the last pans that wilt. Being large and ridged, these require more sun to make them liill, and hence the necessity of placing the buts towards the sun vvlien heaping tobacco. Being thus placed, the stems continue to be affected by the sun, vvhile the plants are lying in heaps. The heaping of tobacco in some degree protects it from being sun burned, but the uncovered leaves are, of course, unprotected. Hence the necessity of hauling the tobacco to the place of hanginir it as soon as possible alter it has fallen sufficiently to admit ol this being done without bruising or breaking off the leaves. Sleds are the most con- venient vehicles for transporting tobacco to the scaffold or house where it is to be hung, if near at hand. These should have smooth plank on the bottom, to prevent the leaves of the tobacco from bemg lorn or bruised. There should be no standards in the sleds, and the tobacco should be laid on in two courses, the tails lapped and buts out on each side. When unloaded, the buts should all lie towards the sun, unless the hanging is perlbrmed in the shade oj' a house or trees. These precautions are all for the purpose of pre- venting the tobacco from being sun burned. If the cutting take place late in the season, or when the weather is cool, they will not be necessary. Planters who are largely engaged in the culture of tobacco, will be under the necessity of raising it at a considerable distance from the place of housing it. In that case sleds will not be conve- nient /or transporting it, and it would be a much better plan to have a wagon coupled so as to hold a very long body, and sufficiently high to hang the tobacco, after being put on sticks, across the body. The sticks should be filled with the appro- priate number of plants, in the field where it grew, and put at once into the wagon, pressing them as close together as possible without bruising the leaves. This will protect the plants from becom- ing sun burned, and when the wagon arrives at the place of housing it, the tobacco may at once be transferred to the place where it is to be cured. It would be most convenient to have two wagons, so that one may be filled in the field while the other is hauling and discharging its load, and returning. So, also, if there be hands enough, the smaller ones may be heaping the tobacco, while others are engaged in putting it on sticks, and conveying it lo the place of housing it. If the tobacco house be so constructed as to admit the wagons to pass through the centre, additional facilities will be furnished lor translerriug the to- bacco to the place where it is to be cured. Tobacco plants may be split during the heal of the day, without injury. It is only liable to be sun burned after it is cut. And hence the splitting process may progress, while part of the hands are engaged in hanging that which was cut in the morning. When the afternooon has so far pro- gressed that tobacco may safely be cut without the risk of sun burning, (which is usually about four or five o'clock in August, and somewhat earlier in September,) the cutting process should commence, and be completed as soon as possible, so as to give time lor the plants to fall sufiiciently to be handled the same evening, or the next day, belbre the sun has attained sufficient power to injure them. The first cutting of the afternoon in the early part of the season, can usually be hauled and hung the same evening. That part of it which has not (alien sufficiently to be handled without bruising or breaking, should be suffered to lie in the field, without heaping, till the next day. It is usual, when there is not time to hang all the tobacco during the same evening it is cut, to let a part of it lie over till morning to be hung while the dew is drying off that in the field. This may be done to advantage if hauled on sleds, provided care be taken to prevent it from heating during the night. If suflered to lie in large heaps, it will be greatly injured in the course of one night. To guard against this casualty, it should bespread in long rows not more than three or four plants deep, when the weather is very warm. In cool weather the danger of heating is not eo great. A little experience will teach the tobacco planter to guard against the casualty of which I have been speaking. It is very important that this should be done, as it is completely, ruinous to so much of Jhe tobacco as may become healed to a high degree, as it will do if sufiered to lie in large heaps over night. There are two modes of treating tobacco when it is cut, one is to hang it on scaffolds, exposed to the weather ; the other is to hang it at once in suitable houses. The former method must, of necessity, be re- sorted to where there is a scarcity of house room. By hanging sometime on a scafiold, the tobacco commences curing and can be stowed much closer in houses than it can be, with safety, when first cut. But it is subject to serious disadvantages. Those parts which are exposed to the sun are liable to be sun burned, and much of it may, there- fore, be injured on the scaflold. Another injury, and a most material one, is, that. if suffered to remain on the scaflold till the leaves begin to cure, they are liable to be injured by the dews which fall every night ; and still more by a rain, if one should happen to liill. If the tobacco is housed from the scaffold before it begins to cure, not much is gained in jioint of room, when stowed in the tobacco house. If suffered to hang on the scafftid till partly cured, it may be much injured by rains and dews. The safest way, therefore, is to put it in houses or under sheds, as soon as it is cut. But here again caremust be taken to avoid another equally, that of being hmise bvrned. It is stated in the Farmer's Guide, page 265, that if it is intended "to cure by fire, t fie tobacco is cariied imme- diately from the field to the house, hung on sticks, as before described, and these sticks crowd- ed as close together on the tier as they can possi- bly be, so as to exclude all air from the tobacco. It remains in this situation until the leaves of the plants become yellow, or of the color of hickory leavesjust before they fall. Thia will generally 260 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. happen in four or five days, when the sticks must be spread and placed at iheir proper distances in the house." There never was a greater error than that contained in the above extract. To- bacco thus housed, would be completely ruined long before the five days should have elapsed. 11' intended to be cured without fire, the house should be as open as possible lor the I'ree admission ol air. The sticks on which the tobacco is hung should be placed i'rom eight to twelve imhes apart, according to the size of the tobacco, so that the air could circulate freely between the ranges of sticks. It should be continued in this open order until the tobacco is partially cured, when it may be rehung in much closer order, so as to make room for the later cutting. If hung m open sheds, with tight roofs, so much the better, so that the rain ia prevented llom beating in on the tobacco, which may be done by setting up fiance rails or rough plank against the open sides ol' the shed. If intended to be cured by fire, the house should be rendered as tight as possible, in all parts, except the root; through which the smoke must escape. But instead ol being crowded together, as recom- mended in the extract given above, it should have epace enough to prevent the plants on the different sticks from pressing hard against each other, afier the tobacco has completely jiallen. Instead of euffering the tobacco to hang four or five days be- fore fire is put under it, the house, should be filled as soon as possible, and fire put under it iriime- diately,' \o pTGvent the danger of house burning, yor the first few days the fire shoutH he moderate, till the edges of the leaves turn of a yellow color. The fires should then be gradually raised and the house kept sufficiently warm to cute the tobacco in a few days. In making kite-foot tobacco, the rule is, I believe, that the tobacco, stalk and all, must be cured in forty-eight hours from the time the fires are raised, which, as I have already rem,arked, must be when the leaves begin to turn yellow around their edges. After thus com- mencing to change color the entire leaf very soon assumes a beautifiji yellow hue, and the object is to cure it before it turns to a nutmeg brown. If the curing is not very speedy, it will, or a great part of it, change to the latter color before the operation is completed. The next thing to be done, after the tobacco is housed and cured, is stripping. This must be delayed till the stem as well a.« »be leaf of the to- bacco is thoroughly cured. • Si ripping can only be performed when tobacco is in such high case as to render the stems perlt'ctly pliable, or at least such a portion of them as will supply a sufficient quantity of /i/m"' Zcaues, that is, leaves to ti* the tobacco in hands. To perQ)rai this operation neatly, the s'em of the leaf with which the hand is tied should be soft and pliant. As seasons for stripping are precarious, whenever tobacco, alter being ^ifficipmly cured, comes inio case, a quan- tity for future stripping s' ould be tak<>n down, and packed in close bulk, with the tails in the centre and the but? of the sialks out. This bulk should be enclosed by llie walls of the house on two or three sides, and plank on the other, and should be well stufled all around between the enclosure and buts, so as to exclude the air. Thus packed away, tobacco will remain in case for a long time, but care must be taken not to pack it down when in too damp order, otherwise it will go through a heat, and be greatly injured, unless it be stripped out in the course of a lew .days. If put down in proper order, it may be stripped out at leisure, pro- vided it is not packed in bulk belbre the weather has become cool, say November or December. When stri()ped and lied in hands it must be put in bulk, lapping the tails in the middle and leaving the heads all on the outside of the bulk, so that they can become thoroughly dry. If not in too high order when [)ut in bulk, as above directed, it may be suffered to remain till February, when it should be hung on sticks, the hands as close as they can be convenienily placed to each other without pressing them together, and hung in the tobacco house, leaving the sticks so far apart as to admit the air to circulate between them. In this situa- tion the tobacco will become thoroughly dry in a lew days. It must be left hanging until a rain shall again bring it in case, it will be observed that the leaf, in contradistinction to ihe stem, will first come i/i cose, whilst the stem will be Ibund still dry and briule. This is precisely the order in which tobacco should be, when il is to he finally bulked down lor market or prising in hogsheads. It should now be put down in a very large bulk, which may include the planter's entire crop. The number of courses may be six, eight, or any larger number, and the whole'should be enclosed by the walls of the house and plank, and closely surrounded and covered with soft straw, so as per- fectly to exclude the air. In this condition it may be kept for any length of time, and will be ready at all times lor hauling to market in the hand or prising. One precaution only will be necessary. When the cover of the bulk is taken off for the purpose of taking out a part of the tobacco lor prising or sale, the entire course or courses, on the to|), should be taken off smoothly, and the cover carefully replaced. This is neces- sary lo prevent the top of the bulk Irom becoming too' dry. When prising in the summer, some elder bushes may be spread over the bulk to keep the tobacco damp. Tobacco prepared as herein directed, may be kept any number of years in bulk, or may be transieri^ed to hogsheads and kept lor any length of time, not only without injury, but will constantly improve by age. It should bn remarked, that to make tobacco ol' a very superior qualiiy. great care should be taken when the stripping process is going on, to separate all the injured or delective leaves from the prime tobacco. To this end every plant should pass through the hands of a crood judge of tobac- co, who should cull out all the injured and defec- tive leaves, which should be kept and sold sepa- rately. The balance of the leaves maybe strip- ped and tied by small hands, who are not skilled in the quality of tobacco. As many persons should be employed in calling as may be neces- sary lo furnish employment lo all the less skilful hands. Sometimes, especially in kite foot tobac- co, three different qualities should be made. I have now gone through the entire process of tobacco culture, in which I liave endeavored to include every thing which can be ol practical use to the tobacco planter ; and have gone as much into detail as will enable him, with a little practice and the exercise of a sound judgment, to under- stand and appl.v the whole process to the best ad- vantage. THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 261 It ia usual to plant tobacco on our rich Kontuc- kv soil, for several years in succession, on the same groiintK Tubacco is an cxhaustinjx-crop, anil oucht not, too Ireqiientiy, to be pianled on the same ground. Experience will soon sbow when the crop should be chanjied. When it becomes necessary to do so, tobacco should be Ibilowed by a wheat crop, and the wheat sowed thickly with clover the ibllowintr spring. The clover crop should be continued lor al least two or three years, and then should have a coat of manure in the lid!, and be ploughed in, and suffered to lie till si)rin<.', when it would agam be in good condition lor to- bacco. A. Beatty. BEST TImR for cutting TIMBER. From tlie New Genesee Farmer. We suppose another age must pass away be- fore the notion of lunar influence on timber will be entirely exploded. When the yielding mind of childhood receives a vvroiiiT impression from a parent or perceptor and it is allowed to harden for years before philosophy attempts to efl'ace it, argument too often glances off like water from a goose's back. On what does this notion rest'^ Why the moon raises tides on the ocean. Admitted; but on what else is its influence lelt ? If it has not room enough to raise tides on our lakes, can it possibly raise tides of sap in the pores of a tree, where a microscope is necessary to discover them ? But if it did raise the sap, what advantage could we derive from that knowledge *? It would raise tides every day ; and no one particular time would be better than another. It has been handed down to us as a rule worthy of remembrance, that " the old of the moon in February is the best time to cut timber." But why is the old of the moon better than the new ? This question, might puzzle a Philadelphia law- yer. The " old ot the moon" may come on the tirst day of the month; or it may come on the last — it may differ a whole month. Thesapmay be frozen, and the moon not able 'o stir a particle. Or can it act on solids as well as fluids'? If it can act on frozen timber, why not on seasoned timber, or solid rock? We cannot understand such occult principles. We admit indeed that the time, prescribed may serve well for cutting some kinds of timber; but certainly it is not {he best time to cut all kinds of timber. We believe it may be laid down as a maxim that limber is most durable if cut when it contains the least sap ; and we have no knowledge that sap ever runs from a tree in full leaf On a former occasion we stated a fact from an observant neigh- bor, that basswood rails, which he cut when the sap was in liill flow, rotted before they seasoned, though immediately laid up in a fence. On the reverse, we have several instances of -timber cut in summer that proved very durable, with not one case to the contrary. We therefore infer that the gradation from the best time to the worst is in the ibllowing order: summer — autumn — winter. No timber should be cut in the spring before the tree is in full leaf. Physiologists, when treating of the functions of plants, have been too Ibnd of drawing general rides, like other people, Irom a few observations. Because the sap of some trees flows not in winter, they have erroneously concluded it was so with all. The saj) of the sugar maple, however, flows as soon as the leaves drop in autumn ; therefore, to have that tiinber durable, it should be cut when the tree is in leaf; and as every leaf ia employed in pumping out the moisture, it might be well to let the tree lie untrimmed till ihey are with- ered. A timber tree may be very valuable or other- wise, according to the time of culiinff it ; and in this country where they are growing scarcer every year, it is more especially important to have the best inlbrmaiion on the subject. DIFFERENT EFFECTS OF NITRATE OF SODA. From the Farmers' Ma!;azine. As there appears to be much diversity of opi- nion, wheiher nitrate of soda is beneficial or not in its effects when applied to land, and many vary- ing results after its application, I am induced to send you an account of some trials I have made during the present year; I do this more readily, as it is only by an accumulation of (acts that any general conclusions can be arrived at. I distri- buted the nitrate of soda broadcast on the 27th of April, it was very hot and dry, no rain had fallen for a month previously ; the quantity of the saline employed was 1^ hundred weight to the acre ; it was applied to spring tares, oats, barley, beans, peas, clover and wheat. The \yheat succeeded partly lallow-land, and partly clover-ley. The na- ture of the soil on this fijrm is a stiff' heavy deep clay. No perceptible difference took place in any of the crops to which the nitrate was applied until alter the rain had fallen, which occurred in a fortnight; after this that portion of the wheat which was manured with the soda (and ihe year before was preceded by a cfover-ley) quickly became more luxuriant in growth and darker in color, the same effects were developed on the young clover that was salted ; on none of the other crops could I perceive the slightest benefit from the application of the nitrate. The sietches of clover land wheat to which the soda was applied, were reaped by themselves, an equal number to which it was not applied were alr^o reaped ; on thrashing each quantity, it was (bund the ma- nured portion yielded one-fburih more grain, one- third more straw than the other, but the sample was notso plump, nor its color so good, the siraw was not so bright. The same plan was not fol- lowed with the other crops to which the salt was distributed, as upon the most diliirent investigation at harvest, not the sliijhtest diflierence between these and the other portions of the fields could be perceived. In the months of June and July, 1 applied the nitrate to mangel, Swedes and white turnips; no benefit followed. In offering to you the conclusion I arrive at from these results, I beg to say, I only throw it out as a hint (or other investigators, and (or my own farther research, for nothing can be more dan- gerous to the advance of knowledge than drawing sweeping general conclusions (i-om (ew and iso- lated (acts. It appears to me, that nitrate of soda on the 262 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. heavy lands of ihis district, is only useiul to crops which have succeeded a clover-ley, and to young clovers. Should the future experience ol others agree with my own, it at once points out the fields to which" in a season it ouglu to be applied, and may remove some of the couOicting opmions regarding its value as a manure. Oswald Coplakd. Grove hall, ToUeshunt Knights, Essex. NITRATE OF SODA. From the Farmcis' Magazine. On the 25ih of April last, 1 sowed a ridire in a field of wheal vs^ith nitrate of soda, U cwt. per acre, the ridge adjoining with saltpetre, 1 cwt. 14 lbs. per acre, the ridges on each side of thern receiving no manure ; the same plan was adopted on the "same day in another whe^t field. Ihe field No. 1, is a uravelly soil ; No. 2, a wot sanu, both were (alloued the preceding year lowing is the result ; — No. 1. The lol- 1 1 iea MS- Produce per acre. Increase per acre. ^s. Without ma- Bush. Rail. Qrts. Bush. Gall. Qrts. lb.=;, nure 22 2 - - - 62i Dressed with soda 26 3 1 4 1 1 62f Petre dressed with salt 25 5 1 2 3 - 62f Without ma- nure 2.3 2 1 - - - 62^ No. 2. :sn Produ ce per acre. Increase per acre. ^i- Busli. Gall. arts. Bush. Gall. Qrts. lbs. Without ma- nure 18 - 1 _ - - an Dressed with soda 28 2 3 10 2 2 62i Petre dressed with salt 26 3 _ 7 4 1 61 i Without ma- nure 18 6 3 - - - 60i I remain, very faithfully yours, a friend to Agricultural Improvebient. •IMPORTANT DISCOVERY — HOW TO RENDER AVOOD IMPERISHABLE AND INCOMBUS- TIBLE. From the New Genesee Farmer. • 31essrs. Editors .-—A discovery of ihe highest imporiance appears to have been made in France, by which the long-sought jireservalion o( wood from ordinary decay, combustion, &c., is finally achieved. This has been done by introducina into the wood itself, through the agency of veo-e- table lile, the substances which contribute to these important ends. it has, indeed., been long known to amateur botanists, that the flowers ol' house plants, &c., may be colored by the introduction ol coloring matter into the organization ot the plants ; and that the flavors of iruits may sometimes be in- jured or destroyed by liquids poured upon the ground, at the root ol' the tree, at the season of their ripening, which are subsequently imbibed into the vegetable circulation. But these isolated facts have hitherto remained with their possessors, withoulany useful suggesiions having been drawn from them, like a multitude of other scientific truths, which only lequire to be applied to the arts, to produce the most important results ol usefulness 10 mankind. The announcement of this discovery comes to us under circumstances which leave little doubt of its truth. The discoverer having submitted his results to the Academy ol f?ciences, of Paris, a commission was named Irom that highly scientific body, 10 investigate the subject, and make a report thereon. In the hope of usefulness, I have made a translation of this report, (omitting some poriions, as irrelevant to my purpose,) lor your paper, which I subjoin; deeming it highly im- portant that experiments should be extensively made, the en.?uing summer, in conformity with the discoverer''s process, as shown in the report. It wt)uld be no trilhng result to secure timber, in all situations, from decay, and our buildings from conflagration, at a cost so trifling as to be vi^ithin ihe reach of all. A physician of Bordeaux, Mons. Boucherie, has arrived at the all-important result of render- ing the tissue of wood almost entirely unattack- able by those causes of destruciion to which it is ordinarily subject ; and at the same lime his pro- cesses render itmuch more suitable to the various purposes to which it is applicable in the arts. A commission of ihe Academy of Sciences, at Pans, having been named, to examine the sub- ject, A'lons. Dumas, in the name of the com- mission, made in December last the following report, as the result of its investigations : " The Academy has charged Messrs. Arago, de Mirbel, Poncelet, Gambey, Audoin, Boussain- gaiili, and myself, vv^ith the examination of the Memoir of Mons. Boucherie, relative to the preservation of wood, the fbilowing is the result of our labors : " The Academy has already examined, with the most lively interest, the preparations of the author ; and it has before it, at this moment, pieces of ihese so remarkable that the task of its commis-sion is thereby greatly abridged. Mons. Boucherie proposes to render wood much more durable, to preserve its elasticity,to prevent the variations in volume which it experiences through the ageiicies of dry and humid atmospheres, to diminish its combustibleness, to augment its tenacity and its hardness ; and, finally, to commu- nicate to it various and durable colors and odors. " To assume that- all these exigencies have been satisfied, and that this has been accom- plished by methods, cheep, simple and new ; and consummated through the aaency of substances that are com.mon, and which b'ear but a low price, is to fix the attention of ihe Academy, in a lew words, upon the important features of the subject we are charged to examine. " For the purpose of penetrating an entire tree THE FARMER'S REGISTER. 2G3 wiih preservativo, colorinir, or oihcr mailer, ihe auihor has recourse to no mechanical, costly or complicated means ; he finds all the force oC which he has need, in that process, within the tree itseKJ — the same force hy which its own sap is elevated and distributed ihroiifrh its various parts. This, alone, suffices to convey froiu the base of the trunk io the very leaves all the liqnie this is an application easily comprehended without Explanation ; and also be- cause it is too strictly limited to the demands of hjxury to be placed in the same scale of impor- tance with the valuable results which we have above enumerated. " It is evident, (i-om the bare announcement of all these results, that they have not been, and never could be, the result of accidental discovery. The author has deduced them from simple ideas; and they are the fruit of iont; continued aud laborious studies and experiments. The commission closed their labors with a recommendation that a copy of their report be transmitted to the ministers of ajjricullure and commerce, of the public works and the marine, of finances and of war, which recommendation was adopted by the Academy- At a subsequent sittins of the Academy, that body received notice (rom the ministers of war and of finance, that they had recommended the me- thod of Dr. Boucherie to the special attention of fhe commissioners of engineers, the artillery, and the woods and forests. This shows the importance that is attached to the discovery, by public func- tionaries, and by the first seieniific men of this, or any age, residing upon the spot where its results have been witnessed and investigated. R. W. Haskixs. Buffalo, March 22, 1841. ANSWERS TO THE GENERAL qUERIES ON THE EFFECTS OF BIARt, (INSERTED AT PAGE 24 VOL IX, AND ELSEWHERE,) IN REGARD TO SOME FARMS IN JAMES CITY AND SURRY COUNTIES. [We leel the more indebted to the gentlemen who have contributed to furnish this article, be- cause of the fewness of their number ; and there- fore, especially, we owe thanks to the only farm- er who has answered from James City, the county where mai:Iing, as a regular business, was commenced earlier than in any other part of Virginia, and in which the improvements there- by made have been among the most extensive and valuable, and notable, for great benefit to public interests, as well as to private and indivi- dual interests. We have several times presented general statements of our own, founded upon our own general and superficial observation, of the valuable and remarkable results of marling in James City county, and the adjoining part of Yoi k, which lies next to Williamsburg ;* and, besides the general invitation — and request, ad- dressed to all, we have made particular and urgent efforts to obtain a full report from this, the most interesting marling region of Virginia. But hav- * See at p. 108, vol. 1, and p. 415, vol. 8, Farmers' Register, the more extended remarks on this subject and locality. — Ed. F. R. ing failed entirely in obtaining any response or aid, except in the single case which will be here presented, we can add nothing more to the general description and statements of our own which were offered on former occasions. The county of Surry stretches along side oj James City, lor soriie 20 miles, separated only by the width of James river. But, considering the close neighborhood of Surry, and its nume- rous and easily accessible marl beds, and the pe- culiar fitness of the lands to derive benefit from tnarling, it was remarkable that the practice was commenced, l^le and carried on slowly, compared to James City, Prince George, and to other coun- ties of Virginia, though the progress has been slow every where. Yet there is no part of the country where the effects of marl have been more bene- ficial, or where they are more wanting, or more cheeply obtained, than in Surry. But lew and slow as have been the operations, compared to the facilities and inducements to marl, there are yet in that county much older and much more extensive labors than those of the farmers to whom we are obliged for the following an- swers. The land of Surry is generally level, very san- dy, and light, and naturally poor. Such, we in- fer, \fasf he character of all the three farms in re- gard to which answers will be given. The same general description would suit for most of the marl lands of James City county, (omitting the river farms,) excepting that they are more un- dulating, and not quite so sandy and light as the Surry lands.— Ed. F. R. Answers of H. B. M. Bichardson, in regard to his farm in James Citrj county, Virginia. 1.2.— From the best information I can obtain, the use of marl was commenced about the year 1776. Quantity then marled about one acre and a half or perhaps two acres. About 1798 another acre or perhaps less was marled. In 1829, I began to marl, since which time (1829) the farm has been under my personal manage- ment and direction. 3. — The quantity of cleared land in 1829, was about 85 acres of arable land. 4. — 15 or 20 acres have been since added by clearings, which, at the time the cultivation ol said land was discontinued, must have been poorer than the adjoining which was reserved for tillage. 5, — The rate of extending the marling, was from 6 acres, to 15 acres per annum. About 100 acres are now marled. 6. — None of the marl has been analyzed, but I think the greater part of what I have used was of the best quality. 7. — Part of the marl used, was what is called sandy marl, and contained a considerable quan- tity of " green-sand," but whether the quantity THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 266 was sufficient to aJJ to the value of the marl I know not. The other marl was clayey, hav- ing very little '• ^leen-sand.'' I presume no gvpsum was in either. 8. The stony hardness of many shells that could not be got rid of in the sandy marl, without much trouble, must have caused the niarl to be of less value, because, lo get the required (juan- tity, the mass of marl used was greater than would otherwise have been necessary. .Not so with the clayey marl ; lor although Uiere were many masses of what we call n\arl-rock, many of them weighing hundreds, perluifis thousands of pounds, yet, because they could be easily separated, ihe marl used was not oi' . less value. 9. The quantiiy of sandy marl applied, was from 150 to 300 bushels per acre. Of clayey marl, from 150 lo 350 or more per acre. 10,11. The above, are the only trials i have made, in varying the atr.ount of marl applied. 1"2. The cro[)ping and ireneral management of ihe land for many years before marling, as well as during 5 or 6 years after I commenced marl- ing, was as bad as couid be. Corn, wheat, and a small quantity of oais, were the crops, graz- ing wherever there was any thing to graze on. 13. About 7 years ago, I eflected a revolution in the management of my farm, and in the man- ner oi' cropping ; -and up to this time have tried more plans and systems of farming, perhaps, than any good larnier would have done. The increase, however, in the amount of crops and in the (ertiliiy of the soil, has been steadily and 1 think rapidly advancing. 1 have now for the second time adopted the three-shift ro- tation as preferable, corn, wheat or oats, and clover — no grazing as usual Ibr the last 7 years. 14. All the newly cleared land added to the farm had been marled invariably before cultivation : consequently no comparison of crops could be had on marled and unmarled new grounds. With one exception, all my old land when marled was in nearly the same condition, that is, nearly bare ol' vegetation from excessive grazing. The increase in the crops on said land next after marling I suppose to be from 50 to 100 per cent. Generally, the annual increase afterwards was not so great. The ex- ception above referred to is a piece of land marl- ed and cultivated in corn last year, (1840,) which had been at rest andungrazed Ibr 3 years, and had a good covering ot broom straw and other grass. Marl used of best quality. Broom straw, &c. all burnt off clean — on this piece of land, I think the increase in the crop must have been 100 per cent. 15. The crops on the marled land continue to in- crease annually. 16. I am decidedly of opinion, from observation and experience, that any course of cultivation or rotation of crops, destructive or injurious to the fertility of marled land, would be much more so to unmarled land. 17. About 4 acres of light sandy land marled in 1830, at about 3U0 bushels of strong yellow marl per acre, was injured, but is now recovering from said injury by the application of manure and no grazing. 28. So durable do I think vegetable and putres- cent manures alter marling, that, under the Vol. 1X.-17-B three-shilt rotation of corn, wheat or oats, clo- ver and no grazing, it is only necessary to give to the land an ordinary quantity of good ma- nure, to make it produce clover, and continue to improve without any additional quantity of manure. Thus experience teaches me. 19. The average quaniity of corn on all my ara- ble land belbre marling coujd not have exceed- ed 10 bushels per acre, perhaps less. 20. Now not less than 25 bushels per acre. * 21. The average quaniity of wheat raised on the larm belbre marling was not -over 60 bushels annually. Now not under 100. 22. In 1827 I began farming operations where I now live. In 1829 1 began to marl. In 1833, 80 bushels of wheat, and 75 or 80 barrels of corn vvere made. In 1834, 94 bushels of wheat and 80 barrels of corn. So is it noted in my journal. Most of the land on which the above crops were raised, had been mailed a short time previous, and contained the best of all the arable land. The crops of corn above re- ferred lo were badly managed, though worked with a hoe three limes. In 1840 one-iliird of the arable land, 30 acres of which is the second best field, with no hoe work, though well managed in other respects, produced 140 barrels of^corn. Anoiher third, and which is the best field, al- though in corn the two preceding years, pro- duced, I suppose, not much less than 400 bush- els oal,^. The other third, and much the poor- est field, produced, as well as my memory serves me, between 110 and 120 bushels of wheat, mnsLof which weighed 60 lbs. to the bushel. 23. Not at all — neither the land marled by my- self, nor that marled by others long anterior, [in 1776 and 1798,] contradicts the statements of ihe " recapitulation-' embraced in pages 53 to 56 of ' Essay on Calcareous Manures,' II, jlnswers of Boiling Jones, in regard to the use of marl on his farm, ( fValnut Valley,') in Surry Co., Virginia. y^nswers to 1st query. — The farm became my property in 1834, and I commenced marling that year; but a part of the fiirm, I do not know how many acres, had been marled by my father, the precedent owner, 2a. — Since 1834 it has been my properly, and ge- nerally under my management, 5lh.—\n the earlier part of my marling operations my progress was very slow, as the work was clone solely with the larm hands, at leisure limes — if there are any such times on a farm. There have been marled, up to this time 241 acres, and this year I have allotted a separate ■force for the especial business; and hope, by this means, to finish marling all of the arable land in 1842, Qih. — The quantity of carbonate of lime in ihe marl used is estimated at 55 and 60 per centum, lih. — There is green-sand in the marl, but in what proportion, I do not know, though I think it is about 12 or 15 per cent. The marl which abounds in it most has ever been pre- (ered, and most sought lor, Sth. — In many of the beds of marl on the farm there are hard masses of cemented shells and rocky matter, but they were invariably avoided and never have been used. 266 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. gth.— 250 and 300 buehele, are the quantiUes usu- ally applied to the acre. lOth.—There never has been less than 200 bush- els put on the acre, and I am satisfied -hat it was not enough, as ihe land marled wiili that quantity vvas^'noi very poor: but 1 have seen land that at even 100 bushels to the acre 1 should con.~ider heavily dressed. llth.—ln 1835 the land marled was dressed at the? rate ot 500 bushels per acre, and the [ire- ceding year culiivtiied in corn, which vviis very fine, yieiduig nearly double as much as it did the previous'year— no kind of either .vegetable or putrescent manure be\ucr used at all. It was put in corn again in 1839, and the crop, was evidently injured by over marlinir, particu- larly in the weaker pans of the field, ihough the grain equalled the crop o! '30, but the lod- der,"however, was very much injured. 12/A,— The general managemeni of the farm, for some years previous to its beini: marled, was not such as could be considered meliorating, or even as preserving its leniliiy. 13/A.— The three-shift rotation has been followed since mailing, with clover on all the hind that would grow it profitably. Nocrazing allowed, save iforu Christmas until IVlarcli — tiuU it^, from the lime the corn crop is gathered until the time to plant again : but even this partial grazing will be abandoned alter this wimer. I4th.—The usual and general results ol' the ap- plications of marl, ha\'e been highly salisficio- ry, the least being 25 per cent., mid on i-ome fields 100, the first year of its application. Since its first application, the progression of improvement has been steady, on some fields more and on others less dependent, it seem?, on the quantity applied. When a very heavy dressing was applied to a field, ihe effect was immediate and very great, and Ihe subsequent less and very gradual, and vice versa. \5ih.—The earliest lenilizing effects of marl have continued to increase Irum the lime of its first application until the [iresent time, and in no instance whatever, have I ever known it to di- minish, that is, I have never known any pre- sent crop to be lep>-, than the preceding one. I6th. — I am decisively of the opinio-i, that the early increased product of the marled land, will'nol be snbsequenily diminished, under any rotation of crops or course of culiivation, that would not have been decidedly exhausting and injurious to the lands if it liad not been marled. \7th. — Inconsiderable portions of the marled lands have suffered from over marling, such lor in- stance, as Ihe galls and the weaker parts of the field, while the field, generally, was greatly im- proved and not at all injured ; but even these places have never bien reduced to steiility. The system of cultivation (as said in the an- swer to (he 13ih query) was the ihree-shil't ro- tation, and the soil a ligli! or\p. 18th. — From my experience, 1 sh.ould say that either vegetable or animal manures are worth double as much applied to marled lands, as to unmarled land.^ ; lor on all trials vviih manures on unmarled lands, they have always pro- ven to be exceedingly evanescent, so much so, indeed, (especially on light soils,) that I have often doubted whether tbey were worth the trou- ble and expense of making, and then the ad- ditional trouble of caning and spreading on the land. 19/^. — This query I can scarcely answer salis- lactorily, to myself, hut I do not think the farm would have exceeded 9 or 10 busliels of corn to the acre — probably a bushel or so under that estimation. 20th. — The crop of corn this year, (and the last also,) on the marled land, averaged between 19 and 20 bushels of sound corn per acre, by ac- tual nieasurement. 23(/. — Neither my experience nor observation contradicts any of the statemenis of actual re- sults in praciice, as presented in the "recapitu- lation" embraced in the ' Essay on Calcai'eous , Manures.' ///. Answers by Peter T. Spratley of the county of Surry. Answer to query \st. — Commenced in August, 1834, when I only marled about one acre, the poorest spot in the field. 2d. — The farm was then, and had been for many years before, and ever since, my own property, and under my direction. 3d. — The quaiuiiy ol cleared land, subjected to cultivation in its turn, was three hundred acres, or ihereaboiitp. ith. — None of consequence added since. Mh. — About 200 acres have been now marled. Qth. — The strength of the marl from Ao to .50 per cent, as a general avera .a a Years. 1791 490 2 22 12 — 46 13(t 190 68 1801 520 48 36 10 — 45 160 160 56 1811 535 80 55 12 85 44 170 146 57 1821 630 180 32 10 6 40 175 135 44 1831 820 385 38 9 18 36 180 115 35 1834 900 460 30 8 2H 34 185 110 35 The Sea Island now forms but a small portion of the cotton production. In 1834 the export of this species of cotton was ^8,085,000, and during the following year it was $7,752,936— the whole of it being produced in South Carolina and Geor- gia. The production will doubtless be somewhat extended hereafter in Florida, but Nature has as- signed very strict limits to the growth of the Sea Island plant. The export of it during a period of twenty years has been on an average about 8,000,000 pounds per annum, the principal part of wh'ch has been carried to England. ANTI-FRICTIOiV, He who makes hard things go easy, deserves praise. ' From the Farmers' Cabinet. If horses could speak, no doubt they would often complain of the excessive friction of cart and wagon wheels. It should be (he duty, as it is unquestionably the interest of every farmer in the country, to see to the state of his wheels at frequent intervals, and lessen the friction of thera to the lowest possi- ble degree. The horse is an interesting and use- ful animal, and has but a dogged life of it under the most favorable circumstances, and iherefbre he ought to have his interest and comfort duly considered and attended to. Those who oppress beasts unnecessarily, always add to their own burdens by increasing their expenses ; for all domestic animals pay well for kindness and care. A horse will be more useful, and last much longer under kind and Christian treatment, than when he is subjected to unnecessary hardship and ex- treme drudgery. A horse always draws with the greatest etiect when the line of draught is inclined upwards, so as to make an angle of about 15 degrees with the horizon ; for at this inclination the line of traction is set at right angles to the shoulder, all parts of which are then equally press- ed. 'When part of the weight presses on the back of the horse, he will draw a load which else he would be incompetent to move ; hence, a horse can accomplish more in a cart properly load- ed, than he could otherwise. The question, in regard to the material most proper to be applied to wheel-carriages to diminish friction, is one of great importance, and every well wisher to the 270 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. interests of farmers ought to lend some aid in solving it. All the varieties of grease, tar, and their combinations have been resorted to; and there are other substances wliich have of iatler years been adopted to lessen the friction ol ma- chinery ; sucli as black-lead and soap-stone pul- verized, and mixed with small quantities of fat of some kind. Yet [ have seen no results of com- paraiive experiments published to instruct and guide th.e public. Should any of the readers of the Cabinet possess practical knowledge on this useful and interesting subject, they would much oblige some of your readers by making it public Ihro'ugh yo'jr columns. We have many anti''s in our vvidely extended country, but we want one more, in the lorm of an anti-friction composition, lijr application to cart and wagon-wheels, lo make them revolve with less labor to our horses ; and he who will discover and make it known through the Cabinet, will deserve weil of the community at large. ^• CAPACITY OF THE CLAYS A^D UOCK-MARL OP VIRGINIA, TO FORM HYDRAULIC CEMENT, AND THE APPLICABILITY-^ OF ROCK-MARL TO BURNING LIME. To the Editor of tlie l'"aimeis' Ilegister. Presuming that a new and usel'ul application of substances so generally and widely diti'used as the clays and marls of Virginia, will be both in- teresting to yourself and acceptable to your read- ers, I send you the results of some experiments made upon them in reference to their capacity lor forming artificial hydraulic cements. Learning through the work of "Vicai* of the successlul appli- cation' by the French engineers of the clays and chalk ol 'France to the manulacture of hydraulic cement, I was induced to ascertain how liir their generalizations were applicable to the clays and rock-marl of Virginia, which I was aware resem- bled in composition the chalk and clay of France. The clay used in these experiments was of the variety liimiliarly known as pipe clay or fuller's earth, which, from its absorbent power, is so fre- quently used in domestic economy for removing grease. The clays best adapted to making hy- draulic cement are free from grit or coarse sand, are fine grained and homogeneous, have an unc- tuous feeling, and are rich in alumina.f The ap- pearance of a clay is a very imperfect criterion of the amount of silica or sand it contains, as clays are frequently rich in silica, whose external ap- pearance would not indicate its presence. The existence of silica, however, in that minutely di- vided state in whichit is perceptible neither to the eight nor touch, is by no means an unfavorable in- gredient, as it is in that condition most favorable to its.combining with the lime, and forming with it a silicate, which is probably essential to the har- dening of tlie cement. Clays possessing the re- * Vicat on Cements, translated by Capt. Smith, London, 1837. t Alumina is mentioned as one of the requisite in- gredients of the clay, more from deference for the opi- nions of others, than from any convictions of my own. I do not regard the presence of alumina necessary, and am inclined to refer the hardening of the cement to the formation of a silicate. quisiie- qualities chiefly abound in the marl region of Virginia, but are by no means rare liirlher west; und, wherever found, will, if mixed in the proper proportion with lime, lorm a hydraulic ce- ment. 