Digitized by tlie Internet Arcliive in 2009 witli funding from Lyrasis IVIembers and Sloan Foundation http://www.archive.org/details/pennsylvaniafarm118511852darl PEMSYLYANIA FARM JOURNAL, DEVOTED TO Agriculture^ Horticulture & Rural Economy. S. S. HALDEMAN, EDITOR. VOLUME I. LANCASTER, PA. A. M. SPANGLER, Publisher W. B. WILEY, PniNTKtt. 1852. INDEX TO VOL. I. Acknowledgments, 91, 121, 217 Address, Editor's, 1 " Hon. A. Stevenson's, 256 Agricultural education, 43, 69, 202, 293, 325, 332 " chemist of Maryland, 42 Chemistry, 164, 195, 225, 267, 300, 329, 360 Fairs, 102, 153, 182, 239, 217, 241, 317 " College, Russell's project, 107 " Journals, 3 Societies, 24, 45, 86. 103, 152, 169, 181, 241, 315,-349 Society of Pa. 8, 55, 217, 258, 285, 315, 334 " Schools in Europe, 11, 38 " Writers, hints to, 8 Warehouse, 123 '• Address, notes of, 132 " Experience, 135 Nuisances, 172, 200, 237, 273, 310, 328, 359 Agriculture and Geology, 9, 58, 193 " in Pennsylvania, 163, 231 A habit of observation essential in farming, 235 Articles exhibited at State Fair, 258, 281, 313 Absence of the editor, 285 Apple pumice, &c. 302 Asparagus, 347 Ashes of anthracite coal, 75 Att«ntion to young cattle, 123 Arboretum, the, 238 Alderneys, 240 Agents at State Fair, 217 American Association, 225 Animal heat, &c., 168 A word to •ur friends, 348 An offer to County Societies, 373 Advance of Practical and Scientific Agr, in Pa., 374 B Bee, organization of 72 " moth, 171 " hiving, 177 Birds, destruction of, 82 Book notices, 59-61, 87, 154, 219, 252, 285, 318, 350, Brevity, 122 Building material, 99 Burns, remedy for, 45 Blue rose, 152 Bots in horses, 175 Banquet, the, 246, 278 Brown's fumigator,286 Birds and insects, 272 Bones Dissolved, 358 Corn planting, 35 " sowed for fodder, 43 Currants — Raspberries, 48 Charcoal for cisterns, 48 Crows and pigeons defeated, 75 Crioceris Trilineata, _ Crops in Pennsylvania, 122 Circular, 123 Cicada septendecim, 89, 90, 108, 131 Correspondents, to 99, 131, 193, 247, 348 Cucumber bug, 106, 135, 365 Cure for murrain, 136 Cultivation of flowers, 139 Cows failing in milk, 147 Constitution Pennsylvania Ag. Society, 150 Corn crop, 183 Club subscribers, 186 Correction, 203 Cauliflowers, 208 Cows, 233 " advantage of keeping good ones, 237 Central Rail Road Company, 243 Calomel for Chickens, 277 Change of seed, 295 Corn vs. Wheat, 298 Com fodder, how to cure, 307 Cranberry, culture of, 344, 349 Corn planting, an old farmer's method, 228 Churn, premium, 247 Cutlery, American, 246 Caterpillars and Black Knots, 371 Club Lists, 374 Complimentary Resolution, 376 Dairy management, 48 Diversity of crops, &c. 134 Devon ox, 46 Deterioration of soils, 202 Dorking fowls, 53 Delay, 56 Deep plowing, 68, 229 Domestic Economy, 81, 155 DriUs, 92, 152 Dwarf Pear Trees, 114, 140, 178 IV INDEX. Delaware county, 123 Drought, 212 Draining, 326 E Entomology, 33, 65, 97, 129, 105, 348 Dr. Brinckle's essay on, 338, 366 Enclosing receipts, 56 Experimental farming, 41 Evergreen trees and shrubs, 141, 206, 314 Encouragement, 35 Enamelled milk pans, 182 Education of farmer's daughters, 102, 199 Enquiries and answers, 218 Eastern Virginia,226 Evening walk in June, 115 Enterprise of English & American farmers, 121 Experiments, 345 Effect of Frost on Peach Trees, 371 Evergreens of our Capitol, 372 F Farmers! write for the Journal, 56 Farmers' Clubs, 67, 105 Farmer's sons and the learned professions, 74 Farming in California, 85 Female industry, 85 Fruits of Lancaster county, 113 Fine wool, 149 Franklin Marshall College, 162 Fruit stealing, 184, 205 Food for the raspberry, 209 Fruit and ornamental trees, 217 Farmers who have nothing to do, 244 Fattening calves, 303 Fowls, management of 341 Fruits, the circle of, 340 Fencing, cost of, &c. 304 Flax plant, 344 Fowls, improved 282, 312, 313 Fanning Mills, 349 Fowls, the Guinea, 365 Fruit and Fruit Trees, protection by law, 375 G Good and bad vinegar, 136 Guano, 122, 143, 163, 216, 326 Good farming implements, 151 Gen. Hand plums, 179 Grain market, 216 Georgia white wheat, 219 Germination of clover seed, 276 Geese, China 79 " Bremen, 79 Galloway ox, 112 Guano vs. lime, 310 Gooseberry, 346 Generous offer, 149 Guano, Kentish's artificial 153 Horticultural Societies, H 52, 83, 113, 115, 144, ISO, 211, 218, 250, 277, 347, 372 Hoof-all in cattle, 44 Hedges, planting 71, 74 Horse-shoeing, 48 Hawthorn vs. Osage orange, 74 Horse, the structure of, &c. 77, 110, 146, 176 Hints on Domestic Economy, 85 Hovr the postage law affects us, 120 How to double the circulation of Farm Journal, 149 Harvest, the 153 Homoepathy, 166 How should young farmers spend their evenings, 232 Horticultural implements,185, 213 Incorporation Penna. Ag. Society, 35 Important facts, 167 Imposition, 218 Importance of communicating facte, 299 Ink for tree labels, 309 Insects, Rose 143 Increase of County Societies, 376 January number, 315 K Kitchen and flower garden, 50 Kitchen garden, 83 Keep your cattle comfortable, 303 Liquid fertilizer, 136 Lime, 39, 162, 173, 229, 302, 305 LarvaB of the locust, 112 Lecture on hair, wool, &c. 137 Lotteries, 161 Lightning rods, 183 Late seeding, 230 Longworth's sparkling Catawba, 280 Labor, dignity of 344 M Medal Penna. Horticultural Society, 35 Melon bug bane, 155 Murrain, 173, 174 Mortality among poultry, 175 Manures, &o. 194 Manuring, a word on 204 Milk and its management, 226 Mice in barns, " Make home beautiful, 279 " Moon, influence of 308, 327, 359 N Notices of the press, 57, 280, 373 Notes by the wayside, 118 Notes for September, 179 Newland's Strawberry humbug, 182 Necessity of increasing the fertility of our soils, 270 National Agricultural Bureau, 375 0 Organ of the State Society, 55 Obituary, 06 Pomological remarks, 49 Pear on the quince stock, 51 Potato rot, 57, 167, 200 Potato, the 103 Potatoes for seed, 309 " small vs. large, 296, 363 Patridges and weeds, 309 Paine's Oxygen Light, 66 Plowing Matches, 90, 166, 245 at the State Fair, 216 Plows, American, " " 218 INDEX. Plow, Hope's improved, 184 " Roger's improved subsoil, 245 Peyson'a Deodorizer, 91 Pruning Ladder, 119 Premiums, 130 Pennsylvania barns, 145 Plums and the curoulio, 162 Progress in farming, 174 Peach culture, 183 Pears, American seedling 273 Poultry, 311 Protection for fruit trees against mice, 332 Pruning trees, 333 Plaster and stable manure, mixing of 334 Postage on Farm Journal, 285 Poudrette, application to corn fields, &c. 358 Pedigree of Rockland, 374 Philadelphia subscribers, 376 Quack medicines, 35 Quackery, medical, 98 R Rural taste, 40 Raspberry, how to propagate, 81, 139 Raspberry, Red Antwerp 239 Reply of Mr. Bumstoad, 247 Renovating outcasts, 276 Remedy for a cow that sucks herself, 102 S Silk, to iron 45 Sheep, 47, 66, 88, 148, 170 Shade as a fertilizer, 74 Swede turnips, 75 Strawberry, Newland's Alpine 90 Scientific farming, 131 Should manure be immediately plowed under? 162 Strawberry plants, 185 Seedless apples, 205 Shrubs for hedges, 207, 370 'Shall we grow wheat or tobacco, 215 Stir the soil, 307 Seedling vs. budded peaches, 280 Select good seed, 298 Thanks, 56 Tobacco, management of 76, 153, 213 " Pennsylvania, 182 Transplanting pear trees, 82 fruit trees, 142 To our lady readers, 181 To young men who read the Farm Journal, 181 Terms of the Farm Journal, 186 To measure an acre of ground, 233 Temper in the family, 238 To bone a fowl, 240 Thorough tillage, 304 Turkeys, Domestic, 364 Venango county, letter from, 306 Villa farm house, 55 Voice from the west, 120 Visit to West Chester, 123 Vine, propagation of the 209, 234 Victoria Regia, the 210 W What a little effort will accomplish, 57 What we have done, &c. 153 Who's to blame ? 185 Wire Fence, improved 117 AVheat, spring 199 " new varietv, 233 culture, 297 Coad, 123 Wayne county, 203 Worthy of imitation, 247 What will Pa. farmers do for the Farm Journal, 285 " " " " without the Journal, 308 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. FKONTISPIECE— PORTRAIT OF MR. JAS. Agricultural Chemistry, 15 illustrations, 195, 196, 197, 198, 268, 269, 300, 329 Aldemey Bull, 250 Devon Ox, 45 Domestic Turkeys, 364 Fowls, Cochin China, 18, 248, 283 " Guilderland, 18 " White Shanghaes, 19 " Dorkings, 53 " Shanghae, 281 " Chittagong, 313 Malay, 312 " Hamburg, 343 " Sebright Bantams, 342 " Gray Game, 341 Gen. Hand Plum, 22 Geese, Hong Kong, 79 GOWEN'S PREMIUM BULL, "ROCKLAND." Geese, Cbina, 79 Guinea Fowl, 365 Galloway Ox, 113 Horse, the 77 Hackney, the 176 Hope's Improved Plow, 184 Horticultural Implements, 14 illustrations, 185, 213 Insects, 38, 34, 65, 66, 98, 99, 100, 130, 131, 101 Pennsylvania Bam, 145, 146 Roger's Subsoil Plow, 245 Scaling or Pruning Ladder, 119 Sheep, Cheviot, 47 " Black-faced 47, 48 " Merino, 88 " Cotswold, 148 Villa Farm House, 54 Yorkshire Cow, 21 VOL. 1. LANCASTER, APRIL, 1851 THE FARM JOURNAL. S. S. HAIDEMAX, Editor. " It is a great fallacy to suppose that Tfhen an indmd- ual becomes the editor of an Agricultui'al paper, he ne- cessarily constitutes himself a dictator of opinion and practice to his readers." — Tennessee Farmer. No apology is necessary in offering a new periodi- cal devoted to the subject of Agriculture and the collateral Arts and Sciences, to the farmers of Penn- sylvania and the neighboring States, as ■well as to others who desire to know the condition, and become acquainted with the prospects of the most useful and extensive branch of American employment. The formation of societies and the publication of journals devoted to Agriculture tend to impress the farmer with the dignity and importance of his pro- fession, and places its claims to respect prominently before the world at large. But whilst there are pe- riodicals devoted to the interests of the merchant, the mechanic, the politician, and in fact to the chief pur- suits and tastes of civilized society, the cultivators of the soil have generally been among the last to be supplied with this kind of mental food ; and were it not that they have shown themselves ready to adopt improvements as they become acquainted with them (the early introduction of thrashing machines, im- proved plows, and other implements being proof of the fact) the condition of American agriculture would not have occupied its present favorable position in comparison with other branches of industry. From their generally isolated position, farmers have but few opportunities of consulting together, and mak- ing themselves acquainted with the various modes of culture employed in distant regions, whilst the results of individual experience are confined to limited dis- tricts. One farmer may think of adopting a rotation of crops differing from that to which he has been accus- tomed, but fears that the result may be unfavorable, although the experiment may have been successful, or may have failed, in a different part of the country. Under these circumstances, an Agricultural Jour- nal takes it stand between the person who wishes information, and the one who is capable of supplying it; and it becomes a bond of' union and sympathy, forming a partial recompense for the want of the ac- tive intercourse which exists among those engaged in mechanical pursuits. This end is accomplished to a great extent by the formation of Agricultural Socie- ties, but it frequently happens that the farmer cannot leave his home at the periods when these meet, whilst the Journal makes its regular visits to his own door. "We expect to devote considerable space to Corres- pondence, and we invite communications upon field, garden, and orchard culture, and their coUateval branches. As soon as the necessary arrangements can ba made, we intend to import the best German, French and English Periodicals devoted to farming, that oiir readers may become acquainted with the latest agri- rieultural improvements abroad. Particular atten- tion will be paid to the Revicic of new Books which have a bearing upon the subjects to which the Farm Journal is devoted. There existed formerly certain prejudices against "book" farming, but as modern agricultural litera- ture embodies the observations and practical experi- ence of the best farmers, such objections are now untenable. Judge J. Buel, (who was lost to his coun- try in 1839,) did much to advance agriculture by making it a matter of the head, aa well as of the hand; and his success was such, that besides giving an impulse to farming which was felt throughout the Union, he increased the value of his own light and sandy farm, "which cost in an uncultivated state, thirty dollars an acre," so as to be worth " two hun- dred dollars an acre for farming purjioses." In addition to the practical results, the employ- ment of the reasoning powers in agriculture elevates it to the dignity of a science. It refines the mind of the cultivator, perfects his education, places him on an equal footing with the professional man, and pre- sents to his offspring a wide range in the field a of go FARM JOURNAL. April ology, botany, chemistry, and the collateral sciences ; so that a practical homo education may to a certain extent supersede one acquired abroad, and afford his sons a sufficient scope for the employment of the in- tellect, without forcing them into the uncertain fields of professional or commercial life. To Correspondents. Verbal alterations and corrections will be made in printing communications, unless their authors desire them to appear as written, and they will be occasion- ally condensed when it can be done without altering the sense. One of our correspondents will observe that we have omitted an article in which he enters upon the ques- tions discussed by our friends Skinner and Carey. — We have done so because we do not wisli to encroach upon the special ground of " The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil," and l^eoause we are not disposed to admit theoretical articles upon political questions which are ably discussed upon both sides by the Whig and Democratic papers. The Farm Journal is intended for readers of all political parties, without being an advocate of the peculiar views of any. As a general rule we prefer that contributors would allow their name and place of residence to accompany their articles. When modes of culture are detailed, the nature of the soil should be stated. H. M. Faille's I-ight. This "light" seems to have been named In accord- ance with an etymology formerly given, which derived the latin word lucus a i/roi'c from luceo to gire litjlit, because groves are usually dark. AH who have pre- tended to explain the new light have left some point in darkness, so that tlio public know as little about the matter as they did before the fourth of July .1850, when the whole world was to have an ocular demon- stration of the discovery. According to the Paine assertion, water is not com- posed of oxygen and hydrogen, but is a simple ele- ment which he can convert into the condition of oxy- gen or hydrogen at pleasure. A person named G. Q. Colton, who claims eight years of chemical experience, gives an explanation and figure of the apparatus used, under date of Janu- ary 2d, 1851. Among other things he tasted the wa- ter in the jai', to satisfy himself " that it was water." But a chemist of eight years standing should have tasted the water in the 'bell-glass,' and above all, that in the ' tumbler,' as the former may have been acidu- lated, and the latter may have contained some sub- stance intended to take up the oxygen through the ' positive' wire, which mayliavebeenhollow, although stated to be flat. A chemist would not have allowed the " electrode box" to pass without examination, and ho might have examined it when he tasted the loatcr in the Jar. He does not inform us why the jar did not burst with the pressure of the gas before the stopper was removed to let out the atmospheric air ; nor why the mouth of the outer jar must be closed ; and being closed, how he procured the water which he drank. The great power of the machine is said to depend upon the wire of the coils being tubular, and contain- ing half a pint of water, which increases the power 10,000 times. The following assertion is cautiously made with regard to Faraday: — " I tJiink, he says, that a single drop of water will contain as much elec- tricity as a thunder cloud — sufficient to burst off the gable end of a house." Some of the newspapers in commenting upon this article have fallen into the trap, and take it for granted that Faraday did make such an assertion. lie may have asserted that it re- quires a great power to separate water into its consti- tuents, which does not help Mr. Paiue's theory ; and were the machine made as stated, the water would actually diminish the effect rather than increase it. If one drop of the water in the wire has power to burst out one wall of a house, four drops would de- stroy the house, and four thousand would destroy a town of a thousand houses, so that forts, armies and ships could be destroyed, rocks blasted, and moun- tains leveled. Evil disposed people would have little engines made of three or four drop power to destroy property, and burglars would have smaller ones, of one-twentieth of a drop power, and as large as a tooth- pick, but strong enough to force doors and iron safes. These shonld not be encumbered with the jars and water, because the latter are really not essential to the production of power and light by the electro-mag- netic machine. The Paine light wa.s flickering upon a sickly repu- tation, when a new act of the plot appeared in the shape of a letter (in the Boston Transcript of Jan'y 30) from one Geo. P. Paine, detaiUng some difficulties in the management of this half a pint of condensed thunder, owing to the occurrence of " nine severe ex- plosions in as many months," none of which however, " burst out the gable end" of the house, although in one case the hydrogen in the decomposing jar is sta- ted to have exploded with a report like that of a six pounder. The final explosion will probably be so gradual that no one will be disturbed by it except the stockholders. Obituary. We regret that we have to announce the deatli of the distinguished and energetic editor, Joun S. Skin- N'ER, who has been identified during a great part of a long and useful life, with the agricultural improve- ment of the country, first in connexion with the Ainer- i):an Farmer, and at the time of his death with The Plough, the Loom and the Anvil. He was at one time Postmaster of Baltimore ; and previous to commeno* 1851. FARM JOURNAL. 8 ing his last periodical he occupied a prominent place in the General Post-office at Washington. lie lost his life on the 21st March, by falling through a cellar door at the Baltimore Post-office, striking his head against a marble sill, -n-hich deprived him of speech until ho expired. The Hon. Isaac Hill, formerly Governor of New Hampshire, United States Senator, and for many years an editor, died recently at Washington. At one period he edited an agricultural periodical. The Rev. Samuel Farmer Jakvis, D. D., aclergyman of the Episcopal Church, died recently at JliJJletown, Ct. He was a member of various learned societies, and President of the Natiu-al History Society of Hartford, in whose transactions for ISoO, a valuable address of his on natui'al history may be found. Virginia. This State lias recently taken a step far in advance of its neighbors, by providing for an agricultural chemist. (Eomntutiicatlons. Hiiits to Agricultural Writers. In the establishment of an Agricultural Journal, you have entered upon a field •where your labour may be turned to a most profitable account. We do not derogate from the character of the farmer, when we assert that they have much to learn of the business in which they are engaged. Agriculture as a Science, to understand it thoroughly, calls into requisition a most extended circle of knowledge, and deniamls an expanded degree of thought and study, which is- in- compatible with the every-day avocations of a farmer. His opportunities and mode of life, forbid tlie appli- cation of his time to such pursuits : ho must deal with practical results attained by others, whoso better o\>- portunities have enaljled them to prosecute the study of scientific knowledge, and i-educe its elements to practical conclusions. This view of the subject seems to point out to you the plan upon which an Agricul- tural Journal should be conducted. To render it valuable it should treat of subjects, and be couched in such language as will be easily understood by that class of readers whom you hope to benefit by your labours. AVhcn we reflect that «very operation on tlie farm is based upon some substantial reason ; that every implement used is formed upon certain fixed mechanical principles, and how little either enters in- to the consideration of the operator, how delightful a task it is to treat of such subjects, and communicate to the farmer in a plain and iutelligiljle phrase- ology the reasons for the work in which ho is en- gaged, or the principles upon which his implements should be constructed. lie knows from experience that certain causes produce certivin results, but how few know why such results are produced, although the reason for each may be a plain simple trutli,' a result of scientific knowledge, easily communicated and as easily understood. Wo can not better illus- trate our views than by referring to certain examples. The experience of every farmer has taught him that to plough land when wet is exceedingly injurious to it: but has the circumstance itself caused him to inquire why it is so 1 Is it too simple a truth to teach that the cultivatei earth has a capacity to feed upon that nourishment with whicli it is constantly supplied by the natural elements : — that light and heat are as essential to its capacity for yiroduction as they are to the vitality of the animal body : and that the ofiect of ploughing land when it is wet, is to shut up those mouths and lungs, and make it impervious to ligiit heat and nourishment, and for the want of them it dies ? This idea would give to many farmers a sub- ject for thought, and induce them to carry their re- flections into the whole suljject of ploughing, and wliilo actually engaged in the work, the naturally vigorous mind would expand into the inquiry how it may al- ways be done well. Knowing then, that the object of ploughing is to put the gi'ound in that loose pliable condition, in which it will the )nore readily receive all these advantages which it naturally requires, he will take another step, and inquire into the charac- ter of the plough he uses. Does it make that miscall- ed beaulij'td work, where the ploughed ground is turned over as hard as a pressed brick, over which, you may walk without making a foot print, or does it leave it in the condition which we liave before de- scribed, ready to receive tlie nourishment which so increases its capacity for production. This is but one of the thousand plain suggestions which may be ofiered to the intelligent mind of the farmer, calculated to produce thought, excite an in- terest in the business in which he is engaged, and ultimately produce new and practical results. Whilst we would not exclude entirely from the columns of your journal, the description of learned theories which pertain to agriculture as a Science, yet its editor should never be unmindful how com- paratively few of his patrons will either read or un- derstand that which is expressed in a phraseology as unintelligible as if it were Greek. It will be your province, too, to instill into the minds of farmers a high toned feeling of self respect : that their occupation may not fall below the rest of mankind, in taking rank in that laudably ambitious context, which, in this age, seems to urge the world forward in the race of improvement. Their condition is an isolated one, and they hare a corresponding difFerenee, which restrains them in their intercou/se ■with their fellow men, whilst there is in their occu- pation a subject of thouglit ; an intermingling of the order and beauties of nature, and an indispensable importance in its olijcet design and results, which claim for it that high degree of respect which is al- ways awarded to a well instructed mind. Upon the character of your Journal will depend ita usefulness, and its success will be measured by the impression it will make in this particular. Carlisle Pa. Frederick watts. On -Agricultural Journals. Notwithstanding the great press of private engage- ments, which at the present claim my utmost excr-, tions, and which, like my daily bread, can neither be postponed nor remitted ; yet such are my sympa- thies, that I cannot refuse lending you a helping hand, though the extra job should prove never so hai-d or jading. You tell me you are about publishing an Agricul- tural -lournal, and are pleased to think that a few lines from under my hand, might prove serviceable to the undertaking. — Thanking you for the compliment, it becomes me to say however, that my compliance with your request is superinduced by a better feeling than that which moved the crow in the fable, who, on being praised for a fine voice, rendered herself ridicu- lous by attempting to sing — a feeling, that never fails to move me, however indifferently gifted, and FARM JOURNAL. Aprit,"^ tliatis, a desire so pervading, or so inhei-ont, if you will, that I am ever ready to contribute my mite towards promoting agriculture in any ({uarter, but more par- ticularly m Pennsylvania. Well, then, to begin: I shall say a few words on the expediency of farmers encouraging Agricultural Papers for their own sakes at least, to say nothing of the propriety of patronising such works for the credit of their good old Common- wealth, which should never bo permitted to lag be- hind any other state, in any thing commendable. It will be admitted that no man claiming to belong to a party, or fraternity, can maintain its principles, ■ understand its policy, know its strength or condition fully, without commingling with his fellow-members, participating in their meetings, or lieing periodically K'lvised of their practice and progress. If this be so in the general, with what force must the necessity of a compliance with one of those means of enlighten- ment and intercommunication, particularly appeal to the common sense of every farmer, who from his iso- late position is debarred in a great measure from mix- ing with the world, and of the chance of being carried along with it in its improving progress. A Paper then is, of all things, the most available channel, through which he can learn what is going on in the way of improvements, in the line of farming. How indispen.^able to him, who is toiling week after week, apart from the stirring world, except when he is at the Mill, the Blacksmith's Shop or the AVheel- vrright's, to receive a monthly Journal, devoted to the advancement of the very art, by which he earns a livelihood. An Agricultural Paper which enables him to know the condition of the seeding, and harvestr ing and cropping at distant places, thereby affording a glimpse at the prices that will rule in grain, corn, &o., in advance — that will tell him of experiments and results in the matter of Rust, Potato-rot, Smut and variou.s other thiug.s, as disease in cattle and other stock ; pests in various shapes, which he fain would know, and should know — of improved tillage, cheap drainage, profitable breeds of cattle, sheep and hogs, and economical feeding of them that will inform him of the proceedings of Agricultural Societies, the display and addresses at Agricultural Exhibi- tions ; in short, such information touching the whole routine, practice and theory of tillage and husban- dry— the weal and wo of that class of society, in whose character and career, the destiny of himself and family is uncpiestionaldy involved. Where is the farmer, who will allow himself to think upon the subject, would be without such a paper, when it costs but the pitiful sum of, one doll.ir per year ! The expediency, nay the necessity, of an Agricultur- al Journal being read at every farmer's fireside is so apparent, tliat it would seem a waste of time to demon- strate a proposition, which all must admit, and none could, if they would, deny or contravert. Well, then, what must we tliink of the fatuity, the insensibility, that prevails among the farmers of Pennsylvania, ■when it may be safely stated, that seven-eighths of them do not subscribe for, or read an Agricultural Paper. How mortifying to think of such a condition of things; and to point to the fate of the " Farmer's Cabinet," an Agricultural Paper, published for sev- eral years in Philadelphia, and which, after a hard struggle for existence, perished for lack of patronage. Its remains were sold to a Publisher in New York, a State, which supports three or four Agricultural Journals creditably. If this is not sufficient to lower the brow of every intelligent, right minded farmer, in what is called, "the Key stone State," I should be at a loss to know what could cause Ms eye to flash or his brow to droop. Permit mo to ask, my brother farmers, if houses are built as some fifty years ago they were ? Is their erection such an interminable job now as it former- ly was ? Do carpenters work with the same clumsy tools as then ? Are brick made and burned as iix days of yore ? Is tanning bo slow a process as it used to be ? Is the smelting and forging of Iron bet- ter understood ; and how is it with the whole range of manufactures and machinery ? All changed, and for the better. Well, how is it with farming?" Pretty much as it was in the days of our great-grand-fathers, a century ago. Wherein is the cause of this differ- once? Why, while the farmer reads nothing to en- lighten him on the practice of his calling, nor joins a society for the improvement of himself and others of the same profession, believing that his art is not sus- ceptible of improvement ; the Mechanic, Manufoctur- er and Maehinest devour every thing that emanates from their Institutes, attach themselves to Societies peculiar to their craft, hold exhibitions, try to out- rival each other in experiment and skill, and hence the rapid and astonishing improvement to be seen in the practice of every industrial pursuit but farming, and that is at so dead a halt that neither drum, fife nor trumpet can throw it into a " forward, march !" — Every thing is going ahead Ijut farming. Such is the spirit of progress, that it is no uncommon thing now- a-days, to find some son of the thimble starring it among his brethren of the shears, clipping a little of their superfluous cabbage, in the shape of admission to a lecture on the philosophy of coat-cutting, accord- ing to the science of anatomy. All trades and pro- fessions are under whip and spur on the road of pro- gress, except farming, and that is so immoveable, that it can scarcely lift its head to look over the fence, to see the race. To what cause can this indifference, this " mildew of the mind" be traced ? Some say the cold neglect of the Legislature, who has never directed an encour- aging glance, nor bestowed a gracious smile upon the toiling tillers of the soil. Others will have it, that it is in the nature of farming to make dull and apathetic, and that nothing can be done for those who will do nothing for themselves — and so we might have as many opinions vipon this matter, as persons could be found to put the question to ; and differing as widely too, as would the doctors, should the cause of love or madness be submitted to them ; and therefore it is unprofitable to seek for the cause any farther. It will be much wiser to direct our attention to the moans best calculated to infuse life and energy into the torpid limbs of this unwieldy body, and set it agoing ; and I know of no one agent fitter for the oc- casion than a spirited, well conducted Agricultural .Journal, such as you mean to publish, which, if taken by any considerable portion of the farmers of Penn- sylvania, it will be among them as the leaven, that leavcneth the whole lump. A close observation for many years satisfies me that an Agricultural paper is essential to the wanta and requirements of the well disposed farmer. I hare yet to meet the subscriber to any one of them, who did not acknowledge his indebtedness in some shape or other to its instructive pages. Show me the Agri- culturist who is a constant reader of these periodicals, and I will show you a Husbandman that is far in advance of him who never reads any, unless his judg- ment is iniquitously perverted, or his mind radically defective. I know the favorable influence they exer- cised on my farming operations. Experience has long since convinced me of their utility, and I feel warrant- ed in commending them strongly to others. For years I haye taken some four or five of those leading; 1851. FARM JOURNAL. Journals regularly, and am free to confess that though ; this subscription might be deemed liberal on my part, that even in the matter of dollars and cents, reckon- } ing what paid, and what saved and made through , them, I am largely their debtor. But this was not ' all the pecuniary "value was of little moment to mo, j compared with the gratification in times past, from an occasional interchange of thought and sentiment with j such editors as the Tuckers, the Aliens, the Pedders, j the Tatems, the Sands the Batemans &c — the glow- ing remembrance of that glorious past, serves now I but to throw a deeper shade over the position in '■ which one unguarded step, though well intended, j placed my beautiful farm, splendid cattle, with every thing connected with a scene and system of, farniing, that were the theme of every observer — a change so mortifying and so discouraging as that I was made to feel, could not fail to damp my zeal and drive me from the field where I had long so bravely | struggled with others, besides those already mention- ed, to establish a lofty and commanding character for the agriculture of the country. This digression may casilv be overlooked, for it is natural for one who findshimself upon a path ho had not trodden for a,\ long time, though once his accustomed walk, to stop or turn aside to recognise some tree, or plant, or flow- er that formerly had been familiar to hmi. So with me after so long an interval of silence, finding myself engaged in penning these hasty lines for the Agricul- tural press, I could not refrain from indulging a reminiscence forced upon me by the occasion. It has been stated that I was the gainer by sub- scribing to agricultural papers. In proof of this I shall instance one item in the shape of a remedy for Hove in cattle, which I learned from one of these Journals, and which saved me the lives of two or more valualjle cattle worth some hundreds of dollars. Jiove is produced by rapid or ravenous eating of rank young clover, green corn &c, — and occasions the death of numerous cattle yearly. The usual reme- dies are the barbarous practice of stabbing, and drenching with deleterious drugs ; both of which are nearly as dangerous as the disorder. The simple and most efiicient remedy is this, so soon as the animal is discovered to be unusually distended or hoven, let a twisted straw or hay rope as thick as a man's wrist be immediately placed in its mouth, bridle fashion, drawing it up tight, and tying it securely on the back of the head behind the roots of the horns. The animal's jaws will then stand open as if gagged ; the efi'ort it makes to disengage itself of the rope with its tongue, produces an action in the muscles that relaxes the valves, as it were, and liber- ates the gas. The cure is thus accomplished instan- tor, and without injury to the animal. As time is every thing in this matter, farmers should have the rope always ready made, hanging in the stable, and if the middle of it, (the part to be in the mouth of the animal ) be besmeared with tar it would be more effica- cious, but tar or no tar, the cure is certain, if tlie rope is applied while there is yet any energy remaining in the hoven beast. Now is not this worth a year's subscription of your paper to every farmer who has never heard of the remedy before. If I am not mistaken in the signs, I think the pre- sent time is favorable for commencing an Agricultur- al Journal. Many of late have inquired of me wheth- er there was any likelihood of one being started soon, and suggesting various plans and places appropriate to its issue ; add to this the feeling manifested at the Farmers' convention latelj' held at Ilarrisburg, which if not permitted to subside, may work wonders for rcnnsylvania. I trust the officers and members of the State Society will consider it not only their duty to subscribe for your paper themselves, but to elicit subscriptions for you in their respective neighbor- hoods. In no way else can they, at this juncture, subserve the cause so well, as in promoting the circu- lation of a good Agricultural Paper, and the organiza- tion of County Societies. The county societies al- ready formed will no doubt patronize you liberally. Finally, I would invoke the sons of farmers growiiic into manhood, to set apart one dollar for your paper every year, how hard so ever they may work to earn it. If they do, I promise them that it will lighten their work in the end, and jirove the best laid out dollar they ever parted with. What more can I say ? Much, but tiuie will not permit me to say more at present. Wishing you much success for your own sake, and the sake of Agricultiue, lam, (See, JAMES GOWEN'. Mount Airy 19th March 1851. On Permanent Pasture, and the breaking up of old Grass I^and. It is a question among the farmers of England and Scotland, as to how long land should lie unbroken by the plough, and which is the most profit.able mode of farming; to keep land permanently in pasture, or oc- casionally to break up old sod ? As in all other de- partments of agriculture, this must be decided by circumstances, but of course the proper selection of these circumstances, which are to produce a decision of whether a thing is to be done or not to be done, will depend on the observation, the clear judgment, and the intelligence of the farmer. The question is one of great importance to all graziers, to the farmers of Chester, Delaware, parts of Lancaster in this State, to considerable portions of Virginia, and much of the Western countrj-, certainly howerever of more inter- est to those portions of Pennsylvania, where grazing for the market forms the chief if not sole chance of profit, than to those more distant parts of the country, where land is much cheaper, held in much smaller quantities, and by no means as laboriously, as expen- sively, or as well fenced, as in those celebrated Agri- cultural Counties. The first question to be asked in discussing tlie matter, is, what is your soil ? In Scot- land where the farmers are strongly in favor of con- verting grass into arable land, and where they bring the best possible evidence, to support the practice by so reducing the large crops, their opinion is supposed to be a decision of necessity, from a deficency of chalk in view, soil which is or is, supposed to be, calculated for the support of the natural grasses. In Ireland, where much land has been from time immemorial in pasture, the surface rests on a limestone bottom. In the best grazing parts of this state, there is neither limo nor chalk. But it must not be supposed that by the term " best" we mean that no part of the coun- ties mentioned just now, that contain lime, are not fit for the fattening of a bullock. We moan nothing more than that those lime-stone regions are less fitted for permanent pasture, than those which contain no lime-stone. In the valleys of Chester, and Lancaster, the land will not hold grass but a few years, though they can no doubt fatten cattle, while a little farther South, in the same counties, or at least in the county of Chester, the land may stay in permanent pasture any length of time, though we know of none that have been so left, for more than fifty years. But we must not take the example of England, Scotland, or Ireland, for our model, even if there were great similarity in the soil ; the difi'ercnce of climate would compel the American farmer to an opposite mode of farming The sun in those countries is only an occasional guest, 6 FARM JOURNAL. April, ■while here he is a constant companion ; there they liave incessant humiility, while here our rain, though more abundant, is less frequent, and rapidly removed. These create great differences in modes of culture, though we have seen but three obstacles to keeping our best grazing grounds in permanent jiasture ; the one is liable to drought; another liability, thesmallsize of the farms; the third, the neglectof manuring. For the first there is no remedy luit the plough, as a long cijutinued drought, such as we had in 1838, repeated in 1844, does so much mischief, that weeds supplant the grasses, and oblige us to farm the ground. A small farm, such as are most of those within thirty miles of the city, also forces the farmer to the plough, or else to a frequent turning up of the same fields, which will inevitaljly do him a great injury, unless he go to the expense of heavy manuring. The third obstacle we have enumerated ; a neglect of manuring is one that has its remedy if the farmer has means, or thinks it will be profitable to employ them in keeping up his grass land. It is no doubt true, that pasture manures itself, that is, the constant decay of vegetable matter, and the droppings of the cattle, form a somewhat slow but still a gradual enrichment of the soil, yet if small portions of lime are occasionally applied, now and then a top dressing of some kind, a really strong ground will put at defiance any punishment from drought, and only give way to the over stocking of some cruel and avaricious master. Any farmer who has a certain number of aci'es well set with natural grasses, cannot be wise in ploughing them. If he grazes, he is sure every year of an investment that will yield him some return without regard to season, he is rid of all anxiety as to crops, and their precari- ousness; and if he be a good judge of stock, and is wary as to his time of selling the crop he has to offer of rich sweet meat, is sure to bring him a good return. There are but two ways iu those portions of this state near the city (where land is dear,) of making it give a good interest for the outlay, or in the value of the farm the dairy and grazing. In either of these, permanent pasture is important, as on such land the milk is considered richer, and the animal fattens far quicker. This we believe is the opinion of all experienced men. To both of these, tillage is dia- metrically opposed, and belongs to another department of agriculture. If carefully managed, the longer land is in grass the more it improves by the formation of vegetable mould. This cultivation and the growing of grain exhausts, so tliat pasture land once put under the plough, may be years in being restored to its original fertility. A. L. Elivyn. Philadelpliia, April 1841. Corn Planting. Lancaster, March 15, 1851. Mr. JJdttor: — In regard to the communication wliich you have understood was made to our Agri- cultural Society, I beg leave to explain, that it was read, rather for the purpose of illustrating a plan, or proceeding which had been recommended, than for the value the facts were supposed to po.ssess. An im- portant object of the County Societies, is to bring together and preserve the scattered information ex- isting in the many separate neighborhoods of the dis- tricts in which the societies are formed. Experiments arc often successfully made and useful results obtain- ed, which, for want of means or opportunities of pub- lishing the facts, benefit no one but the experimenter. Varieties of seed, and their preparation, modes of cultivation, manures and fertilizers, choice breeds of cattle and stock, implements of husbandry, fruit trees and fruits, are often introduced and approvcil in ono township, of which the ni^xt township knows nothing. But where an agricultural society is in operation, this state of things cannot continue. Each member will bring the contributions of his knowledge and experi- ence to the general fund, which rapidly accumulates for the advantage of all. To promote that object, the members of our Association had been, by a resolu- tion of a former meeting, requested to present at the subsequent meetings, subjects and ciuestions that might occur to them, and which, leading to investi- gation and discussion, might elicit useful facts and very desirable information. As an example of what may be done in this way, the brief paper you referred to, was read to our Society at its last meeting. It related to a method of preparing seed corn for plant- ing, wliich had been communicated to me a short time before, and of which I made a memorandum. One of the most discouraging incidents, in the cul- ture of that invaluable ci-oji — Indian Corn, — is the frequentnecessity of extensive re-planting, occasioned by insects preying upon the roots, or birds plucking up and devouring the young plant. Mr. M. Zahm informs me, that many years ago, when he tilled some lots in the N. W. section of this city, Mr. R., who owned adjoining fields of similar soil, used to say to him — " IIow is it, that your corn looks so much greener than any other in the neigh- bohood ?" Mr. Z. states that this was a very obvious fact, and he accounts for it in the following manner : When he was about to pilant, he put his seed corn into a vessel, and having dissolved a small quantity of saltpetre in water, poured the solution over the corn until it was covered. lie suffered the grain to con- tinue covered with the water, until it swelled almost to bursting, when it was taken out and planted. lie mentions the following as the effects: — 1. The corn has a deeper and richer green during its growth ; 2. It springs or comes up with more certainty, and grows more vigorously ; 3. Worms, ants, and other insects will not touch it ; 4. Birds avoid it ; 5. It re- (luircs no re-planting ; and G, It ripens two weeks earlier. When I asked him particularly about the quantity of saltpetre he used, he said there were two cents worth — just enough to make the water taste of it. — lie also mentioned, that when the corn had come through the ground, he sometimes uncovered the plant and observed numerous minute drops or parti- cles collected upon the roots or small fil^res. He had seen the birds occasionally pull up a plant and im- mediately drop it, without eating any portion of it ; from which he inferred that the saltpetre had impart- ed something that was distasteful to them. To the same cause he ascribes the fact, that the cut-worm which annoyed liis neighbors, never molested his crop. He moreover confirms the results of his experience by that of a friend, who adopted his plan of treating his seed corn, and was successful beyond his expecta- tions. From the remarks wliich were occasioned by the reading of the foregoing communication, it would ap- pear that this method of preparing corn for planting, although of excellent use in a warm spring, might be prejudicial in a wet and cold one. A gentleman pre- sent, said he had tried it two years, iu one of which it answered well, being followed liy most of the good effects above described, particularly that of repelling birds and insects ; but, in the second year which was Cold and wet, much of the corn rotted in the hills where it was dropped. 1851. FARM JOURNAL. The steeping of grain in a solution of saltpetre, in order to prepare it fur germination is not a recent or even a modern improvement. It was used in Italy at the commencement of the Christian era, or in the days of Augustus, as appears from the Ueorgics of Virgil :— " Some steep their seed, and some in caldi-ons boil, With vigorous nitre and with lees of oil, O'er gentle tires the exub'rant juice to drain. And swell the flatt'ring husks with fruitful grain." Dryuen's Translation. The utility of saltpetre as a fertilizer has Ijcen known and appreciated for centuries in England and on the Continent of Europe, but the nitre of com- merce was not to be obtained in sufficient quantities or at a rate cheap enough to admit of its being exten- sively employed by farmers, until modern times. — Before the introduction of the Peruvian guano, per- haps no substance was deemed of so great import- ance to the growth of crops. Evelyn was of opinion, tliat if his countrymen could procure an abundance of saltpetre, they would need but little else "to me- liorate their ground ;" and .Jethro Tull, placed nitre at the head of the list of those substances which he considered to be the essential food of plants. The deep green color of the corn mentioned in the above statement, has often been observed as an effect of all fertilizers containing nitrogen, such as oils, blood, fish, soot, wine, &c., upon plants to which they were applied. Experiments on Indian corn, with salpetre or nitre, may be recommended as of great importance, since that grain deserves to be ranked as the grand agricultural staple of our country. A. L. n.VYES. Peiuisylvaiila Farmers, Mr. Editor: — You may think I have chosen a trite and worn out subject to lay before you readers. That it has been descanted on a good deal I am aware, but we need not fear exhausting a subject of so much importance and interest to our fellow citizens; and should I speak plainly to the farmer, I shall without much apology expect th.m to bear with me, as I claim to be one of them, having from my early youth either been with them in delving the soil, or fraatemizing i)i their associations. To be a " Pennsylvania Farmer" is, in other parts of the Union, almost as good as a certificate of excellence in the profession, and in a general sense I am willing to admit that the distinction is a just one. I have rambled over a good deal of the Union — the Eastern and Northern, the Southern and some of the Western portions ; and in no section of any consider- able extent have I seen the same e\idencc of high cultivation and good farming as in many districts of our own state. A little of this favorable opinion may be attributed to partiality for my native state, but I have nevertheless been able to discover many glaring deficiencies. In this communication I shall confine my remarks to barns and barn yards. The barns of Pennsylvania are world renowned ; the external appearance of most of them is imposing at least beyond those to be found elsewhere. They are mostly built of stone, liave bays, over-shoots, wings for carts «fcc., that in the aggregate afford a great deal of room. The in- ternal arrangement t<30, of most of our Ijarns, is ap- propriate and good, but to look at the other side of the picture, how few of them are kept in the neat, comfortable, and at least decent condition that is due to and consistent with the fine farms that surlouud tbcm, A close inspection will betray broken spouts that permit the water to run in floods through the ma- nure, or to penetrate the foundation of the building ; the door hinges are broken, the latches loose; the paint worn off, window shutters wanting &c. In the interior, cob-webs loaded witli dust, hay seed, straw, old harness, agricultural implements, litter, &.C., mixed up in dirty confusion, and all from the want of a little, a very little system and care. This culpable deficiency in the order and care of their noble barns, strange to saj% will often be found with men whose farms are patterns of neatness ; their fields free from weeds ; their fences clean and well kept, a careful and systematic rule of cropping, and depas- turing observed ; all showing good management and good rules except in the barn and cattle yard. This deficiency is gross beyond endurance, and our worthy farmers must set to work and " mend tlieir ways." I know that to tell men of their faults will often make them angry, but yet, they will nine times out of ten profit by the unpalatable admonition. IIow few Ijarn or cattle yards are planned with a view to economy in making and saving manure, and how little effort or ingenuity is exercised to increase i\ns fjold tnine oi ih 1851. FARM JOURNAL. WHITE SHANG^S. Eden Wkight, Dedham, Mass., from Stock Imported 1850. many, and is by some referred to the ordinaiy domes- tic species. G. japonicus (or G. lanatus) is found in China, Japan, and New Guinea ; G. deneus is from Sumatra ; G. crispus lias frizzled feathers, and being from the warm parts of Asia, does not well en- dure a cold climate ; G. fcrcatus is from Java and Sumatra ; and the rumpless G. ecaudatus or bunty, inhabits the forests and plains of Ceylon. Among the various breeds of chickens the Shang- hae (the last syllable of this word is pronounced high) is considered the best on many accounts, being pro- lific in eggs, of a large size, with tender flesh. The Rev. Mr. Bumstead, of Eoxborough, one of Dr. Kerr's correspondents, says:— "I hazard nothing in saying that if the farmers of Pennsylvania knew the worth of these fowls, no efibrt would be spared to ob- tain them." He states further, that one Shanghas cock and two hens will produce " more eggs in three months time, of a greater size and richer quality, than five times that number of ordinary hens will do in one year." Most ornithologists refer the domestic goose to the wild Anser palustris, which breeds in Europe, and is known in England as the grey lag, a name adopt- ed by Pennant and Montagu, and although these au- thors state that the legs are flesh colored, Mr. Dixon adopts the name of " grey-legged goose." This book may be safely recommended to those who are interested in poultry, whilst its fine illustra- tions, mechanical esecution, and useful information, will render it an attractive volume to the general reader. AVe are enabled, through the politeness of the pub- lishers, to present our readers witli several copies of the figures which illustrate the volume, but as the originals are printed as separate plates, they present a finer appearance than our impressions. Chickens and the CurcuUo. A. G. Sumner of Ravenscroft, South Carolina, in an interesting communication, gives the following aa his method of guarding his fine fruit trees against the attack of the Cureulio. The remedy is so simple, so effectual, and may be made so profitable that it should be universally adopted. " For plums, apricots and nectarines, so liable to the attacks of the curonlio, there is no remedy but poultry. Plant these where your poultry have a daily run amongst them. I have adopted this plan, and have not found a single tree attacked by the root- worm in my grounds. It takes more than a dozen hens and a gouty old cock to keep a few acres of these delicate trees clear of their enemies. A flock of a hundred is not too many : I find them a valuable auxiliary in manuring, as I consider domestic hai guano, properly tempered down, a good manure for trees the second year of their growth in the orchard. I have now twenty barrels gathered from about one hundred and fifty fowls since September last. My mode is to have "the hen-house carefully scraped up once a week and packed with the underlying earth in old lime barrels, covered with a top layer of gypsum. It is practicable to save this powerful manure in the winter ; but as I make my fowls resort to nature's hen-houses —the trees — in^summer, the greater por- tiou is wasted or washed away by the rains. "^ 20 FARM JOURNAL. April, Scrap0 for tl)c C)Ouscl)olb illatvon. Egg Poke. — Tliree eggs, a quart of corn flour, a largo tablcspoonful of fresh butter, a small tea-spoon- ful'of salt, a half pint (or more) of milk. Beat the eggs very light, and mix them with the milk. Then stir in, gradually, the corn flour ; adding the salt and butter. It must not be a batter, but a soft dough, just thick enough to bo stirred well with a spoon. If too thin, add more corn flour ; if too stiff, thin it with a little more milk. Beat or stir it long and hard. Butter a tin or iron pan. Put the mixture into it : and set the pan immediately into an oven, which must be moderately hotat first, and the heat increas- ed afterward. A Dutcli oven is best for this purpose. It should take an hour and a half or two hours, in proportion to its thickness. Send it to table hot, and cut into slices. Eat it with butter or molasses. Poisonous Vessels. — Vessels of copper often give ri.se to poisoning. Though the metal undergoes but little change in a dry atmosphere, it is rusted if mois- ture be present, and its surface becomes covered with a green substance — carbonate or the protoxide of cop- per, a poisonous compound. It has sometimes hap- pened, that a mother has, for want of knowledge, poisoned her family. Si>urkrout, when permitted to stand some time in a copper vessel, has produced death in a few hours. Cooks sometimes permit pickles to remain in copper vessels, that they may acquire a rich green color, which they do by absorbing poison. Families have often been thrown into disease by eat- ing such dainties, and may have died in some instan- ces, without suspecting the cause. De. Thompson. IIow TO Cure a Cold. — Of all other means of cur- ing colds, fasting is the most effectual. Let whoever has a cold eat nothing whatever for two days, and his cold will be gone, provided he is not confined in his bed — because by taking no carbon into the system by food, but consuming that surplus which caused his disease by breath, he soon carries off his disease by removing the cause. This will be found more eficc- tual if he adds copious water drinking to protracted fasting. By the time a person has fasted one day and night, he will experience a freedom from pain and a clearness of mind, in delightful contrast with that mental stupor and physical pain caused by colds. And how infinitely better is this method of breaking tip colds, than medicines, especially, than nolent poisons. Barley Soup. — 3 oz. of barley ; IJ oz. of stale Ijread crumbs ; salt, and parsley. Wash and steep the barley for 12 hours, in J pint of water to which a piece of carbonate of soda (the size of a pea) has been added ; then pour off the water not absorbed, and add the crumbs of stale bread, 3 quarts of boiling water, and the salt. Digest these in a salt-glazed covered jar, in the oven or (boil them slowly in a well-tinned covered pan,) for from 2 to 4 hours, adding the chop- ped parsley and a little pepper, 30 minutes before the expiration of the time for boiling. Cheap Oil for Kitchen Lamps. — Let all scraps of fat bits left on the dinner plates, and all drippings be set in a cold place. Put the fat in an iron pot, filling it half-way up with fat ; and pour in sufficient cold water to reach the top. Set it over the fire, and boil and skim it till the impurities are removed. Next pour the melted fat into a large broad pan of cold water, and set it away to cool. It will harden into a cake. — Then take out the cake and put it away into a cool place. When wanted for use, cut ofi' a suffic- ient quantity, melt by the fire till it becomes liciuid, and then fill the lamp with it, as with lard. It will give a clear, bright light, quite equal to that of lard, and better than whale oil ; and it costs nothing but the trouble of preparing the fat. Barleu Water. — 1 oz. of pearl barley and 2 pints of water. Boil the barley in the water till it is re- duced to 1 pint; then strain, and sweeten, flavoring ■with the essence of lemon, rind of lemon, raisins, or current jelly. Although the additions to the barley water render it more agreeable, they, however, lessen its diluent properties. — Vegetarian Messenger. White-wash. — Take two quarts of skimmed milk ; two ounces of fresh-slacked lime ; two pounds whit- ing ; or the same proportions for any large quantity. Put the lime into a stone vessel, and pour upon it a sufficient quantity of milk to make a mixture reseml)!- ing cream ; then add the remainder of the material. When this is done, crumble and spread the whiting on the surface of the fluid, in which it will gradually sink. It must then be well stirred, or ground, as any other paint. By the addition of any coloring matter, you may make it suit your fancy. It must be put on with a paint brush, and when dry, a second coat should be given. The quantity named, is sufli- cient for twenty-five square yards. Moulded Barley: — 6 oz. of pearl barley, 3 J pints of water, and sugar. Steep the barley for an hour ; drain it, and pour the water boiling upon it, let it stew quickly in the oven in an earthenware jar, cov- ered, until perfectly soft, and all the water is absorb- ed. When about half enough, add the sugar, and essence of lemon, to the taste. Pour it into a mould, previously dipped in cold water, and let it stand to set. When boiled quickly, the above quantity re- quires 2 J hours, and is a much better color than when it is longer in preparation. When the barley flour is used, no steeping is required. Beef Tea. — Cut a pound of lean beef into thin slices, put it into three pints of cold water, set it over a gentle fire where it may become gradually warm, let it be well skimed, cover the saucepan close, and boil gently for two hours ; strain it and let it stand to settle, and then pour it off clean. One onion, a few peppercorns, and a little salt, may be added if re- quired. Mutton Broth. — Put into a two-quart saucepan one pound of mutton chops, cleared from fat, one onion, a few corns of black pepper, and three pints of cold water ; let it warm gradually ; when it boils, .skim it, cover the pan close and set it over a gentle fire till the chops are cooked, which will be (if the meat is not too fresh,) in three-quarters of an hour. To MAKE Liquid Glue. — One quarter of a pound avoirdupois of shellac, dissolved in three ounces apothe- caries' measure of naptha ; put the shellac into a wide-mouthed bottle, and pour the naptha upon it ; cork it up, and stir it with a piece of wire two or three times during the first 36 hours. It can be made with- out any measurement, by adding shellac to naptha until it becomes of the consistency of cream. When the shellac is thoroughly dissolved in naptha, it forms a liquid glue always ready for use. 1851. FARM JOURNAL. 21 i?iiiprot)cb Brccb of (gattlc. Short-Horned Cattle. From the earliest periods the counties of Durham and York have been celebrated for their Short-horns, but principally, in tlie first instance on account of their reputation as extraordinai-y milkers. In this particular, it may be asserted, that as a breed, they Lave never been equalled. But, while excellent milkers, they were found to be slow feeders, and con- sequently slow fatteners, producing an inferior meat, nut marbled or mixed with fat and loan, and income cases the lean was found of a particularly dark hue. To retain tlieir extraordinary milking properties, and at the same time make good fatteners of them was an object long sought, and at length found. The Yorkshire cow, which now almost exclusively occupies the London dairies, is an unanswerable proof of the possibility of uniting the two qualities to a great degree of perfection, but not at the same time : — they succeed to each other, and at the periods when it suits the convenience of the dairyman that they should. Years ago the Yorkshire cow was, compar- ed with other breeds, as great a favorite in the Lon- don market as at present. She yielded more milk, in proportion to the quantity of food consumed, than could be obtained from any other breed ; but when the dairyman had liad her four or five years, she be- gan to fall ofi", and he dried her and sold her. It took a long time to get much flesh upon her ; and when he calculated the expense of bringing her into condition, he found that his cheapest way was to sell her for what she would fetch, and that seldom ex- ceeded bl. By degrees, however, the more intelligent of the lireeders began to find that, by cautiously adopting the principle of selection — by finding out a short-horn bull whose progeny were generally milkers, and crossing some of the old Y'oi'kshires with him, — but still regarding the milking properties of the dam, and the usual tendency to possess these qualities in the offspring of the sire, — they could at length obtain a breed that had much of the grazing properties of the short-horn in the new breed, and retained, almost un- diminished the excellences of the old breed for the pail. Thence it has happened that many of the cows in the Loudon dairies are as fine specimens of the im- proved short-horns as can possibly be produced. They do not, perhaps, yield quite so much milk as the old ones, but what they do yield is of better quality ; and whether the dairyman keeps them a twolvemontli or longer — and this is getting more and more the hal)it of tliese people — or whether he milks them for three or four years — as soon as he dries them, they fatten as rapidly as the most celebrated of the high bred short-horns. * V 1 THE YORKSHIKE COW. We give a fair specimen of one of these cows : the character of the Ilolderness and the short-horn beau- tifully mingling. A milch cow good for the pail as long as wanted, and then quickly got into marketable condition, should have a long and rather small head ; a Large-headed cow will seldom fatten or yield much milk. The eye should be bright, yet peculiarly placid and quiet in expression ; the chaps thin, and the horns small. Tlie neck should not be so thin as common opinion has given to the milch cow. It may be thin towards the head ; but it must soon begin to thicken, and especially when it approaches the shoulder. The dewlap should be small ; the breast, if not so wide as in some that have an unusual disposition to fatten, vet very far from being narrow, and it should project before the legs ; the chine, to a certain degree fleshy, and even inclining to fullness ; the girth behind the shoulder should be deeper than it is usually found in the short-horn ; the ribs should spread out wide, so as to give as round a form as possible to the carcass, and each should project farther than the preceding one to the very loins, giving, if after all the milch cow must be a little wider below than al)Ove, yet as much breadth as can possibly be afforded to the more valuable parts. She should be well formed across the hips and on the rump, and with greater length there 22 FARM JOURNAL. April, tlian the milker generally possesses, or if a little too short, not heavy. If she stands a little long on the logs, it must not be too long. The thighs somewhat thin, with a slight tendency to crookedness^ in tho hock, or being sickle-hammed behind : the tail thick at the upper part, but tapering below ; and she should iiave a mellow hide, and little coarse hair. Com- mon opinion has given to her large milk-veins ; and although the milk-vein has nothing to do with the udder, but conveys the blood from the fore part of the chest and sides to the inguinal vein, yet a large milk-vein certainly indicates a strongly developed vascular system — one favorable to secretion general- ly, and to that of the milk among the rest. The last essential in a milch cow is the udder, rather large in proportion to tho size of the animal, but not too large. It must be sufficiently capacious to contain the proper quantity of milk, but not too Inilky, lest it should thicken and become loaded with fat. " The skin of the udder should be thin, and free from lumps in every part of it. The teats should be of moderate size ; at equal distances from each other every w.ay ; and of equal size from the udder to near- ly the end, where they should run to a kind of point. When they are too large near the udder, they permit the milk to flow down too freely from the bag, and lodge in them ; and when they are too broad at the extremity, the orifice is often so large that the cow cannot retain her milk after the bag begins to be full and heavy. The udder should be of nearly equal size liefore and behind, or, if there be any difference, it should be broader and fuller before than behind. The quantity of milk given by some of these cows is very great. It is by no means uncommon for them, in the beginning of the summer, to yield 30 quarts a day ; there are rare instances of their having given 36 quarts ; but the average may be estimated at 22 or 24 quarts. It is said that this milk does not yield a proportionate quantity of butter. That their milk does not contain the same proportionate quantity of butter as that from the long-horns, the Scutch cattle of the Devons, is probably true ; but we have reason to believe that the difference has been much exagger- ated, and is more than compensated by the additional quantity of milk. The prejudice against them on this account was very great, and certain experiments were made, by the result of which it was made to ap- pear that the milk of the Kyloe cow yielded double the quantity of butter that could be produced from that of the short-horn. .Two ounces were obtained from tho milk of the Kyloe, and one from that of tho short-horn. Tobacco Dust. — As a protection against Insects. — We last year procured from a snuff mill a barrel of dry, but damaged snuff flour, and prepared drudging boxes, covered with a fine bolting cloth, with wliich wc sifted it over the surfaces of any plants attacked by insects, and with most signal success. The suuff should be applied, if practicable, while the plant is wet with dew, and repeated after every shower. If tho boxes are properly made, (like a common flour drudge,) and the snuff is perfectly fine and dry, liut little time is necessary to go over an acre of plants. Even the rose bug, cabbage louse, thrips on grape vines, &c., all yield to the influence of suuff, and the most delicate plant of the hot-house is not injured by its application. For field vcgctaljls, caustic lime, made into a fine powder, while dry, and applied be- fore slaking by contact with the air, will produce einiilar results. — Frof. Mapes, l^ortuultural. The General Hand Plum. Mi: Editor :■ — I saw in the last number of the Gen- essee Farmer, a brief account of the General Hand Plum, from which it appears that there is still some doubt or obscurity about the origin and history of that beautiful fruit. In consequence of an intimation from- my friend Dr. J. K. Eshelman, of Downingstown, Chester coun- ty. Pa., that doubts as to the color of the Gen. Hand Plum, existed in the minds of some of the Pomologists of the East ; some contending that it was blue, and oth^s that it was a white fruit ; I sent a few plums, taken from the tree in my yard in the early part of September, 1848, to Mr. J. A. Downing, editor of the Horticulturist, a very valuable periodical published in Albany, N. Y., in which may be found the follow- ing description, p. 191, vol. 3 : — " It is a magnificent fruit, averaging larger, we should judge, than tho Washington, and quite distinct from all other sorts. It is a roundish oval fruit, measuring from six to sev- en inches in circumference* ; of a deep golden yellow color, with a much longer stalk than the Washington. The flavor is, we think, not equal to that of the lat- ter fruit ; but as we learn that it is a much greater bearer, its size and beauty will, no doubt, make it a popular variety." GENERAL HAND PLUBI. [We have procured a cut of this extraordinary Plum, a copy of which we found in the Gennessee Farmer for April. — Ed.] As my object in this communication is to endeav- or to establish beyond a doubt, that the plum called the Gen. Hand Plum, first received th.at name in the county of Lancaster, and not in Maryland ; I called on Mrs. Brien of our city, a daughter of the late Gen. Edward Hand, from wliom I learned that he took great pains in collecting and cultivating choice fruit trees. She remembers his planting a number of small plum trees, but she cannot tell where he got them. Plums were very rare in this vicinity at that time. She also suggested that I might learn some- thing further relative to the matter, by calling on Jlr. Benedict, an aged and respectable citizen of our 1851. FARM JOURNAL. 23 place, who informed me yesterday, that in the au- tumn of 1791, he assisted in plastering the mansion house of the late Gen. Hand, on the Conestoga, alwut one mile S. E. of Lancaster ; and he remembers that the plum trees wore planted before that time ; but that they were still quite small, and had not borne any fruit. He said that George Wein, procured some grafts from the tree on Gen. Hand's place, and gave Sir. George Miller, the present clerk of the Lancaster market, some of them. I called on Mr. Miller this afternoon, and he told me that in 1810 or 1811, Mr. George Weiu procured about a dozen grafts from Geo. Hand, (who was al- ways very liberal to his neighbors in such matters,) and gave him two of them at his request — one a young shoot, the other a year old piece, with one lateral bud on it, and that one grew, but threw out no latteral branches that season. Mr. "Weiu was not so fortu- nate. None of his grew ; and the following spring he applied to Mr. Jliller for grafts, but declined ; giv- ing as a reason the fact that he could not cut off any grafts without spoiling his tree. During the second Bummer there had been some latteral branches thrown out, and Mr. Miller furnished Mr. Wein with a few of them ; but he was equally unfortunate in his second attempt to propogate them. That summer the parent tree died to the ground, so that in 1812 or 1813, we find all that beautiful variety of fruit con- centrated in one little stalk, grown from the lateral hud on one of the grafts given to Mr. Geo. Miller by Mr. Wein. From that circumstance, they were for a a time, called the " Miller Plum," until Mr. Miller objected to that name, and said that it was " Gen, Hand's plum." From that time to the present they have Ijeen so called. Some years afterwards, Mr. Emanuel W. Carpen- ter, procured some cuttings from Mr. Miller, and suc- ceeded in propagating them, and as he told me, sent them to his brother in Ohio, Mr. Sinclair, in Balti- more, and others. Thus it appears to me, that some pomologists have improperly given Baltimore the credit of the nativity of this superb plum, which properly belongs to Lancaster county. Pa. In 1834 or 1835, I procured one " Gen. Hand plum tree" and a White Pi-une tree from Mr. Carpenter, and plant- ed them in my yard, and which I afterwards paved. They both grew well and bore fruit plentifully, and I have distributed many cuttings from both varieties, as I consider them very valuable fruit. The White Pruen tree died a few years since, and as yet I have been unable to supply its place witli one of the same variety. The " Gen. Hand j)lum" tree is still quite thrifty, and has always yielded a full crop of fruit. — When fully ripe,, the fruit is very mellow and juicy, from which circumstance, they do not bear the sting of insects well. I have seen large plums decay ra- pidly after being wounded. So rapid, indeed, was the progress of decay that by the end of the second day, after I discovered the wound, the plum would be half decayed. I think that fewer rotted last summer than usual ; and more fruit ripened perfect- ly ; which may, perhaps, be owing to our having gathered the specked fruit every day and destroying them, thereby preventing the maturity of the ovum deposited in tliem. Eli PiRBr. Lancaster, April, 1851. Snapping Wood. — Wood which proves trouble- some by snapping on the fire, may be rendered harm- less by turning the stick with the lieart inward, when aU the snapping will be tovrard the back of the fire. [From the Horticulturist.] New Mode of Battling the Peach Worm. A. 3. DowNixG, Esq. — I noticed some time ago, in your book on Fruits and Fruit Trees of America, an article on the subject of planting fruit trees, in whicli you advise that the trees should be so set in the ground as to bring the upper roots on a line with the sur- face of the earth. I liked the suggestion much, and in settingout anumborof young plums and peach trees, I adopted it. I have, however, suflered great- ly from the destructive little grub which attacks the collar or root of peach and plum trees, and had tried various means which had occurred to me as remedies such as unslacked or powdered lime, ashes, tobacco, hot lye, and pot-ash — all I found to be inefficient. — Last May I gave my trees a thorough over-hauling, or examination, and found an incalculable number of these grubs at their work of destruction and death about the collar and roots. I then tried another ex- periment, which I found to answer the purpose ad- mirably, so far. It is as follows : I commenced by removing the earth from around the roots, so as to form a circle round the tree, and make a basin of a foot in width and four inches deep I then procured a quantity of rock lime, and slacked it, reducing it to the consistency of very thick wliito wash, and after letting it stand in this state for a day I poured it into this basin, completely filling up the interstices about the roots. In a short time this lime was formed into a hard crust, which served not only as an efi'ectual bar to the entrance of the grub during the whole season, but what is almost equally impor- tant, I found last fall upon removing this lime from its bod, that the wounds, (and some of them were quite serious ones,) which I had inflicted on the base of the tree in removing the grubs, were healed up, and in as good and healthy condition as any part of the tree ; and now my trees are in a more healthful and promising condition than they ever have been. This process of liming, however, should be renewed every spring. I do not know whether this expei-iment of mine is original, but can confidently say that I never saw or heard of its having Ijeen tried before. But be this as it may, the information is before you, and if you think it will in any degree promote the interest of horticul- ture, it is at your service. Very respectfully your ob't serv't J. C. Weight. Scottville, Albemarle Co., Va., 1850. A very good hint, and one which may be amplified and improved on. — Ed. Hok. [From the Horticulturist.] Baisiug Early Peas. The course prescribed by your correspondent in the March number, for starting peas early, is certain- ly a good one, and worthy of the adoption of every lover of so rich and healthful a vegetable. We have have tried another plan to effect the same results, which, althought it may be no better, we have no hes- itancy in commending to at least a trial. In the first place we dig a trench where we design to plant our peas, to a depth of, say six inches. This we fill two- thirds full of recent horse manure, and make it as compact as possible, wliich will leave a space of three or four inches between it and the surfiice. Over the the manure, put an inch and a half of tlie garden earth, and sow the peas. We then take two straight edged boards and nail them together in the form of a Y. Itis is laid, inverted, over the peas, when it is 24 FARM JOURNAL. Apkil,' cold enough to freeze the ground, and taken off in mild pleasant weather. They may be protected in this way until they are high enough to bush, and en- joy all the advantages of rain and sunshine where they are to grow. If the storm is heavy, they may also be protected from it, by replacing their covering. As the spring advances, the hot and dry nature of the manure might, under ordinary circumstances, be injuriously to the plants : but this we provide against. When our peas come up, they are an inch perhaps below the surface, and the earth taken from the trench is some of it yet remaining to supply the deficiency. So when the peas are high enough, and the weather growing milder, we replace the earth until the trench fs level'with or higher than the adjoining surface. — This gives strength and firmness to the plants, utter- ly destroys all weeds which may be starting from the manure, and prevents the heat and dryness of the soil which is incident to placing hot and fermenting manures near the surface. We speak of this method which we have found in our case to be a very good one, and leave for others to adopt or reject as they choose. Yours truly, AVm. Bacon. [From the Horticulturist.] Planting Strawberry Beds. If you wish the largest and finest fruit, you must make the soil deq) and rich. The best manure for the strawberry, is either Poudrette, {we can recom- mend that of the Lodi Manufacturing Co., New York,) or decomposed stable manure. If you have these, trench the soil two feeet deep, mixing in ve- ry liberal dressings of either of these manures, throughout the whole depth. Supposing, as is too often the case with beginners, that you have nothing but frest stable manure, then, when you are treneh- ino-, bury this stable manure in the lower spit, ( i. e., the'lowcr of the two feet trenched.) To give it a good manuring, you should trench in as much stable ma- nure as will be equal in bulk to one-third of this lower foot of earth. The reason for trenching it among the lower spit is, that it may be decomposed before the roots of the strawberries reach it. If mix- ed with the top spit, it would do more harm than good. Having thus trenched and manured the sou, form it into beds three and a half feet wide. Draw three lines lengthwise through the beds, and set the young plants along these lines, about 4 inches apart. Dur- ing the summer, the beds must be kept stirred with the hoe, and all runners should be cut off, that ex- tend more than a couple of inches beyond the lines, Y'^ou will thus have three roios of strawberries about ten inches apart — between which, the next season, you can lay straw or tan-bark, which will both keep down the weeds, and keep the fruit clean. This straw or tan may thereafter keep its place — the runners must be kept clipped, and a little additional straw or tan laid over the plants at the approach of winter, and removed again in the spring. In this way — digging in a top-dressing of sj^ent manure or poudrette between the rows every spring, your strawberry beds may be kept in good condition for four years — at the end of which time they must be abandoned, and new ones planted to take their place. If, however, you do not wish the trouble of culti- vating the plants so carefully, then plant them in the same way, and allow the runners to cover and occu- py the whole bed. This they will do the same sea- son, and the next year wil, give you an abundant crop — the fruit not so large as in the first case, but perhaps rather more in quantity. But the bed will only last one year, and you must make a now one every spring, to supply the place of the old one. As to sorts, if you are to plant but three, let them be Large Early "Scarlet, Burr's New Pine, and IIo- vey's Seedling. If four, add Kival Hudson ; if five, Svvainstone Seedling. There are many other good sorts, but this selection will probably prove most val- uable to you. The Whiie-wood is a nice, delicate, small fruit, and bears a long time, and is a pretty contrast in a dish of red strawberries. Agricultural ilTcctiiig. Lancaster County Agricultural Society. We present the following synopsis of the proceed- ings of this Society, at its last meeting at the Me- chanics' Institute, in Lancaster city, on the 10th of March, 1851. Hon. A. L. Hayes, Chairman of the Delegation from the Society to the State Convention, read a re- port relative to the State Agricultural Society. A committee consisting of A. L. Hayes, John Miller and Dr. Eli Parry, was appointed to take into considera- tion the propriety of procuring an analysis of the soils of Lancaster county. It was deemed inexpedient by the Society to hold an exhibition the present year, and a resolution to that effect was offered by IMr. Eshelman and adopted. Mr. Baughman, moved the appointment of a com- mittee to ascertain what inducements held out by the citizens of Lancaster, were requisite to procure the holding of the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Ex- hibition at Lancaster city, in October next. John Baughman, J. B. Garber, and J. H. Horshey, com- pose the committee, with powers to act in tlie premi- ses as they may deem expedient. An informal discussionwas then had by the mem- bers, on the subject of Guano, as a fertilizer, and the mode of its application, during which some interest- ing facts were elicited. Tlie following preamble and resolutions were of- fered, and unanimously adopted : Whereas, It has been represented to this Society, that our fellow citizen, A. M. Spangler, contemplates issuing a Monthly Agricultural Jovirnal at Lancaster, to be called the "Pennsylvania Farm Journal." And Whereas, It is the opinion of this Society that a Journal of this character, issued from the Agricul- tural County of Lancaster, would excite increased in- quiry, and attract in a greater degree public atten- tion to the cause of Agriculture in our own county ajid elsewhere ; and as no exclusively Agricultural paper or Journal is now published in Pennsylvania. Therefore, liesalrcd, That this Society hereby urge upon Mr. Spangler, the execution of his contemplated enter- prise, as one in our opinion much needed in Pennsyl- vania, and believing that it will advance the cause of Agriculture here and throughout the entire State, hereby cordially recommend the proposed " Farm Journal" to the support of the members of this Soci- ety, and citizens generally of the county. Some fine specimen of American and English pip- pin apples were then presented by J. H. Ilershey, of West Hempfield township, for which he received the thanks of the Society. JACOB FRANTZ, President. D. W. Patterson, Secretary. 1851. FARM JOURNAL. 25 THE FARM JOURN^AL. 0ub-(gbitor's department. OUR TERMS—READ THEM ! In order that the Farm Journal may be placed within the reach of every one who feels interested iu the progress of Agriculture, vre ask attention to the following terms : — Single Copies, - $1 00 Per Aiiiuim. Five " - - 4 0(> " " Ten " - 7 50 '• " Twenty « - - 15 OO " " It is not required that all papers in a club should be sent to one office. We will mail them (in wrap- pers,) to as many different offices as may bo necessa- ry. We make this arrangement in order that persons residing in different neigborhooda may unite, and form large clubs, and thus secure the " Journal" at the very lowest club rates. Sj)ccimen copies of the Journal will be sent on ap- plication, Post-paid, to the publisher. Post Masters, are by law, authorized to remit sub- scription money to the publisher, free of postayc. — Particular attention is asked to this fact, as it will save expense both to subscribers and publisher. Our Terms are cash in advance. The exceedingly low rate at which the Journal is furnished renders this imperative. Subscriptions may be sent at our risk, and money at par where subscribers reside, will be taken. Where the sum to be sent is large we pre- fer that a draft should be procured, if possible. Subscribers and Post Masters are invited to act as Agents. A receipt will always be sent with the first number of the copy subscribed for. All letters must be addressed, post ptaid, to the pub- lisher. A. M. SPANGLE K, Lancaster, Pa. Specimen Numbers. We shall send copies of the first number of The Farm Journal, to such persons as we are led to be- lieve feel desirous of subscribing themselves, or of prevailing upon their friends and neighbors to do so. A very little effort on their part, will secure a great many subscribers ; and we earnestly request that they will aid us in extending our circulation to every por- tion of the State. The terms are so favorable, that an hour's effort, rightly put forth, will secure a hand- some club list, and at the same time a fair remunera- tion to the person getting it up. Postage. Letters enclosing original Communications may be sent at our expense. All other Letters must be post PAID. We are compelled to require this, as our Post- age Bill has already become onerous. Yoii. I. — C. A Few Facts for the People. The complete failure of every previous attempt to establish in Pennsylvania, a successful Agricultural paper led us to ponder long and well before engaging in the publication of The Farm Journal. AVe care- fully investigated the causes which led to the failure of every similar attempt — we strove to ascertain the correct sentiments of the friends of Agriculture on the subject — we took counsel with kind friends whoso opinions we valued, and after patient and persevering inquiry were led to believe tluit the day had arrived lelien Pennsylvania would support an Ayricultural Journal of lur men. Under this impression, we issued our Prospectus, and through the kindness of the members of both branches of the Legislature, were enabled to circulate it extensively in every portion of the State. The re- sult was all we could have desired, and more than wo anticipated. Kind friends sprung up in every quar- ter— encouraging letters flowed in upon us — club lists were formed and forwarded to us, and many of the most intelligent, influential and devoted friends of Agriculture in the State tendered their influence ia behalf of our contemplated enterprise. With such encouragement we could no longer hes- itate. The difficulties in the way have been removed, and with a confident spirit we offer the first number of THE FARM JODKNAL to the People of Pennsylvania, and ask for it a gener- ous support. We appeal to Pennsylvania State Pride for encouragement. We ask that the apathy hitherto manifested in regard to our own Journals, may be removed, and that our farmers and friends of Agri- culture generally, will come to the rescue and aid us in building up a publication, which, with proper en- couragement, can, we feel confident, be made fully equal to any other in the Union. AVe ask that our thousands of able Agricultural writers, will give us their support, and that the contributions which hitli- erto, (for want of a Pennsylvania Journal) have en- riched the columns of the Agricultural papers of oth- er States, may now be given to the world through the medium of The Farm Journal. This is asked in no spirit of selfishness, but because it is clearly apparent, that upon a compliance with this request, depends entirely, the success of our pa- per. If our writers will assist us, nothing shall bo left undone on our part, to render the Journal worthy the confidence of the People of the Commonwealth, whose great leading interests it is intended faithfully to represent. In confirmation of this, we refer with pride to the appearance of our first number. The arrangement of the articles, it is true, is not such aa was intended ; the late hour at which several commu- nications were received, having interfered with our t plans. In subsequent numbers this difficulty will be 26 FARM JOURNAL. April, obviated, and every article ■will be found under its appropriate head. In the various departments of Horticulture, Agri- cultural Chemistry, Geology, Botany, &e., some of our most distinguished men have kindly tendered their services, so that all these important branches Tvill be conducted with ability. In vievr of these facts, shall The Farm Journal be sustained, or shall its fate be that of every other Ag- ricultural Journal attempted to be established in Pennsylvania ? For the honor of our noble Common- wealth, and for the sake of Agriculture, we ask that it may be supported and that oue and all will lend a helping hand. To Contributors. Our contributors will confer a special favor by send- ing in their communications as early in the month as possible. This is absolutely necessary, to enable us to place the different articles under their appro- priate heads. Acknowledgements. Our Agricultural cotemporaries have our thanks for the readiness with which they have complied with our request to exchange, in advance of the publica- tion of our first number. Nearly all of them have furnished the whole of the back numbers of the pre- sent volumes, which greatly increases our obligations. Our brethren of the Press generally, throughout the State, will accept our thanks for the flattering manner in which they have noticed our contemplated enterprise. We will cheerfully reciprocate whenever an occasion offers. We are indebted to C. M. Saxtox, Agricultural Book Publisher, No. 123 Fulton street. Now York, for a number of fine volumes, and other favors. The books will be noticed in our next. The Beauty of the Title Pajs^c of the Coyer of the Farm Journal. As some of our contributors may feel desirous of knowing where they can have fine wood cuts execu- ted on moderate terms, we take pleasure in referring tliem to Messrs. Scatteroood & Howell, Inquirer Buildings, South .3d street, Philadelphia. The beau- tiful Engravings on the Cover of the Journal, as well as the Heading of our first page, were both designed and executed by these gentlemen. Proceedings of County Societies. The Corresponding Secretaries of the different County Agricultural Societies in the State, will con- fer a favor by furnishing us with any matters of in- terest and importance, that may be transmitted from time to time. We feel desirous of rendering the •Journal a faithful transcript of what is doing amongst the farmers in every section of the State. To Correspondents. S. G. of Columbia, will find his inquiries about the Paine light answered. Tlie value of the opinion in its favor, by another eye-witness, Mr. Elizur Wright, an editor of Boston, must depend upon the value of his opinions upon other subjects ; and it may possi- bly be found that he is as familiar with galvanism as, ■with any other subject of study. A variety of illustrations intended for this num- ber ■were received too late for insertion, but they will appear next month. Among them are some figures of noxious insects, and a vie-w and details of a Villa Farm house. DEUTScnER Kataloo der Garten-Samereiek, v. S. w. — Piivid Landreth's garden seeds, with German and English catalogues, are to be had at No. C5 Ches- nut street, Philadelphia. Manuring. All applications of manure, which do not look to the permanent improvement of the soil, but merely to the growth of a single crop, are wasteful. It should be the policy of all agriculturists, in applying manure, to so concentrate their efforts, as that each field should receive such a dressing, with the aid of lime, marl, or ashes, when cjilcareous m.atter may be needed, as would not only carry it through a course of rotation, but leave the land at the end of such rotation in an improving condition. This may involve a necessity for decreasing the area of cultivation, but that should not interrupt the system which we commend, as less than one-half the land, if well manured, would in- crease the quantity of product, at a great reduction of labor, and improve the ability of proprietors to carry on and extend their efforts at melioration, until the whole of their arable lands were permanently im- proved. All fields improved on this plan, must neces- sarily, be got into clover, or grass, at the earliest pos- sible period after the application of the manure, in order that, at the end of the rotation, a body of vege- table matter may be upon the soil, ready to be turned in at the commencement of the succeeding line, to supply the place of the abstracted portion of the nu- trient principles afforded by the manure applied pre- viouslj'. And it may be well here to impress these fiicts upon our readers : — Lime, marl, or ashes, must lie at the foundation of every improvement of the soil looking to permanency ; — Every soil requires mould to make it productive, as without the presence of mould, or the materials for its formation, the ef- fects of lime, marl, and ashes, must be circumscribed as neither contains the principles of nutritive ma- nure, which we maintain arc essential to the perfec- tion of every plant grown by man : — The food of plants must consist of organic, as well as inorgania substances, or a liigh state of productiveness cannot be expected. If we reflect, that wJuit is termed the organic part of a plant, comprises about 97 parts of the 100 which forms its whole, and that these parts are not to be found in mineral bodies, but partly in the atmosphere, and more in putrescent manures, the necessity for keeping up a full supply of mould in the soil, will appear obvious to all reflecting, ■well 'judging minds. 1851. FARM JOURNAL. 27 ilUsicUancoua. Action and method of using Guano. In answer to the inquiries of our friend of " Notley Hall," Va., in regard to the action of Guano ou "poor vrorn-out land," we have to reply ; that, on such lands its action should be most manifest — most beneficial ■ — containing as it does, in a state to be availed of, those substances which plants need, which such land is mostly deficient in, and without a supply of which, tlioy cannot grow in luxuriance and perfection. The non-action of the guano upon all the kinds of veget- ables, with the exception of one to which he applied it, arose no doubt from the cause assigned by our observant friend, viz: the drought of the summer. Guano, like all other kindred manures, requires moi.s- ture to bring out its virtues ; nor can the plants avail themselves of any food which may be in the ground, no matter how good and congenial it may be, until that food, through the agency of water, be reduced to a liquid, or gaseous form, as it is one or the other of these forms which imparts to the rootlets of plants the power of feeding. With regard to the mode of using guano, we give it as our opinion, which wo advanced from the be- ginning, and have never seen any cause to change it, that Guano never should be applied without being mixed with Plaster, to /ix and prevent the escape and waste of its ammoniacal constituents. Before being used, 25 lbs. of Plaster should be mixed with every 100 lbs. of Guano. "This mixture should be broad- easted over the ground and ploughed, or spaded in. We believe that any manure of the concentrated nature of guano, abounding as it does in the elements of ammonia in almost every state, can but rarely be used safely, except as a broadcast dressing, and that it cannot advantageously be used in the hill or drill, except when mixed with a large proportion, say twenty U) one, of mould or some other substance of similar nature, and even then, that such compost sliould be placed so deep as that the seed, setts, or plants should not come in immediate contact with it. If we were going to apply it to potatoes in the hill, if we did not use it composted with a large body of mould as above, we would use it thus — after mixing the guano with plaster, we would strew the mixture on the bottom of the furrow or drill, and then cover that with an inch or so of wood's-mould, or other kindred substance, and upon this plant the potato setts, and cover the whole over. In using it on watermelon hills, we would act thus ; at the point for forming the hill, we would make a hole with the hoe, there deposit the mixture of guano and plaster, mix it in with the earth, and raise the hill upon it from the surrounding mould, or we would mix 200 lbs. of Guano with 50 lbs. of plaster, and then compost it with 3 loads of wood's-mould, marsh mud, or like substance, place a shovelfull at the bot- tom of every hill we might raise. By either of these modes the vines would drive all the benefit from the virtues of the guano, without any injury. The vola- tile portions would ascend and feed the rootlets of the melon plants, while the roots would descend and feast upon those of the constituent elements of guano tliat are not volatile. A solution of guano might be made in the propor- tion of 1 lb. of Guano, and 10 gallons of water, with which the melon plants might be very advantageously watered in times of drought Such a solution would Erove doubly useful, first, in protecting the vines om the effects of drought, and secondly, by afford- ing to them direct food — food of a nature adapted to their wants, as the water would decompose the am- monia of the guano, deprive it of the power of harm, and prepare it to be taken up as pabulum. We will add another remark, in order to answer a question from another quarter. We believe the best way to apply guano to tobacco, is to sow it broadcast over the ground and plough it in — and that, if applied to the hill, it should be mixed with one-fourth its weight of plaster, and for every 100 lbs. composted with it. In Peru, guano is applied to the crops at each time of working ; but all such applications are followed by immediate irrigation ; the water of which, by decomposing the ammonia of the manure, pre- vents all resulting injury, and ensures benefit to the growing plants. Where a wheat crop is to follow the tobacco, we would, by aU means broadcast and plough the guano in. If treated to plaster and ploughed in, we have no question but that the good effects of the guano would be visible during the ordinary period of a rota- tion.— American Fanner. Butter. — By the census returns of five counties adjoining Philadelphia, it appears that they produced, in 1850, 11,383,182 pounds of butter. The average price of butter in the Philadelphia market, on which these counties supply, is about 20 cents per pound. The money value thejefore of this single product is over two millions and a quarter of dollars, ($2,276,- 030.) A good dairy, well and economically manag- ed, cannot but be profitable in the neighborhood of the city, at the prices which butter, cheese and milk always command in our markets. Prfming Stone Fruit Tbees. — It has been but a few years since the cultivators of fruit have been ia habit of pruning peach trees at the extremities of the branches, instead of cutting off limbs at the trunk. This system of shortening-in, as it is called, is gain- ing ground, and it is a great improvement. The rea- sons for this mode of pruning are evident on examin- ation. Most kinds of stone fruit grow rapidly, and bear the greater part of their ou new wood, which is, of course, near the ends of the limbs. In this way a tree spreads over much land, and naked branches near the trunk ; and pruning at the trunk causes the gum to ooze out, which sometimes endangers the health of the tree. On the contrary, by pruning at the ends of the branches, the tree is confined to a small space, the wounds have no unfavorable effect, or only affect the twigs, and not the trunk, and much now wood is pro- duced for the production of fruit. To Bake a Ham. — Unless when too salt, from not being suificietly soaked, a ham (particularly a young and fresh one) eats much better baked than boiled, and remains longer good. The safer plan is to lay it into plenty of cold water over night. The follow- ing day soak it for au hour or more in warm water, wash it delicately clean, trim smoothly off all rusty parts, and lay it with the rind downwards into a coarse paste rolled to about an inch thick ; moisten the edges, pinch them tiigether, and fold them over ou the upper side of the ham, taking care to close them so that no gravy can escape. Send it to a well- heated, but not a fierce oven. A very small ham will require quite three hours baking, and a large one five. The crust and the skin must be removed while it is hot. When part only of a ham is dressed, this mode is better than boiling. 28 FARM JOURNAL. April' CuLTCRE OF Celery. — For early use it should bo started in hot-beds ; but for later use, it may be sown out in April. When the plants are of suitable size, transplant into a rich deep soil. Set in trenches 2J feet apart, and 15 inches deep. Put a few inches of mellow manure into the bottom of the trench, and as much good loam, and mix intimately together. Set the plants six inches apart. If convenient take up a ball of earth with each, and transplant in the even- ing, or in damp weather. Stir the soil frequently, and as the plants grow, earth up gradually, until the trench is nearly filled, leaving only a small depress- ion to catch the water. Agents. Tub Farm Journal may be had at the following places:^— W. B. ZlEBER, J. B. Petersoit, H. A. Dreer, David Landretii, Proutt & Barret, W. 11. Spangler, B. F. Spangler, Geo. Bergner, H. Miner, J. E. Surtock, H. M. Rawlins, A. L. Warfield, Philadelphia, South 3d St. Philadelphia, Chesnut St. Seedsman, Chesnut St. Seedsman, Chesnut St. 194J Market St. Lancaster Pa. Columbia Pa. Harrisburg Pa. Pittsburg Pa. Chambersburg Pa. Carlisle Pa. York Pa. and of Booksellers generally. Contents of the April No. Editor's Address, - - 1 To Correspondents, - 2 H. M. Taine's light, - - 2 Obituary, - - 2 Virginia, - - 3 Hints to Agricultural Writers, - - 3 On Agricultural Journals, - - - 3 On Permanent Pastures and breaking up of old Grass Lands, - - - 5 Corn Planting, - 6 Pennsylvania Farmers, - 7 Education, - - 7 Penn'a State Agricultural Society, - 8 Agriculture and Geology, - - - 9 Importance of Ventilation, &c., - - 10 Agricultural Schools in Eui'ope, - - 11 Michigan Double Plough, - 11 Notices of New Pubhcations, - - 12 Chickens and the Curculio, - 19 Scraps for the Household Matron, - - 21 Tobacco Dust, - 22 The General Hand Plum, - - - 22 New mode of Battling the Peach Worm, 23 Raising Early Potatoes, - - 23 Planting StrawbeiTy Beds, 24 Lancaster County Agricultural Society, - 24 Our Terms, 25 Specimen Numbers, - - 25 Postage, - . - 25 A few facts for the People, - - 25 To Contributors, 26 Acknowledgment, - - 26 The Title Page, &o., - 26 To Correspondents, . - 26 Proceedings of County Societies, 26 Manuring, - - 26 How to use Guano, 27 Butter, - - 27 Pruning Fruit Trees, - 27 To Bake a Ham, - - - 27 Culture of Celery, 28 Large Sales of a Large Work. — " Dr. Webster's Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, published by Messrs. Merriam, of Springfield, is sell- ing at a rate unprecedented, we believe, for so large a work. Almost 3000 copies have been distributed among the school Districts in Massachusetts, during the past year, in conformity with an act of the Legis- lature of the State. The demand from other sources has also increased to the amount of several thousand copies be3'ond that of the preceding year. Many copies are now sent to distant parts of the world where the people speak, or are learning the English Lan- guage, for Missionary, Commercial and other pur- poses. The Dictionary would bo an inestimable trea- sure not only in every School District, but in the family. Young children may be taught to resort to Webster, as the arbiter of disputes, as a safe and satis- factory guide, and as a storehouse of invaluable in- formation. In this respect as well as others. Dr. Webster and his Editor, Prof. Goodrich, are benefac- tors to the country." — Biblioiheca Sacra, Jan. 1851. "A Dictionary is the last book which a scholar ever wants to have abridged, the process being sure to cut off the very matter which he most values." — Chronotype. For sale by AV. H. SPANGLER, Bookseller Lancaster, Pa. At a meeting of the Teacher's Association, of Vei'mont, held at Moiiipdier, Oct. 16, 1850, the following reso- lution was adapted : — " Resolved, That in the opinion this Association, the placing a copy of Webster's Quarto Dictionary in each of our District Schools and higher literary Insti- tutions, as a book of reference, both for teachers and pupils, would be of incalculable benefit to the cause of education by the influence it would exert in creat- ing habits of investigation and accuracy as to the use of language, as well as by placing before our youth an amount of information which can be found in no other uninspired volume. ' ' A good Dictionary is an article of school apparatus that ought to be regarded as indispensable. It is not enough that the teacher should be skilled in English lexicography ; the book should be at hand so that he can refer to it for authorities, and illustrations of nice shades of meaning. It should lie on the desk, so that the scholars can themselves consult it." — Vt. Chron. A Dictionary is the last work which a scholar ever wants to have abridged, the process being sure to cut off the very matter which he most values. — Boston Chronoiype. " In revising and publishing an enlarged edition of this invaluable work at so cheap a rate as to bring it within the reach of almost every family, you have rendered an essential service to mankind." MILLARD FILLMORE. For sale by W. H. SPANGLER, Lancaster, Pa. " Get the Best." ALL young persons should have a standard DICTIONARY at their elbows. And while you are about it get the best; that Dictionary is NOAH "WEBSTER'S, the great work abtHdged. If you are too poor, gave the amount from off your back, to put it into your head. — Phrenolog. Journal. Dr. Websttr's great work is the best Dictionary of the English language. — London Mo7-ning Chronicle. This volume must find its way into all our public and good pri- vate libraries, for it provides the Englieb student with a mass of the most valuable information, which he in vain seeks tor else- where.— London Literary Gazette. The very large and increasing demand for thia work, affords the best possible evidence to the publishers that it ia highly '' acceptable to the great body ol the American people." Containing three times the amount of matter of any other Kn- gliph Dictionary compiled in this country, or any Abridgment of this work Published iy G. & C. MERRIAM, SpriDgflclcl. Masa., and for solo by W. H. SrANQLEB, Lancastur, Pa. April, 1851. FARM JOURNAL. 29 Gilniorc's Bee-IIivc, &c. THE attention of Bee culturists id invited to this improved ! plan. Mr. Gilmore is a gentleman of great experience and succeaa m the culture of Bees: his improvtment is the result of many years trial; his result has no parallel in the history of the past. The Agent of the '• PenusyWauia Farm Journal" is the Agent of Oilmore's System of Hiving and Feeding the Bee in this!St.ite. The price of a Hive and Fixtures, ^o?,^ " " '• " t'amily Ilight, iiitH) Township Rights from $10 to $.-0. County ^* '• $30 " $200. ''A Talk about the Honey Bee," a defence of Gilmore's sys- tem, contains, also, testimonials, awards of Premiums to Gilmore, from the leading Fairs and Institutes in this Country ; 12 cents single; $1.00 per dozen — gratis to patrons. Circulars sent to any applicant. Address, post paid, J. B. MAYNARD, April— tf Lancaster. Pa. IMPORTANT TO FARMERS And Thresbin^ Machine MaUers. THE subscriber respectfully begs leave to inform the public that he has lately perfc-ctoda new Threshing Machine and Horse Power, which in point of strength, durability, lightness of draught and convenience in moving is not surpassed or equalled by any Machine in the United States; he also confidently affirms that no Machine of its strength and durability can be afforded as low — The invention of this Machine hag been the result of several years experience and hard study. We do not claim to have dis- covered any new principle in philosophy — but we do claim to have discovered a plan by which old philosophical principles are more correctly and advantageously applied than on any other Machine. This invention is secured by a caveat. These Machines can be had at L^racl W. Groff's Machine Shop and at Prime Sc Colestock's Sash Factory in North Duke street, Lancaster city, at retail or by wholesale on the most reaaonablo terms. The Power weighs 600 pounds. It is made entirely of Iron with Steel Journals, and is warranted to huld 8 Horses should it any time be necessary to use so many. From 2 to 4 Horses are a suffic- ient number for common threshing. We are about getting up one much lighter for Shop purposes that will be the cheapest and jii'jst convenient thing in use; it might also be used with 2 or 3 Horses for threshing; the Powers and Cylinders and Concave can be had by the Machine makers throughout the country oa the most reasonable terms. lachlnery Eihibited at the State Fair in 1S50. will he seen by the award of Premiums below : AWARDED TO E. WHITMAN, JR., 55 Light Street, Baltimore, by the Maryland State Jlgricultural Society^ At their 3rd Annual Fair, held in Baltimore 23d. 24th and 25th October, ISJO. For the best Plow in the Plowing Match, the Frouty & Meara No 5) $40 00 For the best Plowing with Ox Team, same plow, (Special Premium) 2 00 For the best Plow on Exhibition, Ruggles, Nourse. Mason & Go's No. 3. 1st Premium, 8 00 For the best Railway Horse-power, Whitman's Improved, 1st Premium, 15 00 For the best Hay Press, Ist Premium, - - - - 25 CO For the best Cornsheller, 1st Premium. - - - - 4 00 For the best Field Roller. 1st Premium, - - - - 8 00 Forthebe.atCorn-StalkCuttersandGrinderSjIst Premium, 5 hq For the best Churns, 1st Premium, 4 00 For th«* best Hay and Manure Fork. 1st Premium, - - 2 00 For the best Hay Rakes, 1st Premium, . - - - 2 Fcr the beat Cultivator, 1st Premium, • - - - 4 00 AprU-lt Oq 30 FARM JOURNAL. Aprilj CM. SAXTON. AGRICULTURAL BOOK FIBLISHKR. 123 c Fulton Btreet, New York, publishes the following valuable T\'orks, viz : Books for Farmers. 1. The Com^ilete FurmtT antl Rural Economist and New Amer- ican Gardi'ucr. By T. G. P'essenden. In 1 volume, about TOO pages, cloth gilt. Jl 25. Mail Edition. 1-00. 2. Agricultural Chemistry. A new edition. By .T F.W. John- ston. In 1 volume, 12 mo., cloth gilt. 125. Mail edition, 1 00. 3. Johnston's Eli-ments of Agricultural Chemistry. 50 cts. 4. Johnston's Practical Agriculture. 1 vulumc. cloth, 75 cts. 5. Buist'B Family Kitchen Gardener. Cloth, 75 cts. Mail edi- tion. 50. 0. Hoale's Treatise on the Cultivation cf the Grape Vine on Open Walls. 50 cts. 7. Sheep Husbandry. By HS, Randall. 1.25. Mail edition, 1.00. 8. Stephens' Rook of the Farm— Complete. 4.00. 9. Browne's American Poultry Yard, luth edition, 1,00. Mail edition 75 cts- 10. Allen's American Farm-Book. 1 vol 1.00. Mail edition, 75 cts. 11. Allen's Diseases of Domestic Animals. 1 volume, 75 cts, — Mail edition. 50 ct.s. 12. t hemistry made easy for Farmers. Paper, 25 cts. 13 Southern Agriculture; or. Essays on the Cultivation of Corn, Hemp, Tobacco, Wheat. &c. 1.00. 14 Dana'.-^ prize Essay on Manures. 25 cts. 15. Miner's American Bee Keeper's Manual. 1.00. Mail edi- tion. 75 eta. 10. Brjwne's American Bird Fancier. 50 cts. Mail edition, 25 cts. 17. Canfield on the Breeds. Management. Structure and Diseases cf Sheep. 1.00. 18. The American Architect. The cheapest and best work of the kind published in the world, complete in 24 numbers, at 25 cents each, or 5,00 for the work complete; 6,00, bound in two vol- umes. 19. Allen, on the Grapo Vine. Cloth, 1.12; paper. 1.00. 20. Gunu's Domes-tic Medicine; or. Poor Man's Friend in Afflic- tion, Fain and Sickness. S.UO. C. M. SAXTON, 123 Fulton .street, up-stairs. Yoiiatt & Martiu's Great Work ou Cat- tle* (With one htmdred lUuptrations 1 1) Being a treatise <^in their Breeds, Management and Diseases.— Comprising a full history of the various Races; their Origin, Bleeding and Merits; their capacity for Beef and Milk; the nature and treatment of their diseases. The whole forming a complete (Juide for the Farmer, the Amateur, and the Veterenary Surgeon. Edited by AMBROSE STEVENS. Esq. Price 1,50. ijtg- lOUO Agents wanted to circulate the above work. Those persons desiring an agency must have a cash capital of $25 to $100, as we lurnish only fur co«/i, and offer great i/iducf7/]fn/s; and to energetic young men, this is a rare chauce to make mouey. Address, post paid, C. M. SAXTO.V, April — It] 123 Fulton street, np-stairs. New York. Seed and Agricultural Wareliouse, 194i^ Market Street, Philadelphia. WE offer to our friends and customers, the largest assortment of Agricultural implement.?, dardcn tools, and Seeds, ever olfered in this Market, consisting in part of the following, viz : — Prouty and Mears' Patent highest premium self-Fharpening Ploughs, right and left handed side hill Subsoil, of various sizes, of superior materials and workmanship, warranted to give satis- faction, or the mouey returned — Four highest premiums awarded to these Ploughs at the New York Fair, 1S50. Also, Beach and Car Share Ploughs; Spain's improved Barrel Churn, constructed in such a manner that the dasher may be removed from the in- Ride of the Churn by simply unscrewing the handle from the dasher. Uay, Straw and Corn-stack cutters, in great variety, among which may be found Hovey's superior premium straw-cut- ter, of every size. Also, Horse-power Threshing Machines, Fan Mills, Corn Shel- lers. Cheese Presses, Seed Planters, Dirt Scrapers, Sugar Mills, Ox Yokes and Bows. Turnip Drill=. Hor.^e Rakes. Swathe Scythes, Concaved Hoes, Spring Tempered Cast Steel. Oval, and Square Manure and Hay Forks, Pruuing Shears and Chisels, Beach and Bar Share, repairing pieces and castings, Peruvian, Patagonia and prepared Guano, together with a complete assortment of grass, garden and field seeds, all of which will be sold at the low- est possible prices, at 191^ Market street, Philadelphia. April 9-tf PROUTY & BARRETT. IVevr and Popular Scliool Book. THE COMPREHENSIVE SUMMARY OF UNIVERSAL HIS- TORY, with a Ijiography of distinguished persons from the earliest period to tlie jiresent time; to which is appended an epi- tome of Heathen Mythology, Natural I'hilosophy. General Astron- omy and Physiology, on the basis of " Historical and Miscellane- ous (Questions,'' liy Ricbmal Mangnal. Adopted to the use of American schools. Published and for sale by E. S. JONES & CO., S. W. corner of Fourth and Racest.. Philadelphia N. B — Teachers and School Commi*,teefi furniehcd with copies Xor.exami nation. Ad<.lre8s, post paid. April— tf HjgrUland JVurseries, IVewbur^li X. Y. A SAUL & CO. bog leave to call the attention of Dcalvn • and Planters of Trees, and the public in general, to their ve- ry large and complete stock of FRUIT AND ORNAMENTAL TREES, which they offer for sale the coming spring. The trees of these Nurseries are all grown on the premises, and propagated under the immediate supervision of Mr. Saul, whose long connec- tion with this establishment, is some guarantee tor the accuracy of the stock now offered for sale. It consists in part of over 20,000 Pear Trees, 5 to 8 feet high, and embracing all the lead- ing Standard Varieties, as well as those recently introduced, of merit, either of American or Foreign origin. 20,000 Apple Tree.q, of Extra size. 8 to 10 and 12 feet high, in- cluding every variety worthy of cultivation. lOOoO Plum Trees, 5 to 8 feet, of every known kind of reputa- tion, as well as all the novelties of recent introduction. 10.000 Cherry Trees, 6 to 8 teet and over, among which will bo found all the desirable and choice varieties. A large stock of handsome, well grown trees, of Peach, Apricot, Nectarine and Quince, in every variety. Also, Grapevines, Native and Foreign; Raspberries, Gooseberries and Currants. Strawberry Plants and Esculent Roots, such as Aspar- agus, Rhubarb. Seakale, &c.. of the most approved kinds. Pear and Quince. Cherry on Mahaleb. and Apple on Paradise stocks— for Pyramids or Dwarfs lor garden culture, and embracefl all the kinds that succeed on those stocks. Deciduous and Evergreen Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. 100.000 PeciduouB and Evergreen Ornamental Trees, embracing all the well known kind.« suitable for street planting of extra size; such as Sugar and Silver Maple, Chinese Ailautus. Horse Chesnut, Catalpa, European and American Ash, Three Thorned Acacia. Kentucky Coffee Tree. Silver Abele Tree, American and Europe- an Basswood or Linden. American and European Elm, in several varieties, &c. Also all the more rare and select; as well as well known kinds suitable for Arboretums. Lawns and door-yard plant- ing, &c.; such as Doedar and Lebanon Cedars; Araucaria or Chil- ian Pine; Cryptomeria japouiea; the different varieties of Pines, Firs. Spruces, Yews, Arborvietas. &c. WEEPING TREKS.— New Weeping Ash, (Fraxinus lentisci- folia pendula) the Old Weeping Ash. Weeping Japanese Sophora, Weeping Elms, (of norts) Umbrella Headed Locust, Weeping Mountain Ash. Weeping Beech, &c., &c. ; together with every variety of rare Maple, Native and Foreign; Flowering Peach, Al- mond and Cherry; t hesnuts, Spanish and American; Tom and Copper Beech; Judas Tree. Larch, Gum Tree, Tulip Tree, Osage Orange. Paulownia, Mountain Ash. (American and European) Magnolias of sorts, with many other things—including some 200 varieties of Shrubs, Vines, k.c.. fur which see Catalogue, a new ed- ition of which is just issued, and will be forwarded to all post paid applicants. A large quantity of Arborvita; for Screens, and Buckthorn and Osage for Hedge plants. The above will be sold on as liberal terms as similar stock can be purchased elsewhere. For further piirticulars we would agaiQ refer to priced Catalogue. A liberal discount will be made to persons who buy, to sell again, and extensive planters, on their owuacouunt. April Uelnitsb'H Crcrman Cattle Po^vder, THIS Powder is celebrated for the cure and prevention of all diseases to which Cattle, Milch Cows, Sheep and Pigs are subject, and is the only prep- aration upon which full confidence can be placed. For .Milch Cows it is of the greatest importance, wonder- fully increasing the quantily and quality of their milk, and will effectually prevent and cure Hoi low Horn, Murrain. &c. VEGETABLE HORSE POWDER. Which will cure Distemper, Hidebound, Loss of Aj)petite, Fouudt^r. Yellow Water, Lowness of Spirits, Inward Sprains. Inflamation and Heat in the System, and all other diseases to which Horses are subject. HORSE EMBROCATION.— For the euro of external injuries, ad Wounds. Bruises, Cuts. Rubj bing of the Saddle. Collar or Harness, Stiffness in the Joints Swellings, Sweeny, Alc. Prepared and sold at CHARLES A. HEINITSH'S, Medicinalj Drug and Chemical Store, No. lU East King st., April— tf Lancaster. 1851. FARM JOURNAL. 81 Tbe Crreat Mlcbi^an Sod and Sub-Soil PLOW. THIS Plow, in the language of the Roport of Committee on the preat trial of Plows in June last, appoinled by the New Vork State Agricultural Society, (by whom it was awai-Jed a spkcial pcetmium); •' We regard tbi.-: implement as a most useful present from the mechanic to the farmer, and in our opiniou will effect a great improvement in the tillage of land. It pulverizes f/i^ soil in an esceUent manner, which, to be fully appreciated, must be seen; and it accomplishes this pulverization with an amount of power which, in reference to the work performed, is certainly not large. It buries the sod completely, and covers it with a coating of loose earth which makes a seed bed almost &s perfectly as a spade."' At Boston, last season, this Plow was awarded a Gold Medal. and at every County Fair in the State of New York, at which it was exhibited, the Proprietor received a Premiiun. Manufactui-ed and for sale by HtLNRY GILBERT, Harrisburg, pa. All orders from a distance promptly attended to. [April-It NEW YORK Agricultural ^^arelaouse & Seed Store, 189 and 191 JVaier Street. THIS is by far the most extensive establishment in New York. It occupies nearly the whole of three large five-story stores, and contains a varied and complete assortment of every descrip- tion of Agricultural and Horticultural Implements, and Field and Garden Seeds required in the United States. We have upward of One Hundred of the latest improved kinds of Plows, mostly man- ufactured by us. expressly for the different States of the Union, California and Oregon, the British Provinces, the West India Islands. Mexico, and South America. Also Harrows. Rollers. Seed Sowers. Cultivators, Horse Powers, Threshers. Corn Shelters, Reap- ing and Mowing Machines. Hay, Cotton, Tobacco. Oil. and Dry Good Presses. Crick Machines, Shovels, Spades, Hoae, Manure and Hay PVrks. A:c..&c. Garden Implements. — These are imported by us direct from the English manufacturers, or made here to our order. They consist of a great variety of the choicest kinds such as Trenching and Weeding Forks, Pruning and Hedge Shears. Flower and Twig Cutters, kc. The assortment for ladies is particularly choiceand W^U selected. Field and Garden Scer^s.— These are grown expressly for ubj both in Europe and this country. They are of the choicest kinds, and of great variety. We also obtain, as soon as sufficiently tried and well approved, every new kind of seed suitable to be cultivated in the United States. Fertilizers. — Peruvian and Patagonian Guano, Bonedust, Poud- rette, Plaster of Paris. 4*c. Manufactory of Ai^ricultural Implements. — We have a large manufacturing establishment in this city, where we will promptly make to order any new article or implement required by the Far mer or Planter. Excelsior Sand Paper.— K new and very superior kind, of the different numbers in use by Machinists, Cabinet Makers. & c. The ^Imerican pisciculturist a monthly publication of 32 pages. Price one dollar a year. A. B. ALLKN & CO , April 1S9 and 191 Water-street. New York. IMPORTANT TO Farmers & Threshing Machine Makers THE subscriber respectfully begs leave to inform the public that he has lately perfected a new Threshing Machine and Horse Fowkr, which in point of strength, durability, lightness of draft and convenience in moving, is not surpassed or equalled by any machine in the United States. He also confidently aflSrms that no machine of its strength and durability can be afforded as low. The invention of this machine has been the result of several years experience and hard study. We do not claim to have dis- covered any new principle in philosophy, but we d>"i claim to have discovered a plan by which old philosophical principles are more correctly and advantageou.sly applied than on any other machine. The invention is secured by a caveat. These Machines can be had at Israel W. Groff's Machine Shop, at retail or by wholesale, on the most reasonable terms. The Power weights 600 pounds. It is made entirely of Iron with steel journals, aud is warranted to hold 8 horses, should it at any time be necessary to use so many From 2 to 4 are a suffl- eiont number for common threshing. We are about getting up one much lighter for shop, purposes, that will be the cheapest and inn.st convenient thing in use; it might also be used with two or three horsesfor threshing. The Powers andcylinderand concave, can be had by the Machine makers throughout the country, on the most reasonable terms. All orders directed to the subscriber, at Lancaster city, will bo thankfally rccoived and promptlT attended to. SAMUEL PELTON. Jr. Aprilj 1851. U- $500 to $2,000 a Year. 1 O O O AGE i\TS TT A W T E D . IX all the States of the Union, to canvass for the following Im- portant and Valuable Works, which are sold by subscription. We have now about two hundred Agents in the field, many of them clearing from two to eight dollars per pay. It will be teen that they are all of a very popular and desirable kind, and calcu- lated to please almost every tatte. i'or furtlier particulars apply (postpaid) to the publishers. DERBY & MILLER. Auburn. N. Y. '•HOW A FARMER MAY BECOME RUm." BLAKE'S FARMERS EVERY DAY BOOK, Or. how a Farmer can become Rich — being sketches of Life in the Country; with the Popular Elements of practical and theoretiodl Agriculture, and twelve hundred Laconics and Apathegms rela- ting to Morals. Regime and general Literature; also 5U0 Rceuipta on Health. Cookery aud Domestic Economy; with 10 fine illustra- tions respecting the various scenes attendant upon farming, etc. Ey John L. Blake. D. D.. author of '"Biographical Dictionary,'* '■ Family Encyclopedia,"' i^-c. The publishers respectfully announce, that they have under- taken the publication of this large and beautiful work, with a view to supply a desideratum that has long been felt— a book for every Farsier's Library; believing that the venerable author haa produced a work that will be worth its weight in gold to every farmer's family that thoroughly peruse it. Jt is proper to state that Dr. Blake is a practical farsier. and has reclaimed a sterile and worn out piece of land into a valuable and productive farm — which experience, with hiswell knownqualifications as an author, peculiarly fit liim to prepare a book for farmers. The work contains ti54 pages, large octavo, with a motto sur- rounding each page — is printed on fine paper, and bound in sub- stantial imitation Turkey Morocco, gilt back. Invariable retail price. JS.OO. Agents wanted to canvass for the above. FROST'S PICTORIAL HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. The History of the State of California, from the earliest period of her conquest by the Spaniards, to her acquisition by the United States; with an account of the discovery of the immen-e Gold Mines, and the quantity r^f Gold already obtained; the enormous increase of population; a description of the mineral and agricul- tural resources of the country ; with adventures and trtvels among the Mines. Also, advice to Emigrants, as to the most desirable routes thither. To which is added the Constitution of the State of California; with numerous illustrations, and a map of California and the Gold Mines; in one octavo volume. 5C0 pages; bound in same style as Mexican War. Retail price, %'Z 50. *' I am prepared— I have end^'avored to do my duty." THE LIFE OF ZACHARY TAYLOR, Late President of the United States, including the closing scenes of his life and death. By H. Mouigomery. Embellished with a steel portrait and 15 illustrations; in one elegant octavo volume, 463 pages, well printed on fine paper, and bound in substantiai morocco, gilt back. The lightnings may flash, the thunders may rattle, He hears not, he heeds not. he's free from all pain, He sleeps his last pleep. he has fought his last battle, No sound can awake him to glory again. More than 20,000 copies of the above work have been sold by us, and the demand is unabated. It is allowed by critics to be the most complete and authentic copy of any ot the works purporting to be a Lite of the Great Man of the Age. Retail price, $2 UO. A COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE WAR BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO, From the commencement of the battles, to the ratificntion of the Treaty of Peace; containing a concise account of the splendid military achievements and glorious victories of the American Army under Generals Taylor and Scott, and their gallant com- patriots in arms. .Also, a concise account of the new El Dorado, the Golden Land of California, which was anncxrd to the United States by the treaty of peace. Illustrated with 24 portraits and battle scenes, and a steel likeness of General Taylor. By John S. Jenkins, author of '■ The Life of Silas Wright." - Lives of Ameri- can Generals." etc.. etc. The work is bound in elegant a« d sub- stantial morocco, gilt back, and contains 520 pages. A fine Map of Mexico and California accompanies each book. •,* 12 000 copies of the above work have been sold by us, chiefly in N. Y. State. It is pronounced by cricticsas the only complete and impartial history of the war extant. Subscription price $2 50. April ^ SCATTERGOOD & HOWELL, DESIGNING, DRAWING And Wood Eng^ravin^ EstabBisIinicnt, Inquirer Buildivs^ Third Street^helow Chesnul st.j PHILADELPHIA. "Water Color Drawing, Portraits. Buildikos. MACHmrRr, N'ews TAPER Heads. Labeli, Seals, ^c. Drawn and Engraved in the Best manner and on the moat reasonable Ttiin*. AprU-tf 32 FARM JOURNAL. April. Ne'jv YorJi State Agricultural ^TorUs. Agricultural Machines and Implements. WHEELER, MELICK & CO., CONTINUE their manufactory at the corner of Liberty and Hamilton streets. ALBANY, where they are prepared to fill ail orders with despatch. •e^^^^'imfa .Salts against ORDERS FOR jneeJers Patent Railway^ Chain Horse Powers^ and Overshot Threshers and Separators^ will re- ceive their prompt attention. ©5" The large and increasing demand for these Machine? has induced the Proi>ric'tor3 to erect a New and Spacious Manufacto- ry, and otherwise extend their means of promptly filling orders,— Tlieir Powers and Threshers have been sold in nearly every State in the Union, during the past year, and their superiority has been acknowledged by numerous testimonials, not only from Agrical- tural Societies but from persons who have used them. They have been awarded the First Premiums at all the principal Fairs where they have been exhibited in operation, including the Penn- Fylvania State Fair, the Provincial Fair of Upper Canada, and the Michigan and Ohio State Fair?, together with numerous County Exhibitions in the different States. Thu TWO HORSE iMACHINF,. with from three to five hands, will thresh from 1*25 to 200 bushels of Wheat per day, or twice that quantity of Oats. The One Horse Machine will thresh rather more than half that quantity. PRICE AT ALBANY: For Two Horse Machines $145 00 For One Horse do $120 00 Machines will be shipped to order to any part of the United Ptates or the Oanadas, S!^ and wai-ranted to give satisfaction to the purchaser, or they may be returned within sixty days. The subscribers also manufacture and will furnish to order the most approved kinds of J>\ed Cutters, Clover Hullers^ Circular Saw Mills, ^c. They will also furnish Horse Powers properly Geered for driving Churns, Elevating Grain, or other purpopes to which Horse Power can be applied. WHEELER, MELICK & CO.. April— ^l Corner of Hamilton and Liberty sts., Albany, N. Y. K.ettleweU & Davison's Guano. A CHALLENGE!!! THE deep interest now taken by Agriculturists in all descrip- tions of manure, would seem to justify any expedient, by which fair and unprejudiced experiments may be made of the va- rious descriptions of manure at this time attracting the attention of the public. In view of this, and the undTpifrned honestly be- lieving that the Chemical Compound, manufactured by tbem.is the best manure of which any knowledge is had for a Corn Ciop; challenges Guano to the test upon the following condition:— He will forfeit One Hundred Dollars, to be presented to the Maryland Agricultural Society, if any advocate of Guano will do the same, that the Renovator compounded by Kettlewell &, Davison, will produce upon any soil, the largest crop of weighed corn, without regard to the size of the stalk, provided the President of the State Agricultural Society will select some person, in his judgment qualified, to superintend the experiment. The nature of tbe soil to be de.=icribed, so that each party can direct the mode of appil- cation; two barrels of the Salts to be used per acre, costing ?6, and 30.0 lbs. of the Guano, costing $7 20, the party making the experiment to receive the manure free of cost. And the same amount against any manure as a top dressing upon timothy or clover. John Kettlewell. Kettlevjell ^ Davison again call the attention of Agriculturists to their various Chemical Manures — and in so doing, they would be insen.«ible to common gratitude, if they failed to express their profound acknowledgments for the constant and increa.sing de- mand, which flows in upon them for their simple and compound manures. Each season has greatly increased their sales, extend- ing as far south as South Carolina. They can give no stronger evidence of their faith in the vir- tues of their manure, as the best known for a corn crop, than tho tenders they make above ; and the certificates ■nhich they here- with present. In the offer of a test, it is not the amount involv- ed, but the willingness to challenge result, that speaks their in- tegrity and confidence. We could add any amount to tbe testi- mony we publish; but if the names we refer to, do net command confidence, no additional number could. We have never boasted of the quality of our article, we have been content to leave a de- cision to time, demand and experiment, that has been in our fa« vor— hoping, if we have less of •■ Bi-phosphates," the public would discover it. as they would if it was found we had more of" sand " than any thing else. Kettlewell & Dailson. Office at Obey ^- McConkey''s, corner of Lombard and HaJiover Streets. Factory, Federal Hill. BI-PHOSPHATES. Wo keep constantly on hand this valuable manure. Bonea, with a proper portion of the Sulphate of Ammonia, dissolved in Sulphuric Acid. The Chemists of this country and Europe have been pressing this mode of u.=ing bone-dust upon the atten- tion of farmers, with groat zeal and ability of recent years. Ev- ery experiment has confirmed the truthfulness of their theory; and we hazard but little in saying that in a very brief time it will be used in no other way. It is prepared so as to be sown sim- ilar to the salts, at the rate of one or two barrels to the acre — The price of this article is $4 per barrel. Let the farmer who doubtSj try it at a less expense than tbe old mode of using bone- dust. TOBACCO GENERATOR. This is a chemical compound, made expressly for the growth of the Tobacco plant. We will call more special attention to it at the proper season. CHEMICAL RESIDIUMS. We have constantly on hand Chemical Residiums of every description. Full information of which can be had by applica- tion to us. COMBINATION OF GROUND PLASTER AND POTASH. This is a preparation made for soil deficient in Potash, of which deficiency there is. unfortunately, too many instances in much of our Maryland land. For this compound we are indebted to tho suggestion of an accomplished Agriculturist of Prince George's county, who may at some future day present the result of his ex- periment. The price of this ia $2 50 per barrel. DIRECTIONS. The mode of using the Renovator is simple, inexpensive, and requiring but little labor. The farmer must bear in mind, that in the preparation of his soil he shares an equal responsibility in testing the merits of any manure. Land negligently or badly cultivated gives no manure a fair chance. How to put land in or- der he ought to know better than we can teach him; and if he don't know, should learn as speedily as possible. The land, then, in order— if one barrel to the acre is used — and this quantity de- pends upon the quality of the land — it should, for grain bo sown broad cast, and slightly harrowed in. If two barrels are used, one as stated above, and the other a-s a top-dressing upon the wheat or rye. early in the spring at the commencement of the first thaw. Upon grass it should be sown broad-cast upon the timothy or clover. On corn, either broad- cast or in the hill. Where two barrels are used, one each way tt?^ PRICE of the RENOVATOR, $20 PER TON, or $3 PER BARREL. April-tf Printed on the Ukiok & Teibume Steam Power Press. VOL. 1. LANCASTEB, MAY, 1851. XO. 2. THE FAEM JOUKNAL, S. S. HAtDEMA:^, Editor. Eatomologj', rJo. 1. BY THE EDITOR. Entomology, or the study of insects, is interesting on account of the vast number of species and indivi- duals, and the great variations exhibited in their structure and habits. Some are predacious, living upon other insects ; some feeding upon decaying ani- mal matter, and others upon decaying vegetables, these acting as scavengers to remove offensive matter. But the greater part live at the expense of vegeta- bles, various species attacking every part, from the root to the seed. It is chiefly Tvith the last that the farmer, gardener, and forester are concerned, and in Europe the subject has been deemed of sufficient importance to call for national aid in making investigations and publishing histories of insects in their relations to man. It is sometimes difficult to tell what insects are hurtful and what beneficial, and in some cases a spe- cies which was the destroyer of the real enemy has been mistaken for the cause of the mischief Even when a destructive larva is seen, the perfect insect which comes from it may not be the species which the larva should have produced, because the natural enemies of some insert their eggs in the flesh of the latter, upon which their young feed. The attacked larva, before it dies, is often able to form a cocoon, and from this the parasite makes its appearance. — For these and similar reasons it is necessary to have some knowledge of entomology to enable us to guard against the insects likely to injure us. Wo intend to give an account of various insects in a series of articles of which this is the first, and altho the history of some of them may seem to have no practical application, it must be remembered that a knowledge of any species may throw light upon others, and afford hints for their proper investigation. Most general works on natural science published in this country are devoted to foreign species which tho reader may never bo able to see, whilst the commoi>- est American kinds are unrepresented. To remedy this defect, we have determined to give figures illus- trative of American species and habits, taken from the specimens themselves. Elaphidion putator. — This is 'a small coleopter (an insect with tlie true wings generally pi-otceted by hard wing covers or elytra) of a brown color, with pale scattered spots. The an- tenna) are as long as tho body in the female, a?id longer in the male. The larva lives in tho small branches (generally in tho centre,) of oak, hickory and chosnut, forming a flattened perforation some Fig. 1. inches in length. The lar- va is a soft whitish grub, v>-ith stout black jaws, and when it has attained its full size (about the end of sum- mer) it cuts the branch from the tree by a tranverse cut, leaving the bark entire. Th storms of the fall and the winter cause the branch to fall with its tenant, but pre- viously to tliis, it has nicely closed tho end of its perfora- tion with a plug made of shreds of wood and suffieientr ly close to exclude water. The annexed figure (2) re- presents a fragment of a branch of shellbark hickory which was probably cut off by a different species, at both ends, with a plug (In) in each. It is cut open to exhibit the larva, which is represented at [a). It has the anterior end large, somewhat as in the larva of buprestis. This 34 EDITORIAL. [May, Fig. 3. enlargement disappeara just before it cbangos to the pupa state, and most of the specimens are found in this condition about the middle of April in Pennsyl- vauia. The larva has three pair of minute feet which assists it in moving along its Ijurrow. The fragments of wood which it inhabits arc from two to four inches long and the part to whicli it con- fines itself when it closes the ends, is usually two or tliree inclies in length. The plues are usually insortr ed at the ends, altho' they are sometimes half an inch from them. The fragments cut oif vary in tliicknoss from the fourth of an inch to an inch, and figure 3 es- hiljits an end view of a thick one. The mandibles' of the imago or perfect insect are sufficiently strong to en- able it to eat its way out of the prison it had constructed for itself Oncideres cingulatus. This insect was first de- scribed by Say in the Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences, vol. 5 p. 272, 1825, and its habits were discovered by us and published in our " Mate- rials towards a History of the Coleoptera longicornia of the United States;" Am. Phil. Trans, vol. 10, p. 52, 1837. "in our walks through the forest our attention was fre- quently drawn to the branch- es and main shoot of young hickory trees (carta alba) which were girdled with a deep notch in such a manner as to induce an observer to believe that the object in view was to kill the branch beyond the notch ; and extraordinary as it may appear, this is ac- tually the fact, and the opera- tor is an insect whose instinct was implanted by the Al- mighty power which created it, and under such circum- stances that it could never have been acquired as a ha- bit. Tho knowledge of gird- ling is unknown to the insect, whose life is too short to perceive its cfieots and to foresee the necessities of ite progeny during the succeeding season. This insect may be seen in Pennsylvania during the two last weeks in August and the first week in September feeding upon the bark of the tender branches of the young hickories. Both sexes are rather rare, particularly the male, which is rather smaller than the female, but with longer antennas. The female makes perforations in the branches of tlio tree upon which she lives, which are from Iialf an inch to less than a quarter of an inch thick, in which she depositee her eggs; she then proceeds to gnaw a groove of about a tenth of an inch wide and deep, around the branch, and below the place whera the eggs are deposited, so that the exterior portion dies and the larva feed upon the dead wood, a food which is essential to many insects altho' but few have the means of providing it for themselves or their pro- geny by an instinct so remarkable. Were this insect abundant, it would cause much damage to young forests of hoop-poles by the destruc- tion of the principal shoot. We have known insects which from their rarity, could hardly be regarded as "noxious," increase to such an extent as to be very destructive, and the locust trees (Robinia pseu- dacacia) have had their foUage withered during the few last summers from such a cause. Should the insect in question increase so as to become trouble- some, the infected branches should be cut off in July and burnt. Fig. 5 is a slightly modified representation of the top of a hickory tree, from a specimen now Ijcfore us, which pre- sents the unusual numljer of sis girdlings, which were probably made in as many successive years. First the principal shoot at a was cut, and before the young shoot below it had acquired suflicient size to tempt an attack, the second cut h was made; then c probably followed, and a downward shoot was the result ; and this being cut, e and f may have followed. As th« decaying portion which is not eaten by tlie larva is apt from its tender attachment and the rapidity of 1851.] EDITORIAL. 85 decay to drop off, truncated branches like e, d, are frequently to bo met with. This insect is more than half an inch long, and of a brown color, spotted with yellowish, and varied with ashy, a band of the latter crossing the middle of the elytra, the base and end of which are reddish brown. Guilding figures oncideres amputator in the Lln- ncan Transactions, toI. 13, pi. 30, in the act of gird- ling a branch, but he did not discover tho object of the proceeding. His figure is copied in Insect Archi- tecture, page 240. her with a basket of fruits, and tho earth is represen- ted covered with flowers. The reverse is encircled by a wreath of fruits, flowers and foliage, with a central blank space for the inscription, wliich must of course vary according to the occasion, and the person to whom it is awarded. Corn Planting. [The following remarks were prepared as an ap- pendix to Judge Hayes' article on page 0 of tho last number, but ommitted by the printer.] In soaking seed grain, care should bo taken not to steep it too long, as it will bo likely to rot in the ground, if there happens to be a spell of wet weather. Judge Buel soaked his seed corn from twelve to twenty hours in hot water, with a few ounces of salt- petre dissolved in it ; and to eight quarts of seed he afterwards added half pint of tar diluted in a quart of warm water. After being stirred in the tar mix- ture, the corn was taken out and mixed with as much plaster as would stick to it. This preserved the seed from birds &c., and caused it to germinate readily. — The Genesee Farmer recommends a coating of soft soap and plaster. Q,uack Medicines. Wq were annoyed at finding an advertisement of u "cherry pectoral" on the cover of the first num- ber, which was inserted whilst tho publisher was at Ilarrisburg. The means to which the maker of this nostrum resorts, may be judged from the follow- ing caution from the cover of tho American Journal of Science, the editor of which is represented with all Ills titles of Professor, M. D., LL. D., &c., as the au- thor of one of the recommendations given. As Professor Silliman is a doctor of Medicine, and as some physicians occupy the very questionable position of druggists, we are bound to state that it la unprofessional to vend or advertise a nostrum tlie maker of which uses the name of a member of tho profession to deceive the public. TO THE PUBLIC. The recommendation of the Cherry Pecioral (so ealled) signed by my name is a. forgery. B. Silliman, Senior. New Haven, January 1, 1851. Encouragement. Almost every mail brings us encouraging commu- nications from friends throughout the State; ah extract from one of which we give below. With such friends to sustain us we go on trustingly; feeling confident that the effort we are making to build up a journal worthy the support of the farmers of Pennsylvania, will certainly prove successful: Greessburqu, Api-il 17, 1851. Sir: — I am greatly gratified by the appearance and contents of the first number of the " Farm Jour- nal," and sincerely hope that, with such excellent in- ducement, the farmers of Pennsylvania may at length prove that they are sensible of the advantages of having a periodical of their own. I liave had pain- ful and costly experience of the feet that many of the suggestions of Agricultural papers puldished else- where are so unsuited to our siiil and climate that they are injurious rather than advantageous. This is of itself, to say nothing of what of a decent self re- spect seems to demand, a sufScient reason for giving your journal that liberal support which is necessary to make it worthy of the cause which it advocates and the State in which it is published. Feeling a deep interest in the success of your pe- riodical as connected with the agriculture of our State, it will give me pleasure to contribute, by any means within my power, to aid in securing that suc- cess. Horticuitural Society's Medal. The new medal of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is a beautiful specimen of art, which must be highly valued by those to whom it is a^varded as a prize. It is two inches in diameter and contains a seated figure of Pomona, her left hand resting upon the shield of the arms of Pennsylvania, and her right holding a pruning knife. In front a boy presenti Incorporation of the Pennsylvania State Agricultu- ral Society. As the provisions of the act incorporating this So- ciety do not appear to be generally understood, we herewith present those most important to be knovTn. The following is the principal section: "Resolved, That the sum of two thousand dollars is hereby appropriated to said Society, and annually thereafter a sum equal in amount to that paid by the members thereof into its treasury; an affidavit of which fact, and the amount so raised by the Treasu- rer of the Society being first filed with the Stat« Treasurer: Provided that such sum shall not exceed two thousand dollars in any one year." It will be seen, that after the first year tho amount of the appropriation is made to depend upon the amount paid into the Treasury by the members. — This fact should arouse the friends of the Society, and induce them to spare no efforts to secure addi- tional names. The same provision is made to apply to County Agricultural and Horticultural Societies, except that the appropriation is to be paid from the County Treasuries, and is limited to one hundred dollars pe annum. Where two Societies are fiirmed in the same county, but one is entitled to receive such appropria- tion in any one year under this act. These appropriations though small, will neverthe- less have the effect of stimulating tlie efforts of those who pioneered tlic way to the formation and incorpo- ration of the present Society. ■" "" ° °'"' '^"- ergy will do tlie rest. Perseverance and en- 36 COMMUNICATIONS. [May. (goimnuukotious. Accurate Experiments. The uiilify of accurate experiments, and the advantages of an early harvest of the wheat crop shown. Mr. Editor: In the practice of Agriculture witli a view to its improvement, tliere is no matter of greater moment, than tlio right method of conducting experiments. — Without entire accuracy and the utmost care in such proceedings, tliore can neither be satisfaction in the conclusion which one would attain, nor any certainty in the evidence he would desire to afford of the re- sults of his operations. In order that an experiment may constitute a basis for safe practice or correct reasoning, every circumstance and condition of time, locality, space, quantity, quality, climate, and tem- perature, should be duly observed and considered ; nothing that can be weighed or measured should be guessed at; and all the processes, as well as the re- sult, should bo faithfully recorded. Unless this be done, it is impossible that the experimenter himself, much less others, should be able to repeat the expe- riment, so as to determine whether the result bo true or not. But the result is the essential fruit, and an experiment is barren, when it cannot be verified by repitic>n. It is obvious, therefore, that its chief value, must depend upon the minute accuracy of its details and the clearness and veracity of the report. The reflection is often, indeed, forced upon us, that much of the influence of useful knowledge is lost by vague and imperfect description; which, obscuring the truth, fails to excite attention or inspire confidence. Hence important discoveries are allowed to sleep for years ; and many improvements, after being laid aside, are in a subsequent age, brought again, as if by accident, into use, and regarded as inestimable. Hence inven- tions employed and prized in one country, are often either unknown or without just appreciation in a neighboring State. In this connection may be mentioned the want of suitable means and appliances among our farmers to pursue their inquiries or record, their experience with due correctness. There is not one farm in a hundred, vchose fields have been surveyed, so as to defino their precise arable contents. How few farmers keep a set cf weights and measures, and the proper instruments for making accurate investigations relative to their farms or their produce! Still fewer use such means as thoy have, and write down their observations for the benefit of others. The difiiculty may have oc- curred to many, as it has to myself, of obtaining a satisfactory statement of the greatest quantity of wheat grown, per acre, on any farm or field in any one year. You m.ay not, indeed, fail to receive prompt answers giving specific quantities ; but upon a close examination, you find the quantities depend upon con- jectural estimates ;— either the number of acres was not ascertained, — the whole product was not mea- sured,— or the amount was derived from the sales, with an estimated addition for what was used in the family and retained for seed. On recurring to the discussions of many subjects, (that of lime among the number,) which are spread over the pages of our agricultural journals, we sec how contradictory, rambling, unsatisfactory, and in- conclusive they are, chiefly for want of correct pro- cesses of investigation, proper experiments, and dili- gent investigation. As a model of accuracy, and at the same time as furnishing important information on a point of great practical utility, the experiments of Mr. Ilannam, of Yorkshire, England, made in 18-iO, to ascertain the best time for cutting wheat, are worthy of the careful attention and study of all farmers. I am persuaded that the commencement of our wheat harvest is gen- erally too late, and that there would be an improve- ment in the quality as well as a prevention of waste, by beginning a week earlier than usual to reap or .cradle our wheat. The superior brightness and strength of our summer sun, ripen the grain more rapidly than it is matured under the cooler and more cloudy sky of England, and proportionally diminish the intervals noticed in Mr. Hannam's experiments. Mr. James Porter, who was an excellent farmer of Lancaster County, mentioned an instance in his own experience, which fortifies the opinion just advanced, in favor of an early harvest. He was induced in or- der to accommodate a purchaser, who wanted the immediate use of the field, to cut his wheat whilst it still was apparently so green, that ho had much mis- giving as to the result, and his neighbors freely ex- pressed their belief that he would lose the crop. — Not only, however, was the yield good, but the qual- ity of the flour manufactured out of this wheat, was unsurpassed by any that he had ever produced. — Other instances of the same sort are doubtless within the recollection of many; — and in relation to the waste, every one must remember occasionally to have observed, immediately after harvest, enough of the grain shelled out and lying among the stuTiblo, to furnish seed for another crop: — but, to the experi- ments. Mr. Ilannam selected for them a field of red icheat; and on the 4th of August, 1840, he cut a sheaf. "At this time it was quite green, i. c. both straw and ears were in full vigor and full of sap. Though the grain appeared perfectly formed the chaff still adhered so firmly to it, that it was scarcely possible to separate them by friction in the hands. When separated it was large and pliunp, but so full of milk that the slightest pressure reduced the whole of it to a juicy consistency or pulp." • This sheaf stood in the field for a fortnight, whon it was housed. On the same d.ay, the eighteenth of August, he cut another. The wheat was yet green, being what farmers in England commonly term rair; "that is, the straw, though appearing at a distance 1S51.1 COMMUNICATIONS. 87 green, when examined closely, wixs of a hue fast ap- proximating to yeUow; while for about afoot upwards from the ground, it was quite yellow. The ears too were more open, the chafi' tinged with various shades of yellow and green, the grain itself when separated, Boft and pulpy, but not near so full of fluid as before." At the end of another fortnight (September 1,) he housed the sheaf cut August 18, which had remained exposed to the weather in the interval. This was ripe — not meaning thereby, says Mr. Hannam, " that degree of ripeness when the straw breaks, the ear curls, and the grain shakes out, but the condition in which it is customary to commence reaping it — when the straw from the roots to the ear, is uniformly yel- low and has lost all symptoms of vivid health." On the 14th of September, the third sheaf was taken from the field and carefully preserved along with the other two till the first of November, when out of each ho selected 100 ears or heads, and put each parcel into a separate bag. The straw from each of these parcels was carefully preserved. The ears in bag No. 1, (or that cut very grcon) were now threshed, the chaff carefully separated, and the gross weight of the wheat yielded, ascertained by nn extremely accurate balance. The weights of a fixed measure, of a certain number of grains were next found. To avoid error, this was repjeated several times. No. 2, (cut raw) and No. 3, (ripe) underwent the ■game process; and the results are exhibited in the following table: — Time of reaping & condition. No. 1. Aug. 4, V. green. No. 2. Aug. 18, raw, No.3. Sept. 1, ripe. Gr. produce 576 736 650 Erj'l measure 568 580 570 Equal num- ber of gr'ins 194 231 22J As this table is merely comparative, (Mr. Ilan- nom remarks,) the weights used being in parts and decimal parts of the same, for the convenience of minute experiments, he furnishes another table of the absolute weight of each sample, in ounces, drachms, scruples, and grains, Troy, as follows: I Gro59 produce. | Equal mea^orea. IGroRS no of ffrains. oz. dr. so. gr. oz. dr. sc. gr. oz. dr. sc. gr. No. 1. 4 ■' 0 " 0 " 0 3 " 7 " 1 " 13j 0-' 1 "0" 5i No. 2. 5 " 0 " 2 " 13 4" 0"0"13 0 " 1 "0"17i No. 3. 4" 4"0" G 3 " 7 "2" 00 " 1 "0 "15| Comparative weight of 100 straws of an equal length, belonging to the samples, Nos. 1, 2, 3. No. 1. (green) =550 No. 2. (raw) =475 No. 3. (ripe) =450 lie next proceeded to ascertain the comparative worth of each description, consulting an extensive grain grower as to the values of the respective sam- ples according to the prices of the day, and an exten- sive grain factor and miller as lo his opinion of their value, and what he would give for tlie same. Takint* the mean of their estimates, he found that No. 1 was worth Gls per quarter, or 7.". 7 J d. ner bu No. 2 " " 63s 6d. " " " 7g IIM " "" No.3 " " GlsOd. " " "-Js. sW. " " He deduced fi-om these tables the conclusion, that the wheat reaped a fortnight before it was ripe had the advantage of the ripe in every point: 1. In weight of gross produce 13 J per cent. 2. In weight of equal measures i per cent, nearly. 3. In weight of equal number of grains 2| per cent, nearlv. 4. In quality and value above 3 J per cent. . 5. In weight of straw above 5 per cent. The sample No. 3, (ripe) he observes was very bold but rather coarse, feeling rough in the hand; while No. 2, (raw) was quite as bold but very fine and thin in the skin. No. 3, (green) was also a good and clear sample, hut much smaller than either of the others. He next supposes three acres of wheat of uniform quality, one of which reaped when ripe, yields thirty bushels of grain and one ton of straw — the value of this produce he fixes as follows, viz: £ d. s. 30 bushels of wheat at 61s 6(f per quarter, 11 10 7} 1 ton of straw, - - - - -168 12 17 3J And according to the data fiirnished by the forego- ing experiments, he finds the produce of the other two acres — and its value as follows: the acre reaped a month before ripe, yields £ 5. d. 26-1356 bushels at 61s. per quarter, - 9 19 3| 195,5-9 stones of straw, - - - 1 12 7 11 11 lOi And the acre reaped a fortnight before the ripe, £ s. d. Yields 30.1307 bus. at 636\ 6i7. per quarter, 11 19 IJ 168 stones of straw, - - - 1 8 IJ 13 7 3} Showing a loss of about 10 per cent, by cutting very green, and a gain of ten shillings per acre, on nearly 4 per cent, by reaping in a raw state, or a fort night before it was ripe. He concludes that it is the farmer's interest, to cut his wheat before it becom-es thorouc/hly ripe; and though others should distrust his deductions on account of their importance and the limited character of the experiments, yet having retraced step by step his investigations without any variation, he could no longer refuse to believe it true. There are some other advantages which he points out, independently of the 4 per cent, gain, by reaping wheat a fortnight before it is ripe : 1st. Straw of a better quality; 2d. A better chance of securing the crop, and 3d. A saving in securing it. In a communication to the Quarterly Journal of Ai/ricuUure, March, 1842, Mr. Hannam remarks in relation to these experiments, "At the time I ■nTote you last, I stated that the bulk of the wheat reaped by me during the present harvest was unthreshed. — 38 COMMUNICATIONS. [Mat, I could, therefore, only give you an idea of the raw and the ripe, hy opinion, from a sample sheaf. Since then the various cuttings (for I made several) have been threshed and ground: the result of which was, 3J bushels of the ripe gave 10 stone 111b of good flour, 1 St. 91b of seconds, (technically termed "sharps") and 2 st. 51b of bran: 3i bushels of raw, gave 12 st. Gft) of flour, 12ib of sharps, and 2 st. lib of bran. — From which it appears, that the raw cut wheat gave sis and four-seventh pounds of flour to the bushel, more than the ripe gave, while the latter gave three and one-seventh pounds more sharps and one and one-eighth pounds more bran, than the former, per bushel." The editor of the Cultivator (of Albany,) noticing the above facts, adds — "A farmer friend of ours, found last season that one of his fields of wheat, then in a very raw state, was badly struck with rust, lie determined to cut it at once and did so, amid the laugh and pity of his neighbors, who thought him little bet- ter than crazy. The adjoining fields sufiered little from rust, and stood till fully ripe ; yet at threshing, the wheat first cut, gave the finest flour and the best yield." A. L. Hayes. Lancaster, April 8, 1851. Agricultural Schools, No. 2. In your last paper I gave a short account of the number of Agricultural Schools in Europe — of the extreme interest that those governments show, in spreading a knowledge of Agriculture, among their people, which we supposed to be mere crushing despotisms, and without the slightest sympathy, with the great mass over whom they rule. I also ventured an opinion, of the truth of which I have been for some years convinced, that this country, sooner or later, must feel itself compelled to adopt some system — some general and popular plan, by which that large body of yeomen, who cultivate their own farms, and who form the great moral and politi- eal centre of our institutions, shall be able to re- ceive instructions in the art, by which they are to live, As yet, nothing has been done, except by a few indi- viduals, whose success, though perhaps but moderate, has shown the more than possibility of more extend- ed usefulness, and a wider influence, if patronage and support were generally given to them. But the exertions of individuals, however energetic, cannot do all that is necessary for the instruction of the im- mense body of our farming population. There must be a system, established tliroughout the whole State, by which every fiirmer's son can be taught the prin- ciples of agriculture, its theory and its practice, and the elementary parts of all those sciences, which form the basis of the art. There are persons, who belong to the stagnant school of indiiFerence, who will say that Pennsylvania is not prepared for such a plan — that her legislature is not wise enough to frame or support one, and that her people are not yet suf- ficiently advanced to receive the idea or to act upon it. Although this is a very common remark, we be- ^ lieve that it wrongs, and does injustice to the people of the State. The fault, or deficiency, if there be any, is not with the people, but with those who lead the people. Let these men, turn from being poli- ticians, to the being patriots, give up the slang and cant of party, devote their minds to higher purposes, and more generous duties, endeavor to distributo useful knowledge with as much zeal, as they now take to advance themselves ; open wide the portals of science, take the pieople by the hand, and lead them towards them, and wo have no doubt whatever, they will find an intelligent, a willing, and a numerous audience. Over the whole of this broad Common- wealth, in every county and in every school in every county, where the elements of each science allied to agriculture, jwhich form, indeed its essential parts, should be taught. Those are not mysteries, to bo acquired only by the few — Chemistry and Botany, are not more more difficult than Mathematics. Carbonates, Ace- tates, and Sulphates, that now seem to alarm, as if they were sheeted ghosts, are not less readily under- stood, than Triangles, Parallelograms, or than even the simple rules of arithmetic. All that is necessary for a lad to know of those two sciences, should be taught, as an amusement, and not as an intellectual exercise or task. A very short instruction would give an intelligent boy enough, to make him master of many of those things that now seem to him, deep, inscrutable and inaccessible mysteries. Why, then, is it not possible, to attach to every school, a small Laboratory, a small cabinet of minerals, illustrations of the geological character of the neighborhood, and the State ; models of agricultural implements, with a collection of books on agriculture, mechanics, itc. — The expense would be very little, the utility infinite, for, of all the objects that one who has at heart the in- terests of the great body of farmers should work hard to secure, there is not one of more importance than that of making them students of their art, and with it, students of nature. Now, the larger part of a farm- er's life is passed in dull and unintelligent drudgery: his toil, severe as it is, is not enlightened toil, it has no pleasures, unless in the hope of gain, neither his heart nor his brain are interested ; his daily round of occupations, is regarded as a matter of mere duty, or of necessity, while God's works about him bring neither admiration or enjoyment. All this would be changed, by enlarging his knowledge of his art, by his understanding the phenomena that are ever passing before him, by his being able to think and reason in- telligently upon all those splendid exhibitions of pow- er which it is his particular privilege to see daily and be ever among. The plan laid before the people of the State by the Secretary of tho Commonwealth, able and excellent as it was, is, we fear, too much abovo tho general tone of thought of the mass of our citi- 1831. COMMTTNIC A.TIONS. 39 zens. It would be an Agricultural University, and not a primary school, and the expense of its educa- tion would make it impossible for much the larger portion of our farmers to use the advantages that it would offer. Such an institution would unquestion- ably place Pennsylvania in advance of her sister States, and give her a lofty position. It would, in- deed, place her beyond all other countries, as not one has sketched or adopted a plan so comprehensive. But the elementary kind of education to which we have alluded in these remarks, might be carried out by the State, at a very small expense. The chief obstacle, and it is one that will not be easily over- come for some time yet, is, the difficulty of finding competent instructors. Young men in this country, of good education and respectable talents, would not accept the office and undertake the arduous duties of a teacher, upon a salary very little more than is demanded and paid to a day laliorer. Our people do not yet seem aware that the brain is a very different machine from the body — that mental toil is ten-fold more exhausting than physical — that teaching is one of the most anxious, laborious, life-wearing occupa- tions, in wliich men can engage, and that, if they ■wish to secure the services of well instructed men, and induce such persons, to enter upon and con- tinue the career of teacher, they must tempt by suffi- cient compensation. To do away, as far as is possi- ble with this difficulty, which is certainly one of no small magnitude, the County Agricultural Societies might employ lecturers, and make the collection of a library, a cabinet of minerals, of implements, &c., a part of the special object of their foundation. The State Agricultural Society has the education of farmers, as a portion of its constitution. If this asso- ciation succeeds in all its designs, and is well support- ed by the people of the State, there is very little doubt that in five years from this time, every farmer in the Commonwealth will be fully alive to the importance of instruction, in his art, scientific as well as practical, will also duly appreciate his own position, and then go forward in a body, and demand that all those aids shall be placed within his reach, by which he pro- poses to elevate himself and his occupation to a real and not nominal dignity and distinction. Thorough- ly to effect this, Uberal minded men must devote them- selves laboriously to the interests of their fellow-citi- rens, make, if necessary, even severe sacrifices, of time and toil and labor too, without reward or the hope of it. Their enthusiasm must he fed from their own hearts, they must feel the impulse of a high pur- pose— find their support in a generous love of their country, and, never for a moment, be checked or dis- couraged, by doubt or indifference, both of which will clog their path, and impede every movement. A. L. Elwyx. "The turnip is. by scientific farmers, denomi- nated a cruciferons plant; belonging to the same genus with cabbage. E.ime. The use of lime as a fertilizing substance for land, has long been known, and in many parts of the coun- try has been brought to groat perfection. There is, however, great difficulty in the practical use of this valuable manure, as no universal rule can be adopted for its application. For instance, the quantity must be graduated, according to the character of the soil, and the neglect of this fact alone has produced the great difficulty. Deep soil, filled with vegetable matter, wiU take three times more lime, than should be applied to thin soil, containing a much more limited quantity. Then again, wet land will bear a much larger proportion than dry. The only safe rule to adopt is, for every man to experiment for himself, and after understanding fully the nature of lime and the character of his soil, he cannot go astray. It is very common to hear fiirmers, who have been induced to use limo, say that their land has received no benefit from it. The problem is easily solved — they^did not know how to use it. I have tried upon my land, for several years, Ta- rious experiments, and have constantly become wiser in the mode of using it. I have never failed to find that my land was most materially benefitted by it, and I feel great confidence in recommending it to others. I shall proceed, very briefly, to give my views of the character and efficacy of lime, as a ma- nure. I wiU state in the first place, that the use of this manure is so imperfectly understood, as well as the office which it performs, that, it is proper to place it, in a practical form. Lime forms a constituent part of some grains such as wheat and rye, as is ascertained by chemical analysis ; and where no lime exists in the soil, the crop becomes sickly and imperfect. But in most vegetables it is a mere decomposer of the vegetable matter in the soil, furnishing by this means a con- stant nutriment to the plant. This at once ex- plains the reason, why light soil, containing but little vegetable matter requires less lime, than that which is more strongly impregnated. I have tested this in various ways, and on a variety of soils, and every experiment confirms its truth. If I were to put one hundred bushels of limo upon an acre of poor soil, I am certain I should raise no crop for two or three years, for the simple reason that there would not be sufficient vegetable matter for the lime to act upon, and to use a common expression it would hum the land. Before it could bo available, it would be necessary for the lime to become neutralized in the soil, and the additional aid of successive vegetation, such as might grow, to remedy the difficulty. After this process shall have taken place, it will produce in abundance. Twenty or thirty bushels to the acre, for the first dressing, is sufficient. It plainly follows from what has been said, that a different soil, deeply impregnated with vegetable mould, will bear a much larger quantity of lime. For such land, one hundred 40 COMMUNICATIONS. [May^ bus'.iels to the aero is not a largo quantity. I would not exceed that quantity upon any land, )jut for the first di-ossing would graduate it from twenty to one hundred, according to the nature of the soil. Now as to the mode of its application. Generally, it is put upon a ploughed field in heaps, and spread, and afterwards ploughed under. I regard this as a most pernicious mode of liming. In the first place, the spots where the heaps are, receive too large a quantity, and in the nest place by ploughing it under, the lime gets too deep to act successfully upon the Tcgotable matter in the soil— consequently its benefi- cial effect is lost. Lime is heavy, and its tondonoy is to sink. The great object is to keep it as near the surface as possible. For several years I have adopted the method of spreading it upon the sod, and this furnishes the most successful mode of renovating an old meadow. It is spread from the wagon, and it requires but little experience to graduate the quan- tity according to your wish. In a short time the lime sinks into the spungy sod, and decomposes all dead vegetable matters, which at the same time nour- ishes the roots of the grass and causes the blades to spring up with extraordinary vigor. I have had old meadows double their usual quantity of hay the first year after this process. Then again, when you desire to plough the same meadow, the lime having sunk into the sod is still upon the surface, and ready to act as a decomposer of the sod, and manure in case the land should require it. If the ground should be left in meadow, it will found that successive crops of grass will be greatly increased. I might extend this communication to a much greater length, but as you will often hear from me, I am desirous of consulting brevity. LuTHEB Kidder. WUhes'barre, AprilV), 1851. Kural Taste. Mr. Editor : I have just received and read with great satisfaction, the first number of the Pennsylva- nia Farm Journal. Pennsylvania Farmers are -wisely careful in ven- turing the support of new enterprises ; but no one ac- (piaintcd with the qualifications of Professor Ilalde- man, or with tlie character of his accomplished correspondents, can ask a more rclialde guarantee for the character and worth of the paper, or hesitate for a moment to give himself the benefit of its society, whatever personal preferences ho may intcrtain for other papers or editors. The most intelligent agricuturist can never say "I have learned all." Old farmers know this; only the merest beginners, or those who, like the poet's ploughman, " go whistling along for want of thought," suppose that they know everything. One must learn much before learning what is to be learned. As to the farmer, no occupation or profession what- ever, emljraces so wide and deep a range of knowledge as his. Indeed it seems impossible for any one man ever to become accomplished in the whole range of agi'icultural suljjects ; fon men who have given undi- vided attention to a single branch — as, for example, the rearing of cattle, the arrangement of crops, tho art of improving lands, whose heads are grey and some skill eminent, all freely own that they find theirthing to learn continually. But as the farmer must know something of every branch of his business, his knowledge of each ia necessarily supeifieial, and as he cannot see or con- sult with Doctors of agricidture face to face, how can he do better than to communicate with them through the medium of a paper, wliich is the common chan- nel of the whole agricultural intelligence of the com- munity, and which, if it contains some that may not bo applicalde to his peculiar situation, yet affords seasonable hints, and timely lessons of instruction. It was a fine saying that " God made the country, and man made the town." But in making the coun- try the Almighty has left it to the exercise of man's ingenuity to use the exurberance of materials every- where _ready to his hand. Man must clothe and shelter himself, and he can do this either neatly and comfortably, or wretchedly and as a sloven. In nothing are country dwellings more generally deficient than in the arrangement of the gardens and fruit yards immediately around them. In a new country, a whole generation is fully engaged in clear- ing the wilds, and growing bread ; and the art of producing a supply of various and delicious fruits, and of making home to smile in Nature's best adorn- ments, becomes almost lost and forgotten. But a taste for such serene enjoyments is natural to every desoendent of gardner Adam, and no information that your columns can render, I venture to say, wiU be more gladly received through the villages and country homes of Pennsylvania than some first les- sons in Horticulture. The magnificent Ijarns of the Pennsylvania farmers are objects of general admiration, and it is by no means for want of will that the owners of these structures do not render their own dwellings as cosy and as snugly sheltered as comfort and fuU enjoy- ment seem to require. AVe see, quite too often, the rickety skeletons of dead shrubbery and shade trees, (and very often, too, tho living skeletons) to procure and plant which a sufficient amount of trouble was incurred, all resulting in dead and discouraging fail- ure tlirough want of a little knowledge of the art (simple when understood) of selecting, planting, train- ing, ami arranging tho leafy decorations of the earth. A general diffusion of correct information on this suliject of screening, shading, carpeting, and garland- ing'the farmers fruitful and happy homo, would I doulit not, enliven thousands of our rural homesteads; and add immensely to the enjoyment of their occu- pants. W. G. Waring. Boahhurg, Fa., A^vil 24, 1851. 1851.] COMMUNICATIONS. 41 Experimental Farming. Mr. Editob,— Iu furwai-ding you my name as a subscriber to your valuable journal, I have thougbt it might uot be uninteresting to offer a few remarks in reference to some experiments -wbich I have made in forming. I profess to be but a plain farmer, and vrhat I communicate -trill be probaljly only interest those of the same class, if indeed it should impart in- terest to any one. More than twenty years of my life have been spent in Philadelphia, and my removal to the country was on account of my health, which had been impaired by close application to business. There is a prejuLlice too in the country against what are termed "citizen farmers;" though I doubt whether many, who have been reared j^rac^'ra/J^j-iVifZ/jo'/sfc, have performed more real hard labor in farming for the last ten years than myself. I have resided upon my foi-m eleven years. When I moved on to it, I found it in a very poor state of cultivation, although it had the reputation of being one of the best farms in the country. It had been rented for more than ton years, and of course culti- vated, as most rental farms are, to got all that is possible to gain for the present, without much being done for permanent improvement in the future. The soil is mostly limestone, and the farm at present con- tains 285 acres, two hundred and forty of which arc in grass and under cultivation, and the remainder woodland and lime quarries. One of the first attempts I made at improvement was to remove the old fencing, and alter the size of nearly all the fields, so as to be able to destroy all the noxious weeds and other trash that had accumulated, and were scattering their seed broadcast over the land. I have brought into profitable cultivation more than twenty acres of valuable meadow land by ditching, that were of very little value before. More than thirty thousand bushels of lime have been spread upon the land in the eleven years it has been under my direction. In addition to this I have expended large sums for manure. But this latter plan of buying manure I have found expensive, and I have been trying for two years past to find a substitute in part for this item. My plan now is, to manure all my corn ground ; sow clover in my corn or oats field, and the following year make open fallow of them for wheat. In June, 1849, I ploughed down a light crop of clover in a field of eighteen acres, and then sowed the ground with corn, at the rate of two bushels to the acre. This I left grow until it was from six to ten feet high, when it was all plou(jhe(l tinder about en inches deep with a heavy t;am. After letting the ground lay until near seeding time, I had it well har- rowed, and then drilled in the wheat, one and a half bushels to the acre. I never saw larger wheat grow on any ground, and there were hauled at harvest sevent y-tico horse rack-wagon loads oj" straw and icheai from the field. The wheat sowed was Jleditcrranean, excepting sis acres, which was white wheat, and which was injured very much from the attack of an orange colored worm about the size of a grain of Timothy seed.* The season too was rather wet, and the fields did not average quite twenty-five Ijushels to the acre. Adjoining this, I had a field of twenty-six acres (all Mediterranean) which was oat stubble, thoroughly manured, the yield of which was twenty- sis bushels to the acre. The field in which the corn was plouglied' under had but about sis loads of ma- nure on some dry ridges. On the two fields, forty- four acres in all, I sowed Timothy in the fall and clover in the spring following, and now (April 19) the grass in the field where the corn was turned under is decidedly the best. In order to test again the advantage of plougMng down green corn, I pursued the same course last sum- mer with ten acres, in a field of forty-one acres, for wheat. The corn was not sown until about the first of July, and then did not grow well ; was only about four feet high and not as thick on the ground as I wished to have it when ploughed under. On this ten acres there was not put a fork-full of manui-e, and the clover had been pastured down pretty close pre- viously to ploughing for the corn. The remainder of the field was well manured. The ten acres of coi-n ground were not seeded until a week after the other part of the field, and now (April 19) I would rather take my chance with this part for a crop of wheat than the rest of the field. It is true the part manured is larger in growth, but it was seeded a week eailier and much of it is now too rank. There was much speculation among farmers about the field of corn ploughed under in 1849, many assert- ing that the heavy growth of fodder could never be got under, others that it would make the ground sour and the whole would prove a failure. But all was neatly accomplished, even beyond my most sanguine expectations. I may here remark too, that a portion of the corn nearest my dwelling (which was the last turned under) was so luxuriant that I gathered more than a dozen ears suitable for boiling. I fear I liave wearied the patience of your readers and I must now close these hasty remarks. I may drop you a line upon the same subject after harvest if life is prolonged. EespoctfuUy, iSrc. William Stavelt. Partridge Hall Farm-, Bucks County, April 19, 1851. *This must be the cecidomyia triiiei, (an insect much like the hessian fly) wliich infests the heads of wheat. — Ed. B@°'Salt your cattle often after turning them to grass. The change from dry feed to green, succu- lent matter, demands this. Ashes mixed with salt should be given to sheep charcoal and salt to swine. — Sussex Home Journal. 42 COMMUNICATIONS. [Mat, Agricultural Chemist of Maryland and his Report. Mr. Editor : There is a slight error in your first number, -wherein you say, that the State of Virginia lias recently taken a step far in advance of her neigh- bors, by providing for an Agricultural Chemist.* Maryland, by an Act of her General Assembly at tlie Session of 1847, '48, created the office of Agri- cultural Chemist, with a salary of ?1500 per annum, . and an allowance of ?200 for the first year, and not exceeding §50 for each succeeding one, for the pur- chase of chemical instruments and materials. " Honor to whom honor is due." Virginia deserves commen- dation for her liberal and wise policy in this respect ; but our noble sister, still nearer to us, has taken the lead. Under the Act above mentioned, Dr. James Higgins, was appointed Agricultural Chemist for Maryland, and as soon as ho could procure the ne- cessary apparatus, tests, and re-agents, entered upon his duties. He was required to make an annual re- port to the House of Delegates, of his proceedings ; and ho accordingly at the ensuing Session, submitted his first report, 10,000, copies of which have been printed by order of the General Assembly. It occu- pies 92 pages octavo, and is replete with tie most valuable and interesting matter. The State of Maryland, is. divided into throe " Gubernatorial Districts ;" and the State Chemist is required to spend one year in each of these, analyz- iu"- the soils, marls, and other vegetable and mineral deposits, and delivering public lectures in the several counties. His report is chiefly devoted to the first of those duties, and details the results of his nume- rous examinations of the soils of a portion of the Eastern Shore of Maryland — the part of the State which lies East of the Chesapeake Bay, and of the remarkable deposits which are diffused through that district, and destined to renovate and enrich it be- yond calculation. As practical utility was the prescribed aim of his instructions, it is interesting to observe the manner in which he viewed this business of Analysis, and what he deemed to be its appropriate objects and uses. He considers his duty to be, to analyze the varieties of soil in order to determine the presence or absence of the necessary constituents of crops — whether those existed in sufficient quafitities — and what particular substances would most economically supply deficienccs, so as to render barren soils fertile, and retain the fertility of those which are already productive. The necessary constituents of crops are . * The passage in question should have read, " a step far in advance of some of its neighbors." — The State geologist of Alabama includes agricultu- ral chemistry in his course of instruction at the uni- versity. The importance of the subject was insisted upon at tlie organization of our own geological sur- Tey, to which a chemist was attached ; and when connected with the survey we collected specimens of soils for analysis. — Ed. the substances, which are always present in plants, in all climes and under all circumstances, and which those that administer to the sustenance of the hu- man body, must contain, to furnish the proper ele- ments of its nutriment and growth. Having attained a knowledge of what plants require, we thereby ar- rive at the necessary constituents of soils. For the food of plants, is derived from the soil and the air which surround them. A certain portion of the ele- ments of plants, from their natui-e, cannot exist in the atmosphere, and, if not present in the soil, vege- tation cannot be produced. As it can be perfectly ascertained, what substances are necessary for plants that are used for food, from our knowledge of the matter in the human body, which is supplied with that food, so we can perfectly ascertain what are the necessary constituents of soils from a knowledge of the material which these plants require for their com- plete devclopement. The best proportions necessary to constitute a fertile soil, can only be determined by chemical analysis of a large number of fertile soils. With each examination, one certain step is gained in the solution of this great question. When examina- tions become more numerous, the minimum quantity that will produce the largest yield, will be discovered ; and then tlie perfection of Agriculture will he attained. All necessary substances, to constitute a fertile soil, must be present, for the excess of any one cannot compensate for the absence or deficiency of another. Those substances are lime, humus, magnesia, potash, soda, phosphoric acid, animal and vegetable, or or- ganic matter, chlorine, sulphuric acid, alumina or pure clay, silica or sand, iron, as per-oxide. But soils very productive, particularly for wheat, may contain small proportions of any one of the necessary constituents, the rest being present in proper propor- tions. To retain the fertility of a soil already productive, it is necessary to add to it a quantity of fertilizing matter, equal to that which is taken off liy the crop, allowance being made for what may be lost by per- colation through the soil. By doing this, we can al- ways maintain soils at whatever point of production they may have, and even increase their productive- ness. A soil which, from its texture, is particularly good for wheat, may thus be kept in a condition to produce a crop every year, without any rotalian. — The same is true, with regard to corn or any other crop. The following remarks on the suliject of lime, ex- plain its action as a fertilizer. Lime exists in the soil most generally as a silicate, that is, chemically united to silicic acid or sand. In the human body, in union with phosphoric acid, it forms a very large part of the bones. It exists in combination with dif- ferent acids in the root, stalk, blade and grain of all plants. " Besides the necessity of its presence to form the structure of plants, it performs many otlier impor- 1851.] COMMUNICATIONS. 43 tant functions in a soil. It promotes the decomposi- tion of vegetable matter, and thus causes it to yield the different mineral substances which it contains, 03 means for the production of another gro-svth. It improves the mechanical texture of land ; this is but one of its smallest uses. It poivcrfully aids the dis- integration of the minerals (grains of sand) in a soil, which contains many of the necessary ele- ments of plants, and ivhich -prithout the fluxing or fusing power of lime, would still retain them. This is one of its greatest and most important uses ; and wo cannot yet say, whether or not lime, when applied to a soil, does not act more beneficially in this way tlian in any other. More investigations by chemical analysis, assisted by practical expei-imcnts, must be made than have yet been, to settle this question, and to determine in what manner, under what circum- stances, and in what quantities, lime acts best. In none of the soils which I have examined, has it been found in sufficient quantities, except where at some time or other, it has been applied artificially." The particular combination or proportion of each (if the necessary constituents of soils, that will give the greatest yield, has not yet been determined. It can only be ascertained by many careful analyses of fertile soils, in order to see what quantities are pres- Kent in them ; and, by the analyses of soils which are unproductive ; then, to find by the application of the necessary manure, the smallest quantity that will prcxluoe the greatest benefit. " The experiments hitherto made determine nothing but the mere fact, that some particular manure has acted well on- some particular soil. As long as we remain in ignorance of the composition of the soil, so long wo can learn almost nothing." To obtain a knowledge of the best manure by its mere application to a soil, without ref- erence to the compositions of the soil itself, ho pro- nounces empirical. The science of Agriculture, like all others, has fixed laws, and must be studied in a rational manner. Each known fact in Agriculture, to bo useful, must be developed with all of the causes which led to it. A successful or unsuccessful appli- cation of manure, is a fact of little value, unless the composition of the soil upon which it was used be determined. " Then all the causes influencing its nction will be manifest, and each experiment made, will lead us onward to a perfect system ; every trial of a manure will teach us how it should bo used, and when rejected." A. L. H. Lancaster, April 11, 1851. Corn Sowed for Fodder. — ^^^ho has tried sweet corn for this purpose? Our own experiments have been limited; but for milch cows we believe it is preferable to other kinds of fodder, as it may be sown thickly by using a full dose of special manure, and as too thickly sown to form ears, the stalks will con- tain a large quantity of sacharine matter, and may be sown frequently so as to keep a continuous supply during the whole summer and fall months. — Frof. Mapes. Agricultural Education. Mr. Editor : In a previous communication, I at- tempted to show the importance of an agricultural Journal to the practical farmer, and in a spirit of un- affected earnestness, urged upon the friends of agri- culture the expediency of ginng their countenance and support to your undertaking. It appeared to me that a State so essentially agricultural as ours is, should at least bo able to sustain one periodical exclusively devoted to the interests of farming. If every work- ing farmer or his son, and every amateur farmer, with every Storekeeper and Miller, would subscribe to the " Farm -Journal," it would do away at once with the reproach that Pennsylvania with her broad acres of tillable land, cannot afford sufficient encourage- ment to a paper, published with the view of benefit- ting those who live by the soil. It should not surprise that storekeepers and mil- lers are included in the category of patrons to such a publication. Who will deny the relevancy in this connection. Where is the storekeeper who is not deeply interested in the success of farming ? Not one. They all must admit, that when harvests are most abundant, their sales are proportionably largo and profitable. A dollar in the year is but a trifle to every inland storekeeper in the State, compared to even the nominal benefit received in the general pros- perity, independent of the intrinsic value of twelve numbers of a journal, every one of which will prove to the subscriber an interesting monthly visiter, which at the end of the year, when stitched or bound together, will become an engaging family companion. Then as to the miller, he is emphatically the most interested in the matter. Is sound, heavy flouring grain nothing to him ? Do not smut, rust, garlic, cockle and cheat, annnoy him whenever they pre- sent themselves ; and can he hesitate to spend a a dollar a year upon a work that will show the grain growers how to get rid of those pests, or at least" to avoid them ? If ho does, no one should sympa- thise with him if his millstones smell of garlic for a month, or if he should be doomed to grind bad wheat for a whole season as light as fifty pounds to the bushel. But I must not forget that I set out to say a few words on the subject of agricultural education, the expediency of training our j'outh intellectually, mor- ally and physically, so that they may be able when men, to acquit themselves well, and cleverly, in every position in which as intelligent citizens they may claim to be placed, either to subserve their own inte- rests or those of the public, while they can boast a proficiency in agricultural and horticultural skill, — a Pennsylvania farmer, possessing largely the es- sentials of a sound, practical education, a man suited for public, as well as private ends. Ilad the endowment of an Agricultural college been asked of any Senate or Ilouse of Kepresentatives, in 44 COMMUNICATIONS. [May, Assembly mot, within our recollection, whilo thou- sands upon thousands of dollars v^ero being appro- priated to literary institutions and other systems, what kind of reception would such a proposition have had? Why, in all likelihood, the mover of the meas- ure, would liave been considered as little loss than demented, the motion thrown on or imder the table, or, at least, the want of means would be sure to have suggested the impossibility of granting the gratuity. This want of means will always, in the very nature of things, bo a standing, convenient excuse for refusing to grant whenever it would appear to be popular to withhold, however right and proper the granting might be. So long as the Legislative body is merely a representation of political parties, it will eshiliit all the elements that governed in the election of its members, and the Treasury will be made to feel the influences of functions devoted exclusively to par- ty— the funetionai-y looking to no other constituency. The industrial classes have no representation re- spectively. The farmers being the largest class, suffer most for the want of Representatives intimately ac- quainted with their wants, and sedulously disposed to their interests. Is it not time we should have less partizanisra, and more of farmingism, mechanicism, and the like. jNIust not every reflecting mind con- cede, that such a change would prove highly salutary in lessening the waste of public time and money, in abating the bickerings and heart-burnings of partizan strife, and in recalling our erring affections, to be united in a pure and primitive devotion to "Virtue, Lilierty and Independence!" If the feeble light I have attempted to throw upon the condition of the farming community, will afford, to the considerate and well disposed among them, but a glimpse at the circumstances of the case, the cause and effect, they will, I trust, be induced to look far- ther into the fatuity that dooms so large a portion of farmers to unproductive drudgery and toil, that keeps them insensible to their claims to a better destiny; and if they will rally upon some plan, by which Ag- riculture, with those engaged in its pursuits, may be made to rise to the dignity that sometimes poetically is claimed for it, they will not only do a ser^•ico to themselves, but to the State likewise. ' It is no easy matter to eradicate a disease that is chronic, nor to subdue habits and prejudices of long standing; therefore, with the old and confirmed in apathy, little or nothing can be done in the way of improvement or change ; but there are those with whom, and for whom, much can and should be done. I allude to the rising generation. Here is ground suited to seeding, this is the field for operation, to which I invite every friend of Agriculture to labor with a zeal commensurate with the groat objects and interests to be achieved. Let no farmer who respects his calling, or loves Pennsylvania, be backward to enter this field, and having entered, let him never think of quitting it till the work is finished, till the goal is reached, and the prize awarded — the prize. Ax Agricultural College or Colleges, instituted by the State, wherein every farmer's son may receive a literary and professional education compatible with the dignity of Agriculture, and the pre-eminence which Pennsylvania, in wise and liberal institutions, should assume. To Jlr. Pvussell, the present Superintendent of the Common Schools, are we indebted for the first effort, I believe in this behalf, by any public functionary of Pennsylvania, — an effort, under tho circumstances, as bold, and manly, as its motives, no doubt, were pure and patriotic, and which should bo held in grateful remembrance, by every liberal minded farm- er throughout the land. Did ho but know, or could I express the sense of obligation I felt to him, on reading the project of an Agricultural College in hia late ofiicial report, it would in ■some measure compen- sate for the disinterested service ho has rendered to the cause, should there not be found another indivi- dual so inclined, but there is no danger that I shall be alone in the expression of thanks, so justly his due. The Report referred to, suggests one college for the instruction of five hundred pupils and a farm of not less than one thousand acres. With all duo de- ference it strikes mo, that the size of tho farm and the number of pupils under instruction, in one insti- tution at a time, are on a scale too large for profit and efiicionoy. The same outlay contemplated for one college, if apportioned to four colleges, having two hundred and fifty acres each, at appropriate looali- ities, with buildings for the ■ accommodation of not more than one, to one hundred and fifty pupils, would prove more beneficial. The expediency of an Agricultural College is not a new idea with me, but one upon which I have long meditated, as is well known to most of the intelligent agriculturists throughout the whole country. But as this article has already outgrown perhaps the space you can allot to it, and the want of time not permitting to go farther into detail at present, 1 must reserve further remarks on this interesting subject until another oc- casion. In the meantime, I submit the few hints al- ready thrown out, to the candid consideration of your readers. Kespectfully yfiurs, Mount Airy, 2Zd April, 1851. James Gowek. Hoof-ail in cattle. — To cure this complaint, wash the hoof dean with warm soap suds, very par- ticularly between the claws ; then apply linseed oil and sulphur, mixed in about equal parts. The ani- mal should bo kept in the stable with a plenty of dry, clean litter. By applying the mixture once in two days, (the foot always being well washed previously) the animal will generally be well in one week — ^^and I have known quite bad cases cured within forty-eight hours, with only one application. — Rural New Yorker. 1851.] AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 45 ^igricultiTral Societies. Meeting of Executive Committee. IIarrisburg, Tuesday, April 29, 1851. Pursuant to the requirements of tlie Constitution, the Executive Committee of the State Agricultural Societv met at Harrisburg. Present: lion. Frederick AVatts", Dr. A. L. Elwyn, George H. Bucher, Dr. L. Keilly, A. O. Hiester, C. B. Trego, James Gowen, Liavid JIumma, jr. and Isaac G. McKinlcy. On motion of Judge AVatts, James Gotten', ivas called to the chair, and Isaac G. McKinley appointed to act as Secretary, the Recording Secretary not being in attendance. A. 0. Iliester, submitted the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted : Eesolved, That we deem the establishment and suc- cess of au Agricultural Journal published in Penn- sylvania as essential to the proper esposltlon of tlic principles of agriculture as practised in our State. Resolved, That we approve of the plan of the " Pennsylvania Farm Journal," publislicd at the city of Lancaster, by A. 31. Spangler and edited l)y Prof. S. S. Ilaldeman : that for the present it be adopted as the organ of the State Society: and that farmers and all others interested in the subject of agriculture be advised to patronise it and contribute information to its columns. Dr. A. L. Elwyn submitted the following resolution which was unanimously adopted : Resolved, That the proceedings of the meetings of this Society be published in the " American Farmer," an agricultural journal, published in the German lan- guage at Harrisburg, by J. B. Beck, and that this periodical be recommended to the patronage of the German Farmers of Pennsylvania. The Committee then adjourned until 7J o'clock this evening. EVEXIXG SESSION. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Dr. Elwvx submitted the foUowiug resolutions which were adopted: Resolved, That inasmuch as the citizens of the vi- cinity of Harrisburg have pledged themselves to con- tril)ute the sum of fifteen hundred dollars towards defraying the expenses of the first annual exhibition of the State Agricultural Society, it is hereby deter- mined that the same bo held near to Harrisburg: provided that grounds sitfflcient for the exhibition and plowing match be also furnished. Resolved, That A. O. Heister, Geo. H. Bnohor, Dr. L. Keilly, David Mumma and Isaac G. McKinloy, be (I Cum.mittee of arrangement, whose duty it shall be definitively to act upon all subjects p'^rtaining to the first annual exhibition, and that they shall have pow- er to employ such aid and assistance aa necessity shall require. On motion of Mr. Heister It was Resolved, That Frederick Watts, James Gowen and A. L. Elwyn, be appointed a Committee to select a suitable gentleman to deliver the annual address at the Agi-icultural Exhibition. On motion of Mr. Watts it was Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be published in all the papers of Pennsylvania favorable to the cause of Agriculture. Adjourned. James Gowen, President. Isaac G. McKixlet, Secretary, pro tempore. DauiJhin County Agricultural .Society. In pursuance of a call for a public meeting in the ' Court House, in the borough of Harrisburg. uu the evening of the 2Sth ult., the i\irmcrs and others inter- ested in promoting the objects of Agriculture, and for the purpose of organizing a County Agricultural So- ciety, met ; and on motion of Hon. A. 0. Hiester, the following ofiicers were appointed: rresiiknt—l>X\\V> M C JIM A. Vice Presidents — Chkistiax Ennsi ax, IIexry IIoff- MAX, Jonx Weitzel, John Paul, Isaac Allemax, John Gixekich, Joseph Hershey, Daxiel Puffen- BERGER. Secretaries — E. E. Kinzer, Isaac Iloffer, J. M. Beck. After the organization of the meeting, the Chair- man stated the object of the organization of the Ciuin- ty Agricultural Society, in a very plain jiraetioal ad- dress, and was followed by Hon. A. 0. Hiester, who illustrated the objects of the call with many useful examples of the result of his experience in' raising grain, &c., and then suljmitted a constitution which was read ; when J. H. Bcrryhill, Esq., being called upon, made a very interesting address and was fol- lowed by Mr. Lamberton in a happy speech. On motion, the constitution was adopted, and H. Gilbert appointed to Treasurer to receive subscrii)- tions to the Society. Adjourned. Jimiata County Agricultural Society. The Juniata County Agricultural Society met on the first of Jlarch, ami after adopting a Constitution, selected the following officers : President — John Beat.e. Vice Presidents — David Beshoer, John Adams, ,S. Shanon, W. G. Thompson, William Cox, Jr., 'William Sterrett, John Brubaker, S. E. Smith, James Lathers, Ncal McCoy. Trevsurer and Recording Secretary — Alexander K. MeClure. Corresponding Secretary — E. S. Doty. Librarian — Lewis Burchfield. Board of Managers — Gen. William Bell, J. P. Shitz, Hugh Hamilton, John Watson, Edward'Jamison, J. Jacobs and Hugh T. McAlister. Remedy for Burns. — ^Dr. Reese, physician of Bel- ivue Hospital, New York, has been making experi- ments concerning the best mode of healing burns and scalds and checking acute sufl'ering. He has found that flour, thrown on with a common dredging box, is one of the best and most efilcient remedies yet dis- covered. The external air is one cause of suiSering, and the flour thus applied, both heals and closes the wounds to the atmosphere. The edges of the wounds which remained open he dressed with lime and oU, applied by a feather. Dr. Reese says the above ap- plication made to wounds by fire, hot water, gunpow- der, &c., has been most happy in tho practice at the Hospitals. To Iron Silk. — Silk cannot be ironed smoothly so as to press out all the creases, without first sprink- ling it with water, and rolling it up tightly in a tow- el— letting it rest for an hour or two. If the iron is the least too hot, it will injure the color, and it should first be tried on an old piece of the same silk. Bright- colored silks or ribbons, such as pink, yellow, green, &c., always change color on the application of an iron. Black, brown, olive, grey, &c., generally look very well after ironing. Silks should always be iron- ed on the wrong side. 4G IMPROVED CATTLE. [May, i?mproBcir Ijrccb of (Sattle. TTie Devons. The lioail of the Devon ox is small, very singularly go relatively to his hulk ; yet it has a striking breadth of forehead. It is clean and free from flesh about the jaws. The eye is very prominent, and the animal has a pleasing vivacity of countenance, dis- tini'uisliing it from the heavy aspect of many other bre'eds. Its neck is long and thin, admirably adapt- in" it for the collar, or the more common and ruder yoke. It is accounted one of the characters of good cat- tle that the line of the neck from the horns to the ■withers should scarcely deviate from that of the back. In the Devon ox, however, there is a pecular rising of the forehead, reminding us of the blood-horse, and essentially connected with the free and quick action by which this breed has ever been distiugnishcd. It has little or no dewlap depending from its throat. The horns are longer than those of the bull, smaller, and fine even to tlie base, and of a lighter color and tipped with yellow. Tlie animal is light in the with- ers ; the shoulders a little oljlique ; the breast deep and the bosom open and wide, particularly as con- trasted with the fineness of the withers. The fore- legs are wide apart, looking like pillars that have to support a great weight. The point of the shoulder is rarely or never seen. There is no projection of the bone, but there is a kind of level line running on to the neck. These arc characteristic and important points. Angular bony projections are never found in a Ijeast that carries much flesh and fat. The fineness of the slanting direction of the shoulder, and the broad and open breast, imply strength, speed, and aptitude to fiitten. A narrow-chested animal can never be use- ful either for working or grazing. With all the lightness of the Devon ox, there is a THE DEVON OX 'Vk^'if^^f.* point about him, disliked in the blood or riding-horse, and not aj )prcivod in the horse of light draught — the legs are farunder thochest.or rather the breast projects far and wide Ijefore the legs. We see the advantage of this in the beast of slow draught, who rarely breaks into a trot except when he is goaded on in catrhinj times, and the division of whose foot secures him from stum- bling. The lightness of the other parts of his form, however, counterbalances heaviness here. The legs are straight, at least in the best herds. If tliey are in-kneed or crooked in the fore-legs, it argues a deficiency in blood, and comparative incapacity for work ; and for grazing, too, for they will be hollow behind the witliers, a point for which nothing can compensate, because it takes away so much from the place where good flesh and fot should be thickly laid on, and diminishes the capacity of the chest and the power of creating arterial and nutritious blood. The fore-arm is particularly large and powerful. It swells out suddenly above the knee, but is soon lost in the substance of the shoulder. IJelow the knee, the bone is small to a very extraordinary de- gree, indicating a seeming want of strength ; but tliis impression immediately ceases, for the smallness is only in front — it is only in the bone ; the leg is deep, and the sinews arc far removed from the bone, promising both strength and speed. It naiy perhaps be objected that the leg is a little to long. It would be 60 in an animal destined only to graze ; but this is a working animal, and some length of leg is ne- cessary to get him actively over the ground. There is a very trifling fall behind the withers, but no lioUmcness, and the line of the back is straight from them to the setting out of the tail. If there in any seeming fault in the beast, it is that the sides are a little too flat. It will appear, however, that thi^ does not interfere with feeding, while a deep, al- though somewhat flat chest is best adapted for speed. The two last ribs are particularly bold and prom- inent, leaving re thrown into one handsome suite on any occasion, and the arrangement will always add to the coolness and airiness of the rooms in summer. At the end of the entrance hall is a staircase pas- •sage 6J foot wide, loading to the kitchen, dairy or milk-room, wood-liouse, etc. The kitchen has a large pantry, and the living-room a small one, both lighted by one of tho front windows. 1851.] EDITORIAL. 55 THE FARM JOURNAL. Sub-CCiiitcir's Department. OUU TJERJIS— READ THEM. In or.ler that the Farm Journal may be placed within the reach of every one who feels iuterestod in the progress of Agriculture, txo ask attention to the following terms : — Single Copies, - §1 00 Per Annum. Five " - - 4 00 " Ten " - 7 50 " Twenty " - - 15 00 " " It is not required that all papers in a club should be sent to one office. We will mail them (in wrap- pers,) to as many different offices as may be necessa- ry. AVe make this arrangement in order that persons residing in different neighborhoods may unite, and form large club.s, and thus secure the " JonRNAL" at the very lowest club rates. Specimen copies of the Journal wiUbo sent on ap- plication, Ponf-paid, to the publisher. Post Masfcis, are by law, authorised to remit sub- scription money to the pulilLslier, /rcc of postage. — Particular attention is asked to this fact, as it will save expense both to subscribers and publisher. Our lerms are cash in advance. The exceedingly low rate at which the Journal is furnished renders this imperative. Subscriptions may be sent at our risk, and money at par where subsscribers reside, will be taken. Where the sum to be sent is large we pre- fer that a draft should be procured, if possible. Subscribers and Post Masters are invited to act as Agents. A receipt will alwaj-s be sent with the first number of the copy subscribed for. All letters must be addressed, post paid, to the pub- Usher. A. M. SPANGLER, Lancaster, Pa. Organ of the State Society. It will be seen by the annexed resolutions which we copy from the proceedings of the Executive Committee of the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society.at their meeting at Ilarrisburg on Tuesday, April 29, that our Journal has heeminanimousli/ adojited b.s iho Orrtanot the Society. An endorsement from so high a source, is certainly most complimentary and gratifying to us, and in i-oturn for it, we can only promise that no ef- fort of ours will be spared to render the "Farm Jour- nal " worthy this generous expression of favor. If our friends will now give us their promised as- sistance, we shall be enabled to redeem our promise. Reso.'red, That we deem the csfahUshment and stic- cess of an Arfricultural Journal pnhlishcd in Pennsyl- vania as essential to the proper exposition of the prin- ciples of ar/ricullure as practised in our State. Resolved, That loe apjirove of the plan of the " Penn- sylvania Farm Journal," published in the city of Lan- eastcr, by A. M. Spangler and edited by Prof S. S. Haldeman : that J'or the present it be adopted as the organ of tlie State Soeteiy : and that farmers and all others interested in the subject of agritidture be ad- vised to patronize it and contribute information to its columns. J^g^-As WG are desirous of having the Journal ready for delivery to subscribers on the first of the month, we hope our correspondents will send in their articles in time. State Agricultural Exhibition. The Executive Committee of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Society, at their meeting on Tuesday the 29th ult., appointed the first exhiljition of the State Society to be held at Ilarrisburg, in the ensu- ing October, as will be seen by reference to their pro- ceedings published in this number. Our agricultural friends at Harrisburg and the citizens of Dauphin, appear to have been fully awake upon this subject, having pledged themselves to provide all tlie suitable conveniences of lands and buildings, with fifteen hundred dollars, certainly, and five hundred dollar* more, if necessary, to defray expenses. While ws may regret that our City and County did not offer stronger inducements to secure the important advan- tage of having the exhibition in our midst, we can- not but concede to the men of Dauphin the proper reward of their enterprize and spirit. Let us try to do better in future. In the mean time, Lancaster County must bestir herself to prepare for the exhibition. Her farmers know they have a character abroad ; that the fame of their agriculture is widely diffused, and that, for fertility, prosperity, and practical skill, Lancaster County stands second to no other district or section in the Commonwealth. It is right and proper, that their share, in the coming exhibition, should not fall short of their position and character. We do not en- tertain a doubt, that this county can make, with moderate efforts, a splendid contribution to the State Agricultural Fair. We have seen a drove of 50 fat bullocks pass through our streets eastward, within ten days, which were fattened by Christian Herr, of Manor township, and which would have graced any agricultural show in the United States. There are in the County many fine cattle of improved English breeds — some of which have been further improved by crossings with our native stock. Horses we are sure can be furnished from this County, equal to any in beauty and blood, to be seen elsewhere, not to speak of the majestic Conestoga draft-horse, which ia so widely celebrated. Our farmers, too, have liberal- ly patronized the various agricultural machines and implements which have been invented of late years for facilitating and saving labor. Many of these have been introduced and approved among them,and may form very interesting objects at the exhibition. As to the products of her soil, th'^y are as various as the soil itself. There can be no want of fine speci- mens in this department; and nothing can bo a legitimate subject of exhibition, than those fruits of the earth, which are the principal care of the agri- culturist. We are also of opinion, that Lancaster County, in the article of arboreal fruits — of apples and pears especially, can make an admirable display. We happen to know, that an English farmer who ar- rived in this country about three years ago, was 56 EDITORIAL. [May, struck with amazement, when he first saw the variety, abundance and beauty of the apples, which were brought to our market. In addition to these matters, specimens of our native timber, planed to show the grain, indigenous plants and herbs, remarkable for medicinal qualities, or their elegance — the products of household industry and magnificence, may be cu- rious and interesting objects at the exhibition. But we would extend this appeal to other counties. Our State Society, in this material and important measure, must be sustained — not awkwardly, but zealously and with correspondent spirit. The whole agricultural interest of the State, is deeply involved in it. The first State Agricultural Exhibition in Pennsylvania, will constitute an epoch. Neighboring States will send their delegates, in no small numl)er, to visit our Agricultural Fair. Think how mortify- ing to every Pennsylvanian, would be their disap- pointment on finding a deficient and meagre exhi- bition ! Again ; consider what a chilling effect, it would have upon the ardour of the friends of agri- culture throughout the State. Fi-om the assembling of the State Convention to the present time, the cause has advanced with a full and flowing sail. If the step just taken by the executive committee be met as it should, throughout the Commonwealth, then the cause is safe ; but if every thing be left to the efforts of one, two, or three counties, and the exhibition turn out a failure, who would answer for the result ? It pains us to think of the possibility. The friends of the cause, must be up and doing. Wo are assured, that nothing will be omitted at Ilarrisburg, to make the arrangements for the exhibition complete, by the selection of the most suitable grounds, the construc- tion of the proper enclosures and shelters, and the adoption of useful regulations for the convenience and comfort of all who may attend as visitors or con- tributors. It remains for the farmers and those who feel an interest in the improvement of agriculture, in every part of our State, to begin and continue their preparations for this grand exhibition. AVith an ear- nest effort on their part, we feel safe iu predicting that the fair will redound to the credit of our good Commonwealth, and give a wonderful impetus to the cause of Agriculture within her borders. Enclosing Receipts. We designed enclosing a receipt in each number of the Journal sent to subscribers, but have since been informed that this cannot be done without sub- jecting the person receiving it to heavy postage. In order to obviate the difficulty in part, we shall always forward receipts to the persons sending club lists, &o. The April Number. In anticipation of an extensive circulation, a very largo edition of our first number was printed. New subscribers may therefore confidently rely upon being supplied with it. Farmers! Write for the Journal. We herewith extend a cordial and hearty invitation to practical farmers to favor xis with communica- tions upon all subjects pertaining to Agriculture, Horticulture, &a. One fact is worth a dozen theo- ries ; and if the Farm Journal is destined to prosper, it can only do so through the assistance of those who are able to communicate the results of their own ob- servation and experience. The fact that an important truth is presented in plain language, does not in the slightest degree detract from its value, and no reader of sense will reject it because of the simplicity of style with which it is written. So far from being an objection, an easy, familiar style is most to be desired, and for this reason it has been a special object with us to avoid learned technicalities as far as possible. For these and other reasons which might be given, we earnestly request our practical farmers to write for the Journal. Through them, alone, can we hopo to render it the true exponent of Pennsylvania farm- ing, an object of primary importance ; and the lead- ing one with us. Thanks. We are indebted to the following gentlemen for handsome Chib lists. Hon. G. R. McFarland, Ilolli- daysburg, Blair co. ; C. Titzel, Meehanicsbui-g, Cum- berland CO.; J. S. Keller, Owigsburg, Schuylkill CO.; B. S. Russel, Towanda, Bradford CO.; Hon. Geo. W. AVoodward, Wilkesbarro, Luzerne co.; Hon. Luther Kidder, do' ; James Gowcn, Esq., Philadelphia co. ; David Taggart, Northumberland ; Isaac Markley, Esq., Norristown ; L. Burchfield, Sliffliutowu ; Dr. E. D. Crawford, Thompsontown, Juniata oo.; J. M. Cogley, Lewistown, Mifflin co. ; David Coble, Shep- herdstown, Cumberland co. and to many other kind friends whoso influence has been exerted in behalf of the Journal. AVill not others who desire the success of our enterprise, follow their example. A very trifling amount of effort will secure like results wher- ever put forth. AVith the honest consciousness that we are laboring for the general good, we respectfully solicit the aid and influence of every friend of agri- culture in the State. Delay. In consequence of disappointment by our paper maker, the publication of our present number has been delayed several days later than we intended. — Our arrangements arc now such, that we hope to bo able to have the subsequent numbers ready by the first of the month; a fact to whicli we ask thes2>ecial attention of our correspondents. Advert isemeuts. To accommodate our advertising friends without encroaching upon the space devoted to reading mat- ter, wo have added two extra pages, to the advertise- ments to which we ask the attention of our readers. 1S51.J EDITORIAL. 57 What a little effort can accomplish. It has probably never occurred to the friends of the Farm Journal, how small an amount of individual effort is necessary to place it beyond the possibility of failure. There are, we believe, sixty-four counties in Pennsylvania. Now, if each county will furnish one Tiundred subscribers, we shall be enabled to pre- sent them with a journal, which will truly and faith- fully represent the agricultural interests of the State, and prove a welcome and valued visitor to every household. Will not our friends in each county lend a helping hand to this good cause ? We have secured the good will and services of a number of Pennsylvania's ablest contributors, and every mail adds to this num- ber. Unless our assurances are deceptive, every de- partment of our Journal will Ije ably filled. We shall spare no expense to render its illustrations and typo- graphical appearance fully equal to any of our eon- temporaries elsewhere, whilst the exceedingly low rates at wjiicli we furnish it, places it within the reach of every farmer's moans, however limited they may be. Shall we have one hundred subscribers from each county in the State ? Shall we have the means for making our Journal all that the Pennsylvania Farm- ers could desire, or shall we, after having expended our capital, sit down -u-ith the mortifying conscious- ness that our efforts have proven unavailing? The encouragement wliieh we have already received forbids us to anticipate anything but complete success, and relying, therefore, upon the assistance of our friends we shall persevere in our efforts to render the Journal worthy the p ttronage of all who feel in- terested in the prosperity 01 Pennsylvania agriculture. t^^Hussey's Reaping, Mowing and Hemp Cutting Machine is attracting much attention now, and should command more. So far as our knowledge goes, it is decidedly the best in use, although several others claim for theirs, advantages which it does not pos- sess. A more general introduction of this Machine into the principal Agricultural Districts of Pennsyl- vania, would doubtless remove the prejudices which many iarmers now entertain in regard to improved Farming Implements. Lancaster County fiirnishes a fine field for testing its good qualities, and Mr. Hus- se.y will do himself and the public a favor by placing one or more of them in such places as v>"ill afford the grain growers of this section an opportunity of as- certaining thoroughly the principles upon which it is operated. See advertisement. - On the second page of the cover will be found a description of Croasdah's Patent Seed Drill and Broad Cast Sower, a new implement of which from tlie favorable representations received, we are induced to think well. Wherever used, it has been found to answer a most admirable purpose. Our New Dress, It will be seen that the present number of the Joui-nal appears in an entire new dress. The gen- erous encouragement extended to our first number dissipated every doubt of success, and in order to merit this hearty approval, we concluded to clothe it in such a dress as would render it worthy of preser- vation and fit for binding. The new type, which are really beautiful, are from the well known foundry of L. Johnson & Co., No. 6. Sansom St., Philadelphia. Notices of the Press. The exceedingly kind manner in which the News- paper Press of our o^vn and other States has noticed the first number of the Farm .Journal, places us under deep obligations. The best return that we can make, will be to endeavor to deserve the commendations they have so freely bestowed. The Potato Rot. We copy from the Germantown Telegraph cxtracta from several articles on the suliject of the '" Potato Rot," by Tracy E. Waller, who it will be seen, confi- dently asserts, that he has a remedy for the disease. Our experience has not enabled us to say whether the plan pursued and recommended by Mr. W. is likely to prove effectual; but from the fact that he has so much confidence in it himself, we shall be glad to see a fair trial given it, and the results made known. Since the ofier of a reward by the State of Massachusetts of ten thousand dollars to the person who discovers an effectual remedy for this disease of the Potato, a host of claimants have entered the lists as competitors for the prize. Of course many of the suggestions are worthless, yet we may hope, that some plan will eventually be discovered, which will prove entirely sticcessful. " Now I undertake to say, and will hereafter 2)rot>e, to the satisfaction of every farmer in the Union, if he will apply the test which I am about to propose, that the disease originates in the defficienoy of certain in- gredients in the soil. The fact that millions of bush- els (notwithstanding the loss of one-third or more of the crop by the rot,) of as good potatoes are grown every year in the United States as were ever raised before the appearance of the disease, attbrds to my mind, without more positive proof, sufficient reason to disbelieve the statement recently made, that the plant dies like an animal, in consequence of " the feebleness of old age." I shall not ask the Legislature of our State to give me 810,000 for my discovery. I shall be amply rewarded if, on a fair and efiicieut trial, it will settle the question. I shall not be alone if it be proved that I am mistaken ; and as my rem- edy will add to the fertility of the soil in proportion to the extent it may be applied, no one can lose any- thing by the trial of it. I therefore assert, as my firm belief, that Charcoal, properly ap>p)lied, will always, and everywhere, prevent the disease knoion as the " Potato Hot." The use ef charcoal as a fertilizer is not a new thing, though it is only within the few last years that agriculturists have taken much notice of it. let it is apparent that but few farmers in this country under- 58 EDITORIAL. [May, stand its value— its necessity to tlie soil. Prof. J. 1 . Mapes, the able editor of the Working Farmer, has advocated its use more, I think, than any other man in our country. But even he has not spoken of it to my knowledge, as a means of preventing the potato rot. Nor can I learn that any other person has. A writer in the American Agriculturist, January, 1851, in speaking of the injury to the crops in some sec- tions of New York and New Jersey, last year, says of his own crop, " I mixed charcoal with the compost of a small portion of the ground planted: where this was done there was no rot." This is the second year that I have entertained the views I am now advancing: and so far as I have had opportunity to test them, I have reason to believe that my labor will not be in vain. I would therefore recommend farmers this season (it being now so near planting time) to try it on a small scale, and proceed in the following manner : Take one-eighth of an acre in a field to be'planted, either in rows through the field or on one side of it — ground that was plowed last fall or early this spring will be the best; spread the compost (as directed to be prepared in my article last week,) evenly over it, and plow it in. Strike out the rows in the ordinary manner — take good sound potatoes, middling size, cut them in half length- wise, so that each part will have an equal portion of the eye or seed end, and place them in the furrows cut side down, one foot apart. The rows should be at least three feet apart. Then tlirow a handful of charcoal dust over each piece, and cover with a hoe. Cultivate during the season as you do the rest of the field, and immediately after they have blossomed, go through the rows with a Tiag or basket of charcoal dust, and sprinkle a handful on each hill at the root of the vines. Kopeat this again about three weeks before the tubrcs have attained their ordinary growth. The alkalies in the compost are necessary as food for the plant, but they will not prevent the rot; that is the office of the charcoal. The chemical and phi- siological action will be explained in the treatise I . conteiiiplate puljlishing nest fall or winter. The quantity of charcoal, (and perhaps in some respect the moilc of ajiplying it,) as I before mentioned, may have to be varied. On account of the lateness of the season, I would suggest that farmers who may be induced to try the remedy I have proposed, prepare at once a compost for one-eighth of an acre (which will be sufficient for a trial this year,) as follows: Pulverised charcoal 250 pounds. Bone dust, or best guano, ... 25 " Salt, 15 One large wagon load of wet and well-rotted barnyard manure. Mix well together and let it lay until time to plant, say two or three weeks. Next fiill I shall be happy to hear by letter or oth- erwise from all who make a trial of the remedy. — The labor and expense attending it will be light and easy. The compost which I would recommend when an acre or more is to be planted, will differ somewliat from that advised in last week's paper ; and I hope to be able to give some desirable information on this interesting subject for the use of farmers next year. I shall lie satisfied for the present if am instrumen- tal by these articles in eliciting a more thorough in- vestigation into the nature of the potato disease. Tracy E. Waller. liisiiiff Sun, Philadelphia co. Pa. Agriculture and Geology. The passage of the act appropriating eight thou- sand annually, to the publication of the final report on the geology of our noble State, will be hailed with satisfaction, by every friend of Scientific Agriculture. This sum is to be appropriated annually for four years, in order that the most/ careful scrutiny may be given the work as it goes through the press ; and also to ensure the completion of it within the stipu- lated time, in the style required by the nature of the publication, and with a proper regard to the reputa- tion of the State. When completed, it will con- tain several hundred maps, sections, views, &o., to- gether of important revisions with valuable locar tions in which mining operations have opened nume- rous avenues to knowledge, not accessible at the time when the original survey was made. From an ai'ticle prepared for the first number of the Farm Journal, but which was not received in time for pulilication, we make the following extracts, showing the important relations existing between the publication of the Geological Report and the interest* of Agi'iculture. — [-Ed.] " Of the contributions which such a report must make to the benefit of our mineral interests, it would bo easy to multiply examples ; but we confine our- selves to its influence upon the aijricvlture of Penn- sylvania ; a subject more directly connected with the plan of this Journal. It is now well understood by all intelligent men, that the theory and practice of farming rests upon a knowledge of the soils to be farmed ; and it is the business of the geologist to as- certain the locallity, extent, and peculiar general characteristics of each principal variety of soil. How thoroughly this may be done will appear upon an in- spection of any good geological map. The science of chemistry, going hand in hand with practice in the field, has been discovering and explaining the man- ner in which the difiereut crops receive their nour- ishment— what kinds of food they require — what proportion of such food each soil contains — when ar- tificial supplies are needed, and what kind of aid is to be given, whether by carrying other soils, lime, stable manure or other materials, or by turning up sub-soils, &e. : and with the help of geology the methods of drawing and watering have been devel- oped and reduced to rule. With a good geological map before us there would be little ditiiculty in pre- paring such directions for the farming population of each locality, as would advance our agriculture to a den-ree not dreamed of by a majority of our citizens. If ^e are to have (as we ought) a State School in which the sons of farmers may obtain an acquant- anco with the results of experiments and observation in this department, and where they may enjoy facili- ties equal to those now open to persons of other pro- fessions, it will be essential to have a good represen- tation of our various soils, the boundaries of which are vory intricate. This must be the basis of our elementary education. Some time will be needed after the publication of the report, to prepare suita- ble abstracts for the young farmers ; and this con- sideration should hasten the conclusion of the work" With respect to a general estimate of our agricul- tural wealth, and the natural routes to the great markets, no man who has not personally examined every county of the State can be well informed without the aid of a geological map and particular description." 1851.] BOOK NOTICES. 59 Book ^otic£0. Seventeenth Animal Report of the 'Superintendent of Common Sfhools. By A. 'L. Russell, Superinten- dent: Ilarrisburg, 1851. pp. 75. The Governor of Pennsylvania, with a just appre- ciation of the wants of the State, reeommendcd the formation of a State Agricultural Department in his annual message, and the Secretary of State takes an- other step in the same direction in recommending the formation of a State Agricultural Institution upon a plan which he sketches at some length, but which vro will not follow in its details. According to this plan, there is to be accommodation for five hundred pupils, of which three hundred are to be selected from the public schools, and educated at the expense of the State, during a period of six years from the age of twelve. One thousand acres of land are proposed for the institution, affording "a sufficient area for the practice of tillage, after deducting space for woodlands, orch- ards, pleasure grounds, yards and buildings. Its surfiico should be diversified by hill and meadow, adapted, in its several points, to the best culture, not only of grain, but of vegetables and fruits, and to the raising of aU kinds of stock." A library, and cabinets in the various departments of science are included in the plan. Eight professors are proposed for the following sub- jects : 1. English Literature and Mental Philosophy, ex- officio President of the Faculty, with two assistants. 2. General Uistory and PoUtical Economy, with one assistant. 3. Blathematics, with two assistants. 4. Practical Farming and Rural Architecture, with sis assistants. 5. Agricultural alid general Chemistry, Geology, and Botany, with two assistants. 6. Natural Philosophy, Mechanics, and Engineer- ing, with two assistants. 7. Comparative Anatomy, and Physician. 8. German Language, with one assistant. The assistants amount to sixteen, sis of wliich "should be females." In the second grade of French schools, according to Prof. Hitchcock's Report, there are six professors as follows: — 1, Rural Economy. 2, Agriculture. 3, Zootechny, or economy of animals. 4, Sylviculture (forest trees) and botany. 5, Chemistry, Physics, and agricultural Geology. 0, Rural Engineering. In the French Agronomic Institution, there are nuic professors, of the following subjects: 1, Rural economy and legislation. 2, Agriculture. 3, Zoo- techny. 4, Sylviculture. 5, Rural engineering, lev- eling, roads, architecture, and mechanics applied to implements. 6, Terrestrial physics, (geology, &c.,) and meteorology. 7, Agricultural Chemistry. 8, Botany and vegetable physiology. 9, Applied Zoo- logy. There are in addition, a Prefect of studies; a curator of the collections ; a librarian ; and an over" seer of studios. Of the German schools, one at Brunswick has lliirteen professors as follows: — 1, Physics and "-eno- ral chemistry. 2, Pure mathematics, geometry and linear drawing. 3, Mineralogy and zoology (geo- logy?) 4. Architecture. 5, Transcendental mathe- matics. 6, Rural economy. 7, Applied chemistry. 8, Mechanical technology. 9, Natural history. 10, Raising horses, diseases, &c., of domestic animals. 11, Veterinary medicine. 12, Forest science. 13, Architecture. (There are two professors in this branch.) There are extensive cabinets, laboratories, a museum, botanic garden, &e. The plan proposed by President Ilitchcock for the State of Massachusetts, is worthy of attention, as it is based upon an extensive examination of European models. For a farm of moderate size he recommends from 100 to 200 acres, with six professors of the fol- lowing subjects: — 1, Horticulture, sylviculture and rural legislation, who should be chairman or presi- dent. 2, Agriculture. 3, Elementary and agricul- tural chemistry. 4, Natural history, geology, and curator of the collections. 5, Anatomy, phy.siology, and veterinary medicine and surgery. 6, Mathema- tics of agriculture, such as farm accounts, irrigation, draining, surveying, leveling, roads, bridges, ;. and contains a varied and complete assortment of every descrip- tion of Agricultural and Horticultural Implements, and Field and Garden Seeds required in the United States. We have upward of One Hundred of the latest improved kinds of Plows, mostly man- ufactured by us. expressly for the different States of the Union, California and Oregon, the British Provinces, the West India Islands, Mexico, and South America. Also Harrows. Rollers. Seed Sowers. Cultivators. Horse Powers, Threshers, Corn Shelters, Reap- ing and Mowing Machines, Uay, Cotton, Tobacco, Oil, and Dry Good Presses. Brick Machines, Shovels, Spades, Hose, Manure and Hay Kork.fl. i:c.,&:c. Garden Imptements. — These are imported by us direct from the Bnglish manufacturers, or made here to our order. They consist of a great variety of the choicest kinds such as Trenching and "Weeding Forks. Pruning and Hedge Shears. Flower and Twig Cutters. &c. The assortment for ladies is particularly choice and well selected. Field and Garden Seeds. — These are grown expressly for us both in Europe and this country. They areof thechoice.'^t kind, and of great variety. We also obtain, as soon as sufficiently tried and well approved, every new kind of seed suitable to be culiivated in the United States. Fertili Zirs.—Turuv'mn and Fatagouian Guano, Bonedust, Poud- rette, Pla:*ter of Paris, ^c. Manufactory of ^Agricultural Implement^.— Wq have a large manufacturing establishment in this city, wiiere we will promptly make to order any new article or implement required by the Far mer or Planter. Excelsior Siind Paper. — A new and very superior kind, of the different numburs in use by Machinist.^, Cabinet Makers, &c. The Jlmerican Agriculturist. T>.iaonXh\y publicution of 32 pagi Price one dollar a year. A. C. ALLKN & 00 , April ISO and 191 Water-street. New York. $500 to $2,000 a Year. lOOO A €i E W T S WAWTEO. IN all the States of the Union, to canvass for the following Im- portant aud Valuable Work.':, which are sold by subscription. We have now about two hundred Agents in the field, many of them clearing from two to eight dollars pf.b day. It will be seen that they are all of a very popular and desirable kind, and calcu- lated to please almost every taste. For further particulars apply (postpaid) to the publishers). DJillBY fc MILLER. Auburn. N. Y. "HOW A FARMRU MAY BErOMF, RICH." BLAKE'S FARMER'S EVERY DAY BOOK, Or, how a Farmer can become Rich— being .'-ketches cjf Life in the Country; with the Popular Elements of practical aud theoretical Agriculture, aud twelve hundred Laconics and A patlH-gms rela- ting to Morals, Regime and general Literature; also 500 Receipts on Health. Cookery and Domestic Kconomy; with 10 fine illustra- tions respecting the various scenes attendant upon farming, etc. By John L. Blake, D. D., author of '■'Biographical Dictionary," '■ Family Encyclopedia," ^c. The publishers respectfully announce, that they havo under- taken the publication of this large aud beautiful work, with a view to supply a de&idi?ratum that has long been ft It— a book for EVERY Farmer's Lierarv; believing that the venerable author has produced a work that will be worth its weight in gold to every farmer's family that thoroughly peruse it. It is proper to stata that Dr. Blake is a practical farmer, and has reclaimed a sterile and worn out piece of land into a valuable and productive farm — which, experience, with his well known qualifications as an author, peculiarly fit him to prepare a book for farmers. The work contains 654 pages, large octavo, with a motto sur- rounding each pngc— is prinLt-d on fine paper, and bound in sub- stantial imitation, Turkey Morocco, gilt back. Invariable retail price, $3.00. ♦ Agents wanted to canvass for the above. FROST'S PICTORIAL HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. The History of the State of Californii, from the oavli'st period of her conquest by the Spaniards, to her acquisition by the United States; with an account of the discovery of the immene Gold Mines, and the quantity of Gold already obtained; the enormous increase of population; a description of the mineral aud agricul- tural resources of the country; with ad.ventures and tnv els among the Mines. Also, advice to Emigrants, as to the mot-t desirablo routes thither. To which is added the Constitution of the State of California; with numerous illustrations, and a map of t;aHfornia and the Gold Alines; in one octavo volume, oLO pages; bound in same style as Mexican War. Retail price, $3 50. ?m^ Ileinitsli's Geriaiau CaUIe Fo^vdei*, THIS Powder is celebrated for the cure and prevention of all diseases to whicb Cattle. Milch Cows, Sheep and Pigs are subject, and is the only prep- aration upon which full confidence can bo placed. For Milch Cows it is of the greatest importance, wonder- fully increasing the quantity and quality of their milk, and will effectually prevent and cure Hoi low Horn, Murrain. &c. VEGETABLE HORSE-POWDER. Which will cure Distemper, Hidebound, Loss of Appetite, Found' r. Yellow Water, Lowncss of Spirits, Inward Sprains. Infiaraation and Heat in the System, and all other diseases to which Horses I are subject. HORSE EHrBROCATION.^For the cure of external injuries, as Wounds. Bruises, Cute. Rub bing of the Saddle. Collar or Harness, Stiffness in the Joints Swellings, Sweeny, &c. Prepared and sold at CHARLFS A. HEINITSIl'S, Medicinal, Drug and Chemical Store, No. 13 Fast King st., April — tf Lancaster. ]Veiv and Popular Scliool ISooU. THE COMPREHENSIVE SUMMARY OF UNIVERSAL HIS- TORY, with a biography of di.«tinguished persons from the earliest period to the yjrescnt time; to which is appended an epi- tome of Heathen Mythology. Natural Philosophy. General Astron- omy and rhysiolntry. on the basis of -'Historical and Miscellane- ous Questions." hy Richmal llangnal. Adopted to the uee of American schofil?. Published and for sale by E. S. JONES & CO., S. W. corner of Fourth and P»,acc fit., Philadelphi.a N. B — Teachers and School Commi'.tecs furniahed with copies for examination. Address, post paid. April— If " I am prepared— I have endeavored to do my duty." THE LIFE OF ZACHARY TAYLOR, Late President of the United States, includiog the closing scenes of his life and death. By H. Monlgomory. EmbcUishetl with a steel portrait and 15 illustrations; in one elegant octavo volume 463 pages, well printed on fine paper, and bound in substantial morocco, gilt back. The lightnings may flash, the thunders may rattle, He hears not. he heeds not, he's free from all pain, He sleeps his last sleep, he has fought his last battle, No soiind can awake him to glory again. More than 2U.000 copies of the above work have been sold by uji, and the demand is unabated. It is allowed by critics to be tha most complete and authentic copy of any of the works purporting to be a Life of the Great Man of the Age. Retail price, :^2 00. A COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE WAR BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO, From the comm*?ncemcnt of the battles, to the ratification of tho Treaty of Peace; containing a concise account of the splendid military achievements and glorious victories of the American Army under Generals Taylor and Scott, and their gallant com- patriots in arms. Also, a concise account of the new Kl Dorado, the Golden Land of California, which was annexed to the United States by the treaty of peace. Illustrated with 2-1 portraits and battle scenes, and a steel likeness of General Taylor. By John S. Jenkins, author of "■The Life of Silas Wright." - Lives of Ameri- can Generals," etc.. etc. The work is bound in elegant and sub- stantial morocco, gilt back, and contains -^iSG pages. A fine Mop of Mexico and California accompanies each book. •,t* 12 000 copies of the above work have been sold by us. chiefly in N. Y. State. It is pronounced by crictiesas the only complete and impartialhistory of the war extant. Subscription price !p2,50. April SCATTERGOOD & HOWELL, DESIGNING, DRAWING And lyood Eugraviug; EsiabSisSinicnt, Inquirer B nil divs-, Third Street Jielozu Ckes?ivi St., PillLADELPHIA. Water Color Dr.\wing, Portraits. Butldixcs, Machi:^£^?j-j,g Agricultural Machines and Implements. WHEELER, MELICK & CO., CONTINUE their manufactory at the corner of Liberly and Hamilton streets. ALB.'VNy, where they are prepared to fill all orders with despatch. ORDERS FOR Wheelers Falent Bnihoay, Chain Horse Powers, and Overshot Threshers and Separators, will re- ceive their prompt attentioi. t^S' The large and increasing demand for these Mnchines has induced the Proprietors to erect a New and Spacious iManufacto- ry, and otherwise extend their means of promotly filling orders. — Their Powers and Threshers have been sold in ne.-irly every State in the Union, during the past year, and their superiority has been acknowledged by numerous testimonials, not only from Agricul- tural Societies but from persons who have used them. They have been awarded the First Premiums at all the principal Fairs where they have been exhibited in operation, including the Penn- sylvania State Fair, the Provincial Fair of Upper Canadi. and the iVlichigan and Ohio State Fairs, together with numerous County Exhibitions in the different States. The TWO HORSE M.\CHINE. with from three to five hand.?, will thresh from 120 to 200 bushels of Wheat per day. or twice that quantity of Oats. ,,,. . The One Ilorso Machine will thresh rather more than half that quantity. PRICE AT ALBANY: For Two Horse Machines $145 00 For One Morse do $120 00 Machines will be shipped to order to any part of the United States or the Canadas. f^- ani wairanltd to give salis/action In the jmrchaser, or tkey may he returned within sixty days. The subscribers also manufacture and will furnish to order the most approved kinds of Feed Cutters, Clover Httllers, Circular Saw Mills,6(C. They will al.so furnish Horse Powers properly Geered for driving Churns, Elevating Grain, or other purposes to which Ibosc Power canbe;ppUed. WHEELER, MELICrv& CO. AprU— 2t Corner of Hamilton and Liberty sts., .■Albany, N.T VOL. 1. LA^TASTEE, PA., JUNE, 1851. m. 3. THE FARM JOURNAL. S. S. HAtDEMAN, Editor. ■ !* Eutomologj', No. !J. BY THE EDITOR. Clttcs robini.e. — In Pennsylvania in the month of June, this handsome insect may be met with upon locust trees (Robinia pseudacacia), in the branches of which they lived as a larva. Its length (fig. 1) varies from half an inch to nearly nine-tenths of an inch. The color is black, with transverse yellow bands, those upon the ely- tra being somewhat irregu- lar. The under parts are varied with yellow, the legs are reddish, and the antennae reddish brown. The female deposit* her eggs in the irregularities of the bark, and the young when hatched, penetrates into the interior to feed upon the wood. The smaller branches are generally at- tacked, and presence of the larva may be known by the wood-dust about the aper- ture where it entered, the cuttings being for some time' ejected here. But the most prominent is the swelling of the branch at the [point of attack, which becomes weakened, and is often broken off by storms ; or dies, so that new shoots must be thrown out below. From those causes the tree becomes disfigured and material- ly injured. The annexed figure (2) re- presents a fragment of a locust branch attacked by this insect. The same insect attacki hickory, and Fig. 2. as the larva continues its depredations after the wood has been cut, it frequently does much damage ; and we have known a large lot of hoop-poles VOL. I. — D, to be destroyed by them. The figure (3) representa a piece of one of these poles split to exhibit the % Fig. 3. burrows of the larvoe, and their place of exit through the bark. A plug of woody fibres is observable in one of the burrows, similar to those made by the Elaphi. Dioy. Dr. T. W. Harris, in his "Insects injurious to Ve- getation," states on the authority of Gen. Dearborn, that the grubs of this species are full grown by the 20th of July, and the perfect insects leave the tree early in September, in Massachusetts. From this it is evident, that as they appear at different times in various parts of the country, the proper season for cutting wood infested by them must vary. Hoop- poles should be cut before the eggs are laid, or they should be soaked some time in water. This would kill the larvse, not only of Clytus, but of another and much smaller insect, which burrows beneath, and loosens the bark, and penetrates and destroys the wood of hoops, long after the barrel has been finished and applied to its proper use. Dr. Harris recommends whitewashing the trunks of trees to prevent the insects from affixing their eggs; he also recommends catching the adults and drowa- 66 EDITORIAL. [June, ing them in bottles of ■water by cbildren — to be re- peated year after year during the period of their ap- pearance; but it is very evident that this cannot be extensively practised. Clytus campestris of Olivier, (or C. tehminans Fabeicius) figure 4, is about Ihree-flfths of an incli long, of a darli brown color, the elytra varied vrith ashy do\^-n, and having two yellow quadrants near the base. The thorax is rough above, with four yellow spots in the corners, arranged in a square. The thighs are thickened towards the end. The perfect insect ap- pears in Pennsylvania in May and June, and occurs from Massachusetts to Carolina and Mississippi. The larva does considerable damage to fallen ches- nut timber, particularly that which is cut for fencing rails. The younger larvae burrow between the bark and wood, but the older ones penetrate into the wood, forming holes which the rain can enter. Painc's Oxygeu liight. Mr. Paine has promised the editor of the Worces- cester (Mass.) Spy, that in the course of a week he will illuminate the editor's ofiice by his new mode of producing light. The oxygen light is a new discov- ery of Mr. Paine, wliich the Spy says is a process of catalising the oxygen of the atmosphere, andrender- ing it highly luminiferous, at a mere nominal ex- pense, without the cost of machinery, or any other apparatus than an air receiver, capable of holding common air. In this new discovery of Mr. Paine oxygen is to be catalised (that is, united with the vapor of turpen- tine) to form light. One mode of doing this is as follows: The turpentme is to be mixed with other ingredients (then called hurniiu/ fadd, &c.) and put into an apparatus technically called a lamp, which ter- minates above with a vertical longitudinally perfo- rated metallic cylinder, through which one extremity of a loosely spun piece of cotton (technically called a wick) is passed into the catalising fluid, the other ex- tremity being left exposed at the top of the apparatus or lamp, where it soon becomes saturated by capil- lary attraction, and is ready for action. If flame be now applied to the exposed wick, a complete catalisa- Hon of the oxygen of the air ^vill take place, and a fine light win be the result. The cost of the appara- tus is "nominal," and of the oxygen nothing, so that the expense of the hurning fluid alone need be taken into account. A second mode of using the air for lighting pur- poses, is to pass the rays of the sun through it; but as this is only adapted for daylight, the old mode of extracting " sunbeams from cucumbers" will have to be resorted to for night use, unless a squash is found to be more luminous, — and in our early d.ays we ac- tually saw a luminous pumpkin. This, like Paine's late ingenious contrivance, had been formed "into an ail receiver capable of holding common air," and was carved so as to reseml)le a skull, the mouth being armed with a foi-midable set of teeth like those of a cross-cut saw. The light came from the eyes and mouth, and was probably due to a union of oxygen and ialloic. This light is quite safe, unlike Mr. Paine's hat full of hydrogen, which exploded "like a six-pounder." Obituary. Samuel George Morton, JI. D. a distinguished uaturahst and physician of Philadelphia, died on the 15th of Blay, aged 53. Besides various medical and scientific works, he was the author of Crania Ameri- cana and Crania Mgyjitiaca, in which these portions of the human race are characterised from the skulls. Dr. Morton was a person of many virtues, of mild manners, a lover of peace and concord, a liboi-al sup- porter of science, a sincere friend, and the ready ad- viser of the uninitiated upon their entrance into the domain of science, when a little assistance and en- couragement is of so much value. All lovers or cul- tivators of science, in whatever sphere of life they moved, were welcomed with equal hospitality, so that it was unusual to spend an evening at his house witii- out meeting one or more cultivators of science from various parts of the United States or Europe. At the period of his death. Dr. Morton was presi- dent of the Academy of Natural Science, Philadel- phia, to the interests of which he devoted much of his time, and where (next to his bereaved family) his loss will be most deeply felt. Fine Sheep. Mr. Benjamin Hood, of Williston, Chester county, informs us that last winter he disposed of three sheep to Mr. Paul, of Philadelphia, whose age and weight wore as foUows: One, three years and ten mouths old, weighed alive, 322 pounds; neatly dressed, 234 pounds. Twins, a year younger, live weight, 286 and 285 pounds; dead and dressed, 202 and 192 pounds. Mr. Hood also states that he sheared twelve sheep, the average weight of the fleeces being something more than eleven pounds. The heaviest was 14J pounds. His stock is comprised mainly of the Cots- wold and Leicester breeds. With such evidences of highly successful sheep raising in Pennsylvania, why should it not claim more attention than has heretofore been given it. Wonderful! — ^^Ve learn from an advertisement in the Ledger of May 24, that a person with eye^ like balls of fire, who had lost the use of his had; and whose head was laid on his shoulder, obtained a bot- tle o{ Panacea, "and before he had used it he could hold his head erect!" The quantity of ashes lefl by a ton of wheat straw is sometimes as much as three hundred and sixty pounds. 1851.] COMMUNICATIONS. G7 Coinmunifatioua. Farmers' Clubs. Mr. Editor: — It is impossible to overrate the value of education to the farmer, or, indeed, to any citizen of our free country, -n-hatever may bo his profession or calling. I have read ^vith pleasure the essays of your correspondents, on this subject. There is much in their tone that I like, though I may not be able to concur in all their views. The interest which they are adapted to excite in the cause of agricultural improvement, if it should not lead to the foundation of a university or colleges for the exclusive instruc- tion of farmers, m.ay, at least, induce our legislators to devise some plan for adding, to our existing insti- tutions of learning, professorships charged with the duty, and endowed with the means of imparting ef- fective instruction in the branches particularly related to the cultivation and improvement of the soil. Any such plan must, of course, be materially different from the schemes of manual labor, which have occasionally been attempted and always failed. With respect to education, there are some conside- rations, that ought not to be overlooked. In the first place, most of the tuition bestowed upon the youthfiil mind, must alwaj's, without regard to the destination of the pupil, have for its special object the formation of sound mental habits and the right development of the aftcctions. Again, although we sometimes speak of the science of agriculture, yet there is no peculiar Bcience of that sort. It is true, there are many sciences which may and should be made subsidiary to the prac- tice of agriculture ; — such as chemistry, geology, bo- tany, entomology, &c., and the application of these sciences to the analysis of soils and vegetable produc- tions, and the protection of plants and fruits, has con- ti'ibuted more than any thing else of late years, to its improvement. Moreover, in speaking of progress, — it should not be forgotten, that there is a progress downward as well as upward; and that the former is not less' to be avoided, than the latter is to be sought. Let us not cast away anything that is good in our present institutions, but rather improve upon the foundations we have. What we want, is more in- struction and better. Let us persuade our agricultu- ral friends to avail themselves of the numerous semi- naries and schools within their reach, to give their eons the superior education which these institutions will supply. Lot us persuade those who have the power and direction, to infuse into the instruction more of a scientific character, more that has relation to the business of life, and especially the business of agriculture. But something may be done immediately, and with- out waiting for another generation. There is mani- festly a spirit abroad propitious to agricultural im- provement. Let us try to make it available. Our communities are conveniently divided, territorially, into townships. Are there not, in every township, a sufficient number of persons interested in farming, to form a club — a fixrmers' club — who will meet every month, or two months, at some central place, for mu- tual instruction, — Toho will make up a small fund to purchase agricultural works for the use of the mera^ bers — hv'mg with them specimens, vegetable or mine- ral, of whatever may be rare or remarkable, which they may have found in tlieir neighborhood, — relate their experience and observations and trials of various methods of farming, with the results, and have a brief record made and kept of all that may be deemed use- ful and worthy of preservation? By this means, township lycenms might be estab- lished all over the country, to the great advantage of the present, as well as of the rising generation, and would constitute the best medium for the diffusion of knowledge in agriculture from the great centres — the universities, colleges, and State Agricultural Society — through all the ramifications of coimty and district associations, acting reciprocally, too, by returning to those central reservoirs, notices of the various experi- ments and observations, made from time to time, in the several townships, of which records should be kept by the clubs. In commencing a farmers' club, it is of consequence to avoid attempting too much. Let there be no over- strained effort. Many useful purposes may be ac- complished without requiring much time or pecuniary outlay. 1. With respect to a library, a good beginning would be a subscription, for the use of the club, to the nearest agricultural periodical works. These are so cheap that the contribution — where there were but a few members — would be a mere trifle. To this might be added the volumes containing the former numbers ; then other agricultural works ; such as, the Farmers and Planters Encyclopedia, Colman'a Practical Agriculture, Liebig's Organic Chemistry of Agriculture and Physiology, &c., &c. 2. The proceedings of the club, after appointing a chairman and secretary, might consist , among other things of the statements by members of such fact* as the following, viz: a. The average quantity in acres of the farms in their respective neighborhoods. 6. The number of hands cmploj-ed in tilling them. c. The number of horses, oxen, mules, cattle, sheep, and swine. d. The number of fields of particular farms and the rotation of crops. e. The relative quantity of woodland, arable, and meadow ; and the species of timber. f. The nature of the soil — whether limestone, gra- vel, or slate, &c. g. The manures employed, how made or obtained, how used, and with what cfiect. h. The quantity of seed sowed or planted to the acre, the mode and time of sowing, ifec. and the yield. , i. The time of harvesting or securing tho crop, and the meihod of doing it. 68 COMMUNICATIONS. [June, k. The various crops or products raised in the re- spective neighborhoods ancl their sale. I. The prices of sales of land, and the wages of labor; and the terms and usages of renting. These statements might be made orally or in wri- ting. If in writing, they should be numbered and filed ; if orally, reduced to writing by the secretary or any member, and the writing numbered and filed. Besides this, the club might attend, (when time permitted,) to the reading of useful and interesting articles on agriculture from the books of the club, or others, and to the hearing of occasional lectures on agricultural sulijects. 3. The chairman or secretary, acting as treasurer, might also take care of the books, papers, and other things belonging to the club. Such primary associations would thus be easily formed and managed, and could not fail to be pro- ductive of benefit to themselves and others. "I have witnessed," says Dr. Iliggins in his valuable Report, " the great good done by associations of practical farmers, with frequent meetings for the discussion of agricultural subjects, and as great aids to improve- ment, would recommend their formation in every neighborhood of our State." A. L. Hayes. Lancaster, May 14, 1851. On Deep Ploughing. Mr. Editor: — The business of farming difiers ma- terially from other pursuits in that it confines one more to his home, and his own broad acres, and al- lows less leisure to travel and collect from the prac- tice of others hints for his own management, than the merchant, manufacturer, or even mechanic. This disadvantage can only be remedied in one way, by tlio circulation of agricultural periodicals like the " Farm Journal," which, in fact, are nothing more than the practice and science of good farming record- ed in a book, certainly not the less valuable .on tliat account ; and thus reaching many a corner of the land otherwise inaccessible. The fatal prejudice against book farming, which is only observations on culture printed instead of spoken, has, in a great measure, passed away, and our practical farmers now find their true interests to consist not only in reading agricultural journals, but in writing for them. Among other innovations on old systems brought about in this way, the heading of this article is one. I have somowhero seen the observation that there is some excuse for the yearly renter of a farm to plough shallow, but none for the owner of the soil. The one •wants to get all he can, even at the expense of the and, the latter permanently to improve, while crop- ping it. I doubt whether it is to the advantage of either renter or owner to plough shallow. In the spring of 1844, I broke up a stiff sod for corn, with a heavy plough, (Prouty's 5^') drawn by two yoke of oxen, to the depth of nearly eight inches. I then followed immediately behind with a subsoil plough, which stirred up the subsoil to the depth of six or seven inches more. After the ploughing and harrowing were finished, a stick could be pushed down in nearly every part of it, to the depth of four- teen or fifteen inches of loose earth. It was well ploughed and the experiment was a fair one. We may remember that that summer was a very dry one. Not only wore our pasture fields burnt up and bare, but the summer crops suffered greatly. Cattle were foddered for some time. I went to England in the spring of that year, and did not return till the crop was harvested in the fall. It proved a full average, and I was told it had been a common remark of the neighbors and passprs-by, how green and luxuriant it continued through the season, compared with others around it. This was an instance of the benefit of deep ploughing in a dry season, and I hold it would have been equally perceptible in a very wet one. — Tho depth of soil, would have allowed the superabun- dant moisture to pass off, and thus relieve the roots of growing crops. In wet or dry seasons, in rich or poor land, I contend for deep ploughing. To be sure, in an exhausted soil, or in a naturally deficient one, very deep ploughing is not to be at once adopted, but the system is correct, each year to go a little deeper. It is surprising to see the practice of many farmers, working for years, ploughing, manuring, and plant- ing but four or five inches deep, fearful of touching the hard yellow substratum. Ask the question, and it will l>e admitted, that if there was twelve inches of depth as rich as four inches, it would l)e a fine thing; but how to accomplish this, unless by ploughing and turning it up to the influence of tho atmosphere, would be difficult to answer. The larger the source from whence growing crops derive their nutriment, of course the larger the crop. A given amount of sur- face, representing ten inches deep of good soil, of course supplies more food to plants, than the same amount of surface only four inches deep. A fear is often expressed of burying out of reach by deep ploughing, the shallow surface soil, but tho advantage of turning up the hard substratum to the influence of the sun and air and atmospheric gases, and its con- sequent speedy melioration, is lost sight of. Deep and thorough ploughing, thorough pulverisation of the particles of soil, allowing of the free admission of air between them, coupled with the use of plaster and lime on the surface, and repeated harrowings or stir- rings, will soon render productive and profitable a subsoil hitherto valueloss.'and thus greatly augment the supplies and sources of food for plant.?. Paschall Morris. West Chester, Pa., 5,) and the muzzle, in the blood horse, square, and such as will go into a pint pot; a Roman nose (one in which the race is curved) is by no means de- sirable, though his napper be but of ordinary dimen- sions; it is seen more couunonly, however, in a big head, which it, in a side view, makes appear not only much larger, but excecdingly'ugly ; tliis may be said to constitute a plain Yorkshire head. Withal, the head, to render it handsome, should be well set on ; its junction with the neck should form a sort of curve, so as to leave ample space in the throat for a large and prominent gullet, by which we may judge him to be a good-winded horse. The neck now demands our attention; if good, the crest will form an arch of agreeable curve from the poll to the withers, "With neck like a rainbow, erecting his crest." It will be of proportionate length, and progressive increase in breadth, as it approaches the chest. A long neck, if it be straight, or but little curved, is ob- jectionable for the reasons we stated when speaking of a large head; a short one, however excellent it may be on the principle of the steelyards, is never handsome and seldom exists without rcndciing even a good hackney piggish. That short-necked horses are betler winded than others, because the air has less distance to and from the lungs, is an opinion to which we cannot subscribe. The neck should also be thin, not thick and heavy, and rounded and straight along its lower margin; should the canal of the jug- ular vein be deep, and the windpipe full and promi- nent below it, we may regard it as a sign of good wind. When the arch of it is reversed, i. e. below instead of above, and the crest, or what ought to be the crest, near the withers, is hollow and sunken, the horse is said to have an ewe-neck, one of the greatest natural deformities common to these parts. Under these circumstances it is usual for a dealer to say that the neck is put on the wrong side upward; but, in reality it appears to arise from the j unction of it with the chest being too low do'v^Ti. [The above valuable essay on the horse we copy from the Plough, Loom and Anvil, to the publishers of which journal we are indebted for the engr.aving which accompanies it. The length of the article pre- cludes the possibility of publishing it entire in a sin- gle number. We shall therefore give the remainder in our subsequent numbers. — Ed.] 1851.] THE CHINA GOOSE. 79 The China Goose. — Of this vai-iety, three heautiful sijecimens were exhibited at the hvte Agricultural ShoTV held in the county of Philadelphia. Tliey were owned by a gentleman, whose name I forget, living in the vicinity of Tacony, near this city. In intro- ducing this variety to the reader, Jlr. Dixon says: — There is something in the aspect of this creature, the dark brown stripe down its neck, its small bright eye, its harsh voice, its ceremonious strut, and its af- fectation of seldom being in a hurry, which seems to say that it came from China. It would perfeotl}' har- monize in a picture of Chinese still life ; or in a Chi- nese garden, with artificially arranged rooks, dwarf trees, crooked trellises, and zigzag pathways ; or, in a more extended landscape, it would group well on a broad river, beside a boat filled with shaven fisher- men, with their trained cormorants and pig-tailed children. If it docs come from China, it has no doubt been domesticated for many hundred year.«i, perhaps as long as the peacock or common fowl. They may be made to lay a large number of eggs by an in- creased supply of nourishing food. This is very dif- ferent from the disposition to "lay everlastingly,'' as seen in the Guinea fowl, and some varieties of the domestic hen — the Black Spanish for instance; be- cause the China goose does in the end feel a strong desire to incubate as soon as her protracted laying is done, whereas entire exemption from the hatching fever is the great merit of the " everlasting layers." If liberally furnished with oats, boiled rice, &e., the China goose will in the spring lay from twenty to thirty eggs before she begins to sit, and again in the autumn, after her moult, from ten to fifteen more. I have never observed any disposition to sit after the autumnal laying. It is not, as in the Guinea fowl, a spontaneous flow of eggs, for which the ordinary THE IIOSG GONG, OB CHINA GOOSE. COL. JACftCES' BKE3IEK GEESE. diet of the cre^re is suflicicnt, but is as much de- pendent on feecliiig as the fatness to which a bullock 19 brought. A goose that I supplied with as much oats as she could eat, besides grass, potatoes, and cabbages, laid eggs larger than ordinary ; one of them (with a double yolk) weighed seven and a lialf ounces, nearly half a pound. I need hardly say that double- yolked eggs arc very rare, except among birds that arc highly fed. The prevailing color of the plumage of the China goose 18 a brown, which has been aptly compared to the color of wheat. The different shades are harmo- niously blended, and are well relieved by the black tuberculated bill, and the pure white of the abdomen. Their movements on the water arc graceful and swan- liks. It is delightful to see them, on a fine day in spring, lashing the water, diving, rolling over through mere fun, and playing aU sorts of antics. Slight va- liatious cccur in the color of the feet and legs, some having them of a dull orange, others black: a deli- cate fringe of minute white feathers is occasionally seen at the base of the bill. These peculiarities are hereditarily transmitted. But the white China goose, if it be not speoificially distinct, is a variety so deci- dedly marked as to demand a separate notice. The eggs of the China goose are somewhat less than those of the domestic kind, of a short oval, with a smooth thick shell, white, but slightly tinged with yellow at the smaller end. The goslings, when fii-st hatched, are usually very strong. They are of a dirty green, like the color produced by the mixing of In- dian ink and yellow ochre, with darker patches here and there. The legs and feet are load-color, but af- terwards change to a dull red. If there is any thing like good pasturage for them, they require no i'urther attention than what their parents will afford them. — After a time a little grain will strengthen and for- ward them. If well fed, they come to maturity very 80 THE BREMEN GOOSE— DOMESTIC ECONOMY. [Jlne, rapidly. In between three and four months from tlio time of leaving the shell, they will be full-grown and ready for the spit. They do not bear to be shut up to fatten so well as common goe.se, and therefore those destined for the table are the better for profuse hand-feeding. Their flesh is well-flavored, short, and tender: their eggs are good for cooking purposes. The Bremen Goose. — As quality of flesh, combined with weight, is a main consideration, I wish to men- tion, regarding the former, that the flesh of the Bre- men goose is very diflerent from that of any of our best domestic varieties. It does not partake of that dry character which belongs to other and more com- mon kinds, but is as tender and juicy as the flesh of a ■wild fowl : besides it shrinks less in the process of cooking, than that of any other fowl. Some of the keenest epicures have declared that the flesh of the Bremen goose is equal, if not superior, to that of the celebrated canvas-back duck. There is assuredly some comfort, not uncombined with ease, in carving a bird that weighs seventeen pounds, and taking a slice from the breast, so long as to be obliged to cut it in two, that one-half may cover no more than the ■width of a common dinner plate. The Bremen goose inclines to commence laying at an earlier period thanHhis northern latitude "favors, ■which is in the latter part of February. To give the young fair play, it is not advisable that hatching should be finished before the first of June. The mode of prevention used by my father is as follows: The whole of the breeding stock, male and female, are put into a dark room — say about the twentieth of February — and kept there until about the tenth day of April. When in durance they are well fed once a day •with corn, and allo"n'ed sufficient ■n'ater all along to drink. Once a week they are allowed to get out for one hour, to wash and plume themselves, and arc then shut up again. While thus confined, they lose the inclination to breed, and do not assume it while they are kept shut up ; but in eight or ten days after they are set at liberty, the disposition returns, and they commence laying. When first hatched, the goslings arc of a very deli- cate and tender constitution. My father's general practice, is to let them remain in the bos in which they were hatched for twenty-four hours after they leave the shell ; but he regulates this liy the weather, ■which, if fair and warm, may tolerate the letting the goslings out an hour or two in the middle of the day, ■when they may wet their little bills and nibble at the grass. They ought not to be out in rain at any time during the first jnonth. A very shallow pool, dug in tiie yard, with "bucket or two of water thro'wn into it, to suit the temporary purpose of bathing, is sufli- ciont during the period named. The practice of feeding my fother follows is, not to give the goslings any grain whatever, after they are four days old, until snow falls, when they require to be fed on corn for a time. He thinks, however, that if well fed on grain from the time they were hatched, they might weigh from 4 lljs. to 7 lbs. more than by leaving them to grass-feeding alone. By feeding his geese until they are four days old, and then literally "sending them to grass," the weight of my father's geese, at seven to eight months old, has averaged from 17 to 18 lbs. each, after the feath- ers had been cleanly picked ofi'. lie has no doubt tliat 25 lbs. could be easily attained by a little atten- tion to feeding ■nith grain. The breeding-boxes mentioned above are made in the fashion something like a dog-kennel, with a roof pitched botli ways. They are 30 inches long, by 24 inches, and are 24 inches in height. The door is in the end, and is covered by a sliding panel, which moves upwards, when egress or ingress is sought, and may bo shut down at pleasure. For the first month, the geese and goslings are all shut up in the boxes at night, in order to protect them against rain and vermm. — Dixon and Kerr's Ornamental Poultry. Jilomcstic €ronoiny. Advantages of Systematic Arrangement. — It is well known that in domestic economy, good house- keepers do actually derive this incidental advantage from a day of rest through the week: — One day is devoted to washing; one to ironing; one to cleaning liouse; one to mending; one to baking; so that by Saturday night everything is brought to a comely state. None of those things are left for the approach- ing week. Everything is arranged and in order, e . if she did not expect to live another week. Men should do the same on their farms. If they did they would thrive and prosper. — Blake's Fanner's Every Day Dook. To Make Green Salve. — Take freshly-gathered white lily flowers, broad-leaved, common plantain, ohiokweed, each, as much as can be grasped in a man's hand; one pound of newly-churned butter without salt; one pound of mutton suet, melted and strained; one pound of bees-wax; and one pound of rosin. Melt the suet and butter together, and boil in them the herbs, xjntil thojuice is all extracted ; then strain through a cloth, and add the rosin and wax. — When melted and well mixed, strain again into a queensware or earthen pan, and stir till cold, to pre- vent separation. An excellent cooling and healing salve for wounds and burns. To Kill Cockroaches. — Mix equal quantities of red lead and Indian meal with molasses, making it about the consistency of paste. It is known to be a certain exterminator of roaches. A friend who was trouliled with thousands upon thousands of them, rid his house of them liy this mixture in a very few nights. Put it upon pilates and set it where the vermin are thickest, and they will soon help themselves. Be care- ful not to have any articles of food near by where you set the mixture. Bei>bugs. — There is a long article in the Yallcy Far7}ier, by which it is cstaljlished beyond question that sweet oil occasionally rubbed over bedsteads, chair boards, &c., will eff'ectually prevent the appear- ance of bed-bugs. We think it unnecessary to pub- lish the evidence of the cfilcieucy of this cheap and agreeable preventive of the nuisance in question. — The reader wiU take our word that it is conclusive. To Clean Rusted Iron Work. — Cover over tho work with oil and let it stand for five or six hours. — Then wash it off with strong soap-suds and a goo 1 brush. The brush must bo long in the bristles. Iron work should never be left wet any length of time. Cure roR Corns. — Pare off the hard part of the corn with a sharp knife, not so as to cause it to bleed; apply the inner part of an onion, mashed fine; keep it on during the night, and a very few applications will effect a cure. 1851.J HORTICULTURAL. 81 tjorticulturol Department. POMOrOGICAt REMARKS. BV DR. W. D. BRINCKLE. The Raspberry. * Our indigenous Raspberries, it is generally con- ceded, are inferior in quality to those of European origin. Over the latter, however, they possess one advantage — that of hardiness. The foreign kinds, not l>oing able to withstand the sudden vicissitudes of our variable climate, are generally killed nearly or quite to the ground, unless recourse is had to artificial means of protection. All attempts to acclimate them, however perseveringly continued, have failed. It is therefore desirable that some other effort should be made to obtain varieties, equalling them in size and flavor, and possessing a more hardy constitution. It is a well known fact that all plants usually suc- ceed best in their native land. To accomplish then the improvement of the Raspberry, and indeed all other kinds of fruit, we should raise seedling varie- ties. In doing this, two modes present themselves for our cousidera^on. In the one case, seed, artifi- cially fertilized, is used; — in the other, that which has been fertilized naturally, or without the interven- tion of man. The first, commonly termed "cross impregnations" is the most certain way of forming valuable varieties and is conducted on precisely the same principle as that pursued by our agriculturists in improving their breed of cattle. A fine specimen of each sex, posses- sing certain good qualities not common to both, is usually selected, and a combination of their good qualities may be expected in the offspring. The manner of performing the operation of cross impregnation will not be described at present; but on a future occasion it will probably be made the sub- ject of some remarks. The other mode of producing new and valuable va- rieties of raspberries suited to the peculiarities and necessities of our climate, n.amely: by planting seed which has' not been subjected to artificial fertilization, also promises favorable results. The seed selected should bo of the finest sorts, such as the True Red Antwerp, Yellow Antwerp, Franconia, Fastolf, and Kneaett's Giant, which are all of foreign origin, and emanate from a species that has been under cultiva- tion, in Europe, for many centuries. Seedlings from theac varieties, like the progeny of many animals and VOL. I E. vegetables which, for a series of generations, have been placed under the meliorating influences of arti fioial culture, will be found to vary, in several re- spects, from the parent. It is important tliat no pro- tection should be given to the plants raised from seed; they should bo subjected to severe exposure, in order that all the tender ones may be killed off. We require hardy varieties. The seed of the rospberry, even when planted im- mediately after the fruit is ripe, will scarcely ever vegetate till the following spring; differing in tliis respect from the strawberry seed, which generally germinate the same season they are planted, and fre- quently fruit the following season. It is perhaps not generally known, that raspberry plants, raised from seed sown in the spring, will occasionally bear fruit in the summer of the following year. This will more certainly be the case, if the seed be planted in a pot or box and placed in a warm room with a southerji exposure, in February or March. Seedlings raised from foreign varieties will often be found to sport considerably in foliage, and in the form and color of the berry. From the seed of the Fastolf, a crimson variety, I have raised plants, some of which bear light cream-colored, some straw-colored and some crimson fruit. From a seed of Dyack's seedling, another crimson variety, originated the orange raspberry, the fruit of which is neither red nor yellow, but of a bright orange color. From seed of the Col. Wilder, a cream-colored variety, and a seedling of the Fastolf, I have raised a number of. plants, the fruit of some of which is red, and of others yellow of different shades. Having artificially fertil- ized a blossom of the Fastolf with pollen from the Yellow Antwerp, all of the seed contained in the berry formed by this operation were planted. Many of them vegetated ; but so tender were most of the plants, that all save one perished. Tlie survivor, (named the French as a compliment to my highly valued friend the Hon. B. X. French, of Massachu- setts,) bears a crimson fruit and seems to possess more constitutional hardiness than either of its pa- rents. One object in making the preceding cross between a red and a yellow fruited variety was to as- certain whether the fruit of the offspring would pre- serve the separate color of one or the other parent, or consist of a blending of the two. Pliiladdplda, May 26, 1851. Comparative cost of swords a.vd ploughsjiare?. — It is estimated that the agricultural labor done in England, in 1847, cost £18,200,000, and oflScial re- turns show that the cost of her naval and military establishments for the same year was £18,500,000, that is £300,000 more than for all her golden har- vests. TnE prospect of a bountiful harvest was never more flattering than now. From every section of the State we have the mo»t cheering accounts. HORTICULTURAL. [June, Transplanting Pear Trees. Mr. Editor : — As you have expressed a desire that farmers should communicate facts for your Journal, I herewith offer one, -which though familiar to some of your readers, may be new and valuable to others. I have frequently heard persons complain of their repeated failures in transplanting fruit and other trees, but especially the pear tree. Having at various times had occasion to transplant)- several fine young pear trees, and knowing how repeatedly others had met with ill luck, I was induced before attempting the first one, to take counsel from a friend (whose success was almost certain,) as to the plan to be pur- sued. His advice was, first, to prepare the hole des- tined to receive the tree, of a size not less than from three to four feet in diameter, and from eighteen inch- es to two feet in depth ; the depth and diameter de- pending upon the size of the tree. The earth in the bottom of the hole was well loosened to the depth of four or five inches ; while that taken from it was thoroughly pulverized, and when occasion required it, enriched with manure. The nest thing to be done was to take up the tree, about which too nuich care could not be exercised. — The delicate fibres of the roots through which the tree receives its food, were carefully protected from injuries ; and no pains spared to preserve them as entire as possible. To accomplish this more effectu- ally, the digging was commenced at a suflicient dis- tance from the body of the tree to enable the trans- planter to ascertain how far the roots had extended themselves, so that having ascertained this, he could ■work to better advantage. After having loosened the roots, and before removing the tree, a mark was made upon the bark, in order that it might lie placed in its ne-w homo, in precisely the same position in rela- tion to the points of the conqMss, it formerly had. A iufficient quantity of the enriched and well pulve- rized earth was next filled into the hole to cause the tree to stand at exactly the same depth as before. — The roots were then nicely adjusted, so that every fibre was brought in contact with the soil, in order to effect which the hand was used, instead of the spade. Some of our most distinguished horticultu- rists recommend the plunging of the roots into a pud- dle of thin clay or mud, but my experience as well as judgment, advise a different course. One of the es- eontial requisites to success in transplanting is, that the delicate fibres of the roots be so arranged as to take up nourishment from as large an amount of •oil as possible. This can be done only, by separat- ing them. Plunging them into a puddle of clay or mud has the effect of causing them to cling closely to- gether, and thus defeats the very object it is intended to promote. If a bucket of water is poured in after the roots are covered with soil, the same end to be accomplished by puddling will be secured, with this difference in favor of the former plan, that the fibres of the roots will be separated instead of adhcriiig to each other in masses. After filling the hole, the soil should not be pressed in too tightly, but a few days given it to set- tle, and if occasion requires it, more soil may bo added from time to time so as to keep the surface even with the ground around it. By pursuing this simple plan, and talcing special care to have the trees placed in their new p)Osition with particular reference to the marlis on the bark, I have been uniformly successful in transplanting. Several of my friends have tried it with the .same success ; and I am firmly impressed with the belief that if this system .were generally adopted, there would be fewer failures in this important department of Hor- ticulture. I will merely add that I have always selected the middle of April as the time for transplanting, though Autumn would perhaps prove equally propitious. I have also been careful in selecting, when practicable, a dry situation, with a good loam soil, finding it best adapted to the pear tree. ACRICOLA. Xew Holland, Pa., May 24, 1851. Destruction of Birds & Increase of Noxious Insects. Mr. Editor : — It is a well known fact that thirty years ago, our apples were, as a general thing, more sound and perfect than now — our peach trees suffered less from destructive insects — the ravages of the cur- culio were scarcely worth mentioning, while many of the injuries now inflicted upon our fruit and forest trees were almost unknown to the Tarmer. It is an equally well established fact that thirty years ago, thousands of insectivorous birds were to be found on our farms, where scarcely a single one is now to be seen. Every tree and bush was alive with their presence and the whole country made vocal with their delightful warblings. Now, compare these tw© facts, and what is the legitimate inference to be drawn from them. Why, that the increase of noxious insects has been in an exact ratio with the decrease of the birds. Is not this subject worthy the atten- tion of the farmers, and should they not combine their efforts for the purpose of preventing the de- struction of these useful and harmless little birds, by lazy gunners ? In a former number of the Farm Journal, I ob- served an article in which the use of chickens wai highly commended as preventive of the increase of the eurculio. Believing the suggestion an excellent one, I have arranged my yard so as to enable me t« keep a number of chickens in the vicinity of mj plum trees. If chickens are the enemies of the eur- culio, and can be made useful in preventing their in- crease, why should the farmers permit the little bird* to be destroyed, when it is well known that they are the most effectual means of preserving his fruits and ISSl.] HORTICULTURAL. 83 trees from the hosts of noxious insects which now in- fest them, and the yearly increase of which is truly formidable and alarming. If I remember rightly, by an Act of General As- sembly, the destruction of insectivorous birds in Lancaster County, at any time between the first of April and the first of October, is made a penal of- fence. Why is not this law enforced against the lazy men and boys who may be seen daily in pursuit of the birds? I never meet one of these straggling louts without feeling strongly inclined to give him a good drubbing. What a triumph it must be to them to kill a harmless little wood-robin or field-lark ! No man possessed of a single spark of humanity would be guilty of doing it, while no one can plead neces- sity as an excuse for his barbarous conduct. One half the time and effort, (to say nothing of the ex- pense of powder, shot, and wear and tear of clothing,) if expended in almost any honest work would pay far better. If, therefore, it cannot be a matter of profit, it must be one of sport, and the man's mind must be an empty one, and his heart a cold one, who can find either amusement or sport in such an unmanly pursuit. I appeal to the farmers and friends of the little birds in our o^vn county as well as in every section of the State, to assist in preventing this exterminating warfare against harmless and useful birds. An Old Farmeh. Lancaster Co., May 26, 1851. i^ovtuultural Socictiea. Kitchen Garden. JIr. Editor : — Though gardening was the first profession of which history gives an account, yet it appears strange to us at the present day to see it so feebly practised. At this period of the season, the gardener must have a head and an eye to his second crops, or in other words, to plan out his succession, »o as to keep the gi-ound covered and properly culti- vated. A succession of bush or snop-short beans is indispens.able; plant a few every ten days till Au- gust. Turnip rooted and long blood beet will pro- duce a good crop sown as late as the 4th of July; soak the seed in water a few hours before sowing, and if the weather is dry, water the drills. Never sow tur- nips on ground from which a crop of cabbage has been just taken or' even one year previous. Plant out celery for early use — manure and moisture is in- dispensable to its growth. The soil should be dry or ploughed deep and well pulverized. Soap suds once a week is very conducive to its luxuriance. R. BciST. RosedaU Nurseries and Seed Farm. To Destrot the Caterpillar. — In answer to many inquiries for the best mode of destroying caterpillars on trees, which have caused such havoc of our hopes the present year, I would say that three drops of lamp oil poured into their nest will effeciually de- stroy them. — Albany Cultivator. Proceeduigs of the Pennsylvania Horticultural So- ciety. The stated meeting was held in th.e Chinese Saloon, Philadelphia. May 20th, 1851. The President in the Chair. The JLiy meetings of the Society are usually among the most attractive occuring at a season so far advanced as to preclude all danger by sudden atmos- pheric changes to green house plants. Proprietors therefore permit their choicest specimens to bo sent for the gratification of members and visiters, who throng the Hall and enjoy the scene with unmingled delight. On this occasion many embraced the oppor- tunity who assuredly must have been pleased, hav- ing spread before them extensive tables covered with a great variety of beautiful flowering plants, and cul- inary vegetables in profusion. Of the former, Peter Mackenzie exhibited a handsome collection of Calce- olarias, Fuchsias, Cinerarias, and a large specimen of Azalea variegata, completely enveloped with its re- splendent flowers, an object of much attraction. Rob- ert Buist, a collection of Pelargonia, many of which were the new fonoy varieties and shown for the first time, and all were of the choicest kinds, fine Azale- as, new Calceolarias, and a number of plants of re- cent introduction and now for the fii'st time brought into notice — Tetratheca vertieillata, a pretty delicate upright plant with very narrow leaves in whorls and cerulean flowers — Ceutranthus microsiphon, another of delicate habit bearing numerous slender flowers in umble form of a pink hue — Henfreya Scandens, a climbing plant bearing clusters of white flowers a seedling Mirnutus of marked colors and beauty, named "Jupiter," and Azalea coronata. We would remark hero that both of the above collections were not ofiered in competition, but in a liberal manner furnished for the gratification of visitors. John Lambert's gardener, a collection containing fine Pe- largonia, Cinerarife, two specimens of Rhodcndron ponticum in full bloom, etc. Benjamin Gulliss and William Hall each choice Roses. A very large and beautiful basket of cut flowers was shown by the President's gardener. Of Fruits — there were ripened Grapes of the whit« Constantia and Chasselas of Fontenbleau, varieties from the President's houses — Strawberries of open culture from J. M. Tage, Burlington, N. J. The Lo- quat grown and exhibited by Mrs. Jno. R. Latimer of Wilmington. Two Seedling Apples of merit by Wm. Haines, Pricetown, Berks Co. Vegetables — John Riley, gardener at the Asylum for the Insane, exhibited Cauliflowers which for great size and luxuriance far surpassed any former occa- sion. Cucumbers of large size were shown from the houses of Geo. W. Carpenter, Germantown; Samuel C. Ford, Cedargrove ; Isaac Newton, Delaware Co., and Harry Ingersoll. _ Rhubarb of gigantic propor- tion, some stalks of which measured from three to four feet in length, and it was thought that half a dozen stalks would weigh full twenty pounds, by Samuel Cooper, Henry Cooper, John Riley, William Hobson and Willi.am Hall. Asparagus of great weight by James M. Tage, Burlington. Forced Potatoes of the ash leaved kidney variety, by C. Cope's gardener, and very full displays by Anthony Felton, jr.; by Miss Gratz's gardener ; by John Lambert's gardener, and a few specimens by Wm. Johns. Premiums awarded on this occasion — viz : By the committee on plants and flowers. For the best and for the second best Pelargoniums, to Robert Buist. For the best Perpetual Roses, to Benj, Gul 84 HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. [JCNE, liss ; for the second bestjo William Ilall. For the best and most interesting collection of Plants in pots, to Maurice Finn, gardener to John Lambert ; for the second best design of cut flowers, to John Gallagher gardener to Miss Gratz. For the best hand Boquet, to Robert Kilvington. For the best basket of cut flowers to Thomas Ryan, gardener to to C. Cope ; for the second best William Hall. And for the best American Seedling Camellia shown this year, to Jas. Ritchie, which he has named " Caleb Cope," the sil- ver medal of the society. By the Committee on Vegetables — Cucumbers for the best, to Thomas Riley, gardener to Geo. W. Car- penter, Germantown. Rhubarb, for the boit twelve stalks, to Samuel Cooper; for the secind best, to Henry Cooper. Asparagus, for the best twenty-four stalks, to James M. Tage. Potatoes, for the best ten pounds, to Thomas Ryan, gardener to Caleb Cope. — For the best and most interesting display of vegeta- bles by a market gardener, to Anthony Felton, Jr. For the best and most interesting display by an am- ateur gardener, to John Gallagher, gardener to IMiss Gratz. The Committee also noticed a veiy fine dis- play of Cauliflowers, by Jno. Riley, gardener at the Asylum for the Insane, for which they awarded a special premium of two dollars.* The Secretary reported that the seeds from the Botanic garden commission. Cape of Good Hope, S. Africa, had been received and would be distributed by tlie appropriate Committee. A vote of thanks was accorded to Prof. S. S. Hal- deman for the gift to the Society of a copy of his ■woi'k on Latin Pronunciation for the use of Students of Botany, Zoology, &c. The circular reported by the committee of finance by resolution of the society "expressive concisely of the objects, advantages and claim of the society " was submitted in printed form for circulation. The eight gentlemen nominated at last stated meeting, for membership, wore duly elected. On motion, adjourned. Tho. P. James, Recording Secrdary. * Mr. Riley kindly presented us with several of those fine cauliflowers, which were served up in rare style the nest day by our friend McKibben, of the ^Ierchant's Hotel, 4th street, Philadelphia, where, in company with several friends, we partook of them with much satisfaction. Some idea of their quality and size may be formed from the fact that tliey sold readily in market at 75 cents each. — Ed. SCHEDULE OF PREMIUMS Offered hy the Pennsylvania HoriiciiUural Society, Philadeljyhia, for the month of June. At the stated meeting on the 17th, at 8 o'clock, P. M. Pinks. — For the best, sis named varieties, 2 00 For the 2d best, do. 1 00 Pink. — For the best American Seedling, 2 00 Geapks. — For the best, 3 bunches, of a black var. 3 00 For the best, do. of a white var. 3 00 Steawberries. — For the best, two quarts of a named variety, 3 00 For the 2d best, do. do. do. 2 00 Chbrkies. — For the best, three pounds of a named variety, 3 00 For the 2d best, do. do. do. 2 00 The meetings of the society are held on Tuesday evening, by which arrangement persons who attend market in Philadelphia haye an opportunity of com- peting for premiums, as well as of visiting the rooms of the society. We are authorized to state that the members of the society will be much gratified to have them present on such occasions, either as competitors or spectators. Chester County Horticultural Society. The stated meeting for May was held in the Hall of the Society, in West Chester, on tho 17th instant. T. C. Baldwin, President, in the chair. Premiums were awarded as follows: For the best 10 varieties of Pelargoniums $1, to Pas- chall Morris & Co. " the best ten varieties of Roses in pots $1, to Pas- chall Morris & Co. " the best display of Apples, 3 varieties $1, to Ziba Darlington. " the best Lettuce §1, to Paschall Morris & Co. " " " Asparagus ?!, to J. G. Darlington. " " _ " Rhubarl) $1, to Paschall Morris & Co. The display of specimens for the month was very good. P. Morris & Co. exhibited near one hundred specimens of green house plants, roses, evergreens, shrubs, &c. Among their evergreens wore some of the most rare and beautiful varieties. The display of apples by Mr. Darlington consisted of the pennock, romanito, greyhouse and lady finger, well preserved. A. Marshall & Co. exhibited some strawberries, of the monthly variety, ripened in the open air. Joshua Hoopes, cactus in full bloom. W. T. Painter, tulips. Dr. W. D. Ilartman, chairman of the Committee on Insects, read a very interesting report on the seven- teen years' Locust, which was ordered to be publish- ed in the papers of the county, and the Pennsylvania Farm Journal. The proceedings of the Society's meetings were di- rected to be hereafter published in the county papers and the Pennsylvania Farm Journal. The Society directed that their next Horticiilhtral a?id Industrial Exhibition be held in the large saloon of the Society's Ilall, in W^est Chester, on the 12th, 13 th, and 14th days of June next. T. M. Meredith, Esq., was duly elected a member. J. D. Pyle, Sec'y. W. Chester, May 20, 1851. Farming in California. — The country north of San Francisco Bay is one of the finest farming dis- tricts of California. A correspondent of the Alta Californian writes: Annally, my farm, has under cultivation 150 acres potatoes, 30 do. onions, 30 do. wheat, 10 do. barley, 10 do. turnips, 25 do. beets, cabbage and maize 250 acres. For tenants — potatoes arid other vegetables 120 acres. Independent of this, there will be within a radius of fifteen miles from Port Podega no .less than 700 acres of potatoes planted this season, be- sides 200 acres of barley and wheat, and about 54 acres of vegetables. The whole quantity of potatoes planted in this section of country will amount to 950 acres; which, allowing a yield equal to that of last year's crop in Annally, (being ten tons per acre,) we will have an aggregate quantity of 9500 tons, which of itself will go far toward supplying San Francisco market. In Sonoma, Napa, Suisun, Suscol and Pata- I loma, there will bo large crops planted. 1851.] FEMALE INDUSTRY, kc. 85 Pomcstic Department. Female Industry, Accomplishment and Duty. Mr. Editor : — In contemplating woman, skilled in the various arts of life, thoroughly accomplished and complete in character, so constituted by her own ef- forts and acquirements, we feel there is something to admire — something real and true and abiding — some- thing that will live, and last, when the tine complex- ion has lost its rose-tint, the eye its glow, and the hair its lustre. Females of this ago have not the same duties nor the same urgent necessities for untiring and unceas- ing toil, as those of an earlier period. Everything is changed, both in the facilities, and requisitions of la- bor. Yet woman need not, should not be useless, or feel herself exonerated from all responsibility, be- cause her burden is a liglder one to bear. Neither should she feel the necessity of departing from her appropriale sphere for employment and occupation. There is enough in her own allotted station to de- velope and engross her highest powers both of body, mind, and character, and if occupied as she should be, will never feci that her sphere is narrow and un- important. A thorough and right education, would open her eyes to the magnitude of her duties, and tlie strength of intellect requisite, to meet the demands of life, upon her highest capabilities. There are a great variety of methods, in which fe- male talent and industry may find ample scope. — The past furnishes many brilliant illustrations, and we may point to many in the present who are build- ing monuments of lasting renown to female industry and effort. But it is only by dint of application and persever- ence that great results are over accomplished. Un- less there is some hahit formed, something undertaken, life will pass away with but the trifles of the hour, and no trace will be left that an active human being bad ever lived ! How full of blessing we may make every day of this short life, by our ceaseless industry. Every gift which God has in his wisdom bestowed, should be cultivated to its highest capacity, that "He may re- ceive Ilis own with usury." The mind — has not our Heavenly Father bestowed thinking, reasoning, intel- ligent faculties, that should not lie idle? AVhatever be the bestowment, use it as a priceless gift. There is time enough, means enough, employ them. Genius was formerly needed to aid forward the great car of necessity and labor, now there is am- ple room, and scope, for all that the human mind has power to accomplish. If the time given to idleness, folly and extrava- gance, were appropriated to literature, science, art, and the various departments of usefulness in domestic life and society, what a wreath of beauty would blos- som, where hang now but the dark withered leaves of the industry of a former age. "Wealth should not exonerate, but give the more liesure for real, lofty achievement, and successful ef- fort, and a deeper and wide-spread influence through the great channels of benevolence and education. — Whose heart will not glow and beat with a warmer emotion when the female talent of America, inspired by active industry and real goodness has deserved the applause of an approving world and the calm bright smile of Heaven. L. 6. A. Chi(ienan(jo, K. Y. JIr. Editor. — As you have done me the honor to forward to my address the April No. of your Penn- sylvania Farm Journal, you will perhaps allow me, while making my acknowledgments, to add a remark, and offer a suggestion. Your Journal will no doubt be eminently useftil, and I trust also eminently successful. Such a publi- cation, widely circulated, will give the hard-working, industrious farmcr,all the benefits of such experiments and improvements, as agriculturists of means and leisure, may make and adopt. The great majority of the tillers of the ground are necessarily short of school learning. For instance, a va.z.n goes into a new sec- tion of country and commences farming, His means are small, and there is a vast amount of work to be done; much of which, such as weeding, making hay, and picking stones, can be done by small childi'cn. — He has children, he is unable to hire men, the work must be done, ergo, the children must stay out of school, and do it. They are not, however, necessarily igtwrant; they have books, newspapers, and the great book of nature ; but they have small opportunities for scientific research, and generally do as their fathers did before them. Such a publication as your Jour- nal wiU be especially useful to this large class of men, as I before observed, and I trust that it will be widely patronized by the farming community. But — while there are so many efforts made for the benefit of farmers ; so many experiments tried, and the results noted; so many useful inventions made, for the speedier and easier performance of his labor; so much said and printed for his especial benefit; why is it that so little is said and done for the benefit of the farmer's wife, and the indoor economy and comfort of his establishment? I am certain that- no class of women, on the face of the earth, work so hard and incessantly, and under such inconveniencies as the wives and daughters of our pioneer agriculturists. I know very many women who, with several smajl children to take care of, perform all the work of their house, make butter and cheese, spin wool and flax, sew, knit, perhaps weave, and all this with no assis- tance whatever and no allowance for indisposition ; for whatever they are unable to do this week, must lie over and be added to next week's task. Shoulii 86 AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. [June, not something Ijo done for the alleviation of their la- bors, and their improvement in their methods, and habits of household economy ? A simple suggestion, or statement of a fact, might save a large amount of labor, beside enabling the housewife to produce a better article, with a consid- erable saving of material. There are many, very many vromen, (ladies if you please.) in Pennsylvania ■who are capable of giving such instruction ; many vrho, in passing through the trials of pioneer life, lighted upon improvements, and made little inven- tions, which not only tended to lighten their burden then, but have conduced largely to their present pros- perous and comfortable condition. These ladies are capable, and probably willing to give their younger or l«ss fortunate sisters, the Ijenefit of their discover- ies, if they had a medium through which to commu- nicate. Now, Mr. Editor, suppose you gentlemen, just for once, forego your jealously guarded prerogative of doing all the talking, and all the writing, and give up a page or so of the Farm Journal to our use, as a Domestic Department, and invite the "wise women" to contriljute of their intellectual wealth ? All the benefits, you know, would ultimately accrue to your- selves, in the increase of your wealth and home com- forts. And then you might allow us to aid each other in the management and education of our children, and also to enlighten each other on improved modes of floriculture ; and to give useful recipes and speci- fics for such ills as afflict children, chickens, &c. By the way, I have made a discovery in the floral kingdom wliich is worth disseminating. It was acci- dental like all important discoveries. I gave a sick cliild some hyacinths to amuse himself with, merely the flower stalks carelessly broken off, and the next morning, as they lay withering on my table, I pitied them, as I do all drooping things, and taking tliem up, thrust, with my pen-holder, holes in the earth of a pot in which plants were growing, and fixed the stalks in the damp earth. After a few hours they revived, but a few days subsequent, after the blos- soms were withered, I drew them out to throw them away, and was surprised to find that they had formed bulbs at the bottom of the stems. Since then I have repeated the experiment, always with success. They invariably wilt at first, and sometimes do not straight- en themselves up, until the seventh or eighth day. I have not tried any other flower, but intend this sum- mer to make the experiment with tulips. Any lady may, in this manner, rear hyacinths from a withered boquet. L\'dia Jane Pieeson. Liberty, Pa., May 15, 1851. One cow well fed will be of more profit than two kept on the same fodder. This will also apply to other stock. One ton of hay cut when the grass begins to blos- som will produce as much milk as two tons cut when the seed is ripe. ;:PliQincultural 0ockics. JTorthumberlaud Agricultural Society. Our friends in Northumberland are moving ener- getically, as will be seen by the following extract from a letter of a correspondent at that place : " We have just organized an Agricultural Societyl Our success very far exceeded our best hopes. Men from all parts of the county were present to partici- pate— men of energy and character — and we have started under circumstances that lai'ger couutiea might well envy. President — Samuel Hunter. Vice Preside7ifs — Jos. R. Priestly, James Cameron, George C. Welker, Wm. B. Kipp, Jacob Seesbolts, Samuel John, John INIontgomery. liecording Secretary — Wm. J. Greonough. Corresponding Secretary — David Taggart. Treasurer — Wm. L. Dewart. Librarian — Wm. McCarty. Managers— 3 sixacs Pollock, Amos E. Kapp, Jesse C. Horton, Alexander Jordan, John B. Heller, Saml. Shannon, Henry Reader, Daniel Lenker, Elisha Kline, Charles Riddle, William Deppen, and five others, whose names I have forgotten. We will try to make Northumberland furnish her one hundred subscriljers to the Farm Journal." Lancaster County Agricultural Society. Mr. Editor : — I attended a special meeting of the Lancaster County Society on the 19th of May, and was much pleased with the spirit which charac- terized the proceedings, although I could not but regret that the attendance was so very slim. Scarcely a quorum was present, although business of impor- tance claimed attention. This should not be, and our farmers and friends of the Society should now put forth a special effort to secure not only a full at- tendance at the meetings, but to render these meet- ings profitable and influential. Almost every county in the State is forming a Society. The Susquehan- na, Montgomery, Bucks, and other County Socie- ties are making preparations for holding their Annu- al Exhibitions. The Chester County Horticultural Society holds its Semi-Annual Exhiljition during the coming month, and on every side we behold eviden- ces of progress on the part of the farming communi- ty. Where is Lancaster, the "Garden Spot" of Pennsylvania — the agricultural centre of the State — the district which for a century, almost, has hold the first place in agricultural importance ? What is she doing to help the great reform that is going on throughout the State 1 I am sorry to say, literally nothing. A few noble, persevering men, arc strain- ing every point to wake up her farmers to a just sense of the importance of moving energetically and in a body : but so lukewarmly are they supported, that hope has almost abandoned them. The pros- pect ahead, (if the past be taken as a criterion) is any thing but cheering, yet those who have perse- vered thus far should not despair. There is a better day coming, although discouragement has marked every step for months past. Let us hope that the day will come and speedily, when this apathetic spirit will give way to energetic action — when our farmers will feel the importance of the position tliey occupy, and with a hearty good will, engage in plac- ing our noble county in her true position. A Member. May 25, 1851. ISSl.J BOOK NOTICES. 87 3ao\i ^'oticcs. Elements of Latin Pronunciation, for the use of stu- dents in Lanijuarie, Law, Medicine, Zoolorjy, Botany, and the sciences (jeneraUy in which Latin words are used, by S. S. Ilaldeman, A. M., Professor of Na- tural History in tlio University of Pa. Pliilad. Lippineott, Grambo & Co. 1851. 8vo. pp. 76. It is somcwliat singular that among the numerous works devoted to Latin instruction vrhich are publish- ed every year, the important subject oi pronunciation should have been neglected to such an extent that this is the first American book upon the suliject. The assertion of John "Walker, that the pronuncia- tion of Latin cannot be ascertained, is still believed by many, although the suljject has been fully dis- cussed _ by the ancient grammarians; and upwards of fifty ancient author.s have thrown light upon va- rious poiu'a. For example, the ancients assert that C and K have the same power, and that A E have a double sound, so that the first syllables of the Gorman Kaiser and leid, and their originals, the Latin Cresar and Lajdo, are identical. The Portuguese retain the original sound of se, and as they were the first to write many names of maritime cities, &c., we are thereby made acquainted with the mode of pronoun- cing words like ShanJjhae (shang-high.) We observe a few typographical errors, such as a diaeresis mark in the middle of a word in P29. The name vilcsia on page 76 should have been viLxii; and if the 6tli line from the bottom on p. 61, is in- tended as an imitation of Virgil's first line, the third and fourth words should have been tjelow and sad. Some new principles of etymology are laid down, and the origin of several words pointed out which were previously doubtful. According to these, it would seem preferrable to refer the name vaccinum (now applied to the hucldeherry) to bacca a tjerry, rather than to ny.ACiNTHCs, to which the dictionaries refer it. Parents interested in the question will of course have to determine whether their children shall be taught Latin, or some jargon which goes under the name; whilst those who are entrusted with this branch of education should study the subject more fully than the ordinary grammars enable them to do. Rural Economy in its relation with Chemistry, Phy- sics, and Meteorology; or. Chemistry applied to Agriculture. By J. B. Boussingault. New York. D. Appleton & Co. 18.50. 12mo. pp. 507. The author of this volume is a member of the French Institute, and well known as a ma,n of great scientific research. The work is extensive, and is devoted to those branches of rural economy which can bo illustrated with the aid of the physical sciences. It consequently treats of the composition of vegetables and soils, the nature and applicability of the various kinds of mineral and organic manures, the theory of the rotation of crops, the maintenance of live stock, and the bearings of meteorology, or the general effects of temperature and atmospheric agents. The valua- ble researches of Mr. Boucherie on the preservation of timber are detailed in it. We have been favored with a copy of the above works by Messrs. Jones & Co., Booksellers, 4th and llace streets, Philadelphia. T7ie Compute Farmer and Gardener. By Thomas G. Fessenden, New York: C. M. Saxton. 1851. pp. G50. This thick volume of sixiiuudred and fifty pages, is made up of two works bound together, the one devoted to fiirming, and the other to gardening. This is the tenth edition improved and enlarged, of the former ; and the thirtieth edition of the latter, which had nine years start of the other. Such an extensive demand proves both the high estimation in which these books are held, and the extent to which a de- sire for information from reliable sources, has spread among the community of cultivators. The latter fact is also proved by the great nvimljer of works from small manuals to large Encyclopaedias, issued for the benefit of the same class of readers. Mr. Fessenden's position as editor of the Keic Eng- land Farmer, gave him fooilities for preparing these works, and he has made a judicious use of his ma- terials. The Agriculture and Rural Economy of France, Bel- gium and Switzerland ; from personal ohsercation. By Henry Colman. Boston, 18-18. Arthur D.Phelps. 8vo. pp. 304. " In regard to any agricultural operation, or crop, or improvement, the most full, explicit, and practical directions are given, and every peculiar feature brought prominently forward. Many things are omitted because they are of doubtful utility, or of uncertain authority. His great object has been, not to publish theories, but to state facts ; and the deter- mined results of enlightened, exact, and conclusive experiments." — Author's preface. Bulletin of the American Art-Union, Keio York. Se- ries for 1851. April, No. 1. The American Art-Union publishes for its mem- bers alone. The Bulletin of the American Art Union, a monthly Journal of Art. The first number for 1851, has been received. We perceive that it con- tains the affairs and plan of the institution, with in- teresting varieties of art-literature, including essays, descriptions, anecdotes, criticisms, and foreign and domestic correspondence, — also of a dictionary of art, embracing biographical notices of artists, ancient and modern, American and foreign, living and dead, technical terms of art and science, &.c. Each Bulle- tin is also to be illustrated by several original en- gravings, outlines, and prints of an interesting char- acter. The whole will form, annually, a beautiful and useful quarto volume, for amusement, instruction and reference. 88^ MERINO SEEEP. [JuSE, illtiino Sl)ccp. Spanish Merino.—" The history of this celebra- ted race of sheep, so far as it is known, has so oft- en been brought before the public that it is deemed unnecessary liere to recapitulate it. Tlie first impor- tation r«f them into the United States took place in 1801. Four were shipped by Mv. Delessert, a bank- er of Paris, three of which perished on the passage. Tlie fourth arrived in safety at llosondale, a form owned by that gentleman near Kingston, in this State. The same year Mr. Seth Adams, of Massa- cliusetts, imported a pair from France. In 1802, two pairs were sent from France by Mr. Livingston, the American Minister, to his estate on the Hudson ; and later the same year, Jlr. llumphrys, our Span- ish Minister, shipped two hundred, on his departure from that country, for the United States." Hon. William Jarvis, of Weathersfield, Vermont, then American Consul at Lisbon, sent home large and valuable flocks in 1809, 1810, and 1811. The par- ticularly favorable circumstances for obtaining the choicest sheep of Spain, under which these were procured, j'ou will hud detailed in a letter to me from Mr. Jarvis, dated December, 1841, published in the Transactions of the New-York State Agricultu- ral Society of that year. Various subsequent impor- tations took place, which it is not important to par- ticularize. The Merinos " attracted little notice, until our dif- ficulties with England led to a cessation of commer- cial intercourse with that power, in 1808 and 1809. The attention of the country being then directed toward manufacturing and wool-growing, the Merino rose into importance. So great, indeed, was the in- terest excited, that from a thousand to fourteen hun- dred dollars a head was paid for them." Unfortu- nately some of the latter importations "arrived in MERINO RAM. [Defiance, 17 months old, bred by and property of Henry S. Randall.] the worst condition, bringing with them those scour- ges of the ovine race, the scab and foot-rot. These evils and tlie increased supply, soon lirought them down to less than a twentieth part of their former price ; they could now be bought for $20 a head. — ^Vhen, boAvevcr, it was established, by actual experi- ment, that their wool did not deteriorate, as had ,been feared by many, in tliis country, and that they l5ecame readily acclimated, they again rose into fa- vor. But the prostration of our manufactories, which soon after ensued, rendered the Merino comparative- ly of little value, and brought ruin to numliers who had purchased them at their previous high prices. — The rise which has since taken place in the value of fine wool, as well as the causes which led to it, are too recent and well understood to require particu- lar notice. With fJie rise of wool, the value of the sheep which Ijcars it has of course kept pace. " The Merino has been variously described. This arises from the fact that it is but the general appella- tion of a breed, comprising several varieties, present- ing essential point of difference in size, form, quality and quantity of wool." And writers of high author- ity differ even in their descriptions of these families or varieties. M. Lasteyrie, so celebrated as a writer on sheep, and particularly on the Merino, and Mr. Jcr\ns directly contradict each other on several points. It is scarcely necessary now to quote their conflicting statements, or inquire which is riglit — as the questions involved possess no practical imjior- tance. The families have, generally, been merged, by interbreeding, in the United States and other countries wliich have received the race from Spain. Purity of Merino blood, and actual excellence in tlie individual and its ancestors, has long since been the only standard which has guided sensible men in se- lecting sheep of this breed. Families have indeed sprung up, in this country, exhibiting wider points of difference than did those of Spain. In some cases they doubtless owe it to particular courses of breed- ing— but more often, proljably, to concealed or for- gotten infusions of other blood. ' The American Merino has, as is already intimated, diverged into families or varieties presenting wide points of difference. The minor distinctions are nu- merous, but they may all, perhaps, bo classed under 1851.1 EDITORIAL. 89 three general heads. The Jirsf, is a large, short- legged, strong, exceedingly hardy sheep, carrying a heavy fleece, ranging from medium to fine — free from hair in properly bred flocks — somewhat in- clin«d to ihruatiness, but not so much so as the l-lam- bouillets — In-ed to exhibit external concrete gum in Bome flocks, but not commonly so — their wool long- ish on both Ijack and belly, and exceedingly dense — wool whiter within than the Rambouillets — -skin the same rich rose-color. The ram is a good specimen of this variety, though his age is not sufficient to give liim the substance and compactness of an older ani- mal, and the apparent want in these particulars is Lightened by recent shearing. His first fleece of well-washed wool, at thirteen months old, was 8 lbs.; was of beautiful quality, and entirely destitute of hair. At throe years old he would have sheared from 10 to 12 lbs. of well-washed wool. — Bandall's Sheep Husbandry. OUR TERMS— READ THEM. In order that the Farm Journal may be placed within the reach of every one who feels interested in tlie progress of Agriculture, we ask attention to the following terms : — Single Copies, - §1 00 Per Annum. Five " - - 4 00 " Ten TWEXTY 7 50 15 00 It is not required that all papers in a club should be sent to one oiiioe. "We will mail them (in wrap- pers,) to as many difi"erent offices as may be necessa- ry. We make this arrangement in order that persons residing in different neighljorhoods may unite, and form large clubs, and thus secure the " Journal" at tlie very lowest club rates. Specimen copies of the Journal will be sent on ap- plication, Po.'it-paid, to the publisher. Fijst Mas'':i-s, are by law, authorised to remit sub- scription money to the publisher, free of postage. — Particular attention is asked to this fact, as it will Bavo expense both to subscribers' and publisher. Our Terms are cash in advance. The exceedingly low rate at which the Journal is furnished renders tliis imperative. Subscriptions may be sent at our risk, and money at par where subsscribers reside, will be taken. Where the sum to be sent is largo we pre- fer that a draft should be procured, if possible. Subscribers and Post Masters are invited to act as Agents. A receipt will always be sent with the first numljer of the copy subscribed for. All letters must be addressed, post paid, to the pub- lisher. A. M. SP ANGLER, Lancaster, Pa. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BT THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE STATE AGRICULTtlRAL SOCIETT. Reso.'md, Thai we deem the estahlishment and suc- cess of an Ayricultnral Journal pnhUshed in Pennsyl- vol3 of everydescription ; in a -word, eveiy implement necessary to the Farmer and Gardener, and of the most approved kinds and patterns can be had at our Warehouse. Also, field, grass, and garden seeds of every variety. At our Nursery will be found nur usual large assortment of Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Shrubbery, Grapevines, Green [louse Plants, &c., (c. PASCHALL MORRIS & CO. Westchester, Pa., June 1, 1S51. DIXON & KERR'S POULTRY BOOK. JUST PUBLISHED, A TREATISE ON THE HISTORY AND MAN- AGEMENT OF ORNAMENTAL AND DO- MESTIC POULTRY. By Rev. Edmund Saul Di.xon, A. M., with large additions, by J. J. Kerr, M. D. Illus- trated with SIXTY-FIVE portraits, from nature, engraved expressly for this work. CONTENTS. The Domestic Fowl. The Rearing and Management of Fowls. Eggs — Their Color, Form and Sex. Eggs — Their Preservatior. for Culinary Purposes. Eggs — Their Preservation for Incubation. Varieties ot the Shanghae Fowl. The Cochin China Fowl. Biirnham's Importation of Cochin China Fowls. The Malay Fowls, sometimes (though erronously) called Chitlagong. The Pheasant — Malay Fowl. The Guelderland Fowl. The Dorking Fowl — Colored Dorkings. The Spanish Fowl. The Game Fowl — The Mexican Hen Cock Game Fowl. The Chittagongs, The Java, The Shakebag, and the Jersey Blue Fowls. The Poland or Polish Fowl. The Spangled Hamburgs — Tho Bolton Greys or Creole Fowls. The Rumpless Fowl, the Silky and Negro Fowls, the Frizzled or Friesland Fowl, the Cuckoo Fowl, the Blue Dun Fowl, and the Lark-crested Fowl. The Smooth-legged Bantam. The Dung-hill Fowl, the Dominique Fowl, Colonel Jacques' Chicken Coop, Devereu.x's Method of Rearing Chickens without a Mother, and Cope's Letter on Early Chickens. Caponizing Fowls. The Pea Fowl. The Ring-necked Pheasant. The Turkey. The Guinea Fowl. The Mute Swan (Cygnus Olor). The Wild or Canada Goose. The Domestic Goose. The Hong Kong or China Goose, The Bremen Goose. The White-fronted or Laughing Goose. The White China Goose. The Bernicle Goose — The Brent Goose. The Tame Duck. This work is well bouud in muslin, and is printed on the finest paper. The illustratiora are engraved in the most elegant manner, from original and accurate drawings, and the whole is one volume cf 480 pages duodecimo, price 81. A few copies have been colored after nature. Price for the colored copies, $2,50. For sile by all Booksellers, and by the Publisljers. E. H. BUTLER & CO., June l-3( 23 Minoe Street, Philada. PHILADELPHIA & LIVERPOOL LINE OF PACKETS-To sail from Philadelphia on the 15ih, and from Liverpool on the 1st of each month. From Phila. From Liverpool. Ship SHENANDOAH ' " Capt. W. P. Gardiner. New ship Westmokeland Capt. P. A. Decan, New ship Shackmaxon, Capt. W. H West. Ship MARY PLEASANTS, (-July l.^tli Sc'^p". 1st Capt. R. R. Decan, .J Nov. I5ih Jan. let May iBt The above first class ships are built of the best materi- als, and commanded by experienced navigators. Due re- gard has been paid to select models for speed with com- fort for passengers. They will sail punctually on the days advertised, taking advantage of the steam tow boats on the Delaware. Persons wishing to engage passage for their friends, can obtain certificates, which will be good for twelve months. Passage to Liverpool in the cabin, g80 " " Forward cabin, 20 " " Steerage, 12 Passage from Liverpool in the cabin, 100 " " Forward cabin, 25 " " Steerage, 20 Those who wish to remit money, can be accommodated with drafts for £1 sterling and upwards, atsioht, without discount. Apply to GEO. McHEN RY & CO. June 1, 1851. 37 Walnut street. JOHN H. SMITH'S RENOVATING OINTMENT & HORSE RENOVA'G POWDERS. T'^HE author of our existence has cau-sed to grow up ppontane- X ously. throughout the world, such TogetabU' properties as will at once euro, wlien properly applied, all curable di.'^eases. The proprietor of these truly valuable Medicines might fill a volume, with Certificates and Testimonials in favor of his articles ; but considering such pufTs wholly useless, since they are so readily manufactured, and m ido use of to such an extent to palm off some useless trash upon the public, I shall, therefore, state at once, the various diseases that can be speedily cured by these Invaluable Horse Kenovating PowiJer.c, viz :— Glanders, Hidebound, and Horee, Distemper. It also carries off all gross humors, and purifies the blood. It is also a safe and certain cure for the Heaves; it will also cleanse, at once, the stomach and maw from hots, worms. &c. and again restore the stomach and bowels to healthy action. S-mith's Renovating Oi^tmknt is an invaluable remedy for hor- ses, in the cure ol the following diseases : Fresh Wound.*. Galli? cf all kinds. Sprains. Bruises, Kingbones, Poll Evil, Wind Galls. Spavins, Sweeny, Fistula, Strains, Lameness, Foundered Feet, Cracks, and Scratches. The above articles are to be had in most of the Cities and prin- cipal Villages throughout the United State.'', and theCanadas. For sale, wholesale and retail, at John H. Smith's Depot, No. 133 Fulton street. (2d floor.) New York. Price. 25 cents per box for the Ointment; 50 cents for the Horse Renovating Powders. For sale by DR. ELY PARRY, April— 6m] East King street, Lanca.=ter, Pa. The BEST and MOST V'ALU^UJLE Agricultural Implements & Macliinery Exhibited at the State Fair in 1850, will bo seen by the award of Premiums below : AWARDED TO E. WHITMAN, JR., 55 Light SOeet, Baltimore, hy the Maryland State Ji^rieultiiral Society, At their Srd Annual Fair, held in Baltimore 23d, 24th and 25lli October, 1S50. For the best Plow in the Plowing Match, the Prouty & Mears No 6J $40 Oe For the best Plowing with Ox Team, samo plow, (Special Premium) -..-_., --200 For the best Plow on Exhibition, Rugglcs, Noursc, Mason & Co-8 No. 3. 1st Premium, 8 00 For the best Railway Horsc-powor, "Whitman's Improved, 1st Premium, - - - - - . - -15 00 For the best Hay Press, Ist Premium, - - - - 25 00 For the best Cornsheller, 1 st Premium. - - - - 4 00 For the best Field Roller. 