'J'he clay of Vaugirard, used in the manu- facture of artificial hydraulic cement, at Meudon, near Paris, consists of Silica 63 Alumina 28 Oxide of iron 7 Loss 2 100 The resemblance in composition of the clays of Virginia to that so successfully used at Meudon, will be seen from the following analyses. (^^.) — Clay from Smithfield. Silica . - . _ 68.4 Alumina tinged with prot-oxide of iron 24.7 Water* and loss - . . 6.9 100.0 (B.) — Clay from ScotVs factory, 4 m,iles from Smithfield. Silica - - . - 74.4 Alumina tinged with prot-oxide of iron 17.8 Water* and loss . . - 7.8 100.0 Clay (i?) was used in the experiments quoted below. This clay was of a dingy drab color, compact, fine-grained, homogeneous and sapona- ceous. The rock-marl was from the estate of Mr. M. T. Dickson, in the vicinity of Smithfield ; it con- sisted of small frajiments of shells, cemented to- gether. This marl was found upon analysis to contain 95.9 per cent, of carbonate of lime, the remainder consisting of ochreous sand. The marl and clay previously pulverized were mixed in the proportions stated below ; iRe mixture waa then heated sufficiently to render the lime caustic, or to convert it into quick-lime. After burning, the mixture was formed into a mortar by adding water and sand, as in the ordinary process. Mor- tars formed in this manner, of different propor- tions of the ingredient, were spread on the bot- toins of China jars to the depth of an inch, and the jars filled with water. The different propor- fions of the ingredients used in the mortars, and their respective behavior when exposed to the ac- tion of water, is stated below. (jf.)'\ — Mar! 9 parts, clay 1, combined with one- fourth its bulk of sand, rapidly hardened under water, forming a compact mass, perfectly re- sisting the action of the water, and may be considered a hydraulic cement of the best quality. * It was considered unnecessary to determine the exact amount of water in the clays analyzed., as it had no connexion with the result. The whole amount quoted as " water and loss" in the analysis consists chiefly of water, as the loss is but the fractional part of a grain. t These experiments were made in the winter of 1839 and '40 ; and henre the results have been fully tested. THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 271 (B.)—Mar\ 9 parts, clay 1, combined with half' its bulk of saiul, rel'used lo liariien under wa- ter, but when exi>osed to ibtt atinospliere be- came compact and hard, but was slightly acted upon by water alter several months' exposure to its action. (C.)— JNlarl 7 parts, clay 1, combined with half its bulk of sand, refused lo harden under water, but alter exposure to the atmosphere became so hard and copipact as to perfectly resist the action of water, though covered by it lor months. Mortars Ji and C would not answer as hy- draulic cements in masonry exposed immediately after iis completion to the action of water, but would form an admirable stucco, and would sub- serve all tlie purposes of a hydraulic cement, where the masonry was permitted to harden in the air belbre beinir exposed to the action of wa- ter, as in dry docks, the locks and viaducts of canals, &c. These experiments satislactorily show the capacity of the clays of Virginia to forn) hy- draulic cement, when mixed with lime in certain proportions. It is by no means intended to con- vey the impression that the relative proportions ot the materials selected in the above experiments are those best calculated to form a good cement. Doubtless liirther examination would have given better proportions, but it was considered unneces- sary to multiply experiments upon the subject; lor however accurately the proportions might have been determined lor the materials used, they would only have been applicable to clays identical in composition with the one used. As the clays are very variable in composition, experiment in each instance can alone determine the proper propor- tions and afford a guide to the mixture of the ma- terials. Experiments similar to those above de- scribed will enable any individual to select the proportions best calculated to -secure success. Vi- cai, whose extensive experience as an engineer entitles his opinion to great credit, recommends the Ibllowing proportions : 20 parts of dry clay, to SO parts of unslaked lime, or 110 parts of slaked lime; if the lime be unburned 140 parts should be used with 20 parts of clay. Messrs. Brian and Saint Leger at their manuliactory at Meudon, pur- sue the following process: the clay and chalk (uncalcined) in the proportion of one measure of the former to four of the latter, are Ibrmed into a pulp with water, to effect their more perfect inter- mixture ; further to promote, which the pulp is thoroughly stirred. The watery portion of the pulp is then separated from the solid, and the lat- ter is moulded into small prisms, which after dry- ing are ready for the -market, the necessary burn- ing being done by the purchaser previous to using the cement. In this manner is formed an artificial cement, possessing all the properties ol the natu- ral hydraulic cement, as has been satislactorily proved in the construction of the masonry of the harbor of Toulon, the canals of St. Martin and St. Maur, and other public works, in which the artificial cement has been exclusively used.* This * The process pursued at Meudon could be applied without alteration to the white chalky marl which oc- curs in the northern part of the state. This marl is perfectly free from shells or fragments of shells, and occurs in a pulverulent powder, or friable nodules. This variety of marl is largely developed in the county process cannot be strictly applied lo I he clay and rock-marl, as the latter cannot be sulliciently pul- verized to form the necessary admixture with the clay, without being first burned. After havinc determined by experiment the relative profiorMoiis of the ingredients, the clay should he thoroughly mixed by any convenient method with the lime, derived from ihe calcination of the rock marl, or other source, and the mixture subjected to a heat as intense as that usually employed in burning lime, when the cement will be ready lor use. The lime of the rock-marl was not used in these expe- riments li"om any supposed superiority over that derived from any other source, but merely to show how successfully it can be substituted lor the lime of commerce. A band of this variety of marl extends-«long the eastern margin of the marl re- gion, fiom the northern to the southern boundary of the state. Several specimens of this marl, se- lected li'om localities widely separated, averaged 81 per cent, of carbonate of lime, while it not un- liequently, as in the vicinity of Smithfield, con- tains over 90 percent, of ihis ingredient. The average richness of the rock-marl in lime is equal to that of the limestone used in this state and Pennsylvania for burning lime; yet to this pur- pose it has rarely been applied, though admirably adapted for it. by its richness, its open porous tex- ture, which causes it to yield more readily to heat than a compact limestone, and its extensive dis- tribution in a manner presenting great facilities for quarrying. In urging this neglected, though use- ful substance, upon the attention of the public, re- gard has only been paid to its applicability to mortars and cements, it is unnecessary to say that it has equally strong claims upon the attention of those agriculturists who acknowledge the benefi- cial efficacy of lime in their prolession. Were it not lor the daily proofs to the contrary, it would be incredible that ^ny should still be skeptical as to the efficacy of a substance whose value as an asricultural agent was admitted in the days of Pliny, whose use has been sanctioned by the en- lightened agriculturists of Europe lor years, and ' to which large portions of our own country are in- debted for their regeneration from a condition of poverty and sterility. Nature adds her confirming testimony to that of man, as the richest soils, ccs- teris paribus, are those derived from the decom- position of calcareous rocks. The superior rich- ness of soils derived from calcareous rocks is strikingly exhibited in the Knobby and other moun- tains of Virginia, the summits of which consist of limestone, but whose sides are flanked with sand- stone. The height to which the sandstone as- cends on the side of the mountain, and the bound- ary between it and the limestone, can be seen at the distance of miles, being strongly marked by the rich luxuriant vegetation of the latter, and the scattering stinted vegetation of the former. Not unfrequently a rivulet rising in the lime-stone con- veys calcareous matter to the soil of the sand- stone, thus forming a fertile belt of land in the midst of sterility, and affbrding a demonstration of the fenilizing power of lime, and a happy illus- tration of the manner in which nature causes the superabundance of one soil to contribute to the poverty of another. Asmodeus informed Don of Middlesex, near Urbanna, where it contains from 69 to 78 per cent, of carbonate of lime. 272 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. Cleofaa, ihat;ihe physicians of Spain had sworn 10 practise medicine upon no other system than the one then in vo<^ae. Mi^ht not one almost fancy that some of the farmers of the present age had taken a similar oath, from the obstinacy with which they adhere to those customs inherited from their Ibrefathers, which they cherish as sacred heir-looms'? Many have no doubt been deterred li-om the use of hme by the unlortunate experi- ments of those who, judijing from their overdoses, seem to have been guided by a philosophy similar to that of the man mentioned by Dr. Combe, who, concluding that the beneficial effect would be in proportion to the number of pills taken, swal- lowed the contents of the box at a dose. Bui thanks to the progressive spirit of the age, and the philanthropic labors of those who have zeal- ously devoted their time and talents to the im- provement of agriculiure,.lhis lamentable neglect ol" this invaluable substance is daily diminishing, and the larmeris nolongerinclined to think, like the lawyer in the -Heart of Mid Lothian,' that larming, like driving a gig, comes by nature, but is con- vinced that it is a refined art, requiring ibr its suc- cessful practice the application of some of the most refined principles of physical science. C. B. Haydek. Smithfield, jlpril 20th, 1841. A LKGACY FOR YOUKG FARIVIEKS. For the Farmers' Register. 3Iy sons .-—This is the first day of January, it is snowing at a rapid rate, and as my infirmi- ties Ibrbid my being out, I take up my pen again. When I was about sixteen years of age 1 thought mysell a wise lellow, liut when 1 arrived at the age of twenty-one, I came to the know- ledge that at sixteen 1 was but a silly boy. At twenty-one, as the law made me a man, 1 thought I was a man indeed, and determined that the world should soon know the I'aci ; but, ah ! how silly the thought ; lor now i know, that at twenty-one I was but as a child. My sons, are you ready to confess yourselves but as children 7 Are you not apprised of the liici, that the looiish are lull ol babbling conceit, without reason ; but that the wise are conscious of their delects 7 Perhaps you have been at the plough these four or five years, yet I wish you to understand that you are not yet graduated, lor as it took you some ten or twelve years to graduate in scholas- tic knowledge, so will it be at least the same length of lime, beiore you graduate as larmers. 1 do not intend to assert, that one cannot be a farmer unless he literally holds on to the plough handles ; but 1 do assert, that ' He who by the plough would thrive, ' Himself must either hold or drive.' Nor would I assert that one cannot learn without a teacher, Ibr of late we read that a blacksmith has, without a teacher, acquired a knowledge of npany languages ; yet can it be doubted that he would have obtained his purpose in much less time had he received lessons from an A.M.? And so of you as farmers. _ Be not ashamed to receive instruction from any source, even from an illiterate menial 5 lor although one may be far jour inferior in a general sense, yet experience may have made him your superior in a few in- stances. My heart's desire is, that you become men of business, ofjudiiment, and worth, as soon as possible. To this end, I admonish you to ever keep discretion and reason belbre your eyes. Travel not in the dark ; but always put your rea- sonincr faculties in front, that your pathway may be comfortably lighted. I have however to tell you that in your atrricullural pi»igrimage you will discover many outlets from the old beaten road ; some of which jou maybe disposed to travel, as indicating shorter routes to the point of desti- nation. Well, I have no objection to your trying a lew of those paths, whilst yet you are in juvenile years ; but I would caution you against running off the track too ofien, unless reason has a strong light ahead ; and again, beware of fox-fire. .My sons, do you remember what a high opi- nion you had of yourselves when saying your les- sons from the New York Reader No. 3 ? but now how grating to your ears, to hear a school-boy, ding-dong, ding-dong, no punctuation, no ca- dence, no emphasis. And so of the clump-headed lirrmer; he can be moved by no other tune than the old lullaby, which his daddy used to sing. N6vv although I revere the ashes of ray deceased father as much as any other man could a parent, yet I know that he, and you, and I, are all fallible beings ; therefore it is our duly to ' grow in wis- dom ;' to 'live to learn,' ihougk it may be a lact (which I very much doubt) that we ' die and for- get all.' It is true that we must plough, and sow, and reap, as did our forefathers ; but cannot those operations be better timed 1 Cannot our imple- ments be improved? Can we not make two blades of grass, or two ears of corn, to grow where heretofore there has been only one ? Can we not, by improving our flocks and herds, double our quantum of meats and wool, without an in- crease of expense? F say it can be done, and let me hear you respond, and say ay, and it shall be done — so mote it be. When ! v/as young, I put my mind particular- ly to two things, viz. : agriculture, and perpetual motion. The last I thought was within the reach of man ; the first, I thought had nearly ar- rived at the summit ol perleciion ; but now how altered are those opinions, ibr I find that agricul- ture is comparatively in a siaie of barbarism, and the idea of perpetual motion is perfect nonsense. My sons, although' your larms may be some- what improved, yet they may be compared to so many blank books. Now each for himself has to fill out his book, according to his industry and abiliiy ; and each Ibr himself has to set the type, and do the printing. And finally, although each book has, or should have, many chapters, yet as they are continually open to the inspection of every passer-by, so will he read and comment thereon. If your work is badly executed, then the intelligent passenger would fain shut his eyes, till out ol sight ; but read he must, though as grating as the school-boys'. ding-dong — and then come comments, as horrible as Milton's Paradise Lost. But if your work is good, the reading will not be grating, but grateful ; and the commenta as cheering as Milton's Paradise Regained. If you are a cobbler at your work, you are not only degraded in the eight of man, but your beasts THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 273 will upbraid you, bylheir noifiluntr?, and lovvintrs, Icholic, though I am not posiiively certain ihatil and biealings, and squeakiiiijs ; until you are, I is. 1 doubt il I did not save two valuable horses wont to stop your ears — yea, even thorns and j of n)y own wiih tar, that were extremely ill with thistles will rise up in your fields and laiiyh yon i the cliolic. ; but am not certain, as other "remediea to scorn ; so that you shall desire not only to liide i were used previous to the tar. your liii'e /'rom man and beast, hut even Irom na- ! Recipe for the cure of sweeny in horses, ivhich ture iierselC. is also excellent for wounds, hrvises and sprains I had intended to slop this dissertation at {W\s in liorses. — 'I'o 1 iiint of unboiled flaxseed od, add period, but considerinir it imprudent to leave you ; hall a pint of spirits turpentine, 12^ cents worth in the briers, I will attempt to show you the way \ ol oil oC auiiier, 12^- cents worth oifoi' spike, 12i clearly out. Il you determine; to l)i'come neat j do. oil of stone, 12| do. camphor — mix them all farmers, and valuat)le memners ol' the linminir ! together — anonit the diseased part ol' your horse fraternity — and why should I doubt it — then s;ive ! wuh the litnment made as above stated, nine the prool'at once, by be^innin>r a ihoion^'h course of business, and perseverin HORSES. From- the American Farmer. Sir — I send you two invaKiable recipes — I sav invaluable, because they have never failed in efJecfing a cure with me, and have saved me coii- Ifeiderable firopcrty. Recipe fir the cure of bloated or sivollen cat- tle, when occasioned by too free w-e of green vege- tation, or too fall use vf water after having eaten grai;i.— Give the animal 'hus affected, from hall a pint to a pint of tar, accordmo: to iis size and manner that you would use other linimenis in like cases. The above mentioned liniment has effec- tually cured every case of' the sweeny in which I have known it applied. T. T. GoRSCCH. Baltimore Co., March2d, 1341. HORSE DISTEMPER. FroHi tlie Kentucky Farmer. Ft is an inflammatory disease,»and shows itself in youniT horses by the want of appetite, the dull Inng-uid look of the animal, his coiifrh. and then a runnins at the nose. This disorder always affects Ihe head more or less ; It ig disiinijuished into the false or genuine, and the malicnant — the first is less a disorder than a purifvino-of the hu- mors, necessary to all young horfes. "When ihe running of the nostrils is not abundant, a tumor is formed under the lower jaw that oneng, sooner or later, and discharnres a great quantity of ma'ter. iThal is the (renulne or beniTn dis- temper—the false or maliirnant is derived from the first, when it hfls no' been well cured, and re-ap- pears, and is a maladv of ihe same kind, with 'he snme eymptnms ; if" it is not cured thoroughly, il turns infillibly into the slanders, very seldom cured, and devnfps the animal to a certain death. The maliirnant distemper is accompanied with a hif?h fever, a swellinorof ihe head, hard breathing, and the runnincr nt the nose is so thick that it comes with difRculty; the animal must imme- consiilution ; and you will soon have the sati faction of seeing the animal entirely relieved. | HiateH^ be bled.'inordeV to abate ili'e inTamma'tion. Ihe most convenient way that Ih.ve Immd 'n The nostrils must be injected with muHen orfl^x- give the tar IS as follows : Elevate the animal's ' pp,, ,ef,. or both combined ; it prevents the ulcer- head, (when lying down i. most convenient,) „pen [,„on of the inside of the nose, and faciHiafee the iismouth, and put the tar as low down in ils runninnrof the matter, particularlv if a fumi'^ation mouth as possible, with a small paddle rounded at the end; then let the animal close its mouth, keeping its head moderately elevated till it swal- lows the far. I believe tar to be excellent for horses with the Vol. IX.-18 isadded'to the above. If is made in the fol'ow-. insr manner; bcil oats in (he mullen tea, or flax- seed, or bran or any other substance which, when thick enough, • retains long a sufficient degree of tieat; put a small quantity of this wash into £74 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. a bag 2^ feet lon^, and large enough to admit part of the horse"s head; a tliong of leatlier or rope fastened to the bag 2oes over the head hke a headstall; the wash must not be too hot as the horse could not hear the sieam, much less too cold, or it would have no etlect. When alter a certain time it is partly cooled, take of! the bag, and begin often the same operation again during the day, observing to take the bag off to let the horse snort out the matter, if he is so inclined, and put it on again if still warm enough. If the tumor under the lower jaw opens of itself, it should be rubbed wiih the lollowing oint- ment ; beat one or two yellows ol eggs with epirits of turpentine, and put some ol it on a bunch of tow, held last by a sort of coveri'ng or bandage to keep the cold from the sore ; it is ne- cessary to observe that any open sore or wound ehould be covered to exclude the external air and all kinds of insects. This dressing must be done every day exactly. When the horse is cured, he must be purged once or twice in order to carry off the remains of any venemous matter. Care must be taken to water the horse out of a bucket, if during his sickness he could not stoop his head to drink as usual ; as he is ftverijh, the want of water would increase his sickness and his sulfier- ings. During the horse's sickness, he must be dieted in the lollowing manner: cut straw and bran; his drink, mullen or flax-seed tea, with a handful of bran, sometimes a little salt given milk-warm; if the weather be cold, a sick horse ought to be covered, if possible, or at least shel- tered from the cold. Grass Ibunder or melted fat is an inflammntion of the inner soft membrane of the bowels, lined with a mucous substance that lubricates them in that disease and looks like melted fat ; it is most common in summer after too much latigue and over feeding, or too strong a physic ; it is the dysentery of horses; the animal dungs with eflJort, and the excretions are mixed or covered with a sort of jelly, and sometimes slightly bloody — the animal is very thirsty, looks towards his sides which beat violently ; loses his appetite, grows poor, and may lose his life if not cured in time. As soon as the disorder is known, the best remedy is injections of mullen, bran or flax- seed ; very little hay, no grain. Bran and wa- ter—injections and drinks of slippery elm, if the first injection could not be procured. Boiled barley mixed with honey in small quantity, makes a cooling diet and is used with success. I am with esteem, yours, M. Mentelle. ON SALT AS A PREVENTIVE OF DISEASE IN HORSES, CATTLE AND SHEEP. From the London Farmers' Magazine. My Stock having escaped the prevailing epide- mic that has been general in this neighborhood for the last six months, not a single case havin" occurred among a considerable quantity of horses, cattle and sheep, although grazing infields adjoin- ing to where diseased stock was depastured, sepa- rated by hedges only, and also adjoining a turn- pike-road where stock affected with the complaint were constantly travelling ; I shall therelbre give lo the public ray impression ol' the reasons I con- ceive that exemption is owing lo, hoping that others may benefit from the same practice, should my opinion jirove correct. The practice alluded to is, to place plenty of salt within reach of every species of stock, so that they may at all times have it in their power to gratify their appetite for this condiment, of which they are very Ibnd, and consume some quantity, par:icularly stock that have been accustomed to It, for on putting them into a fret^h pasture or yard where there is no salt, on returning to the field or place where they had been used lo find it, (even after some time has elapsed) they will im- mediately make for the spot in search of it. I am aware that salt is strongly reconmiended by many writers on agriculture, but is not eo generally used as it deserves; one reason may be, the difficulty of keeping up a supply where it is exposed to the atmosphere, as in damp weather it dissolves quickly, and often requires to be renewed. The best salt for stock (which I make use of) is called at the works, pickings : it is in flat pieces, varying from one inch to two and a half inches in thickness, extremely hard and pure; it is an incrustation from the brine adhering to the bot- tom of the /^fnx or boiler, in which the brine is evaporated, requiring great labor to separate it from the pan with sharp mattocks ; it is usually ground between rollers by steam-power, and is then called agricultural salt, and is used to a con- siderable extent on the light blowing sands for turnips and clover. These cakes or pickings will remain undissolved when exposed to the weather lor a length of time from its hardness and fineness of the grain, which gives it the appearance of marble when licked by the stock. The best way is to place it in small stone-troughs, in conspicuous parts of the fields, also in the yards, stable-mangers and leeding- stalls. The price I give for it at Droitwich, is five-shillings per ton, which quantity will supply a great stock lor many months. I think it right to add, that the situation of my farm is high and exposed to the winds, the pas- tures being large and open ; this may, in some degree, secure the stock from infection ; but, as 1 have stated before, they were contiguous to a public road, and also to inlected stock ; f can, therefore, only account for my perlect exemption from the disease in the liberal use of salt. Richard Smith. Upper Hill Farm, near Droitwich, Worcestershire, COTTON CULTURE IN INDIA. From tlie American Farmer. It is stated, as a statistical fact to be relied on, that in Great Britain there are three millions of people who owe their means of support to labor bestowed in some form, on cotton produced in the United States. Seeing this, it is argued that any great irregularity or failure in the price or supply, could not lail to produce serious agitation if not convulsion in that island : — and hence is inferred the constant anxiety on the part of that govern- ment, to put an end, as far as possible, to all de- pendence for the raw material on the productive capacities of any people not under its own domi- nioD. Natural as may appear such a desire to THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 275 give all possible encouragement, by the govern- cnenl, to every measure caiculateci to insure a sup- ply lor lier manulaclurers at home I'rom her own possessions abroad, ilie conclusion ol' the treaty between Lord Palmerston and Gen. llamilion, recognizing the independence ol Texas, without any reservation against slavery, in a country so extensive, so leriile, and so well adapted to the growth ol' cotton, would SL-em to contradict the idea of any «uch fixed and long-sighted policy ; as it see. us also to be al war witliherown measures lor the exiujciion of slavery in the British West Indies. For ourselves we are nothing loaih tu believe, that the j»oung republic on our borders owes much in that, as in other im|)ortaiu loreign negotiations, lo the superior vigilance and sagaci- ty of her young diplomatist, whose career his been marlied equally by energy and address, in a degree unexam|)led under so many discourag.ng circumstances, and highly auspicious lor the tor- lunes of the couniry he represents, as vvell as, we hope, his own. Be that as it may, it belioves us to look the quesiion lull in the lace. It is not by blinking It that we can understand the real siate of the case, or be the better prepared either to avert or to 6ut)mit to its results. From a source prolessedly hostile to the existence ol slave lat)or, and, doubiless, anxious to see its prophecies real- ized in Its own day, we extract some statements, with the deductions of the writer, which iiiviie the attention as well of the practical planter as ol the polnical inquirer, /as est ab hoste duceri is a sound maxim in politics and in war. "' Well known cotton statistics go to show, that the total amount of ilie cotton-export liuin this country to Britain in 1840, was 1,245,000 bags, ol which 434,042 were from the Ailaiiiic stales. The couon imported into B:i(aiii the same year, I'rom India, amounted to 216, 495— about one-hall the export from the Atlantic states. In 1834, it was only 88,122, so that during the last seven years, it has increased 128,373, or at the rate of 145 per cent. In 1834, the export from the United Slates to England, was 731,335, and its increase during the last seven years has been 513,692, at the rate oj' 70 per cent. So that In- dian cotton in the Bniish market (says the Phi- lanthropist) has gained considerable on that ol f America." The British possessions in the Easi Indies embrace a territory nearly as extensive as Europe, with a population ol' 150,000,000 of in- genious people ; price of labor varying Irom Id. 'to 3d. a day, and the cotton they consume is com- puted to exceed the croj) of the United Slates. In answer to the sujiposition, that the quality oi the cotton ol India Ibrbids the lear that she cm sup- ply tlie wants of the British manulacturer, even if the quantiiy could be [)roduced ; the \vriler belbre us relies on the authority of various travellers, lo whose testimony it would be worse than foolish lor the political economist and ^statesman, not to say the provident planter, to shuThis eyes. Some of these lollow : Major General Briggs, who spent thirty-two years m India, explored almost every part ol it, and administered the afi'rtirs of government, in several jjrovinces, eays— " With respect to the means India possesses for growing cotton, it is necessary to consider the extent ol the country, the nature of the soil, its vast population, the description of iheir clothing, and the purposes lo which cotton is applied, before we can have any conception of the great capabilities it has of sup- plying, not only h^ngland, but the whole world if necessary." And again he says — " We think enough has been said to sltow, that there is neither want of cotton soil lor tlie indigenous northe Ame- rican plant, and we may with confidence assert, as the knowledge of soils and climate becomes moro and more studied and attended to, that India will prove cajiable ol producing cotton of any quality, and to any exieni." Dr. Spray, a botanist, one of the Company's servants in Bengal, recently stated belbre the Royal Asiatic Society — •• It is certainly without a parallel in the annals of the world, that a country possessing such capacities as India, should have been so long her- metically sealed against the enterprise of Britons, in order lo prolong the abuses of patronage. Had the peninsula been open, we should not now be dependent upon America lor raw cotton, nor would '.he country have been brought, as it was lour years ago, lo the very verge of bankruptcy and revolution, when tlie stock of cotton was not adequate to three weeks' consumption. To this astounding blunder the southern division of the United Slates owes lis cotton plantations, and its rice-tields, and also the blighting curse of slavery. Evidence confirms the laci, that cotton can be grown in India, lully equal, or rather superior, to ihe bulk ol' /^imerican. ' Kirkman Fmlay, Esq., in a communication lo the chamber af commerce, Manchester, says — '• India IS a couniry uf such vast resources, with such abundance-ol soils adapted to the cultivation Ol cotton, sucli a variety ol climate, and such an immense laboring population, that it appears of ail others best fitted lo become a cotion-growini'' country, and to send an article of the finest quali- ty, and in the greatest abundance." Mr. John Gladstone, an au'.horiiy in commer- cial matters, says — "For the supply of ihe raw material we are almost wholly dependent on loreign countries, whilst we have and possess in the Biitish domi- nions in India, resources sufficient to supply all we require, and to an increased extent if demanded — resources that are within our intiuence and con- trol, and where the only limit lo the consumption of British manulactures is the ability of the na- tives to pay lor liiem ; whilst we possess at the same time ihe means to sumulate and increase our inicrcuuise vviih salety and udvantage to the empire at large." Mr. George Ashburner, in a paper read belijre the Asiaiic Suciei), remarks — '• Labor in ceiiirai India is cheaper than in al- most any other portion of the world ; the wages ol an able-bodied man being only tliree rupees [six shillings sterling] per month. It has heen estimated, theretore, that Berar cotton may be culuvaled i)iofitably lor 30 rupees per candy, or orraiher less than a penny a pound 1" The next quesiion lor the American investiga- tor of a quesiion of the deepest interest is, what obstacles have prevented the developement of capabilities in India to supply the country, under •whose government she groans, with an article (rom which, were she suddenly cut off, the very existence of that governmeni would be endan- gered. An answer to this inquiry in the view of 276 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. the writer before us will be found in ihe extracts which follow, and if well founded would ai)pear to account fully, as well for deficiency of supply, as Ibr defectiveness of quality. In our next we shall present, the views of this painstakin<>; writer as to the measures and causo- which may be expected to operate in]the removal of '.he (ibstacles here desiirnated, and to insure to Great Britain an ample supply of this great staple of our slave holdinii; states irom a rejrion under her own control, and of a quality to meet all demands. " The chief obstacle however, to cotton-y the abuse of the original and proper discounting system,) had been of such long stand- ing, that the demand lor their payment, or even partial reduction, would be entirely unexpected, and unprepared' for in most cases. All these curtailed debtors, and all those who were thus debarred from becoming debtors lo Ihe banks, would unite in raising a loud clamor that "lite country would be ruined if the banks coniinued to pay specie ;" and so general would be the oui- cry,ihat the banks, claiming (as always in such cases) to be moved, not lor their own interest and profit, but "tor the benefit of the community," and professing to be actuated sotely by beneficent and patriotic motives, would stop paying specie ; and refuse boldly, and in defiance of all leijal and moral obligation, and even of common ho- nesty, to pay any more of their notes, (their thfn lying and cheating " promises to pay,"') with which they had filled the circulation, while the public confidence in the responsibility and good faith of the banks was yet unimpaired. And then will follow the disastrous stale of things which existed during the general bank suspension of 1811 to 1819, and of 1837 to the present time ; ucli coniesis must soon cease. For, as speedily as possible, the government sieps in, and par- dons ihe past fi-aud of the banks, and fegalizes the course lor such time to come (by renewed subsequent extensions of the limit,) as the banks may lequire. This has been the coiirse again and agait) of the legislature of Virgiilro, and of nearly all the other states of the union ; and such is the legal condition ol things at the present lime. XIL The proper course for, and the actual course pursued by, suspended banks. Alter such a fraudulent stoppage of payments has been efiected, and legalized by the govern- ment, the banks may then choose which one of two courses to pursue. If, in truth, designing to come as early as practicable (under cover and by aid of their legal protection) to a condition to comply with iheir engagements to creditors, they will not make any new loans of their then irre- deemable paper, (of which every note issued after sus|)endiiig payments is an additional act of fraud on the public,) and will gradually collect the debts previously due to them. Jiivery debt so paid to a bank in its own notes by a former borrower, would su much lessen its previous paper circulation, and the amount of existing obligations. And when the amount of deb's was reduced to the amount of the actual (and existing) bank capital stock, and the deposites regularly in the bank — and when the notes stili in circulation promised no more than there was specie in the bank, then the bank might safely resume specie payments, because able to redeem every note that could be presented for payment. It is very true (and herein lies the great and only important obstacle to this course,) tliat this reme- dy would cut oir the source of the profits made by the banks upon their excess of circulation ; and so it ought. Their solid and fair business, of dia- 284 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. counting to the amount of their capita! and depo- Bites, would not be impaired— and to that extent is as far as a bank can go, with a depreciated or discredited paper circulation, unless in a state ol eus'pension, authorized and sustained by law. Bu' this, the only proper and honest course, has never been, and never will be resorted to by suspended banks, except to such extent only as is compelled by tear oC the withdrawal of all indulgence of law, and support by public opinion, and ol the re- Bults of the forfeiture of all remains of public con- fidence in the responsibility, honesty and ultimate solvency of the banks. In addition to the profiis of the banks being greatly lessened by their pur- suing this proper and honest course after and un- der protection of suspension, the debtors of the banks, and the merchants and traders who desire to become and to remain debtors, would exclaim as loudly against a suspension of lending, and even the most gradual curtailing of old debts, as they had previously done against the hanks con- tinuing to pay specie. These people, together with the banks, govern and prompt the newspa- pers, which again influence and shnpe the opi- nions of the great body of the deluded and pil- laged community — who have no interest in sus- taining, and every reason for opposing, this fraud- uleni banking system. It (bllovvs, therelbre, lliat the baiit- and even after the termination of the IbrnTer sus"^ pension, there was so much confidence in the ability of the banks to pay, that lisvv individuals cared to draw specie from them on that ground. Now, if they ever again open their vaults, and, in good faith pay all their notes and deposites, they will be soon drained of all their specie, and then remain undeniably bankrupt, because not able to meet numerous other demands. The banks know this, and will not dare to attempt resumption un- less compelled ; and to resume safely they must be able 10 pay in specie "dollar lor dollar," for all iheir notes and debts. Therelore the late recent short-lived procedure was but a pretended resump- tion, in which the banks avoided making the pay- ments they professed to offer, by disingenuous tricks and contemptible evasions, and which re- suinpiion (so-called) they could not maintain even in that discreditable manner. They will probably never resume payments again, in good faith, and cannot possibly continue permanently to pay their notes, if they should so resume. C To be continued.) THE GREAT DEFECTS OF THE AGRICULTURE OF LOWER SOUTH CAROLINA. To the Editor of tlie Fanners' Register. Charleston Dist., S. C, March 7, 1841. I am unwilling to irespass upon your time, which must of necessity be much occupied by a large correspondence, but trust you will appreciate my'motives in asking you to publish in your Re- gister, lor the inlbrmaiion and benefit of your southern friends, a history and description of the corn fields in lower Virginia. You are doubtless aware that the city of Char- leston not only receives no supply ol corn liom her back country, but that frequently she supplies the country li-om her importations liom the states north of this. A country like ours, ilius obliged to obtain its supplies of provisions from a distance, must necessarily remain poor. Our highlands yield liom ten to twenty bOshels per 5cre ; the lat- ter quantity is considered a good yield, I doubt whether the average product of the whole low country below the falls of the rivers will exceed twelve bushels per acre. If you liave access to a copy of Mills' South Carolina, you will perceive that the map of this district (Charleston) indicates a great number of swamps, extensive tracts of low grounds on the margins of the numerous creeks which feed our rivers. With the exception of those swamps which lie accessible to the tide water, and beyond the region of salt water, none of these low lands are cultivated. Occasionally a planter is enter- prising enough ^o subdue a small portion, and if the season prove good he is successful in raising corn ; but unless a general system of draining should be adopted, it is impossible to secure even those few spots. I think that the combined efforts of the planters on those swanips would enable each to secure to himself a permanently valuable field of corn. I have long thought that the drain- ing of those swamps would also contribute ma- terially to the health of the neighborhood. Do the corn fields of lower Virginia lie in such re- claimed swamps, or are they still wildernesses'? And if the swamps have been subjected to culti- vation, has any amelioration of the public health been thought to follow"? The exceedingly fluctuating price of cotton I THE FARMERS' BEGISTER. 287 am iil'raid will keep ua fur ever poor. No one will plant corn when coitun oilers such spleiuliii pros- pects ; and when the price becomes depressed, we lancy ourselves obliifed to plant more cotton in or- der that we may make up lor the loss in price by an increased quantity. Thus cotton is our irrand staple, before which every thing bends. We plant ol' our poorest lands just as much as we think will tiirnisii barely corn enough to supply our wants; if that fails we have recourse to Charlos- lon. Of course we never have a surplus. This, the vice of the larire planters, seems contairious — it is a universal error. A few years since I know that poor men, who should have sold corn, were obliired to buy it at two and two and a half dollars the barrel [bushel 7] Is it wonderful then thai our splendid enterprises so frequently fail? I have made several small experiments with lime, with a favorable result, but have not had the pleasure of seeing any marl in the neighbor- hood. 1 regret this as much op. my own account, as on account of the indication it gives of the low state of agricultural enterprise among us. I have no skill in managing, and the digging of lime is with me a prodigious labor. If anv of my practi- cal neighbors would undertake the work, they would doubtless devise schemes for facilitating the labor. If you will tell us occasionally of increased productiveness of cotton from its use, you might stimulate us into using it. You cannot influence us so long as you speak only of its results on corn, wheat and clover. . In attempting to reply to the inquiries of our correspondeni, we must premise that we know (Irom personal observation) scarcely more of his region of country than he does of ours — to which he is evidently a total stranger. We have seen nothing of the lands of lower South Carolina, ex- cept in the mere glance afforded by the rapid passage upon a railway. But judging from that very insufficient view, and still more from what we have heard of that regfon, we were etrongly impressed with what seemed to be ruin- ous errors in management, and astonishing ne- glebt of means and natural facilities for agricultural improvement, and consequent profit. It would be presumptuous in the extreme for us, with such limited obtervation and means for information, to attempt more particularly to point out errors, or to prescribe suitable remedies. For the former we shall rely for fads entirely on our correspondent and other South Carolinians, who have heretofore published statements and just denunciations of their bread-buying system. The lands of lower Virginia, which furnish a large surplus of the corn which is exported, (after furnishing a plenty for man and beast through this region, where the corn crop supplies the almost universal food,) is generally quite as poor and un- productive as our correspondent describes the lands to be in lower South Carolina. Excepting the marled laads, (which, as yet, form but a small part of the great body,) the average product of all the lands of the tide-water region of Viri^inia can- not exceed 12 bushels of corn to the acre ; and on numerous farms, of which corn is the great and almost only market crop, the pwduct does not ex- ceed 10 bushels. Many persons throughout their lives cultivate considerable proportions of their lands yielding not more than 7 or8 bushels of corn, and making no other field crop for market, who yet have continued to live, and some of them to grow richer, upon such returns, and to furnish something of their surplus corn to supply the planters of South Carolina. Now these, and even the best of them, are miserable products, and indi- cate a wretched and unprofitable condition of agri- culture in lower Virginia. But the useful infer- ence which may be drawn from the fact is, that if our cultivators here live, and thrive, by raising corn for sale on such poor lands, it is certain that the planters of South Carolina could do much better by raising corn for their own consumption, even on lands which are no better. So great is the difference between a planter's being his own provider of what he is obliged to have and to con- sume, and being the purchaser of it from abroad, that he could better afford to raise his own corn, than' to buy it at a regular discount of 10 cents the bushel below the market price. For there ia generally at least that much increase of cost in- curred in the charges of transportation and sale — and which, though paid by the consumer, and earned by the merchant, is entirely lost to the producer. Except in Princess Anne and Norfolk counties, which are the nearest of our mainland to the sea- shore, there is no part of Virginia so low, and sub- ject to water, as our correspondent supposes, and as is the case in the Charleston district. The lands of those counties require draining, and are therein as much neglected as any in South Caro- lina. But it is not because of being swampy, so much as the firm lands being almost uniformly level, and therefore, though dry in summer, they are saturated, and often covered, with rain water, during winter and spring. The higher tide-water counties, though having numerous swamps, are mostly of dry land, and the surface enough undu- lating to prevent too much wetness. Very little has been done to reclaim our swamps ; and there- fore it is not such land, except to a small extent, but the poor high-lands that furnish corn for ex- portation, as well as lor home consumption. And very low prices serve to compensate corn-raising, for this great region, which furnishes but little else for market. At this time ive cannot sell corn for more than $2.25 the barrel (45 cents the bushel) 288 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. in the towns, or on tide-water ; and to get that price, mucli corn is carted from tiie interior 10, 20 or 3 J miles over bad roads. We have known corn on York river offered for sale as low as ^1 the barrel by the large quantity. These low prices, as well as the low general products, show very poor returns, as well as bad management. But, even if we lose sometimes by low prices, and cul- tivators perhaps lose always on the poorest lands, Btill, on a general average of years, products and prices, the cultivators ot' our corn-producing re- gion are as well rewarded, and as thriving, as others; and on as poor lands in South Carolina, the planters could cerlainlydo better, inasmuch as the corn would there be all consumed where pro- duced, instead of part being sent to be sold at a distant market. It would be very far more profita- ble, and more necessary, in South Carolina. No agricultural country can afford to buy its bread — and still less at such heavy cost of transportation, compared to the first price, as of Indian corn. So far our remarks have been made upon the supposition that the corn culture of South Caro- lina would be on land as poor as ihat described by our correspondent, or as are the unimproved or exhausted lands of lower Virginia. But there is no need of such unproductive culture being per- manently continued, either in Virginia or in South Carolina. The Charleston district especially might be greatly and profitably improved in pro- ductiveness, by draining many of the numerous swamps, and higher and firmer lands, which are now greatly injured by excess of wetness. If this were done, even but to a partial extent, (but al- ways properly and judiciously,) the public as well as private benefits would not liiil to be very impor- tant. And if the calcareous manures of South Carolina were brought into use. (the almost uni- versal neglect of which is so far even more re- markable than the neglect of draining,) the two improvements together would add more value to the agricultural products, genera! wealth, and ge- neral welfiire of South Carolma, than millions of dollars could purchase. In short, if we may trust to our very limiied inlbrmaiion of the existing facts, we are confident that no part of the United States is more susceptible of being benefited by these two imodee of improvement than a large portion of •Souih Carolina. Another matter of the highest importance is embraced in the inquiries above— the effect of drainage in improving health. Of such actual re- sults we know nothing from personal experience— and not much from information as to particular facts. But there can be no question as to the ge- neral results. All of the great body of rich low fcut £rm lands in Gloucester county was once a swamp, and the inhabitants were then very sickly. Now, nearly all of that extensive and fertile body of land has been brought under good and careful cultivation, and the low-ground estates of Glou- cester are among the most healthy on the tide- waters of lower Virginia. Still, even there, the drainage is far from being the most judicious or effectual — and there yet remain many obvious and fruitful sources of malaria and disease. On the borders of the alluvial flats of James river, above the fialls, though a high and hilly country, the in- habitants were formerly very subject to autumnal levers. The wide low-grounds of the river were then very insufficiently drained and guarded from the effects of inundation. Now, all these lands are well drained, well cultivated, and form one of (he most fertile and admirably managed agricultural districts in Virginia ; and the river farms are gene- rally quite healthy, and at no time suffer from dis- ease in any degree to be compared with what were formerly the annual and regular visitations. When we saw the extent and magnificence of the city of Charleston, and saw and heard the evidences of the wealth of its inhabitants, we were the more astonished — nay, we could not have believed the fact, if on less sure testimony — that the whole surrounding country (saving parts of tlie sea-islands,) was almost an agricultural desert, in which tillage and husbandry were in the lowest staie,and where malaria and disease held undisputed sway through nearly all the season best suited for agricultural labors and enjoyments. When it was stated that it was at great hazard of his life for a proprietor to spend even one night on his estate, from June to October, we did not know whether most to wonder that such a pesti- lential region had not been altogether abandoned —or, not being abandoned, that it had not been more improved, by proprietors who are noted for their general intelligence, wealth, and liberal expenditure. Even if we allow hajf that we have heard of the disastrous effects of malaria in the Charleston district to be abated for exaggera- tion, the remainder would make an amount of pe- cuniary loss, and of physical and mental suffering, which it is astonishing that any people can be content to bear, and that they shotald not exert every hopeful means for even partial relief. We are aware that both these great modes of improvement above referred to are not fully available on every plantation, nor even in every considerable district of country. But the advan- tages of either one would be very great, in re-r gard to the increase of products, and improvement to health. For, in the latter respect, genera THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 289 marlinix, as a safetruard, is next in value lo proper and liioroiJgh draining. In answer to the last remark of our correspond- ent, we have to say thai marl is fully as bene- ficial to cotton as to corn, and most other uselul crops. It is more beneficial lo clover only be- cause lime is a specific manure for this crop, or an injiredieni absolutely necessary (o iis life and vi- gor. But it is an unnecessary refinenieni to weigh nicely the comparative benefits of calca- reous manure to diHierenl vegetables. Its main and great operaiion is to. make bad soils good, and enable poor land lo become fertile. And there is no vahable crop whatever on which this great operation will not be abundantly effective and beneficial. — Ed. F. R. ON THE PROPER NOMENCI> ATURE OF GRASSES. For the Farmers' Register. Dearsir: — By yesterday's mail, I had the ho- nor ol receivinir a parcel from you, consistiriiJ ol the Farmers' Register, vol. 9, No. 2, and seve- ral oiher of your publicaiions, lor all ot v/hich 1 beg you to accept my grateful acknowledg- ments. 1 perceive that you have transferred lo ih*? Register a histy communication which I sent to Mr. Skitmer, respecting the nomenclu- lure of the ^crosses most liimiliarly known lo the agnculiurisis of this region, and have also accom|)anied that article wiih some interesting suggestions, relative to a plan (or obtaining a more accurate knowledge of the objects which are daily treated of in our agricultural jour- nals. It is highly gratifying to see that you have taken up the subject in that point of view, as one of the first steps towards a useful discus- sion is, imdoubiedly, lo ascertain precisely what we are talking about. Ii is worse thriu labor lost to argue the merits, or demerits, of plants, under their local popular names, without a relereiice, at the same lime, to the established scientific names, by which ihey may be csriainly recoix- nized in all parts of itie civilized world ; for those popular names are so various, and so olien mis- applied, that ihey inevitably lead to error and cjnfusion. Your projet, or something similar, is the only mode by which the nomenclature ol plants can be extricated from the chaos in which it has been thrown by popular synonymy. My letter to Mr, Skinner was hasiily written, on the spur of ihe*ccasion, and is of course exceedingly imperfect ; its main purpose being to determine the identity of the so-called '• Kentucky blue- grass.'''' The other grasses, therein meniiuned, were merely enumerated as occurring to .ne at the moment. 1 am much pleaded to find that you have enlisted my friend, the Rev. Mr. Curiis, in this matter. You could not have found a betiei hand for the business ; and I have no doubt, if your joint suggestions are carried out in the proper spirit, that our agricultural writers may all foe speedily enabled to treat uaderstandingly of Vol. IX.-20 the plants, in which the farmers have an interest. By ascertaining their scientific names and giving them always in conjunction with the popular names, every intelligent reader will be ;il>le to know exactly what is meant, when plants are in- troduced lo notice ; and thus a world of conjec- ture, of error, and confusion, maybe obviated. We cannot converse on objects, without some name bv which to designate them, and distinguish them one from anoiher; and it seems to me, that when names are to be learned, by any one, it is just as easy to acquire one neiv name as anoiher, that aright name may be learned just as readily as a wrong one. There is even an economy of the powers of memory, in having on« definite, universally understood name, for an ob- ject, in the pi ice oi half a dozen vague, qnd un- certain ones, althoush that one may be latin, and the others all vernacular. It is certainly, I think, as easy, lor a mere English scholar, to become acfjuainted with a particular species of grass, under the name of poa pratensis, na to ascertain what is meant by the various epithets o( ^^ Ken- tucJiy blue-grass,-'' ^' green- sward'' ^' spear- grass," ^^meadow-grass," &c. Ani when once acijuired, the learner has the salislaction to know, that he can designate the plant by a name which is intel- ligible, precise, and disTincily comprehended throughout the'civilize.d world. Al ail evems, I should say, the editors of agricultT.mil journals, and their correspondents, would find It greatly to (•heir convenience and ad- vantage, to adopt the universal nomenclature of natural science, when treating of plants. They would then always be accurately understood, and not be |)laying at cross purposes, in their discus- sions, by relerring to different objects, or bewil- dering their readers in conjectures, as to what may he the precise things alluded to. As soon as the scientific names are acquired, and rendered fami- liar, the various local popular 7iames, could be gradually collected, and annexed to the standard names ; and thus a key would tie furnished to the Babel-like sj/nonj/mi/, pievailing in the difierent districts of our widely extended republic. This laudable purpose, your proposition, as I- have said, is well calculated to accomplish ; and I hear- iily wish you every success. With the aid of ! such a botanist as my e?ieemed friend, Mr. Cur- Mis, you will find no difficulty in efi'ecting it. If each agricultural editor in our co^Bfy would provide himsell' wiih what might ^b called a •' Farmers' Herbarium," containing a good speci- I men of each plant that was immediately interest- ing to the larmer (whether valuabe, or perni- j cious,) and each species authentically labelled with the •established scientific name, together wiih all the known j)opular synonymes, he would find himself in possession of one of the most useful dictionaries, or expositors, lo which he could resort in Ihe prosecution ol his instrudive labors. An herbarium, such as I have alluded '0, being strictly confined to plants in which he larmer is interested, would neither lie bnlkv, nor difficult to obtain. A lair specimen of eacA species, and variety, aaihered when in its most (lerlect state of developement, and carefully pre- pared for preservation, by pressure and drying between sheets of paper, might be procured with but little trouble, I should think, in a single sea- son. If you will undertake the work, or gel some 290 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. active friend to make the collection for you — in the spirit which you have manilested, I will en- eure your success. It is only io begin and the thing is accomplished. Mr. Curiis v?ill, as he has prontiised, give any informaion, as to the mode of proceeding, which may be desired ; and when the specimens are ready, send the pack- age to him, and he wid affix the scientific name to each species, so as to render it uuiheniic. They will ihen serve as standards, lor comparison, whenever unknown or doubtlul plants may be ex- hibited ; or ih case the character of any specimen may be disputed. I fear you will think I have taken a strange unwurrantabie liberty, in thus addressing you: But I beg you to understand, thai I iiave done 60 because I (elt a conviction I v/as communing wiih a kindred spirit, on a favorite topic ; and on this ground I hope my apology will be accepted. I am very respectfully, dear sir, your obedient eervani, Wm. Daklikgtox. P. S. My Flora of Chester county, contains descriptions of all our cultivated useful plants, with brief notices of ifte properties and uses of the others, aa Ihr as known, and their popular najnes &c. The work may possih!y interest you some- what, though mainly iecAmcaZ in character. I will have a ropy left for you at mv bookseller's, Kimber and Sharpless, No. 50 North 4th street^ hiladcl- phia. Will you do me ihe (iivor to ac^pt it, and get some friend lo call (or it, who may be coming to Philadelphia 1 It will be there, awaiting your order; and 1 hope you will send lor ii the first opportunity. W. D. [So far from deeming the addressing to us the foregoing letter "a strange and unwarrantable liberty," we were much gratified at receiving it, both in regard to its particular object, and also as placing its writer among the direct contributors to the Farmers' Register. We had in the ear- liest number of the work, as several times since, selected his valuable agricultural articles from other publications ; and we trust this commence- ment of direct contribution from his pen will be followed jmas many others aa his inclination may sugg^, and his leisure permit. The offered present of the ' Flora Cestrica' will be thank- fully accepted, and its use and lights permitted to aid some friend and correspondent, who pos- sesses something of the knowledge of botany, of which it is our misfortune (and great defect as an agricultural editor) to be altogether desti- tute.—Ed. F. K. CRtrSHEO CORN MEAL— FEEDING HORSES — PRESERVING BACON. For the Farmers' Royister. Since my former article, in relation to crushed rorn meal, was communicated to the Retjift'ter I have been iiillKmed, by the highly intellicrent iron- master, therein alluded to, that he kept'^hie mule teams, of six each, fat last summer, though hard at work evtry day, on a daily allowance ol' one bushel of crushed corn meal, and the same quantiiy of bran, mixed thoroughly together and led wiih cut straw — with a moderate quantity of clover hay in the rack. With corn at 37^ cenis, and t>ran at 10 cents a bushel, this mode of leed- in« would reduce tlie cost of a six-mule team to less than thirty cents a day, or five cents a mule, exclusive of hay and the straw mixed with the meal. A single calculation will show every faim- er how much he could gain every year, by adopting this economical mode of leeding hia workhorses; doubiless enough in a hie-time to buy a respectable farn) ibr his sons. J was also informed by this gentleman, who is one of the best larmers and manageis I ever knew, that he laitened twenty bullocks last fall en crushed corn meal, at much less cost than he could have (atiened them in any other way. He is decidedly ol' opinion that he saves more money by crushing and grinding his corn, than by any oiher economical process practised on his extensive estates ; and I know no one in whose sound practical judgment 1 have' greater con- fidence. As my sheet is not full, I would add a word on another subject. A respectable neighbor inliirms me that he has preserved his bacon lor twenty years, without the loss of a single piece, by white-washing each joint, on the fleshy side and at the end of the hock early in the spring, before the fly deposites its eggs. He gives ihe pieces a thick coal of ordinary white-wash, with the com- mon brush, then hangs them up in his smoke- house, where they remain until taken down for use. The white-wash does not impair the flavor of the meat, or injure it in any way, in the slightest degree. Ploughboy.- Rockbridge, Va., March 17, 1841. WEEDS OF AGRICULTURE. From Ln\v's Elements of Practical Agriculture. The weeds of agriculture are those which grow amongst the cultivated plants, and which it is the province of the farmer to destro}'. The prevail- ing plants of ihis class vary in every countrj', and in different parts of the same country. Weeds may be divided into two genera! class- es ; those which propagate themselves solely by their seeds, and which, having once flowered, perish ; and those which have perennial roots, and flower and bear seeds for successive years. The first are annual or biennial plants, accord- ing as they require one or two years |^ complete the period of their vegetation. The second are perennial plants, and grow again from the roots as well as propagate themselves from their seeds. In thecaise of annual or biennial weeds, if the stem is destroyed at the time of flowering, or just before it, the individual is destroyed, and its further means to propagate, the species are taken away ; but in the case of perennial weeds, the destruction of the stem doe* not infer the destruc- tion of the plant, because the plant has the power of propagation from the roots. From this distinc- tion, it would seem more easy to destroy annual THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 291 tlian perennial weeds, yet ihis conclusion does not always hold ; for some of ihe annual ppecies have such numerous minute seeds, ihat it is ul'ien very (titlicult to extirpate them, and when they liave j^ot into ground, keep jiost-etision even more iii- veterately than ihose which have the power 0/ springing again Irom their roots. Of the perennial weeds greatly the most trou- blesome are I hose which have creeping roots ; lor these extend themselves below ground, and il any ol the parts of ilie roots remain, these may give birth to new planis. Either chiss ol' weeds may be frequently de- stroyed by the same means, namely, by assidu- ous tillage of the ground ; but yet a natural divi- sion of ihem is into such as have annual and biennial roots, and such as have perennial roots. I. /lanual andjjiennial weeds. or weeds which have annua! or biennial rooie, the (bllowing are tlie most prevalent in ihi^ country. 1. Sinapis arveneis— wild mustrird. 2. Raphanus raphanistruni — wild radish. 3. Pa|)aver rhoeas— corn poppy. 4. Ceniaurea cyanus — corn blue-botile. 5. Chrysanthemum segeium — corn marigold. 6. Pyrethrum inodorum — corn leverfew. 7. Sonchus oleraceus — sow-thistle, 8. Cnicus lanceolatus — spear piume-thisilc. 9. Arctium lapjia — burdock. 10. Agrostemma gilhago — corn cockle. 11. Stellaria media — common chickweed. 12. Spergula arvensis — corn spurrey. 13. Galium aparine — goose-grass. 14. Urtica urens — small nettle. 15. Lamium purpureum — red dead-nettle. 16. Galeopsis tetrahit — common liemp-neiile. 17. Euphorbia helioscopia — sun-spurge. 18. Polygonum convolvulus — climbing buck- wheat. 19. Polygonum avicuiare — knot-gra.ss. 20. Ervum hirsulum — hairy tare. 21. Lolium temulenium — bearded darnel. 22. Avena fatua — bearded wild oal. 23. Bromus mollis — soft broom-grass. 1. The wild nmstard, the charlock of farm- ers, frtquemly springs up'in vast abundance in fields of growing corn. It (lowers in May or June, and as it ripens and sheds iis seeds before harvest, it is difficult 10 extirpate it. Sometimes its flowers are cut off by a scythe or hook as they rise above the com in spring; and sometimes they are pulled up from amongst the corn by the hand, which is an unsaiisfaciory and operose method. The row culiure is, in an especial de- gree, beneficini in the case of this and similar planis, lor the first crops of them can be cut down by the hoe in spring. But the period most suita- ble lor desiroying the wild mustard is during the summer-fallow and lallow-crops. Yet under any circumstances it is difficult to subdue it, its seeds lying for an indefinite period in the soil until brought by the plough within the influence of the air. Often it springs up without any known cause and covers entire fields. It abounds in fields of turnips, contending tor mastery with the young plants. Oiher species ofsinapie also spring I up in cullivaled ground, but this is the meet pre- j valeni and hurtful. I 2. The wild radish, or jointed charlock, lik« I the wild mustard, has yellow flowers, and grows land sheds ils seeds amongst corn. The two j plants, Jroin their similarity, are frequently con- 1 Ibunded together, and piiss under the common I name of charlock. ! 3. The corn poppy is disiinguished in summer j by its gay red flowers. Ii sohieiimes rises in large quantilits in corn fields, especially in toils I thai are dry, sandy or gie less prevalent and hurtful will be this class of jjlants. * This is the " spelt" of lower Virginia, which has not been very long introduced, and which yet is be- lieved by most persons to be degenerated wheat, as 4h»y also believe of "^beat.'* — Ed. F. R. II. Perennial Weeds. 1. Uanunculus acris — upright meadow crow- fbo!, and other ranuiiculi. 2. Senecio Jacobea — common ragwort. 3. Tussilago Farlara— coltsloot. 4. Bellis perennis — daisy. 5. Chrysanthemum Ijfeucanthemum— great wtiite ox-eye. 6. Cnicus arvensis — corn or way-thistle. 7. Centaurea niiira — black napweed. 8. Sonchus arvensis — corn sow-thistle. 9. Lamium album — white dead-nettle. 10. Kumex obiusili-ilius— broad-leaved dock. 11. Polygonum amphibium— amphibious per- eicaria. 12. Uriica dioica — great nettle. 13. Airrostis alba — marsh bent-grass. 14. Arthenatherum avenaceum — common oat- like tirass. 15. Holciis mollis— creeping soft grass. 16. 'IViiicnin repens — common wheat grass. 17. Jiincus ettiisus — soft rush and oiherjunci. IB. Hrn pse— heaths and other shrubby plants. 19. Filices — lerns 20. Musci— mosses. 1. The uprishi meadow crowfoot grows in a great variety ul soils and situations. Like most of the danirerous family to which it belongs, it inflames and bli-ters the skin. It is too acrid to be eaten by calile, unless largely mixed with other plants; but so mixed, it is consumed in small quantity, and from iis abounding in our meadows, is perhaps designed to serve as a condiment. In common with some others of the genus, it is termed biiUer-cup or butier-flower, from a [lopular notion thai it gives the yellow color to holier. It however injures the butter, whose yellow color is due to the richn<;s3 of the pastures and not 10 these acrimonious plants. The cieeping crowfoot, Ranunculus repens, anil bulbous crowfoot, Ranunculus bulbosus, resemble the last in their properties. They adorn our meadows with their bright yellow flowers, and are cotiiprehended under the common name of butter-flower, butter cup, and sometimes of" king'p-cup, golden-flowers, &c. The bieakingup of grass land lor a course of tillage is the only means of eradicating this class of weeds. 2. Common ragwort is a large, well known weed in pasture fields. It receives many names, as ragwort, ragweed, canker weed, &c. It has a perennial root, and grows to the height of two or three leet. It is best kept down by pasturing with sheep, which eat it in its early stages. By being pulled up by the hand, which can be easily done when the ground is soil from rain, it can be extirpated in grass fields without taking up the land for a course of tillage. THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 293 3. Coltsfoot grows chiefly in moist clays, and especially in marly soils, lis broad leaves over- epreadiiij^ tlie surlace, it is very liurtlui uiu;ru ii prevails. Tillage i\nd draining, and improving the lexmre and leriiliiy ol' the soil, are ihe'means to be adopted lor rooliiig it ou!. 4. The daisy, though every where loved and admired as the harbinger ol summer, and the ornament ol" our helds, is, in the judgment of the larmer, a weed. Where it prevails too greatly, the land requires to be renovated by a course ol' good tillage, and by lime. 5. The great white ox-eyes, sometimes also called the great white daisy or moon-flower, olien abounds in pastures, and is only lo be extirpated by lillaire. C. Tiiistles form a class of weeds very ibrmida- bleio the agriculturist, from the ease wiih which liiey are disseminated by means ol their downy seeds, and the ditHculty of eradicating them. Some of them have dee|) vivacious roots, and all of them, on account of their vigorous growth and then- strong spreading leaves, are injurious amongst the cultivated plants. The must common of the thistle kind is the corn or way-thistle. This plant has strong, cieep- ing, and vivacious roots, ihe habit ol which is lo strike down to a great depih in the ground, ll any pans of these roots are left in the soil, they will again give birth to numerous jilants. Tlie means of extirpating the way-thistle from land IS by a continued tillage and deep ploughing. Even an efficient year's summer lallow will nui always ert'ect this ; when land has been thoroughly overrun by the plants, they will spring up in future years, and require successive years' tillage tho roughly to exterminate them. The lands of va- rious parts ol this country used to be greatly more covered with thistles ihan they now are. In some parts of Scotland they were once so abun- dant that they used to be cut regularly lor five or six weeks in summer to supply food lor the wretch- ed cattle of the day. In well cultivated districts they have been got under, though, so great is their tenacity of lile and power of propagating, that they demand constant attention on the best cultivated liirms, and under negligent manage- ment never fail to take possession of the soil. New lands brought into culiivalion are olien entirely covered wnh this species, and a course of iillac,'e is necessary belbre it can be subdued. In the. ordinary management of a farm, thisiles will some- times spring up in great abundance with the first crop of oats after grass. In this case, they musi be weeded early in summer, by being cut over near the surliice, which is conveniently done by the weed- hook. The sole effect of this, however, is to retard the growth of the plant and prevent it from running to seed, or contending lor mastery with the growing corn. Thisiles sometimes spring up in great plenty in old pasture fields. In this case, ihey should be cut close to the ground at least once a year, so as to prevent their smoihering the pasture plants and rurioing to seed. But it is only when the land is broken up lor tillage that effectual means can be used lor destroying them. Instruments, indeed, have been devised for pulling up thistles from the ground, but the roots of the plant are too easily broken, and the smallest portion left in the soil will spring again. The thistle not only grows from its creeping, vivacious roots, but is widely dissennnaied by iis light downy seeds. Thisiles ihereluie uuglii to be cut down belore being permuted to jjeriect their seeds ; and they should never be sullered to grow m waste places and hedges, whence their light seeds may be carried to poison the ne'gh- boimg fields. Further, when they liave been cut down at an advanced stage, they should not be left on the ground, for like many coin- posiUB they will mature their seeds though sepa- raied Irom the ground. 7. Black knappweed is one of a class of this- tle-like plants. It IS termed horse-knot, and re- ceives many other local names. It is a hurtful weed in pastures where it prevails, increasing much by the roots, and being extirpated witti difficulty. 8. The corn sow-thistle is a frequent plant in corn-fields, distinguished by iis tail ttems and firge yellow flowers ; but it is not usually a very hurtful weed. 9. The white dead-netile is occasionally com- mon in corn-fields. Having a strong, creeping perennial root, it should be carelully extirpated. This is one of the mint tribe of plants belore relerred to. 10. The dock genus comprehends a variety of species known lo the fiirmer as weeds. These plants produce a large quaniiiy of seeds, which they readily mature. The seeds are heavy, and though diflused by the smaller birds, to which lliey serve as lood, they are not so readily dis- seminated by the winds as those of the thisile kind. They, however, vegetate freely whea they fall on the ground, and produce plania which, when once allowed lo extend their roots in ihe soil, it becomes difficult to exiern>inate. The roots are vivacious, and if cut into pieces the separate pans will send forth shoots. It is more easy however to raise up the roots of docks than of thistles by means of instruments, which receive the lower part of the stem in a cleft, and being used as a lever, wrench the plant from the ground. But the only effectual meihod of extirpating docks, as of most other weeds, ia by summer lallow or cleaning crops. The seeds of docks are olien conveyed lo the farm mixed with grass seeds. When this lakes place, the docks , will frequently establish themselves with the grasses and grow vigorously the second year. They should be ihen pulled up by the hand, so as to prevent their running lo seed and further overspreading the ground. The species of docks are very numerous. The most comtnon is the broad-leaved dock, which is lound in every couniry of Europe. In this country it generally indicates a good soil. 11. Amphibious persicaria is of the same natu- ral li^imily as the clocks. On damp deep soil it ia sometimes very abundant, overspreading the sur- face when the land has been lelt in grass. The prevalence of ihis plant generally indicates the need of draining. 12. The great nettle is frequent in waste place?, under walls and in hedge banks. This species grows over all Europe, and is found from Barbary to Siberia and Japan. In this couniry it gene- rally indicates a good soil. When it lakes root in pastures, it is very difficult to extirpate it. It tbrms patches on which other, plants will not 294 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. grow. It may eometimes be destroyed by cuttin": the plant so as to enfeeble ii, and soaieiimes it is duji; up by the roots. Eiit when it prevails in pasture grounds lo any extent, the proper reniedy is a course of tdlage. Several of the grasses are known as weeds, which, froni their creeping or vivacious roots, it is difficult to extirpate. 13. The marsh bent-graps extends itself not only by its creeping roois below the surface, but by its stolons or suckers above ground. Others of the genus extend themselves in the same man- ner in wet situations. They receive the names of black couch, black twiicli, or black wrack. 14. The common^ oat-like grass has bulbous roots, whence it is called by larmers knot-grass. It ie a very troublesome weed in many soils. The little bulbs when detached from the root, grow again, so that very careful tillage is required ioexlirpf4te the plant when it takes possession of a piece of ground. 1-5. Creeping soft-grass is another plant which when it takes possession of ground is not easily ■rooted out. It has a strong creeping root ; but the species is comparatively rare.* 16. Common wheal grass or couch-grass, is railed likewise quick or wrack, and receives many other names. It is the tnoel abundant of the perennial weeds of corn lands. It-: roots are creeping, and every part cf them left in the ground will grow ; and hence the dilTiculty of extirpating the plant. The most effectual means •of doing so, is by frequent ploughing and har- rowinof, and collecting the roots by the hand. This constitutes, as was formerly seen, an im- portant part of the process ol" the summer falloiv ;ind preparatory cleaning crops. There is no weed which requires so constant a vigilance on the part of the husbandman as the creeping wheat-grass ; but it is well that in contending with this perpetual enemy he is compelled to give a more assiduous tillage to his land than he inislit otherwise be induced to do. These different grasses are frequently all con- iiaunded under the name of couch, quick, and wrack, — names sufficiently indicating their cha- racters. 17. The soft rush, with other junci, are all to be regarded as weeds when they prevail amongst the better plants. They indicate wetness, and are only to be effectually removed by draming. 18. The heaths are a widely extended family, covering a large part of the north of Europe. Wfiere they intrude amongst the cultivated plants they are to be regarded as weeds. Many other shrubby plants are found in unim- proved land, and one of the first objects of cultiva- tion is to extirpate them. Fallowing and liming are the usual means by which this class of plants is destroyed. The whin is one of the class of shrubby weeds. It requires continued culture thoroughly to extir- pate it ; for, after being apparently subdued, it will spring up again in irreat numbers, and for succes- sive years. When the land is in irrass, the young shoots may be sometimes pulled up by the hand, after the land has been saturated by rain. But when whins have thoroughly established them- selves in the soil, and extended their roots, they • Called wire-grass in lowfir Virginia.— Ed. F. R. must frequently be hoed up before the plough can act. The land being then ploughed with a good fijrrow, the remaining roots are torn up, and the plants at length destroyed. On elevated sheep farms, whins should be encouraged rather than destroyed, lor in such situations they afford shelter and food. Broom is a shrubby plant, for the most part niore easily extirpated than the wliin, though in certain situations it grows with great pertinacity. It afl'ects the lighter soils. Brambles and other shrubs of the ros3 family are often the possessors of unimproved soils. Certain species of the bramble are very tenacious of their situation. These plants are destroyed by the same means as the whin; and the like remark applies to all the large shrubs. 19. Another class of weeds is the acolyledo- nous, or flowerless plants, at the head of which stands the fern. Of" the ftirn or fern-like plants, there are many species m this country. They grow chieffy in mountainous tracts of natural pasture. 20. The last in order of llic weeds are the mosses. These plants are altogether innutn- tious. They often intrude extensively on pasture ground, and su|)f)lant the herbage plants. The best remedy in all cases is a course of tillage, and the application of lime. The list of perennial weeds might be greatly extended. They differ in their characters and habits of growth, but they are all of them eradi- cated by carefiil tillage, chiefly during the period of the summer fallow and cleaning crops. ON BURNING COTTON STALKS, TO DESTKOY INSECTS. From tlie Farmers' Gazette. A neighbor of mine was induced by an article headed " Bu^n your cotton stalks," which has been published in several papers, to make an examination of his cotton stalks, which has re- sulted in his conviction that the suggestion of'"' A young Planter," is worthy the consideration of his brethren ol the plough. This gentleman states to me that a number of his cotton stalks perished last summer, in different stages of their progress to maturity — some of ihem with a partial crop of bowls upon them. In making the inspection al- luded to, he discovered that some of the limbs were perforated underneath, near their junction with the main stem. In some of these cavities, he found a small straw colored bug of an oblong form, between the size of a grain of wheat and a small pea, while from others the little intruder had disappeared. I here inquired of him if it was not probable that these intruders had commenced their exploring expeditions after the stalks were killed by frost, to which he replied, that he noticed several apertures which were partially closed by the after growth of the plants. From tliese facts, he is persuaded that much evil for the preserjt season mijiht have been averted by a timely de- struction of his cotton stalks. If any light can lie shed upon this subject it is desirable that it be reflected through your columns. The subjects of rot and rust, after all the specula- tions that have appeared in reference to their origin, still remain among the " terra incognita" THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 295 ol" ajiricullural ken. The best method of avrriinjr tlirni, il' possible, is a eubject. ol' jrieat intciesi tu the |)iuiiter. Cokm Stalks. The National Inieliitrencer, ol" a recent date, puhiishesj a corret^pondence bi-tween Judjre Brack- enridire, of the laie House of Representaiiveia, and Col. Wyatt, of Florida, in which the latter, in answer to various inquiries, gives some inte- restiiif:f particulars relative to tlie natural advan- lajres of the Florida countrj'. That portion of the territory known as the Everglades extends from the head of St. John's river to within ten or fifteen miles ofCape Florida, thus running almost the whole length ol the terri- tory from north to south. This extensive tract is believed to be twenty or thirty leet above the level of tide-water, and is susceptible of being rendered perfectly dry by means of dcepeninir and widen- ing the various outlets or rivers that flow through it from the lakes to the sea. The lakes near the centre of ihe Everglades are deep and navigable, and connect with one another thrnuirhoyl the whole distance. Col. Wyatt slates that he ascend- ed two of them and Ibund them about the same in point of elevation. The current on approaching the lakes was very rapid ; this was at a dry time when the glades were not overflowed by waters from the lakes. "These lacts," says he, "con- vinced me that if the heads of these outlets or rivers were opened, by deepening and widening them, which could be done at comparatively small expense, these Kdvhich would render the glades perfectly dry, opening to cultivation an extensive plain of table lands of about e'azhi thou- sand square miles,. (after dednding a fbur;h lor the lakes) sufficiently elevated above both lakes and tides to be certainly free I'rom inundations, and as healthty as the Keys." The tropical region of the peninsula reaches from Cape Florida about 200 miles north ; the soil of the Everglades is said to he very ricli, with a deep black, alluvial formation ; it is covered with water only it? the wet season. Concerning the productions of this territory, in addition to the ordinary tropical fruits which may be cultivated in abundance. Col. Wyatt says : — The nopal, or prickly pear, on v/hich the co- chineal insect is found, is a native ofCape Florida, eo IS the cotton plant or tree ; both grow wild in the forest, and the cotton tree is the same as cul- tivated on our plantations, diflfering only in liie emallness of the leaf and pod, and the length and fineness of the fibres. The seeds are turled, like our upland cotton, and need not be planted more than once in some three or four years. The Manilla hemp is also a native growth of this region. In fact, it is to be Ibund in all parts of the territory, and can, no doubt, be cuhivaied with great advantage as far north as the 31st de- gree of north latitude on the poorest sandy land. The Indians have ropes, mats, &e. and, before the war, supplied the first settlers with a variety of articles formed out of it, such as halters, lines, bedcordg, &c. at a very cheap rate. It was com- monly known as the grass-rope. Sugar, of course, can be cnliivated wilJi the same success as in the Island of Cuba. I doubt whether collee can be cultivated with advaiiiage here, as it will not thrive well on soil based upon rock a[)proachifig near the surlace, as is the case in this reirion. Tlie coHee iree has a long tap rout, which penetrates the earth to a considerable depth, and cannot be sustained, as almost all other trees and [ilants are, by laieral roois. The vanilla plant, which is used to a very Lrreat exient in imparling Ihe fine flavor vvhicli iliey have to Spanish cigars, snulf, &c. is found in a wild slate in all parts of Souiii 'Florida, in great abundance. The arrow, or coonti root, also abounds on Cape Florida ; on which the Indians, and even the white settlers in that region, prior lo the war, subsisted almost exclusively. It is an excellent substitute lor bread, and the process of converting it into the most beautiful and snow-white flour is very simple, requiring nothing more than a common im grater, and a bucket or tub to wash it in, lor ihe' [)urpose ol separating ihe flour. As for the production of tobacco of a superior quality in this region of Florida, as well as ia portions further north, ihere can be no question. Indeed, the experiment has been already fully made, and has resulted in the raising of an article not inferior to that in the West Indies. Its flavor IS thought by many to be superior lo that of the Cuba, The lacililies for internal communication in Florida are very great, and it is believed that at small expense an inland steam navigation can be opened directly through the centre of the Penin- sula. If the capabilities of this tropical region, which are described as so great, can be brought into use, the importance of the Florida country lo the union can hardly be appreciated tuo highly. We shall stand, as a nation, still more firmly on ilie independent basis ol domestic resources when it is Ibund that the |)roductioiis of the tropics, now brought to us from abroad, may be adiled to the list of native commodiiies in quaniilies sufScient to supply our wants. — jlmerican. WIRE-GRASS DESTROYED BY HOGS. We have many native perennial grasses amongst us which I am convinced are worthy of cultivation, and shall experiment upon some of ihem this year ; and should like to hear of many oihers entering upon the research. And now, be- Ibre I fill up my sheet, let me give some facta wiih observations upon the despised Wire or Joint Grass, (so called in my section.) Thai ihe prejudices of the reader may not cause him lo reject the merits of this grass, I will assure him how it can be destroyed where not wanted to grow, without any loss of labor. Like many other grasses, it is so multinanted, it is not easily known by name. lis botanical n'ame even seems doubiful. While a celebrated botanist, Dr. Darlington of Pennsylvania, calls it poa compressa, the Editor of the Farmers' Register contends that its true name is triticum repens. It is known in England by the name of the cmich-grass, in Pennsylvania blue-grass, \'irginia loire-grass, and some parts of South 296 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. Carolina, wire-grass, and others joint-grass. It is however easily known by de.scripiion. It is a perennial, growini; from the root or jonii as well as seed, the siem or vine however, ahove ground, is killed by the freezes every winter. Ii branches out Irom the central root two or three-leet in the summer, and hugs the earth with roois I'rom every joint, which are not over 2 or 3 inches apart. And now I'or the facts, as relates to iis value and plan of desiruciion. It had so taken possession o( some bottom land which I cultivated, that I concluded it was vain to attempt to make cotton longer upon it. ' Knowing that hogs were Ibnd of It, I concluded to fasten the hogs up in the field without any other food, to see if they could live upon It, and in some degree destroy it, or at least thin it, so as to render the land fit lor cultiva- tion. The hogs v/ere put in, in Feb. 1S40, when very pour. Result, in 4 weeks : they were in order, fit for pork, and had rooted the field where the grass grew, like a potato patch where hogs had run. In 1839, part, of this field was planted in corn and the other part in cotton. Thai which was in corn I manured in the hill, planted early, and planted thick with peas the first ploughing. The corn was rank and the peas nearly covered the ground, so as. with the corn, to exclude the sun pretiy well from the grass. I observed where the grass was shaded, that its vines, instead of hugging the earth, run up perpendicularly, and most of it so perished, that il either died or brought no seed. Since ihen, I have noticed where corn, peas and pumpkins have been planted three years in succession, where this grass grew, il is preity well extirpated. I have ILirlher observed that it perishes wherever the ground is completely shaded by trees or weeds. This year I have 50 or 60 hogs liislened up in the same field, since (ny peas were eaten oH. They have not been fed with one bushel of grain, or other lood but what they gather in the field, now about eight weeks. Although the grass was much thinned out last year, so as not to injure the corn or cotion crop upon it, my hogs look as fat as I ever saw hogs upon peas or potatoes. If any doubt it, come and see. Be it remembered that it is the stalk or vine which is covered by the plough, and not the top or fibrous roots, thai is eaten by hogs! the stalk being covered, it becomes pulpy and t-accha- rine ; if exposed to Irosis, ii dies. J. D. AN ACT TO PROMOTE AGRICULTURE IN NEW YORK. From tlie Journal of Commprce. This act became a law on the 5ih inst. It Rppropriates ^8000 per annum, for the term of five years, for the promotion of agriculture and house- hold manufactures in this state. The sum of ^650, for New York county, is given to the American Institute. When the New York State Agricultural Socie- ty, or any county agricultural society which i§ now, or may hereafter be formed, or the American Institute, shall by voluntary subscription raise any sum of money, then the comptroller, on an Hffidavit of the facts, shall draw his warrant on the treasurer for an equal sum, which is not, how- ever, to exceed the amount apportioned to the county. it is the duty of the officers of the slate and county societies to reirulate and award premiums on such articles as are best calculated to promote the agricultural and household manufacturing in- terests of itie slate, giving the reward for the most economical or profitable mode of competi- tion. An accurate wriiten description of the wtiole process in raising the crop, or feeding the animal, as may be, is to be given by the person claiminij (he reward. EXPERIMENT ON THE PROPER DISTANCES FOR COTTON. From tlie Soutliern Agriculturist. Mr. Editor : — When I had the pleasure of seeing you at my hout^e last spring, you requested me to make an experiment on ihinnins cotton to difilerent distances, with the view of ascertaining, if possible, what is the best distance to give be- tween the iiiils. I made the experiment accord- ingly, and fiand you an account of it. The rows were three feet apart, and five hun- dred and eighty-five yards long. IncliPS Produced 1st row thinned to 6 100 lbs. seed cotion. 