1st Premium, - - - - S 00 PorthebestCorn-Stalk Cutters and Grinders, 1st Premium, 5 06 For the best Churns. 1st Premium, - - - - - 4 00 For th« best Hay .and Manure Fork, 1st Premium, - - 2 00 For the bept Hay Rakes. 1st Premium, - - - - 2 HO Fox the best Cultiratorj 1st Premium, .. - - - 4 00 m ADVERTISEMENTS. [June, UigUiand Wurserics, IVewburgU IV, Y. ASA^UL & CO. beg leave to call the attention of Dealers • and Planters of Trees, and the public in general, to their ve- ry large and complete stock of FRUIT AND ORNAMENTAL TRb-tS, which they offer for ?ale the coming spring. The trees of these Nurseries arc all grown on the premises, and propagated under the immediate supervision of Mr. Saul, whoso long connec- tion with this establishment, is some guarantee tor the accuracy of the stock now oSered for sale. It consists in part of over 20 UOU Pear Trees. 5 to 8 feet high, and embracing all the lead- ing Standard Varieties, as well as those recently introduced; of merit, cither of American or Foreign origin. 20 000 Apple Trees, of Extra size. 8 to 10 and 12 feet high, in- cluding every variety worthy of cultivation. 10 OUO Plum Trees, 5 to 8 feet, of every known kind of reputa^ tion.' as well as all the novelties of recent introduction. 10.000 Cherry Trees, 6 to S leet and over, among which will be found all the desirable and choice varieties. A large stock of handsome, well grown trees, of Peach, Apricot, Nectarine and Quince, in every variety. Also, Grapevines, Native and Foreign; Riispberrios, Gooseberries and Currants. Strawberry Plants and Esculent Roots, mch as Aspar- agus Rhubarb. Seakalc. &c.. of the most approved kinds. Pear and Quince, Cherry on Mahaleb, and Apple on Paradise rtock.s— for Pyramids or Dwarfs for garden culture, and embraces all the kinds that succeed on those stocks. Deciduous and Eoergreen Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. 100,000 Deciduous and Evergreen Ornamental Trees, embracing all the well known kinds suitable for street planting of extra size; such as Sugar and Silver Maple. Chinese Ailantus. Horse Chesunt, Catalpa European and American Ash, Three Thorned Acacia. Kentucky Cotfcc Tree. Silver Abele Tree, American and Europe- an Basswuod or Linden. American and European Elm. in several varieties &c Also all the more rare and select, as well as well known kinds suitable for Arboretums. Lawns and door-yard plant- ing &c.' such as Doedar and Lebanon Cedars; Araucaria or Chil- ian Pine; Cryptomeriajaponica; the different varieties uf Pines, Firs. Spruc<'s, Yews. Arborvietas. &c. "WEEPING TREKS— New Weeping Ash, (Fraxinits lentisci- folia pendula) the Old Weeping Ash, Weeping Japanese Sophora, Weeping Elms, (of sorts) Umbrella Headed Locust, Weeping ftlountatn Ath. Weeping Beech, fcc. fee; together with every variety of rare Majilc, Native and Foreign; ^ kwerii g Pea and mond and Cherry; Chetuuts. Spauith and American; Tom sage Copper Eeech; Judas Tree. Larch. Gum Tree, Tulip Tree, O -luj Orange. Paulownia, Mountain Ash, (American and Europe^(ju Magnolias of sorts, with many other things— including some Tarieties of Shrubs. Vines, &;c.. fur which see Catalogue, a uew e_ ition of wliich is ju&t issued, and will be forwarded to all post pa^'^ applicants. A large quantity of Arborvita; for Screens, and Buckthorn and Ofiage fur Hedge plants. The above will be sold on as liberal terms as similar stock can be purchased elsewhere. For further particulars we would again refer to priced Catalogue. A liberal discount will be made to persons who buy, to sell again, and extensiyo planters, on their ownacouuut. April Seed and Agricultural ^VareUouse^ 194^ Market Streety Philadelphia. WE offer to our friends and customers, the largest assortment of Agricultural implements, Oardcu tools, and Seeds, ever offered in this Market, consisting in part of the following, viz :— Prouty and Mears' Patent highest premium self-sharpening Ploughs, right and left handed side hill Subsoil, of various sizes, cf superior materials and workmanship, warranted to give satis- faction, or the money returned — Four highest premiums awarded to these Ploughs at the New York Fair, 1850. Also, Beach and Car Share Ploughs; Spain's improved Barrel Churn, constructed in such a manner that the dasher may be removed from the in- side of the Churn by simply unscrewing the handle from the daaher. Hay, Straw and Corn-stack cutters, in great variety, among which may be found Hovey'a superior premium straw-cut- ter, of every size. Also. Horse-power Threshing Machines. Fan Mills, Corn Shel- lors. Cheese Presses, Seed Plunters, Dirt ScraperiJ, Sugar AJills. Ox Yokes and Bows. Turnip Drills, Horse llakcs. Swathe Seythes, Concaved Hoe.=, Spring Tempered Ca^t Steel. Oval, and Square Manure and Hay Forks, Pruning She:tr.-< and Chisels, Beach and Bar Share, repairing pieces and casting.'^, Peruvian, Patagonia and prepared Guano, together with a complete assortment of grass, garden and field seeds, all of which will be sold at the low- 96t possible prices, at lOli Market street, Philadelphia. Apvil 9-tf PROUTY Si BARRETT. IMPORTANT TO FARMERS And Thresliin^ i^Iachiaie Makers. THE subscriber ree^pectfuUy begs leave to inform the public tbat he ha.^^ lately perfected a new Thre.«hing Machine and Horae Power, which in point of strength, durability, lightness of draught and convenience in moving is not surpassed or equalled by any Machine in the United States; he also confidently affirms that no Machine of its strength and durability can be afforded as low — The invention of this Machine has been the result of several years experience and hard study. We do not claim to have dis- covered any new principle in philosophy — but we do claim to have discovered a plan by which old philosophical principles are mora correctly and advantageously applied than on any other fllachinc. This invention is secured by a caveat. These Machines can be had at Israel W. GrofTs Machine Shop and at Prime & Colostock'a Sash Factory in North Duke street. Lancaster city, at retail or by wholesale on the most reasonable terms. TJie Power weighs 600 pounds. It is Hjade entirely of Iron with Steel Journals, and is warranted to hold 8 Horses should it any time be necessary to use so many. From 2 to 4 Horses are a suffic- ient number for common threshing. We are about getting up one much lighter for Shop purposes that will be the cheapest and most convenient thing in use; it miglit al.«o be used with 2 or 3 Horses for threshing; the Powers and Cylinders and Concave can be had by the Machine makers throughout the country on the most reasonable terms. tfB=> All orders directed to the subscriber at Lancaster city will be thankfully received and promptly attended to. Lanc'r, April SAMUEL PELTON, Jr. {^Elmore's Bee-Oive, &c. THE attention of Bee culturists is invited to this improved plan. Mr. Gilmore is a gentleman of great experience and success in the culture of Bees; his improvement is the result of many years trial; bis result has no parallel in the history of the past. The Agent of the '• Pennsylvania P'arm Journal" is the Agent of Gilmore's Sy.stem of Hiving and Feeding the Bee in this State. The price of a Hive and Fixtures 53.00 " '' " *' Family Right, 3,00 Township Rights from $10 to $20. County " " $30 " $200. '" A Talk about the Honey Bee," a defence of Gilmore's sys- tem, contains, also, testimonials, awards of Premiums to_Gilmore, from the leading Fairs and In.stitutos in this Country ; 12 cents single; $1.00 per dozen — gratis to patrons. Circulars sent to any applicant. Address, post paid, J. B. MAVNARD, April- tf Lancaster, Pa. s? 'Sty HAVE been distributed throughout the TTnion. The concern h:is been in successful operation for upwards of Sixty Years, and may be said to have grown up with the City of Philadelphia, where it was at first located. It has been gradually enbtrged t© meet the growing wants of the public, and is now, as it ever has been, the most extensive of its Idnd in this country. The ground* in cultivation being ten-fold greater than those ot any i-imilar concern in the United States, As the Seeds sold by the proprietor are (with slight exception) of his own raising, he is. consequently, enabled to i^J^ Warrant Ihem. a matter of importance to the purchaser of an article, the quality of which cannot be determined by the eye. DescriptiTe Catalogues in Knglish and German gratis Also for sale. Implements for Farm and Garden in large variety. LANDRh:TirS Agricultural Ware House, April Sign of the Plough, 65 Chesnut St., Philadelphia. The ^Vatcr-Cure Journal for 1851: DiCVOTED TO Physiology^ Hydropathy and the Laws of Life. qiHE WATER-CURE JOURNAL is published monthly, illustPft- X ted with engravings, exhibiting the Structure, Anatomy, and Physiology of the Human Body, with familiar instructions t« learners. It is emphatically a JooRN.ii. ok Health, adapted te all classes, andis designed to be a complete FAMILY GUIDE is all cases and in all diseases. Thk Philosofiiv of Hkai.th, will be fully discussed, including Food, Drinks, Clothing, Air, and Exercise, showiog their effects ob both body and mind. Terms in .Advance : Single copy, one year, $1 00 ; Ten copiet, one year, $70. N. B. — Pleaso address all letters, post paid, to FOWLERS & WELLS, April— 3m No. 131 Nueeau Btrect, New York. 1851.] ADVERTISEMENTS. 95 "Get tUe Best." A LL young persons sliould have a standard DICTIONARY at -Li. thuir elbow.?. And ^vhile you are about it get the best; Ibnt Dictionary U NOAH WEIiSTER'S. the great work abridged. If you are too poor, save the amount from off your back, to put It into your head. — Phrenolog. Journal. Dr. Webster's great work is the ben Dictionary of the English language, — London Mor7iing Chronicle. Tins volume must find its way into all our public and good pri- T.ate libraries, for it provides the English student with a mass ol the most valuable information, which he in vain seeks tor else- where,— Lond&h Literary Gazette. The very large and increasing demand for this work, affords the best passible evidence to the publishers that it is highly "acceptable to the great body ot the American people." Containing three times the amount of matter of any other En- glish Dictionary compiled in this country, or any Abridgment of thi.4 work. Published by G. & C. MERRIAM, Springfield. Mass., and for sale by AV. H. SPANGLER, Lancaster, Pa. April, NEW YORK Agricultural IVareliouse & Seed Store, 189 and 191 IVater Street. THIS is by far the most extensive e.=tabli?hment in New York. It occuiiies nearly the whole of three large fiTe-,story stores, and contains a varied and complete assortment of every descrip- tion of Agricultural and Horticultural Implements, and Field and Gordeu Seeds required in the Uniteil States. We have upward of One Hundred of the latest improved kinds of Plows, mo.^tly man- ufactured by us. expressly for the diflerent States of the Union, California and Oregon, the British Provinces, the West India Islands. Mexico, and South America. Also Harrows, Rollers, Seed Sowers. Cultivators, Horse Powers, Threshers. CornShellers. Reap- ing and Mowing iSlaehines. Il:iy, Cotton, Tobacco, Oil. and Dry Good Presses. Brick- Machines, Shovels, Spades, Hose, Manure and Hay Forks. Aic.&c, Giirdi^n Implements. — These arc imported by us direct from the EngUsh manufacturers, ormade here to our order. They consist of a great variety of the choicest kinds such as Trenching and Weeding Forks. Pruning and Hedge Shears. Flower and Twig Cutters. &c. The assortment for ladies is particularly choice and veil selected. Field and Garden Seeds. — These are grown expressly for us both in Europe and this country. They are of the choicest kinds, and of great variety. We also obtain, as soon as sufficiently tried and Weil approved, every new kind of seed suitable to be cultivated iu the United States. Fertilizers. — Peruvian and Patagonian Guano, Bonedust, Poud- rette, Plaster of Paris. i!S*c. Manufactory of ^Agricultural Implements.— VTe have a large manufacturing establishment iu this city, where we will promptly make to order any new article or implement required by the Far mcr or Planter. Excelsior Sand Paper. — A new and very superior kind, of the different numbers in use by Machinists, Cabinet Makers. Ac. The ^imerican Agriculturist^ a monthly publication of 32 pages. Price one dollar a year. A. B- ALLEN & CO , April 189 and 191 Water-street, New York. $500 to $2,000 aa Yar. lOOO A G E W T S "WAWTE©. IN all the States of the Union, to canvass for the follo%ving Im- portant and Valuable Works, which are sold by subscription. We have now about two hundred Agents in the field, many of them clearing from two to eight dollahs pkr day. It will be seen that they are all of a very popular and desirable kind, and calcu- lated to please almost every taste. Tor further particulars apply (post paid) to the publishers. DERBY & MILLER. Auburn. N. Y. "HOW A FARMER MAY BECOME RICH." BLAKE'S FARMER'S EVERY DAY BOOK, Or. how a Farmer can become Rich — being sketches of Life in the Country; with the Popular Elements of practical and theoretical Agriculture, and twelve hundred Laconics and A pathegms rela- ting to Morals. Regime and general Literature; also 500 Receipts on Health. Cookery and Domestic Economy; with 10 fine illustra- tions respecting the various scenes atteudant upon fiirming. etc. By John L. Blake, D. D.. author of ''Biographical Dictionary," ■■ Family Encyclopedia," i^c. The publishers respectfully announce, that thoy have under- taken the publication of this large and beautiful work, with a view to supply a desideratum that has long been felt—a book for EVERY Farmkr's Libr.iry; believing that the venerable author has produced a work that will be worth its weight in gold to every farmer's family that thoroughly peruse it. It is proper to stat* that Dr. Blake is a practical farmer, and has reclaimed a sterile and worn out piece of land into a valual)Ie and productive farm — which experience, with his well knowuqualifications as an author, peculiarly fit him to prepare a book for farmers. The work eoutaius 65-1 pages, large octavo, with a motto sur- rounding each page— is printed on fine paper, and bound in sub- stantial imitation Turkey Morocco, gilt back. Invariable retail price. $3,00. Agents wanted to canvass for the above, FROST'S PICTORIAL HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. The History of the State of Californi-i, from the earliest period of her conquest by the Spaniards, to her acquisition by the United States; with an account of the discovery of the immense Gold Mines, and the quantity of Gold already obtained; the enormous increase of population; a description of the mineral and agricul- tural resources of the country; with adventures and travels among the Mines. Also, advice to Emigrants, as to the most desirable routes thither. To which is added the Constitution of the State of California; with uumerous illustrations, andamap of California and the Gold Mines; in one octavo volume, 5C0 pa^cs; bound in same style as Mexican War. Retail price, $2 50. Heinitslfi's German Cattle PoiTder. THIS Powder is celebrated for tlie cure and prevention of all diseases to which Cattle. Milch Cows, Sbeepand Pigs are subject, and is the only prep- aration upon which full confidence can be placed. For Mileh Cows it is of the greatest importance, wonder- fully increasing the quantity and quality of their milk, and will effectually prevent and cure Hoi low Horn. Murrain. &c, VEGETABLE HORSE POWDER. Which will cure Distemper, Hidebound, Loss of Appetite, FouadtT. Yellow Water, Lowness of Spirits. Inward Sprains, Inflamation and Heat in the System, and all other diseases to which Horses I are subject, HOR^E EMBROCATION,— For the cure of xternal injuries, as Wounds. Bruises, Cuts. Rub bin g of the Saddle, Collar or Harness, Stiffness in the joints Swellings, Sweeny, &c. Prepared and sold at CHARLES A. nEINITSH'5, Medicinal, Drug and Chemical Store, No. 13 East King st., April — tf Lancaster. JVevp and Popular Scbool BooU. THE COMPREHEXSITE SUMM.'VRY OF UNIVERSAL HIS- TORY, with a biography of distinguished persons from the earliest period to the present time; to which is appended an epi- tome of Heathen Mythology. Natural Philosophy, General Astron- omy and Physiology, on the basis of "'Historical and Miscellane- cua Questions," by Richmal Mangual. Adopted to the use of American schools. Published and for sale by E. S. JONES & CO., S. W. corner of Fourth and Race at.. Philadelphi.a K. B — Teachers and School Committees furnished with copies for examination. Address, post paid. April— tf " I am prepared— I have endeavored to do my duty." THE LIFE OF ZACHARY TAYLOR, Late President of the United States, iueluding the closing scenci of his life and death. By H. Montgomery. Embellished with a steel portrait and 15 illustrations; in one elegant octavo volume, 463 pages, well printed on fine paper, and bound in substantial morocco, gilt back. The lightnings may flash, the thunders may rattle, He hears not, he heeds not, he's free from all pain, Ue sleeps his last sleep, he has fought his last battle, No sound can awake him to glory again. More than 20 OOu copies of the above work have been sold by us and the demand is unabated. It is allowed by critics to be the most complete and authentic copy of any ol the works purporting to be a Life of the Great Man of the Age. Retail price, $2 00. A COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE WAR BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO, From the commencement of the battles, to the ratification of th« Treaty of Peace; containing a concise account of the splendid military achievements and glorious victories of the American Army under Generals Taylor and Scott, and their gallant com- patriots in arms. Also, a concise account of the new El Dorado, the Golden Land of California, which was annexed to the United States by the treaty of peace. Illustrated with 24 portraits and battle scenes, and a steel likeness of General Taylor. By John S. Jenkins, author of ■■ The Life of Silas Wright," "' Lives of Ameri- can Generals," etc.. etc. The work is bound iu elegant and sub- stantial morocco, gilt back, and contains 526 pages. A fine Map of Mexico and California accompanies each book. *** 12.000 copies of the above work have been sold by us. chi*Cy in N. Y. State. It is pronounced by cricticsasthe only complet* and impartial history of the war extant. Subscription price $i2,M(. April SCATTERGOOD & HOWE1.I., DESIGNJNG, DRAWING And IVood EIngraTin? Establisliment, Inquirer Buildhig, Third Street ^ below Chesuut St., FHILADELPHIA, WaterColor Drawing, Portraits. Buildimgs, MACHtWERv, Nxws rAPKR Heads, Labels, Seai.b, ^c. Drawn and Engraved in the Bkst manner and on the moat rtt&aouable Ter&u. April,-tf ADVERTISEMENTS. [June, Kettlewell & Davison's Guano. .Salts ag'ainst A CHALLENGE ! ! ! THE dppp interest now taken by AgricuUuripta in all descrip- tions of manure, would seem to justify any expedient, by which fair and unprejudiced experiments may be made of tile th- rious descriptions of manure at this time attracting the attention of the public, in view of this, and the undersigned honestly be- liering that the Chemical Compound, manufactured by them, is the best manure of which any knowledge is had for a Corn CrOji; challenges Guano to the test upon the following condition;— He will forfeit One Hundred Dollars, to be presented to the Maryland Agricultural Society, if any advocate of Guano will do the same, that the Renovator compounded by KettlewcU Si Davison, will produce upon any soil, the largest crop of weislied corn, without regard to the size of the stalk, provided the President of the State Agricultural Society will select some pcr.son, in his judgment qualified, to superintend the experiment. The nature of the soil to be described, so that each party can direct the mode of appli- cation; two liarrels of the Salts to be used per acre, costing f6. and 3U0 lbs. of the Guano, costing $7 20, the party making the experiment to receive the manure free of cost. And the same amount against any manure as a top dressing upon timothy or clover. JoH.^ Ketti^ewell. Ketthwell ^- Dnvi^on again call the attention of Agriculturists to their various Chemical Manures— and in so doing, they would be insensible to common gratitude, if they failed to express their profound acknowledgments for the constant and increasing de- mand, which flows in upon them for their .simple and compound manures. Each season has greatly increased their sales, extend- ing as far south as South Carolina. They can give no stronger evidence of their faith in the vir- tues of their manure, as the best known for a corn crop, than the tenders they make above ; and the certificates which they here- with present. In the offer of a test, it ia not the amount involv- ed, but the willingness to challenge result, that speaks their in- tegrity and confidence. We could add any amount to the testi- mony we publish; but if the names we refer to, do not command confidence, no additional number could. \Ve have never boasted of the quahty of our article, wo have been content to leave a de- cision to time, demand and experiment, that has been in our fa- vor—hoping, if wo h■^ve less of •' Bi-phosphates," the public would discover it, as they would if it was found we had more of" sand " than any thing else, Kettleweli, & Datisos, Office at Ober ^ McConkey's, corner of Lombard and Hanoocr Streets. Factory, Federal Hill. BI-PHOSPHATES. M''e keep constantly on hand this valuable manure. Bones, ■with a proper portion of the Sulphate of Ammonia, dissolved in Sulphuric Acid. The Chemists of this country and Europe have been pressing this mode of using bone-dust upon the atten- tion of farmers, with great zeal and ability of recent years. Ev- ery experiment has confirmed the truthfulness of their theory; and we hazard but little in saying that in a very brief time it will be used in no other way. It is prepared so as to be sown sun liar to the salts, at the rate of one or two barrels to the acre — The price of this article is $4 per barrel. Let the farmer who doubts, try it at a less expense than the old mode of using bonc- - dust. TOBACCO GENERATOR. This is a chemical compound, made expressly for the growth ot the Tobacco plant. We will call more special attention to it at the proper season. CHEMICAL RESIDIUMS. We have constantly on hand Chemical Residinms of every description. Full informaiion of which can be had by applica- tion to us, COMBLNATION OF GROUND PLASTER AND POTASH. This is a preparation made for soil deficient in Potash, of which deficiency there is. unfortunately, too many instances in much of our Maryland land. For this compound we arc indebted to the suggestion of an accomplished Agriculturist of Prince Gcorge'.s county, who may at some future day present the result ot his ox- periment. The price of this is $3 50 per barrel. DIRECTIONS. The mode of using the Renovator is simple, inexpensive, and rcjuiring but little labor. The farmer must hear in mind, that in the preparation of his soil he shares an equal responsibility in testing the merits of any manure. Land neghgently or badly cultivated gives no manure a fair chance. How to put land in or- der he ought to know better than we can teach him; and if he don't know, should learn as speedily as possible. The land, then, in order— if one barrel to the acre is used— and this quantity de- pends upon the quality of the land— it should, for grain be sown broad cast, and slightly harrowed in. If two barrels arc used, one as stated above, and the other aa a top-dres.sing upon the wheat or rye, early in the spring at the commencement of the first thaw. Upon grass it should be sown brnad-cast upon the timothy or clover. On corn, either broad- cast or in the hill. Where two barreLs are used, one each way «f3, PRICE of the RENOVATOR, $20 PER TON, or $3 PER BARREL. April-tf JVew YorR State Agricultural IVorlts S^RSE rCWEP5 ANOTHRESHERS_ Agricultural Machines and Implements. WHEELER, MELICK & CO., CONTINUE their manufactory at the corner of Liberty and Hamilton streets. ALB.ANV, where they are prepared to fill all orders with despatch. ORDERS FOR Wheeler's Patent Railway, Chain Horse Foifers, and Overshot Threshers and Separators, will re- ceive their prompt attention. ,Qf5" The large and increasing demand for these Machines haa induced the Proprietors to erect a New and Spacious Manufacto- ry, and otherwise extend their means of promptly filling orders.— Their Powers and Threshers have been sold in nearly every State in the Union, during the past year, and their superiority has been acknowledged by numerous testimonials, not only from Agricul- tural Societies but from persons who have used them. They have been awarded the First Premiums at all the principal Fairs where they have been exhibited in operation, including the Penn- sylvania State F.iir. the Provincial Fair of Upper Canada, and the .Michigan aud Ohio State Fair.s. together with numerous County Exhibitions in the different States. The TWO HORSE MACHINE, with from three to five hands, will thresh from 125 to 200 bushels of Wheat per day, or twice that quantity of Oats, The One Horse Machine will thresh rather more than half that quantity. TRICE AT ALB.iNY : Wm. B. WiLET, Job Printer, Lancaster, Pa. For Two Horse Machines $145 00 For One Horse do $120 00 Machines will be shipped to order to any part of the United States or the Canada,s, &^ and warranted to give satii/action to the purchaser, or they may he returned within sixty days. The subscribers also manufacture and will furnish to order tha most approved kinds of feed Cutters, Clover Httllers, Circular Saw Mills,f(e. They will also furnish Horse Powers properly Geered for driving Chums, Elevating Grain, or other purposes to which Horse Power can he applied. WHEELKR, .MELICK & CO , AjirU- at Corner of Homilton and Liberty sts., -Wbany.N. VOL. 1. LAJs^CASTER, PA., JULY, 185L m. 4. THE FARM JOURNAL S. S. HAIDEMAX, Editor. Eutomolog}-, No. 3. BY THE EDITOR. The annexed figure represents a species of the genus Carahus, Tvhich is there presentative of an ex- tensive family [carahiJcu) of voracious insects ■which de- stroy vast numbers of the larvre that feed upon plants. The insects of this family are therefore useful to the /^' f'^^^M ^ "X former and gardener, and ^ 1 ^'S^ j Q^p figure will enable them to be recognized without much difficulty. They gen- erally hide themselves dur- ing the day under stones and rubbish, coming forth at night to seek their prey, when they frequently en- ter houses attracted by the light. They run with agility, their feet are slender and their jaws strong, when caught they generally emit a dark liquid from the mouth, and many of them have a disagreeable od«r. Their size varies from that of the figure (or considerably larger) to an eighth of an inch or less. Calosoma scrutator is larger than the figure, of a vio- let color, with the elytra of a beautiful green. We translate the following valuable remarks of a French observer, who has made use of the natural enemies of noxious insects to destroy them. " A multitude of noxious insects, after having, for several years committed ravages upon our property, disappeared suddenly, without our being made ac- quainted with the cause. In looking more closely into these matters, one might be assured, in most eases, an enemy of the insect which has disappeared, has produced the happy result. I can furnish some proofs in support of this opinion. " The thick foliage of a fine avenue of poplars, was TOt. I — F. all at once attacked by an immense quantity of tha caterpillars of Bombyx dispar. I thouglit of giving them the Calosoma sycophanta for company: as liko them, it passes its life upon the trees, feeding upon the caterpillars which it meets, and even deposits its eggs in their nests, that its voracious progeny can procure nojjrishmcnt more easily, and in greater abundance. This insect multiplied itself with a ra- pidity truly astouisliing, and the caterpillars disap- peared without those who were witnesses to the de- struction, having the least idea of the causes whicli produced it." The author then gives it as his opinion, that the neighborhood of the city of Toulouse is not ravaged by the Melolontha vulgaris which is so de- structive in other parts of France, because the Cara- bus auratus is very common in the fields, meadows, and gardens. It is known, he remarks, that the Ca- rabus auratus seizes and devours the Melolontha pre- vious to the deposition of its eggs ; and that it is more fond of these, than of any part of the insect. "One would be much deceived in believing that it is always easy to make an advantageous use of this means of destruction, a profound study of the man- ners of insects, being often indispensable to arrive at the end proposed. The most robust of our Carabi, the Procrustes corlaceus Lin. had served me admira- bly in the centre of France, to destroy the little insects which attack the plants in gardens. Here (in the south) this insect does not destroy the same specus; and although very common, it is unknoivn, or hardly ever met with. The reason is, that in the centre, the west, and probably the north of France, this Procrus- tes is diurnal, requiring only cool and shady places. With us (in the south, under a warmer climate) it in, on the contrary, essentially noctnrnal, and therefore destroys such insects as are, like itself, nocturnal; or which remain within its reach, during the obscuritjr of night. " In transporting into my garden twenty of th« Carabus auratus, I had thought to destroy the coUeo- tions of Forficula which had chosen it for the theatre of their ravages." To his great astonishment, th« 98 EDITORIAL. fJuLT, Carabi, which will actually destroy the Forficula, were either found starved to death, or left the place: and the latter continued their devastations! The rea- son o-iven is, that the Forficula are essentially noctur- nal ; and during the day keep themselves hidden in crevices, into which the Carabi cannot follow them. These latter, too, are only active during the middle of the day, and in the heat of the sun. But the re- sources of this persevering entomologist wore not yet exhausted; his next expedient being to introduce a smaller carnivorous insect common in France, the Staphyliuus olens, which, he remarks, "filled all the necessary conditions for the destruction of the Forfi- cula." " You see, then, gentlemen," says M. Boisgiraud, in conclusion, " that it is indispensable to study the manners and habits of destructive insects, that their instinct and address may be successfully employed for the destruction of the species able to do us injury. Then in place of barbarously crushing the useful spe- cies which have the misiortune to be not always or- namented with the rich colors of the butterfly or the Buprestis, wo will endeavor to protect tlfcm and pro- pagate their race. We will find auxiliaries in them the more valuable, as they increase with our adver- saries; and as they alone are able to rival the cun- ning of these ingenious enemies." Medical (Quackery. A child has recently been killed in Philadelphia by the ignorance of an incompetent practitioner of medicine, who in giving a prescription for castor oil (oUum ricini) did not know how to spell the medical name, and wrote it ol. resini. From the indistinct- ness of ordinary writing, c may be taken for an o, and in for m, so that the boy who gave the medicine na- turally read ol. rosm. as an abbrevation of oleum ros- inarini {oil of rosemary,) there being no drug known as ol. resini (or resince) the oil (or spirits) of turpen- tine being known under the name of ol. terehinthina:. Nevertheless, as the doctor's ignorance was sufficient to induce him to write ol. resini had he wanted oil of turpentine, the druggist had to choose between the two medicines to which the prescription came nearest, but neither of which was intended, and the result has been that the boy who prepared the mixture was im- properly discharged for following a proscription, in- stead of the doctor being indicted for homicide or manslaughter, his practice under the circumstances being unlaivful. The doctor in his testimony made use of a supposed word comatious, probably meaning the common medi- cal term comatose, which is another example of the kind of medical education he has received, if he ever received any — and if he has, it is due to the reputa- tion of the respectable medical schools, that they clear themselves of the stigma of having graduated him. The doctor states that ho has spelt "resini" for thirty years, and we are curious to know what he supposed was in the bottle marked OL. RICINI in the drug stores; and in that marked ol. chenopodii (worm-seed oil,) as he wrote the latter in English. We caution our readers not to employ irregular practitioners, nor such as have graduated in schools of questionable standing, nor to purchase advertised pills, tonics, syrups, sarsaparilla, cherry pectorals (like that of Ayer, which is backed by a, forged certi- fcate of Professor Silliman) and mixtures made to practice chiefly upon the supposed credulity of the country population. Let them avoid in particular, any secret medicine with accounts of wonderful cures, especially when certified by venal clergymen, who not only prostitute their sacred calling, but have the audacity to name the church where they officiate, in defiance of the decent portion of their congregations. Clergymen who place D.D. after their name, are es- pecial favorites with the compounders of secret medi- cines, and are probably worth fifty dollars a pieco more than the ordinary kind, in the certificate mar- ket. Clerical certifiers have seen their best days, and some quacks as the cure-lying Koback, will not con- descend to use them, his best friend probably being the mayor, who may find him a useful medium be- tween thieves and the police, in the recovery of stolon goods. Some suppose that medical names should be writ- ten in English, which is an absurdity, not one-tenth of them liaving English terms, as in natural history, where half a dozen wevils may have them, among ciglit thousand without them. English names in eith- er case would add to the confusion, and it would be wrong to ask thein struotcd physician and pharmace- utist to lower themselves to the level of quacks and homicides, and helow that of school boys and girls, who, in studying botany, are not satisfied unless they know the botanical name of a plant, which is always in Latin. Such dictation would compel physicians to compound their own medicines, as they are com- pelled to do in country practice. The advocates of " English names to let people know what they are taking," are inconsistent in be- ing satisfied that any amount of advertised medicines should be swallowed, the composition of which is neither known nor ascertainable — and wliich may vary from month to month. Three-cent pieces. — As the word five is the basis of one of the names of a small coin, fip, three may suggest that of thrip. At Genoa, it is said', every attorney takes an oath to undertake no cause which he does not consider just; and at Rome there is a society which afibrd« legal aid to the poor, free of cost. The most degraded Celt is infinitely less of the brute than his Saxon cotemporary. Root out eourdocks before the seed ripens. 1S51.] EDITORIAL. 99 Cicada septeudecim. For the purpose of ascertaining the length of time that this insect lives after the period of depositing its eggs, Tce took four pair on the 11th of June, which •were attached together. These we kept in a vessel in the house without food except a bit of the branch of an apple tree, which soon withered. On the 13tli, one pair being nearly dead, was rejected, and one pair was placed upon a small birch tree, and the other two pair upon a low branch of an apple tree. In each case a glass jar covered with gauze was sus- pended over the insects and branch, so that they could be kept safe and readily observed. Of the pair upon birch, the male soon commenced inserting its haustdlum or snout into the bark for the purpose of sucking the sap. The female did not com- mence making perforations and depositing her eggs until the afternoon of the loth, and she seems to have oviposited but once. She and her mate are still liv- ing on the 18th. Of the three pair placed on the apple branch on the morning of the 13th, one female oviated on the afternoon of the same day. 14th. Morning — Two males and one female have died. More eggs deposited in the afternoon by both of the two surviving females. 15th. Morning — One of the two females is ovipo- siting. 16th. Both females are ovipositing forenoon and afternoon. 17th. One of these dies in the afternoon, and upon being opened, is found to contain a number of unde- positod eggs. 18th. The remaining female is still living. In forming a perforation for her eggs, the female stands lengthways upon the branch (her head being cither towards or from the tree) when she raises her body and brings her ovipositor or boring organ ver- tically upon the branch, and although it sometimes slips aside, she finally fixes it by pressing the point of the middle or gouge-shaped portion on the bark, where she moves it up and down about twice in a second, supported by the two side pieces, which are kept quiet upon the surface and follow it afterwards as rapidly as the size of the hole admits. In two minutes the point has entered, when she lowers her body, which gives the instrument a slanting direction backwards and downwards, and permits her to use it as a lever to raise the fibres. She proceeds along the branch boring and depositing at the rate of about an inch an hour. It requires about fifteen minues from the time of commencing a perforation until the ovi- positor is inserted at its base in the wood. The eggs are pearly white, tapering towards both ends, and about a twelfth of an inch long and one-seventieth in diameter. According to Dr. N. Potter, of Balti- more, the eggs hatch in Jtfty-itco days. A few individuals of this insect appear every year. and it is probable that the time must arrive whelk they ^vill be annual like the ordinary species. Some have supposed that they may occasionally retard of anticipate their usual period by a year or two, but there is no evidence of such being the case, early and late individuals being probably descended from oth- ers which were equally out of the range of the regu- lar appearance. The sting of this insect seems to be dangerous, but there is no account of the organ with which the punc- ture is made. This is probably the ovipositor of the female, as the haustel'um (which inflicts a poisonous wound in some insecis belonging to the same order) is hardly strong en«ugh to the pierce the skin. Suildiug Material. An effort is making in "Washington to have tbt public buildinjs hereafter constructed of the inferior sandstone usei in the Capitol and Patent office, rath- er than of thj more durable and ornamental marble, but it is to le hoped that there is sufficient science in Washingtoi to prevent such a result. Some sand- stones are good and durable, and that used for the Smithsonian building seems to be of an exeelleni quality, although rather dark in color. Cast iron is coming into use as a building material, but some imagine that it is necessary to paint it hlaclt to resemble the natural shade of iron, but iron is not black, but grey when freshly broken, and some shade of brown or oolire extern^ly, so that black is not suggestive of the material. Moreover, as it is lot customary to paint wooden coliunns so as to indicste whether they are of pine or oak, there is no necessilj of making this indication with iron. Much black la too conspicuous among light colors to make a plea- sant impression, and on this account it should be avoided. To Correspondents. J. S. BLeller. — Two insects which resemble each other pretty closely, destroy garden vegetables. Of one of these we have a cut, which we give here, and the other ( Galeruca viL tata) will be^figured hereafter. In the mean time, a single figure, with some explanations, will serve for the identifi- cation of both. CRiocERis The crioceria is about half the size TRiLiNEATA. of the figure, or a fourth of an inch long, of a brownish yellow, with two black dots up<» the prothorax or part following the head, and three black lines along the elytra as represented in the cut This species is common upon potato vines, and Dr. Harris (Injurious Insects, p. 96,) recommends them to be brushed into shallow vessels of salt and water, or vinegar. The insects sent by our correspondent came crush- ed. They are the Gideruca vittaia, which is one-fifth of an inch long, pale yellow above, with the bead aod 100 EDITORIAL. [July* three stripes along the elytra black, the under parts heing mostly black. Dr. Harris (p. 101) has brought together various remedies, as charcoal dust or scotch snuif sprinkled when the plants are wet vith dew, an infusion of tobacco or red popper mixed, of elder or ■walnut leaves, hops — a solution of an ounce of Glau- ber salts in a quart of water. " As these insects fly by night as well as by day, and are attracted by lights, lighted splinters of pine knots, or of staves of tar-barrels, stuck in the ground during the night, around the plants, have been found useful in destroy- ing these beetles. The most effectual prcsorvative against these insects, and the equally destructive black flea-bootlcs which infest the vines in the spring, consists in covering the yoiinij v't^ies u'itJi milUnd stretched over small wooden frames.'' The flea-beetles here sjluded to are minute Cohoptera of the g?nus Haliica, of various species. They aie often term- ed cucumber fleas on account of their small size and leaping powers, We give an enlarged figure of one species as an example. Mr. Levi Bartlett describes his milliuet frames as flows in the N. England Farmer, vol. 2, p. 305, co- ed in Fessenden's American Farmer, p. 91. "Take strip of pine board (about three-fourths of an inch j thickness is most suitable) eight or ten feet in /Dgth, and four or five inches in width— plow one 'me edge of it with a carpenter's plotr or match plain i — tlen work off an equal number of side and end j pie'CS ; before sawing the side pieces run a brad-awl ' tlvough where you want to drive your nails, as it is Hot so likely to split as after it is sawed. The side pieces eleven inches long — the end pieces eight inches long. They must be of this particular size, because one yard of millinet will just cover nine boxes ; or a third of a yard will make three covers. After having nailed your boxes and divided your millinet, have some strips or tongues, as the carpenters call them. Press these with the edges of the covers into the grooves, which fastens them much cheaper and more lespeditiously than small nails. I made about twenty hast season, and they effectually secured them from Uie yellow bug, and (by sinking the edges of them in the earth a little) from worms. But if they were of /bo use but •to guard against insects, they would be / ■worth having, as they keep off the cold winds, and / greatly promote the growth of the vines in the early / part of the season." Lard Candlm. — A correspondent of the Michigan Farmer, gives the following method of making can- dles of hog's lard, which he says prove of the best quality. Put all the lard, say enough for 5 lbs. of candles, in the smelter; after it attains a heat of about 200 Fahr. throw in 3 or 4 ounces of lime, and about an ounce of aquafortis, and then mould them. The lime purifies the grease and the acquafortis hardens it. State Agricultural Fair. The following circular addressed to the people of Pennsylvania, by Hon. Frederick Watts, President of the State Agricultural Society, is a forcible appeal, and one to which we ask the careful attention of our readers. It should be remembered by every far- mer in Pennsylvania, that this, the first exhibition ever held under the auspices of the State, is looked forward to with groat interest by the friends of agri- culture elsewhere. Active preparations arc going on in other States to provide articles for exhibition. — Will our own people stand back and be mere specta- tors, or will they, with true State pride, put forth a strong and vigorous effort in behalf of the cxhibitiou? We hope and believe they will, and we confidently look forward to such a display as will reflect credit upon the State. To THE People ov Pennsylvania: It will not be forgotten that the State Agricultural Society of Pennsylvania has fixed Harrisburg as the place, and the 23d, 24th and 25th of October next as the time for their Annual Exhibition. There is no State in the Union whose climate, soil and the habits of whose people afford more ample resources than our o^mi for a creditable exhibition of their skill and in- dustry. There is nothing raised, grown or manufac- tured upon the face of the earth, which is not more or less interesting in the study and science of Agri- culture. The farmer, the horticulturist, the inventor, the mechanic, are all cordially and earnestly invited to contribute and partake in the interest which will be excited l.iy the occasion ; and especially do we in- vite the aid, countenance and presence of our moth- ers and daughters, upon whose handy-work and good example we are so dependent for all the domestic comforts of li^e. Arrangements are now being made for enclosing the grounds, and providing separate and safe places for all articles which shall be presented for exhibition. All the canals and railways of the State will be open free of charge for their transportation to Harrisburg, and visitors wiU come and go on them at one half the usual rates. The young men of the State are reminded that the Ploughing Match will afford them an opportunity for the display of their skill, the training of their teams and the fitness of their instruments. While we address this communication to the peo- ple of our State, it will not bo understood that it is designed to exclude the citizens of other States ; much less to avoid the honorable competition which their contributions may afford. Now is the time to pro- pare. By dii'oction of the Executive Committee. FREDERICK WATTS, President of the State Ar/ricidtural Society. Carlisle, May 28, 1851. TuE disease which has so seriously affected the orange groves of Florida, for several years past, is passing away, and orange growers are again turning their attention to this profitable cultivation. There are about one hundred and seventy mills in Lancaster county, and wheat enough raised to keep them all busy. 1851.] COMMUNICATIONS. 108 (Honununicationa. The Potato. Mr. Editor : — This plant is a native of Chili, South America, and was first described by Clausius, a German botanist, of which there is a plate among his rare plants. Sir Walter Raleigh found the In- dians cultivating it in Virginia, and he carried some of the tubers home to England on his return from America in 1586. How it got from South America to Virginia is not satisfactorily known. It is still found growing wild in its native localities, but the tubers are said to be small, and to possess an insipid taste. The Indians called tljem iaraloiijiis, in Virgi- nia they were called openawk. The Spaniards called them Battatas. The Spanish name now is Batatina; the German DicKautoffd; and French Pomme de ierre. It belongs to i\\e fifth class and first order in the artificial system of Linnoeus, and to order Solanacea: in the Natural System of Adamson. It was described under four diflferent names. Solanum tuberosum, by Linnajus ; Solanum csculentu7n,hj 'HackcT; Solamt?ii parmenterii, by Molina; and Lycojpersicuni tuberosum by P. Miller. The meaning of Solanum is uncertain, but it is an ancient name and there are about five hundred well defined species of this genera described. The potato is evidently a Solanum, as well as the white and purple egg plants, the former of which is called Solanum melongena, and the latter Solanum esculentum. The specific name of Linnjeus is univer- sally adopted, and means tuberous Solanum. The varieties of this species are very numerous, above two hundred have been described, and new ones are constantly being introduced, which is done by plant- ing seeds chosen from the ripe potato apples. The surest and best way to proceed is to squeeze out the seeds and preserve them until the following spring in dry sand. In March plant the seeds iu a hot bed or in a bos in the house, and after the frosts are over the seedling plants should be raised with as much dirt around them as possible, and planted out in rich and well pulverized ground, in rows about eighteen inches apart, and the plants sot about sis inches asunder. The ground should then be kept loose around them and free from weeds: when ripe, the roots should be cautiously kept from the frost. The next season the roots should be planted out in the common soil of the farm, and if properly attended to they will arrive at their full size and perfection. The potato has many enemies, and from time to time has been violently assailed with disease and threatened with estermination. In 177(5, in the prineipality of Geottingen, a disease called the curl made its appearance on the stem and leaves of this plant; in 1779 it appeared in Hanover; in 1780 in the British Isles; in 1792 it threatened to exterminate potatoes in England; and in 1800 it pre- sented the same disposition in Prussia. Some as- signed the cause to an insect called Phytocoris, bu others attributed it to over ripe tubers. The remedy was found to be, to change the seed for that from higher latitudes. In 1780, a disease called the rust, attacked the po- tato, similar to the rust in wheat. It raged in Ger many with groat severity; and at difi"erent times and places the rusts, mildews, &c., have frequently de- sti-oyed the crops of this vegetable. They are attri. buted to the attacks of several species of fungus among which are several species of Botrytis, Uredo tuberosum, Fusiporium solanii and Fusiporium spo- rotrichoides. The Protomyces solanii often attacks the potato in cellars, and badly ventilated places. — Plaster, lime, sulphur, salt and ashes, are beneficial applications in these diseases: fermenting and slowly decomposing vegetable matters appear to be the prin- cipal cause of these diseases. In 1782, a disease called the scab made its appear- ance in Europe and prevailed to a considerable ex- tent. A dry sandy soil, and high cultivation, seemed to be the best preventative. In 1769, a disease called the rot, and nearly allied to the disease now prevailing, made its appearance in Germany; in 1783 in Prussia; in 1830 in France ; in 1834 iu Great Britain, where it threatened the total destruction of the potato crop ; in 1839 in Kussia ; and in 1840 in Bohemia. Some assigned the cause of this disease to the habit of cutting the seed into thin slices, others however assign it to the attacks of a fxingi or peculiar species of mushroom. A healthy condition of the soil, and strong sound plants were the best preventatives. In 1829, a disease called the blue rot or blue tumor, made its appearance in Germany, and spread through Saxony and the Upper Hartz. "Blue spots and ris- ings are first observed on the skin of the tubers, af- terwards a dark colored texture similar to a rhizomc- pha appears, which surrounds the tuber, penetrating even its interior, followed by blue spots and streaks in the heart of its substance." A mixture of saw dust with dung, it is said, was the cause of it. In 1840, an insect called the Phytocoris lincolarig attacked the potato in some of the New England States, ahd about the same time tJie Aphis vastaior in Europe, but they did not produce much mischief. In 1843, the existing murrain or potato rot made its appearance in Prussia and in the United States ; in 1844 in the south of Europe ; and in 1845 it spread over nearly all the middle and north of Europe, to- tally destroying the whole crop in many places, and leaving famine behind it. It has spread more gener- ally and been more destructive than any other dis- ease that has assailed this important vegetable. Nor does it seem to be confined to the potato alone ; in some districts tulips, hyacinths, carrots, onions, to- matoes, and in Jamaica, the yams and cocoa have suffered from the same or a similar disease. The cause is yet a mystery. It appears like a veg- 102 COMMUNICATIONS. [JULV, etable cholera, and moves with singular rapidity and precision. This vegetable cholera is, no doubt, the result of a vegetable parasite, similar to the entophoza that attacks the mucous membrane of animals. It appears that dry gravelly soils are the best suited to avoid the attacks of the disease. Putrescent manures should be avoided, and a free use of charcoal, salt and lime, are among the best preventatives. Plant early and dig the potatoes before the ground gets wot and cold in the fall ; then pack them away in charcoal, and you will probably escape the rot. I ^aw a large amount of potatoes opened this spring that had been packed away in "coal hreys," at one of our furnaces, and they were generally sound, while some that, had been stowed away in the visual ■manner entirely perished. I would suggest this plan : lay down a layer of potatoes, slightly cover with fine charcoal, then another layer of potatoes and charcoal, and thus form a heap, which cover in the usual loay. We have reason to believe that in a few years the disease will disappear, and we will be again permit- ted to enjoy the use of this favorite esculent. J. M. McMiN.v. JJnionville, Centre co., Pa., June, 1851. Remedy for a Cow who sucks herself. Mr. Editor : — Hearing recently an effectual cure for this inveterate habit, and at the same time a very simple one, which has been tried in this vicinity and found to answer completely, I send it for insertion in the Farm Journal. Draw the cow up by a halter to a fence corner, or stall in the stable, and insert in the same manner as a ring is put into a bull's nose, a round stick through the cartilage which divides the nostril, (and which is quickly done by a single blow with a mallet,) say about six inches long, and let it remain. It will oc- casion no inconvenience to the cow, and whenever ehe attempts to suck herself, it will cause such a strain on the nose as to make her desist instantly. — The proper length for the stick to extend each side of the nose, can better be told upon trial, as it may be lengthened or shortened, as may be found neces- ary. To make it still more effectual it might be pointed at each end. The habit of sucking herself in the cow, is one al- Jnost impossible to break by any contrivance of yokes Or muzzles, and it is not dissimilar to intemperance In the human subject. Total abstinence being the only safety, a taste being once had, self-control is gone. I once had a valuable heifer, (I raised from the celebrated McElroy cow,) who made 16 lbs. of butter in a week, and which I was obliged almost to give away on account of this habit. She promised to bo equal to her dam in butter qualities, and many expedients were tried to break her, but ineffectually. A stiff muzzle was put on her, well supplied with sharp spikes. Her udder, so violent was her fond- ness for her ovm milk, would often be scored with deep cuts, and drops of blood, but she would still get it. A stiff yoke on the neck was also tried, which looked as if it would entirely prevent her turnihg her head round. This also hurt her heep and was inef- fectual. Had this cow been cured of this habit, she would now have been worth $100. Her mother was a most remarkable animal for deep milking, and her former owner, before I purchased her, was said to have sent to market from her, 17 lbs. of butter per week. She made with me nearly 15 lbs. of butter a week, on grass alone. Edge Cope, residing about two miles from this place, and whose statement can be entirely re- lied upon, now owns a heifer from her, who made last season, when she was on trial and milked three times a day, 17 lbs. of butter in a week. The milk was weighed each time, instead of being measured, and reached about 75 lbs. per day. He weighed it himself to avoid mistakes. The simple recipe here given, and also one by James Gowen in the first number of the Farm Jour- nal, of the hay rope in cases of hoven, (and which I also tried and thereby saved the life of a durham bull which cost me S550,) are strong illustrations of the value of agricultural journals, and are worth the price of many years' subscription. Paschall Morris. West Chester, June 20, 1851. The Education of Farmers' Daughters. Mb. Editor: — As I cannot think the Farm Jour- nal designed to lay before its readers such matters only as relate to plowing, planting, mowing, reaping, &c., and the education of farmers' sons, I ask a place in your columns for a few remarks on a subject in- teresting alike to all — the education of farmers' daugh- ters. Much has been said and written on the subject of education. The merits of colleges, academies and agricultural schools have been thoroughly discussed. But those all refer to the boys, while the girls arc wholly uncared for, as though the cultivation of their intellects was a matter of trifling importance. The general impression appears to be, that they would make just as good wives and daughters with no more education than enabled them to read their Biblo and almanac, as if their intellectual training were such as every fanner's daughter should be. Does not the mother exert a controlling influence over her child ; and do not her teachings and example, in nine cases out of ten, mould its future character? Many of the greatest and best men who have ever lived, at- tribute their virtues and greatness to the tender coun- sels of their mothers. Who among us, does not owe much that is commendable in our characters to the same source ? How frequently do we hear the folly 1851.] COMMUNICATIONS. 103 and wickedness of individuals attributed to the igno- rance of their mothers ? If, then, so much depends upon the kind of teach- ings a mother is capable of imparting to her children, how important does the education of the ftirmcrs' daughters become, and with what solicitude sliould parents endeavor to prepare them for the highly re- sponsible stations of wife and mother, which they may be caUed to fill ? Although my remarks will apply with equal force to all classes of society, my olvject is, to draw the special attention of the farmers to this subject, be- cause 1 think it has been less seriously considered by them than it deserves to be. Now-a-days, almost every farmer possessed of the means, appears desirous of giving his sons a liberal education. This is highly commendable; but at the same time it should not be forgotten that his daughters liave an equal claim upon his regard. It is, with me, a question, which of the two — the education of the son or the daughter — is the most important. But leaving this question for the present, it is enough for us to know, that the pros- perity and happiness of the individual, the family and the nation, demand that where it is practicable, the blessings of education should be extended to all. Almost every farmer who has given his sons a li- beral education is convinced of its utility. If eduea- cation is beneficial to the son, why not to the daugh- ter? Are her duties any less important than his? — Has she not the moulding of the character of future generations? Should not the mother be competent to instruct her offspring in many of those branches of education in which her gentle care and afiection make her the most fitting instructor? None but those who have never known the inestimable value of a kind mother's teachings will dissent from this. But my remarks are growing too lengthy ; I shall therefore conclude them for the present, promising to renew the subject in future numbers of your valuable Journal, should you deem them of sufficient import- ance to present to your readers. Yours, June 20, 1851. Plow Bot. New Water Cdment. — It is said that a very strong and valuable water cement has been made by Gen. Pasley, of the British anny, consisting merely of four parts by weight of chalk and five of blue clay. Ac- cording to the experiments made to prove its strength, it must possess extraordinary tenacity. To KEEP preserves, apply the white of an egg with a suitable brush to a single thickness of white tissue paper, with which cover over the jars, overlapping the edges an inch or two. No tying is required. — The whole will become, when dry, as tight as a drum. Good Advice. Do not begin farming by build- ing an expensive house, nor erecting a spacious barn, till you have something to store in it. The Berkshire Agricultural Society. Mr. Editor: — Whoever had occasion to travel north fiom Lenox, forty-fire years ago, found himself on a highway, twice the width a practical Agricultural Society among the tillers of the soil, ill this State, was started. Dr. Darlington and Charles Miner took a leading, active part, in promoting its establishment, and Thomas Gold being the President of the Berkshire Associaiion for the same object, he wrote to him to send us an account of their doings, with such hints as might occur to him. Enclosed is a copy of his reply, which as it contains a little history of "the first Society in the world, icliich adopted a practical course, &c," you may think it worth presenting to your readers now. A Friend to Agriculture. Mr. Miner : In answer to a request made at your instance, on Ijehalf of the proposed Agricultural So- ciety in this county, the enclosed communications have been received from Thomas Gold, Esq., of Pitts- field, Mass., one of the original promoters and some- time President of the Berkshire Society. You will no douljt think those passages of the letter which have been marked, well worthy of publication, and calculated to promote the object of a similar associa- tion in this county. The writer is certainly entitled to our best thanks, for the interest he has expressed in our success, and for the pains which he has taken to communicate his views. The Ode breathes the pure spirit of poetry, and ■will no doubt grace a corner of your next Parterre. Lot the other papers, consisting of the By-Laws of the Berkshire Society, Mr. Gold's Addresses in 1817, and ISIS, projiosals of premiums, &c., remain in your office for the perusal of those who are inte- rested in the establishment of such a Society here. Is it not possible to raise twice the quantity of pro- duce annually in Chester county, to what is now raised, and will not an Agricultural Society tend to effect this object ? Who that compares our present products with what they were twenty years ago, and recollects that they are still one hundred per cent, less than what is produced in many parts of Great Britain, will despair of improvement ? " The man who causes two blades of grass to grow where there was but one before, renders more service to mankind than all the statesmen and warriors that arise in a century." Civis. " I avail myself of the first leisure to comply with your request, viz : to forward a copy of the Constitu- tion of the Berkshire Association, with such informa- tion as I may deem useful. I now enclose you a copy of our by-laws, which [is^the foundation of our pro- ceedings. The Society was incorported in 1811. The act contains only a general grant of all powers requi- site to estaljlish and carry on the Society. The by- laws contain the rules by which the powers granted are to bo executed. These laws are subject to annu- al improvement, as experience and circumstances may require — accordingly we have made some small amend- ments." _ "Your Society, no doubt, will conform its regula- tions to its circumstances. It mil be well, however, to avoid multiplicity of regulations, and to render them plain, explicit, and easy of execution. "It will always be important to success, that you appoint men of good standing, of considerable means, of competent learning, much given to enquiry, read- ing and experiments. This will bo all important at the out set — and they should bo ready and alert in the discharge of every duty. Much must bo written and dispersed among the members. There must be used, means of extensive excitement. The business must be impressed, as primary the foundation of all other pursuits, agriculturists must be taught to re- spect themselves and their eraploj'inents. They are the real*uobility of our rcpuljlican country. At your meetings, and especially the anniversary, much must be done to explain and enforce the olijects of the society — to prescribe the means and the measures, and to convince them of the utility of the results — in fact it should be a great occasion of excitement — we occupy two days industriously. "Tlie most important means of prosperity in these associations are adequate funds. In the early stages of our society, we relied on subscriptions and private contributions-^these were precarious. Three years ago our legislature voted us $200 a year for three years ; and a few months ago, they adopted a perma- nent system for the encouragement and support of such societies, by which each society may receive 1600 yearly : provided the society or others, will place out on a permanent footing, a sum that will also produce $000 a year, or any less sum. The plan was for the state to furnish a moiety of the funds, and the society the other moiety. We have executed the act by obtaining good notes of say §51' each, from respimsiblo men, bearing an interest of six per cent, payable yearly, which constitutes our perma- nent fund ; and so much as this produces, the state allows an equal sum. This arrangement has placed us on a foundation that will enable us to adopt some additional measures, promotive of our useful- ness. "This society, as you remark, has attained too much distinction in our country. It was the first so- ciety in the world, which adopted a practical course for exciting and bringing into action the physical means and energies of the country and population. The plan was original, novel ; and at first was doubt- ed. Time has removed all doubt, and the good sense of our country has sanctioned the great experiment. The success and extensive usefulness of this Institu- tion is acknowledged througliout our country, and we have many who regard us with cordial good will. The Massachusetts society, though general and of long standing, never were able to extend themselves beyond theories ; they therefore honored us with the appellation of " Parent Society." During the period I was at the head of the society, we furnished plans and instructions for numerous associations not only in iS^ew England, but New York, Connecticut, North and South Carolina and Virginia. We presume, however, that the good sense of these sections of country have made many, and valuable improve- ments ; the only merit we have is that our plan is practical and has succeeded beyond human expecta- tion. Wo infer from these incidents that it is wisely suited to the present condition of the communivy ; the events that time oontinu.ally gives birth to, con- firm our impression of the utility, and the necessity of the associations. The peculiar situation of the civilized world, teaches us that we must rely on our- selves ; our resources are equal to every purpose. If our government will do their duty effectually we shall not long remain emliarrassed. The efforts made to influence Congress are great ; they deserve all possi- ble success ; they must succeed in a considerable degree." An evidence of the progress of Agriculture, as a profession, is the fact that in almost everj- county in this State there is an Agricultural Society. 1851.] COMMUNICATIONS. 105 Farmers' Clubs. Mr. Editor : — Supposing the idea of establishing Farmers' Clubs in the townships to be approved, some difficulty may occasionally bo felt, at the outset, from inexperience in organizing associations. It may be said, "Yes; this might do, if we only had a fair start; but how are we to begin?" Allow me, if no better plan bo devised, to suggest the following, viz : There being two or three farmers together, and talking over this matter, let them agree to meet on the next Saturday, at 2 o'clock, at some appointed place, and each, in the mean time, invite as many of his neighboring farmers as he may see to join them at the meeting, ia order to form a club. Such a meet> ing, at the time and place, being assembled, some one may be chosen as chairman who shall call the meetr ing to order; then a secretary, and next a committee may be appointed, the latter to report rules for form- ing and regulating a farmers' club. To assist in that operation, I would further suggest the following form, that is to say: ARTICLES OP THE FARMERS CLUB OF ■ ■ TOWNSHIP. 1. The Xame of this association, shall be, "The Farmers' Club of ," and its object, the mutual improvement i,f its members in the business of Agri- culture. 2. The officers shall be a President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The President shall preside at the meetings of the Club, regulate discussions and debates, put the ques- tions to vote, and announce the decisions. The Secretary shall keep memorandums of the proceedings, file and keep all papers intended to be preserved, and take care of all books and other things belonging to the club. The Treasurer shall receive the contributions of the members, pay out, on the order of the President, and keep an account of the receipts and disburse- ments for the inspection of the club. The same person may be elected Secretary and Treasurer. There shaU be an annual election of the officers. 3. As soon as these articles are adopted, the Club shall proceed to elect by a majority of votes, a Presi- dent, Secretary, and Treasurer, to serve one year and until their successors are chosen. 4. These officers shall prepare and report at the next meeting Bj--Laws, which when approved by the Club, shall govern the same until altered or repealed. 5. The By-Laws shall prescribe the time and place of meeting, the terms of admission of new members, the time and mode of electing the officers, rogidations for conducting the proceedings of the club, and other matters conducive to its prosperity. They may bo amended or changed on such condi- tions, as the Club may determine. With respect to the advantages of such associations, 1 wiU add, that they would diffuse a knowledge of the best and most successful modes of farming, re- form slovenly and wasteful practice, and increase the profits of agricultural industr}-. "We imitate what we see others do in our line, if wo fiml that it is bet- ter and more profitable, than we have been accus- tomed to do ourselves ; for all men seek their own advantage, by the law which obliges all to pursue their happiness. It is want of true knowledge alone, that causes so much error in this pursuit. But no means of knowledge are more positive and sure, than an interchange uf useful ideas, and the communica- tion of authentic facts in the actual business of life. This advantage would necessarily result from the meetings of the club. The best farmer in the neigh- borhood would be a pattern for aU the rest, who would gradually and speedily rise towards his level. For whatever variety of grain he uses, or improved farming implements, manures, or methods of cultiva- tion, his superior success would recommend to their ready adoption. It would only be necessary, that they should bo known and explained. Tliis is the natural and rational effect of example: no theoreti- cal argument is so influential. But the benefit would not be confined to- the mere following of a good example. The' statemsnt of the facts, would lead to conjectures, reasonings, discus- sions, and the formation of judgments. A farmer speaking of the work of an improved plow, or drill machine, or any new method of planting, or applica- tion of a manure to his soil, would naturally state how, in his opinion, the effects were produced, tracing them to their particular causes; others, upon the same facts, might suppose the result could be differ- ently accounted for, and in the comparison of ideas, it would soon be discovered how much the progress and improvement of agriculture depend upon the activity of the intellect and mental training. As the desire of knowledge is increased by its acquisition, the meetings of the clubs would greatly promote both. They would bring to the notice and consideration of the members a large amount of useful practical facts, and habituating them to reason upon those facts as well as apply them to their business, would lead them to make new applications and improvements, and thus assist in the progress and onward march of agricul- ture. Nor is it to be supposed, that when a club should become possessed of all the positive knowledge of the township in regard to the business of farming, it would remain satisfied with that advantage. Nothing would be more natural, than the disposition to look further, and inquire after the improvements of neigh- boring to-n-usbips; and as opportunities are, every year, in our free and active communities, afforded to all persons, of frequently meeting their fellow citizens of different sections of the county, such inquiries would be extended to all its borders. The love of 106 COMMUNICATIONS. [July, knowledge "growing by what it feeds on," would thus impel our clubs to a species of self-education by inducing the members to observe, inquire, and think; and the inestimable aid of agricultural journals and treatises, would be eagerly sought and employed. They would begin to sec how much they had lost by neglecting hitherto the means of improvement now laid before them in the pages of those works ; and their regret would not be fruitless. The long winter evenings at home, would be most profitably spent in examining and studying their contents; and the con- clusion would be readily attained, that it is now their duty to do that for their sons, which they cannot but Tvish had been done for themselves. Reflecting how much they might be now advanced, by having been well educated at their start in life, they will clearly perceive that it would bo better to give those who are to succeed them, a good education even with some- thing less of property, to begin with, than leave them to struggle with the world, purblind and destitute of the labor-saving helps of science. One of the most cheering results of the proposed clubs, would therefore be, to make our agriculturists efficient patrons of liberal education. The time is coming when the highest course of instruction will not be considered as useful and proper, exclusively, to what has hitherto been termed the learned profes- sions, but will 1)0 as manifestly advantageous to other callings, and especially to the honorable vocation of a cultivator of the soil. Our young men will then, upon the completion of their academical or collegiate course, return to their homes with the intention of engaging in whatever pursuit may appear to afford them the best prospect of success in life, conscious that they have qualified themselves to reach its lofti- est attainments, and that real honor consists not so much in the fact of a man's being of this or that pro- fession, as in the superior excellence which he can achieve in the business or calling he may have adopted. But what avocation can be more intrinsically hon- orable, than tliat which is concerned in subduing the oartli to the uses of men, in reclaiming the wilder- ness, and substituting the life-sustaining harvests and golden fruits of fields and orchards for our primeval forests and wide extended prairies, and in renovating the worn out soils of our earlier settlements? When the pen of history shall be guided by the hand of truth, more real glory will be ascribed to this country for her generous sympathy in supplying abundantly, as she did in 1847 from the exuberant pi-oducts of her agri- culture, food to the famishing millions of Europe, than for all the splendid triumphs of her arms on the plains of Mexico and the acquisition of the " golden sands" of California. The time is at hand, when the opinion of the English sage will no longer be deemed extravagant, " That whoever could make two oars of corn or two blades of grass 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." A. L. H. Lancaster, June 9, 1851. On the Cucumber Bug; in a letter addressed to the Editor, by J. S. Keller, of OriDigshurg, Pa. Enclosed I send you two bugs, a male and female, with provision to keep them alive till they arrive in your office. This insect is of vast injury to the farm- ers, especially to those who are engaged in raising watermelons and cucumbers. It attacks the tender plants as soon as they are out of the ground, and continues on for several weeks. When approached in a warm day, it flies away, if not taken and killed immediately. In cool weather it drops off when the plant is touched, and remains motionless for a short time, or hides among the little clods. I had almost all my watermelons and early cucumbers eaten by this hungry insect. I tried lime dust, ashes, black pepper, plaster, flour of sulphur, and chicken dung, (the latter having heretofore been considered a good remedy,) and all availed nothing. I killed thousands with my hand, and that is the only remedy I found to stop their ravages. Where this bug deposits its eggs I am not able to say. Any person discovering a remedy either to destroy or prevent this insect from eating the plants, ia de- serving of a premium of no ordinary nature, and Mr. Ilarlachef, (vegetable farmer at Hamburg, Berks co.) offers a promium of fifty dollars to any person dis- covering an effective remedy against them. The Schuylkill County Agricultural Society will meet on the 28th of June to organise finally, and adopt By-Laws. June Olh, 1851. The way to be uappy. — Some think it a hardship to work for their bread, although for our good it was meant ; but those who don't work have no right to be fed, and the idle are never content. An honest em- ployment brings pleasure and gain, and makes us our troubles forget ; for those who work hard have no time to complain, and 'tis better to labor than fret. And if we had riches, they could not procure, a happy and peaceful mind; rich people have trouble as wcU as the poor, although of a different kind. It signi- fies not what our stations Iiave been, nor whether we're little or great; for happiness lies in the temper within, and not in the outward estate. AVe only need labor as well as we can for all that our bodies may need, still doing our duty to God and to man, and we shall be happy indeed. — Selected. True. — A Western writer thinks that if the proper way to spell tho is " though," ate " eight," and bo " beau," tho proper way to spell " potatoes" \npough- ieighteaux. 1851.] COMMUNICATIONS. 107 Mr. Russel's Prqject of an Agricultural College. Mr. Editor : I haye reail with pleasure the articles ill tiiO Journal, upon the subject of Agricultural Schools and Education, written by Dr. Elwyn, Mr. Gowcn, and Mr. Garber. The able report of the Superintendent of Conimou Schools, has awakened an interest to the subject throughout the Commonwealth, which though it may have been felt by individuals, did not before reach the public eye, the public ear, the public heart. I have not failed myself, on every suitable occasion, to express the deep obligations of the Agricultural community to Mr. Russcl, for the noble and disinte- rested service he has rendered them. His project ev- idences talent, extensive research, and close thought — it does credit to his head and his heart. It furnish- es to all disposed to invito or declaim upon the subject a text, that will b^ used until Pennsylva- nia shall boast of its University, and by the ex- tent of that University, to excel " Ireland with her sixty-three, Russia with her sixty-eight, or France with her seventy-five Agricultural Schools." It is but a few years since legislation was first had upon the subject of Common Schools in Pennsylva- nia. The system entailed taxation — taxation in town and township — it met with opposition — its principles were discussed — the public mind was enlightened — opposition ceased, and we now exceed in provision for common school instruction, every country iu Eu- rope, except it be Prussia. So I trust that it will be with our agricultural schools — that a general sys- tem will be established, and that it will be the pride of every farmer to have his sons taught the " princi- ples of agriculture, its thoorj- and its practice" — and that it shall not be said of the next generation, that the business of farming is left to those who "only talk of oxen." Much complaint is made of the incompetency of teachers, and I find friend Garber is loud in his de- nunciations of those, " who teach school at the ex- pense of the tax payers, merely to qualify themselves for higher branches, careless of their charge, and the consequence is the children go to school j'ear after year, and are none the wiser in the end." There must necessarily be difficulties in all great reforms, and certainly the system of public school instruction, is such. There is a wide demand for teachers, not only in our own, but several of the neighboring States, and the evil of incompetent teachers is being rapidly corrected. I have been a director myself, with the exception of a short period, for the last twelve years, and I am proud of the great improvement in disci- pline, in the deportment of the children, and in the enlargement of the branches taught. In schools, where but a few years ago, the very first rudiments — the ABC were taught, I had the gratification on my last visit, of hearing large classes declaim with credit to themselves and to their teachers — and other classes reciting from the last pages of their works on phi- losophy and surveying. I am thankful for what has been done, and not disposed to repine over what has not yet been accomplished. But I am digressing. I propose to each member of the State Society, that — e carry out the spirit of the resolution unanimously adopted by iho convention recommending agricultu- ral education, by taking w'il.'i us to the State exhibi- tion in October, a, short memorial to the Legislature, prepared for signature, and then have our friends sign, asking for a college to be endowed by the State, as recommended by Mr. Russel. Such an array of names, and such an influence will not be disregarded by the Legislature. I propose further to each member of the County Societies throughout the commonwealth, that we call meetings — discuss the subject of agricultural educa- tion, and in a body memorialize, each our own repre- sentatives and senators, to exert their influence in fa- vor of an agricultural college. The college, must precede common school educa- tion. Teachers will there be prepared for imparting knowledge in this branch of science in common schools, as they are now prepared in high schools and colleges and sent forth by the hundred to give instruction in the ordinary studies of English and classical education. The Legislature promptly and liberally responded to the call for aid by the State Society, made at a late day of the session. For the promptness with which our memorial was answered we are much in- debted to the worthy and active chairman of the com- mittee on agriculture, Mr. Ilaldcman, and I take pleasure iu acknowledging thus publicly our indebt- edness. With equal promptness the Legislature re- sponded to the call of the State Society for the publi- cation of Prof. Rogers' geological survey. The agriculturists compose two-thirds of the popu- lation of our State. By concert of action through our State and county societies we can bring such an ar- ray of influence as will be irresistible. Much has been done, and very properly and profitably for the endowment of colleges for the benefit of the learned professions — let there now be a very liberal appro- priation toward carrying out Mr. Russel's project of an agricultural college. Let us ask for something definite, and if in the wisdom of the members of the legislature, they can devise a measure better suited to the wants of the farmer, to them be the praise. A. 0. IIlESTER. Estherton, June, 1851. The wash of the drain from a farm house when well mixed with loam, is excellent manure. Loam will soon neutralise all the foul effluvia arising from the putrid waters. 108 COMMUNICATIONS. [July, Sketch of the history of Cicada septendecim, BY D. W. HARTMAN, M. D., OF WEST CIIESTEB, PA. [Read before the CliesUr Co. SortkuUural Society.] The usual period having arrived for the visitation of the Cicada septendecim, commonly called the sev- enteen year locust, I deem a few remarks relative to their economy appropriate on the preseut occasion. The common name of locust was given to this in- Eect from the circumstance of their appearing in large Bwarms periodically, like the locusts of eastern coun- tries. This name, however, is an error. The locust of eastern countries being what we term here a grass- hopper. That the locusts spoken of in scripture, (which to this day are the curse of eastern countries,) were not like the insect under consideration, is read- ily proven from the account given of them. They are represented as " devouring every green thing," and to be able to accomplish this they must be pro- vided with jaws as the true locusts or grasshoppers are, while our insect possesses a hausiellum or sucker, and takes its nourishment principally while in the larva state under ground. The vulgar name of har- vest fly is more appropriate to this insect from the fact that most of the species in the United States be- longing to the genus Cicada appear about the time of harvest. The Locusta proper, or grasshopper, be- longs to a diiferent order, and has quite a diiferent sti'ucture. We have several other indigenous spe- cies, only two of whieb, however, are common to this vicinity, C. canicularis, and C. pruinosa, both of which appear later in the season than the septende- cim. The insects of the order Hcmiptera (to which Cica- da belongs) live by suction only, and for this end they are provided with a haustellum or sucker tlii-o' which they imbibe the juices of animals and plants. The bed-bug, squash-bug, plant lice or Aphides and the Coccides or bark lice are ftimiliar examples of this order. The ti'ivial name septendecim appropriately refers to the periods of their visit, which is once every sev- enteen years, and although this is the regular period for tlieir return, circumstances may retard or accele- rate their progress to maturity. I noticed the song of one or two individuals last year, that from some cause or other anticipated the usual time, and others have occasionally observed a few individuals the year following the regular period. Though they appear but once in seventeen years within certain circumscribed limits, yet from the pub- lished accounts of those who have written on the subject, tliey are found witliin some parts of the United States every year, observing, however, (with the exceptions before mentioned) their regular law of periodicity. In some districts of country neigh- boring swarms overlap, and in such places they ap- pear once every eight or nine years respectively. — At the present time if you dig a few inches beneath the surface of the soil, particularly beneath large trees, you will come upon their chambers, which are from six to twelve inches long, and five-eighths of an inch in diameter. Tlie sides and tops of these cham- bers are covered with a varnish by the insect, which renders it water proof. During warm, pleasant weather they ascend to the top of the chamber, but retire to the bottom on the least appearance of cold or rain, and as the period for their final transforma- tion arrives, they ascend nearer the sui-face, where they can enjoy the benefit of light and air. The time having arrived in which they are to as- sume the winged state, they leave the ground, and crawling up the trunks of trees and other objects which may happen in their way, they cast ofT the shell enclosing the chrysalis, which is often left stick- ing by the claws to the place where the change oc- curred. The process of casting the skin of the chry- salis is usually accomplished towards day or early in the morning. Their bodies and wiugs after this are for a time moist and soft. If performed late in the day, the wings would become dry before they could have time to expand, and thus render them unfit for flight. The same circumstances influence the period of metamorphosis of many other insects, particularly those kinds possessing wings of a delicate texture, as Neuroptera (dragon-flies), Diptera (flies) and Lcpi- doptera (butterflies). The usual time of their ap- pearance when in the winged state is about the 20th of May, bnt it depends in a great measure upon the season, being a few days earlier if the spring is for- ward and tlie weather warm, and later if cold and wet. In the south they appear as early as February and March, while in the eastern States they do not appear until June. North of forty-four degrees lati- tude the Cicada septendecim have not been found. In about two weeks from the time they first make their appearance, they will all have assumed the winged state; and from this time until the latter end of June or begining of July they are engaged iu pro- viding for a continuance of their species. Should any of our horticultural friends possess any favorite tiees or shrubs, this will be the period to see that they are protected from the attacks of the female Cicada, who, in her instinctive desire to continue her species, deposits her eggs alike on all trees or shrubs, except pines or other trees containing turpentine. — For small trees and shrubs a covering of millinet is recommended ; would not a coating of thick white- wash, applied with a small brush, to the upper sur- face of the smaller limljs and shoots answer equally as well, or what perhaps would prove more offensive to the insect, a coating of coal tar or whale oil soap ? The smaller limbs and young shoots are preferred by the parent insect, as some suppose, on account of her grasping these more readily by her legs, which ena- bles her to make great pressure upon the point of 1851.] COMMUNICATIONS. 10& the ovipositor and thus facilitate the operation of pe- netrating the bark or sap -n-ood. A more plausible reason for their choosing the smaller branches and Toung shoots, is to be found in the fact that they are more tender and afford less resistance to the oviposi- tor of the insect. ^Tho incisions in which the eggs are deposited are always made in the direction of the fibres of the wood and generally penetrate some depth into the sap wood, thereby injuring, if not killing the branches by cutting oif the supply of sap. The fluid eliminated at the time of depositing the egg, may possess poisonous properties tending to the same re- sult. The grooves are made by a curious instrument consisting of three pieces, tlie centre one of which is fixed in the bark and remains stationary, while the side pieces, which partake of the nature of the rasp and saw, are alternately thrust up and down into the wood in an' oblique direction, detaching small fibres which afford a kind of pi-otection or covering to the eggs when deposited. The eggs are deposited in these grooves in pairs, obliquely, and from ton to twenty eggs may usually be found in a groove. This operation is repeated in the adjoining limbs until four or five hundred eggs are deposited by the parent, after which they soon languish and die. Three or four weeks after the eggs are deposited in the branches, they will bo ready to hatch, and they are so transparent that by means of a good glass the form of the included insect can be readily seen. The young insect as soon as it escapes from the egg, is very lively, being about the size and possessing the rapidity of motion of the smallest ant. Their instinct soon prompts them to reach the ground, and running to the side of the limli, they deliljerately loosen their hold and let themselves fall to the ground, which, owing to their inferior specific gravity, they general- ly reach in safety. They at once begin to bury them- selves in the earth, and in a brief space of time they will be found attached to the roots of plants or trees in the act of imbibing the sap, their appropriate food, as discovered by Miss Margaretta II. Morris, of Ger- mantown, a lady whose knowledge of entomology is only equalled by her ardor in its pursuit. The failure of many of our fruit trees over twenty years old to produce fruit, was attributed by Miss Morris, to the constant drain of sap to nourish so many grubs. Acting under this theory she caused the earth to be removed from a pear tree that was declining for many years, and the result was, to use her own language, " the discovery of countless num- bers adhering by their beaks to the roots, twenty- three were found on one root a yard long and one inch in diameter. They were found on aU the roots that grew deeper than six inches below the surface. The root.s were unhealthy and bore the appearance of ex- ternal injury from small punctures. On removing t-he outer bark this appearance increased, leaving no- doubt as to the cause of the disease. Tlie larvie were enclosed in a compact cell of earth, with no outlet except that in immediate contact with the root, and as there were no galleries or holes leading from these cells, I infer that the grubs never leave the roots they first fasten on, which may account for the great dif- ference of size, the small ones being starved speci- mens of the same brood." On a subsequent occasion, the same lady presented the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, with specimens of the Cicada septendeeim that were taken along with several hundred others from the roots of another pear tree that was examined, leaving room for the inference that many failures of a fruit tree to produce a crop may justly be attrHjutod to the presence of the larva of this insect. Possibly the failure every other year of the crops of shellbarks and chesnuts may be the result of a similar cause. These insects are subject to many accidents, and have many enemies, all of which tend to diminish their numbers and thereby keep them in check. Hogs are very fond of them, and you may see them daily turning up the ground in the search for the clirysalis. Bird* and poultry of all kinds destroy vast numbers of them in all stages, from the egg to the perfect insect. The various insectivorous animals as the skunk, possum, shrews, and moles, also feed upon them. Miss Mor- ris found numerous burrows made by the last men- tioned animals to and from the roots of a tree con- taining larv« of the Cicada, most of which had dis- appeared, while the roots of neighboring trees were filled with the insects that the moles had not yet dis- covered. The various rapacious insects also contri- bute their share in the destruction of the eggs and larva; soon after they are hatched. The Indiana are very fond of the larvos when fried; and when the disgTist which they at first excite is overcome, they are esteemed quite a luxury by those who have had experience in the matter. The males only of all the species of Cicada possess the power of emitting sound. The instruments by which it is produced consists of a pair of organs which may be said to resemble kettle drums, one of which is placed on each side of the body. These drums are formed of thin convex membranes covered Ijv numerous fine ribs, and are acted upon by muscles fastened inside of these drums. When these muscles contract or relax (which they do with great rapidity) the drum heads are tightened, and loosened recover- ing their natural convexity by their own elasticity. The effect of this is to produce a rattling sound re- sembling that caused bj' a succession of quick pres- sures upon a slightly convex and elastic piece of tin. The large convex valves beneath the abdomen tend to increase the sound by rendering it louder. S.\L volatile or hartshorn will restore color taken out by acids. It may be dropped on the silk without doing any injury. 110 THE HORSE. [July, THE HORSE. AN ESSAY ON THE EXTERNAL FORMATION Oil STRUCTURE OF THE HORSE, AND ON THE DISORDERS ORIGINATING THEREIN. [Continued from page 78.] Of all points of a horse, the shoulder, for a hack- ney, or a hunter, is of the utmost consequence ; ■n-ith- out a good shoulder, no horse can ride well ; ho may be a good harness horse, or he may race well ; but it is physically impossible for him to carry his rider ■with ease and pleasure on the road. These arc no speculative opinions, but facts, grounded on the ex- perience of all men who know a horse when they see one, and the result of our own overy-day observations — so much does the action of the fore extremities de- pend on the structure of this part. And now, what is it that constitutes a good shoulder, and how are wo to know a good from a bad one? In order to render our answers to these questions intelligible, it will be necessary for us to deviate a little, and say something on the internal mechanism of the part. The scapulro, or shoulder blades, are attached to the ribs by many powerful muscles, which move them, during the ac- tion of the animal, round their own axis, or, at least, in a very similar way ; and though they can only re- volve through the small segment of a circle, that seg- ment is greater in proportion as they are more ob- liquely jilaccd against the sides of the chest; hence it will be seen, that what is called an oblique shoulder is most advantageous. for motion. Again, the best shouldered horses have, generally, thin withers; but this is not indispensably necessary to the formation of a good shoulder, for we know some, and good judges, who are of a contrary opinion. We must confess, however, for our own part, that we prefer fine withers. The thickness of the withers will de- pend on the conformation of the chest and obliquity of the scapulaj, and not so much as some persons, high in veterinary repute, have supposed, on the length of the dorsal spines.* Now, if, in viewing the fore parts of a horse, we find he rises upon the with- ers, (and we must take <'are that this be no illusion, produced by placing his fore legs upon rising ground,) and that no traces of his blade-bone can be scon un- der the skin, but all appears smooth and level, we may conclude that the shoulder is oblique; though a ■* Bones of the withers. It is contended, on an- other side, that the situation of the scapuL-E has no- thing to do with the thickness of the shoulder, but that it is wholly owing to the length of the spinous processes of the dorsal vertebroe. To establish this opinion must be proved two data, viz: 1st, that these spines are short, or comparatively so, in all thick- shouldered horses, and long in thin-shouldered ones ; and, 2dly, that the converse of this never happens. — To one who has dissected shoulders, these are cer- tainly home-thrusts; such, at least, as we could not parry; though we know that these bones may and do, like those of most others, vary in difi'erent horses. — But they also vary in their degrees of inclination ; and may not this circumstance alone, in some mea- sure, efl'ect the construction of it? At all events, we know these facts, dray or cart horses have wide chests and thick shoulders; others with wide chests have thick shoulders, but with narrow chests thin, unless the scapuloe be upright. Now, if they who diifer with us, mean to assert that all this arises solely from the length of the dorsal spines, we can only say, credat jtcdmus appella. more direct proof is furnished us by carrying the eye from the summit of the withers to the extremity of the point of the shoulders. If it is upright, or nearly so, unloss.it be in a thorough-bred horse, (such a shoulder is only fit for the collar,) we shall perceive an irregularity under the skin, just below the with- ers, by passing our hand over the part, and find, on grasping the part, that if is thick and clumsy, be- cause we are actually at the time grasping the blade- bone as well as wither-bone; though (as before ob- served) these may be thick from the construction of the chest. A lean shoulder is one having thin withers, cover- ed with fine and genuine muscle; a loaded, or over- loaded, one with thick withers, clothed with coarse and flabby muscles ; and the thickness of the wither, as we said before, depends on the obliquity of the shoulder-blades, and the proximity of their superior borders to the dorsal spines. That horses have been fast runners on the turf with bad shoulders, is no proof that they would not have galloped bettor and quicker with good ones; and we must recollect that in a racer the hind quarters are of primary import- ance, the fore quarters only of secondary considera- tion ; but, on the road, we know that bad-shouldered horses are never pleasant nor safe hackneys; they step short, are puddling walkers, roll about in their trot, and are exceedingly likely to go to prayers. The fore-leg should descend in a straight line from the bottom of their shoulder, i. e. in a lateral view; but when seen in front, it ought to incline gently in- ward. If the elbow projects gently backward, and the toe points with precision forw.ard, we may rest satisfied that the horse is not twisted in his fore legs. Turning the toe in or out in standing is apt to be accompanied with distortion, or deformity of the limb. This circumstance, therefore, is seldom seen without materially lessening the value of an animal. Of the two faults, turning them out is the greater, for the pointing inward is seldom carried to the extreme. — - A good arm is broad and thick, long, when compared to the leg, and marked exteriorly by muscular pro- minences. The elbow cannot project too far back, and the plumper the muscle is immediately above it, the greater we may conclude to be the animal's pow- ers. The knees ought to be large, broad in front, and distinctly marked with several bony knobs; lateral thickness is, also, of much importance. When the radius, (the bone of the arm,) instead of descending in a straight line, is directed backward, so that the knee appears to recede from it, the horse is said to be calf-kneed, a term that well conveys the idea we have of this formation: it is always olijectionable for the saddle, but not for the collar. The leg should fall in exactly perpendicular from the carcass, and be short when compared with the arm, the converse of this being indicative of weakness; and of sufiicicnt breadth to enable a purchaser, even at a distance, to distinguish the tendons and bone, with perfect clear- ness, in their relative situations ; for, if he cannot do this, there is reason for suspecting that he is gummy, the effect of hard work or premature use, and never a natural defect. Should the legs bo round and straight below, they are called stilty, and are never firm and good. But the best and only correct way to judge of legs, is to pass the hand down them; if they measure much round, and the sinews feel firm, hard, and distinct, like well-braced cords, and if the intervening spaces between bone and sinew be clean — free from gum — we may pronounce that they are good. The fetlock, aa a joint, should be of largo dimen- 1851.1 THE HORSE. Ill Bions, proportiouate -with other parts; no joint, in fact, is too large, providing the bony prominences be distinctly seen with the naked eye, and its liga- ments perceptible under our fingers. I need not, therefore, farther enforce this truth in speaking of these organs. Knuckling over in the fetlocks is a sign of original malformation, such as uprightness in the pasterns, or else is the result of hard work; and the tottering atfection of the limb, accompanying this state, is caused by local debility and excessive irrita- bility in the nervous system. The pasterns always deserve much of our attention ; wlien good, their length is proportionate with that of other parts, and they incline, with much obliquity, downward and forward to the foot, should thoy approach the perpen- dicular, they are almost always short, and are said to be straight or upright ; but when they approximate to the horizontal, they are long, and called, though erroneously, oblique ; for they are not so obliquely placed, under these circumstances, with regard to the leg, as they are when properly constructed. Perhaps no part of thcvhorse exhibits the wisdom of nature more, in regard to the adaptation of it, in point of structure, to the purpose for which the animal was designed, than this: in the racer, for example, the pasterns are lengthy, and incline to right angles with the legs, whereby more weight is imposed upon the hinder parts of the fetlock and hoof, in which situa- tions are placed pieces of mechanism which by their elasticity serve as so many springs in diminishing the eSects of concussion so requisite in this animal, which was intended to perform swift and sudden movements; but in the cart-horse, whoso action is slow and powerful, the pasterns are short and nearlj' upright, so that most of the weight is thrown upon the main bones of the foot, and thereby his springs, which have less play than the Arabian or thorough- bred, are not so much acted upon ; consequently less provision is made against concussion, for strength, and not elasticity, is sought for in the construction of this powerful animal. Horses with very oblique pasterns are more likely to break down, and for this reason they ought never to be shod with thin-healed shoes : on the other hand, if they are very short and upright in these joints;, they are seldom or never sure- footed, and will soon become stilty and groggy from work. The hoof next engages our notice, and this is a part of which we should be more than commonly scrupulous and nice in our inspection: " Xo foot, no horse," is a trite but very true adage, and one that is not kept sufficiently in view by the purchasers of horses, or they would not have so frequently to la- ment their hard fate in having gone to market for a screw. First, we .should look to the size of the hoof: a small foot is not only objectionable in itself, even though it be a natural formation, but is often a cha- racteristic of disease; but a small and upright foot is a morbid structure, and is scarcely over seen in any one but a dancing-master, or light-timbered tit. — White hoofs are to be eyed with suspicion ; they are really weaker, and more liable to disease than dark or black ones, and if a horse has one white and the other dark-colored, and ho is lame, in nine cases out of ten it is the white foot that is affected. So much with regard to the foot before it is taken up. Other considerations now engross our attention. Is it contracted? i. e. is its circularity destroyed by nar- rowness at the heels ? A good hoof is circular in the tread, or nearly eo, measuring as much from side to side as from toe to heel; but we frequently find those tliat are morbid measuring as much from toe to heel as twice the lateral diameter. On the other hand, the wall of the hoof which should, at all times, be per- fectly smooth and free from ridges, (the contrary in- dicating disease,) may bo very oblique, in which case it is not only circular, but spreads out, even to a morbid degree, in the tread. Large, heavy horses, such as are bred in low, marshy situations, are most subject to have this kind of foot, in which parts of the country it is preferred by many people, who con- tend that their hunters derive advantage from it. As the strong and upright foot is likely to become con- tracted, so is this subject to a disease called fleshy soles ; indeed, in the former, the sole is concave ; but in the latter it is fiat, on which account the two re- quire different modes of shoeing. The body, or carcass, may bo subdivided into the chest, belly, and loins. So far as reganls the consti- tution of the horse, his stamina, or his bottom, no part is of more consequence than the chest; but, like that of many other parts, no particular construction of it is the best for all kinds of horses. That of tho cart-horse should be circular, broad in the bosom, and large in the girth ; that of tho thorough-bred more circumscribed, but not flat-sided, very deep, and also extensive in tho girth; so that the two differ more in width than in depth. Had the racer possessed a broad, circular chest, his shoulders must have been thick, and his fore legs far apart; and no horse so made can gallop well or fast, though many such are ridden as hackneys; they are apt to have a rolling gait, and an awkward mode of going altogether, per- ceptible at all times to the connaisseur in horse-flesh ; but we must be careful, even in choosing racers, not to run into the other extreme ; for, if both legs come out of one hole, or he be flat-sided, he cannot endure much fatigue, is very probably a bad feeder, and cer- tainly predisposed to disease of the chest. A full and prominent bosom is a fine point; and the ribs should stand out with sufficient curve to aflbrd space enough within ; for which reason, some, as we before remarked, prefer a thickish shoulder, if it be an obli- que one; and another advantage accompanying such conformation is, that we have something between our legs when mounted, a property, certainly, that every horse ought to possess. As to the belly, its shape will depend much upon that of the chest and loins. A narrow-carcassed horse can never do much work, readily loses his condition, and with difficulty recov- ers it, being very commonly, but a queer feeder. We should have something to kick against, and unless ho carries his dinner with him, his bread-basket cannot be said to be of the best description. The back should be perfectly straight; a hollow back is a sign-of want of strength ; but it is often ex- tremely pleasant to the rider. A roach-back, the re- verse of a hollow back, is by no moans handsome, though some argue that horses having such are stronger; one objection to it is that it is apt to chafo from the saddle. The loins are a point that we should always be nice about. A hollow back and a narrow loin are generally indicative of natural weakness; but the latter is far more exceptionable than the former : a horse so formed can seldom carry much weight, soon knocks up, and often proves a bad feeder; his constant hollowness in the flank, and his lank appear- ance altogether, after a day's hunting, demonstrate how incapable ho is of bearing the exertions required of him. [to bk contixued.] IIoRSB collars filled with air instead of hay have been invented by T. M. Coleman, of Penn.sylvania. They will not chafe the horse like those now in use. 112 THE GALLOWAY OX. [JULT, JmpvODciJ dattlc. Galloway Ox in good condition. The breeding of cattle has been, from time almost immemorial, the principal ohjeet of pursuit Tvith the GalloTvay farmer. The soil and face of tlio country are admirably adapted for this. The soil, altliough rich is dry and healthy. There are many large tracts of old grass land, that have not been plowed during any one's recollection, and which still maintain their .superior fertility; ■vvliilethe finer pastures ai'e tliickly covered with natural white clover, and other valuable grasses. The surface of the ground is irregular, sometimes rising into small globular hills, and at other times into abrupt banks, and thus forming small fertile glens, and producing shelter for the cat- tle in tl'.e winter and early vegetation in the spring. In the low districts there is little frost and snow, but the climate is mild and rather moist; and thus a lan- guid vegetation is supported during the winter, and pastures constantly retain their verdure. The young cattle are chiefly bred and reared to a certain age upon the higher districts, or upon the in- ferior lands in the lower grounds. A few oowa are kept in the richer soils to produce milk, butter, and cheese for the families; but it is found the more pro- fitable to breed and rear the cattle upon the inferior lands, and afterwards to feed them upon the finer ground and the rich old pastures. There would be no objection to this if the Galloway farmers would afford their young stock a little shelter from the driv- ing blasts of winter. The regular Galloway lireeders rarely sell any of their calves for veal ; which is obtained only from those who keep cows for supplying the villagers with milk, and from the few dairy forms where cows are kept for making cheese. — Youatt d- Martin on Cattle. GAILOWAV OX IN GOOD CONDITION. Larv.b of the locust and fruit tubes. — A gentle- man who had several fruit trees in a declining condi- tion at the time of Miss Morris' announcement of the discovery of the fact that the larvae of the locust at- tach themselves permanently to the roots of trees, informs us, that ho waited upon that lady, believing the sickly condition of his trees to proceed from these insects. A conversation with Miss M. satisfied him of the correctness of his impression. Instead of dig- ging around the roots and detaching the larvEe, he, in in the fall of the year, bored a half inch auger hole in the body of each tree to a depth of two or three inches, which he filled with the flour of sulphur and plugged shut. The highly flourishing condition of his trees the following spring, convinced him that he had effectually removed the cause of their former un- heal thincss. A GOOD master is kind to his beast. Fleas. — A correspondent who has been sorely an- noyed by these pests, informs us that he has succeed- ed in ridding his house of their presence and himself and family of their bites, by spreading the floors morning and evening, for a few days with a decoction of sassafras. The remedy is simple and easily tried. Glazed Pots are the most suitable for plants kept in balconies, where they are much exposed to the air, as they do not admit of transpiration from the side», and consequently the earth contained in them doe» not so soon become drv. Tue entire imports for Canada for 1849 was £3,002,- 599, in 1850 £4,245,517 ; about one-third of the whole import was from tlie United States. The trade of Canada with this country is yearly increasing, and becoming of importance and consequence. 1851.] HORTICULTURAL. 113 i^^^ fjortkultural Department. taucaster County Fruit. AVe have for years coutondetl, that the fruits grown in Lancaster city and county would compare favora- bly with those of any other section of the State. In this opinion we were supported by a few, but the ma- jority was against us. To satisfy others, wo called upon several of our citizens — Dr. Parry, M. Ehrman, and Emanuel W. Carpenter — and procured from each specimens of the different varieties of cherries grown by them. These were carefully boxed up and sent to Dr. William Brincklc, chairman of the fruit com- mittee of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. — We give below the Dr.'s acknowledgment of the re- ceipt of the cherries, and s'omo observations upon them, to which we invite the attention of those who were skeptical in regard to the high character of the fruits grown in the vicinity of Lancaster. Such com- mendation, from so high a source, is certainly gratifv. ing and wo trust that others who cultivate fine fruits will give us an opportunity of placing them before the committee over which Dr. B. presides, in order that our Lancaster horticulturists may assume their proper position amongst their brethren elsewhere. Our candid impression is, that the fruits of almost every kind grown in this neighborhood are equal in every particular and superior in many, to any others grown in the State. For proof of this, we invite all to attend the exhibition which is to be held some time during the coming fall. PuiLADELPHiA, June 10, 1851. Ml/ Dear Sir — Your esteemed favor without date, accompanying a bos of most magnificent cherries was received this afternoon. Please to accept my warm acknowledgements for your kind attention. Your cherries are something to boast of and evince the fine progress you are making in Horticulture in Lancaster. One of the cherries, " the Cumberland seedling," is quite new to nie. I presume it is the same that is called the " triumph of Cumberland," at Carlisle, of which Mr. David Miller sent me buds last summer, with a description of the fruit. The " yellow Gr.aflon" is the Bigarreauor Graffion ^the Amber of Coxe; under the last name it is usually known here, and took the first premium at our Horticultural meeting on Tuesday evening last. The Napoleon Bigarreau is correctly named, and the specimens truly splendid. The " Doubtful " looks very much like the Black Tartarian, and cannot, from its external appearance, be distinguished from the Cumberland. But Mr. Miller informs mo that the trees of the Triumph of Cumberland and the Black Tartarean are essentially different in their growth. The f)ur remaining varieties I think are all the same variety— the English morello, and the finest spe- cimens I have ever seen. lias there not been a mis- take in the May Duke? The Kentish is a small cherry, and is known here as the Early Richmond. I have not yet tasted any of the cherries, as I wish our fruit committee to see them. Nine or ten varieties of my now raspberries are now ripe— they are very large and fine, could not you, Jlr. Carpenter, Dr. Parry, and Jlr. Ehrman, make a flying visit to Philadelphia to sec them ? Very truly youi's, "W. D. Brin-ckle. Chester Co. Horticultural & Industrial ExhibitioD, Held at West Chester on the Vlih, Vith and 14th insi. Mr. Editor: — This exhibition came off, on the above days, and, to an observer visiting the borough, evinced a rather extraordinary amount of go-ahead- itiveness on the part of the citizens of West Chester, and the county, and was encouraging to adjoining counties to go and do likewise. Here was a Horti- cultural Society, established but a few years since, which had built for itself a capacious hall, (said to be the second one only in the country built especially for horticultural purposes,) and holding besides re- gular monthly meetings, two semi-annual exhibitions attended by some thousands of people. It was calculated that the number of visitors on the last day of the exhibition was from two to three thousand. The printed schedule of premiums for this season of the year, is not confined to horticultural objects, but embraces all kinds of manufactures made in the countj', such as .agricultural implements, coach and harness work, dentistry, cabinet work, every variety of mechanical ingenuit)', and articles for domestic use, needle work and embroidery, &c. All classes of the community are thus interested, which accounts for the very large attendance and interest manifested. The numerous boquets and floral embellishments, and the large display of green house plants, roses, verbenas, &c., from the two nurseries of the borough, occupied considerable space in the hall and attracted much attention. One of the nursery firms, that of Pasohall Morris & Co. have connected with their es- tablishment a large agricultural and horticultural warehouse, and displayed on this occasion a large assortment of implements for the farmer and garden- er, including the new improved patterns of ploughs, harrows, wheat and other drills, horse rakes, com shellers, &c. This establishment promises to be of great use to the farmers of Chester and adjoining counties. Obseryek. Don't delay the cutting of your grain until it is dead ripe. As soon as the strjiw immediately be- neath the head becomes yellow, then commence your harvest. 114 HORTICULTURAL. [July, Dwarf Pear Trees. Mr. Editor: — So much has i-eoently been fuhlish- ed about the advantage, economy, and beauty of dwarf trees, pear, apple, and cherry, that one might fancy every six feet square, in certain regions, teem- ing with golden Bourre's, golden Rinett's and sweet Montmorcncies. You, Mr. Editor, have ever been ready to expose Immbug in other departments ; and I hope, as head iif our Farm .Journal you will assist us in arriving at agricultural and horticultural truth. Is it not unfortunate, that unsuccessful experiments are not more frequently recorded ? If want of success in the following experiment, be owing to the bungling manner of its performance, the deception of others, or inherent, let us try to get at the truth. Five years since a number of pear buds were in- serted on common orange quince stalks. The nest season they grew from three to five feet. The follow- ing spring transplanted and headed back. They have all died since without producing fruit. Aljout that time much discussion arose as to the variety of quince best adapted for stalks. A majority seemed to decide the Portugal. One thousand of these were ordered by the worthy President of your society, {Mr. Frantz,) from Elhvangor & Barry, of which, as a novice, I procured one hundred. (They proved not to be Por- tugal.) These were planted in the autumn of 1848, grew finely the next season, and were budd )d. Last season they grew from two to four feet well branched. This season, without removal they were mostly head- ed in. Their leaves expanded and soon they com- menced to bloom ? No ! But die. Now two-thirds are entirely dead, and still they die. So much for my experiment. Let me add something from obsei-- vation and the experience of others. By the way, I most sincerely hope the gentleman before alluded to, will let us have the benefit of his extensive experi- ment, with his hundreds: and the ricli crops obtained from the Jargc trees purchased at a dollar per piece from Prince & Co. A short time since, I had the pleasure of a walk in (lie gardens of one of our most enthusiastic practical amateurs, whose vegetable, fruit, and floral depart- ments, arc mi fait. Ilis dwarf pear trees were eight to ten feet high, well branched, and cultivated with the greatest care. My inquiry for fruit of the pro- prietor. Dr. Thomas, was answered — " Humbug ! They have been nursed for half a dozen years and Hcaroely produced as many good pears!" That pear trees on quince roots do in some in- stances and situations, or on some varieties of quince, succeed well, and are very productive, we have abun- dant evidence of the highest character. Such men as Perkins and Wilder who speak of gathering barrels of the finest pears from dwarf trees, are beyond suspicion. That we, in this section of the State will be equally successful is considered very doubtful by others than your bungling experimenter. J. K. ESHLEMAN. CJiesler Connijj, Pa. [Will our friend Frantz comply with the request of our correspondent, aud favor us with the result of his experiment? We hope he will, and at the same time we shall be glad to hear from others who have attempte 1 to cultivate the pear tree on the quince stalk, whether successful or otherwise. — Ed.] An Eveuiug Walk in June. THE FRUITS OF THE SEASON. Louisa. — Oh, come and see my strawberries first, uncle. They are not so fine as Edwin's, and I want you to tell me why. Uncle Pliilip. — Edwin's plants are, certainly, the most luxuriant and the most productive. Louisa. — Yet they are the same varieties, planted, too, on the same day, in the same garden. Edwin divided with me those fine plants of new sorts which you sent us last August, and we each took a share of the staminates, necessary, you said, to secure pro- ductiveness. Uncle. — Was the soil of the beds In like condition? Ednnn.—^ma was. an onion bed from which we had just taken the crop. It was very mellow; it had been covered with very rotten chipdirt in the spring. I merely dug the ground and sot out the plants in the manner you directed. John dug her bed well, and put in plenty of manure from the horse-stable. Uncle. — Here lies a difference. Plants do not like rail) food, it must bo decomposed. Edwin's was well cooked or composted, while yours, Louisa, was too rank. Did your plants become yellow ? Louisa. — Yes, they did, while Edwin's were beau- tifully green and flourishing. But ho manured his in October or November. Edwin. — Yes, I heard uncle speak of that last year, and I wrote a mcmor.andum of it in my pocket book. See, here it is : in "October. Now strawberry bed^ should manured and dressed." Louisa. — ^But why did not that manure injure Ed- win's? Uncle. — At that time growth had nearly ceased, and the small amount taken up by the roots during winter was invigorating, while tlie straw served to protect the tops. Louisa. — So, I see that in order to excel in grow- ing strawberries I must not wait till spring to make preparations. Edioin. — Father explained to me this morning what is meant by " fallowing ^" the principle seems in part the same. Our teams are now busy preparing land for seeding nest fall, consequently for next year's growth of grain. Louisa. — Edwin's note-book, too, lias proved of service. I must record what I have learned now, and next year at the proper season it will occur to 1851. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 115 me, and I shall avoid so much of error. When cou- sins came the other day to see us, I could scarcely give them a berry, -while Edwin supplied them with as many as they could cat from one or two hills, and such splendid fruit, too. I was ready to blame Pro- vidence for partiality, for I did not think that I had injured my plants myself by injudicious kindness. — Now I see tliat error too. As I become a better gar- dener I .shall become a better girl. I see the force of the saying, that the tiller of the soil is a co-worker ■with the Almighty. Uncle. — Courage and faith, Louisa, are noble attri- butes which you seem to possess. Come and eat some pears from my trees until these become strong enough to bear perfect fruit. J^ Louisa. — Thank you, uncle, yet I shall look for- ward with desire for the fruit from the trees I have tended. One eats it with such relish, to say nothing of the pleasure of sharing it with friends. It occurs to me now that I have seen directions to pinch off buds of roses, alpine strawberries and raspberries in spring when it is desired to liave a crop in autumn. Ediciii. — Is your plum-garden still safe ? Cousin Henry complains that the cureulio has stung his plums in spite of pigs and poultry. He has hi.s plum- yard enclosed and has kept a number of pickers and grazers constantly engaged in it since early spring. Un^. — He will not see the full result of this sim- ple d||t excellent plan until after one season. Louisa. — There is a fine shower coming; it will swell up your Hoveys and Hudsons to their full size. If you will pick some, Edwin, I will gather some of these nice White Hearts and Eltons ; their fair com- plexions will contrast finely with your red strawber- ries. There seems no bound to the enjoyments we derive from horticulture, and they are so varied that it is impossible to tire of one object before another attracts attention. We have become acquainted with many curious insects and birds, even every change of the weather is a source of interest. Do not these shi'ubs and flowers show well on that .smooth close grass. Edwin mowed it three times for me this spring, and see how neatly he has trimmed the hedge. I suppose he wished to console me for the loss of my strawberry crop. Uncle. — Your bed may be the strongest nest sea- son, as it is not exhausted by fruiting. W. Boahhurg, Pa., May 20, 1851. [The above communication was intended for our June number, but received too late for insertion. It contains many usefiil hints. — ^Ed.] l)orficultui-al Socictica. To COOK THE PIE' PLANT. — Much of the usefulness of this pleasant vegetable is frequently lost from the waste of time in cooking it. Many people suppose every stalk is to be skinned or peeled before it is fit to be used. This is all thrown away labor. The stalks are not a whit better after being peeled than before. All that is necessary is to cut them in slices and proceed as usual. Proceedings of tlic Penusylvauia Horticultural So- ciety. The stated meeting of this association was held as usual in the Chinese Saloon, on Tuesday evening, June ITth. The President in the Chair. The dis- play was very fair for a summer month, when green house plants generally are out of lilocim and but lit- tle fruit matured. The Hall was crowded with visitors. Of the object.s shovrn, those only of interest will be noticed. In Eobert Buist'.s collection of plants were Ja.^miimin tenuifolium of recent introduction, and shiiwn fur the first time, a beautiful delicate spe- cies of that favorite genus — two Seedling Gloxinias, superlj — No. 1, flowers of a delicate blush with ,t, white throat. — No. 2, Scarlet, throat white edged with crimson — MaynoUa JSxmoziihie,a dwarf plant bearing very large flowers — ten choice Pdaroonia, as many select Gloxinias and a variety of other plants. Jas?. Dundas' gardener exhilated three plants of Ccrcus (irandiftorus or night blooming Cereus, each bearing expanded flowers — Lilies, Gloxinias, etc. Thomas Meohan, gardener to A. M. Eastwick (Bartram's garden) sent fine seedling Calcolurias, beautiful Gloxinias, Fuchsias and other plants with three spe- cimens of Chrysanthemums in flower, which he by management has bloomed in the summer season, — the mode of culture by which he effected this result, he detailed to the Society in an interesting commimi- cation. On the fruit tables were six pots of Grape vines, grown from single eyes, one year old, in full bearing, from the houses of C. Cope (president), of the Black Hamburg, white and Grizzly Frontignac, white Con- stantia, white Sweet Water and Lashmere's seedling varieties, forming an attractive spectacle : from the same source was a very large specimen of La Mer- cier Cherry. Dr. Brinckl6 cxhiljited fine specimens of nine varieties of his new Raspberries, several of which were of great merit. Isaac B. Baxter— the Col. Wilder (Brinckle's) Raspberries ; large Goose- berries, and Cherries of Guigne noir, June duke and Portugal varieties. John R. Brinckle presented a beautiful display of Cherries of the following kinds — Amber, Bigarreau gros Coeuret, Black Tartarian, Barr's Seedling, Downton, Napoleon Bigarreau, Rcinc Hortense and a Seedling. By Geo. W. Earl, fine Amber Cherries ; Black Eagle and Tartarian, by Thos. Meehan ; and a number of varieties, by John Perkins. Anthony Felton, Jr., exhibited a fine spe- cimen of Ilovey's Seedling Strawberry ; and James Powell presented five Seedling varieties of Raspber- ries. There were four extensive tables well spread with fine vegetables. The following premiums were awarded : For the best American Seedling Pink, to J. Mev- ins ; for the best and most interesting collection of plants in pots, to Jas. Roby, foreman to Robert Buiet ; for the second best, to James Bisset, gardener to Jas. Dundas ; for the third best, to Thomas Meehan, gar- dener to A. M. Eastwick; for the best Boquet for the liand to John Gallagher, gardener to Miss Gratz ; for the best Basket of cut flowers to Robert Kilvington, and for the second best, to Thomas Ryan, gardener to Caleb Cope. For the best Grapes of a Black variety, to Thos. Ryan, gardener to Caleb Cope ; for the best of a White variety, to the same. For the best Strawberries, Hovey's Seedling, to 116 HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. [JuLr, Anthony Felton, Jr. For the best Cherries, Amber, to Geo. "W. Earl ; for the second best, Black Eagle, to Thos. Moehan ; for a fine specimen of Napoleon Bigarreau Cherry, a special premium of one dollar to John Perkins : and for a fine variety of Raspberry called Dr. Brinckl6's Col. AVilder, a special premium of throe dollars to Isaac B. Baxter. For the best display of vegetables by a market gardener, to Anthony Felton, Jr ; for the second best, to the same : for the best display by an amateur, to Wm. Felton, gardener to T. Wrig^ins, Frankford Road ; and for the second best, to John Gallagher, gardener to Miss Gratz. The following communication directed to the Pres- ident of the Society from Thomas Meehan, gardener to A. M. Eastwick, proprietor of Bartram's Garden, was read : Observations on ilie Culture of Chri/sant7icnninis, with the object of obtaining bloom from them in the Summer months : Sir: In the regulations of the Society, it is sug- gested that where the mode of cultivating any fruit or flower exhibited before the Society is peculiar, a few short observations accompanying it would be de- sirable. In the collection of flowering plants which I have exhibited this evening are some Chrysanthe- mums in bloom. As I have never succeeded before in any experiment to induce this plant to flower out of its usual season, and as within my knowledge no such experiment has ever succeeded before, I beg to lay before you the details of the treatment which has effected this result. When I first took charge of this establishment, last 3'ear, and after I had attended to matters of more immediate importance, it was too late in the season to raise a stock of Chrysanthe- mums by the usual means of slips or cuttings. I had one strong plant of the variety triumphans in the open border, and had its flower stems laid down into 10 inch pots, when well rotted these layers were ta- ken off, and the treatment given to them which Chrysanthemums usually get. They bloomed better than plants which I had on other occasions raised from cuttings in the usual way. This produc- tiveness of bloom in the layered plant, suggested its fitness for an experiment on flowering them again ac- cordingly as soon as the flowers were fairly faded. I cut down six plants, reduced the balls, and replaced them in fresh earth in smaller pots. Thoy were then placed in a cool part of a green-house and their shoots suffered to grow up without any pinching back. In May they began to show their second crop of buds, when they were again repotted and soon af- ter flowered. It will be observed that the flowers on each plant are not so numerous as we generally see them in the fall. Had the success of the experiment been antici- pated, and consequently more attention been paid to reporting and high cultivation this defect would not exist. As it is said that in " a multitude of counsellors there is wisdom " so in practical gardening a multi- tude of experiments reveal new truths, and this com- munication is made in the hope that others may be induced by the partial success of this almost random experiment to try what improvements can be made upon it. I am, sir, yours most respectfully, Thomas Meehan. A letter of acknowledgment from Prof. S. S. Hal- deman in reply to a notification from the correspond- ing secretary of his election to honorary membershiji was read. On motion, adjourned. Tho. p. James, Bee. Secretary. Premiums Awarded By the Chester Caunty Horticultural Society. The Horticultural E.vniBiTiON for June, closed on Saturday evening. The display as a whole, was very creditable, was well attended by visitors, and gave general satisfaction. Premiums were awarded as follows : For the best display of Green House plants, to Paschall Morris &, Co. §3 ; Second best do. to A. Mar- shall & Co. 82. For the best display of Roses in pots, \>y nurserymen, to A. Marshall & Co. §2. For this premium there was no other competition. For the 2d best design of cut flowers to Miss Phebe Ann Sharpless S3 : for 3d best do. to Tevis Iloopes §2. — For the best display of flowers in a basket covered with moses or lichens to Alice Jackson §2; for the 2d best do. to Elizabeth Haines 81; for the 3d best do. to J. & M. Bennet, Cultivator for 1851. For the best boquet suitable for the centre table to Mrs. Elizal)eth G. Townsend §1 ; for the 2d best do. to Thomas Har- vey, cultivator for 1851; for the 3d best do. to John V. Painter, Garden trowel. For the best pair of boquots suitable for the mantel to INI. B. Thomas SI, 50; for the 2d best do. to Misses Sarah Morris, Susan Emlen and Mary Parker, Agriculturist; for the 3d best do. to Mrs. E. C. Jefferis, Garden Trowel. For the best pair of hand boquets to Miss SibVjilla Embree §1 ; for the 2d best do. to Miss Elizabeth Clemson, Cultivator for 1851 ; for the 3d best do. to Frank Parker certificate. For the best 10 varieties of Verbenas to A. Marshall & Co. SI ; for the 2d best do. to P. Blorris & Co., Agriculturist. Urn and three baskets covered with moss by Miss Jane Jacobs, Cer- tificate of honorable mentinn. In addition to the above, the following hasty sketch embraces most of the otlier contributions to this de- partment, though it may contain some errors and many omissions: Basket covered with moss and cut flowers by Joseph FarreU ; basket covered with moss and filled with dried grasses by Miss Clara Williamson; Pyra- mid covered with moss and cut flowers by Miss Car- rie D. Thomas ; Basket covered with moss and cut flowers by Lydia Ann Iloopes ; Vase of cut flowers embracing a sea-shell by Miss Hannah Embi ee: pair of Mantel lioquets by Miss Martha Clemson ; Hand boquet liy Kady Barton ; Vase containing 43 varie- ties of Roses by J. Preston Thomas, of West White- land ; Basket covered with moss and ornamented with shells by Mrs. E. C. Jefferis; Basketof PeonieJ and other cut flowers by P. Morris & Co.; a Vase beautifully wreathed and filled with cut flowers by Mrs. John Hickman ; A very tasteful design covered with moss and cut flowers by Masters Darlington and Crowell ; Basket covered with moss and cut flowers fi'om the garden of David Townsend, Esq.; Boquet for centre table by Elm Sharpless ; Boquet for centre table by Mrs. Alexander Marshall ; 2 Baskets of moss and cut flowers by Miss Caroline Baldwin ; Vase of moss and grasses by do.; Design by John V. & Uriah II. Painter ; Pair of mantel boquets by Miss Eliza- beth S. Marshall ; Basket of moss and cut flowers by John V. Painter; Grotto of the Nereides, beautifully decorated with shells by Mrs. Thos. II. Fergus; ease of Shells .and Insects by Dr. Hartman ; Case embrac- ing 83 varieties of birds eggs by John V. Painter; Miniature farm by Master Thomas Sweney ; Basket of cut Roses by P. Morris & Co.; Boquet for centre table by Mrs. John Monaghan ; Case of sea-shells, large specimen of East Indies Coral and a beautiful central table, by Mrs. John P. Baily. 1851.] HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 117 FLORAL. Cactus, by .Jane Lee Evans ; do. by Sarah 11. James. Pair of high heeled shoes, of the olden times, by Phebe Ann iSharpIess ; Pin cushion, of the olden times, worked by Lydia Paniter, exhibited by Han- nah M. Darlington. VEGETABLES. Peas, for the best half peck to P. Morris & Co. SI ; Beets, for the best display to Mrs. Rachel Taylor SI ; Cabbage, for the best six heads to Mrs. Rachel Tay- lor SI ; Potatoes, for the best quarter peck, growth of 1851, to P. Morris it Co. SI ; for the best display of vegetables by market gardeners to P. Morris & Co., $2 ; for the 2d best do. to Lewis P. Iloopes SI ; for the best display of vegetables by amateur gardeners to Dr. Gecirge Thomas §2. The other contributions and contributors to this branch of the Exhibition were : — Peas l)y Mrs. Sally Ann Ingram ; Onions and Beets by Samuel Harry ; Rhuljarb by Samuel Sharpless ; Potatoes and Beets by Wm. Ebbs ; Long necked Sf|uashes of last years growth ; Peas and Beets by J. & M. Bennett ; Peas and Radishes by Josiah Hoopes: Potatoes and Peas by Thackary Smith ; and Peas by Mrs. Rachel Tay- lor. RIPE FRUITS. Cherries, for the best one quart to Amos H. Dar- lington SI ; do. 2d best do. to J. Lacey Darlington, Pruning Knife ; Strawberries, for the best quart to P. Morris & Co. SI ; do. 2d best to Dr. George Thom- as, Rose shears ; for the best display (sixteen varie- ties named) to P. Morris & Co. SI. In addition to the above, were specimens of Cher- ries bv Sarah D. Grey, Jonathan C. Baldwin, A. Marshall & Co., and Lewis P. Hoopes. Apples by Jonathan C. Baldwin — Grindstone, Esopus Spitzon- burg. Cart house. Grey house and Pennock. Apples by Ziba Darlington — Pennock and Cart house. — Strawberries by Samuel Sharpless. Premiums moarded for Needle Work, embroidei-)/, and the Fine Arts. For the best display of Zephyr work to Caroline E. Krauser, S3 ; 2d best do. to Miss Winterbottom, S2 ; 3d best do. to Anna Slary Eachus, SI ; 4th best do. to Mrs. A. E. Moore, Certificate. For the best dis- play of Crotchet work to Miss Sarah P. Hoopes, S2 ; next best do. to Hannah Passmore, §1. For the best display of Knitting to Miss Sarah P. Hoopes, SI ; next best do. to Rebecca C. Griffith, Certificate. For the best display of Quilted work to J. & M. Bennett, $2 ; 2d best do. to Elizabeth M. D. Cooper, $1 ; 3d best do. to Jliss Lamborno, Certificate, Special pre- mium for wreath worked bed spread to Elizabeth Phillips, Si ; special premium for wreath worked bed spread to Hannah M. Pussey, SI ; Certificates of honorable mention were also awarded to Miss Win- terbottom, Susan P. Wollerton, Mrs. Samuel Sharp- less and Jane Sweney for superior needle work. For the best display of Slillinery to Mrs. Mary Hoopes, S3 ; next best do. do. to Mrs". Hannah Still,' S2. For the best display of Needle work, other than the above mentioned — Best design in Shell work to Mrs. Thos. H. Fergus, S2 ; best Crayon Drawing, W. Townsend, Esq., $1,50 ; best Painting in Water Colors, Dr. Car- penter, S2 ; best display of Artificial flowers, in wax, Mrs. M. B. Thomas, §2 ; best do. do., in paper, Sl,50 ; best specimen of Sculpture, in clay, to W. M. Swayne, $2. In addition to the above, there were many beauti- ful specimens of needle work distributed in such po- sitions that we could not read the names of the con- tributors, and must therefore be excused from noticing them more particularly. INDUSTRIAL DEPARTMENT. This branch of the Exhibition received a large share of the visitors' attention, and embraced the fol- kwing, among other contributions : Sewing Machine by Milton Early, and II. B. Odi- orne ; Riding Carriage by Abraham Still ; Corn Husk Mattress by Imla J. Bennett ; Bathing Tub by .Jos. Fraily ; Hydraulic Rams by -J. C. Strode ; several specimens of Galena, yielding 30 ounces of Silver to the ton, by C. M. AVheatly, from the farm of John Williams, in Charlestown township, Chester county; large Candy Cake, surmounted by a pyramid, by B. H. Sweney ; stand of Gentlcmens' Hats, by Augee & Cowan ; case of do., by Wilson & Heed ; case of Cutlery, by Broomhall & Worthington ; do., by John Marshall ; Morse's Telegraph, by Lewis Levis ; case of fruits executed in wax, by Jlrs. M. B. Thomas ; Boquet of cut flowers executed in paper, by the same; Dressing Bureau, by William Holfman ; Cushioned Chair, by Mr. .J. L.'Galliner ; Extra Family Flour, put up in small sacks, by H. James ; a large display of Agricultural Implements, from the Warehouse of Paschall Morris & Co., embracing, among other things, Seeding Drills, Revolving Horse Rakes, Self-Sharpen- ing Plows, Double Mould Broad, do.. Subsoil, do., improved hand Rakes, Hay and Vegetable Cutters, elastic steel Hay Forks, and many other valuable im- proved articles. A Miniature Court House, surmounted with a stee- ple, and covered with moss, by -Josiah Hoopes. Ce- ment Pipe, for conveying water, (a new article,) by Gideon Miles. Shoes and Shoemaker, by E. 11. Cross- m.an. Manufacturers not before enumerated : For the best display of Dentists' work, to E. P. Worrall, S2 ; for the best Hats of fur, silk or wool, to Wilson & Heed, S2 ; for the best Cabinet work, to William Hoffman, S3. The above is but a meager report, sketched during the bustle of the Exhibition, and we hope that those whose contributions are not noticed, will excuse us.— - We expect an official report will be published em- bracing all the contributions exhibited. [ Since the above was put in type we have received the official report, but too late to be inserted.] (ilommumcationa. Improved Wire Fence, Mr. Editou : — JIany different views and opinions have been given lately, both for and against the prao • ticability of making wire fence for general farm pur- poses. In Lancaster county they have been generally condemned ; sometimes from experience, but princi- pally from the prevalent prejudice against all 7iew fangled notions. Now, I have built several fences, lating good, bad and indifferent, but by perseverance I think I have at last got the mode of making wire fencing fully equal if not superior to post and rail, at but little more than half the cost. This I will en- deavor to explain as clearly as possible, or at least give the general features of it. I find the main cause of fivilure is.wire being too light and not strained up to sufScient tension, so that hogs 118 COMMUNICATIONS. [July, find no difficulty in pushing through butweou the wires, although cattle may bo held. This was the case with my first fence made of No. 10 wire, posts 16 feet apart, at a cost of about 60 cents a pannel (16 feet.) The best fence I have put up is along a public road infested by village cattle and hogs which are generally considered a pretty fair test, and I find it proof against any kind of farm stock whatever. — The fence has been in use for more than a year and is now as perfect as over. My mode of construction is either to start from a good tree, or sink a very heavy post, well framed and braced, into a good sill 20 or 30 inches below the surface of the ground and secured so as to hold firmly against the strain of the wires without settling up. This is all important, as the strength of the fence depends greatly upon the ends. The posts are then planted 20 or 30 feet apart and the wires drawn along through half inch holes pre- viously bored in the posts. I also string on every five feet a pine lath or picket' for the purpose of stiffening the fence and preventing the wires being forced apart. After getting one or two wires through the whole length, I apply a sma I frame containing a crank and a pair of cog wheels to the end of the wire and strain it up to sufiicient tension, say 6 to 800 lbs. to each. — ■ While in this position we drive a pin or plug into the holes at every post. This in a measure prevents a recoil while securing the ends which is simply to coil it once around the post and wrap it several times very tightly around the main wire. This is the course pursued with every wire and the fence is completed. One difficulty will generally bo found in making joints of the several strands in a long line of a fence, if not very well made, they cannot bear the tension. — la fact, in all cases I find them the weak place of the fence, as I never yet could break a wire at any other place. The best joints I can make is to heat the ends red hot in a portable furnace so as to thoroughly an- neal them, lay the ends together, parallel, and lap- ping 8 or 10 inches ; screw on a couple of light hand vices with their jaws facing each other about 3 inches apart. The space between them is then turned into a close twist. Eemove one vice and with a pair of stout pliers wrap the end very close and tightly around the main strand, the other vice is then re- moved and set further back {on tTie Joint) and the other end served in the same manner coiling it in the opposite direction and of course around the other main wire. If the ends are not drawn around very closely they will slip or draw together, which at once breaks the joint, as one wire invariably twists off the other if they slip or give in the least ; so that it is very important that the wires lock at once in fitting them together, and this cannot possibly be done with- out being thoroughly annealed. A fence well put up in this manner will defy stock of any kind, and should cattle or horses accidentally run against it, the elasticity of the wire is sufficient to throw them upon their haunches without the least in- jury to the animal or fence. Upon this account, the wire is better unannealed, as under a great force the pores of the iron will give in a measure, and the wire becomes slack, if softened. In fact, the bright wire works better in many ways, and is far preferable to put up. Number 8, I think as light as should be used for a good fence. Bline cost about one dollar and ten cents a panel of 20 feet, 4 feet high, or 9 strands, commencing 3 inches from the ground then 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, and 8 inches apart. The advantages in plugging up the holes in the posts are, that it throws any unusual strain upon sev- eral posts at the same time, and in case a joint be broken the ends will not recoil for more than a few pannels, and can easily be repaired. In giving the cost of this fence at §1,10 for 20 feet, about the cost of good post and rail of 10 or 11 feet, you will of course understand the posts used are cul- lings and such as are too light to mortice, and con- sequently of not half the value of good sized posts. Locust Grove Mills. C. S. H. Notes by the Way Side, Across part of Mart/land and a portion of the Valley of Virginia. May 5, 1851. Leaving Lancaster for Baltimore about 12 o'clock, we reached Columbia where a snow storm welcomed us. Like ourselves it tarried but a little while, al- though on reaching York county, we found it to be two inches deep. Before we reached Baltimore, how- ever, it had all disappeared. In looking at the fine yards and gardens in the vicinity, we could not but be struck with the advixnce vegetation had made, and how mnch more forward it was than with us. We soon left for Washington, and on our journey thither, were surprised to find that little or no change had taken place in the agri- cultural character of the country between the two cities. Ten years ago, this was almost a barren waste, supporting a very thin coat of mere grass. — It is so still on the left side of the road, although, on the right hand were fin; Wheat, Oats, Clover and Timothy. We arrived at Washington in good season; and as the dinner hour at the fashionable hotel at which we stopped, approached the supper hour of a Pennsylvania farmer, we found that we had since time to spare, which we devoted to a visit to the Patent Office. Free admission is given to all visitors. We could not but think, that the manner in which the thousands of beautiful models of invention were packed in the large cases, was not very well calcu- lated to give the visitor a proper idea of their char- acter. This difficulty will be obviated so soon as the new wings now being erected, are completed. The National Gallery in the same building is well worth a visit, and months might be pleasantly spent in au examination, of the varied contents. 1851.1 COMMUNICATIONS. 119 On Wednesday, May 7, we took passage on board the fine steamer Mount Vernon, for Riclimond. AVe steamed it rapidly down the broad Potomac, and when some distance below "Washington, the view of AVashington, Georgetown and the vicinity was beau- tiful in the extreme. We arrived at Alexandria where the steamer tarried but a few minutes, brief 33 was our stay, we could see that the glory of this city had departed. The large empty warehouses aud the few small vessels lying at the wharf, all gave evidence of a meagre trade. A few miles below, the mansion of the Father of his country, was pointed out to us. As the boat neared it, the bell of the Steamer, as was the custom, was tolled, the tilling being continued until we had passed the sacred spot. Here the river widens, and except a few lonely dwellings on the high banks and the fishermens huts below, nothing of peculiar inter- est presented itself. On arriving at the Rail Road Depot at we saw a few knolls that gave signs of vegetation. Some luxuriant looking half grown peas and potatoes fiUed the garden, the soil of which was almost entirely sand. We entered the cars, and proceeded through a peb- bly country, skirted by abrupt hills on the one side and swamps on the other. In many places the origi- nal timber was still standing, but it was slim and scrubby. The finest lands had been cleared, and as is usual in Virginia, its fertility exhausted, and now abandoned and growing up with pines, sassafras, broom grass and blackberries. On reaching Fredericksburg, the rusty looking brick mills and the woodwork without paint, satisfied us that here too the spirit of progress had departed. The farms in the vicinity are very large, generally from 3 or 400 acres to a thousand, and most miser- ably cultivated. There is little variation in the soil between Fredericksburg and Richmond, and except a few fine bottoms which are in a good state of culti- vation. The soil is a sandy loam, without stones.— A large portion of the land was ploughed for oats and corn, although it had all been exhausted by the pre- vious tobacco crops. A farm of a thousand acres has no more stabling and storage for fodder, than a farm of 40 acres would have here ; hay I have seen none, except from meadow and that stacked where it grew. Cornfodder is stacked in the same way. The ordinary houses are generally Ijuilt of log, with wooden chimneys attached to the outside. Lime there is none in this section but what Is brought from a distance of 40 to 60 miles; nature has supplied a strong red clay from 2 to 6 feet below the snrface, which answers for ordinary plastering. At 5 J o'clock W3 rrrived in Broad street in the city of Richmond, and in my next I wiU give a fuU description of it and its vicinity. Lancaster, 1851. D. West Chester, June 14, 1851. Friend Sp angler: — Agreeably to your request and my promise, I send you the account of a Scaling Ladder, verbatim et literatim, published in the Gen- tlemen's Magazine, (London) for April, 1747. I remain yours, &c. AV. SJ Scaliiiar or Pruning I.adder. t!7^1^WTr^ lhW\ LlJ^ Fig. 1 and 2 represents a model of a sealing lad- der, which may be useful on many occasions. Its rounds or steps A B are fastened at a proper dis- tance from each with the cords C. These rouads are thicker at one end than at the other. The lig- ger end is made hollow like a fosset, and the small end is make to fit into it like a spiggot so th it by putting the small ends into the large they form the long pole D at the upper end of which is a great iron hook or holdfast E. This pole being long enough to reach to the top of the wall, or place which Is to be mounted, it is easy to fasten it by its hook E and there is nothing more to be done than to pull the lower end, that is the first round and all the rest will be drawn out the one from the other and your pole wiU be turned into a ladder. These ladders are very convenient .and are the more proper for secret expeditious, as they are very light, and may be put into a sack and removed from place to place without giving any suspicion that you carrying a ladder. It may be erected in the street or put out of a window to assist people to escape .i,t fires; and probably may be improved by master Ephraim Hadon who advertises his skill in rope ladders. 120 EDITORIAL. [July, THE FARM JOURNAL, l5nb-(i5i)itov'3 Slcpavtincnt. Ageuts. The Farm Journal may be had at the following places : — W. B. ZiEBEK, South 3d St., principal agent for Philiidolphia. W. II. Spangler, Lancaster, Pa. B. F. Spangler, Columbia, Pa. Geo. Bergner, Harrisburg, Pa. II. Miner, Pittsburg, Pa. J. R. SiiRyoCK, Chambersburg, Pa. II. M. Rawlins, Carlisle, Pa. A. L. Warfield, Yorli Pa. and of Booksellers generally. OUK TERMS— READ THEM. In order that the Farm -Journal may be placed ■within the reach of every one who feels interested in the progress of Agriculture, we ask attention to the following terms : — Single Copies, - $1 00 Per Annum. Five " - - 4 00 " Ten " - 7 50 " Twenty " - - 15 00 " It is not required that all papers in a club should be scut to one ofBce. We will mail tliem (in wrap- pers,) to as many different offices as may be necessa- ry. We make this arrangement in order that persons residing in different neigliborhoods may unite, and form large clubs, and thus secure the "Journal" at the very lowest club rates. Specimen copies of the Journal will be sent on ap- plication, Fost-pakl, to the publisher. Post Masters, are by law, authorised to remit sub- .soription money to the publisher, free of posta(jc. — Particular attention is asked to this fact, as it will save expevise both to subscribers and publisher. Our Terms are cash in advance. The exceedingly low rate at which tlie Journal is furnished renders this imperative. Suljscriptions may be sent at our risk, and money at par where subsscribers reside, will be tak<'n. Where tlie sum to be sent is large we pre- fer tliat a draft should be procured, if possible. Subscriliers and Post Masters are invited to act as Agents. A receipt will always be sent with the first number of the copy subscribed for. All letters must be addressed, jyoit paid, to the pub- lisher. A. M. SPANGLER, Lancaster, Pa. Correction. — In our last number our proof reader was not as careful as he should have been. Several errors crept in, amongst whicli were three or four in the article on agricultural education, by Mr. Gowen, which the reader will attribute to an oversight of the proof reader. Tall Rve. — We were shown, a few days since, a number of stalks of rye from the farm of Mr. Konig- macher, near Ephrata, in Lancaster county, which measured eight feci and six inches! Premiums I Premiums ! ! We observe by the Genesse Farmer, that our friend Jacob Frantz, of Paradise township, has been award- ed the sum of twenty dollars, as a premium for the largest number of subscribers obtained liy an individ- ual. The number procured liy ]\Ir. Frantz, was 414, and it is due him to say, that this large list was pro- cured before he was aware of the fact that the publi- cation of the Farm Journal was contemplated. We are pleased to observe such liberal subscription on the part of our farming community, and would be glad to have them extend it in the direction of the Farm -Journal. In order to induce them to do this, we offer the following terms to the Lancaster county Ag. Society, or any other county society in the State: For 500 subscribers at our Club rates, at 75 cents- each, we will pay a premium of Fifty dollars worth of Agricultural,Books, for the Society's Library. The books shall be furnished at the publishers' lowest prices. For any number of subscribers less than five hun- dred, but more than one hundred, we will pay a pre- mium of ten dollars worth of Agricultural or other books, for each hundred. For one hundred subscribers, whether furnished by an individual or a Society, a copy of Colman's Euro- pean Agriculture, The American Farmer and Plant- ers Encyclopedia, (new edition) and a copy of Dixon & Kerr's Domestic Poultry. For Seventy-five subscribers, either Colman's Agri- culture or the Farmer's Encyclopedia, and Dixon & Kerr's Poultry Book. For Fifty subscribers, Colman's European Agri- culture or the Farmer's and Planter's Encyclopedia. For Thirty subscribers, Dixon & Kerr's Domestic Poultry and Youatt & Martin's celebrated work on Cattle. For Twenty subscribers, either of the last named works. The whole number of any of the above Clul)S must be forwarded at the same time, with the Cash, the subscription to commence with the first of the vol- ume. It is not necessary that the Club packages should be sent to any particular office. We will mail them to as many different points as desired. As the above list of premiums is a far more liberal one than has ever been offered, we hope our friends will endeavor to secure them, and thus aid in extend- ing our circulation. How the New Postage liaw affects us. Although the Farm Journal cannot be sent free of postage through Lancaster county, the rates of post- age will be so very low that no one will oljjeot to them. The postage for the whole year will be only two and a half cents, and to any portion of the State the whole year's postage will anjount to only five cents. 1851.] EDITORIAL. 12V Ackuowledgmeuts. We acknowledge the receipt of handsome lists from the following gentlemen: Col. I. E. McCabe, HarriotsviUe, Allegheny co.; Benjamin Hood, AVillis- town, Chester co. ; R. Wood, Clarksville, Greene co. ; Joseph Kelly, Spruce Hill, Juniata co.; Jonathan Ely, Esq., New Hope, Bucks co. ; Dr. J. K. Eshle- man, Downingtown; Israel W. Morris, Philadelphia; James Gowen, do.; E. E. Kinzer, West Hanover, Dauphin co. ; A. McAlister, Springfield Furnace, Huntingdon co.; E. Schley, Esq., Frederick, Md. ; George W. Patton, Union Furnace, Huntingdon co. ; L. Burehfield, MifBintowu ; Jacob Heyser, Chambers- burg; Christian H. Lefever, Strasburg, Lancaster co.; Benj. B. Herr, do.; Hon. Luther Kidder, Wilkes- barrc ; Charles Belding, do., three clubs ; Thomas F. Croft, Philadelphia; James Thornton, Byberry, Phi- ladelphia CO. ; J. R. McMillen, Somerset co. ; John E. Shaffer, Elizabeth, Allegheny co. ; Hon. Geo. Taylor, Huntingdon; N. Amory, Nagadoches, Texas; Jacob Mast, do., do. ; Joseph Wickersham, Lewisburg, York CO.; Col. J. H. Murphy, Mercersburg; Isaac Markley, Norristown; J. M. McMinn, Unionville, Centre co., a very handsome list; J. B. Garber, Mountville, Lan- caster CO.; George Morrison, Chestnut Level, Lan- easter county. Enterprise of English and American Farmers. The New -Jersey Medical Reporter refers to the dis- covery at Hurdstown, Morris county, by Dr. Jackson of Boston, of a rich bed containing 92 4-10 per cent. of pure phosphate of lime, yielding 46} per cent, of ph jsphorio acid and 20 per cent, of phosphorous. In connection with the above we learned a few days ago that not an ounce of this valuable fertilizer has been applied to American soil ; but that ship load after ship load has been sent to England to enrich her lands. Is not this a fact that should arouse our farmers to a true sense of the value of -these phos- phates? The English agi'iculturists understand and fully appreciate them, as is evidenced by the fact above mentioned. From the same source we learned that almost eve- ry bone gatherer in our large cities, is an agent of some English company, and it is next to an impossi- bility to procure a ton of bones for any consideration, this side of the Atlantic. Bones for the English market have been gathered from the very interior of our State and sent to Philadelphia by canal. And now a ((ucstion of deep importance suggests itself. — If the phosphates of New Jersey and the bones gath- ered in various parts of the United States, can be shipped to England, a distance of three thousand miles, and yet be considered highly profitable fertil- izers, should not American formers avail themselves of the opportunity aiforded them of enriching their lands, when the material in abundance is at their very doors ? We pause for a reply. A voice from the West. Although not written for publication, we take the liberty of making a few extracts from a letter vrritton to the Editor by Dr. John C. Kennicott, of The Grove, Northfield, Illinois. It will be remembered that Dr. K. is one of the ablest friends of agriculture in the West, and commendation from such a source is certainly flattering: Editor of the Farm Journal — Dear Sir — I thank you for the three numlfcrs of your new Pennsylvania paper, and assure you, that I feel the compliment contained in your request. But sir, I am an unlet- tered farmer — born in a log house, and sooth to say, occupy one yet, notwithstanding the M. D. attached to my name. That title came by chance, and neces- sity, rather than choice, — and yet I am not a little proud of it; for medical men are taking an honorable lead in the art and science of modern agriculture, and especially horticulture. This is the natural con- sequence of their love of all the works of nature, and their especial studj- — the laws of vitality. Up to the present day, if a poor young farmer felt a desire to enquire into the operations of nature, and to gather some available notions of science, (which ought to be as familiar to all who own farms, as the history and principles of our religion to those en- gaged in its ministry, ) there was no source, so acces- sible to his means as medical colleges. ■ Success to "the schools of medicine;" and may many of the principles taught therein, soon find their way to the "public schools" of the country. To say that I am pleased with these specimens of your new enterprise, in an old field, would be saying too little — I am more than pleased — I am gratified and encouraged — I like the tone and character of your journal. It may be only that it is fresher, and therefore makes a newer impression ; but to my mind, there certainly appears to be a straight-forward bold- ness— full of truth and meaning — on subjects con- necting the progress of agriculture with the stand-still policy of legislation — a very little ahead of some of the old agricultural papers — and among your corres- pondents I recognise some of the most reliable pens in the country. God speed you. The Keystone State has been rather tardy in es- taljlishing a permanent agricultural journal ; but you seem determined to make ample amends for the de- lay, by going strait to the root of the matter at once, and advocating the only true, liberal and legitimate plan, promising certain, permanent and universal results, commensurate to cur necessities and our d3- sires. General and particular agricultural organization, and specific and universal agricultural education, are the true points on which hinge the perfection of agri- culture as a science, and the intellectual elevation, general prosperity and happiness, conventional stand- ing and political influence of over " three-fourths of the people" of this great nation. 122 EDITORIAL. [July, A Visit to West Chester. To the exclusion of much other matter, vre publish the proceedings of the Horticultural and Industrial Exhibition at West Chester. Having frequently heard of the interesting and instructive character of these Exliibitions, we visited West Chester on the 12th and 13 th of June, for the purpose of ascertaining whether the glowing accounts we had heard were not somewhat exaggerated. To our surprise and ex- treme gratification, we found them all they had been represented. The Exhiliition was held in the Horticultural Hall, a splendid building erected expressly for the purpose, and evincing in its structure both liberality and taste. The arrangement of the Hall is such as to display every thing to the best advantage, and we could not but admire the elegant taste evinced by the enterprising managers in the arrangement of the « articles for Exhibition. Every thing was in perfect and harmonious order and the effect produced re- markably pleasing. The interest manifested by the citizens of Chester and the adjoining counties, was highly encouraging to the Society. The large Hall was crowded with delighted visitors from an early hour in the day, un- til late at night, and thus for three successive days. Combining, as these Exhibitions do, the Industrial ■with the Agricultural, all classes of the community are interested in their success. The consequences are, — they arc largely attended — the display of skill, ingenuity and taste is extensive and varied, and the effect produced upon the mind of the visitor far more pleasing and instructive, than where the products of only a single class are exhibited. Why should not .every county in the State boast similar enterprise ? Why should not Lancaster with her hundred thousand inhabitants, and Berks and York, Dauphin and Cum- berland, and many others ? There is no good reason why the laudable energy and taste of the people of Chester County should not be followed in three- fourths of the counties of Pennsvlvania. We cannot close this article without thanking the Managers of the Exhibition for the gentlemanly courtesy extended to us. Our visit to West Chester was one of pleasure and profit, and as such will long be remembered. Extensive Agricultural Warehouse. Paschall Morris & Co., of West Chester, have re- cently erected a large and elegant warehouse, where may be had all the improved agricultural implements of the day. In connection with the warehouse is one of the best nurseries in the State, under the superin- tendance of Mr. Morris, whose practical and scientific skill as an agriculturist is conceded by all who know him. Any of our readers desu-ing fine plants, fruit, shade and ornamental trees will be able to procure them at this establishment either by personal selec- tion or written order. Guauo. We are pleased to find our farmers giving attention to guano as a manure, and earnestly hope there may be a more general use of it in Pennsylvania. In some of our eastern and southern counties a considerable number of enterprising farmers are using it upon a large scale with marked success, and many others are experimenting with smaller quantities. In York county, we understand, the judicious application of it has resulted in bringing many of the thin lauds in the southern part of that county into fine condition ; the harvest promising as richly there, as in the most fertile limestone regions. This is certainly very en- couraging, and will, we hope, open the way for its more general introduction. To aid in bringing about so desirable a result, we earnestly request those gen- tlemen who have used guano, to give us the benefit of their experience, in order that we may present the subject in its true light to our readers. Many of the failures in the use of guano, are at- tributable to the impositions practised upon purcha- sers by the dealers. An adulturated article is sold for the genuine, and few but skilful chemists will de- tect the imposition. The best plan is, therefore, to deal with persons whoso integrity can be relied upon. The advertisements of three such will be found in this number, and we take pleasure in commending them to the attention of our readers. The Crops in Pennsylvania. As a general thing the crops of Pennsylvania never promised finer. At pi-esent writing, June 20, the weather for hay making is, and has for several days past been very propitious. The grass is very heavy and the hay well cured. The grain could not be better. In some counties violent storms have beaten it down, but this is not generally the case. The cool- ness of the early part of the season has retarded the corn, though the genial showers of the past few days, with the fine summer weather we now have, will bring it on rapidly. We hear that harvest hands are scarce, in many sections, and that the grain and grass reaping machines will be more extensively used this harvest than ever before. Brevity. As the number of our correspondents is rapidly increasing and we are very desirous to give our read- ers as great a variety as possible, we have to request that correspondents will be kind enough to make their communications as brief as they can, consistent- ly with the character of their subjects. AVe make this request for another reason. The great object contemplated by the Farm Journal being the dissemi- nation of valuable agricultural information, it be- comes important that the articles be of moderate length, in order that our weekly newspapers may copy them without inconvenience. Short articles are more generally read than long ones, and conse- quently more generally useful. 