2d " " to 8 90 " " " 3d " " to 10 106 " " " 4ih " " to 12 82 " " " 5lh " " to 14 92 " " " 6ih " " to 16 100 " " " 7ih " " to 18 107 " " 8th " " 10 20 105 " " " 9th " '> to 22 118 " " " lOih " " to 24 91 " " " 11th " " to 7 122 " " " The difference in the product of the different rows, I suspect, is owing to' the manure not hav- ing been equally distributed, for it is .lifficuU to get precisely the same quantity put under each bed. If any thing is proven by ihis experiment, it is, that between six inches and twenty-four, there is but little difference in the product ; but the same experiment must be repeated lor several years be- fore the question, whether one distance is better than another, can be settled. Last year was very wet, and the weeds grew unusually large ; this may acc;Dunt for the rows having the greatest distance producing as much as the others ; but in a dry year the result might be very different. To make a sati.-^liactorv experiment, I would suggest that it be made ujion cotion to which no manure is applied, on account of the difficulty of spread- ing the manure equally on the different rows. J. A. Gillespie. Marlboro', So. Ca. P. S. — The land on which tliis experiment waa made is upland, sometimes called oak and hicko- ry land. ROHAN POTATOES. To the Editor of the Farmers' Renister. As my experience in cultivating the Rohan potato does not agree exactly with that of your correspondent, as stated in the last number of the THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 297 Kegislor, p. 262, 1 have concluded to (urriish you a lew remarks reialinii; lo my experience, hopiiii; ihat inanv others, who have cultivated the same potato, will Ibllow the example. Such seems to me the only mode by which we can in any short period ascertain the real value of this species of potato lor the table. If 1 remember correcily, the accounts heretofore published represent the Rohan ae an inlerior potato lor the table, and less larina- ceous than some other kinds. Such has been my experience in a trial of them lor three years. Lei it not be understood that I have used them three years lor the table. Three successive years I have cultivated them, and have each year tried them, by roasting and boiling. I have never found them mealy, to use a common phrase, but more like the common yellow potato, so gene- rally brouglit here li-om the north in the spring, and, strange to say, generally planted. This spe- cies, the yellow, is barely edible when young, but when ripe is only fit lor stock. The flavor of the Rohan is certainly superior to the yeilow potato ; but the real Mercer, the Forty-lold, the while kind from Easiport, Maine, and the potatoes procured yearly by Mr. N. of our town Irom the Quakers on North River, are, to my taste, far prelerable to the Rohan lor the table. They are much more farinaceous than the Rohans raised on my farm, on a soil tolerably stiff', and called commonly *' mulatto soil." But it would seem, Irom ihe de- scription given in your last number, by the corre- spondent referred to, thai his soil is peculiarly adapted lo the cultivation of the Rohans. Per- haps the experience of many others may agree vviih his, and, if so, it will doubtless be of great importance to llie state. The most of liie pota- toes brought here from the north, for a year or two past, if not longer, except those specially ordered, have been of miserable kinds, fit only for stock. Those who have relied on the miscellaneous im- portations here from the north, to supply their ta- bles the last winter, have fared badly indeed. It is a matter about which I presume there can be no doubt, that some species of potatoes are much belter for the table during some reasons of the year than at other seasons. I have found the Forty-fold potatoes earlier and superior to all otlier kinds for summer use. They are very white, and are farinaceous, even when quite small. They are not so good in winter. The real Mercer pota- to is excellent in fall and winter. I speak from n)y own experience, and fiotri observations made vvithin thirty miles of town, in saying that the Mercer potato can be raised here in perfection. I mean by this term, as good as we ever get from any part of the country. There are two or three varieties of what ave called Mercer potatoes. The kind perfectly while is, 1 think, the prelerable kind. They are raised in great perfection on the Eppingion plantation in Chesterfield, and the seed potatoes have not been changed, as the owner says, lor ten years. In September last, the Mercer potatoes raised on that plantation were equa) to any potatoes of American or European growth, thiti I have seen lor ten years. Ttie above circumstances are mentioned to show what can be done here in relation to this important crop, and lo stimulate, if possible, our farmers near town to do, what can easily be done, and what it would seem their interest lo do— lo raise potatoes Vol. IX.— 21 of a superior quality, sufficient to supply the towns in the elate, as well as their own liimiliee. The Rohan is certainly a very productive pota- to, and is equalled by none other known lo us, un- less it be ihe Forty-fold. Judging from appear- ances while digging, without weighing or mea- suring, I have thought the Forty-lbld equally pro- ductive with the Rohan. But it is probable ap- pearances deceived me. I rejoice that your corre- spondent has called the attention of the farming interest to ihc importance of the potato crop. Surely the buyers will encourage the home pro- ducers, when ihey know, as they must know, ihat Ihe importations here from the north are generally of the very worst kinds; and when those who liave had experience know that the potatoes im- ported here from Europe, the present and a lew winters past, have not been superior, if equal to, the Mercers raised in the neighborhood. S. Petersburg; May 10, 1841. " THIS BARREN SANDS OF JERSKY. From the Farmers' Cabinet. .Sir,— I have been much interested with Mr. Gowen's communication relative to the culture of his farm of 40 acres, and its products; such an instance of devoted and untiring industry is de- serving the higiiest commendations. To those who are acqu^'iinted with the nature of the soil which he culiivates, his success must be surpris- ing ; for vviio could contemplate ihe possibility of raising puch magnificent crops of roots — beets, carrots and parsnips — on a soil which, only five years ago, was impenetrable to an iron bar, at a dep'ih of three or iour inches from the Furf;ice 1 But so it is ; and truly has it been said, " To do much, we must have much to do" — witness also the agriculture of the eastern states, where the most perlect systems have been adopted, amidst the greatest disadvantages of soil and climate, and the triumph of mind over matter has received a most decided illustration. I say, I have beeri hiizhly interested with Mr. Gowen's statements, and rejoice in the instance which it furnishes of the iruth of your motto — " The produciions of the earth will always be in proportion to the cul- ture bestowed upon it." But there is a poriion of our country, lying at present under the ban of sterility, which would not, in such hands, be Ibund a whit behind the most favored in point of productiveness ; at ihe same time, it enjoys a lacility lijr improvements which no other country, perhaps, possesses — I mean New Jersey, that country which is every where spoken against, and whose barren sands have passed into a proverb and a bv-word. Dur- ing a day which 1 lately spent (here, in company with the Cooper family, I had come to the convic- tion, that there is no part of the United States which offers a fHirer field lo the view of the agri- culturist ihan New Jersey ; its perfectly inex- haustible beds of marl, crossini/, as they do, so great a poriion of ihe slate, offering such facilities lor improvement as are (juite incalculable, and its mild and dry climate *id proximity to the best markets, rendering it the most desirable of all situations lor the agriculturist and horticulturist, particularly (or tiie cultivation of flowers, thesoij 298 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. having been ascertained to be peculiarly adapted for their perfect blooming— the dahlias especially. Various have been the estimates of the impor- tance of marl in the improvement ol' the Jersey soil, biit they have all fallen far below the actual results. In my late visit I became acquainted with some instances, showing the most asionieh- ing products that have been reaped Irom the use of it and improved tillage, and, with your permis- sion, I will mention one or two, which are, how- ever, by no means solitary cases. JMr. John Gill cultivates a farm of 30 acres in Haddonfield : a portion of the land issiiuated on a hdl-side, and is, therefore, not so highly im- proved, but upon these 30 acres he kept the last year such a number of cattle, and jirew such quantities of produce, as were quite astonishins to every one. Would he give a statement lor the pages of the Cabinet 1 Capt. James Cooper said, " In the year 1793 I travelled eight miles before I could find a farmer who had it in his power to supply me with a single ton of hay ; on going over the same road at this time, 1 could purchase more than two thousand tons; many of the fatniers cuttinir upwards of a hundred loads yearly. My Iriend, S. R., whose farm, a kw years ago, yitlded nothing but black- berries, and was one uncultvated waste, produces the finest crops of wheat, br\(\ other grain and corn, and yielded more than Iw) loads ot hay the last year, at a cut of two tons am. a half per acre, and all this is owing to the marl !" We visited Todd's pit, which is U; many sup- posed to contain ihe finest marl in Nt,v Jersey; the supply appears almost inexhaustibr,^ occur- ring in an unbroken bed of the purest lualiiy, from 8 to 10 leei thick. The owner, Mr. Alex- ander Cooper, disposes of it by the rod squa^ ,o persons who dig it themselves ; and at this prug he is realizing about 1500 dollars per acre for tht, marl, the land afterwards being more valuable than before. This gentleman feeds his stock with corn and cob-meal, and no where have I seen finer animals, or in better condition. Your Subscriber. REEt.ING SILK IN TENNESSEE. From itie Sill? Journal. [If the folio winir letters, Irom the Rev. Mr. Ros?, do not convince every reader of the prac- ticability of the silk rulture in this country, we know not what will. Those who doubt as to the reeling process may find a good lesson here. — Ed. S. J.] K'lngspnrt. {East Ten.') Feb. 22, 1841. Gideon B. Smith, esq. .-—Dear sir,— I never felt 80 sanguine of the silk culture as at this moment. There is nothing now in the way of its immediate advancement in East Tennessee, unless it may be that slowness which seems in- herent in the motion of a farming jieople to change their habits. I say there is nothing now in the way — because, since I recommenced reeling on the first day of this month, my success is such, that 1 intend to advertise to buy from 1 to 2,000 bushels of cocoons. The great bugbear has been Ihe reeling. That question, as to quality, I considered settled by my experiments last summer, although at a costly trial. Since I have recommenced reeling, I deem the question of qitantittj disposed of for ever. Pre- suming I should not be able to obtain cocoons for more than two reels, until the summer. 1 began wiih that number on the first day of February. My cocoons were very indifl'erent, with few ex- ceptions, poine not yielding more than 8 oz. to the bushel — nom; exceeding 14 oz. Part of the time the weather has been very severe, filling my room with ■ condensed .steam; nevertheless, 1 reeled, and two hours after dark. Thus showing, what was not believed, that reeling can be done after night. Under these circumstances my ave- rage has been between & and 10 oz. (or each reel per day. This reeling is better than the best average I saw on the books of the Model Filature in Philadelphia last summer. The best average I saw there, in three weeks' work, was 10| oz., in long summer days too, and having some, if not many, first rate cocoons — none of which I have. And I saw no cocoons there so bad as many of mine. I think I will show 1 lb. per day to each reel, even with such cocoons as I have, before the 1st of March. I have reached 14^ oz. 'Now. ray dear sir, do you not say I have some reason to be pleased. Many thanks to you for your en- couragement to periieverance. The cost of ray reeling is 2 shillings per day to each spinner, who finds herself. The flossing and turning the reel may be, together, 1 shilling more, if.hired, or nothing, if litile servants are employed. Before the Isl of March, I will show, that without count- ing interest on fixtures, &c., which will be a thing of nothing, I can exhibit beautifully reeled silk, which cost me 2 shillings per pound lor reeling. In a short time I think I shall have a very con- venient filature, and silk reels enough, if I am sure of cocoons, to turn off sufficient silk to redeem the- bold promise I made you last spring. I am making improvements in the saving of time, &c. ^very day. The double strainer to each pan 1 fi'd works well. Frederick A. Ross. [ Ve must apologize to our friend, Mr. Ross, for tht publication of both the preceding and fol- lowing ^tter. They were not intended for publi- cation, bvf iiiey ;vjii (jo more pubhc good than private har^T Rotherwood, jfpril 6, 1841. Gideon B. Smith, esq. .-—Dear sir, — Your esteemed favor, ,(•,[,£ 21st March, is to hand. Mr. Lynn, I prefe,fj^p^ called on you, returning from Philadelphia. \Ye think exactly alike on the Euhjeci of our na-^^nai independence. And I have always, before ,^^^6 ^vas any personal interest, been a tarifi ma, . ^^y gjik enthusiasm has hardly abated at any tii.<^ j„ gj^ years. It is now higher than ever. I de.^ered a lecture the other (fay twenty miles from ^gj^g i,-, a court- house, and exhibited the model c- ^ feeding and spinning frame, which I carried bags. I enclose you an advertisemj^t/^yhici-^ j n my saddle- am spreading through this county, am you will see from it that the business is no child's Hgy y^^j^h me. It is no longer experiment. I want ^^j^jpc^ but the certainty of sufficient cocoons to Sv-ure the fact of immediately converting multicaviig leaves into gold. The victory is won. Ti..^ people have nothing to do but to secure it. Co- coons can be made in this country lor ^1,25, and, when labor is not hired, thousands will say, as a man said to my inquiry, ' what it cost to make THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 299 Ihe five busliels he. sold mc' ' Cost V said he. ' Yes,' said I, ' wtiat did (lie produclion ol'ilieso cocoons cost yonV 'O'.'said lie, wiih surprise ai my question, ' ihey cost notking, sir, my li'ile brothers and eisiers made them, and their labor would have been nothing otherwise.' If ^20 had I'allen liom the clouds into that man's hand, he would not have had. a clearer gain lo his in- come without ailditioiial expense. Thousands will answer in ihis spirii, ere long, I believe. J\ly two reels are steadily at woilc. The silk reeled since 1st February amounts lo about 70 lbs. Some ol' it is as good as they can reel in Piedmont, to save their lives, (as the boys say,) and the worst, many limes better ihan any 1 have seen from Smyrna, or Bombay. Up to last Saturday, two girls in 52 days, all sons ol weather and cocoons, had reeled 62 lbs. of silk, without their being pushed at all, and idling some of course. They are singing half their time — I hear liiem now — and are delighted with their work. The profit I am making at present, is greater than I expected it to be. I could make more money at reeling silk, than any coiton plan- tation, or sugar, or gold mine in the United Slates. The girls in 52 days have reeled 62 lbs. of silk. The cocoons cost me S 186 00 The 2 girls wages, at 2 shillings each per day, ----- 36 33| I'wo reelers, at 1 shilling for the two per day, (two children who turn the aspel,) - ... - 8 66| Flossing cocoons, at 12.| cts. to the 1 lb. of silk, - - - . 'j' 75 I have scribbled this in a great hurry. But be- ing on my bobby, I have kept him going. O! ilie best reeler in Philade'phia, wrote (o me last mail !-lie would come to Tennessee, if I said so. I will say nay, 1 will not insult my IJawkiria couniy irirle by an instructress, who knows no more than they do, after they have learned them- selves, with my instruction, second-hand li-oni you. Mr. M. of' B. says he stopfied (or the cold weather, I reeled when the thermometer was nearly at zero; and two hours after night besides, i every night until lit March. But I must dis- j niount. Frederick A. Ross. ! P. S. I forgot to say, I reeled my pound to the, I reel in the day as I promisei] you, and I wish I 'could send you one of the hanks. The cocoons I were line, and the silk is beautiful, like threads of s-ilver, and as even and smooth as glass. That I best day's work as to quantity, is not surpassed j by any other in quality. And that day's work can be done any time with such cocoons, and more ! than that, althoush the average is nothing like ! it in Quantity. The cocoons are indiiferent. ! ^ F. A. R. I [We must remind the reader that the girls who 'reeled the silk for Mr. Ross, had never seen a cocoon or a reel, till last (all; that they learned I to reel under Mr. Ross' direction, from instruc- I tions given in the Silk Journal ; and to this day I have never seen a foreign reeler or a thread of breigti reeled silk. — En. S. J.] Price of 62 lbs. of silk, at $5,50, Profit, 238 75 341 00 102 25 From which must be deducted interest on fixtures, expense of coal, water, &c. Alter all ot' which is taken off, some of which would be only nominal, there is left a greater profit than I could ex|-ect or desire on a large business. In my advertisement, you perceive I offer, condi- tionally, 20 per cent, more than the price now given, which, with the deduction on the cotton yarn (to the farmers as money) from the retail price, will overgo $4, on a bushel, making a pound o( silk. It may be less on the inlerior cocoons per ounce. I shall probably pay the equivalent to S4, per 16 oz., without regard to my condition, smce 1 have read your letter. I am fitting up my cocoonery to teed with the branches, on the principle of Mr. Morris, of Bur- lington, modified. I dispense with his spinning frame as he has it horizontal above each leeding (rame, and have it perpendicular between the two shelves, which (brni one row. I have no apron or shelf to catch the litter, that may riddle through lo the ground. We talked about this, and you thouaht there was no need of any thing to catch ilie liner. The whole affair ia very cheap, and I inttMid to give it a (iiir trial ; my first crop will be 500.000. I kill the chrysalis (which [ forgot to lell you) in a house, such as is used for drying fruit. It costs but a trifle, and in one night the work is done, and well done. I want nothing else, neither lor speed, cheapness, or perlect work. ADMISSIONS IN FAVOR OP THE NEW FOUR- FIET.D SYSTEM. TEMPORARY WINTER FARM-PENS. RYE A SUBSTITUTE FOR CLOVER IN OHIO. For tlie Farmers' Register, It is much to be regretted that the desire lo appear consistent so olten prevents even ingenu- ous persons from retracting wrong opinions. In making ihe (bllowing adraissioijs in favor of the new four-field system, which trives ihree grain crops in four years, I shall endeavor, as far as I can, to divest myself of all such leeling ; having been, as you know, a warm opposer of this sys- tem, in tome of the early numbers of the Farm- ers' Register, and having (bund on trial that ma- ny of the objections these urged against it, by myself and others, are entitled to much less weight than 1 then supposed. At that time it did. appear to me that the draught on the land, in producing three successive grain crops in four years, was much too heavy to admit of much im- provement, unless on land of uncommon fertility ; though 1 was much staggered in this opinion by I he great success of several of the most skilful cultivators of the soil on .Tames River, who high- ly recommended this sysicm after a trial of some years, and after having greatly increased their crops, and evidently haviuix effected a great de- gree of improvement on their fine estates, though practising this system all the lime. You will un- derstand me as reli^rring particularly to my wor- thy friends of Sliirley and Westover, whose va- luable communications lo your paper have been so inslruclive and interesting to many of your readers, myself among the number. After a full and fair trial of tl!is system, but on 300 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. my best land, 1 am now prepared to admit that a very considerable degree oi' improvenien! may be attamed under it on ali lands that can be re- lied on wiih certainty to brinpj clover, unless light soils should prove an exception ; and I ra- ther incline to think that land of that des^cripiion will not bear as hard fillanre. ft must, however, in candor, be stated that 1 have made a very free use of lime on the (arm on which this system lias been in operation (or some years past ; and by ensuring the clover, and otherwise improving the land, it has undoubtedly been a great aid to me. It must be recollected, loo, that this system has been so lar modified in this instance as to give very lull crops of corn, there being a light field attached to the tarm, which has been exclusive- ly devoted to corn ever since this system was first adopted. The crops of wheat and corn have both increased very considerably on this larm, and one year, a very remarkable one with us, 1 harvest- ed nearly or quite 24 bushels of wheat through- out the crop per acre. The part, however, after a previous crop of wheat and corn, amounting to about 105 acres, had failed completely as a fal- low ; which no doubt made the 3d crop much better than it would otherwise have been. On an adjoining farm, which has been sutijected to the three-field system, and has had the benefit of lime and a standing pasture, clover and plaster, and the fields been never grazed till the fall, and then very lightly, the degree of improvement 1 consider to have been far greater than on the farm in four fields, which is of rather better quali- ty naturally; and ought therefore to have im- proved faster, if the system pursued had been equally ameliorating. Of course great care is taken in collecting and applying putrescent ma- nures, but the one farm has no manner of advan- tage over the other in this respect. 'I'he crop of corn of last year on this farm will, I believe, make fully 8 barrels per acre, which is the larcjest yield from a field of the same extent that I have ever known to be obtained in this neighborhood. This crop of corn was laid off in checks, 2 stalks left in a station ; and cultivated after the first ploughing with the double shovel plough, except Uie wetter portions of the field, comprising not more than a fourth of the crop, which we were compelled to have in beds that the water might run off readily. On the whole I am convinced that land of original fertility, with the aid of a standing pasture, lime, clover and plaster, and with proper attention in collecting and applying other manures, may he improved as rapidly as necessary in three fields, and that it is an excel- lent system with these aids, in comparing the two systems, I should say that the amount of sales would be considerably greater under the four-field system, but that the expenses would also be greater, and that the improvement would be steadily progressive, though less rapid than under the three-field system. On a fine wheat estate, where the teams and labors are equal to it, I should uiu]uestionably prefer the four-field system, as combining a great deal of profit with sufficient improvement. Many of your readers may consider this subject to have been long ago exhausted ; but as fiar back as in 3d vol. of the Far- mers' Register, I engaged at some future time to give the results of yiy experience in regard to this system, when 1 fhouU! liave tested it lairiv ; and I trust that I shall be excused for having redeem- ed that promise on the present occasion, and that I will not be found to have shown too strong a leaning to my former opinions. The practice of having winter farm-pens con- tiguous to the land to be improved, is, I b»^lieve, very general on the lower James river, and can- not be too highly recommended. In driving the cattle to and from water, 1 have observed, both here and elsewhere, that the land is some- limes very much and very extensively poached, and that the servants, whose business it is to drive them to water, are very much exposed in bad weather. It occurred to me several j'cars ago that a well in our flat country, for the use of the cattle during winter, would be a great com- fort both to them and to the servants, and that the expense of digging would be very inconsi- derable. 1 accordingly adopted the plan, and can confidently recommend it to others, situated as we are, where water may be obtained by goincr down about 20 feet. Some of these wells are kept open to be used on future occasions! lor t'lie same purpose, and others are filled up as soon as the cattle are removed. In the tobacco country, where, however, my observation has not extended very far, I do not recollect ever to have observed their temporary farm-pens in use, and i cannot but believe that the general use of them in that region would be attended with great be- nefit, in this vvay, remote parts of a plantation may be improved, which would never receive the njanure if made at some central point, be- cause the labor necessary to get it in place in the spring can never be spared at that busy season, if the manure has to be hauled any great distance. Where this plan is pursued, (he rouject to your control, and direction, so liir as to obtain for them such a lull and lair trial at the next harvest in grain of every description and under all circunistanres as shall be liilly satisfac- tory to yourself and your agricultural liiends. I will hold myself in readiness to attend upon them at any time and place which you may fix upon. As you will not probably interest your- self in this matter unless ii should promise some useful result, 1 have procured lor the considera- tion of yourself, and your readers, the annexed certificates, which reler to machines ol the new plan only; the irdeficiencies were however; reme- died before they left my manufactory. Certifi- cates eqijally full can be procured lor machines on the old plan.* Obed Hussey. Mr. Hussey 's proposal and plan of trial of his machines are fair and liberal, and we trust will serve to settle the question as to the degree of their value. As we were desirous of obtaining the best means and subjects for a fLill and accurate trial, and not being so situated as to be able to perform directly the services required of us for this end, some lime has been necessarily lost in mak- ing the satisfactory arrangemenis, which we arc now authorized to announce. Wm. B. Harrison, esq., at our request, has consented to take charge of the trial of the machines, and have it properly made during his harvest, on his estate, Upper Brandon, on James River, Prince George county. There could be no better field selected for a lull and complete trial, than this estate offers, nor one better qualified than its proprietor to observe ac- curately and report correctly the results — which will be done through the Farmers' Register. — Ed. F. R. CAUTION TO SILK CULTCRISTS. To the Editor of ttie Farmerg' Register. Stafford, Va., May 15, 1841. As the season for beginning tlie rearing of silk- worms is near at hand, and as some of your read- ers will commence the business this summer, I hope you will give space in the Register (bra lew brief cautions, that may be useful to the inexpe- rienced. 1. To all new beginners! say, do not hatch too many worms at first, nor expect to derive much profit from your first experiment. The knowledire derived from experience, which alone can enable you to conduct the business with economy of labor, will amply remunerate in subsequent ope- rations all who will have patience and peise- verance enough to pursue the business a sufficient time to learn how to manage it well. 2. Beware of expending much for new and *The certificates are among the advertispmenf? of this number. — Ed. F. R. highly puffed fixtures, uniil you learn from expe- rience that they will accomplish all, or nearly all, that their inventors and advocates claim lor them. An old practice has been sent, forth under a new name, (the " non-cleaning system,") wliich, I lear, will be productive of mischief in several ways. The general impression made on the minds of the inexperienced is, that cleanliness may be dispensed with. JJeware of practising on this opinion. 1 have led with branches* Ibr seve- ral seasons, as late as the 25ih of June, and the plan works well, with proper attention to cleaning, and when the mulberry trees are judiciously pruned. The mulberry trees mu.st not be pruned at the farthest later than the 1st of July, and then the pruning should be conducted with regularity, agd the ground ploughed or hoed, immediately after the operaiion. With a sharp pruning bill take off from 1 to 2 feet of the top, and cut every lateral branch close to the main stem. Trees pruned in this manner, and cultivated immediately, will yield an abundant supply of leaves, the next year, and you will have a well-balanced tree ; but if one or two small branches be left, they will at- tract nearly all the sap, and the shoots from the oiher joints of itie stem will be leeble. But a reckless mowing down of the trees in July and August will soon end in their destruction. This practice has been known to destroy the elder, (sambucus nigra,) that hardy pest of Americari larmers.f 3. Leaves gathered in the heat of the day must be spread and stirred with a stick before they are given to the silk-worms. If given to them when warm they produce disease. And whenever large quantities ol leaves are brought to the feeding room, to be kept even for one or two hours, care should be taken to spread them in thin layers. If fermented leaves be given to the worms, their de- struction will certainly Ibllow ; although most of them may live until near the period Ibr spinning. 4. Let the silk-worms have (especially in tlie last age) an abundant supply of (reeh air. The windows should be kept partially open, at least, day and night, and even during thunder stormp. A modern inventor has Ibund out that the ad- mission of the exterior air is not very important. He ventilates the worms, and is not solicitous about keeping up currents of air through the build- itiir. Beware of this crude and neiv-fanglcd notion. 5. After the worms have formed the cocoons, attend carefully to the directions for killino- the chrysalides, found in the Farmers' Register and the Journal of the American Silk Society. If the use of caiTjphor, as recommended by Miss Rapp, should be practised, strict regard to her directions, as to time and manner, is essential. The co- coons must be carefully assorted, and if kept in the box loo long they may be seriously injured by fermentation. Layton Y. Atkiks. * The practice of feeding silk-worms by layins: over them branches of the' mulberry has probably been pursued at Brousa, in Asia Minor, for several centuries. (See an extract from a letter of Miss Par- doe, published in the Farmers' Register, vol. vii. p. t Some persons have adopted the notion that (he morus multicaiilis cannot bi? killed. Let such pursue the mowing plan in July and August, lor one or two summers, and they will find themselves in the condi- tion of the man 'who killed "the goose that laid golden eggs," GENERAL RESULTS OF DIARY OF THE WEATHER, KEPT AT FORTRESS MONROE, (OLD POINT COMFORT,) VIRGINIA. THERMOM. WINDS. WEATHER 0) 6 3 • a; 5d -T3 c S >> CO -a U3 o J2 o o CO 5 o .5 3 0 :/2 ■5 3 0 OS bo t2 3 _o u "5 0 *z^ ^ . >i >. >1 >. >-. > >» >, >% o Q m o o n « a a CO ra re CO ^ CO a CO S X J ^ « O Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q ^ ^ Q Q Q July 86 67 75 25 5 2 9 i 3 9^ 7 s 22 9 6 Aug. 86 65 75 1 10 n 12 4 2| 2 8 1 NE 24* 6| 9 Sept. 88 62 73 20 30 1 iH- 2 5 H 8 1 NE 27i 2i 3 Octob. 71 41 56 3 27 2 3 9 1 2 4 8 1 NE 24 7 4 Nov. 58 25 44 10 26 4 5 5 2 1 5 1 6 W 23 7 5 1 Dec. 62 18 37 13 28 6 3 2 5 5 5 4 S 24 7 6 1 Jan. 46 14 32 31 2 7 3 3 4 5 9 w 22 3 2 4 Feb. 60 18 38 27 18 3 1 4 5 2 13 w 19 3 5 1 Mar. 62 26 45 21 3 6 1 1 2 10 3 8 s 23 4 4 April 78 34 54 19 3 4i 1 1 2 H 19^ 1 s 22 6i H May 84 54 35 30 2 ^ 5i 5i 8^ 2 6i s 23 5 3 June 96 62 75 4 19 5 1 2 2i 3 12i 1 6 s 201 6i 3 July 96 66 79 31 25 4 10 4 10 1 2 s 18 10 3 AuiT. 94 61 77 30 24 1 7 6 8 2 6 1 E 23 8 Sept. 92 58 68 28 16 4 7 14 3 2 E 19 5 6 Octob. 89 42 64 24 27 10 3 7 3 3 1 3 1 N 23 6 2 Nov. 73 30 54 12 27 2 4 10 2 6 5 1 NE 22 2 6 Dec. 66 30 46 3 14 1 5 17 4 1 3 NE 18 6 6 1 Jan. 67 24 45 18 11 6 11 5 2 1 1 3 2 NW 20 6 4 1 Feb. 54 17 33 8 3 2 6 6 2 1 1 4 6 N 17 4 4 3 Mar. 69 27 48 24 1 3 3 11 3 4 6 1 NE 17 7 6 1 April 78 34 54 28 20 1 2 6 8 4 2 3 4 E 18 6 6 May 84 47 63 22 9 2 1 6 6 4 4 5 3 NE 19 6 6 June 88 60 41 11 6 2 1 9 4 4 6 4 E 20 4 6 July 94 72 82 20 13 1 1 4 8 4 2 7 4 E 26 5 Aui?. 92 71 81 11 2 1 1 6 9 7 3 4 E 28 1 2 Sept. 89 50 72 1 23 3 1 15 5 3 1 2 NE 14 11* 5 Ociob. 76 43 59 5 30 4 7 6 2 1 1 8 2 SW 23 2 6 Nov. 69 19 49 15 26 2 7 4 4 1 4 2 6 NW 15 10 4 1 Dec. 59 22 38 12 24 2 5 7 1 2 5 4 4 NE 16 9 4 2 Jan. 62 21 39 11 24 0 14 9 1 6 1 NW 18 5 5 3 b^eb. 64 28 43 23 6 1 4 6 1 2 5 9 SW 15 7 6 Mar. 72 20 48 19 4 1 4 8 3 14 1 SW 17 5 7 2 April 80 42 56 28 15 4 2 10 3 1 10 SW 17 8 5 May 85 52 68 25 4 5 1 8 5 10 2 SW 18 8 5 June 92 60 72 13 2 3 4 1 8 4 9 1 SW 20 5 5 July 93 63 80 31 6 1 4 1 9 2 14 SW 21 3 7 Aug. 92 59 74 8 31 1 3 8 6 1 12 SW 13 7 11 Sept. 86 52 69 9 13 3 8 1 6 2 10 SW 20 8 2 Octob. 76 54 63 4 2 1 1 16 2 4. 1 6 NE 18 9 4 Nov. 68 29 47 15 22 1 7 8 1 2 1 7 3 NE 15 11 4 Dec. 50 28 39 3 30 16 6 3 6 NW 16 11 3 1 Jan. 58 17 34 30 2 9 8 1 2 1 9 1 SW 19 8 2 2 Feb. 67 22 47 27 4 3 4 4 5 5 6 2 s 19 7 2 1 Mar. 72 33 51 17 11 1 3 3 3 7 1 9 4 SW 18 8 4 1 April 82 50 61 25 1 1 8 3 8 6 3 1 NE 21 7 2 May 82 52 67 4 11 2 2 6 5 3 4 6 3 SW 19 7 5 .Tune 88 63 74 12 7 1 1 6 2 5 6 7 2 SW 20 7 3 July 92 68 75 28 3 1 9 1 6 7 5 2 NE 23 1 7 Aug. 90 69 78 6 1 1 6 5 3 7 8 1 SW 24 2 5 Se|)t. 86 58 69 9 22 2 7 9 1 5 6 NE 25 1 4 Octob. 82 38 63 2 26 1 2 4 7 4 7 6 S 25 3 3 Nov. 64 33 49 6 19 3 b 9 1 3 1 2 3 NE 24 2 3 1 Dec. 58 19 45 3 19 5 6 10 2 6 3 NE 25 - 1 5 RAIN. bO Fair do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do Cl'y Fair do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do THE FARMERS* REGISTER. 305 THE USE OF AN OWL IN KILLING CHOWS. From the Frankfort (Ify.) Commonwealtli. A man oupht not to be hooted at, if lio does It'll n siory aboiii an owl, providt-il the anecilole tends to ihi: promoiion of the ijreat inierests ol' airricnl- liire. Anil we may as well promise here, that we do not mean to talk ahout otie of those liiile ecreerhinir ihinjis, tint sits on the eaves of houses durinir the livelong night, watching lor mice, and uttering the most piercing lamentations all the while. No, indeed : we are alludinij to one ol those whapping big fellows ihai sometimes raises a wir-whoop right over your liead as you are rid- inu through the dirk woods, and makes you leel, (or a moment, as if your scalp was gone. Speak of your hair standing on end, at tales of ghosts, 'and all that sort o!" stuH ! Those are mere fire- side afi'^irs, and don't last much longer than you are toasting your shins. But if you wish to know eometliing of a shock that will drive through your bones into the marrow, just go by yourself throuijh n beech flat of a dark night, with your niind running upon Indians, robbers, and other such eweet (ancles, until you .'eel as if you hadn't half an inch of breath lelt any how — then, let one of those night eagles thunder — whoohoo, whoo- hoo, whoo-hoo-ash into your hiss, and, by gra- cious ! you'll think that you've become an eternal fixture in ihe shades. It does to laugh at when you get home, but for the moment it is capitally horrific. There are many people who never saw one of those big owls, or heard one either, and we will therefore lor their benefit saj', he is a large bird with a huge head, a profusion of rusty leathers, a round gray eye, that seems to look everlastingly ahead and right throitgh any thing that is before it, has very lormidahle talons, and, in a word, is the king of all things that fly in Ihe dark. He is carnivorous in his appetnes, and walks iiilo young rabbiis, pariridL^es, and that kind of fry, wiih remarkable unction, lie does not make friends of many lit'ing things, which probably arises from his habits of midnight as- Baseinaiion, and skulking when the rest of the world is in motion. He moves like a shadow, not making the least noise in his flight, and he is, upon the whole, a most excellent pattern for a cut-ihroit. Yet, with all his a(Jvania(res of size, position and profession, he is not sulicred lo be the sole marauder upon the great common of the poultry yard, lor he has an enemy ol a most determined and implacable character. The enemy is not, as might be supposed, armeii with weafjons of war equal to himself, nor with the same awlul voice, nor even with the same fierceness ol eye^ yet he makes up wiih combination and vigilance what he wants in sirength, and just let an owl show hiinsell' in the light o( the sun, and (onh- wnh a legion of crows will be upon hin), making such a clatier about his ears that he will find the very day hideous, and ignominiously fly belore ilie ((lack regiments ihat are charging upon him. And this brings us to our story. A faraier living in this county, has been so ex- ceedingly annoyed with crows that he was willing to hunt them by militia companies — to ofl'er re- wards (or their heads, to poison them, or to kill them o(l by a legislative tax. Year by year was he molested by these depredators, which would tear up hiscorn by tlie acre, pick out the eyes of his Vol. IX. -22 lambs, fly o(f with his young chickens, and annoy him in every conceivable way. It was in vain that he took Ins tJiun u[)on his shoulder and went in pnrsuii, no camion ihal he could devise would bring him in shooting iHslance. The rascals would caw at him, and caw at him, and sniA^ to see how he "larded the lean earth,'' as no walked along of a hot day, vainly (()llovving on their provoking ban'ers. Neither he nor his man of straw in the field was the least terror to the evildoers, and they plundered with perfect impunity. Our l*>anklin larmer _meditated long and deeply upon the manner in which he should redress his wrongs, and like a true philosopher, he sat himself diligently to the study of the nature of crows. He soon (bund out all their sysiem of sentinels, their notes of alarm, their sounds of encouragement, &c., but (rom these he could gain no knowledge that would avail him. While, however, he was one day watching a large flock, his attention was arrested by an un- usual commotion among the black scoundrels, and Ibrthwith they all darted in one direction. He be- held in his surprise a simultaneous attack upon a large owl which had imprudently ventured forth into the light, and such another battle he never did see, until at last the owl, like himseli; was lairly vanquished by the crows, and made a precipitate retreat. Our (armer was too interested a specta- tor of the combat not to reflect much upon its character and result, and all at once it occurred 10 him, that, if by any means he could get posses- sion of an owl, he could make him decoy the crows within a reasonable distance. Luckily for him, he was soon enabled, by a successlul shot, to break the wing of one oi" the largest of the tribe, and he lost no time in i)utting his scheme in operation. Accordingly, at early dawn he sallied forth with dire intent, and surchargeil wii^ the spirit of ex- termination and venom. He selected a tree near 10 his lence, but cons()icuous in ihe field. A lad was sent up the tre to put the owl upon his perch and (he (firmer ensconced himself in !ha corner of one of the jtanels. Scarcely wore these things completed, belore a distant and well known caw broke upon his ear, and anon the air was darkened with a flig'.it of crows, all making, like ihe Cuirassiers upon the Scotch Grays, a turioua onslaught upon the wounded enemy. "Ha, ha, cried the farmer; I've got you at last !" and bang went his gun, and down tumbled a couple of crows. But the fire of the redicted, what has since uulbrtunalely been verilied, a se- rious deficiency in the crops ; the backwardness ol the season anu the retarded period of harvest hav- ing a most deteriorating influence on the quality as well as quantity of the grain, occasioned by the raw, wet and boisterous weather of the month ol August, with chilling blasts from the east and northeast," leaving only the month of July for the season of ripening the grain ! No wonder that the observation lollows: "The wheat has proved coarse, thin, and irregular, having ripened irregularly, and been cut, in some instances, partly matured and partly green, having also been hur- ried from the field, by which iis condition has been much impaired." The contemplation of such a picture is calculat- ed to do us good ; and by it I think we shall be able to understand how it is possible that the management of a weli-culiivaled larm can be conducted at an expense 25 per cent, lower in this country than in Great Britain, leaving an immense amount of ease and comtbrt in lavor ol Ihe American farmer. John Green. afier fermentation. 2d. That no animal or vege- table substance can, with impunity, he taken into ' circulation by livmg plants after putrid (ermenla- lir.n has'taken place. To its destriiciive proper- ties is to be attributed ihe dealh of the orchard of fherry-trecR in Kent, as mentioned in a late num- ber ol' Ihe Cabinet, — the large quantity of etable manure which had been deposited in the trench, at a depili which prevented the escape of ilie deleterious ga^es on (ermentaiion, became in consequence /n//ncf ; and when Ihe roots of these trees Imd reached and penetrated this suhsiance, and had taken uf) the poison into circulation, dealh was the immediate consequence. I once carried abroad a large quantity of stable manure ihai had been longl\ii)ii in a watery hole, until it had become quile putrid ; and ahliouL'h it was spread as a lop dressing on pasture lartil, but little benefit was ever known lo arise Irom the application. A friend who keeps a large livery stable artility hs ihe tobacco may have ex- hausted, but the lois are becoming richer every year. On these lots he uses no manure ; that is reserved lor his corn and wheat. The cost of the seed oats is about filiy rents the acre. The labor of sowing and alierwards rollinfr down is veiy trifling — not equal ID the expense of cariinff the manure on the lot if it was given lo bin). What I would irrincipally call your attention to is ihe fact :— That the general character of his farm has 310 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. been more improved in 1 he last ten years (whe- theryou regard iis appearance or its product,) than any other (ami, save my friend VVm. Fm- ney's, within my lt [)ro|iilious ones tor every det;cri|)li(in of the colton jilant llial we have ever known. I believe there was nniliinii: particularly lo be marked in iis ■frovvlh until September, exce|)t the ffreat variety in the size of the sialk. We observed, however, thai it sul'- lered less lioin the droni respecis the ///(.• und vigor ol the plant, the (pialily ol'the cotton, and the quan- tity yielded. The bolls grew larger, the fibre somewhat larger, and much stronger. Nor was the plant so liable to disease, consequently less atlackcd by ivorms and insects. It grew rapidly and matured early, and, iti tine, gratified my high- est expectations. These seeds were carefully saved, tliat is, of the ELrypiio-Mexican, and Ihe next season, in the spring of 1840, I planted from them about twenty acres, which yielded mucli better than any other part of the plantation, although the soil was ra- ther inferior to some of the rest. The cotton too was so much superior that each bale was selected from our other cotton in New Orleans, and classed ;it a higher rate. I am so well satisfied of the su- periority of the cross, that I have this season plained nearly the whole of my crop with it, and would have planted the whole liad I had the seed. I have also [)lanted in such a manner as to pro- duce a little greater mixture of the two cottons, and may, perhaps, at some other time, give you the result of further experience upon this as well as other varieties of the cotton plant, some oi which I have already tried without any good re- sults. This is a subject of deep interest to our southern country; and I wish you could draw lorih for the public good the experience of many of our practical and intelligent planters, induce ihem to take a pride in the matter, as the Kentuc- kian does with his stock, and ihe Virginian with agriculture in general. I have perused with much pleasure the remarks of Gov. McDuflie, of South Carolina, contained in the Februa^ number of your Register, upon this subject, and subscribe to them most heartily. There is no doubt his advice, it Ibllovved by all, would prove of incalculable be- nefit to the cotton-growing region ; adopt a sys- tem of general improvement ; improve our cotton jilant, by crosses, and by such a system of culti- vation and manuring of lands as will have the ef- fect of producing a healthy stand of growing plants ; gather our crop cleanly, and send it to market in a better condition ; make less of it, and thereby enhance its value; attend to other pro- ducts and improvements, and we would soon find ourselves richly repaid. I can give my testimony to this. We have pursued this courr,e.for many years; it always having been the ruling principle with my lather whilst living, to do nothing e'xcept what he did well ; consequently our crop is al- ways sought for, its brand being well known among the manufacturers; and it never fails to bring two cents more per pound than other cottons. There are also one or two other brands that go to New Orleans, that command generally as good a price, and attributable to the same cause. We do not make as much per hand in bales ; but as much in the proceeds after our sales. Our plant- ers themselves should become interested, and no longer trust so entirely lo overseers, an irresponsi- ble and uninterested class, whose sole object is either to lounge about in indolence and cheat their employers, or in making as many coiton bales as possible, at the expense of aimdftt every thing else. I have above alluded to the Chinese silk cotton, as it is termed, and expressed a doubt ol its being any thing more than the green seed variety of the Mexico-Egyptian cotton, although it is rc[)reient- 314 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. ed as a very different article in one important re- spect, the quantity of its yield. My suspicions may be wrong; but such, I think, will prove to be the case. It is said, by tliose who grew it last season, (hat it produces about tiiree times as much per acre as the Mexican. It is this property ol' ii which I am disposed to doubt, and upon this ground, that 1 beheve, as a general rule, we will find it to be the case, that, in proportion as wc find cotton possessing a long, fine and silky fibre, in an equal proportion will it be (bund to decrease in the quantity produced ; and I think, upon an investiga- tion o( the matter, this will be found one olilie cha- racteristics of the cotton plant: that these varie- ties of cotton which are shortest in fibre \\\\\ yield most abundantly, and the peveise. I adniii, how- ever, this may in some measure be varied, tiy a judicious system in crossing ddi'ereni varieties, and of cultivation. We all know that cultivation does a great deal towards changing and improving na- tural properties of vegetation in gerieral ; but I cannot believe that such cotton as I have seen ex- hibited as the Chinese silk cotton can ever be grown in such quantities per acre as our Mexican. 1 shall, however, be able to test the matter this year, having some of it now grovving.in our garden. I have also made some experiments with the twin or Okra cotton, but abandoned it, as iiderior to our Mexican in almost every respect ; but the most serious objection was, that it appeared to open all at once, and wasted a great deal before we could be able to pick it ; that is, if we had planted it as a crop. This is owing to its having 80 few and so short branches. All the bolls grew at one time, and opened together. It also grows -tall, and the»bolls at the top bend it over to the ground. I intended explaining more fully my views upon the general system of saving a crop and serving it up for market; to account for our cotton being better in color, fibre, &c., and clearer of trash and loaste cotton, in cotton the fibre of which is cut by the saws in ginning, than the most of cotton which goes to New Orleans ; and also to hint at some other points in the line of our planters ; such as manuring our soils, to prevent the threatened exhaustion of our once highly esteemed Gulf Hills, &c. ; but fear I have already extended my remarks to too great a length — I am sure much more than I designed doing when I commenced. But I shall now close, at least until 1 learn the fate of thrs, which I leave entirely to yourselli I as- sure you, sir, it is with very great reluctance I send you these remarks, and would feel more than re- compensed if they would but serve to call more attention to the subject ; and to elicit other contri- butions from this section of country to your valua- ble publication. Respeclfiiliy yours, Haller Nutt. Laurel Hill, Jefferson County, Mi. Jpril 25, 1841. [We shall be glad to hear again from our cor- respondent, on this or any other subject.— Ed.] is the recent movement on the part of the Britiali ministry for an amelioration of the corn laws — a subject which lias long agitated the kingdom, and been the bone of contention between the aristocracy and the working classes. That it should now be introduced by the ministerial par- ty is a proof of the increasing strength and infiu- ence of the manufacturing and laboring portion of the community. It is proposed that a regular and moderate duty shall he laid on grain, in place of the fluctuating one, which has rendered the trade so precarious, and caused the price of bread to be higher in England than in any other coun- try. The agricultural and commercial interests of the United States will be greatly benefited by the change ; and it is evidently the interest of Great Britain to obtain supplies from this country, which affords so large and increasing a market for her manufactures, in preference to procuring them from the continent of Europe, where she has generally to pay for them in gold and silver. It is proposed to admit other articles of neces- sity on more liberal terms than heretofore, and we may hope that this is but the commencement of a system which may remove the shackles from commerce, not only in Great Britain, but univer- sally ; confining the operations of tariffs solely to objects of revenue, and allowing a free inter- course between all countries in all commodities. Our own country will not, we trust, be backward in promoting so desirable an object, both by ne- gotiation and by legislation. There has been scarcely any variation in the prices of the most important articles of foreign or domestic produce during the month. Cotton and tobacco maintain the prices lasc quoted ; but the late accounts from Europe are unfavorable.to both articles. The manufacturing interest there, as well as in this country, is much depressed ; and the cotton spinners in England are working but four days in the week. At this rate, the defi- ciency of our last crop will not be felt, and prices must keep down for some time at least. Shipments of flour will no doubt be made in anticipation of the change above mentioned, and a slight advance in this article has already taken place. The necessaries of life Avere never lower than they have been here of late. Flour at S4.60 to S4.75 ; corn at 45 cents, (now 55 cents); bacon at 5 to S cents. The meeting of Congress (next week) is looked forward to for some important changes af- fecting the currency and coriimerce of the coun- try. X. May 25th, 1841. MONTHLY COMMERCIAL REPORT. For the Farmers' Register. The most interesting circumstance which has occurred for some time in the commercial world, THE SEASON AND CROPS. May 25th. Throughout the spring, to the 20th of this month, in lower Virginia there has been a very unusual predominance of cold weather ; and from Christmas to the same time, the quantity and frequency of rains have been not only re- markable, but unprecedented. Not only was there much time lost to all out-door farm labors, but the earth was scarcely ever dry enough to THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 315 be ploughed, even when the weather was good. All ploughing was very late ; and the planting of" many a crop o/" corn was not commenced until after the whole field is usually finished ; and those persons who planted earlier larccl worse, by the rotting of the seed, or by the spare and fee- ble growth ol' plants. We had begun to lear that no other thim very bad crop*?, of every kind, could be possibly made. However, since the 20ih, the weather has become oppressively warm, and dry, and has been relieved only by one wel- come and heavy, but yet insufficient ram. .The wheat had even before that time greatly improved, and now promises to bring a lair crop, where there has been no peculiar disaster and destruc- tion : and corn has so much improved within a few days, that an average crop is no longer very improbable, if there should be a continuation of favorable weather. The chance for cotton near the northern limit of its culture is still worse than for corn. Tliere were scarcely any oats sown, as but very little land was dry enough to plough or harrow, during all the lime in which that grain could be advantageously sown. We are informed that the wheat crop in the Valley of Virginia was unusually good, up to a recent time. — Ed. F. R. HOW TO ERADICATE THE BRAMBLE. Prom tlie Western IS'armcr and Gardener. I observe that a correspondent in your last number inquires how the blackberry bush may be destroyed. As I have encountered and eradi- cated some Ibrmidable patches, which existed on the lands which 1 have at different times added to my farm, I think I may venture to recommend to your correspondent an inlallible prescription. Some time in the winter or sprmg cut them close to the ground, and repeat the operation the la^t of July. A few will appear the second year, be #ure to cut them also the last of May, and the last of July. This spec(/ic is based upon the sci- entific principle, thai no tree, shrub or plant can long maintain the life of the root without the aid of the top. The leaves, &c., are as indispensable to the long life of a vegetable, as lungs are to an animal. The same plan will destroy the iron weed or devil-bit, which so much inlests (he blue grass pastures of Kentucky, and which some larmers have vainly endeavored to eradicate by cutting once a year for 30 years in succession. Such pests are not to be exterminated by cuiting in the blossom, or in the moon, but by the dint of scratch- ed hands and sweated faces. You may have re^ marked the freedom of my farm from them, though a scattered one here and there shows the propensity of the soil to produce them, and that my predecessors were industrious enough to raise their own blackberries. Yours, truly, KoBT. W. Scott. Franklin County ^ Ky.^ March 20, 1841'. suivnyrARY or nevts. Saturday May 1st, 1841. There have been already exhibited several and strong evidences of an intention, by some of the most deeply involved states of this confederacy, to deny the validity of, and to refuse to pay their pubfic debts, contracted within the last few years. Some time ago. Gov. McNult boldly recommended this course to the legislature o( Mississippi, (upon the ground of alleged Ihuid in the* transaction,) in regard to the state bonds furnished to establish tlie great (swindling) Union i3ank of tiiat state. Smce, the citizens of Bond county, Illinois, have held a public meeting, and resolved and published their determination not to con- sent to pay the bonds of that state. The Philadelphia Ledger says, " a similar meeting was held by the ci- tizens of Montgomery county, Illinois, on the 13th inst. A committee was appointed, which reported in full upon the subject, ^nd, fixing the aggregate debt at .$•13,000,000, say this debt, divided among the individuals of the state, would be over $30 per head tor every man, woman and child in the state." — " With these growing public demonstrations of resistance of payment, and the reluctance manifested by legislatures to resort to taxation to pay state debts, we should not wonder to see them as greatly depressed as they are, nor evince surprise if they should go even lower. Our corrupt and swindling banking system has largely contributed thus to taint the public morals and to in- duce men to calmly look at this reckless violation of taith. Let those who aided in building it up and in maintaining it, now look upon the legitimate fruits of their iabors, and learn to be wise." — These results are deplorable proofs of the rapid inroads (hat fraudulent banking, and its necessary accompaniment, fraudu- lent stock-jobbing, have already made upon the morals and moral sense both of states and individuals. But no matter how fraudulently these obligations of debt were obtained, or the money expended, (provided they are truly debts of the state,) nothing can justijy a violation of public faith, as is proposed. It is to be (eared that the pernicious example will spread. A public meeting of merchants of New York, call- ed for the purpose, have resolved to petition congress to establish a national bank. The advocates of a national bank, throughout the union, are numerous, and confident of success in obtaining a charter at the approaching extra session of congress. The measure is now for the first time acknowledged and insisted on as a. party measure ; and fifty avowed and open advo- cates for it can now be found as easily as one could h^ve been found last summer. The conflict on this great question will be violent, and the issue all-impor- tant. Within the next nine months will be decided either the continued and more complete separation of bank and state, or a newly formed intimate union of them, indissoluble and for ever. Many of the most able and influential of the south- ern men who will now support a national bank, are among those who have for many years loudly asserted the unconstitutionality of any such establishment. How can these new converts condemn any extent of constitutional means of prevention against the measure vvliicli may be exerted by those who continue o deem the bank unconstitutional .' '•The Governor of Cuba has commenced a war against gamblers, and intends to diive them out of the island." " The brig Troubadour, under Spanish colors, re- ported as belonging to Rosaline Kitan, of Bissau, (Africa,) with 2S9 slaves on board, from the coast, bound to Berbice, was wrecked about the 6th of Feb., on the Cayeas Islands. All on board were saved, and arrived at Nassau— the vessel totally lost. The cap- 316 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. ^ain and crew took passage in a Spanish brig bound to Havana, tlien lying in port. The negroes were taken possession of by the authorities of tlie island." The Great Western steam-ship arrived at New Yoi k, on the 24th, bringing English accounts to the 8th. No public news of importance. The President steam-ship, from New-Yoik, had not arrived in England, nor been heard of; and so great was the lear tiiat it hail been lost, that insurance had been effected, and that too some days before the sailing of the Great Western, as highas 25 per cent, premium. The grand jury have iound a true bill against Ma- dame Restell, the advertising abortion-producer, for manslaughter. She awaits her trial Ln jail. Drake, the murderer of a whole family in South- ampton, Virginia, has been condemned to death. It is understood that the Florida war has been re- newed by the savages, and that the plan of purchas- ing their consent to emigrate, for the greater number, has failed. The swindling member of congress. Mitchell, had put his pursuers on a false scent, and gone to Canada, He was arrrested in Montreal, but. Idee most other of the aristocratic class of swindlers, was discharged because of want of power in the law to punish. The Church Record, (edited by Dr Hawks,) instating and commenting on some of the " business operations" of Mr. Biddle, (former president,) Mr. Cowperthwaite (late cashier) and other main conductors of tlie Unit- ed States Bank, makes the following true and well applied remarks: "The all-absorbing topic in our community, for some days past, has been the appalling disclosures of the long smothered misdoings in the administration of the Bank of the United States. De))lorab!e as these violations of trust must be, in their ellccts, upon the numerous individuals who are pecuniary sulFerers from them — upon our national character, for honor, and probity in business transactions, upon our credit throughout the commercial world — and upon the con- fidence of our own people in like institutions ; they ar« infinitely more deplorable in the proofs they furnish, of want of principle, and a deadened mora! sense among us, in relation to all such matters. If the state- ments in the report of the stockholders' committee are substantiallj' correct, many of the charges against the officers of the bank are not to be considered as mere abuses of trust; they are criminal offences; which, in any otlier country but ours, would have subjected them to indictment for fraud." — "Who can reflect upon such conduct in men, holding the most important trusts connected with the business interests of this great commercial country, and enjoy- ing the unlimited confidence of the public, without the deepest sorrow and humility, and the gloomie§t fears. Does it not prove, that we have brought down our standard of moral integrity to the lowest point — that we have discarded the restraints of honesty, from our dealings with our fellow men, and the obligations of Christianity, from our codes of duty?" A batch of successful frauds, by means of forged drafts, apparently from the Commercial Bank of New Orleans, have been lately perp;'trated in rapid succes- sion upon three or lour different banks, to the amount jf about .570, 000, much the greater part of which the ['rawer has secured and decamped with. Precisely 'milar operations were attempted, simultaneously, -ipon four or five other banks, for very large amounts, which barely failed of being as successful as the others, '"'he nomme de guerre under which this operator fust appf^ar- .;d was W. M. Parker, oILondon, with an alias for every other uifferent draft. Unless, indeed, his letters of credit, or drafts, were really written in the (Joniinercial Bank of New Orleans, 'ny a coadjutor in hiiih otiice and enjoying perfect confidence, t^»e forgeries are so perfect as to seem almost miracilous.' We ex- pect to hear, in a day or two, that some oflicer of that bank, of the highest respectability, is on his way to Te.xas. At any rate, whether so aided or not, this Mr. Parker is certainly the Napo- ieon of swindlers, (at least of those so called.) and one of i\\c most able, artlul, and bold and covl operators, by means of banking facilities, who has ever e.xljibited skill in financiering. What a lanieiitaiiln misdirection and waste of great talent! The proper sphere of nction for this man would have been the office of president, and ruling spirit, of some great bank. In such a couiinanding position, he would have had ample scope to exercise his great talents and strong propensities, for the be- nefit of iha bank, and of himself also ; and general applausp, and high reputation, might have been his meed, instead of his character now acquired, and hazards incurred. A statement of the condition of the Farmers' Bank of Virginia, (iiK-luding all its branches,) which is. manifestly ' official,'' •0u,000. The premium paid in Petersburg for exchange on New York has gradually risen from -f to 5^ per cent., which is the present price. This is an indication of the growing depreciaiion of the paper money of our banks. From January 1, 1S41, to April 1, the outstanding debts of the Jb'armers' Bank of Virginia, (that is, the amount due Irom all borrowers,) was increased .'yl4S,342 by the amount of new loans exceeding all payments of previous debts ! ! ! In the same time its stock of specie was diminished by $22,051. No won- der that the bank authorities can boast of having made net profits during that time at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum. Query. At this rate of " c«rtoj7i/ig"" its discounts, and of reducing its liabilities, when will this bank be able to resume specie payments ? . It is given out and understood that the Bank of Vir- ginia will declare a dividend in July. If so, we pi'e- sume that it will be out of the capital stock. This has been a mode of sustaining the credit of many banks and other joint stock companies. "We have been shown a fine specimen of coal, recent- ly found in the neighborhood ol Scotland Neck, Hali- lax County, which very much resembles the anthra- cite, and to all appearance would burn 'equally as well. There are indications, it is said, of an exten- sive coal formation where this specimen was found, which will, no doubt, be thoroughly explored.'" — lia- leigh {N. C.) Register. "The recent appalling overdratts at the State Bank have excited an investigation at the Bank of Louisiana, by which it is found that about $80,000, some say $100,000 are found missing. The search was first induced by the Cashier, Mr. Leveiich, when it was found that Mr. Collson, who is said to have been over- drawn $20,000 at the State Bank, was the discount clerk at the Bank of Louisiana. We are not able to say if any discrepancy occurs in Mr. C.'s books, but it is certain that he and the receiving teller of the Bank of Louisiana have absconded. The latter has pocketed, it is stated, about $SO,000, received in two deposites on Friday and Saturday last." — N. 0. Cres- cent City. A report that the President steam-ship had gone to Madeira has been put in circulation, but on such very slight grounds of probability that we did not think it worth mentioning; and would not now, except that other papers, in publishing the report and its very insuffi- cient grounds, express the opinion that "these facts seem to justify a belief that the steam-ship is safe." Saturday, May 22, 1S41. Another, and the greatest outrage of the kind, hns been committed, by a British cruiser on the brig A. E., of Baltimore. She was taken possession of b)' an armed boat's crew from the British brig of war Per- sian ; and by the crew of the boat, and by the Persian, kept 19 days, during which time her cargo was ran- sacked, provisions consumed, and goods destroyed, without regard to the rights, or the papers, of the American vessel, and more like pirates, than naval officers of a friendly power. At last, after this deten- tion and spoliation, the American vessel was released. It is remarkable, that in all tlie sundry recent cases of unlawful search or captm-o, not one of the American vessels was found to bo justly obnoxious (o the sus- picion which formed the jiretext for the outrage. And, even if actually they had been slavers, tliiit would be for our government to punish, and the Bri- tish government has no right of search in any'case, of American vessels. This course of outrage on our rights must be stopped. The former province of Yucatan, which not long since threw olftiie connexion with Mexico, has I'oniied a republican constitution and establislietl a regular and independent government. The Philadelphia Ledger of the ISth says—" The prospect of the payment of the interest due in July by the three states of Pennsylvania, Illinois and In- diana, is sufficiently doubtful. Mississippi and Flo- rida of course cannot pay. In Pennsylvania* some of the banks of the interior have accepted the provisions of the relief bill, and already issued the small notes which it authorizes. The city banks have not accept- ed it, and probably will not ; the Bank of Philadel- phia has rejected it decidedly." — This " relief law" must be even worse than we had supposed, when the banks themselves reject the almost unlimited power which the law olleis to them to defraud the public by irredeemable issues. " Commodore T. Ap C. Jones has been appointed to the command of the Pacific squadron, and will hoist his flag on board the United States ship Indepen- dence." " It is stated in the Charleston Patriot, as proving tlie nonorable character of the merchants of that city, that the whole sum put in suit by the collector of that port, during a period of twenty-one years, is but twenty-nine dollars and seventeen cents." Mitchell the forger, and late M. C. has been brought from Canada to the city of New York in irons, and committed to jail. " Mississippi will not be represented at the extra session of Congress. Gov. McNutt has declined call- ing an extra session of the Legislature for the purpose of appointing a period for the election, and does not consider himself authorized to order an electon with- out the intervention of the Legislature." — Phil. Led. " Five Portuguese slavers, with upwards of one thousand slaves on board, were taken into St. Helena on the 26th of March, having been captured on the west coast of Africa, by the British naval force on that station." — lb. " Mr. Barker, the cashier of the Branch Bank of the state of Georgia, is reported to have decamped with $73,000 of the bank's money." The Alabama legislature has passed an act sanc- tioning the suspension of payments indefinitely b}' the banks of that state. The authorities of the branch Exchange Bank of Petersburg deserve to have credit for a most wonder- ful improvement in their execution, in the endorsinc of their bank notes, (when compelled thus to make them bear interest,) since we reported the very re- markable manner in which they first performed this unpleasant requirement of the new law. In all the subsequent cases of demand by holders of their notes, the endorsements have been written (very different- ly from the first) quite legibly, and in good black ink, and moreover on the backs of the notes; and therefore required no printed label of explanation, or evidence of the obligation, as at the first essay. The authori- ties shall not want for enough practice to keep them up to this very commendable mark of improvement. We hope that every bank in Virginia will be com- pelled thus to mark their own dishonoring of their 320 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. notes ; and, small as is the pecuniary penalty thus iin- |)Osed, if many anti-bank farmers would enibrce it, every such endorsed note wliich they would carry home would be a striking exposure of, and both astand- ingand a current argument against tlie contunied sutfer- ance of a rotten and irresponsible banking system. Ijut the more outrageous the course of ihe banks, in all matters of violation of legal or moral obligation, and even of regard to common decency of conduct, the bett r we shall be pleased. Wo fully believe thai it is only by the full and complete exposure by the banks themselves of the fraudulent jirinciples and iniquity of the existing banking system, that the people can be roused to its destruction. The banks iiave certainly been given " rope enough to hang themselves," both by the laws and the toleration of the cheated and pillaged people ; and we rejoice that they are using their ample privileges in the surest manner for their own destruction. At an adjourned meeting of the stockholders of the United States Bank, resolutions strongly condem- natory of the former administration of the bank, and implying the expenditure of immense sums for purposes of corruption, were otiered by Mr. Duane, and adopt- ed by the meeting. From the supplementary report to the meeting, of the committee of investigation, it appears that more than a million of dollars had been spent and are unaccounted ior — the vouchers having been passed without being read, and then burnt ! ! ! The United States Bank has accepted the benelit of liie " relief law." A writer in a Richmond paper of the 20th, in refer- j ence to the bank notes of $1 and .*;2, (which only the banks are now compelled to pay,) complains bitterly that some holders ot such notes "have claimed their legal right, and demanded specie to the amount of se- veral hundred dollars at one time, stickling for the pound of Jlesh nearest the heart, to the last. That the avariciovs appelite of man should be so keen, is humili- ating," Jk,c. — and then the writer (no doubt a bank debtor, or a bank officer,) goes on to threaten that the banks hereafter "will be very cautious in their issues" of small notes, if thus compelled to pay them. What a monstrous perversion of language and ridiculous misapplication of terms, as to the cheating banks and the cheated not-e-holders and creditors of the banks ! How much must the moral sense and intellect of a community have been poisoned by being bank-drugged, if such representations as this receive any respect or countenance ! ! And how miserably u-eak, and yet reck- less and desperate must be the banks that can make such an appeal as this to public prejudice and favor, to shield them from paying a few hundred $\ and $2, notes ! ! ! By mails of last night. — The legislature of New Yoric have passed an act appropriating .'tf,o,000,000 to three canals, of which, .'j^*2,15()!,000 is directed to enlarging the Erie canal. I The Rochester arrived from England at New York I on the 19th, bringing accounts two days later. No j news of tha President steam-ship. No other accounts yet published. CONTENTS OF THB FARMERS REGISTER, NO. V. VOL. IX. ORIGINAL COBIMUNICATIONS. Ajiswers to the general queries on the effects ,of marl in regard to some i'arms in James City and Surry counties. I. Of H. B. M. Richardson, of James City county, Va. .... II. Of Boiling Jones, of Surry county in. Of Peter T. Spratley, of Surry county IV. Of W. C. Jones, of Surry county iCapacity of the clays and rock- marl of Vir- ginia to form hydraulic cement, and the ap- ))licabilit)' of rock-marl to burning lime A legacy for young farmers - Desultory observations on the banking system of this country, and the eti'ects of its dilfer- ent modes of operation — continued Great defects of the agriculture of lower South Carolina ..... On the proper nomenclature of grasses Crushed corn meal — feeding horses — preserv- ing bacon ..... Rohan potatoes .... Admissions in favor of the new four-field sys- tem. Temporary wiiiler farm-pens. Rye a substitute for clover in Ohio - Proposal to try ITussey's reaping machine Caution to silk culturists ... Genera! results of diary of the weather, ke])t at Fortress Monroe, (Old Point Comfort,) Va. Silk-worm rearing in Arkansas. Importance of calcareous soil to grape vines Range of the thermometer, and state of the weather at Washington, Ark., through 1840 Rotation of oats and tobacco, both profitable and meliorating - - - . Sweet-scented vernal grass on poor land. Pro- tection of buzzards - - . . Erratum - - . - . Egyptian cotton cuKivated in Mississippi Monthly commercial report PaTG I The season and crops Summary of news 264 265 266 267 270 272 277 284 289 290 296 299 302 303 304 307 307 308 310 310 312 314 SELECTIONS. Prize essay on the cultivation of tobacco Best time tor cutting timber Different effects of nitrate of soda Nitrate of soda .... Mode of rendering wood imperishable and incombustible .... The honest and beneficial credit system con- trasted with that which cheats and robs the country - - . . . The American cotton trade Quality of milk .... Anti-friction .... Diseases of cattle and horses ... Horse distemper .... On salt as a prevention of disease in horses, cattle and sheep ... Cotton culture in India Weeds of agriculture On burning cotton stalks to destroy insects - Florida Wire -grass destroyed by hogs An act to promote agriculture in New York "The barren sands of Jersey" Reeling silk in Tennessee Hes.-ian fly and other insects - The use of an owl in killing crows On gathering asparagus Transformation of oats into rye - The milk sickness .... The climate of America - Fermented manure - . . . Cost and receipts of all the public works of Pennsylvania - . . . New African fruit .... Culture of tea in Europe - How to eradicate the bramble Pago 311 315 257 261 261 262 262 267 269 269 269 273 273 274 274 290 294 295 295 296 297 298 301 305 306 306 306 308 308 311 312 312 315 THE FAK3IERS' REGISTER. Vol. IX. JUNE 30, 1841. No. 6. EDMUND RUFFIN, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. ON DAIRY MANAGEMENT. irom llie Transactions of the Essex (Mass.) Ayricullural !?o- cifty. To J. IV. Proctor, esq. — iS/r— llaving been uriaUie lo alteutl ilie nifeiiiiif of ilie bohrJ ol irusiees in December, i siibniii the Ibllowintr con- siiler.iiions leldiiiii^ lo llie tnaiini^enieiii ol dairies. Tlie lirsl Hinl iiiost eticieniidl puml lo t)e gained is to procure good cows, ll cosis no more lo leed a good cow, Hum a poor one. And ibe compara- tive cesull ol'llieir produce al ibe close ol the year, makes u most e!^senllal diliereuce in llie proiils ol the tanner. iSuppo^e one cow to give one quart at a milkmg, or two (juaris per day, more than ano- iber, tbe milk being of equal quality ; and tuis milk lo be estimated worili two and a iiall cents perquari, and ihid lo continue 20U days — here would be a diHerence of ten dollars in (be f)roduce ol' tbe two cowis. Tins rule applied to a dairy of til'ieen cows, would be equal the sum of ^150 — hair as much as the net annual income ol a ma- jor! ly ol the larmers in the county. The quality of the milk is a consideration not less impurianl than ilie quantity. Those who never have tried (he experiment ol' setting ditie- renl cows' milk separaie, have very imperfect ideas of iheir comparaiive value. 1 have known some cows that five or six quarts ol iheir milk would raise cream sufficient to make a pound of butler. 1 believe ihis was staled lo be true of the Oakes cow, from tiie milk of winch was made twenty pounds ol' butter a week lor several suc- cessive weeks; and I have heard ilie same of others. But, ordinarily, it takes ten quarts of milk to yield a pound ol butter. It therelore be- comes a point of great importance, in selecting cows lor the niaking of butter, lo obtain those whose milk is adapicd lo ibis purpose. The 7«a?i,/ier vj feeding cows is a point not lo he neglected, in the management of a dairy. Good leed not only increases the quanilty of the milk, but it improves the quality; and of conse- quence the buder and cheese produced therefrom are better also. The kind of fond usedis also to be regarded. Every dairy-woman knows that the milk will indicate the kind of Ibod used, therelore those kinds of fjod which leave ihe besl flavor in the milk shoidd be selected. 'When cows have been lisd on cabbaires or on turnips, who has not tasted the peculiarities of thet^e vegetables'? When they are lisd on Indian meal, on carrots, or ou beets, — it is lair to presume that these articles become incorporated with the milk also. I do not presume to say which of these articles is the most valuable lo be cultivated for the feeding of cows ; though I hope in this age of experiments, with so many inducements as are now held out for the trial, it will not be long before some ol our farmers will give us satislac- tory information on this subject. The manner of milking also demands attention. Cows should be milked about the same time each day; and they should be milked quick and clean. If a portion ol their milk is suffered to remain, this Vol. IX.-24 will soon diminish the quantity, and the cows will ' dry up. It IS bad policy to trust milking to child- ren, lor they usually do it moderately and imper- lecily, and more is lost thereby than would pay I llie L)csl of laborers. The place for the setting of the milk, is also ; worthy of attention. This snould be cool, well ! ventiiaied, and exclusively appropriated to this ' purpose. Foril it is |jermiited to be occupied in pait j lor oiher purposes, some things will hnd their way there winch will be injurious to the milk. It should also be properly lighted. Cream will rise more lavorabiy m a hglii tliau in a dark room, and the quality ot it will be better. Therelore a dairy ; room above ground ib prelerable to a cellar. The room should be carefully guarded, by the use of wire gauze, or some other substance at the win- dows, against ihe approach of insects or intruders of every kind. The milk should be set in pans uncovered ; as the cream will not rise so freely ' when there is a cover over the pans. Care should tie taken not to fill ihe pans lull, especially in warm weather, as the cream will rise quicker and belter ' when Ihe milk is spread over a larger surlace. j||l'he sooner it iises and is removed liom the milk ilbfebeiier; and this should always be done belore I the milk begins to i urn sour. When the cream IS taken oti', ii bhouid be kept in tight covered ves- I seis, in cuol places, unlil the churning process ; anJ this should always be belore any souitiess or I mould is discoverable. j Much care should be taken to separate the but- ter-miik thoroughly f.om the butter. More de- |)ends on this than any other part of the process in making good butler. Unless this is done, it will be impossible to preserve itsweet and good. If our dairy- women would apply double the la- bor 10 half the quanliiy of their butler, and there- by thoroughly remove all panicles of butter-milk, this one half vvould be worth more ihan the whole in the condition it is usually sent to the market. As this is a matter that interests every farmer, and every lover of good butter, (and who does not love It when il is lair and nice 7) I have presum- ed to forward these remarks. Vou will use them as you think proper. Joseph How. Meihuenj Jan. 6, 1841. Note. — What I have said in relation to the working of butler, is to be underc-tood in relation to such butter as had the proper previous manage- ment. For if the butter comes soft, it may be worked ever so long, and not become hard and iiood ; although il may be improved by working. Butter that comes well will be fit lor immediate use with very little working. But if it is to be kept, care should be taken that the buttermilk ia throughly removed. Il was ray intention to have said something on the feed of cows. But my remarks have already extended so far, I will simply say, that there is no feed on which cows can be kept, that will make belter butter, than a first rate pasture ; such as 322 THE FARMER'S REGISTER. abounds with English grasses. When this supply fails, let the deficiency be made up by green corn- stalks. Farmers will do well to plant some corn exira, for ihis purpose. The present winter, I have boiled roots for my cows, such as turnips and sugar beeis, to which 1 aiid a little Indian lueal. This Ibod, when properly prepared and seasoned with salt, is well received by the cows, and improves the flavor, and increas- es the quantity of their milk. J. H. FISHERY LAWS OP PENNSYLVANIA AND THEIR EFFECTS. [The law of fishing rights is the same in V^ir- ginia as in Pennsylvania, and the Ibllowmg state- ment is nearly as applicable to the former as to the latter Slate. —Ed. F. R.] From tlie Public Ledger. Messrs. Editors— My attention was attracted by an abstract ol' the laws regulating fisheries in the Delaware, published in your paper of the lOih instant, and 1 have been much astonished that public attention has not been called to this sub- ject long belbre now. 1 well recollect when the average price ol shad was not more than eight dollars per hundred ; whereas, lor several years , last past, it has not been less than twenty; auJH"^''^o"^ ''""""^"'' Houe^dale, m il on inquiry into the cause of this rise,! find* a | were floaiing a rait down the .Dela to be a general opinion that the vast extent to '" ' ' ~ ' which the giUing system is carried on, has pro- duced it. There are said to be a thousand or fifteen hundred drill nets or gillmg semes in operation within the concurrent jurisdiction of this state and the state of New Jersey. These beino- spread in all directions in the river, ii is almost impossible lor a shad to pass up without cominc in contact with some of them, and the same fish may probably be entangled a score of times or more in its progress ; and being thus impeded, mutilated, and injured, would insiinctively seek some other stream at the next spawninir season, or perhaps deposiie its ova in the salt water, where it must perish. Hence the scarcity of shad in our river, and the consequent high prices. Such was the case in Connecticut river, until laws were enacted by that state ibr the suppression ol oijl nets, and duly enlbrced, since which the shad have gradually returned, and are now as plenty as betbre. It is quite evident that a large portion of the shad that strike the gill nets strufTcTJe through and extricate themselves; and, indeed, ihis must be the case, or iiiw if any would reach the upper Delaware ; whereas the shore nets or sweeping seines take all they enclose, and re- maining so short a time as ihey do in a fishins poaitlon, they give time and space Ibr the passage of the shad ; but the gilling nets, remaining many hours together in the water, form a complete bar- rier, except by a passage through them. The law, however, permits gill-net fishing under certain regulations, which, if observed, would necessarily 60 lap restrict their number as to render them comparatively harmless; and as shore nets are restricted and regulated by law, and, I believe, universally kept within legal requirements, it is truly astonishing that gill-net fishing should be uaresirictedly tolerated, subversive, as it appears to be, of the interests of the community, in driv- ing the shad from our waters, as well as ruinous to the holders ol shore fisheries, many of whom have invested their hard earnings in this species of properly, on liiith of the protection afibrded by the laws ; and as large a tax is laid on this as on property ol any other kind, while the gill nets pay none whatever. ' It has been suggested that the laws regulating fisheries are uiicuiisiilulional. ll so, let them be repealed ; but while in lorce the owners of fish- eries arc eniitlea to all their benefits, and trans- gressors subject to all their penaliies, precisely as in any other case whatever. High legal autho- rity,* however, has declared them constitutional, and ilsound policy had noi dictated them, it is not likely they would have been enacted oy the unit- ed wisduin of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. I have been credibly iiilormed, liowever, that the reason why ttie owners of those fisherres have noi, erilorced the laws agauirft the drill- nei men is, ihal they are in lear ol some private-, in- jury liom them, should tiiey do it. The owners ol fisheries gener-ally reside on or near 'he banks ol tlie river, and the gill nets being Irequently in operation all night, and the men generally ol the vilest character, they lear lo enlorce the laws against them, lest their buildings should be set on fire during their slumbers, and themselves and lamilies p.rish in the flames, It is said that two ihis slate, who ware, in April last, came beioie a justice of the f>eace and made oaili that they heard a number of drilt-net men prolanely swear they v.ould lake vengeance on ihe man who would execute the laws against them, and il ihey could not accomplish itoiher- wise, they would burn his buildings ; which affidavit is now on file in the oliice of the magis- trate. And 1 also learn Irom undoubted authority, that a constable, while in the performance of his duty and the execution of his office, a lew days ago, was knocked down by some of these gill-net men, while attempting to arrest them, and shame- fully beaii^n and abused, as were also several oihers who were wiih him, and but for the timely aid of a number of shore fishermen, who rushed to his assistance, would probably have received still greater injuries, the drilt-net men being armed with guns, clubs and stones. This, indeed, ex- hibits a sadly depraved state of things — an awiul delinquency of morals, and a rapid snide towards jacobinism ; and certainly calls lor the vigilant in- terference of (he civil power. When peaceable, quiet and respectable citizens are absolutely afraid to protect their property, assert their rights, or support the majesty of the law, lest the ven- geance of bandits and outlaws should be wreaked upon them, the state of society is truly deplorable. Better live among savages than in a land proless- edly civilized, where law, order and government are trampled in the dust. A Citizen. TO MAKE NAMES GROW IN FRUIT. . From the Cliarleston Transcript. When peaches and nectarines are about half ripe, cover the side exposed to the sun with strips Judge Baldwin. THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 323 or specs of vviix, in ;iiiy desired phapo or Ibrm, wliicli hinders ilu^ sim Ihnn colurinif llie pari co- vered ; anil, wIumi the Iruit is ripe, ami ihc wax removed, il will be luuiid inurkcd m the manner described. A SPECIMEN OF AGRICULTURAL LKGISLA- TION.* From the KciUiicky Farmer. The V^irginia iefjif^lature, at ils late session, passed a law creatine a board ol airiieul'ure, lo consist, of eiijiii members, to be aftpoinled Irien- nially by the execntive. We note this movement bs a specimen ol" the policy of the limes. From a mere reading of the law, one might draw the inference that the legislature of that venerable c.ommonwealih — " the mother of mc/i" — the mo- ther of Kentucky — intended to demonstrate lo the world that she had private citizens more mag- nanimous and more patriotic than even her law- givers ; for the law assigns no pay lo the mem- bers of the "board of airricnliure.'' Verily, if this be n)agnanimous and pairiotic leifislaiion towards the greatest interest of the country, the eons of Jacob, required by the EL'ypiians to burn bricks without straw, were not so cruelly enslaved as has been represented. The editor of the Farm- ers'Register, (from which vv§ copy the law be- low,) is surely gudiy of a sarcasm when he says by the provisions of ihis law the existence of tli ■ board is " barely tolerated by the government, instead of being encouraged, sustained and aided in its course and the pursuit of the desiixned ends." lieally, this act will constitute the era of agricul- tural legislation. We do not doubt, now, that laws for the promotion of acrriculiure, so lonix supplicated from our hitherto inexorable law- ma- kers, will be enacted by all the states, and printed and distributed as widely as " American [jrimeis ' and "spelling books." Nay, we should hardly marvel, henceforth, to see crops growinir. upon lands never ploughed, Irom seed never sown. The long search of aires is terminated ! The philosopher's stone, from its dark, deef) hidinii place, is brought to light ; and its discovery will be the glory of this age. JVlan, in future, may fatten and grow strong without bread ; his sinews, unrelaxed by toil, will become elastic by strain- ing. Kentucky now, whose legislature we have often and earnestly implored to do sorn(!ihiiig in behalf of ai/riculture, worthy of her name, her character, and her interest, will no longer hesitate to take that interest under consideration and pro- tection. It is true, committees have sometimes proposed, lor the consideration of the (riends of agriculture, acts not unlike this of Virginia ; but whether from tear of the tremendous consequences of such legislation, or other motives, (a little bird * We earnestly wish that these remarks of Mr. Stevenson, the editor of the Kentucky Farmer, could be read by every member of the leerislatuie of Virginia. Never vpas sarcasm more just than this; nor more correctly applied, than to this wretched abor- tion, which is the first-born and sole measure of Vir- ginian legislation, for the aid or improvement of agri- culture.