1851.] EDITOKIAL. 123 Atteutiou to Young Cattle. The essential requisite to perfection- in an animal is generous and careful feeding from its birth. Many farmers neglect their }"Oung cattle and expect to re- pair the neglect by over feeding when fattening for market. This is a gross error. The constitution of young animals suffer severely from hard fare, and the farmer vrho neglects his yearlings, -will never suc- ceed in rearing as fine cows and oxen, as he that from the hour of their birth gives his stock his care- ful attention and provides good feed in suitable quan- tities, and comfortable shelter from the inclemencies of the weather. By careful attention we do not mean unnatural forcing, as this is frequently as prejudicial as neglect, but a kind, generous, judicious treatment which keeps the animal continually thriving. Lancaster, June 23, 1851. Mr. Spangler — I send you herewith a stalk of Coad wheat, which was raised in St. Mary's county, Md., from a specimen obtained from the Patent of- fice. It was presented to me on the 19th inst., by Mr. Sands, editor of the American Farmer, Baltimore. Mr. S. informed me that he travelled nearly one hundred miles to see a field of one hundred acres in which it grew. It is judged the whole field will average forty bushels per acre. The valuable qualities of this wheat are: its re- markably well filled head, together with a stalk of uncommon thickness, amply able to sustain it. It has a strong resemblance to a kind called Sool's wheat, which was introduced in the Genuesse coun- try in 1845, although somewhat different in appear- ance ; the Sool's wheat had no beard and was lighter in the straw. On good land it would yield thirty or more bushels to the acre, while it seldom lodged, the straw being very strong in proportion to its height. Our farmers while harvesting their prostrate wheat this season, will probably see the necessity of intro- ducing something of this kind. Respectfully yours, vSamuel Peltox, -Jr. [The sample above referred to, may be seen at W. H. Spangler's Book Store, North Queen street, Lan- caster.— Ed.] Circular. We have received "a Circular expressive con cisely of the objects, advantages and claims of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society." After enume- rating the (jcncral benefits which have resulted to the community in the great improvement of vegetables, fruits, flowers, &c., the new varieties introduced, the improved intelligence of gardeners and nurserymen, &c., the circular concludes with the following claim : The only claim that will at present be set up in behalf of the Society is, that all who approve of and would perpetuate and extend the objects and advan- tages herein represented and allnded to, should, with- out delay, be numbered among its contributing mem- bers— which may be done by application one month prior to admission, at an expense of three dollars an- nually, or twenty-five dollar for life. A further in- ducement to admit and discharge this claim, by an early application for admission to membership is, that in addition to the ordinary privileges granted, the members are allowed, both at the hall and at home, the free use of the library (embracing the best works on almost every scientific and useful subject,) and that each member is allowed free tickets of admission for two ladies and himself, to the annual and all the monthly exhibitions and business meetings of the So- ciety, which, independently of all other considera- tions, should be deemed more than equivalent to the small contribution required. Delaware Couutj'. We are glad to learn that an enterprise well cal- culated to advance the agricultural and manufactur- ing prosperity of Delaware and Chester counties, is undertaking by their citizens. It is proposed to make a Rail Road from West Chester to Philadelphia, pass- ing through the heart of Delaware county. The want of a more direct communication with Philadelphia, has long been felt, and by the want of Delaware county. The superior dairying advantages possessed by Delawarejcounty, should induce the Philadclphians to lend vigorous aid to the undertaking. Contents of July Jfo. Entomology, Xo. 3, ... Medical Quackery, ... Locusts, (Cicada septendecim,) Building Material, ... To Correspondents, ... State Fair, .... The Potato, . . - - Remedy for a cow who sucks herself. Education of Farmers' Daughters, Berkshire Agricultural Society, Farmers' Clubs, . - - - Cucumber Bug, . - - - Agricultural Colleges, - - - Sketch of the history of the Locust, The Horse, (continued,) - - - Improved Cattle, - - - . Locust and the pear trees, Fleas, " " " " " Lancaster county Fruit, - - _ - Chester county Horticultural Exhibition, - Dwarf Pear Trees — An evening walk in June, Horticultural vSocieties, - - - Premiums of Chester co. Horticultural Soc'y. Improved Wire Fence, - - - Notes by the Way, Premiums — How the newpostage law affects us, Enterprise of American and English Farmers, Acknowledgments — A voice from the west, A visit to W. Chester— Agricul. warehouse. Guana — Crops iu Pa. — Brevity, Attention to young cattle — Coad wheat, - Circular — Contents, - - - ILLDSTRATIONS- Insects, (curabus,) - - - " Cucumber Bug, - - - ■ Flea-Beetle, - - - " Galloway Ox, - - ■ " Scaling or Pruning Ladder, Delaware county, - - " 97 98 99 99 99 100 101 102 102 103 105 106 107 108 110 112 112 112 113 113 114 115 116 117 118 120 121 121 122 122 123 123 97 99 100 112 119 123 124 ADVERTISEMENTS. [July, GUANO VVAISE IIOUSIO, No 54, South IVha res, Below Walnut Street. JKRrvl A\ :iiid Pat:igoiiia Gufuio, for sale in Inrje or smalt quantities, in bairels and hags, on rt-asonalile terms JOSEPH I. JONES, No. 54. Snutii Wharves, i'Jiiladelphia. Analysis Pliosphate of .vlajfiiesiu 4.5,4 Carlmiinte of Magnesia 1.7 Alkaline Salts II G OiKanie Matter 20,6 Amtnoilia 2.8 Water 1(>.4 S.jld &c. e.2 "The 45.4 parts iif Phosphate of Magnesia contains 28,75 parts of PiMsphiine Aeid. The guano is iif excellent quulitv, contain- iriL- nrjirle one half of matter of the llighrst value in Ajiricutture, besides one fourth of organic matter in ugnod state for application toihe soil." Resnit ,it an analysis of a lot of Patagonia Gmno in Store, and for sale l>y JOP. I, JON'KS. July 1.) No. .'51, South Wharves, Phila. GITANO, PERITVIANand Patagonia Guano for sale in lots to suit pur* cliasers, l.y J CAPSEDY & SON. N'>. t'2l, South Water St., a few doors ahovc Duck st , i'hiia. July I 4-ly. T>ERK1EKSJ r^ANPHIER & GORRECHT ESPECTKULLY mv.ip ih- aii^mion of F^rmsrs and others to their Establishment for the manufacture of Farming Implements and especially to their ee'ebrated IMPROVED GRAIN FANS, which they coafiJently assert will do more work in a shorter space of time, and with less labor, than any other Fannowin use. Tlies» Fans wherever introduced, have given complete satisfaetion.and a large number of testimonials coulJ be procured, testifying to their superior merits. They also manufacture, to order. Agricultural Implementsof va- ri lus kinds : such as Straw Cutlers, Cuilieators, Ploughs, Harrows, S(c. Having had many years' experience in the best shops in the country, they are prepared to do work of a superior quality n little cheaiier than any other estbalishment in the .State. Tliey will war. rantall their work to be what it is represented. A warrant given with ivery Gr.iin Fan. giving the purchaser the privilege of re- turning it, shou d it not do good and quick work. Thei will deliver them, free of expense, any distance within fifty miles of the manufactory. Their Shop is at the .junction of the iNLirietta and Columbia Turnpike, Lancaster, Pa., where they Will be happy to have Farmers call and examine for themselves Price of Fans, No. 1, large size, . . . S2i no *' " " 2. small size, - - . 22 00 Several good and responsible Agents wanted in the Western and .Midille pait of Pennsylvania, to whom a fair percentage will he allowed. All orders addressed to I.anphier and Gorrecht, Lan- caster Pa., will meet with prompt attention. June 1-tf IlaiTlisburg; Agricultural Macliiiie sliop. II FARMEISS. IF VOU havp Hnrpp.s ihai hnvp bppn injurPtl by sprains. Ringbone, spavins or A'ounds of any kind, you can cure them up and make them as valuable as they ever were — Send one dollar flee of Postage to the subscribers and they will send you four valuable recei!>lB. You mayilepend upon it. that the articles thus manufactured and will cur.— and that any one of the receipts is worth more than yon will have to pay f.,rallof them. Address (Postage paid.) June 1, 18j1) HILLS ft CLARK, Elmira, Chemung co , N Y HENKY I .I'HiPl.KK, (Successes to Joseph P. H Coates.) Dealer in Grass and Garden Seeds. No. 49, Market Street, Philadelphia. M STEEVER&CO. AVE recently estnblish d a Shop, for the manuOtoture of IVAee/er'.^ Patent Horu Pntofrs and Thrbshe.rs, with Sepntntnri ; also. Clover Iluller s, Feed Cutlers, Cum Shellers,Gruiii Dril'a, Circular Saw Mills. &c These Horse Powers and Tlireshers are favornh)) known where- ever they Jiave been used or exhibited They have taken premi- iuma at many difTerent St:ite and Ctmnty Agricultural Fairs, in different States ill the Union, and also in Carolina, never hayinj competed for a prize uiisuecfssfully. The accnmpan\iiig i'ut gives a side view of a Two-IIorse Ma- chine at work, with the hands nece6s:irv to attend it. and ket- p it in full operation, and will thresh from 100 to 200 bushels i>f Wheat, or thrice that (juantitv of 0;its Buckwheat or Barley, per day. — The One-Horse or Single Marjhiue will thresh half as fast as the donn'e ones The Overshot Thresher takes the erain from a level feeding" table (of a proper height to allow the feeder to stand erect an3 feed u'ithout annoyance from dust.) by means of the PeprtTa'ion. Tlie Straw, as it comes from the machine, is tlmruughly separated from the grain, PRICES AT HARRISBURG. For Two-Hnrse Machine, - - . - S140 00 " Oiie-Horse Maclnne, . - - . SI 16. (JO Every Machine made and sold by them nr their Apents are war- ranted to give entire satisfaction to the pnrcliaser. or it may he re- turned to them after fair tri:il. and the purchase m'inc\ (if p:iiij) will be le'iinted. These Machines will also be m iniifactured at the Borough of [.ebaiion on and aft**r the tstof July. Five per cent, will he discounTed on the above prices if paid within ten days. Orders respectfully sollicited. M H STERVER & CO , Meadow Lane, between 2d and Od st , Uarrisburg. Pa. May, 1851. l-tf. R. BUIST, NURSERYMAN &. SEED G ROWE R, HAS alwavs nn hand at his s^-piI S f»rp 97 Chpsnut Street, Philadelphia, a large stock of Seeds of his own growth, a very important itf^r/i to piircha.'<€rs,ns he is a practical grow- er.and lias been engaged in Ins profession over 30 \ears. His nurse- ry ground isamph stocked with Fruit. Shade and Ornamental Trees, accurately n;init-d and property cultivated. Every article sold at llie lowest rates and warranted to be as repreacnted. Seed Store. 97 Cliesnut Street, Philadelpliia Nurseries and Seed Farm, Darby Road, two mi'es below Gray's Ferry. June 1, 18U. R. BUIST, 1-ife ru«^iirniire for Horses, &r- THE American T^ive Stock Insurance Company. (Stockholders in- dividually laable) for the In-^urHiice o( Hor.-^es, IMvl'S, Prizt Biilh, Sheep, Cattle^ ^c , aga nst Fire, Water, Acciclents and Dis- ense. Alsj, upon Stock driven to Eastern markets, or transported South. JOHN H. FRICK. General Agent for Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. BEFfcRE.\CES : Wood, Abbott & Co , _ iladelphia. ^Vood, Abbott &. Co., } Truitt. Brother^ Co.. \ Phil Coates k Brown, ) Agents: JOHN ZIMMERMAN, T.ancaster Pa. CHARLES F. FRICK. Reading, Pa. SAMUEL H. TAYLOR. M^uch Chunk, Pa. Dr. John G. Scovern, Veterinary Surgeon, May, 1851.) Examiner for Lancaster Couuty. IS/Jl.] ADVERTISEMENTS. 125 t.li<-s(ei- Ciiiiutv A^i-icmlural WAREHOUSE & SEED STORE, //(g/i Street near the Ilortiiultural Hall, WESTCHESIER, PA. ri'^HE siih-rnhfis HI c miihimh"! uiih 'h»Tr p.vtf-riiiivp I iViirsfry G:ir(]e(i, and Green House estalilisiiments, linve erected a kirfje. Warehouse, and will keep const. iiitly on Innd ainl for aile. u uiini[)lete assortment ,n ' S-MiTirs Renovating Oistmknt is an invaluable remedy for hor- ses, in the cure ol the following diseases: Fresh Wounds. Gall.-* of all kinds, Sprains, Bruises. Ringbones, Poll Evil, Wind Galls Spavins, Sweeny, Fistula, Strains, Lameness, Foundered Feet,' Craclvs, and Scratches. The ,above articles are to be had in most of the Cities and prin- cipal Villages throughout the United States, and the Canada.-! For sale, wholesale and retail, at John H. Smith's Depot. .So 123 Fulton street, (2d floor.) New York. Price. 25 cents per box for the Ointment; 50 cents for the Horse Renovating Powders. For sale by DR. ELY PARRV, April— 6mJ East King street. Lancastir. Pa. The BEST and MObracing all the well koowu kinds suitable for street planting of extra si=e; guch as Sugar and ^>ilver Maple. Chinese Ailantus, lloi-se Chesnut, Catalpa. European and American A.sh. Three Tborned Acacia. Kentucky Coffee Tree. Silver Abele Tree, American and Europe- an Basswood or Linden, American aud European Elm, in several varieties. &c. Also all tht* more rare and select, as well as well known kinds suitable for Arboretums, Lawns and door-yard plant- ing. &.C.; such as Doedar and Lebanon Cedars; Araucaria or Cbil- ianPinc; Cryptomeria japonira; the different varieties of Pines, Firs. Spruces, Vews. Arborvietas. &c. WEEPING TREKS— New Weeping Ash. (Fraxious lentiscl- folia pcudula) the Old Weeping A?h. Weeping Japanese Sophora, Weeping Elms, (of sorts) Umbrella Headed Locust. Weeping Mountain Ash. Weeping Beech, &c.. &c. ; together with cv-.-ry variety of rare M:iple, Native and Foreign; 1- er iiijjpeaauU mond aud Cherry; Chesnuts. Spanish and American; Tom sage Copper Beech; Judas Tree, Larch. Cum Tree, Tulip Tree, O auj Oi-ange. Paulownia. Mountain A:?h, (American and Eurupe:ii,(j Magnolias of sorts, with many other things— including some uU- varieties of Shrubs, Vines, &c.. for which sec Catalogue, anew aid ition of which is just issued, and will be forwarded to all post p applicants. A large quantity of Arborvitre for Screens, and Buckthorn and Osage for Hedge plants. The above will be sold on as liberal terms as similar stock can be purchased elsewhere. For further particulars we would again refer to priced Catalogue. A liberal discount will be made to persons who buy, to sell again, aud extensive planters, on their own acouunt. April Seed and Agricultural Warehouse, 104^ Market Street, Philadelphia. WE offer to our friend.s and custumers. the largest assortment of Agricultural implements, Garden tools, and ^ceds, ever frffered in tbis iMarket, consisting in part of the following, viz : — Prouty and Mears' Patent highest premium self-sharpening Ploughs, right and left handed side bill Subsoil, of various sizes, ef Fupi'iior materials and workman.ship. warranted to give satis- faction, or the money returned — Four highest premiums awardfed to these Ploughs at the New York Fair, 1850. Also, Beach and Car Share Ploughs; Spain's improved Barrel Churn, constructed in such a manner that the dasher may be removed from the in- pide of the Churn by simply unscrewing the handle from the dasher. Hay. Straw and (orn-stajk cutters, in great variety, among which may be found Hovcy's superior premium straw-cut- ter, of every size. Also. Horse-power Tbrc-^hing Machines. Fan Mills. Corn Shel- lers. Cheese Presses. Seed Planters, Dirt Scrapers, Sugar Mills. Ox Yokes and Bows. Turnip Drills, Horse Rakes, Swathe Scythes, Concaved Hoe.c, Spring Tempered Cast Steel. Oval, and Square Manure and Hay Forks, Pruning Shears and (.'hisels. Beach and Bar Share, repairing pieces and casting?!. Peruvian, Patagonia and prepared Guano, together with a complete assortment of Etiase. garden and field seeds, all of which will be sold at the low- est poftiible prices, at 191^ Market street, Philadelphia. Apyil 9-tr PROUTY & BARItE-TT. IMPORTANT TO FARMERS And Tliresliln^ JUacbiue Makers. THE subscriber respectfully begs leave to inform the public that he has lately perfected a new Threshing Machine and Horse Power, which in point of strength, durability, lightness of draught and convenience in mopiug is not surpassed or equalled by any Machine in the United States; he also confidently affirms that no Machine of its strength and durability can be afforded as low. — The invention of this Machine has been the result of several years experience and hard study. We do not claim to have dis- covered any new principle in philosophy — but we doclaim to have discovered a plan by which old philosophical princijdes are more correctly and advantageously applied than on any other Machine. This invention is secured by a caveat. These Machines can be had at Lsrael W. Groff's Machine Shop and at Prime &. Colestock's Sash Factory in North Duke street. Lancaster city, at retail or by wholesale on the most reasonable terms. The Power weighs 600 pound?. It is made entirely of Iron with Steel Journals, and is warranted to hold 8 Horses should it any time be necessary to use so many. From 2 to 4 Hort^es are a suffic- ient number for common threshing. We are about getting up one much lighter for Shop purposes that will be the cheapest and most couveuit'ut thing in use; it might also be used with 2 or 3 Horses for threshing; the Powers and Cylinders and Concave' can be had by tlie Machine makers throughout the country on the most reasonable terms. •^^ All orders directed to the subscriber at Lancaster city will be thankfully received and promptly attended to. Lanc'r, April SAMUEL PELTON, Jr. Oilmore's Bee-Hive, &c. THE attention of Bee culturists is invited to this improved plan. Mr. Gilmore is a gentleman of great experience and success in the culture of Bees; his improvement is the result of many years trial; his result has no parallel in the history of the past. The Agent of the '• Pennsylvania Farm Journal '' is the Agent of Gilmore's System of Hiving and Feeding the Bee in this State. The price of a Hive and Fixtures $3,00 " " " FamilyRight, 3,00 Township Rights from $10 to $20. County •• '^ $30 ■' $200. "A Talk about the Honey Bee," a defence of Gilmore's sys- tem, contains, also, testimonials, awards of Premiums to^Gilmore. from the leading Fairs and Institutes in this Country ; 12 cents single; $1,00 per dozen — gratis to patrons. Circulars sent to any applicant. Address, post paid, J. B. MAYNARD. April— tf Lancaster. Pa. HAVE been distributed throughout the Union, The concern has been in successful operation for upwards of Sfxiy Vears^ and may be said to have grown up with the City of I'hiladelphia, where it was at first located. It has been gradually enl-irged to meet the gi'owing wants of the public, and is now, as it ever has been, the moetextensive of its kind in this country. Thegrounde iu cultivation being ten-fold greater than those oi any similar concern in the United States. As the Seeds sold by the proprietor are (with slight exception) of his own raising he is. consequently, enabled to [p^ JVarravl them , a matter of importance to the purchaser of an article, the quality of which cannot be determined by the eye. Descriptive Catalogues iu English and German gratis Also for sale, Implements for Farm and Garden in large variety. LANDIIKTH'S Agricultural Ware House, April Sign of the Plough, 65 Chesnut st,, Philadelphia. W^ Seed and Agricultural YVareliouse. No. 29, Market Street, Phila. HERE the subscriber has ooened an extensive assortment oi GRASS AND GARDEN SEEDS, of his own raising, Of recent impor- tationjand warranted to be as represeuted. He 18, also, manufacturing all the most approved Agricultural Implements, among vi'hich he would call the attention oi P'armeri to a new article, of Plow, of his own iuventiun, called Cast-Steel, Exteiuling Point, Self-Sharpening, Surface and Snhsoil Plows, which for durability and easy of draft is yet unequallecl. The great advantages these Plows poBsess over all othere, are their peculiar construction and the substitution of Cast-Steel in the place of Cast-iron, which only wants to be seen to be appreciated ; all of which will be sold on the most reasonable prices by May. 1851. C. B. ROGERS. 1851.] ADVERTISEMENTS. 127 "Get the Best." \ LL young persons should have a standard DICTIONARY at jTjl their elhows. And while you are about it, get the best; that Dictionary is NOAH WEBSTER'S, the great work abridged. If you are too poor, save the amount from off your baclt, to put it into your head. — Phrenolog. Journal. Dr. Webster's great work is the best Dictionary of the English language. — London Morning Chronicle. This volume must find its way into all our public and good pri- vate libraries, for it provides the Knglish student with a mass ot the most valuable information, which he in vain seeks lor else- wliere. — London Literary Gazette. The very large and increasing demand for this work, affords the bi-st possible evidcTice to the publishers that it is highly "acceptable to the great body ot the American people." Containing three times the amount of matter of any other En- glish Dictionary compiltd in this country, or any Abridgment of this work. Published by G, & C. MF.RRI.^M. Springfield. Mass., and for sale by W. n. SPANGLER, Lancaster, Pa. April, NEW YORK Agricultural IVareliouse &, Seed Store, 189 and 191 IVater Street. THIS is by far the most extensive establishment in New York. It occupies nearly the whole of three large five-story stores. and contains a varied and complete assortment of every descrip- tion of Agricultural and Horticultural Implements, and Field and tiarden Seeds required in the United States. We have upward of One Hundred of the latest improved kinds of Plows, mostly man- ufactured by us. expressly for the different States of the Union. Golifornia and Oregon, the British Provinces, the West India Islands. Mexico, and South America. Also Harrows. Rollers. Seed Sowers. Cultivators, Horse Powers.Threshers. CornShcUers. Reap- ing and Mowing Machines, Hay, Cotton, Tobacco, Oil. and Dry Oood Presses, Brick Machines, Shovels, Spades. Hose. Manure and Hay Forks. &c.,&e. Garden Imjilvmcnts. — These are imported by us direct from the English manufacturers, or made here to our order. They consist of a great variety of the choicest kinds such as Trenching and Weeding Forks, Pruning and Hedge Shears, Flower and Twig Cutters, A:c. The assortment for ladies is particularly choice and well selected. Field and Garden Seeds. — Those are grown expressly for us both in Europe and this country. They aroof theehoic"--st kinds. and of great variety. We also obtain, as soon as sufBciently tried Bud well approved, every new kind of seed suitable to be cultivated in the United States. Fertilizers. — Peruvian and Patagonian Guano, Bouedust, Poud- r«tte, Plaster of Paris, i^-c. Manufactory of .Agricultural Implevients.—We have a large manufacturing (.■.-■tablishment in this city, where we will promptly make to order any new article or implement required by the Far- mer or Planter. Excelsior Sand Paper. — A new and very superior kind of the different numbers in use by Machinists, Cabinet Makers. &c. The ^American ^Agriculturist, a monthlv publication of 32 pages. Price one dollar a year. A. B. ALLEN & CO , April 189 and 191 Water-street. New York. Heiuitsti's German Cattle Poitvder* THIS Powder is celebrated for the cure and prevention of all diseases to which Cattle. Milch Cows, Sheepand Pigs are subject, and is the only prep- aration upon which full contidence can be placed. For Milch Cows it is of the greatest importance, wonder- fally increasing the quantity and quality of their milk, and will effectually prevent and cure IIol low Horn, Murrain. &c. VEGETABLE HORSE-POWDER. Whi.'h will cure Distemper, Hidebound. Loss of Appetite, Founder, Yellow Water, Lowness of Spirits. Inward Sprains, Infiamation and Heat in the System, and all other diseases to which Horses I are subject, HORSE EMBROCATION.— For the cure of external injuries, as Wounds. Bruises, Cuts. Rub Wng of the Saddle. Collar or Harness, Stiffness in the Joints Swellings. Sweeny, &c. Prepared and sold at CHARLES A. IIEINITSH'S, Medicinal, Drug and Chemical Store, No. 13 East King st., April — tf Lancaster. New and Popular Scbool Book. THE COMPREHENSIVE SUMMARY OF UNIVERSAL HIS- TORY, with a biography of distinguished persons from the earliest perijid to the present time; to which is appended an epi- ttHne of Heathen Mythology, Natural Philosophy. General Astron- omy and Physiology, on the basis of -'Historical aud Miscellane- OU3 Questions,'' l)y Richmal Mangnal. Adopted to the use of American schools. Published and for sale by E. B. JONES fo CO.. S. W. corner of Fourth and Race Rt., Philadelphi.a N. B — Teachers and School CommiUees furnished with copies fideratum that has long been ftlt— a book for EVERY FAR.MER'a LiBnARv; belicving that tlic vencrablc autlior has produced a work th.at will be worth its weight in gold to every farmer's family that thoroughly peruse it. It is proper to stat« that Dr. Blake is a practical faumer, and has reclaimed a sterile and worn out piece of land into a valuable and productive farm — which experience, with his well known qualifications as au author, peculiarly fit liim to prepare a book for farmers. The work contains G54 pages, large octavo, with a motto sur- rounding each page— is printed on fine paper, and bound in sub- stantial imitation Turkey Morocco, gilt back. Invariable retail price, !^3.00. Ageuts wanted to canvass for the above. FROST'S PICTORIAL HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. The History of the State of Califurnii. from the earJitst period of her conquest by the Spaniards, to her acquisition l)y the United States; with an account of the discovery of the imnftn-e Gold Mines, and the quantity of Gold already obtained; the enormous increase of population; a description of the mineral and agricul- tural resources of the country; with adventures and tr'ivels among the Mines. Also, advice to Emigrants, as to the most desirable routes thither. To which i.^^ added the Constitution of the State of California; with numerous illustrations. and amap of California and the Gold Mines; in one octavo volume. 510 pages; bound in same style as Mexican War. Retail price, ^2 50. " I am prepared— I have endeavored to do my duty." THE LIFE OF ZACHARY TAYLOR, Late President of the United States, including the closing scenes of his life and death. By H. Monigomcry. Embelli.'ihed with a steel portrait and 15 illustrations; in one elegant octavo volume. 463 pages, well printed on fine paper^ and bound in substantial morocco.gilt back. The lightnings may flash, the thunders may rattle, He hears not. be heeds not. he's free from all pain, He sleeps his last sleep, he has fought his last battle, No sound can awake him to glory again. More than 20 000 copies of the above work have been sold by us and the demand is unabated. It is allowed by critics to be the most compltte and authentic copy of any ot the works purporting to be a Lite of the Great Man of the Age, Retail price, ^2 00. A COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE WAR BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO, From the commencement of the battles, to the ratification of the Treaty of Peace; containing a concise account of the splendid military achievements and glorious victories of the American Army under Generals Taylor and Scott, and their gallant com- patriots in arms. Also, a concise accouut of the new El Dorado, the Golden Land of California, which was annexed to the United States by the treaty of peace. Illu.strated with 24 portraits and battle scenes, and a steel likeness of General Taylor. By John S Jenkins, author of '-The Life of Silas Wright," ■■ Lives of Ameri- can Generals," etc.. etc. The work is bound in elegant and sub- stantial morocco, gilt back, and contains 52G pages. A fine Map of Mexico and California accompanies each book. **' 12 000 copies of the above work have been sold by us, chiefly in N. Y. State. It is pronounced by crictics as the only corapiei« and impartial history of the war extant. Subscription price ^2.50, April SCATTERGOOD & HOWELL, DESIGNING, DRAWING And Wood Sng^raving* Sstablisliitienf, Inquirer Buildi77s^^ Third Street, belotv Chesnut st,^ PHILADELPHIA, ■WATKaCoLOE Drawing, Portraits. BurLOixas, Maohi" KRr, News i-APBR Hk.id3. Labels, Seals, S^c Drawn and Engraved A pril,-tf in the Be8T manner and on the most reaeonable Terms. 12S ADVERTISEMENTS. [July, lleUleweAl &. Uavi^jon':^ 8aitS ag'aiusa Guaiao. A CHALLENGE! !! THK dcpp intcrpst now tukon by Agriculturists in all tlcpcrip- tiotis of uKinure. would (ft-cm to justily any fxpL-iUt-nt. by which fair ami unprrjuUicfd expL-rinnnts may hu m;ulc df Ihn va- rious descri|itions of manure at tbis tiuic attraciii)/;^ liie atti-ntlon of tilt-' public. In view ul' lliis. and tlie undyrsignt-d hrtoi'slly hv- Iit3viiij5 that the ('ht'niical Compound manufactured by thi-m. is the bc-t manure of wbich any kuowlcdgi* is bad tor a C«?'(i CiOji; challenges Ciuano to the test upon tlie follovviuic condition: — Hi- will forlViL Otii: Hundied Dollars, tn bf presented to the Maryland Agricultural Society, if any advocate uf Guano will do the .^ame. th.it the llenovntor compounded liy Kettlewell ii Davison, will produce upon, any soil, the lar^^est crop ot wtl^ked corn, wilhout regard to the size of the stalk, provided the President of the State Agricultural Society will select some person, in his judgment qualified, to superintend the experimtlit. The nature of the .«oil to be described, so that each parly can direct the mode of appil- catiou; two liarrels of the Salts to be used per acre, cofting ^6 a^id 31j0 lbs. of the Guano, costing $7 -U. the party making the experiment to receive the manure free of cost. And the same amount against any manure as a top dressing upon timothy or clover. JOH.V JiElTLEWELL. Ktltlewell 4" Davison af^ain c.iU the attention of Agriculturists to their various Chemical Manures — and in so doing, they would be insensible to common gratitude, if they failed to express their prolound acknowledgments tor the constant and increasing de- mand, which flows in upon them fnr their simple and compound manures. Each season has greatly increased their sales, exteud- ing as far south as South Caroliua, i hey can give no stronge. evidence of their faith in the vir- iui 8 of their manure, as the be?t known for a- corn crop than the tirdirsthey make aljove ; and the certiticatcs nhieh they hi^rc- with present. In the offer of a test, it is not the amount involv- ed, but the willingness to challenge result, that speaks their in- tegrity and contideuce. W'e could add any amount to the testi- mony we publish; but if the names we refer to. do not commaud confidence no additional uumber could. V^e have never boasted of the quality of our article, we have been content to leave a de- cision to time. deni:ind and experiment, that has been in our fa- vor—hoping, if we have less of ■■ Bi-phosphates.*' the public would discover it. as they would if it was found we had more of- sand" than any thing else. Kettlewell & Davisow. Office at Ober 4' McConkey's. corner of Loiuhard and llano cer Strttts. Factory, Fcdtral ll'tll. Bl-l'ilOSPHATKS. "Wc keep constantly on hand this valuable manure. Bones, with a proper portion ot the l?ulphate of Ammoni.a, dis.'^olved in Sulphuric Acid. The Chemists nf this country and Europe have been pressing this mode of using hone-dust upon the atten- tion of farmers, with great zeal and abilify of recent years. Ev- ery experiment lias confirmed the truthfulness of their theory; end we hazard liut little in saying that in a very brief time it will be used in no other way. It is prepared so as to be sown sim ilar to the salts, at the rate of one or two barrels to the acre — The price of this article is $4 per barrel. Let the farmer who doubts, try it at a less expense than the old mode of using bone- dust. TOBACCO GENERATOR. This is a chemical compound, made expressly for the growth of the Tobacco plant. "We will call more special attention to it at the proper season. ■ CHEMICAL RESIDIUMS. We have constantly on bund <_ hemical Residiums of every description. Full information of which can be had by applica- tion to us. COMBINATION OF GROUND PLASTER AND POTASH. This is a preparation made for soil deficient in Potash, of which deficiency there is. unfortunately, too many instances in much of our Maryland laud. For this compound we are indebted to the Buggestion of an accomplished Agriculturist of Prince George's county, who may at some future day present the result of hia ex- periment. The price of this is !f 2 60 per barret. DIRECTIONS. The mode of using the Kenovatnr is simple, inexpen-oive, and requiring but little labor. The farmer must bear in mind, that in the preparation of his soil he shares an equal responsibility in testing the merits of any manure. Lnud negligently or badly euUivated gives no manure a fair chance. How to put laud in or- der he ought to know better than we can teach liim; and if he don't know, should Uarn as speedily as possilde. The land, then, in order— if one barrel to the acre is used— and this quantity de- pends upon the quality of the land— it should, for grain bo sown broad cast, and slightly harrowed in. If two barrels are used, one as stated above, and the other afl a top-dressiDg upon the wheat or rye, enrly in the spring at the commencomont of the first thaw. Upon grass it should be sown broad-cast upon the timothy or clover. Un corn, either broad- east or in the hill. Where two barrels are used, one each way ttS- I'KICE of the RENOVATOll. ^20 PER TON, or i3 PER BARREL. Apift-tf Wm. B. Wii-eYj Jub Printer, Lancaster, Pa. i\ew lorK State Agriculturafl ^'orKs Agricultural Machines and Implements, WHEELER, .MELICK & CO., CONTINUE their manufactory nt the corner of Liberty IlMniilton streets. ALBANY, where they are prepared ti all orders with despatch. and to fill ORDERS FOR TVheehr^s Patent liai/way. Chain Horse Potvers, and Overshot Threshers and Separators, tvill re- ceive their prompt attention. >8fS^ The large and increasing demand for these Machines has induced the Proprietors to erect a New and ?*pacious Manufacto- ry, and otherwise extend their means of promptly filling orders, — Tlieir Powers and Threshers have been sold in nearly every State in the Union, during the past year, and their superiority has been acknowledged by numerous testimonials, not only from Agricul- tural Societies but from persons who have used them. They have been awarded the First Premiums at all the principal Fair* where they have been exhibited in operation, including the Penn- eylvania State Fair, the Provincial Fair of Upper Canada.and the Michigan and Ohio State Fairs, together with numerous County Exhibitiuns in the different States. The TWO HOHSK MACHINE, with from three to five hands, will thresh from 125 to 200 bushels of Wheat per day, or twice that quantity of Oats. The One Horse Machine will thresh rather more than half that quantity. PRICE AT ALBANY: For Two Home Machines $145 00 For One Horse do $120 00 Machines will be shipped to order tn any part of the United &ta.tcfi or the CAnadas. JS^ arid watranttd to gii^e sat Ufac lion t9 the purchaser, or tkey viay he returiied within sixty days. The subscribers also manufacture and will furnish to order the most approved kinds of Feed Cutters, Clover Mutters, Circular Saw Jlfi/I.9,S(^e. They will also furnish Horse Powers properly Geeredfcr driving Churns, EltTaiing Grain, or other purposes to which Hurse Power can be appU«a, WHEELER, MELlCK & CO , AprU— 2t ConiMr of Hamilton and Liberty sts., Albany, lV, VOL. 1. LANCASTER, PA., AUGUST, 1851. NO. 5. T II E F A R M J 0 U R N A L S. S. HAtDEMAN, Editor. Entomology, No. 4. BV THE EDITOR. Eriosoma lanigera — (by some named Friosoma malt.) — This destructive enemy of apple trees is known as the American hUijlit in England, where it is believed to be of American origin — erroneouslv in the opinion of Dr. Harris (Noxious Insects, p. 193). From its numbers, and the extent to which it is spread, in Europe, that seems more likely to be its native country. Here it is still comparatively rare, and Dr. Harris having seldom seen it in Massachu- setts. The generic name Erisomu raaa-az xooolh/ body, and the trivial name lanigera means tcool-beariiig, the in- sect having been considered an Aphis by Hausman, a German observer, who named it Aphis lanigera in 1801. Plot, a French observer, gave it, in 1830, the French name of Mi/zoxyle du pommier, the first name moaning wood sucker, and the last of the apple tree, and some au- thors have attempted to give a latinised form of this priority over the regular scientific name of Eriosoma. Apple trees may be entirely destroyed by this insect, and its progress is so gra- dual and its presence so likely to be un- observed, that it may be .pretty widely spread before the cultivator is aware of its presence. The small and more tender branches of the tree are chiefly attacked, present- ing unsightly wounds, as if the bark had been cut off in spots or strips, and grown over and partly or entirely healed, whilst twigs will be bent and distorted. An examination will disclose little white masses apparently of wool, cotton, or Fig.l. cobweb, as in Pig. 1, which represents TOL. I — G. an infected branch from one of our own trees. If the woolly mass is examined, it wiU be found to arise from the body of a colony of small oval wingless in- sects less than the tenth of an inch long, with younger indivi. duals down to one-fiftieth of an inch in length. Fi.f/. 2, is a magnified view of the insect, with an antenna and the ros- trum on the right. The natural P,„. color of the insect is reddish, with the segments distinct, the antenniB are short and generally inclined outwards and backwards, the feet weak and slender, and the rostrum more than half the length of the body, apparently three jointed, and adapted for piercing the bark. i The young individuals have but little wool, but it grows with its growth, especially upon the posterior part of the body, so that they are finally entirely covered with it, a colony presenting nothing but a mass of wool, which is often half an inch thick. — They are sjuggish in their motions, young and old generally remaining quietly attached to the place upon which they are located, with their rostrum stvick in the bark. These insects are easily wafted upon their downy covering from tree to tree by the wind. Some ob- servers say that they never acquire wings, whilst Plot, already alluded to, says that the males have them. These are found in autumn, and are smaller than the females. When the Eriosoma gets old, it loses most of its down and gets a more sombre color. Dead ones of a black color are frequently found fastened to the branches, and in many cases a small perforation may be seen upon the upper surface of the posterior ex- tremity, which has given exit to a small parasitic enemy which destroys a great many of them. Not having met with a description of this parasite, we propose to name it EriopMhts malt. The Eriosoma is also devoured by the larva of a species of fly of the genus Syrphus, which also attacks aphides. 130 EDITORIAL. [August, In Europe apple trees are sometimes so full of this insect as to present the appearance of being covered with cotton, anil in such a case nothing can 1)0 clone to save them, so tliat they had better be cut down and burnt, and if a whole orchard is thus affected, it ghould be sacrificed, and a new one planted at a dif- ferent place, ill a dry and airy location, care being taken to examine the young trees from time to time, to detect the first appearance of the insect, when they may be crushed with the hand, which is our own practice. When the number of affected places is considera- ble, they may be rubbed with a hard brush, or wash ed with oil, white-wash, soft soap, tobacco water, oil of turpentine, lye, or potash water, the old bark being first removed, as well as suckers and small branches which have been attacked. As the insect descends to the roots, the treatment adopted must extend to these, the earth around the base of the trunk being removed for the purpose, and the cavity afterwards filled with sand. M. Plot recommends grafting upon stocks of harsh and bitter kinds of apple, as the insect is apt to avoid these for the trunks of the sweeter kinds — to give the trees as little shelter as possible — to allow considera- ble space between them — to keep the branches thinned by pruning — and to allow neither grass nor suckers about the trunk. Trogus fulvus. — This hymenopterous insect is the size of the figure, of a fulvous or fox color, except the antennae and wings, which are black. It appears in Pennsylva- nia in May and .June, and belongs to the fa- mily of Ichneumonidaa being closely allied to Ichneumon. All the members of this fami" ly are parasitic, parti- cularly in caterpillars, of which they destroy vast numbers. The Ichneu- mon pierces the skin of the catterpillar or other larva and inserts its egg or eggs. AVhen there is not much difference in the size of the Ichneumon and the cater- pillar, but one egg is inserted, but when a small Ich- neumon attacks a large caterpillar, forty or fifty eggs may be inserted. A curious fact in the economy of the larva; of the Ichneumon is, that whilst they feed within the body of the caterpillar, and upon its internal parts ; the organs upon which the life of the latter depends are left untouched, as the premature death of the cater- pillar would cause that of the parasites. When near- ly ready to enter the pupa state, these parasites some- times devour the entrails of the caterpillar, and in many cases this is able to form a cocoon and enter the pupa state, so that the cocoon of a butterfly may have the appearance of giving tiirth to an Ichneu- mon. In some cases the parasitic larvre perforate the skin of the caterpillar and form their cocoons upon the outside; but in general they come forth in their perfect state. The Ichneumons are very active on the wing and on foot, and their antennas are kept in a constant tremor. Some members of the family have a slender thread-like ovipositor several inches long, with which they pierce and convoy their eggs into larvic buried in their burrows in wood, and it is difficult to account for the ability to accomplish this, as the insect must operate from the outside, both in discovering the presence of the larva, and in depositing its eggs. E. Blanchard, a French author, states a fact which shows the extent to whic'.i caterpillars are destroyed by ichneumons; namely, out of Itco Inindred cater- pillars which destroy cabbage, and which were taken to ascertain the number of them which would become butterflies, but three produced them, the remaining one hundred and ninety-seven being destroyed by a small parasite of the genus Microgaster. Some parasitic Hymcnoptera are so small that ther« is room in the egg of a butterfly for several of them, and they are deposited here, instead of in the cater- pillar. The Ichneumon family is not tho only one which is parasitic, other families of Hymcnoptera having the same general habits. Eriophilus MALI. — The new generic name (mean- ing tvool-loving) is given in allusion to Eriosoma, upon which this insect is parasitic ; and the trivial name mati has reference to the apple tree, upon which it i« found. Observing the dead and black specimens of Eriosoma with the body plunp, but hollow, and a small perforation posteriorly, we examined other in- dividuals without the perforation, and found them to contain the naked pupa of a minute hymenopteroui insect, which, before it left the larva state must ha\'« bored through the belly of the Eriosoma and affixed it to the branch. This insect belongs to the family of Chalcididcr, and has the following generic characters. Head free, transverse, eyes large and set with short stifle hairs ; antennae ( see the additional figure, ) with short pile el- bowed, with six ar- ticulations, the first long (in the male), the 2d obconical, th« 3d and 4th short and equal, the 5th sub- cylindrical, and th« Eriophilus mali. 6th fusiform; in th« female the flagellum is fusiform, (see the left hand figure) the 2d and 5th joints short, and the wingi ample, the anterior one with the subcostal vein straight, the stigmal branch very short, and difficult to distin- 1851.] EDITORIAL. 131 guish ; basal portion of the disk without pile, anterior and exterior margin short ciliate; posterior wing ci- liate witli long hairs. Feet slender, pentamerous, adapted for leaping; medial tibial spine long, ante- rior one curved. Abdomen sessile, and rather long, having a sharp slender essertile sting or ovipositor in the female ; Pupa without a follicle. Specijic cliaracter. Length one twenty-fifth of an inch, expanse of the wings about twice this amount. Body shining black, with a few hairs; front vertical- ly impressed upon each side of the middle for the antennM ; eyes violet, scabrous, short pilose ; anteniuu (except the first and base of the second joint) white. Wings with two straight linos of pile running at an acute angle from the end of the subcostal vein across the disk, which is densely pilose exterior to them. — Base of the abdomen yellow, followed above by seve- ral indistinct brownish transverse bands. Anterior feet lohife, the femora (except the apex) black; medial femora black, base and apex ivhite, tibise black with the apex and the tarsi, wJtitc. Posterior femora, and tarsi (except the base) white. Leaps with agility.- — The genus seems to have some affinity with Agonion- curus. For the purpose of condensing the figure the wings of the left, and the feet of the right side have alone been represented — a mode frequently resorted to in entomological works. The assertion that the young pierce the bark of pine trees and cause a frothy secretion, is incorrect, as these leave the tree :is soon as they are hatched. The insect which causes the secretion in question, belongs to the genus Aphrophora, which bears some resemblance to the cicada, but is much smaller. Cicada septendecim. In our la.st number (p. 99) we detailed some expe- riments upon the seventeen year cicada, which we now continue. The male and female stated to have been alive upon the birch branch on the 18th of June, died, the male on the 20th, and the female on the 21st. Of the single female and male living on the apple branch on the 17th, the male died on the 19th, and the female upon the 22d. A discrepancy will appear in the number of insects used in the experiment, which amounted to four pair, three of which were upon the apple branch. This experiment shows that the male may live ten and the female eleven days, after the period of im- pregnation. The period through which the brood h.as extended in L.incaster county has been about a month and a half, say from the 20th of May to the 4th of July. Mr. Peter A. Browne informs us that he pierced his skin with the ovipositor so as to bring blood, with- out experiencing any evil effect, and we found the hausiellum or snout too weak to pierce the skin. One newspaper account which represented a boy as having been stung, probably referred to a hornet, as the insect was not stated to have been examined ; and the statement about the poison turning the ap- plied flesh of several fowls black, is iv mere stretch of the imagination. To Correspondeuts. Ti/pographical errors have been much too frequent in the pages of the Journal, and unfortunately they are not confined to technical or unusual words, Jteep in one place standing for head. In the Horticultural department we find errors like calcolularia instead of calceolaria, which renders a refference to names of plants nearly worthless. Technical words and proper names should be written with the greatest care, the safest way being not to join the letters, and to make n and u conform to print, or they cannot be distin- guished with certainty in a strange word. The editor lives in the country at a distance from the office, so that he seldom has an opportunity to correct the proofs, but endeavors will be made to give less occasion for complaint in future. No one in particular is responsible for the scraps of a few lines in length which are selected from news papers to fill space at the bottom of short columns had we seen that on lard candles on page 100, we would have ommitted the last sentence. The potato was not a native of Virginia at the pe- riod of its discovery, nor did Raleigh introduce it from there into England, as most books on the sub- ject assert. It is a native of South America, where it is still found wild, with numerous other plants be- longing to the same natural order. Farming, without science, is like quackery in the practice of medicine and surgery — a little experience goes a great ways, and quacks sometimes hit right, and so do uneducated farmers, and nature does the rest. A good constitution and a slight aflectiou may do well in the hands of a medical quack, and a rich soil, until exhausted, yield fair crops to hereditary or traditional tillage. There may be some excuse for medical quackery, or good reasons why more than the ignorant tolerate it. The science of medicine, though one of the old- est, is not perfect, and its great truths have heretofore been locked up in the Schools— a sealed book to the million — and those who have just dipped into the surface of a science have more faith therein than he who has searched to the bottom. Man loves mystery and delights in the marvellous , and in sickness meii have little reason and much credulity. But there is no excuse for quackery in the cultiva- tion of the earth. The eternal truths of this science are as palpable as the rocks from which our soils are derived, or the nature of the plants which they sustain. We should not tolerate quackery, and yet nine-tenths of our practice is empirical. Our sons are born farmers much as " the seventh son " is sup- posed to be " a doctor." — Dr. J. A. KamicoU. 132 COMMUNICATIONS. [August, dommunications. Sugar, starch and tannin, are composed of the same material as gum, only in different proportions. "Resolved, That J. M. McMinn he requested to furnish a copy of his address, delivered this evening, for publication in the Farm Journal." Geo. L. Peteks, President. N. W. McKean, Secretary. Gentlemen of the Union toionsliip Agricultural Club: Your flattering resolution places too high an esti- mate on the remarks I liave just made. So long an article would be a great imposition to the pages of the Farm Journal. But, if notes of the most impor- tant part of my address -will be of any use to you, you are welcome to them, to be disposed of in any ■way you deem proper. Truly yours, J. M. McMiNN. Notes of an Address Delivered before the Union township Agricultural Club, on Saturdai/ evening, June 28ih, 1851. The uses of manures are obvious, and their appli- cation, if directed with scientific skill, always pay well. Different kinds of soil require different kinds of manure. It is obvious then that a careful com- parison of the composition of your soils, and an ana- lysis of the different plants that you wish to grow on them are necessary. Our soils are extremely various and every farm has some peculiarities. Our books tell us, that plants are principally composed of gum, sugar, starch, gluten, extractive, lignin, tannin, color- ing matter, and wax. Gum is composed of three sim- ples, known by the name of carbon, oxygen and hy- drogen. Carbon in a pure state constitutes diamonds, and charcoal is almost pure carbon. It is also dif- fused in great abundance throughout the world — it constitutes about one part in the hundred of the air of the atmosphere — united with oxygen it forms a gas called carbonic acid gas: this gas is also called "fixed air," "choke damp,'' and by a variety of other names. This gas in quantity, is destructive to both animal and vegetable life. It often destroys life in mines and in wells, and sometimes in a tight room, ty being produced by burning charcoal in an open furnace. Oxygen is an Eeriform fluid, like common air, and has neither taste nor smell. It constitutes twenty-one parts in the hundred of the atmosphere and like carbon it is widely diffused throughout the world, but urdike carlion, it is respirable even in its pure state, and is eminently conducive to the support of animal and vegetable life; indeed, without its presence, all organic life would cease to exist. Hydrogen is also an iEriform fluid. It has no color, but a very disagreeable smell, and is the lightest of all ponderable bodies, being sixteen times lighter than oxygen. It is one of the elements of water ; that body being composed of two parts of hydrogen and one part of oxygon by volume or bulk. It is in- jurious when breathed. This is the gas used in filling balloons. Oxygen. Hydrogen. 50.84 6.93 64.7 7.8 49.68 6.77 4.2 44.24 Carbo7i. In gum we have 42.23 " sugar " 27.5 " starch " 43.55 " tannin " 51.56 Since the atmosphere contains carbon and oxygen, they are always at hand for the use of the plant, and all plants are constructed to decompose these gases, and prepare them for their use. Hydrogen comes from the decomposition of water. Gluten is composed of three substances, called by chemists gliadine, mucine, and zimome, this last is the principal of leaven or yeast. The insoluble part is called gliadine, or vegetable albumen. Extractive, is a mixture of various vegetable ingre- dients and includes the whole of the soluble matter obtained from vegetables, reduced by careful evapo- ration to either a pasty or solid consistence. It dif- fers much in different plants, and is not a single principle. Lignin. If a piece of the stem of an herb, shrub, or tree is taken and well dried, and afterwards di- gested, first in water, and then in alcohol, or such other solvents as shall produce no violent effects upon the solid parts, and if the digestion is continued till the liquor is no longer colored, and dissolves no more of the substance of the plant, there vrill remain be- hind a sort of skeleton, which constitutes the basis of the vegetable structure and amounts to about ninety-six or ninety-eight per cent, of the different kinds of wood, and this i3_called lignin, ligneaux, or woody fibre, which is composed of carbon 52, oxygen 42.4, and hydrogen 5.6. Coloring matter. All varieties of color in flowers, or their parts, are owing to the different degrees of the oxidation of their pulp, called chromule. It is entirely the result of the action of the sun on the con- tained juices. Wax is composed of from seventy to eighty per cent, of a substance called cerine, and from twenty to thirty per cent, of a substance called myricino. — The cerine is white and resembles wax. The two substances differ merely in their degree of fusibility and solubility in alcohol. Wax may be regarded as nothing more than a fixed oil rendered solid by the atjsorption of oxygen in the process of vegetation: hence it may be expected to occur in a great variety of states, according to its degree of oxigenation. A very small proportion of vegetable matter is de- rived from the soil ; at least ninety-nine parts out of (Mcry hundred are obtained from the air and water. This is manifest, when it is considered that when ve- getable matter is submitted to the action of fire, but a very small part remains. Still this minute quanti- ty is Indispensable to the growth of the plant, and if ithe soil does not contain them, they must be supplied, [and this is the true secret of manuring. To supply 1851.] COMMUNICATIONS. j: these things, and render them soluble, should be the study of the farmer, for every thing must be dis- solved to enter into a plant, and it takes many un- seen chemical processes to reduce all these manures to a fit condition to bo absorbed by the roots. Car. acid, - era lO Ci Sul. acid, - CC r-H ■^ t-; CD CCCOOO io r~^ c-i-r o *t o Silica, - - 4- t- Ci lO O C. of sodium CI CO -^ (N !>; O ci ci ' CC CO ' Phos. acid, - o CO r- "^ o4 OC O Cl -rt; O O »C CN O O CJ ro rH Tt ^ Ci O O O --^ -i- CC Ci Ci Magnesia, - •— t ^D 00 ■— < CO -t OOOC0CCC0^'^^'*_C^_ip»O ■ cob-^-i-icioc-i^ot-^cocri ^ --H «0 ^ Lime, - - >— t LO 'f O CO <— < O CO r-H o CO CO ci o * ic »r? r-^ CO rH Soda, - - CO CO COOO CC -i-io c-1 CO o o CO '—' o I— ' cr- CO o 1-^ ci o ^ S-2 c J3 S cS t/ m c^ o The stalks and the seed generally contain different amounts of these ultimate constituents ; it is, there- fore, frequently necessary to apply a manure that u-il' proinote tfie growth of the seed, and retard the growth of 1}i£ stalk. How shall these constituents be applied ? Potash is obtained from vrood ashes. Oak yields about 1-5 parts potash to the 100. Ashes are therefore a cheap and convenient manure — ashes also neutralize acids, and render sandy soils more tenacious. Soda exists in common salt, and in glauher salt, and is a useful application to some soils, although most slate rocks contain salt in some form. Lime is an abundant and useful manure. It acts differently on different soils. This is principally ow- ing to the amount of animal and vegetable matter contained in the soil. Heavy clay soils contain less vegetable and animal matter than sandy or slaty soils, and consequently, lime exhibits more beneficial effects on the latt(a- than on the former kind of soils. It quickly decomposes all vegetable and animal matters, and renders them soluble. Wet soils ploughed deep- ly and well limed are rendered dryer and better adap- ted to vegetation. Magnesia occurs in nearly all our limestones. Ep- som salt is a sulphate of magnesia. Magnesia must be used sparingly, for notwithstanding it enters into the composition of many plants, large quantities have an injurious effect ; however, after two years its hurtful influence seems to become exhausted when over applied iu lime. Phosphorus is seldom found pure in nature. It ex- ists in large quantities in bones, and the use of bone dust has been found to be of great value in Europe, whore bones are imported in prodigious quantities for manure. Every farmer should use it on his land. Phosphate of lime occurs in large deposits in Morris county, N. J. It is chiefly exported to Europe. It is found sparingly in Nittany valley, and is of far more value as a manure than plaster of parig. Chloride of Sodium is rock salt, and has been found highly beneficial as a manure. I have a work addressed to the farmers and graziers of G. B., on the use of salt, but science is transcended as usual, and ths matter is over dons, and consequently, salt is con damned as an " impoverisher." Barnyard manure will in some measure supply the plant with this in- gredient, but many vegetables require a considerable quantity, and will not thrive luxuriantly without it is supplied from some other source. Sulphuric Acid is applied in the form of plaster of paris, this mineral being a sulphate of lime. Its ef- fects are known, though generally overrated and wastefully applied. Silica, is the principal portion of the hard stones which compose the crust of the globe, such as rich crys- tal, agate, quartz, Jlint, &c., and always exists iu this neighborhood in sufScient quantity in the soil, for the nutriment of the plants. In heavy clayey soils it is often necessary to apply it in the form of sand. Carbonic Acid exists in the air, and in charcoal, as I have before intimated, and it is probable that plants do not often languish for the want of this acid. Some plants require other principles to supply them with food, but I will not now attempt to follow them further. Air and water are the great machinery by which all the substances of which plants are composed, are acted upon and prepared. They reduce to gases or liquids all the various ingredients that enter into the structure of vegetables. It is the bussiness of the agriculturists, to not only supply the soil with all de- ficiencies that exisits iu it, but also to assist in de- composing and assimilating the same. Stable manure contains the principal part of the mineral elements for the nurture or food of plants. — AlkaVme phosphates are, however, wanting in this manure, and several of the salts exist only in small quantities. Next to stable manure is Guano ; it is, however, placed at the head of manures, but I cannot see why it should be so. It contains 45.4 Phosphate of magnesia; 1.7 Carbonate of magnesia ; 0.6 Alka.- lin salts; 26,0 Organic matter; 2.8 Ammonia: 16.4 water, 6.2 sand, (fee. It appears from some analysis that guano yields seventeen per cent, of ammonia, but it is probable that the principal part of the efficacy of guano is owing to the large proportion of phosphate 134 COMMUNICATIONS. [August, it contains. The solid excrement of Swine, ho-wevei-) yields move phosphate of lime than guano. It also anpears that guano is defective in alkalin and on a soil defective in alkaline it would not produce very great effects, unless the defect ^yas supplied. Next on the list is charcoal. It is the most power- ful alisorbcnt known. It takes from the air, oxygen, hydrogen, ammonia, &o., and holds them for the supply of the plant -while the weather is dry. During rain it absorbs eighty per cent of water and releases the gases to act upon the earth, and when the weather becomes dry,it parts with the water, and absorbs from the air the gases again, and thus it goes on acting as a great vegetable laboratory. Lime is a valuable manure, but it is often wildly ■used. Many farmers expect lime to do every thing, as indeed, every different kind of manure has its ad- vocate. Some select plaster, some salt, others guano, and others lime, and they use their favorite fertil- izer, until the soil is exhausted of every thing else, when they abandon that as an "improvisher," and their land suffers almost irreparably, because of their ignorance. Lime decomposes dead animal matter and putrescent manures, and is of great service in this way ; it reduces vegetable matter and makes it solu- ble, thus preventing it from laying in the soil in a dry and useless condition — it absorbs a small quanti- ty of moisture from the air, and enters itself into the composition of plants; but it is very caustic, and if there is a want of decomposable matter in the soil, it often burns as it were, every thing up. Most of our Centre County limestone contains a good deal of Magnesia, which is, in large quantities, destructive to most vegetaliles, therefore different kinds of limestone produce different effects. A rational use of stable manure, guano, lime, plas- ter, common salt, rock salt, bone dust, phosphate of lime, charcoal, composts, ashes, and barn yard ma- pure, used as the soil may demand, will never fall to make a fertile and productive field, and any one of them save stable or barn yard manure, or charcoal, used excessively, will diminish the fertility of most soils, and if conlinuod, will ultimately impoverish them. Diversity ot Crops~Cotton~Coffee and Tea~Flax. The interests of Agriculture are directly promoted by diversifying its productions, so that the prosperity of any district will generally be in proportion to the variety of profitable crops, which are cultivated by its farmers. This is shown by the flourishing con- dition of agriculture in the vicinity of our large cities, where the markets invite the cultivation of many vegetable productions, which are not grown at a dis- tance from such localities. There are very many agricultural plants, for thg produce of which we pay large sums, importing from abroad, what may just us well be reared in our country. Neither the sugar cane, rice, tobacco, nor cotton plant is indigenous ; and yet these are all grown with unequalled success in the United States, and constitute by far the greatest amount and value of our exports. The quantities of coffee and tea consumed in this country, are prodigious. It has been ascertained that we imported, in one year, 46,070 tons of coffee, when the quantity imported into rrance,was but 20,050 tons, and that imported into the United Kingdoms of Eng- land, Scotland, and Ireland, but 16,250 tons. We are assuredly the greatest coffee drinkers in the world. — On the other hand, the English consume more tea than we do. It is with them a universal beverage. Still the use of this article in the United States, is very great and is increasing. Now both the tea and coffee plants may be cultivated to any extent in our coun try — the coffee tree in Florida and Texas, and the tea plant much further north. The green teas are raised in the Northern provinces of China, where the snow is said to be on the ground and upon those shrubs for days together. They might doubtless be grown in our middle and "Western States. It is for- tunate for our Southern friends, that their soil and climate are so well suited to those valuable plants ! for as to their great staple, cotton, the days of their monopoly are numbered. England cannot much longer submit to the danger of having but one ade- quate source of supply, and that an independent one. Already the production in Asia and Africa, — not to speak of the magnificent regions of Brazil — has in- creased to such an extent as to show, that she will very soon derive a greatly augmented supply from those quarters. Besides the experiments on flax, de- monstrate that an important competition with cotton is likely to spring up from the improved manufactui'o of that material : of which the northern, middle and western states, will be able to grow enough, to supply the world. With respect to coffee and tea, there is a certainty of their continuing to be articles of diet, without any chance or change from the caprice of fashion. Fash, ion did not introduce them, nor can it lay them aside, any more than dispense with the use of sugar. It is very remarkable that these two productions, orig- inating in far distant countries, should have come in- to such general use and acquired so permanent a hold upon the taste of mankind. Recent chemical analysis satisfactorily explains it, by developing the surprising fact, that the essential principle of coffee is identical with that of tea. Cafeine and iheine, the names applied to these substances respectively, pos- sessing exactly the same chemical constituents. It is also proved that the beverages made from these plants, so far from being a slow poison, (as was once supposed.) are as wholesome as they are palp- table. A. L. Hayes. Lancaster, July 15, 1851. 1S51.] COMMUNICATIONS. 135 Mr. Editor : — Having made a call on the practical farmers to contribute to your Journal tlic experience they may have in agriculture, I comply with your request. Having to write in a language which is not my own, (I had to study the English at the age of thirty years,) I hope all due allowance will be made. I will have to enter into a short biogra" phical sketch to define my position. Thirty-six years ago, when the fall of Napoleon carried me, together with thousands of others, an ex- ile to this country, I entered into the mercantile bu- siness, but soon found that the sedentary habits and anxiety of mind which follow it, were injurious to that physical energy, (so necessary in this country,) to which a military life had accustomed me. I mar- ried what a city miss calls a " country girl." Though I had to renounce the enjoyment of that refined in- tellect, the fruit of a careful education, I was fully compensated by enjoying that comfortable home — that fireside bliss, so well understood in this country. Being scant of funds (exiles seldom bring money along) I could only buy a cheap property. An op- portunity presented itself — a worn out farm situated in Lykens Valley, Dauphin county, whereon a mill was erected which had been condemned by millers and millwrights as unfit to do good work. Mill and farm rented for $125 a year; I bought it for §4400. Drilled at a military school, I still retained some knowledge of hydraulics, and though not a miller, I discovered that the mill could be made good. After having made the alterations, I found myself indebted S-200, the interest of which was higher than what the pro- perty had rented for. The mill could do more than double the work it did before. This was a little help, yet I had to work hard and go through all the handi- work of a farmer to discharge my debt. While my children were growing up, a difiiculty arose for which I was not prepared. Living in a German settlement I was compelled to leave my farm and remove to Pottsville in order to have them edu- cated under my own eyes. After residing there for some years, I was glad to see that my sons had not lost their taste for rural life. I sold the property in Lyken's valley for $10,000, and bought the one on which I now reside for §5000. It was in the same jJoor condition I found the first property. The land, one hundred and six acres, was considered worthless. There was attached to it thirty-six acres of good woodland, and a mill entirely out of order. The pro- perty is now in thorough repair and would command a rent of ?700. I have retired from business and given it into the hands of my sons, the one being a practical farmer and the other a practical miller. A difficulty which appears to be overlooked, is the peculiar position of Pennsylvania. Nearly one half of its farming population is of the Teutonic race — only one in ten can read an English agricultural journal, so that nine-tenths do not participate in its benefits.* Is it not absolutely necessary, if a really patriotic zeal animates the community, to preparo those nine-tentlis to take a proper interest to promote an art that is the fundamental wealth of the nation? It may be asked, why don't the Germans take ad- vantage of the school law and educate their children ? Ay, there's the rub. If, Mr. Editor, you will open your columns on that subject, I will give my opinion as to the cause and its remedy. The German Pennsylvania farmer stands pre-emi- nent as an agriculturist, and it is of the highest im- portance to induce him to take an interest in the efibrt which is now making to promote agriculture — to make him understand the great discoveries in geology and agricultural chemistry. Having been appointed a member of the executiva committee of the State Agricultural Society, for thu congressional district in which I reside, I thought it my duty to attend its meeting, when I stated mj opinion on the subject of agricultural education. — According to request I have prepared a plan for agri- cultural schools and experimental farms, which I sent some weeks ago, to the gentlemen composing tho committee. When it is presented to the executive committee for consideration, I shall state my opinion at large. Excuse the long preamble I have made, and my digression from agricultural subjects, but they may serve to illustrate future communications. H. SnUBART. Bethel, Berks co., July 9, 1851. * Facts will not sustain this assertion of our cor- respondent. Although there are many German farm- ers in Pennsylvania, the proportioh is not near so great as he makes it. We venture to assert that two- thirds of the Pennsylvania farmers understand and read the English. This, however, may not be the case where our correspondent resides, his district containing more German farmers than, perhaps, any other section of the State. — Ed.] The Cucumber Bug. Observing an article on this troublesome bug by .J. S. Keller, in the last number of the Journal, I send him below, a receipt which he will find more effectual than eithfir "lime dust, ashes, black pepper, plaster, flour of sul]ihur, &c." As it is not original with me, I shall also make over to him, without cliarge, all my claim to the §50 premium, for " the pers However much before us in agricultural improve- ments generally, the Farmers of the States North and East of us may perhaps be, we claim for Pennsylva- nia the distinction of being the only State in the union in which the building of good, substantial, con- venient and spacious barns is understood and prac- ticed. Properly speaking, in other States, they have no barns — they don't know what a real gdod barn is — a stable or collection of stables, sheds and out- houses being their make-shift substitutes for them. — This is a little singular, but is nevertheless true. A journey through New York and New England, will confirm our remarks. There is hardly a real barn to be seen. Evidences of plenty there are, and of ex- cellent farming. You see good houses, beautiful shrubbery, admirable fences, clean and smooth fields, splendid cattle, plenty of hay and grain stacks — and lots of sheds and staljles ; but no barns. They will have to come into Pennsylvania, and take a pat- tern from some of our mighty bank-barns, looming out in the horizon like doubled-dccked men-of-war be- side sloops, or like churches beside log huts. As in our war vessels, so in our barns also, we have botli single and double-deckers, the latter being tremendous affairs, that would make our eastern bretheru open their eyes in astonishment. Above we present an en- graving of one of the single-deckers — a most supurb new Bank Barn, called a " Switzer" Barn, which was recently erected upon the farm of the lion. A. 0. llErsTER, on the Susquehanna, about three miles above Ilarrisburg. This barn is one of the best and most convenient on the Switzer plan, in this vicinity. It is about one hundred feet in length, by about sixty feet in width, and pioportionably high. It is built on a small hill side, so that the front or barn floor is on a level with the ground ; while the hill is dug away and the sta- bles placed beneath. The rear of this stabling is likewise on a level with the ground, though some ten feet below the front level. The cut represents this rear view only. As will be perceived, the barn has an overshoot of seven feet, the stone-wall being brought out flush the entire width, which is an im- provement. The walls are eighteen inches thick, and rise ten feet up to the front level. The following is a plan of the ground or stable floor : ir Cq ! 1 r ^: b || 1 CA ■^ h i G i The stone work is represented in the above plan, by parallel lines. B is a false breast wall three feet deep, a foot or two before I, the real front wall. F is the feeding cellar, 10 feet by 20, where the feed for the horses is mixed and prepared. P is the potatoe cellar, 10 feet by 20, on the left hand. II. is the sta- ble for the Farm Horses only, and A is a double stalled division of the same, shut off from the rest of the stable by a lattice door, intended as an hospital or lying-in room for mares, the whole being about 15 J by 42 J : a and a are the feeding aisles or passag- es.six feet wide. H on the right hand is another Horse stable, containing six stalls. Here strange horses are stabled. It is 15J feet by 42^ ; and the ox and cow stables on the right hand side, marked 0 and C, are of like dimensions. G is a little room 4J by 15}, where harness is kept. S is the straw room from which the cows in C can be directly fed. 0 is the stable for stock cattle, p is the passage to the turnip cellar. It is 7 feet wide, and separated from 146 THE HORSE. [August, the cow stable merely by double-latticed doors, 6 fee ■wide. T is the turnip cellar, 27 feet by 16. This and that for Potatoes and Feedinj;;, have their floors ■well fjrouted — that is, stones are broken fine, evenly spread, and liquid lime poured over them, which makes them rat-proof. The stable floors are treated in the same way. In each of the aisles marked a, there is a continuous range of feeding lockers, on one side, in which oats, corn, or prepared feed may be kept ready for feeding at any time. In the pass- age marked p, are steps to ascend to the second floor. Hay is thrown down here, or through traps in the floor above the straw room : d is the 0 feet entrance into the straw room : o, o, is the stone wall projecting ■ 7 feet, and supporting the overshoot. The following is a plan of the second or front level floor: ^ J m J1 c 1 9 A ..n 1 i J ■D J i J 9i .J c , M THE HORSE. AN ESSAY ON THE EXTERNAL FORMATION OK STRUCTURE OF THE HORSE, AND ON THE DISORDERS ORIGINATI.\G THEREIN. G and 6, are the granaries. D, D and D, are the barn doors, extending from ground to roof, F, F and F, are the threshing floors. M and M, are the hay or grain mows. The partitions dividing the floors and the mows are 43^ feet long, extending across the barn to within 7 feet of the rear wall, and commenc- ing 3.5 feet from the front : s. ■?, represents the stair- ways into the stables below. The turnip cellar below, is tilled through the traps in this barn floor. The Granaries have an area about the same as the Potatoe and Feeding cellars below. The indentation between the granaries, up to the barn doors, is about 6 feet. — The roof overshoots this recess about 3 feet. The cost of this barn was about $1,500. It is weather-boarded on the outside — painted white — fur- nished with ventilators, lightning rods, and every minor improvement. [The double wall (B) is necessary to prevent the great pressure of the bank from causing the inner wall to give way. The advantage of three thrashing floors is, that the two lateral ones may at first be filled with the unthrashed grain, the central one being first used for its proper purpose in thrashing from the side floors, which, in their turn, are used for thrashing the grain stored in the side mows (these being seldom filled with hay) or in the loft over the floora. — ^Ed.] [^Continned from page 111.] The tail, in regard to the manner in which it is set on, is not to be overlooked: a horse that carries two good ends, (of which the head forms one, and tail the other,) always looks grand — is a perfect gentle- man in his appearance. Above all others, the char- ger should possess this point in perfection, to coin- cide with the grandeur of his carriage in the ostenta- tious parade of a field-day. Ilinc bellator cquus campo scse arduus infcrt. The tail, in most horses, should form, when elevated, a straight line, or nearly so, with the back. A gentle declivity of the croup, however, from the summit of the rump, denotes tho blood-like quarter, and adds much grace to this part in the thorough-bred: should this line decline very much, the horse is said to be droop-arsed, and the quarters lose much of their beauty as well as their natural power. Nothing is so ugly in a full quarter- ed horse, as to see the tail set on low down, issuing abruptly from the rump, as if a broomstick had been stuck in the place. The dealers who indiscriminately fig all, often spoil tho sale of a horso of this descrip- tion by curling the tail upward with a dose of ginger. Some liorses carry a good tail naturally — others, by means of art, having undergone the operation called nicking. Gingery or peppery hackneys seldom re- quire nicking : indeed, hackneys are often called, from this circumstance, cock-tails, in contradistinc tion to thorough-breds, who seldom or never carry any but a drooping-tail, better known by the name of blood-tail ; a cocked-tail would be incompatible with a blood-quarter; hence it is that blood horse.s should never be figged or nicked. The quarters may be full, small, or fine and blood- like. Full quarters arc such as are possessed by cart-horses, large machine-horses, and hackneys able to carry great weight. These horses are wide in tho hips, though their hips are but indistinctly marked, in consequence of being enveloped by large, coarse, flabby muscles. People are too apt to regard wide hips as an objectionable point, from their giving to the horse that appearance called ragged hips, which, indeed, are not only ugly, but denote bad conforma- tion, though, of themselves, they denote good make; for the fact is that ragged hips are produced by a bad loin, and a lank, flat and weak quarter. Were these parts well formed, we should pronounce the hips to be of the best description. The small quarter is one that is often seen in a horse of this form; though the general contour of it may be regular and uniform, it is altogether disproportionately small when compared with the carcass: if it grows narrow toward the hinder part, the animal is often said to bo goose-rumpe Several good and responsible Agents wanted in the Western and Middle part of Pennsylvania, to whom a fair percentage will be allowed. All orders addressed to Lanphier and Gorrecht. Lan- caster Pa., will meet with prompt attention. June 1-tf. THE MODEL SEED STORE. 309 Market street, above Sfh street. Philadelphia. MODEL SEED STORE. VEGETABLE SEEDS, everj known Tariety. FLOWER SEEDS, 500 varieties. GRASS and FIELD SEEDS. Agricultural and Horticultural Implements. THOMAS F. CROFT, Proprietor. May] Agent of Penna. Farm Journal. 1S51. ADVERTISEMENTS. 157 Chester Couutv Agricultural WAREHOUSE & SEED STORE, Iltgk Street, near the HorlKiiltural Halt, WESTCHESTER, PA. THE subscribers in cnnnection wiih ih^ir exipnsive Nursery Garden, and Green House establishmenta, have rrected a large Warehouse, and will keep constantly on h^ind and for sile. a complete assortment of As^iciiltural awi HoTttcuttujai ImpUmtnta, consitiiig, in part of Horse Powers and Threshers, Plows of different sizes and patterns, among which are the cele- brated "Eagle Self.sharpejung." Prouty& Meats' Centre Draft. Subsoil. Snlehill, ic. &c., Harrows, Cultivators, Wheat Drills, Seed Sowers, Corn planters. Fanning Mills, Corn shellers. Straw and Hay Cutters, Churns of various sizes and patterns. Harvesting lixils of every description ; in a word, eveiy implement necessary to the Farmer and Gardener, and of the most approved kinds and patterns can be had at our Warehouse. Also, field, grass, and garden seeds of every variety. At our Nursery will be found our usual large assortment of Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Shrubbery, Grapevines. Green house Plants, &c., ,t. PASCHALL MORRIS & CO. Westchester, Pa., June 1, 1851. DIXON & KERR'S POULTRY BOOK. JUST PUBLISHED, A TREATISE ON THE HISTORY AND MAN- AGEMENT OF ORNAMENTAL AND DO- MESTIC POULTRY. By Rev. Edmund Saul Di.\on, .V. M.. with large additions, by J. J. Kerr, M. D. Illus- irated wiih sixtv-five portraiis, from nature, engraved expressly for this work. CONTENTS. The Domestic Fowl. The Rearing and Management of Fowls. Eggs — Their Color, Form and Sex. Eggs — Their Preservaiioi. for Culinary Purposes. Eggs — Their Preservation for Incubation. Varieties ol the Shanghae Fowl. The Cochin China Fowl. Biirnham's Imporiation of Cochin Chini Fowls. The Malay Fowls, sometimes (though erronously) called Chitlagong. The Pheasant — .Malay Fowl. The Guelderland Fowl. The Dorking Fowl — Colored Dorkings. The Spanish Fowl. The Game Fowl — The Mexican Hen Cock Game Fowl. The Chittagongs, The Java, The Shakebag, and the Jersey B,ue Fowls. The Poland or Polish Fowl. The Spangled Hamburgs — Tho Bolton Greys or Creole Fowls. The Rumpless Fowl, the Silky and Negro Fowls, the Frizzled or Friesland Fowl, the Cuckoo Fowl, the Blue Dun Fowl, and the Lark-cresicd Fowl. The Smooth-legged Bantam. The Dung-hill t"owl, the Dominique Fowl, Colonel Jacques' Chicken Coop, Devereux's Method of Rearing Chickens without a Mother, and Cope's Letter on Early Chickens. Caponizing Fowls. The Pea Fowl. The Ring-necked Pheasant. The Turkey. The Guinea Fowl. The Mute Swan (Cygnus Olor). The Wild or Canada Goose. The Domestic Goose. The Hong Kong or China Goose. The Bremen Goose. The White-fronted or Laughing Goose. The White China Goose. The Bernicle Goose — The Brenl GoofiC. The Tame Duck. This work is well bouud in muslin, and is printed on the 6nest paper. The illustratiors are engraved in the most «4egant manner, frotn original and accurate drawings, and the whole is one volume of 480 pages duodecimo, price $1. A few copies have been colored jfter nature. Price for *e colored copies, S2, 50. For sile by all Booksellers, wiA by the Publishers. E. H. BUTLER & CO., June l-3t 23 Mimob Street, Pbilada. PHILADELPHIA & LIVERPOOL LINE OF PACKETS-To sail from Philadelphia on the 15ih,' and from Liverpool on the Isi of each month. From Phila. From Liverpool. Ship SHENANDOAH (April )5th June 1st Capt. W. P. Gardiner. ^Aug. ]5th Oct. 1st ( Dec, 15th Feb. 1st New ship Westmokei.a.nd (.May, 15ih July 1st Capt. P. A. Decaii, aiu, and extensive planters, on their awn acouunt. April SceU and A?:ricullural Warehouse, 194^ Market Street, Philadelphia. WE off(;r to our friond.s and customtTs, the lurgcyt nssortment of .Agricultural impU-mcnls. OardL-u tools, nnci Seeds, evfr cyffLTcd iu tbts Market, cousi&ting in part of the following, vii :— Prouly Jind \1 ears' Tateut hife^hest premium fielf-.-^harpening Houi^lis ri^ht and left handed nide hill Subsoil, of various sizes, ftf aupenoi- materials and ^vorkmansliip. warranted to give satis- fftctiun. or the money returned— Four highest premiums awarded to these rioughs at the New York Fair, 1850. Al-^o. Beach and far Share IMuugh.s; Spain's improved Barrel Churn, constructed In such a manner that the dasher may l-e removed from the in- Mdc of the Churn by simply unscrewing the handlo from the dasher. Hay. Straw and ( orn-sta?k cutters, in great variety, BDiong which may be found Hovey's superior premium straw-cut- ter, of every size. Also Ilorsc-powor Threshing Machines, Fan Mills, Corn Shel- hrs. cheese Tresses, Seed [Mauters. Dirt Scrapers. Sugar .Mills. Ox Yokes and Bows. Turnip DrillR, Horse Rakes, Swathe Scythes. Coucaved Hoe?, Spring Tempered Cast Steel. 0?al. and Sr/uare Manure and Hay Forks. Pruning Shears and Chisels, Beach and Bar Share, repairing pieces and castings. Teruvian, Patagonia iMid prepared Guano, together with a complete assortment of grass, garden and field seeds, all of which will be sold at the low est pnsHible prices, at lUlA Market itreet. Philadelphia. April 9-tf PllOUTY k, BARRKTT. IMPORTANT TO FARMERS And Tliresbiii^ Iflacliine Makers* TF1E subscriber respectfully big.s leave to inform the public that he has lately perfected a new Threshing Machine and Horse Power, which in point of strength, durability, lightness of draught and convcuience in moving is not surpassed or equalled by any Machine in the United States; he also confidently affirms that no Machine of its strength and durability can be afforded as low — The invention of this Machine has been the result of several years experience and hard study We do not claim to have dis- covered any new principle in philosophy — but we declaim to have discovered a plan by which old jihilosnphical principles are more correctly and advantageously applied than on any other Machine This invention is feeured by a caveat. These Machines can be had at Israel \V. GrofTs Machine Shop and at Prime & Colestock's Sash Factory in North Duke street, Lancaster city, at retail or by wholesale on the most reasonable terms. The Power wigbs 600 pound*. It is made entirely of Iron with Steel Journals, and is warranted to hold 8 Horses should it any time be necessary t(j use so many. From 2 to 4 Horses are a suffic- ient number for common threshing. We are about getting up one much lighter for Shop purposes that will be the cheapest and must convenient thing in ut^e; it might also be used with 2 or 3 Hor.scs for threshing; the Powers and Cylinders .and Concave can be had by the Machine makers throughout the couutry on tho most reasonable terms. tJF5=- -^11 orders directed to the subscrilier at Lancaster city will be thank fully received aud promptly attended to, Lanc'r, April SAMUKL PELTON, Jr. CriBmo^c^*i Bee-Hive, &c. THE attention of Bee culturists is iuviLed to this improved p liin. Mr. Gilmore is a gentleman of great experience and succesa in the culture of Bec.t; his improvement is the result of mauy years trial; his result has nopar;illtl in the history of the part. The Agent of the - Pennsylvania Farm Journal '' i^ the .A.gRnt of (lihnnre's System nf Hiving and Feeding the Bee in thin State. The price of & Hive and Fixtures ^liOO Family Right, 3.00 Townphip Rights from $10 to $20. County " *• $:J0 " $200. ■- A Talk about the Honey Bee." a defence of Gilmore's syfi- tem, contains, also. testimnmaU. awards of Premiums to tJilniore, (rum the leadiuj! Fairs and institutes iu this Country ; 12 ceut« siokrle; $1 00 per di)zeu — gratis to patrons. Circulars bent to any applicant. Address, post paid. J. B. MAY.VARD. April— tf Lancaster. Pa. HAVE been distributed throughout the Union. The concern has been in successful operation for upwards of Sixty Ytars, aud may be said to have grown up with the I'ity of Philadelphia, where it was at first located. It has been gradually enl'rged to meet the growing wants of the imltlic, aud is now, as it ever has been, the most extensive of its kind in this country. The grounds in cultivation being ten-fold greater than those ol any similar concern in the United States. As the Seeds sold by the proprietor arc (with slight exception) of his own raising, he is. consequently, enabled to \VJ" M'arrant them, a matter ot importance to the purchiuter of au article, the quality of which cannot be determined by the eye. Descriptive (Catalogues in English and German gratis Also for Bale, Implements for Farm and Garden in large variety. LANDKKTH'S Agricultural Ware House. April Sign of the Plough. 65 Chesnut St., Pliiladelphi». Seed and Agricultural Warehouse. No. 29. Market Street^ Pkila, \\tHERE the subscriber has ooened an extensive assortment of •' GRASS AKD GARDEN SEEDS, of lllS O Wll taiSlHg, OF teCeUt impor- tation, and warranted tu be as lepreBeiitetL He 18, also, manufacturing all the most approved Agricultural Implements, among whuli he would call the attention ul Kunuers to a new article of i'low, of his own invention, called Cast-Steel, Kxtenditig P'l'iMt, Self-Sharpening, Surface and Subsoil i'Jows, wtiich for durability and easy of draft is yet unequalled. The great advantages these Plows pctssess over all others, nro their peculiar construction and the substitution of Cast-Steel inthe place of Cast-iron, which only wants to be seen to be appreciated ; all of which will -e sold ou the moot reasonable prices by May, 1851. C.B. ROGERS. 1851.] ADVERTISEMENTS. 159 "Get the Best." A LL young persons should have a f-tanJard DICTIOXARV at 2\ thL'ir elbows. And while yuu are about it ^tt the best; that Uicttcnary is NOAH WEBSTER'S, the gjfa/ work abridgtd. If you are too poor. saTe the .imouot from off your back, to put it into your head. —PAreno/05 Journal, Dr. W ebster's great work is the best Dictionary of the English language. — London Morni-ng Chronicle. Thi.'; volume must find its way into all our public and good pri- Tate librai-ic.**. for it provides the Knglish student with a ma^^s ot the most valuable information, which he iu vain seeks lur else- where— Lamlon Literary Gazette. The very large and incieasing demand for this work, affords the best possible evidtnce to the publi;-her3 ihat it is highly •acceptable to the great bf dy ot the American pe':iple," Containing three times the amount of matter of any other F,n- g1i>h Dictionary compiled in this country, or any Abridgment of tfaig work. Published by G & C. MERRI.\M. Springfield. Mass., and for •ale by W- H. SPANGLER, Lancaster. Pa. April, NEW YORK Agricultural Warclsousc & Seed Store, I8y and 191 JVutcr Stttct. THIS i? by far the most extensive e.-^tabli.-hnu'nt in New Vork. It occupies nearly the whole of three largL five-stury ptoie-. and contains a varied and complete a^^^lrtmeat of evt-ry def'Crip- t4un ol" Agricultural and Horticultural Imph men is. and Field and Gftrden Seeds required in the United States. AVe have upward of One Hundred of the latef-t improved kinds of Plows, mo.-^ily mau- ut.ictured by us expres-sly for the diilerent Statt-s of the Union. California and Oregon, the British Provinces, the West India Islands. Mexico, and South America. Also Harrows. Rollers. Seed Sowers. Cultivators. Horse Powers. Threshers. Corn Shelters, Keap- tng and Mowing Machines. Hiiy. Cotton, Tobacco. Oil. and Dry Good Presses. Brick Machines. Shovels, Spades, Hose, Manure and Hay Forks. jKc.&c. Garden Irnplfinenls.^These are imported by us direct frcm the Knglish manufacturers, or made here to our order. 'I'h'-y cuni-ist of a great variety of the choicest kinds such as Trenching and M'oeding Forks. Pruning and Hedge Shears, f'lower and 'I'wig Cutters. &c. The assortment fur ladies is particularly choice and well selected. Field and Garden Seeds. — These aro grotvn expressly for ua both in Europe aud this country. They are of the choicest kiniJs and I'f great variety. We also ubtaiu. as soon as sufliciently tried and well approved, every new kind of seed suitable to becuiiivated In the United States. Fejtilizers. — Peruvian and Patagonian Guano, Boneduat, Poud- r«tto. Plaster of Paris. 4" a ♦ Mtinu/aciary of ^Igii cultural Implements. — We have a large manufacturing establishment in this city, where wi- will promptly make to order any new article or implement required by the Far mer or Planter. Kxcelstor Sand Paper. — A new and very superior kind of the different numbersin use by Machinists, fabinet .Makers. &c. The ^Imerican Agnculturitt. a monthly publication of 32 pages. 'Price one dollar a year. A. B. ALLEN & CU . April 189 and 191 Water-street. New Vork. ent and cure Hoi Uelnitsh'S German Cattle Po^rder. THIS Powder is celebrated for the cure and prevention of all disease3 to which Cattle. Milch Cows. Sheep and Ftps are sutiject. and is the only prep- aration upon which full confidence can be placed. For Milch Cows it is of the greatest importance, wonder- fatly increasing the quantity and quality of their milk, and will effectually pn-v k)W Horn. Murrain. &,c. VEGETABLE HORSE-POWDER. Which will cure Distemper, llidebtmnd. Loss of Appetite, Foundt-r. Yellow Water. Lnwness of Spirits. Inward Sprains. Inflamation and Heat in the System, and all other diseases to which Ilorsee are subject. HOH-St: EMBROCATION.— For tho cnre of external injuries, aa Wounds. Bruises, Cuts. Rub Mng of the Saddle. Collar or Harness, Stiffness in the Joints Swellings. Sweeny, &c. Prepared and sold at CHARLES A. IIEINITSH'S. Medicinal, Drag and Chemical Store, No. 13 East King st.. April — tf Lancaster IVe^T and Popular School Book. THE COMPREHENSIVE SUMMARY OF UNIVERSAL HIS- TORY, with a biography of distinguished persons from the earliest period to the present time; to which is appended an epi- tome of Heathen Mythology. Natural Philosophy. General Astron- omy and Physiology, on the basis of -Historical afcd Miscellane- ous yuestions." by Richmal Mangnal. Adopted to the use of Amorican schools. Published and for sale by E. S. JONES & CO., S. W. corner of Fourth and Race st.. Philadelphia N. B — T euchors and School CommiUeM furniflhed with copies for examination. Addreea, post paid. April— if $500 to $2,000 aa Yar. 1000 AGEMTS WATVTED. IN all the States of tho Union, to canvass for the full.i.ving Im- portant and Valu.ible Works, which are sold by >ubscription. We have now abuut two hundred Agents in the field many of them clearing from two to eight dollars pfh day. It will be seen that they are all of a very popular and desirable kind, and calcu- lated to please almo.'-t every ta^te. Fur further particulars apply (postpaid) to the publishers. DERBY & MILLER. Auburn. N. Y. "HOW A FARMER JIAY BRroMK RICH." BLAKE'S FARMERS EVERY DAY BOOK, Or. how a Farmer can become Rich— being sketches of Life m tha Country; with the Popular Elements of practical and theoretical Agriculture, and twelve hundred Laconics and Apathrgms reU- ting to .Morals. Regime and general Literature; also oUO Receipts on Health. Cookery and Domestic Economy; with 10 fine illustra- tions respecting the various scenes attendant upon farming, etc. By John L Btike. D. D.. author of "Biographical Dictionary," ■■ Family i^ncyclopedia," i^c. The publishers respectfully announce, that they have under- taken the publication of tliis large and beautiful work, with a view to supply a de.-iJcratum that h.is h'Ug beeu filt — a b^juk for tvERr Farmer's LinRABv; believing that the venerable author has produced a work that will be worth its Weight in gold to every farmer's family that thoroughly peruse it. It is proper to state that Dr. Blake i- a paAciiCAL farmkh. and has reclaimed a sterile and worn out piece of land into a valuable and productive farm — which experience, with his well known quallticatiuas as an author, peculiarly fit liim to prepare a book fur farmers. The work contains 654 pages, large octavo, with a motto sur- rounding each page— is printed on fine paper, and bound in sub- stantial imitation Turkey iMorocco. gilt back. Invariable retail price. $.3.01). Agents wanted to canvass for the above. FROST'S PICTORIAL HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. The History of the State ol Californi*. fiom the earlie^t period of her conquest bv the Spaniards, to her aequi.-^ition by the Uniti-d States; with an account of the di.-covery of the inimeo-e Gold Mines, and the quantity of Gold already obtained; the enormous increase of population; a description of the mineral and agricul- tural resources of tho country; with adventures and tr iv els among the Mines. Also, advice to Emigrants, as to the niu.'Jt desirable r<.ut»-s thither. To which is added the Coustitutiou uf the State of California; with numerou.s illustrations, and a map of California and the Gold Mines; in one octavo volume. 6t0 pages; bound iu same style aa Mexican War. Retail price, j-2 50. " I am prepared— I hav<' end*'avored to do my duty " THE LIFE OF ZACHARY TAYLOR, Late President of the United States, including the closing sceneii of his life and death. By H. Monlgomery. Embelli«hed with a steel portrait and 15 illustrations; in one elegant octavo volume, 463 pages, well printed on tine paper, and bound iu substantinl morocco.gilt back. The lightnings may flash, the thunders may rattl", He hears not, he heeds not. h<-'s free from all pain, He sleeps his last sleep, he has fought his last battle, No sound can awake him to glory again. More than I'O 000 cL'pies of the above work have been sold by us and the demand is unab.ated. It is allowed by critics to be tho most complete and authentic copy of any ol the work* purporting to be a Lite of the Great Man uf the Age. Retail price. yZ 00. A COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE WAR BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO, From the commencement of the battles, to the ratification of the Treaty of Peace; containing a concise account of the splendid military achievements and glorious victories of the American Army under Generals Taylor and Scolt, and their gallant com- patriots in arms. Also, a conci^e account of the new El Dorado, the Golden Land of California, which was annexed to the Vnited States by the treaty of peace. Illustrated with 34 portraits and battle scenes, and a steel likeness of General Taylor. By John S Jenkins, author of •■ The Life of Silas Wright." • Lives of Ameri- can Generals." etc.. etc. The work is bound in elegant a- d sub- stantia! morocco, gilt back, and contains 520 pages. A fine iiap of Mexico and California accompanies eaph book, *.• riOOO copies of the above work have been sold by us. chiefly in N. Y. estate. It is pronounced by cricticsasthe only complete and impartial history of the war extant. Subscription price ^J,dO. April SCATTERGOOD & HOWELL, DESIGNING, DRAWING And ^Vcod En^rarin^ Estalilishittent, Inquirer Buildins., Third Streetybflow Chesnul st,, PHILADELPHIA. WatkrColor Drawing. Portraits. Buildini:;3, MACHiJTERr, News fArER UKAna. Labkls. Seals, ^c Drawn and Engraved in the Best manner and on the most reasonable Terms. AprU,-tf 160 ADVERTISEMENTS. [August, liarrisbur^ Agricultural Machiue Shop. H M.STEEVRR&CO. AVE recently esUblish-'d a Shop, fnr the mnnufacture of Wheeler^ s Pfitent Hor!;e Powtrs and T/ircsAcr.s with Sepnrnton ; Isn. Clover Huller s, Feed Cutters, Corn Shellers, Gram Drills, Circular Sair Milts, &c. These Horse Powers and Threshers are favorably Known where- cver they liave been used or exhibited. They have taken premi- lums at many different State and County Agricultural Kurs. in different States in the Union, and also in Curotiiia, never having competed for a prize unsuccessfully. The accompanying Cut gives a side view of a Two-Horse Ma- chine at work, with the hands necessary to attend it, and keep it in full operation, and will thresh from 100 to 200bushelsof Wheat, or twice thiit i, upon Stock driven to Piastern markets, or transported South. JOHN H. FRICK. General Agent for Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. REFERENCES : Wood, Abliott & Co., ) Truitt, Brother fc Co.. V Philadelphia. • Coates Sc Brown, j Agents: JOHN ZIMMERMAN, Lancaster Pa. CHARLES F. FRICK, Reading. Pa. SAMUEL H. TAYLOR, Mauch Chunk, Pa. Dr. John G. Scovern, Veterinary Snrgeon, May, 1851.) Examiner for Lancaster County. HCNUY r.TRIPI.ER. {Successor to Joseph P. H. Coates.) Dealer in Grass aud Garden Seeds* No. 49, Market Street, Philadelphia. Kettlevrell & Davison's Salts against Guauo. A CHALLENGE ! ! ! THE deep intcrept now taken by Agriculturists in all descrip- tions of manure, would seem to justify any expedient, by which fair nud unprejudiced experiments may be made of the va- rious descriptions of manure at thi.s time attractin(; the attention of the public. In view of this, and the undersigned honestly be- lieving that the Chemical Compound, manufactured by them, ie the bi'et manure of which any knowledge is had for a Corn Crop; challenges Guano to the test upon the following condition: — He will forfeit One Hundred Dollars, to be presented to the Maryland .Agricultural Society, if any advocate of Guauo will do the same, that the Renovator compounded by Ketth-well & Davison, will produce upon any soil, the largest crop ot weighed corn, without regard to the si'/.a of the .«talk. provided the President of the State Agricultural Society will select some person, in his judgment qualified, to superintend the experiment The nature of the soil to be described, so that each party can direct the mode ol appli- cation; two barrels of the Salts to be used per acre, costing J6, and 300 lbs. of the Guano, costing $7 20. the psirty making the experiment to receive the manure tree ot cost. And the same amuuut against auy manure as a top dressing upon timothy or clover. John Kettlewell. Kettleioell .J- Dart ion again call the attention of Agriculturists to their various Chemical Manures — and in 80 doing, they would be insensible to common gratitude, if they failed to express their profound acknowledgments for the constant and increasing de- mand, which tlows in upon them for their simple and compound manures. Each season has greatly increased their sales, extend- ing as far south as South Carolina. 'I'hey can give no strongej evidence of their faith in the vir- tius ol their manure, as the best known for a corn crop, than the tenders they make above ; and the certificates which they here- with i)refent. In the offer of a test, it is not the amount involT- cd. but the willingness to challenge result, that speaks their in- tegrity and confidence. We could add any amount to the testi- mony we publish; but if the names we refer to. do not command confidence, no additional number could. We have never boasted of the quality of our article, we have been content to leave a de- cision to time, demand and experiment, that has been in our fa- vor—hoping, if we have less ol " Bi-phospbates," the public would discover it, as they would if it was found we had more of ' sand ■' than any thing elsi*. Kkttlkwkll, k 1>.\tison. Office at Ober 4' McConkey'*s. corner of Lombard and Hanover Sheets. J'^actory, federal Hill. Bl-PHUSPHATES. We keep constantly on hand this valuable manure. Bonep, with a proper portion of the Sulphate of Ammonia, dissolved in Sulphuric Acid. The Chemists of this country and Europe have been pre.-^sing this mode of using bone-du.st upon the attcrf- tion of farmers, with great zeal and ability of recent years. Ev- ery e.Kperiment has confirmed the truthfulness of their theory; and we hazard hut little in saying that in a very brief time it will be used in no other way. It is prepared so as to be sown sim ilar to the salts, at the rate of one or two barrels to the acre — The price of this article is $4 per barrel. Let the farmer who doubts, try it at a less expense than the old mode of using bone- dust. TOBACCO GENERATOR. QThis is a cbcmic.'il compound, made eipres^ly for the growth f f ttic Tobacco plant. AVe will call more special attention to it at the proper seabon, CHEMICAL RESIDIUMS. We have constantly on hand Chemical Residiums of every drecription. Full information of which can be had by applica- tion to us. COMBINATION OF GROUND PLASTER AND POTASH. This is a preparation made for soil deficient in Potash, of which deficiency there is. unfortunately, too many instances in much of our Maryland land. For this compound we are indebted to the suggestion of an accomplished Agriculturist of Prince George^s county, who may at some future day present the result of his ex- periment. The price of this is $2 50 per barrel. DIRECTIONS. The mode of using the Renovator is simple, inexpensive, and requiring but little labor. The farmer must bear in mind, that in the preparation of his soil he shares an equai responsibility in testing the merits of any manure. Land negligently or badly cultivated gives no manure a fair chance. How to put land in or- der he ought to know better than we can teach him; and if he don't know, should learn as speedily as possible. The land, then, in order— if one barrel lo the acre is used— and this quantity de- pends upon the quality of the land — it should, for grain be sown broad cast, and blightly harrowed in. If two barrels are used, one as stated above, and the other aj; a kop-dressing upon the wheat or rye, early in the spring at tb« commencement of the first thaw. Upon grass it should be sown brond-caiit upon the timothy or clover. On corn, either broad- east or in the hill. Where two barrels are need, one each way t^, PRICE of the RENOVATOR. $20 PER TON, or $3 PER BARREL. AprU-tf Wm. B. Wii^T, Job Priater, Lancaater, Pa, VOL. 1. LA^XASTER, PA., SEPTEMBER, 1851. m. 6. THE FARM JOURNAL. S. S. HAIyDEMAN, Editor. Entomology, No. 5. BV THE EDITOR. The coleopterous insects termed Lamellicornia have the end of the antennce thickened, and the joints of this part formed of three or more fiat plates closing apiinst each other like the leaves of a book. Some of these insects are very destructive to vege- tation, by eating the roots, leaves and flowers. The roots are eaten by the larvse, which are grubs, and are well known as thick white worms bent in a semi- circle, which causes them to lie upon one side. Va" rious kinds are formed in dung, both in the larva and perfect state, some are formed in decaying vegetable matter, and others attack roots when larvae, and leaves and flowers in their perfect state. Some of these larvEc are very destructive to pastures and growing grain, from the extent to which they destroy the roots. This may be judged from the fact that in England two men collected eighty bushels of the perfect insects during ths short pe- riod of their appearance. In this country various species of Pliyllopliaga are found, most of which are hurtful. They are generally of a chesnut or brown color, and may be recognised from the figure. In digging or plowing in April, they are frequently met with, ready to make their exit. It is possible that early spring, or late fall plowing, by throwing the grubs within reach of the frosts, when too helpless to bury themselves deeper, would de.stroy a great many of them. Various birds, as the crow and blackbird, follow the plowman to feed upon them ; and it is probable that molea devour them, as these little animals feed upon food of this kind. rnvi.LOPHAO.i. Hand picking, with burning or scalding, is the best mode yet known to destroy these insects in their perfect condition. They are generally inactive in the morning, when they be shaken from the fruit trees and vines, without inducing them to fly. Being noc- turnal, this inaction may arise from full feeding, and a disposition to rest after a night of acti^^ty. Iiotteries. Various States of the Union passed laws against lottery gambling, even before it was ascertained that these contrivances could be conducted in such a man- ner as to convert them into swindling engines of the first class, and make lottery dealers more dangerous members of society than counterfeiters or professed gamblers. Among the means adopted for protecting the po- pulation, the law of Pennsylvania forbids the adver- thimj of lotteries, because it was foreseen not to do this, was merely to change the scene of the plunder from Pennsylvania Vo a neighboring State. These remarks are made in consequence of havinf received through th» mail, two documents, one of which is a sheet called Semi-monthly Couranf, pub- lished by nobody and ostensibly at Jersey city. I n- dcr the garb of a newspaper, it is a trap baited with lottery advertisements by one Carroll, who has a dtn in Courtlandt street. New York, whence he annojs the citizens of Pennsylvania. The other document comes as a letter and is of a similar character. It purports to be from one Leary, of Frederick, Mary- land. Although there is said to be honor among *******, neither of these favors was prepaid. We caution our readers against encouraging lot- teries, even as an experiment. If any one can spare the amount necessary to buy a ticket, he had better bestow it in charity. The entire system is criminal ; the ticket_^seller instead of showing himself openly like an hopest man doing an honest business, cur- tains his window, and his deluded victim skulks be- hind a screen to hide himself from the passers by. TOL I. — H. 162 EDITORIAL, [September, Congress institutes or permits lotteries, and higher- law virtue never protests; probably because it has discovered the perfect morality and honesty of the lottery system ; like the newspapers of Washington city, in which the drawings are advertised and sent into the anti-gambling States. Franklin Marshall College. We are gratified to inform our readers that the trustees intend to found an agricultural professorship in this institution, which should be a strong argument in favor of the college in Lancaster county, the pro- posed seat of its new location. We hope therefore that the citizens of the county at large will feel suf- ficient interest in this important undertaking to in- duce them to subscribe liberally towards its accom- plishment. In what state should liime be applied { W. II., of Bedford, wishes to know, " whether lime should be plowed under in a caustic state, rather than being exposed to the atmosphere previous to the plowing down?" The most satisfactory answer wc can give to this query will be found in Johnson's Agricultural Chemistry, from which valuable work we copy the following: The form and state of combination in which lime ought to be applied to the land depend upon the na- ture of the soil, the kind of cropping to which it is subjected, aud on the special purpose which the lime is intended to efiect. The soil may be heavy or light, in arable culture, or laid do-n-n to grass, and each of these constitutes a difierent mode of procedure in the application of lime. So the lime itself may be intend- ed either to act more immediately or to be more per- manent in its action — or it may be applied for the purpose of destroying unwholesome herbage, of quick- ening inert vegetable matter, of generally sweetening the soil, or simply of adding to the land a substance which is indispensable to its fertility. The skilful agriculturist will modify the form and mode of ap- plication according as it is intended to serve one or other of these purposes. Fiom the considerations already presented to you (' 3) in regard to the changes which quick-lime un- dergoes in the air, it appears to be expedient, 1°. To slake lime quickly, and to apply it imme- diately upon clay, boggy, marshy, or peaty lands — upon such as contain much inert or generally which aoouud in other forms of vegetable matter. 2°. To bents and heaths which it is desirable to extirpate, it should be applied in the same caustic state, or to unwholesome subsoils which contain much iron (sulphate of iron), as soon as they are turned up by thi- plow. In both those cases the un- slaked lime-dust from the kilns might be laid on with advantage. 3°. Where it is to be spread OTer grass lands with- out destroying the herbage, it is in most cases safer to allow the lime to slake spontaneously, rather than in a covered pit. It is thus obtained in an exceed ingly fine powder, which can be easily spread, and, while it is sufficiently mild to leave the tender grasses unharmed, it contains a sufficient quantity of caustic lime to produce those chemical changes in the soil on which the efficacy of quick-lime depends. 4°. Where hme is appUod to the fallow, ia plowed in, well harrowed, or otherwise mixed with the soil, it is generally of little consequence in which of the above states it is laid on. The chief condition is, that it be in the state of a fine powder, and that it be well spread and intimately mixed with the soil. Before these operations are concluded the lime will be very nearly in the state of combination in which it exist« in spontaneously slaked lime, whatever may have been the state of causticity in which it has been ap- plied. You will understand that the above remarks apply only to localities where burned lime is usually or alone used for agricultural purposes. Sbould manure be immediately plowed down t W. II., of Bedford, Pa., asks, whether it is better to plow down manure immediately after it is taken from the compost heap or barn yard, than to let it be exposed to the influences of the air, wet weather, heat, &c., on small heaps, {as is usually done,) some- time before plowing under. Although much has been said and written in favor of surface manuring, we cannot but think the prac- tice a bad one. The virtue of bam yard manure, it is well known, is greatly lessoned by being exposed to the action of the sun and atmosphere, on small heaps as is usually the case. When the manure is spread, and permitted to lie exposed any length of time on the surface, the effects are still worse. The rich juices which constitute the chief value of ma- nures, are exhaled by the sun, or washed away by rains, leaving a residuum, the fertilizing principles of which have been greatly lessened, if not almost wholly destroyed. Slanure should be spread and plowed under as soon as possible after being taken from the barn yard. We shall be glad to have this question thoroughly discussed, and therefore hope that some of our cor- respondents will take up the subject. Plums and the Curculio. — The editor of this pa- per succeeded last year in having an abundance of plums where they had year after year previously, all dropped off. Vials of sweetened water were hung in the trees, and insects which had stung the fruit were mostly attracted by the sweetened water. The ^als were repeatedly emptied of the water and insects, and re-filled with sweetened water during the time from the flowering of the trees, till the ripening of the fruit. The fruit did not all escape, but the trees were well loaded with sound and well ripened fruit although much dropped off prematurely. These trees stand Ln a dark sandy loam soil, on a S. E. ex- posure, in a peach orchard one hundred and fifty feci above the valley. — Western Agriculturist. Some of the articles under the names of chocolate, cocoa flakes, &c., consist of coarse dirty sugar, ground with potato starch, rough bran flour, tallow or grease, and ground musty biscuits, with sometimes an intro- duction of red brick-dust. Let it not be forgotten that the best tilled land is always more moitt, and bears drouth better than land of the come qusJity when poorly tilled. 1851.] COMMUNICATIONS. l6i* (Honunuiucatioua. Guauo* We have received the following communications on Guano, in anavrer to our request for the results of ex- periments : PniLADELpniA, Aug. 5, 1851. Dear Sir : — In your mimbor for this month, you ask for the results of experiments with guano. I will give you my experience with that celebrated manure. I tried it on grass, clover, potatoes and turnips, in the spring of 1845. As the experiments were given in detail in the Farmer's Cabinet, Sept. No.^ for that year, I will do no more now than to mention the results in a general way. My success, in every experiment, was fully up to the character of the manure. The next year I tried it on wheat, at the rate of three hundred pounds to the acre, but no effect was seen, unless the ruin of the crop on the portion which received the guano, be taken as the result of that experiment. I formed several conclusions from the results of my experiments, that I will take the liberty of giving to your reader.s, for their consideration. It is too delicate and dangerous a manure for gen. eral use, for where it does no good it does much mis- chief. You might just as well expect vegetative action from electricity or gunpowder as from this ar- ticle. T he three conditions absolutely necessary be observed, when designing to use it, make it incon^ venient to employ, unless in small quantities. These conditions are, to put it in during a rain, immediate- ly after a rain, or just before a rain. If these are not observed, it will burn all before it. Then the trouble of pounding it to a powder and mixing it with mould or plaster, gives additional trou- ble and labor to the man who has no extra hands, and who will find no pleasure in an uncertain experiment, merely for the philosophy or science of the thing, which stands him in, eight dollars the acre. Then again if the land is rich and in good order, the appli- cation is superfluous, as it makes clover grow several feet in height, but with a stalk so stiff, cattle might as well chew the rails of the fence. Wheat too, it will send into the air, vigorously and loftily, but gives no proportionate amount of grain. On the whole, I came to the conclusion, that on good soils, in good condition, it would not pay; but on poor soils, or worn-out soils, if carefully managed, its value is inestimable. Delaware and Maryland are evidences of this truth. In the latter State, a farmer applied it on t«n acres of corn, and harvested eleven hundred measured bushels as his crop. Also to gardeners it is of great value, but the working farmer of small capital, must look before h« leaps. Very respectfully yours, A. L. Elwyn*. Mr. Ebitor: — Your repeated calls in the Farm Journal, for the results of experiments made io our county with guano, has induced me to give the re- sult of mine, which, though very limited, you may dispose of as you see proper. In 1846, I bought a barrel (about 300 lbs.) of gna. no, part of which 1 mixed with an equal quantity of plaster, and sowed it on grass intended for hay. Another part I sowed unmixed alongside the mixed. Some I sowed on wheat at the same time, and to t«st its effects, 1 varied the quantity, at the rat« of from one to three bushels per acre. From all this I could see no beneficial results. About tlie half of the barrel I kept for the corn, part of which I put on, mixed as above, and some pure, and when the corn was up, the result was the same as on grass and wheat. But before 1 had planted the corn, a neighbor handed me a pamphlet on guano, its application, &<;., and as I had no prejudice against book farming, I strictly followed its directions, which were, as near as I remember, as follows: " When your corn ground is marked out, spread about half a gill of guano at the mark for every hill, cover it half an inch with earth, drop the corn on this, and cover it in the usual way." A square of twenty hills each way, the aver- age quality of the field, was planted in this manner, and the result here was visible as soon as the com came up. It was of a darker green, and more luxu- riant growth than any around it, and soon had the start and maintained it during its growth, being from six to twelve inches taller than the rest immediately surrounding it. But the season being very favorable and the soil (a clayey limestone a little mixed with sand) in a pretty good condition, the yield was not so great as it was during its growth. I was not, however, particular enough to weigh the corn of this, and an equal number of hills alongside, anfl compare them, to know what the exact difference in quantity was. J. Miller. Oregon, Lancaster co., Aug. 11, 1851. Mr. Editor:— a writer .in your paper speaks of the backwardness of Pennsylvania in agriculture. This is a mistake, the truth is the other way, and I have no hesitation in asserting, that agriculture as an art, is no where in this country understood as well or practised as well as in Lancaster, Chester, Dela- ware, Montgomery and Bucks. In New York, or New England, or in some other States, there may be individuals who cultivate their lands as well or bet- ter than it is done in these counties, but no where on this continent is agriculture so well advanced a« there. We shall see what will be done at Ilarrisbur" — Cumberland, Franklin and Dauphin are fine coun- ties, and if not too modest, may make Pennsylvanians proud of their State. But when the exhibition is held at Lancaster, Norristown, Newtown, or West Chester, I am satisfied that the triumph and exulta tion will be immense. Let Pennsylvania put herself a little more forward and bristle up a little, and you will see several other States droop their crests. E. 164 COMMUNICATIONS. [September, TRANSLATED FOR THE FARM JOURNAL. Agricultural Chemistry. Lobe's Encyclop.bdia of Agriculture, from which the following article is translated, is a German serial now in the course of publication at Leipzig. Twen- ty-six livraisons or parts have been issued, and the whole is to be comprised in forty, illustrated with wood cuts. This publication difiers, in its plan and execution, from others of like name or similar char- acter, mainly by the arrangement of the subjects treated of in comprehensive classes and the discus- sion of each fully and independently. Hence, the reader is not annoyed and perplexed by vexatious re- ferences from one article to numerous others, nor compelled to collect and in a great measure compile for himself the information he seeks. It possesses, besides, a decided advantage in being the first publi- cation of its class issued since agriculture has pro- perly become elevated to the rank of a science. Its editor (who is also the publisher of an agricultural paper, and of the Year Book of agricultural progress, discovery and statistics.) is aided by numerous com- petent assistants, among whom are practical farmers, scientific gentlemen, principals of farm schools, and professors in agricultural colleges. The article on agricultural chemistry prepared for this work, has been selected for translation, under the impression that the manner in which the subject is treated fits it peculiarly for the first volume of the Farm Journal — a periodical circulating extensively among practical cultivators of the soil, a portion of whom, probably, have not hitherto had their attention turned in this direction. To such, a general view of a subject, ac- knowledged by those conversant with it, to be of great importance to husbandmen, can scarcely fail to be interesting at»d instructive ; and will serve to pre. pare them for the profitable perusal and study of more elaborate treatises. W. No. 1. Aoricultural chemistry is the application of the principles and processes of chemical science to the operations of rural economy. The numerous, impor- tant and various benefits which the natural sciences in general confer, directly and indirectly, on the cul- tivation of the soil — aside from the gratification and mental improvement which the study of them imparts can scarcely be suiEciently appreciated. Relying on the ascertained and demonstrated principles and truths of these sciences, the agriculturist is enabled to investigate, solve and explain every natural phe- nomenon or occurrence falling within the province of his occupation or pursuits, and thereby not unfre- quently to reJute and explode antiquated or false views, erroneous practices and pernicious prejudices. From personal observation and reflection, he will be able, also, to deduce and develope valuable principles applicable in the routine of his avocation. On the basis of independent logical induction, he may devise and apply new processes and improved methods of culture; proceed intelligently and with confidence in the composition and application of artificial stimu- lants and fertilizers; may quality' himself to estimate with precision the value of soils, manures and pro- ducts; and, finally, be able to form a correct opinion of the worth or worthlessncss of proposed innovations in practice, and of the ti-utli or falsity of novel theo- ries in science. Among the natural sciences, chemistry, though held in low estimation by many practical farmers, has undoubtedly a most intimate connection with agriculture, and yields to it the most important aid. Thaer, one of the most eminent and successful prac- tical cultivators, and a highly distinguished agricul- tural writer, did not fail to pursue the study of this science with untiring assiduity ; and the celebrated Humpurev Daw, in the introduction to his course of lectures on agricultural chemistry, says : — " Information collected after views of distinct in- quiry, would necessarily be more accurate, and more capable of being connected with the general princi- ples of science; and a fevr histories of the results of truly philosophical experiments in agricultural che- mistry, would be of more value in enlightening and benefitting the farmer, than the greatest possible ac- cumulation of imperfect trials, conducted merely in the empirical spirit. It is no unusual occurrence for persons who agree in favor of practice and experience, to condemn generally all attempts to improve agri- culture by philosophical inquiries and chemical me- thods. That much vague speculation may be found in the works of those who have lightly taken up agri- cultural chemistry, it is impossible to deny. It is not uncommon to find a number of changes rung upon a string of technical terms, such as oxygen, hydro- gen, carbon and azote, as if the science depended on words rather than on things. But this is in fact an argument for the necessity of the establish- ment of just principles of chemistry on the subject. Whoever reasons upon agriculture, is obliged to re- cur to this science. He feels that it is scarcely pos- sible to advance a step without it ; and if he is satis- fied with insufficient views, it is not because he pre- fers them to accurate knowledge, but generally be- cause they are more current. If a person journeying in the night wishes to avoid being led astray by the ignis fatuus, the most secure method is to carry a lamp in his own hand. It has been said, and un- doubtedly with great truth, that a philosophical che- mist would most probably make a very unprofitable business of farming; and this certainly would be the case, if he were a mere philosophical chemist; and unless he had served his apprenticeship to the prac- tice of the art, as well as to the theory. But there is reason to believe that he would be a more successful agriculturist than a person equally uninitiated in far- ming, but ignorant of chemistry altogether; his science, as far as it went, would be successful to him. It undoubtedly happens in agricultural chemical ex- periments, conducted after the most refined theoreti- cal views, that there are many instances of failure for one of success. This is inevitable from the capri- cious and uncertain nature of the causes that operate, and from the impossibility of calculating on all cir- cumstances that may interfere. But this is far from proving the inutility of such trials; one happy result, 1851.] COMMUNICATIONS. 165 ■which can generally improve methods of cultivation, is worth the labor of a whole life; and an unsuccess- ful experiment well observed, must establish some truth or tend to remove some prejudice." In point of fact, also, chemistry has already ren- dered no small service to agriculture. If we regard, in the first place, the science of vegetable production, it will be evident in advance that chemistry must have a direct bearing on this branch of agriculture, since the germination, growth, developement, and maturity of plants are results of chemical processes. It is very certain that by making the farmer acquaint- ed with the various inorganic substances requisite for the due growth of plants, and teaching him to em- ploy those substances for their nourishment, as also the best modes for preparing artificial manures, and the proper composition and mixture of substances suited for the food of plants, chemistry has already conferred benefits on agriculture, the importance of which has been practically demonstrated by opera- tions founded on theory. On a closer examination moreover, we find that chemistry has taught that all nitrogenous combinations intended to be produced bj' the organism of plants — such as albumen, gluten, caseine, &o., substances most essential to and most efScient for the sustenance of animals — must obtain their nitrogen in the form of ammonia; because no organic substance can serve as food until it has by the putrefactive process assumed the form of inor- ganic elements (ammonia, carbonic acid, and water, the products of this process) ; and that, consequently, no organic combination is susceptible of being brought, by the organism of plants, into the form requisite to enable these to seize and appropriate the nitrogen it contains. Furthermore, since chemistry has demonstrated that it is pre-eminently the liquid animal manures which contain nitrogen in large quantity, farmers have been induced to collect and preserve them very carefully, subjecting them to fer- mentation and applying the resulting volatile carbon- ate of ammonia to their land, not in a form in which it would speedily escape into the air to be again pre- cipitated by rain, for the benefit of distant soils, but in combination with such salts as chemistry has pointed out, as being best adapted to fix the ammo- nia in a soluble form and thus enable the plants to appropriate it gradually and without loss. From the foregoing remarks it is manifest that chemistry is by no means devoid of practical value in the cultivation of plants ; and that consequently this hranch of agriculture may derive immediate and highly important advantages from the resources of this science. As regards the phenomena of vegetable gi-owth, chemistry has certainly furnished the most satisfactory explications of observed appearances, of the nature of which agriculturists had previously very vague and obscure notions. And though all the ex- planations hitherto submitted, should not be confirm- ed by further research or future discovery, she will ever retain the merit of having incited to renewed in- vestigations, and of having largely contributed to elevate agriculture to the rank of a science. Tliough farmers may hitherto have derived no practical ben- efit from the remarkable elucidations furnished by chemistry of the nature of assimilation and growth; of the relation which humus bears to plants ; of the composition of manures in view of their effects ; of the nature and elements of rain water; of the effect of gypsum or leguminous plants ; of the conditions requisite for the formation of albumen, gluten, &c. ; and of numerous other subjects and observed pheno- mena, which is explained in so interesting a manner by chemistry; still the explanations and elucidation themselves, will be of the greater interest to every intelligent farmer, because they have rendered clear and plain to him many a process and phenomenon not previously understood. He will now, moreover, not unfrequently be able, by combination and induc- tion, to derive from those explanations, the means of rendering his knowledge practically useful as occa- sions occur. But, apart altogether from the practical value of chemistry, every thinking farmer will bo anxious to give a scientific aspect to his pursuits, intimately con- nected as those are with living nature ; for it is sci- ence alone which confers true enjoyment in the busi- ness of life, and elevates man above mere dead ma- chinery. With respect to the influence and effect of chemis- try on the management of soils, it must be conceded that by her aid only did it become practicable to as- certain their constituents and composition, and to arrange them in systematic order. So also, with re- , spect to the rearing of domestic animals, chemistry may claim the undoubted merit of having made the cattle-breeder acquainted with the substances which contain real nutriment, as well as with their nature and component elements, and their effects in the ani- mal economy. Chemistry may also take credit for having scientifically demonstrated the truth of those observations as to the comparative value and the ' composition of various kinds of food, which had been gathered and treasured up from the experiments a.nd experience of the breeder ; and of having first explain- ed, and arranged under simple laws, the remarkable and inseparable connection which exists between the vegetable and the animal kingdoms. Though, despite of the obvious importance of che- mistry, and of her undeniable influence on agricultu- ral pursuits, the practical farmer has so long and so generally struggled, and is still struggling, against devoting to chemical science, the time, space, atten- tion, and labor requisite for determining with-greater precision the nature and extent of this importance, the fact itself, singular as it may appear, need not create surprise. New ideas and practices have rare- ly been introduced and obtained currency without 106 COMMUNICATIONS. [September, struggle and obstinate resistance — especially when the adoption of them involved material changes in existing practices and habits. Moreover, the course pursued by tlie advocates of science was not always the most judicious, or the best calculated to make proselytes. It was inconsiderate and rash, for in- stance, on the part of Theory, to sot down her sup- positions and conjectures as undoubted and undenia- ble truths, without having previously subjected them to the test of rigid experiment. It was wrong, in her, to deduce general conclusions from isolated facts; and it was unwise to spurn and contemn the experi- ence of practical farmers, instead of using it, wherever it could be availed of, for the advancement of knowl- edge. Above all it was arrogant for Theory to as- sume a pompous bearing as a science, while yet una- ble to claim a minute acquaintance with existing and prevalent practice — nay, while haughtily and disdain- fully professing the most entire independence there- of and separation therefrom. But, in general, the practical farmer committed a similar unfortunate mistake. Thus, it was presumptuous in him to con- demn without trial, or after a few imperfect trials, the legitimate inferences and conclusions of science. It was unjust in him to require from a science yet in her infancy, the steady and stately stoppings of ma- ture age and experience; and when, instead of prin- ciples, he demanded specific facts and proved pre" soriptions — clear directions and plain precepts, in- stead of hints, suggestions and considerate advice, he asked for what he could not reasonably expect to re- ceive. In short, it was irrational to exact, what it is not the proper province of science to furnish. But here, precisely, obstacles oppose themselves to pro- gross of chemical research, which greatly enhance the difficiilty of ascertaining the true condition of tilings, or of discovering and establishing truth by crucial experiments. The operator is not hero occu- pied with processes purely chemical, but must first ascertain, by close and vigilant attention what varia- tions or deviations are superinduced by the inherent vital forces of plants and animals. He has not here ' to deal exclusively with constant magnitudes and un- changing circumstances; but, whilst seeking to de. monstrate the correctness of his views and conclu- sions, he is just as dependent on varieties of soil, diversities of climate, and vicissitudes of weather, as the practical farmer himself. And, finally, it is not always in his power to institute, as promptly and as frequently as he might desire, those crucial experi- ments which are so satisfactory in their results; but is ofttimos constrained to wait patiently months or years, for opportunities which enable him to arrive at reliable oonclusions. Viewed in this aspect, it is manifestly unfair to judge of chemistry solely from her achievements in the comparatively brief period that has elapsed since she began to turn her attention seriously to the nature of soils and the processes of rural art. It would be more just and equitable to defer pronouncing judgment in her case, till it bo seen whether the numerous buds and blossoms, which — especially under the impulse imparted by Liebig and Boussingault — have sprung forth in the last few years, wither and fall, or flourish and mature. — Though many of these may drop abortive, others will doubtless, in due season, produce valuable fruit. Chemistry will, however, reach the desired goal the more speedily and the more surely, the more she withdraws from the school and the lecture room, to mingle actively in the practical operations on the farm and in the field. Then also will the working farmer more readily and more cordially extend to her a welcoming hand, and peace and harmony fol- low transient dissension, distrust and estrangement. It is gratifying to perceive that the necessity and ad- vantage of a thorough recouciliatic^n and union arc, of late, felt more and more by both parties ; and that the one-sided position hitherto occupied by many practical men, as well as by theorists, is gradually being abandoned. Even now, chemistry is availed of by many farmers, though they are scarcely aware of the fact, or still reluctant to admit it. When the farmer proposes to lime his land, he takes counsel from chemistry. If he buy gypsum or ashes, analy- sis alone can assure him that the article he obtains is genuine and pure. If he purchase guano, chemis- try must be invoked to determine whether it is free from adulteration and retains the due amount of fer- tilizing elements: and the same is true in scarcely less degree, when bone-dust is procured for the ame- lioration of the soil. If the farmer would manure his land with muck, he cannot tell until the substance has been analysed, whether it do not contain som« deleterious ingredient. If ho would dross a boggy meadow with earth, or mix this with litter for his cattle, chemistry again teaches him to select with certainty that which is best suited to his purpose. — If he design to subsoil his land, he learns from che- mistry whetlier the operation would benefit or injure the particular kind of crop he intends to cultivate. — In short, it is chemistry always, in her proper sphere, which saves or succors the farmer from harm, and comes to his aid with safe and reliable counsels, whenever, in the course of practical culture, he finds himself in a dilemma or encounters a difBculty. IIoMEOPATHV. — Old Matthew Maule was executed for the ci-ime of witchcraft. He was one of the mar- tyrs to that terrible delusion which should teach us among its other morals that the influential classes, and those who take upon themselves to be teachers of the people, are fully liable to all the passionate error that ever characterised the maddest mob. — Clergymen, judges, statesmen, the wisest, calmest, holiest persons of their day, stood in this inner circle round about the gallows, loudest to applaud the work of blood, latest to confess themselves miserahhj de- ceived.— Hawihoi-ne. 1851.] COMMUNICATIONS. 16T The Potato Rot. Mr. Editor : — I have read various Essays on the Bubject of the potato rot, and as I dissent entirely from the conclusions of these ■nriters, I am induced to put forth my own opinion through the medium of your valuable paper. My views are entitled to no other consideration, than as embodying the result of my own observation and experience, and while these have satisfied me, I do not pretend that they ought to satisfy othors. — Some suppose that this disease originates from the natural decay of the plant, and that it is necessary to renovate it, by planting the ball, and by this means rear a new seed. Others believe that an insect pro- duces the decay. I repudiate both of these notions, and assert from my own observation that these causes do not generate the disease. The first potato rot, as a general epidemic in this section of the country oc- curred in 1842. I had a field which looked very pro- mising for a large crop. In August, after the crop was nearly matured we had a heavy rain, succeeded by a hot sun. It was ascertained that the potatoes immediately commenced rotting, and when they were dug, a large portion were found unfit for use. The ground on which this crop grew, was a clay soil, which retained the water, and prevented its rapid escape. Under similar circumstances I noticed for several successive years, a like result : but attributing it to the popular opinion that the plant had degenerated, or that an insect had caused the decay, and adopting the belief that lime would obviate the difBculty, I had a piece of ground prepared last year according to the most approved motliod of preventing the rot. The land was deeply drilled, and heavily manured. In the drills lime was added, and on this the potato was planted. The growth of the vine was vigorous, and gave indications of a large crop, until the heavy rain the first of September. The ground was level, and the water remained upon the surface until it either evaporated or settled below the surface. This rain was followed by a hot sun, and when my potatoes were dug it was found that at least one-half were rotted. Some were slightly touched, but the process of decay continued, and out of a large crop I had difficulty in selecting enough for my family use. Having adopted every precaution suggested by the different writers upon this subject, I have been forced to fall back upon my own opinion, and to maintain that the rot is produced by the peculiar character of the season, and from no other cause. A heavy rain in August, succeeded by intense heat, where the ground is fa- vorable, will inevitably produce the potato rot, and the reason is obvious. The ground is saturated with water — an August sun pours its heat upon it, and the steam process in the ground affects the surface of the potato, and causes its rapid decay. When this pro- cess of decomposition once commences, its progress continues, and communicates the disease to others. I have observed that the first affected are near the surface, and I have also noticed that some are struck hardly skin deep. By exposing such to the atmos- phere the progress of decay may be arrested. Upon sandy soil, such as our river bottoms the rot is un- knovrn, and the reason is, the water settles at one* below the potato, and consequently the action of the sun does not affect it. The only argument against this theory of mine is that the rot has not universally prevailed until within the last few years, and it may be urged that the same cause would have produced the same effect. My only reply is, that the potato rot is not of recent origin. — It has always existed under similar circumstances, and though partial in its operations, like causes have produced like effects. Then again our seasons for a few years past have been favorable to the develop- ment of the disease, which has caused it to becoma more universal. I have now to suggest the remedy. By planting the potato near the surface, upon ground where the water can easily escape, the rot will be avoided. I would recommend the process of ridging the land bv turning two furrows together and planting upon th-' top of the ridge. The water will then settle away and prevent the chemical action which produces the rot. By exercising care in planting and in the selection of the ground, I am satisfied this scourge which has so extensively prevailed can be avoided. While talking upon the subject of potatoes, I am induced to advert to an experiment which I tried last fall. I planted a plot about the middle of November, by making deep drills and depositing about four inches of horse manure, upon which the potato was planted and covered sufficiently deep to escape the frost. The result was that I have had a full supply of potatoes a month earlier than I ever had them be- fore. This may not be new to others, but I took the hint from observing that potatoes left in the ground after digging sprang up much earlier than those planted in the spring. I shall try the experimer.t OLi a larger scale this fall, and I have no doubt of ita success. L. KiDDEtt. Willcesharre, Fa. Three Important Facts. — Never be influenoel by external appearance in forming your judgment of a person's worth. This is an important rule, for many a noble spirit is covered by habiliments of the v, orst kind. Dean Swift said that nature has given every man a capacity of being agreeable, though not of shining in company; and " there are a hundred men sufficiently qualified for both, who, by a very few faults, that they may correct in half an hour, are not so much as tolerable." The world would be more happy if persons gave up more time to an intercourse of friendship. But money engrosses all our defer- ence; and we scarce enjoy a social hour, because we think it unjustly stolen from the main business of life. — Selected 168 COMMUNICATIONS. [September, Animal Heat, &c. Mr. Editor: — One of the most interesting develop- ments made through recent scientific investigation is the source of animal heat, hitherto regarded as one of the most inexplicable mysteries of the animal economy. How such a discovery can be brought to bear upon practical husbandry may be difficult to comprehend by some persons, although it can be substantiated by the money test, one which few will be able to reject as insufficient. Dr. Piayfair, who has recently examined this sub- ject and thrown much light upon it, observes, that the average temperature of the bodies of our cattle is about 100° of Fahrenheit, which is some two or three degrees above that of our own bodies, a temperature much higher than the mean of our seasons, especially that of winter. But both summer and winter the heat of the bodies of most animals with red blood remains the same. It is evident that more heat must be taken off during the winter than in summer, and hence, as the increased quantity demanded must come from the food, more of this or a change in its ' quality, will be required to meet the exigencies of the season; just as more fuel must bo put into the stove in the coldest weather. It is a well known fact, that the proportion of food consumed is very much greater among the inhabitants of the polar circle than in the tropical region. Dr. Piayfair gives an explanation of the phenome- na connected with the origin of animal heat which cannot fail to interest every one who has the least curiosity to look into causes and effects. " The fuel," he says, " consists of those ingredients of food from which nitrogen is aljsent; they all contain carbon and the elements of water. We know that oxygen is continually inhaled in the air we breathe, and that it 18 never again expired — as such. Expired air con- sists of carbonic acid, a gas composed of carbon and oxygen. In the body, therefore, the oxygen has uni- ted with carbon; or it has produced the very gas which is obtained hy burniur/ a piece of charcoal in the open air. Now the heat generated by the combination of the carbon in the body must be exactly equivalent to that produced by bul-ning the same amount in the atmosphere." Experiments have taught us, that the average quantity of carbon in the food of an adult man amounts to fourteen ounces daily. By the combus- tion of this quantity 197,477 degrees of heat are pro- duced, and this is amply sufficient to account for the heat of the human body. The experiments of Boussingault show that a cow breathes out about seventy ounces of carbon daily, and from this we calculate that 987,385 degrees of heat must bo produced in the body of a cow in the space of twenty-four hours. These calculations will at once prove that there is little difficulty in ac- ceuntiug for the heat of the animal body. A benefi- cent Providence has arranged the products of differ- ent countries so as to meet the demands of their various climates. The fruits, and vegetable products upon which the inhabitants of warm countries love to feed contain only twelve per cent, of carbon, while the train oil enjoyed by the inhabitants of arctic re- gions contains above seventy per cent, of the same element of animal heat. The animal body is there- fore aptly compared to a furnace which requires to be supplied with more or less fuel according to the temperature of the external air. Now if we wish to turn these interesting facts to practical account in the feeding of cattle, the first point to bo accomplished is to place these under circumstances favorable to the healthy play of their vital functions, and during winter this demands that the heat of their bodies should be kept up to a point of comfort. Where the bodies are not sufficient- ly protected from cold more food (fuel) must be fur- nished to the stock. Thus during winter, warmth is an equivalent for food, and, to a certain extent, food an equivalent for shelter. But in hot weather it is, evidently a great object to provide cattle with shade or shelter from the heat of the sun as they will other- wise have so little demand for animal heat as to in- duce them to take very little food and thus the supply of fuel being diminished the elements which contri- bute fat and muscle must both be deficient and the weight fall off. These interesting deductions have been practised upon, with results which appear con- firmatory. The following experiment was tried by the Earl of Ducie at Whitefield farm. One hundred sheep were folded by tens in pens, each of which was 22 feet in length by 10 feet in breadth, and possessed a covered shed attached to it of 12 feet in length by 10 in breadth. They were kept in these from the 10th of October to the 10th of March. Each sheep consumed on an average twenty pounds of Sweedish turnips daily. Another hundred were folded in pens of a similar size, but without sheds attached. They were kept during the same time, and their daily consumption of turnips amount- ed to twenty-five pounds each. Here the circum- stances were precisely similar with respect to exer- cise, the only difference being that the first hundred sheep had sheds into which they might retire, and thus be partially protected from the cold. This partial protection was therefore equivalent to a certain amount of food, and consequently we find that the sheep enjoying this protection consumed one- fifth less food than those sheep which were left en- tirely exposed to the cold. In the last case the con- sumption of the additional food arose wholly from the necessity of adding more fuel (food) to the fur- nace of the body, in order to keep up its natural de- gree of warmth. This was proved from the circum- stance that those which enjoyed the protection had increased three pounds each, more than those left un- 1851.] COMMUNICATIONS. 169 protected, although the latter had consumed one-fiftli more food. The results of similar experiments made by various farmers have led to a similar conclusion, namely, that warmth is, to a considerable extent a substitute for food. The reports of some other experiments seem somewhat discordant, but there are good reasons for believing that in making these, the animals were ex- posed to injurious influences 'which interfered with the results that might have been obtained under more favorable conditions. The following practical observation of Dr. Play- fair cannot receive too much attention from our far- mers. " Warmth" he says, " is not only essential to iheir health and fattening progress, but this must be a dri/ and a wholesome warmth. To confine sheep, as is sometimes done, over putrefying masses of fold, shed, or farm-yard dung, in an atmosphere saturated with the fumes of ammonia and the gases of putre- faction, is to substitute one drawback upon the health and comfort of the animal for another, which pro- duces a greater evil than cold. The sheep, in a state of nature, carefully avoids all these things ; it leaves to the ox the deep rank growing grasses of the damp lowland pastures. It carefully seeks its food and its habitation on the highest elevations, amid dry rocks and heath-producing soils, far away from all great masses of decomposing organic matter. The domes- tic sheep of our inclosed lands, by always occupying the most elevated portions of the field, clearly indi- cates that its natural instinct in this respect is still unchanged by all the efibrts of the breeder. Follow, then, the sheep from his upland pastures, in the clear, dry, warm climate of Asia, and view him placed in our cold temperature, in a warm shed it is true, but with tlie floor of that shed covered to the depth of many inches with a mass of putrefying dung, and then let us ask ourselves, ' is this the way fairly to test the advantages of shelter and of warmth to the domestic sheep ? Is this the way to fairly try the economy of raising the temperature of the atmosphere in which it is placed ?" The noxious influences to which sheltered stock are so often subjected and the loss sustained there- from, have been already referred to in an article fur- nished by us in the first number of the Farm .Journal," on " The importance of Ventilation, Cleanliness and Draining, for the preserration of the Health of Do- mestic Animals." Mr. George Debits, the author of a most valuable prize "essay on fattening cattle," published in the Royal Agricultural Society of Eng- land, remarks, that cleanliness, warmth, and quiet are the great points to be insisted upon, coupled of course with good feeding. He makes no mention of free ventilation or the necessity for an ample supply of fresh air, which we regard as an important omis- sion. As immediately connected with this subject, those sufficiently interested would do well to consult the tables very recently furnished, showing the propor- tions of the elements in different kinds of food which go to the formation of flesh, and the substance of ani- mal heat. Those furnished by vegetables destined to the formation of flesh and perfectly identical with similar elements found in the completion of animal structures, and known by the names of gluten or glue, albumen, of which a pure example is furnished by the white of an egg, fibrin, or flesh, and casein, curd or cheesy matter. The elementary portions of vegeta- bles which are suited for the supply of animal heat are of a very difierent kind from those just enumera- ted as entering into the composition of ficsli, and con- sist of sturch, gum, svgar, &c. Knowing tliese facts it becomes a money question as to the value of par- ticular kinds of food for the support of animals, whe- ther the profit from these is to be derived from the accumulation of fat and flesh, or from the other de- velopment of muscle for accomplishing more work. Along with much interesting information relating to this subject, several tables are furnished in the Farmer's and Planter's Enc!/clo}]a:dia, {Articles Ventilation, <£'c.) showing the quantities of turnips, potatoes, meat, bread, oatmeal, beans, and various other kinds of food necessary to produce one pound of flesh, and the money-cost of its production, as well as the value of various kinds of food considered as fuel to sustain animal heat, to furnish flesli and fat. See Article Ventilation. E. Philadelphia, August, 1851. Agricultural Societies. Mr. Editor: — Since the organization of the Stat« Society last winter and the liberal action of the Le- gislature, several county agricultural societies have been formed in the western part of the State. Brad- ford and Luzerne are among the number. Susque- hanna and Wayne had previously organized their societies and been a few years in operation. Wyo- ming, Pike and Jlonroe will not be long in following the example. The importance of local societies in connection with the State Society cannot be over-estimated. In addition to the general impulse given to the cause of agriculture they are the means of elevating the cha- racter of the farmers in their own estimation. Among many of the sons of farmers an erroneous opinion has prevailed that their vocation was not as honorable as that of the physician, the lawyer, and the merchant. In consequence of the prevalence of this pernicious error, many young men have pressed into the profes- sions and into mercantile pursuits, who would^have been much more useful and prosperous in the pur- suit of agricultural science. One of the blessed ef- fects of these organizations is to correct this error by giving the young farmer a just estimate of the honor- | able character of his profession. Tliey have also furnished a stimulus to higher ef- fort. This is an exciting influence in the competition 170 COMMUNICATIONS. [September, iatroduced by these institutions, productive of most salutary effects upon the farming interests. The science of agriculture has been too much neg- lected in Pennsylvania. While every other branch of national industry has been excited by progressive discovery and improvement many farmers have been content to trudge on in the old beaten path unmind- ful of the improvements made and making in their own department. They have seemed to think and act upon the supposition that there was to be no alle- viation of the primeval curse and that " the sweat of the brow" alone was to produce the bread which they eat. But a brigliter day is dawning and a spi- rit of inquiry is afloat for the best means of removing the severity of toil and labor to which farmers have, unfortunately, deemed themselves and their posterity doomed. The local societies are doing much to aid in this good work and not only alleviating toil by the intro- duction of improved modes of working the land, but furnishing to the minds of the farmer, by means of books and papers suited to his tastes and adapted to his profit and pleasure, most suitable themes for re- flection. In connection with those organizations I hope for much good from tlie introduction into every farmer's family in the country of your Farm Journal. I have derived great profit from its perusal and should not consider myself as entitled to rank among the intelU- gent farmers of the country, if I did not regularly read its valuable and interesting articles. I hope to send you a larger subscription list short- ly. Yours, Wm. Jessup. Montrose, August, 1851. Eemarlis on the improvement of Sheep. To THE Editor op the Farm JouR>fAL. — Since the days of Bakewell, who was the first great modeller and improver of the shape and form of animals, much has been done by other eminent breeders to improve the character and constitution of cattle, sheep and e^vine, and to perpetuate the good work. The long wooled sheep of certain districts in Eng- land, have obtained great weight of carcass and of fleece ; weighing from 40 to G5 lbs. per quarter, and producing from 10 to 18 lbs. of wool each. See Youatt on Sheep, p. 332. The South Downs have also been bred to great weight of carcass and wool, the latter of medium quality and well suited for general purposes. They are hardy and thrifty animals. A cross with the bucks of either of the above breeds on good common or na- tive ewes, produces valuable stock, worth at least one- third to one-half more than the native kind, either for I mutton or wool. Farmers in the interior would find it greatly to their advantage to use such bucks. They may be raised vsy its small heads, crisped leaves, smooth stem, and the smooth filaments of the flower. It is growing in this county at " Centre line," and tlio indifference ■with v>-hich it is regarded by the far- mers in that vicinity, has already permitted it to ob- tain a pre-emption right that ■\vill be extremely diffi- 1851.1 COMMUNICATIONS. 173 cult to extinguish. If it is prevented from extending itself in the adjoining valleys it must receive decided attention, and be kept from producing seed. If the whole of the thistles were deeply covered vrith lime and suffered to remain for several years it would effect its destruction. J. M. McMinn. Uniom'ille, Centre co., Pa., Aug. 9, 1851. The proper quantity of Lime on an acre. Mr. Editor: — An idea has prevailed, very gener- ally, that lime, applied as a fertilizer, should be spread upon a limestone soil in double the quantity that wiiuld be sufficient and proper for a sandy or gravelly soil. Fifty bushels to the acre have been thought to be the right quantity for the former, and twenty-live or thirty for the latter. In the northern and eastern parts of Lancaster county, there are sandstone ridgos, where lime ope- rates with magical effect. Twenty or thirty bushels produce an obvious improvement in whatever crops it is applied to ; but experiments have shown, that the benefit increases in proportion to the quantity, to the extent of more than a hundred bushels to the acre. A farmer, in order to test the effect, measured off accurately a square perch, in his field, and spread over this perch exactly one bushel of lime, which was at the rate of one hundred and sixty bushels to the acre. The crop grown upon it, compared with the rest of the field, satisfied him that no portion of the lime was useless. The gentleman from whom this inforiuation is derived, remarked that, from what he had observed of the effects of lime on such a soil, he believed two hundred bushels of it upon an acre would be more efficacious than any smaller quantity; in other words, that the grass or grain would be in proportion to the amount of lime applied, at least to that extent. H. Lancaster, August, 1851. Murrain. Me. Editor. — Having had many a loss from that most fatal disease, called murrain ; it was with no small gratification that I observed in the August number of your valuable paper, that by the skill of a member of the family of J. B. S., of Fruit Hill, a cure has been discovered. The interests of the farming community will be much enhanced by this sine qua non to the safety of herds — particularly should it prove, as J. S. B. be- lieves, an infallible remedy. Believing it well worth the attention of agricultural societies, I would sug- gest that awards suitable to the importance of the occasion should be given for discoveries of value to the farmer and horticulturist, by our State Society. and inasmuch as the benefits are likely to be general, would not this be the proper awarder ? Mr. Ilarlacher should not be allowed to pay, from his own pocket, for a remedy against the ravages of the cucumber bug ; though I am not so sure fifty dollars should be paid to save pickles merely. This would make the ^ice of recipes of such a value, that the product of the skill of a worthy member of the community would be of too high a price to be propor- tionate, and too onerous to the donors. But I think I could go to work upon a case of dis- ease, (should I be so unfortunate as to have to do so,) with more confidence in the means were these more satisfactorily proven to be infallible. The belief of J. S. B. is either fixed upon a single trial, as previous to this case, he says, "every remedy of which I had ever heard, was tried with them, but without success" — or he must have made his conclu- sions of infallibility of remedy from the certainty of effects following causes, and a knowledge of the na- ture of the affection, as well as the modus opcraiuli of the medicines. That this is the cause of his confidence we are led to believe, partly from tlic prohibition of water, show- ing investigation of the complaint by unerring science. We have tried poke-root alone, and have been as- sured that it has cured, by those whose voracity we would not question — but the results are only au oc- casional cure at best — and we would suggest that our friend J. S. B. be not too sanguine, unless he has more ground of faith than an isolated cure ought to beget — seeing no one case is sufficient to establish a rule. AV'e hope, however, the discovery, is a good one; and we think the name of such public benefactor should be known, so as to be remembered, at least, with gratitude. We wish to hear again from J. S. B. desiring a more full exposition of the nature of this malady call- ed murrain ; as much ignorance prevails as to its na- ture or its cause. " An ounce of preventive is better than a pound of cure," and if we could have some insight into the complaint, we might have a preventive that would be worth more than a cure. C. H. L. Rose Dale, BcrVs co., Aug. 12, 1851. P. S. Since, upon conversing with some brother farmers, one suggests that this is the identical cure used very effectually in the neighborhood where he formerly resided. If this be so, it may not still de- tract from the merit of the worthy memlier, seeing the remedy has never been heard of there ; and hence the credit due to investigation and discovery, still be- longs to our correspondent's family — and infallibility the more effectually established. C. L. II. Sorrel is a perennial, and prefers a poor soil. — Plowing while in blossom will destroy it, and liming and deep plowing will prevent its growth. The sour t»st« in the weed is caused by the binoxaiate of pot- ash. It requires more courage to think differently from the multitude than it does to fight them. The first hero, therefore, was not he who made the first con- quest, but he who uttered the first doubt. 