—Ed. F. R. whispers, dread of merited ridicule,') they have not been adopted, we are not sal isliiclorily advised. Probably a precedent was desir.ilile, drawn Irom the wiser practice of older governments. If thia be the true conjecture, Kentucky may no longer delay imitating the example of Virginia, siie [iroved her descent, as a daughter of ihe Old Do- minion, when her politicians proposed laws lor the encouragement ofairriculiure, having no provi- sion to render their execution effectual ; she will manifest only a dutiful respect, by copying the sta- tute of her mother. liut this is a subjecl too serious for satire ; even if we had no fears ol gelling knocked on the head by our friend Rulfin lor impertinently meddling with the policy of Virginia, and possibly tram- pling on state rights, for which we profess a due regard. Praying your mercy, then, brother RufRn, we beg leave to add some remarks as applicable to Kentucky and the other states as to Virginia. What can be the reason that ihe legislation of this country has never regarded properly the atrri- cultural interest 1 Why can noihinir be done for its encouragement and im[)rovement '? How is it that, in tfiis republican government, the farmers, holdingihe political power, and their interests sui)- porting all others, whenever they seek from their agent, the government, even a small share of that revenue which they chiefly contribute, to effect objects of importance lo ihe whole community — but yet too great for individual accomplishment — how is it that they are for ever either insulted by a seeming but inefl'eciive acquiesence or repulsed by an absolute denial ? There is no subbrdinale interest of the country which has not, limes with- out number, received the fostering care, the en- couragement and support of legislation. Agricul- ture only, the great foundation which supports ihe prosperity of ihe country and nourishes into life all the other arts, lias been regarded by the irovernment which it chiefly maintains, as a step- child.- When agriculture has begged, implored sums, far less than have been lavisldy given se- parately to less imporlant interests, they have been denied. She has sought aid for the execu- tion of objects by which all interests would be ptomoted ; lor such is her direct and incidental connexion with all the interests of the country, that a direct benefit to her could scarcely be less a benefit to them. True, she has enjoyed inciden- tal benefits from favors granted directly to other interests ; but that is only because their existence depends upon her prosperity, as theheallhy action of all Ihe organs of the body depends upon the vigor of the heart which propels the life blood into every ramification of the system. Now here we see, in the preamble lo this Virginia law, the lawgived^ confession of the great importance of agriculture, of the duty of government to encour- age and foster if, and of the utility of organized labor under legislative sanction, to (tromoteit; and the enacting sections prescribe duties lo be performed by a board of agriculture, more labori- ous than those assigned to the executive depart- ment of the government, and which, properly exe- cuted, would prove not less promotive of the ge- neral prosperity. The board are required to re- port annually-to Ihe legislature a general view of the agriculture of Ihe slate — the business of a commissioner of general survey ; they are to re- port the nature and quantity of agricultural pro- 324 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. ^ucts — the business o\' a statistical commissioner ; 'ihey are to collect and digest such facts in relation to the improvement and culiivaiion ol' the soil and the best modes of preparing its various pro- ducts for their appropriate uses as they may think would aflbrd uselul inlbrmaiion to the agricultural community — the business of statistic collectors, agricultural chemists, practical larniers, tnanulac- turers and mechanics, and withal men ol' pro- found judgment in these branches ot knowledge and art ; they are to report the relative loreign and domestic encouragement given to the varioud products of agriculture and to suggest such mea- sures to the legislature as may be necessary to rievelope (he resources and promote the general in- terests of agriculture — the business ol merchants, pohiical economists, tariffites, Iree-lradeites and statesmen. Now what, gentle reader, do you suppose the legislature of Virginia otters in com- j pensation for the perlormance of these vnst und important labors'? A million annually 1 For surely, vvell performed, they would be worth that sum. O no; important as the preamble rates them ; the enacting clauses of the law do not va- lue ihem a farthing! Well now this is just of a piece vvilk the whole course of American leij;isla- lion on the subject of direct encourajzement o( agricultural improvement — lor ever making paper concessions — never eH'eciivelv doing any thinir. Massachusetts and perhaps New York should be excepted Irom this sweeping denunciation ; they have certainly done a little — and but a very little — lor this great interest. The'labcrs designed by government to proriiote the agriculiural interests, should be assigned a bureau, if not an independent department, with executive or ministerial powers adequate to the end. Now to conclude — for we have extended our re- marks further than intended — the primary source of all the shamelul netilect of agriculture by go- vernment, lies in the supineness of the people, the farmers themselves. Until theycea^e lending themselves to the blind and subservient idolatry of party ; till they, instead of tying themselves to the tails ol' the paltry demagogues of politics, de- "mand action from their political agents in the ex- ecution of trusts solemnly delegated lor the pro- tection of their interests, they maysiill expect a kick whenever they present themselves at the door ol legislation asking any means lor their promo- lion. Let the larmer appreciate more highly his political rights and his piolessional dignity and interests ; let him be the master of his servant, iioi the slave of his bondman ; let him understand his own interests and urge his rights as becomes one endowed with wisdom and judgment and will ; and we shall see the spirit of justice anjj liberality Id negleciedj, abused, injured agriculture awakened in the halls of legislation. All depends on the farmers themselves — they may pay if they choose, all the revenues, and permit them to be expended in any thing but promoting their direct interests — even in insulting their interests — they may do ^his ; or they may reform the legislation of the country. They have a power which they may exert for their own weal or woe ; let them choose iheir own policy. DEJSULl'ORY OUSERV^TXONS ON THE BAIVK- IMG SYSTEM OF THIS COUNTRY, AND THE EFJ'. In the suspen- sion of 1837. the notes of the Virginia banks fell, as soon as the suspension was declared, 10 per cent, below specie in market price, and altei wards declined still more. At this time, they are only 4 per cent. ; and in the suspension of 181.3, city bank notes, (that is, those in best credit,) were 20 per cent, and country bank notes liom 20 to 50 per cent, below the value of specie. Yet all those were banks reputed solvent — or believed to have the means of ultimately paying all their notes and other deb's. If supposed to be insol- vent, as many other banks have been, and now are, the depreciation would have been much greaier. The fluctuation alone of the rate of depreciation adds very much to ihe tax of its amount ; thus, if sometimes at 4 per cent., then 20, and then but 4 again, and next 10, these changes would be much worse lor the suffering and ignorant community (though not perhaps for belter informed gambling stock-jobbers and speculators.) than a steady average depreciation of 10 or 12 per cent. This truth is so obvious as to need no proof. But as it is impossible to ex- hibit truly the evils of a depreciated currency continually changing in value, let us suppose to exist, and observe the efliects of, the lesser degree of evil, presented by a steady and uniform rate of depreciation. And, from the estimation of this lesser evil, the reader may afterwards infer how much more it would be increased by continual THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 325 alteralions ot'ilie dei|;ree ofdeprcciatioii, operaliriix to repeat the first and ireiieral ill eliecl on ihe va- lue of labor and profiis at every new llucluation, whether in risinij or lallinir. Let us suppose the average rale ol' depreciation of t)ank paper, durinif a stoppage ol" paymeiils, to be 10 per cent, below gold and silver. Belbre the suspension of payments was announced, or belbre the " run" upon the banks had commen- ced, of course there could have been but little specie in circulation ; lor our supposition was ol' a case where banks had issued as much paper as circulation could absorb while bank notes re- mained payable in specie on demand. As soon as the sufc-pen.^ion is declared, ol' course all the little sjiecie belbre in circulation disappears, and the country is without any currency whatever, except the irredeemable, discredited, and depre- ciated bank notes, with which circulation is filled. It is then not a matter of choice whether such money shall be received and paid, and thus con- tinue current or not. There is 7io other money — and of course every body is obliired to use it as freely as belbre ; and such would be the case even if the depreciation were five limes as grreat. Not only are individuals thus compelled to take the (le()r£ciated paper, but even the government ; lor the government, whose business it is to provide or indicate a currency, had left this important attri- bute of sovereignty to be usurped by the banks, and therefore llie government is in the reniarka- ble and most, feeble and helpless condition, ot beinsx without any solid, proper, or legal currency whatever. Legislation perhaps has not yet cheat- ed all creditors, as regularly afterwards follows bank suspent^ions in Virginia, by making the depre- ciated paper money virtually a legal tender — and thus violating the constitution of government, as well as priva(e rights. But even m advance of this |)olicy, (of "relief laws," " slay laws," &c.,) public vpiniun alone is powerful enough to Ibrbid any creditor exacting his debts in specie, or other- wise charging to the debtor the amount o!' actual depreciation. Then, every man to whom money IS owing tor his labor, or the previous sale of his property, is paid actually but 90 dollars for every 100 due to him ; and thus, at the first dash, every debt due throughout the whole country is taxed and reduced 10 per cent. ; and that amount is transferred from the possession of the creditor class, to the debtor class. This amount of pro- perty thus forcibly translerred, would be an enor- iiious public evil, (independent of its wrongful- ness,) greater than all possible public benefits previously derived from the banking systerp. But this is not all. Prices in general, so far as they are matter of mutual agreement, it is true, will in time be accommodated to the new depre- ciated value of the currency. But this cannot be done at once ; and while gradually reaching that point, the benefits of the changes will always fall to the well-informed and cunning traders or stock-jobbers, and money brokers, and the losses will fall on those who earn their living by selling their labor, or the products of their labor. But very many kinds of prices cannot be changed, even gradually, from the nominal to the real value of the depreciated currency. All who live on fixed salaries, or receive prices fixed by previous contract, must continue to lose one- ienth of their income, for the profit (to the banks) of the fraud of sioppirii; payments. And indeed many other prict-s, especially of various kinds of labor, are so fixed by custom,- though not by law, as to be very slow in changing to suit the new value of money, and of course are so taxed in proportion to the slowness of their change. The prices of the work of bricklayers and plasterers, of liouse-painiers and of many others, are at certain rales according to the precise measurement of liie work executed. Now, to make prices lair in these cases, they should rise iO per cent, in the next hour after the baidt [)aper and only currency of the country had sunk in value 10 per cent. Yet all these mechanics, and also those who employ then), know well that no such sudden and proportional rise of prices Ibr their labor would take place. And in lime, all other prices which are not fixed, rise in propor- tion to the depreciation of money; and alter nnl- lions of value being translerred from the rightful owners to other persons in making the change, it might be, if the rale of depreciation were really fixed and steady, that prices would be again fairly rated upon labor and property, by every thing being charged 10 per cent, higher than at the former specie prices. But, in prac- tical operation, belbre this new and lair gradua- tion could be reached, the ground would have been again shifted by a new lluctuat ion ol price, and a different rate of depreciation of the currency ; and every fluctuation, whether by increasing or decreasing the previous depreciation, would cause more evil than belbre, l)y again disordering prices, and transferring property wrongfully ; and It should be observed that the iransliirs of value would not be directed by mere chance, but would generally be from the most ignorant to the most arllul ; and that the greatest gainers by this game ol" speculation would be the same banking and stock-jobbing class, by whose agency and Ibr whose benefit the first great fraud and the great consequent evils were produced. During a state of fluctuating depreciation of currency, the prices ol" labor and of property are continually pursuing the steps of depreciation, but are always liir be- hind, and never can overtake them. But the increase of nominal prices of property does not stop at the proper mark required by a fixed and permanent depreciation of n)oney; and this is another great evil. The great mass of the community will never be able at first to under- stand the true cause of the rise of nominal prices : and what is in truth merely, depreciation of money, is believed to be an increased and still in- creasing value of land and other property, and even of general and growing prospeiiiy. There- fore this mistaken and fbolisTi view of" the matter causes property, after it has reached the 10 per cent, of" nominal appreciation, suited to 10 per cent, depreciation ot" the paper money, to con- tinue to rise still higher, merely because of the belief that the first rise was real, instead of nomi- nal. And the more rapid, and the higher the ad- vance m price, and the more baseless the appre- ciation, the stronger will be the general con- fidence in the " rise of" property," and the more therefore will it continue to rise. But all this delusion must come to an end, soon or late, either by a return to specie payments and specie prices, or by the people coming to a proper understand- ing ol" the cause of the rise of prices. And both 326 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. in the rise and the subsequent I'all of prices, there must be an enormous amount of value iransler- red without equivalent, Irom ihe rightlul proprie- tors to 01 her person?. But peciiniary losses, nu- merous and great as they would be, and the en- tire ruin of thousands ol the honest and laborious classes of society, to enrich the " knovvmg ones,'" would not be so injuiious to the country as the moral evils which will as certainly follow mad speculation, as the spirit ol speculaiion will pre- viously be the effect of such abuses of banking, and depreciation of bank paper. Not one of the community would entirely escape the contamina- tion. So many would seem to be growing rich by the rise of property and fortunate purchases, that the rewards ol labor and of ordinary business would be deemed poor and contemptible in com- parison. All would be in has'e to get rich, and would become speculators (t ol' this kind ; the [)erniit(in«r of wliu-h lias served ol'ien 10 ruin such lavored debtors themselves, as well as inducing injustice to other applicaiiis lor ^ discounts, and causing great losses to the banks, and great injury to public inleresis, habits and morals. It would be only such injudicious or ependlhrift borrowers who could have any reason to object lo the most |)ublic exhibition ol their discounts. The magnitude of the discounts ol' sale debtors and judicious mercliants, instead of being injurious to their mercantile credit, would have the oppotsite operation. For they would be an indication of the large amount of their busi- ness and their profits ; and not of their necessi- ties or necessary embarrassments — as many ol the existing long standing ''accommodations" would show of many other debtors of diHereni character. •5. A saltiguaid againt banking fraud, and sus- pension of piyments, would be to reejuire that all debts due Iroin a bank, whether lor deposiie.- or otherwise, should be payal)le in specie, if the bank prolessed to pay specie ; and when in a state of " suspension," and not paying specie, nor |)rolessing to pay it, that all such dues should be paid in the noies of the particular bank, or branch. This regulation would restrain the present gene- ral and efieciually evasive procedure of the banks, which enables them to avoid paying specie, even when prol'essina to pay. By the pievniling e\s- tem of receiving Ibreign notes of non -specie paj- ; ing banks on deposite, and issuing only such notes, ' and so managing as to remove all iis own notes ; (by exchanginii them with other banks or bran- j dies,) to disiant circulation — and by claiming lo I pay all checks in " current, bank notes," that is, I in the worst kinds of loreign notes which the | bank may choose to receive on deposite, (or ihe j very purpose of eHecting the evasion — ) by ilie:?e j paliry and scandalous tricks, the bank is ellec- ] lually guarded liom being compelled to pay spe- cie to any considerable extent, even when pro- lessing to comply wiih the obligation ; and aloo from the necessity of issuing its own notes, when reliisiog to pay specie, and thereby being madesub- ject to such penalty lijr the refusal as may be re- quired by law. If a bank suspends payment. It should at least be subject to such penally (or the suspension as the law had imposed, and the bank had chosen as an aliernaiive prelerable lo paying specie. This is all iliat is sought to be secured by this particular measure of reform. It is manifest that by the now general tricks ol evasion, (tricks, which if resorted to by an indi vidual, would stamp him with the character of a desperate and shameless bankrupt, if not worse,) the legal obligation of a bank to pay specie is made nugatory, and also the penalties lor refusing to pay. At this lime, and for years past, il' any of the community had dared to put in force the slight and almost nominal penalty on the bank for refusing lo pay specie, there would be Ibund scarcely any means to do so. For; by their sys- tem of receiving foreign and other than their own notes in deposite, for the very purpose of paying out such notes exclusively, it is scarcely possible to find a note of any particular bank in circula- tion, in its own town, or the neighboring country. 1 1' there were any just ground to complain ot' hardship in the restriction here proposed, (that is, of all such notes as a bank chooses to receive and to le-issue being placed on ilie liioiing ol its own notes,) the banks can easily avoid the ope- ration of the rule by refusing to receive such notes as deposiies, or, if receiving, by reluming them to the banks, by which they weie issued.* 6. This plan ol partial reform would not al- ways prevent, though it would render much less frequent and injurious, the occurrence of bdiik suspensions o! payment ; and neither would we require (as ought to be part of any thorough re- lorin) the closing of a hank, as bankrupt, upon iis stopping payment. But there surely ought to be infiicied on every suspending bank some ge- neral and truly operative penalty, heavy enough, at least, to prevent the banks Horn reaping any profit Ironi their suspension, and the cunsecjuent depreciation of their pajier money — which will always be the result, wiihoul some such efiectual priialties. Theexisnng law ol North Carolina allows to the holders ol notes on which payment has been refused (and the penalty required by the holders,) 12 per cent, inieiesl aqd damages (hereon ; and this penalty has not yet been lound ol much effect, in any way, nor is it often put in Ibrce. But this, or even 10 per cent, interest, might be sufficient lor the particular object in view, if in connexion with, and aided by, the oiher previously mentioned requisitions ol this ~ plan ol partial reform. 7. The greaiest measure of partial reform, in the removal of the great abuse which is the Iruit- lul and uniailiiig source and subsequent support of all other minor abuses, is yet to be presented. This abuse is the exisiing partnership of the state of Virginia and the banks. This partnership must he dissolved, and the stale must cease to exercise (lor its designed and supposed profii, but really to i:s great loss and injury, on every score,) the trade of banking, and cease lo be interested at all, much les* to the amount of nearly half of all the capi- tal of the banks of circulation, belore any great relorm to the banking system can possibly be el- lecied. In proposing this particular measure of reliDrra, we can merely reler thus generally and concisely to the great abuse which it would re- move. For to discuss and thoroughly expose all the abominations of the state's being a large bank- ing stockholder, and the consequenl intimate con- nexion of bank and state, would alone require more space than can be here given to the whole subject. Even if considered in the partial and very limited view of pecuniary profit to the trea- sury, we are satisfied that the entire destruction, without any compensation, of all the common- wealth's iuieresi in ihe banks, would ultimately operate as a gain instead of a loss to the public wealth. When the commonwealth of Virginia is no longer a stockholder in the banks, nor generai surety for their solvency, then, and not until then, ^ will legislation on banking be directed liar the pub- lic benefit, instead of, as now, and heretofore, for the exclusive benefit of the banking interest. * This now general syslem of operations by banks falsely professing to pay specie, which is but slightly referred to above, wa3 fully stated and exposed in a distinct article at page 163 vol. 9 of the Farmers" Re- gister. • 332 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. XXI. Measures of thorough reform. Banks wUh- out circulation, or very limited circulation. Bal ihough the adoption of these several de- fences would prevent all the petty and most dis- lionest and scandalous of abuses, which now constitute nearly the whole of the wreat body of banking operations, it would still leave in ex- istence, and in danjjerous force, the great and in- herent evils of the banking system in this coun- try ; and which not bins short of pralion. There are two jireai principles of the established banking system which are the sources of all their inherent evil effects; and it is vain to hope fjr exemption from great danger to public interests, and great (rauds upon, and losses by, the commu- nity, until these sources of evil are either closed, or much more effectually regulated than now. These are, first, the privilege of creating paper money, and the power o\ filling therewilh the ivhole circulation of the country ; and, secondly, the freedom ol the banks and their stockholders from responsibility and efficient penalties, when ibe.y fail to comply with the obligations assumed. Either to regulaie or put down these privileges and exemptions, would be ihe main object of our plan of thorough t)aid{ reform. Bui, even if if there were any chance to procure a lliorough reform, and we could have anv influence in direct ing the plan, we would not aim to reach that end by multiplying regulations and resirictions, and encumbering the statute book with numerous ad- ditional provisions, and penalties for violation ol obligaiions by banks. Our system of reform would be very concise. It might indeed be almost com- prised in these few words — " let the trade in mo- ney be free" — or if that be unattainable, (hen, " let the banking trade be just as free, and not more privileged, than is the trade in money as le- gally exercised by individuals." In other words, we would have free banking in iis fullest sen.=e — but, at the same time, banking fully amenable to the laivs, and strictly bound by the general re- straints of the law. This general system, (if without any exception or limitation,) would put every bank note upon the fooling of a bond from an individual, and of which the credit and cur- rency would be determined by the reputation of the individual or banking company by which the note was issued. And each individual [ artner in a banking company would be severally responsi- ble lor the payment of every note issued, and debt incurred by the company. But though the individual responsibility ofstock- holders is strictly just, its exaction by law might be waived, as an unnecessary safeguard, in regard to banks on a properly reformed system. And the great and profitable privilege to the banks, of issuing notes as currency, not bearing interest, and which must always be dangerous to the pub- lic interests, and a tax levied upon (he community for the profit of the bank, might be also granted under proper restriciions, as a kind of middle ground, or transition resting place, between the present vicious system of exclusive paper cur- rency, and a safe and solid currency principally metallic, and the balance of it strictly and fully, and always and truly representing as much exist- ing specie. The paper money thus permitted should never be more than equal to the capital of the bank, or twice the amount of iis specie ; and no note to be for less than $20 ; and we would prefer that the lowest perjiiitted denomi- minaiion should be afterwards raised to $50. The bank might, as all individuals may, in the absence of either legal restriction or legal privilege, issue notes to serve as currency for any less denomina- tion. But they would carry interest, like all other bonds, if not exempted by law, and this would be perhaps a sufficient bar lo their excess. XXII. Paper money not necessary to make re- mittances. Inasmuch ns when a country is furnished with a sufficient specie currency, (as every country producing commodities lo exchange for specie would have, if not using paper money,) as we have before slated, the issue of redeemtdile paper does not permanently increase the amount of the general currency, but only substilutcs, and causes tlie sending abroad as much specie as there is currencj' supplied of paper — it follows that the great benefit which most persons expect from pa- per issues, that of " making money more plenty," is altogether liillacious and delusive. It is only af- ter the suhsiit iiiion of specie by paper is complete, and the paper is irredeemable and depreciated, that a greater amount of paper money, even in nominal value, can be kept afloat than the former specie circulation, under like circumstances of ex- tent of trade and of general wealth. Then, in- deed, any amount of paper can be poured into and kept in circulation ; but its depreciation will inciease in proportion to the excess; and the exchangeable value of the whole currency will not be materially, and certainly not beneficially changed; and none but the fabricators of the paper currency will derive profit from either a moderate and redeeniable, or the most excessive and depreciated emission of paper money. Then, putting aside this vain and delusive, but very ge- neral expectation of increasing the amount of sound currency by bank issues, there is no benefit to the general and public interest to be gained from paper money, except its greater convenience for transmission. This is, indeed, a very great and valuable convenience. But it may be availed of very nearly as well by other means, as by transmitting bank paper money. For all large payments, even now, bank notes are very rarely sent to distant places. For such purposes, bills of exchange, (as we have before explained,) are preferable, and always will be used. And if ex- change on New York (for example) could not be bought here, for the reason that no one here had funds in New York, (or money due for commodi- ties sold there) then our bank notes would not best serve instead — or if forced to serve, they would be sent back immediately to draw specie — and there- fore it would at last be the specie, and not the bank notes, that would be remitted to make pay- ment. But there is another mode more usual and still better than to send specie — which is to send our products, tobacco, flour or cotton, in the ordi- nary course of trade. Such exportaiions continu- ally provide to Ihe shippers here funds in New York, or other places with which we trade ; and for these funds, bills of exchange are drawn, and sold to those persons who have to pay debts, or to buy THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 333 conimodiiive in iIio.«p places. And thus it is as ea?v, nnil is as iiiiicli a reixular hnsine?s, (or our merchanis to make paynionts in Enniand, where an American bani< note never finds its way. as in New York, where they sometimes are sent, and would often cjo, if in jrnod and deserved credit at home. Thus, (or distant payments, or transmis- sion, it must he admitted that bank paper is not at ail neces^arv, nor even ihe most convenient means (or ren)iMance. For payments and transmissions hel ween neiL^i boririiT t()U'n>', as Kichmond, and Norlblk, or Pe- tersburship by, and acceptance of them by government,) bank notes could not at fiist become currency — and without the coniinuance of undi- niimslied confidence, neither could they remain in circulation, unless indeed the ground ol confidence had been totally overthrown, by the banks re- fusing to redeem their notes. Tiien, indeed, they would continue in circulation ; but as a depreciated currency, and because the better currency had been by ii expelled Irom circulation. For any in- dividuals or corporations to gain currency lor tlieir notes liy securing laUe confidence, am! then to keep them in circulation by totally lorlciting confi- dence, is nothing beiter than swindling, and that upon the most exiended scale ol'operations on which swindling has ever been perlbrmed. And the law should lorbid and prevent, or punish such proce- dure, and society should condemn, denounce, and treat it as it is, an enormous moral and social ol- fence, even if ilie main object of both the govern- ment and of society were to sustain the |jolicy and the credit of the paper money system. For the only possible chance lor sustaining perma- nently the credit of this system, and thereby gain- ing the benefits from its successlijl operation which its advocates believe to be attainable, will be to purily the system, cut off' li-om it al least the manilest and notorious abuses and frauds, and thus, by compelling better conduct, preserve to the banks and to their issues as much as possible of good reputation and ground for claim to public confidence. If a stranger to the circumstances of this coun- try, in other respects, w^re to learn its condition as to banking operations and their results, it would be to him utterly uncomprehensible that any people, and much less a free and enlightened people, should submit to be thus ruled, and plun- dered, and corrupted in morals as much as impo- verished, by a system which is beneficial only to a very small portion of the community, and they mostly of the classes who seek to live, and do live and fatten, by depredating upon the pro- perty and fruits of the labor of the commu- nity. And this worse than Egyptian bondage of the honest and laborious many, lo the dis- honept and rapacious lew, is Fubinitied lo by the suHering community, impatiently indeed, but as if there were no help, no possibility of any remedy or mili-ialion being alforiled. Indeed, a large portion ol the plundered and ouiragefl class are so deluded and inlaiuaied as lo deem the pysiem which oppresses ihem asiheir liesiaid and sufiport. And the operation of this delusion, and the still stronger infiuence of Ihe power of the banks, have served lor many years to render the iniquitous system impregnable, and all assaults iipon.il lo be not only hopeless, but even ridicu- lous. But the time has come when this enormous power is tottering, and may be assailed, not only irith hope, but almost with certainly of success. And the enormous excesses and siill extending abuses and Irauds of the [)aper money system have alone brought it to this now leeble and vul- nerable condition. There is nothing now wanting' lor its purgation and relormaiion, but light on the subject, to induce the people lo judge and lo act, aiui they will, in a voice of thunder, pronounce the s|)eedyand uiier condemnation of this stupendous system of delusion, fraud, pillage, and usurpa- tion. Every individual who thinks \hat bank re- formation is needed, should exert his influence, no matter how low he may estimate il, lo diffuse itiformaiion among his neishbors. Associations lor promotins; bank reformation should be formed, and auxiliaries established in every county, to for- ward the object, by causing the publication, in the cheapest possible form, and spreading belbre the people, olsuch papers as will expose the evils and the fraudulent and ruinous operation ot the irre- deemable paper money system, Il this were done, upon a concerted plan of extended operation, and but a lew suitable, zealous and active individuals were to commence action in each county of Vir- ginia, it would not be long before they would in- crease their numbers twenty for one ; and with ihe aid of a very small pecuniary contribution from each member, they would command a treasury ihai would ffood the country with trutk-tclling publications on this subjeci, on which heretofore almost noihing but falsehood has been sent forth from Ihe press. The gross abuses of the irre- { deemable paper banking system could not stand a j year in Virginia, nor much longer elsewhere, I against the assanlis of such an organized array of I Ibee. We earnestly urge all of the few who are [already flilly awakened to the enormity of the evil, to unite on this plan of procedure. Let no man think that he is too weak to forward the great movement. The great body of the people, how- ever illinlbrmed as yet on this subject, are open to conviction, and ready and anxious lo be in- structed. Any one zealous asserler and preacher of the truth, by proper exertions, can in a few hours draw to his aid five or ten others, equally influential ; and the five or the ten soon could be made filly or a hundred. A very small contribu- tion only should be required, say a dollar, or even less, so as to enlist as many as possible in the movement ; and, if such means were used, it would not even require another general election of delegates to the legislature of Virginia, before that body would know that it was Ihe will of the people that banking abuses should be permitted ; to proceed no farther, i Farmers of Virginia — raechanics — all who live 336 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. by honest labor — will you not make an effort to se- cure yourselves and your posieriiy from ihe enor- mous and increasing exactions and depredations ol' this system of Iraud and usurpation ? THE CONDITION OF AMERICAN AGRICULTURE, AND THE PROPRIETY OF AFFORDING TO IT GOVERNMKNTAL AID. Extract from Hie Address of tlie Hon Cliilton Allan to tlie Keiitucliy estate Agricultural Society. ^ i)f ^ vF TF We will now take a view ol the agriculture of our own beloved country, and in doing this, I will enumerate the circunittances thai have contri- buted to its advancement and those which have made against it. Since the revolution, the repeal of the law ol primogeniture — allodial iiiles, the facility ol ac- quiring portions of uur vast lerrilory, and protect- ed industry presented a grand theatre lor the display of tlie productive powers ol agriculture, and with these advantages, without aid lioni government, it has been the chief agent in mak- uig the United Slates what they are. Here has been an expansion of populaiion, inieiligeiice and wealth, which has astonished the world. The disadvantages which have operated against agri- culture in Uie United States are the lolloiving : The original emigrants brought with them a very imperlect knowledge of tillage, ihe an being then bui little undersiood in the mother country. The emergencies attending new settlements in a savage land prevented improvement. The great quantuy of land and scarciiy of la- borers, causeil the people to be perlecily regard- less ol the preservation of the soil. The liishion was to tend corn and tobacco in the same fields as long as they would produce, then throw them away and clear new unes. In the old slates we find thousands of acres that have been thus exhausted and grown up ui thick undervv9od. In Kentucky, our habits of negligence have been increased by the leriilily of our toil ; nature having done so much, many of us concluded there was very little lor man to do, and it is a melancholy laci thai, at ihis very time, two-thirds of the first cleared fields in the state will not produce hall as much as they did at first. Among the causes that have retarded the pro- gress of our liirming, none more deserves our notice than the general pas^sion lor large tracts ol land. The great length of our rivers, the vast extent of our continent, and thecheu|)iiess of wild lands, have given us large ideas, and we have come to measure our wealth by the number ol acres we possess. And in this wild career, with hearts of controversy, we lay out all our means in extending our territory. Hence our country now presents so many large tracts incumbered with old logs, brush piles and weeds. It is said there are three elements ofwealth — land, labor and capital — this is a bad classification, there is m truth but one element ofwealth, and that is labor. Capital is nothing but concentrated labor. The man who lives on the profits of houses, goods and money, lives on labor that has been perlormed. Land without labor is of no value. It is fi-om the labor and not from the land we derive profit. A million of dollars laid out in wild land will not bring ilie owner a dinner or a cent. One acre in good rultivaiion produces more profit than a thou- sand that is uncultivated. There never was a greater mistake than the invesimenl of capital in land to lie idle. Let us look at a case in minia- ture, and the idea can be applied lo the whole slate. Of two neighbors having good land, suppose one has kept one hundred acres of his land lor the last fifiy years under good lillage, while the other has kept a hundred acres of his uncleared, the profits of the one hundred acres under tillage, say IS worth it>300 annually, and ihis annual in- come is pill at such profiiable use as that the prin- cipal and interest accruing will have yielded 6 per cein. annually ; Ihe amount in fifiy years would be $i90,416 70 ; while he of ihe wooiJland would have lieen all the time paying taxes and receiving no profits. If one half the capital that is now invested in land in Kentucky was invested in labor upon the oiher hallj it can be demonstrated by any man competent lo make calculations, that ihe aggregate wealih of the suite would he more than doubled. The criterion ol the size of farms ought to be this : to have them no larger than the labor employed could keep in the highest state of cultivaiion. While a farmer has logs and brush, and weeds and worn-out fields in his limits, he should ne»?er think of adding. He thai has a lai'iie trad of land and lew laborerts, and is living in poverty among thorns and ihisilet", let him sell half and employ the proceeds in culiivating the oiherhali; and he will grow rich by the chanye. Our people are sent ofi to the new states — our school houses are empty from the sparseness of our population, and thousands of children are growing up in ignorance and actual poverty from the vain pride of their fathers to have large tracts of land. But the great disadvantage under which Ame- rican agriculture has had lo labor, is the neglect of the government. When we have seen that the ancient Egyptian, Assyrian, Persian, Phoenician, Jew, Chinese, and the inhabitant of ancient India, became great and prosperous by bringing the power of government and religion in aid of indi- vidual indusiry in cultivating the earth : when we have seen mat all the modern governments of Euiojie have discovered and are now practising upon ihis ancient principle of national improve- meni, is it not astonishing that our national and state liovernments are ihe only ones in the world that give no direcl assistance lo tillage'? Our surprise is increat-ed when we read the lollowing words from the last message of President Wash- iiigiDii to congiess : "•• li will noi be doubted thai with reference either to individual or national welfare, agricul- ture is of primary importance in proportion as nations advance in population and other circum- stances of maturity ; this truth becomes more apparent and renders the cultivation of the soil mure and more an object of public patronage. " Institutions (or promoting it grow up, sup- ported by the public purse ; and to what object can ii be dedicated with greater propriety ? Among the means which have been employed to ilus end, none have been attended vviih greater suc- cess than the establishment of boards composed of proper characters, charged with collecting and THE FARMEUS' REGISTER. 337 diffjsing information, enftbled by premiums and small pecuniary aids to encourage and assist a tpiril oi discovery and iniprovenieul. " This ppecies ol" establishment conlributes doubly lo tlie increase ot improvement, by stimu- lating enterprise and experiment, and by drawing lo a common centre the resu:ts every where of in- dividual skill and observatiot), and spreading them thence over the whole nation. Experience ac- cordingly has shown that they are very cheap m- elruments ol' immense national benefits." What wizard spell — what I'alal darkness has blinded the eyes oC our public councils so long to the great agency of human prosperity, and to the parimg counsel of the father of his cowntry 1 VVtiy m the name of the experience of the world are manufactures and commerce more entitled to governmental protection than agricul- ture I Willie it is true, that seven-eighths of our population live by agriculture, is it not strange, passing strange that, in a country possessing li-ee mstiiutions, it is also true that, from the foundation ol our government up to this time, there cannot be Ibund, either in the statutes of the state, or the nation, tlie word agriculture ; while it is true that the national code irom 1789 to 1836 is replete will) provisions lor the protection of mauuliactures ; while it is true that our commerce in every place on the globe is under the shield ol' national power, is it not strange, that it is also true, that there never has been appropriated, either from your na- tional or state treasury, one dollar lor the direct en- couragement of the art of husbandry. The question of domestic inanutactures has occupied the widest space in the public attention. Behold the power of commerce ! P>om 1816 to 1836, lor repairs and increase of the navy we have expended $22,000,000 ; during the same period ilie whole naval establishment cost ^66,- 000,000. At this expense, our nation, very [)ro- perly, has made the stars and stripes wave over every ocean and upon every sea, lor the protection of our commerce. Relerence to a single recent historical fact will illustrate the ascendent power which commerce has acquired over the councils of our country, and ihe sleepless vigilance with which it is guarded in the most remote parts of ihe earth. In the year 1831, the merchant vessel Friendship from Salem, was captured and plundered on the pepper coast of the island ofSumatra. Alter the capture of the Friendship, Capt. Endicot, her command- er, told the islanders that he belonged to a great nation on the other side of the globe, that would, belore the end of twelve months, send a big ship to punish the outrage that had been committed upon him. They laughed at the idea of the ex- istence and power of the United Slates. The news of the captureof the Friendship was brought to our government. The powerful ship Potomac happened just at that time to be ready for sea, and she was forthwith despatched to avenge the outrage which iiad been committed upon the com- merce of the United States. Time rolled on ; the twelve months had nearly elapsed ; the 13th moon was nearly at hand, in two days more the pirates would hail the anniversary of the capture of the Friendship. All but a very few were de- riding the idea of the threatened visitation of the big ahip ; yet tliey could net dismiss the ominous threat from their minds. On the morning of thf^ Vol. IX.