174 COMMUNICATIONS. [Srvtf.mbeh, Farming. Progress Iii It is not known to many who have'boen accustom ed to hear of the fertility of Lancaster county, that there is a considerable portion of her broad acres, which is a thin, poor soil. Standing upon one of the eminences, in or near the city, you will behold, at the distance of ten or fifteen miles, a girdle of moun- tainous elevations, which seem to encompass you whichever way you turn. These are ))ranches of the South Mountain, and embrace, within our bord. ers, the Conowago, Chesnut, Turkey, Martic, Octora- ra, and Mine Hills, the Welsh Mountains and Mount Hope; and descend with various grades to the lime- stone valleys and plains, whose extent and fertility have contributed so much to the fame of Lancaster county; for being originally productive, they soon enriched their first proprietors. But the hills and mountains, with a thin, gravelly surface, and a grudging soil, poorly rewarded the labor bestowed on them; and it cost the hardy inhabitants a severe struggle, to enable them, with the strictest economy, to rear their families and hold their own. Many of them, hopeless of bettering their situations in the neighborhoods in which they were born, emigrated to the far west. Few are aware of the great drain of population, which Lancaster county has suffered from this cause. The last fifteen or twenty years have, however, produced a gratifying change. It commenced with plaister of Paris, which was found to have a marvellous effect upon the grass and grain, clothing the almost barren fields on these hill sides with luxuriant vegetation. • Farmers began to discover, that it was better to confine their labors to so much land as they could prepare for their crops by a proper application of manure, than by a vain effort to increase their profits by extending the area of their culture to the utmost. After using plaister for a few years, they perceived that its efficacy was diminished, and they began to turn their attention to lime; which was, every way, fortunate, as this supplied more abundantly what the soil required to fertilize it, and at a cheaper rate. Besides, the fertility occasioned by lime is permanent and the material is obtainable in our county, and in the vicinity of the lands where it was needed. It is amazing to see the improvement of this hilly region. Instead of the sterile fields marked with a sparse "•rowth of stunted grass and brambles, and the mis. erable wooden tenements and rickety fences, which vrere formerly the disagreeable features presented to view, you now behold comfortable brick or stone man- sions and good bank barns, in due season well filled, tl\e fields neatly enclosed and teeming with the rich products of agriculture, and orchards laden with fruit. Taking whole neighborhoods together, wo are informed that the yield of grain has been increased, by improved cultivation, five fold; and where no grass was formerly grown, they have now abundant crops. The selling value of real estate, has advanced in a similar i-atio; and this is a natural result. This hill country abounding in springs of the purest wa- ter, and fanned by healthy breezes, is one of the most salubrious in the world ; and since it is ascertained, that they can by proper cultivation raise as good crops here, as in the neighboring valleys, the motive and the desire to emigrate have ceased. Tracts are divided to accommodate the multiplying population, a process, by the by, which is much extended — so that the farms of Lancaster county will hardly aver- age at the present time, one hundred acres each. Among the mineral resources of our county, there is one whose value, I think, is not fully appreciated — I mean the limestone. It is a most important fer- tilizer. It has already trebled the worth of many a farm, and will ultimately double the productive ca- pacity of every cultivable acre within our borders. A. L. Hayes. August 16, 1851. Mr. Editor : — Is not your Fruit Hill correspond- ent too sanguine in pronouncing a remedy infallible from its effects in a single case ? Several plants in different sections of the country are called pokeweed. Does he mean the Phytolacca decandra of Ijotanists?* In the work referred to this is said to be actively emetic. What is intended to be its mode of operating in J. S. B.'s case? What are the cause and nature of the disease? Without this knowledge our prescrip- tions must be entirely empyrical. Is it not analagous to dysentery in the human system? If so, then all the 'palhy's and 'ism's from alio to chronothcrmal have failed to find a remedy infallible however "strict- ly adhered to." It is not intended to find fault with your corres- pondent, but with yourself. Would it not bo well, for the acknowledged scientific editor, to add a note of comment upon articles which might mislead ; or are the readers of the Farm Journal presumed to be so scientific, as to receive without allowance such ex- tracts as the following in your first No.? "One Shanghae cock and two hens will produce more eggs in three months time than five times that number of ordinary hens will do in one year." That is, if each hen lays an egg every day — perhaps the cock lays two (too) — it would amount to one hundred and eigh- ty. Now to make this number, the ten would require to produce eighteen each in the year. If the Rev. S. A. B. will designate the variety so extraordinary he will benefit us farmers by enabling us to avoid them. J. K. E. Chester county, August 15, 1851. [As the particular kind of pokeweed used by J. S. B. was not communicated to us, we, of course, cannot answer J. K. E.'s inquiry, but hope our Fruit Hill correspondent will. In regard to the Shanghae chickens, we assure J » Fl. C«»tr. p. S83 Agricnltnia Bot. p. 147. 1851. J ARBORICULTURAL. 175 K. E. that the extravagant statement of the Rev. S. A. Bumstcad, .surprised us, as much as it did him, and we gave it a place in the Journal, only because wc could not with proprietj doubt the veracity of the reverend gentleman, particularly when endorsed by another; (the author of the work from which the ex- tract was made.) Wo have written to Mr. Bumstead, and hope to receive a reply which will satisfy our correspondent. — Ed.] The Arboretum. Mr. Editor: — In looking over the two last num- bers of the Farm Journal, I received much pleasure from reading the appropriate remarks of your lady correspondents, which I hope will bo continued, and induce other ladies to communicate with your valua- able periodical. The love of the beautiful is a prominent trait in ■woman's character, and is worthy of the most assidu- ous cultivation, as a means of enjoyment. Aside from moral and patriotic motives, I know nothing more likely to develope tliis trait than flowers and rural scenery. I therefore append a list of hardy flowering shrubs, chiefly exotic, of early culture and adapted to the embellishment of " home, sweet home," hoping to continue it monthly, and occasionally planting a few beautiful trees and vines, among the shrubbery just to fill up the outlines. Wicgela Rosea. — This truly beautiful shrub is new to most of your readers. It is of recent introduction into this country, having been sent to Europe from the north of China, by Mr. Fortune, during his re- cent botanical tour through that country. It pro- duces in profusion, clusters of delicate rose-colored flowers, of a tubular form ; it is quite hardy in all the middle States, and is a splendid addition to the shrubbery. Spirae prunifolia plena. — This unique shrub was found in the Japanese gardens, and introduced into Europe by that indefatigable collector. Dr. Siebold. It has a most graceful appearance when in flower, and grows to the height of about eight feet. The flowers are pure white, not larger than a dollar gold piece, and perfecibj dotihle. The petals of the flowers are very numerous and beautifully imbricated. The flower resembles in miniature a double ranunculus. It is beyond doubt the handsomest shrub of recent introduction, and as it is perfectly hardy in the most exposed situations, is entitled to a niche in everj- garden. AzaUa cakndulacea^— Is a native of the mountains of Georgia and produces in groat profusion corymbs of flowers, varying in color from light yellow to bright flame, presenting a beautiful display during the month of May. It is perfectly hardy and prefers a damp shaded situation. Pursh says, " it is without exception the handsomest shrub in North America." Cedrus deodara. — This splendid evergreen tree is a native of the Himalayas, and attains a gigantic size; the habit of the tree is pendant and compact, and from the glaucous coloring of the leaves present* a silvery hue, contrasting beautifully with our dark- leaved evergreens. It is quite hardy. We cannot perceive that this tree bears any resemblance to the Cedar of Lebanon, as has been asserted. In conse- quence of its recent introduction into this country all the specimens are small. James D. Fulton. Philadelphia, August, 1851. Mortality among the Poulfrj-. Mr. Editor: — For the past few months there has been a very great mortality amongst the poultry in this county ; so great as to destrijy more than two- thirds that have been brought into existence this summer. Failing in my attempts to discover the cause of this vast havoc, I have embraced this mode and opportunity of awaking up some intellio-ent in- formation upon the subject, and if possible arrest the disease that is prevailing amongst them. An intelli- gent and practical farmer within a mile or two of this place has just informed me that out of one hundred young chickens he has lost eighty-five by this prevail, ing though unknown disease. Our poultry when hatched look exceedingly well, until they are about four to six weeks old, when they begin to droop and hang their heads ; refusing all kinds of food and ap- parently die instantaneously. The only perceptible change that can be observed with regard to color, is about the head, which is a very deep purple, and when that change does take place, I find it utterly imjroesible for them to recover. When I first discov- ered that they were dying so rapidly I was compelled to think the difficulty lay in the kind of food I o-ave them, but I changed their food several times, and I find that such is not the case. Can any of vour sub- scribers account for this singular, though destructive disease, and a remedy for the same? Very truly yours, Jno. I'. T.vggart. Bloomslmrg, Aug. 15, 1851. Bots lu Horses. Mr. Editor : — All know, perhaps, that this disease is caused by worms in the stomach. When thi- worms begin to eat the stomach, it causes great dis- tress, and the animal will lie down and roll in agonv, and if relief is not obtained, the worms eat through in a short time, and the horse inevitablv dies. A few days since a fine horae was Ivinf in our street, the owner exceedingly frightened not knowing what to do. One of our neighbors saw the animal, and his dis- tress, and that of his master, and promptly ordered a pailful of salt and water and a quantity of dry salt. tie poured the salt and water upon the" small of his back, and put the salt in his mouth, and in a few moments the horse was perfectly restored. As soon as he swallowed the salt, the worms ceased eating, and thus the life of a noble animal wa.s saved which but for this simple remedy, must have died. 176 THE HACKNEY. [September, THE HACKNEY. Under this term are cumprised the following: — the cover hack, the park hack, the lady's horse, the road- ster, the i-ob, the galloway, and the poney. The difficulty of procuring really good hacks is ad- mitted by all persons who have kept them for the va- rious purposes of cither business or pleasure and for the following obvious reasons, — that very few people try to breed hackneys, therefore, although we require them to be nearly perfect in shape and action, (and perfect they should be to be "really good hacks,") thev may be said to be failures in the breeding stud after all. TOE lady's horse. The lady's horec is, after all, the most difficult to obtain, because he ought to approach very noar to perfection. His paces, mouth, and tempur, should each be proportioned to the power and capability of his rider; and he ehould be proof against alarm from either noises or sights which otherwise might cause him to run away. This description of horse should likewise be well bred, as in that case his action will l)e easier, and his appearance and carriage more in character with the generally elegant appearance of his rider. His pace should be the canter; the trot causes an ungraceful movement in the person of a v.'onian, to rise to it ; and if she do not rise to it, she is much shaken in b.er scat. Neither is the form of the side-saddle fitted for the trot; and the canter of a well-bitted horse is more safe, because his haunches arc more under him in that pace than they can be in a trot. A goodTaold walk, however, with the head in proper place, is essential to a horse that has to carry a woman ; and his action should be very true, that is, he should not " dish," or throw his legs outward, as the term is, in any of his paces, or he will cover the lower garments of his rider with mud when the roads are wet and dirty. To provide against the latter in- convonionce, however, all horses intended for thJs 1851.] THE HACKNEY. 177 purpose, should not be much under fifteen hands and a half in height, which size corresponds with the lengthened drapery of a lady's riding costume. As a preventive against accidents, ladies' horses, how- ever well broken and bitted, should not be too highly fed; and, if at all above themselves, should bo ridden by a careful servant, with good use of his hands, be- fore ladies mount them. It is, however, an acknowl- edged fact, that horses go more quietly under women than they do under men, which is accounted for by the lightness of their hand, and the backward posi- tion of the body, in the saddle. We have, in fact, known several instances of horses being very hard pullers with men, standing up in their stirrups, and, consequently inclining their bodies forward, but going perfectly temperate and at their ease under women. The height of a road hackney must be regulated by the size of the person to ride him ; Ijut, generally speaking, from fourteen hands to fourteen hands and a half is the proper height. His strength must also be thus calculated, for a light man does not ride plea- santly on a horse equal to double his weight. But a road hackney should have strength of shoulder, with a round barrel, but not a large carcass, which only wears out his legs. His constitution and feeding can only be proved upon trial ; but there are certain in- dices, such as deep ribs, brown color, hardy muscle, &c., wliich very rarely deceive us. As to the neces- sity of well-placed hinder-legs, it is most clearly shown by the answer given to the following question: If a horse make a serious blunder forward, and the centre of gravity of his body fall beyond the pillars of support, and is for a moment lost, what restores the cciuilibrium? Is it merely the chuck under the chin to an animal of his bulk and weight, and that " chuck" given perhaps by the weak, powerless wrist of a feeble old man, or delicate young lady? No: the main effect of the bit, or curb, in this case is, first, warning the horse of his danger; and, next, by mo- mentary raising of his head, he is better able to bring a hinder-leg instantly to his assistance, by advancing it under 1h6 body, and thus restoring his equilibrium. In the walk, in fact, the horse actually begins to move by advancing the hinder-leg under the body; before the fore-leg quits the ground; and if he did not do so, there would be no equal support for the body, during the suspension of the fore-leg in the air, nor could the body be moved forwards, until the hind- er-leg had, by quitting its station, taken a new point of support. Seeing, then, that in the walk, as in all other paces, the centre of gravity in the horse is maintained, as well as the body propelled, by the ac- tion of the hinder-legs, the greatest attention should be paid to the position and action of them in the hackney, as the best safeguard against his falling. — We should observe, then, when he is exhibited to our view, that, in his walk, the hinder-foot oversteps the fore-foot, at least a shoe's length, which a horse with straight, ill-formed hinder-legs cannot do ; and if such action be accompanied by generally good hind-quar- ters, it is a great indication of safety, so far as one- half of the body of the horse is concerned. But as the false step is made, not with the hinder, but the fore-leg, the chief safeguard against falling is to be found elsewhere, namely, first, in the length of the shoulder, which throws the centre of gravity further back than a short one ; and, secondly, proceeding also fi-om the free use of the shoulder, in the act of setting the fore-foot down on the ground. It is a general but very mistaken notion, that the safety of a road- ster depends upon his lifting his fore-legs high from the ground, when he is said to "go well above his ground;" wheioas it all depends on the manner in which he places them down upon it. Not only are the highest goers often the most unsafe to ride, for, when they do fall, they fall with a violence propor- tioned to the height of their action; but, although we do not advocate such extremes, there are thou- sands of instances of horses going very near to the ground, and never making a trip. It is, however, a well-established fact, that if the form of a horse's shoulder, and the consequent position of the fore-leg, enable him to put his foot to the ground, flat, with the heel well down, his lifting up his foot high, is not at all necessary ;,whereas, on the other hand, if, by any improper position of the leg, issuing out of a short, upright, ill-formed shoulder, tlie toe touches the ground first, and, as it were, digs into it; no matter how high such a horse may lift up his leg in any of his paces, ho will always be dangerous to ride. — Plonijh, Loom <£- Anvil. Hiving Bees. BY MRS. L. G. ABELL. Reliable and useful facts, and hints, will make the Farm Journal the indispensable companion of the agriculturist, and if not already known to your read- ers, the following recent incident may be useful. I threw open my blinds a few days since and raised a window, to inhale the pure air and take a morning look at the gay flowers that were in full blossom un der the windows, when I heard a most unusual hum- ming of bees; not seeing any on the flowers I looked into the air, and just over my head they were in agi- tated commotion preparatory to swarming from the hive of a near neighbor. On a fine locust, near the front door, they were soon settled, but before any ef- fort could be made to hive them, they commenced flying, and aU returned to the old hive. Next day they came out again, and a man who knew somethino- of bees, was sent to hive them. He called for a long woolen stocking, and drew it on to the end of a pok, and placed it where the bees seemed thickest near a tree, as if they had selected it as a place where to light. He held it a few moments, and the stocking was very soon covered completely with the whole swarm. A table had been spread with a white clotli and a hive aU ready. He laid his pole or rather stocking of bees upon the table, and then put the hive over while he carefully drew out the pole. In an hour or two the bees were all in the hive, and placed in the bee house — and in a short time more, they were at work furnishing their new home. While they were upon the table they " cleaned house" and dislodged every particle of dust and old matter adhering to their new abode. In two days more another swavm came out from the old hive, and in the same manner the son and fe- males of the family secured, in this simple and easy way, another fine swarm. The ladies told me as I watched their movements, they could now do it any time alone. 17^ HORTICULTURAL. [September, (5orttroltttral ©tpartment. Dwarf Pear Trees. Being disappointed in the hope that some more able pen would have come to the rescue of the dwarf pear trees, and in reply to my friend Dr. Eshleman, in last month's number of the Journal, I venture a few remarks, in the belief that this mode of propa- gating the pear, is a valuable acquisition to the fruit grower, and that it is rapidly coming into general use. So far as the experience of this immediate vicinity goes, it has been quite successful ; a large number that we have sold during the last two years being now in full bearing, and thrifty and vigorous. I had the pleasure of demonstrating this fact recently to the Dr. himself, in showing several varieties of dwarf trees, standing in the nursery rows, with several spe- cimens of fair fruit each. They very often bear the same season they are transplanted, and I have at this time in my yard, an Easter Beurre with nine perfect pears on, moved last spring. How then are we to ac- count for Dr. Thomas's trees which have been refer- red to, " as eight to ten feet high, well branched and cultivated with the greatest care," producing no fruit. The probability is that his exposure is unfavorable. He informs mo that there have been a profusion of blossoms, and that the trees are vigorous, and as they bear abundantly at West Chester, only a few miles off, but at an elevation of some hundred feet higher than his residence in the valley, it is most likely that his failure results from the same cause that other fruit trees are unproductive in certain situations and exposure, viz : a liability to be cut off by late frosts. Another reason why the pear on quince does not slways succeed is, its being worked on our common orange quince. It has been fully ascertained that this stalk will not answer. I have known seve- ral cases in this neighborhood, where it has been tried and failed entirely. Even where they unite readily, it is found they will not grow freely together, the pear soon becomes stunted, dwindles and dies. In a conversation at the first convention in New York two years ago, with P. Barry, the experienced nur- seryman, at Rochester, he stated this to be his expe- rience, and that when failures occurred, it might ge- nerally be traced to this cause. The proper stalk for grovring the pear on,is the imported Angler's quince, which is a mere variety of the orange, but is so free a grower that it is almost exclusively used by nur- serymen. We imported, last year, seven thousand stalks of it for this purpose, some of which have pear shoots on them four to five feet, the growth of this season. The Portugal quince is also a free grower, but does not strike readily from cuttings. It is quite distinct from either the orange shaped, both in the fruit and growth. Its leaves are broader, larger and more downy. It has no advantage whatever over the Anger's variety, as a stalk for the pear, even if its high price wore not an objection. Another difBculty sometimes occurs with dwarf pears in the quince borer. This insect works at the surface of the ground, and his attacks may easily be avoided, by planting the tree so deep as to cover the point of union. This rule should always be observed. The quince is not injured by deep planting like other trees, and throws out radicles under such circum- stances very readily. It has also been said the dwarf pear tree is short lived. This is mere assertion. The proof, so far, is decidedly the-other way. T. Rivers, and there is no higher authority, says they are growing perfectly healthy a;id vigorous in the gardens of the Horticul- tural society, Cheswick, England, twenty-five years old, ^nd that he has seen them on the continent forty years old equally healthy. In the gardens of many of many of the private residences in Philadelphia, they may be found eight and ten years planted, bear- ing delicious pears, with no sign of want of vigor, but quite^the contrary. The pear on quince is less liable to blight than on its own stock, and the fruit of many varieties more perfect, and much improved in flavor. The finest, largest and most perfect butter pears we have ever seen, were grown on dwarf trees. The same may be said of the Duchesse d'An- gonlfeme and Louise Bonne de Jersey, two varieties at least second rate on pear stocks, but of the highest flavor on the quince, and standing in the first rank for beauty, size and quality. They are in fact spe- cially to be recommended for this mode of culture, and for our own taste we should be satisfied without experimenting on the four hundred other varieties now known, for fear we might bo in the predicament of the judge, who declined to hear the counsel for the other side, saying he was entirely satisfied of the merits of the case and was fearfnl if he heard more he might be confused. Most persons after tasting the fine buttery and juicy richness of these two pears, would be satisfied and ask for nothing better. Certain kinds do better on quince stock than othr ers, and are improved as before remarked in size, flavor and productions, and others only succeed at all by double working. The list of those which do well, embraces some twenty-five or thirty, amply large enough for the great majority of cultivators and in- cluding such well known fine kinds as White and Grey Doyenn^, Buerrfe Diel, Glonx Morceaax, Made- 1851.J HORTICULTURAL. 179 Isine, Caster Beurr6, Bartlett, St. Germain, Napoleon, Dearborn's Seedling, &c., &c. To sum up the advantages in faror of dwarf pears, tiiey are very hardj, come into bearing often after the first season of being moved, with good rich cul- ture which they should always have, grow vigorously and bear plentifully. They may be planted eight to ten feet apart, thus taking up but little room, answer- ing well to fill up the intervals in an orchard, and with the present scarcity of fine pears in the markets of our Atlantic cities, will probably yield, for the ^ound occupied, a better return than any other kind of fruit culture. Paschall Morris. 8th mo., mil, 1851. P. S. It is a very common but erroneous practice to plant tender fruit, such as apricots, nectarines, &c. on a warm exposure, such as the south side of a house. A mild spell of weather in winter, or an ear- ly spring, brings on a premature development of the bud, only to be nipped by a succeeding frost. Such fruit trees, and indeed all others, from the great va- ;-'ableness of our climate and the liability to sudden changes, should rather be planted on high ground, ■where there is a free circulation of air, and if possi- ble with northern exposures, so as to retard their growtli. Notes for Septcmbsr. The cultivator who has been absent during previous months is now the proud spectator of the fine autum- nal growth of his young trees, and rich in the profu- gion and variety of autumnal fruits from older ones. But trees lacking culture, standing in hard soil or smong strong grass or weeds, make no " second growth" while yonng, nor can they yield rich fruit if old. It is now too late to urge a growth this season — the late unripened shoots would be caught by frosts before they would become sufiiciently woody and hardened. Unseasonable luxuriance of growth is one of the greatestsourcesof mischief incident to our irregular climate, and a common precursor of dis- ease. Instead, therefore, of stimulating growrti at this teason, it is exceedingly desirable to bring it gradu- •iy to a close. Thrifty, well-fed young trees, such as the dwarf pear trees alluded to in the July No. of the Journal (p. 114) may be checked with good ef- fect by lifting or moving them in the ground so as to dissever one-half or more of the roots, especially the Tortical roots. Those who have not set out their Strawberry PLANTS, may do so now in a bed of good sod. They ■wiU become so well rooted as to be out of danger by lifting or freezing out during winter and will yield a partial crop of fruit next spring. In making the bed it is well to estimate how many rows of plants there to procure just enough of the very best staminato and and pistillate sorts to fill even rows of each. Thu? in a bed 33 feet square there may be 20 rows and 20 plants in each row; and these might be arranged, for example, in something like the following order. One row of White Bush Alpine, s. Four rows Hudson, p. One row Ross' Phoenix, s. Four rows Rival Hudson, p. One row Boston Pino, s. Four rows Ilovey's Seedling, p. One row Early Scarlet, s. Four rows Hovey, p. One row Red Bush Alpine. Growing trees may he pruned moderately now, as at any other season of the year (popular proverbs to ths contrary notwithstanding). It is well to prune a lit tie at different seasons, when much is required, as severe pruning at any time is always prejudicial. — Occasion for it is avoided by training young trees at first as they should afterwards grow. Old Raspberry canes which have fruited may be cut away. Sometimes tlie young canes start a vigor- ous tender growth afterwards; they will especially need protection in November. Bddding is yet in season. One good rule is to place the bud promptly and boldly, without any sub- sequent displacement or adjusting. The tree should be well set with buds according to the size of the top so as to avoid necessity for cutting away many branches larger than the finger. Instead of taking the first scions at hand, select the best sort, and such as wiU yield fruit of a kind or season in which the garden is deficient. A few buds of a prime sort can be safely be sent in a letter to a considerable distance. If there is too large a propor- tion of some varieties of fruit in a garden, or if some t . O ' recs produce inferior fruit, the sooner they aw changed the better, provided they are young and healthy ; if they are old, they will scarcely repay the trouble of grafting, and the much greater consequent trouble of dressing. • W For a further elucidation of the points of culture adverted to above, see " The Fruit Grower's Hand Book," pages 108, 99, 91, 120, 118, 87, 120, 7. will be, and how many plants in each row ; and then esteemed Gen'. Hand Plums.— Dr. B. Parry, of Lancaster, has laid on our table several superb plums of the Gen. Hand variety. On measuring them we found them to be 71 inches each in circumference and weighing each one-fourth of a pound, less three eighths of an ounce. Although of extraordinary size, these are not as large as several taken from the tre« last season, one of which measured 8J inehes. Whila in point of rich melting flavor the Hand plum is infe- rior to the Washington and several other varieties, it undoubtedly stands at the head of the list of plums in point of size, and for preserving purposes is much 180 HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. [September, i^orfuultnral Sodetiea. Proceedings of the Penusylvauia Horticultural So- ciety' The stated meeting of this association for the month of August, was held in the Chinese Saloon, on the 19th. The President in the Chair. The hall was immensely crowded. The object which brought to- gether so much of the beauty and fashion of the city was the announcement that it was expected a fine specimen of the Victoria rejia might be seen, as a bud which had appeared above the surface of the wa- ter on Monday morning, grew so rapidly and had become so enlarged, that the proprietor (our worthy President) felt confident that it would have been ex- jiauded by the time of the meeting. In this he was disappointed, and therefore the bud remained uncut. The immense leaf, however, was brought in, much to the gratification of the visitors. Its diameter is six feet four inches, or nineteen feet in circumference, peltate and of circular form, emarginate at that por- tion of the leaf which had been the point when it first appeared, and also notched at the opposite margin where the lobes have Ijccorae united by a suture. — The leaf at first is sagittate, and as it grows and ex- pands, the lobed portions of the margin, forming its arrow head shape, unite by tlie suture, and the leaf becomes peltate and circular; and in its prime is sal- ver-formed, the edge being turned up one and a half to two inches. Tlie venation is remarkably promi- nent, and of such symmetry and firmness, that it first conveyed the idea of great strengtli in its con- struction to Mr. Paxton, the architect of the great Crystal Palace, therefore adopted it as a model in the formation of the frame work of the roof of that extra- ■ ordinary structure. The petiole is large, round, and rope-like, and of considerable length. It is, as also the whole of the reticulate veins are, beset with sharp spines. The entire under surface of the leaf is of a beautiful purple tinge. A representation of a llower of the Victoria rcji'a, in wax, obtained by A. Kimber in Europe, was exhibited. This model was taken of a specimen sometime after expansion: The flower is more beautiful when it first opens in its cup-like appearance than as represented by the model shown. As the plant is in a flourishing condition and is show- ing a succession of buds, no doubt flowers will be ex- hibited at the grand autumnal display commencing on the I7th of September. In the fruit department there was numerous dishes of the various kinds of the season. On the tables were seen superb bunches of Black Hamburg grapes, from the institution of the Insane, and fine specimens of the same variety from the houses of D. B. Taylor and Mrs. John B. Smith, and handsome bunches of the White Chasselos from Mrs. II. M. Rowland. Luscious specimens of the Cochin China variety, from Joseph b. Lovering's, and a fine collection, consisting of se- veral varieties, from Joseph Ripka's house. Beauti- ful Nectarines of the Elruge, Vermash, and new white varieties, from the President's, Red Roman and Pit- maston Orange kinds, from D. B. Taylor's and Mr. Fergusson's, and fine varieties from James Dundas' house; Plums, very fine, by Capt. Marston, variety not recognised; Mammoth variety by A.Parker; Greengage by G. W. Earl; a blue variety by Mrs. N. A. Roe; the Cleavenger variety, by W. S. Cleaven- ger, and the Quetch by Mrs. Wolbort. Finely flavor- ed and beautiful Cayenne pine-apples, grown at the President's, were exhibited. Dishes of very largo and delicious poaches, by H. W. Cleaveland, of the Crawford's early variety; by John Perkins, the heath free; and a seedling of merit by Isaac B. Baxter. — Of pears, Mrs. John B. Smith exhibited fine speci- mens of the Bartlett, C'ailot Rosat, Washington, Bezi de la Motte, Chaumontelle, Moyamonsing, Andrews, and All Mon llieu ; Robert Buist, the Andrews and Duchess de Berri ; Charles Downing, the Dearborn's seedling: John R. Brinckle, the Esperion, St. Ghis- lain, and three unnamed varieties Irom France; A. M. Eastwick, the De Witt, Bartram, Rousselet de Piheims, Seckel, and a seedling variety; Goo. W. Earl, the Julienne. Early butter by Mrs. N. A. Roe, and three varieties from Miss Gratz. Apides by Jno. Perkins — The Porter, Hagloe, Maiden's Blush, Ilaw- thorndon, and Pearmain. Mr. Buist presented a table of intere ting plants, in pots. Johh Ellis exhi- bited a very large basket of cut flowers from the Pre- sident's grounds; and a mo.st beautiful one, a fair bijou, by Henry A. Dreer; and by Robert Kilving- ton, one of native flowers. Anthony Felton, -Jr., ex- tensive display of vegetables, and John Gallagher, gardener to Miss Gratz, a large collection. The Premiums awarded on the occasion were — For the most interesting collection of ydants in pots, to James Roby, foreman to Robert Buist; for the best hand boquet, and second best design of cut flowers, to Robert Kilvington ; for the best Ijasket of cut flow- ers, to John Ellis, gardener to C. Cope ; and the se- cond best to II. A. Dreer; for the best of indigenous flowers, to Robert Kilvington. Orapes. — For the best three bunches of a black variety, the Black Hamburg, to Jno. Riley, gardener to the Insane Asylum ; for the second best, the same variety, to Wm. "llamill, gardener to D. B. Taylor ; for the best of a white variety, the Chasselas, to Pe- ter Manning, gardener to Mrs. II. M. Rowland: for the second best, the Cochin China, to John Miller, gardener to J. S. Levering. Nectarines. — For tlie best six specimens to James Bisset, gardener to James Dundas ; for tlie second best to Wm. llamill, gardener to D. B. Taylor. Plums. — For the best, the Mammoth, to Alexander Parker; for the second best to Capt. JIarston. Peaches. — For the best, the Crawford's Early, to II. W. S. Cleveland; for tho second best, the Heath free, to John Perkins. Pears. — For the best, the Buiter, to Geo. W. Earl ; for tho second best, the Washington, to Mrs. J. B SnMth. Apples. — For the best, Permain, to John Perkins : for the second best, the Maiden's Blush, to the same. And a special premium of three dollars for a splendid collection of Grapes to Alex. Burnett, gardener to .Joseph Ripda. And for two Pine Apples, very fine, a premium of one dollar to John Ellis, gardener toC. Cope. For the best display of vegetables by a market gar- dener, and for the second best, to Anthony Felton, Jr. For the best display by a private gardener to John Gallagher, gardener to Miss Gratz. The committee notices two dishes of fine Egg Plant fruit, by John Miller, gardener to Jos. S. Levering. The committee on fruits reported that they had examined the following fruits ad interim since the last meeting, viz : Fine specimens of the Bloodgood, Dearborn's seed- ling Ananas d'Eto and Benoist pears, from Charles Downing, Newburg, N. Y. ; the Gratz, Mather and Ott pears, and Cleavinger plum. The Bloodgood, Dearborn's seedling. Ananas d'Bt« and Benoist, were of tho finest quality, the last was particularly fine. The Gratz was of good quality and believed to be synonymous with Julienne. The Ma^ ther is a large fair native pear of Delaware county. 1851.] COMMUNICATIONS, &c. 181 of great productiveness, but Tvants flavor. The Ott, as heretofore, sustains its high reputation, excelling in quality all the other summer pears. The Cleavenger is a native, purple, free plum of the largest size and of good flavor. Deferred business — being the amendment to the By-Laws reported at the last meeting -was taken up and adopted by adding a new article with sections as follows: Article 17. Sec. 1. Professors of Eniomology, Bo- tany and Hoiiiciditiral Clteniisiry. — At every annual meeting of the society, there shall be elected a pro- fessor of Entomology, a professor of Botany, and a professor of Horticultural Chemistry. It shall be tlieir duty to deliver before the society occasional lec- tures on subjects connected with his professorship. Sec. 2. Committee on Entomology. — A committee of five shall be appointed, at the stated meeting in February, to be called the committee on Entomology- The professor of Entomology shall be appointed in this committee and he shall be its chairman. It shall be the duty of the committee to report on all entomo- logical subjects that may be referred to them ; and whenever they deem it expedient to make reports on the history, habits, &e., of insects injurious to vegeta- tion, as well as those that are beneficial to the horti- culturist. Sec. 3. Committee on Botany. — A committee of five shall be appointed at the stated meeting in Fe- bruary, to be called the committee on Botany. The professor of Botany shall constitute one of this com- mittee and shall be its chairman. It shall be the duty of the committee to correct the names of all plants erroneously labelled, which may be exhibited at the meetings of the society, and to report on all botanical subjects that may be referred to them. Sec. 4. Committee on Horticultural Chemistry. — A committee of five shall be appointed at the stated meeting in February, to bo designated the committee on Horticultural Chemistry. The professor of horti- cultural chemistry shall be a member of this commit- tee and shall be its chairman. It ^shall be the duty of this committee to report to the society the consti- tuent elements of such soils, fruits, trees and plants as they may have analysed. A very interesting communication from John Ellis gardener to Caleb Cope addressed to the Secretary, was read describing in minute detail the Victoria re- ffia, its growth ab origine at Spring Brook farm, giv- ing its stages, developement as it advanced from the time the seed was planted, on the 21st day of March last, to the present time. On motion adjourned. ThO. p. J.iSIES, Recording Secretary. Proceedings Of the meeling of the Executive Committee of the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society. Harrisbukg, Tuesday, July 29, 1851. The Coinmittee met. Present, Hon. F. Watts, Jas. Gowen, Hon. A. 0. Hiester, David Mumma, Dr. L. Reilly, George H. Bucher and Isaac G. JI'Kinley. On motion, -James Gowen was appointed chairman and Isaac G. M'Kinley, Secretary, j)ro tempore. Mr. Hiester, from the committee to make arrange- ments for the holding of the Agricultural Exhiljition, made report that a field had been obtained for the purpose, within a mile of the borough of Ilarrisburg; and that Rules and Regulations for the government of the Exhibition, and a list of premiums to be offer- ed, were being prepared for circulation throughout the State. Mr. Watts from the committee on the Address, re- ported that they had not yet made a selection of a gentleman to deliver the address, but he expected they would be able to report by the next meeting of the Committee. Adjourned. To the tady readers of the Farm Journal. BY MRS. L. C. ABELL. If it could bo really arranged as some would have it, that woman should have the right to go to the polls and contend with man in political faction and strife ; could she be privileged to become the skilful operator in surgery, lay bare the lacerated flesh, and see the severed limb, as dismembered from the body; could she attend our civil courts, and meet with the vulgar- ity and roughness, be assailed with the coarse jeer and profane epithets to which man is daily accus- tomed, how long would she be characterised by re- finement and delicacy ? Woman is naturally impulsive, tender a.nd yielding. These qualities lovely in her character, and the very soul of domestic comfort might not answer quite so well, in the just and stem decision of a criminal case, where the omnipotence of the law demands the life of the offender ! To Young Men who read the Farm Journal. I have been looking on, and listening to the voice of the world, and the question is — What are we com- ing to ? what shall we do for young men of worth, of character, of sobriety? There is in our land, so much of the spirit of row dyism, intemperance and their accompanying vices that some have taken the alarm, and enquire, " what shall we do ?" Intelligent sons of farmers, and all others who have strength of mind, and principle enough to withstand the tide of temptation, and mo- ral delinquency, your time is coming. Go on in the ways of virtue and intelligence — lay a sound and thorough foundation, and a beautiful temple of re- spectability and character will be reared»thereon ! Despair not of ultimate success, even though now unknown. The time is coming as sure as days pass away, when you who pursue the right, will be want- ed ! What a flood tide of the young dissolute ones will in a few years more be swept from the earth, or be mere hangers on to the outskirts of society. Then you will be needed, in the strength and beauty of a pure and upright manhood, with an eye clear with beaming intelligence, and a heart shining out in the beauty of goodness, to give consistency to action and integrity to principle. Yes, you will be needed in our halls of legislation, to be our councillors, our law makers and protectors. Spare no labor or expense in education — cultivate all your faculties^be earnest, true and faithful for the time is coming. Chittenango, iV. Y. 182 EDITOKIAL. [September, THE FAKM J 0 U E N A^L Sub-Qrbitor's JDrpartmcnt. A. M. SPANGLER, Sub-Editor. Agents. The Fakm Journal may be had at the following jilaces : — W. B. ZiEBER, South 3d St., principal agent for Philadelphia. W. II. Spangler, B. F. Spangler, Geo. Bergner, H. Miner, J. R. SnRrocK, II. M. Rawlins, A. L. Warfield, Lancaster, Pa. Columbia, Pa. Harrisburg, Pa. Pittsburg, Pa. Chambersburg, Pa. Carlisle, Pa. York Pa. and of Booksellers generally. Our Office. Those having business to transact with us will please call at the Book Store of W. II. Spangler, in North Queen street, Lancaster, where we or our re- presentative will at all times be in attendance. STewland's Strawberry Humbug. The editor of the New England Farmer speaking of Newland's strawberry, which he pronounces a '■ humbug," says: We see by a late number of the Pennsylvania Farm ■Tournal, that the editor has received a present of some vines from Newland's agent, and before waiting to give them a trial he is commending them to the public ; thus aiding this imposter in deceiving the farming community. We think notice should be given of the imposition throughout the country in or- der to put a stop to the operations of this impostor. Editors should check, rather than aid him. We did speak well of the plants sent us, but cer- tainly not with the intention of aiding Mr. Newland in imposing upon the public. We merely gave Mr. Newland's own statement and referred to the recom- mendations given them by a number of persons. If any persons were induced to purchase them on the strength of what we said, we deeply regret it. We never have. Knowingly, and never will lend our col- umns to the cause of imposition. Our object is the dissemination of valuable truths, and if, as in the case above referred to, we ourselves are sometimes deceived, we hope that it will not be regarded as an evidence of a disposition on our part to deceive oth- ers. Correction. — In the third paragraph and fifth line of Mr. P. Morris' article on " Evergreen Trees and Shrubs," in our last number, the word " deodar " should have preceded that of " cedar." The acciden- tal omission of it in the Copy, drew from us a small note which places Mr. M. in the awkward position of calling the common red cedar a tree of "lively tints and graceful habits." We make t'le correction with much pleasure. State Agricultural Exhibition. We have issued a supplement to the Journal con- taining a " List of Premiums and Rules & Regula- tions for the first Cattle Show and Agricultural and Horticultural Exhibition, to be held by the Pennsyl- vania State Agricultural Society." To this premium list we earnestly invite the attention of every friend of agriculture in our State. The ensuing State Fair will be an event fraught with the highest importance to the prosperity of Pennsylvania. Not only are her farmers deeply interested in rendering it a creditable affair, but the interests of every mechanic and pro- fessional man within her borders will be more or le»s affected by it. Let the Farmer, the Mechanic and the professional man go hand in hand, and shoulder to shoulder help on the good work. From every hill, valley and plain, let the products of honest industry be brought, until the thousands who assemljle at Harrisburg will be taught to know that the full Ex- tent of the resources of the Keystone State have never been thorougly understood. If, as we anticipate, out farmers manifest a proper degree of interest, we pre diet that the display will be one that will cause a thrill of honest pride in every Pennsylvanian's heart, and will lay the foundation for future exhibitions that will be surpassed in excellence by no other in the Union. Our exchanges throughout the State will confer a special favor upon the cause of agriculture by pub- lishing the premium list at length and calling atten- tion to it. Enamelled Iron Milk Pans. — We are indebted to Messrs. Savery & Co., of Philadelphia, for a nest of iron milk pans, for which they will please accept our thanks. These pans are beautifully enamelled on the inside, and are of a form admirably adapted for cleanliness and prevention of rust. Although more costly than the common earthenware, or tin pane, they are cheaper than the glass and have the advan- tage over the latter of being less liable to be broken by a fall or a blow. Their strength was satisfactori- liy tried in our presence by the manufacturers, who threw them a distance of several feet on a hard floor, without breaking. We have not yet had an opporta- nity of proving their value as milk pans, and can therefore only speak of their form and material, leav- ing it for the dairymen to test their true merits. Pennsylvania Tobacco. — In our last, we spoke of the unusual quantity of tobacco growing in our State the present season, and of the unfavorable appearance it at that time presented. Since then, refreshing rains have fallen, and although many fields have not nor are likely to recover fully from the effects of the drouth, the general appearance of the crop has been much improved. Many large growers claim a full crop, and as prices promise to be nearly equal to those of last year, their profits will be large. 1851.] EDITOKIAL. 183 Peach Culture. " Why is not more attention given to the culture ofthe peach in Pennsylvania?" was inquired of us by an ardent friend of fruits, a day or two since. — The query had frequently before presented itself to our mind, as one of great interest and importance. — That the soil in very many sections of our State is peculiarly adapted to the cultivation of nearly all the stone fruits, is unquestionable. The gratifying success which has attended every well directed effort should satisfy the most skeptical, that Pennsylvania is a region especially favored in this particular. Our climate, too, is all the peach grower could desire, so that tlie almost total indifference on the part of her people alone, prevents our State from becoming as famous for choice peaches, as she has long been for fine grain. It makes a New Jersey man's heart ache to look upon our noble peach trees, from one limh of which, at least three fuUy matured Jersey trees could be made. And then the difference in duration. A Jersey fruit tree generally comes to full maturity in three years. Four years at farthest is sufficient to complete its growth and then having thoroughly im- poverished the soil, it literally dies of starvation. A Pennsylvania peach tree, on the other hand, bears equally as much and decidedly richer flavored fruit at three years, and then continues increasing in size vigor, producing with each successive year larger and better crops for fifteen or twenty years successively Wherever properly attended to, it thrives and bears •well for at least fifteen years, and without any culti- Tation at all, the bearing life of our peach trees on oar mellow loam soils will average ten years. In the face of all these facts, New Jersey for many years held the immense profits of the peach crop, sup- plied to the Philadelphia and New York markets, almost entirely in her own hands. Recently, little Delaware has put in a claim for the spoils, and the su- periority of her peaches has nearly driven our Jersey friends from the Philadelphia market. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have thus, for a long period, been annually paid for fruits which.with comparative- ly trifling cost and labor, our citizens might have grown themselves, and that too of a size and flavor infinitely superior to those brought from New Jersey and Delaware, and for which they pay most exorbi- tant prices. Very few persons are aware of the difference be- tween the flavor of peaches grown upon our stronger, heavier soils, and those cultivated in the light sands of Jersey. This is attributable not to a want of taste on their part, but to the fact of their rarely having an opportunity of comparing the merits re- spectively of the two kinds. While the former is richly flavored and possessed in perfection of all the qualities which gives the peach its pre-eminence as a fruit, the other is generally watery and insipid, or impregnated with acidity to such a degree as to ren- der it almost unfit for eating. We venture the assertion, bold as it may appear, that in Lancaster county may now be found a larger variety of superior peaches — superior in size, and richness of flavor — than can be produced in any three counties in New Jersey, and that there are now grow- ing in her soil, trees in full, luxuriant vigor, which have borne heavy crops of delicious peaches for twelve successive years, and one of which will produce more fruit in a single season than two average sized Jer- sey trees wiU produce during their whole life time. The same may doubtless be said of peach trees in the counties of Chester, Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware, Philadelphia, or in fact any of the old counties of the State. Looking at the subject, then, in a money point of view alone, does it not assume an important aspect? Should not our own people give their attention to the culture of a fruit than which is none more delicious or profitable. If a correct estimate could be made of the amount paid by Pennsylvanians for New Jer- sey and Delaware peaches, it would doubtless awaken a deeper feeling of interest. Protect Yourselves and Y'our Propertt. — The past season has been full of warning to our farmers. Never within our recollection has there been in any one summer so many accidents from lightning. Al- most every day, accounts of the awful destruction of lives and property have reached us, and in every in- stance where these accidents have happened to dwell- ings or barns, the usual protection of lightning rods was wanting. Now, when it is remembered that every farmer lias it in his power fully to guard against these accidents, does not his neglect to do so render him highly culpable. We think so. A comparative- ly small amount expended for lightning rods ensures the safety of the family and property, and during the prevalence of storms, relieves the mind from the dread and anxiety usually felt by those who are without these important appendages to their buildings. AVe therefore say to every farmer, put up lightning rods at once, and while you are about it, put up those of the most approved kinds. The magnetic lightning rod, patented and manufactured by Thomas Armi- tage. Vine street, Philadelphia, is pronounced by scientific men the best in use, and we commend it to the attention of our readers. TuE Corn Crop. — The refreshing rains which fell in our vicinity during the middle and latter part of August, in a measure revived the drooping corn, and assisted materially in filling the ears. It now looks vigorous and healthy, and a tolerable fair crop may be anticipated, though not so large as it promis- ed to be, earlier in the season. We are pleased to learn that nearly every section of the State enjoyed the blessings of fine showers about the time we re- ceived them. 184 EDITOKIAL. [September, Fruit stealing. Will some of our readers, versed in the philosophy of morals, define for us the difference in criminality between robbing a man's orchard and robbing his house. The law, we are aware, mak^s a broad dis- tinction between the two ; but this is a distinction without a difference. Why the theft of a man's house- hold property or money should be considered a more heinous crime in the eye of the law, than the plun- dering of his orchard or garden, and the mutilation of his fruit trees, is beyond our comprehension. Yet such is the case, and without legislation on the sub- ject, such it is likely to remain. To such an extent are these outrages upon the rights of fruit growers practised, that there is a loud call for protection, and we urge upon our farmers and fruit growers, the pro- priety of laying their grievances before the legislature and demanding redress. The complaint is general, and what renders it more aggravating is the fact that many of these fruit thieves are persons . loudest in their condemnation of dishonest practices. We know persons who shrink with holy abhorrence from the most remote imputation of theft, yet who, without any scruples of conscience, enter a neighbor's orchard or garden, and clandes- tinely carry away his choicest fruits. We know pa- rents who encourage thieving practices in their child- ren, by receiving the fruit thus taken by them from others without permission. And yet these same pa- rents would feel highly indignant were their children called thieves. They send them to sabbath schools, punish them for profanity, will not permit them to as- sociate with bad boys; but indirectly encourage them to steal a neighbor's fruit. Strange inconsistency, but no less strange than true. We cannot conceive how any man or boy possessed of a single spark of moral honesty, can so far forget the duty he owes his conscience and society, as to rob a fruit tree. We consider the man who steals his neighbor's apples or peaches as much a thief, as he who picks his pocket, and were we the arbitrers of justice would punish him as severely. And such should be the estimate placed upon this mean pilfering by the whole community. — If the voice of public sentiment were raised against it, and the fruit thief regarded as he should be — an equal with the pickpocket and burglar — there would then be some little encouragement to cultivate choice fruits ; but so long as he is regarded and treated as an honest man so long will our farmer's orchards be be plundered and the product of years of anxious toil carried away by dishonest men. the fact that in the vicinity of Lancaster alone, may be found more than twenty choice varieties of pears, ap- ples, peaches, plums and cherries, which, although well known and appreciated by our citizens, have never been described by Mr. D., or any other author. Other sections of our State are doubtless equally rich in fine seedling fruits, and it is our intention, as soon as practicable, to trace their history and furnish illustrations and descriptions of them. In further- ance of this object, we earnestly request that those who have seedling fruits will be kind enough to fur- nish us with samples of them, to be placed in the hands of competent persons who will decide upon their merits and describe them, and the newspaper press of our State will confer a special favor by no- ticing our request. ^ We regret that the lateness of the season as well as the general defectiveness of fruit this year prevents us from entering upon this work at once, with those fruits which are grown in our immediate vicinity. Next season we shall commence the good work in time. Pennsylvania Seedling Fruits. — It is universally conceded that Downing's Fruits & Fruit Trees of America is a work of rare merit — the best on the sub- ject, and indispensable to every horticulturist — yet it is far from comprehending the whole of our choice fruits, and in confirmation of this opinion we refer to Hope's Improved Plow. The abov(; cut repri.^sents a plow with Hope's new improvement attached. A great difficulty with plow- men has always been the clogging of their plows and the want of adequate means for cleaning away the weeds, grass, stubble, &c. Many attempts have been made to remedy this evil, but with only partial suc- cess, as no improvement with which we are acquaint- ed has been entirely successful in clearing away the impediments to the sinkingof the plowinto the ground. Mr. Hope claims for his, a complete triumph over the difiiculty. Its merits were severely tested a few days since on the farm of W. Dunlap, Esq., near Philadel- phia, and the result was most satisfactory. Wet rye straw was placed before it to the depth of six or seven inches, and plowed under without the least difiiculty. Reports of the trial state, that it was impossible to choke it with rubbish. This improvement, as will be seen by a reference to the engraving, is of the most simple character and may be added to any of the ordinary plows now in use, at a trifling expense. It consists of the recurved point of the mould board, which effectually turns asid'. and guides backward the choking material. We havi not seen the plow in use, but hope that it may realize the inventor's most sanguine expectations, as an ef- fectual plow cleaner has long been a desideratum with our farmers. Seeds should always be kept in bags, in a dry, airy situation. 1851.] EDITORIAL. 185 Horticultural Implements. For tho following cuts of gardening tools and the accompanying description, vcc are indebted to Robert Buist, Esq., nurserj'man of Philadelphia. They ap- peared originally in the "Family Kitchen Gardener," a work which should be in the hands of every farm- er, and of which Mr. B. is the author. We know of no treatise on gardening, we can more confidently re- commend. The diS'erent sulijects are treated in a clear, familiar style, and from the extensive practical experience of the author, may be confidently relied upon. It is not our intention to go into a detail of all the useful articles connected with the culture of the gar- den, which would take us beyond our limits. Our object will be only to point out those most useful and essential to carry on the cultivation of the soil. The materials of which they are composed are chiefly of iron and wood; the best quality of both should be used, nothing purchased merely for its being cheap. The cheapest is the best and most durable to accom- plish the end. The spade is a very common tool, and should be of steel, with a hickory or ash handle, having two rivets through its head. No. 2, of the manufactory, is the most convenient size. Some American spades are equal to any of British manufacture. The Eake (Figure 1.) should be of the best ■wrought iron, with teeth about 2J inches long and Ih apart. The head is of any size from six to twenty inches. There are also rakes of mallea- ble iron, and wooden rakes with steel teeth: the latter sort are very convenient for rou g h ground. The handle should be round, made of pine, or any light wood, and from six to eight feet long. Beet Make, (Fig. 2.) — This very useful implement is composed of hard wood, with steel teeth, obtusely pointed, about two inches wide, five inches long, and from nine to twelve inches apart. It is exceedingly use- ful in drawing drills in which to sowBeets, Carrots, Onions, ^ig- 2. and all small seeds or roots. jIn using it, strain the line, and draw with some strength; when three drills will be made at once, saving the labor of moving the line so frequently as when the work is accomplished by a bore. Hoes are of many and varied descriptions and shapes. Fig. 3 gives an idea of tho most useful. They should be of the very best of steel, with rather strong, round han- dles, five feet long. They are in sizes from three to ten inches. Those of three, five, seven and nine inches are generally use"d. ' Pronged Hoes, Fig. 4, U) are very useful, indeed 'j indispensable, for stir- Ij ring the soil and destroy- ing weeds. They are of steel or malleable iron Fig. 1. Fig. 4. Fig. 5. the latter is generally used, though tho former is pre- ferable ; handles four and a half feet long. ffl«l The Dutch, or Sniffle Hy Hoe, Fig. 5, is very use- ful for cleaning walks and cuttingweeds where the ground is of a light nature. It is also called a Thrust Hoe, (being used by pushing from you) in contradistinction to the Draw Iloe, Fig., which is best adapted for all heavy work. The Bed and Line, Fig. 0. The reel is of wood or iron ; the latter is preferable. It consists of two parts, the shank and head. The head turns round on the shank and winds up the line or cord, which can be of any length. The Trowel, Fig. 7. is very use- ful for removing plants and lifting them with balls of earth for trans- Fi". 6. planting. It should be of the best iron or steel, with a square socket into the handle. Fig. 7. and from five to nine inches long, exclusive of the handle. The DibhJer is a short piece of round wood, gener- ally made from an old spade or shovel handle, about one and a half feet long, obtusely pointed, frequently shod with iron on the one end, and conveniently formed for the hand on the other. It should be well made, as it is of very general use, and if iron-shod, will last half a century. Who's to blame? — What is wrong with the Phila- delphia post office ? Quite a number of our city sub- scribers complain that they have failed to receive their Journals regularly. Now, were it not for th« fact, that we have been scrupulously careful in mail- ing the Journal to every subscriber, we would be wiUing to believe that we were in fault ; but having on several occasions mailed numbers a second and even a third time, which failed to reach the persons for whom they were intended, we charge the delin- quency on the post master, and hope he will endeavor to avoid this neglect in future. Strawberry Plants. — ^^Ve received on the 13th ult., from Messrs. EUwanger c% Barry, of Rochester, N. Y., a basket coutaining ten varieties of strawberry plants, all in good condition. Our ground being rea- dy, we immediately set them out, and they are now looking very well. The following are the varieties : EUwanger & Barry's seedling. No. 1, Bishop's orange, Large early scarlet. Burr's new pine, Hovey's seed- lino-, Boston pine, Genessee, Prolific hautbois. Rural, Hudson. We refer our readers to Messrs. E. &, B's. advertisement in another part of the Journal. 186 EDITOKIAL. [September, Iiancaster County Plowing Match. A large and highly respectable meeting of those friendly to a Plowing Match, to be confined to Lan- caster county plows and plowmen, was held in Lan- caster on the 30th ult., Hon. A. L. Hayes, chairman, A. M. Spanglor and Jacob Eshleman, Secretaries. — A committoc of arrangements composed of five per- sons was appointed, as follows: Jacob Frantz. Henry M. Reigart, Jacob Rohrer, Christian B. Herr, and Jacob Peters. An assistant committee, composed of one person from each township in the county was also appointed. We are compelled to omit the names (rf this committee for want of space. Monday, Sep- tember 29th, was the day appointed, and the imme- diate vicinity of Lancaster the place for holding the match. Daniel Hamaker, C. B. Herr and John Bachman were selected as judges. The rules and regulations will be nearly the same as those governing plowing matches generally. We are pleased to see Old Lancaster at length making an advance in this direction. Every effort to get up a county fair this fall, failed. Such, however, will not be the case with the plowing match, as the premiums are very liberal and already a number of competitors have announced th:!mselves ready for the contest. The premiums are as follows : For the best plowman. $40 00 " " second do. 30 00 " " third do. 20 00 " " fourth do. 10 00 " " fifth do. 5 00 For the best plow, 10 00 " " 2d do. 5 00 The warmest interest is manifested in every part of the county in regard to this match, and we predict that it will pave the way to a regular annual plowing match and fair. At least we hope so. County Agricultural Fairs. During the months of September and October the different county societies in the State hold their an- nual and semi-annual exhibitions. We regret that we are unable to give a complete list of these socie- ties, their location, and time of holding their exhibi- tions. Will not the Secretaries be kind enough to keep us advised of these things? The State Fair will be held at Harrisburg on the 23d, 24th and 25th of October. Chester co. Ilort. Society, 11th, 12th & 13th of Sept. Montgomery co. 1st and 2d October. Bucks CO. 1st of October. Phila. CO. Agr. Society, 8th and 9th of October. Grand Plowing Match at Norristown, first Tuesday of October. Lancaster co. Plowing Match, September 29. Several valuable communications have again been crowded out. They will appear in our next. Club Sdbsceibers. — Several friends who have kindly raised club lists for our Journal wish to know whether we will receive additional subscricers to their lists already famished, at club prices. Certainly. — We shall be pleased to send the Journal to any per- sons who may wish it, at our lowest club prices, if their names are forwarded by any of our friends who have already sent in club lists. The Grand Autumnal Exhibition of the Pennsylva- nia Horticultural Society will be held in the Museum Building, on 9th & George sts., Philadelphia, on the 17th, 18th and 19th days of September inst. This doubtless will be one of the handsomest displays yet offered to the public, great efforts are being made by the committee having it in charge to that end. Book Ji'oticcs. The American Pomologist: containing finely colored drawings, accompanied by Ictier-press descriptions of Fruits of American origin. Edited W. D. Brinckle, A.M., M.D. Published by A. Hoffy, 193 S. 7th street, Philadelphia. 1851. Dr. Brinckle is well known to the horticultural world as an ardent cultivator and successful experi- menter in the department of fruits, of which he has originated some important varieties ; whilst his sound judgment and general knowledge of the subject pe- culiarly adapt him for the task he has undertaken. Mr. Hoffy is an excellent artist upon subjects of this kind, and he not only makes the original paint- ings from the specimens, but transfers them to stone, and superintends the coloring, so that every care is taken to have the illustrations accurate. The first number is now ready, and is a stout quar- to with ten beautiful plates, colored by hand in a careful and chaste style, affording an excellent repre- sentation of the various subjects. These comprise four varieties o{ pear, one apple, one peach, one apri- cot, one cherry, and two 7-aspberrics, the last being among the doctor's originals. Having recently seen these growing on the editor's premises, we can vouch, for them as being superior varieties in point of size and flavor. This work is well printed upon the best paper, at the low price of two dollars a number, and whilst it interferes with no other work (being devoted exclu- sively to the varieties which have originated in Ame- rica) it has peculiar claims upon all who are desirous of knowing the names and quality of our choice fruits and the advanced state of their cultivation amongst us ; whilst its merits as an ornamental volume must secure for it a place amongst. illustrated works on flowers and kindred subjects. It will be published not oftener than once in three months, and four num- bers will form a volume. It can be received by mail without injury to the plates, as it is sent in a roll and not creased by folding. 1851.] ADVEKTISEMENTS. 167 The Model ArcJtitect, containing original designs for Cottages, Villas, Suburban Residences, &c., accom- panied by explanations, specifications, estmiates and elaborate details, prepared expressly for the use of projectors and artisans throughout the United States, by Samuel Sloan, Architect. E. S. Jones & Co., S. W. corner 4tli and Race streets, Philadelphia. Nos. 1 and 2 of this valuable work have been kind- ly laid on our table by the publishers. Time and spice will not permit us to notice it as it deserves. — We shall do so in our next. In the meantime we commend it to those of our readers who desiie a work of the character indicated by the title. TERMS OF PENNSYI.VANIA FARM JOURNAt In order that the Farm Journal may be placed within the reach of every one who feels interested in die progress of Agriculture, we ask attention to the following terms : — Single Copies, Five Ten Twenty §1 00 Per Annum. 4 00 " 7 50 " • " 15 00 It is not required that aU papers in a club should be sent to one ofBce. We will mail them (in wrap- pers,) to as many different offices as may be necessa- ry. We make this arrangement in order that persons residing in different neighborhoods niav unite, and form large clubs, and thus secure the "Journal" at Hie very lowest club rates. Our Terms are cash in advance. The exceedingly low rate at wliich the Journal is furnished renders Uiis imperative. Subscriptions may be sent at our risk, and money at par where subsscribers reside, will be taken. Where the sum to be sent is large we pre- {ex that a draft should be procured, if possible. Subscribers and Post Masters are invited to act as Agents. A receipt will always be sent with the first number of the copy subscribed for. All letters must be addressed, post paid, to the pub- liaiier. A. M. SPANGLER, Lancaster, Pa. FARMERS PROTECT YOUR HOUSES & BARNS. So many accideiitshave happened from lightning during the past Sammer, that every prudent and careful farmer should at once adopt such means as will be most effectual in preventing them.— When it is remembered that certain safety may be secured at a very trifling expense, it becomes the duty of every farmer and good citizen to avail himself the proffered means. By so doing, he uot only secures his property from fire by lightning, but pro- tects also his family and tho le around him. These are important considerations and should have great weight. Those who desire a a Lightning Rod, p'onounced by the first Scientific men in our country, the very best in use, will find it on application to THOS. ARM1T.\GE, at his Magmlic Lightning Rod Factory, Vine Street, 3 doors above 12th, Philadelphia. These Rods are finished with all the improvements at nearly the same prices as the old kind. (tl. PAGE'S CIRCULAR SAW MILLS. GEORGE PAGE & CO. Shroeder street, between Baltimore and Fayette sis., Baltimore, Manufacture to order, Page's celebrated Portable Patmt Circular Sav> Milts, with horse or steam powers, of several sizes. They a^so maniitacture Sawing and Planing Machines for railroad work, Thrashing Machines. GRIST MILLS for farm purposes, Corn and Cob Crushers, Tenoning Machines, SEED AND COR\ PLANT- ERS, IMPROVED HOR>E POWERS, CORN SHELLERS, Au- gers for bnnng wells, augers for boring fence posts, water wheels, forcing pumps, &c. Tbey respectfully solicit a share of public patronage, and would be permitted to remark, that their Circular Saw Mills can do m work— aye. twice as much work as any other mill with the amount of power, and do it better. (sept-g m MONTGOMERY'S UNRIVALLED IMPROVED ROCKAWAY SCREENER. This celebrated FAN has been thoroughly tested and found to excel all others now in use forcleaniiig the different kindaof grain. This improvement by Montgomery & Brother, consists in a dou- ble shoe- the larger shoe— A as commonly attached to winnowing machines, having groove's into which the screens, sieves or sieve boards are slid and rest. B. The curved apron npon which the grain falls after passmg through a hopper above. C. The door which is made to extend across the curved apron B and opening back on hinges towards the front end of shoe A, rests flat up(Mi the front part of the apron B. The grain passes along the curved apron B and through the aperture of tne door C and falls npon the screen D underneath. The apron is carried over the screen D on to the screen uiideriiealh, whilst the screen- ings puss tiirough the screen D into tne shoe G underneath, and are carried along the bottom of the shoe G to the cemie, where a spout H receives the screenings and carries them down behind into a box below the bottom of the shoe A. The grain is carried back on to the grain board underneath perfectly screened. The persons who have already used these GRAIN FANS have not only spoken in flattering terms of them, but prefer them to all others they have used— and very many of the best Agriculturists have given their certificates that the fact of these machines screen- ing the grain twice by one and the same operation is the very im- provement they have long desired. Our farmers will now have the most perfect winnowing machine, which spreads the gram over the upper screen more perfectly than any others now in use. This improvement is so valuable as to have induced the inventors and manufacturers to make application for Letters Patent. All orders fur the machines will be promptly attended to by the undersigned. J. MONTGOMERY St BROTHER, Sept. 1851. Lancaster city. Fa. THE FRUIT-GROWER'S HAND-BOOK. Encouraged by the very warm commendations of this work, Te" ceived alike from experienced Horticulturists and from the wholly inexperienced, the author ventures with some confidence to sub- mit it to the public at large. Notes of all the important questions on fruit culture asked of the writer during the last ten years, with a thorough research of Po- mological works, have contributed to render this volume as com- plete as possible, in convenient compass. To the lot-holder who wishes to make the most of a few plants and little room, as well as to the extensive planter who wishes to arrange and cultivate his gardens in the most economical and pro- fitable manner, the Hand Book will be found a useful companion for frequent reference. ty trice, FIFTY CENTS. Two copies, post free, for St. Address, WM. G. WARING, sept. lasi. Boalsburg, Centre co., Pa. DOUBLE-ACTING, LIFT AND FORCE PUMPS The subscriber munufactures Double-acting Lift and Force Pumps, of all sizes, for Factories, Mines, Railway Water Stations, Breweries, Steamboats, Steamships, Tan Works, Ships, Water Boats, HotLiquids, Family Purposes, &c. VILLAGE AND FACTORY FIRE ENGINES. Garden Ensines, Cistern Pumps, Well Pumps, for any depth re- quired. Hose Couplings, Copper Rivetted Hose of all sizes, Orna- namentat Cast-iron Fountains, &c. Purchasers are respectfully invited to call. Any comu.unications by mail will have immediate attention. G. B. FARNAM, 34 Cliff St., near Fulton, N. Y. 188 ADVERTISEMENTS. [September, FRUIT & ORNAMENTAL TREES, &C. Tin; subscribers sulieit the attention of Nurserymen, Orchardista and Amateurs, to their piesent large and fine stock of Nursery Ar- ticles : Standard Fruit Trees, for Orchards ; thrifty, well grown, and handsome, of all the best varieties. Dwarf Trees, for Gardens. The largest stock in the country, and tlie moat complete. Dwarf Pear Tkeeb. Our collection consists of well known leading varieties, and numbers more than 150,000 saleable trees. — The superiority of these, being grown in the country, over import- ed trees is well known to every intelligent cultivator. Nothing, in fact, in this coinitry, can equal our collection of Pear Trees. — They can be had from one to four years growth, some of which are now covered with fruit. Dwarf ArPLE Tkees. We cultivate in large quantities the best and handsomest varieties of apples on Doucam and Paradise Btffcks fur Dwarfs and Pyramids, and can furnish them in large quantities, from one to two years growth. Dwarf Chekry Trees. All the leading varieties are cultivated on Mahaleb stocks, extensively. We can furnish by the hundred and thousand, from one to two years growth. Cherry Cdrram, the largest variety known. Upwards of 1,000 plants on hand. Knglish Gooseberries, all the best sorts. Large Fruited Monthly Raspbrrry, that gives a crop of fine frtiit in the auturnn. Strawberries, all the best sorts. Ornamental Shade Trees, of good size, for streets, parks, &c., large and well growji. Chesides nearly fifty new ami rare Evergreens, including Deo- dar Cedar, Cedar of Lebanon, Chili Pine, Cryptomena or Japan Cedar, Hiina'ayan Spruce, Ac , &c. Roses, Peonies, a large and complete collection, including the finest varieties. Phloxes. A collection of upwards of sixty varieties, including thirty new varieties iinported last spring. Dahlias. Upwards of 100 select varieties, including the finest English prize flowers of 1849 and 1850. The following Catalogues, giving full infcrmation as regards terms, prices, &c.. will be sent gratis to all who apply by postpaid letters or at the olhce. 1st, a General Descriptive Catalogue. 2J, a Wholesale Catalogue. 3d, a'Catalogue of Select Green House Plants. 4th, a Special Catalogue of Dahlias and Bedding Plants, for 1351. ELLWANGER & BARRY, Mount Hope and Garden &, Nurseries, Sept. 1S51. Rochester, N. Y. THE MODEL ARCHITECT, A series of original designs for Cottages^ Villas^ Su- hurhaii Residences^ Country Churches, School- ITouses, cC'C, d^c, by Samuel Sloa?!, Arc't. The above work is designed to meet the wishes not only of those direotly interested in building, but of all those who desire the ad- vancement of this noble art in our countrv, and wish to cultivate their taste and acquaintance with architecture. The handsome manner in which it is prepared and embellished, renders it a taste- ful ornament for the drawing room, while itsaccurate delineations give it the hij^hest jiractical value. The projector will find in it ev<-ry variety of style and design, accompanied, as mentioned below, by all minutia necessary to con- struction. By its aid he may build without danger of makmg those ludicrous and expensive mistakes which so often occur The operative artisan of every grade will find the work of ines- timable value. It is a complete book of reference, and ail plates are drawn to a scale with the utmost accuracy, so that he has only to study them with his rule ar.d compass. The work, in two volumes of twelve numbers each, to be issued monthly, until complete. Each number contains four Lithograph Engravings of original designs, varying in cost of erection from S800 to $U,000. There are also four sheets of details accom- panying the designs, comprising ground plans, fee, ficc. Besides this, each number contains eight pages of letter-press, descriptive of the designs, giving extended accounts of the various styles adopted, essays on warming, ventilation. Sec, kc, elaborate spe- cifications, estimates, tables, and in short every thing desirable, either for construction or for general information, in beautiful type; the whole being executed on the very finest paper, manufactured eipressly for the work. Price 50 CENT.S A NUMBER. Address, post-paid, E. S. JONES & Co., Publishers, S. W. eor. 4th and Race sts,, Phila., Pa. Persons forwarding a list of five subscribers accompanied with the cash, shall receive a sixth copy gratis. sept-ly ANALYTICAL LABORATORY, Yale College, New Haven, Connecticut. JOHN P. NORTON, Professor of Scientific Agricultuhb. This Laboratory is now fully organised for instruction in all branches of analyses connected with the examinution of soils, manures, minerals, ashes, animal and vegetable substances, &c. — Full courses are given in each of these departments, and also in general Chemistry, both organic and inorganic. Students can tlius fit themselves to become instructors in the various branches of Chemistry, or to apply so much of that and kindred sciences as may be necessary to the practical pursuit of agriculture or manufacturing. The demand fur teachers and pro- fessors in the various branches of chemistry, cBpecially agricultu- ral, is now great and increasing, so that this is a fair field Tor thoee w^ho have a taste for such pursuits, A course of Lectures onScientific Agriculture, by Professor Nor- ton, commences in January of each year, aad continues for two and a half months. This course is designed especially for the practical farmer, and has given great satisfaction to those who have attend- ed it in previous years. It embraces a plain connected outline of the leading points in improved agriculture, treating in succession of the composition of the soil, the plant and the animal ; of their connections with each other, and of all the improvements in culti- vation, manuring, feeding, and fattening, which have been adopted in the best agricultural regions This course is made so plain and practical, that the farmer who attends it can understand the whole, and apply it in his own experience. v More ean be learned by attendance upon such lectures, by read- ing in connection with them, and by associating with others who are also desirous of obtaining a better knowledge of their profcB- sion than in years away from such advantages- The young farmer learns to think for himself, to see that a practice is not necessarily right because it is old, to understand the reasons for all that he does, and with this increase of knowledge is better able to make farming profitable as well as interesting. Board and lodging may be procured at from S2 to S3 per week, and the Ticket for the Lectures is SlO. In connection with the Lectures is a short Laboratory course, by means of which those who desire it, are taught to test soils, man- ures, marls, &c . in a simple \vay, and to make many elementary examinations of a highly useful character. The charge for this course is S25. To those students who go through the full Laboratory course, the charge is abont S200 per annum, and they can be admitted at any period of the year at a proportional charge. For further information apply to Prof. Johs P. Norton, New- Haven, Conn. (sept-4t THE MAGNETIC LIGHTNING ROD. THOS. ARMITAGE'S PATENT MAGNETIC LIGHTNING ROD. — The p:itentee takes pleasure in informing his friends and the public in general, that after many years' close investigation and numerous experiments, he has finally arrived at the true prin- ciple of manufacturing and putting up Lightning Rods and Points, and is now ready to serve his friends and the public m general, at the shortestnotice, at his manufactory, VINIO street, above lath, Philadelphia, south side, where all persons are respectfully invited to call and examine for themselves, this being the only place where they can be purchased. This rod has been examined by the most scientific gentlemen now living, who have pronounced it to be the only safe Rod that lias been put up or seen. N. B. — Patent Rights are now offered for States, counties or dis- tricts in the United States, Philadelphia and Chester counties ex- cepted. Agencies can be formed by calling at the Factory, Vine street, above Twelfth, south side, Philadelphia. sept. 1851 THOMAS ARMITAGE. FINE STRAWBERRY PLANTS. Strawberry Plants of several varieties and fine quality can be had by the hundred or thousand at the low price of Si per hundred, by addressing with amount enclosed, JAMES O'CONNOR, Safe Harbor, Lancaster co., Pa All orders will receive prompt attention. (sept. 1651. COTTAGE FURNITURE. WARWICK & Co., are constantly manufacturing new and ap- propriate designs of enamelled, painted and Cottage Furniture, of warranted materials and workmanship. Suits of Chamber Furni- ture consisting of DRESSING BUREAU. BEDSTEAD, W VSH- STAND, TOILET TABLE, and FOUR CANE SEAT CHAIRS, as low as S30 per suit, and upward to SlOO, gotten up in the roost superb style. Those who are about furnishing hotels, cottages, or city, resi- dences, should call and see this style of furniture, which for cheap- ness, durability and elegance is far preferable to the old heavy kinds of mahogany, &c. Orders from all parts of the country promptly attended to and carefully packed. WARWICK & CO., Warerooms, No. 4 and 6, South Seventh st., between Chestnut & Market streets, Philadelphia. sept.-gm HENRY A. DREER'S SEED AND IIORTICOLTDRAL WAREHOUSE, No. 59, Chesnut st., near 3d, Philadelphia. Constantly on hand a larg;e and well selected assortment of Garden^ Field, Grass and GanUn Seeds, Fruit Trees, Grape Vims, Keses, ^c. Horticultural Implements in great variety. Catalogues forwarded ou post paid application. (sep.-« 1851.] ADVERTISEMENTS. 189 AGENCY f', &u., purchased to order, and carefully shipped to any part of the United Slates, for which a moderate cuniinission will be ofaarged. The following ate now on the list, and for sale, viz : Tuurough bred Sliurt Horns and Grade Cattle, do do Alderney do do do do Ayrshire do do do do Devous do do do do South Down Sheep. do do Oxfordshire do do do Leicester do Swine and l^mltiy of different breeds. All leters post paid will be promptly uttendedto Address AARON CLEMENT, August I, ISJl. Cedar st , above 9th. Phila. JOURNAL OF THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE, of the State of Pennsylvania, for the promotion of the Mechanic Arts. rx^HE oldest JMechanical Periodical extant in America, is published X on tlie first of each month in the City of Philadelphia. It lias been regularly issued for upwards of twenty-five years, and is carefully edited by a committee of scientific gentlemen appointed for the purpose, by the Franklin Institute. The deservedly high reputation, both at home and abroad,which this Journal has acquired and sustanied, has given it a circulation and exchange list of the best cliaracter, wtiich enables the Com- mittee on Publications to make the best selections from Foreign Journals, and to give circulation to original communications on mechanical and scientific subjects, and notices of new inventions ; notices of all the Patents issued at the Patent Oihce, Washington City, are published in the Journal, together with a large amount of inform itioii on Mechanics, Chemistry, and Civil Engineering, de- rived from the latest and best authorities. This Journal is published on the first of ench month, each num- ber containing at least seventy-two pages, and forms t vo volumes annually of about 432 pages each, illustrated with engravings on copper and on wood of those subjects which require them. The subscription price is F^ve Dollars per annnm, payable on the completion of the sixth number; and it will be forwarded free of postage when five dollars are remitted to the Actuary (postage paid) in advance for one year's subscription. Communications and letters on business must be directed to "the Actuary of the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsvlvaiiia," the postage pa d. WM. HAMILTON, August 1, 1851. Actuary, F. I. TO FARMERS, PLANTERS, MARKET GARDENERS & OTHERS. PREPARED OR ARTIFICIAL GUANO— Maiivfactured onhj hy KENTISH & CO. Depot No. 40, Feck Slij), New York, THIS manure is so combined, that the Ammonia and other fer- tilizing gases are absorbed, fixed, and are given out to vege- tation only as it requires them. No rot, mildew, worm, tly or other insect can approach it: an iaiportant consideration to farmers generally, but particularly in potato planting It will be admirably adapted to the renovation, restoration and fertilizing of such lauds ae have been worn out. It may be used broadcast, after ttie ground is ploughed, and then harrowed in with the seed. It is also valuable aa a top dressing, Sii acres per day can be thus manured in a day by one man. It may be used with the greatest advantage on Corn, Potatoes, "Wheat, Tobacco, Garden 'Vegetables, Kye, Oats, Green House Plants, Flowers, Vines, Wall Fruit, &C, and morethan a thousand certificates from the most celebrated Farmers and Gardeners, can be shown, all testifying in the highest terms to its great value as a fertilizer. A pamphlet containing these certificates can be had, by applying to the manufacturers. The price is ONf,Y one cent PKB POUND. It is put up in bbls. averaging *J3o iba., or in casks, from lUUd, to UOO lbs. TERMS, i;ash, or approved credit on delivery. Persons wish- ing to buy the article to sell again will be allowed a liberal com- mission. Address KENTISH &. i;0. Aug. I, 18Jl. No. 40, Peck Slip, New Yoik. GUANO AND PLASTER. rj'HE subscribers offer for sale at the loweat market rates, ■*■ lODO Tons Dry Patagonia Guano, 500 " Government Peruvian Guano. 500 bbls. Ground Plaster. The quality of the above is unsurpassed, and can he recommend- ed with couhdence to farmers and others m want of the articles. A liberal deduction made to Country Merchants. ALLEN & NEEDLES. No. 22 & 23, S. Wharves, First Store above Chea. at., Phila. Ju'y 1- ■74m- ■nERKSHIRE PIGS and South Down Sheep of Pure Blood, for ^ sale by JAS. THORNTON, Jr., July l-6m, Byberry, Philadelphia Co. STRAWBERRY PLANTS. THE subscriber offers for sale 4000 youii j nnd thrifty Strawber- ry plants at low prices. This and the following month being the proper time to form new beds to hear fruit the following year. J. F. HEINl-I-SH. Aug. 1, 1851. No. 18, East King St., North side, Lan. GUANO WARE HOUSE, No 54, SoKth iVIimves, Below Walnut Street. IjERUVIAN and Patagonia Guano, for sale in large or small ^ quantities, in bairels and bags, on reasonable terms. JOSEPH 1,. JONES, No. 54, South Wharves, Philadelphia. Analysis Phosphate of Alagnesia 45,4 Carbonate of Magnesia 1,7 Alkaline Sails 0,6 Organic Matter 26,0 Ammonia 2^3 Water 1B,4 Sand Sec. 6,3 " The 45,4 parts of Phosphate of Magnesia contains 28,75 parts of Phosphoric Acid. The guano is of "excellent quality, contain- ing nearlv one half of matter of the highest value in Agriculture, besides one fourth of organic matter in a good state for application to the soil." Result ol an analysis of a lot of Patagonia Guano in Store, and for sale by JoS. L. JONES, July 1.) No. 5t, South Wharves, Phila. GUANO, pERUVCANand Patagonia Guano for sale in lots to suit pun- A chasers, by J. CASSEDY i SON. No. 121, South Water St., a few doors above Dock St., Phila. July 1. 4.iy. - ■ . — — ^ TO FARMERS? LANPIIEAR & JEFFERIES. RESPECTFULLY invite thfl attention of Farmers and otliers to their Establishment for the manufacture of Farming Implements and especially to their ce'ebrated IMPROVED GRAIN FANS, which they confidently assert will do more work in a shorter space of time, and with less labor, thanany other Fan now in use. Tliese Fans, wherever introduced, have given complete satisfaction. and a large number of testimonials could be procured, testifying to their superior merits. They also uianulacture, to order, Agricultural Implements of va- rious kinds : such as Straw Cutters, CuUivators, Ploughs, Harroivf-. ^e. Having had many years' experience in the best shops in the country, they are prepared to do work of a superior quality a littl« cheaper thanany ;ither estbaliBliment in the State. They will war- rantall their work to be what it is represented. A warrant given with every Grain Fan. giving the purchaser the privilege of re- turning it, should it not do good and quick work. They will de'iver them, free of expense, any distance within fifty miles of the manufactory. Their 5hop is at the junction of the Marietta and Columbia Turnpike, Lancaster, Pa., where they will be happy to have Farmers call and examine for themselves. Price of Fans, No. I, large size, - . _ $f24.0(l " '* " 2, small size, ... i>2,00 Several good and responsible Agents wanted in the Western and Middle pait of Pennsylvania, to whom a fair percentage will be allowed. All orders addressed to Laiiphier and Jefleriea,. I^n- caster Pa., will meet with prompt attention. June 1-tf. Seed and Agricultural ^^areliou.9e, 194^ Market Street, Philadelphia. WE offer to our friends and customL-rs. the largest a.s?ortn)cnt of Agricultural implements. Gardeu tools, and S^evds. ever offered in this Market, consisting in part of the following, viji : — Prouty and Mears^ Patent highest premium self-sharpening Ploughs, right and left handed side hill Subsoil, of various siaea. of superior materials and workmanship, warranted to give satis- faction, or the money returned— Pour highest premiums awarded to these Ploughs at the New York Fair. 1850. Also. Beach and Car Share Ploughs; Spain's improved Barrel Churu. constructed in such a manner that the dasher may he removed from the in- pjde of the Churn by simply unscrewing the handle from the dasher. Hay. Straw and Corn-.=!tacfc cutters, in great variety, among which may be found Hovey's superior premium straw-cut- ter, of every size. Also. Hor.'^e-power Threshing Machines, Fan Mills. Corn Shel- lers. Cheese I'resscs. Seed Planters. Dirt Scrapers. Sugar Mills. Ox Yokes and Bows. Turnip Drills, Horse Rakes, Swathe Scythes. Concaved Hopf, Spring Tempered Cast Steel. Oyal and Square Manure and Hav Forks, Pruning Shears and Chisels. Beach a^yi Bar Share, repainng pieces and eastings. Peruvian, Patagonia and prepared Guano, together with a complete a.=^aortmeDt of grass, garden and field seeds, all of which will be sold at the low- est poesible prices, at 101^ Market street, Philad^iiphia. AprU 9-tf PROUTY Sl BARRETT. ADVERTISEMENTS. [September^ PENNA. PATENT AGENCY OFFICE. InventoTB and ot here, having busiiiesB to transact at the United Stales Piitent office, arc hereby informed, that the undersigned wiH attend promptly to all business connected with aaid office, and will complete Perspeclive and Sectional Drawings, and all requi- aite papers, Caveats bpecificiitions, Disclaimers, Assignments, .Vc. aiid make the proper applications for the securing of Letters Pa- tent, accordincr to law. _ MACEllNISTS AND INVENTORS will aave time, trouble and expense, by first consulting him, and the strictest secresy will be observed, relative to their inventions and claims. j ^u The offlce is at present located in Centre Square, two doors south of the liancaster Bank, where the list of patents granted since the year 17S0 to the present day can be examined, together with nu- merous specihcations. drawings and models, aild every information obtained relative to the laws and rules of the U. S. Patent office. All the requisite papers, drawiiiss and models will be promptly ajid carefully forwarded to Washington city, free of charge by _ J. FRANKLIN REIGART, Lancaster, Pa. ' Life Insurance for Horses, &c- THE American Live Stock Insurance Company, (Stockholders in- dividually Liable) for the Insurance of Borsef, Mute.^, Prise Bulls, Sheer, Cattle, ^e , against Fire, Water, Accidents and Dis- ease. Also, upon atock driven to Eastern markets, or transported ;^k>ath. JOHN H.FRICK. General Agent for Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. RBFERBNCSS : Wood, Abbott iV Co., 1 Truitt, Brother 4 Co.. V Philadelphia. Coutes & Brown, > Agents: JOHN ZIMMERMAN, Lancaster Pa. , CHARLES F. FRICK, Rending, Pa. SAMUEL H. TAYLOR, Mauch Chunk, Pa. Dr. JoBN G. 5'covERN, Veterinary Surgeon, May, 1851.) Examiner for Lancaster CouDiy. Wm. B. AVilby, Jofe Printer, Lancaster, Pa. Kettlevrell & Davison's 8altS against Guauo. A CHALLENGE!!! THE deep interest now taken by Agriculturists in all descrtp- tions of manure, would seem to justify any expedient, by which fair and unprejudiced experiments may be made of the va- rious descriptions of manure at this time attracting the attention of the public, lu view of this, and the undersigned honestly be- lieving that the (Chemical Compound, manufactured by them, ii the bLst manure of which any knowledge is had for a Corn Croa; challnngps Guano to the tost upon the foUowini; cnndition: — H« will forfeit O'lf Hundred I>o//a?-s, to be presented to the -Vlaryland Agricultural Society, if any adTocate of Guano will do the same, that the Renovator compounded by Kettlewell ia. Davij^on, will produce upon any soil, the largtist crop of wei-^fted corn, withoul regard to the size of the stalk, provided the President of the State Agricultural ;*ociety will select some person, in his jiulgment qualified, to su|)erintend the experiment- The nature of the soil to be (leHcribed. BO that each party can direct the mode ot appil- cutittii; two barrels of the Salts to be used per iicrc, costing ^t^t and 3i;0 lbs. ot the Guano, costing $7 20. the party making tb« expiTinicut to receive the manure free of co.st. And the same amituut agaiuKt any manure as a top dressing upon timothy or olover. John Kettlkwull. Kettlewvll 4' Darison again call the attention of AgriculturiMw to their various Chemical Manures — and in so doing, they woulU be insent^ible to conimou gratitude, if they failed to express their profound aekoowk-dgmenis for the constant and increasing d«- maud, which Hows iu upon them for their simple and compound manures. Each reason has greatly increased iheir sales, extead- iug as far .south as South Carolina. 'I'hey can give no strongei evidence of their faith in the vir- tues of their manure, its the bent known for a corn crop, tlian th« lenders they make above ; and the certificates which they here- with present. In the offer of a test, it is not the amount involv- ed, but the willingness to challenge result, that speaks their In- tegrity and conlidence. We could add any amount to the testi- mony we publish; but if the names we refer to. do not command coulidence. no additional number could. We have never boasted of the quality of our article, wo have been content to leave a de- cision to time, demand and experiment, that hne been in our ft^ vor— hoping, if we have less ot ■■ Bi-phosphiLtefl," the public would discover it. as they would if it was found we had more of"' sand" than any thing else. Kkttlewell St Davison. Office at Ober 4' McConkey's, corner of Lombard and ilanoa^vr Stn-etls. Factory, Ftdcral Hill. BI-PHOSPHATES. We keep conetantly on hand this valuable manure. Booefl, with a proper portion of the Sulphate of Ammonia, dissolved in Sulphuric Acid. The Chemi.sta of this country and Kurope have been pressing this mode of using bone-dust upon the atten- tion of farmers, with great zeal and ability of recent years. Ev- ery experiment has contirmed the truthfulness of their theory- and we hazard hut little in saying that in a very brief time it will be used in no other way. It is prepared so as to be sown sun ilar to the saltB, at the rate of one or two barrels to the acre.—* The price of this article is $4 per barrel. Let the farmer who doubts, try it at a less expense than the old mode of using boo«- dust. TOBACCO GENERATOR. ^This is a ehomical compound, made expressly for the growth ot the Tobacco plant. AVe will call more special attention to it at the proper seabon, CHEMICAL RESIDIUMS. We have constantly on band Chemical Residiums of e-ve^ description. Full information of which can be had by applica- tion to us COMBINATION OF GROHND PLASTER AND POTASH. This is a preparation made for soil deficient in Potash, of which deficiency there is, unfortunately, too many instances in much of our Maryland land. For this compound we are indebted to the suggestion of an accomplished Agriculturist of Prince George's county, who may at some future day present the result of his e»- periment. The price of this is $2 50 per barrel. DIRECTIONS. The mode of neing the Renovator is simple, inexpensive, nnd requiring but little labor. The farmer must bear in mind, thai in the preparation of his soil he shares an equal responsibility in testing the merits of any manure. Land negligently or badly cultivated gives no manure a fair chance. How to put land in or- der he ought to know better than we can teach him; and if be don't know, ehould learn as speedily as possible. The land, then, in order— if one barrel to the acre is used— and this quantity de- pends upon the quality of the land— it should, lor grain be sown broad cast, and slightly harrowed in. If two barrelfl are used, one as stated above, and the other aa n top-drcBsing upon the wheat or rye, early in the spring at the commencement of the first thaw. Upon grass it should be «o»n broad-caat upon the timothy or clover. On corn, either broed- OAfit or in the hill. Where two barrels are used, one each war S5. PRICE of the RENOVATOR, ^20 PLR TON, or $3 PBA BARREL. April -tf UBNRY I..TKIP1>EK, (Successor to Joseph P. H. Coates.) Dealer In Grass aud Gaideu Seeds- No. 49, Market Street, Philadelphia. 1851.f ADVERTISEMENTS. 191 Chester Couuty Agricultural WAREHOUSE &, SEED STORE, High Street, near the Horticultural Hall, WESTCHESTER, PA. THE subscribers in cnnneciion with iheir extensive Nursery Garden, and Green House establishments, have erected a large Warehouse, and will keep constantly on hand and for sale, a complete assortment of Agricuitural and Horticulturat Implements, consiting, in part of Horse Powers and Threshers, Plows of different sizes and patterns, among which are the cele- brated "Eagle Self-sharpening," Prouty & Mears' Centre Draft, Subsoil. Sid'ehiU, &c., &c.. Harrows, Cultivators, Wheat Drills^ Seed Sowers, Corn planters, Fanning Mills. Corn sheliers, Straw •ltd Hay Cutters, Churns of various sizes and patterns, Harvesting tools of every description ; in a word, eveiy implement necessary to the Farmer and Gardener, and of the most approved kinds and patterns can be had at our Warehouse. Also, field, grass, and garden seeds of every variety. At our Nursery will be found our usual large assortment of Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Shrubbery, Grapevines, Green House Plants, 4-c.,&. PA9CHALL MORRIS* CO. Westchester, Pa., June 1, 18S1. DIXON * KERR'S POULTRY BOOK. JUST PUBLISHED, A TREATISE ON THE HISTORY AND MAN- AGEMENT OF ORNAMENTAL AND DO- MESTIC POULTRY. By Rev. Edmund Saul Di.\on, A. M., with large additions, by J J. Kerr, M. D. Illus- trnted wiili sixty five portraiis, from nature, engraved expressly for this work. CONTENTS. The Domestic Fowl. The Rearing and Management of Fowls. Eggs — Their Color, Form and Sex. Eggs — Their Preservaiior. for Culinary Purposes. Eggs — Their Preservation for Incubation. Varieties ot the Shangliae Fowl. The Cochin China Fowl. Burnham's Importation of Cochin Chinti Fowls. The Malay Fowls, sometimes (though erronously) called Chitlagong. The Pheasant — Malay Fowl. The Guelderland Fowl. The Dorking Fowl — Colored Dorkings. The Spanish Fowl. The Game Fowl — The Mexican Hen Cock Game Fowl. The Chittagongs, The Java, The Shakebag, and the Jersey Blue Fowls. The Poland or Polish Fowl. The Spangled Hamburgs — Tho Bolton Greys or Creole Fowls. The Rumpless Fowl, the Silky and Negro Fowls, the Frizzled or Friesland Fowl, the Cuckoo Fowl, the Blue Dun Fowl, and the Lark-crested Fowl. The Smooth-legged Bantam. The Dung-hill Fowl, the Dominique Fowl, Colonel Jacques' Chicken Coop, Devereux's Method of Rearing Chickens without a Mother, and Cope's Letter on Early Chickens. Caponizing Fowls. The Pea Fowl. The Ring-necked Pheasant. The Turkey. The Guinea Fowl. The Mute Swan cCygnus Olor). ■ The Wilder Canada Goose. The Domestic Goose. The Hong Kong or China Goose. The Bfcmen Goose. The White-fronted or Laughing Goose. The White China Goose. "The Bernicle Goose — The Brent Goose. The Tame Duck. This work is well bound in muslin, and Is printed on the finest paper. The illustratiors are engraved in the most ^egant manner, from original and accurate drawings, and liie whole iscne volume of 480 pages duodecimo, price 81. A few copies have been colored after nature. Price for ikfi colored copies, t2,50. For snle by all Booksellers, ttid by the Publishers. E. H. BUTLER & CO., June l-3t 33 MiiroK Street Philada. PHILADELPHIA & LIVERPOOL LINE OF PACKETS-To sail from Philadelphia on the 15th, and from Liverpool on the 1st of each month. From Phila. From Liverpool. Ship SHENANDOAH Capt. W. P. Gardiner. New ship Westmokeiamd Capt. P. A. Decan, New ship Shackmaxon, Capt. W. H West. Ship MARY PLEASANTS, Capt. R. R. Decan, June Oct. Feb. July Nov. Mar. Aug. Dec. April iBt Sept. 1st Jan. Ist May let 1st Ist let 1st 1st 1st Ist Ist The above first class ships are built ol the best maleri als, and commanded by experienced navigators. Due re- gard has been paid to select models for speed with com- lort for passengers. They will sail punctually on ihe days advertised, taking advantage of the steam tow boats on the Delaware. Persons wishing to engage passage for their friends, can obtain certificates, which will be good for twelve months. Passage to Liverpool in the cabin, $80 " " Forward cabin, 30 " " Steerage, 13 Passage from Liverpool in the cabin, 100 " " Forward cabin, 25 " " Steer.igc, 20 Those who wish to remit money, can be accommodated with drafts for £1 sterling and upwards, at sight, without discount. Apply to GEO. McHEN RY & CO. June 1, 1851. 37 Walnut street. JOHN H. SMITH'S RENOVATING OINTMENT & HORSE RENOVA'G POWDERS. T'^HE author of our existence has caused to grow up spontan©- X ously, throughout the world, such Tegetablc properties aa will at once cure, when properly applied, all curable diseases. Tb« proprietor of these truly valuable Medicini;a might fill a Tolum*, with Certificates and Testimonials in fjivur of his articles ; but considering such puffs wholly usele.«!', since they are so readily manufactured, and m < de use of to such an extent to palm off some useless trash upon the public. I thall. therefore, stale at once, the various diseases that can be speedily cured by these Invaluable Horse Henovating Powders, viz :— Glanders. Hidebound, and Horw, Distemper. It also carries off all gross humors, and puriflea the blood. It is also a safe and certain cure for the Ileaves; it will also cleanse, at once, the stomach and maw from hots, worms, &e. and again restore the etomach and bowels to hi-althy action. Smith's REN0V4TipiG Ointm>:*(t is an invaluable remedy for hor- se*, in the cure ol the following diseases : Fresh Wounds. Galls of all kinds, Sprains, Bruises, Ringbones, Poll Evil, Wind Galla, Spavins, Sweeny, Fistula, Strains. Lameness, Foundered Feet, (racks, and Scratches. The above articles are to be had in most of the Cities and prfn- cipaJ Villages throughout the United States, and the t/anadas. For sale, wholesale and retail, at John H. Smith's Depot, i\o. 133 Fulton street, (2d floor,) New York. Price. 25 cents per box for the Ointment; 50 cents for the Horse Reoovating Powders. For sale by DR. ELY PARRY, April— 6m] East King street. Lancaster. Pa. The BEST and MOST VALUABLE Agricultural Implements & Macbinery Exhibited at the State Fair in 1850, will be seen by the award of Premiums below : AWARDED TO E. WHITMAN, JR., 55 Light Street, Baltimoret by the Maryland State Agricultural Society, At ttoscr 3rd Annual Fair, held in Baltimore 23d, 24th and 36th October, 1850. F*rtfc«lieBt Flow in the Plowing Match, the Pronty & M-etrs No6J $40 00 For ttoe best Plowing with Ox Team, flame plow, (Special ft-aajam) --200 Fee tbe best Plow on Exhibition, Ruggloa, Nourae, Mason & Go's No. 3, let Premium, ... - . - g 06 Focthebest Railway Horse-power, Whitman's Improved, let Premium, - - - - . - . -16 00 For tie beet Hay Press, let Premium, • - - - 25 OV For the best Cornsheller, let Premium, - - - - 4 M For the to«et Field Roller, let Premium, - - - - 8 00 PocthebestCom-StalkCuttersana Grinders, Ist Premium, 6 09 For the best Chnrne, 1st Premium, - - - - - 4 09 For th? best Hay and Manure Fork, Ist FremiuBi, - - 2 W> For the bwt Hay Rakes, let Premium, - ' - . 2 00 For the best Cultivator, let Premium, .... 4^ 192 ADVERTISEMENTS. [September, " Get tlie Best." \ LL youDg pcrpon.s should have a standard DICTIONARY at aX tlK'ir I'lbuws. And while you iire about it, get the best; that Dtctlouary is NOAU WEBSTKR'S. the great work ahridsed. If you are too poor, pave the amount from off your back, to put it into yourhuad. — Pkrtnolos,- Jnurnal. Dr. Webster'iS great work is the beat Dictionary of the English limguage. — London Morning Chronicle. This volume must find its way into all our public and good pri- vate libraries!, for it provides the Knglish student i\'ith a mass ol the most valuable informatiou. which he in vain seeks tor else- where.— London Literary Gazette. The very large and incrca.sing demand for this work, affords the best possible evidence to the publishers that it is highly ''acceptable to the great body ot the American people." Containing three tunes the amount of matter of any other F-n- gliiih Dictionary compiled in this country, or any Abridgment of this work. Published by G, & C. MERRIAM, Springfield. Mass., and for side by ^V. H. SPANOLKR, Lancaster, Pa. April, NEW YORK AgrscHlttBral ^Vareliouse &. Seed Store, 189 and 191 Water Street. fT*HIS is by far the most extensive e.'^tublishment in New York. _L It occupies nearly the whole of three largt five-story Ktores, and contains a varied and complete assortment of every descrip- tioji of Agricultural and Horticultural Implements, and Field and Garden Seeds reiiuired in the United States. We have upward of OtiG Hundred of tlie latest improved kinds of Plows, mostly man- ufactured by us. expressly for the different States of the Union, C«liforuia and Oregon, the British Provinces, the West India Idands. Mexico, and South America. Also Harrows. Roliers. Seed Sowers. Cultivators. Horse Powers. Threshers, CornShellers, Reap- ing and Mowing Machines. Hay, Cotton, Tobacco, Oil. and Dry Good Presses. Brick iMachines, Shovels, Spades, Hose, Manure and Hay Forks. Ai:c.,&c. Garden Implements. — These are imported by us direct from the English manufacturers, or made here to our order. They consist of a great variety of the choicest kinds, such as Trenching and Weeding Forks. Pruning and Hedge Shears. Flower and Twig totters. &c. The assortment for ladies is particularly choice and well selected. Field and Garden Seeds.— These are grown expressly for us both in Europe and this country. They arc of the choicest kinds. and of great variety. We also obtain, as soon as sufficiently tried and well approved, every new kind of seed suitable to be cultivated in the United States. Fertilizers.— VeTUvmu and Patagonian Guano, Bonedust, Poud- rette. Plaster of Paris. S^c. Manufactory of ^Agricultural Implements. — We have a large nwmufacturing establishment in this city, where we will promptly make to order any new article or implement required by the Far mcr or Planter. Excelsior Sand Paper.— A new and very superior kind of the different numbers in use by Machinists, Cabinet Makers. &c. The Jlmerican Agriculturist, amonthly publication of 32 pages. Price one dollar a year. A. B. ALLEN & CO . April 189 and 191 Water-street. New York. Ilciuitsli's German Cattle Po^vder. THIS Powdt-r is celebrated for the cure and prevention of all diseases to which Cattle. Milch Cows. Sheep and Pigs are subject, and is the only prep- aration upon which full confidence can be placed. For Milch Cows it is of the greatest importance, wonder- ,«fc3t3Baj^^^w;^fljri«<- fuUy increasing the quantity and ^^KSas^^^^^Ssis^ quality of their milk, and will effectually prevent and cure Hoi low Horn, Blurrain. &c. VEGETABLE HORSE-POWDER. Which will cure Distemper, Hidebound. Lo.'is of Appetite, Founder, bellow Water, Lowness of Spirits. Inward Sprains, Inflamation and Heat in the System, and all other diseases to which Horses ' are subject, HORSK EMBROCATION.— For the cure of _. external injuries, as Wounds. Bruises, Cuts, Rub biDg of the Saddle. Collar or Harness, Stiffness in the Joints Swellings. Sweeny, &c. Prepared and sold at CHARLES A. UEINITSH'S. Medicinal, Drug and Chemical Store, No. 13 East Kipg at., April — tf Laooaster, SCATTERGOOD & HOWELL, DESIGNING, DRAWING And Wood Engraving Establisbnient, Inquirer Buildings Third Street ^helow Chesnuist.. PHILADELPHIA, -W'iTV.RCoi.OR Drawing, Pobtbaits. Buildinos, MAcnmERT, News rAPKR Heads, Labels, Seals, i^c. Drawn and Engravod in the Best manner and on the moat reasonable Terms. April,-W IMPORTANT TO FARMERS And Threshing >lachine Makers. THE subscriber respectfully begs leave to inform the public that he haslately perfecteda new Threshing Machine ond Horse Power, which in point of strength, durability, lightne.^s of draught and convenience in moving is not surpassed or equalled by any Machine in the United States; he also confidently affirms that no Machine of its strength and durability can be afforded as low. — The invention of this Machine has been the result of several years experience and hard study. We do not claim to have dis- covered any new principle in philosophy — but we do claim to have discovered a plan by which old philosophical principles are more correctly and ndvautageously applied than on any other iMachine This invention is secured by a caveat. These Machines can be had at Israel W. GrofTs Machine Shop and , at Prime &. Colestock's Sash Factory in North Duke street. Lancaster city, at retail or by wholesale on, the most reuaonable terms. The Power weighs GOO pound.5. It is made entirely of Iron with SteelJournals, and is warranted to hold 8 Horses should it any time be necessary to use so many. From 2 to 4 Hnr^-es are a suffic- ient number for common threshing. We are about getting up one much lighter for Shop purposes that will bo the cheapest and must convenient thing in use; it might also be used with 2 or 3 Horses fur threshing; the Powers and Cylinders and Concave can be had by the Machine makers throughout the country on the most reasonable terms. ttB^ All orders directed to the subscriber at Lancaster city will be thankfully received and promptly attended to, Lanc'r, April SAMUEL PELTON, Jr. Oilmore's Bee-Hive, &c. THE attention of Bee culturists is invited to this improved- plan. Mr. Gilmore is a gentleman of great experience and success in the culture of Bees; his improvement is the result of many years trial; his result has noparallef in the history of the past. The Agent of the '■ Pennsylvania Farm Journal"' is the Agen of Gilmore's System of Hiving and Feeding the Bee in this State The price of a Hive and Fixtures $3,00 " " ■' Family Right, 3X0 Township Rights from $10 to $20. County •• " $30 " $200. " A Talk about the Honey Bee," a defence of Gilmore's sy."?- tem. contains, also, testimonials, awards of Premiums to,GiImore, from the leading P'airs and Institutes in this Country ; 12 cent* ' sinirle; $1,00 per dozen— gratis to patrons. Circulars seat to any applicant. Address, post p.iid. J. B. MAYNARD, April^tf Lancaster. Fa. ws X^^ K^t :# rs^ x>^ HAVE been distributed throughout the Union. The concern has been in successful operation for upwards of Sixty Years^ anil may be said to have grown up with the City of Philadelphia, where it was at first located. It has been gradually enbtrged to meet the growing wants of the public, and is now, as it ever has been, the most extensive of its kind in this country. The grounds in cultivation being ten-fold greater than those ot any similar concern in the United States. As the Seeds Sold by the proprietor are (with slight exception) of his own raising, he is. consequently, enabled to IL/' Warrant them, a matter of importance to the purchaser of au article, the quality of which cannot be determined by the eye. Descriptive Catalogues in English and German gratis Also for sale, Implep:ients for Farm and Garden in large variety . LANDRETH'S Agricultural Ware House, April Sign of the Plough, 65 Chesnut st.. Philadelphia. Seed and Agricultural Warehouse. No. 29. Market Street^ Phila. WHERE the Bubscriber has ooened an extensive assortment rl GRASS AND GARDEN SEEDS, of hiH owH raisnig,or Tccent impor- talinii,and warranted to be as represented. He IS, also, manufacturing all the most approved Agricultural Implements, among whicli he would call theattentinn of Farraere to a new article of Plow, of his own invention, called Cast-StecI, Extending Point, Self-Sharpening, Surface and Subsoil Plows, which for durability and easy of draft is yet unequalled. The great advantages these Plows possess over all others, are their peculiar construction and the substitution of Cast-Steel in the place of CaBt-lrtm, which only wants to be seen to beapprecmted ; all of which will be sold on the most reasonable prices by May, 1851. C.B; ROGERS. -^^-^M"S VOL 1. LANCASTER, PA., OCTOBER, 1851. NO. 7. THE FARM JOURNAL. S. S. HAIDEMAN, Editor. To Correspondents. AVm. Hartley, Bedford. The specimens sent by mail include three distinct species. The larva is the meal-worm which produces an insect named Teyiehrio ■ntolilor, which is often found in mills, and is one of the species destructive to flour. The smallest brown specimen among the wevils, about an eighth of an inch long, is not a wevil, but the Silvanus surinamen- 813, which attacks grain. It is readily distinguished by a row of six spines on each side of the thorax, as represented the agricultural part of the Patent office Report for 1849, pi. 2, fig. 24. The remaining specimens are true wevils, and seem to be Sitophihis granarius, which is widely spread in Europe, and occurs also in Java. It is fig- ured in the before mentioned volume, pi. 2, fig. 21, and described in nearly a hundred different works. — Schoenherr's description is but four lines long, and not sufficient for the identification of the species, and we have not time to make further comparisons the present month. In the mean time we enumerate some of the modes of counteracting its ravages. Kiln drying the wheat' destroys the insect, larvae and eggs. Mr. Wilkinson had a large chamber capa- ble of holding eight hundred bags of wheat at a time, which was heated by means of hot water pipes to 135 degrees Fahrenheit, a heat sufficient to kill the in- sect, without preventing the grain from germinating. Wevils do not like to be disturbed, and may there- fore be driven from heaps of wheat by frequent shov- eling, or passing it through a fan or smut machine. If at the same time small heaps of wheat are left un- disturbed for some time, many will be attracted by them, and destroyed by scalding or other application of heat. As the grain is generally attacked a few inches below the surface of the heap, sprinklings of turpen- tine, or bottles of it, (uncorked, but covered with VOL. 1 1. gauze,) if sunk in the heaps, might cause them to leave, as this substance is obnoxious to most insects. The French recommend unscoured wool to be laid upon infected wheat, as they are said to enter it and die there. A. L. II. The insect which destroys the stalk of the Antwerp raspberry is the Ayrilus rxiJicolUs, of which we gave an account (accompanied by a figure) in the Quarterly Journal of Science and Agriculture in 1846. The Agricultural Fair. Extensive preparations are making to render this an exhibition of much interest, and we learn that various matters are in preparation of an instructive and pleasing nature which will well repay a visit, even from the adjoining States. The New York ex- hibitions have become so popular that tliey attract a crowd of 100,000 persons, and there is no reason whv our own should not be of equal Interest. We hope that the suggestion of the Hon. A. 0. Iliester, (see page 107) will be acted upon, and a strong petition be sent in to the next Legislature in favor of one or more agricultural colleges, which we regard as the chief means not only of advancing agri- culture, but of elevating the general standard of aca- demical and collegiate education amongst us. Our own views may be learned to some extent from our notice of Mr. Russell's plan on page 59, and if we have admitted articles containing different ideas, it was that both sides might be heard. We expect to return to this subject in a future number. The Potato Blight.— The potato crop in New York State is suffering from the blight. Accounts of disease have already been received from nine coun- ties, viz: Madison, Ontario, Erie, Livingston, Gene- see, Wyoming, Onondago, Oswego and Courtland. — In the three latter, the Syracuse Journal says, the rot is extensive, and the farmers are generally digging and sending to market. 194 COMMUNICATIONS. [October, Manure, &c. Plowing down green corn as a manure — Grasslioj]- pers — Drought in Bucks count!/. Mr. Editor: — ^Yours of the 10th inst., reminding nie of my promise to communicate something for j^our Taluable joui-nal after harvest, I received by due course of mail. What I had reference to in my arti- cle last spring, was principally the result of the ten acres of " green corn" I had plowed down for vrheat; and in fulfilment of that promiye, I now state that the result is quite as good as that of last year, the yield l)eing at least thirty bushels to the acre, the same as the remainder of the fifty acres seeded in the usual way. I am now satisfied, that where ground is in good heart and lieavihj limed, two bushels of corn to the acre, sowed broadcast about the 15th of June, left o-row until well out in tassel, and then thoroughly plowed under, will produce the same beneficial result as the usual amount of manure upon the same ground. This remark not only applies to the wheat crop, but to the grass afterwards. Believing that I have this year manure sufficient for all purposes, and having no field that I could con- veniently spare, I did not sow any corn broadcast. — I am now sorry that I did not do so, for if I had not used it for plowing under, it would have answered a valuable purpose for feeding my cattle this dry sea- son. I shall not willingly let any year again pass without pursuing my favorite plan. This has been a very dry season in this portion of Bucks county, and the result will be light crops of corn and potatoes. The early part of the spring was cold and wet, and farmers were backward in getting in their corn, and in many cases when got in, the ground was too wet. I have about forty acres in com, nearly all heavily manured ; but the result will be little more than one-half of what I anticipated, though my corn looks quite as well as that of my neighbors. About twenty-five acres of the above is meadow land. This portion was plowed late last fiiU about ten inches deep, and the manure turned under at the time. In the spring, so wet was the ground, that notwithstanding all my expense at draining, I was compelled to open large ditches to convey away the standing water, before I could enter upon it for cultivation. When it became sufficiently dry, I plow- ed the whole again about five inches deep, harrowed and rolled it, and planted the corn about the middle of May. The season soon after became dry, the corn grew badly, and for a while I thought it would come to nothing. A few genial showers, however, gave it a start; and I think I may safely say the yield will be at least fifty bushels to the acre, while the upland equally well manured and better cultivated, will not produce half that amount. As I passed through Lan- caster county the latter part of June, I could not but contrast the appearance of the corn there growing, with that of Bucks. While that in your county was three and four feet high, much of ours was little more than a foot above the ground. Indeed, in some cases in this county the corn was not planted until early in June. The present month, thus far, has been unusu- ally warm, and we have had several refreshing rains which will help on the late corn, if not overtaken too soon with frost. In addition to the drought of the season we liave been visited in many sections of our county with my- riads of Grasshoppers. The destruction caused by them was almost equal to that of the " Locusts of Egypt." Where the drought had not destroyed the pastures entirely, the balance was eaten by the grass- hoppers, and this to such an extent that many of the fields looked as if they had been burned. After de- stroying the pastures, they attacked the fields of buck- wheat and corn. They eat up, for me, two acres of buckwheat, and parts of my corn fields look as if a hail storm had passed through them. After cutting the tender part of the blade, they likewise eat up the silk and upper part of tlie ear, and in some cases cut holes in the husk aud destroy the grain on one side of the ear. About sunset you might find the fences and bodies of trees covered with them — their nightly resort for repose. About ten days since they com- menced leaving us, many going off in clouds in a southerly direction. We have now but few remain- ing. I should like to know whether the grasshopper of the present year is the same as those we annually meet with, for the destruction caused by them ap- pears unprecedented. Probably your intelligent Phi- ladelphia correspondent, who has given much atten- tion to insects, would enlighten your readers upon this subject. To give you a proper idea of what some farmers have suffered from the two causes above referred to, I may here remark, that during the early part of the season, I hauled out my barn-yard manure and spread it upon a twenty-five acre field, well set with clover, intending to make open fallow for wheat. But so completely have my pastures been ruined, I was com- pelled to keep this field for my cattle, and to cut off a patch of corn fodder and feed to them in addition thereto. The top-dressing of manure kept the ground moist, and for several weeks this field was my main dependence for pasture for forty head of cattle. For some reason there were but few grasshoppers in this field. The clover in my oat stuble failed, and I am now plowing it up for wheat without manuring, to take the place of the field retained for pasture. You need not, therefore, next year expect to hear of any large crop of wheat on my farm. William Stavelt. Partridge Hall Farm, Bucks CO., Sept. 15, 1851. How often do* men mistake the lore of their own opinions for the love of truth. 18.31.] COMMUNICATIONS. 195 Commuuiccitious. TRANSLATED FOR THE FARM JOIRNAI.. Agricultural Chemistry. No. 2. Having thus slio^vn the importance and direct in- fluence of chemistry in agriculture, we sliall proceed to present a concise view of agricultural chemistry itself. Vegetable bodies in general consist of two classes of substances, of which the one is termed the organic or combustible, and the other the inorganic or incom- bustible elements of plants. Of these constituent parts, the organic are in all vegetables the more abundant in quantity — composing fiom 90 to 99 per cent, of their entire weight. The organic portion, again, comprises yarious elements. By the term dements, or fundamental substances (sometimes also called original or simple substances,) wo understand those bodies which are regarded as simple, because liitherto, science has not succeeded in decompounding them — though it seems probable that the decomposi- tion of many of the substances now called simple, wiU yet be effected. The present number of such elements, or simple substances, is fifty-eight. Of these four are ceriform or gaseous, two are semi-liquid, fifty-one are solid, and one has not yet been reduced to its true form. The organic portion of vegetables consists of the four following elements — oxygen, ni- trogen, hydrogen and carbon; though all of these are not present in all plants. The most important of these elementary substances is oxygen — sometimes called vital air. This is a pe- culiar kind of gas, contained in the atmosphere and in water, and having a tendency .to unite and com- bine with almost every other substance, whether so- lid or fluid, and thus assuming a variety of forms. — From this disposition to combine with other sul> stances, results its property of conditioning and sup- porting combustion; because during the process of combustion, it unites with the component elements of the burning substance. Oxygen also is that pecu- liar kind of air, or portion of the atmosphere, which is taken up by the bodies of animated creatures in the act of breathing. Oxygen unites with all the metals, forming various grades of combination, which are termed osids, protoxids, peroxids, ifco. Oxygen performs a highly important part in vegetable eco- nomy, being absorbed by the plants and converted into food or pabulum. Oxygen constitutes nine parts in ten of common water; one in five of the atmos- phere; and about one-third of the crust of the earth. For the production of oxygen, chlorate of potash is most usually employed. One-tenth part of pure oxid of manganese is mixed with a convenient portion of chlorate of potash, in a small glass flask or tube- less retort, to which a bent glass tube is fitt«d by a cork. The tube serves to conduct the gas beneath tHe water in the pmjumatie trough {fig. 1.) into the Fig. 1. invei-ted receiver, which is filled with water. The flask or retort is then cautiously heated by means of a spirit lamp [fig. 2.). When the heat has expelled Fig. 2. the atmospheric air from the retort, and the oxygen begins to be developed as the salt becomes decomposed, the pure gas is freely given off, passes through the bent tube, and displaces the water in the receiver in which it is collected for preservation. For the production of very pure oxygen, oxid of mercury may be employed. The arrangement of the apparatus, for this purpose, is shown \)yfig. 3. The oxid of mercury is placed Fig. 3. in a small glass retort or flask, which is connected by a glass tube with a reservoir having two openings, from which another glass tube conducts the gas to the inverted receiver in the pneumatic trough. At a dull red heat the oxid of mercury becomes decompos- ed into its elements, mercury and oxygen, both of which pass ofi' in a gaseous state. The mercury con- denses in the interposed reservoir, while the oxygen passes on and is received in the air-jar. Niirogw is a gas difiering very essentially from oxygen. In pure nitrogen, animal life is iBStan'a- 196 COMMUNICATIONS. [October, neously extinguished, aud it will scarcely combine with any other substance. Atmospheric air consists principally of nitrogen : it forms four-fifths of the air ■vre breathe, but mixed vs-ith oxygen, ■whereliy its pow- er and effects are modified. Nitrogen is a principal constituent of both vegetable and animal bodies ; but as it cannot be inhaled in its purity, it is introduced therein by various processes, as will be seen hereaf- ter. Nitrogen is specifically somewhat lighter than atmospheric air, from which it may re.adily be ob- tained, by placing on a piece of cork floating on the water in the pneumatic trough, a small porcelain cup containing a little cotton moistened with alcohol (fig. 4.) On setting the cotton a fire and inverting over Fig. 4. it and the containing cup, a glass jar or receiver with its edges immersed in the water, the oxygen of the air will be consumed and during the combustion, the volume of air will be diminished whilst the water will rise in the jar and occupy about one-third of it. When all the oxygen has thus been consumed, what remains in the jar is nitrogen. Purer nitrogen, how- ever is procured by conducting chlorine gas through a solution of ammonia in water. The apparatus shown hyfiff. 5, is used for this purpose. Chlorine gas is evolved in the flask, from a mixture of two jjarts hydrochloric or muriatic acid and one part powdered peroxid of manganese, by the application of heat, and is conducted through a bent glass tube into a glass jar or reservoir containing the aqueous solu- tion of ammonia. The resulting nitrogen passes ofl' through another glass tube provided for it, and is col- lected in a suitable receiver in the pneumatic trough. It is a fixed gas which has not hitherto been reduced to a liquid form by pressure, on the application of artificial cold. It is specifically lighter than air, and is not chemically combined with the oxygen of the atmosphere. Hijdroyen is a gaseous element, capable of combin- ing very intimately with oxygen, in which state it is no longer triform, but constitutes water. Hydrogen possesses the property of uniting chemically with oxy- gen. It is much lighter than common air, and rises up in it. It is readily procured by the decompositio)i of water (which contains it in the greatest abund- ance,) by means of the galvanic pyle. This is effect- ed by acidulating water with a few drops of sulphuric acid, and introducing it into the funnel of the appa- ratus,/?(/. G. If now, the two wires lie connected with , the two poles of the biittery, the water will be sepa- rated into its elements — forming two volumes of hy- drogen and one volume of oxygen. The most simple apparatus for the production of hydrogen is repre- sented mflg- ". A quantity of iron or zinc, in small pieces or fragments, is put into the flask, which i> then closed tight by a cork through which is inserted a funnel-topped glass-tube for the introduction of sulphuric acid, and another straight tube for the es- cape of the gas evol"ed. The diluted acid is poured in through the funnel, and the gas is conveyed by the other tube to the receiver standing in the pneu- matic trough. Numerous bubbles are immediately evolved, on the introduction of the acid. After the process has continued a few minutes, a small quan- tity of gas is passed into a vial Jto test its quality by combustion. If it bum steadily, without explosion, the gas is pure. Carbon is a solid combustible element, having the property of uniting readily with oxygen, thus passing into a gaseous state and forming a substanca of very ISol.] COMMUNICATIONS. 197 ■rrcat importance in the vegetable economy. In all I "^s of combustion, or the putrefactive decomposition of . .als or plants, and in every act of respiration by li' .ng creatures, carbon and oxygen comliino and i':JOape into the atmosphere in a gaseous form, as car- bonic acid. Not the smallest plant can grow and thrive, unless it imbibe and appropriate a portion of this acid, decomposing it into carbon and oxj'gen and using the carbon as its chief clement. Other elementary substancas likewise are contained by various plants, and are of essential importance. — S;ieh are : — 1 ) Chlorine. As a simple substance this is pro- curable only in the form of gas. For tliis purpose six parts of muriatic acid are poured on one part of pulverized peroxid of manganese, in a flask, vidiich i; to be then heated in a small Ijath. The chlorine gas ileveloped is ■washed by passing it through a second jar called tln^ "wash-bottle," C./7,'/. S.) containing vva- Fig. 8. tor, and is then collected in vessels containing Itril. v,-atcr. As chlorine is much heavier than atmosphe- ric air, it maj' be collected by passing the conducting tube down nearly to the bottom of the receiving jar (fij. 9.). Willie the chlorine gas enters liclow, the ;itmospheric air is discharged above. When the jar !ir buttle is full, which may be known from the green- ish color of the gas, it should be closed tightly with a greased stopper. Chlorine is one of the heaviest of the gases, 100 cubic inches weighing 7Ci grains. Hydrochloric acid is produced by means of " Woulfe's apparatus," (Ji;j. 10.). Chlorine never occurs pure in plants, but always in coniljination with other sub- st.ances. It readily combines with other bodies, and supports the combustion of many. It is a constituent of a large number of plants, and is indispensable to the "rowth of those in which it is found. It is the most Fig. 10. efficient agent for disinfecting apartments or places containing offensive odors and miasms, and is much used during the prevalence of contagious or infectious diseases. From its property of destroying vegetable colors, it is also very valuable and much used for bleaching linen and cotton cloth. Seeds which have lost their vegetating power, regain it if immersed in water containing a small portion of chlorine, on being exposed to the rays of the sun — which seems to indi- cate that the oxygen of the decomposed water is the active cause. Many marine plants exhale chlorine, and tliis is probably the reason why the atmosphere in the vicinity of the sea frequently contains so great a proportion of hydrochloric acid as to corrode the leads of houses — the exhaled chlorine uniting with the aqueous vapors of the .air. 2) Svlplmr. This substance is found in many plants and in various forms, but always in a state of minute subdivision, and is essential to their thrifty growth. • Sulphur combines readily with oxygen, forming sulphuric acid, wliich acts an important part in agriculture. Sulphur, as a simple substance, is never found in soils; though it is met with abundant- ly in cliemical union with other substances, and will unite with all the simple bodies, except nitrogen. — Pulverized sulphurhas been employed as afertilizer or stimulant in the cultivation of clover, and produced nearly the same effects as gypsum. Tlie efficacy of this substance being thus ascertained, it follows that it would be injudicious to calcine gypsum by fire previous to its application to the crops or soil, be- cause the sulphur it contains would tliereliy be vo- latilized and dissipated in the air. The application of dilute sulphuric acid to growing crops has never been found beneficial, but when applied directly to soils containing much carbonate of lime (common limestone) its action is favorable, resulting in the production of gypsum, which can be slowly taken up by the succeeding crops. 3) rhosphonis. This substance is somewhat simi- lar to sulphur, but much more inflammable, having a strong affinity for oxygen — which it is constantly 19S COMMUNICATIONS. [OCTOBEE, taking up from the atmosphere, even when not burn- ing,— and it is luminous in the dark. Phosphorus is prepared in largo quantities from burnt bones, which contain it in the phosphate of lirao. The bones are first boiled to remove the gelatine, and arc then calcined until they become quite white. After being pulverized, they are digested in dilute sulphu- ric acid. After standing a day or two, the clear li- quid is decanted from the sediment, or passed through a filter to free it from the insoluble sulphate of lime, resulting from the action of the oil of vitriol on the bones. It is next evaporated to the consistence of syrup, mixed with pulverized charcoal, and dried. — The dry mass is then introduced into a stoneware retort, the neck of which is connected with a wide cojlper tube {f(j. 11.). This tube passes through a Fig. u. cork into a glass receiver containing water enough to cover the open end of the tube. A smaller tube, also passed through the cork, conducts off the useless gases evolved. The retort being placed in a furnace is very gradually In-ought to a red heat. Gas alone is evolved at first, but is soon succeeded by vapor ■which becomes condensed in the wide tube down which it flows into the receiver as phosphorus. The operation requires great care, as there is always dan- ger of failure from the breaking of the retort. Phos- phorus is never found free in nature, though it is a substance of the utmost importance in the cultivation of cereal crops, as without its presence the grains cannot be perfectly formed. It exists ki some com- bination in almost all plants ; and is found, as phos- phate of lime, in the bones of animals. It is insolu- ble in pure water, but readily soluble in alcohol or oil; and its solutions have the smell and taste of garlic. 4) Silicon. This is a substance as yet very imper- fectly known, though of great importance to the far- mer, being the chief constituent of silicious earth and of pure sand. As it does not occur pure in nature, it is rarely seen even by chemists ; and the prepara- tion of it is a difficult process. In nature, it is found only in combination with oxygen, or silica, and is one of the most abundant as well as most important sub- stances known, constituting probably one-sixth part of the entire crust of the globe. To obtain silicon in its pure state, the double fluorid of silicon and potas- sium is mixed with the metal potassium cut into small pieces, and the mixture is heated over a spirit lamp in a glass test tube. As soon as the bottom is heated to redness a lively ignition ensues and pervades the entire mass. When cooled, after the ignition has subsided, the residuum is treated with water, which dissolves the fluorid of potassium, and the pure sili- con remains. The silicon thus obtained is a dark brown powder, without metallic lustre, and is a fee- ble conductor of electricity. In combination with oxygen, as silicious eartli, it constitutes the principal part of most minerals and soils, and is found among the incombustilile elements of plants, some of which — the reeds and grasses — have a thick crust of it deposited in their bark or outer coat. It occurs also, though in remarkably small quantity, in the bodies of animals, particularly in the bones; and it is found in almost all spring water. In combination with alumina and oxid of iron, it forms clay; but does not become plastic by an admixture of water alone. The grasses and cultivated grains require large supplies of silicious earth, and it is therefore essential not only that that the soil contain it, but that it be found there in a state readily soluble in water, cfr as a hydrate. Many soils, however, contain it in such superabundance, in this state of solubility, as to be sterile mainly from this cause — the plants receiving greatly more silicious earth than they can assimilate. But some soils, also, contain less silicious than is re- quired by them, to be productive ; as is shown by the chalk lands of England, vfhich are speedily improved and Ijecome fertile on receiving a dressing of sand — the cultivated plants, particularly the cereal grains, being thus enabled to supply themselves with the re- quisite proportion of silicious earth. ■ Elm, pine, and birch trees thrive in sandy soils, because they require much silicious earth for their growth. Potato Rot.— While our neighbors of Now York, Massachusetts, and other States are complaining of the extensive prevalence of the potato rot, thus far, we have heard no complaint from any portion of our own State. In our own immediate vicinity, the early potatoes were never finer. How the later ones will turn out, remains to be seen, though from present appearances, we do not anticipate the prevalence of the rot to any serious extent. Nothing sits so gracefiilly upon children and makes them so lovely, as habitual respect and dutiful deportment towards their parents and their superiors. The influence which woman exerts is silent and still, felt rather than seen, not chaining the hands, but restraining our actions by gliding into the heart. 1851.] COMMUNICATIONS. 199 Spring Wheat. This grain is already very important to large farm- ing districts in Pennsylvania and may most profitably be cultivated in many parts of the State where winter wheat in a great measure fails. The objections urged against it generally, are three. 1. That it is inferior in quality. 2. That it is liable to smut; and 3. That it is an uncertain crop owing to its being so frequent- ly blighted and shrunk by mildew. But from an ex- perience and examinations of seven years I am con- vinced that these objections are not well grounded. As in all crops, the quality depends much upon culti- vation. With good cultivation the Italian wheat weighs sixty to sixty-two pounds and yields forty to forty-three pounds of superfine flour to the bushel. — The flour, although not quite as white, makes as good bread as any winter wheat. It has usually a slight yellowish tinge. If wheat were not too much judged of by the whiteness of its flour, I doubt not that good Italian wheat would soon rank as high in the market as Mediterranean winter wheat. The second objection is entirely obviated by a pro- per preparation of the seed. I have had no smut for many years except where I have sown wheat without washing and liming. My process is to wash my wheat thoroughly in strong lime, which raises to the surface, all oats and other light seeds, which are skimmed off. While wet it is thrown upon the barn floor and finely" pulverised quick lime in small quantities is sifted over it. The whole is so mixed that every kernel is coated with lime. It may safely be left in this way for several days before sow- ing. If sown immediately, the lime is unpleasant to the hand, and to prevent its injuring the sower a small quantity of gypsum is scattered over it. No smut is ever found in spring wheat prepared in this manner. The salt, lime and gypsum are all admira- ble manures. The third objection is obviated by early sowing. — In large districts in the northern part of the State it is difficult to plow early. The soil is a heavy clay and loam and retains the water very long. It is ab- solute ruin to the crop to plow while wet, and conse- quently the farmer who relies upon spring plowing for his wheat will be unable to sow before the last of April or the first of May — a month too late here. — The plowing must be done in the fall and the sowing at the earliest practicaljle day after the frost is out of the ground. The best spring wheat in quantity and quality, which I have ever known raised, was upon a green sward, which had been turned under late in November and upon which the wheat was sown without further plowing, the latter days of March. — A very light dragging lengthwise of the furrow, be- fore sowing and the wheat lightly was dragged in so as not to raise the sod. Sown in this way it will be fit to harvest the latter part of July. Wheat which ripens in July is seldom affected by mildew. Two bushels of seed should be sown per acre. I have tried the Baltic wheat, which is said to be successfully cultivated in Vermont, but it is greatly inferior in quality as well as quantity to the Italian. Wm. .Jessup. Montrose, Aug. 16, 185 1. Education of Farmers' Daughters. No. 2. Mr. Spangler: — Agreeably to promise, I offer a few more suggestions in regard to the education of farmers daughters, believing, as I before asserted, that the columns of your valuable Journal should not be entirely monopolised by the " lords of creation." The very prevalent but erroneous idea, that woman is mentally inferior to man, has exercised a powerful influence upon the mind of the farmer in regard to the education of his daughters. Many parents con- ceive their daughters fit only to become familiar with household duties — to spin, sew, knit, understand cu- linary operations, and attend to household affairs generally. All these duties should be thoroughly understood, and the parents who' neglect instructing them in these important departments, are scarcely less remiss than those who neglect the cultivation of their intellects. Fortunately, however, this perni- cious error is fast dying away. The school house and newspaper are shedding abroad through the land their genial influences, and fast dispelling the clouds- that have hitherto intervened between the minds of many persons and the education of their children. Speaking of woman's natural inferiority, recalls- school-boy associations. How often have we seen boys made to blush at their own ignorance- in the re- citation room, as the girls at their side would pp&mpt- ly answer the questions which had sorely piszzlod them. And yet, when arrived at a suitable age, the boys are sent away to academies, boarding sciwols and colleges, while the girls, according to long estab- lished custom, have their places assigned them ia the kitchen, to perform the drudgery there. JUavr is oot this morally wrong. To say nothing of the partiality shown the boys, is it not a pernicious error, io endea- vor to impress upon the minds of the future mothers and heads of families that their sex is unfit for any other duties than those which ill advised ecoBiomy has for centuries assigned them. You, Mr. Edtor, should give the aid of your pen in behalf of the enaaEcipation of our farmers' girls from the cruel and unjust servi- tude to which they are subjected. Bat londerstaQd me, I do not by this mean that our girls should not be taught to work, or that they should have a fash- ionable boarding school education — \» taught to de- spise honest industry — to prefer croch^ work to the knitting of good warm hose for thems^es and fath- ers and brothers — to thump fashionably \ipon a guitar or piano, and not know how to cook a pot-tto or fry a beefsteak. I would have them instructed in all use- ful branches which would fit them, when done with their household dutie3, to sit iji the parlor and con • 200 COMMUNICATIONS. [OCTOBEK, verse intelligently. I would have them familiar with liistory and geography, and thoroughly versed in grammar, and where time and opportunity allowed it, the more elegant branches should be taught them. This would fit them to lay the foundation for the education of their own children, independent of the schoolmaster. Who will pretend to estimate the im- mense change that would be wrought in the intelli- gence of coming generations, if the mothers that are to be, were educated sufficiently well to enable them to impart the rudiments of all the important branches of education, before placing them under the care of teachers, who, unfortunately, are too frequently betr ter qualified to dig than train youthful intellects. — How greatly would it enhance the respect which children entertain for parents, if they found in them competent instructors, ready and willing to assist them in their studies and give them the information they generally are unable to procure from country schoolmasters. What more enchanting sight than that of an intelligent mother laying the foundation of a son or daughter's future intellectual development. How kind and patient her teachings. Understanding fully the temperament and abilities of her child she adapts her system of teaching accordingly and the consequence is, they pursue their stjidies more cheer- fully and understandingly. With your permission I will renew this subject at some future day. Plow Boy. jMTicasier, Sept. 10, 1851. the base, smooth on both sides, with the edges cut into rounded teeth. The heads of the flowers are from one to two inches in diameter and but one on a branch, the rays of the flower are white, and in length about equal to the yellow central part. The leaves around the head (involucre) has rusty brown mar- gins, and the seeds are smooth and of a dark purple color. This plant somewhat resembles the " feverfew," and the " garden chrysanthemum," but is readily distinguished by its large flowers, and very white rays. Its annual roots, and hardy nature, make it difiioult to eradicate. It produces seeds in great pro- fusion, and if permitted, soon takes possession of a farm to the exclusion of important plants. I believe it is utterly worthless, though I have seen some cows occasionally crop it. It has been asserted that it im- proves the quality of butter, but I am assured that this is a mistake. It is very abundant in the upper end of Bald Eagle valley, and is rapidly extending itself Annual cropping and plowing appears to be the most efiectual method of destroying it that I am acquainted with, ))ut even by this means the whole community muet co-operate, and vigilantly destroy every vestige of it, for it is almost useless for one farmer to contend against it, if his neighbor's field constantly furnishes seeds for new plants. J. M. M'Minn. Unionville, Centre co., Sept. 15, 1851. Agricultural Nuisances, No. 3< WHITE DAISY, OX EYE DAISY, WHITE WEED, RICHARD- SON'S CLOVER. Frencli, L'oeil do Beuf. German, Die Wucher- blume. Leucanthemum vulgare, Lam. Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum.i iH?irt'»s. Jlatricaria Leucanthi-mum, Hcopoli. Chrysanthemum montanum, WiUdenou: It is a true Leucanthemum, a genus established by Turneforte. The name is derived from the Greek Leuhos, white, and Anthemon a flower in reference to its white rays. The genus contains twenty-two species. But three are found in North America, two of these are natives of Arctic America, and the third is the plant under consideration, which is a native of Europe, but which has become extensively natu- ralized, and is a vile weed, wherever it is found. It belongs to the 19th class, Syngenesia, and the 1st order yEqualis, in the Artificial System of Lin- nseus — to order Compositas and tribe Senecioranidea f cultivation they have been improved, &c. Articles i>f this character would have a tendency to stimulate the readers of your Journal to active exertion, and prompt them to efforts for increased improvements in every department of farming. Such statements would also increase the number of your readers, as well as the popularity and patronage of your journal. The almost invariable result of publishing accounts uf very extraordinary yields and their expensive cost of attainment, by wealthy farmers, or merchants, lawyers or other professional men, being entirely be- yond the reach of the great mass of farmers, are read — merely read and admired, perhaps spoken of; but the experiment of attempting similar results by the same means is rarely undertaken. The desired ef- fect is thus lost, and the consequence is, a deep-root- ed prejudice on the part of farmers of moderate means against all " book farming." My idea of a Pennsylvania Farm Journal is, that it should be con- ducted on principles that will have a tendency to draw out the knowledge of the common farmer, and furnish him with a medium through which to publish the same. The adoption of such a course would render it an interesting and valuable monthly visitor to every far- mer's fireside, however humble his means, and would also naturally increase its popularity. The leading characteristic of nearly all the agricultural papers published in the United States is, a disposition to portray in their most glowing colors, the experiments of men whose wealth enables them to spend more for the success ef a single experiment, than the en- tire amount of many small farmer's yearly income. They do not sufiiciently consult the interests of the great mass of farmers, and consequently much of the good they might effect, is lost. This will account for the comparative scarcity of agricultural papers. The great question with the conductor of an agricultural periodical should be, what course shall we adopt to induce the mass of farmers to enter the field and give us the valuable results of their observation and ex- perience? I would answer this query by saying to you, adapt your journal to the tastes and capacities of the great majority of our farmers — those of mod- erate means — invite them to write for the Journal and let them know while doing so, that others of their class are doing the same. By this means, the vast amount of valuable practical experience and observation which is now confined to the family cir- cle, or small neighborhoods, will find its way to every farm house and prove a source of inestimable benefit to our agricultural interests. If the few plain suggestions I have offered, be worth an insertion in your journal, I shall feel gratified. — If they are not, throw tliem aside, and I shall not be displeased. I fervently desire the perpetuation of the Farm Journal, and do all in my power to sustain it, and it is only with the hope of aiding in establishing it beyond the contingency of a doubt, that I write you this. I do not wish you to infer from what I have writ- ten that I object to the publication of the results of extensive and costly experiments. I do not. My object is, not to exclude them, but to pave the way for the publication of such statements as are calcu- lated to benefit the every day farmer also. Let them go hand in hand, only give the small farmer a chance of being heard also. I purpose communicating to you several statements m COMMUNICATIONS. [OOTOBER, of what I shixU term common yields, and shall do it with the hope of drawing into this broad field of la- bor a greater number of farmers similar in character to myself. This will open an acquaintance with practical formers in every portion of our State, so that when we meet each other at our State Fairs, we shall feel that though strangers in fact, we know each oth- er as comrades in the columns of the Farm Jonrnal. J. 'VVlCKERSHAM. Lewisbury, York co., 1851. [We like the suggestions of our correspondent, and will endeavor to improve upon them. At the same time we commend his plain, common sense way of speaking to every reader of the Journal. From the start we have striven to enlist the interest of the mass of farmers and thus far have succeeded, we think, in presenting a rich and varied store of practical agri- cultural information. Our purpose has ever been to give the Journal such a character as will commend it to every friend of agriculture. We have combined the practical with the theoretical and scientific, and with the aid of such good men as our correspondent above, hope to render it still more valuable and in- teresting.— Ed.I Deterioration of Pennsylvania soUs and Agricultu- ral Education. Mr. Editor: — So much has the subject of agricul- tural education been harped upon by the agricultu- ral press, that farmers generally might be supposed to be fully awake to the importance of the subject. That a deeper interest than has ever before mani" fested itself in regard to this important point, is felt through the agricultural community generally, is very apparent : but it is equally apparent that, unless this interest becomes more deeply seated, but little good will ever result from it. Unless the fathers of the rising generation take the matter in hand, and ener- getically and perseverlngly press it onward, but little hope exists, that Pennsylvania agriculture, as well aj5 the agriculture of the United States generally, will for a century at least be emancipated from the thraldom that now enslaves it. My honest con- victions are, that Pennsylvania is the best farmed State in the Union, but it is an undeniable fact, that with each successive year the fertility, and conse- quently, the value of her lands is lessened. The same " skinning" system pursued so largely in Vir- ginia, Maryland, New York and elsewhere, is in. dulged to a hurtful extent here, and unless super- seded by a better one, we shall find that our soil, like that of Virginia, will be thorougly impoverished and our farmers be compelled to seek new homesteads.— This is truly a startling assertion and one that will perhaps meet with but few believers ; but it is an assertion that is sustained by stubborn facts, and a truth which sooner or later the formers of this com- monwealth will be called to realize. What else is to be expected where lands are crop- ped from year to year, with scarcely an interval of rest, and what is more, with not enough manure to restore to them a tithe scarcely of the fei-tilizing con- stituents which these successive crops take from it. — Is it a matter of surprise that under such a system of tillage 'our lands should deteriorate in quality — that lands which forty years ago yielded thirty bush- els of wheat to the acre now yield scarcely the half of it ? Not at all. It is a legitimate consequence flowing from a system of farming which may answer very well for a few years on new land, but which will as certainly exhaust them eventually, as that the sun shines in the heavens. Take up the census report of 1850, and select for the experiment the oldest and best farmed counties in the State — say Lancaster, Montgomery and Chester— and " figures that will not lie" will satisfy you that a comparison of the yields of the same number of acres now, with the number cultivated forty years ago, will show a diminution in quantity of nearly one-half. If the evil were arrested here and an effort made to retrieve the position we have lost, there would remain a bright hope; but un- fortunately it is still progressing. And now the question comes up, shall we, as farmers, continue this ruinous course, until, through absolute necessity we shall be compelled to abandon our lands and seek homes elsewhere. Every thinking farmer will at once reply, not so long as there exists a remedy. But where is the remedy and how shall we apply it ? I answer, the aid of agricultural science must be invoked. We must comljine more science with our farming. We must prepare ourselves to analyse our soils in order that wo may know precisely what ele- ments of fertility they have lost, and the most effec- tual and cheapest mode of restoring them. The sci- ence of economical manuring must be more thorough- ly understood and practised. Valuable manures which are now wasted in reckless profusion by the generality of farmers must be husbanded with that jealous care which characterises the farming opera- tions of Europe. But many of our older farmers will say, we have no time for such studies — our lands will last anothor generation, and let those who come after, adopt the plans recommended. It is not expected that the old farmers will take hold of scientific studies ; but this does not prove that they are not deeply interested in the advancement of agricultural science. It is thj duty of every farmer who has a son, to give him such an education, as will enable him to repair the evils which have resulted from the want of it in his parent. Every young man destined for agricultural pursuits, should have such educational facilities as will fit him to become not only a practical, but a scientific far- mer. Do not, brother farmers, let the word scientific alarm you. There is nothing in it to terrify. Agri- ISol.] COMMUNICATIONS. 203 cultural science is only a familiar acquaintance vrith \ sooner the better. If old formers will not devote at- the constituents of the soil you cultiyate, its wants j tention to scientific pursuits, the young ones must ; and adaptation to the growth of particular crops. It and if the parents will not educate their sons proper- is, in fact, uothino- more than a friendly acquaintance I ly, the sons must take hold of the matter themselves, with nature's operations — a study of the manner in j Excellent books in almost every department of agri- which she replenishes the earth so as to perpetuate ! culture may now be had for small sums. Ten years itfi fertility — a practice of the economy she adopts. Here again, however, another important query is suggested. How shall our sons be taught without a teacher? Teachers they must have, and in order to procure them, it is only necessary for the farmers of this great commonwealth to knock at the doors of our legislative halls and demand them. Denial need not -be feared, for so little has been asked by and granted to the farmers, that with the consciousness of de- manding only their rights, they may insist upon the establishment of agricultural schools and colleges. — Here, then, is a remedy — will the former apply it ? Will he put forth an effort to restore to the soil of Pennsylvania its original fertility, er will he permit the present ruinous system still to be continued, un- til that which would now prove an effectual remedy will fail to be efficacious. Let them take warning by the examples around them before it is too late. E. P. West Chester, September 10, 1851. [There are many important truths contained in E. P.'s communication, although we are not prepared to endorse all he says. His view of the " skinning" pro- cess now so much in vogue is undoubtedly correct, and the deplorable results he anticipates, will certain- ly follow if it is persisted in ; but we do not believe that Pennsylvania lands have deteriorated to such an ex- tent as he represents. The census report may show a falling off in the yield, but E. P. must remember that within a few years past many of the poor lands of our State, which for a long period wore considered unfit for cultivation, have been taken up by enter- prising farmers, and are fast being brought into fine condition. Lancaster county furnishes clear proof of this. (See article in the June No. of the Journal, page XII. entitled "Progress in Farming.") The yield of these!lands, although double that of five years since, is still unequal to that of the better lands. A few years more will tell a different tale, and then only can a correct estimate be made. "We also agree with our correspondent that Penn- sylvania is the best farmed State in the Union. This has always been our impression. The editor of the Horticulturist, (pretty good authority, by tlie way,) in speaking of the greater increase of the rural po- pulation in Pennsylvania than in New York, attri- butes it to the fact that the former State is better farmed tlian the latter. And finally, we agree with our correspondent that it has become the imperative duty of every farmer to give his sons a good education. A scientific system of agriculture must sooner or later be adopted ; the ago, such was not the case. The young farmer, there- fore, is also without an excuse, if he does not unite the scientific with the practical. And so far as agri- cultural schools and colleges are concerned, let that subject be agitated until the desired object is secured. It only wants a vigorous, combined effort. Right is on the side of the farmers, so that they may with a clean conscience ask for their establishment. — Ed.] Wayne County. A correspondent from Wayne county, writes us as follows : It is gratifying to me to inform you that away up here in little Wayne, with our high hills and stony valleys, we have an agricultural society that has been existence four years and is now in a flourishing condition. Our farmers are not as far be- hind those of the more southern counties as our lo- c ition would indicate. We have a good portion of reading farmers; but many of them prefer the news of the day to valuable agricultural information. They are unwilling to spend a dollar to make themselves familiar with the experience and experiments of oth- ers. But a better day is coming and with the aid of the Farm Journal, I hope soon to see better things. If our farmers, however, are backward in subscribing for agricultural papers, it is because Pennsylvania has, until you started the Farm Journal, had no pa- per of her own. Now that you have made so good a start and are furnishing us monthly with so much valuable and interesting matter, nothing but total in- difference on your part can prevent it from having a tremendous circulation. What I can do in our noble little county shall be done in its behalf, and I hope to send you a large list of subscribers soon. Honesdale, Wayne co. C. S. CoKKECTiox. — Mr. Spangler : — Several errors crept into my communication on Guano, which was pub- lished in the September No. of the Journal. In the third paragraph, the word andhetove the words "when the corn was up" should have been omitted. I meant to say, "put on when the corn icas tip." The other is near the end of the last paragraph. After the word " condition" should have been inserted, " the differ- ence in" meaning that the difference in yield was not so great as the difference in the appearance of the corn during its growth. Jno. Miller. Oregon, Lancaster county. Seed. — Where seed is wished to be saved, the sorts must be grown apart, as far as practicable, for they are very susceptible of mixture, if even within fifty vards of each other. 204 COMMUNICATIONS. [October, A word on JVIaii\iriiig. Mr. Editor : — An inquiry is made by W. 11., of Bedford, wliethcr it is bettor to plow down manure immediately after it is taken frum tlie yard, than to let it be exposed to the influences of the sun some time before plowing under. My little e.xperienoe may not be considered as alj- solutely worthless amidst the boundless stock of knowledge on the subject. The great aim of the farmer should bo to make his supply of manure sufficiently enrich as many acres as possible : in order to do this, a pound should not be needlessly wasted. In the saving of these com- posts, after liaving been completely manufactured, I consider lies the great economy in manuring. In the outset, the yard should be so lormed that none of the juices can escape into the neighboring fields, but be retained in the straw, woods, loaves, &e. By top dressing, or surface manuring, I am led to believe that only in a few instances are we able to retain more than a small proportion of the fertilizing quali- ties of the manure in the soil, and those few instances are, when it is put upon light sandy, or loose gravel land, just before a long wet period of time — light showers and hot sun, being as destructive to it as to well seasoned hay. The system of manuring which I follow is better ;idapted to my circumstances, than any which I liavc yet been able to settle upon. Taking into consideration that it is a leisure season for the teams on the farm, and the stage of the de- composition of the straw manure, the month of No- vember is the time for drawing. If the ground is to be plowed in the fall, one team is phiwing, while two t^jams are drawing from the yard at the rate of about thirty-five loads per day ; and if the land requires it a day's work covers one aero, evenly spread and turn- ed under as soon as possible after the arrival at the field. If the land is not to bo plowed until spring, I station a man in the field whose special duty it is to level off the place where each heap is to lie, assist in unloading, and cover each pile- — which consists of half the load — with a layer of earth about six inches in thickness ; which when finished resembiles a small potato heap covered for the winter. This coating of earth not only retains all the aciils which are so es- sentially valuable, but protects it from the rains and snows of winter, which, if the manure is left exposed, carries a great portion of the juices into the earth immediately under it, enriching the spot to a much higher degree than is desired. Those rains at the same time taking possession of the compost, render- ingHit as much the Ic-s valuable as the quantity of water is increased. These heaps are put in straight rows across the field, that the plow may follow as closely after the spreading as possible. Some may question the economy of incurring this extra labor, but if they will consider the value of a load of ma- nure prepared for use in the field, and then feel that during a few weeks the sun and wind are stealing away nearly half its virtue, there will be but little hesitation in protecting it, in part, from the reach of tliose " thievish elements." If any of your correspondents have a. more econo- mical mode in the manp.gemcnt of yard manures, in- formation concerning it, would be received with gra- titude no doubt by many, as it is a very important portion of the work of a farm. W. Athc7is, Bradford co., Sept. 16, 1851. Fruit Stealing, «&c. Mr. Editor or Farm Journal: — In the last No. of the Journal, you request " some of your readers versed in the philosophy of morals, to define the dif- ference in criminality between robbing a man's orch- chard and robljing his house." You say, " v'ou are aware the law makes a broad distinction between the two," but contend that "this is a distinction without a difference." Verily, if there is any difference the heinousness of robljing a man of his fiuit, in my es- timation at least, is far greater than roljbing his hen- roost, his smoke house, or even his pockets. The lat- ter crimes are mere matters of dollars and cents, and which a little economy will repair — ^Ijut the rolibing of choice fruit and mutilation of trees, money alone will not replace, it r. quires time: years of labor and toil. As I do not at this time intend to inflict on you and your readers a thesis on moral philosophy defin- ing this position, I will merely state a fact bearing on the question, and which will show the enoi-mity of the crime, (I can give it no other name) that c/en- ilcrnai sometimes thjughtlessly commit. It is vrell known to all readers of agricultural pub- lications, that the late Judge Buel, of Albany, N. Y., devoted much of his time and eminent talents to the improvement and elevation of agriculture and horti- culture. Among other of his pursuits ho euiplo3-od many of his leisure hours in improving our fruits — following the theory first promulgated (if I mistake not) by the late Andros Knight, president of the Lon- don Horticultural Society — by impregnating the stig- ma of one flower with the farina from another of a dllferent variety. This course Mr. Buel pursued with the hope of originating something superior — by im- pregnating the stigma or pistil of a ciioico variety of cherry with the pollen of anotlier fine variety, and carefully protecting the flower operated upon with gauze, to prevent the adventitious intermixture of pollen from another variety, by bees, -(Wnd, &o. — When the impregnated fruit became ri|ie, the stone, or pit, was carefully planted — a young tree raised — and from one year to another carefully nurtured and watched, and after ten years of ceaseless care the Judge's long anticipated hopes were aliout to be real- ized by the tree showing flowers, and a single cherry, the first fruit of the experiment, was swelling towards iSol. COMMUNICATIONS. 205 maturity. You may well suppose this cherry was watched ami guarded with extra care, and visited daily, day hourly, by the Judge, as it was about ri- pening. One morning while the Judge was engaged in his libr.ij'y, two gentlemen, intimate friends of his, called upon him, and as he could not at the moment attend to them, his friends made free to take a walk round his grounds, and probably, by mere chance, happened to pass by .a young cherry tree with a single fniit on one of the twigs. One of the gentlemen at once reach- ed up his hand and thoughtlessly plucked the fruit, which soon vanished from sight, tho gentleman re- marking, that it was a most excellent cherry I After re- turning to the house, Sir. Buel had got through with his business, and at once offered to accompany the gentlemen over his grounds. lie was particularly pleased that they had called upon him at this time, is he wished them to test and examine with him the merits of a new cherry now fully ripe, and which he had originated, and for ten years of his life looked forward to, to see the result of his experiment. The Judge led his friends towards the identical cherry tree from which his friend had plucked the fruit but a few moments before. But on coming to the tree and finding his favorite cherry gone, his chagrin and mortification may be more easily imagined than de- scribed. And what were the feelings of the gentle- man who so heedlessly destroyed the Judge's long cherished expectations? I will lot the reader judge. The gentlemen soon took their leave, and the one who committed the act afterwards stated, that if mo- ney could have replaced the fruit on the tree, he would have considered a thousand dollars a mere tri- fle towards rectifying the error so inconsiderately committed, and the distress of mind which he suf- fered. Some of your readers no doubt will say this is an extreme case. So it is: yet the crime is none the less, when a man, for instance, devotes his land, his money, and his time, to colbcting and cultivating ciioiee varieties of fruit, and after ten or fifteen years of anxious solicitude, w^cn his trees may commence bearing, and he is about being rewarded for his labor and his pains with a crop of fruit, to find that gentle- men with aogs and gnns, take the liberty of free in- gress and egress to his fruit trees, " taking the best and destroying the rest." It is a crimo of far "deep- er dye" and should be so considered in the " eye of the law." Hoping that the necessary steps will be taken to remedy this crying evil, I remain yours, J. B. Gakber. Floral Retreat, Sept. 15, 1851. Lime in Old Gardens. — Old garden soils which have been very liberally manured, sometimes be- come sour for want of an alkali, and in such cases the use of lime, and even of quick lime, is judicious. Mr. Editor. — I was much pleased at observing an article in your last .Journal, condemning the practice of fruit stealing, which has become so prevalent al- most every where. Your sentiments on that subject coincide entirely with my own, and there is no doubt that every honest person in the community will sus- tain you in the position you have taken, and the es- timate you have placed upon the character of the pilferer of his neighbor's fruit. For years 1 have given considerable attention to the cultivation of fruits, and have succeeded in raising some of a very superior character; but when this is said, all is said, -i have cultivated the fruit, but have scarcely had even the poor privilege of tasting or see- ing it ripen, my peculating neighbors having invaria- bly appropriated it to their own purposes. So dis- couraging have these frequent thefts been, that I have almost determined to cut down every fruit tree upon my premises, unless the future promises some hope of protection through legislative aid. Why should the farmer and fruit grower not be protected in their rights. No other class of the com- munity suffer more from dishonest persons, while none are so poorly protected. Every thing belonging to the merchant is carefully guarded by the law, while the farmer is left to the mercy of plunderers on all sides, and in many cases without any redress. Not only is our fruit stolen, but our farms are invaded at every point. Fences are torn down, our growing crops trodden down by idb hunters, and very oft«n our corn fields are pillaged. If a word of remon- strance is offered, a volley of insolent abuse from these marauders is all the return wo get. Several of my neighbors have, in addition to their fruits, lost large numbers of chickens, young turkeys, &(;., and they inform me that it is as much as a chicken's life is worth to stray one hundred yards from the dwell- ings. Is not this a most deplorable state of affairs, and does it not demand redress ? I think so. Provision, I am aware, was made by our legisla- ture last winter, against injury done to fences, and so far as that law goes it is an excellent one ; but it is not comprehensive enough to protect the farmer in all his rights, and it is not only mine, but the earn- est wish of all with whom I have conversed, that a vigorous effort will be made during the coming ses- sion of the egislature to procure the passage of a law that will effectually remedy these evils. Somerset co., Pa. K. Evaxs. Seedless apples. — Mr. E. A. Graham, of Portland, Conn., writes us that seedless apples are produced in his neighborhood by raising the trees from layers. A branch of a young grafted tree is bent down and a portion of it covered with earth, where it remains till it has taken root, when it is cut away from the pa- rent tree and planted out. We do not believe that the absence of seeds in the fruit is attributable to the mode of propagation. — Gennesee Farmer. S06 HORTICULTURAL. [OCTOBEH, igovtkultural Clcpartmcnt. Evergreen Trees and Shrubs. No. 2. Cedrus Dcodara, Deodar Cedar.— So named from its bein"- used by the Hindoos in its native mountains as incense wood and accounted sacred; is, in our opinion, the first in gracefulness and beauty of all foreign coniferous trees, which have been found adap- ted to our climate. Differing entirely in appearance from the deep hues and bold and heavy outlines of some of the more stately pines and firs, its character- istic features convoy the impression of something light, airy and graceful. The foliage of the deodar approaches a silvery color, more than any other ever- green, its branches are beautifully pendent, and it has the great merit of being quite a rapid grower.— To produce its best effect, it should be planted singly and somewhat apart from other trees. Its native locality is the Hymal.ayan mountains in Asia, where it is found of immense size at an elevation of eight to ten thousand feet. Ifaving been introduced into England and this country, within comparatively a few years, it cannot yet be obtained of very large size. The oldest specimen in England is but twenty- five to thirty feet in length. In the Queen's gardens, at Kew, there is a wide avenue, two thousand eight hundred feet long, lined with deodars. Arancaria Imbricata, or Chili Pine, offers the most striking contrast to the preceding, that can well be imagined. It is stiff, formal and altogether unique, and has been most aptly compared to a " gigantic specimen of deep green coral from the depths of the ocean." It is a native of the Cordilleras in South America, where it attains a height of one hundred and fifty feet. Its peculiarity is its pillar-like trunk, which, as well as the horizontal branches, are cover_ ed with scale-like foliage, closely overlaid or imbri. eated. The branches spring out from the trunk, in whorls or circles, and bear at their extremities im- mense globular cones the size of a man's head, and containing numerous nutritious and excellent nuts, a single fruit contains two to three hundred kernels, which arc used as food by the Indians. They are eaten either fresh or roasted, and it is said the women prepare from them a kind of pastry. The fruit of these trees form the regular harvest of some of the native tribes of the Andes. From their not being found north of thirty-sis degreed south latitude, foars-- were at first entertained that it would not prove hardy in the United States, but the experience of various partsof the country has settled this question. M't have had it in our nursery rows, during the wintrr without protection, and it has stood out, further north with the mercury several degrees below zero. AV c have found it to suffer rather more, especially tlie first season of being moved, from the hot sun, than extreme cold. With this, as well as many other ex- otics, when transplanted to a new climate and a new- soil, it seems only fair, they should receive protection the first year, both summer and winter. A few ce- dar branches placed around as a shield from ex- tremes of weather, till they become acclimated in their new homes, is a small trouble most amply re- paid, and which would save many a plant and shrub from condemnation, as too tender. A portion of sand should be used in preparing soil for the aranca- ria, and there should be thorough under drainage U> prevent the water from settling about the roots. Cryptomeria Japonica or Japan Cedar, is one of the valuable discoveries of the agent sent out by the hor- ticultural society of England. He found whole for- ests of it on the mountains of Japan, at the height of one thousand feet, and like most of the other trees and shrubs from that country, is believed to be per- fectly hardy here. It was only introduced into Eng- land about three years since, and is there called tlie " queen of evergreens," and is considered quite :i rapid gi-ower. One great recommendation in accord- ance with the prevailing taste of the day, for any thing in the shape of a tree that droops, is tliat thii* tendency is one of its striking peculiarities. With a very straight stem, which reaches one hundred feet, beautiful foliage, and very pendent branches, the Ja- pan cedar is probably, going to be as great a favorite in the United States as any other yet introduced.^ The wood is said to be very hard and elastic, " and withstands the most terrific winds or monsoons which devastate that coimtry." The soil recommended for this tree is a sandy loam. , Cedar oj" Lebanon, everywhere known by its histo- rical associations, and its frequent use in scripture imagery as a symbol of grandeur and magnificenei'. is a tree perfectly hardy in our middle States, and is of course necessary in every good collection of ever- greens. In its great longevity, its immense horizoil- tal growth of branches which is not so observable in young trees, as when more advanced, and in general massiveness of appearance it is not equalled by any other tree. The largest specimen in England is sev- enty-two feet in height, eight feet in diameter at the trunk, and the diameter of the branches at the head one hundred and seventeen feet. A taller specimen, but not so large, is at the seat of the Duke of Wel- lington, one hundred and eight feet high. The oldest specimen in the United States is said to be in West 1851.1 HORTICULTURAL. 20- Chester county, N. Y., about fifty feet high, and planted upwards of forty years ago. The cedar of Lebanon is rather a slow grower, varying from six to twelve inches a year, and perhaps more, according to soil and cultivation, neither is it when small, particu- larly beautiful. It accommodates itself readily to most soils, and there is no difficulty with it after be- ing once established. In its native mountains, the coldest parts of Mount Libanus and Taui-us, travellers assert it is comparatively scarce, and that there are fewer trees to be found there at this time than in England. It is believed that the forests have never recovered from the operations of Solomon's four score thousand hewers. Pinus Piiiester or Cluster Pine, Pinus Sylvesiris or Scotch Pine, and Pinus Ausiriaca or Austrian Pine, all resemble each other in habit and gen- eral appearance, and are all well worthy of cultiva- tion and perfectly hardy. The iirst is a great favor- ite in its native country, the south of Europe, and is distinguished by its very long leaves. We have found it difficult to transplant, except when quite small, and find it safer to import in pots, which admits of easy shifting into open ground. When once well rooted requires no special care. The Austrian and Scotch Pipes are more generally known, are of erect and ra- pid growth, and the latter has short, stiff foliage, of rather peculiar green hue. Its timber, which is ex- tensively used, is the deal of the north of Europe. Paschall Morris. Shrubs for Hedges. The subject of live hedges for enclosures is, as I believe, entitled to more attention in this part of the country than it is now receiving. The great anxiety that was felt fifty or more years ago on account of the prospect of scarcity of wood for fuel or fencing, has very much subsided, the discovery of coal and its general use having released us from fears on account of fuel ; and the great facility and small expense of transporting fencing timber by canal, river, and rail- road, furnishes the supply in market, without diffi- culty or increased price, so that we scarcely give at- tention to its rapid diminution. But it is evident that the continued conversion of wooded lands to cultivated fields, diminishes the supply, and the increase of fences from diminishing the size and increasing the number of fields and plantations, increases the quan- tity required. On the subject of hedges, the first question generally asked is, " What tree or shrub is best suited for the purpose?" This can only be an- swered conditionally, having reference to the purpose for which the hedge is wanted, whether to restrain men, horses, cattle, swine or other animals, or only some of those named — the place where it is to grow, upon high or low, wet or dry, fertile or sterile lands, for we see in natural woods that each tree or shrub appears to have a particular soil and exposure favor- able to ite growth, and that in some localities it is not found. These and other considerations which may be enumerated, will lead us to believe that a great variety of shrubs and trees may be used for hedging, varying, as the purpose, soil and exposure varies. The properties of trees or shrubs requisite fur it hedge, seems to be these among others, viz: 1. Stiff unyielding stem and branches, the direc- tion of which can not be easily changed by so much force as they are likely to be exposed to, and an ad- ditional advantage would be, in their being armed with thorns to prevent pressure from being applied forcibly. 2. Great capacity for life, not only that the dura- tion may be long, but that it may not suffer under hedgers discipline, which permits so much life that the hedge may not die, and so little that it shall grow- only very slowly. 3. Suitable size, either naturally or by trimmini: or clipping; so that the soil shall not bo much ex- hausted by the support of the hedge. 4. Suitability of the species to the soil, exposure and climate, where the hedge is to be made. Of the species having thorns, the Crataegus oxycaii- iJia or English white thorn has been more used in England than any other, and a few hedges Jiave been made in this country; but it has not answered the purpose here so well as our native species, of which we have so many that Cratayns may be alm()sr ranked as an American genus. The populifolia or Washington thorn has been more extensively propa- gated than any other in eastern Pennsylvania, but some hedges of the Cms galli or Cockspur thorn giie reason to suppose that it will have some advantages over the former. Its very repulsive armature togetii- er with its spreading habit of growth will supersede tlie necessity of so close planting as the populifolia requires, especially if swine are not to be guarded against. Eaton, in his Manual of Botany, describes seventeen species of American thorns, nine of which are common in the northern States, and I would suggest that as all of them are thorny in a greater or less degree, it would be worth the attention nf those who desire hedges, to gather fruit of each of tlu- species found in their respective neighborhoods and subject them to direct experiment by forming hedges of each kind, it being I believe certain, that a hedge sufficient to turn cattle, may bo made of any of our native species, some of which, however, are of low growth, and would require no mutilation to abate their growth, but only so much side trimming as t(i keep the hedge from taking too much room. Tht difficulty of raising the young thorn plants or quicks, has done much to prevent the introduction of hedges. The following method has succeeded well : Gather the fruit when ripe ; crush the berries so as to break them that the seeds appear, mix the seeds and broken husks of the berry with an equal portion of very fine sand, put the whole in a heap and cover with six ans HORTICULTURAL. [October, inches of fine sand, turn the whole two or three times the succeeding summer, still covering, when turned, with fine sand, and in the succeeding spring, sift the sand from the seed, and having a seed bed in high tilth and very fertile, spread the seeds evenly over the l)ed, sift quarter of an inch of sand or loose earth on them and protect the bed from the sun, except early morn and near evening, by making a light scaffold over the bed a foot high and covering the scaffold with branches of trees or straw. "Weed dur- ing the summer and give water in very dry seasons. The quicks may be planted out at one or two years old; but the ground in which they are to be planted should have a yea»'s preparation, made perfectly clear of weeds and grass, very fertile and well plowed or dug over several times in the season. Some species of thorns have small berries about the size of a grain of allspice, the seeds of which will generally come up the first year, and may be planted the spring after they were gathered. The Osage orange or Marhira aurayiUaca, a native of the southwestern States, has been spoken highly of as a plant for hedging, and many plants are now raised for that purpose. Although a southern tree, it is hardy with us, and is sufficiently stiff and thorny to prevent horses or cattle from breaking through. — It produces seed abundantly wlion staminate and pistillate plants are planted in the neighborhood of each other, but I fear it will be difficult to restrain it ■within hedging bounds. I have a tree that was planted about twenty or twenty-five years ago, which is now one foot in diameter and twenty-five feet high, and its yellow, mulberry lik'! roots, extend probably twenty-five feet from the bottom of the tree. Some care is taken so to trim it, as to render the trunk .ap- ■ proachable, but shoots from the trunk frequently come out and grow sis to eight feet in a single sea- son. I have some hope that by a different mode of tre*tmont in trimming, and 1)y planting wider apart say thre» feet or thereabout — they may form good hedges. It will require much experience to deter- mine the best mode of treatment, and will require the roots to be cut or a ditch kept on each side to prevent them from affecting the productiveness of the adjoin- ing laud. Seed will, ere long, bo abundant, and 1 believe may now be obtained in the winter or spring at the seed stores. The seeds are large, and may be sown in the spring. They come up soon. The iloNEV Locust or Glediischia triacanthns is a hardy tree, not less thorny than the Osage orange, and growing to a large size. I have seen some at- tempt to form a hedge of this tree ; but with appa- rently much neglect. It made a hedge used for many years as an enclosure ; but showing occasionally a gap mended with a fence rail. The result of the experiment was more favorable than I should hivve anticipated. The plants are easily raised and the seed large and abundant. There is another class of small trees of which I have some hope that they may be so reduced as to do service as hedge plants, as the stems and branches are stiff and unyielding and the terminal buds and spurs partake somewhat of the form and nature of thorns. In this class are the Buckthorn or Rham- nus cathartkus, the buffalo berrj' or SheplienUa argcn- iea, the sheep berry or Vihurnum prunifoUum, tlic red plum and sloe or Pi-unus amerkana and Spinosa. Of the Buckthorn I have seen one hedge at the Bar- tram farm, planted, as I suppose, by .John Bartram, the elder, but at the time I saw it, it was permitted to grow wild, and was not kept as an hedge or fence. It appeared as though it could be made effective. It is now very much vaunted as an hedge plant by wri- ters in the Northern States and in the nursery cata- logues it is marked ten dollars the thousand. The Buckthorn and all the others of this class are small trees and may tlierefore be permitted to grow vigor- ously without nmtil.ation. Whilst I propose to re- sume this subject hereafter, I desire that those who have given attention to the raising of hedges and h.ave succeeded well, will give us the result of their experience through the Farm Journal. Alan W. Corson. Moniijomery county, Sept. 17, 1851. Hon' to cultivate fine Cauliflowers. Mr Spangler: — In compliance with your wish, I send you a brief account of the cauliflowers, you no- ticed so favorably in a former number of the Farm .Journal. The seed (which was of superior quality, I procured of Thomas F. Croft, seedsman, Philadel- phia,) was sown about the middle of September, in an open border. When of the proper size I trans- planted them into a cold frame, in which they were kept until the first of -January, at which time they were transplanted into a hot-bed previously prepared as follows; Leaves two feet deep, covered with very rich compost to the depth of sixteen or eighteen inch- es. They were kept dry during the winter, but when they began to grow, plenty of water was given tliem, particularly when about heading. As much light and air was given them as the weather would permit. John Rilet, Gardener to Insane Asylum, PhUa. [The cauliflowers above referred_to, we noticed in the proceedings of the Penna. Horticultural Society, as well as editorially in the June No. of the Journal. They were certainly the most superb ones we ever saw, and Mr. Riley will accept our thanks for ena- bling us to lay before our readers his mode of treat- ment. It is simple, and within the reach of every one who desires an early supply of this favorite vege table.— Ed.] Early Nonpareil cabbage is one of the best sorts in cultivation. It heads freely, rnd is of a good size, and very delicate flavor. VOL. 1. LAIXCASTEU, PA., Ts'OVEMBER, 1S51. m. 8. THE EAUM JOURNAL, S. S. IIAI.DEMAX. Editor. Americau Association for the advaucemeut of science. This body held its annual mooting at New York, in August. The attondanfc of members from various parts of the United States was large, and the sessions drew together large and interested audiences of both sexes. The citizens of Albany sl-.owed the members every attention, and they will lonp; remember the hospital- ity and kindness with which they were greeted in the Empire State, which has done more for the cause of science than any other State. In fact, the Natural History survey has already cost about half a million of dollars, and is still progressing. Professor L. Agassiz was president of this year's meeting and in his opening remarks ho advised the American cultivators of science to look less to Eu- rope for credit and support, standing upon their own merits and the correctness of the views advanced upon this side of the Atlantic. He recommends the establishment of local museums of the natural objects of diiferent parts of the country — an important hint, but one which cannot be efficiently acted upon until our educational institutions have a better appreciation of general science infused into the bodies which con- also ashes and salt, are proper manures for these melons. The analysis both of soils and the plants they are intended to produce cannot bo too much in- sisted upon, for although the theories founded upon such analyses may be at tim ;s erroneous, the facts remain from which more accurate theories and a more correct practice may be based. An interesting essay was read by Dr. -J. L. LeConte of New York, recently returned from California, on the geographical distribution of animals in that coun- try. Professor E. N. Horsford, of Cambridge, (Massa- chusetts), read a valuable chemical pa]ier on the So- lidification of the rocks of the Florida reefs. Professor W. Hackley, of Columbia College, N. Y. presented his mathematical investigations on the pro- per Geomettical form of the Mouldboard of the Plow, one of the results of which is the necessity for a long share. Whilst the mere mechanical vanity of this country received a deserved check at the World's fair; we find that wherever mind and science were concerned, America could compete on equal terms with any part of the world. Another example of this truth was given at the Albany meeting where the Committee on microscopes decided that Spencer'.s American in- struments were not excelled by those of any European constructor, although the demand which the exten- sion of microscopic science lias made for instruments of the very best kind, has called much mathematical trol them. There was not much matter of special interest to I and mechanical talent into this branch of manufac- thc agriculturist brought forward, as this generally ture. finds its way to the agricultural societies and the pe- riodicals devoted to this subject. Dr. J. H. Salis- bury, Chemist to the State Agricultural Society of New York, presented an analysis of the water melon^ and muskmelon, with full details of the various ele- ments which enter into their organisation. Both have marked quantities of phosphoric acid and soda, with lime, carbonic acid, and chlorine. Other ele- ments occur in smaller proportions. It results from these analyses that animal matter, or bones and flesh, VOL. I J. Whilst in Albany we visited the rooms of the State Agricultural Society, where there is a good display of implements, including materials for a history of the plow, such as old forms which, if not thus pre- served will not be known in future generations. — Some of these are very curious, as the awkward two wheel plow used in Canada. People too proud to work are much rarer than those who are too Iczy. 226 EDITORIAL. [November, Milk and its management. f- Here are some wholesome suggestions in regard to milliing and the management of milk, in the dairy, which we condense from an English work on the sub- ject. The operation of milking should be performed gen- tly, not harshly. If harshly performed it becomes painful to the cow, who not unfrequently brings into action her faculty of retaining her milk at pleasure. AVhen gently performed, milking generally gives pleasure to the cow. Many instances are recorded where cows which would not let down a single drop of milk to one dairy maid, would let it flow in abun- dance whenever another approached them. Cows that are ticklish or skittish should always be treated with the utmost gentleness, and when the ud- der is hard and painful, it should be tenderly foment- ed with luke-warm water and softly rulibed. Such treatment will bring the cow into good temper, and induce her to yield her milk freely. Whenever a cow's teats becomes scratched or wounded, so as to produce foul milk, such milk should on no account be mixed with the sweet milk, but be given to the pigs without being carried to the milk house, lest its presence there should taint the atmo- sphere and prove injurious to the other milk. It is well to comb and curry cows as it promotes cleanliness. The fact is, where clean milk is an ob- ject, the comb and brush, together with the thorough washing of the udder are indispensable. Snuff-takers and slovens should never be permitted to assist about the dairy, nor should the milkers be permitted to enter it with a dirty apron covered with hairs from the cow house. 1. Of the milk from any cow at one time, that part which comes off the first is always thinner, and of a much worse quality for making butter, than that af- terwards obtained; and this richness continues to in- crease progressively to the very last drop that can be obtained. 2. If milk be put into a dish, and allowed to stand till "it throws up cream, the portion of cream rising first to the surface is richer in quality, and greater in quantity, than that which rises in a second equal space of time; and the cream which rises in the se- cond interval of time is greater in quantity, and rich- er in quality than that which rises in a third equal space of time; that of the third is greater than that of the fourth, and so of the rest ; the cream that rises continuing progressively to decrease in quantity, and to decline in quantity, so long as any rises to the surface. 3. Thick milk always throws up a much smaller proportion of the cream which it actually contains than milk that is thinner; but the cream is of a rich- er quality ; and if water be added to that thick milk, it will afford a considerably greater quantity of cream, and consequently more butter than it would have done if allowed to remain pure ; but its quality is, at the same time, greatly debased. 4. Milk, which is put into a bucket or other proper vessel, and carried in it to a considerable distance, 80 as to ])e much agitated, and in part cooled before it is put into the milk-pans to settlefor cream, never throws up so much, or so rich cream, as if the sani'^' milk had been put into the milk-pans directly after it was milked. From these fundamental facts, the reflecting dairy- ist will derive many important practical rules. Some of these we shall enumerate, and leave the rest to be discovered. Cows should be milked as near the dai- ry as possible, in order to prevent the necessity of carrying and cooling the milk before it is put int<5 the creaming dishes. Every cow's milk should be kept separate till the peculiar properties of each is so well known as to admit of their being classed, when those that are most nearly allied may bo mixed together. When it is intended to make butter of a very fine quality, reject entirely the milk of all those cows which yield cream of a bad quality, and also keep the milk that is first drawn from the cow at each milking entirely separate from that which is last obtained, as the quality of the butter must other- wise be greatly debased without materially aug- menting its quantity. For the same purpose, take only the cream that is first separated from the first drawn milk. Butter of the best quality can only be economically made in those dairies where cheese is also made; because in them the best part of each cow's milk com be set apart for throwing up cream, the best part of this cream can be taken in order to be made into butter, and the remainder, or all the rest of the milk and cream of the dairy, can be turn- ed into cheese. The spontaneous separat'on ( f cream, and the production of butter, are never effe txl but in consequence of the production ot acid in the milk. Hence it is that where the whole milk is set apart for the separation of cream, and the whole of the cream is separated, the milk must necessarily have turned sour before it is made into cheese ; and no very excellent cheese can bo made from milk which has once attained that state. Eastern Virginia. — Nowhere has the farming in- terest advanced with more rapidity than it has of late years in the Tidewater District of Virginia. It was stated by a gentleman from Lancaster county, the other day, that there was annually more than double the quantity of wheat now sown in his district than was reaped in his district twenty years ago. Anoth- er large proprietor stated that he had realised up- wards of fifteen per cent, on his investment in land cultivated in wheat. This change has been brought about by the discovery and application of marl, inex- haustible in that quarter, and the free use of guano, — one farmer in Westmoreland, we learn, having last year applied twenty tons of that manure with striking effect, in the improvements of his lands. — Wincheaier Virginian. Agriculture in this country is a highly respectar ble, and at the same time a most attractive pursuit. It is not only resorted to as a means of acquiring an honest independence, but as a dignified and pleasur- able occupation by men of science and letters, by statesmen and warriors, merchants and navigators — in short, by all who have wealth, honor, and distinc- tion in other pursuits of life. — Senator S. A.Douglass. 1851.] COMMUNICATIONS. 227 (Uommuniratious. TRANSLATED FOR THE FARM JOURNAL. Agricultural Chemistry, No. 3. 5) Polassutm. This is the metallic base of common potash. It (loos not exist pure in nature, but is fre- quently met with in combination with a salt. In the form of a chloride, it ia found in small quantity in eea water, more abundantly in the ashes of most plants, and frequently in the soil. It is one of the principal constituents of felspar, by the decomposition of which soils are supplied with it, whence it is taken up by growing plants. Soils contain it in the form of silicates, carljonates, muriates, aitrates and phos- phates ; and in vegetables it is usually found as a carbonate, phosphate, sulphate, or nitrate. Potash is an indispensable element of vegetables. Of the cultivated plants, potatoes, turnips, rape, maize, clo- ver, lucerne, esparcette, beans, peas, vetches, and buckwheat, require liberal supplies of it; and so like- wise, among forest trees, do the elm, the beech, the asli, the hornbeam, the linden, and the willow. G) Sodium. This is never found free, but occurs plentifully in nature, in various combinations. As chloride of sodium it exists abundantly in sea water, from which it is obtained by evaporation as common sea salt. It is also found in masses or beds, as rock salt, at considerable depth in the earth, in various countries. Sodium in combination with oxygen forms common soda, which has a powerful affinity for acid. We may properly infer that soda is indispensably re- quired by plants, and we find it in the ashes of most of them ; and many will thrive well only in soils con- taining it in abundance — such as the Salicornia and Salsola, the Glaus maritima, the Pod maritima, &c. ; and hence those plants are found only in the vicinity of salt springs and on the seacoast. Of the inland plants, those which are very nutritious — such as the dandelion, the clovers, lucerne, esparcette, and the cabbages — are found to contain much soda, and doubt- less owe their great nutriciousness to that circum- stance. Such plantsare not only devoured greedily by cattle, but are highly conducive to health and the production of fat. 7) Calcium. This is a silver-white metal, which Vjy union with oxygen, forms lime. It is not found in an uncombined state, but in its various combina- tions is of the greatest importance in practical agri- culture. Calcareoue earth combined with carbonic acid, constitutes common limestone and marble; with sulphuric acid, it forms gypsum; and in combin.ation with phosphoric acid, it is found in several minerals — such as apatite and phosphorite — in marls, in soils, and in bones of animals. It is also found combined with silicic acid, not only in minerals, but in the soil and marls of alluvial districts ; and the ashes of ma- ny plants contain it in excess, in combination either with phosphoric, sulphuric, silicic, or carbonic acid. — It is a well ascertained fact that calcarious earth, is indispensably necessary for the growth and due de- velopment of nearly all plants ; but great diversity of opinion prevails as to the proportior al quantity which soils should contain to be very fertile. From three to four per cent, is the usually assumed propor- tion, through Sprengel states that most of the soils celebrated for their productiveness, which were anal- ized by him, contained only one-half of one per cent. But he fouud the calcareous earth in these invariably in combination with substances wliich rendered it readily soluble and thus facilitated its absorption and assimilation by the plants. But in such cases a ra- pid diminution of the quantity of lime in the soil fol- lowed the cultivation of crops ; because, in addition to what was taken up by the plants, much was leached out and carried off by rain water. Sulphate of lime is present in many soils, and is found in the ashes of many cultivated plants. It is employed, in the state of powder, as a means of increasing the fertility of land, and is found to promote the growth of those plants especially which require both lime and su!- plmr. Spring water containing it, may be advantaf o- ously applied for the irrigation of meadows. 8) Aluminum. This is the basis of clay, which is very abundant in nature and forms a large portion of the crust of the globe. Though belonging to their chemical constituents, plants contain only a Terj small qi»intity of aluniinous earth. Soils which con- tain a large portion of it are difficult to work ; and the most fertile soils usually contain comparatively little of it — not exceeding from two to four per cent. 9) Iron. In its combination with oxygon, this sub- stance exerts a very important influence on vegetable life; and in this state it exists abundantly in natarc. The first, or protoxid is rarely found in soils, except in combination with an acid. The second, or perox- id, is much more common, and imparts the reddish color observable in many soils. 10) Manganese. This is a metal, but is never found in a pure state, being always in combination with oxygen or sulphuj. As it is found in almost all parts, it seems essential to their growth. But it is not yet ascertained whether it acts on them directly, per se, or whether it is absorbed, merely in conse- quence of its intimate connection with iron, of which it is a faithful associate. From the foregoing enumeration, it is obvious that very few of these simple substances occur naturally in a pure state, but are found in various combina- tions and forms, in the soil. The chief cause of these combinations appears to be in the powerful tendency of oxygen to unite with the several elements, — though there are some combinations in which oxygen bears no part. Furthermore, oxygen is present in very dif- ferent proportions in most of those combinations; and thus numerous bodies possessing various proper- ties are produced. When oxygen unit-es with another 228 COMMUNICATIONS. [November, liody in any small quantity, the result is called a pcroxid, being an imperfect oxid, in -wliich the pecu- liar qualities of substance ■n'hich the oxygen unites with are still largely predominant. But if the quan- tity of oxygen be so large that a kind of mutual saturation takes place, tht resulting combination is called a protoxhl. In these the peculiar qualities or properties of both substances are totally changed. — When the quantity of oxygen absorbed is in excess the combination is termed a Jiypercxid, which pos- sesses properties more closely approximating those of oxygen. But if the oxygen predominate so greatly that the combinations become acid, and act corrosive- ly when in a concentrated form, tliey are termed acids. But all bodies do not aljsorb oxygen in such f[uantity as to become acid. Of the simple substan- ces, carbon, sulphur, phosphorus, and silicon alone do so ; others, such as potassium, sodium, calcium> magnesium, aluminum, iron and mang.anese, will take up only so much oxygen as suffices to form oxids. But these oxids, again, possess the property of uniting with the oxids of the first mentioned class, and the resulting combinations are termed salts. Other sub- stances, however, may also form salts. All the va- rious acids do not possess the same degree of affinity for the several elements, uniting more readily with some than with others, as though more closely rela- ted to some than to others. This affinity extends so far, that when acid has taken a particular substance, and then meets another for which it has a stronger attraction, it will forsake the former and combine with the latter. The oxid which, by combination with an acid, forms a salt, is called the base. Basic bodies, accordingly, are oxids, whilst their counter- parts are acids. An old farmer's method of planting Corn. Mb. Editor. — Although not the season for corn planting, I give you herewith an account of the plan which I always pursue, and after an experience of nearly forty-eight years, have found ^under all cir- cumstances to produce the best crops. Many year's observation, has satisfied me of the fact, that my sys- tem will answer as well as any other in favorable sea- sons, and far better during such an one as that just passed. I always make it a point, when practicable, to put corn on sod ground, which may bo plowed in the fall, and with excellent effect, but which should be, at the earliest possible period in the spring. I always plow eight inches in d»pth, then score out my ground very deep, leaving the distance between the furrows three feet. The corn is then dropped, single grains, twelve inches apart. Where the ground is strong, the dis- tance may be less. My ten-toothed harrow is next brought into play, be!ng fashioned as follows : four- teen inches in width in front, and eight inches be- hind. This is tfarefuUy drawn through the furrow, thinly covering the corn, and the field permitted to lie in this condition for sis or seven days, when, with my twelve-toothed harrow I go over the whole, most thoroughly, covering the corn. The efiect of this last harrowing is to retard somewhat the first appearance of the corn, (which, by the way is not an objection,) and to keep down the weeds and grass. When about four inches high, I go through the furrows lengthwise with a shovel harrow, which is another deathlilow to the weeds and grass, and when it has reached the height of twelve inches I give it another and final dressing with one of Il.arnley's corn plows. This last dressing effectually destroys the weeds and leaves the ground in a fine mellow condition. The advantages I claim for this method are these: First, the deep plowing gives the roots of the corn a fine chance to penetrate the soil to a considerable depth, in search of suitable food. The depth which they reach, secures them in a great measure against the effects usually produced by drought. A second good result of the deep plowing is, that in very wet seasons, the over-moisture will affect the young corn less than where the plowing is shallow, because, not being obstructed at a depth of four or five inclios by the hard pan beneath, it has a chance to sink several inches lower. Secondly. The heavy harrowing, after the corn has been six or eight days planted, completely exposes to the sun and air. the seeds of weed and grass which have commenced germinating, and cither kills them completely, or so injures them, that their future growth and vigor is retarded so much as to place them completely at the mercy of the shovel harrow and corn plow, with which the after dressings are given. Again, the last dressing with the corn plow keeps the mellow earth around the stalk, and in most cases the result is, a second set of roots which give in- creased vigor to the growing stalk and ear. By the plan above detailed I have rarely, if ever, failed to have an average crop, even in the most un- favorable seasons, and when the seasons have been good, I have been led to think the yield to be fully equal to any of my neighbors. As before remarked, this article may be somewhat out of season ; but as the long evenings are approach- ing, some of your readers, who may think it worth their while to test my plan, will have an excellent opportunit}' of reading and reflecting upon the sub- ject, before plowing time arrives. Christian Stouffer. Pine Farm, Manheim tp., Lancaster co. The modes of sowing barley are either broad-cast or in rows by the drill or ribbing. The broad-cast mode is almost universally adopted ; unless in lands much infested with annual weeds, where drilling and hand-hoeing, and in particular cases horse-hoeing, may be employed to advantage. 1851.] COMMUNICATIONS. 229 Mr. Editor. — It is a source of satisfaction to ob- serve the increased attention paid to lime as a fer- tilizer. Notwithstanding the persevering efforts of interested persons to press upon the farmers the ex- tensive use of guano, and other highly vaunted ma- nures, it is apparent that the common sense of the community is fast triumphing over these labored ef- forts, and our o'svn native fertilizers adopted to a much greater extent than heretofore. As a manure, lime undoubtedly deserves to be classed amongst the best, not only on account of the permanent fertility it imparts to most soils, but also from its abundance and cheapness. It is a well es- tablished fact, that guano, while it rapidly imparts a high fertility to many soils, loses its virtues in a com- paratively short period ; thus rendering its frequent repetition necessary. This involves an expense which the generality of farmer's receipts will never justify, hence its universal adoption, at once becomes imprac- ticable. Lime, on the other hand, is not only cheap- er, but when once applied in the requisite quantity, many years elapse before another application is needed. Chemical analysis has satisfactorily shown, that lime exists in combination with an acid, in nearly all plants, it therefore becomes an almost indispen- sable ingredient of the food which should be supplied to them. There are also but few soils of which it does not form a part, and for this reason its adapta- bility to the general uses of farming is greater than that of any other manure — that of the farm yard ex- cepted. Wherever, I believe, the presence of lime has not been detected in greater or smaller propor- tions, there the soil has been found unfit for cultiva- tion. However, notwithstanding the almost universal adaptability of lime to farming purposes, it is appa- rent that its true value as a fertilizer is but imperfect- ly understood. Farmers are frequently met with, whose experience with it has been anything else than satisfactory. If, however, inquiry is made, it will be found that where it has failed to accomplish the do- sired purposes, it has' been the fault of the farmer and not of the lime. The general and very correct impression, that it is useful upon nearly every kind of soil, has led many to err in its application, they supposing that all soils require it in equal quantities. Writers upon the subject, pretend to fix the precise quantity requisite for an acre, and following these wise prescriptions, many persons apply it in the same quantities to every variety of soil. Than this, there could not be a more pernicious evil in farming. The quantity of lime to be used on an acre of ground should of course vary with the character of the soil. As one of its principal virtues consists in its action upon organic substances ; that soil will of course bear it in the largest quantities where 'animal and vegeta- ble remains most largely abound. Again, as lime is most frequently deemed necessary, by the inexperi- enced, where there is, to a considerable degree, an absence of organic matter, the consequence is, that it is frequently applied in too large quantities, to do aught else than absolute harm, and the experimenter tm-ns from it with disappointment and dissatisfaction. If more pains were taken to inculcate proper ideas in regard to the use of lime as a fertilizer — if, instead of \\Titers, lauding its general adaptation to all soils, and in just such quantities as the farmer's means will admit of, they would be particularly careful to point out the character of the soils and the quantity in which it should be applied to each, we should soon find it gro^ving into favor, and our farmers reap- ing the benefits of its virtues. I have penned the above, Mr. Editor, hoping that it will be tlie means of drawing abler pens than mine to this important subject. If your correspondent P. S. L.'s views in relation to the deterioration of the soil of Pennsylvania be correct, it is high time to look around iis, and see what means are within our reach to arrest the evil. There are doubtless many, but it appears to me that there is no.one so thorough- ly available as the judicious use of lime, and as our coal regions are being intersected at every point by rail roads, and as limestone exists in inexliaustible quantities in a large portion of our State, the use of lime will, in a few years, be brought within the reach of the generality of farmers. Let us, therefore, un- derstand its use perfectly, in advance. Enoch Lewis. Luzerne couniy, Penna. A Practical Farmer's testimony in behalf of deep plowing;. Mr. Editor : — In travelling through various sec- tion of Pennsylvania, my attention has been arrested by the very shallow plowing done by most farmers This reprehensible practice prevails to as great an extent in counties where the soil admits of plowing to the depth of seven or eight inches, as in those where it is thin and poor; and it appears to me that it is the result not so much of a desire to evade the diflference in the amount of labor as of an ignorance of the immense value of deep plowing. I am a plain former, pretending to no scientific knowledge, althougli I have the advantage of some forty years practical [experience. 1 will not, there- fore, attempt to give you any scientific reasons for my strong faith in deep plowing, but will call your attention to a few facts which spsak more loudly to the minds of practical men than scientific theories. In the year 1847, I purchased the farm on which I now reside. The condition of it at the time of pur- chase was most wretched. Fences were torn down, the house was fast going to decay, and the barn and outbuildings too bad to shelter stock or protect pro- duce from the weather. The land was in worse con- 230 COMMUNICATIONS. [November, dition still. For years it had been rented out, and as is usually the case ■with tenants, every thing was taken from the soil which it would yield, and when at length it was worn out completely, it was turned out, like an old horse to die. The land was originally as fine as any in Lancas- ter county, a fact of which I was fully aware. I had for years observed the mode of plowing adopted by the tenants,, and felt satisfied that one of the princi- pal causes of the wretched condition of the farm was the " skinning" system pursued by them. My first step, therefore, was to remedy this evil. My horses being of the kind familiarly known as the " Conesto- gos" and my plows, those manufactured in our own county, (which, for adaptation to heavy soil are the best I know of ) I commenced the work of renova- tion. A good motto for every farmer is, " go to the bottom of things." I determined to foUow it and went to tlie bottom of the soil on my farm. It was hard work, and my " Conestogo team" felt it. But I fed well, and continued the undertaking. Every acre was plowed to tlie depth of eight inches, and soil was brought to the light and air which had not seen either for a quarter of a century. Some of my neighbors looked in upon me and nearly all predicted that I would get tired before I was done. This, however, did not discourage me. 1 persevered until the whole was completed, applying to the land all the farm yard manure I could gather, and when that failed, putting on lime. What was the result? The result was that the first crops of wheat and corn were treble the quantity of those taken from the farm when under lease. I had nearly thirty bushels of first rate wheat to the acre, which was as good a yield as that of any of my neighbors farms. A field from which, all told, six small two horse loads of hay had been gathered ; two years after yielded me thirty-nine larger loads. My corn was good and I was satisfied with the result of my experiment. As my means of feeding stock multiplied, I increas- ed the number, so that my manure heap grew in size and value. The deep plowing was persisted in, and with this gratifying fact accompanying it, that where I with difficulty plowed to a depth of eight inches before, I could now plow to the same depth with as much ease as my neighbors could to a depth of five inches. This was another spoke in my wheel and my neighbors began to see it. I was pleased to ob- serve that several of them set their plows a little deeper, and that the benefits of giving the sub-soil a chance to speak, were beginning to be appreciated. During the past season I have had my faith in deep plowing greatly strengthened. AYhile many farmers complain of considerably less than an average crop of corn, mine has never been better. During the drought, when in other fields the corn looked sickly and yellow, mine grew strong and vigorous, and throughout the season retained a rich green color. Now, Mr. Editor, while I give the lime and ma- nure, I have applied to my farm, all the credit they deserve, I attribute its present good condition mainly io deep ]phu-ing, and in concluding this plain state- ment of facts, permit me to say to farmers every where, that the first plowing is the only one that need be .looked upon with dread. "When once the soil is loosened thoroughly to the depth of eight inches, it can be kept loose with very little more la- bor than where the average depth of plowing is five inches. And I am fully convinced of the fact that were the labor double that of shallow plowing, it will pay better to go to the bottom, every year, than merely to " skin " tlie surface. An Old Farmer. Manor townsltip, Lancaster co. liate Seeding. INIr. Editor. — The calamitous effects of blight in our grain crops some ten or twelve years back, led subsequently to early seeding, which in general is the safest practice, although not a specific against blight ; for I have frequently seen blighted wheat which had been sown early. There are, and ever will be cases of blighted grain, arising from causes other than late seeding, which the want of time will not permit me to enter upon now, but hope to be able at some future time to explain. My object at present is to say a few words on the necessity there will be to guard against the "wintering out," as it is term- ed, of the forthcoming crop, and to secure against blight, as under tlio circumstance of late seeding. — The prevailing drought pending the present seed time producing a condition of things tantamount to late sowing, will require some additional attention on the part of farmers, in order to secure the young grain and grass, feeble and exposed as they will Ix', from the freezing and thawing of the coming winter. At this date, last season, most of the grain crops looked so luxuriant and so much in advance of the season, that fears were entertained by many, that so premature a growth would injuriously aflfect the crop by smothering it under the snow, or in promoting the increase of the fly from the congenial shelter it would afiijrd for its propagation; and hence some resorted to depasturing, and not a few to mowmg, to provide against the apprehended contingencies. The case is widely different now, as many of the grain field.s look as if left to fallow unsown. The seed if germi- nated, has sent forth but feeble plants, having but little hold in the ground, and should November be oven'so favorable as common, still the young grain can make but little progress in root or blade, to fit it to withstand the severity and changes of the winter. The question then is, how can the danger be avert- ed or the evil modi^ed? I answer, through a judicious 1851.] COMMUNICATIONS. sai top-dressing by way of sheltering and protecting the tender blades and rootlets from the intense frosts and relaxing thaws of the approaching season, and to quicken them into action so soon as the earliest breath of spring breatlies upon them, so as by rapid growth they make up for their backwardness in the fall, and mature in season to escape blight. To this end I re- commend a top dressing of unrotted litter, forked from the barn yard and stable manure, to be carted on and spread evenly and lightly over the grain, so soon after the first frost shall have frozen the ground sufficiently hard to prevent the wheels from cutting into it. The first rain or snow afterward will flatten it do'ivn, close over and around the roots, protecting them in a great degree from the intensity of succeed- ing frosts, and affirding to them invigorating warmth and nourishment for an early start in the spring. — If the ground has been well manured previous to seeding, care must be taken to carry out as little of the ' short dung with the litter as possible; this can easily bo managed by shaking off extraneous matter in forking. If sufficient litter is not at hand, at first, to topdress the whole, whatever accumulates after- wards should occasionally be spread through the ear- ly part of the winter, as opportunity may occur, until all the grain has been dressed. The short straw fre- quently loft in the barn yard from the threshing ma- chine, though not saturated by the cattle or horses, may, if early applied, prove highly advantageous. Let no one be deterred from applying the litter or straw upon their grain fields through fear of encour- aging the fly, or be so solicitous as to the appearance the litter, when dry, in spring, will present, for the young wheat and grass plants will soon push through it, and it will in a short time sink to the surface as it becomes moistened with the dew and rain, and ■will moreover, exert a beneficial influence on the wheat, and insure well set grass in the stubble when the grain is reaped. Permit me to add, that experience in top dressing late sown grain, qualify me to bear testimony in fo- vor of its great utility. I have practised it every year on grain sown on potato land, which from the lateness of the seeding, caused by the delay in gath- ering the potato crop, rendered the practice of top dressing, in my judgment, indispensable. Through a series of years I never failed in reaping a first rate crop of wheat under this practice. In 1842 I gather- ed over 440 bushels of fine Mercer potatoes to the acre, field culture, and actually reaped the next har- vest, from the same land, quite fifty bushels of white wheat to the acre : the seed of which I had from my esteemed friend, Capt. John Steele, of Paradise, Lan- caster county. Last harvest, of wheat so treated, top dressed, I must from appearance have reaped not loss than forty bushels to the acre from three to four acres of land, from which a crop of potatoes had been gathered the previous season. Many I fear will think the practice here recommended too trouble- some. To such I take leave to say, they should not hesitate to take a little additional pains to secure a remunerating crop for the labor already bestowed upon it, which present appearance, without some fur- ther effort may prove labor lost. A poor crop of grain at harvest, with badly set grass, are circum- stances that every farmer must deprecate. What prudent man but would give a trifle to insure that which might be deemed at risk or in jeopardy. Respectfully, James Gowen. Mount Airy, Oct. 16, 1851. Agriculture in Pennsylvania. Mr. Editor : — Much has been said of late about the agricultural progress and standing of Pennsylva- nia, and comparisons have been drawn between her and other members of the Union, rather derogatory to our own State. Now, Mr. Editor, I have repeatedly contended that Pennsylvania is in advance of other States, in agri- cultural improvement, — at least in the cultivation of the soil and the condition of farms generally. In riding along our railroads, turnpikes, and pub- lic avenues, these facts must be evident to those who have traversed ours and other States sufficiently to institute a comparison. They will see in Pennsylva- nia finer fields, cleaner and more completely tilled ; fences of better style and in neater condition ; the system of rotation more closely observed and prac- tised; the returns of field crops equal to, if not ex- ceeding, generally, those of other States, while our farm buildings, at least our barns and stabling, are greatly superior to those seen elsewhere. Having said thus much for our fields and our farms, the superiority of which I think should be conceded, it may be well to turn for a moment to the other side of the picture and note the " short comings" and deficiencies of our good citizens. AVhen our farmers visit the agricultural .shows and fairs of the Eastern States (which they do quite too i-nrelv) surprise is excited at the great display made l.iy dis- tricts that appear inferior to their own, in the means of producing, whether of quality or kind, the variety concentrated in their show grounds. The surprise is still greater when on visiting the best markets north and east of us, they are not found to equal our own, and especially that of Philadelphia. What, then, is the reason, that they so far excel us in the annual display of their agricultural products ? Several causes may be assigned for this, in some respects real, in others apparant superiority. Not- withstanding we have more highly cultivated farms, and finer barns, aifording more abundant food and better shelter, with a climate unsurpassed for the rearing of stock, our cattle, horses, sheep and swino are in the aggregate inferior to tliose of New York and the New England States. In the breeding of 232 COMMUNICATIONS. [November. stock with very few exeeptiona our farmers are ex- ceedingly deficient; and equally so in orchard fruits of nearly all descriptions. We should seek for better kinds, and when we have them should make it known by bringing them out on public occasions as do our eastern neighbors. Even this inferiority of stock is overcome by the fruitfulness of our soil and the skill of our graziers as is shown by our unrivalled shambles, while the butter, the milk, the field vegetables and the finer products of the garden have given to the markets of Philadelphia a high reputation the wide world over. Now, with the advantage of a fine climate and our superior farms which pour their wealth so profusely into the pockets of our hardy yeomen, why is it that we fail in some important particulars? Is it not mainly owing to the want of that free and social in- tercourse which distinguishes the citizens of the northern and eastern States. Unlike them, our farmers are reserved and recluse in their manners and habits ; they seldom' mingle to- getlier in societies or associations, and of course have not the benefit resulting from frequent interchange of opinions. Some of the happy results of assembling together for discussion and social conversation, are the desire given to. communicate knowledge; the in- formation imparted or received; gradually acquiring the means of communicating our ideas and thoughts to others, and in a word rapidly promoting the habit of inquiring, reasoning, thinkiiiy— that thinkiny which gives to the yankee his cuteness, or rather his great intelligence. In travelling through a rough and poor district of Massachusetts where the people might starve if they depended on the soil alone for sustenance, but where their houses and homes looked comfortable, I was asked by a fellow passenger what they lived upon. The very natural reply suggested itself to my mind that " they lived upon their wits." These people owe their wit as we call it, or the knowledge by which they live and prosper where others would starve, to attendance in the first place at their excellent pulilic schools, and then by becom- ing members of agricultural and other societies, and by reading books which treat on the business and ■ pursuits of life. It does not take such men long to understand that a good horse or cow or sheep costs no more to raise than one of inferior kimi, while it will when ready for market sell higher, and they therefore seek for the best. If we can induce our Pennsylvania farmers to form in every neighborhood agricultural societies or clubs and especially to sub- scribe for and read such works as the Pa. Farm Jour- nal they would not be long in discovering wherein there is room to improve their condition and pros- pects. Our fine fields would never be covered with "mountain scrubs" when a better race could be found, and our farm stock like our crops would vie with the best of any land. Farming implements would by the same means be improved even beyond their present high standard and the character of Pennsylvania as an agricultural State of the first or- der would be sustained and promoted. Phila., Oet. 18, 1851. A. S. Roberts. How should young farmers spend their winter eieiiiiigs. Winter is approaching, — the long evenings are at hand, and the holiday of the farmer is near. Young man, you, I mean, who purpose devoting your life to agricultural pursuits, have you determined upon any plan of spending yuur winter evenings? If you have not, let me suggest one. Are you familiar with the great principles upon which the noble science to which you purpose devot- ing your life, is based? Perhaps you will answer, yes ; but before you do so, pause a moment and re- flect. I do not desire to know whether you can plow, or reap or mow, or pei'form any or all of the duties of the farm ; but whether you are conversant witli those broad principles which lie at the foundation of agriculture, and without a knowledge of which you can never become a true farmer ? Or, to make mat- ters plain, if not familiar with them, are you endea- voring to become so ? If you are not, you have an important duty to perform — a duty you owe to your- self and your profession ; and that is, an immediate attention to those branches of study, which if pursued with a proper spirit, will make you a better farmer, and a wiser and happier man. The long winter evenings are approaching, and delightful evenings they will be, if properly improved. You are probably aware that chemistry is the foun- dation stone of agriculture. It performs an import- ant part in almost every process in which you en- gage, and it enables you to understand the various uses of the materials you work with, or produce. — A thorough knowledge of agricultural chemistry, will assist you in overcoming the host of difficulties that stand in the way of the mere working farmer. It will teach you the character and requirements of your soils— the proper application of manures — the most economical mode of feeding your stock — the manage- ment of your dairy — the true value of the crops you grow ; in fact it is the only thing that can enable you to know to a positive certainty, whether the system of farming you are pursuing is the most economical, as well as the most profitable. I might cite a thou- sand instances in which chomis^y has removed mis- apprehensions, and dispelled erroneous theories ; this however, is not necessary. If you have an earnest desire to become a thorough farmer, a bare reference to the advantages to be derived from even a partial knowledge of it will be sufficient. Now for my plan. Procure a copy of Liebig's Agricultural Chemistry, and if you can aflbrd it, get 1851.J COMMUNICATIONS. 233 Johnson's too. Determine to give two hours at least of eaoh evening to the study of thorn, and make it an unalterable rule to fix in your mind at least one important truth every evening. Persevere a few weeks, and as one great truth is added to another, you ■R-ill be surprised at the growing interest that is awakening witiiin you. Thus continually and stead- ily advance in your studies, and by the time spring arrives, and you are prepared to resume your out-door work, you will have laid up such stores of knowledge as will not only repay you for the mental labor you have undergone, but your daily toil, instead of being drudgery, will become a source of delightful interest to you. You will work more intelligently and conse- quently more advantageously. Understanding the character of the soil you cultivate, the manures you apply and the crops you grow, you will be enabled to adapt one to the other and thus produce the most de- sirable results, with the least possible expense. In mentioning Johnson and Liebig only, do not suppose that I wished to convey the idea that their works should alone engage your attention. There are many others, on subjects intimately allied to agri- culture, vliich should also be attentively studied, and which your own taste and judgment will enable you to select. But remember this one fact; if you desire to build up a reputation for being a true ecientific practical farmer, agricultural chemistry must be the corner stone of the structure you wish to raise. — Without it you may farm, and farm successfully, but your labor will not be intelligent labor. A¥ith it, your toil will be lessened in fact, while the conscious- ness that you understand the various processes that engage your attention, will lend to it a charm that will beguile many an otherwise tedious hour, and lead you step by step, deeper into those glorious mys- teries of nature's workings, that are a "sealed book" to the uniformed. Young man, how will you spend the long winter evenings ? Franklin. Marrishurg, Oct. 9, 1851. Mr. Editor: — Some time since I purchased a cow, which, at the time of purchase, was very thin in flesh. She gave a large quantity of milk, and I was led to believe that with careful feeding I could soon improve her appearance. But my hopes have been vain. — She eats freely and gets as much as she can eat, but she will not fatten. The amount sf milk has also in- creased very perceptibly, but not the fiesh. Can you account for this ? J. S. Mechayiieshurg, Cumberland county. [Answer. — Good milkers are rarely ever full flesh- ed. The curd and butter of milk are formed from the same material as the fat and muscle of the cow, consequently, so long as she continues to yield a large quantity of milk, she will not become fivtter. — Whenever the cow begins to fatten her milk falls off i n quantity. Dear Sir: — Agreeably to promise I send herewitli a small sample of wheat grown by me this season. — I procured the seed from the Waljash valley, Ca»s county, Indiana — and quote the words of a letter from the friend tp whose kindly office I am indebted for the seed. "The wheat was raised on the barrens or oak cpenings, and yields, with western farming, thirty to thirty-five bushels per acre. The seed wa.^ originally sent in a letter from the Baltic, weighs sixty-four poimds to the bushel, and is considered the best in the country — commanding $1 per bushel for seed." I sowed the three bushels of seed on an acre and a half of ground which had been in potatoes, they having been sowed in tlio sod well manured with barn yard manure. The yield was fifty-two bushels. Owing to the delay in forwarding the seed it was not sowed until the 11th of October and was harvest- ed on the 8th of July — one day after a field of Medi- terranean wheat sowed on tho 13th of September. — It is a white beardless variety — bearing a full head not so long as the Mediterranean but equal in bulk upon a remai-kably stiff straw, much tho color of bright bamboo. Upon the 30th ultimo I seeded twelve acres witii this wheat, having manured the oats stubble freely with barn yard manure, plon ed threo times, sowed broadcast two bushels to the acre and harrowed in. It will afford me pleasure to communicate the re- sult at the proper season. From the very gratifying success of tho first sow- ing I am encouraged to hope this may prove what we so much desire in this region, an early white wheat. I intend having the ground accurately surveyed and the return of the miller to whom tlio crop was sold. Very respectfully. Your obedient servant, Jas. A. McCrea, M. D. WhitemarsJi, Montgomery county, Oct. 9, 1851. To Measure an Acre op Ground. — In measuring land, 30i square yards make one square rod, and 40 square rods make on square rood, four of Vv'hich, or IGO rods, make one acre. It is evident, therefore, that 40 rods long by 4 rods wide will make an acre. The same result may be arrived at by measuring 299 feet in length, and 198 feet in width, or by measur- ing 73 J 'yards in length, by CO yards in breadth. To lay out an acre square, 209 feet on each side is the nearest amount that will make an acre, being les.s than an inch each way over the exact distance ; 43 560 superficial feet, or 208 95—100 feet on eaoh side constitute an acre of ground. An Englishman observed a stone roll down a stair- case. It bumped on every stair till it came to the bottom ; there, of course, it rested. " That stone," said he, " resembles the national debt of my country; it has bumped on every grade of the community, but its weight rests on the lowest." 34 COMMUNICATIONS. I November, Propagation of the vine. (Ciintiuued from page 209.) Some c\iltivators take single eyes with about half an inch of the wood above and belq^y, rounding off both ends somewhat, and place them in a hotbed or in pots, horizontally, so as to leave the apex of the bud or eye even with the surface of the soil — cover- ing the whole slightly with moss, which is to be kept moderately moist. In connection with the pi'cceding, Mr. Matlack gives his system of pruning or dressing, based on the physiology of the vine ; which being an essential part of the after culture, deserves to be quoted in his own language. " Every joint of a grape vine has its own separate pith. This most important circumstance commences at the lowest leaf that has a clasper opposite. A solid woody substance, passing from the leaf to the clasper, through the vine, and connecting them to- gether, cut off entirely the communication between the pith of the joint below and that of the joint nest above ; and so on upwards at every joint throughout the whole length of the vine. In the after stages of the growth of the vine, this takes ] lace also where the first branch of grapes stands opposite to a leaf — ■ the bunches never failing to stand below all the clas- pers, which are indeed barren fruit stems, whose chief office is to support the vine and the clusters be- low them. It is important to be known and kept in mind, that all the eyes below the first clasper are fiirmed in the bosom of smaller and more feeble leaves ; and that the base of these eyes does not ex- tend across the vine so as entirely to cut off the pith of the joint below from connection with that of the joint next above it. These eyes are tlierefore imper- fect, and whenever you trim the vine ought to be rubbed off. " It is at the first trimming of a vine grown from a cutting, that we begin to apply the principle here laid down ; and it is only on this occasion that there can be any difficulty in the application of it. This difficulty can only arise when the growth of the vine * has been so feeble, as not to have produced a clasper in any part of it. This seldom occurs, but if it should happen, the vine must l)e cut off at half an inch abovd the lowest strong full eye ; otherwise it is to be cut off at half an inch above the first clasper ; and in both cases, all the eyes below are to be carefully cut off. " The eye thus left will sometimes produce more than one shoot, in which case all but the strongest should be rubbed off, and that supported and pro- tected. This, except the keeping the ground free from woods, is all the care required this year. " In tlie following February the vine is to be again cut off just above the second clasper from below ; that is leaving on two eyes to grow this season, and rub- bing off all the eyes below the lowest clasper. Both these shoots should be permitted to grow to their ut- most extent — which, if the soil bo favorable, will bo very considerable ; and there will be reason to hope for fruit the next season. " The lower clasper issues higher up on some kinds of vine than on others. On some it appears at the third leaf, on some at the fourth, and on some kinds as high up as at the fifth leaf. But the same rule is to be applied to all ; and every eye below the lowest clasper is to be rubbed off. " In the third February, three eyes may be left on each shoot ; l>ut not more, however strong the shoots may appear to be. From this time forward all the side branches from'the shoots of the year are to be rubbed off, taking care not to injure the leaf from which they spring, which is the nurse of the bud at the liase of the stem. " At the fourth time of dressing the vine, and from that time forward, it may be out from about the end of October to the middle of February. Four eyes may be left on each shoot at this time ; and five eyes may be left on each at the fifth dressing. But more than five eyes should never be left on a shoot even of the most vigorous growth, at any age of the vine ; for however pleasing the increase for the year may be, the injury done thereby to the vine, will be seen and lamented in the following and probably many suc- ceeding years." So much for the readiest modes of raising the vine from cuttings, and its subsequent treatment. But tlie propagation of this plant by seed, also deserves atten- tion and trial, because valuable now varieties are not unfrequcntly thus obtained, and seedlings generally prove to be hardier and more productive than the pa- rent plant, thriving in inferior soils, and being less susceptible of injury from atmospheric influences. — For this purpose the most perfect and earliest ma- tured seeds of approved grapes arc chosen, separated from the pulp, and dried. About the close of April, a bed having a western or northern exposure is to be prepared, by depositing a layer of leaves, or fresh horse dung about a foot high, and coverin;^ it with about four inches of rich garden mould. The seed is then dibblsd in three inches apart in rows six in- ches distant from each other, and covered about half an inch. The ground is to bo kept moderately damp, and about the middle of May the young plants will make their appearance. During the summer the bed must be kept clear of weeds, and oceasionallyVatered if the season be dry. In August the seedlings must be pruned down to eight or nine inches, and at the end of October taken up and preserved in moist sand or earth, over the winter, in a well ventilated cellai.- - In the following spring, they may be sot out in rows, or planted where they are to remain permanently, and the subsequent treatment is to be in accordance with the directions given by Mr. Mattack. An excellent liquid manure for tlie vine, may be prepared as follows : Take one bushel of cow dung, ten gallons of water, three gallons of bullock's blood, and two quarts of unslacked lime. Incorporate the whole wall, stirring it frequently during two weeks, and water the plants therewith in the spring, shortly before the buds begin to start W. 1851.] COMMUNICATIONS. 235 For tlieFarm Journal. A HaTilt of Obserratioii Essential to Success with tlie Farmer. BY FR.INKLIX B. HOUGH, M. D. Persons accustonipd to follow a reojular routine of business, whieh admits of but little variation, and re- quires little beyond a well trained exercise of muscu- lar action, are liable to fall into a habit of inattention, and the mind unaccustomed to active exercise be- comes by disuse enfeebled in its power, and disquali- fied for active thought. It is emphatically true with the mental, as with the material part of our natures, tliat exercise strengthens our power, and enables us the better to exert them when occasion offers. The common remarks, that great events call forth great men, and that the supply in literature and the fine arts, as well as in the commercial world, always equals the demand, are founded in the principle of our natures. In the mechanic arts, there is loss op- portunity for this mental exercise than in agricultur- al operations, and practice of the fine arts. Yet even in the most simple and monotonous em- ployment, a busy mind will ever find exercise, and not unfrequently originate an idea which when devel- oped and applied, is<;apable of working the greatest changes. It has been said that on the first introduction of the steam engine, a boy was employed to open and close the valves. By watching the motions of the several parts of the machinery, he contrived to attach a fixture which performed his task with precision. — Here was a labor as monotonous as could well be imagined, and to many, as barren of subjects for thought as could be selected ; — but a fertile mind was not to lay idle, and ingenuity was found able to per- fect a great discovery. If we may believe tradition, some of the greatest discoveries in science, have been suggested by events so common as to pass by daily unheeded by the mass of mankind. The operations of the animate world around us, involve the application of principles in mechanics which contain the germs of the greatest of human discoveries. The operations of the aeronaut, the diver and the sailor have their analogies in the spider, and the nautilus, which practiced their arts before the Montgolfiers launched into the air the pa- per_balloons, or the adventurous diver sought to carry air with him into the watery element, or the rudest sail was spread to the breeze. To the husbandman in an especial manner, is the book of nature opened for perusal, and his attention is invited to the operation of agencies so wonderful, that if they could be exhibited for the first time to a person who had never seen them, would call forth ex- clamations of surprise at their operations. If a seed, cast into the 8oil,should germinate, spring up, grow into a treo, blossom, and bear fruit within an hour, few persons would look upon such a wonder without awe and astonishment; yet the operation is not the less curious, or less worthy of admiration and study, because the successive changes are insensible, and require years for their consummation. The natural habits and requirements of plants, — the circumstances that favor or retard their growtlj, — the soil and manures which are best suited to their wants, — tlie changes which a given soil requires in "order that it may yield the greatest profits, for tlie longest time, and at the least expense, — the accidents and injuries to which plants may be liable, and tlie methods by which they may bo protected from them ; the best time and circumstances for seed time and harvest, — and lastly the best manner of preparing the soil, of rearing, collecting, and preparing for market the productions of his farm, all require an exercise of thought, and admit of improvements in the ways and means which the farmer has given to habits of obser- vation, will not fail to notice and employ. A similar remark might be applied to the rearing of domestic animals, and to every department of ag- ricultural operations. Under equal circumstances and habits of industry, it will universally be found, that the most observant farmer is the most successful, and that success is di- rectly proportioned to the skill and care bestowed upon the adaptation of wants or requirements in the varied labors of the farm. Without suitable reflec- tion, one may build a wall on a soil which heaves witli the frost, and thus lose in a short time the labor which might in proper situations have lasted a life- time,— or persists in cultivating the same crop in a field, when another would yield him thrice the profits, or continues in the raising of certain grain, or stock, while the market should have warned liim to adopt a more profitable course, — or rejects a new improve- ment in implements for cultivating the soil, thereby placing the labor of his own hands, in competition with the horses of his neighbors,— or allows to run to waste a hundred sources of fertilizing manures, which might profitably and cheaply be applied to his soil, — or penuriously denies himself and family the opportunity of learning of the new discoveries in the science of agriculture, by neglecting to supply him- self with journals and papers devoted to that subject ; who in short, continues to follow in the steps of his father and grandfather, regardless of circumstances, without reflection, for no other reason than because they did thus and so. By close observation, a practical knowledge of the quality of a given soil may be estimated from the kinds of timber or wild plants which flourish upon it in the state of nature, and an ordinary acquaintance with the principles of chemistry, will enalile one to apply a few tests to determine the quality of soil, and judge of the kind of crop best suited to the lo- cality. By closely observing the changes of the weather, one may by habit acquire the means of judging with some probability of accuracy, _the au- 236 COMMUNICATIONS. [November, spicioug time for sowing or harvesting. Certain lo- calities have those peculiarities of atmospheric con- ditions, which afford data for estimating changes in the weather to a greater extent than others. The barometer affords the greatest assistance in these prognostications, and no well ordered farm should be without one of these useful instruments, well observed^ Such is becoming the progress of knowledge, and its application to the practical business of life, that a certain amount of education, and an active and thoughful habit of life, are indispensable to success. Every new improvement in agriculture, places its possessor in a situation above his neighbors, in point of facilities, which will enable him to excel those who do not adopt it ; for here, as in manufactures, it is as idle to attempt with the hand rake, and flail, the hoe, and the sickle, to compete with the horse rake, and threshing machine, the cultivator, and the cra.- dle or harvesting machine, as for the housewife to at^ tempt to outdo with her spinning 'wheel, and hand loom, the machinery of the woolen factory. It is true that a multitude of the modern im):Jements offered for agricultural use are no improvements, — many ac- tually worse than useless, and hence appears the ne- cessity of a cultivated habit of discrimination, to en- able one to select the valuable and avoid the worth- less. Having dwelt upon the necessity of a habit of careful and constant observation in the farmer, in or- der to enable him to adapt the means to the end, with the greatest success, it remains to Numerate some of the measures best calculated to ensure this end. The reason why men differ in their habits of ob- servation, is much the same as that which makes two fields under similar natural circumstances differently productive. AVe often see a field of grain of great luxuriance, by the side of an open and naked com- mon, or a garden teeming with every delicacy of the season, in the midst of an arid district, overgrown with thorns and useless weeds. The great secret of success may be embodied in one word,^cuUivatioii. Let a person cultivate in himself a method of noting evcrj- circumstance around him, of reflecting upon its cause, and of following it to its consequences, and he will assuredly acquire this habit so indisponsaljle to success. Let him no- tice the effects of different manures upon soils, the Talative productions and profit of the same grain upon different soils, or different manui-es, and of the same soil with diffiM-eut grains, or under a different system of tillage, or in different seasons, or with dif- ferent preparation. Let him watch the effects of fertilizers, the influ- ence of the weather, the habits of insects injurious to his crops, the relative econonij' of diflerent modes of culture, and above all, the better to ensure the con- tinuance of these without interruption, and for future reference, let him acquire the habit of recording, in a journal kept for the purpose, a register of his daily observations. In no department of daily observation can this be done with greater benefit than with the weather. — If it were for no other purpose than to acquire a ha- bit of observation, this would repay one for the time required, but these records possess an intrinsic value to science, as they enable us to study the laws which govern the origin and progress of atmospheric changes — of infinite practical importance to the farmer and the mariner. Efforts are now being made to collect these obser- vations from every part of the continent; and every one who is disposed can have the opportunity of as- sisting in this great work. Printud forms and blanks are furnished without expense by the Smithsonian Institution at Washington, to every one wishing to observe, and in addition to these, those who report receive from time to time publications of great inter- est. Another method if adopted, would prove of great service to the farmer, by affording him the data from which to measure not only the success of different systems of tillage, but also his own progress in the science of agriculture, as applied in his labor. This is in the keeping of a, farm hook, in which is record- ed the time and kind of plowing, sowing, and har- vesting his different fields ; — the amount and kind of fertilizers employed, and how and when applied, the quantity of seed used, and the amount, value, and nett profits of the crops. It might contain memoranda of the products of his flocks, and dairy, the prices of produce at different seasons, and the relative profits of the different de- pai'tments of his labor. To render this at all useful for ready reference, a regular system of entries shoulil be employed, every subject should be kept by itself and easy reference secured by an index at the end of the volume. A tabular arrangement would secure the greatest benefit with the least trouble, and the records of suc- cessive years standing side by side would afford at a glance the most satisfactory information in relation to the past history of his farming opsrations. Should one desire to acquire a habit of order and regularity which weuld contribute greatly to success, two books might be kept. In the first he might en- ter the several facts worthy of notice, in the order of their occurrence, in the same manner as accounts arc entered in a day book. A neatly kept volume pro- perly ruled in tables, and furnished with an index, would serve like the ledger to collect in their proper plac&s for instantaneous referehce, the essential facts contained in the former volume. Tho time required for those purposes would be in- considerable, as the records might be made at odd moments, while the transcribing into the tabular ar- 1851.] COMMUNICATIONS. 237 mngement might atforJ business for a lung VTiiiter I'vcning. A habit of order and economy would be acquired by keeping these records, which could not fail to evince itself in all the details of the farm, and if this duty be enjoined upon the youth while assisting in agricultural labors, before leaving the paternal roof, the additional advantage would be attained of an I'arly formed and lasting Isabit of observation, which would ultimately become a second nature and as in- - rive gratification from the busy world around him, .and must rely upon the stores of memory, and the recollection of a well or ill spent life for his pleasant or miserable associations. Homerville, Si. Laicrencc co., N. Y. I one to three inches long, narrow, tuuooth, and thickly I scattered on the stem. I The fiowgrs are scattered onlhe stem,— large and showy, the upper part pale greenish yellow, the low- er part bright orange yellow. It flowers from June till September. The pod is of a cylindrical form, opening by several divisions at the tup, divided into two cells, containing numerous black, irrcgul.arly shaped seeds, roundish dotted in the centre. It is said to have been introduced into Philadel- phia, by a Mr. Kanstcad, a AVelshman, as a garden flower. It has now become a great nuisance in many places, and will require much persevering effort to extirpate it. Continued culture with the hoe, is among the best means to destroy it. Although a vile weed to the farmer, it is not entirely useless. It is the principal ingredient in Wolph's celebrated oint- ment for the piles. It is also used for dropsies, jaun- dice, and cutaneous eruptions, and LinniBus savs, it is used as a poison for flies. The plant has a bitterish and saline taste, and when rubbed emits a smell resembling that of elder. Nothing will eat it, and every vestige of it should be destroyed by the farmer as soim as it makes its ap- pearance on the farm. J. M. M'-Mixx. Viuoiiville, Cenireco., Fa., Ocf., 1851. Agricultural Nuisances, No. 3. TOAD FLAX, SNAP DRAGON', RAXSTEAD SEED, DEVIl's FLAX, DUTTER 4 EGGS. i^re;ic7i, Mufflierlinaire. German, Dae Flachskraut- Antirrhinum Linaria, Lin. Antirrhinum com- mune, Lam. Linaria vulgaris. Tour. It is a Linaria, a genus established by Tourneforte. The name is derived from the Celtic Llin, the name for flax, because the leaves resemble those of that plant. It belongs to the 14th class, Dldynamia, and the 2d order, Arigiospermia, in the artificial system of Linnreus, — to order Scrophulariacae, of Sprongel. and tribe Antirrhinidoa in Gray's Botany of the Northern and Middle States. The genus contains 13G species. Two of them are natives of the United States, and two more are natu- ralized. The one under consideration is a native of Europe, but is found estensively in this country, and is becoming a very pernicious weed. It does not seem to have spread itself alarmingly until recently, now it takes almost exclusive possession of the soil in some vicinities. The root lives for many years and is almost as te- nacious of life as the Canada thistle. The stem grows from one to two feet high, not branched except near the summit, smooth and leafy. The leaves are fcom The advantage of keeping good cows. Mr. Editor: — There is one subject which I think should claim the special attention of the farmers of Pennsylvania, but which for some unaccountable reason appears to hare been strangely neglected I mean the raising of the most improved breeds of cat- tle. For several years I kept only the common stock, that is. only such stock as is generally brought into our neighborhood by drovers from the western coun- ties. Stock of this character, although apparently very cheap, prove in the end much the dearest. Af- ter a fair trial, I found this to he the case ; many of the cows I kept, scarcely paying the expense of keep- ing, and having satisfied myself of this fact, I sold off my entire stock and purchased instead, some of the best devon heifers I could procure. To the im- provement of these I have devoted much time and atr tention, and find myself well repaid for both. I will give you a few facte in relation to one of my cows, which took the first premium at our county ex- hibition on the 1st and 2d of October. We com- menced milking her on the 14th of December last, and on the first week made 13 J lbs. of butter, and the average yield of butter for eleven successive weeks was 10 lbs. or 110 Ibf. in all. On the 23d of May, the yield of butter from this cow was 8J lbs. per week, and when within six weeks of calving, 4i lljs. per week. The yield of butter during the year was 400 lbs. the whole of which was printed and sent to market, where it commanded an average price of twenty cents, thus making ^sO worth of bulter. — 238 COMMUNICATIONS. [November, Now, taking a'l those facts into consideration, is it not tlic part of the wise farmer or dairyman, to keep only improved stock. They may cost a- little more in the beginning, but in the end they -vvlll prove the cheapest. The same amount of feed is required for the common cow, tlie same attention is also necessary, while the return she makes, is not half as much as that of one of the improved breeds. If I had the choice, I would rather pay a handsome price for a good Devon, than take a common cow as a gift. The cow aljovc referred to is a deep red, and weighs 12G9 lbs. As I intend keeping a regular account of the butter we make from her the coming season, and as I hope to increase the amount somewhat, I will give you a full and fair account hereafter. W. W. T.iYLOR. U2>pcr Procidence, Moiifr/omcri/ co., Pa. The Arboretum. Maijnolia coiiync-ita — Is a native of the district of Yulam, China. It is perfectly hardy in all the mid- dle States. Tlie tree is of a beautiful conical form and rapid gi-owth ; it attains an altitude of about for- ty feet; when covered with its tulip-like white flowers it is a very attractive object, and as it blooms previous to the expansion of the leaves is one of the earliest harbln;i-ers of spring. It is entirely free from attack by insects, and is unsurpassed as a lawn tree. Madura auniiiiiaca, Osage oranije. — This magnifi- cent deciduous tree is found in abundance in Texas and all tlic soutlnvestern States. It is not suffioicnt- ly appreciated as an ornamental shade tree ; very ap- propriate to the park and lawn. Tha tree is of very rapid growth, very graceful in its outline, and has tlie excellent quality of retaining its rich glossy green leaves until extreme frost. It is entirely free from attack by insects. As a hedge plant its merits arc fully appreciated, and in that form is being rapidly difl'used over our country. Acacia jxdibrissim. — The "silk tree," of the south, is hardy in liglit soils south of New York. It is a mo::t beautiful slu-ub, producing in clusters numerous tufts of straw colored flowers. The leaves are beau- tifully compounded, very graceful, and of a light sea- green color; the contrast of the flowers and foliage is ry striking. IMesia tdraptcra. — The "silver boll" or snow drop of South Carolina, is a beautiful tree, quite hardy in all the middle States and growing to the height of forty feet. The form of the tree is compact and when covered with its innumerable bell-shaped silvery flowers, produces a fine effect. If permitted to branch low, it is quite unique in the landscape. Rims cotinus — Vcnitian shumace, smoke tree, mist tree, and brown fringe tree, for by all these names it is known, is a first class shrub, very singular in appearance when in bloom; when in clumps with other shrubs of same size and different foliage it hat a fine cfiect and ought to be more extensively culti- vated. James D. Fllton. Philadclpltia, Oct., 1851. Temper iii the family. BY MRS. L. G. ABELL. None, perhaps, have so many provocations to ? hasty temper as these families where business hur ries and drives from morning till night, and where so much depends on each one performing tlieir part in the right way and right time and place. But a little consideration, and care, and watchful- ness over the feelings and words, will do wonders, and tlie sunshine of happiness, and flowers of kind- ness and afl'ection, shall reward with their light and sweetness all efforts to cultivate them, in the heart and liome. A bad temper, long indulged, gets at length the entire mastery of the mind, and roots out all the bet- ter propensities, destroys the pleasures of domestic and social life, and is often a source of deeper an- guish than the heart can conceive or pen describe. The moral in man should overtake the precedence in all things ; let his business be what it ni.ay he should not forget that he has a capacity for enjoy- ments above those of sense. Retioction for one moment, will often cool the risings of a hasty temper. Remember that your own inadvertence and unintentional offences have been mistaken for malice, and you will soon learn to be as lenient to others as you would have them to you. Think of friendships destroyed, wounds made, distress occasioned, alienations produced, by one paroxysm of arger and you will soon become master of so dangerous an enemy. If you even receive an injury, or an insult, lot that person know that you are governed by higher motives than to repay him in the same, or to allow the base conduct of another to disturb your own happiness and equanimity. " Overcome evil with good " and it will bring comfort to the injured breast and bo there as afuuniain of perpetual jjeace. Chi/lenanf/o, A'. Y, Mr. Editor: — There may be some of your readers who are so unfortunate as to have their potato crop affected with rot in the cellar, which was my misfor- tune in 1850, in one portion of the crop to a great extent. AVhen discovered, I at once turned them over, removing all that were affected ; but that did not arrest its progress. We again turned them and took at the rate of one bushel air slacked lime and two bushels charcoal dust to the hundred bushels of potatoes, and liberally sprinkled them when turning. Us effects were magical; the whole atmosphere of the cellar was purified, the disease arrested and even the partially decayed parts dried up. We feel assured that any who try it will arrive at the same happy re- sults. Yours truly, R. BuisT. Rosedak Nursery dc Seed Farm, Oct., 1851. 1S51.] COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 239 (Jloiintg ^grUultuval €.ii)ibUioii5. Montgomery County Exhibition. The annual exhibition of the Montgomery county society was held at Springtown, two and a half miles from Norristown, on the first and second of October. We embraced the occasion to spend a few pleasant days with our agricultural friends in Montgomery, and arc free to state that a more agreeable visit we have never paid. Wo reached the grounds at an early hour on the morning of the first, l)ut found that there were " earlier birds" than ourselves; as the en- closure was rapidly filling with visitors, and quite a number of fine cattle, and a large variety of agricul- tural implements, produce, &c., were in their appro- priate places. As the day promised to be an exces- sively hot one, we availed ourselves of the coolness of the morning to examine the handsome arrange- ments of the society, which we think far superior to those of any other society whose grounds we have visited. The grounds contain five acres, surrounded with a most substantial board fence, six feet high. The whole of one side is occupied by sheds and stalls for cattle. A large portion of another side is devoted to pens for sheep, hogs, &c., and about two-fifths of the whole enclosure is appropriated to the showing of horses. Suitable places are assigned to the display of agricultural implements, machinery, &c. In the centre of the enclosure is a very handsome building, 85 by 35 feet. The whole of the lower part of the building is in one room, which was well filled with agricultural produce, specimens of mechanical skill, &o. The centre room up stairs is 50 by 35 feet and is occupied by the ladies, who, on this occa- sion, made a most creditable display of their handi- work. At each end of the building, up stairs, is a room used for committee purposes. The buildings, eheds, stalls, fence, &c., are handsomely whitewash- ed, giving the whole a neat and cleanly appearance. The use of the grounds is given to the society free of charge for twelve years, by the owner of the pub- lic house directly opposite. If, at the end of that time the society desire to remove to any other place, they have the privilege of removing the buildings, but not the fence around the enclosure. The fact deserves to be mentioned that the proprietor of the grounds also contributed the handsome sum of §400 towards the erection of the fence. All these improvements have been made within a few years. Ttie society is free from liabilities, and in a highly prosperous condition. And now a word in regard to the exhibition. The display of cattle, all things considered, was very good. There were not many varieties, but those exhibited, were generally in good condition and evin- ced careful treatment. Our limits will not permit us to particularize. A number of horses were exhibited, amongst which wo observed several fine stallions, and quite a goodly number of mares, colts, young horses, &o. The display of agricultural implements, was, we understood, not so large as that of last year, it being confined mainly to those kinds manufiictun^d in the adjoining counties, yet it was creditaljle and attract- ed much attention. Samples of excellent corn, wheat, and other pro- duce were exhibited in the lower saloon of the main? building. There were but few vegetables, the exces- sive drought having injured them greatly. We ol> served sroved con- struction were shown by Messrs. Prouty and Barrett. C. B. Rogers, Mr. Wilkinson of Mount Airy, and others. 244 EDITORIAL. [November, The contributions of agricultural productions -were excellent in quantity and quality, notwithstanding the unprecedented draught which prevailed. The annual Address wiwi delivered by our friend John S. Bowen, Esq., of Chester county, than ■whom a better could not have been selected. It was li.stened to with marked attention by the larp;p crowd, and abounded in mucli tluit was valualjle and inte- resting. According to custom, the Society with the Com- mittees and invited guests, sat down to a most boun- tiful repast provided by that caterer of good tilings 11. B. Jones, of the Excluuige Hotel, Philadelphia. — Amongst the guests present were Jlr. Howard of the Albany Cultivator, Dr. J. Davis President of the Montgomery county Society, Jacob Frantz, Esqr., President of the Lancaster County Society, llov. Dr. Choles of Rhode Island, Gen. llichardson of Rich- mond Va., and other distinguithed gentlemen. The President of the Society, -James Gowen, Esq., presided at the table, with dignity and ease. After the cloth was removed, speeches were made by Mr. How- ard, Gen. Richardson, Gen. Cadwalader, A. S. Rob- erts, Dr. Choles, J. Price Wetherill and others, all of which breathed a warm devotion to the cause of Ag- riculture. Everything passed of pleasantly and agreeably. In concluding this hasty sketch, we cannot forbear alluding to the narrow limits of the grounds occupied by the Society for their exhibitions. It appeared to us, that the pioneer Society of agriculture in the U. States, the influence of whose example has been felt and acknowledged in every section of our country, should have ample room for their operations. Their existence as a Society is no longer a problem. For sixty-six years they have flourished, and with each succeeding year arc growing more spirited and stronn-er, and we hope to see the day when this vene- rable association shall have grounds of their own, worthy the character of the Society and the good cause for which they have so long and nobly battled. TuE PniLADELrnn Po.st Office. — Will the Post Master at Philadelphia be kind enough to inform us why so many and such frequent complaints of failures of the Farm Journal to reach its proper place of des- tination in the city and county are made to us. So ^ frequent have been these complaints, that wo are al- most afraid to meet a subscriber from that section, lest his first inquiry should be, "why have I not re- ceived my Journal." Now it is very evident that there is something wrong aliout this ofiice. If we were not particularly careful in mailing our Journal, we would willingly take a part of the blame upon our own shoulders; but knowing as we do, that the fault is ■ot with us, we know not where to place it but at the door of the Philadelphia Post Office. We therefore ask more attention to this matter on the ] rt of Uie Post Ma;t;r. The farmer who had nothing to learn. There are in every community, farmers, who con- ceive it impossible to add anything to their already acquired stock of knowledge. We met one ef this class a few days since, who in answer to our inquiry whether he was a subscriber to an agricultural pa- per, indignantly replied that " book farming was a humbug, and that he knew more of farming than any body could tell him." AVe did not argue the point with him, conceiving it to be worse than useless ; but as we left him, we took a few notes of the condition ot this model farmer's premises, which we present to the readers of the Journal, with the hope that they will prove of service. The paling fence enclosing the house yard, was broken down in several places ; one of the hinges was torn off the gate, and directly in front of the kitchen door several lank looking swine were wallow- ing in the mud hole.where, for dear knows how long. the slops of the kitchen had been carelessly thrown. Wo thought, that were he really as wise as he con- ceived himself to be, that fence would have been re- paired, that gate hinge fastened, — a good breed of swine would have replaced those hungry lookinf^ ones, and the rich slops of the kitchen would have been applied to a bettor use, than to create an un- wholesome and unpleasant wallowing place for swine. The barn stood on an eminence, and directly in front of it, a small stream flowed. From the manure heap to this stream; the rich manure water was flow- ing, in a silent but steady stream, and beneath some cherry trees that skirted the lawn, I observed larj^i quantities of the excrements of the fowls, exposed to the action of the weather, and aiding materially the growth and vigor of the wilderness of weeds around. Had he been so very wise, he would have checke] Devonshire, 7 years old, calf 4 weeks, entered by Piiilip Douglierty, Ilarrisburg. 40. Jenny Devonshire. 2 years, 5, months, S. W. Sharp, Cumberland co., Pa. 41. Yoke of oxen, Devon, 4 years, James Gowen, Ptiladrlphia CO., Pa. , 42. Rockland, durham, 3 years, do. do. 43. Montezuma, durham, G years, Paschal Worth, Chester co.. Pa. 44. Duchess, durham, 3 years. Paschal Worth, Westchester, Pa. 45. Durham bull, 2 years, 10 months, Oliver Rice, oxjubitor, Perry co., Pa. 40. Cow and calf, common breed, 10 years, Oliver Rice, Perry co.. Pa. 47. Cow and calf, common breed, 5 years, Oliver Rice, Perry co.. Pa. 48. Cow and calf, durham breed, 2 years, Frederick Barnett, Bloomfield, Pa. 49. Durham bull, 3 years, do. do. SWINE. No. 1. Sow six mos. old, L. P. Hoopes, Chester co. 2. 5 shoats, three mos. do. do. 3. 7 shoats, seven weeks, do. do. 4. Chester co. IG weeks, J. .J. Hickman, do. 5. 8 shoats, Wm. Ashljridge, do. 6. Jim llyer, Spanish breed, 14 mos., S. W.Sharp, Cumberland co. 7. Chester white, 4 mos. and 18 days, R. II. Pow- ell, Huntingdon county. 2. 10 Ewes and 1 lamli, 7 mos. A. L. Bingham, Vermont, (for sale) 1 yearling imported. 3. 4 Cotswold buck lambs, A. Clement, Philada. 4. 3 Cotswold ewes, do. do. 5. Oxfordshire ram, do. do. G. 3y'g wethers. South down, J. Cope, W.Chester. 7. 3 ewes, do. do. do. 8. 4 ewe lambs, do. do. do. 9. 1 buck and pen of ewes, do. do. 10. South down yearling, A. Clement, Philada. 11. 3 Cotswold sheep, 11 to 3 years, Benj. Hood, Chester co. 12. 3 wethers. IJ to 2.1 years. do. do. 13. 2 bucks, (Jotswold and Leicester, do. 14. 1 buck, Cotswold, do. 15. 3 ewes, Cotswold and Leicester, do. 10. 3 ewes, Cotswold yearlings, do. 17. lambs, Cotswold and Leicester, do. IS. South downs, 18 mos. full bred, R. Hare Pow- ell, Huntingdon co. 19. Leicester, 18 mos. do. do. do. 20. South downs, 0 mos. do. do. do. 21. Duke, South down, 6 mos. do. do. 22. Leicester crossed with South down, 3yrs. do. 23. Defiance, South down, 3 yrs. do. i5ortlcultural Sotictics SHEEP. No. 1. South down, 2 years, Hon. Geo. W. Wood- ward, Luzerne county. Proceedings of the Peiiusylvauia Horticultural So- ciety. The stated meeting of this Society was held in the Lecture Room of the Museum building, on Tue,sday evening, October 21, 1851, Dr. W. D. Brinckle in the chair. The displays of fruit ami vegetables was rich. Of plants there was one collection of interest- ing green-house specimen from Robert Buist's houses — but the most admired object was a cut of the Vie- toria rcijia — this specimen was the most beautiful shown before the Society. A number of handsome baskets of cut flowers and very superior cut seedling Dahlias from Gerhard Schmitz and Mrs. Smith, and Boquets were exhibited. Of Fruits, there were Grape.s — very large bunches of the white Syrian from A. B. Fiden, Tacony ; Black Hamluirg from II. W. S. Cleveland, Burlington, N. J. : Black Morocco from the President, and Dceandolle from Miss Gratz. Of Pears there was a fine show, many of them lus- cious ; by Isaac B. Baxter, very large and perfect Duchesse d'Angoulerae : by Mrs. Jno. B. Smith, Passe Colmar, Sioulle, Ducjiesse d'Angoul^me, Beurre d'Aremljerg, and Holland green. By the President, the Beurre Did SieuUe and Blocker's Meadow ; and unknown varieties by A. M. Eastwick and A. Felton, Jr., by Edmund Jones, the Jones' and from other sources ; from C. B. Lines, New Haven, the Calhoun, Jones' Winter, Jones' December and January ; from J. C. Hastings, Clinton, Onieda co.. N. Y., Fredricka Bremer ; from Mathew Mackie, Clyde, Wayne CO., N. Y., the Sheldon ; from J. P. Gushing, Boston, Doy- enne Gris ; from Jno. P. Wilder, Boston, six native and nineteen foreign varieties. Of Apples, Mr. M. Snyder brought the Bellflower, Hayes, Pennock, Catharine and Smoke-house : John Perkins — Ridge Pippin and Pennock: B. F. Hedges — a seedling from the Bellflower, and from J. W. Bailey, Plattsburg, N. Y., the Bailey's Spice and Sailloy Autumn ; from J. C. Hastings, an unknown kind; from Matthew Mackie, Clyde beauty, and from , N. Y., Bailey's Spice, Fall" Harvey, Jack, Jewett's Red, Late Strawberry, Melon, Atini.ster, Northern Spy, President, Sponge and Sweet Baldwin. Of vegefc*- bles there were five Esculents. The following pre- 1 851. J HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 251 miums were awarded by the Committee on Plants and Flowers : For tlie "best hand Boquet, to Robert Kilvington ; for the best basket of cut Flowers, to James Berset ; for the second best basket, to Kobert Scott : and a special Premium to John Ellis, garden- er to Caleb Cope, for a basket of choice cut flowers among them, the Victoria r?gia, a truly beautiful flower ; al^o a special Premium to Robert Buist for a display of Plants in pots. The Committee noticed a specimen ol Yucca gloriosa from the garden of Judge Kane, and a fine cut seedling"Dahlia. by Ger- hard Schmitz and Mrs. .John B. Smith. By the Com- mittee on Fruits — for the best twelve named Pears, to Isaac B. Baxter; for the second best, to Mrs. .Ino. B. Smith ; for the best twelve Apples, to M. Snyder ; for the second best, to J. W. Bailey, and special Pre- miums for fine drapes to -John Ellis, II. W. S. Cleve- land, John Galligher and Wm. Warnock. By the Committee on \'egetables special premi- um>< ; for the best and for the second best display by a market gardener to Anthony Felton, .Jr.; for the best by a private gardener to Maurice Finn ; for the second best, to Thomas Mahan, gardner to A. M. Eastwick, and for the third best to John Gallagher, gardner to Jliss Gratz. Special lleport : The Committee on Plants and Flowers report, that on the 28th August last, they yisited Spring Brook farm, the Country seat of Caleb Cope, and exaniinsd the wonder of the vegetalile kingdom, the far famed Victoria regia. Without en- tering into an elaborate description, your Committee lieg leave to say, that they found the plant growing in a circular tank, some 24 feet in diameter, in a beautiful and costly house, constructed expressly for its growth and display. At the time of our visit, the plant exhibited five mature leaves and one embryo leaf, all floating on the surface ; the mature leaves measured 0 feet and 5 inches in diameter, they are perfectly round, some of them have the margin turn- ed up, presenting a most singular appearance. In col- our they are a beautiful light green, the underside of the leaves with their immense rope-like foot stalks is of a dark purple hue, and literally covered with strong spines, inclming, to the centre of the leaf. — The embryo leaf with its array of dark spines pre- sents a formidable aspect and from the singular manner in which it is folded up, is not the least cxi- rious part of this superb Water Lily. The flower is immense, rising a few inches above the surface to display its many pure white petals, it is beautiful. As the expansion proceeds, it assumes in the inner pe- tals, a fine rose color, it is then magnificent. The flower when expanded, measured seventeen inches in diameter. From the germination of the seed on the 10th of .Vpril, until the first inflorescence of the pdant on the 21st August was but a period of a little over four months. When we consider that the plant was entire- ly unkno-wn in this country, its habits but partially understood, and its cultivation a mystery, we are sur- prised at the success of the experiment. Your Committee are proud that the first flowering i>f this Queen of Aquatics in the United States was produced by the liberality and munificence of a mem- ber of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society : a.side from which, the influence to be expected from so raunifieent'an expenditure in the field of Horticul- ture, will give a new impulse to persons of wealth — the example set will create a desire to do likemse. Y'our Committee recommend that the Society's Gold Medal be awarded to Caleb Cope, for his libe- rality in having brought to mature growth the Victo- ria regia, to which the Society unanimously assented. The reports of the Committees of Superintendence and tlio Committees appointed to award premiums at the twenty-third Exhibition were read, and the spe- cial awards approved of. The Committee on flowers and designs recommended a special premium of twenty-flve dollars to -John Ellis, gardener to Caleb Cope, for skill shown in'cultivating the Victoria regia. TUOS. P. J.\JIES, Recording Secretary. West PniLAOELPniA, Sept. 25. 1851. The recond annual exhibition of the Hamilton Horticultural exhibitiou which has just closed, ex- ceeded in every respect the expectations of its most sanguine friends. The drought which has prevailed in tlie surrounding country during the past summer, so dried up all vegetation, that it was judged by many inadvisable to hold an exhibition, notwithstand- ing which, the society determined to do the best they could towards having one, and they succeeded hand- somely, and very creditably to themselves and their numerous contributors. There not being in all Wes' Philadelphia a public hall largo enough to accommodate such an exhibi- tion, the Society accepted Mr. N. B. Browne's kind oSer of his house and grounds, which are admirably adapted for the purpose. The eyes of the numerous visitors were feasted with a profusion of the products of the earth in endless variety — from tho mastodon pumpkin to the potato of half an inch in diameter — from Mr. Cope's gigantic leaf of Victoria Regia to the humblest specimen of pot plant, all arranged with the greatest possible taste and iieauty. Boquets in great abundance and every conceivable shape and size, and several very large and handsome designs of cut flowers, betokened that the society was under groat obligations to the fair sex. So tempting was the display of fruits as to cause innumerable breaches of the tenth commandment, and not a few of the eighth, as was evident from tho diminished state of some of the baskets after the exhibition. So far as we could learn, every one of tlie visitors went away gratified, and every thing passed off with tho greatest order and harmony. The previous exhibition of this infant society was held in September, 1850, at the house of Wm. W. Keen, Esq., its Vice President, and though a very handsome display, was surpassed by this one. It is expected that tho Odd Follows Hall which has just been commenced, will be finished in time for tho next autumnal exhibition, so that the society will not again be compelled to trespass on private gener- osity. T. We are indebted to the Hon. Thomas Ewbank, Commissioner of Patents, for a copy of the Patent Office Report for 1850-51, and to the Hon. Thaddeus Stevens for a similar favor. We have also received several parcels of wheat from the Patent Office which we have placed in the hands of excellent farmers. BOOK NOTICES. [November, Soolx 3»3'otUC3. A Practical Trealine on Manures. From tlic rcccn'' publication of tlio British Society for the diffusion of Useful Knowledge ; with Additional notes by the American Editor. Philad. E. S. Jones & Co. pp. 204. A.S manures must be derived from mineral, vegeta- ble, or animal substances, a treatise vrhich is devoted U> the subject in its three dep.artments can be used in every country, no matter where it was originally printed, — thus difForing from those books on agricul- tural subjects which must be adapted to the circum- stances of each locality. This book therefore, al- though prepared ander the auspices of a celebrated English society, goes so fully into the various branch- es of the suliject, American farmers will find much in it exactly to their purpose — and they do not require to bo told how much depends upon judicious manur- ing. The book is valuable, because besides giving an account of an infinity of manures adapted to various localities, it gives directions for employing them to tlic best advantage. The subject is divided into eighteen chapters the contents of which are stated in such a manner as to wiable the reader to find what he wants, without reading large portions of the whole. The mechanical execution is creditable, and the book will bo a valuable addition to the library of the farmer. GraJiam's Mar;azine, for November, is on our table, and as usual filled with excellent contributions and beautiful platoa. The efforts of the publishers to please the various tastes of their thousands of readers are unceasing and wo have reason to think fully ap- preciated. Godei/'s Lady's Boole, for Koivmher, has been re- ceived. The illustrations are of a superior character l«jth in design and execution, while the contents are a luiirably adapted tj their lady readers. Those of our readers who desire a publication devoted to polite literature, will not be disappointed in subscribing for (lodey's Lady's Book. REPORT OF CO.MMITTISE ON IRON SAFE. State Fair Ground, Oct. 30, 1S51. TRE imderEigiiid Rppointod n committee for the purp'iSe, by the nliicersof the Stite Fuir, were present this afterninin' when Messrs. Ktoiis ,t Watson tested .nie nf their sinull sized Salamander Fire Troiif Chesis, at wliich time tliev cnnsumed three cords of wood on it, ci>mnie:ieiii; at 1 o'clock, P. M., and having exposed it to a white heat for two lioiirs, snlfieient to destroy the east iron feet. On openinir tlie cliest Hie papers depr,8ited in our presniice were t iken out. not (ni[y haviiii; been preserved, but not having ev3n tlip appearance of n scorcn upon tliem. Tlie safe was exposed to llie disadvantage of being cooled, by having a stream of Cold water played upon it. JOSEPH RITNER, A O. HIESrER, A T NEWBOLD, .TOIIN 1! COX, CriARI.ES E HIESTER. E E. BOUDINOT, Committet. Mr. .Steveusou's Address. At the moment of going to press we received a copy of the address delivered before the State Agri- cultural Society at Ilarrisburg. We regret that we have neither time to speak of its merits, nor space for it in our columns. Better judges than ourselves speak highly of it, and we have no doubt that it is a document that will be read with interest and profit by every farmer in Pennsylvania. TO INVENTORS AND PATENTEES. J. DENNIS, Jr , Practical Machinist, Manufacturer, and Drauglitsman, having had twenty years' experience in building and operating machinery for mauuiacturing Cotton, Silk, Wool, Steam Eiiginea, Printing Calico, »flcc., with several year's experi- ence in procuring patents, tenders his services to inventtirs to make exammatnns of their inventimia from a rough sketch or drawing and limited descriptinn, (which may te forwarded by mail.) and compare them with the inventions in the Patent Ortice and give an opinimi, whether tlie invention is patentable or not, for a fee of Sf-5 ; and save the inventor the expense of applying for a patent, which usually costs S30, exclusivt; of the cost of model, as only about two-fifths of the patents applied for are granted. — His experience in making drawings of, and building and operating machinery, enables him to understand an invention from a rough drawing and limited dpncnption, and to comprehend the points iii which the invention differs from those already patented, with the greatest facility. i!e alsn preparesdrawings, Epecifications, cave- ats and assignments, or procures copies from, or attends to any business connected with the Patent Olfice. CounsellDrs in Patent cases can have an opinion by stating the points in their case, and arguments prepared with the proper authorities cited, to sustain tlie same, with despositiona if necessary. He will also attend as CiHinsellor or Advocate in Patent causes in any Court. Notice to 2,447 inventors whose applications were rejected in 1849 and TjO, that he will examine their cases for ©5, to ascertam if the references will prevent ohtaining a patent, if a i)roper claim IS presented, and advise the applicant whether he had best with- draw or amend his papers, and get a reconsideration, or Appeal,^ or File a Bill in Equity. As he is the onlv attorney in this city, ( Wasliingtun, D. C.,> who has succeeded in reveising the Com- missioner's decision by an appral to the Chief Justice. C^Omce near the Patent Office, VVashingtmi, D C. Letters, Sketclies, and Drawings, sent by niailj (postage paid) containing fee, will be promptly attended to. TERM:^ OFPEN7fSYI.VANIAFARM JOURNAI. In onlor that the Farm Jol'RN'al may be placed within the reach of every one who feels interested in tlie progress of Agriculture, we ask attention to thd following terms : — Single Copies, - ?1 00 Per Annum. Five '* - - 4 00 ^' Ten " - 7 50 '* TWEN-TT " - - 15 00 ** " It is not refiuired that all papers in a club should be sent to one office. We will mail them (in wrap- pers,) to as many different offices as may be necessa- vj. AVe make this arrangement in order that persons residing in different neighborhoods may unite, and form large clubs, and thus secure the "Journal" at tiie very lowest club rates. Our Terms are cash in advance. The exceedingly low rate at which the Journal is furnished renders this imperative. Subscriptions may be sent at our risk, and money at par where subsscribers reside, will ):>e taken. AVhero the sum to be sent is large wc pre- fer that a draft should be procured, if possible. Subscribers and P(»st Masters are invited to act as Agents. A receipt will always be sent with the first number of the copy subscribed for. All letters must be addressed, ^jost paid, to thii pub- Usher. A. M. SPANGLER, Lancastei', Pa. GUANO, PERUVIAN and Patagonia Guano for sale in bits to suit puit chasers, by J. CASSFIDY & SON. No. 121, South Water at., a few doors above Dock at , Phila. ISoL] ADVERTISEMENTS. 2o3 CLOVER HILL FARM FOR SALE. Situated in Carrul ccuiity, Md., four inili-s west of ReisteTstnwn. atid eight miles east of W'estiiniister, on the W estniiiiater luriipikr, and adjoining the village of FiiicksUurg. will be oirt-rcil hy liie uii- deraignud at puMic auction ut the preinisfs, on SATUKDAV, the •^jth day of OCTOaKR, ]»jljlhe day alter the Kulimiure Agiicul- lural Fair. This well known and celeltratcd firm is only twenty miles from the city of Baltimore, and runs to wilhlii a few huudied yards KCHAhL», cii, having produced this year a crop of grass and corn equal to the best Pennsylvania laiul. A clay subsoil retains every deEcrii)tion of manure, and a kinder SLiil, or uiie more durable cannot be found. No. 2, CoMiains not quite 'jm.i Acres of the same higli quality of Boil, with a full proponum of VVood and Meadow, and a never tailing spring of the best water in every field. A portion oi this like the furiner. has withm two years been heavily dressed wiili 1ime.fnd chemical salts. The land has im it a Lime Kiln, and ad- jpius the flourishing village of Fincksliurg, and within a slu-rl dis- tance of llie best copper rniiie in the State. No. 3, Contains about 130 Acres, with numerous and never fail- ing springs of water, an abundance of wood and similar sttil. Beaver Run, a beautiful stream, with a valuable wuter power, ruiiB directly through the place. The land is ma highly prmluctive state — the fine natural quality of the soil is known, and will be at- tested to by the whole neighborhofid ; and those wanting land would help themselves by giving these farms an examtnaiion. — Any farmer of experience who once sees will appreciate ihem. Any information wanted will be promptly afforded by writing to John Keltlewell, Baltimore, or E. Uover Cox, Fmeksbuig, Cur- roll county, Md. Terms will be liberal and made known upon the day of sale, and tile property will be sold if an offer is made within any thins near its valuation. KETTLEWKH* & COX. FRUIT & ORNAMENTAL TREES & SHRUB- BERY. The subscribers offer l"or sale at the Nursery and Garden a large and fine assortment of Fru-l and Ornanuntnt Tices and S/imbl/efj/, embracing many new and valuable varieties in each de[)artment, "■which they can supply iii larye or small quantities, viz: — Apples, Pears, Peaches, Plums. Ciierries. Apricots, Nectarines, Figs, Fil- berts, French and Spanisti Chesnuts, "English and other Gooseber- ries, Currants, Raspberries and Strawberries in variety; English VVulnuis. Quinces, Asparagus roots. Osage Orange for hedging. Cranberries, ic, also Evergreen and Deciduous Trees &. Shrubs, of native and foreign gmwth, many of them of recent introducnon from abroad, such us Deodar ct.-dars, Cedar of Lebanon, New Japan i Cedar, Himalayan Spruce, Chili Pine, New Junipers, several va- ! rieties of ^'ew, ^c . &c. Honejsuckle Vinesaud other creepers, ' Dwaif Pearson Quince, of fine size and quality, for immediate bearing, Cherries oii I^Iahaleb, also Hardy Perpetual Roxes, a large | assort tent; Verbenas, Dahlias, Phln.res, ChTysQntlu7nHms. Bui- i bons roots, assorted, Tulips. Hyarhithf, double and single Grapt \ Vin-.s, Box EJging and Green House Plants. I Trees and Plants delivered in Philadelphia, carefully packed' free oi charge, and despatched thence by public conveyance to any ! part of the Uni-tu. Orders by mail carefully attended to; cata- ! logues furnished grntis, ormay be obtained of A. M,SpangIer, pub- i liaher of Farm Jonrnai, in Lancaster, who will receive orders. At our Agricultural and Horticultural Warehouse, we can also ! supply all kinds of improved Agricultural and Horticultural imple- | ment8,also Field, Garden and Flower steeds, fresh and genuine — Country Storekeepers supplied at reduced prices wth seeds, neatly put up in papers for retail sales PASCHALL MORRIS, & CO. West Chester, Pa. FRUIT AND ORNAiMENTAL TREKS FOR SALE At the Farr-Vit-M- Xiirseries !\If)iiTeato\vii, Bnrliiijrton Co.. N- J. — SU.dOO Apple Trees. IrcMll a In 10 and la feel hisih. emhnu-lUR iibdut 150 t^eiec-t Varieties, ripening in snceessli'ii tri'lil tlie enrliest til the latest. Also, 11 Inrite qu.uitlty of Peaeh. Cheiry. Pear. PInni. Aprietit. Neetarine, .\lniiilnis. Ciuinee, Grape Vines, eie. "Xiitt Fruit Trees have iTineipnily been w.irkeil irnin standard trees. whiidl leaves liut little r ii ti» dnulit as t'l the enrrectiiess ot' ttl* Fruit, whieh has taken the prelniuin at the Peiilis) Ivania Hurtieul- tural Sneiety and uthert, fur the last ten years. 511,000 Deciduiius niid Kverpreeii Ornamental Trees ami Phiuhs, sueh as i^ugar and :>ilver AI:i|)le9, Anieriean and Eurnpenii Mnltn- taiii Ash, Lindens, Hnrae-Chrsniits, Amerieaii Lareh, of a large size, suitalde lor road and sireet plantlil^; Balm Gileads, Norwav Furs, ^rhorvitas. Pines nt' dil'l'crent varieties, .lunipers, Kiigiisii and Irish V.-w. Cedars of Lehannn. Doiihle and Single Spueia. suitahle fur Cemeteries, Lawns and Private Yards ; littrders, etc. A liberal Discount will he allowed to persons wuo buy to sell QErain. Descriptive Catalogues furnished graiis to post-paid appli- cants. JOHN PERKINS, Proprietor. THE MODEL SEED STORE. 300 Market drcrt. chore Mi streef, Philadelphia. \ MODEL SEED STORE. ^/7 VE(^.ETABLE SEEDS, tvnj iWia kuowu variety. '4^ FLOWER SEEDS, .500 varieties. GRASS and FIELD SEEDS. Seed and Agricultural Wareliouse. No. 29. Market Street, Pliila. WHERE the subscriber has oneiied an extensive aBsnrtment of '' GE,\ss AND GARDEN SEEDS, of liis ovvii raisiiigjOF recoiil impor- tation, and warranted to be as represented. He IS, also, manufacturing all the most approved Agricultural Implements, among whirh he would call the attention of Farmers to u new article of Plow, of his own invention, called Cnst-?teel, EKtendlng Point, Self-Sharpening, Siirl'aee and Snhsoil Plows, which for durability and easy of draft is yet unequalled. The great advantages these Plows possess over all others, are tneir peculiar construction and the sulistitutionof Cast-Steel nithe phice of Cast-iron, which only wants to be seen to heappreciatoj: a\i of which will ;e sold v» the mist reoBouable prices hv Way, 1851. C. B. ROGERS. Agricultural and Hurtitultural Imjilcinents. THOMAS F. CROFT, Prnprietf.r. Agent of Pcnna. Farm Journal. TO VAKiMERS » LAXPIIEAR & .JEFFERIES. T> ESPECTFULLY inviip ihf aitMniinn of FHtriiPr"! 1 4- and others to their Establishment for tlie manufacture «)f Farnniig Imptenientaand especially to their ce'chrated IMPROVED GRAIN FANS, which they confidently assert will do more work in a shorter spare of time, and with less lahor. thiinany otiier F.in now in use. Tlit'te Fans, wherever introduced, have given cniplfte satipfnction.aml a hirge numt)er of testimonials coulJ be procured, testifjing V» their superior merits. They also manufacture, to order, Agricultural Implements of va- rious kinds : such as ::triiio CutUrs^ Cuitivutort., Plough^-, Harrows. Having liad many years' experience in Ihe best shops in The couiilry, ihey are prepared to do work of a sni>erior qnalitv a littH; cheaper than any otln-r cBthalishment in the .Slate. Tliey will Av:ir- rantail their work to be wluit it is represented. A warrunt jriven with every Grain Fan, giving tlie purch«st-r the privilege of rr- tuniing it. should it no^do good and quick work. They will de'iver tliem, free nf expense, niiy distance -witl-.in fifty miles of the manufactory. Their Shop is at (he junction of the Marietta and Columbia Turnpike, L.aiicoster, Fa., where they will be happy to have Farmers call and examine for tliemsKlvts. Price of Fans, No. 1, large size, . . _ g-jl 1)0 " " " 2. small size, . . _ iM.{JO Several good and responsible Agents wonted in the Wesiern and Middle pait of Pennsylvania, to wliom a fair percentage wiM be allowed. All orders addressed to Lanphier and JrflVrles,. 1,^-iit- caster I'a., will meet with prompt attention. June 1-tf. STRAWBERRY PLANTS. THE subscriber offers for sate 4000 young nnd thrifty Strawber- ry plants at low prices. This and ttie folUtwins :nonth heii:g the ■ropwr time to form new beds to bear frnittl*e (oltowinj wat J. F.HKlNlTjiH' Aug 1,1651. No. IB, EftSt King tt.jNirlh 6(0e, Lua, 254 ADVERTISEMENTS. VEMnr.R, MONTGOMERY'S UNRIVALLKD IMPKOVKD ROCKAWAY SCKKKNKK. Thiscelehriited FAN h.is l.ceii tlM.r.mgliy tested and round to exi-el iUI utilcrs now in use lor c-le.oilns liic .llli.Ttnt lilinlaol srnlll. Tiua nniiruveinbiit li) Montjj.nnery & tltolliei. i-onsi3ta in a dou- ble slioc— llie larger shoe— A us coinnioiil) utiaened to wiiniowing in ti-liines, liavtni^ crooves into Wlucll the screens, sieves ur sieve lioards are slid and rest. , ,, ,. li. I'iie inrved apron npou which tlie gram falls after passing Mirough a ho|i|ier aliove. C. The door wliicli is made to extend across the curved apron B and oneiiiua liaek on hinges towards the front end ol shoe A, rests lint upon the front part of the apron U. The gram |msses aloii"- the carved apron li and tlirough the nperlnre ol me door (J mid falls upon the screen D uiuleriiealh. Tile apron is carried over the sereen U on to tlie screen undernealli, wlmst the screi-n- i„"S pass tlirough the screen U into tiie shoe G undeincatn, and are canned aloio' the bottom ol the shoe li to the celiiie, vvherea spout II receives tlie screenings and carries them down Liehiiid into a Ixix below the bottom of the slioe A. The grain la earned bact on f , the gram board underneath perlcetly scleened. Tne iiersons who have already used these bllAIN FA>b hive not only spoken in flattering terms of them, but prefer them to all others they have used— and very many oi the best Agricullurials iiave .nveil tlleir certificates thai Ihelaetol these machines screeii- ni'j liregrain twice bv one and ihe same operation is llie very ira- provement thev have long desired. Our lalliiera will now liave tne m.ist perfect winnowing machine, which spreads the gram over the upper acreen more perfectly llian any others now in use. This iinprovenieiit is so valu.ible as to liave induced the inventors a.nd inanufaiturers to make application for Letteis I'ateiit ' ^ lifted ^^Mw^^'> !'■' '-":l':'i id inanufaiturers to make a|ipllcati..ii lor Letteis 1 ateiit. All orders fur the nlaclimes will he promptly attended to by the J.MO.NTUO.MEKY i liRO I'lIER, Lancaster city, l*a. nn.lersigned Sept IS5L THE FRUIT-GROWER'S HAND-BOOK. Eii(.Miurii'>-eil by the very wiinii coinineiulutiona of this work, rt- ceiv«il Hllke iruia experienced HitrLieiilliiriMts uial f nun the wlinlly iiiexperieiieed, the author ventures with suiiie cunt tdKlice to sub- mit It to the public iit lar^e. i\«ites 4ii all llie important qaeatiniis on fruit ruttiirc asked of the writer iluriiii; the last ten yeurd. with a thoroiif^h research ol' l*o- inolo'Mcal works, have contrilmteil to rt^iuler this vulume as coiii- p)ete\jJ possible, III convenient coiiipiiss. To tlie lot-holder wlui wifihfs to niake the most of a few phinlB mitl little loom, at; well us to tlie extensive planter who wishes to arruime ami cultivate Ins gariU-us in the most eeonomieal and prtn f It ible inaiiuer. llie Hand Book Will be fiHiiid a useful .coiupamon fof frequent refereiice. Lo^ 1 nee, i-'lF PY Ct:XTS. Two copies, post free, fnr SI. AddreBR, WW. a, WARi.NG, sept. ISjI. Bo«lsbur,£[, Centre co., Pa. l>OUBLE-ACThVO<, LIFT AND FORCK PUMPS The sults'-riber nniiiufactures Double-acting Lift and Force Pumps, of all sizes, for Factories, Mines, Railway Water Stations, Breweries, Steainbonts, Pteainahips, Tin Woriis, Ships, Water UoatJ, H.>t Liquids, Family Purpoaes. 4c. VlLLAfiF, ANDFACTOItY FIRE ENGINES. Garden Engines, Cistern Pumps, Well Pninps, for any depth re- quired. Hose Couplings, Copper Rivetted Hose of all sizes, Orua- nimeiital Cast-iron Fountains, Ac. Purchasers are respectlully invited to call. Any coailoUiiications by mail \vill l^l^-e inunediate attention. U. 13. FARN A.M, 31 Cliff St., neat Fulton, N, V. PENNA. PATENT AGENCY OFFICE. Invenrore and oiheis. having In siaees In transact at the United Stales Patent ulVivv, arc lierehy infurnied, that the undersigned will attend promptly to all bueiiiesa cinniectud with said office, and will coniptete Perspective and yeclJoiial Drawings, and all requi- site papers. Caveats Specilicalions. ilis(;lamiers, Assij^nni'-nts, «Vc. and make the proper applications fur the securing of Letters Pa- tent, accordni-; to law. MACHINISTS AND INVKNTORS will save timp. trouble and expense, hy fust consulting liim. and tlie strictest sccres) will be observed, relative to their invenlioiis and claims. The ntilce is at pn^eent Incatfi? in Centre Square, two dnors south of the I/iiicaster Bank, where the list of putMnta granted since the year !7i)0tothe present ilay can be examined, t.getlier with nu- merous speciheatioiiB,drawm*;s and modt'lB, and every infiirmalion obtained relative to the laws and rules of the TI. S Patent i ffice. All the requisite papers, drawings and models will be promptly aiid carefully lor warded to Washington oitv, free of charge bv J. FRANKLIN REIG'aR T, Lancaster, Pa.^ Lite Insurance for Horses, &c. 'THE Amer.icaii Live Stock Insurance Compnny, (Stockholders in- dividually Liable) for the Insurance of l^oTses, J\lulcs, Prt3t Slie'p, Cottle.^ ^c . aganist Fire. Water, Accidents and Dis- Alsoj upon Stack driven to Eastern markets, or transported JOHN H. FRTCK. General Agent frir Pennsylvaniii, Philadelphia. RKFKRENCKS : Wood, Abbott Jt Co., ) Truitt.IJrother-V Co.. [. Philadelphia. Coatea &; Brown, j Agents: JOHN '/IMrTERMAfV,^Ijincaster Pa. CHARI-E5 F. FRICK. Reading, Pa. SAMTEL H. TAYLOR, Mauch Chunk, Pa. Dt. JoHK G. .ScnvKRN, Veterinary .^OTjjeon, Mar, 1851 ) Examiner for Lancaster Cntmty. Wit. B. Wiley, Job Printer, Lancaster, Pa. BuU. ease. •Sou til isr)i.] AD VE RTISE ME NTS. 255 FARMERS PROTECT YOUR HOUSES & BARNS. Ski many accidents have h;ippfin?tt from lightning during the prist Summer, thut every prmleiit and careful farmer slmnld at imce adopi. such melius as will t)t; must erfcctual in preventing ihem — When it is reMi'-mi>ereil that cr-rtani sufety may he secured at a very tritiiiij; expense, it liecomes the duty i>f every furnie-r and gnod citizen ta avail himself the prcffert-d uicans. By so dning, he not only secures his propeity from fire by lightning, bui pro- tects also Ins family and tho ;e iiround hiin. These are inipnrtant considt rati(Mis und should have great weight. Those who iiesire a a Lightning Rod, p'onouiiced by the first Scientific men in our country, the very best in use, will finri it on application to THOS. ARMITAGE, »t his Mn^tiftic Light -tiig Rod Factory. Vine Street, 3 doors above I'Jth, Philadelphia, These Rods are finished wiih al] lite improvements at nearly the same pi ices as the old kind. (tl. PAGE'S CIRCULAR SAW MILLS. GEORUK PAGK & CO. Shrocder street, lieUvoen IJaltlmore and Fayette sts., Biltimore, Manufacture tn order, Pa^c'.< cetebn-tcd Portable Potent Cirevla Saw Mills, with hiTse or btenm pnwt-ra. of several sizes. They also maiinfactLire JSawiug a.;d Flanmg Alachiiies for railroad work, Tlirasliing Machines, GRIST MIKL^ for farm purposes. Corn and Cob Crushtfrs. Tenoning Machines. SKKD AND CORN PLANT- ER.-^, IMPROVED HOR-E POWERS. CORN SHELl.ERS,:Au. gers for boring wells, augers furboiing fence posts, water wheels, fiifeing put^^is, &.C. They respectfully solicit a share of public pntronnge. and would be permitted to lem.irk. that their Circular Saw Mill can do jmore w^ork— aye, twiceaa much work as any other mill with the same amount of power, and do it better. (8ept-9 PHILADELPHIA .\: LIVERPOOL LINE OF PACKETS- To sail from J'hiladelphia on the loih, and from Liverpuul on the Lsi of each monih. From Pliila. From Liverpool Ship SHENANDOAH ^ April I5ih June 1st Capt. W. 1*. Gardiner. tii Sypi. isi Capt. R. R. Decan, ^ Nov. 15ih Jan. Isl ( Marchlorh May l&i The above first class ships are huili ol the best niaieri- als, and conim;inded by experienced navigaiors. Due re- giird has been paid to select ni.nleU lor speed with com- lort for passeiigeis. They will sail punctually on the days advertised, taking advantage ot the steam tow boats on the Delaware. Persons wishing to engage passage for their friends, can obtain ceriilicaies, whicli will be guoijl fur twelve niunlhs. Passage to Liverpool in llie cabin, $80 *' " Forward cabin, 20 " " Steerage, Vi Passage from Liverpool in the caoin, 100 '* " Forward cabin, 25 '* " Steerage, 20 Those who wish to remit money, can be acrommodaied with dratis for i'l sterliiij; and upwards, at sight, wiihom discojnt. Apply to GEO. McHEN RY &, CO. June 1. 1851. 37 Walnut street. K. BUIST, NURSERYMAN &SEEDGROWER, HAS always nij hand at his seed S'ore. 97, Chesnul t^treet, Phihirielphi.T, :i larse stock of Seeds of his own growth, a itry important it-^tn to ;>«rcAa5er.t,as lie isa practical f^row- er,iind has lie«n engaged iii his profession over 30 years. His nurse- ry ground is amply stipcked with Fruit.Shade and Ornamental Trees, accurately named and properly cultivated. Every article sold al ih elowest rates, and warranted to be aa represented. SeedSt'ire, 97 Cliesnut Street, Phihidelphin. Nurseries and Seed Farm,?Darby Ruad, two mi'es below Gray's Ferry. June 1, ISol. R. BUIST. HENKY r.TRlPI.ER. {Successor to Joseph P. H. Coates.) Dealer iti GrasH aud GardenSeeds* No. 49, iMarkci Street, Philadelphia. JOURNAL OF THE FRANKLIN INSTITLTE, of the State of Pennsylvania, for the promotion of the Mechanic Arts. THE oldest Mechanical Periodical extant in America.ispub'islied oil the hrst tl! each muiiih In the City of Philadelphia It has been rej^ularly issued for upwards of iweiity-hve years, and is carefully edited by a committee oi Ecieiitific gentlemen appointed i'or the piiriH)se. by the Franklin Instiinte. The deservedly high teputatioii, b.lli al home and abroad. which tins Journal has acquired and sustained, lias given it a circulation uiid exchange list of the ht-sl character, winch enables the Cnin- luittee nn Pubhcatioiis to make ihe best sclertions from Foreiiru Journals, and to j;ive circulation to original comniuiiicaljoiis on tiiechanical and scientific siilijects. and lu.ticeS of new inveniK.iis ; liolices of all the I*^iteiils issued at the 1 :.teitl Office, Washiiictitu City, are published in the Jourii;il. t-getln-r with a lari;eaniouiit of inform itioii on Mechanics, Chemistry, aud Civil Engiiiecring, de- rived iVurn the latest and best authorities. This Journal is piibiished ou the tir- 1 of each montli, ench num- ber containing at least seventy-two pages, and ftirnns t vo volumes annually of aiiuut4:J*2 pages each, illustrated with erif^ravings on copper and on wood of those subjects which require them. The subscription price )S K.-ve Dollars per aininin, pjtyable on tile completinu of tlie Sixth number; and it will be forwardt^d free of postMge when five di)llar8 are remitted to the Actuary (postage piiid) in advance for one year's suhscripiinn. Cinntnunicatioiis and letters on business must be directed tn "ilie Actuary of the Fiankliu Institute, Philaiiciplii;i. Penn8\ ivaiiia," Uie postage pa d. WiU. HAMIL'J'ON. August 1, ISJI. Actuary, \-.\. TO FARMERS, PLANTERS7 MARKET GARDENERS & OTHERS. PREPARED OR ARTIFICIAL GUAXO—Manvfactmrd onhf by KENTISH iii' CO. Depot So. 4(1, Feck Istip, Xew York. rT^HI>* manure is so combined, that the Ammonia aud ()ther fer- X tilizmg gasi-s are absnrbed. fixed, and are given vege- ttitioii as il requires tliein, \o rot, mildew. Worm, fly or other iiifieet can approach iti an i-iipnitHut coiisider;ition tofanntrs generally, but particularly m potato planting It will be ailiinral>ly adapted to the reui>vation, restoration and Icitilizing of such land's as have been worn out. it may he used broadcast, after the ground is ploughed, and then harrowed in with the seed. It is aUo valii.ible as a top dressing. rSix acres per day can be thus manured in a day by one man. It may be used with the greatest advantage ou t nrn, J otatO'-a, Wheat, Tobacco, Garden Vegetahles. K>e, Oals, Ureeii House Plants, Flowers, Vines, Wall Fruit. Ac ,and iii.Tethrui a thnussuid ceitificates from the most celebrated Karmers and Gardeners, can 1)6 shown, all testifying in the hlglieht terni.s to its great value as u feitilizer. A pamphlet containing these certificates chu be had. by applying to the manufacturers. The prick is oxly o^K crnt PSB pou.N'D. It is put up 111 bbla. averaging 235 ibs., ur in cusks, from H)Ub, to UOU U.S. TBR.MS, ('ash, or approved credit on delivery. Persons wish- ijig tti buy the article to Sell again will be allowed a liberal coni- mif^ston. Address KKNTl**' A: t <). Aug. I, 1S3I. No. 40. Peck .-lip, New Vo.k. AGENCY for the purchase and sale of improved breed of Ani}n(ds. STOCK Cattle of all the dillerent breeds, sheep, swine, poultry, &e., purchased to nnler, and carefully shipped to anj psirt i»f Uie United Sftates, for which a moderate citmiiiission will be ohMrgefl. The follownig are now on the list, and I'or sale, viz: Tiiorniigh bred Shnrt Horns and Grade Cattle. Aldeniey do do Ayrshire do Ao Devoiia tlo do Stuth Down Sheep. Oxfordshire do Leicester do Swine and Poultry of dilTerent breeda. All l-^ters post paid will be promptly attended to Address AARON CLE.MENT, August I. ISal. Cedar st , aliove 9th. Phita. GUANO AND PLASTER. T-HE subscribers offer for sale at the lowest market rates, lOIKi Tons i>ry Patagonia Guano, 500 " Government Peruvian Guano. 500 bbls. Ground Plabter. The quality of the above is unsurpassed, and can be recommrml- ed with cnnfideiiCH to farmers and others tn want of the articles. A liberal deduction made to Country Merchants. AIl^N .V NEKDLES. No. 2-2 .V 23, S. Wharves, First Store above Ches. bt., Phila. July 1^^ .lAm' ('0 do do do do do do do do do do do BERKSHIRE PIGS and Sourh Dowi Sheep of Pure Blond, for tale by JAS THOHNTON.Jr.. July l-6ra. Byberry, Ptul:a1cli)hia Co. 25G ADVERTISEMENTS. [November, FRUIT & ORNAMENTAL TREES, &C. TliH siit)s( riht^rs solit-itthe iittentinii of Nurserymen. Orchardists I nt\^i Airiuteurs, ti» liielr pieseut large mill hue stouk of Nursery Ar- [ licl^s: : :jTa:^PARD Fiti-iT Tref.s frir OrrliarJs; thrifty, well grown, and tiuMtlsun"', I't !ill tilt; lifst vai ictiea, Li%VARF I'kke-, f'T Gardens. Tlie largest stock in the country, mid ilie ni-'St L-.-niplete. J_)\v\BF t'b-AK ThKKA. Our colleclicMi consists of well known le;iduig vuru-tit-s, um\ nunihers nmre limn I5U.U0I) saleahle trees — The supcricriiy ni tlicse, being grown in the cnuntry, over iinpurt- j ert trees i.s well known to every niLelltgent rnltivatnr. Ni)tliing, j in fact, in tins country, can equal our (..olleftnin of Pcur Trees — Tiiry can he liad truin one lo luur ycura gruwtli, S(nn(: of which I am I'low covered uMtli fruit. UwAUb- APPLE Tkkks. We cultivate in large quantitiei the best and handsomest varieties of apjdea on Doueain and I'aradise st'-eks lor Uwaris and Pyramids, and can furnish them in large qiiantilieR. from one lu two yeais growth. UwAKFCiitiRKV Tree:?. All tlie leading varieties are cultivated (Ml Mahaieli stacks, extensively. We can furnisti by the hundred aud tlionsaiid- fnnn one to tw be issued monthly until complete. Kach number contains four Lltliofrraph KuTaviin's of original designs, varuii^ in cost of erection from C'Mlto SU.OIIO There are also fmir sheets of details accom- panying the designs. compriBiiig ground plans, ,tc., .tc- Besides this each number contains eight pages of letterpress, descriptive (if the designs, giving extended accounts of the various styles adopted, ess!ivs on warming, ventilation, &c., A;c., elaborate spe- cifications, estimates, tables, and la short every thing desirable, either for construction or for general information, in beautiful type; the whole being execnti-d on the very finest paper, manufactured expressly for the work. I'nicK 5(1 CENTS A NUMBER. Address, post-paid. E S JONES & Co , Publishers, 'I ' S, w.cor 4th and rjiice sts , Phila., Pa. Persons forwarding a list nf five siibscrihers accompanied with the cash, shall receive a sixth copy gratis^ sept-ly THE MAGNETIC LIGHTNING ROD. TIJOS ARMITACE'S PATENT M \G\KriC LinHTNMNG ROD. — The pitentee takes pleasure in mformmg Ins fritiida and the public III general, that after many years' close invest igatnm and numerous experiments, he has finally arrived ;(t tlie true prin- ciple of mannfactur'.ng and putting up Lisiitning R"ds and I' aadrcBsi.., with amount eiicU«ed, ^^^^^^^ o'CtNNSR, Safe Harbor, Lancaster oo , ^""a AU'orJorB will recoiv prompt attention. (sept 1S51. COTTAGK FURNITURE. WARWICK & Co., are c(matantly manufacfuring new aiirl ap- propriate designs of enamelled, painted and Cfittage Furniture, <'f warranted matrrialsand workmanship Suits of Chamber Farn'- tnre consisting of URKSSING HURKAU, bKDSTEAU, \V\SH- STAND.TOILKT TABLE, and FOUR CANK SEaT CHAIRS. as low as S30 per suit, and upward tu SlUO, gotten up in the iiu>et superb style. Those who are abont funiishiuEr hotels, cottages, or eitv» rem- dences. should call and see this style of furniture, which for cheap- ness, durability and elegance is far preferable to the old heavy kinds of mahogany, ^c. Orders from all parts mere details of every day farming, I shall fail in ih? efiijrt I am about to make on tliis occasion. Indeed, without personal knowledge w acfiuaintance with the various soils and lands of a State like vours, or ot the prevailing modes of cultivation, of which I r.m ignorant; how could it be expected, or desired, th.it I should occupy the attention of such an audience, com- posed of so many enlightened and practical farmers, by entering into the details and routine of ordinary farming operations ? These more properly belong tc> the various auxiliary societies of your State, to whcmi they can more safely bo contiijed. My purpose will be one wholly different, and of a more enlarn-ed and general character. I shall, in the first place, make a brief examination of agriculture, in connection with with the other great branches of national industry, and maintain its importance and pre-eminence in a national point of view. Secondly — I shall attempt to show that the prosperity and existence of the old Atlantic States, and especially Pennsylvania, Dela- ware, Maryland and Virginia, must hereafter mainly depend upon restoring and increasing the fertility of their lands, and the amount of their productions ; or they must consent to abandon them. And thirdly — That the only means of accomplishing this, will be by a system of improved and scientific cultivation ; by placing the agriculture of the country upon its true basis, and raising the agricultural classes to a higher and more elevated standard ! If I can suc- ceed in doing this, I shall have obtained all I desired, in this address, and all that the society could reason- ably expect. Of the importance and value of agriculture, few, I presume, are now disposed to doubt, whatever their opinions may be as to their relative merits compared with commerce and manuf;icturos ! That, whether we consider agriculture as an art, or in its effects upon the moral, social, or political character of our government and people, in America, at least, it must be regarded as forming the foundation upon which our prosperity and free institutions must ever repose I To maintain this, it may be necessary to contrast agriculture with the other branches of national in- dustry, here and elsewhere, as sources of national wealth and greatnes.s; and follow it up with a sum- mary review of the agricultural condition and capa- city of most of the Atlantic States, and the means they possess for high and improveil farming. This, however, I am aware, is a subject upon which there may be, and are, various opinions. Political writers, in aU ages, have differed more or less with respect to the true sources of the wealth of nations — some as- cribing it to agriculture; some to commerce and man- ufactures ; and others to labor and capital employed in all these. But yet all admit, that whilst manu- factures improve, commerce gives value, and labor and capital stimulate, it is agriculture alone that ori- ginates ! Conflicting, however, as these opinions may have been, and still are, with respect to these hypo- theses, all political economists concur in opinion that whatever may be the value imparted by the labor and ingenuity of man, the earth is the parent and foun- tain of them all. That agriculture is the art by which these productions are multiplied, so as to meet the wants of civilized man, and which are common to all — to the agriculturist, to the manufacturer and sea- man, as well as to the artist, the statesman, and man of letters — and as all equally derive their origin from the cultivation of the earth, all must be equally de- pendent upon it for sustenance. Regarding it then as the basis of all other arts, it justly claims pre-emi- nence over all others ; and such is its connection with 1851.] AGRICULTURAL ADDRESS. 250 all the comforts of the luimaii race, that it mayjustly l>e eakl, in a political jidiiit of view, that agriculture ia the only firm and stable foundation of national greatness ! But, Mr. President, Tve all know that nations, as well as individuals, are too often governed by exter- nal appearances and first impressions, until philoso- phy and science, by teaching men to think, enable them to trace effects to their true causes, and assign to them their relative importance; and henoe it is, that Commerce, from the display it makes before tlie world, has oft-en been considered the first and great- est agent in the production of national wealth ; and manufactures next; whilst modest and peaceful agri- culture, hidden in the privacy of the cuuntry, is neg- lected or forgotten ; or remembered only to be under- rated, and, might I not say, too often despised! And what though it does perform its labors in retirement, and out of view of the busy multitude ? What though the arts throng the cities and the public haunts of men ? What though commerce hoists its gaudy flag, spreads its swelling sails, and traverses the globe? These belong not to the peaceful calling of the hus- bandman; and for one I rejoice that they do not. — And yet, in saying this, I do not mean to speak dis- paragingly of commerce ! Far, very far from it. I tnow that civilization and liberty have ever been iden- tified with the history of commerce. It is not only the patron of art and science, but every where the friend of liberty and religious toleration. No man admires more the enterprise and couunercial spirit of our country than I do, or can Ijc more willing to do it honor. Its spirit, moreover, is peaceful, and that gives it additional claims to favor. It is true, that when we cast our eyes back a century ago, when agriculture had fallen from its high estate, we find the cultivation of the soil formed the occupatiou, al- most exclusively, of the humbler orders of the peo- ple, without knowledge or capital to enable them to improve it. Nor was it until political economy as- sumed the form of a sck'nce, and caused rulers and statesmen to be more sensible of the value and im- portance of an improved state of agriculture, that it attracted more attention from the better informed and wealthier classes of society, and exciting the energies of the learned and scientific attracted that consideration which its importance so justly merited. This great work first commenced in Europe, and more particularly in England and Scotland, and no- thing had such a powerful effect in attracting to it public patronage and support, as practical science and the establishment of Agricultural societies and associations. These were the levers that first put the ball in motion, and placed agriculture, as an art, upon its true and ancient basis. Then it was that patriotic men of rank, fortune and talents, gave to it their attention and by personal OKamplo, drew to themselves the regard and support of that class of people who had the means of conduct- ing improvements upon the most enlarged and liberal scale, and the Board of British Agriculture was es- tablished. This was principally brought about by the labors of a few distinguished individuals, at whose head was Sir -John Sinclair, an able and en- lightened projector, and a friend of Washington. — And then commenced a new era in agriculture, not only in England and Scotland, but throughout a part of Europe. This Board, whilst it served as a centre of information to agriculturists, performed the same office to the British Government, and pointed out the means of prosperity and safety to the nation. And here allow me to say that it was under the combined influence of this Board, and the numerous societies which were afterwards established throughout Eng- land and Scotland, that agriculture became inspired with a new spirit and activity. Men of science, and political philosophers, began to examine and analynji with deeper scrutiny the sources of Britain's power, and then it was ascertained that wide-spread as hot- commerce, and extended as her manufactures were, it was to her skilful agriculture, more than to both the other great interests, that England was indebted for the support of her colossal system of public cre- dit— a system that enabled her to breast the flood of Europc^'s rage; and roll back its waves upon the tv'- rant, who had disturbed the peace, and at one tiiil j threatened the liberties of the world ! For this we h&fc. Jirf.t the statistical results of th's taxes levied by Great Britain during her war with France; and, secondhj, the authority of Napokon himself, and Sir John Sinclair. Upon referring to the statistics of England, we find that the proceed.s of the tax alone imposed upon the proprietors and occupiers of land, amounted to six and a half mil- lions of pounds: whilst the whole product from all other classes, (including merchants, manufacturers, office holders and professional men, &c.,) was only between three and four millions; less than one hall the .amount received from the agricultural classes, whilst the number of proprietors and oi-i-upicrs ol land, who came within the operation of the inconio tax, was three times as large as that fjf all other classes. And here I will ask you to refer to the er- rors into which some of the public writers of Europe, and more particularly France, seem to have fallen w* to the true sources of U. Britain's wealth. They seem to take it for granted that the principal part of her industry is devoted to the manufacturing of goods for foreign markets. Tliis is not so. From the late official returns of her Board of Trade, it appears that the total value of exports of principal articles of British and Irish manufactures, for the year 1849, was only fifty- eight millions of pounds, including the value of the raw material, which, in re- lation *o many important articles of British export, was of foreign production. Now, this sum is litth; less than one eighth of the whole productive wealth of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland of which three hundred millions according to one of her ablest st.atists, is annually created from the culti- vation of the soil. Here then is the startling fact, that nearly fifteen hundred millions of dollars arc wrung from a soil possessing inferior advantages fo those of your own State, Mr. President, and especially those of New York and Ohio, and I might add, Vir- ginia. Well then might it be said, that in England's darkest hour, when invasion threatened her coasts and her shock-gathering perils appalled the merch- ants and fund holders of the kingdom; where, but among the yeomanry of the land were found the stojjt hearts and sb'ong arms that presented an impassaU^t barrier to her foes ? On this subject. Sir -John Sinclair, in one of hi.