— 26 7ih tf February, 1832, just forty-eight hours be- lure the ex|)iration ol the twelve months, the sua rose on Sumatra ; and, behold ! there stood, eura enough, ihe terrible big ship ! They saw, in the stard and stripes, as they lloated on the breeze, iheliite ol the pirate and the murderer. Their Ions were stormed, and their town laid in asfies ; and such a terrible impression made of the power and justice of the United States, that since that time, the smallest Americaa vessel can float in sattity in these remote piratical seas. Thus, it was to protect an inconsiderable branch of our commerce, upon the opposite side of the world, that a national ship circumnavigated the globe, in a voyage of lour years doubling the Cape of Good Hope in going out, and that of Cape Horn in coming in, at the cost of probably a mdlion of dollars. If the national mind, if the national resources, could be brought lo bear thus directly on agriculture, what glorious results would Ibllow ! The expense of this single expedition would have established an agricultural college, with an experimental liirm, in each of the states, and made educated, practical farmers of thou- sands of poor orphans. But why has it happened, here in a free land, where farmers constitute seven-eighths of the whole population, that the arts and commerce have been able to monopolize the resources and legislation of the country, while not one hour is ever devoted, by our public functionaries, to the consideration ol agriculture'? These are the rea- sons : — Those devoted to manuliictures and com- merce have been able, Irom their concentrated position, to act together in organized concert ; and concert has enabled them to bring into their service the public prets and public men. They have been able to biing to bear upon public opinion, all the means of popular instruction ; while those devoted to agriculture have been dispersed over the continent, from Maine to Louisiana, and from the Atlantic to the liir west, each man in compara- tive solitude, relying upon his individual efforts, without the means of communicating with his brethren of ihe same class. Having no union, tins mighty, unembodied, disorganized interest, acted not ai all upon the public councils. But the spirit of the age will overcome this difficulty. Most ol' Ihe states have already made agriculture the subject of legislation ; societies are every where springing up ; public journals, devoted to the art ol husbandry, are multiplying; able men, in all parts of the union, are addressing the people in their primary assemblies ; light is shed abroad among the larmeis, and the time has arrived when those who pay nine-tenths of the public revenue, will claim the right to be heard in our public councils. It will be impossible, in a free land, for the stupid and absurd notion, that the seven-eighths ol the people, devoted to the cultivation of the earih, should remain ignorant, while education is mainly reserved lor those devoted to the leari»ed professions. It will be impossible, where the bal- lot box is in the hands of' the larmers, lor the emoluments and honors of the government much longer to be concentrated in the hands of oilier proiessions. It will be impossible, in a free land, Ibr those who pay nine-tenths of the public reve- nue, to remain much longer quiet, and see annual thousands ei^iandered in local and trivial legisla- 338 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. tion, while the great basis on which stands the public prosperity, is wholly neglected. There is but one thing needlul to make agricul- ture in Kentucky the surest road, boih to wealth and lame ; and that is, to raise the standard o( education among the farmers. When this is done, our educated young men will not all crowd the learned prolessions, but will soon find that the oc- cupation ol" a larmer is more sure than any other, to lead to competency and honorable distinction. Whenever the opinion shall prevail, that the cul- tivation of the earth gives greater scope lor ihe exercise of a highly cultivated mind, than any occupation in the world, the landed interest will learn its true power. It will have its statesmen and orators every where, in primary assemblies, and in legislative halls, to defend and protect its interests. The vast elemental power of agricul- ture will then be brought out of that chaos, in which it has been so long buried, and shaped into system. Behold the millions of minute streamlets, issu- ing from the sponges of the Alleghany and Rocky mountains, without any apparent connexion ! Yet, by-and-by, they form themselves into a thou- sand noble streams, and these thousand unite their mighty volumes of water in the Father of Rivers, which pours his resistless floods into the ocean ! So shall the scattered, and, at present, apparently disconnected interests of the farmers, Irom the Atlantic to the lar west, and from the great Lakes to the great Gulf, be formed into a union that will riffhifully and salely control the destinies of Ame- rica, and perhaps of the world. This enlightened interest will not seek, in the least, to depress the favor whish manuliictures and commerce have in the government, but to place their mother, agriculture, one step above them. Then agricultural colleges, experimental farms, geological surveys, reports on productive industry, and premiums ibr new and improved implements, will occupy the time of congress, and the state legislatures. We have seen, that all the eminent states of antiquity made agriculture the chie'care of their governments. We have seen all the modern nations of Europe lie in poverty and ignorance, and despotism, until they discovered thai God had connected the virtue, and intelligence, and properly of mankind, with the cultivation of the earth : until they discovered that the power and resources of the government must act directly on the subject. The question may be asked, in the promotion of agriculture, what should be left to individual in- dustry, and what should be performed by the government 1 1 answer, whatever individuals can do, they will do, better than the government. But whatever the interest of the whole people requires should be done, and which is beyond the means of individuals, should be performed by the whole people, through their government. The industry and finances of France were in a wretched condition ; the nation in poverty and ignorance, until that country happened to have a great king and a great minister ; they saw what was the matter. Henry IV. and Sully applied the remedy ; they applied the funds of the govern- ment to raise agriculture ; and by stimulating a eingle branch of industry, they raised France to opulence. They gave bounties lor raw silk, and for rearing mulberry trees. The result is, that besides the supply of her own vast consumption, she annually exports ^25,000,000 worth ol silk.; Thus by the application of a small premium, which no otie felt, the prospects of France were changed. The silk culture gave an easy and pleasant employment to millions of indigent peo- ple, and criaied a vast home market lor all the products of agnculiure, and changed the habits of the people Irom indolence to activity. ii IS now agreed that America is belter adapted to the culture ol' silk than Europe or Asia ; and it is perlecily ceriaiu, that judicious legislation would iniroducc it iiuo these states, to the saving ol ibe drain of ^20,000,000 of specie, which we annually send to the east lur that article. In our own time, and within our own observation, the- industry, finances and powers ol ihe world have been revolutionized Dy the culture of a single, plant, (cotton.) Russia was unknown among the civilized naiiont!, until the government of that country, by bounties, induced agriculturists from other nations, to setlle in their dominions. In 1783 Catherine II. established schools, and as early as 1793, Russia became an exporter of grain to tiie amount of millions of bushels. There are now Americans in Russia conducting farming operations on a large scale. Belore the power of the Russian government was brought in aid of individual industry, in the promoiion of agricul- ture, there were bui a lew fishermen's huts on ihe Neva, where now stands the most splendid capital in the world. Sweden was a semi- barbarous and half-starved nation until Charles XII. made agriculture an affair of state policy, and established agricultural colleges. Agriculture was in a very low condition in Aus- tria, uniil the sovereign of that couniry discovered the true basis ol legislation ; and to make the proper impression upon her subjects, of the importance of agriculture, she caused medals to be struck and dis- tributed among them, containing this inscription, " The art which nourishes all other cris." The government of England has incorporated agricultural societies, and endowed them with ample funds-^geological and agricultural surveys are made— an analysis of all the soils, with the best modes of improving them, and reports descriptive of all the modes of industry and im- plements used, are made at the expense of the government, and England derives an income of annual millions, by supplying the world with her surplus live stock. The distinction which 1 take of what should be left to individuals, and what should be performed by the government, is plain. The very many thincs connected with agriculture, which the public interest demands, and which is beyond the power of individuals, will readily occur to tiie mind of every reflecting man. But above all, it is not in the power of individuals to make ade- quate provision lor the education of the people. From all past indications, it is not at all probable, for a long time to come, that we shall be able to bring into practice any efficient plan of geiieral education, unless we can connect il with agricul- ture. The great, invaluable end to be accom- plished, by the joint action of the government and individuals, is the education of the children of the elate. THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 339 We do not desire exuberant harvests to fatten men, as mere animals. The value of man is developed by kindling the spark ol' divinity wiihin him. It is computed that there are 150,000 child- ren in the state ; and of (his number only 30,000 are receiving a tolerable education. la not this view enough to make the patriot's hair eland erect ! Our political institutions vest political power in the hands of the majority ; if that majority should become uoeducaled and ignorant, thfy will ol course lose all knowledge ot the principles of our government, and all desire lor just and equal laws ; and, just as sure as God rules the heavens, and punishes men lor the neglect ol' duty, in the long run our liberties will perish by misguided igno- rance. If we do not make the education ol the rising generation an affair of state, our descend- ants, at no distant day, will, in the first place, be plundered of their property, through the Ibrms of th-e ballot box, at the instigation of agrarian demagogues ; and next, they will take shelter in the arms of despotism, as a protection from the violence of mobs. It is difficult to convince some men that (he intelligence of the people ought to be considered public property, and the only shield of our possessions. They Ctinnot readily see the deep interest they have in the education of other people's children. They do not reflect that they have the same interest in the virtue and intelli- gence of the voters, upon whose voice at the bal- lot box depends the existence of (he laws and consdtytion ; that they have in the virtue and intelligetice of the judge who has to decide upon their title to their houses and lands, in court. The lesson taught us by the fathers of our in- stitutions, that these institutions have no other ibundation than the virtue and intelligence of the people, is not an idle saying. There is no dodg- ing the question. The instruction of youth must be made an affair of state, or the American expe- riment will turn out to be a splendid failure. But again, we do not desire fields waving with rich products lor the mere gratification of animal appetite. The end and aim of all the efforts ol man is happiness; and happiness ia certainly more connected with (he good cuUivation of the «arth than any other occupation. Man, as he ■came from the hands of his Maker, was placed in a garden adorned with every fruit and flower, because these, above all created things, were the ■elements of that pleasure most agreeable to a pure mind. And now, where are (he retreats ol happiness in (his world, comparable to well ar- ranged houses, clean yards, and well cultivated gardens'? Look abroad, and wherever you see shackling fences, burry fields, ducks and geese in the springs, hogs rooting up to (he doors, and cattle depredating upon corn hid in the weeds, you will find the men in grog-shops, and the child- ren without echool-housee, and their mothers in oaisery. On the contrary, wherever you see high- ly cultivated fields, a yard of green sod, orchards ^^'"* "^ bollom on a pivot, on nion that stalling lor working oxen, and milch j which it will turn freely, and has a band arouDd cows, is the prelerabie n>ode. For yomig stock, I its top, and which passes also around a horizontal when there is no demand made cither on their i i t-i . r.u t. , , x ■ , .... labor or produce, yarding is probably , he belter i "'''^''- The turning ol that wheel (which a child mode; and if well and |)!eniirully Jiiicrcd, wiih a I ^^° ^° easily,) keeps the tin vessel in a rotatory good supply of sound tbod, ihey may pass ilironnrh j motion, as fast or slow as is desired. The vessel an ordinary wii.ier season well. But itis lardiHer- i jg euslained in its position at top by preesin- ent with animals that have to work hard all . ,, r ■ i / i "= day, and whose hours Ibr leeding and rest are | "ga'"st two small friction wheels. It is set in a necessarily limited. In connexion with the stable I'ail, which is so little larger as to leave only will be erected a chaff house, and an open stable about an interval of an inch in thickness between lor cults. Ample lolts will extend over the whole. for receiving every species of provender for the stock ; the horse stable, barn, machine house, chaff house, colt stable and ox stable, will form the sides of a square enclosing the manure yard, with a straw yard in the rear. A pump room, root-room, and boiling house, will also be erected the inside of the pail and the outside of the tin vessel, to receive the pounded ice and salt. A peck of ice is enough to fill the space— and a peck and a half is as much as we both used and wasted in the whole operation. Thus the prepar- in a convenient location, as also a shade of suffi- i ing of this delicious summer rrfreshment is made cient extent to receive all carts, wagons, &c. 'I'he whole will lorm a very convenient range of farm ntlices adapted to the wants of the es'ai^e. By this new arrangement of the formerly exist- ing divisioiis of the estate, the extent of fencing will be reduced not less than 10 miles ; of itself a most important saving, estimating the cost of cutting and mauling rails at 33^ cents per hun- dred, 10 miles of fencing would cost not less than ^2,200; and if the value of limber used, hauling of rails, erecting of fence, and waste ol ground so occupied by the fences were valued at ihe low rale of as much more, the whole cost would amount to ^4400. And supposing these (ences, of pine rails, required to be renewed every sixth year, (and every fifih would be nearer the truth,) the annual cost would be ^733, 33 without calculating the yearly interest of money so invested. Leisure does not permit me to extend my notes farther at |)resent, but I will again resume them at an early dale, and am, most respecifijlly, your humble servant, A. Nicol. much more easy, quick, and also more cheap, in every respect, except for the cost of the machine, which is ^15 — and that is too much to be paid by families that do not make ice cream frequent- ly. But to those who do, and especially to con- fectioners, and keepers of public houses, Ihe price of the machine would lie saved, and the expen- diture prove a profit, in the course of a few months. The mode of operating is thus de- scribed in the letter of the gentleman who invent- ed the machine. — Ed. F. R. THE PATKKT FAMILY FREEZEB. We have received, from a gentleman of New York, a present of an apparatus of his invention, for making ice cream more easily, quickly, and with less labor, and much less ice, than in the usual clumsy and troublesome mode. We have had it tried ; and allowing something for the usu- al awkwardness of a new process, or use of a new machine, we are satisfied that it will well perform its designed purpose. Even with the help of the annexed figure, it will not be easy to describe the freezer so as to be understood. It will give us pleasure to show it to any one who may desire to see it. An ordinary wooden chest contains, and serves as a fi-atne for the whole. A deep and narrow Vol. IX. -27 •'The object of the contrivance, you will observe, id simply to turn the tin vessel, or freezer, and at the same time leave ihe top open, so as to have access to the contents. The arrangements are made with a view, also, lo economize in the quantity of ice and salt, to prevent either of these ingredients from gelling accidentally into ihe li-eezer, and to pro- duce the desired result in a short space of time, and without much labor. If you will take the trouble to let the first operation be performed un- der your own inspection, and by the following directions, you will judge how far I have suc- ceeded. Any person will understand that the pail must always be placed precisely in one position, which indeed can hardly be placed otherwise, there being a section ol a circle cut from the boards under the Iriciion wheels to receive the lop of ilie pail. The ()an also will sliow that it must stand directly under '.he centre of the large hole made lor the pui pose, and to fit the pail. The use of the pan is to prevent the ice and salt 346 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. from scattering about when filling the pail. The screw, (which you will insert in the end of the box,) is to pull the wheel back when the band becomes too loose. Make the band just tighi enough to turn the freezer ; if too tight, it will turn harder, and wear the friction wheels unneces- earily. As my machine proliesses to do nothing more than to freeze the cream where every thing else is prepared, in order to make a fair expe- riment, it will be preferred to have the ice and salt at hand, the lormer broken small, and the smaller the better. The cream, or custard, should be prepared in time to cool belbre it is put in the freezer. All this is necessary in any mode ol freezing. " Now as to the quantity of salt and ice. You will see that the pail will contain but a small quantity of ice, so inconsiderable as not to be worth naming. And one quart of salt is abun- dant. Rock salt, or the refuse of beef, pork, and fish barrels will do. It will be well when pound- ing the ice, to provide a box of some kind lor that purpose, and as an empty soap or candle box can be found in every family, no one need be at a loss ; and no implement is better, or more rea- dily procured Ibr pounding wiih, than a common smoothing iron, which may be used without at all injuring the face of it. '' VVe will now suppose the cream to be in the freezer, closed with the tin cover. First throw a little of the most finely pounded ice in the bot- tom of the pail, and sprinkle some salt on it. (Do not put in so much as to prevent the freezer from going down to iis place.) Then put the freeze* in the pail, taking care that the socket stands up- on the pin or pivot. Stand the pail in the box, covering it with the zinc pan, turn down the friction wheels, and fasten them vviih the hook, and ad- just the band. All this will not occupy oae mi- nute. Then fill the pail with pounded ice sprink- ling salt in during that operalion. You may now let it stand a little, or turn it slowly until the ice melts (a little,) and allow the cream to get near the freezing point. Then setile the ice wTih a stick and fill up the pail as belbre. Now re- move the tin cover, and introduce the large spoon, holding it lightly with its edge against the side ol the freezer. Moving it at the same time slowly up and down, which will remove the frozen cream from the sides, and mingle it with the more liquid parts. As the cream becomes thicker and thicker, the resistance offered by the spoon will of course increase, and the wheel will turn with more difficulty. Then cease turning for a mo- ment until the operator forces the spoon from the top downwards, to remove the hard frozen cream from the sides, and also from the bottom ; then turn again for a minute or two, and apply the spoon as last mentioned, until you have finished. Then slip the tin cover on. putting the handle of the spoon through the hole in it, left for that pur- pose, and let it stand until wanted, and to harden. All this may be done with ease in thirty minutes, (I do it in less.) You need not take the spoon out of the freezer (at all) until you serve up the cream. " It will be seen from the construction of the freezer, that the contents cannot be turned out in one mass or lump, but must be removed by spoonfuls, which is the more genteel method, unless a pyramid be desired, and in that case, a suitable form must be provided, into which the frozen cream is to be Ibrced and then turned out. In the first machine I made, the neck of the freezer was made to slip on like a cover, with the view of turning out the cream into a body, and although very nicely filled, the centrifugal force, when turned rapidly, made the cream fly out at the top in considerable quantities. There was no remedy but the plan now adopted." From tlie Louisville Journal. AN ACCOUNT OF THE MODE OF CULTURE ADOPTED IN RAISING A CROP OF TURNIPS WITH LIQUID MANURE. For which the medal of the Highland Society was, at the last December show, awarded to Mr. John Prentice, manager of the Caledonian Dairy. After the separation from the ground of the while crop which generally precedes fallow, it is the first of the preparatory measures towards another crop to give this a furrow about the end of autumn. This is too commonly done in a careless manner, as being unworthy the care be- stowed where the seed has to be sown without any spring ploujzhing, and almost always with too shallow a furrow. This is done under a no- tion that by leaving the roots of those grasses and weeds, with which the field may be infested, near the surface, the winter frost will destroy them. This notion is erroneous, for frost does not destroy these roots ; their natural posiiion in the soil is near the surface, and the fi^ost ofien pene- trates much deeper without doing them any in- jury. They can be destroyed in the ground only by burying them out of that connexion wiih the air which is necessary to their exis'ence. This may parily be effected by ploughing deep, late in the fall, which also deepens the staple of the soil and brings the under soil into contact with the air and the winter I'rost, by which it is ameliorated. The field in which the turnips were raised was, in conformity with the above remarks, ploughed deep. It laid in this state throughout the winter, and was harrowed in March, pre- vious to the commencement of applying the urine. The barrel employed contained half a ton. Behind the barrel was a box crossways for the equal distribution of the urine, which cover- ed a space six feet broad. Kach barrel served in length fbrtj'-eight yards, which, at two broad, made sixty per Scotch acre, or thirty tons per acre of manure. The sources from which the liquid was drained afforded only five barrels per day ; consequently considerable time was oc- cupied in going over six and a half acres. Du- ring the time, the field received a ploughing in the first week of May ; then part of the field was irrigated before ploughing, and part after. It was drilled at 30 incfies, and sown with redlop yellow turnips. A few days elapsed after drilling, for this reason : in a new made drill that part of it which receives the seed is formed of the sun- baken panicles of soil from the surface forced into the centre from either side, which, if allow- ed to lie for a day or two, imbibes from the sur- rounding soil the moisture, and makes a better receptacle for the seed. One road in the middle of the field was manured from the cow-house at THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 347 the rate of 2S tons per acre, to aH'ord a trial of the value of the urine. They came up with a most beautiliji unilorniity alier the urine, not one inch of the tiriil weaklier than another ; that alter the clung was in lul'ts, arising Ironi the ditli- culiy ol" each part gelling a iair proportion in quantity and quality ol' dung in the beginning ol December. 'I'he day beiore the show equal por- tions were taken up, and weighed, but there was ijo dilierence in weijihi, which was at the rate ol 36 ions per acre. Those Ircni the uiine were more unilonn in size than those Ironi the dung; which characteristic they had kept liom ihe time ol their coming up to their gathering. The result ot the irial justifies an opinion, al- ready emertained by the writer of this, ihat the urine has not as a manure been held in that esti- mation that it ought to have been. When cattle are much on green Ibod, it Ibrms one-lburth oTthe whole manure, as in the case above cited, where it was equal lo this poriion ; the dung otherwise being 7 tons. From the lact ascertamed by the above experiment, thai its ellects are not destroy- ed by eariy application, it can be laid regularly on as made ; or should the field on which it is to be laid not be ready it can be stored tiy having it absorbed in dry earth, and then carted lo tlie field. REMARKS ON THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE EASTERN SHORiU OF MARYLAND. To tlie Editor of tlie Farmers' Register. I see, by a late communication to the Register, thai a bank of accessible marl has recently been lound in Somerset county. When Prolessor Du- caiel made his geological tour ol" the Eastern Shore, he came to some hasty conclusions ; and among others, ihat there was no accessible marl in Dorcesler, Somerset and Worcester counties. The true slate of ihe case was, none had been lound; ind I susject but little search has been made. What dues not appear, does not exist, is a sound legal niaxmi, but very erroneous in geo- logy. 1 have no knowledge of marl here rising to the surface of the earih. Most of the man beds have been discovered by accident ; and a gentleman of my neighborhood, a few days since, showed me a specimen of rich shell marl, which had been washed out of a bank on his es- tate by the late heavy rains. The geological discoveries of Prolessor Duca- tel have been ol small value, but to him I impute no blame. When h.s office was established, Ma- ryland was about to plunge deeply in the system of internal improvements, and perhaps the pro- jectors thought a geologist a means of rendering their system popular, by amusing the natives. The legislature provided no means lor prosecuting works of discovery, and all that ihe geologists could do, (I speak of our ov/ii shore,) was to ride from county to county, and collect by information materials lor an annual report lo the legislature. The state ol New Yoik is now engaged in exa- mining her territories, by digging and boring. Steel, iron, emery, marble and other valuable fossils have been discovered. If ihe legislature had placed at the disposal of the geologist a body of laborers, there is good reason lo believe some valuable discoveries would have been made. We have, in several parts of the Eastern Shore, indi- cations of iron ore^ convenient to navigable wa- ter ; and the disclosure of marl alone would have been of more advantage, than all the profits, di- rect and derivative, promised by the internal im- provers to Eastern Shore men. I think Prolessor Ducatel has, in his late report, stepped uul of the line of his avocation, by recom- mending the extension of the canal from Cumber- land to Savage River, a distance of thirty miles. In the true spirit of an internal improver, he makes a small estimate of the costs, and a large calculaiion of the profits. For internal improve- ments Maryland has now upon her a debt of fif- teen millions of dollars. They have become a nauseous dose to the people. The waters of Dat- chet Mead were not more odious to Sir John Fal- slatf. Agricola. Eastern Shore, Md., jfpril 12, 1841. THE COTTON GIN. AMERICAN INVENTIONS. From tlie Baltimore American. An arfule in a late number of Hunt's Mer- chant's Magazine gives a biiel history of the cot- ton plant and of its rapidly extended cultivation in the Uniled- Slates. The state ol Georgia, it appears, was the first in the Union to begin the cultivation of cotton. The plant itselt was indigenous to this continent, and coiion liibrics were worn very generally by the Mexicans at the tirhe of the invasion of that country by Cortez. But the culture of cotton did not become general in any of the North Ameri- can colonies while they remained subject to Great Britain. The first exportation of the article took place in 1784, eight bags having been sent to London. This small lot was seized by the Bri- tish custom house officers under the belief that cotton was not a product of the United States. The inventions of Arkvvright, Watt, and others, by which machinery and steam power were ap- plied lo the manufacture of cotton, caused anew impulse lo be given lo the cultivation of the plant. But the invention of the cotton gin by Whitney, in this country, constitutes perhaps the most im- portant era in the history of this useful commodity. Belbre that event the process of disengaging the seed Irom the fibre was altogether by hand, and of course very tedious. The planter was limited in the quantity of his crops by the necessity he was under of raising no more than he could prepare, lor market by the slow operation of picking out the seeds, one at a time. When*Whitney had constructed his first cotton gin, great excitement was produced among the planters as soon as a knowledge of the lact got abroad. The building in which he had secluded his machine 10 keep It secret until he could pro- cure a patent was broken open by ihe people of the neighborhood, and the plan of the invention ascertained. It was in Georgia that the first model was made, and very soon machines copied from it were in operation throughout the elate, Whitney resorted to litigation lo recover his just rights ; but he lound it very ditficult lo prove that his machine had ever been used in Georgia, although the clatter of some of ihem could be 348 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. heard in the court house where the suit was pending ! When Arly |)lanimg seeds taken Irom diseased peach trees. Kespeei- lully your Iriend, Robert Sinclair. VLairmont Mursei-y, March 18, 1841. CANKER WORMS. From ttie Yanttee Fanner, of July 18, 1840. Mr. Editor — When 1 was in Boston last win- ter, I promised to give you some intormaiion re- specting the habiis of the canker worm ; also some ol the means to be used to prevent the ravages ol this most destructive insect. 1 shall commence with the insects in the Qgg, and shall proceed with a number ol' occasional communications, which 1 shall send you Irom time to time. The worms are usually hatched about the fif- teenth ol May, sometimes earlier and sometimes later, depending very much upon the season. When first hatched they are very small, but their presence can soon be discovered by a close obser- ver. They are, in the early stage of their growth, very susceptible ol cold, and a Irosi is latal to them ; although the insect in its perlect state is as hardy, and will endure cold or a pelting storm hke a polar bear ; in lact, the grub in its' ascent upon the trees in February when overtaken by a cold snap, much resembles Bruin when placed in like circumstances, by drawing up its letrs un- der the body, and sleeping in a torpid state until moderate weather. Last spring, in a cold north- east storm, i observdil the worms crawl into the closed petals of the apple blossom lor shelter. They usually acquire their growth and leave the tree about the fifteenth ol' June, and durinc this period, change their skins several times. They eat with astonishing voracity, particular- ly in their last stage, first devouring the leaf and then the Iruit. Alter acquiring their lull growth, which is usually in (bur or five weeks, they leave the tree by lowering themselves down to the ground by a silken thread, which they learned to opin frorri the earliest period of their existence, as they move about upon the branches, always careful to have the end ofthe cord last, so that il'ihe branch on which they are feeding is struck, they will always show themselves by spinning doun a few leet, and if suH'ered to remain a short time, they will again ascend the tree by their cord, alternately i?rasp;ng it with their leet and seizing it with theirjaws. Professor Peck is in some respects incorrect, in his description of the habits ol' this insect. He says '• the worms descend by the trunk ofthe tree in June, and immure themselves in the earth near the trunks, and rarely if ever more than three to four feet distant." Our observation has led us to a different opinion. They leave the tree from Ihe branch on which they leed, and suddenly spin down by their thread to the ground, and enter it to the depth of form two to six inches, and imme- diately change into the chrysalis state. I have seen them leave the branch of an elm thirty feet from the trunk, and at once work their way into the ground. And the grubs and millers can be seen in the season of their running, soon after sunset, struoglingand fluttering through the grass (or manj' leet around, usually to the extent of the hranciies of the tree, under which they are striv- ing to reach the trunk. And if in their progress they meet with a lence, post, or house, they will ascend if, and the grub before leaving it wilt deposiie her eggs. As we have now fairly disposed of the canker worm, for at least a few months, by burying it in the earth, let us now look around us and see what can be done to counteract the bad eflects of its ravaaes ; and what I shall here relate, came un- der my observation last year. In purchasing a piece of land, 1 came in- possession oltwenty large apple frees, which had been eaten by the canker worm more or less for several years, but last year, particularly, the foliage and fruit were eaten en- tirely up. On some of the trees the worms were very numerous, and hardly found sufficient quanti- ■fy of food to subsist upon. After the worms had become quite large, I less- ened their numbers by shaking the limbs and throwing course sand into the trees, thereby caus- ing them to suspend themselves by their thread, and striking them off with a stick to the ground, and then tarring the trees to prevent their as- cending them. Dry coarse sand or ashes placed around the trunks will answer the purpose, to pre- vent the worms again ascendinu- the trees. Small trees in this way may be wholly cleared of worms, but on large ones this method of extirpating the insect avails but little, for after destroying great numbers, enough will still remain to greatly in- jtire the foliage and fruit, besides the injury the tree will be likely to sustain in shaking it, when the bark from the great flow of sap at this season of (he year is very apt to peel, thereby causing canker. For this reason, I prefer coarse sand thrown into the tree, as it will generally destroy them without causing injury. But after the insect is on the tree, if a large one, little can be done to destroy it, and it should be our chief aim (o devise some way (0 prevent its ascending the trunk. Soon after the worms had entered the ground and passed into (he chrysalis state, I removed the eardi around the trees to (he dis(ance of five feet from the trunk, and to (he dep(h of six inches ; this THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 359 I caned away and broug:ht back, in return, some good manure mixed wild earlii, and placed ii around the trees. In this way I got rid of a vasi number of the worms by removini; iliem wiiii ihe din, besides increasing the growth and IruitCulnees ol ihe trees. I then covered the compost over with spent baric or tan, which I have Ibumi bene- ficial by preventing tlie growth ol'grass, and keep- ing the earth loose, and by the property it pos- sesses oCretainmg Irost, the eartli around the trees is kept I'rozen, causing the irrubs to remain siill during the moderate weaiher in February, March, and beginning of April, thereby avoidmg the necessiiy of tarring during this period. In the autumn and spring Ibilowing liie trees were tarred, and alter the grubs were done running, tliey were scraped, and a wash composed of hme, soap suds, clay, and cow-dung applied wi;ha whitewash brush 10 ihe trunk and branches. The trees were carefully pruned about the middle of May, by removing all the dead and diseased limbs, which, in consequence of repeated injury (hey had sustained by the worms, had become quite numerous. There is nothing, perhaps, that will so soon <:ause decay in an apple tree as this insect. You will first notice tl e injury by observing the ex- tremities of the branches, which will be dead, and unless they are removed in pruning, the disease will extend along fo the trunk, and cause the deefih of the tree. Trees deprived of their loliage by the worm, generally put Ibrih again the same season, but this extra labor of furnishing new leaves is very exhausting to the viizor of the tree, and hence it becomes necessary to prune close, and apply ma- nure, and in some bad cases of injury, the more stimulating the better. When manure cannot be obtained, digging around the tree will answer a good purpose by crushing the chrysalis, exposing it to the aciion of the sun and air, or to be devoured by birds, and the earth being loosened, will impart vigor to the tree. The question may be asked by some of your read- ers, when is the best time to dig around the tree? In reply, I would answer, I consider the first of July the best season, although it may be done at any time, from that period to the fall of the leaves in autumn. The reasons for my preferring the first of July are these. The worms having passed into the chrysalis state, the shells are soft and len- der, and are more easily crushed by digains, and the tree will the sooner recover from its injury by receiving an immediate benefit from your assistance, but if delayed until auiumn it will derive little bene- fit from your labors the present year. I have suc- ceeded by the process above described, in com- pletely restoring trees to the higlieel stale of health and vijror, covering them with an abundance of fi-uit and (oliage, and with bur very little appear- ance, of the canker worm. Yours, with respect and esteem, . S. P. Fowler. [Having previously sitrnified our intention to copy the above article, Mr. Fowler, after requesting us to make a few corrections, adds—] The method to be used to renovate and restore to health and vigor apple trees that have received in- jury from the canker loorm.— When trees have been suffered to be eaten ior several years, as is i sometimes done by some persons, under the mis- taken notion that it is best to let ihem alone and cat Ihemselfcs out, as ihey term it, it (i-equenily bo- con)es a sutiject of inquiry, what is best lodo with them to restore them I I will relate to you ilio method a neiirhbor of mine piirsueil in regard to his trees, by my suggestion. He hail sull'ered the canker worm to injure ihem most severely ; many ol the limbs were dead — others partially so ; suck- ers were growing up li-om the middle ol the tree ; the lin)bs and trunks covered vviih moss, and with the appearance of canker — exhibiting decay and disease. Four different modes to pursue toward the trees presented themselves to our mimls. 'I'he first was to cut Ihem down and set out new ones ; but this was given up, when we considered that it was a well established fact, that new orchards do badly on the site of o'd ones. The second was, to head thorn down, afier the manner laid down by Forsyth and other vvrilers, to restore oW and decayed trees ; but this mode was aban- doned, for reasons which will hereafier appear. The third was, to tritn out the suckers and cut off the dead limbs, shorten those half dead by cutting them down to the live wood, pruningclose, plough- ing or digging amongst the roots ; how we should have succeeded in pursuinij this method, I do not know ; it has been practised by Capt. Benj. Porter this spring upon his trees, which you will remem- ber the canker worms and netrlect have caused to be in a bad condition. We shall see the results in a lew years, if we live. Had I owned that large orchard, I would have given considera- ble lor the opportunity which he had of entirely changing his trees, by grafting the suckers upon his old, and many of them poor varieties of ap- ples, and substituting the new and better kinds of Iruit. Our principal objection to this method was the difficulty of again imparling vigor in old and diseased tops, full of moss and canker, and likewise perceiving the tendency of the aap to flow into the suckers instead of the old limbs ; and should these suckers be removed every year, or indeed twice a year, as we have sometimes done, siill there is a tendency in the tree to throw out new suckers, plainly indicating thereby that it is btriving to ob- tain a new top, which in lime it would acquire without assistance, (although much better with it,) by the growth of the suckers and the old limbs dy- ing down to the trunk. Our fourth method, which we practised with success, and recommended to others, is as Ibllows. First, to cut out all dead limbs close to the trunk, and when large, apply paint, with a brush,, to the wounds. Red or yel- low ochre is best ; by the way we consider this the best application for wounds caused by remov- ing large limbs, or by accidents, that can be made. I applied Forsyth's composition to the ends of limbs removed in pruning a few years since, and I (ound some of them rottf n, caused by its retain- ing moisture, as I supposed. Cut off all partially dead limbs down to the live wood. Trim out the suckers' leaving a sufficient number of the most vigorous to form a good head to the trees, and apply the wash ; dig around the trees and apply manure, if you have it. When the suckers have acquired a sufficient size, graft them, and as they grow and occasion maj' require, cut the old limbs out close to the grafts at the fork, prune the grafts and give them a proper direction, so as to form a 360 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. good lop. By ihis melhoc], in a few years you can gel rid ol (he old liead, subsiiiuimg lor il a new one, lieallliy and vigorous. The advantages ol this nieihod over all oihercs in resiuring trees badly injured by the canker worm, are these ; ii gives us an opportuniiy by gralting, 10 obtain (he new and better varieties o) Iruit ; and in some old or- chards this is very desirable. The reasons vvhy we preler It ovt r iVlr Forsyili's method ol' head- ing down are these ; the old limbs are bearing some liuil while your grafts are growing in your suckers, and you do noi risk the hie ol' tlie tree by depriving it at once of all its limbs, lor there is t-ome danger of losing large trees in this way. There are many things connected with the ha- bits ol" the canker worm and the means of its de- struction, which it might be uselul to publish. It has undoubtedly produced more injury to our apple trees than any thing else. The ne:xt most destructive insect to our trees, or rather Iruit, we have to trouble us, is the curculio. They have increased very much with me in a lew years, destroying or injuring, I should think, near- ly hair my Iruit. The canker is a disease well understood in Eng- land, but very little here. It is common with us, and when iis effects are seen, il is ascribed by many people, ignorantly, to injury caused by severe winters, and nothing more tlioughl of it. Much might be said on the subject ol' pruning. Very many people who prune trees, know but little about It. Much has been said and written on the proper time 10 prune, but alter some considera- ble experience 1 think more of the manner ol' per- forming it than 1 do of the season in which it is done. All seasons have their advantages and disadvantages, and much might be said on both sides ; 1 have pruned at all seasons of the year successfully and now do it when 1 have leisure and my saw is sharp. The attention of many j.eople has been directed within a lew years to the cultivation of fruit trees, and more have been set this year than I ever knew before. A great deal more 1 have to write, had I space. Your friend, S. P. Fowlek. N. B. — 1 wish to be understood in my remarks upon pruning, that I prune any time between the fall of the leaf in autumn and the middle of May Ibllowing. 1 never pruned at any other season ol the year, except to remove suckers in July or Au- gust, which ] think advantageous. And now as i am upon a Iresh sheet, I will say more. As I before remarked, many people are setting trees and selecting the kinds Irom the knowledge they obtain from books, regardless of their adap- tation to particular soils and situations, which is a great mistake. Thus, lor instance, the Newton pippins, Pennock's red winter, and many others raised south of New York are indifferent fruit with us, however excellent they may be at the south. And some of our conmion varieties ol Iruit, lor instance the Pickman pippin, a most valuable apple with me, I am informed by Mr. Jno. M. Ives, is a poor tree in his soil. And the old blue pear- main, greatly extolled by some persons, in my soil the fruit is poor and the tree a ehy bearer. S. P. F. FIRST EXHIBITION AND FAIR OF THK AG- RICULTURAL AND HOTICULTURAL SOCIE- TY OF HEKRICO. The results of this first attempt, considering the always unfavorable circumstances of every new beginning, were highly gratifying to all who lelt interested therein ; and to us they not only furnished a subject for gratification, but of sur- prise. The show of fine animals was much better, and more full, that we had expected, and that of implements of husbandry, machines, and agricultural and horticultural products, was still more abundant. Above all, the great concourse of visiters must have been quite unexpected, and we trust, gave an additional impulse to the zeal of the society, as well as a very considerable addition to its funds, by the payments lor admis- sion tickets. We believe that the expectations of every person present were far exceeded by the reality, in all the respects referred to above. So far, this young society has rendered excellent service; and its members have but to persevere, and to pursue a proper working course, to render very great benefit to the agriculture of Virginia. We should rejoice to see the good example fol- lowed by the establishment of societies in every county in Virginia. If there was any thing to object to in the ex- hibition, it was a fault caused by tlie great inter- est showri by the public, and the consequent want of room and sufficient accommodation for the un- expected crowd of visiters. There were in fact so many viewers, that many of the things exhibit- ed were not seen, nor heard of at the time, by half the persons on the ground. This defect can hereafter be easily guarded against. We copy below the official reports of the pre- miums awarded, and other proceedings. — Ed. Far. Reg. Prom tlie Richmond Compiler. The toasts given at the dinner after the cattle show and fair of the Henrico Agricultural Society have been placed in our hands, and will be found below. The Rev. Jesse H. Turner, president of the society, presided, assisted by the vice presi- dents, Messrs. Thos. S. Dickin and Richard G. Haden. The best feeling prevailed, and the toasts were washed down with domestic wine. Toasts by the Agricultural and Horticultural So- ciety, at their Dinner on the 26th May. 1. Agricultural Exhibitions: Courts of justice, truly open to the high and the low, the rich and the poor, where " the fruits ol skill and labor rise to give testimony, and where the very earth is eloquent, and speaks nothing but the truth." 