* addresses to the conveners of Scotland, which I hold in ray hand, [as late as 1820] says: " I have lorkg been endeavoring, in concurrence with a number ot respectable friends to promote the interests and pros- perity of agriculture. But unless some great exer- tions are made, all our past efforts will have been in vain ; I augur, however, better things for the fiiture. It has proved during the late war with France that national prosperity founded ou the liasis of agricul- ture, was solid and efficient. The cause of agricul- ture saved England from the yoke of Napoleon.'' — And let us hear what he thought of this matter. £ have seen it stated in some of the memoirs of his lii^ : CO AGRICULTURAL ADDRESS. [December-, i!i:it he was in the habit of reading the reports of the British Boarils of Agriculture with great attention, and particuhivly those of Scotland, in relation to wiiieh, he is rejwrtcd on one occasion to have said : That the Scotch •griciilturists had made their coun- try, which was one of the most sterile, one of the most fertile in all Europe, and that they were the rin-ht arm of the Britisli government, and but for their exertiens he should have been enabled to have over- thrown England.' " And yet, Creat Britain did little or nothing for her agriculture and rural economy until within the last century; and in fact never bronght this great branch of national industry and wealth to any perfection un- t after the establishment of her British Board of jVn-riculture, and those numerous associations scat- tered throughout the whole kingdom. And here I cannot do better than to refer to the opinion of Gen. "Washington, as to the importance and value of this board and of agricultural education. When the first lioard of agriculture was established. Sir John Sin- clair forwarded to General Wasliiiigton the proceed- ings of the board, with a diplor.ia constituting him an"honorary member. In a letter of thanks of the 10th July, IT'Jo, he says: — "From the first intima- tion which you were pleased to give mo of this insti- tution, I conceived the raost favorable ideas O'f its utility, and the more I reflected on the plan since, the more convinced I am of its import.ince in a na- tional point of view, not o-uly to your own country but to all others which are not too much attached to old and bad habits to forsake them, and to new conn- tries which are just ln'ginning to form systems for the improvement of their husbandry." "In another letter he says: "I have read with pleasure and approbation the work you paitronise ; 6>o much to your own honor and the utility of the public; such a general view of the agriculture of lireat Britain cansiot fail to 1* beneficial to the agri- cultHr:\l interests of your country and tr> those of every other where they are read, and must er>title vou to their warmest thanks for having set such a plan on foot. I am much pleased with it myself and pray you to have the goodness to direct your book- sellers to continue to forward them to me. I know of no pursuit in which more yeal and important ser- vice can be );endered to any eouuti-y than by improv- ing its agriculture, its breed of useful aniaials and other liranches of husbandry — nor can I conceive any plan more conducive to this end than the one you have introduced, bringing to view the actual state of those in all parts of the kingdom, by which good ssnd bad habits are exhibited in a manner too plain t« be misconceived, for the accounts given to the board of agriculture appear in general to be drawn in a masterly manner, so as to answer the expecta- tions formed in the plan which produced them, af- fording a fund of information useful in political eco- nomy-^serviceable in all countries;" and again: "it will be some time I fear, before an Agricultural So- ciety will be established in thi.s country. We must walk as other countries have done, before we run. Smaller societies must prepare the way for greater, Ijut with the lights befo'-e us, I hope we shall not be so slow in maturation as other nations have been. — An attempt as you will perceive liy the enclosed out- lines of a plan is making to establish a State Society in Pennsylvania for agricultural improvements. If it succeeds it will be a step in the ladder; — at present it is too much in embryo to decide on the result." Well, Mr. President, your State has at last suc- ceeded in being able to run, after walking half a century. It was just fifty-seven years since this let- ter was written, announcing the attempt to form a State Agricultural Society, before it was accom- plished. Kather a longer walk I dare to say, than General Washington had imagined. But it has come at last, and I hope with healing on its wings, to the honor of your State, and her patriotic sons. N"ow he-re is authority, that even the most iDvete^ rate of cor unscientific friemls wilt be disposed to respect. Allow me in connexion 'vvith those letters of General Wiishiagton, to express a singlo thought. What a singuJar and ren>arksble occnrronee, that a man in such rm CKalted sitnation. (and that man Washington) with all tho cares and responsibilities of the chief magistracy of such a nation npan hiitt. should have hied the tinjo and iRclinartioD to writ,? with his own hand, so nvany arN] such long letters,t.'> a total stranger,, in a foreign land, upxm- th^e valucv and iraportainee, and deMghts of Kural Agi-i^-utture. And then, again, how oinch more wonderfid is it that a men like Najwleon Bonarpate, at the moment he was planning his l)attles and marshalling his for- ces to trample down the liberties of the world — in- deed, amid the din of battle and the shonts of victo- rious armies — should hare had Jeisure to be pouring ©■ver the statistiral and agricwltoral i-eports of his. enemy. Whait a proud tribute to the agricultural advancement, both of Englantod for its vast im- provements and success. One of these associations, I allude to the Royal sgrieultural Society of Eng- land, formed only tt-m oi- tweJve years a:go, contains nc-w move then ten thousand members, embracing ever}' class, from the throne to the cottage, with am- ple fauds to carry out all it.-* schemes for improve- ment. And it i.* these associations and societies that have contributed so largely to make England, so far as agriculture is concerned, the garden of Europe ; and I venture to say that there now exists withia the British dominions » greatei- fund of solid ability and scientific infornmtion, and :j large? variety of active and efticient capital, thaa in aay ether country upon earth of the same exteat and popAilatioa^ And to what Mr. President, are we to ascribe aH this ; uot to so^il and elimarte certainly, because there are few countries wHh a less propitions climate, less genial sun, or natural richness of soil than- the Eng- lish can boast. No I mo ! — it is to be foimd in thaA fact that she surpassoss all other countries in the universe ia the- art of cultivating land, ia judicious cropping, in her systems of enekising, draining, ma^- uuriug, and in the breeding of d^menticsnimalsjand especially sheep and cattle. And such are the re- sources growing oat of British industry, that with a population one-third less than that of France, she ex- ceeds her from eight hundred to a thousand millions sterling capital employed in husbandry. Is it not idle then, to suppose that any thing else can raainly have contpibntcd to this, but agrietiltural knowledge and education, practical science with all its discove. lies, and the establishment of sscieties throughout the whole kisgdom, and the efforts raada-to rouse up the nation to regard agriculture ia ii» proper and triae light ! It was because husbandry becaave the road to wealth,, and power, and respectability. Hear what has Ijeen recently said on this subject st one of the annual meetings of the Royal Agricultural Society ". " The Society have the satisfaction at the close of asoi. AGRICULTURAL ADDRESS. 2ei the year, of congratulating its members on the steady advance of, the Society in the accomplishment of its prospects aivd resources, amongst which it cannot fail to allnde to the establishment of the nun)er(3us local societies for the discussion of agricultural subjects which have mainly originated from the attention which the exertions «f this iSociety have attracted to *he iiKprovements of Agri'cnltare, and which have led to such great and boEeficial results, raid they recommend that a chemical analysis of tlie plants grown in different localities and soils throughout the Kingdom shall be made at the expenses ci the society, and funds were voted for that purpose. And what, Mr. President, would be the ?.ns\ver of •our friends, the " uBscientifics and good enoughs," ito this array of evidence in favor of agricultural edu- <;ation and sciisice. That I suppose which Cincinna- 4us is reported to have given centuries ago — " We jirefer the good old way." And if such \\e the relative importance of agricul- ture m <.!reat i?ritain, whose commerce and manufac- tures ai ■• racter ajid our free institutions ; acting so powerfully upon tlM" constitutions of our people! And if it be true, as it has been supposed, that in regiuns like Switzerland and America, whose mountains lift them- selves to such vast elevations aljove the sea, the torch of liberty burns with a purer and brighter lustre, and the hardy spirit of freedom and independence of thought and actioJi, more peculiarly Ijelong, then have we advantages which no other nation on earth can boast. And then if we look to your own State, and snore especially to Xew York and 3Iarylaud, and to the wh lie of New England, we shall the effects of agricultural knowleilge and practical science, strong- ly exemplified, though, as I shall in another part of this attempt to show, that high as their impro\ements may Ije, they are f;ir, very far below the standard it ought to have reached, with the means and foeilities they have had at their command. What, theti, shall the conjectural scruples of the prophetic calculators Jn our OWE country avail against this mass of practi- cal evidence whicli three-fourths of a century have accumulated ? Why, if the only effect of these socie- ties and associations was to bring together the culti- vators of the soil in the various portions of the Union : awakening their attention to what had been done, and what was doing elsewhere; leading them to an interchange of views and feelings, and animating them to enterprise and emulation, who is there (hat doubts but that these societies rested upon an un- questionable basis of utility? And why do these in- dividuals who set themselves up against all scientific and book-farming, as they call it, imagine that no- tliing new is to be learned in the arts of life, and es- jiecially in relation to the cultivation of the soil — that agriculture has reached its goal? l>o thcyknow that there is no obstacle to the march of mind and improvement, so insurmountable as the conceit that we are either wise or good enough: and that it is t'lis .self-gratulation that so long closed the eyes of enf(uirers and shut out the lights of knowledge as to the cultivation of the earth ? Do they know, or have t!iey forgotten that it was many thousand years after the world began, before it w.as known how to make a plow? That Cincinnatus (n'ho is held up as their great pattern for husbandry,) and who was satisfied with the "good old way," turned up his land ■with the limb of a tree for his plow, and a knot to it for a coulter and share: and when the patriarchs were grinding their corn with pe^t^ls and stones? — and bye the Isye, it rany be within the recollection of some who are now present, wlien this species of grinding was resorted to in portions of the western country — possibly in jiarts of Pennsylvania, which are now filled with steam mills, and machinery of the most costly kind? Why, how long has it been since the use of the potato was found out and used? Need I remind you, Mr, President, or this assembly, that it w.as the ferocious soldier and liigottcd fanatic of Spain who gave to the world this treasure, by transferring the wild potatoes from the waters of La Platte, anil the mountains of Chili to Europe : and in doing so saved a larjje portion of the Old AVorld from the de- solations of famine ? And how strong is the good- ness of Cod, manifested every way? Yes — these same hands which destroyed human life without measure or mercy, gave to countless millions the means of living: and moreipver, by the introduction of the bark of Peru into medicine, removed from the earth a desolating scourge which destroyed more nations than the plagues of Egypt ! It has been well said, that this is a period in which the fields of sci- ence and useful knowledge are largely and success- fully employed in a country where the means of cor- rect information are as free as the air we breathe. — A spirit of enquiry has gone abroad in every depart- ment of science, anth(?r types with all their beautiful inventions are the work of the last ten years ; and Gun Cotton and Chlo- roform are of .still more recent discovery. And As- ta-onomy, has come in and added a number of new Planets to the Solar System. And yet, Mr. President, depend upon it, that with :t.U our knowledge and improvements of the age, both scientific and practical, there are even Ijetter ways than those now in use, in relation to our field indus- try, and the operation of mechanics. AVho imagines tliat in this immense repository in which we live, the whole of its contents have been exhausted, or a ma- jor part of them ? Why the very discoveries in art and science show that even now in this age of fan- cied maturity, knowledge and science are yet in their infancy. The land that now teems with such splen- did designs and enterprises for the benefit of man, has scarcely yet seen the dawn of that improvement in art and science which awaits it. Who will pre- scribe to knowledge boun-daries, or restrain tha insa- tiable curiosity of man ? AV'ho attempt to set limits to the march of human improvement? lias tlie spirit of Philosophical enterprise yet ex- hausted its discoveries in common, or atmospheric elexitricity ; in explosive or physical forces — in atmo- spheric pressure, or electrometers, with all their sul> tlety and power, their excitability, rapidity, and in- tensity of action ! Does any one im.agine that the secrets of the ele- ments are "yet exhausted? Tliat the bowels of the earth may not yet teem with unknown treasures ? — That fire and water are not yet to be applied to pur- - poses not less wonderful than that of making the very billows of the ocean conquer themselves ? Is it not wonderful to suppose that plants which are now trodden heedlessly under foot may not be- CAjme important objects of commerce, and form new sources of national wealth ? That undiscovered pla- nets may not now be tracing their silent and eternal course in the heavens, whosioh jealous vigilance, which was occu- pied by John Hancock when he' signed the Declara- tion of Independence and removed from the old im- mortal State House in Philadelphia to this splendid liall, so dear to the hearts of I'ennsylvanians, and may I not adil of every American ? The answer is to be found in that principle of association, which i-ompols us to look with interest upon the relics and memories connected with great events or names of renown, and which having come down to us from our fathers will descend to future generations, increasing in interest as they increase in years I And are these monuments and memorials of past times, which ap- peal to the best emotions of the human heart to avail nothing? Are these hallowed sympathies of tender- ness and veneration for our homes and country to bo so easily broken, and when broken, forever? The remedy is in our own hands, and we shall be false to ourselves and our children if we fail to avail our- selves of it — that rcmedj', I must again repeat, is in restoring our lands to fertility, and in elevating the agricultural classes — in scientific and high farming. And here, Mr. President, let me say that Penn.sylva- nia has other and most important interests, besides lier agriculture, to urge her on in the course of im- provement and enterprise, and these are to be found in her vast mineral resources, and especially in her mines of coal and iron. Indeed the possession of such immense fields of coal within a reasonable distance of the seaboard, may be regarded as a boon of ines- timable value, and the main source to which she nmst now look to elevate her to superiority as a com- niorcial and manufacturing State. As late as 1840, one of her representatives in Con- gress is reported to have said, that only fifty years before, coal was unknown in the conntrj'; and that it then gave employment to four millions of days wcn'k annually. That it kept in movement a thou- ^■and ships of one hundred tons each ; and afibrdcd a nursery for the training of sis thousand seamen, who '■arned three millions of dollars yearly! That it g.ave circulation to a capital of fifty millions of dollars ! — Kept in activity fifty thousand souls, who annually consumed upwards of two millions worth of agricul- tural products, and more than three and a half mil- lions of dollars worth of merchandize ! What has been the increase since '46, we can now only conjec- ture ! What a field is opened here, Mr. President, for enterprise, in such a State as Pennsylvania, in all the branches of national industry and wealth I — Why these hlaclc diamonds of her's alone, will prove iif far more value than all the gold of California, or the mines of Mexico. Is it not calculated to baffle all speculation as to the point it is yet to elevate her! And yet, would it not be passing strange that at such a time at this, when skill, and zeal and industry are pushing on all the other arts of civilized life to their utmcjst perfection, that art which fill's the purse and sustains the sword of the nations: the art by which under God we live and move and have our be- ing, should be the only neglected and despised in a country like ours? Most sincerely do I wish that I had the power of that victorious language, which could carry deep and solid conviction upon tliis sub- ject to the minds and hearts of every cultivator of the soil, not only in your noble and patriotic State, ))ut into every hole and corner of this vast confeder- acy! Having in the earlier part of this address, referred to the st^ite of English and Scotch agriculture, and given estimates to show their increased productive- ness from improved and scientific cultivation alone ; let me now, Mr. President, add one or two examples from some of the smaller States of the Old World, as to the wonderful results that have been wrought by improving and fertilizing poor soils, and I select from States whose agriculture has probably not re- ceived the attention and consideration it merits. I allude to Ireland and Belgium! And first as to Ire- land! She, with a territory not mjre than half as large as that of Pennsylvania or Virginia, certainly not of \ew York, supports not only a population of more than nine millions, but exports more than fifty millions worth of products ! And when wo pass over to Belgium, a comparatively small principality, we find her sustaining an agricultural population of more than three hundred and thirty to the square mile. — Now Pennsylvania and Virginia, with a population equally dense, could each sustain a population of more tlum twenty millions, just by the same system of farming and improved cultivation! M'CuUoch, in his great statistical work, in alluding to the agriculture of Belgium, remarks: "That her soil, artilirially enriched, produces more than double the quiiiitity of wheat required for the consumption of its i;iliabitants, amounting annually to more than sixteen millions of bushels." No-s\' these statements, striking and marvellous as they appear, are no doubt true, and then the inquiry follows: — IIow is it all produced? The'answer is, by improved and scientific cultivation, but especially in the making and keeping of manures, and in the wise and judicious application of them! Well may these bo regarded as startling results and calculated to carry conviction and confidence to every candid and unprejudiced mind. And if such are the residts and rewards of highly improved modern husbandry in the Old World, let us see what are the losses sustained in this new one of ours, from a totally different system of farming and cultivating our lands, and no where will the contrast be more apjdicable, than to our own States of Peun.sylvania and Virginia, and a few others which I need not name. In doing this, how- ever, I shall need official and statistical data, and in the absence of legal provisions in Pennsylvania for procuring such statistical information, I must resort to some other States that can furnish it. For this purpose I shall select New York as an example, to show the probaljle and estimated loss that is annual- ly sustained from the impoverishment of soils and the want of more improved cultivation. And her case will be entirely applicable as well to Pennsylva- nia as to most of the other old States. The census of 1840 will be the basis of the calculation I am about to submit, and for it I am indebted to one of the of- ficial report.s of the Patent Office, a publication, by the by, of great value, and containing a fund of the most interesting information upon all branches of national industry. Now, according to this statement, it appears that New Y'orkhas twelve millions of acres of imtroved LAND, cultivated by five hundred thousand laborers, being an average of 24 or 25 acres to each laborer. — Of these twelve millions one million is so calculated as to become richer each succeeding year. It is in the hands of some forty thimsand skilful farmers, who take and read agricultural journals and papers, and not only sustain, not only e great State Society, but the numerous auxiliary societies scattered tlu-ough that great Commonwealth — Empire, rather, let me call it ! Three millions more of the twelve are so managed as barely to hold their own in point of fertility 1 — They belong to a class of farmers who, we are told, do as well as tliey can from personal observation, and 1851. AGRICULTURAL ADDRESS. 260 geeing how the reading and more skilful eutiviitors ■ that spirit of progress a-id improvemeut that marks of the one million class improve their estates and the age ! domestic animals. We see this exemplified in her improving agricul- The remaining eight millions of acres of the twelve, [ ture ; in the increasing numher of her railroads, ca- arc in the hands of about three hundred thousand | naif, turnpikes and bridges, and the increasing facil- porsons, who still adhere to the " good old way " of their fathers, in farming or rather in sinking the land and extracting from the virgin soil all it will yield, and returning to it little or nothing in aid of the pro- ductive powers of the land. Kow what proportion and in what degree of these three classes Pennsylvania and Virginia can claim, neither you, sir, nor I, will venture an opinion, but f it was put to ajury of enlightened and good farm- ei's to decide, I fear there would be a great predomi nance found in favor of the third class, whom I need not say, belong to the " unscientifics," and that afore- said family the " good enoughs." And, in what ratio, Mr. President, do you suppose these farms in ?Cew York have deteriorated in half a ities for internal and exlernal communication. The value of her lands, according to the report of her chief magistrate, has increased nearly 30 per cent, in her entire landed property, and many portions of the State, which 20 years ago were barely inhabited, are now filling up with an industrious population, and well cultivated. The Fire Ilorse is busily at work in ^'irginia, traversing every part of her do- minion and his whistle, it is to be hoped, will not on- ly rouse up the " Deer and Eagle of her Mountains," but her hardy and gallant sons from that lethargy and " glorious inactivity " which has so long kept this old commonwealth in the back ground of im- pruvcment,and paralized those energies and resoureoR which were more than sufficient hmg since to have century ? AVhy the fact is hardly to be credited, that I placed her in the front rank of national improvement less than seventy years ago they yielded in wheat 1 and greatness ! But her destiny is onward, and God from twenty to thirty bushels, aud now only from five to eight! From a treatise on "American Husbandry," pub- lished at the close of the revolution, the following statement is made: — " That many parts of New York yield a larger produce in wheat than is common to England. Upon good lands about Alliany where the climate is the coldest in the countrj-, thej' sow two bushels and better to an acre, and reap twenty to forty; the latter quantity is not often had, but twenty to thirty are common, and that with such bad indus- try as would not yield the like in England, aud much loss in Scotland. This is owing to the richness and fertility of the lands." And now let us see what is the present yield of the same lands, according to the State census of New York, of 1845. From this it appears that the county of Albany produces 7h bushels to the acre, although the farms are on tide-water and near the capitol of the State, with a good home market and every facil- ity for producing th e most valuable fertilizers. — Duchess county, also on the Hudson, yields an aver- age of only 5 bushels; Columbia, G bushels; llensel- laor, 8; and West Chester, 7. To renovate these eight millions of acres would cost a hundred millions of dollars, aud the aggregate loss to New York and the world is estimated at up- wards of seven millions of dollars annually! And this state of things, ceteris ])aiihu!<, is as ap- plicable to Pennsyl'. aiiaand Virginia,aud the South, as to New York. And then comes the question, wluit escape is there from all this, but to improve aud enrich the lauds by high cultivation, or abandon them and emigrate ? To educate and elevate the agricultural classes ! And yet New York, vrith all her wealth and en- terprise, and all her eflbrts to render her agriculture profitable, has done nothing towards a system of ijeneral A;/rii-iilhiral education ! With her numerous societies aud associations, she is yet without an Ayrictd/itral School on a scale wor- tliy of her wealth and enterprise. Nor is there one, it is believed, in the United States ! How long will it be before this reproach will be wiped out, it must be for New York or Pennsylvania to answer ! We, of the Old Dominion, Mr. President, can no longer, I fear, hope to le.td, but must be content to learn, and follow, at least, a while longer. I rejoice, however, in believing that she too is fast yielding to speed her success. And then again we have another stumbling Idock to all agricultural improvement, which is probably t'l be mot with in Pennsylvania, to an extent quite as great as in some others of her older sisters, and that: is in deep rooted attachment to the old modes of cul- tivation, and in old habits and prejudices descending from father to son, always the most powerful enemy of all new systems of imjirovemonts, and in a great measure, I regret to say, confined to cultivators of the soil. I need not tell von, Mr. President, nor en- lighten this enlightened luidience. how slowly and reluctantly they are yielded by even the most intelli- gent and candid. Ilmice it is that from generation to generation men pass in the track of their prede- cessors, and to conquer this propensity, and the evils which flow from it, is the eftbrt of and one of the best results of modern science connected v>'ith agri- cultural improvement. In vain may tlie tongue or press be emploj'cd to satisfy the practical and unsci- entific farmer of errors and habits which a life of l.i- bor and toil may have confirmed I Hois either deaf or blind to such appeals ? He laughs at all book learning, and sticks to the good old ways which havt? come down from some of his great grand-fiithers ! — There is but one remedy, and that is to make the ex- periment, explain the method, and exhibit the suc- cessful result, and then ho may yield and follow in the foot steps of successful experiment. But even then, as I have before said, most rchu'tantly. [Mr. Stevenson related one or two very striking and amus- ing anecdotes both in relation to England and Amer- ica, to show the force and folly of this inveteracy of habit among farmers, and the prejudices which some- times exist between the two countries as to their modes of farming, living, &c.] Nor is this all that the agriculturists have to bear, as a class they are often not only underrated, but sup- posed not to stand upon the s;uue platform in public es- timation, with the learned and liberal professions. Now, Mr. President, this is a matter which I re- gard as vastly more important than is generally sui>- posed, and another of the evils to an improved stat« of agriculture. Will you pardon mo for a moment while I say a few words upon the agricultural classes in a country like this, and the nature of their calling. And if it Ijc true, that laljor, occupation, difficulties to absolve, obstructions to overcome, and the lialanc- ing between hopes and fears, constitute the true ele- ments of man's nature, where so much, as in the cultivalion of tlie earth, is to be found the foodful 3G6 AGRICULTURAL ADDRESS. [DECEMnEH, nurse of oartlily happiness ? Whore can man indulge his love for nature, or render greater benefits to his fellow men, undisturbed by envy or prejudice, or the vanities of the world, than in the retirement of the country, and seeking the bread of industry by the sweat lit his brow iu cultivating the soil? And is it true that agriculture has fallen from its high estiitt', to one of a low and grovelling character? Neviir had it a right to stand higher, even in the palmiest days of Roman greatness ! And do they, Mr. President, who now attempt to disparage it, re- member what it then was? If they look into the civil institutions of Home, when she was mistress of tlie w.irhl, they will see how deeply it entered into her policy, not only to promote, but to dignify agricul- ture and its professors. Why, Pliny tells us, ''that then the earth took pleasure in being cultivated by the hands of men crowned with laurels and decorated with the higliest honors." And Cicero deolaroa "that nothing in the world was more useful, more agreea- ble, or more v.urthy of freemen, than agriculture,'' and in saying «ii, he pronounced not his own opinion only, but t!ie public judgment of his ag! and coun- try. If troiips were to be raised for the defence of the Itepublic, whore, but in the in'Ims rusticus, were the nurserl^'.-i of the Legions? Did the emergencies of the slate require a General or Dictator ? where was ho sought — in the schools or in the forum? No, sir. No, he was taken from the plough. Were their ser- vices to be rewarded, and if so, with gold, or medals, or high office ? Not at all. It was done by dona- tions of land; and the quantity just so much as a man could plow himself in one day. A compensa- tion, which by the bye, I fear, in our days of pros- pe,rity and greatness, Mr. President, would not be esteemed, by our warriors, a very liberal compensa- tion. Agriculture a degraded occupation? Why I blush whilst I repeat it ! What is there, let me ask, in human duties, wliat in science or in arts, what in m furnish models of im- provemimts and machinery. The plow must be driven deeper into the soil. Lime and plaster and fertilising manure must be made to stimulate the sleeping energies of soils newly turned up to the fer- tilising dews of heaven ! Clover and other improving crops must restcre to exhausted soils the vegetable matter so indispensable to fertility I Farmers must be invoked to push their enquiries to the extent of their capacity, and their experiments as prudent economy will permit it. and to make no otiier use of the good old w.ay than to adhen^ to it mitil a better is pointed out ! Every State should have a State So- ciety, such as yours, with am|de means of carrying out its meritorious objects ! This must be the foimda- tion stone of all agricultural improvements upon a large and liberal scale ! Nothing can bo done with- out it! And here I will say that one great advantage, if none other, which v.ould grow out of the meetings of such associations properly organized, and endorsed by the state, would be bringing together in one great social body, most of the leading and efficient friends of agriculture from all parts of the State at some cen- tral point. Their views vrouhl be similar, their o1> jects would accord, and theirmeeting would be friend- ly and social. They would come together as yoij have done, animated by a kindred spirit, and de- voted to kindred pursuits, act iu concert and part with the kindest feelings. Could anything but unmixed good come out of such associations ? Politi(/al and party spirit would he bauislicd, and no interest would claim attention but such as gentlemen and Christians would conscienti- ously support. Sucli meetings would serve to bind together the people in the different portions of such States as Pennsylviuiia and Virginia, and would be useful if they did not even give such an impulse to agriculture as I have attempted to prove and most strongly believe. AV'^iiat scene more dignified and delightful than to see, as we have done here, hundreds and thousande of Iiappy, intelligent and independent farmers, col- lei;ted from all parts of yuur State, not to engage in political and party strife" but meet together for their country's good, consulting how best to promote the great interests of agriculture, with no jarring ele- ments, no hoart^ljurnings of any sort, but peace and good will, and benevolence animating every bosom ! And then the various county and auxiliary^ socie- ties would send their delegates' and combine in one body upon every anni\'ersary of the State Society, an immense mass of intelligence collected from all parts of each State, bringing into social and prolitable in- tercourse those who would otherwise remain strangers to eacli other, and would thus collect a mass of infor- mation not only upon farming, but other great inter- ests of the State. And as the occupation of the plough is of no party, as tlie times are those of temperance (and I omitted to put tliis along with the other improvements of the age), as farmers are characterized by the love of or- der, and their calling the foundation upon which rests the welfare and happiness of all, there can be co danger of any sort apprehended from these gather- ings, but they will come and pass off as the jubi- lees of farmers always do, iu the greatest order aod 1851.] COMMUNICATIONS. 2GT decorum, .and in a friendly and bcmovolont spirit. — Would not such scenes be well calculated, Mr. Pres- ident, to gladden the heart of every wise and good man ? If there be one who doubts it, I only wish he could have been present at the exhibition in Balti- more, during last week, or been for the last three days here. Nor will the benefits of agriculture be the only of- fect of all I have been endeavoring to impress upon our agricultural friends. When regarded in a polit- ical point of view and tho prespority and permanen- cy of our free institutions, what strong inducements we have, not only to uphold, and maintain the rights and power of these glorious old states to whom we are indebted not only for the blessings of our liberty, constitution and Union, but to whom we are too look in tlie hour of peril, for their preservation and perpe- tuity. For let no uian deceive himself in the belief that they can ever be preserved in any other man- ner than in that spirit of compromise and mutual affection in which they were founded by our fathers. To the federal government must be yieldeil the ex- clusive and energetic exercise of all external and na- tional powers secured to it by the constitution. To tlie state governments must be secured the mass of powers which relate to the external and domestic af fairs of the confederacy. The rights secured to tho states and the people nrust be preserved inviolable upon the basis of the constitution, then will our glorious Union in the lan- guage of tho Father of his country, "become the main pillar in the edifice of our real independence; of tranquility at home and peace abroad ; of our safe- ty, and prosperity, and of that liberty which we prize so much." Then, and then only, Mr. President, will our Union become immortal. These are some of the views which I have felt it my duty to present on this occasion, and which I only regret are not more worthy of the cause, and the consideration and favor with which they have been received by you and the distinguished assembly. One more word, and I shall have done. If, Mr. Pres- ident, we arc to succeed in the scheme in which we are engaged, of restoring and improving the lands and agriculture of our respective states, we must be not onlj" zealous and untiring, but united as a class. Vre must tr\ist in the integrity of our cause, and in the intelligence and enterprise of our people ! And if it be true that the price of liberty is eternal Tigilance, not less so is it as to successful agriculture. You, sir, and those who are in high places, must be- come the Warners upon the wall to rouse up and warn farmers of tlie true state and condition of tilings, and of the dangers that beset them, and point ou the means of escape from the breakers upon wlu .'h our agricultural ship has been of late years t03 lapidly driving : and then if they heed not the •warning, Ijut are determined to perish, their blood Will not be requited of the watchmen ! For one, hav. ever, I have no fears of the result, if we are true to ourselves. And why shall we not succeed ? AVhy sit clown in despair ? Our cause is not tho cause of tin great and wealthy of any particular system of pii'.tics, or any party, but the cause of the country! Let us then persevere, and should wo triumph, as I feel confident we shall, then will a new era open upon these old, and venerated, and beloved common- wealths, which, in spite of every difficulty, will carry them through a long course of liberty and honor to the farthest goals of wealth, prosperity and hoppi- ncss. Commuuicatious. TRANSLATED FOR THE FARM JOURXAL. Agricultural Chemistry, No. 1. We come now to consider the compound substances. Atmospheric air is formed by a mixture of one-fifth oxygen with four-fifths nitrogen. As no living crea- ture can exist without atmospheric air, so it is indis- pensable to the growth of plants, and they are fur- nished with peculiar vcs.scls for absorbing it. Bui the soil likewise requires atmospheric air; and hence the groat benefits wliich result from loosening and stirring the ground; as well as tho injury sustained when the land becomes bound and comjiact, or is cov- ered with a crust, so as to be nearly impervious to the air. Atmospheric air is not merely the medium or vehicle by which oxygen is conveyed or .supplied to plants, but it contains al.so other feriform sub- stances, though in minute proportions, which are ab- sorbed in part by the .•^oil and in part by the growing crop or natural vegetation. Impalpable particles of substances not really volatile are also contained in it, which serve as nutriment for plants. Thus during a protracted droiight a large quantity of substances not properly belonging to the atmosphere is taken up and becomes mixed with it, and are then again precipita- ted by rain. The consequence is a more striking and more rapid growth of vegetation, than is observed when rains arc frequent and of long continuance, and the atmosphere is not allowed time to become stored with such fertilizing particles. A further valuable property of atmospheric air, is its capacity to receive and retain the vapor of water, as it rises from the earth. The warmer tlie air is, the greater is the quan- tity of water it will take up; but wheu its tempera- ture is reduced, as during cold nights, i'. part.s again with a portion of the moisture it contains, which is then precipitated in the form of dcAc. The fertilizing effects of dew flow not ahmo from the moisture it supplies, but also from tho gaseous and other minute- ly divided substances deposited with it. Hence the benefits which result from stirring tho .soil during the prevalence of drought, as will bo hereafter noticed. Oxygen and nitrogen serve to form other combina- tions also, among which nitric acid is of importance to the farmer. In its pure si:ate this acid acts corro- sively on vegetation; but when converted into a salt Viy means of an oxyd, it acts as a fertilizer in conse- quence of the nitrogen it contains. Hydrogen in combination with nitrogi^n forms -icatcr, without which no living body can grow or thrive. Water operates in a two-fold manner, mechanically and chemically. Its mechanical operation consists in conditioning and promoting action and reaction among bodies. In a dry state different substances may lie side by side fer years without perceptibly affecting one another. But no sooner do they become moistened by water than a reciprocal action commences between them. If tlic 238 COMMUNICATIONS. [December, «oil become thoroughly dry, the action of the air on it ceases in a great degree or becomes suspended, )jc- cause the oxygen itself of the atmosphere requires a certain degree of humidity to enable it to combine witii other substances. Water, moreover, serves as a vehicle fur many substances, which arc found only n combination with a certain portion of moisture, or n a liquid state. This combination is meant when wo say hat water dissolves such substances, or holds them in solution ; and in such a state of solutiim al- most all substances must be, if they are to serve a.s ood for plants. On the other hand, there are many substaRces which are insoluble in water. If these consist of or contain ingredients which, under differ- cjit circumstances, would serve as food for plants, they must still be regiuded as though not present i and of no effect or value, so long as they are not ren- i dered soluble. Happily however, tlicre are many 1 substances which can be used to render soluble those 1 whicli are not directly soluble in water. For osample, ' iron, exposed to dampness or moisture, comlnnes 1 with oxygen, forming protoxyd of iron. This, com- i bined with carbonic acid becomes soluble; and when in excess, proves injurious to plants. As water has the property of taking up or dissolving other sub- stances, it never occurs pure in nature, but always contains more or less foreign matter. Even rain wa- t«r is never entirely pure. The fjreign matter con- tained in water, is almost always fertilizhig. The chemical operation of water consists rather in tills, that, by the influence of other substance?, it be- comes decomposed into its elements, oxygen and hy- drogen ; and in this way large quantities of water are used or appropriated in the growth of plants. Water appears under UifiFerent forms, according to the degree of lieat it contains. At low temperatures it appears solid, as ice, at ordinary temperatures as a Uciuid, an.l at very liigh temperatures as vapor. Of the latter the atraospliere can receive and absorb a vci'y large quantity, which it does not again yield up or part from, until it is reduced to a lower tempera- ture. If this occur in the higher regions of the air, douds are formed; and, by further atmospheric changes, these become condensed and are precipita- tetash, soda, lime, iron, &c., forming silicates with them. But carbonic acid has a much greater affinity l(.r these substances than they have for silicious acid; and one consequence thereof is, that, when in combi- nation with water it conies in contact with them, the union between them and the silicious acid is dissolved and the formation of earhonafes is the result — the silicious acid meanwhile remaining uncomhined, is taken up in its soluble state by the water and thus made available as food for plants. Oxygen in combination with potassium forms an ctyd which is called jfo/a.v/f. 'When pure or uncom- combiued with an acid, it is caustic and corrosive; but it never occurs in soils in this condition, for the potash unites w-ith carbonic acid and forms a salt— the carbonate of potash — which is a very soluble sub- stance and a principal constituent of most plants. — I'otash is also found in combination with sulphuric acid, and then possesses great fertilizing properties. With nitric acid it forms saltpetre; and as a silicate of potash it constitutes a salt, which is not readily soluble, but may be decomposed by carbonic acid. As potash is a principal ingredient of many plants, the farmer should be careful that it occurs in a solu- ble condition in those of his fields in which crops re- quiring large supplies of this substance are intended to bo grown. This may be effected in various ways. If the soil contain much clay, it also contains potash, and it is only necessary to remler the latter soluble, which is accomplished by the frequent use of the plow, thereby loosening the soil and enabling it to absorb greater quantities of carbonic acid. It thus becomes disintegrated, and the potash is rendered soluble. Again, the potash may be incorporated with the manure, and thus be caused to pass through a process of circulation similar to that of the phospho- ric acid. Straw also contains much potash, which is returned to the soil in the manure. The soil may also bs supplied with potash by moans of unleached ashes, and by the cultivation of tap-rooted plants, to be plowed h.\, in a green state — Ijccauso the salts of potash, being highly soluble, are readily carried into tho subsoil by rain water, and may be advantageous- ly restored to the surface by means of tap-rooted plants, grown and plowed in green. Chlorioe of Sodium.— Common Salt. The expe- rience of almost every farmer will now confirm the benefit derived from the mixture of salt with tho food of cattle. It appears to be the natural and universal stimulus tei the digestive organs of animated beings. In this place, however, its medicinal power alone% the subject of consideration. It is a purgative second to the epsom salts. Tlie necessity of increasing the fertility of our soil --Deep plowiMg__Ecouoml2ing manures. Mr. Editor:— In the able addre.33 delivered at the State Agricultural Exhibition, we have a striking picture of the ruinous effects of exhausting tillage, a* exemplified in some of the finest portions of our coun- try. Nothing can present a louder call on the atten- tion of the pah-iot, or appeal more directly to the pride and interest of the agriculturist. A general survey of our oldest States in regard to their present productiveness would doubtless result in the conclu- sion that wherever the land has been under cultiva- tion for half a century or more, its fertility is much diminished. Who has not seen fields which will hardly yield ten bushels of wheat to the acre, bat which when newly cleared, produced forty bushels'? The fact is, that from the first settlement of the coun- try, the spendthrift process of cultivation, which takes all from the soil and returns nothing, has been adopt- ed; and the quality of the land unrler tillage in the Atlantic States has consequently been impaired to an extent, which it is painful to think of. In many parts of the country the price of lands has been great- ly depressed by this cause, whilst in others, the same result ha« only been prevented by improvement,s, public or private, which have communicated an ex- traneous value. Whether under any circumstances, it is right to take successive crops from the soil without restoring any thing to it, may be left to tho casuists to consider; but stern necessity will teach tho Pennsylvaniao, that such a course of tillage can no longer be pur- sued. The numerous canals and railroads hav« opened the fertile regions of the great A7est to our Atlantic markets, and at the same time have opened to us such a prospect of competition, as makes it evi- dent that nothing but the most skilful cultivation, will enable us to profit by our position. We have the advantage of proximity to tin' market and a small freight ; but this is counteracted by the higher price of our land and its inferior fertility. Our next west- ern neighbor and young sister, Ohio, produces seve- ral millions of bushels more wheat than we do every year, and twice thi> quantity of Indian corn. Indi- ana, Michigan and lUiuois, and Kentucky and Ten- nessee, are ijnmense producers of breadstuffs; awl they all can, and all do forward their produce to the seaboard, east or south. The effect, is to reduce the prices. Now— our farmers, if they can succeed in doubling their crops, may do as m'oII, or better than they have heretofore done by raising half the quanti- ty and selling it for d.Hible the price. It is believed, that Uiey may accomplish this result, by an improved system of culture. It is fortunate, that the effect of the cultivation, upon which we have animadverted, though perni- cious, was superficial. The injury done, is, in general, by impoverishing the soil to the depth of six or eight ' inches : below which, in most cases, the earth wil 18a COMMUNICATIONS. 327 bo fountl to contain many of the constituents of fer- tility that having been consumed by the exhausting tiUage of the surface, no longer, of course, exist there. Here, then, is a great resource. In many instances, deep plowing .and the subsoil plow especially, will enable the farmer almost to realino at once, the ori- ginal fertility of his laud. Reason will show, that the fertilizing materials applied to the surfoco will sink into the ground by the natural process of infil- tration occasioned by the melting of snows and the absorption of rains and dews. Rains have been known to penetrate the earth for several hundred feet below the surface, and the great variety of particles which administer to the growth of plants and which aro applied to the surface will bo carried to various depths. It is known that the eartli is replete with the seeds of an infinite variety of plants, some of which have sprung up spontaneously out of the ground raised from great depths and exposed to the air and sun. More frequently still, it has been ob- served that the gromid raised from the bottom of canals several foot, and other excavations and .'-pread oat, has proved to be more fertile and productive than the adjoining soil, which had been cultivated for many years. No one can suppose that all the mine- ral, vegetable, and animal matter, which has been deposited in whatever way upon the earth, has re- maiued_^within six inches of the surface. The very tendency of vegetation to push its roots downwards in search of food instructs us better. Deep plowing, therefore, is suggested by the simple information of common sense. But that alone is not sufficient. Nothing can fully restore and maintain the worn out .soil, but the actual addition of fertilizing materials to the surface from without ; thus returning tci it what the course of for- mer tillage had abstracted. All vegetation depends for its growth upon the supply of the elements which constitute its various parts, and enable the organs of the vegetable to elaborate its structure. Manures are those matt^rials which supply plants, directly or indirectly, with these constituent elements. The highest agricultural skill implies much more, than neatness and perfection of the mechanical processes of cultivation. It implies a knowledge of these con- stituents of vegetables and of the chemical composi- tion of the soil. Such knowledge enables the agri- culturist to determine with certainty what tho soil requires, to produce any particular class of plants, and to apply his manures with the greatest possible efficacy and economy-. It also enables him to accu- mulate and preserve the essential food of plants, which is suffered, to an extent quite incredible, to go to waste, in tho form of drainage from barn-yards, cattle sheds, manure heaps, and kitchens; of animal and vegetable refuse and offals, and also in the form of gaseous exhalations from these sources. Liebig •ays — " that with every pound of ammonia which evaporates, a loss of sixty pounds of wheat is sus^ tained, and that with every pound of urine, a pound of wheat might be produced," and he truly adds, " that the inditfcrcnce with which these liquid excre- ments are regarded, is incomprehensible." The skil- ful farmer will so manage as to save if possible every drop of this liquid manure. The drainage of the cattle sheds contains, it has been saiil, the essential elements of vegetables in % state of solution; yielding aumnmia, potash, soda, lime, magnesia and silica, with albumeu, mucus, chlorine and several acids. So of the drainage from manure heaps and barnyards, consisting of urine and the richest matter of dung and compost. The wash- ings, scourings, and drainage of kitchens and houses, contain animal and vegetable refuse, &c., prolific in ammonia, fatty matters rich in carbonic acid, and soap, a compound of fat and soda. The highest evi- dence has been given of the importance of these in- gredients. These liquids applied directly to the grow- ing crops, or, to all sorts of vegetable refuse, weeds, stickheaps, &c., to convert them into manure, will amply repay the care bestowed. The gaseous exhalation carries oflf the carbonia acid and the vegetable and animal substances in the manure heap during the process of fermentation, — They escape in the form of ammonia and carbon ; thus losing the best part of the manure which evapo- rates first. The maxim is, that " nothing be allowed to run away in the form of a fluid, or fly away in the disguise of a smell." With respect to the refuse vegetable and animal matters of the farm, it may be stated, that whatever has had life or contains tho materials of which the living structure is ccmiposed, ought to be preserved for manure. Hence tho various weeds, stubble, gi'ass, leaves, ditch-scourings, saw dust, bones and other animal matters should be collected, as useful in furnishing directly the proper constituents of fu- ture vegetation, or for admixture with other highly azotized substances. Many of tho vegetables whicli may be collected about a fiirm contain much more nitrogen than the straw of grain ; and are also verv rich iu the inorganic elements, especially tho saline, giving the farmer the means of greatly increasing his compost heap. For this purpose the animal mat^s which may be gathered, are still more valuable, as they may be mixed with any oarthy substance; and flesh, bones, hair, wool, &c., are extremely useful to vegetation, giving off during decomposition much c-a]> bonic acid and ammonia. It has been found by ae- tual analysis, that 154 lbs. of flesh, bones, blood and hair, contain as much nitrogen as 1000 lbs. of farm manure, and a carcass of a dead liorse is believed to be worth more than a ton of the best quality of such manure. The above remarks indicate tlie necessity of much gi-eat-er attention to the collection and prcservatiou 272 COMMUx\ICATIONS. SCEMEER, of manures than has heretofore been };iven to the sub- ject. Combined 'nith proper depth of plowing, and a suitable application of fertiliKing constituents to the crops according to their nature, it is confidently be- licvel, that the care and slcill of the farmer thus em- ployed, ^Tould be immediately rewardeil by the great- est yield, at the smallest cost: wbich nuist ever be the aim of the highest cultivation. ■ Should it be thought desirable to pursue the sub- ject, it may hereafter be inquired what is the best plan for economizing the manures which may be made upon the farm — with reference to quantity, quality and expense. A. L. II. Lancaster, Kov. 17, 1851. Agricultural Nuisances, No. 4. rlGEON WEEP, STONE WEED, STON'E SEED, FALSE GROJI- WELL, WUEAT THIEF, STEEX CROUT. Frencii, Gremil des champs. German, Acker steiu- same. Lithospermum arvense, Linnaus. The genus was established by Tourneforte ; it now contains about sixty species, six of which are natives of the United States, and two or three foreign ones have been introduced. The name is derived from the Greek LHhos, a stone, and sperma, a seed, from the atony hard appearance of the seeds. The one under consideration is a native of Europe, but is extensively naturalised, and in this county it is a very serious nuisance. It Ijclongs to the 5tli class Pentandria, and 1st order Monogynia, in the Artificial system of Linn;eus, — to order Ileliotropea^ of Endlicher, and Boragiuaeere in Gray's Botany of tixe Northern United States. The stem grows from six to eighteen inches high, usually much branched, and covered with bristle-like haii's. The leaves are from one to one and a half inches long and from one-third to half an inch wide, the widest part above the middle tapering gradually to the stem, both si les covered with hairs. The flow- ers are small, of a funnel form, in the axles of the leaves generally near the top of the stem, yellowish, or white. The seeds are four naked, rough, long nut- let 1, at first milk white but brownish when mature. This plant often almost covers the wheat fields in May, and seems to be peculiarly desti'uctive to wheat, and when it once gets into the ground it is quite diffi- cult to exterminate. It is never very bad, if it does not get a start in the fall, but early sowed wheat of- ten suffers seriously. Once ploughing, and that quite late, has been tried with success. But rotation of crops and constant cul- ture will bring the seeds near the surface when they quickly germinate, and thus, in a few years, the seed may be exhausted, provided the plant is kept from producing a fresh supply. In harvesting the wheat, it should be cut above the top of this weed, if not, it j then the last hope is in legislative aid. Birds and Insects. Mr. Editob: — In a former number of your .Jour- nal, I observed a communication, calling the atten- tion of readers to the importance of formers prevent- ing, as far as possible, the wanton destruction of in- sectivorous birds. At the time the article appeared, I was deeply impressed with the importance of the subject, and subsequent reflection has strengthened my impressions. Why birds should be made the sulyect of such an extermiuating warfare as is now waged against them, and why formers will permit this work of destruction to be carried on, upon their farms, is to me a matter of great astonishment. Surely, no farmer, who values sound fruits, fine vegetables, or even good timber will permitthcse inroads of gunners upon his premises. I am very well aware that many formers consider the, destruction of birds a small evil, while others, al- though convinced of the importance of the matter, good naturedly permit it, rather than drive from their farms the lazy fellows who invade it for this purpose. To those who consider the evil one of small magni- tude, I would say, that the reading of the able arti- cles on Entomology which have recently appeared in your -Journal, ought to satisfy them that nosbus insects are alarmingly on the increase, and that un- less a cheek be put upon the destruction of birds, we shall soon be overrun by insects to such an extent as will set all our efforts to get rid of them at defiance. Already we have complaints from every quarter. — The ravages of the corcullo are ssen every where, and experiments are making in evejfy direction for the purpose of ascertaining some method by which to get rid of them. Twenty years ago, it was not known as a dangerous enemy to fruit growers, and even now, comparatively few persons know what insect it is that stings their choice fruit and causes it prema- turely to decay and fall to the ground. More atten- tion to this spbject is imperatively demanded by the exigencies of the case. To the farmer who is too good natnred to drive from his premises the lazy fellows who prowl around them, destro3'ing the little birds, breaking down the fencing, and very frequently carrying away every thing they can lay hold of, I would saj', cease to be good natured in this particular. By permitting such work to go on, you are inflicting a serious evil upon yourselves and upon the community. You are en- couraging idleness and wanton cruelty. Let public warning notices be given. This can be done at -a comparatively trifling cost, where eight or ten farm- ers club together, and if tliis will not prove effectual. We must will be necessary to destroy the straw, for if the j have a law to protect the birds, or wo shall shortly seeds are carried into the barn yard, there is but a I poor prospect of getting rid of the plant on the farm. J. M. McMIxN. Unionville, Aoc. 15, 1851. be compelled to do without fruits. Nor. 15, 1851. T. S. Curtis. 1851.] HORTICULTURAL. i^ortitttltnral Scpartmcnt. American Seedling Pears. Mr. Editor:— Of coun^e you and I arc unacquaint- ed, except throush the columns of the IlortkuUurisf, where I frequently see yfiur name. I observe that ^ou pay considerable attention to pears and especial- ly American seedling pears. For some time I con- ducted an Ohio nursery, but I am now located on a large tract of thin chcsnut land, or rather land with s great mixture of timlier including several varieties of oak, hickory, pr.plar, dogwood, &c. The laud is broken into ridges which rise over two hundred feet ftbore the valley of the Walhoundiiig, in which is the canal of that name. On the summits of these ridges fruits seldom fail, and my young orchard had a mo- derate crop this year, one of gieat failure in the west. I have been thus full in order to show you that so fer as land is concerned, I am admirably situated for planting largo orchards, and my old profession of nurseryman enables me to hope I am nut wholly in- e-ompetont to the task. Situated as we are on the canal which connects with all the railroads of the State, I am much in hopes the planting may be pro- fitable, and I am certaiu it affords me iucfetimablc de- light. Being so favorably situated, with so much cheap laud, Mr. Ilumeriehhouse. of Coshocton, a western smateur planter, the other day asked me tfl accept ! ^yjjije •)f him a numb::r of trees to set out on trial, for which he had not room. This has suggested to me that many persons about cities and town may be similarly sitnated and that they plight take pleasure in origi- nating seedling pears and presenting the most pro- mising to a person who, like myself, had plenty of room and who would take the trouble to mark them and inform them of the result. Or to furnish small packages of seeds from the choicest varieties, but es- pecially from the very best American seedlings, on condition that I should grow the seeds in each pack- age sepaxatelj', marked with the name of the contri- butor, and if any one or more of them should prove fine, call it after him or members of his family. When it is recollected the time and culture neces- sary to produce a bearing state, it seems to me I offer to make the honor of originating fine fruits to city amateurs very cheap. 1 have as yet only about thirty acres in orchard, but I have room for more than fivt' // undrcd acres of the host fruit ridges I have seen be- tween the great lakes and the Mississippi, and I in- tend to plant three hundred acres as soon as nir means will permit, and I expect after this year to sJ about thirty acres per annum. The seedling pear trees which I shall continue to^ grow for myself, and which I may receive from oth- ers, 1 shall set out when of proper size without bull- ing and leave all that promise well to grow and bear until fully proved: budding them just as fiist as they demonstrate themselves unv.-orthy. Those seedlin"T= which give only moderate promise, I shall bud at high standard height and leave a single limb to prow the seedling. Bi-lieving it possible that you or some of your hor- ticultural friends might take interest in this matter and send me small trees or seeds, I have addressed you this note. The trees should be only one year".< growth, and of these only the highly promising. 1 wish pears only, as I have very numerous varictie.' of peaches and apples bearing, from which I am col- lecting and planting seeds. I have many pears ais.i from seeds. I will state to you a few :6 HORTICULTURAL. [December, lU'- Imds aro about foot long bring tho whole under ;;:imnd bj' cuttinj: the stork about two-thirds off and >i:a.ving it off to the root so as to bend over easily and vTithout breaking. But when I liavc once attained a variety on its roots, I can multiply it both by lay- era and by divisions of the roots. I must confess, however, they are sometimes tardy ingrowing. The most successful mode I have tried, is to shave down tii3 stalk about six inches above the ground so as to bend handsomely, then at a point which will allow the layer to go the proper depth into the ground, cut it halfoff as if tongueing it and shave tho layer side of the upper divi.sion so as it will beud snugly, and then insert it in the ground in an upright position — .sometimes first tying a leather string right in the up- per part of the open split, so as to check and finally cut off tho circulation between the layer and root, and tSiereby force it to form its own roots. '^Vith peaches and apples this is almost certain to be successful the first year, but pears are often refractory. 2. Next (for my sheet is almost full) I have ob- served that chance trees grow finely when they spring lip in places where there is considerable decaying brush bones, &o. Following tliis idea up I have tried throwing brush around young trees so thick as to keep the weeds and grass dowu — in other words, to mulch with brush with the leaves on. It answers well. Pursuing the same idea still further, I am having holes dug four feet in diameter right through a portion of the brushwood or fallen ti)n))er, of which I spoke, in which I intend planting peaches, apples and pears, and when the leaves are fully developed in June, I shall cut the brush down, trim it and pile around tho trees which •n'ill give each tree quite a handsome quantity, so as to keep the roots moist and cool for a considerable distance, and the decay of tho h/avos and brush, I hope, will act as a manure and keep the ground so loose as to render plowing and hoe- ing unnecessary. I will try only a few acres this year. Will it do ? May it not prevent blight and make trees longer lived, from tlie absence of wounds f'.'ora plowing and digging. Straw and manure, lime and ashes can be superadded. Nature manures .alto- gether on top. Yours, E. Nichols. Walltounding, Cosliocton co., Ohio, Sept. 1851. [The above communication, not originally intend- ed by the writer fer publication, was handed to us by a friend to whom it was addressed. AVe most cheerfully give it a place, and at the .same time, ask for it tlie attention of thsse who feel an interest in the propagation of seedling fruits. The offer on the part of Mr. Nichols, is certainly a liberal one, and if em- braced to any extent, might result most advantage- ously to the fruit growing interest of the country at large. — Ed.] Renovating Outcasts. Mr. Editor: — In a cotemporary work is a Ion:; article with extended remarks bj' the editor recom- mending confidently a method of " renov.iting out- casts,"* closely followed in the following experiment which — though unsuccessful — is at your disposal. In the autumn of , forty-nine trenches, thre<> feet wide and two feet deep, were dug around two pear trees, — butter pear of your county (Doyenni blanc). The earth, except a few inches of the top was carted away. All roots encountered smoothly cut off. Tho trenches were filled vrith this top earth and swamp muck which had been exposed to frost and sun ; carefully mixed with charcoal and ashos one-tenth, potash, sulphate and oxide of iron, and pul- verized ))oncs of each about one pound.J The follow- ing spring the trees were severely headed in, at the same time inserting, in some branches, grafts of thi.v Bartlett. These scions as well as the original stock grew vigorously but the pears produced, on the lat- ter, were cracked and worthless. Looking with in- terest for a crop last autumn you may judge of my disappointment to find them worthless as before. — But what is strange yet not new, the Bartlett pcar» grown on the engrafted limbs were perfect. Now until it is demonstrated by chemical analysis, that; Doyenn6s contain elementary constituents which Bart- lett's do not, we must be allowed to dissent from th» entire chemical theory, as well as this system of re- novation. J. K. EsnLEMAX. Cke.itei- CO., Nov. 22, 1851. . 15,000 bushels of apples have been sent to the Eastern market from the Oennesee Valley this season. * Horticulturist, vol. 1, p. 29>. J L.lme was nut added, tiet-iiuse in niakint; tlie trendies an o!(> foundation wall was encountered the mortar of which ruruislied uj> abundance. Germinatiou of Clover Seed. Mr. Editor : Conceiving that it might be of prac- tical benefit to perhaps a few of the readers of the- Farm Journal, I will state a plan of securing the- germination (or as some term it) the taking of Clo- ver Seed. It is a well known fact that with old land* which have undergone a continued cour.se of cultiva- tion for a number of years, grass seed, especially- clo- ver, is not apt to take well. To remedy this, I con- cluded in the spripg of 1850, to try a plan which I had heard several times recommended as being of great utility in securing the germination of Clover. It is simply this. Take a very light one-horse iron- toothed harrow with the teeth protruding about .> inches below the under side of the frame or bars ; let this follow directly after the sower. The frame should be made as light as possible with the teeth a little closer than the ordinary large harrow. It should be hinged in order to avoid scraping or rubbing out th» wheat on the ridges and also to lap in the furrows. — There need be no fear of injuring the wheat but on the contrary it would be of benefit to it. I have pur- sued the above plan and it has overreached my most sanguine expectation. Charles Mtkrs. Wyoming VaUey, Pa., 18-51. 18.31. HOKTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 27: ti)Ovtuultural Societies. proceedings of the PcHiisylvania Horticultural So- cietj". The stated meeting of this Society was held in the Chinese Saloon, Philadelphia, on Tuesday evening, November l^, 1851. The President in the ohair. — This being the show night for Chryaanthemums, there ■were eight collections presented ; in which were ma- ny of the choicest kinds : the contributors were Robert Buist, James Bisset, gardener to Jas. Dun- das; (jeo. North, Maurice Finn, .John Lambert's gar- dener; Alexander Parker aud Jno. Ellis, gardener to Caleb Cope. The collection by the latter consisted of those new and beautiful varieties called the Lili- jrutiati which has but recently been imported, and for the first time shown ; and are decidedly the pret- tiest of this tribe of plants. A collection of plants in pot.s by Maurice Finn, gardener to .Jno. Lambert was interesting. The President's gardener exhibited another of those exquisitely beautiful baskets of cut flowers which has graced the tables on former occa- sions, containing the choicest llowers of his houses. of which many were from air plants : but as hereto- fore the crowning flower was the Vicloria rcgia, the 24th production of the plant, although of smaller proportions than those borne by the plant when in lull vigour, still it was a perfect gem, and much ad- mired. Among the fruits were three tempting bunch- es of Black ILamburg Grapes from IL VV. S. Cleve- land, Burlington, and beautiful specimens of Pears, some luscious in taste, which came from H. W. S. Cleveland, Isaac B. Baxter, N. W. Roe of Woodbury, A. M. Eastwick, J. P. Cushing, Mass., the Dix ; and a specimen of the pound Pear which weighed -'1 ounces, from the late State Fair at llarrisburg. Se- veral dishes of apples were also shown, and from David Miller, -Jr., Carlisle, the Fallon walder, I^itts- burg pippin, Bettcr-than-good and Jlerman'.s favorite; from Jas. ]L Watts, of Rochester, the Northern Spy ; Chas. Lee, Pcnn Yan, N. Y., the Wagener ; Mathew Makie, the Clyde beauty. Of Vegetables, Anthony Fulton, Jr., exhibited extensive tables ; and Maurice Finn, gardener to John Lambert, John Gallagher, gardener to Miss Gratz, and Thos. Meehan, ganiener to A. M. Eastwick, verj' creditable displays, indeed. A radish of immense proportions was noticed from tiie farm of Michael Magee, of Lower Merion. The following premiums were awarded by the Committee on plants and Flowers : C/irysantheniumii, for the l)est 12 specimens to Robt. Buist; for the sec- ond best, to James Bissct, gardener to James Dun- das ; P/ants in pots, for the 2nd best and most inte- resting collection to Maurice Finn, gardener to John Lambert ; for the third best to John Ellis, gardener to Caleb Cope ; Boiupiel, for the second best to Robt. Scott ; for the best hand bouquet, to Robert Kilving- tou and for tlie best basket of cut flowers to John Ellis. By the Committee on Fruits ; Piais. for the best twelve specimens to H. W. S. Cleveland : for the see oud best, to Isaac B. Baxter ; Apples, for the best twelve specimens to James H. AVatts, Rochester, N. Y.; for the second best to Charles Lee, Penn Yan, N. Y. And a special premium of two dollars for three bunches of black Hamburg Grapes to H. W. S. Cleveland. The Committee noticed for the second time this autumn, a branch of the Gushing Raspber- ry, bearing ripe fruit, shown by Dr. Brinokl6. By the Committee on Vegetables ; Celeri/, for the best six plants bhmchcd to Alfred Felton; for the «eh.i, Her- man's favorite, Pittsburg Pippin, Bctter-than-good, Jonathan, Fallen Walder, \'andeveer, Ilettlericli seedling. Red favorite. Fall sweeting. From -J. P. Cushinu; ; Fcarn, the Dix in great [jerfeetion, very fine. Fi'om .James II. Watts, Rochester ; Apples. the Northern Spy, splendid specimens. From Chas. Lee, Penn Yan, N. Y.: Applr.i, the Wagener. The President took occasion to make some i-cmarl a tendering his acknowledgmeuti) for the unexpected compliment by the Society of the handsome award of the gold medal for his having successfully cultivated the Vieioria regia, and to announce that he had just recived a v(!ry interesting letter from Sir Wm. J. Hooker, of the Royal Gardens at Kow, (whence cara« the seeds of this Victoria) which was read, in which he st.atpd that he was m ich gratified with the suc- cess which crowned Mr. Cope's exertions in the cul- tivation of the Victoria. He also remarked that he had sent seeds of the plant to Calcutta and the West Indies, and that plants had grown in (he open water* and ripened seeds abundantly. Mr. Cope stated that the plant which he had growing the garden tank, had, when it was taken up a few da3's ago tv.-o flowcj buds thereon. A communication from A. H. Ernsts President of the Cincinnatti Horticultural Society, expressing a desire to have such an arrangement of the great Jlx- hibitions of the prominent Horticultural Societies, that the members of each could attend those" of the oth- ers and thus be mutually benefitted, which was read and referred to the appropriate Committee. The Committee on establishing premiums report a Schedule for 1852. Thirteen members elected. Tho\i.\s P. .Ja-ME."!, Recordiu" Soe'v. (Communitations. Calomel for Chickeus. Mr. Editor: — As some of your readers may have chickens suffering with a disease .similar to that which I am about to describe, tlie moans by which I suc- ceeded in relieving ihine, may not prove uninterest- ing to them. A few weeks since a favorite hen of six months old, began to droop, and soon after I observed her gas}i- iug in such a manner as led me to believe that she was troubled with the fasciolae, the small parasite worm, which sometimes adheres to the inner mem- brane of young chickens' windpipe. I'nder this im- pression I administered turpentine, !>ut with no other perceptible effect, than to increase the hen's illness. A slender wire, and subsequently a small feather di- vested of its web, except at the farther ou J, were used 278 COMMUNICATIONS. [Decbmbkr, to dislodge the -vvorms, but without success. A mix- ture of lilack pepper and fresh butter was nest given her, and this, like the other two remedies, proved in- ctual. At this time the condition of the hen was truly pitiable. The disease had so weakened her, that she could scarcelj walk, and I began to think her a " gone case." A white foam completely cover- ed both her eyes, so that it was impossible for her to see. She refused food and drink entirely and gave every indication of being upon her last legs. Unwil- ling to lose her without another efibrt, I procured two calomel pills containing one grain each, and gave them to her. It was with but faint hopes of seeing her alive the nest morning that I placed her in a comfortable coop. Much to my surprise, in the morn- ing, when I opened the coop, there stood my hen, her eyes perfectly clean of foam, and the gasping nearly gone. I offered some food, which she devoured with much apparent relish. She also drank water freely and from that day she has continued improving. — Whether the cure is to be attributed to the calomel or to some other of the other remedies, I will not pre- tend to say, leaving that point to b« decided by those tetter versed in the art of chicken-doctoring. These are the facts, and I submit them for what they arc worth. S. Lancaster, Nov. 18, 1851. [The disease referred to by our correspondent is evidently the roup, an affection of the head, which generally proves fatal, or permanently weakens the fowl attacked vrih it. Calomel is not a new remedy, it being recommended by English fowl breeders. It is asserted by some that the roiq> is contagious, and thatthe bestmeausof preventingits spreadingthrough the entire flock, is to chop off the heads of those first affected. There may bo truth in this, although we cannot sul>scribe to it in full. Fowls are rarely at- tacked with it until they are six months old, at which tmie, they are not in full plumage. Exposure to the chilling rains and cold winds of autumn and winter, during which seasons it most generally prevails, acts powerfully upon their scantily protected bodies, and the result is cold, which settles in the head and throat, causingjthe discharge from the nostrils and frequently the eyes — great difficulty in respiration, and such in- flammation of the throat as makes swallowing pain- ful. We have never known a case of roup, where the fowls have not suffered from exposure, although it is proper to say that our opportunities for observa- tion have not been very extensive. Our friend Tag- gart, of Northumberland, or some other of our correspondents will do us a favor by furnishing more satisfactory information upon this subject. — Ed.] It is said that there is a plant, growing in the hot springs in Iceland, which not only flowers, but bears seeds, in water hot enough to boil an egg. We don't believe it. The Banquet. [cOXCLrOED.] We siilijoin a few of the volunteer toasts, with a brief synopsis of the remarks made by the gentlemen (^specially complimented. Mr. Williamson, of Huntingdon, proposed the health of the lion. Frederick Watts, President of the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society. To which Judge Watts responded. He said that when elected President of the Society he was absent on professional duties, which prevented his attending the farmer's convention last January, when the So- ciety v\-!ts organize L He spoke of the tinijiistakable evidence ol Providence having, in a peculi;ir n>annor,. favored the efforts of^the society so far, and of his en- tire confidence in its approving smiles and abiding protection. His remarks were listened to with pro- found attention, and inspired all present with ths same cfmfidcnce, in a long and useful career of use- fulness, in the good work, so well begun, and carried on, since the society had been instituted. Col. Frazer, of Lancaster, made a few pertinent re- marks on the patriotism and friendship that so hmg had united, in sentiment, the Old Dominion and Pennsylvania, and gave — Hon. Andrew StevensoD, of Virginia: — The orator of the day. Mr. Stevenson having previously retired, Benjamii* B. Hush, Esq., of Philadelphia, rose and begged tlir- company not to think him presumptuous in under- taking to speak the thanks of Mr. Stevenson ; who, were he present, could so much better discharge the duty himself. But inasmuch as he had the honor of acting under the distinguished st.'itesman of Vir- ginia, while representing the Unite«l States at the- Court of St. James, he was'constrained to improve- the moment by thanking the company for the honor they had done his friend in drinking his health. The President then gave — The pioneer of the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society. And af- terwards enjoined, he alluded to Mr. Gowen. Mr. 0. being called upon said, that when the toast was proposed, he did not think it referred to ^im. — He felt somewhat embarrassed, if not overwhelmed, bv the flattering position in which it placed him. — The Philadelphia Society for promoting agriculture of which he was for years a zealous member, and now its President, was the pioneer of the Pennsylva- nia, and all other agricultural societies in the United States. Ho stated that as far back as some fifty or sixty years, a committee of the Philadelphia Society, consisting of Judge Peters, George Clymcr, Timothy Pickering and John B. Bordley, made report to that society on the expediency of a State institution, which report suggested the principles and provisions embo- died in every State agricultural society's constitution ho had road ; therefore, he said, these patriotic wor- thies, or the Philadelphia society, was the pioneer in 5801. COMMUNICATIONS. 279 this connexion. But, Mr. G. said, ho could not but -claim some credit, as an individual, in bringing about the nevei'-to-be-forgottcn farmor's convention at Ilar- risburg, which happily resolved itself into the Pcnn- «ylv.ania State Agricultural Society. lie then made some remarks as to tlie gratification it atForded him ist of Articles Exhlhtled at the !rau;;ht stallioti. Badger, G yrs, Jacob Hoover, York CO. 4. Drauglit mare, Columbus, 8 yrs, AVm. Ross, do. 5. Marc -July, breed SiadJock, 0 yrs, C. P. Stein- nietz, Lebanon co. li. Brood mare, 7 yrs, John Young, Ilarrisburg. 7. Draught horse, Charley, 0 yrs, A. 0. Iliestcr, Dauphin co. 8. Grey Bill, breed unknown, C. Patterson, Hun- tingdon CO. y. Cobham, Cobham breed, 2 y. 5 mo, Jacob Roh- rcr, Lancaster co. 10. .Jenny, cross-breed Kcmble and Knglish blood, € yrs, AVm. Taylor, Womelsdorf, Berks co. 11. Nell, lu'eed unknown, 7 yrs, George Hull, Cum- )>crland co. 12. liight draught colt, 2 yrs, J. Stcnthebaker, York 00. lo. Billy, light draught horse, out of Stranger, 3 yrs, .J. 1). Owens, Mifflin co. 14. Mare, breed Cumberland, 19 yrs, A. Hcttrich, Cumberland co. l.T. Mare, Cumberland, Lion breed, 8 yrs, do. do. 16. Stud colt, do. 29 mo, do. do. 17. Bill, 8 yrs. S. W. Sharp, Cumberhuid co. 18. Peacock, .''. yrs, Frederick Barrett, Bloomtield. 19. Horse, 2 yrs, -John Reel, Dauphin co. 20. Roiulster,"5 yrs, L. C. Smith, Clinton co, 21. Carriage horse, 10 yrs, J. Updegrove, Dauphin county. 22. Lion. Chester Lion, Jeremiah Reef, Cumb'dco. il. Rob Roy, 4 yrs. Gciirge Kinter. 24. Bay horse, 9 yrs, Mr. Runk, Lebanon co. POULTRY. 1. Pair of Slianghtu fowls, A. J. Jones, Ilarrisburg. 2. Cage of fancy pigeons, do. do. 3. Two Muscovy ducks, 1 yr, David Mumma, jr., Dauphin co. 4. Common improved chickens, 1 yr, do. do. 5. Poland chickens, 1 yr, do. do. 6. Pair of turkeys. 1 yr, do. do. 7. Pair mixed breed ducks, do. do. 8. Pair improved common ducks, do. do. 9. Pair common improved ducks, .John C. Hicster, Estherton, Dauphin co. 10. Mongrel China and Bantam, age unknown, C. S. Haldeman, Lancaster co. 11. Cross of white Dorking it Creole, 0 mos., do. 12. English white Dorking, of this season, do. 13. Three pure games, oJ and 5 mo, David Tag- gert, \(]rtlinmberland co. 14. Twii Shanglues, •') mo, 13 days, do. 15. White t.'hittagongs, .5^ to AX mo. do. It). (!rey " •• " do. 17. Brown " " " do. IS. Chittagong and Bantam, March 10 and March 29, 2 yrs, do. 19. "Two white turkeys, E. L. Orth, M. D., Harris- burg. 20. Thirteen Creoles. L. P. IIoopos, Chostjr co. 21. Nlnjtoin Jorsiy Bluos, do. 22. Three pair Shanghae, 4 mo, W. Leonard, Phila. 23. Five •• '• 3 '• do. 24. Five " .5 "la yr old, do. 25. Pair white Poland chickens, 6 mo, do. 26. Black Poland, 18 mo, do. 27. V\niite English cluck, 8 mo, do. 28. Pheasant Bantams, 18 mo, do. 29. English Pheasants, " " do. 30. Java Muscovy, 4 rao, do. 31. (^hinese duck, 7 " do. 32. Walk-upducks,.'i " do. 33. Poland ducks, 3 " do. 34. Black Dominies. 0^ mo, Samuel Brcnizer, Har- rislmrg. 3-'). Game cock, 20 mo, Henry Loyer, Ilarrisburg. 36. vSh.anghre hen, 7 mo, do. 37. Liinis Natura, 8 " do. 38. Swan geese, 2 yrs Cmo, S. Manly, Dauphin c<>. 39. Pair China. 18 mo, J. M. Kelker, Ilarrisburg. 40. Fiiur pair China, 4 mo, do. 41. Hybrid ducks, -T. K. Eshleman, Chester co. 42. Pair Capons, mixed 5 mo, A. T. Newbold, Phi- ladelphia. 43. Pair grey Capcms. Ijreod Grey Eagle, 8 mo. <^^. 44. Dorking and Jersey Blues, Joseph Cope, West Chester. 45. Fancy Pigeons, Brua Cameron, Dauphin co. 46. Russian ducks, 6 mo, Martin Newcomer,Frank- lin eo. 47. Bremen geese, do. 48. Muscovy duck, 8 mo, Brua Cameron, Dauphin county. 49. Swan gceso, 1 yr, do. . 50. Creoles, 1 "" do. 51. Polish, 1 " do. 52. Chittagongs. 2 rao, do. 53. Pair pure Shangha;, 5 mo, imported by Dr. Kerr. 54. Shaiighne chickens, 5 J mo, Benjamin Ilfiod, Chester co. 55. Jersey blue chickens, 5 mo to 1 yr, do. 50. Game Capons, 1 yr, B. Cameron, Dauphin d. 57. Fancy ralibits, A. J. -Jones. Ilarrisburg. 58. Golden Pheasants, 3 yrs, W. Leonard, Phila. 59. East India breed, do. 60. Seabright Bantams, do. 01. Two Guinea pigs, Barnumand .Jenny Lind, 11 mo, 5 young. 02. JIalagascar rabbits, 10 mo. Paschal Morris, West Chester. 63. Pure Slianghre cock, 12 mo, pullets 5 mo, A. M. Spangler, Lancaster. 04. Raccoon, 9 yrs, -John Young, Ilarrisburg. PLOWS, &s., ENTERED FOR THE PLOWING , MATCH. 1. Two plows by Piobert Hall, Pittsburg. 2. Plow by Jacob Bauman, Mechanicsburg, Cum- berland CO. 3. John H. Cressler one plow, Michael Crcssler, .Shippensburg, Cumberland oo. A Sp(!elman's plow. 4. Plow by Samuel Plank. 5. Plow by .J. B. Stoner. 0. Plow by Elisha P. Home, Hall v feathered leg, but the abundant, soft, and downy c: v- ering of the thighs, hips and region of the vent, to- gether with the remarkably sliort tail and large mound of feathers, piled ov(;r the upper part (jf it-i root, giving rise to a considerable elevaticm on that part of the rump. It should be remarked, also, that MR. E. R. COPE'S SIIANGIIAES. the wings are quite short and small in proportion to the size of the fowl, and carried verv high up the body, thus exposing the whole of th*e thigh, and a considerable portion of the side. I'hese characteris- tics are not found in the same degree in any other lowl of which I have any knowledge. Tliis peculiar ai-rangement of feathers gives the Shanghae fowl in .■ippearanoe, what it has in reality, a greater depth of cpiarter, in proportion to the depth of brisket, than ■Any other fowl. As to the legs, they are not very pe- ,.uliar. The color is usually reddis'h-white or flesh- (•olor, or reddish-yellow, mostly covered down the utside-, even" to thi; end of the toes, with feathers. — This last is not always the case. The Stai'-, in the preceding illustration, lias no feathers on his legs, while the Pullets, his sisters, are rather heavily fea- thered, lie is, however, an exception to the rule, so ar, at least, as his particular family is concerned. — Jiut other families of Shanghaes, equally pure, are but very lightly feathered. A gentleman of my ac- quaintance, Mr. A. Ncwbold, of Pliiladelphia, re- ceived, in the .spring of 1847. from Captain Lock- wood, direct frdm the city of Shanghae, a cock and hen, as pure as any Shanghaes I have seen, differing from other importations only in being nearly smooth- legged, and not attaining to the weight of other spe- cimens. In the second or third generatitm there was scarcely a feather-legged Shanghae on the ]n'emises. The plumage of the thonmgh-bred Shanhae is re- markably soft and silky, or rather downy, and is, in my opinion, equally as gooil for domestic jiurjioses as tliose of the Goose. They are certainly quite as tine and .soft, if not as abundant. The fertile qualities of this breed may be inferred from what has been attested concerning it. The gentleman from whom I procured the stock jirevious- ly herein portrayed, wrote to me concerning the im- ported pair, that, although tliey had been for sevoraj 1S31J SHANGHAE FOWLS. 2S2 months from the grounJ, ami, when they arrived, poor and verminous, yet, on turning them out about the hitter end oi' May, troni that time to the first of l\v ensuing Oe,tober, tlie hen laid forty-eight eggs :ind liatrhed out two broods. The last brood ineludod twelve chicks, ton of which he raised through the winter, thus proving themselves able to endure our <,'ver-(;hanging climate. 1 myself have ibund the |iure vShanghao to equal, if nut to excel, any other fowl in laying (jualtie.s — pei-haps, the Black Poland Fowl or the Creole may lay a few more eggs in a year, in eali! yellow or nankeen color, not remarkably largi? compared with the &\i(i of the fowl, and generally blunt at the ends. I have known but one thorough- bred hen that iaid a long egg, and have never yet known one to lay what arc cailed double eggs. The comb is generally single, though I bave, in some spe- cimens, seen a slight tendency to rose. 1 have never seen one v; ith a top-knot. j The flesh of this fowl is tender and juicy, uncxccp- ! tionablo in every respect — in fei't, a dish tit lor an I liUiporor. In view, then, of the goodly size of the .'^lianghac, weighing, as the males do at maturity, from ten to twelve pounds, and the female from seven and a half to eight and a half pounds, and stags aiid pullets of C months respectively Sand G ll;s. — in view ; also of the economical uses to which its soft downy feathers m.iy be applied, also its produe:i'i eness, har- j diness, and, lastly, its quiet and docile ttimper, — in view of these tilings, I am well jdeased with pun- Shanghaes. I know not a bettor fowl. In truth, I might say of it, as the pimis Isaac Walton was wont to say of the trout, his favorite fish — " (J.id migist have made a better fish, but he did not:"' so of I'.n- pure unadulterated Sbangliae. — Dixon ct' Kerr's Ll^i- /itcslic and Oniamciilal Ivuliry. .A^f'h^^^^k MR. R. COPE'S COCHIN CHINA. (Imported.) COCHIN CHINA FOWLS. Very little is known of the origin of the Cochin China Fowl, further than that some gentleman, three or four years ago, presented a lew to tlie Queen of Englaml. who subsequently had them bred at Wind- sor Park. In order to promote their propagation, her Majesty niad(! presents of them occasionally to such persons as she supposed likely to appreciate them. — They differ very little in their qualities, habits, and general appearance from our Shanghaes, to which they are undoubtedly nearly related. The lOgg is nearly the same size, shape, and color ; both have an equal developcmcnt of comb and wattles, the Coeh- ns slightly differing from the Shanghaes, chiefly in being somewhat deeper .and fuller in the breast, not quite so deep in the quarter, and being usually smooth-legged, while the Shanghaes, generally, arc more or less heavily feathered. The plumage is mucli the same in both cases, nor have I discovered any dill'erence in the Crow, it being in both equally sono- rous and prolonged, diff'ering considerably from that of the great Malay. Mr. Nolan says, ••thatful* grown Cocks, from one and a half to'tvro years old, average a weight of from ten to twelve jiounds, \hv Hens from eight to nine pounds. Tae male bird stands about two feet high; the female about twenty- two inchs The Cock's comb is usually single, serrated, and erect, oi a brilliant .vcarlet, but not\l- SS4 COCHIN CITIXA FOWLS. fDECRMnnn, MR. G. P. BURNIIAMS COCHIN CHINA. (Six and a half months old.) ways singlo ; I have had both sijcnlo and double combs in the samo clutch; the wattles aro lara;R ; tJicy arc quite free from top-knots : the haekles on the neck (ui'l liiji,^, yelhAvivh-brown; the tail blaok, with nietixlhe lustre, .and, when fully furnished, presents the usual cook's plums ; the hi'^s vary from a flesh- ojjlour t,> an ovansft-yellow, and are not so long as in the JIalay t\\c Eggs are generally bu(f-oolored, of large si/.e and blunt at the ends ; the Chickens pro- gress rapidly in size, but further slowly." K. R. Cope, l''s((.. of tills city, and myself imported a few Fowls from London last summer ; the three Oochln Chinas whose portraits precede tliis chapter, wore of the number, anil were procured of the; Mi ssrs. Baker of Chelsea, and are now in tiie possession of Mr. Cope, who has had a good opportunity for be- coming acquainted with their habits and qualities. — His estimate of them is expressed in the preceeding cJiapter, in the connection with the Shanghaes. I3ook ^^oticcs. Wcfiern Hoytu-uUiiral Review. — We have foi" some time past been in receipt of this excellent monthly, and always welcome it to our table with sincere plea- sure. Its pages arc fdled with valuable contributions from able pens and we are glad to learn that the un- tiring eftbrts of its indefatigable editor. Dr. Warder, meet with the encouragement they so richly deserve. The Review is published monthly at Cincinnati, at three dollars per annum, and is, we think, well worth the m.oney. Should any of our friends desire a sigtrt of it, the can be gratified by calling at our office. SI.'.xrRrxG Fruit Trees. — This is the season for the amateur to look over his fruit trees — especially tlioso which have failed to produce good crops for want of nourishment in the soil. Carefullj- open a trench at the very ends of the roots — throw out a Uiird of the poorest of tlie soil, and replace it witb a mixture of manure and ashes. I use a cart-load of barn-yard manure — no matter if it is fresh — to a bushel of asiies, and I find it never to fail in bringing tip the tree. If I wait till spring before I apply this • stimulus — I find it to do just half as much good as if I put it on the soil in October and November. It is quite surprising how old fruit trees can be brought to by this simple dressing — barn-yard manure and iwihes, applied in the fall of the jiia.T.—Doiciuni/'s Ilo^iictdtiirisi. Hydropathic Encyclopedia. — No. •), of tlii-; han(?- some work, published by Fowlers & Wolls, of New York, is on our table. Its design is to present in a condensed and pr.ictical form all the important facts and principles in medicine and the collateral science* pertaining to the water cure treatment. To those who desire a familiarity with this .system, the work will be valuable. The typography is beautiful, and each number abounds with well executed illustrations-. Eight numbers of one hundred pages each will com- plete it. Price 25 cents a number. To F.\TTEN Poultry. — Shut them up in the dark — give them a little light two or three times a day, long enough to fill themselves with food, and thoa shut them up quite dark, and keep them there ton or twelve days at farthest. 1S51.] EDITORIAL. 285 T H E FA R M JOURNAL. Glssistant Crbitor's Dejjartmtnt A. M. SPANGLER, Assistant Editor. The Farm JornxAi. may bo had at thr> fullowin;; pliices: — W. B. ZiEBEK, South 3d St., prmoipal agont for Philadelphia. " ' Lanca-stor, Pa. Cnluiiiliia, I'a. Hairi.sburg. I'a, PitLsbur^, Pa. Chamhor.sburj; Carlislp, Pa. York Pa. W. II. Sl-ANC.LER, b. f. spa.ngler, Geo. Bergner, n. Miner, •J. R. SlIRVOCK, H. M. lUni.iNs, A. L. Warfield, Pa. Ofi-ice of tue Pa. State Agricui.tukai, Society, ) Nov. 22, 1851. ) In accordance with the Sth .section of the act in- corporating tlie Pennsylvania State Agricultural S/ IM Union. We will, however, take the ros])onsil)ii;ty of Mjing, that the sentence reffirred to, was certaiidy not designed to convoy the idea that we, as a people, «ii0uld not justly be proud of the mechanical skill of ute(l. These Fans, the inventor ciintnieiiE- )y asserts, art* the only ones nr)W in use entirely adecjnate lo the wants of the farmer. The nhjet-t df the inveiitur was not J i reeled alone, to the purpose nf eleunin^ grain, hut (if cleanin;; it ant) saving at tlie same time the fanner the truulde of gailiering it from the H'lnr, thus not only avoiding lahor. tint keeping the grain from the diit on the floor. In addition tothis, these Fans, possess jtreatT advantages than those constructeil upon the old plan. — These advantages are sis folhiws : First- The arrangement is such that a quick shake can he ob- tained hv turning slowly, thua suturing when desired, a leas quan- tity of for small eeeds. Second. When necessary a s'ow shake can he secured, by rapid turiiMig. This is of immense advantage, as it adapts the fun, to tUe cleaning of all kindsof seeds. Third. A new method of adjusiing the riddles and screws. This gives the operator the advantage of placing them in any position bes!. adapted to accomplish the purpnses of a grain Fun. Every riddle and screen has a separate adjusfnien":. so that each one can be fixed at any angle withoQl the necessity of taking them out Fourth, The grain, instead of falling on the Jloor, as is Ufcually the case, is discharged, hy means of a small trough, into the half bushel, or other measure that may he placed under it. By tliis ar- rangement the grain is all measured, hy the time it is cleaned, thus saving not only labor, but time, and consequently expense, as well as keepinir the grain from eonticl with the dust and dirt on floor. For this reason; tlie fan, can he pui in op'ra^ion anywhere, with as little trouble as the common fans can be used in a ham floor. Fiftft, The simplicity of their constructions renders them less liable to get nut of repair than other mills. For the above reasons, we confidently rccnmmend our F.nis to public patronage. Privileges to manufacture will he granted on reasonable terms Satisfactory informatnm can he promptly had by addressing post paid^ the subscriber at Norristowii, Montgome- ry CO., Pa. JESSE ROBERTS. Norristown, December, 1, 1S.51. 9-tf. . " KEW HARDY CLIMBER. ' CAf.YSTEGiA PUBESCENS. This new and heautif jl dnnher, recently introdnccd from China by Mr. Fortune, proves perfectly hardy in New Knglaiid, having stood in the grounds here two winters without protection. Train- ed toa single pillar, say.ten leet in height, it is very striking and heaulil'ul object from Jane till cold weather, during which time it is covered with a profusion nf its large double flowers of a delicate rose color. It is very ornamental planted in patches like Verbe- uas; makes an admirable screen; and is very eirective in >oung plantations, belts or shrid>tteries, trailing prettily on the surface, and running among the lower branches nf tlie trees in a very pic- turesque manner. Its culture is very simple, and it will thrive in common garden soil. If requireiL in considerable tiuantitiea the tubers may be divided into single eyes, planting each in a four inch pot of good light compoit. in February, under glass, or in hot beds in the spring ; or larger pieces contaniing several eyes may be planted in the open ground iu May. Plants P3 per dozen. Tubcr.s for 100 plants S3, which may he sent by mail or express, to order. Also, everv description of Fruit and Ornamental TREKS and SHRUBS,! Strawberries, Dahlias. Roses, Verbenas, P'archias. Chrysanthemums, fee, including every new variety of the present season. Stocks for Nurserymen and amateurs. both fruit and ornamental of evcrv description. Pear Seed of first rate quality. Address B. M. WATSON, Plymouth, Mass. Carriage paid to Boston. Catalogues sent post-paid on application. TO INVENTORS AND PATENTEES. J. DENNIS, Jr , Practical Machinist, Manufacturer, and Draughtsman, having had twenty years' ejcperience in budding and operating machinery for mainiiacturmg Cotton, Silk, Wool. Steam Engines. Printing Calico, &c,, with several year's experi- ence in procuring patents, tend«rs his services to inveutt-ra lo make exammati. US of their inveiitiniis Irom a rough sketch or drawing and limited description, (which may le forwarded by mail,) and compare them with the inventions in the Patent OfTicr. and give an opinion, whether the inveiitnui is patentable r)r not, for a fee of S5 ; and save the inventor the expense of applying f(»r a patent, which usually costs S50, exclusive of the cost of nmdel, as only about two-tiflhs of the patents applied for are granted.— His experience in making drawings of. and building and operating machinery, enables him to understand an invention fmm a roo'»n drawing and limited dt-sciiption, and to comprtliend the points in which the invention differs from thi'se already patented, with the greatest fncility. . e alsti preparesdrawings specifications, cave- ats ami as-ignments, nr procures copies Irom, or attt-nds to nnv business connected with the J^atent Olfice. Counsellors in I'atent cases can have an opinion by stating the pmnis in their case, and arguments prepared with the propt-r authorities cited, to sustain the same, with despositions if nectfsary. ilc will also attend as Counsellor or Advocate in Patn.t causes in nny Cnurt. Notice to 2-447 inventors whose applications v/t-re rejected in I?49 and '.JO, that he will examine their cases for Sj, to ascertain if the references will prevent obtaining a patent, if a proper claim IS presented, and advise the applicant whether he had best with- draw or amend his papers, and get a reconsideration, nr App^nl, or File, a Bill in Equity. As he is the oiilv attorney in this city, (Washington, D. C.,^ who has succeeded in reveisivg the Com- missioner's decision bv an appeal to the Chief Justice. t^ Othce near the Patent OiTiee, Washington, D C. Letter?, Sketches, and Drawings, sent by mail, (postage paid) containing fee, will be promptly attended to. FRUIT ANl) ORNAMENTAL TREES FOR SALE At the Fair-View Nurseries Moorestown, Burlington Co., N". J. — 50,000 Apple Trees, from 6 to 10 and I'J feet high, eml»racing about IjO Select Varieties, ripening in succession from the earliest to the latest. Also, a large quantity of Peach, Cherry, Pear, Plum, Apricot, Nectarine, Almonds, Quince, Grape Vines, etc. The Fruit Trees have principally been worked I'rom standard trees, which leaves but little room to doubt as to the correctness of tb« Fruit, which has taken the premium at the Pennsylvania Horticul- tural Society and others for the last ten years. 50,000 Deciduous and Evergreen Ornamental Trees and Shrubs, such as Sugar and Silver Maples. American and Enrnpean Moun- tain Ash, Lindens, Horse-Cliesnuta, American I^rch, of a large size, suitable for road and street planting; Balm Giteads, Norway Furs, Arborvitas, Pines of different varieties, Junipers, English and Irish Yew, Cedars of Lebanon, Double and .Single Spucia, sultshle for Cemeteries, Lawns nnd Private Yards; B. '-^^::::::T:^:t:^^X^ 's:r^^^^ fan. hnve int, persons w ' „|- ,|,^„,, but preler ihem to all ,■:;; ers^e';;- ea e -Sve'ry many oi the l,..t Agru al.unsls IvpeK^ei S.ertlf leatestlialtUelaet.if these niaeliines screel,- "tlil'? 1 tw. -e 1 y one and Ihe same ope-alioi, is the very .in- iiigtlie^rainivyie , .i^aTj,!. Our laniicrs will now have Ke^::rt'';e:^•c^l;;:l;:^m;-^l--^v;-i-;-;;s-=,^^ WHderbigiiLii. Uiiicaster city, Pa. Bept Ibjl. __^^— — thiTfruit-grower's hand-book . Kncoura.-ed by the verv warm eomraeiid.itions of this work re- ■•■•rved slit'e iron, experiein-ed HonRHlmnslsaiid Ironi the wholly iilexperieneed, the author ventures with aouie coufldeuee tu sub- mit it to the pnblie at large. , 1 .1 r4i Notes of all the important questions on fruit culture asked of the w Iter duri.imhe last ten years, with a thorough reseiireh ol I.,- raolo/ieal works, have co.ili ibuted to reader this volume as com- nlete'asnobBible, lueonveiiieut compass. . , , , . ' To the'^lot-holder who wishes to make the most of a few plants aod little room, as well as to the extensive planter who wishes to arra«-e and cultivate his gardens m the most economical a.id pro- fitable manner, the Hand ilot.fc will be found a useful compaiuou Cur frenneiit reference. r a», rai- I ,1,., Kivrv TENTS. Two copies, post free, Irr 81. WM.G. WARING, Boalshurg, Centre uo., Ha. «cpt. 1851. Addreifi, DOUBLE-ACTING, LIFT AND FORCE PUMPS The subscriber munufaclares Double-acting Lift and Force FaZie'' "" ""'' ""Mmcs, Railway Water Stafons, Breweries Steamboat., Steamslupa, Tim Works, Ships, Water Boats, Hot Linuidi'', Family Par|X>scs. 4c. "°*^"'vllll.AtlT; AND FACTORY FlUE ENGINES. Garden Engine!, Cistern Pomps. Well Pumps, for any depth re- quired. Hose Couplings, Copper Rivetted Hose ol' all sizes, Orua- namental Cast-iron Fouutauis, *,e. PurchaierB are respectfully invited to call. Auv i;oiiii..unicalionB by mail will luivo itumediate attention. U B.FARNAM.Si Cliir at ,no«r Fulton, N.Y. I'ENNA. TATENT AGENCY OFFICE. Iiivt'iitors am) "theiB. having business to transact iit the Vnilfi Ptnies Patent utikf. are hereby infcirmed. th:it the iindcreignf'J will littend promptly to all tiusiness coimecled with snid office, nrvd will I'.iini'Ictf Perspective and Sectinniil Drnwinss, and nil requi- site piipera. CavealB. Spccilications, DisclaimcTH, Assignnn^iits, .V'.-, and make the proper applitatiuns for the eecuriiig ol Letters Py- tejit, accurdiiiii to law. >IACH1NISTS AND INVKXTORS will snve time, trouble and fxpeiise, by fust cunsnltinf; him. m»l ' the 8tiictef*t st'cresy will be observed, relative to their inveiilUma 1 and cUiiins The cllUe li. at present located in Centre Square, two donra south of tlie Liiucaster Bank, wliere the list til' patents granttul since Id'- year 1790 to the present day can be examined, ti-gelher with nu- rueriaiH apeeiheations. drawings and models, and every iiiforrnaUim (jbtaiiied relative to the laws and rufes of the U. S. I'atent nffice. All the requisite papers, drawings and models will be prornpll-y and curefully furwiirded to Washington citv, free r)f charjje by J. FRANKLIN REIGART, Lancaster, Pu.l^ lAVe Insurance for Horses, »S;c- THE American Live Stock Insurance Company, (Stockholders tn- dividiia.Iy Liable) for the Insurance o( Hordes, Mulei; Pr%2:< Biflh, Shf'p. CnWe^ ^'c , aeamst Fiie, Water, Accidents and Pi"- en8e. Als-', upon Stock dnveu to Eastern markets, or traiiaported South- JOHN H. FRICK. 6eBeral Agent fir Pennsjlirania, Philadelphia. F.EFKREhCES : Wood, Ahbott & Co., 1 Truitt, Brother & Co.. > Tiiiladelphia. Coutea & Brown, ) Agents: JOHN ZIMMERMAN, Lancaster Pa. CHARLES F. FRICK. Rending, Pa. SAMUEL H. TAYLOR. Mauch Cliunk, Pa. Dr. JoHS G. ScovEaxi, Veteriiiacy Surp«on, May, 1&51.) Examiner fur liancaater Cowity Wm. B. Wn^T, Job Printer, Lancaster, Pa. 18ol. ADVERTISEMENTS. 199 KA RMEH.S PROTECT YOUll HOUSES & BARNS. .JOUUXAL OF THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE. Pomaiiy Jiccliieiitshnve happened frtim lightning fluriii;;; the pnst Sijinrner, Ih;it evfr>' priuleiit am! oarfTnl faninT slmiild at inice aiiiipt siith means ub will he most etfrtlual in iirfVL-ntniir ttiem — [ When II IS renifinlierc'd tlint certain salVly may I'e si'i^ured :it n , very tnliing expense, it liecnmes the ttuty of every fanner and giiod citizen to avail himself the proffered means By so dtiiiig, he not only secures his property' friMii firt; by lit;lit'iiiii;. Imt pi"- tv-cte also his family and tliu ;e around liiin. 'I'liesL- iire inipdrLinr, c< nsittcralions and should Jiave fireat wti^ht. Tln'se \v lio ih-airea a Lightniiiu Rod, p-oiiuunced liy the first Seientitic men in unr countrv, th"^e verv In st in use, will hiui It on applii.idon t » THUS. ARMITAOE, at his Mas^'i'^^ Lig/.t'.i)!s Kod Favtury. Vine Street. 3 doors above I'ilh, I'iiiladetpliia. Tliete Hods are hnislicd with ail tiie improvements at nearly the same piicirs as tlie old liiiid. (tl PAGE'S CIRCULAR SAW MILLS. GEORGE PAGK k CO. ShroeJer street, betweon Baltimore aud Fayette sts,, Baltimoro. Manufncture to order. Pair«'-< ecUhrottl Puitahlf. PnUnt Cirr.ula Saw I\Iiils^ with horse or steiim pfpwers. <•( several aizta. They ulao mamifartnre Sawin-.! aud Planinji Machines for rnilrrtad wurk. Thrashing Mathines. GRIST MILLS lor farm inirposrs, Cum sind Coh Crushers. Tcnnniiiir Mnc-l. MIPS. SKKD A^D CORN t'L.VNT- KR.S, LMPROVED IIOR-K I'OU'KRS, CORN" SHKLLKKS.rAn- eers for boring wellsj angers for boring fence pofcts, water wlieels, forcing pumps, Sec. They respeetfuUy solicit a shnre of public pntrciiase. and would be permitted to rem;irk. that their Circular Saw Mill can do ;more work— aye, twice as much work as any other mill witli the same nmouiit of power, and do it better. (sept-t) April 15th Jiuio l^i Aug. I.'-) Ill U.:l. Ir*! D(!c, l.ilh Fell. 1st Miiv, 15ih July 1st Siepl. IVh Nov. 1st Jan 15ih Mi.r. Idt June 15il> Aug. Is' Oci. inih I)..,.. K-t Feb. ir.ih April l.st July I^ih Scpi. \s\ Nov. loili J,.r,. IStl Mnrc Iil5ih Mny 1st PHILADELPHIA fc LIVERPOOL LINE OF PACKETS-To sail from IMiiladeluliin on tiie Ijih. und from Liverpool on the 1st ot each monih Fro: Ship SHENANDOAH Capt. VV. P. Gardiner. New ship WestmoTvF.la.nd Capt. P. A. Dfcaii, New ship PPACKMAXON, Capi. W. H \Ve;ii. Ship MARY PLEASANTS, Capl. R. R. Decan, The above first class ships are biiih ol the best ninicri- als, and commanded by experienced navigators Due re- gard has been paid to select models for speed with com- lort forp3Psenge»3. They wiil sail punciuallyon ihe days advertised, taking advantage ot the steam low boats on the Delaware. Persons wishing to engage passage for their friend?, can obtain ceriificates, which will be guod for twelve iiiotiihs. Pafisiig'e to Liverpool in the cabin, ^80 *' " Forward cabin, 20 *' " Steerage, 12 Passage from Liverpool in the cabin, 100 '* " Forward cabin, 25 '* *' Steerage, 20 Those who wish toremif money, can be acconimodfitcd with drafts for XI sterline and upwards, at si^ht, wirhoiii discount. Apply to GEO. McHElN RY & CO. June 1, 1851. 37 Walnut street. oj' ihe !S!atc of Pennsylvania^ for ihe proiHoiioii of t/i? Mirhanic Arts. T^HE oldest Mechanical Periodical extant in Ainerica.iapub'ished on the hra of each month in the City of Philadelphia Jt ha< : been reguhirly issued for upwards of iwenty-hve years, and io cnrefully edited tiy a cimimjttee of seietitlfic gentlemen appuilile*! for the purp(»se. by the Frankli.i Institute. The de.**ervedly high reputation, b' th at hi>me and abroad. which I this .lournul has accjuircd and sustained, has given it a circulatKiti ! and exchange hat of the best character, wtiich enables the Ctim- ; mitlee on Publications to make the best selections from I'oreign Journals, and to give circulation to original ctitiini'iiiications ou ] mechanical and scientific subjects, and notices of iicw inventions ; ' notices ihce, \\iiBliiii';ton I < "ity. arc published in the Journal, together with a large amount of ( ii'f'irm.ttion on Mechanics, Chemistry, and Civil Eiiginerrii-'g, da- ', ri\"ed from the latest and best authorities. i This Journal is published on the firt of ench mrmtli. each nom- I ber tontainmg at least seventy-two pages, and forms t a'o voiumea ainiuaMy of about43-i pages eacli, illustrated \vith ejijjraviiigsuJi I copper and nn wood of those subjects which require them. j The subscription price is Plve Dollars per aiiiinin. payable on I the conipleti'iti of the sixth number; and it will be forwarded fre»* I of postiige when live dollars are remitted to the Actuary (paelag« ' pnid) III ailvaiice for one jear'a subscrijitioii. i Communicaiions and letters on business must be directed to "iha j Arluarv of the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia. reini8\ Ivaniu,'" the postage pa d. \VM. ll.\MILTON. ' August 1, 1831. ^^__^ ^ Actuary .J^\r. j TO FARMERS^PLANTEKS, " ' I MARKET GARDENERS k OTHERS. PREPARED OR ARTIFICIAI, I G CANO—'.Vaiwfacinrcd only by KJi^NTlSJId- CO. I Depot i\o. 40, Peck t>lip, Xcw York. ri''H[S inunure IS so combined, that the Ammonia and other fcr- Phila. From Liverpool ' J[ tilizmg g;ises are absorbed, fixed, and are given ont i.i tatioii only as ii requires them. Xo rot, mildeiv. wnrm, fly ff other instH^t can approach it: an import;mt consideration to farm* rs generally, Imt particularly in potato planting It will be admirably adapted l(p the renovution, restoration and fertilizing uf such Uimki as have been worn out. it may be used bruadcast, after the ground is ploughtd, aiul iheu harrowed in with the seed. It is also valuable as a top dressing. Sis acres per day can be thus manured in a day by one man. U maj' l>e us'-'d with the greatest advantage on Corn. I'otafO' a. '.Vheat, Toha(^co. Garden Vegetables. Rye. Oats, (jreeii Ht'us«» Piaiiis. I"li>wers. Vines, Wall F'ruit. &c ,and mure than a thuuaind eeitificates from the most celebrated Farmers and (jurdeners, can be shiiwn,all testii'ying in the highest terms to its great value as a ("ertilizer. A pamphlet containing tliese certificules ran be hud. by applying to tlie manufactnrera. The teick i.=; oklt ose ckst PEB rouNU. It is put np in bbls. averaging 235 lbs., or in caskjs. from 1000, to 1400 lbs. TLUMS. Cash, or approved credit on delivery. Persniis wi.«li- ing ttt buy tlie article to Sell again will be allowed a liberal eutn- I mission. Address ICENTIS" Jt.<0. i Aug. I. 18jL No. 40, Peck Slip, New York. R. 15UIST, NURSERYMAN & S E E D G RO W E R, HAS alway.« oti hand at his seed Siore. 97, Chesnui Street, Philadelphia, a large stock of Seeds of his own growth, a vfTi/ important item to purc/m.^fr.t, as heisa practical grnw- «r,nnd has been engaged in his professinn over 30 years. His imrse- n' ground is amply stocked with Kruit.Shade and Ornamental Trees, accurately named and properly cultivated. Every aiticlc sold al Ik elowest rates. and warranted to be as represented. S*eed Store. 97 Cliesnut Street, Philadelphia. Nurseries and Seed Karm,fDarby Road, two rai'cs below Gray's Fcrrv. Jauc 1, 1851. " R. BUIST. HENRY r.TRlPf.F.U. {Successor to Joseph P. H. Coates.) Dealer in Grass and Gardeni^epdn. No. 49, Market Sireei, Philadelphia. AGENCY for the jmrchase and sale of improved breed of Animofs. STOCK Cuttle of all the diflerent breeds, sheep, swine, pnnitry, ._ Repurchased to nrder, and carefully shipped to any part of the United States, for which a moderate ci'nimi!>sion will U4 charged. The following are now on the list, and fi*r SJile, vii; Tnorongh bred Short Horna and Grade Cattle. Alderiiey do do Ayrshire do do Devons do du South Down Sliecp. Oxfordshire do Leicester do ultry «if dilTerent breeds. All letcrs post paid wiU Address AARON CLEMENT. Cedar at , above Wh. PhiM. dn do llO do do do do dn do do dn do Swiiie and be promptly attended to Aujinst I. 18 jl. GUANO AND PLASTER. ■T-HK siiliscribers offer for sale at the lowest market rates, I inilU Tons Dry Patajionia Guano. jW) •' Government Peruvian Guano. 500 bbls. Ground PlaBter. The qnnlity of the above is unsurpaBacd.and ran be reeommend- ed witli eonhdence to farmers and others in want ol* llie ariieies. \ liberal dcduelion made to Countrv Merchants. AI.l.EN A NEKDI.ES. No. 22.V 23, S. Wharves, First Store above Chea. St.. Phiia. July 1. ■"'''";- BF.RKiSHlREPlGSind South Down Sheep of Pare Blood, foi s.ileby JA3 THORNTON. Jr, Juiy lOoa. Bj-berry, Phi'.aJelp.'jia Co. ADVERTISEMENTS. [DECF.ar J'llUI'r & ORNAMENTAL TREES, &C. 'rln; suliscnlicrs anlicit the atteiitum of Nurserymen, Oreliardista ;iii'l AMiJiteurs, til Llicir i.icseiit large and line stuck (pl" Nursery Ar- jfiAXDARD Fbi'ItThees. ftir OrclKirds ; tlirifty, well grown, and U:iVtil'sonie, of all the hest varieties. Lhvir.F Tkees, for liarilejjs. Tlie largest stock in the country, ■MiA the most complete. . , , , D%v.vRt' Pkar TuEEi?. Our collection consists of well known le*i(iin'' varieties, anil iiunihers inure than I50.U00 saleable trees — 'I'lie superiorltv of these, Ijeing grown in tlie ci>uiitry, over iinport- eil trees is well known to every intellisent cultivator. Nothing, 111 fact, in this coniiiry, can equal our collection of Pear Trees — •riiey can he hail from one to lour years growth, some of which me now covered with fruit. . . ., UwauF Atpi-eTkees. We cultivate in large quantities the Ir.-stiuid nai.ilsomest varieties of apples on Douciiln and Paradise »toeks for Dwaris and Pyramids, and can furnish them iu large (luaiititi.-s, from one to two yeais growth. ,. , liwunF CKEarcv Tuke-i. All the leailing varieties are cultivated 1.1 Mahaleh st.ieks. extensively. We can lurniall by the hundred ,j,d tlionsaud. fiom one to two years growth. CiiKHKV Cvf KANT, the largest variety known. Upwards of 1,000 plants on liriiKl. MTOi.wirlioosKr.EKCiEi. all llie hcst sorts. Large l-'nuirEU :Mo.\riibV Kasi'bkrkv, that gives a crop of hne iViiit in the auluinii. 5TEAWBEKR1E4. all the hest sorts. Ornamental Shade Trees, of good size, for streets, parks, cVc, kirge and weM grown. Choice Trees an.lShruhs, for lawns and pleasure grounds, iil- oludlli" all the finest, new and rare articles recently intri.duced_ HMinv KvERcnEEN Trees. Norway Spruce and Balsam I'lr.of small size, in large quantities; and a moderate supply ol large iBies hesides nearly liftv new and rare F.vcrgreens. ineludliig Ueo- dar Cedar, Cedar of Lehanon, Chili Pine, Cryptoiuenu or Japan Cedar, lliinaasaii Spruce, &e ,^c. Hoses, Peonies, a large and complete collection, including the iilt^st varieties. , , . Phloxes, A cnllectipn of upwards of si.\ty varieties, including tliirtv new varieties imported last spring . , j. ., « l)AHi.iA9. Uiiwards of inn select varieties, including the hnest lii.L'lisli prize flowers of I.^IO and 1351). , . , . The followiio' Catalogues, giving full infirmalnm as regards terms, prices, ie,. will he sent gratis to all who apply hy postpaid letters or at the ofiiee. let, a General Ucstriptive Catalogue. ■Jil, a Wholesale Catalogue, 3il a Catalogue of Select Oreen House Plants, 4tli aSpeelal Catalogue of Dahlias mid Bedding Plants, for 1831, ' ' KI.LWaNOKK .t HARRY, Mount Hope and Garden it Nurseries. Rochester, N. Y. Pept. 1S51. THE MODEL ARCHITECT, A scries oforiijinat dcni/ns for Collages, Villas. Su- burban Residences, Counlry Churefici, Sclwul- Humes, (I'f.. <('•(•., by Samuel Sloan, Are't. The ahove work is desigiied'toineet the wishes not only of those ilireelly interested in luilhling, hut of all those who desire the ad- valn-enient of this nolile art in our country, and wish to cultivate Bieir taste and acquaintance with architecture. The handsome nmuuer in which it is prepared and embellished, renders it a taste- lui ornament for the drawing room, while Its accurate delineations give It the highest practical value. , , . 'liie projector will liiid in it ev, ry variety of style ami design, •ecompaiiled.as mentioned below, hy all minutia necessary to con- stiuction. By its aid he may build without danger of nmkingtliose liidienius and e.ipeiisive mistakes which so often occur The operative artisan of every grade will lind the work of ines limable value. It Is a cmnplete hook of reference, and ail plates •rii lU.iwu to a scale with the utmost accuracy, so tlmt he lias only 1.1 slady them with his rule ai.d compass. The work, in two volnincs of twelve numbers each, to be issued inmithly. until complete. Kacli number contains t'our Lithograph l-aigraviiigs of original designs, var\ iiig in cost of erection from tHIJOto SU.noO There are also four sheets of details accom- panying the designs, comprising ground pl.ans. ,Vc., Ice. Besides this, each numbef contains eight pages of letter-press, descriptive of the designs, giving extended accounts of the various styles adopted, essays on w.'inning, ventilatnm, &c., Ac, elaborate spe- cifications, estimates, tables, and in short every thing desirable, either for construction or for general information, in beautiful type; Mio whole being executed on the very finest paper, manufactured expressly for the work. Prick 50 CENT.S A NUMBl'.R. Address, post-paid, E S, JONKS it Co,. Publishers, S. W. cor. 4th ami Race sts,, Pliila., Pa. Persons forwarding a list of live subscribers accompanied with Mie cosh, shall receive a sixth copy gratis. 'ept-ly FINE STRAWBERRY PLANTS. St.rnwb'Try Plants of severnl varictieB and fine quality can be Iwii bv the huiuired ortliousanfl at tlie low price of 31 rertiundr<.'d, by addrtrssin;: wifcli uimiuiit enclwHed, ' • JAMES O'CONNQR, Safe Harbor, Lancnstor co., l*a AlPorders will rcc3i7c prompt atteiitioii. (sept I&jI. ANALYTICAL LABORATORY, Yale Volhge, Neiv Haven, Connecticut. JOHN P. NORTON, Pkofessoe of Scientific AGKicnLTURc. This Laboratory is now fully (irsraiiised for iiistnu-tioii in all braiicb'isuf uiiulysea cotmected with the examni.itnm of s-nls, ni.iimres, mintrals, ashes, animal and vegetable substunees, &c. — Full eourses are given m each of these departnieuts, and alsu in «;eueral Chemistry, lioth organic and inorfi;uinc. Stndt-nts can thus fit themselves to bct-ome instructor!* in the variiiusbraiiciies of Chemistry, tir to apply so mueb of thiit and kindred seiencLS as may be necessary to the praciical pursuit of ngrictiiturc or itiunmacturing. The demand for teachers and pro- fessors 111 the various brunches of chemi^trv, especially a<;ricijlt|i- ral. is now great and increasing, so iliat this is a fair field for tiKin wlio have a taste for such pursuits. A course of Lectures on ??cieiitifie Agrieulhire, by Professor Nor- ton, conitnenctsin January of each year, aad continues fur two atMl a tialf mouths. This course isdesi^'in-d especially tor the praetbwl faimer, and has given great satisfaction to those who have attend- ed it in previous years. It embraces;! plain connected ontline wf the leudnig points in improved agnciitiure, trcatm;< in 8ucce8si<>n of the composition of the soil, the plant and tiic anuiial ; of ihetc- connections witii each other, and of all the improvcineiits in culti- vation, manuring, feeding, and fattening, winch have been adoptesJ in the lj«st agricaltural regions This course is made so plain ajMl practical, that the farmer who attends it can understand the wh(»k, and apply it in Ins own experience. ftlorc eaii be learned by atteiulaiice upon such lectures, by rewV- iiig iu coniit-ction with them, antl by associating witli others wIk> are also desirous of obtaining a better knowledge of their proft»- sioti than in years away fnnnaUch advaniagea The young farmei learns to think for himself, lo see that a practice is not necessariiy right because It IS old, to understand the reasons for all that he does, and with this increase of knowledge is better able to iaa)i« farming profitable as well as interesting. Board and lodging may be prociirerl at from S'2 to S3 per week, and the Ticket for the le Vitus, HorticuUurnl Implements in great variety. CatahtjuesTorwardcd on pest paid apj>!icatioa. (sep.-lt VOL. 1. LA?sCASTER, PA., JANUARY, 1S51 m. 10. THE FARM JOURNAL, S. S. HAI.DEMAN, Editor. For the Farm Journal. The Importaucc of Agricultural Education. BY JOHN L. BLAKE, D. D. What is agricultural education ? The question is here propounded that a reply may be given . for the masses of the agricultural community do not seem to know what it is, although it has been a common topic of declamation in the annual agricultural addresses and orations for more than a score of years. Indeed mure than half a eenturj- since, "Washington incul- cated the necessity of it. For a long succession of years, the zealous and talented Mr. Garnett, of Vir- ginia, labored to promote it. No small part of the long life of the yctcran Skinner, beginning his labors, in Maryland and ending them in the Keystone State, ■vrere consecrated to it. The ever to be lamented Judge Buel, of New York, devoted to it the best pow. era of his accomplished mind. If we look farther north and eastward for kindred labors, we shall find that the venerable Timothy Pickering, the companion of Washington, was as much distinguished for his efforts in the cause of agricultural education as he was in the science of sovernment and the political history of his country. And the venerable John Lowell, of Boston, one of the most accomplished scholars of his time, spread an undying halo around rural literature and agricultural science. And the recently deceased I^aac Hill, of New Hampshire — first, an humble printer, then Senator in Congress ■ afterwards Governor of that State — spent the last ten years of his life, in advocating agricultural education, and the great interests of rural life, and yet the mas- ses of our farmers seem at a loss to know what all this can m"an ; do not seo-m aware that farmers need education. To us, the apathy and the want of apprehension on this subject, among the masses of our agriculturists is a paradox. We know not how to account for it. — VOL. I — K Both instinct and reason seem opposed to it. Inter- est too is opposed to this apathy ; and, we might seemingly with as much success apply to our legisla- tures, for half a million of dollars to make balloons to go to the planet Jupiter, as to expend it in organ- izing our colleges and common schools for the purpo- ses of agricultural education. Why is this? Is it because the multitudes of our farmers think it unne- cessary ; think that the being born on a farm is suf- ficient for the labors of agriculture ; that with those being so born, there is as much of an instinct for these labors, as there is with the newly dropped calf or colt for finding the natural food yielded by its dam? So far are they from supposing that books and study are needful to the successful prosecution of these la- bors, that they imagine all may be learned in a com- paratively short period of personal observation during the season of tillage. Is it not a fact, that we might suppose they think the merchant may at any moment forsake his ledger and his bank books, the blacksmith his anvil and bellows, the physician his saddle bags and his nostrums, the sailor his quadrant and his log book, the tailor his press board and shears, and the shoemaker his bristles and his lap stone, although so ignorant of tillage and agricultural implements and their use, as not to know whether a fanning mill i designed to drive away rausquitoes and flies, or foJ some other purpose, may forthwith, without the aid of study or books become first rate agriculturists ? — Xo disrespect is intended to our agricultural breth- ren. Surely we feel none. For them we have great regard. Their unwearied devotion to manual labor is proverbial. Their habits of economy are worthv of universal imitation. And in natural intelligence they are below no class of men ; for it is a well known truth, that most of our great men at the bar, in the pulpit, in the healing art, upon the bench, and in the legislative halls are from the ranks of rural life. Still in the particular we are discussing they are sadly de- ficient and blind to their own interests. What then is agricultural education ? Let us ask in turn what is medical education ? What 13 legal 294 COMMUNICATIONS. L' cdueaticin ? What is theological education ? What is mercantile education ? What is mechanical edu- cation ? ]\Iost of our farmers, although in the common acceptation of language, illiterate, would have a pretty just apprehension of the answers to be given to these interrogatories. They might not indeed give written definitions to them of grammatical purity, but the substance of such definitions would be well under- stood by them. They well know, that a medical ed- ucation embraces a knowledge of the numerous dis- eases to which we are subject, the gradual develope- ment and all the diversified types of these diseases ; and, above all, the antidotes and remedies known to exist and constituting the mysteries of the healing art. They well know thit a theological education embraces a familiar knowledge of ancient languages, particularly those in which our sacred books were originally written, with a history of ancient usages and customs, having relation to them, and with the well established and authorized interpetation to these books. They wellknowthatalegal education embraces a thorough knowledge of the acknowledged principles of justice in the diversified ramifications of business and property, as understood by common usage, and as settled by our courts of jurisprudence. They well know that a mercantile education embraces a knowl- edge of trade in all its departments — the various kinds of merchandize — whence they are obtained — where they will be wanted — what is their present or prospective value — together with every fact con- nected with judicial and monetary operations, wheth- er of interest or exchange. And they well know that a mechanical education embraces a knowledge of the raw materials requisite in the formation of any pre- scribed object ; of the various tools necessary in pro- ducing such formation ; and, especially of a familiar habit and experience in using them. Are not our farmers familiar with all this ? Do thej' not generally act with all requisite wisdom and shrewdness in regard to it ? They surely do. If they have a son, designed to be a physician, do they sim- ply furnish him with his saddle bags, his nostrums, aad his pocey, and send him direct from the plough, on missions for the curing of fevers, for performances in obstetrics and for the amputation of limbs ? If they wish to make him a divine, do they send him direct from the plough to the pulpit with no prepara- tion but a suit of black clothes ? If they wish to make him a lawyer, do they send him immediately from the manure heap to the bar, with no preparation but a green bag and a quantum of impudence, the offspring of ignorance ? Or, if they wish to make him a mer- chant do they not place him for a due period of time in a counting house of established reputation ? Or, if they wish to make him a mechanic do they not place him as an apprentice for five, six or seven years, \fith an artist well skilled in his particular vocation? It is all so. This is as it should bo. This is the way to make young men respectable in their several pro- fessions, and to enable them to become cmiueut. — This is the secret why so many young men from rural districts become so distinguished in the learned pro- fessions, in merchandise, and in the mechanic arts. It would seem that with such an array of facts be- fore us, there would be no diiSculty in telling the pro- cess for an agricultural education ; and that farmers would be prompt in providing it for their sons who are to succeed their fathers in tilling the ground. — The soil like every material object is suljject to change; like an animal form, from use it becomes enervated and unfit for its legitimate functions. Man from ex- cessive or protracted labor and from want of due at- tention to the use of food, becomes feeble and some- times sickly. What is then done ? Why a physician is broiight to his aid ; regimen is prescribed for him, medicine is administered to him ; and, if the case has not been too long neglected, the invalid is restored and he again is in a condition to perform the labors of life. Who does not know that the soil becomes enervated and sickly from long or injudicious use, much as a man may become bilious, feverish and consumptive ? Else why is it that hundreds and tliousands of farms once verdant, productive and lucrative, in the Atlan- tic sections of our country, have become sterile and worthless, and have been abandoned ? And, why is it that in multitudes of cases, the crops arc now not what they once were by half? Tliere can but one an- swer be given. The exigency admits of no evasion. The siin shines with its enlivening influences upon it, as it has done from the time when tlie morning stars sang and shouted that all was perfect. The dews of heaven descend and refresh itwith the regularity that they descended upon the ancient hills of Hcrmon and Zion. The rain, either in gentle showers or in copi- ous torrents, has not failed any more to satisfy it, when parched and thirsty, now, in the nineteenth cen- tury, than when the Puritans were spreading them- selves over New England, or William Penn and his followers were applying the plouglishare about the Delaware, the Schuylkill and the Susquehanna. The truth is, the soil has become sickly andnceds medicine. To apply the restorative process to the soil, there should be an agricultural physician — a chemist. He will tell at once how it can be done, as well as the regular practitioner in the healing art, can tell how to purify and replenish tlie blood, or to remove bile or fever from the human system. Agricultural educa- tion teaches the process for restoring a worn out soil; the best process of tillage ; the best kinds of animals to remunerate the owner ; the best rotation of crops to prevent exhaustion of the soil ; the best implements in rural culture ; and, indeed it teaches whatever is connected with the amelioration and profits of agri- cultural labor. Agriculture should as much be taught in all our schools as arithmetic, or grammar, or geog- raphy. Till this is done, every farmer must depend 1S52.] COMMUNICATION; 29i wholly on agricultural books, agricultural journals, and on the improved modes of culture among his brethren and neighbors as made kno-\rn in agricultu- ral fai)s, or by personal observation. Essex counly, N. J., Dec. \Qth, 1851. For the Farm Journal. Oil change of Seed. JIr. Editor: — As you live in a county remarkable ior its good cultivation, and especially for its crops of wheat, can you, from some of your well-informed farmers, get any satisfactory- practical information as to the following points ; 1st. Whether a frequent change of seed, is a cor- rect and judicious proceeding, and whether, on good soil and under good cultivation, we may not sow the same seed on the same farm, so long as those two conditions continue. I am aware there is a prejudice in favor of frequent changes of seed, and I am also certain that I have suffered, from yielding to this prejudice. My observation, is decidedly against it, but my experience has not been sufficiently long to authorize me to be very decided and dogmatic. About once in two or three years, the farmer, or some farmers, think it necessary to try the seed from the farm of some one else. It does not seem to be of much consequence, whether it comes from a neigh- boring place, or one at a distance, or from another State, or from another part of the world, the object seems to be the excitement and novelty of new seed, without regard to circumstances. Is this prejudice and this action upon it, right? or is not one_ of those ill digested and unreflecting im- pulses, that act on men, some times nearly as strong- ly in serious matters, as in frivolous. It is very na- tural, in an art so precarious as agriculture, that men should be liable to the forming of hasty conclusions. A man finds that his crops are bad, that he raises less, than a neighbor. He does not like to charge himself, with this ill-fortune — as the result of his ignorance, or of his negligence — but prefers assum- ing, that his brother farmer has better luck, with- out admitting the possibility of better cultivation, or of more intelligence on the part of his neighbor. Admitting this to be the state of feeling with many farmers, how are we to decide, that their action is proper, and worthy of being followed ? Let us consider what are the conditions, that make seed worth the sowing. In the first place, it should be perfectly ripe or matured, and then carefully pre- served, so that it may not suffer the slightest deterior- ation, before being put into the ground to i eproduee. It is a matter of common observation that imperfect, badlv matured seed, will germinate, and sometimes produce healthy plants, but the chances are the other way, and the disposition, no matter how favorable the circumstances, is unquestionably to disease. As a practice, therefore, the sowing of unhealthy or im- perfect grain, is a bad one and leads inevitably to a failure of the crop. There are very few seasons in which for reasons very difficult to get at, the wheat is not laid. Sometimes it is ascribed to Hessian fly, sometimes to the ground being too highly manured, and the stem being weakened by overgrowth ; but throwing aside the causes which we can only conjec- ture, we have the important question to solve, wheth- er grain from plants that have been laid, and which necessarily is an imperfect seed, is fit to be sown. It may, as we have said, germinate, but can we assure ourselves of a good crop or a healthy fruit. We be- lieve every experienced agriculturist, has decided this point, and against the sowing of seed that is in the slightest degree imperfect. But much the larger portion of farmers reserve this bad grain without a question, and have we not in this practice an excel- lent reason for the failure of crops of which there is every year so much complaint, and does not this make necessary a change of seed, which under other eircumstances,would be of little importance — a change derived directly from the Ijad, slovenly management of the farmer himself; and is it not from this source too, that much of the land in the country has be- come gradually unfitted for the raising of large crops of wheat, of which at one time the country could boast ? In this way, we have the f;irmer playing into the hands of his o\vn ruin. The rule should be the same in sowing seed, as in breeding animals, none but the best and most perfect should be used for the reproduction of its kind, and we are convinced that if this rule were adhered to, there would be less necessity for this frequent change of seed, which is now considered almost essential. — "We are perfectly aware of the greater nicety, care, attention and labor required, if we are to bring any practice in agriculture to much refinement, we know full well the devotions, the anxiety, as well as toil, that every farmer must give to his art, if he wishes to have eminent success in it, or desires to improve it. But it is the same with every occupation, both the soul and mind must engage in the work, or the individual and his pursuit, will be stationary. A man should do something more than like a chicken, merely scratch over the earth to collect his morning worm — he has, or should have, a purpose and a de- sign higher than to gratify the mere animal wants of his nature. On this seemingly insignificant point, of which we are speaking, depends vastly more than would be disclosed upon a superficial examination. It has mo- ral as well as physical results. There is deep disap- pointment and mortification in a failure : there is waste of time, labor and land ; there is perhaps an abandonment of the soil, a change of pursuit, or a L-hange in the crop, and the mode of farming. All these may follow on the w?nt of care, the want of ob- servation, the want of reflection, and too hasty yield- 296 COMMUNICATIONS. [jANUAUr, ing to the opinion of others, and to the forming of prejudice. But we will .suppose that the farmer has acceded to the supposed necessity of a change of seed, and has made his purchase ; what is the evidence that it is better than his own ? Does it look better, or does it weigh more, or has he gained any thing, but the simple change ? Does he know the soil where it grew, the mode of cultivation by which it was raised? He cannot answer, perhaps, one of these questions ; yet he has not hesitated to make a vague and uncer- tain experiment, under the impulse and influence of an opinion that has but a feeble foundation, and vrhich has forced him into the strong tide of a bad custom, while the truth is, that it is his want of in- telligence or industry that causes his inferiority as an agriculturist, and that he who sells him the grain is superior from greater care, zeal, labor and atten- tion. It may bo that the nature of the soil differs so much in the place where the seed is to be sown, from that whence it was selected, that the experiment can but be unfortunate. Yet 'this is not considered, nor is the equally important circumstance of climate, at all regarded ; two elements, it might be supposed, of essential importance, in our decision. Two ques- tions, would naturally come into every cautious farm- er's mind, when on the point of executing what may be to him so serious a matter, as a change of seed. First, is the person from whom I intend to purchase, a worse or a better farmer than I am, and is his soil the same or different? Then he would also consider the climate, if it were at a distance from his own re- sidence. But we have never known these questions to be asked, and whether the grain came from New York, Virginia, Europe or Egypt, seemed to be of little consequence, it was put in the ground upon hit or miss principle, and if it succeeded, he flattered himself that it was the result of judicious farming operations ; and if it was unsuccessful, he did not disparage or blame himself, but vented his sensibili- ties on the seed or the season. Now, we are disposed to believe, that in no case will a good crop be made, excepting where the seed is of an inferior character, and brought from a soil and climate, not as well cal- culated for its development, as that into which it is to be transferred. For instance, let the golden drop, or some other of the celebrated wheats, be brought from the moist climate and cultivated soil of England, and sown here, in our hot and dry atmosphere, and xindcr an inferior cultivation, would it not immediate- ly deteriorate ? It would be the same with grain brought from France. But the IMediterranean is an example of the opposite kind. When first brought to this country, it was by no means of a promising appearance, but a milder climate, and a better soil than that of its original home, has almost metamor- phosed it into a grain of a fine quality. Is it possible then, to lay down any fixed rules, in this matter ? — We cannot venture to do it, and should like the ex- pression of an opinion from some experienced and observing farmer. There is another point on which we should like to hear something. Is it a good or bad practice to re-sow the grain that you have just harvested ? It has this objection, you cannot toll whether you are or are not putting in the ground, much bad or imperfect grain, whereas that of the year before has given some evidence of its vitality. — As these are points of importance, it would bo doing a great favor to the agricultural community, if an ex- pression of opinion were freely given. A. L. Elwtn. PMlaMpUa, Dec. 10, 1851. For the Farm Journal. Small potatoes vs. large potatoes for seed — The rot. Mr. Editor : — As the season for the selection of seed potatoes is past, and the generality of farmers have already made up their minds in regard to the kind of potatoes they intend using for seed next sea- son, it will perhaps be useless for me to offer any suggestions to your readers in regard to the matter. However, as there may be a few, who would like to hear a suggestion, and try a small experiment, I will offer the one, and give them a chance to try the other. Many years ago, I was induced to believe that in sowing or planting seeds, the best and most perfectly developed, were the kind to be used. Experience has satisfied me that my belief was correct. A number of experiments, with large and small potatoes for seed, always resulted largely in favor of the former. The difference in yield has been so great, that I would rather pay a dollar a bushel for large potatoes for seed, than take small ones as a gift, and my reasons are these : There is every ground for presuming that the largest potatoes are generally the most thorough- ly ripened — that they have imbibed a larger propor- tion of the life of the plant, and are, consequently, better fitted to reproduce tubers of the same quality. Small potatoes, it is true, may sometimes be equally well ripened, but it is very evident, that they are products of the last remaining elements of life in the plant. Again : Small potatoes are very frequently of se- cond growth. It is well known to those who grow potatoes, that the first growth is a'ways the most vi- gorous and decidedly the largest, so that the second or small potato growth, does not seem to possees, in as great degree, the re-productive properties requisite to the perfection of the plant as the first. Again : The first growth of potatoes being the largest and most perfectly developed, and at the same time, fully matured, before the small ones can have an existence, I make it a point always to select my seed from those hills where no second growth has taken place. If any of your readers are curious 1802.] COMMUNICATIONS. 297 enough to make the examination, they will find that the second growth of potatoes almost invariably af- fects the first to such a degree as to cause them (the first) either to rot entirely, or partially. This is especially the case in wet seasons, and for this rea- son, I invariably select for seed the large first growth potatoes, believing that I thereby not only secure better crops, but insure myself perfectly against the rot, now the theme of so much learned discus- sion. If any of your readers have a better theory, let them " trot it out." All that I ask is, that they will offer the result of a few experiments to test its value. I have tried mine, and found it t > answer as well in practice as in theory. Elton. For the Farm Journal. Wheat Culture. In the interior of Pennsylvania, from whence we date, wheat and corn may be said to be our staple productions. Of the cultivation of the former, being the more important, we propose to treat at present. Our soil is limestone, a tenacious red clay, highly im- pregnated with iron, and in many localities with an infusion of flint gravel. Wheat is usually put in land manured after an oats crop has been taken off, or up- on a clover sod, plowed either before or after harvest. If the farmer desires to enrich his land by turning in a coat of clover, the work should always be done before harvest, and the reason for this is more impor- tant than obvious ; for if plowed at this early stage of the season, the grass lias had time to undergo the necessary fermentation, so that when the sea- son arrives for stirring, it is in a better condition for mixing more intimately with the soil and diffusing its benefit more extensively to the growing grain; but if the plowing in of the grass be deferred to a later period, nearly approaching the time for sowing, the germination of the seed and the fermentation of the grass are going on at the same time, and these natural actions of both are wholly uncongenial with each other. The heat and sourness of fermentation cer- tainly operates to prevent a healthful germination of the seed ; and this we think is a most important pe- riod for the ultimate success of the crop ; for we think it may be said, in perfect accordance with all expe- rience, that no good crop ever resulted from an imper- fect or unhealthy germination of seed. And here, in connection with this idea, it may be remarked, that the time for sowing should always be regulated by the condition of the ground, taking care that it should be neither too wet or too dry, but just in such a state of moisture as will ensure the most speedy and ac- tive germination and growth. Seed sown in ground too wet and cold has a tardy and sickly growth, while that put in ground too dry has no growth at all, until it gets moisture, and by this time, the seed is so injured by exposure, as rarely, if ever to pro- duce a remunerating crop. Much discussion has been had, and great difference of opinion exists with regard to late and early sowing ; our experience teaches, that there is no better rule by which to gov- ern the subject, than this : — Sow at any time before the first of September, when the ground is in good order. You thus give the plant an active, healthy growth, and a constitution which enables it to with- stand the many vicissitudes of the fall and the ap- proaching winter. The mode of plowing the ground, and the imple- ment with which it is done, is worthy of much more consideration than is usually given to it. There are very many erroneous notions extant among farmers on this subject. A clover sod upon our limestone land is of a very tough and tenacious cha* acter, and the plo ,'. s in general use are calculated to make ex- ceedingly bad work ; for that which is called pretty plowing, when every land slice exhibits its exact shape and due proportion, in a mass as or even more solid than before it was turned up, is a wretched mode of accomplishing the object. If the work of plowing be thus done, there is much less difference which side of the sod be uppermost than is usually imagined. If we but reflect that the earth is a set of mouths and lungs that constantly feed upon the pro- ductions of the natural elements, and that air and light and heat are as essential to its profitable exis- tence as they ore to that of the animal : and that the object of plowing is to open these mouths and lungs instead of compacting it and making it Impervious to light and heat and food, we cannot hesitate about the use of an implement that will attain that object in the highest degree. If the farmer will but look with the eye of a mechanic upon his plow, and find the relative position of its beam and land-side to bs such that they are tending in different directions, he will perceive at once how much more power he is using than would be necessary, if his implement were a good one. But this is not the greatest objection, for one which we deem of higher importance, is the great pressure against the land-slice which is made by such a plow, giving it a solidity which can be only over- come by repeated harrowings. The centre-draught plow, which derives its name from its mechanical structure, is not obnoxious to these objections ; while it requires much less power, must necessarily press more lightly upon the land slice, leaving it to fall in- to a pulverized state as it separates from the mould- board. Light is beginning to shine in upon this im- portant operation, and it is to be hoped that farmers will study more the policy of doing good, rather than pretty work. Wheat, with us, is now almost universally put in with a drill. It is sufficient to say in commendation of this mode that all the seed you use is actually planted and covered just at that depth which the ex- igencies of your soil and your own judgment dictate. The implement, if a good one, places this subject en- 298 COMMUNICATIONS. [Januahy, tirely -within your own control. But there is an other advantage, of which our experience enables us to speak, that of harrowirg wheat in he spring as ear- ly as the condition of the ground will allow. We have practised this for several years with decided ad- vantage, not only because of the benefit which the growing wheat derives from it, but of the admirable condition in which it puts the ground for the recep- tion of t'lC clover-sccd which is usually sowed at this period. If the ground be harrowed, the clover-seed be then sowed, and a roller of considerable weight passed over the whole, it will be an extraordinary and unfavorable season if your stubble after harvest be not well set with clover. But I must not drop the subject, even at the risk of being tedious, without some remark upon the subject of the four cornered harrow, which is in common use and which is a very inefficient implement for this, as it is for all other purposes. The harrow which we use, is composed of two parts, being connected in the middle by hinges, so that it may conform more per- fectly to the inequalities of the ground, and having in each part sixteen teeth of the usual length and seven-eights of an inch square. It will be found that in the operation of harrowing wheat, the common har- row will do very little work ; it will be required to go over the ground more than once to put it in the condition that a single stroke with a good implement would do. If a harrow-tooth be properly made, by hammering inch and a quarter square iron, without intense heating, down to seven-eighths of an inch square, you will find the smaller tooth to be stronger, stiffer, more duraljle, and of course as you may mul- tiply the number, much more efficient than the large clumsy one which has had no other work upon it than that which was necessary to draw it to a point at a white heat. There need be no fear of disturbing the roots of the wheat by this operation. We use a 1 eavy, sharp harrow with thirty two teeth, which pro- duces no other eScct than that which is entirely ben- eficial. Fred'k. Watts. Carlisle, 15ih December, 1851. For the Farm Journal. Select Good Seed, &c. Mr. Editor : — Having duringthe past summer and fall suffered somewhat in the products of my garden, by the selection of bad seed, it has occurred to me that a few hints thrown out to your readers, might serve to save them fi-om the same unpleasant conse- quences. It is with seed precisely as it is with cat tie. As the finest animals will almost invariably- piroduce the best progeny, so will choice seeds pro duce the most thrifty plants. The only difiiculty in the matter is to know where to procure the best. So many establishments for the raising and sale of gar- den seeds have been opened in every direction within the last few years, that there is no want of places where to purchase, and as a consequence of this ri- valry in the business, many seeds that are wholly worthless, are sold to the unsuspecting, It was through one of these establishments that I received the seeds to which I referred above, Some would not vegetate at all, although the most careful attention was paid them, while others turned out to be any thing else than the labels on the packages represented them to be. To blame the person who sold the seed, for all these defects, might seem a little unfair, and yet I do not know where the blame should attach if not to him, unless it would be to my own want of judgment. Perhaps it was the latter, and therefore in order to guard against any such mishaps in future I have determined to purchase no seeds unless I am perfectly satisfied that the seedsman from whom I purchase them, is not only honest, but a competent judge ot the article he is selling. While on the subject of seeds, I will remark that too much care cannot be exercised in putting them into the ground. Some contend for deep covering, others for shallow. I prefer the latter for several reasons. Nature never plants but always sows, and than this good old mother of ours, there is no better gardener. Adopting therefore natural principles, I cannot but think that the proper depth for seed is^ such a covering of earth as will enable the tender stem of the plant to reach the surface, and at the same^time protect the germ from destruction by heat. Another important matter in putting in seed, is the condition of the ground. I well remember how when I was a boy, we always waited until after a shower to plant our garden seeds, and I remember also, tliat although the soil had previously been well pulverized, by the time we were done, it was nearly the consistency of mortar, and as soon as the sun shone upon it, became a hard crust. Of course the young plant would have great difficulty in making its way through this crust, if it succeeded at all. My plan is, to sow my seeds in dry weather or when practicable, when there is a prospect of a shower. — By this I do not mean that the best time for sowing seed is, when the earth is very dry, but when the soil is in such a condition that it will readily pulverize, so that it can bo brought in contact with the smallest seed. If the expected shower comes, so much the better, as it brings the earth still closer round the seeds and thus promotes early and vigorous germina- tion. A little attention to the selection of seed, and the time and manner of putting them in the ground is vastly important. E. L. F. Lancaster, December, 1851. For the Farm Journal. Corn vs. ^Vheat. jMr. Editor: — Your correspondent A. L. H. in urging the " necessity of increasing the fertility of our s lis," mentions as one reason, the fact, that the completion of the various rail roads and canals, now in process of construction, will bring us into warm 1852.] COMMUNICATIONS. 299 competition with the farmers of Ohio, Indiana, and other Western States. It appeared to me, in reading A. L. H.'s truthful article, that he did not attach sufficient importance to that fact, as to me it seems to he one that should claim earnest and early atten- tion. The difference between the price of our best wheat growing lands, and lands of the same quality in the West is so great, that our market facilities are al- most counterbalanced by it. An Indiana farmer as- sured me the other day, that wheat could be raised profitably, in that State, at fifty cents a bushel. — With us, wheat is not worth raising if it will not command a dollar, and even at that price, but little money is made. Now, if an Indiana farmer can raise wheat profitably at fifty cents per bushel less than the Lancaster county farmer, it leaves him fifty cents to pay the freight on that bushel of wheat to the Atlantic seaboard. Will that sum pay the freight? Now, perhaps, not ; but so soon as the great Central Railroad is completed to Pittsburg, (which will be, in less than a twelvemonth,) it certainly will. — When there is a continuous line of railroad from Philadelphia to the heart of the State of Indiana, wheat can be transported to the former place, at less than fifty or even thirty cents, and how will afliiirs then stand ? It is very apparent that unless our far- mers are prepared to grow wheat at less than eighty cents, they must turn tlijir attention to something more profitable, unless, adopting A. L. H.'s sugges- tion, they set to work in good earnest and compensate for the decrease in price by the increase in yield. — If they can double their present crop, at the present outlay of labor and money, well and good, but if they cannot, wheat growing must be abandoned, at least, it cannot be continued as the staple crop of the lime- stone lands. In reflecting upon this subject, it has occurred to me that corn, under any circumstances, is a more profitable crop than wheat. Of course forty bushels of corn to the acre will not pay as well as twenty- five or thirty bushels of wheat ; but why should not our excellent land produce eighty or ninety bushels of corn as well as forty ? There are farmers in Lan- caster county whose yields of corn are rarely less in a favorable season than eighty bushels, and there is no good reason why every farmer upon the good lands should not realise as much. I am not prepared to state the difference between the cost of cultivating an acre of corn and an acre of wheat, but I am satisfied, that it would not be as great as the difference in the value of the two crops. I have written the above, more with the hope of awa- kening attention to the subject, than with any desire to intrude my crude article upon your readers. West Lampeter, Lancaster co. E. H. J5^5"See that your implements are in good order. For the Farm Journal. The Importance of Commuuicating Facts. Mr. Editor : Some time since in looking over my weekly papers, I came across an article which inte- rested me very much, and in which the triumph of Science in Agrieulture was so clearly shown, that I could not but feci how immensely important such knowledge must be to the practical farmer. I refer to the restoration, or renovation rather of the farm of Reverdy Johnson of Baltimore, which, when ho purchased it was apparently so completely exhausted, as not to produce more than a single peck of corn to the acre, but by the application of a single ingredi- ent ("biphosphateof lime") was made to yield twenty nine bushels to the acre, the first season after it was applied. The story at first appeared a little incredi- ble, but when I observed that it was sustained by the very best authority, and that unerring science had proven the want of this particular ingredient only, to render the soil productive, my own common sense taught me that there was no mistake about it. Being a practical man myself, and having for many years stood opposed to any other than the "good old way," of farming.you will not be surprised at my indulging a doubt in regard to this experiment. I have always contended against the innovations of theorists and mere experimenters, honestly believing that they were doing serious mischief, not only to themselves but to thousands of others who were induced to adopt their suggestions. So deep rooted was my prejudice that I have never permitted an agricultu, ral journal to come into my house, and there are thousands of others like me. But after reading that article I sat down to reflect upon it, and the more I thought about it, the more fully was I convinced of the fact that I had been standing in my own light. I began to have a little faith in "book farming," and for the first time in my life regretted that I had not expended a dollar or two each year for one or two good agricultural papers. If Reverdy Johnson's farm needed the application of but a single ingredient to redeem it from utter barreness to a fair degree of fertility, might not some of my own land be in pretr ty nearly the same condition and would not the ad- dition of perhaps a single fertilizing element enable me to largely increase my crops. I just then remem- bered that my crops had been lessening in quantity every year for the last five or six years, notwithstard ing all my exertions to keep up to the average yield, This rather alarmed me. It never appeared half so serious before, and I resolved at once to inquire into the matter ; but where to begin or how, I was at a loss to know, I would have paid any price to be en- abled to tell what the constituents of my soil were, but that was out of the question, unless I could se- cure the services of some chemist, who would anal- yse it for me. And now Mr. Editor, having under- stood from a neighbor who takes your .Journal, tli»^* 500 COMMUNICATIONS. [Januaet, you propose having soils analysed, will you be kind enough to write to me, and inform me liow I shall proceed, and at the same time, send me the Farm Journal, the subscription money for which you will find enclosed. I am determined henceforth, to know what science is doing for the farmer, and though I I cannot hope to become a scientific farmer myself, I foel that I shall lose nothing by becoming familiar with what is going on in the agricultural world, while at the same time, my boys will have a chance of im- Inbing a taste for valuable agricultural reading. Very Respectfully, A. II. Franldin co. Dee. 8, 1851. [We commend the above common sense letter to those of our readers who do not think it worth their while to communicate facts for the Journal. If the hoarded up experience aud![observation of our practi- cal men were given to the public, what immense be- nefits would result. As A. II. remarks, "there are thousands of others like him!" and all that is neces- sary to root out their long cherished prejudices, is some striking fact presented to them in a form calcu- lated to arrest their attention as in the case of A. II. himself. — Ed.] Translated fur Farm Journal. Agricultural Chemistry, T«o. 5. Oxygen in combination with sodium forms natron or soda — which is a resulting product of the conver- sion of common salt into carbonate of soda. For this purpose common salt is treated with sulphuric acid in a rcverboratory furnace, (tis. 14,) the salt be- t\g. li. ing first spread evenly in the rear division of the furnace, and sulphuric acid being thou poured there- on from above by means of a funnel. When the ev- olution of gas ceases, the dry mass is freed from its excess of sulphuric acid by heat, in the interior part of the furnace, and dry sulphate of soda remains. Soda is never found in a pure state, but always in combination witli an acid, for wliicli it possesses great affinity. In such combinations it serves as a substan- tial aliment of plants. But animals likewise require soda, and hence they must regularly and frequently be supplied with salt, which is a combination of soda and cldorine. It is in consequence of tlie extensive consumption of salt Ijy men aud animals that soda is almost every where found in the soil, and usually in quantities adequate to the wants of plants and culti- vated crops. But where a deficiency of this ingredi- ent of the soil becomes apparent, it can be supplied by a dressing of common coarse salt, sown broadca it. Of the various combinations of soda with acids, the sulphate of soda, or Glauber's salt, is interesting to the farmer as an excellent fertilizer or stimulant. It is obtained as a resulting product in the preparation of Salamoniac, aud in the manufacture of muriatic acid from common salt. Sprengel says that numer- ous experiments resulted in demonstrating the value of sulphate of soda in promoting vegetable growth, especially when applied to the clovers and legumin- ous plants in general. Its efiicacy, like that of gyp- sum, probably results from the sulphuric acid it con- tains. Owing to its great solubility in water, it can be applied safely only in small quantity ; and it can only be ascertained by repeated trials, how much each particular kind of crop requires, or will bear, on a given area. The application of it to fruit trees, is al- so alleged to be highly beneficial in increasing their productiveness ; though no reliable experiments have been published. Wherever this article can be pro- cured at a low price, as in the immediate vicinity of chemical works, the farmer will find the judicious use of it advantageous. Another very important, as well as frequent com- bination of oxygen, is that with calcium, producing calcareous earth or liyne. In its pure state calcareous earth is a very caustic white powder, but it loses its causticity as soon as it combines with an acid. Cal- careous earth is most commonly found in combination with carljouic acid, constituting common limestone, or with sulphuric acid, forming gypsum, or plaster of Paris — both of which contain a certain quantity of water in chemical combination. If this water and the carbonic acid be driven off from common lime- stone by means of fire, we obtain burnt lime — which, if left exposed to atmospheric air, will again absorb carbonic acid therefrom, after it has become slaked by imbibing moisture or water. In consequence of of the action of the carbonic acid of the atmospheric or calcareous earth, traces of it are found in most soils, and spring water usually holds it in solution, whence results the fertilizing property of such water. This solubility of calcareous earth is a quality of gi-eat importance in agriculture, as many plants require large proportions of lime for their due developement and growth ; and it can readily be ascertained wheth- er a soil contains much lime by placing a small quan- tity of it in a vial and pouring some dilute sulpijuric acid thereon. If effervescence and disengagement of gas ensue, the presence of lime is certain. To sup- ply the soil with calcareous eartli, it is dressed with marl or caustic lime. The latter combines with the acids in sour soils, rendering those acids harmless by converting them into a neutral salt. 1852.] COMMUNICATIONS. 30, A coniljination of lime and sulphuric acid consti- tutes sulphate of lime, ot gypsum. This possesses nei- ther acid nor caustic properties, and does not appear to be soluble in water; though it is really slowly taken up by water, when present in suffieientquantity. Gypsum is decomposed by other substances which the soil con- tains, and its constituents serve as food for plants. — Thus the ammonia in the soil has a stronger affinity for sulphuric acid than the lime, and withdraws it therefrom, to form with it the highly fertilizing and very soluble sulphate of ammonia. The lime remains either uiicombined or united with carbonic acid, and is thus absorbed in turn. By these and similar pro- cesses, plants are supplied with sulphur, nitrogen and lime, substances essentially requisite to their growth. On many kinds of soil gypsum is altogether inoperative, either because they already contain a sufficient supply, or because the substances indispen- sable to its solution and decomposition are not pres- ent. But by the application of manures containing carbon and ammonia, the more rapid decomposition of sulphate of lime may be effected. If gypsum con- tain a considerable proportion of common salt, it will prove the more valuable for agricultural purposes. Nitrate of lime, also, is an excellent promoter of vegetation ; but the artificial preparation of it would render it too expensive for use. It can, however, sometimes bo obtained cheap, in the shape of lime rubbish from old buildings — the lime it contains hav- ing combined with saltpetre — and may then be ben- eficially applied to the soil. It is occasionally met with in marl, greatly enhancing the fertilizing qual- ities of that article. This effect is attributable mainly to the large proportion of nitrogen it contains ; and it is transient chiefly because this salt is exceedingly soluble in water, and therefore easily leached out of the soil by rain. It has been alleged that after land has been marled, nitrate of lime is formed in the soil, and that this is the chief benefit derived from marling. But admitting that nitrate of lime is thus formed, the quantity produced cannot still be suffi- ciently great to justify us in attributing the chief value of marl thereto. In fact the meliorating qual- ities cannot be ascribed to any one of its constituents, to the exclusion of the rest. Another combination is lime with phosphoric acid, or phospate of lime. This is very valuable to the farmer as a means of introducing phosphoric acid to the soil ; but as phosphate of lime is not readily solu- ble, the use of sulphuric acid in its application is to be recommended. This substance constitutes the principal part of the bones of men and animals. It is found in a crystalized state in the mineral called apatite; and uncrystalized m phosphorite and moroj;- ite. Most kinds of marl contain it ; and it is found in the ashes of most vegetables, especially of legumi- nous and cruciforous plants and cereal grains. From a combination of lime with silicic acid, is formed silicate of lime, a substance decomposible by almost any acid, .and found in various minerals. As it is wholly insoluble in water, the soil may contain a large proportion of it, without any advantage to the growing crop derivable therefrom, till it is acted on by humic or other acid. Furthermore, from the combination of oxygen with aluminum, ahimina is produced— a substance by no means to confounded with clay, which is an intimate combination of alumina with silicic acid, some calca- reous earth, potash, soda, &c. Clay is produced by the gradual disintegration of stones and minerals, particularly of felspar. As alumina is not soluble in carbonic acid, it is rarely, and then only in very limited quantity, absorbed by plants, and is conse- quently not to be regarded as supplying them with aliment. On the contrary it possesses the property of preparing the soil itself for the reception of ali- mentary matters. Alumina is distinguished by the following characteristics : — 1. It can imbibe a large quantity of water and thereby become plastic. "When dried it hardens, contracts very much, and becomes fissured. 