2. The f-armer : He who handles the plough may always be trusted to wield the sword. THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 361 3. Woman : The last created and fairest flower that bloomed in Eden. 4. James Barbour: The successful an;ricuku- rist, the eloquent patriot, the upright man : — al- though absent he cannot be forgotten. 5. James M. Garnett : The virtuous and en- lightened citizen and zealous promoter of the in- terests of agriculture. His presence affords en- couragement and satisfaction. JMr. Garnett responded to this (oast very briefly. He complained of a deviation li-um the custom observed in his early days. Then every body had credit lor more or less of modesty, and rather than put a man to the blush, a gentle hint was always offered that he might retire belbre a compliment- ary toast was given him. He confessed tiie awk- wardness of this position under the new fiishion, but thanked the society for the fl;Utering toast just drank. He gave the following sentiment : Pasturage and tillage : The two breasts of the state — may they never go dry from the misma- nagement of the state milkers. 6. Edmund Ruffin, editor of the Farmers' Register and of the Southern Magazine — His labors are unceasing to give lertility to our soil, and purity to our political institutions. Mr. RufRn expressed his thanks to the society for the notice they had taken of his efforts, and offered the following toast : Marl banks and paper-money banks : All the vast increase of riches offered to agriculture by the former, will not furnish a sufficient supply lor the legal and ordinary depredations committed by the latter. 7. Charles T. Botts, editor of the Southern Planter : a young, but ardent soldier in the cause : we give him tlie right hand of fellowship. Mr. Botts expressed his grateful sense of the compliment paid him. He introduced, in a happy manner, the following toast, alluding to the king- dom where one man held despotic sway, and to another kingdom where, he said, every man was a monarch : The farmer: The monarch of the vegetable kingdom. By Charles Burton. The memory of Chas. Von Linneeus, the illustrious founder of modern botany and classificator of all nature : Most truly meriting the motto granted by hie sovereign — " Deus creavit, Linnaeus disposuii," God created, Linnaeus arranged. Mr. Lyons, on behalf of the society, read the following toast : Our respected president, whose industry, en- ergy and skill have caused the " desert to rejoice and blossom as the rose." Parson Turner said he felt greatly flattered by the kind compliment from the society through his friend and fe'low member, Mr. Lyons, wTio he felt sure would heartily make up any deficiency on his (Parson T.'s) part. Mr. Lyons, with much good humor, said, in substance, that it had been hie lot Irequently to be called on to perform duiies which occasioned em- barrassment, and in the dii^charge of which he himself I'elt deficient— but he was not the least embarrassed on the present occasion, because there was no deficiency for him to supply. 'I'he company broke up at an earlv hour, much Vol.. IX. -29 gratified with the proceedings of the day, and animated witli a fi^rvent zeal in the cause of the society. Premiums awarded by the jfgricuUural and Hor- ticultural Society, on the 26lh of May. Nol. For the best horse or colt calculated to produce stock for the draught or saddle, ^15. Report of the committee, that none was ofiered wortiiy a premium. No 2. For the best blood mare, of the same description— premium, silver cup, value of SglO, awarded to Ko. Carter Page. No 3. For the best jack, a premium of $15, awarded to Wm. Jennings. No 4. For the best bull, for domestic pur- poses, a premium of ^10, awarded to VV. B. Syd- nor, upon his Durham bull Frolic. No 5. For the best milch cow, a premium of ■SIO, awarded to Abraham Warwick, lor his Dur- ham cow, Lady Ellersly. No 6. For the best yoke of oxen, a premium of SIO. Committee reported that none were exhi- bited worthy a premium, and recommend that this premium be given to Mr. Colquitt's Durham cow, Washington Belle, for reasons stated in their re- port. No. 7. For the best boar, a premium of %\5, awarded to the Rev. J. H. Turner, on his Berk- shire boar President. Tiiis premium relinquished 10 the society. No. 8. For tlie best brood sow, a premium of SIG, silver cup, awarded to J. M. Sublett, on his Berkshire sow Suke, No. 9. For the liesf specimen of fruits, the pro- duction of the exhibitor, a premium of ^10, awarded to Mrs. E. A. Pettirolas. No. 10. For the best specimen of rare and beau- tiful plants or flowers, the production of the exhi- bitor, a premium of $10, awarded to New and Heydecker. No. 11. For the best specimen of vegeial)Ies, a premium of $15, awarded to Wm. H. Richard- son. This premium relinquished to the society. No. 12. For the best cultivated market garden, a premium of $15. Not awarded by the commit- tee appointed. No. 13. For the best specimen of domestic wine, the production of the exhibitor, silver cup, value $10, awarded to Josiah Woodson. No. 14. For the best specin)en of domestic silk, the production of the exhibitor, a premium of $10 silver cup, to J. P. Shermerhorn. No. 15. For the best specimen of butter, not less than 5 ibs., the production of the exhitiitor, $10, awarded to Mrs. Ro. A. Mayo and Mrs. George Woodfin. $5 each. No, 16. For the best suit of clothes of Virginia manufacture ; the premium to be given to the pro- ducer of the materials of which the clothes were made, a premium of $15, awarded to Thomas S. Pleasants. No. 17. For the best specimen of agricultural implements, ploughs, cutting machines, corn- shellers, &c. $15, awarded to Gretter and Peake on a plough, $5, relinquished— the exhibitors not being patentees or manufacturers ; to C. T. Botts, cutting machine $2.50, this premium relinquished to the society ; to Jabez Parker, corn-Bheller, $2.50; do, wheat machine and fan, $5. 362 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. BEPRECIATBD AND WORTHLESS BANK NOTES, AND SUBSCRIFTiONS TO THE FARMERS' RE- GISTER. at 30 per cent, discount. (We refer not to actual frauds in payments, by gentlemen of high stand- ing too, in paper almost worihit es here, arid diecre- , dited at home — as Brandon paper formerly, and From the depreciation of the paper (and now ; ^^-^^ (Florida) Bank notes recently.) We have sole) currency of the country, which is the gene- ,q j^^g^ ^ ^^^^^, jjg^ount on nearly all the bank ral result of the swindling banking system, all branches of business sud'er greatly — and all per- Bons, except usurers, and traders in exchange, and especially the banks, which manufacture this depre- ciated currency, and whose greatest profit now consists in the depreciation and discrediting of their own notes, caused by their own illegal and disho- nest action. But our particular employment, as publisher of a periodical, perhaps sutlers more than any other; and if our subscribers continue to delay payment upon the ground of difficulty to obtain better funds, or to pay us in depreciated money as many have done latterly — and this cur- rency should still continue to grow worse and worse, as we expect ii will — then our publication and business must be broken down, even with a subscription list larger and more valuable on pa- per, than it ever has been before. We had thought that the words of our conditions, (ihough adopted long before the banks had reached their now very general degree of (raud, and their issues of depre- ciation and deserved discredit,) would have guard- cd^against very heavy losses by discount on mo- ney worse than that of our own banks in Virginia — which is bad enough. But not so. It is not only that particular banks and their notes, former- ly in something like good credit, have become dis- credited, but also that many subscribers seem to think that a depreciated bank note has at least one peculiar value — which is, to serve as payn)ent for the Farmefa' Register. Owing to the great and still increasing losses from this source, we must require hereafter full compliance by subscriberp, in regard to the bank notes they send, with the long existing conditions of publication. These have long required, 1st, thai remittances shall be in notes or checks on specie- paying banks, if any such there be in the etate in which the subscriber resides ; 2(lly, if there be no such notes, (and there are none now, south of New York, that we ever see, e.xcf pi of South Carolina banks,) then, that payment shall be made in notes of par value in Virginia, (that is, not more depreciated than the bank notes of Virginia,)— and Sdly, if neither ooe or the oiher can be done, any notes of a city bank, of iho state in which the subscriber resides, would te received—sup- posing of course that such would be among the best currency of that state. Now, even under these restrictions, (or professing to respect them,) we have had paper sent us which we cannot se'l notes (or all such as are sent to us,) of Georgia and Alabama. By the prices current it would seem that Savannah and Augusta notes are as good at home 8S these of Virginia are at home. But not one of these city bank notes have we seen, while remittances have been sent us of notes of every smaller town and every more discredited bank in Georgia. In other cases, notes are sent, as of "specie-paying banks," because the bank au- thorities, and the newspapers acting under their orders, called them so — when such notes were 5 to 10 per cent, below specie at home, and much more abroad. By the way — there is only one mode of testing whether a bank is specie paying, or non- specie-paying ; and that rule is infallible. If the notes of a bank, where issued, are worth less than specie, it is certain that the bank is not truly and fully paying specie ; and all the assertions or oaths of bank officers and directors, and bank debtors and bank slaves, and newspaper editors, to the con- trary, are not worth a straw as testimony, if in oppo- sition to the simple fact of even so much as one per cent, discount. Yet some banks whose notes are 5 per cent, below par at home, and 20 abroad, have claimed to be "specie-paying" — and their officers and directors, and men too of high standing, are not ashamed to maintain the truth of the pal- pable and self-evident falsehood. It is impossible that we can devise any form of phrase for our conditions, which shall serve to meet and guard against all the old and the new frauds of issuers of paper money — and therefore it will not be attempted farther than has been done al- ready by the long used words of our conditions. Subscribers who desire to comply with their obli- gations, can do so, at least with a little delay, by sending paper not depreciated (below specie) at most above 5 per cent, at home, and which might not be worse than 10 per cent discount in Virgi- nia. This would be a heavy loss, and perhaps enough to ruin our business, if continued long. But we cannot longer submit, voluntarily, to re- ceive much worse currency, and in some cases, as it would seem, selected by the lenders because of its low value. Nor will the claim to pay such discredited notes be admitted the sooner, because the bank adds to its other frauds the false asser- tion that it pays specie ; or because such fraudulent and discredited or bankrupt bank may be located in a city. We are obliged to bear all losses which our dis- tant subscribers choose to pot upon m. if they THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 333 choose not to pay at all, we have no remedy — and if they choose to commit the wron^f, some- what less in degree, of paying in notes at 10, 20 or 30 per cent, discount, we can no more help ourselves. But the imposition and injury are not the lees felt, and appreciated, because not always protested against; or because it is submitted to, without complaining ill each particular case. In fine, we beg that all who are well-wishers to this publication, and desirous of its success and permanency, will duly consider the enormous injury that it is subjected to in this respect. To enable it to bear up under such heavy losse?, it is necessary that every existing subscriber should perlbrm his obligations as nearly as the general (i-audulent course of the banks will permit ; and also to use his influence to extend the circulation, and thereby increase the income of the |)ublica- lion. We lose on the best of bank notes, as (hose of Virginia, say 4 per cent, on the differ- ence between iheir value and specie — 10 to 50 per cent, on the larger part of all payments from soutli and west of South Carolina — besides los- ing very many payments entirely, mainly be- cause of the difficulties of procuring good money for remittances. The great and general depre- ciation of the paper currency in Georgia, Alaba- ma, Florida, Mississippi and Arkansas, serves as an excuse to most subscribers for their paying no- thing ; and to our best friends and efficient sup- porters in those states, who desire to continue, as they have done heretofore, to pay their dues fully and promptly, it is so disagreeable and galling that they should be compelled by the banks to be delinr^uenr, that many of them will withdraw their subscriptions, because of the impossibility of making their payments punctually, and in notes not greatly depreciated. Thus we lose in every way by the fraudulent banking system; and it will ret]uire all the counteracting aid and increased support of the friends of the Farmers' Register to prevent its sinking under these in- creasing losses of every kind thus produced. In opposing that e3'stero, and the whole army o( banking pillagers, we have to eufTer much Irom I the hostility and revengeful influence of that powerful interest. This alone would cause much withdrawal of support from this publication. But we should not regard the worst effects of the hostiliiy of the banking interest, powerful and pervading as is their influence, if we could but be protected from the worst impositions of their cheating and robbing operations, carried on, not in malice, or hostility or revenge, but merely for the profit of the dishonesty. If then, those of our friends who are heartily opposed to this sys- tem of general and growing fraud and pillagp, do not desire to have our publication silenced in re- gard to their enormities, and put down, by being so cheated and robbed that it can no longer be eup- poried by its income, they must exert themselves to meet the danger, and counteract it by new exertions to sustain the publication. We say frankly, that According to present appearances, half our issue will be a charge instead of a pro- fit to the publication ; and that if the same ap- pearances continue to the end of the year, the names of nearly half of our subscribers must be erased, after their having been furnished with our publication, for one or more years gratia. — Ed. Far. Reg. GAPES IN CHICKENS. From the Cultlrator. Messrs. Editors .-—In your April number, a correspondent attributes the gapes in chickens to breeding from too old cocks. Whether this will have any effect to produce the disease, I am un- able to say, but I have long since found a preven- tive, and practised accordingly. This 1 have conjmunicated to others, who have complained of the malady ; and similar treatment, as (ar as my knowledge extends, has been attended with iha same marked result. The disease is prevented simply by scanting them in their food. Who ever heard of chickens which were not confined with the hen, but both suffered to roam at large and collect all their own Ibod, to be troubled with this disease? The most common food (or young chickens is Indian cora meal, mixed with water so as to completely satu- rate it. This, when eaten in too large quantities, is almost sure to produce the gapes. Great care should, therelbre, be observed in the feeding of them, and the meal should be previously mixed some few hours, or otherwise it will swell in the stomQch of the chicken, which, when full, is the very cause of the disease. Garret Bergen. Brooklyn, N'. Y. April 20, 1841. DESTRUCTION OF CATERPILLARS. From tlje Boston Cultivator. Our readers are reminded that this worm should be attended to in season and when this is done the labor of extirpation will be trifling. Close attention to clear the limbs for one or two years will entirely rid an orchard of the nuisance. One easy mode of destruction is to apply strong soap suds to the neet— if the tree is large a swab tied to the end of a pole will accomplish the pur- pose effectually. Suds which have been used by the washwoman are good as any, and by rubbing a swab on the nest— after it has been dipped into the euds—the worms are quickly destroyed. 364 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. ON THE TART OR PIE RHUBARB. From the Farmers' Gazette. Jussien, in his classification, has pinred ihis plant in the 6(h class, Dycotyledons, 52d order, jPolygonecB, or the duck tribe; herbaceous. In the clas.-ificaiion oC Lumfeus this order ol plants is placed in the 9ih cla^s, Enneandria Trigyna. It only includes lour laniilies; the laurel, the ca- shew, the rhubarb and flowering rush. Of the 3d order there are nine species or more; the only ones, which are culiivaied in the kitchen garden, are the Rheum Rhaponticxini, introduced from Asia to Gre.u Bri am in 1578, the Siberia in 1758, and the Rheum Ilybridum, Ironi-Asia in 1778. These three species are raised in ihis country for the sake of their succulent acid petioles, as a eubsiiiuie lor sour apples, gooseberries, &c., or an addition to them. The two laiter species seem not to have b. en long imported into the United Stales, or, if they have, not been extensively known at the souih. The rhapontic and the undulate have leaves from eighteen to iwenty-lbur inrhes long, and irom twelve to eighteen wide, according to the Boil and season ; they are cordateovate, rather ob- tuse, blunt, smooth, wiih reddish veins; their flowering stalks will grow to the height oT three or four feet. There are many distinctive marks in ihe leaves of these two species, not necessary to be here mentioned. Probably VVilmoi's early scarlet rhubarb is a variety of the rhapontic, and there may exist many other varieties. The hybrid species has very large leaves ; you must retain a bud on the crown of each section. Before transplanting, either these sec- tions or the young plants from seed, select a light soil, rather inclined to sandy, have it highly ma- nured and spaded up to the depih of three spits of twenty-one inches, and ilioroughly pulverized — then set out the rhapontic or Uie undulate in rows at the distance of three it^et by two — but the hybrid at five teet by lour. They will now only require to be kept free from weeds, and to have the ground occasionally stirred up with a three lined fork or a rake, adding every spring a good dressing of well rotted manure, stirred into the earth as deeply as possible, and your bed will cominue good lor many years. The advantages ol having the petioles or leaf stalks blanched lor all culinary purposes, are two- fold, i. e , t e desirable qualities of improved ap- pearance and of tiavor, as well as a savmg in the quantity of sugar, necessary to render them agree- able to the palate; lor the blanched leafstalks are much less harsh than those grown under the full influence of light in an open situation. This plant may be Ibrced by placing flow^er barrels or tight boxes over a Wvj plants and cover- ing them over with Iresh stable manure or by some of the other methods in gardening, directed lor Ibrcing vegetables. By covering over all the roots to the depth of a levy inches with leaves or light litter or any other protection from cold, the rhubarb leaves will come forward much earlier in the spring and much larger. The protec- tion should be removed as soon as the weather becomes warm, carelully avoiding to injure^ the when under good cultivation, they will often young shoots that may have started. measure lour or even five feet in length, and of a proportionate width ; they are somewhat cor- date, smooth and of a light green or glaucous color. These three species are cultivated for the stems of the lower leaves, which come to maturity ear- lier in the spring than the gooseberry and other fruits for which it is a substitute ; the hybrid af- fords the most abundant and succulent supply for these purposes. Rheum derives its name from the ancient name of the river which watered its native region ; the Rha, now named the Volga, emptying itself into the northern shore of the Caspian Sea. All the species of thia plant may be propagat- ed from the seeds or from the roots; if from the seed, which is the best mode, in February or March, sow the seeds about six inches apart in a fight deep and rich soil ; well pulverized, for depth and richness of soil are indispensable requisites for good healthy plants. In the autumn ol the same year, if you have taken good care to water and to shelter them from the scorching suns of the summer, the plants will be fit to transplant into their beds ; young plants require careful watering, even when it would be injurious to older roots ; and we have seen them protected from the sun by driving down on the south side of each plant, a board about twelve inches wide, and slanting so as to break the sun's rays in the middle of the day, and yet let the air and light have free action upon the plant. In this way you can in all October have them put out so as to produce leaves for the next spring : When the roots are divided Ibr transplanting, Whenever you would gather the petioles re- move the earih a little from the crown of the root, and somewhat bending down the leaf, which you would remove, then slip it oflT with your hand, without using a kni(i3or breaking the stalk. The leaf stalks may he gathered as soon as they are half grown or are sufficiently expanded ; but a much larger produce can be obtained by letting them remain uniil full expansion has taken place, when the full grown stalks are gathered and tied up in bundles of about a dozen each, and thus exposed for sale in the market. Some of the leaf stalks are two or three feet long and over. As letting the stalks run up to flower would weaken the powers of the roots for preparing the necessary nourishment Ibr winter quarters, — top all but a lew of the healthiest ones, which may be left to perfect their seeds, which will ripen in August or the last of July. The petioles or leaf stalks of the rhubarb plant are used in cooking pies, tarts, preserves, sauce, puddings, &c. 1. Rhuharh preserve; strip the stalks of their outer skin and divest them of the small fibres which would render them stringy, — more espe- cially if the leaves are a little old,— then cut them transversely into short pieces about the size of gooseberries, and parboil them with as much sugar and such spices as suit the taste. 2, Rhubarb pudding; with a rolling pin, as if for an apple dumpling, flatten out a suety crust and spread thereon the stalks cut into small pieces of a gooseberry size, then roll them up in any shape at fancy and boil in cloths, same as apple dumplings ; it is served up hot, cut in thin slices with sugar and butter sauce between THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 365 each layer; in this way ihe fruit retains all its; I thouph the agreement is remarlte, covering the whole wiih a good puff paste, and then balce it. 4. Rhuharb tarts resembling codling tarts ; cut the leaf sialUs inio pieces ahoui lour inches long, skin and slowly simmer them in a saucepan with ! grass, in Virginia, goose grass, yard grass, green- sugar and a trifle of water, lor one hour; when sward, in England, I believe, great or smooth cold, make them taste like codlins by adding cin namon, lemon peel. &ic. but such is not the fact wiih regard to Kentucky blue grass. We leave it with botanists to settle the scientific term ; and we shall (orward to a number of them, in various quarters, specimens of the genuine grass. Llangollan, 3Iay 26, 1841. Dear sir — The grass called in Kentucky, blue stalked meadow grass, by all botanists arranged in the poa genus, tuit by some called the species P. 5. Jihubarb sauce ; boil the stalks over a slow \ prat en sis, by others P. trivialis. is now in bloom, fire, till tender, in a small quantity of water with j 1 have taken some pains to examine it with a sugar and sucli spices as suit the taste, and strain j compound microscope of some power, and give off the liquor, squeezing the stalks dry, and, when the liquid syrup or sauce is cold, bottle and cork it tight ; this will keep for years. After giving the above recipes, we are sure that our esteemed fair correspondent will excuse us from publishing the recipes for making rhubarb cream— jelly— jam— trifle— fool — marmalade, &c. as they can easily be made from the cookery books, by substituting "rhubarb" lor "goose- berries," "strawberries," &c., used in the com- nion way of making those sweetmeats. A MINUTE SCIEKTIFIC DESCRIPTION OF KEN- TUCKY BLUE GRASS. From tlie Kenlucl>s and within the latter also proceeding from their interior, at their junction with the pcdicclp, very fine yfrach- void'Tvmcnlam like baited silk floss and very white ascend almost to the points of the glumea and palcfe. In each floret there is one stamen and one dygynic pistil. When the flowers ex- pand the anthers of the stamens fly out. Each anther, of which of course there are three, con- sists of two transformed leaflets dorsally glued together or anaslamosing. The outer edges of the lamina of each of these leaflets are curved outwards from their dorsal junction and inwards towards their upper surface, till they meet so as to (brm two pollen cases or lobes joined back to back. These edges open again longitudinally and form the line of dehiscence when the pollen is to be discharged on the stigmata. They are carinate. The bifurcation between the ends of these cells which were the apices of the transformed leaflets is wider and deeper than at the ends which were the bases of the leaflets. Between the curved angle of the latter ends of the cariniaie cells the filament passes forming the connectivum. The filament is exlremelj small, of arachnoid fineness and elasticity, and so long that the three filaments become twisted together very olten, soon after the expansion of the flower. The anthers thus (brmed and connected each with its floret by ita fine filamenr are extremely versatile and in con- stant trembling motion with the slightest breath of air. While enclosed in the paleae they are of a greenish white color. After they come out and have been some time exposed to the atmo- sphere they assume a bluish purple lilac hue. When several panicles in bloom are shaken, the grains of pollen Ibrm a little cloud like smoke, but a single grain is invisible to the naked eye of most persons. When viewed through the mi- croscope it is subrotund of a dusky leaden color, except in the centre, which presents a white speck. The pistil has two short cylindrical greenish styles standing on a subrotund germen or ovary, like the bodies of short trees Irom which on every side proceed curved and strait and branching stygmalic limbs, the filiformed silvery subdivisions of which are like the twigs or minute branchlets of a tree. There is a slight depres- sion of (he germen between the bases of the styles. In each of the three florets of the flowers there is one of these styles which with its styg- matic branches and twigs of silver is a miniature representation of a tree covered with sleet glitter- ing in the bright winter sunshine. The ijermen is of a light green color. The stygmatic branches when the ddiiscence lakes place of the anther cells protude between the expanding edges of (he palea3 near their points so as to receive the discharged pofrn. Sometimes lour flosculi or florets are /bund in one flower and in all such cases there are four sta- mens and four pistils, one pair of these organs being found in each floret. One flower containing three "flosculi or three florets carefully separated with its pedicel fi-om the spikelet just before it bursts into bloom, is like the head of a spear in its form. The apex being considerably more lanceolate than the base. The edges of the lower part of this lancehead being formed by the dorsal lines of the glumes show the prickles on them slightly curved, and these points inclining to the point of the spear. The surfaces of this lance-head are slightly convex and it becomes thinner towards the point. If the pedicel were lengthened tor a handle it would then rcpre«ent THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 367 a Ibrmidable lilipuiian spear. The length o^ \\\\b lance- head is very generally thrce-twentieihs of an inch and its greatest breadth is one- twentif:{h of an inch, yet it contains three perfect flowers ! ! It is very easy lo set the egg on end alter some Columbus has shown us how it is to be done. So in vegetable physiology it is easy lo understand the organization of plants after the splendid ge- nius of Goethe has discovered and demoiislraied the beautilul and instructive theory of vcf^clabk transmutation. We wonder now on exammintr a flower that we did not belbre perceive the certain indications of the beautilul metamorphosis. So eymmeirical are its arrangements and so strong the analogies existing between its parts and those of which they are mere translbimations. I will Bend you Nuttall'e Genera of North American Plants, in which you will find what he says ol poa pungens in a note and observation on the poa genus. John Lewis. THE MUSCARniNE. From the Columbia Republican. The muscardine has long been known in Eu- rope as a desolating scourge, the ravages of which annually destroy from 40 to 50 per cent, of all the worms hatched. It has continued Irom the earli- est period of the silk culture in Europe, and lor years past the attention of the learned, and of the French and other foreign governments, has been directed to this terrible malady, and until recently all attempts to discover its cause, or arrest its pro- gress, have been fruitless. The muscardine re- sisted all reactives and all the remedies employed. So formidable did it become, that large prizes were offered by academies and by private persons for the discovery of its origin, and a preventive. At length, in 1836, a communication was sent to the scientific academies of Paris, by M. Coquand, announcing the important fact that Dr. Bassi, ol Milan, after devoting himself for upwards of 25 years to a series of most ingenious experirnentg, had at length unfolded the enigma. He discover- ed that the disease was produced by a cryptoga- mic parasite, \he germ of which introduces itself into the silk-worm, occasions its death, and then developes itself on the surface of its body, under the form of a farinaceous efflorescence. When the terrible muscardine declares itself in a cocoonery, it is transmitted with great facility from one chamber to another, and, if it becomes epidemic, successively from house lo house, until the whole village be infected. It spreads itself thence in every direction, and invades a locality more or less distant from those in which it is in communication, either by the assistance of the at- mosphere, which will have settled upon it the morbific germs with which it is charged, or by the medium of such animals as dogs, cats, mice, or even files, which, after having been in contact with worms that have died of the muscardine, retain some of the germs, and alterwards drop them on healthy individuals, thus sowing on all sides the generative principle of the contiigion. One of the most favorable causes of propagat- ing the muscardine is to be ascribed to the coiiia- iDination of the food. This, in fact, by touching an infected carcass, communicaieB the contagious germs to every thitig with which it comes in con- tact ; and especially to the leaves of the mulberry, which, instead of furnishing a wholesome nour- ishment, will thence become the cause of death. The persons who attend the silk-vvorms, or the proprietors of cocooneries, ordinarily retain the latalseed on their clothes, or on the egcrs of the silk-worms which they retain lor themslilves, or expose for sale. It is the same with those who reel the silk from the cocoons, and who are the more disposed to re- ceive it, as their business is usually conducted near to the cocooneries. It often happens that among the cocoons vvhich the reelers buy yearly, they meet with some in- fected ones, that communicate the germs of the contagion to the furniture of their establishment, upon which the silk-xvorms of the following year will find a certain death. The contagion may likewise proceed from a silk- worm infected by ita abode in a case which contains the muscardine principle. The disease of the silk-worm being neither he- reditary nor spontaneous, cannot afl'ect the silk- worm, as long as it is in a state of embryo in the egg ; yet infected eggs cannot be hatched with safety, since, by contact with their exterior sur- face, the worms become contagious, and commu- nicate the contagion to others near them. The number of deaths increase in a progressive pro- portion, and a general epidemic is suddeniy intro- duced, vvhich ravages the whole manufactory. This deplorable result, besides depriving the proprietor of his crop of silk, continues to trouble him in the following years ; for the germs which have spread themselves over the walls, vaults, floor and furniture of the establishment, maintain a focus of infection, which renews each spring. Such is the nature of this terrible disease, as described by Dr. Bassi, from the ravages of which the silk growers in the United Stales thought themselves secure, and perhaps, thus lar, our silk growers have lost but little by diseased worms, although we noticed a short time since that an enierprising gentleman of Cuba, during the last year, had lost his entire crop of worms by a dis-. ease he could not arrcpt, and which no doubl was the muscardine ; but the note ofalarm now raised may arrest its progress, and thus prevent any very disastrous effects to the silk culture, an enterprise of vast importance to this country. miRIIAIVI STOCK AS MILKERS. From tlie Cultivator. Under this title anariicle, or speech, is going the rounds of our agricultural and political papers, purporting to be from Rev. Henry Colman, which is pregnant with so much error, and, coming from that high and responsible source, of such mis- chievous tendency, as I believe it, to the welfare of our dairymen and stock breeders, that although seldom appearing btfjte the reading public, I feel bound at the ihrophold of its circulatjon, to enler, as the lawyers would say, my caveat against it. That there may be no misunderstanding in the matter, let me at once remark, that no one can have a higher respect than myself lor the exalted 368 THE FARMERS' REGISTER. character of Mr. Co!man, in all that constitutes the true gentleman and the honest man ; and that no individual within my knowledge is so capable to accomplish the responsible and important duiies of agricultural commissioner of the proud com- monwealth ol' Massachusetts as himself! I have known him intimately for years, and a knowledge of his worth and of the high authority of his de- clarations compels me, humble as are my preten- sions, to assume an attitude in opposition to his remarks. The value of the neat cattle in the state of New York, according to the returns of the late census for 1840, is not less than 815,000,000 ; and pro- bably exceeding that amount. If to these be added those of New-England, which are at least of equal value, it will present an aggregate of thirty millions of dollars, invested in that branch of agriculture alone. Now, if by adopting an improved breed of these animals, the same num- ber, by exhibiting in their imj^roved Ibrms a supe- rior excellence, and an additional value of 33^ per cent., which is a very moderate advance in the improved races, it v/ould swell this already vast capital into the round sum of ^40,000,000 ! This fact will at once show that the subject is of im- mense consequence to our farmers at large, and of no trifling moment to all in its details. But for the purpose ol" illustrating my remarks, and even at the hazard of ad ting to the prolixity of litis paper, I will ask you to insert at once the article in question, requesting yon also to number each distinct paragraph of JVlr. Colman's essay, tor more convenient reference : From tlie Yankee Farmer. "As we had not room last week to report all the doings at the agricultural meetinir, and as the subject of Durham stock, as milkers, compared with our native cows, is of high importance to farmers, we now copy Mr. Colman's remarks in full, from his own report in the Courier: 1. '= Mr. Colman had not intended to enter upon this discussion, but he felt it due to his of- ficial relation to the farmers of Massachusetts, to say that he had had the pleasure of seeing the improved Durham stock uf the Messrs. Lathrops, of South Iladley, and he thought iheiTi eminent- ly beautiful, and evincing great skill and care in their management, on the part of those gentle- ment. He had seen many of the imported ani- mals throughout the country; and one of the herds imported lor the Ohio Company, which he saw on their way, was truly splendid, and in beauty and perli',ction of form, far surpassed any thing which he had ever witnessed. 2. "He musi, however, in justice, add, that he yet wanted the proof of the Durham short horns being the best stock ibr our dairies. .Seven of the race which he had owned, some full and others half-blood, had been inlerior as milkers. The quantity of milk given by many of (he ani- mals which he had seen was remarkable ; the quality, in general, inferior; though he had found some exceptions, which, he believed, were accidental. 3. "The Cheshire farmers, who were as dis- tinguished as any in the country or in any country ibr'^ihe produce of their cheese dairies, preferred the native stock. From a dairy of eighteen ber next, for selecting the animals on both sides; they should be then placed together on one fafm, and both subjected to the same treatment through the winter, and kept to- gether till the trial was thoroughly made, which, if either party preferred, might extend through the next season, or until the first day of October following. If it be objected, that this proposition will incur too much expense, or inconvenience, I will at once propose that Oneida county, in this state, shall be the place of trial ; and that myself; or my friends, the advocates of the short horns, will fur- nish a farm for the operations, the fitness of which shall be assented to by the other party. The imparlance of an accurate knowledge on this subject is a sufficient object for such a trial, and it is perhaps the only method of testing this moot- ed question fairly. It will be readily seen, there- fore, that this proposition arises in no spirit of banter, or gambling, but in that of an earnest desire to settle an important and doubtful point, of great interest to our agriculture generally. i may, at a future time, pursue this subject further, but have for the present trespassed suffi- ciently upon your patience. Lewis F. Allen. mack Rode, Jpril 10, 1841. sum of $300. The animal is well known to breed- ers of Berkshiies, as one of the largest of her kind in this country. Mr. Lossing has also sold his imported boar Newberry^ to the same gentle- man, tor S200. He was shipped a {'evi days since, and weighed, including cage, 880 lbs. SALES OF BERKSlilRES. From tlie Cultivator. Mr. Lossing, of this city, informs us, that he has recently sold his famous breeding sow Maxi- ma to Mr. Curd, of Kentucky, for the handsome THE farmers' register, AND ITS COURSE IN REGARD TO THE BANKS. Our good' and highly esteemed friends, the editors of the Richmond Compiler and the editor of the Petersburg Statesman, have lately gotten into a small controversy, in which our journal is the matter in question ; and in their cuts and thrusts across our body, the blows do not reach the an- tagonists, but fall short upon us. To the first ar- ticle, of the editors of the Compiler, we took not the slightest exception. Their kind expressions of approbation we appreciated, as the unsought, disinterested, and candid opinions of Iriendly and favoring judges. Their exception, convey- ing censure on a particular point, did not at all lessen our gralelulness of feeling lor the previous approving expressions, nor abate one atom of our always kind leelings towards our friends of the Compiler ; and, quiie willing to submit to iheir censure, or to let it pass lor what it was worth, we did not deem it necessary to reply, for the purpose of defence, and still less lor recrimination. But our also good friend of the Statesman, by a jo- cular squib, or paraphrase of the censure, has drawn forth a rejoinder, of which we are still the subject, and which seems to require something of defence ; and which we shall offer in all courte- sy and kindness, and in the same friendly spirit towards our Iriends of the Compiler, as is manifest throughout their censure, and also in their gene- ral praiseworthy deportment towards those whom they oppose. If we fail to convince them (as ia most likely) that they have viewed our course through a false and distorting medium, we trust that we shall at least leave them satisfied that we view them as much our friends as before, and as we have long had reason to deem them. But lest we should fall into the unfair mode of contro- versy usual with most editors, (and which we have always avoided,) of replying to an opponent before presenting the article replied to, we will here present at length all the three articles re- ferred to, and then submit our defence. « Mr. Ruffin's Register, of date May 30th, is re- ceived. Its table of contents indicate much use- ful matter for ihe farmer; and we trust the Re- gister is meeting the encouragement it deserves. We beg leave, however, to except to some sweep- ing phrases which the intelligent editor is pleased THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 373 someiimesto employ when speaking of banks, and which cannoi subserve ihe purposes of candid and lair discussion. — Jiichmond Compiler. " The Compiler contains much useful matter, and we trust is meeting the encouragement it de- serves. VVe beg leave, Imwever, to except to some sweeping phrases which the intelligent edi- tor is pleased sometimes to employ when speak- ing in favor of batdcs, and which cannot subserve the purposes of candid and fair reasoning." — Pe- tersburg Statesman. " Farmcr''s Register. — The Petersburg States- man takes up the cudgels lor the editor of the Register, and retorts upon our "exception" to certain sweeping phrases in the Register against banks, by charging upon us the employment of like phrases \n favor o( banks. Now we reckon Mr. Ruffin will hardly thank our friend of the Statesman for such a defence ; our errors, admit- ting the justice of the retort, are certainly no justi- fication tor the Register. VVe feel assured, how- ever, that the Statesman cannot find in our journal arbitrary conclusions or denunciations on this subject, that will fairly offset some we could point out in the Register. But we object thoroughly to a contrast between the Register and our paper. We claim as a privilege to indulge a degree ol flippancy which the Register is on every conside- ration prohibited (i-ora adopting. We have a right to be slipshod philosophers and political economists — the Register nor^e. Our daily jour- nal requires an expedition and despatch that docs not afford time for grammatical propriety, let alone mature reflection — a momentary excitement can- not subside ere an Indiscretion it may induce is held up before the world — there is no time for sober second-thought, no lime lor better judg- ment to modify, or for taste to improve. But the Register, a monthly journal, conducted by an accomplished scholar and intelligent gentleman, with time for reflection, for leisurely composition, and then lor pruning according to critical proprie- ty and even adding the charms of beauty — we say the Register can urge no such excuse, and can claim no such right. We have always been proud of the Register as a southern monthly ; ibr its ability and its valuable scientific and prac- tical information : and we must contest every inch of ground when it comes to encroach upon our commons. But we repeat we do not suppose Mr. Ruffin would set up a defence similar to that of the Statesman, and may be we are saying more than necessary. " By the way, we see that the Lynchburg Vir- ginian has expressed itself somewhat in the same vein we did, without possibly having seen our 'exception.' It says, ' Has Mr. Ruffin changed the character of his Farmers' Register ? Instead of telling the farmer by what means he may draw v?ealth from his banks of earth, he seems disposed to make an exterminating war upon banks of dis- count and deposite. [Which were in fact advo- cated, instead of being warred against. — Ed. F. R.] His essays may be very original and pro- found Ibr aught we know ; but it seems to us he ought to select some other channel to convey them to the public' " — Compiler. Now the whole question is, whether, in consi- dering the operations and eliects of banking and paper currency, we have altered the plan of the Farmers" Register, or varied in an important or censurable degree from ilie designed and proper general procedure. We deny the justice ol' the cliarge, and appeal, without lear, to the tacts of the case, lor our justification and acquittal. In Ihe earliest publislied prospectus of liie Farmers' Register, and which wa^ inserted in tlie tiist number, (p. G 4, vol. i.) and republished often afterwards, the subjects to be embraced in the work were stated and numbered under eiglit dis- laici heads, as follows : '• 1. Original communications of experiments, observuiions and opinions on agriculture, garden- ing, and domestic econuniy. 2. Selections from liie best periodical publica- tions on agriculture, European and American, and from such other agricultural works as have not been published in this country, or are not gene- rally accessible. 3. Reviews or notices of agricultural works. 4. The discussion of such subjects