2. It is soluble neither in water nor in car- bonic acid, but readily enters into combination with various other acids, then however acting injuriously on -vegetation. Clay, on the other hand, not only imbibes carbonic acid readily, but also the oxygen of the atmosphere and ammonia — thus establishing its great importance in agriculture. The combination of oxygen with magnesium forms magnesia. This substance frequently occurs combi- ned with calcareous earth or silica, but more gener- ally with carbonic acid. Almost all plants require some magnesia, and to a few it is altogether indis- pensable. But when magnesia predominates in the soil, its efi'ects are invariably pernicious, as in all the cold soils. If a field be dressed with lime containing a very large proportion of magnesia, the ensuing crops are very likely to be injured, because the mag- nesia re-absorbs very slowly, from the atmosphere, the carbonic acid of which it has been deprived by heat. It consequently remains long in a condition to combine with any acid which the soil may contain ; and the formation of humate of magnesia speedily ensues ; which requiring but little water for its solu- tion, supplies the growing plants with much more magnesia than they are able to assimilate. Pure magnesia alone could not injure plants so extensively, as it is soluble only in 5142 parts of water. The combination of oxygen with iron, forms the protoxjjd and the peroxyd of iron. The protoxyd of iron is produced when iron and oxygon combine while there is not enough of the latter present to pro- duce entire saturation. The difference between the protoxyd and the peroxyd of iron consists in this, that the former is very soluble in water containing carbonic acid, whilst the latter is not. Hence the former becomes injurious when the soil contains it in 302 COMMUNICATIONS. [jANUAnT, excess, -wlnlst the latter continues inoperative, and consequently harmless. The injuriousness of the pro- toxyd of iron manifests itself very obviously there, for example, where the soil is plowed very deep at once. If a large quantity of the protoxyd of iron has been deposited on the bottom of the furrow by abrasion from the sole of the plow in previous years, this is now brought up at once and mixed with the surface soil. It is thus dissolved by the rain water which has absoi-bed the carbonic acid of the soil, and the plants are thug injured by an excessive supply of this substance, furnished by the water which holds it in solution. Such a soil does not again recover its former fertility, till the protoxyd has been converted into a peroxyd, by the gradual absorption of oxygen from the atmosphere. Hence, when a soil is found to conta'n too h r ^e a proportion of protoxyd of iron, the proper course is to plow it very frequently, that it may as speedily as possible, absorb from the atmos- phere as much oxygen as is requisite for the conver- sion of the protoxyd of iron into peroxyd. A dressing of fi-esh burnt lime also renders excellent seivioe in such cases, because the lime withdraws the excess of carbonic acid from the water, and thus diminishes its powcr'uf solution. Again, oxyd of iron combines with acids. Thus protoxyd of iron unites with sulphuric acid, and forms sulpliaie of iron, which, if it occurs in excess in the soil, destroys vegetation, though by virtue of its sulphuric acid, it acts as a fertilizer, if the soil contain it in minute quantity only. The injury re- sulting from the presence of iron in excess, may be removed or modified by the application of calcareous earth, burnt lime, or ashes to the soil. The ji^^osplia- ted protoxyd of iron occurs abundantly in swampy or marshy soils, and in the deposites of old stagnant ponds. It may be recognised by the bluish color of the clay, when recently uncovered, which turns brown or rusty when exposed to the air for a season. This substance is insoluble in water, and is scarcely solu- ble in carbonic acid, but is readily taken up by am- monia ; and in this combination may be advantage- ously appli ;d to cultivated crops. But where it exists in excess, in this state, united with various other sub- stances, which lender it soluble, it may become inju- rious by its superabundance. For the Farm Journal. ■ ' Apple PumicC"Compost~Removing Feices. Mr. Editor: — As you have stated that if the out. lines are given, you will fill up the rest, I send you a few facts, which you can use or not, as in your judgment may seem best. In the fall of 1848, I undertook the management of certain portions of my farm, and feeling somewhat interested in the progress which was making every where around me, I determined upon experimenting a little, and here are the results. After cider-making, I had a largo lot of pumice. the disposal of which bothered me a little. I might, it is true, have done as I have seen hundreds of oth- ers do, haul it into a ditch by the road side, or cart it into the stream, but believing that it could be ap- plied to a better purpose, I ordered it to be drawn on my wheat land. My foreman raised many objec- tions to this, and my neighbors predicted failure. — But I went ahead, and the result was the finest crop of wheat I ever saw. It was decidedly better than where the lime and manure had been applied alone. [The quantity of pumice and the extent of surface to which it was applied should have boon mentioned. Ed.] Having a considerable amount of ditching to do, I had the rich soil from the ditches mixed with an equal quantity of good short manure, and to this I added lime at the rate of five bushels to eight cart loads of the above mixture. In the fall and spring I had the whole mass worked over by means of spade and hoe, until it was throroughly mixed. AVith this compost, I gave my corn a good top-dressing, and the result was, that wherever it was applied, I had an increase of at least ten bushels to the acre. Weeds generally grow more readily along fences, than in the middle of the field. My plan to eradicate them, is to remove my fences every six years, and the advantages I claim for it, are these : First, it eflec- tually destroys the briars, elder bushes, and other troublesome plants. In the second place, it enables me to repair my fences in a proper manner ; and last- ly, I find that the fine yields on that portion of the field formerly covered by the old fence, will fully pay the expense of removing it."* A. R. Bartolett. EJinira Fann, Monigomenj co. [* The plan of removing fences every six years will of course apply only to worm fence. — Ed.] For the Farm Journal^ Permanent value of lime as a fertilizer—Composts. Mr. Editor : — Some ten years since, my father was engaged in burning lime, for the purpose of lim- ing some land on another farm. After applying the requisite quantity, we found that there wore about sixty bushels remaining in the kiln. From a drain from the public road we collected about four loads of rich sandy loam. We mixed the sixty bushels of lime with the loam, in the fall, by putting alternate layers of each. In the spring, the mass was as mel- low as an ash heap. The whole of the heap was then di a\vn upon an acre and a half of timothy sod, which had been previously plowed to a depth of eight inches, and carefully spread and harrowed it in. It was then put in corn, and although we did not mea- sure the crop, I am satisfied that the yield of the acre and a half composted, was at the rate of a hundred bushels to the acre. The next year it was put in corn, and the yield was equal to that of the preced- ing year. We then put in wheat. The average of the whole field, of which the acre and a half was a 1852.] COMMUXICATIOX. 303 part, was forty bushels, and from the decided supe- riority of the part composted, I cannot Ijut think the yield from it amounted to sis or eight bushels more. We put it in wheat again the following year, the crop being fully equal to the last. We then sowed it in grass, (clover and timothy mixed,) and finer grass I never saw. The difference between the composted and non-composted part was plainly apparent. On the former it was lodged early in the season, and we had considerable difficulty in mowing it. It lay in grass for four years, until last spring, when we again plowed it down and put it in corn. The yield was so heavy that I had purposed measuring it, and reporting it to the State Agricultural Fair, but was ' prevented by a particular circumstance. I I mention these facts for the purpose of showing the j permanent advantages of lime as a fertilizer.as the ben- efits derived from composting as above show. It is proper t.i state that at the time of applying the compost to the acre and a half, the other part of the field was heavily manured with barn-yard manure, and al- though the yield on it was large and fine, it did not equal that where the lime and loam was applied. I now consider it in such prime condition that I purpose putting it in corn next spring, without any additional fertilizer ; but I shall enrich that part on which the farm-yard manure had been applied with a dressing of the same kind, reserving the acre and a half for the purpose of testing thoroughly the length of time that will elapse before it will require any additional fer- tilizer. J. F. H. Strasburff, Lancaster co., Dec. 14, 1851. For the Farm Journal. Keep your cattle comfortable. Mk. Editor: — There are many errors in {arming which are the result, not of a want of disposition to correct them, but of a want of knowledge of the fac- that they are errors. One prominent amongst them is, the poor shelter generally afforded to farm stock in winter. We often see cattle exposed to the biting blasts and chilling rains, even whei'e the o vner has all the conveniences and room for keeping them warm and comfortable. In this, as in many other particu- lars, the old system is retained, and cattle presumed to be capable of bearing any degree of exposure, with- out injury. Did those who thus inconsiderately treat their animals so cruelly, but understand as every farmer should, the advantages of affording to them not merely shelter, but comfortable shelter, we should soon hear different accounts of the character of our farm stock generally. Let them look at the jealous care of the English farmers in this particular, and when they have noted the superiority^, generally, of their stock, let them compare them with the majority of ours, and the disparity between the two will he so great as to convince even the most skeptical, that the expense of warm shelter and generous food will al- ways be repaid by the increased value of the cattle. It is asserted by those who have investigated the subject, and I am satisfied of the truth of it, that the prevention of the escape of animal heat, is in a de- gree, a substitute for food ; or in other words, the quantity of food required to keep up the proper de- gree of animal heat, where the animal is exposed to cold and chilling weather, would, if it were kept warmly sheltered, be converted into fat and muscle. On the score of economy, then, to say nothing of hu- manity to the poor cattle, whose only mode of com- plaint is their shivering and wasting forms, is it-Jiot well for the farmer to provide comfortable laces for his stock. I have tried it, and find myself largely the gainer, not only in the strength and fatness of my cattle, but in the satisfaction I feel in- knowing that the creatures under ji y care are properly pro- vided for. E. Levering. Chester co., Dec. 10, 1851. Fur the Farm Journal. Fattening Calves. Mr. Editor : — As the majority of calves are given to the butcher, it becomes a matter of considerable interest to the farmer to know how to put them in the best condition before handing thsm over to be slaughtered. Having tried various plans of feeding in order to secure this object with the least possible expense, I have at length found the following to be the most economical : It is well known that during the first two weeks of a calf's life, its growth is mainly in the bouos and muscles. To promote this growth as much as possi- ble, is the object first to be attained. Milk being its natural food, the calf should of course have a portion of the quantity its dam yields. As all of my cows yield on an average from four to five gallons a day while (resh, I found that one third of that quantity mixed with the meal of beans, was as effectual in forming bone and muscle, as the whole of its dam's milk, or the quantity it would suck from her during the day and night. As my calves are always sent to the butcher at four weeks old, at the close of the second week I change the food and instead of the bean meal, give them lin- seed meal mixed with milk, of which they readily partake, and fatten on it so rapidly that at the expi- ration of four weeks I have them in fine condition for market, and invariably get a better price, than when I gave them the unlimited use of their dam's milk and nothing else. It is proper to state that I never permit them to have much exercise, as I have found them much more difficult to fatten than when they have not a chance to range much. I was induced to adopt this plan, from having seen somewhere, an article on feeding cattle, in which the muscle and fat-forming properties of different kinds of food were discussed, and the practical value of scientific knowledge to the farmer clearly shown. — 304 COMMUNICATIONS. [January, By this means I have secured a substitute, which en- ables me to use the milk from my fresh cows several ■weeks earlier, while my calves are, I think, finer than before, and on calculating the expense, I find a con- siderable balance in favor of the substitute for the cow's milk. E. T. Baujj/iiii county, December 2d, 1851. For the Farm Journal. Thorough Tillage. Mr. Editor : — One fiict should ever be borne in mind by the husbandman, and that fact is, that there is something wanting beside manure, to secure remu- nerating crops. There are those who conceive it suf- ficient for all useful purposes, to stir their ground with the plow, to a depth of four or five inches — -ap- ply manure in such quantity as to them appears necessary, and leave the rest to Providence. Some go even farther than this, and one in particular, sume- wheres "away down east," urges as an efiectual rem- edy for the " potato rot" an abiding trust in Provi- dence. Now this is all very well, and I cheerfully agree with the " down easter," that our confidence in Providence .should always be strong — that as He con- trols the wind and the storm, in Him should our faith be placed ; but at the same time, while He has prom- ised that there should always be a seed time and a harvest, He has also required that the means necessa- ry to bring al)Out these seasons should be used. The farmer therefore who does his work but half, and consequently fails of success, is grossly irreverent in attributing his failure, not to his own wretched sys- tem of tillage, but to the seasons and to Providence. I have said that there is something necessary to suc- cessful farming, besides manure, and that something is thorough tillage. One of the great elements of fertilization in soils, is the perfect loosening of them, so that the different ingredients composing them, be thoroughly incorpo- rated, and brought to the surface, and thus receive the advantages of exposure to the sun and atmosphere. None but a simpleton would pretend to doubt the value of manure, or assert the possibility of growing good crops for any length of time without it, but he is scarcely wiser who believes (and manifests his be- lief in his daily practice,) that his crops will be abun- dant where his tillage is meagre. Show mo the hus- bandman whose plowing is shallow — whose breaking of the clods preparatory to seeding is imperfectly done — whose fields arc strangers to the roller, and look very much as though the harrow or cultivator had never been used upou them, and I will show you poor yields — yields thatwill scarcely pay for the labor and expense, much less leave any profit behind. "Why, is it not the simplest matter in the world to un- derstand the advantage which a deep and well work- ed mellow soil possesses over a shallow, hard one ? If there is any advantage at all to be gained by breaking up the soil, will not the benefit be greatest, when the pulverization is most effectually done ? Why are our gardens more productive than our fields ? Because we spade them twelve or fourteen inches deep, and so thoroughly break up the soil that we would be ashamed to have the beds show a lump the size of a hazle nut. Do garden seeds require more thorough tillage than wheat ? Sow wheat in your garden, and your vegetables in your wheat fields — give the former the same attention usually given the latter, and let the result be your answer. — A more satisfactory argument in favor of thorough tillage will not be needed. When next you prepare your grounds for seeding, set apart half an acre, plow it nine inches instead of five, pulverize it well. In- stead of permitting it to lie in large clods, use the harrow and roller till this is accomplished; give it of course, the same quantity of manure you give the other parts of the field, and watch the result. It will surjjrise you. There is no necessity for abating your confidence in Providence ; but with tlie same trustful heart, that induced you to believe that He would give good crops with liad tillage, try the other plan, and if you are disappointed, it will then be time enough to condemn thorough tillage. J. Redmond. York county, December 2d, 1851. For the Farm Journal, r Cost of rencuig~Hedges~StaU Pasturing. Mk. Editor: — There is no heavier burthen resting upon the shoulders of the farmer than fencing. Hav- ing had a considerable quantity of fencing to put up within the last twelve months, my attention has been drawn more closely to the subject, and reflection has satisfied me of the fact that it is not only one of the most expensive items in farming, but that the day is coming when wo shall be compelled to resort to some substitute for the present mode of fenc'ng. It re- quires but a moment's thought to satisfy any person that our forests are rapidly disappearing, and with them, the materials for rails. Frequent attempts to construct a durable fence with wire have been made, and I have read more than a dozen different articles giving directions for their construction. But wherever these directions have been followed, the result has been next thing to a failure. We of course should not desjjair of arriving at such knowledge on the subject as will enable us to construct a wire fence that will be as effectual as the present wooden ones, but that day maybe distant and possibly never arrive. Hedging has strong claims upon the farmers atten tion, and might unquestionably be made to answer the purpose fully. The only objection to the hedge is, that it requires too much attention to suit the in- clinations and tastes of the generality of f\irmers. — Nothing beautifies a landscape more than fine hedg- es, but at the same time the labor and skill required 1852.] COMMUNICATIONS. 305 to keep them in order, are greater than would be given to them, and as a consequence we should soon hare most unsightly aflfairs. With men of taste and per- severance they would succeed admirably, but with the careless farmer they would soon be worse than the wire fence. In many parts of Europe, we are told, that fencing has been wholly abandoned. — Where large flocks or herds are kej^t, herdsmen are employed to watch them, and it has been found that this svstem works admirably. Xow if it is less ex- pensive in Europe than the plan we are following, why not adopt it here? It may be answered that the great scarcity and consequent high price of fencing material, compelled the Europeans to this. Admit it, and we shall soon find, for the very same reasons, we shall sooner or later be compelled to follow in their footsteps. But as it will be wholly impracticable to induce our farmers to employ herdsmen now, I would suggest another plan, which my own experience jus- tifies me in recommending, and which I know can be profitably adopted. Instead of turning my cattle into pasture during the summer, I keep them in my cattle yard, where sheds have been erected to protect them from the heat of the sun, and the rain, iScc. Twice a day, morning and evening, a suificient amount of grass is cut and carried into a shed, from which it is divided out to the cattle. The advantages are two fold. — First, a saving of pasture, as I find that a little more than one half will answer the purpose, while the cat- tle are in just as fine condition as when permitted to run in the fields. Second, the manure is all kept to- gether in the yard, and as I make it a point to have it all collected every morning and thrown under a shed erected for the purpose, I find immense advan- tage in this particular. It appears to me that this plan might be adopted, and by means of it obviate the necessity of at least one half of the fencing now absolutely required upon our farms. The expense of cutting, carting and feed- ing the grass will be repaid by the smaller amount of pasture required, and the great advantage of having the manure during the hot months under shed, in- stead of being exposed to the wasting influences of 8un, rain, &c. Besides this, the saving in the amount of fencing is a large item. Take for instance, a farm of one hundred acres, divided into fields of ten acres each. No other fencing would be needed than the dividing fence between neighbors. I have made a rough calculation of the amount saved upon a hun- dred acre farm divided as above, and find that it amounts, at SI, 25 per pannel, to the handsome sum of dei-en hundred and fifty dollars. This supposes the fencing to be good post and rail. With this view of the case and fully convinced that it is the best plan that can be adopted, I have determined never to re- new the fencing on my farm. So soon as it needs repairs I will remove it entirely, thereby saving not only in the particulars already enumerated, but also in the use of the land occupied by the fences, which is another item of importance. If any of your correspondents can suggest a better plan, it is to be hoped they will do it, as the suliject is one of much importance. E. L. T. Foi the Farm Journal. Me. Editor : — I find in the Constitution of the State Agricultural Society, a clause making it the du- ty of the officers to furnish information in regard to the agricultural condition of their own district. In compliance with the above, I would say, that so far as our (the 13th) district is concerned, farming is in a prosperous condition. Our many large and commo- dious bank barns, and comfortable dwellings, all in- dicate comfort and abundance. Some portions of the district are too hilly and mountainous for farming, these portions however, are covered with fine timber and abound in minerals. Water power to any requi- red extent may be had, so that the want of adapta- tion of these portions to agricultural purposes, is well compensated for in these other respects. I presume there are no better lands in Pennsylvania, than our river bottoms and valleys. They possess many great advantages, prominent among which is, the abund- ance of limestone of excellent quality, and convenient to almost every farm in the district. Coal is brought to us at such reasonable rates, that lime can be pur- chased at six cents per bushel, and much cheaper where it is burned in stacks on the ground. The lat- ter plan is much practised here. Our farmers use lime very liberally on their lands, the quantity per acre varying from fifty to four hun- dred bushels. The average quantity is about one hun- dred bushels. One case in which 400 bushels were applied to the acre is deserving of mention. The field was spouty, and entirely too wet for cultivation. Under-draining was first resorted to, after which it was plowed as deep as a very large plow and four horses could do it. The lime was then put on at the above rate per acre, and with it ten four horse loads of stable ma- nure additional. The result was, that this field which was worthless before, became as productive as any of our best river bottoms. The same person applied 300 bushels per acre on a gravelly soil which previously yielded good crops. — The result in this case was just the reverse of the former. Foi six or eight years nothing would grow upon it. It is however, improving now, and will I presume ultimately realize the expectations of the owner. From this, it is very apparent that some soils will bear more lime than others, a fact with which every farmer should be familiar, as it enables him to make a judicious application of it and thus realize the best returns. Lime, stable manure and clover are the principal fertilizers in use in the district, al- though occasionally others are used on a limited scale. 80C COMMUNICATIONS. [.Ianuaby, The rotation of crops generally observed here is to plow* stiff Slid, plant corn, followed vrith oats, then uiaaurc and stu);l.ile. Wheat comes next in order, after ■n-hich it is laid down in clover and permitted to remain one, two or throe years for hay or pasture when it is again put in corn or wheat. Comparatively few county societies have an exist- once in this district. Twelve years ago we had a flourishing agricultural soeietj', which for some cause which I cannot explain, was permitted to languish and finally die. Since then there appears to exist a prejudice against such associations. Many of our farmers, however, having attended the State Fair, and being well pleased with their visit, I indulge the hope that the importance of associated effort will be more generally felt and appreciated. The only complaints I heard were in relation to the Railroad company's selling in one instance twice as many tickets as they could accommodate peiM^ns, and then refusing to re- fund the money to those who could not get into the cars. Another complaint was, the estravag.ant pri- ces charged at Ilarrisburg. Our farmers did not ex- pect to pay more than one dollar per day, but were charged much higher prices, and compelled to la}' on the floor at that. My own impression is, that the So- ciety should make an arrangement by which only one dollar a day should be charged. More than this is too much when wheat commands only 75 cents per bushel, and if this were the fixed price, and published by the Society, it would be the means of bringing many thousands more to the fair. The increased number in attendance would obviate, I think, the ne- cessity of requiring money from the citizens of the place where it is to be held, while at the same time it would give much more general satisfaction. Jacob Gr.vDT. East Buffalo ivp.. Union co.^ Dec. 17, 1851. [Although we cannot suppo.50 that the clause in the constitution referred to by our correspondent, contemplated the publication of the reports in the Farm Journal, we hope that every officer will follow Mr. Gund3''s example and enable us to present to our readers, the agricultural condition of the various sec- tions of the State. In relation to the charges of landlords at Ilarris- burg, our correspondent will bear in mind the fact that such occasions always require increased accom- modations, and that provisions, such as poultry, but- ter, &c., are always higher in price. Wo should be glad to see such an arrangement made in regard to prices for boarding as that proposed by Mr. G. but wc fear it would be impracticable. — Ed.] JS@=-norse-hoeing is the operation of stirring the ground between rows of vegetables, by means of im- plements of the hoe, coulter^ er pronged kind, drawn by horses. For the Farm Journal. A tetter from Venango County. Mr. Editor: — Our county is comparatively now, some parts of it quite so, but it is rapidl}' improving. Where, recently, the forest stood, fields of wheat now cover the ground. Where, but a few years ago, the wolf and bear prowled, smiling villages are now springing up, real estate is rapidly advancing in va^ lue, and the citizens generally are augmenting their wealth. The only exception to general prosperity seems to be with those engaged in developing the mineral resources of the county, and this seems to be a sad exception. If the iron business were in a pros- perous state, it would form a very important item in the business of this section of country. But the most permanent business in this county is tilling the soil, and in that are tiie most of its citizens engaged. Something has seemed to awaken anew the farm- ers of Pennsylvania to the subjoot of agricultural im- provements, and the formation of agricultural socie- ties for their promotion. An agricultural society has recently been formed in this county, which is to meet at the Court House in Franklin, on tlie 24th inst., to choose its officers and transact such other business as may come before the meeting. Warren county has a society, which held its first annual fair in September last, and Penn- sylvania was destined to hold her first State Agricul- tural Fair in 1851. It is much better to awaken to the importance of this subject at the sixth or even the eleventh hour, than not to awaken to it at all. But why need we, of Pennsylvania, be so much in the rear of our fel- low citizens of our sister States in these matters ?— New York, Massachusetts and other States have de- voted a degree of attention to this subject, unknown in Pennsylvania, and they have been richly rewarded for it. They have received their reward in many ways ; in their'Morgan and other fine races ol horses — in their superior cattle, Short-horns, Devons, Ayr- shires, &c. — their superior sheep and swine, and above all, in their improvements in agricultural im- plements, their reapers, their mowers and their threshers, by means of which such a vast amount of luiman labor is saved. A man, a boy, and a pair of horses with a good mower will cut as much grass in a day as ten or twelve men with scythes, and the same of other implements. It is from tlie labor-saving machines that the great- est benefit is to be di rived. The doctrine that disaj)- proves of the use of machines because it throws so many men out of employment is but " the blind leading the blind." It was urged at the introduction of the printing press and the spinning jeunj', but what revolutions have they not wrouglit in litera- ture and manufactures ? And revolutions, approxi- mating to these in some degree have already been wrought in agricultural labor and progress. J. C. Starr. Alhcjlicny, Venango co., Pa., Nov. 19, 1851. 1 852 J COMMUNICATIONS. 307 For tlie Funu Journal. Curing of Corn I^'oddcr. Mr. Editor : Since the old practice of blading and topping corn fur fodder bas been superseded by the better one of cutting off the stalk witliin a few inch- es of the ground, the value of fodder as provender has claimed more attention. Much, however, remains to be done to secure corn fodder so as to render it most palatable to cattle. While the present practice of cutting off the stalk near the ground is, for several reasons preferable to the old one, there are yet some objections to it, which, however, a very little care ■will effectually obviate. The practice which now generally prevails, is to cut oil" the stalks, and immediately bind them togeth- er in close shocks, where they are permitted to re- main until the corn is ready to be husked from them. They are then drawn to the vicinity of the barn and stacked for use during the winter. A writer in the Maine Farmer, in a brief article condemns tl:e imme- diate binding and shocking of stalks in the field, urging as an objection to it, the fact that the free cir- culation of air, so essential to the sweetness of the fodder is prevented by it. lie contends that corn fodder should bo cured by laying it on loose heaps immediately after cutting, with the butts liighcr than the tops. This plan causes the rain which may fall W'hile the fodder is in the field, to run off, instead of saturating the bladeand stalk, by penetrating between them, as is the case when the stalks are placed in shocks. Besides, it gives the air a chance to circu- late and thus cures the fodder in the best condition. There is good sense in the suggestion if we only knew how to arrange the stalks so that the butts would lay highest. This he proposes to do by laying the butts " on the corn." If by this we are to un- derstr.nd that the corn is to be pulled from the stalks and thrown in heaps on the damp ground, to form a resting place for the butts of the stalks until dry enough to be taken to the barn or stack, the damage the corn would be likely to sustain, would more than outweigh the advantages to the fodder. Again, if the stalks are laid at full length upon the ground, with the butts sufilciently raised to cause the rain that may fall,to run from them, it brings a large portion of the blades, whicli are the most valuable part, indirect contact with the damp ground. This is another objection to Sir. Burns' method, and a very serious one. His plan of putting them when thoroughly cured on the top of the hay, after it has settled, may do very well, where the corn crops are small, but would scarcely answer where the fodder from twenty or thii-ty acres of corn is to be taken care of. The question then is, how shall our fodder be secured when taken from the field, so as to keep it from the ruinous effects of moisture and consequently, musti- ness. My plan is, to load the fodder as it is cut, draw it to the Ijarn floor and sheds, where such quan- tities are stacked as we can find room for, and permit it to remain there until the corn is fit for husking — We cure the remainder by laying rails four or five wide, on the ground, raising the outside one, by means of blocks or stones. The butts of the stalks are placed on the raised rail, which is sufficiently high to cause any rain that may fall to run off from the fod- der. Four or five lengths of rails, arranged in this way will be sufficient for a large quantity of fodder ; and the advantages of this method over that of Mr. Burn's are, that the whole of the stalks arc kept clear of the ground, while the air has a much better chance to circulate through them. After the fodder is well cured, and when it is free from moisture, we stack it convenient to the barn yard, in the following manner : A strong platform running North West and South East, is made, two rail-lengths in width, raised in the middle suf5ciently high to compensate for the difference in size between the butt and the top of the stalk. The fodder is then stacked butt outwards, care being taken to keep the middle of the stack the highest. This precaution is necessary if we wish to prevent the rains and melting snows from running towards the centre of the stack. We cap the whole with long straw, and always com- mence using it at the South West end, by this means pr .tecting the open end from the driving North West Storms. Snow is never permitted to lay on the stack and melt. By this means the fodder is cured sweet and clean, and the cattle eat it as readiij- as hay.and (with an occasional change,) with as^iiuch apparent advantage. R. M.vxsriELD. Chester Co., Dec. 15, 1851. For tlic Farm Journal. Sti»^ the Sou. Mr. Editor : — Somebody has said, " The more we hoe. The more we grow." A volume of truth in a few words. If cultivators of the soil appreciated as they should the advantafes of stirring the soil frequently and well, seasons of drought would neither be so much dreaded or felt, as they now are. During the last summer, we suf- fered more from drought, than for many years pre- vious. Vegetation suffered greatly, and what was very unusual, there was a long spell of dry -weather in almost every section of the United States. During the month of August, when almost every green thing was wilted and drying for want of mois- ture, I was much struck with the fresh appearance of the vegetables in a small garden, belonging to a very industrious old lady, a neighbor of mine. So strong was the contrast between this garden and the adjoining fields, that I one day stopped, and inquired the cause, presuming of course that water had been plentifully supplied to it. What was my surprise, at 308 COMMUNICATIONS. [January, learning that not a single drop of water had been given it, but that the healthy appearance of the ve- getables -was attributable solely to the regular ivork- ing "which it reooiN cd. " My garden never needs any water," remarked the old lady, "although my neigh- bors gardens do, and the reason is a very simple one. 1 always keep down the weeds by hoeing the ground as deep as I can without injuring my vegetables. — This gives the roots a chance to spread themselves in every direction, and I find where I keep the ground well loosened, that it never becomes as dry, as when it is permitted to remain hard and rough. This is the whole secret. Your garden would be in as good condition as mine if j'ou would follow the same plan." There was truth in every word the old lady spoke. Her garden showed it, and reason sanctioned it. I learned an important fact, which I shall endeavor to improve upon hereafter, that is, to stir the soil deeply and thorovQlihj." E. Spanoler. York CO., Bee. 18, 1851. For the F.irm Jnurnal. What will Pennsylvania farmers do without their Journal ! You see, 5Ir. Editor, I have slightly altered the caption of one of your articles in the December No. of the Journal, and although I cannot subscribe my- self a farmer, I am, however, what every Pennsylva- nia farmer ought to be, a friend of the " Farm Jour- nal ;" and to prove it, I send you a new subscriber. This, I will presume to say, may be (with little exer- tion) in the power of all your patrons. Allow me to ask one more favor of those who, with myself are daily trying to bring more out of the mo- ther earth, and that is to make a note of it, and send it to the Journal. Your highest estimate does not half approximate to the amount of benefit you will confer to the State, by the diifusion of sound practi- cal intelligence on the cultivation of the soil — the rearing and feeding of stock — the right sort of imple- ments to use, and how to use them — the best seed, the most beneficial manner, (regarding cost) and the quantity of produce from the acre. IMy good sir, it is a fact, that ten acres well worked, manured and cropped will produce as much as thirty (I was going to say fifty) under the ordinary culture, and cost less labor in hay time and harvest. No standard short of three tons of hay — thirty-five bushels of wheat — eighty bushels of corn — with four to six hundred bushels of carrots, parsnips and mangold wurtzels — and six to eight hundred bushels of turnips, per acre, should satisfy us. Ouly think, $200 per acre for car- rots and turnips in the Philadelphia market, and a market at the door. It is many years since I was favorably impressed with the benefits of subsoil plowing, but the past season put a climax on all my former experience. Land that was subsoiled was more moist, the crops of a better color, and more lux- uriant, so much so, that I have determined to double plow ten or more acres of my land every year. Ko time to be lost with the farmer, horses to feed and la- bor to pay. R. BniST. Eosedale Faim and Kmserij, Dec. 16, 1851. For the Farm Journal, Influence ot the Moon. Dear Sir: It has been written that Error is in all eases, a worse enemy to Science than Ignorance — and as your Journal justly claims to be an advocate of Truth and Knowledge, you will indulge me in a few brief hits, at one of the most obviovs popular delu- sions of the times. I would scarcely arrogate to my- self the right to assail any but such as arc too egre- gious and transparent, to bear di oussion. It was once almost universally believed, and still credited by many, that the Moon, not content with her proper and pre-ordered functions keeps watch up- on the Earth, for the purpose of regulating the growth of cabbage and other matter of equal oreven greater importance. These things, she is supposed to effect by her changes. As mere sciolists, standing at the threshold of the Temple, let us humbly inquire what these changes are. It is taught by the vast science of astronomy, that since the first dawn of creation, the Moon has never changed ; that she has looked down on the tran- sient and varying fortunes of mankind, with the same unpitying face "since the morning stars first sang together for joy." No man ever has seen, and no man ever shall see, but one half of her surface, — and that forever the same half. Thus she rolls on, in her boundless pathway, equidistant, undiminished and unchangeable. But she does change, eays the untutored observer of the Heavens. Sometimes she is full — sometimes half — sometimes quarter, and sometimes, not at all. No, Sir ! She is always, and ever shall be, till the Power that created, shall uncreate. Though the Moon presents always the same face to the Earth, she permits the Sun to shine on every side of her, by turns. And as the Sun can illumine but one half at a time, it follows that we do not always behold the " lighted" portion of her, or the whole of it. This makes the apparent difference in her surface. Yet she is all there, and forever full, to him who could choose the point of his observations. We hear men of sense, and occasionally learned men, speak of the next change of Moon, and proph- ecy " a spell of weather " or something else, as a consequence. When does it change ? (I allude to its apparent mutations.) Does it jump suddenly from one quarter to another ? Or does it vary as much one in- stant as another, gradually, constantly, and eternal- ly ;' Most undoubtedly the latter. Then how can its variations affect the weather — the garden-truck — the fence-rails — the shingles on the roof — the manure on the grass — the apples in the cellar — the dinner in 1852.] COMMUNICATIONS. 309 the poi, and multifarious other little things, more yesterday than to-morrow ? Once upon a time, a cho- leric old fellow, who had stimulated his organ of combativeness, by imbibing something sti'ongev than moon-sliiiic, called the subscriber both a fool and a rascal for attemp'ingto disprove to him the infallibil- ty of these signs. As this mofle of argument is cal- culated to lead to still greater differences of opinion, it may be properly set down as one of the troubles to be contended with, in confuting these delusions — partic- ularly as the disciples of Falsehood are generally both pertinacious and pugnacious. Another trouble is, a believer in signs is always satisfied, if they hold good once in two or three times, whereas, there should be no variations, if they be, in reality, laws of Nature. For laws of Nature are imperative and inevitable, and wiiosoever outrages any one of them shall suffer the penalty prc-ordered by the Great Creator. Yet these laws of moonshine are verified or fail, alter- nately. They could not reasonably be expected to fail oftener. But says the man of signs, the MoBn affects the tides, and therefore it must influence t^^.Sooliing of my pork and sour-crout. This is the sort of logic, that establishes the all pervading power of Luna, over meat-tubs, crout-barrols and cream-pots. Be- cause Dr. Quack-Donkey's JIagical Pain Extractor will draw a bile to a head, it docs not necessarily follow that it can draw a load of wood, equal to a yoke of oxen — yet the one sequence is about as rational as the other. By a great natural law, called gravi- tation, the Moon and Sun attract the waters of the earth in different a degree, according to their positions, with a certainty, that wuuld admit perhaps of mathemetical calculation for millions of ages into the Future. And with equal certainty and precis- s;on would every other real influence be felt. Two years ago I hired a man to gather apples. — He very gravely assured me, they v.'ould rot in a short time, if taken then, because it was the wrong sign. I r3qucsterk, Thrashing iNIachines, GRIST MILLS for farm purposes, Corn and Cob Crushers. Tenoning Machines. SKED AND CORN PL-ANT- ERS, IMPROVED HOR-E POWERS. CORN SIiELLERS,?Au- gers for boring wells, augers for boring fence pt)sts, water wheels, forcing pumps, &c. They respectfully solicit a share of public patronage, and would be permitted tn remark, that their Circular Saw Mill can do ^more work— aye, twice as much work as any otiier mill with the same amount (if power, and do it better. (sept-U PHILADELPHIA >fe LIVERPOOL LINE OF PACKETS-To sail from Philadelphia on the 15ih, and from Liverpool on ihe ]$\ of each month. From Phila. From Liverpool Ship SHENANDOAH (April J5ih June 1st Capt. W. P. Gardmer. < Aug. 15ih Oct. 1st th Sept. 1st Capi. R. R. Decan, .J Nov. 15ih Jan. 1st ( M.Trchl5ih May 1st The above first class ships are built ot the best maieri- bIs, and eommnnded by experienced navigators. Due re- gard has been paid to select models for speed with com- iori for passcngeis. They will sail punctually on the days advertised, taking advantage of the steam tow boats on Wie Delaware. Persons wishing to engage passage for their friends, can obtain certificates, which will he guod fur twelve months. Passage to Liverpool in the cabin, $80 ** " Forward cabin, 20 *' '* Steerage, 12 Passage from Liverpool in ihe catdn, 100 '* " Forward cabin, 25 " Sieerage, 20 Those who wish to remit money, can be accommodated with drafts for £1 steriine and I'pwards. at sight, wiihoul discount. Apply to GEO. McHFN R Y &. CO. June 1, 1851. 37 Walnut street. R. BUIST, NURSERYMAN <&, S E E D G RO W E R, HAS always on hand at his seed S^nre. .97, Chef^nut Street, Pbiladelphia, a larpe stock of Seeds of his own growtb, a very impOTtant ittm to purcfiasers^as he is a practical grow- er.andhas been engaged ui his profession i)VPr:jO years. His nurse- ry ground is ampl> stocked with Fruit,Shade and Ornamental Trees, accurately named and properly cultivated. Every atticle sold at ihe lowest rates and w^iirranted to be as repre3eiitt:d. Seed Store, 07 Chesnut Street. Philadelphia. Nurseries and Seed Farm-fDurbv Road, two rai'es below Gray's Ferry. June 1, 1851. R- BUIST. JOURNAL OF THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE, of ihe State of Pennsylvania, for the promotion of the Mt.'chafiic Arts. THE oldest Mechanical Periodical extant in America. ia published on the first of each month in the City of Philadelphia It haa been regularly issued for upwards of twenty-five years, and is carefully edited by a committee of scientific gejitiemen appointed for the purpose, by the Frankliii Institute. The deservedly hitch reputation, buth at home and abroad, which this Journal has acquired and sustanied, has given it a circulation and exchange list of the best character, which enables the Com- mittee on Publications to make ilie best selections from Forpisin Journals, and to ^ive circulatifju to original communlcaticnis on meclianlcal and scientific subjects. Hiid m.ticcs of new inveinioiiB ; notices of all the Patents issued at the I ateni C>niee, Wasliingioii City, are published in the JoLirnal. t-igcther with a large amount of inf(»rm ition on Mechanics, Chemistry, and Civil Engineering, de- rived from the latest and best authoriiies. This Journal is published on the hr.t of each month, each num- ber contaiiiiiig at least seventy-two p-iges. and forms t',vo volumea annually of about432 pages each, lUnstrated with engraviijgson copptr and on wood of those subjects whicli reqmre them. Tlie subscription price is F.'ve Dollars per aiinnm, payable on the compietnui of the sixth number; and it will be forwarded free of postage when five dollars are remitted to tiie Actuary (postag* paid) in advance for one yt-ar's sui>scri|itioii. Communications and letters on business must be directed to "the Actuary of the Fraiikllu Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania," the postage pa d. \VM. HAMILTON, August 1, 1851. ^Actuary, F. I. TO FARMERS, PLANTERST^ MARKET GARDENERS k OTHERS. PREPARED OR ARTIFICIAL GUAXO—^ranufactured onhj htj KENT IS E d- CO, Depot JSo. 40, Peel- hiip, New Yorh. THIS manure is so combined, that the Ammonia and other fer- tilizing gases are absorbed, fixed, and are given out to vege- tation only as it requires them. Nn rot, mildew, wrm, fiy or other insect can approach it: an ioiportant consideration to farmers generally, but particularly in potato planting It will be adnnral'ly adapted tn the renovation, restoration and fertilizing of such lands as have been worn out. It may be used broadcast, after the ground is ploughed, and then harrowed in with the seed. It is alsi) valuable as a top dressing. Six acres per day can be thus manured in a day by one man. It may be used with the greatest advantage on Corn, Potators. Wheat, Tobacco, Garden Vegetables, Rye. Oats. Green House Plants, Flowers, Vines, AVall Frmt, f the United t?tates, fur which a moder;ite ciaiiinissiun will i»« chiirged. The following are in iw on the list, and for sale, viz: Tliorongh bred Shcrt Hums and (Jrade Cuttle. do do Alderney do do do do Ayrshire do do do do Devoiis do da do do l^outh Down Sheep, do do Oxfordshire do do do Leicester do Swine and Poultry of different breeds. All leters post paid will be promptly attended to Address AARON Cl.F.MEXT, August I, IS^l. Cedar st , above !ith I'hila. HENRY T. TRIPrER, [Successor to Joseph P. H. Coates.) Dealer iu Grass and GardeiiSeeds. No. 49, Market Street, Philadelphia. GUANO AND PLASTER. T'HE subscribers offer for sale at the lowest market rates, lOnn Tons i:)ry Patagonia Guano. 500 ■' Government Peruvian Guano. 500 bbls. Ground Plaster. The quality of the above is unsurpassed, and can be recommend- ed with confidence to farmers and others m want of the arliclts. A liberal deduction made to Country Merchants. AM.EN A: NEEDLES. No. 22 & 23, S. Wharves, First Store above Ches. St., Phila. July 1. .74m- 3ERKSHIRE PIGS and South Domi Sheep of Pure Blood, for sale by .IAS. THORNTON. J.,, July l-6m. HybriT), Philadelphia Co. 323 ADVERTISEMENTS. [January, niUIT & ORNAMENTAL TllEES, &C. The subscribers solicit the attention of Nurserymen. Orchardista and Amitteurs, to their piesent large aud fine stock of Nursery Ar- ticles: Standard Fruit Thees, for Orchards ; thrifty, well grown, and liaiidsume, of all the best varieties. Dwarf Trees, for Uardeus. The largest stock in the country, aud the most complete. Dwarf Pear Trees. Our collection consists of well known leudnig varieties, and nnmljers more than 15(),IJUU saleable trees — The superiority of these, being grown in the ct)untry, over import- ed trees is well known to every intelligent cultivator. Notliin*', in fact, in this country, can equal our collection of Pear Trets — They can be had from one to four years growth, some of which are now covered with fruit. DwAKF APPLE Trees. We cultivate in large quantities the best and hands.Hiiest varieties of apples on Doucain and Paradise stocks lor Dwarfs and Pyramids, and can furnish them m large quantities, from one to two years growth. Dwarf Cherry Trees. All the leading varieties are cultivated (■Ml Malialeb stocks, extensively. AVe can furnish by the hundred and thousand, fiom one to two years growth. Cherry Currant, the largest variety known. Upwards of 1,000 plants on hand. English Gooseberries, all the best sorts. Large Fruited Monthly Raspbhrky, that gives a crop of fine fruit m the autumn. Strawberries, all the best sorts. Ornamental Shade Trees, of good size, fi>r streets, parks, Sec, large and well grown. Choice Trees and Slirutis, for lawns and pleasure grounds, in- cluding all the finest, new and rare articles recently introduced. Hardy Evergreen Trees. Norway Spruce and Balsam Fir, of small size, in large quantities; and a moderate sujiply of large rnies, besides nearly hfty new and rare Evergreens, inuluding Deo- dar Cedar, Cedar of Leiiaiion, Chiti Pine, Cryptomeria or Japan Cedar, Himaajan Spruce, &c , &c. Roses, Peonies, a large aud complete collection, including the finest varieties. Phloxes. A collection of upwards of sixty varieties, including thirty new varieties Imported last spring. Dahlias. Upwards of Hid select varieties, including the finest Eni;lish prize flowers of 1819 and IS50. The following Catalogues, giving full infcrmation as regards terms, prices, Arc. will be sent gratis to all who apply by postpaid letters or at the oiTice. 1st, a General Descriptive Catalogue. 2d, a Wholesale Catalogue. 3d, a Catalogue of Select Green House Plants. 4th, a Special Catalogue of Dahlias and Bedding Plants, for 1851. ELLWANGER .t BARRY, Mount Hope and Garden & Nurseries, Sept. 1S51. Rochester, N. Y. THE MODEL ARCHITECT, A series of original designs for Cottages, Villas, Su- hurhan Residences, Country Churches, School- Houses, ut 150 Seiect Varieties, ripening in succession from the earliest to the latest. Also, a large quantity of Peach, Cherry, Pear, Plum, Apricot, Nectarine, Almonds, Quince, Grape Vines, etc. The Fruit Trees have principally been worked from standard trees, which leaves but little room to doubt aa to the correctness of th« Fruit, which has taken the premiuraat the Pennsylvania Horticul- tural Society and others for the last ten years. 50,000 Deciduous and Evergreen Ornamental Trees and Shrubs, guch as Sugar and Silver Maples, American and European Moun- tain Ash, Lindens, Horse-Chesnuts, American Larch, of a large size, suitable for road and street planting; Balm Gileads, Norway Furs. Arborvitas. Pines of different varieties. Jumpers, English and Irish Yew, Cedars of Lebanon, Double and Single Spucia, ■uitable for Cemeteries. Lawns and Private Yards; Borders, etc. A liberal Discount will be allowed to persons wno buy to sell again. Descriptive Catalogues furnished gratis to post-paid appli- cants. JOHN PERKLNS, Proprietor. TO INVENTORS AND PATE.\T1:E:>. J. DENNIS, Jr , Practical Machinist, Manufacturer, and Draugiiisinaii, having had twenty years' experience in buildnnf and operating macUintry tur iiitoiuMcLuriiig Colluii, SMiU, Wuoi, Steam Engines, I'ritiliiig Calico, A:u., with acv«rr^l j cui a exjreri- eiice m prucuritig paletils, tt-nders Ins services to invtnli,r3Hi make exuniinaiKiis of their inv<:ntuiiiB irom a ruugli sketch or drawing and lunlteU Otr&criptlon, (which may ie ioiw in the Puleiit Oiflcd uiiU give an opinion, whetltcr the mvenliun is pateittLtbiu or iiut, fur a lee ol &o ; and save the inventi'r ttie txpeiisc of apjilyilig lor a patent, which usually costs !!5j(J, uAclUBive ul the cost ol model, as only about two-hUhs of the paltnts applied for are granted. — His experience lu UiuKing drawings ol, anu builUing aiiu i.>ptrrutlng niaciiiiicry, enables hini lu uuUt^i&tuiiU an invention iroin u rougu drawing and liiniteU deiicriplK'H, and to comprdiend tlie points lu which the invention differs ironi tlKiSe alreuuy patented, with thtt greatest facility. . e also )Hcpuresdrawin';s sptL*iht;ilii>i>s, cave- ats and assigiinieiits, or prucuies copies tiuiii, or attt-iids to any business etainectcd \^'lttl tlie i'atent Olhce. Counseiu^rs in i'uteiit cases can have an opinion by sUitiiig ttie points lu their case, and arguments prepared witu tue prtiper authoniies cited, to sustain the same, with (lesposiliuns if iieci&sary. iie will also utlciid uu (Juunseiitrr or Advocate in Patent causes in any Court. Notice to 2,447 inventors whose applications Were rejected in 1840 and '^/O, that he will csamine their cases lor §J, to ascertain if the reierences will prevent obtaining a patent, if a proper claim IS presented, and advise tlie applicant whether he iiail best with- draw ot amend his papers, aud get a reconsiUeraiiuii, or Jppeal, or Ftte a Bill in hqmly. As lie is the ulily atttirncy in lliiS city, (Washington, D. C,» who has sueceeded in rtvci^tn^ the Coin- missioiier's decif'ivn by an appeal to the Chief Justice. lj?~ UrtiL-t near the Patent Uihce, Washington, D. C. Letters, Sketches, and Drawings, sent by mail, (postage paid) coutanuiii{ fee, will be promptly attended to. FRUIT & ORNAMENTAL TREES & SHRUB- BERY. The subscribers offer lor sale ut ilie Nursery and Garden a large aild hue as^^urlment of F iwl and Urini?iir.iUal T/cca nnd ismubbtiy^ embracing many new and valuable varieties in each department, which they can su[)ply in large or small quantities, viz: — Apples, Pears, Peaches, Plums. Clierries, Apricots, Nectarines, Figs, Fil- berts, French and ^paiusii Chesnuts, English and other Guoseber- ries, Cuiranis, Raspberries and Strawberries in variety; English VValnuLs, (Quinces, Asparagus ruuls, Osage Oiaiige for hedging, Cranberries, A:c., also Evergreen and Deciduous 'Ireesi, Shrubs, of native and Joreign growth, many of them of recent introduction from abroad, such as Deodar ceduis,Cedar of Lebanon, New Japan Cedar, Himalayan Spruce, Chili Pine, New Junipers, several va- rieties of ^ ew, i)tc., &c. Honeysuckle V'lnesaiid other creepers, Dwaif Pearson Quince, of hue size and quality, for ininicJlale bearing. Cherries on iMahaleb, also Hardy i'Krpttual Ko.\fs, a large ass-jrt.ieiit ; Vi-riejia:^, JUahUas, Fhloxes, thry^antluinuvis. Bul- bous roots, ass(.>rted, 2'ulips, Hyacinths, double and single Grapt Virus, Box EiJgiiig and Green House Planta. Trees and Plants delivered iii Pliiiadelphia, carefully packed free oi charge, and despatched thence by public convcjance to any part of the Uuioii. Orders by mail careiully attended to; cata- Hfgues furnished gratis, or niii> be obtained of A. ftl, Spangler, pub- lisher of Farm Jonrnaj. in Lancaster, who will receive ()rders At our Agricultural and Horticultural W arehousc. we can also supply all kinds of improved Agncullural and Horticultural iinplts- nients, also Field, Garden and Flower seeds, fresh and genuine — Country ttorekeepers supplied at reduced prices wth seeds, neatly put up in papers for retaii sales. PASCUALL MORRIS, A; CO. Weal Chester, Pa. Seed and Agricullural Warehouse. No. 29. 3Jarkct Street, Phila, WHERE the subscriber has ooened an extensive assnrtment of " GRASS AND GARDEN SEEPS, of his owu raisiiig,or rcceiil impor- tation, and warranted to be as represented. He is, also, manufacturing all the most approved Agricultaral Implements, among whifh he would call the attention oi Farmers to a new article of Fiow, of his own invention, called Cast-Steel, Extending Point, Self-Sharpening, Surface and Subsoil Plows, which for durability and easy of draft is yet unequalled. The great advantages these PU>ws possess over all others, afs tiieir peculiar construction and the substitution of Cast-Steel in the place of Cast-Iron, which only wants to be seen to be appreciated j a41 of which will ue sold on Ihe raest reasonable prices by May, 1801. C. B. R0GEB6. STRAWBERRY PLANTS. THE subicriber offers for sale 4000youn5 and thrifty Strawber- ry plants at low prices. This and ttie following month being the prop»r time to form new beds to bear I'rait the lollowingyean J.F.HEIMTSIH Aug. 1, 1851. N o. 18 , Fsfi Kiig St ,Ni nil side, Lan. GUANO, PERUVIAN and Patagonia Guauo for sale in lots to suit pint chasers, by J. CASSEDY & SON. No. 121, SoDth water st , a few doors above Docli «t., Fhila. 324 ADVERXrSEMENTS. [January, MONTGOMERY'S UNRIVALLED LMPROVLD KOCKxiWAY SCKt^KNER. This celebrxterl FAN has betii tlioruugliiy tested and found to CKCL-I all others iiLiw ill use furcleaiiiiig the iiiirerciil Uiiitisnlgrum. Tills tiiiprovemeiit by Muiitgoriiery iV liruther, consists iji u duu- ble sli'ie— tile larger shoe — A as coiiiinonty attached ti> wiiiiimviiig iiiuehiiies, having groi>ves into which the screens, sieves ur sieve bourds are slid ;uid rest. U. The curved apria upon which the grain Tails after passing through a hoppi^r above. C. riie door which is made to extend across the curved opron B, and opening back on hinges towards the front end of shoe A, ifsts hat uprm the front part of the apnui LJ. The grain passes along the curved apron B and through tlie apt-rture of ine door C niid fills upon the screen D underneath. The apron is carried (tver the screen U on to the screen unilerneath, whilst tlie screen- ings pass through the screen U into tne shoe G underneath, and are curried along the bottom of the shoe G to the ceiiiie, wherea spout H receives the screenings and carries them down behind into a Do.x hekuv the bottom of the shoe A. The gram is carried hack on tu the gram hoard underneath perfectly screeiied- The persons who have already used these GRAIN FANS have not only spoken in tiattering terms of them, but preler them to all others rhey have used— anil very many of the be&t Agticulturists have given their certificates that the lact of these machines screen- ing the grain twice by one and the same opeTatmn is the very im- provement they have long desired. Uur faimers will now have tlie mist perfect wmnowing machine, which spreads the grain over the upper .s'-reeii more perfectly than any T[JKR, Sept l8j]. l-ancaster city, Pa. raiTFKUIT-GKOWER'S HAND-BOOK^ Encouraged by the very warm commendations of tins work, re- ceived alike from experienced Horticulturists and from the wholly ini-X|)frricnced, the autiuT ventures witli some confidence to sub- mit it til the public at large. Notes oi all the important questions on fruit culture asked of the writer during the last ten years with a thorough research of I o- mologicat Works, have contributed to render this volume as com- plete as possible, in convenient compass. To the lot-holder who wisliesto make the most of a few plants and littk^ rorun, as well as to the extensive planter who wishes to arran:;e and cultivate his gardens in the most economical and pro- f itibh:- maimer, the Hand 13uok will be found a useful companion for frequent reference. C^l nee, FIFTV CENTS. Two copies, post free. f.rSI. Address, \VM. G. \VAR1^G. sept. 1S51. Boalsburg, Centre c<»., Pa. l)OrBLE-AC!TINO. LIKT AND FORCE PUMPS The subscriber munufaetures Double-acting Lift and Force " ... of ail sizes, for 'tories, Mines, Railway Water Stations, /jrewenes, Steamboats, Steamships, Tan Works, Ships, Water Boats, IIotLiquids, Fannlv Purpo.^cs. Ac. VILLAGK AND FACTORY FIRK ENGINES. Garden Engines, Cistern Pumps, Well Pumjis, for any depth re- quired. Hous Couplings, Copper Rivetted Hose of all sizes, Orna- nu'iital aeCast-iroii Fonnlains, &c. Purcha»er3 are respectfully invited to call. Any coiniiiunirations l)v mail will have immediate attention G. B. FARNAM, 34 Cliff st , near Fultou, N. Y. PENNA. PATENT AGENCY OFFICE. I,ivei,t..rs ai:d niheis, having busiiieBs to transact at the United wi'l ,r ir, "'^f,''. »"=„';"'=l'y "ilormed, that the undersigned wi attend promptly t.. all husiness connected with said ..ffice, and will c.mplete Perspective and Sectional Drawings, and all requi- site papers Caveats f« '""■ "f patents granted since th« year 1 /UU to tjie present day can be esammed, ti.gellier with nu- mer.iusspecificationsdrawiiigsand models, and every information obtained relative to the laws and rules of the U. S, Patent office. All tlie requisite papers, dtawinss and models will be promptly and carefully torwarded to Washington city, free of charo-e by J. FRANKLIN REIG.aRT, Lancaster, Pa Life Insurance for Horses, &c. rrllK American Live Stock Insurance Cmpanv. (Stockholders iii- ' diviilua.ly LiaOle) for the li,.iuriMice o( Horses, Mules, Pr^ze Bulls, Sheep, Caltle, .j-c , against Flie, Water, Accidents and Dis- ease. Also, upon Slock driven to Eastern markets, or transported South. .TOIIN H. FRITK. Seneral Agent for Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. REFERENCES : Wood, Abbott & Co., ) Truitt, Brother .t Co.. J Philadelphia. Coates & Brown, ^ JOHN ZIMMERMAN,"Lancaster Pa. CHARLES F. PRICK. Reading, Pa. SAMUEL H. TAYLOR, Mauch Chunk, Pa. Dr. John G. Scoverx. Veterinary Surgeon, May, 1851.) Examiner for I^ancaster County. Wm. B. Wimt, Job Printer, Lancaster, Pa. VOL. 1. LANCASTER, PA., FEBRUAEY, 1851 m. 11. THE FARM JOURN^AL, S. S. HAXDEMAN, EiUtor. Agricultural Educatlou. Although discussions on agricultural education have occupied a good deal of space in the Farm Journal, the subject has not received more attention than it deserves. Our own views are given to a cer- tain extent in our notice of Mr. Russell's plan for an Agricultural College, on page 59, to which we refer our readers, as well as to the essays of our correspon- dents upon the same subject. Agriculture being more important than all other branches of industry combined, its good or bad con- dition must aflfect the welfare of the country in a greater degree than the fluctuations of any other in- dustrial pursuit. It is therefore important that a knowledge of its principles should be taught as sys- tematically and as fully as in Law or Bledicine. When those who are interested directly or indirect- ly in the cultivation of the soils are disposed to give their sons a liberal education they have no resource but to send them to institutions where more attention is paid to literature and the studies required by pro- fessional students, than to science ; and as a result, the farmer's son soon acquires a distaste for the pur- suits of his father, and fancies he may have a genius for becoming a lawyer, doctor, or retailer of merchan- dise. This accounts for the number of professional men and retailers which swarm in every town of any size. This evil would be lessened if agricultural colleges were established, in which this and collateral branch- es of science would be taught. Let agriculture be cnderstood as a science, and it takes rank as a pro- fession, with all the dignity which professional pur- suits acquire, from the extent to which they give employment to the reasoning faculties. A college of this kind would be adapted in a great degree to the higher educational wants ef the coun- VOL. I — L try; and as it would be frequented by many students who wish to have a more practical education than they can get in esclusivcly literary institutions, tliese would be compelled to modify or extend their course of instruction. The result would be a rise in the general standard of education, so that agricultural colleges would be the final triumph of our educational system. The information disseminated by these institutions would have a tendency to advance the general stand- ard of education, and its influence would be very ben- eficial, even in the case of those students who would not become practical agriculturists after completing their course ; as they would be able to discuss and explain the various subjects which are continually presenting themselves in an agricultural community. There are materials enough within reach to enable a legislative committee to decide upon the extent and organization of an institution of this kind so that it need not be discussed here ; but dev9ted as we are to the great farming interest, we call the attention of our legislators to this most important subject, with the hope that it will be acted upon at the earliest pos- sible period. The employment of agricultural lecturers to tra- verse the State, has been proposed ; but this would not be sufiiciently practical ; and it would be very difficult to collect audiences among a, population which is necessarily thinly distributed. Mice in Barns. — A writer in the Sural New York- er, who has suffered greatly by these pests to the farmer, states that he has found that hay-mows hav- ing speur-mint in them, were free from rats and mice while others, in the same barn, having none of thii herb scattered about, were nearly destroyed by them. Other experienced farmers concur in the opinion that spearmint is a complete antidote against their opera tions. This is an easily tried remedy, and our farm- ers, suffering from the same cause, are recommended to apply it. 826 COMMUNICATIONS. [Februar'b, (Jlommumcatioiis. For the Farm Journal. Guaiio. As this subject has not occupied much space in the Farm Journal, and indeed some experiments have been detailed rather discouraging and unfavorable to its use, it may be vrell to examine the matter a little and a few remarks are here oifered more vs'ith a vievr to elk-it than to convey information. The farmers of this State have, perhaps, made less use of it than in adjoining States, probably more from want of appreciation of its value, than that the in- crease of their crops and the value of their land would not have been promoted. It is inconceivable that a manure, which has restored and made productive and quadrupled in value many of the worn out farms in Virginia, Maryland and Delaware, and in every oth- er State where it has been tried, a largely increased quantity is annually demanded, should not be very valuable to the farmers of Pennsylvania. In Great Britain, the amount imported last year was over 160,- 000 tons, being a steady increase, excepting in one year, since 1841. In regard to the use of lime, some of our Chester county farmers when asked as to the best method of applying it, whether fresh from the kiln, or after ir has again become a carbonate ; whether in spring or fall ; on sod or mellow ground ; have replied, that the main thing is to get it on. Now this getting it on, does not seem, from all accounts, to be all that is necessary with respect to guano, for its active prinoi- ciple, volatile salts, may easily (jd off, and pass away into the atmosphere and be lost. What general rules must be observed in the appli- cation or preparation of guano ? Under what circumstances of the atmosphere, or season of the year, is its efficiency most promoted ? Is there any important difference in the qualities of guano ? To what crops is it most serviceable, or is it equal ly beneficial to all ? IIow and in what quantities should it bo applied ? These are questions in which every reader of the Farm Journal is interested, and it is hoped that those who have experimented with it, will be willing to contribute their experience. In the vicinity of West Chester are about the best farms and farmers in Pennsylvania. Where over one hundred bushels of com has been raised to the acre without manure, forty to fifty of wheat, eighty and ninety of oats, it might well bo thought guano was not badly needed, and accordingly very littU has been used, till the present fall, when we have supplied from our agricul. tural warehouse a: considerable quantity of the gou- uiue Peruvian article for the wheat crop, and shall bo able by another season to speak of its effect as compared with barn yard manure for wheat, on good coils. 1st. As regards the general rules for its application. It is mostly conceded that it ought to be plowed in, immediately after sowing and neither left on the sur- face or merely harrowed in, otherwise the highly vo- latile carbonate of ammonia, the active principle of good guano is dissipated and in a measure lost. — There have been instances where it was sown in tha bottom of a deep furrow, and stirred in afterwards with the subsoil plow, and the benefit felt for several croppings. There is probably more danger of it» being covered too shallow than too deep. A go«d plan doubtless is, to prepare it some time befow using, by mixing it with plaster, say one part of plas- ter to three of guano. The sulphuric acid of the plaster having a greater afiinity for anmionia than for lime, unites with it, making a sulphate of ammonia,^ which is not volatile, and is soluble in water, a per- maaent manure thus being produced. The use of plaster with guano, would probably reconcile the con- flicting statements about its durability. In respect to the season of the year to apply it. I would recommend the fall by all means, either for winter or spring crops. Plow it in deep in the fall, so as to be dissolved and incorporated through the soil by the rain and snows of winter, and to bo ready for immediate action on the roots of growing crops. If that is impossible let it be applied broad-cast im- mediately before or at the time of rain. It has been observed that the effect of guano, as of plaster, wta» not so perceptible in a very dry season. As to the different kinds of gtiano in the market, careful analysis has settled the question, that its va- lue consists in its containing cliifjiij ammoniacal salts, phosphate of lime, with some animal matter, and the proportions of these determine the quality. An ana- lysis of Peruvian, Chilian and African resulted as &lr lows : Peruvian. Ammoniacal salts, 33 to 4U pr. ct. Animal matter, 5 to 7 Salts of potash i- soda, 8 to 18 Mag. & coin, of lime, 23 to 28 Water, 10 to 13 African. 23 to 28 pr. •!. Chilian. 12 pr. ct. 3 5 to 9 8 9 to n 53 311 to 37 82 18 to 25 Peruvian guano commands the highest price in th» market, and is most to be relied on, as is shown by the above. The " prepared and improved guanos," so much extolled by the manufacturers, should be entirely tlis- carded. There is no doubt about their being "pr«- piared," but very much about their being " improved." The preparation may consist of about ninety per ceat. of soil, with a pinch of bonedu.st, and charcoal for a coloring matter. Those who are resolved on put- chasing these nostrums, should insist, where so much soil is used, that it, at least, should be of a fair qual ity. In respect to the kinds of crops, where it may 1)« used. The experience of the country seems to shoTr, as its constituent principles would also demonstrate, that it is applicable to every kind of field and garden CTops, fruits, flowers and vegetables. Aa eminent 1852 COMMUNICATIONS. 327 chemist, of Massachusetts, says, " it comes nparer to an universal compost, than any other manure known." It has one very great advantage over barn yard ma- nure in containing no detrimental seeds. The es- I)ense of heavy hauling is also a great saving. Three hundred pounds to the acre is considered a good application for ordinary cropping. Seven hundred pounds has been found injurious. For rich culture, a proper medium would be five hundred pounds. — Injury has resulted from its coming in contact with geeds, when applied to the hills or rows. It should he first covered witli soil before dropping thei». It is to be hoped, the result of experiments with guano, for different crops, under various circumstances ra.ay soon be i-eported fur the Farm Journal. Pasohall JIokris. West Chester, 1 mo. 10. 1852. For the Farm Journal. Draining. Mr. Editor : — In my last communication, I stated tJiat the greater part of the land I had purchased was considered worthless, and wholly unfit for win- ter grain, corn or grass, being springy or what is generally termed spouty. In reconnoitering the land before I purchased, I found it stony on the top. but not so at the depth of a few inches. As it in- clined to the south, and being generally intersected by a strata of stiff clay, I felt assured it would be in my power to convert it into good arable soil. Spouty hind, it is well known, contains in thojspring, a su- perabundance of water, the springs approaching near the surface. The wafer, on inclining ground will find its way without disturbing the surface, where the soil is gravelly or porous limestone, but where it meets a strata of stiff clay, it cannot penetrate it, and is consequently forced to the surface, and finds egress at every possible .pening, conveying the impression tliat the land abounds in springs, when in fact there irt but one. To ascertain th.e location of the main .spring, it is only necessary to mark, in wet weather the different places where the water is forced out. — When the dry season arrives, and the water sinks gradually away, that spot where the temperature of the water is coldest, is the seat of the principal spring. I commenced operations, by digging, at the foot of the declivity, a ditch, three feet in depth and two feet wide at the bottom, increasing the width to f.ur feet a* the surface, and three hundred and twenty cubic yards long. From that ditch I started what is called French drains, in different directions, to break through the stiff clay towards the main springs, the whereabouts of which I had previously .ascertained. The French grains, were dug two feet wide at the top and bot- tom, and two feet deep, then filled with stones, to !eave-an opening ot about two inches wide, that the watQT might have a free passage to escape. I then covered the stones with leaves or long straw, and filt ed the trench again with the excavated ground. Tla leaves or straw were so laid as to prevent the earth from falling through the stones and filling up the passage for the water. In this way I have made 750 yards of dr.ains, all emptying into the ditch at the foot of the hill, and by this means have effectual- ly drained nine main springs. For the benefit of those who are disposed to regard draining as too formidable an undertaking, I annex below a statement of expenses. 320 cubic yards of ditch at 12 cts. per yard, .$ 38 40 750 yards, digging, laying the stones and fill- ing up again, 6 cts. per yard, running mea- sure, 45 00 The gathering of the stones, hauling them, to the drain, which was done by my hired man with a horse and cart, having the double advantage of clearing the land of stones and applying them to a good and profitable use, 16 60 ?100 00 By this operation, I have reclaimed thirty-six acres of land at an expense of one hundred dollars, within twenty miles of a good market (Pottsvillo), and by liming and good management, it now produces from twenty to twenty-five bushels of good wheat, forty to forty-five bushels of corn, forty to fifty bushels of oats or one and a half to two tons of clover or timo- thy hay per acre. Many of our farmers are selling off their property .and moving to the west, leaving the homes of their youth and the graves of their fathers, to begin a now life in the wilderness, while thousands of acres oi land in Pennsylvania, can be reclaimed as easily as mine has been, and with as great market conveni- ences. Is not this subject worthy consideration. The a WILD CAUROT. BIUd's NEST. French Carota. German Die Moohre. Spanisfi Zanahoria. Uaucus carota, Linn. D. sylvestris, Mill. D. vul- garis. Neck. Cauoalis carota, lioth. Pastinaoa syl- vestris, Gerard. Daukos is the ancient Greek name of the carrot. It belongs to the 5th class Pentandria, and 2d or- der Digijnia in the Artificial System of Linnaeus. It belongs to the natural order tfmbdlifera, and tribe Dancinm in the Flora of Nortli America. Between forty and fifty species of the genua are known ; one of these found in the Soutliern Statef, and one which is thought to be only a variety of the Southern one, is found west of the Rocky JIuuntains. The one under consideration is a native of the East, and has long been under cultivation, and in this situation presents sever.al strongly marked varie- ties. The wild carrot is the common cultivated one in a wild condition. It is only when it escapes from cultivation aud degenerates into a useless weed that it becomes a nuisance. I have seen whole districts covered with it, choking out almost every other spe- cies of vegetRtion, and although only a biennial, when it thus takes the field, it is extremely difficult to be defeated, being a great producer of seeds, like the mullen, rag weel, and cheat, it springs up whenever the conditions by wliioh it is surrounded prove favor- able for its gerniiua4ion. It grows from two to four feet high, erect, round, furrowed, hairy, and branched ; the leaves below are lari-o, all cut winged and gnashed ; those on the stalk gradually smaller toward the top, all cut and hairy. The flowers are on long footstalks, disposed in the form of the braces of an umbrella, which when in flower, form a fiat surface on the top, but when the fruit begins to ripen, they draw together in the mid- dle, and often present somewhat the appearance of a bird's nest, whence one of its common names. The flowers are white or yellowisli ; the fruit is en'g shaped and partially covered with bristle-like hairs, they have a light aromatic smell aad a warm aci'id taste. The roots of the wild carrot are frequently given to children as a vermifuge. The expressed juice is used in calculus complaints, and for the sore mouths of infants, and a poultice of the scraped carrot is first on the list among our domestic remedies, to abate pain and remove the stench of foul ulojra. When under proper cultivation it becomes one of the most important vegetables. They are raised in Europe in prodigious quantities; the white Belgian produces sometimes thirty tons to the acre. They are used extensively mixed witii flour to make bread. Horses and all kinds of stock are fond of them, and the butter made from cows fed on them, is of th« finest quality. One hundred bushels of carrots con- tain as much nutriment as one ton of hay. They are said to contain fourteen per cent, of casein and starch. 1852.] COMMUNICATIONS. 329 The carrot has been found to bo very productive in this country. In an article in the Farmer's Month- ly Visitor, dated Concord, Nov. 7th, 1845, it is stated that 304^ bushels were raised on one-fourth of an an acre. In the Genessee Farmer, for January, 1840, it is stated 410 bushels were raised on one-fourth of an acre, which would be equal to 1640 bushels on one acre, equivalent to almost IGJ tons of hay. 1000 bushels are frequently raised on an acre, which from the fact that it is one of the hardiest of the root crop and at the same time possessing so many valuable qualities, must sooner or later recommend its cultiva- tion more general and extensive. J. M. M'MiNN. Unioncille, Jan. 9, 1852. Translated for Farm Journal. Agricultural Chemistry, No. 6. The last combination of oxygen, which we shall notice, is that with manganese, the protoxijd and the peroxyd of manganese. These are closely related to the piotoxyd and peroxyd of iron, and their proper- ties are nearly the same. Almost all soils, and many plants, contain a small portion of one or the other of these oxyds. Not oxygen only, but nitrogen also, forms combi- nations with other substances. Among these of spe- cial importance to the farmer, is the combination of nitrogen and hydrogen, forming ammonia — which acts so important a part in vegetable economy. Am- monia consists of four parts nitrogen and one part hydrogen. It belongs to the class of basic salts, as it re-acts with acids in the same manner as potash, soda, &c. Ammonia never occurs free, but always in combination with hydrochloric acid, as salammoniac. It is formed likewise in the process of putrefaction and decay, and by the dry distillation of nitrogenous organic substances. It appears also in the exhala- tions of certain animals and plants, and is produced in all the processes of oxidation which take place under the simultaneous influence of air and water. — To procure ammonia as a gas, salammoniac and fresh burnt lime are mixed and heated in a retort. The caustic lime unites with the chlorine forming chloride of calcium, and the ammonia is given off as a gas, Fig. 15. which is collected in a receiver over mercury. For the production of aqua ammonia " WouliFe's appa- ratus" (fig. 15,) is employed. Ammonia has a strong affinity for water. With the acids it forms salts, which are readily soluble, and when not present in excess, exert a very favorable influence on vegetation. Ammonia, whether pure or mixed with water, is ex- ceedingly volatile, and hence is constantly escaping from dung heaps and manure pits. But when com- bined with an acid, it loses its volatility, and unless again decomposed will remain unchanged and un- wastcd in the soil. Various other substances, such as alumina, also possess the power of absorbing and retaining ammonia. The ammonia in manure may be fixed by strewing earth or gypsum over it ; or by adding sulphuric acid to the urine and occasionally pouring the mixture over the manure heap. As cul- tivated soils always contain more or less decaying on- ganic matter, this constantly furnishes opportunity for the formation of ammonia, and hence scarcely any soil is found to be wholly destitute of it. Am- monia is very readily decomposed into its chief ele- ments, by growing plants ; and as plants require large quantities of nitrogen and hydrogen for their sustenance, it is evident how beneficial to them must be the presence of ammonia in the soil. The excess of ammonia beyond what can be taken up by the acid present, frequently causes horse manure, when recent, to destroy or burn up vegetation if applied in dry weather on poor sandy soils. Horse manure, from its very nature, produces an abundance of am- monia ; and consequently requires, during its decom- position, a large amount of acid to neutralize or fix the ammonia. But, on sandy soils and in dry weath- er, the requisite quantity of acid is not supplied, and thus the ammonia acts destructively as a caustic. — A similar result follows the application of other ma- nures in a fresh or rank state. Fresh urine also acts thus destructively on vegetation : but this can readily be prevented by mixing sulphuric acid with such urine till eflervescence ceases to take place. In ad- dition to what they receive from the soil, plants like- wise absorb ammonia from the atmosphere. Ammo- nia, as has been stated before, readily combines with all aeids. One such combination is the carbonate oj ammonia, which plants eagerly take up, and which is rapidly produced when warm and damp weather favor and promote the decomposition of organic sub- stances. The carbonate of ammonia, when abund- ant in the soil, causes the cereals especially to shoot up suddenly, with weak spindling stems, having a tendency to lodge, and producing small, imperfect grain. In such cases the formation of carbonic acid and ammonia is predominant, and the decomposition of the more earthy substances is retarded or prevent- ed. The sulphate of ammonia has already been advert- ed to, when speaking of gypsum. It is a resulting 330 COMMUNICATIONS. I February, product in the manufacture of gas from bituminous ooal, and where it can be procured at a ^ow price, may be usefully employed by the farmer. If applied to soils containing much carbonate of lime and mag- nesia, it vrill speedily be decomposed, producing gyp- gum, sulphate of magnesia, &c. ■which cannot Ijut prove beneficial to the soil. The muriate of ammonia lal ammoniac, as also the nitrate of ammonia, are ^cellent fertilizers ; but as the application of them ■would be too expensive for practical use, ■vre shall pass them by -svithout further notice. Of much great- er importance and value, on the other hand, is the phosphate of ammonia, 'which is introduced into the »oil by urine, and supplies it •with tvro substances Tcry essential to vegetation — phosphorus and nitro- gen. It is therefore the more to be regretted that the use of the pure salt is attended with too great expense to be at all admissable in practical farming. The phosphate of ammonia contained in urine, undergoes decomposition, as soon as it meets with the carbon- istes of lime or magnesia in the soil, or with the prot- oxyds or peroxyds of iron or manganese; — the phos- phoric acid parting from the ammonia, and uniting ■with one of these bases. And since all soils contain at least one of these substances, and the phosphates influence plants mainly by means of the phosphoric acid tliey contain, it makes very little difference whe- tiier we employ phosphate of lime or phosphate of ammonia, as manure; for, though phosphate of lime bo insoluble in water, it is soluble in humic acid, ■whjch is found in all cultivated soils. Another combination interesting to the farmer, is that of hydrogen with chlorine, forming hydrochloric or muriatic acid. This acid is procured by pouring dilute sulphuric acid on commBn salt, in a retort Mid collecting the gas evolved, in the pneumatic trough over mercury. Muriatic acid in combination ■with soda forms common salt. It has all the proper- ties of an acid, yet but slightly promotes vegetation, because plants in general require ver}' little chlorine. Pure salt acts on plants only by means of the soda it contains, and must be applied in smill quantity only, not to bo injurious. In conclusion we shall notice the substance termed Immus. Formerly it was thought that plants grew and became developed only by absorbing, through their roots, an aqueous solution of humus, and digest- ing or assimilating it. Subsequently humus was sub- jected to a more rigid examination, and was found to oontain several combinations of oxygen. The first and more common of these was called humic acid, and was regarded as the proper pabulum or nutri- ment of plants. The still more recent investigations of Liebig, however, have shown that this humic acid is not destined to enter plants in that form. Ac- oording to Liebig's views, humus and humic acid have no direct agency in nourishing plants, but hu- snus is merely intended to be gradually acted on by the oxygen of the atmosphere, decomposed and con- verted into carbonic acid ; which is then absorbed, aa a gas, by the plants, and decomposed into its ele- ments, carbon and oxygen. The carbon is appropri- ated and assimilated by the plants, but the oxygen is, in the main, again returned into tbe atmosphere. Humus consists of the remains of pre-existing plants and animals,deoomposed by putrefaction and dec.ay,but which hlave not yet become combined with the oxygen of the atmosphere, nor commenced a new career of cii^ culation as carbonic acid. As many accidental causes may concur to prevent the perfect decomposition of these remains in the soil, so also the humus itself may be more or less decomposable. Some kinds hav« in a greater or less degree assumed the form and cha- racter of mineral coal or carbonaceous matter, and from this cause offer more protracted resistance to th« action of oxygen, and are besides less soluble in tbis state than other kinds are. This has been denomi- nated carbonized humus, and constitutes the principal portion of the black, friable and turfy soils. Anoth- er species of humus has become combined with an acid, acetic acid, for instance, and thus resists furth- er decomposition. This is the acid humus. On the contrary, that kind of humus which is readily suscep- tible of decomposition by oxygen, is called mild hu- mus, whilst humic acid is that form of humus which already contains a greater proportion of oxygen, though still not enough to enable it to assume a gaseous state as carbonic acid.' Wherever much so- luble humus exists, there much carbonic acid must b« formed and plants are supplied plentifully with nu- triment. Now, since humus has originated from the decomposition of vegetable and animal remains, and these do not consist of carbonaceous matter exclusiv®- ly, but also of hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur, phosphor- us, potash, itc, the source of the efficiency of humui in supporting vegetable life is sufficiently obvious. — Superadded to this is the fact, that nearly all those substances are present in a soluble state, and can theiefore the more readily be absorbed and assimi- lated by plants. Another favorable effect of humui is that it serves to keep the soil loose and porous, thui enaliling the roots of plants to penetrate it with ease in all directions, and allowing the oxygen of the at- mosphere to enter and penetrate it — thus facilitating decomposition and the preparation of aliment for fu- ture crops. Yet none of these advantages would re- sult from even an increased abundance of humus, if that substance did not possess the property of absorb- ing a very large amount of moisture from the atmos- phere, and retaining it; so that a soil containing much humus, will also retain moisture much longer than any other. During the decomposition of humus several kinds of acids may be produced, which, if not suffi- ciently concentrated, will arrest or retard its thorougjh decomposition or transformation. When this is the case the humus becomes acid and unfitted to sup- 1852.] COMMUNICATION; 331 port Tegetation. Marshy or boggy soils generally contain much acid humus. The excess of acid in Uiem may he detected by boiling an ounce or two of the soil in rain vrater, and dipping litmus paper in the solution. If this turn red, there is an excess of add in the soil. Soils rendered infertile by acid hu- mus, may be reclaimed by a dressing of carbonate of lime or -wood ashes, which will combine with the acid and form a neutral salt. It is, however, not sufficient that the farmer pos- sess a knowledge of the different substances which have been enumerated. He must also know which •f them are most requisite or essential to the growth of plants; which of them are supplied by the soil, and which of thera are derived from the atmosphere ; as also, what means are to be used to furnish plants aX all times with their necessary aliment. This leads ns, in tlie next place, to the consideration of the nour- ishment of plants. Plants develope themselves and grow by receiving their aliment in part from the soil and in part from the air. From the soil they receive •arbonic acid combined with oxyds, and ammonia eombined with acids, in so far as these salts are solu- ble in water. With water they receive also those in- •ombustible substances which are not presented to them in a gaseous form, but which occur only in the •oil and being dissolved by water are thus furnished to the plants — such as silicic acid, potash, soda, mag- nesia, lime, phosphorus, sulphur, iron and manga- nese. These substances are taken up partly in com- bination with carbonic acid, and in part they are converted into salts by the acids generated in conse- quence of the excess of oxygen or chlorine. From the air plants derive oxygen, but chiefly carbonic acid and ammonia, and the extremely minutely divided particles or atoms of substances originally not vola- tile. All these are appropriated and assimilated by plants according to their natural affinities or propen- sities, so that one receives more of one particular sub- stance and another of another. Even the several parts of the same plant require for their proper de- velopement more of one substance than of another. Thus, the stem or stalk of a cereal plant contains much silicic acid, while a greater proportion of phos- phorus, or sulphur, or nitrogen is found in the seed W grain. Other plants again contain more carbon, or lime, or carbonic acid, or nitrogen, or oxygen, &c. (ki this difference in the requirements and constitu- ents of plants is based the theory or system of a rotation of crops. But there is another chief differ- ence in the constituent elements of plants to which TTe must pay attention, and which is of the utmost importance. If a vegetable be burned, or a plant or animal die and decay, a portion of its component in- gredients passes off invisibly into the air in a gaseous form. These aie those elements of plants and ani- mals, which originally consisted of gaseous substances aad which now reserve their original form. These elements are likewise, in the main, supplied to plants from the atmosphere; and are, as it were, condensed or solidified in them, subsequently to resume again their native gaseous form. These subst.mces are termed volatile or combustible. But after the incin- eration or decay of plants or animals, there remain as ashes, certain other substances which were origi- nally derived from the soil. These are the non-vola- tile, indestructible or incombustible substances — th« earths, the metals, phosphorus, and sulphur, &c. — These remains are usually called ashes. The rela- tive quantities of combustible and incombustible mat- ter which plants contain is always in proportion to the quantity of aliment derived by them from the at- mosphere or the soil respectively. To the farmer th« indestructible or incombustible elements of plants are the more important, because the gaseous elements can be, and in most instances are supplied by the at- mosphere. Plants cannot themselves produce those elements, but must find them already prepared for their use, if they are to thrive vigorously. Now the preparation of these necessary alimentary substances is almost constantly going on in the soil and in ths air ; and the farmer has for the most part only to taks measures that the requisite quantities are supplied to the crops in due season. Ho must also know which and how much of the several substances they need, because otherwise he may make a wasteful or inju- rious application of his materials. Furthermore, ths difference between the amount of combustible and in- combustible matters contained by a plant deserves to be noted. As but a small proportional quantity of ashes remains after incineration, it is manifest that plants require for their growth a much larger quan- tity of gaseous or jeriform, tlian of solid substances. Nor is the fact unimportant, practically, that plants, in order to thrive, require that the alimentary Bub- stances they need should be present or be presented in certain relative quantities. An excess of one in proportion to another may frequently arrest growth and developement altogether. The incombustibl* elements are more apt to be present in excess than the other, because a very small quantity of them is usually needed, and an over-supply may consequent- ly the more readily occur; and if one of these sub- stances be much more soluble than the rest, it may easily cause the destruction of the plants. But it not unfrequently happens, also, that there is an entire absence or want of some particular substance; which must then be supplied, unless, as is sometimes ths case, the plants have it in their power to substituta other substances in lieu of it. It is likewise an as- certained fact that different ;lants possess in very dif- ferent degrees the power of assimilating nutriment; and this difference is found to obtain even in different varieties of the same species of plants. It probably results from or depends on the greater or smaller ds- "■ree of vegetative power with which each particular 332 COMMUNICATIONS. [February, plant is naturally endowed. The farmer may turn this fact to account, by cultivating plants possessing the higher degree of vegetative power, in soils which do not part with their nutritious matters as readily aa others ; while his richer soils are allotted to those plants which possess a more feeble vegetative power. For the Farm Journal. Agricultural Education—Change of Seed, &c, Mr. Editor : — Permit me to congratulate you upon the indications that the Fai-ni Jovrnal is about to be- come the " hand-book" of Pennsylvania farmers. To give the most profitable effect to agricultural essays they should be made up of thought, observation and experience gathered in the midst of their readers. — Foreign facts are always more or less weakened in their influences, by the suspicion, at least, that they are surrounded by untold or unexplained circum- stances. With regard to this peculiar subject, there is reason, then, why a farmer should read the produc- tions which emanate from kindred thought and ac- tion. Zealots in agriculture could not fail to be pleased with the practical character of your January number. " The importance of Agricultural Educa- cation," which graces its first pages, I trust may make its impression upon many readers. If the farmer, unlearned himself, would but be convinced, how much pleasure and happiness he has it in his power to bestow upon the whole future life of his children ; — if he would but believe that his heavy hand is constantly pressing upon the germ of intel- lect, buried in the mind of his own ofispring, which only wants an opportunity and his aid to enable it to spring into liberty, and light, and life ; — if he would, in his imagination, but follow his untaught boy as he follows the plow, and through the medium of his unenlightened countenance enquire the subject of his thought, and find it to be but a single grade above that of the animal he drives ; if his heart did not gink within him it would bo because he had no heart for grief. But if, on the contrary, he found there a countenance brightened by it: own thought — a pur- suit of labor made easy by the intellectual hope that that his observations and discoveries were adding something to the stock of knowledge — if when sur- rounding the evening fire, he had the advantage ef a mind which constantly recurred to its own resources, which brought home its own reflections upon its own observations, that was always adding something new to the ear of a willing hearer, there would be a plea- sure in this which may be better imagined than de- scribed. And this is " the importance of Agricultu- ral Education." In my practical' operations on the farm, I have made it a rule to doubt all dogmas. That theory for which no reason has been assigned, and none can be imagined, should be suspected, at least. The article " on change of Seed" deserves attention, the more so b cause it is from the pen of one so able to bring the light of philosophy to the aid of practical experience- It has become almost a self-evident truth, with farm- ers, that seed should be changed, but with us the change is* not only of the seed, but from sandy or slate land to limestone land ; and vice versa. It is not to be denied that profitable results have been at- tained by this change ; the experience of very many attest the fact. " My observation is decidedly against it." And in my judgment, the exper'enje of others on this point is found in the fact, that he who goes from home after seed, goes after (jeod seed, better than Ilia own. But if there be any thing true in nature, it is, " none but the best and most perfect should be used for the re-production of its kind." How pro- cure it? To prepare fifty bushels of seed, takeseventy five, and blow it down to the required quantity, then wash it in water made slightly salt, partially dry it, and to make it feed regularly in the drill, mix a little plaster-paris with it and run it fast through the rol- ling screen. The product of seed, thuSj prepared will afford your neighbors additional proof of the advan- tage of going abroad after good seed. The difierence will be as great as the effect of fcod upon a well- groomed horse, and one never touched by a brush or curry-comb. But it is said " this takes so much trouble and labor," — so it does, and we rejoin : — -it is labor most profitably spent. In reply to a query put by the writer, I reply that it is never deemed judicious to sow old seed when you have new wheat of good quality. Old wheat does not exhibit the evidence of want of vitality. It may have been heated, and its germinating power thereby destroyed, and this the eye cannot discover. But new wheat, prepared as I have suggested, never wants vitality, and is ready to spring into life as soon as committed to the soil. Elton's " Small Potatoes vs. Large Potatoes for seed," is another illustration of the value of good seed ; and it would have been just as forcible with- out the reason that small potatoes are sometimes of the second growth. In the article on " Wheat Culture" your composi- tor has made me to say that wheat may be sowed at any time " before" the first of September — instead of after that period. Feed'k. Watts. Carlisle, 24<^ January, 1852. For the Farm Journal. Practical Experience — Protectiou for Trees against Mice. Mr. Editor: — Bear Sir — I have received your •Journal from its commencement. I also receive sev- eral of the leading Agricultural Publications of the country, and I think the " Farm .Journal" is behind none in Practical and Scientific instruction. If eve- cry cultivator of the soil in the State of Pennsylva- nia would subscribe for your .Journal, and then read and follow its teachings as far as they may be appli- cable to their particular situations, not being afraid 1852] COMMUNICATIONS. 333 of that hug-hear called Book-farm imj, but willing to learn from the Practical experience of others, even if it should be found recorded in a Book — I am con- fident they could not expend a dollar to better ad- vantage. If each of your readers would furnish you a page of their experience, from time to time, in the man- agement of their farms, stock, &c., I am sure it would assist you very much in your efforts to furnish them a useful and interesting Journal, As making a beginning, I have a mind to give you my methed of protecting fruit trees from being girdled by mice, Some of your readers that may be so fortunate as not to be troubled with them, may think it a small sub- ject to write about, but I can assure you that in this part of the country, they are not to be overlooked. If they were, in the spring we would discover that the mice had not overlooked our Apple-trees. I procure sheet lead, the lining of old tea chests, cut in strips of from ten to fifteen inches in length, and of a width to just go around the tree, lapping it an inch or two, securing it with a bit of twine. I have found effectual. Last winter I had my trees banked up as usual, but a heavy fall of snow occurring, I was fearful the mice might be at work at my young trees. Three or four days after, as soon as the weather cleared up I gent my man to examine the trees in a young orchard of fifty trees. He found seven quite badly barked. We then procured some lead and had it put on, which prevented further loss. As to the expeuses, twenty-five cents will buy lead enough for fifty trees, and the trouble cannot be more than to bank them. Jlr. Editor, it you think this way will be new to any of your subscribers, you can tell them of it. There is, undoubtedly other ways of securing the same object, which may be equally good ; but in one case I heard of the experiment of coating the tree with tar, which proved very injurious. Yours truly, H. Fort Plain, Kew York. Pruning Trees. SELECTED AND ALTERED BY R. BTJIST, JR. At this leisure season of the year when the farmer has time to look over his grounds and trees it may be asked what is pruning ? This is a question which has been little attended to. There are two opera- tions on trees, very difierent in their principles and results, both of which usually pass under that name. The most common, which may more properly be termed " lopping," is the rude practice of cutting off branches large and small indiscriminately, to in- crease the length of the stem, or as is supposed the growth of the tree; the other, which is properly "pru- ning," is the stopping or shortening gradually by guccessive annual amputations, such branches as are tending unduly to enlarge themselves, and, by divert- ing the sap from the proper central leading stem, to form a spreading and unsightly head. This is an operation which, if commenced at an early period of its growth, and completed before the age of ten years, cannot be injurious to the tree or derange its econo- my, like that of suddenly depriving it of large branches in a state of luxuriant growth. Some of the branches of two inches in diameter and under, treated in this manner, may be destined to lie even- tually removed when the flow of sap to them has been sufficiently deadened, and the stem of the tree sufficiently enlarged to render the wound relatively small. But in by far the greater number, probably nineteen in twenty, the branches, when sufficienily shortened by a clean diagonal or slanting cut, at a properly placed leading twig, is left to cicatrise and remain permanent. This operation is particularly suited to boundary, avenue or street trees, where ele- vated heads and clean elongated stem are important; but may be occasionally useful in park trees, to stop an ambitious or unruly limb. If pruning be begun, however, as it ought to be, in the nursery, and the main growth of the plant directed to the central stem, the after pruning of trees will be rarely and sparing- ly required. The best season for pruning, I conceive to be between September and the end of February, when the sap having been elaborated in the leaves is beginning to descend and be distributed for the ma- terial of next year's growth ; and when the vital econo- my of the plant will not be deranged by the operation. The results of pruring performed on this plan wiU be found very satisfactory, and the most un)iromising and unsightly heads gradually brought in a few years in a symmetrical form, without any perceptible checks to the luxuriant growth of the tree. When the wound is one inch or more in diameter, a little hot tar, gum shellac or oil paint laid on with a brush, will prevent the growth of moss or fungus until closed. No doubt the new wood formed over the wound does not unite with it ; but this is of little consequence when the wound is small, and in avenue or park trees, cultivated rather for ornament than for timber; and I think the operation performed on the above system will not deserve the hard terms in which "pruning trees" is sometimes spoken of. It is proper to state that different trees require different degrees of pruning. The poplar and maple may be pruned pretty freely witliout injury ; next to these the linden and the ash, whilst the horse chestnut, the elm and sycamore, require milder treatment ; the am- putation of the two or three last annual sliouts of a branch will sensibly check its growth. The birch bears pruning least of any, and should rarely be touched. In fruit trees we deprecate the idea of be- ing armed with the axe and the handsaw; all the re- quisite implements is one of Buisfs best pruning knives, with which the apple and the pear, the peach and the cherry can be kept in perfet: Hearing order. The plum and the quince should be , ,iaringly dealt with, unless to shorten exuberant shi s. 334 AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. [February. ^Qiicultural Soricttcs. Pennsylvauia State Agricultural Society. TuESDAV, January 20, 1852. In accordance with the fourth section of the Consti- tution of the Pennsylvania Staie Agricultural Socie- ty, the said Society met in the Hall of the House of llepreseutatives, more than fifteen members being present. The President being absent, the meeting was or- ganized by Vice President A. 0. Hiester being called to the chair. On motion of David Mumma, Jr., it was Resolved, That when this meeting adjourns, it ad- journ to meet in the same place this evening. Adjourned. EVENING SESSION. On motion of A. JI. Spangler, the Hon. A. 0. Hies- ter was called to the chair. On taking his seat Judge Hiester remarked — the meeting was called in obedience to the 4th Section of the 1st Article of the Constitution, and read from the Constitution the clause which requires the members of the Society to meet at Harrisbui-g, on the 3d Tues- day of J.anuary in each year, to elect officers of the Society for the ensuing year. He said they did not meet at this time to make or hear speeches, but to transact business — and yet he must ask the indul- gence of tiic Society for a few moments, th.at he might congratulate them on the favorable auspices under which they met. But one year ago they had assem. bled at this place tov the purpose of organizing a State Society. They have accomplished "the object most harmoniously — they were fortunate in selecting officers, competent, and with the requisite zeal to at- tend to the duties assigned them. The first exhibition had been held. It exceeded far the most extravagant expectations of the most enthusiastic friends of the pro- ject, in the gtnerai interest it excited — the largo attend- •ace of farmers, the grand grand display of agricultu- ral products, implements and stock, and they found themselves now with all the expenses paid, and sev- eral thousand dollars in the treasury. He closed his remarks by saying that the Convention a year ago had been harmonious, and the choice of officers good, lie trusted they would be equally conciliatory and •qually fortunate to-night. On motion of David Mumma, Jr., it was Resolced, That when this meeting adjoui-ns it ad- jottrn to meet in this place to morrow afternoon, at 3 o'clock. On motion, the Treasurer's report was read and adopted. TREASUKER S ACCOUNT. •—To Cash of R. C. Walker, initia- tory fees, < — Cash paid by members this mo., 1851. Peb'y. April May Sept. '• " " " Oofc " " " " for tickets at the fair, and admission foes of member- ship during the same, KoT. 19 — " D. Ralston, (Indiana,) D. G. McKinley, membership subscription paid him. DR. S 100 00 4 00 4 00 11 00 20 00 4593 29 1 00 80 00 $4813 29 1851. April — By bill of J. Clyde, for a 0 quire blank book for Treasurer, and postage paid within the year. By various payments made appertaining to the exhibition of the Society, for which see following vouchers : List, termed T. Elder, Jr., Police, &c., Danl. Wilt, Allowance to T. Elder, Chief of Police, Paym't to Wilson & Morgan, per T. Elder, jr. by Daniel Wilt, work, hauling, &c to Walters & Oaks, Clerk hire, '■ ISIorris & Sawyer, police & watchmen, " S. II. Brooks, telegraphic despatches, " J. P. Rutherford, horses and hands, " Forster, Funk & Colder, clerk hire, " McKinley, Bigler & Wilt, hauling, " David Ilummell, rent of ground, " Geo. Hummell, straw, hay & hauling. " A. 0. Hiester, hay, &c. paid by him, " E. C. Williams, for use of tents, " F. L. Hutter, Stationery, &c., " J. A. Shannon, police, " C. MeCurdy, printing, " J. J. Clyde, " D. T. Wilson, watering stock, McKinley, Bigler & Wilt, lumber, fencing, &c. " W. Colder, Sr., hauling, " Daniel Wilt, chief of fair ground, C. S. Funk, clerk, " J. M. Forster & J. Colder, clerks in ticket office, " C. C.MuUin, expenses forpreparing and cleaning House of Repre's. " G. Bergner, freight on certificates, " W. Colder, Jr., livery and hauling, G. B. Laird, clerk, " J. Lescure, clerk, Dr. Reilly, " Philip Hoak, horses and hands, " McKinley & Lescure, printing, &o., " Lescure & Laird, clerk ng, " A. J. Jones, postage, " Premiums awarded at exliibition. Balance in Treasury, $4813 29 Appropriation by the State, unpaid for want of funds, §2000 Guarantee of Messrs. Coverly, Buehler, &c. 1200 Robert C. Walker, Secretary of the Society, sub- mitted the following report, which was adopted: To llie members of the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society. Gentlemen — In laying before you a report for tb« first year's proceedings ef the Pennsylvania Stata Agricultural Society, I am pleased to say that, in- stead of only having to record the proceedings of a few nominal meetings of a few theorists, met for tha purpose of figuring upon paper what can only be ae- complished by the practical working of the bona fid* farmers, I have registered the doings of a society whose members compose two thousand and ninety of the farmers, mechanics and artizans of Pennsylvania. Only a year has elapsed since the organization of thi» association, and we are now about to enter upon the second of its operations. What was considered a problem by many at its commencement, namely, whether the proper elements existed in our Stata t« CR. $ 3 20 221 71 i GG 05 50 00 13 50 427 52-} GO 00 , 18 00 1 73 3 00 45 00 27 00 150 00 38 10 71 31 333 00 58 45 5 25 7 (» 7 m 30 00 865 25 SO 00 75 00 20 00 25 00 ' 21 00 50 37 00 30 00 60 00 55 43 8 00 , 279 40 100 00 34 86 9;»3 00 §4277 87 535 42 1852.J AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 335 build up and carry forward, with success, an agricul- tural society, has been solved, and our institution, al- though in its infancy, has taken an honorable rank among the kindred associations of the world. In ac- oordance with the prayers of the memorialists of a convention, held in Ilarrisburg, on the 21st and -'Id days of January last, the Legislature of this State has, by its act, approved the 29th day of March, 1851, incorporated the Pennsylvania State Agricultu- ral Society, the provisions of which are herewith pre- sented.—t^SO, Pamphlet Laics, 1851. Thus has the Legislature of Pennsylvania, with a, liberality characteristic of the State, appropriated di reotly to the ase of said society, two thousand dollars, with a like amount annually hereafter to that paid in by its members, provided such sum does not ex- ceed two thousand in any one year. Not only has our Legislature rendered ef&cient aid in the great cause of agriculture by appropriating money to our State Society, but by the provisions of our act of in- corporation it authorizes the treasurer of every coun- ty in the Commonwealth to pay the sum of one hun- dred dollars to a c unty society, to be disbursed for the promotion of agricultural knowledge and im- provement. From the fact that over two thousand persons have already become members of this associ- ation, we have reason to believe that our annual ap- propriation from this time forward will not be dimin- ished. There have been twelve meetings of the Executive Committee and one of the Society, since the adoption of the Constitution, each of which disposed of a pro- portionate amount of business required in making preparations for the Annual Exhibition. At a meet- ing of the Executive Committee, held in Ilarrisburg, CQ Thursday, the 27th day of February last, it was EesoJi-cfl, ' That Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the 22d, 2.3d and 24th days of October, 1851, be fixed as the time for holding the first Annual Exhibition of the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society. At a special meeting, held in Ilarrisburg, on Sep- tember Idth, 1851, pursuant to a call of the President, the following preamble and resolution were unani- mously adopted ; Whereas, It has accidentally happened that the Pafinsylvania State Agricultural Society, and the Maryland State Agricultural Society have fixed the game days for their Annual Exhiljitii>n, which may operate unfavorably to both,and as our Society desires to reciprocate facilities with, and promote the success of all other societies that have for their olyect the improvement of agriculture and the mechanic arts ; Therefore Resoh-ed, That the time heretofore fixed for the Ex- hibition of the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Soci- ety, be and the same is hereby changed and fixed to be upon the 20th, 30th and .jlst days of Octolier, '51. It was Uesoh-ed, That A. 0. Iliester, Geo. 11. Buch- er. Dr. Luther Riley, David Mumma, jr., and Isaac Cr. M'Kinley. Ije a committee of arrangement, whose duty it shall be definitely to act upon all subjects per- taining to the first i\jinual Exhibition ; and that they •hall have power to employ such aid and assistance as necessity shall require. A committee consisting of Frederick Watts, John C, M'Allister, A. O. Hiester and Isaac Updegrove, were appointed to visit the annual exhibition of the New York State Agricultural Society. A committee consisting of Isaac G. JIcKinley, D.a- Tid Mumma, Jr., Joseph Lescuro and Geo. II. Buch- er, was also appointed to attend the annual exhibition of the Maryland Sta*e Agricultural Society. A committee was also appointed to invite the offi- cers of other Agricultural Societies, and distinguished gentlemen of this and other States, to bo present and participate in the ceremonies of ourannu-'l exhibition. The committee appointed to select and invite a suitable person to deliver the annual address at the Agricultural Exhibition, selected the Hon. Andrsw Stevenson, of Virginia, who in accordance with tha invitation extended, was promptly on thi; ground arul contributed gvcatly, by his excellent address, to the edification of afi-^ho had the pleasure of hearing him, and did lasting service to the cause he so ably advocated. The address was published by the Society in pamph- let form, and one copy sent to each of its members. It was resolved by the Executive Committee tha.» we deem the establishment and success of an Agri- cultural Journal, published in Pennsylvania, as es- sentia! to the proper exposition of tho principles of agriculture as practised in this State: and that we approve of the Pennsylvania Farm Journal, publishr ed at the city of Lancaster, by A. JI. Spangler, and edited by S. S. Haldeman. That for the present it be adopted at the organ of the State Society, and that farmers and all others in- terested in the subject of agriculture, be advised to patronize it and contributeinformation to its columns. It was also resolved that the proceedings of this meeting be published in the American Farmer an Agricultural Journal, pulilished in the German lan- guage, in Harrisburg, by J. M. Beck, and that this periodical be recommended to the patronage of th« German farmers of Pennsylvania. _ . A resolution was passed asking the different Coun- ty Agricultural Societies of this State to inform thii Society of their existence. This resolution was pub- lished in the newspapers, but as yet no such society has furnished the desired information. Suitable books have been procured in which havo been transcribed the Constitution, and act of incor- poration of this society; also books in which has been made an alphabetical arrangement of the name* of its members with their residence and post office. Certificates of annual membership have been pro- cured and issued to nearly every member of tlie so- ciety ; also certificates of life memljcrship, ncme of which, however, have been issued, probably in conse- quence of the fee for life membership being fixed at too high a price. A box of minerals and soil has been presented to the society for analyzation, by II. P. Robinson, of Berks county. In consequence of the Maryland State Agricultu- ral Society having decided to hold its exhiljition on the 22d, 23d and 24th days of October last, our firs* annual exhibition was not hold until the three last days of October, 1851. Although held too late in the season for the presentation of many fruits and vegetables, and at a time when good weather could hardly be expected, the display of articles, animal* and stock of all kinds was far greater than the most sanguine anticipators had reason to expect. During the three days of the exhibition it is thought that more than twenty thousand persons were in at- tendance. The ground chosen by the committee of arrangement, upon which to hold the fair, was pecu- liar in its adaptation to the purpose, and was located about a mile above Ilarrisburg, on the eastern sids of the Susquehanna, embracing nearly fifteen acrea which was substantially enclosed by a fence ten feet high. On the side of the entrance was the office of tha treasurer, and on the other that of the secretary. — In the latter, all articles for exhibition were entered 336 AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. [Ffiieuary, in books properly arranged and classified, and a card given to (he exhibitor, with the number, name and description of the article, owner ami inventor. All articles for exhibition were hauled by the society to and from the railroad depot, without charge to the exhibitor. Mori! than a hundred covered sheds were erected inside the enclosure, for horses and cattle, with many others put up for sheep, hogs, &c., and for holding hay anil feed. Large rings were constructed at a convenient dis- tance from the stalls used for the exhibition of horses and cattle. Long houses were neatly built and partitioned off for poultry, which were filled witli almost every va- riety of the feathered domestics. The " mammoth tents" of Wilson, that were used at the Ptochester fair, wore pitched here and there through the ground, in which were exhibited the lighter articles of usefulness, specimens of the fine arts, the handiwork of the ladies, the luxuries of the (arm, the mechanic arts and inventions, and improve- ments in endless variety. The agricultural implements and the coarser arti- cles of household arts were assigned extensive plats of ground in several parts of the enclosure, and were exhibitod to great advantage. An adjoining field of ton acres was used for the plowing match, and twen- ty-one plows were entered and contested for the pre- miums. Juiiges on fourteen committees were appointed, who aivarded premiums to the amount of one thou- sand dollars. On motion of .John P. Rutherford, the Secretary was ordered to have printed, for the use of the socie- ty, three thousand copies of the proceedings of this meeting ; adopted. On motion of Philip Dougherty, it was Besolrcd, That the Recording Secretary of this society bo authorized to procure, for the use of the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society, a room which will answer for the meetings of the Executive Committee, and for an office for books, library, &c.; adopted. On motion a committee consisting of W. A. Stokes, James Fiffe, Wm. Bell, Jer. Black and Morris Leech, was apjiointed Ijy the chair to consider and report on the exjiodicncy of liolding a fair in the western part of the State, and that they add to their report .such suggestions of detail on this subject as they may see fit, and report to the Executive Committee; which was adopted. On motion if .John P. Rutherford, it was Scxnhrd, That the President and Secretary of this society be appointed a committee to memorialize Con- gress, on liohalf of the Pennsylvania State Agricul- tural Society, for the establishment of an agricultural Bureau: adopted. On motion, a committee consisting of Andrew M. Spangler, Isaac (i. McKinley and Thco. Fenn, was appointed for the purpose of inquiring into the ex- pediency of memorializing the Legislature relative to the appointmenr of a State Agricultural Chemist; said committee to report to this society on to-morrow afternoon. The following preamble and resolutions were offered by David Mumma, Jr.: which were adopted: Wiii;i!KAS, The President of the United States hag, in his last and previous annual messages, recommend- ed to Congress the establishment of an Agricultural Bureau : And whereas. This society agreeing fully with the views expressed by the President, upon this important subject, inurging its-importance upon Con- gress, in which he briefly, yet so ably urges the im- portance of the subject: therefore, in expressing the views of the society, we adopt his own language : — " Agriculture may justly be regarded as the groat interest of our people. Four-fifths of our active pop- ulation are employed in the cultivation of the soil, and the rapid expansion of our settlements over new territory is daily adding to the number of those en- gaged in that vocation. Justice and sound policy, therefore, alike require that the Government should use all the means authorized by the Constitution, to promote the interests and welfare of that important class of our fellow citizens. And yet it is a singular fact that whilst the manufactur ng and commercial interests have engaged the attention of Congress du- ring a large portion of every session, and our statutes abound in provisions for their protection and encour- agement, little has yet been done directly for the ad- vancement of agriculture. It is true, that this re- proach to our legislation should be removed, and I sincerely hope that the present Congress will not close their labors without adopting sufBcient means to supply the omission of those who preceded them. " An Agricultural Bureau, charged with the duty of collecting and disseminating correct information as to the best mode of cultivation, and of the most eflicient means of prescrnng and restoring the fertil- ity of the soil, and of procuring and distributing seeds and plants, and other vegetable productions, with instructions in regard to the soil, climate and treatment best adapted to their growth, could not fail to be, in the language of Washington, in his annual message to Congress, "a very cheap instrument of im- mense national benefit," therefore Resolved, That our Senators and Representatives in Congress are hereby requested to use their utmost endeavors to carry out the recommendations of the President upon this subject. That the Secretary is hereby instructed to furnish each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress with a copy of the above preamble and resolutions. A preamble and resolutions submitted by D. 3Ium- ma, .Jr., relative to a National Convention of agricul- turists from the several States of the Union, was, on motion, laid on the table until to-morrow. On motion, it was Resolred, That this society proceed to the election of its officers on to-morrow afternoon, at .3 o'clock. On motion, David Mumma and W. A. Stokes were appointed to ast as tellers of the election for officers. On motion, it was Resolved. That all the officers to be elected should be voted for on one ticket. On motion, the Secretary was ordered to have hand- bills printed and posted, announcing the meeting to- morrow at 3 o'clock. Adjourned. WEnNESDAT, 2 o'clock, p. M. On motion of A. 0. Illester, W. A. Stokes, Esq., was called to the chair. On motion of David Mumma, Esq., the nomination for officers was re-opened, and moved the nomination of J. JI. Beck, of Ilarrisburg, for Recording Secre- tary, when the nominations wore closed. The preamble and resolutions offered by D. Mum- ma, .Jr., rel.ative to the establishment of a National Agricultural Society, Avere taken up, and, on motion, were postponed for the present. On motion of I. G. McKinley, it was Resolved, That the fiscal year of this society shall hereafter end on the first Wednesday after the third Tuesday of January. isr.2.1 AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 337 On motion of David Mumraa, Jr., the Sccrntary was oriiered to have printed with the proceedings, the eonstilutiou and aet of incorporation of this so- ciety. The committee to inquire into the expediency of memorializing the present Legishiture in relation to the appointment of a State Agricultural Chemist, beg leave to r( port, that, after consultation, they unani- mously recommend to this society the selection of a committee, whose duty it shall be to draft a memorial to the present Legislature, asking the appointment of a State Agricuhural Chemist. It is not considered necessary to enter into a labored argument to prove the necessity of such a step, it being deemed suflicient merely to advert to the fact that wlierever a State Chemist has been appointed, the very best results have followed. [Signed.] A. M. SPANGLER, THEO. FEXN, L 0. MoKINLEY, JAS. FIFFE, PHILIP DOUGHERTY. On motion of Gen. William Ayres, it was Besolved, That the thanks of the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society be tendered to the mem- ber.s of the House of Representatives for their kind- ness in giving to this Society the use of their hall. On motion of A. 0. Hiester, it was Rcsolrcil, That, as a society, we approve of the tone, spirit and ability with which our organ, the Farm Journal, has been conducted during the past year, and that we cordially recammend every member of the society not only to subscribe for it himself, but to use his influence to extend its circulation among his neighbors. On motion of David Mumma, Jr., it was Resolved, Thai the AmericaniscberBauer.printed at Harrisliurg, in the German language, by J. M. Beck, is well worthy of the patronage of our German farm- ers, and that we cordially recommend it to our German population as a valuable and interesting periodical. \Vm. A. Stokes who had been appointed one of the tellers, being in the chair, on motion, F. C. Carson and James L. Roily were appointed as tellfirs to hold the election of officers. The Chairm.an announced that the hour having ar- rived for opei.ing the election, the members proceeded to elect their officers, when one hundred and thirty votes were polled, and the following officers were se- lected for the ensuing year: P/-«s((7«n<— FREDERICK AVATTS. Vice Prnsidenis, 1st Congressional District — Peleg B. Savcry. 2d " Jos. R. Ingcrsoll. 3d " Caleb Cope. 4th " Jas. Gowen. 5th " John Kennedy. Cth " William tjtavidy. 7th " Ab. R. M'lhaine. 8th " Jacob Frantji. 9th " Henry Shubert. lOth " Conrad .Shinier. 11th " Jacob Drumheller. 12th " AVilliam Jessup. 13th " Jacob Gundy. 14th " A. (J. Hiester. 15th " J. S. Ilaldeman. 16th " Finlaw M'Cown. 17th " Jno. M'Williams. 18th " Henry Beeson. 19th " Wm."A. Stokes. 20th " TVm. Patterson. 21st Congressional District 22d 23d 24th -Hiram Hultz. BIjrris Leech. James Miles. David Ralston. CorresjmnJhir/ Sccrdarij — Alfred L. Elwyn. Recording Sen-etary — Robert C. Walker. Treasurer — G. II. IJucher. Librarian — Luther Reilly. Chemist — Charles B. Trego. Executive Committee — I. G. M'Kinley, David Mum- ma, Jr., Robert M'Allister, Jolm B. Rutherford and Simon ('ameron. The following preamble and resolutions were taken up and adopted : Whereas, It is now an admitted fact that in no way can a nation increase in wealth and power so fast, as by encouraging and securing a rapid improve- ment in the science of agriculture. All admit, that whilst manufactures improve, commerce gi\es value, and labor and capital stimulate, it is agriculture alone that originates : the earth is the parent of them all — all equally derive their origin from the cultivation of the earth, and all must be equally dependent upon it for subsistance. Regarding it then as the basis of all other arts, it justly clainjs pre-eminence over all others ; and such is tiie connection with all the com- forts of the human race, that it may .justly be said that agriculture is the only firm and stable foundation of national greatness. And the various State socie- ties have already demonstrated the fact that in no way can this great and valuable science be so sul> stantially and rapidly improved, as by organized and concerted action, and it is therefore a seli-evidentfact that the formation of a National Agricultural Society is at this time a matter of great moment and impor- tance; therefore, lor the purpose of forming such so- ciety, be it Resolred, That we recommend the calling of a con- vention of agricult'.irists of the United States, to meet at the city of Washington at such time as may be fixed upon, as SOI .is i J is ascertained that a sufficient numlier of Sta*.l gl this Union have approved of the plan to warrai e] ■! undertaking. ReJioh-ed, T.- •?.■ *)iis society will elect one delegate from each Congressional district of the State, who shall be a memlier of tliis society, to represent this society in said proposed national convention. Resolved, That this society expects and earnestiv requests the co-operation of every State in tl'.e Union in this matter. Resolved. That all State! or State .societies willing to co-operate v;ith us in this laudable enterprise, are requested tt> inform the President of this society of such fiict: and so soon as five States have so signified their willingness to act in the matter, then the Presi- dent of this society shall immediately after .ascr^rtain- ing, (by corresponding with the several State socie- ties upon the subject.) the most suitable time for calling such convention, fix on a time for the meeting of said convention, of which he shall give notice in as many papers as may be necessary. Resolved, That the Secretary of this society shall forward a copy of this preamble and resolutions to the President or Secretary of every State Agricultu- ral society in the United States ; and also furnish ,■» copy to the National Intelligencer and W.ashington Union, for publication. Adjourned. EVENING SESSION. On motion of George II. Bucher, the Constitution was amended, in the second section, liy a unanimous vote, BO as to rtad " quarterly" instead of "monthly," 838 REMARKS ON ENTOMOLOGY. [Febrdaky, , and at any other time Tvhen convened by the Presi- dent. On motion of George 11. Bucher, the Constitution •was amended in tlie iirst section so as to read "ten" instead of "twenty." A motion was made by John Bcale to alter the second section of tlio Constitution, by striking out the words " three-fourths of whom sliall he practical agri- culturists or horticulturists." Lost. On motion of A. M, Span gl or, a vote of thanks was given to F. C. Carson and James L. E,eily, for tlieir services as tellers. On motion ot W. A. Stokes, it was liesolveil, That the Executive Committee be recom- mended, if they deem it expedient, alter hearing the report of the Coramittoe eliarged to inquire on this subject, to make arrangements for holding a fair and exhibition next autumn, in the western part of the State. Adjourned si/ie die. R. C. WALKER, Secretary. IlARRisBrRG, Jan. 24, 1852. A. M. Spanglek, Esq. I hand you herewith Dr. Brincklc's "Remarks on Entomology" for publication in the Farm Journal. — One word of explanation. Dr. Brinckle was called on by the Agricultural Convention last winter to prepare an article on this subject. In December last the Dr. placed the article in my hands in Philadelphia, with a request on his part and a promise on mine that it should be laid be- fore the Society, I urged the Dr. to come to Harris- burg and read it himself, but this he peremptorily declined, and expecting at that time to be present at the annual meeting, 1 received it from him for the purpose of submitting it to the Society. But the snow banks delayed my arrival here till after the So- ciety had held its meeting and finally adjourned. I then consulted the officers of tlie Society whom 1 iound here as to the disposition to be made of the es- say, and 'oy their advice I place it in your hands for publication and accompany it with this note of ex- planation, as due, not only to the Sofdety, but to the Very truly you;)( .'iend, (•to. '' l". Woodw.vkd. learned author. REMARKS ON ENTO.MOtOGY Chief 1/ ill reference to an Ayruulliiral benefit. liY Vf. D. BRINCKLE, M. D. In compliance more with the spirit than with the letter of a resolution passed liy the Pi-nnsylvania State A'n-icultural Convention held at llarrisburg, in .Jan- uai'y, 1851, I present, at this time, for your consider- ation, some remarks on ENTOMOLoiiV. Had, however, a copy of the resolution reicrred to, reached me prior to the adjournment of the Conveiuion, the prolferred honor would have been respectfully declined, and the name of a gentleman* suggested, who is infinitely more competent to the task than myself, and whose entomological fame has passed lieyond the confines of our own State and our own country. And sliould an Entomologist be required to draw up a I'vport on the voxioiis ('«.s'i i.'/.v of I'tnnsjjlvania, no one more amply ([ualified could be selected. Ento.moi.ogv is that branchof Zoology which treats of Insects. The term has its origin in two Greek •words fr-fojitoii 7.oyos, literally signifying insect — his- tory. This department of Natural Science exercises an" important agency in the economy of the physical world, and is intimately connected with the welfare and happiness of our race. To enter fully into its consideration, would require volumes instead of th« few pages to which we are now restricted. Our lin>- ited space will, therefore, only allow us to present a very concise general view of the subject, with a brief and condensed outline of such of its charaoterifitie features as have an agricultural bearing. In regard to the extent of this branch of Zoology, no little diversity of opinion has prevailed among na- turalists. By some it has been made to include all, or nearly all, of the articulate or invertebrate ani- mals: snch as crabs, lobsters, earth-worms, leeches, spiders, centipedes, &e. Others confine its limits to the winged insects (Ptilota) of Aristotle; thus, very properly, avoiding the unnatural a isociation of groups possessing such incongruous characters. In accord- ance with this view, an Lvsect, from the Latin insee- ta, cut or divided, is an articulate animal with a body insected or divided into three chief portions — thehead, the thoiax, .and the abdomen, — and to the thoi-asare attached six legs, and ordinarily two or four wings.* This definition, however, of insects is only applica- ble to tliera in their final or perfect state. But before they can arrive at this state, and acquire this strue- ture, they must necessarily pass through various won- derful changes and transformations called their me- tamorph(jses. In their final or perfect insect form, tlio prominent, and in many instances, the only object of their exis- tence, is the perpetuation of their kind, bj' reprodue- tion. Soon after pairing, the female, guided Ijy an inscrutable instinct, deposites her e^'gsf in some suit- able place, J where the appropriate Ibod of the young is at hand. The great purpose of life being now ac- ccnnplished, both the male and female usually die. — Occasionally, hov.'eve;-, the provident care of the pa- rent is necessary to the support a:id sustenance of their offspring. When this is the case, and in some instances where no such necessity exists, their life for a time is prolonged. After the lapse of daj'S, weeks or months, the egg hatches, and becomes a caterpillar, grub, or maggot. This is the insect's first state of existence; and in this state it is termed a larva. Except in a few Or- ders in which the metamorphosis is incomplete, the larva does not possess the slightest resemblance to the insect in its final or perfect form. No sooner does it emerge from the egg, than it commences eating vo- raciously; and in a few days, the epidermis or ext«- rior tunic becomes stretched to its utmost extent, pro- venting the further growth of the larva. A new epi- dermis is now formed beneath the old one, which then splits open, and the larva by its contortions casts *Frofeieor S. S, Haldeman. ♦Tiiese three portions of the body are subdivided into joints or rings termed segmeiilB. The head constitutes the first segment — the tliurHX contains three, which are called thoracic segments — the abdominal segments vary in imralier in tlic ditl'erent onlers, and sometimes It IS not uniform in the sexes of llie same species: lu tlie butter dies and mollis (Lepidoptera) it is usually nine, in beetles (Coleaptena) SLX or seven. ■f Insects are oviporous. To this general law there .ire some ap- parent exceptions ; thus the plant-house, (Aphis) at certain sea- ions of the year, and the Flesh-Fly (Careopliaga cariiaria) and a few others, give birth to lavvci ; the young of the Forest-Fly (HippoboBCa) and congeners are retained within the matrix of the parent till thev have completed their larval life, where they enter the world in the pupa state. In these instances, howaver, the lar- va IS not developed ma uternus and nourished through the medi- um of a placenta, as is the case with the embryo of vivaparous an- imals ; but the egg is haUlud in the body of the mother. JMany of the beetles (coleoptera) bugs (Hemipetara) grasshop- pers, &c., (Orthoptera) deposit their eggs in the earth— most of the buiterliies and moths (I.epidoptera) especially those that are hel- biverous in the larva state, and many of the predacious insects as the lady bird hemerohius and syrphus, exclude them on the foliage — some insects lay them in fruits, nuts, aud grain—the 17 years lo- cust and many others, m fissures made in the wood with their ovi- positor—the dragon-fly (Lilellnlu) and other insects aquatic in their larva state, on -water plants — and the parasites, lu the eggs and larva of other insects. 1852.1 REMARKS ON ENTOMOLOGY. 339 it off. This moulting process may occupy two oi- three days; during -which time the larva is languid, and takes little or no food. Shortly alter it has forced itself from its old skin, its ravenous appetite returns with renevred vigor. At intervals of six or eight days, a second and a third moulting takes place. — These moultings are always succeeded b_v an increase of voracity; which in some instances is so great, that a caterpilL'.r will consume, in twenty-four hours, one hundred and tifty times its own weight of food. The larva, at length, attains its full size ; it then ceases to eat and prepares for its last moulting. It gelects an appropriate place, where it spins its web, makes its cocoon, reposes for a few days, ami finally oasts off its larval skin for the last time ; after which its form is so essentially different from what it had previously been, that it would not be recognised as the same insect, by one not conversant with these transformations. It is now in its second state of existence, and is no longer termed a larva, but is denominated a pupa, aurelia, or chrysalis. Some caterpillars pass into the pupa state in their larval skin without moulting ; and some without weaving a cocoon. In its pupal period of existence, when the metamorphosis is complete, the insect is quiescent, and takes no food. In tliis form, resembling in some measure a mummy swath- ed in its cerements, it remains for weeks or months, when it bursts its pupa case or shell, and assumes its final configuration. It is now termed an Imago or Perfect Insect, and is furnished with wings, '■■ and various other organs and appendages, including the sexual, which were before either absent or in a state of imperfect development, and divested of many that it previously possessed. — And although still the same insect, its form and gen- eral aspect are so materially altered, that it no long- er retains a vestige of its former identity. f Several orders of insects (Orthoptera, Ilemiptera, and some of the Neuroptera) never pass through the transformations now described and which apply chief- ly to the butterflies and moths, (Lepidoptera.) Nev- ertheless, they also undergo certain changes which are termed an incomplete metamorphosis. Notwith- standing they cast their skin several times, their con- formation continues to bear more or less similitude to that of the perfect insect. This is the case with grasshoppers, cockroaches, the cicada;, ttc. The ru- diments of the wings are perceptible soon after the first moulting. On the completion of the second, the insect is called a Nymph, which corresponds with the Pupa of other orders. The third moulting terminates the final change, and the Nymph becomes an Imago. Those insects that undergo this incomplete metamor- phosis, are, in all their stages, capable of locomotion. A knowledge of the various transformations, we have now been considering, will enable you to en- gage in many curious and interesting entomological investigations, by which you will obtain much prac- tical information. For instance, you occasionally find, on your fruit trees, plants or vegetaliles, clus- ters of small eggs, and you are probably anxious to know by what insects they were deposited. This can readily be ascertained by placing the eggs, with the 4- Tbe females of several species of insects are destitute of wings, and are on that account are apterous. [In the order CoUopUra there are a few instances where both male^nd female are without wings; as in some of the Carabidee, BtapsideB and other terrestrial darkling beetles, which have no use for wings, in these the sutures that usually divides the elytra or ^iog-covers of the winged species, is firmly united, forming a solid •hield.— Sub-Ed.] fSome insects are two or three years in undergoing their meta- morphoses; and the seventeen years locust (cicada septendicim) requires seventeen years to complete its larval ar.d pupal stages of life. wood or leaf to which they are attached, in a phial, and closing the mouth with g.^uze or some suitabto contrivance that will admit a sufficient supply of at- mospheric air. Generally, in the course of a few days or weeks, the eggs hatch, and the insect makes its appearance in its young larva state. It is perhaps even now unknown to j'ou ; in which case you must endeavor to find out its appropriate aliment, Ijy fu»- nishing it with food of different kinds. ShouUrthese attempts to discover its proper nourishment prove ud- suocessful, they will, at least, reveal to you the sub- stances on which it does not feed, — nn item of no lit- tle importance. But if the kind of food it requires bo ascertained, you can then furnish an adequate daily supply for its requirements till its full grown is at- tained ; after which it completes its metamorphoses, and you will have the gratification of seeing the pcF- fect insf et. Again, you often notice on vegetable pro- ductions a great variety of larvie differing essentially in their form, color, and general aspect. Now by con- fining and feeding these larv;\j in the manner just mentioned, you will be able to watch their several transformations. Some, you will find, will be meta- morphosed into beetles, some into moths or butter- flies, and .some into insocis belonging to the various other orders. Many insects, after completing their larval existence, always burrow in the ground to firt- ish their transformations. In such cases, it is neces- sary to place an inch or two of earth in the bottom of the glass vessel; and if this precaution be not taken, the larva usually perishes without undergoing its final metamorphosis. The worms you meet with in plums is of this description. If, when fully grown, you confine it in the way and under the conditions just pointed out, in a few weeks you will have an op- portunity of seeing a small beetle which you have often heard of, though probably you have never seen before — the far-famed and destructive Oorculio or Plum-weevil (Khynchoenus nenuphar). But theworm, so commonly met with in the apple and pear, is capsk- ble of completing its metamorphoses witiiout burrow- ing in the ground. It is unnecessary, therefore, to place earth in the bottom of the ]ihial in which it io confined. The mouth of the vessel, however, in this case, should be secured with a glass stopper; for if cork be used for this purpose, the worm will readily liberate itself from its captivity, by cutting its way through it. When it finds escape impracticable. It proceeds to spin a web or cocoon, passess into its pupa state, and eventually is metamorphosed into the codling moth (Carpooapsa pomonella) so often seen sporting and hovering around the light in our man- sions on summer evenings. All of you, I trust, vrill embrace every opportunity of putting into practice the plan now designated, whenever grubs, caterpillars, and other larva% may come in your way. You will find it, not only an amusing and gratilying recreation, but a most fasci- nating mode of acquiring much interesting and use- ful knowledge, in regard to the economy and habits of many of our destructive insects in their different forms of existence. Care must be taken, however, not to confound the perfect insect of a larva, with some of its parasites. For certain Dipterous or Hy- menopterous insects, as you will presen ly lie inform- ed, are hatched and live within the egg, larva, and pupa, of other insects, till their final transformation- is accomplished; when they escape in the form of a two-winged fly, or an ichneumon. To the dry details of the anatomical structuro of Insects, it is not intended that your attention should be directed in this place, or at this time. It is ne- cessary, however, that you should not be altogether 340 REMARKS ON ENTOMOLOGY. [FeBKUARY; unaequaintod with some of their characteristic ana- tomical and physiological pecularities. All insects receive their food cithtr by chewing or by suction. The former are denominated Maudibii- late insects, the latter llaustellate or Suctorial. The BtruT-ture and configuration of their oral organs, taererure, are indicative of the nature and consis- tonco of the nourishment onwhica they feed. No insect provided with a suctorial apparatus can sub- sist on solid food; nor can those with a manducatory mouth live oti liquids. If, then, you observe a plant, the leaves of which have boon much eaten, and you find on it insects with a haustullate mouth, you have, in thiir oral structure, conclusive evidence that these insects did not commit the depredation on the foliage. One of the most remaikable peculiarities of insect- life is their mode of breathing. In them, the func- tion of respiration is performed by an organism dif- fering in its arrangement and position from that of most other animals. Instead of communicating with the mouth, the external respiratory organs are found on the surface of the body, in one of three forms, viz: spiraeles, air-tubes, or bronchia3. Spiracles are simple incisions or'circular openings at the sides of the segments of the body. Air-tubes are csseulially the same as the preceding, being spirac es elongated so as to project beyond the surface. They do not always occupy the same position as the former, but are usually placed at the first or last abdominal segment, and are only found in some insects that are, in their larval state, denizens of the water. Branchias or Gills are processes of the epidermis or skin ; and are confined to aquatic larv;B. Their ordinary form is that of hair or leaves, which are filled with delicate little air-pipes, thatimljibe, from the water, the air it contains, and convey it to the main tubes, through which it is transmitted to every part of the body. The internal respiratory organs are tubes called trachea;. The}' commence at the spiracles, air-tubes or root of the branchia?, and ramify in all directions, thus lurnishing to the blood the oxygen it requires for the support of life. In regard to the Senses, there are strong grounds for believing that insects possess them all ; though sight is the only one that can, with eertaint_ir, be re- ferred to a particular organ. Various considerations, however, favor the opinion, entertained by many en- tomologists, that the antenme are the organs of hear- ing— the palpi of feeling — the tongueof taste — and the mucous or living membrane of thetracheoe of smelling. The Eyes of insects dift'er from those of other ani- mals in their immobility. The- are of two descrip- tions, simple and composite. The composite eye is placed on each siile of the head ; and though appa- rcntlj' a single organ, it is composed of a great num- ber of very minute hexagonal facets, every one of which is, in reality, a separate eye. These facets or lenses are computed to amount, in some insects, to many thousands. The simple eyes (ocelli or stem- meta) are generally three in number, of small size, hemispherical in form, and placed triangularly on the crown of the head. The eyes of larvw are simple ocelli arranged in groups. Simple as well as compo- site eyes are usually met with in insects in their •winged form. Some insects are entirely blind, at least in one stage of their e."5istence, having neither simple nor compound eyes. This is the case with the maggots of flies, (Uiptera) the larva of the diiferent gpecies of Syrphus, and of some minute beetles, (Co- leoptera) and the grubs of the cockchafer (Melolon- tha) as well as the grubs of the rest of the Petalo- cerous division of the Lamellicorues. Until a comparatively recent date, it 'vras generally believed that insects were destitute of a circulatorj system. Its existence, however, has been fully es- tablished by the investigations of Carus, Comparctti, Bowerbank, Burmiester, and others. A heart, in all respects analogous to that of the higher orders of ani- mals, it is true, they do not possess. Nevertheless this name has been applied to a longitudinal tube consisting of a congonies of chambers, and extending the whole length of' the body, b( neath the dorsal in- teguments. It is readily distinguished by its con- tractions and dilatations. The fluid contained in this vessel, differs in color and temperature from the blood of the vertebrate animals ; being cold, and co- lorless, j'ellowish, or of a greenish tint. Nor is it distributed to the various parts of the system, as in the vertebratiB, by means of arteries and veins. By the contraction of the heart-chambers, it is propelled along the dorsal tube to the head, where it is poured out, and forced, by the viti a tergo, into the crevices and interstices of every part of the body, penetrating even the legs, wings, and antennae. After uniting with the nutritive juices that transude through the parietes of the intestinal canal, it is again drawn into the dorsal chambers or reservoirs by their ex- pansion. The air-tubes extend their multitudinous ramifications in all directions through this fluid, and convey to it.as you have already be eninformed.the sup- ply of oxygen so necessary to theexistenceof the insect. The digestive system of insects does not present any characteristic peculiarities requiring special no- tice. In them its power is commensurate with their voracity. Many herbaceous substances that are poi- soinous to other animals, are devoured by some of the herbivorous insects with impunity. Not only is every plant subject to their attacks, but each part of it liecomes the favorite food of one or more tribes. — While some subsist entirely on the root, the appropri- ate aliment of others is the blossom, fruit, seed, leaf, bud, pith, bark, albumen, or even the solid wood itr self. Of those that obtain their nourishment from the foliage, soma only extract its juices, as the Plants Louse, and Hessian Fly ; othera cat the parenchyma alone, as the mining caterpillar; not a few prefer the under surface, ae the leaf rollers ; many select the upper surface, as the slug ; while the caterpillars of most of the butterflies and moths eat the whole leaf. Of those that obtain their food from flowers, some subsist on the petals, others on the pollen, and a still greater number on the honey in the nectarines. With their transformations, a eh.ange of food generally though not invariably becomes necessary. The cat- erpillar, the maggot, and the grub, require, usually, a very difierent kind of food from the moth, the fly, and the beetle. The grub of the cockchafer (Melo- lontha) lives on roots, the beetle on leaves. Animal food is the aliment of the larv» of the ichneumons, while in the imago or perfcet-insect form their sus- tenance is obtained from the juices of flowers. Some insects, after the completion of their final metamor- phosis, take no food whatever; such are the day-flies* (Hemerobii), the caddice-flies (Phryganese), and the may-flies (Ephemiraj). The amount of food consumed by insects is almost incredible ; consequently the injury done b" them to vegetation, must at times be exceedingly great. You are all familiar with the appalling account* of the devastation committed by the Locusts of the East. Occurring, as they often do, in cloud-like swarms so dense as to obscure the light of the sun, it is not surprising that they should, in so short a period, destroy every vestige of vegetation where they alight; and that their course should frequently be foUowe ^Notthecommou houae-fly. 1852.] OUR POULTEY YARD. 341 by famine and pestilence. Fortunately for us, this insect-scourge has never visited our western hemi- sphere. Belonfiing, hovrever, to a closely allied fam- ily of the same Orthopterous order are the grasshop- pers, many varieties of which are common to this country, and at times do no small injury to vegetation. CONCLUSION IN' NE.XT NUMBER. ©nr Jpoulti-g garb. For the Farm Journal. Management of Fowls. Mr. Editor. — Since everything connected with the farming interest, rightfully claims a place in the Journal, permit me to offer a few suggestions in rela- tion to the management of poultry, beliering it to be a branch of domestic agriculture entitled to greater attention than it generally receives. Many farmers keep a large number of fowls run- ning at large, paying little or no attention to them, presuming that food suiEcient for them will be found about the barn, or in the fields adjoining it. The result, as a matter of course, is, that they are unpro- fitable stock. Others again keep comparatively few, which are kept in a yard, well fed, and cared for, and during the season when they could damage crops not permitted to range at large. Facts prove that the smaller, but better fed stock is the most pro- fitable. Now the whole secret of making fowls profitable lies in a nut shell. Where a large number is kept, the amount of animal food they find in the barn yard, ifcc, is wholly insufiiciont to make them good layers. This is especially the case during the winter months, and hence the necessity of supplying the deficiency. This can bo done by giving them a small quantity of meat. The ofial from the table should always, in- stead of being thrown into the slop barrel and given to the pigs, be thrown to the chickens. They will devour it readily. When the quantity of scraps is not large, a little fresh meat should be thrown to them occasionally. During the moulting season they should be parti- cularly well fed, and comfortable shelter provided for them. The food should also be varied somewhat, as chickens love a change occasionally. If fowls are neglected through the moulting season, (during which time they always cease laying) they rarely commence laying again before the spring months, when eggs are cheap. The object of the former should be to keep keep his fowls laying through the winter months'when eggs command a good price. By pursuing this plan, chickens will generally lay during the whole of the winter months, and prove profitable ; and a small number well fed will be more valuable, than a larger number badly kept. J. S. Keller. Oneigshiirg, Pa., Jan. 8, 1852. MR. J. WISTAR'S GRAY GAME FOWLS. THE GAME FOWL. Of all the varieties of Domestic Fowls, except, per- haps, the Smooth-legged Bantam, the Game Fowl is the most symmetrical. It is more slender in the body, the neck, the bill, and the legs, than other kinds, and the various hues of the plumage are more brilliant and showy. Their flesh is white, compact, — like that of the race-horse as compared with the scrub, — deli- cate and very nutricious ; but the extreme difiiculty of rearing the Chickens, owing to their natural pug- nacity, which shows itself at a very early period, de- ters most breeders, excepting those who breed for the cock-pit. "Whole breeds, scarcely feathered, are sometimes stone-blind from fighting, to the very smal- 342 OUR POULTRY YARD. [FEBUUAHr, lest individuals ; the rival couples moping in corners, and renewing their battles on obtaining the first ray of light." The game Eggs are rather smaller tlian common, but finely-shaped and extremely rich and delicate. The weight of this Fowl is from 3J to SJ lbs., though I have heard of 8 lbs., and my friend, Wm. Wistar, Esq., near Germanto\vn, assures me that ho has a Game Cock, thorough-bred, that novr wei'^hs 9'- lbs. The practice of fighting Cocks is sup- supposed to be of Grecian origin. It was adopted by the Romans about 470 years before the Christian era. " There are evidently two varieties of the Game Fowl, if not more. (Assuredly.) The first, occa- sionally seen in the yard of the farmer, is a bird over the average size, and rather heavily formed ; rather too much comb ; breast quite black ; neck, back and ■wings of a very deep red; tail, glossy green. The Hen plain brown, with a lighter-coloured neck, some- times a little streaked with ochre ; legs light-coloured or white. " The other variety, which I much prefer, and now possess, is a smaller Fowl, of a peculiarly light and elegant make ; head very small and flue ; neck, light orange-red ; breast richly spotted, as are, also, in a degree, the wings ; back, very rich red ; tail, glossy greenish black ; legs, dark. liens, brown of various shades, the feathers being streaked with pale ochro down the middle, the same as Pheasants ; comb, in the Cocks very small, and ncit very large in the Hens. " These are most spirited birds, and will soon gain the ascendancy of any yard. The eggs are slightly tinged with yellow-buff, rather small, and long in shape. Hens, good layers and sitters. Chicks, when first hatched, exceedingly pretty, being marked with a deep brown streak on the head and neck, that con- tinues down the back. They are hardy littlo things, and easy to rear. — Dixon tfc Kerr's Ornamental and Domestic Poultry. MR. WISTAR'S SEABRIGHT BANTAMS. THE SMOOTH-LEGGED BANTAM. The small White, and also the coloured Bantams, whose legs are heavily feathered, are sufiBciently well known to render a particular description unnecessary. Bantam-fanciers generally, with Sir John Sebright at their head, prefer those which have clean bright legs, without any vestige of fepthers. The rule with fanciers is, that a thorough-bred Cock should have a rose comb ; a well-feathered tail, with- outthe sickle leathers, however ; full hackles, a proud, lively carriage, and ought not to exceed a pound in weight. The nankeen-coloured and the black arethe general favorites. They are said to have been imported, by the late Sir John Sebright, from India. For perfection of model, and beauty of plumage, nothing can exceed them. The pair portrayed on the opposite page are in the possession of Mr. Wistar, of Cfermantown, and were procured for him by a friend in England. — They are, as may be seen in the portraits, beautifully marked ; the ground of the feathers being a rich or- ange bi own or cream-colour, and each feather pencil- led round the edge with black, with the greatest uni- formity. They are sometimes called the " Sebright Fowl." They are bred in and about London, also in Tarious parts of England and Ireland, with the most scrupulous care. In London there are stated times for the exhibition and sale of these birds ; and Mr. Nolan tells us that " the regulations of the Society of London Amateurs, require that each exhibitor shall offer his birds for sale, after the exhibition, and may bid himself, and put on a prohibitory amount of pur- chase-money. It is on record that Sir John bid up one of his diminutive Hens to £29, and bought her in at that price. And it is recorded in the Illustra- ted London News, of 20th February, 1S47, that so late as that date, two Hens and a Cook, of these beauti- ful emblems of pride and consequence, sold for £50 and Is., being a shilling more than the amount put on them by their owner. At the sale of the late la- mented baronet, the golden grounded birds averaged £5 a brace, and the silver spangled £8 a brace ; al- though they are becoming comparatively abundant, they still keep up a high price in the London market, if well marked. There has been lately offered here, some fine specimens, from Sir -John's own stock, at a very low figure. I do not think any thing could ex- ceed their perfection of feather. A lady near Shrews- bury, has procured some fine specimens of both gold and silver spangled, from this neighborhood ; if she still retain them, I think she may challenge England; as far as I can judge, they are quite superior to those that took the prize in London. Someladiesin Queen's County, have procured fine specimens from the late 1852.] OUR POULTRY YARD. 343 baronet's stock ; I have no doubt, but under their fos- tering care, the breed will be kept up with as much ardor as during the lifetime of the great poultry-pa- txon Sir John, and that we will be breeding them, as in the baronet's lifetime, "to a single feather," and retain their character of the "prettiest of domestic birds." The male birds should stand about twelve inches high : the standard weight being twenty-two ounces ; the plumage as above described, (the rose- comb is preferred ;) the wattles are moderately long- face and throat bare; no top-knot or ruff on neck; as free as possible from hackle ; tail without the plume, or what is called hen-tailed ; perfectly cluan-logged." — Dixon <£• Kerr's Ornamental and Domestic Pouliry. THE SPANGLED HAMBURG FOWL. This beautful variety is distinguished from other members of the same family, liy their large top-knots being coloured instead of white, and the l:>lack and conspicuous muffle or ruff on the throat and under the beak. There are two kinds, the golden and sil- ver spangled ; the ground of the feathers of the gol- /// ^ ^ WAITTS^. — HAMBURG FOWLS. den spangled being a rich yellow, approaching to an orange-red, with black spots or spangles. The silver Bpanglod differs from the preceding, by the ground of the feathers being silvery white. The comb, as in other highly crested Fowls, is quite small ; the wat- tles are also diminutive ; legs generally Ijlue ; skin and flesh white ; Eggs a moderate size, but abundant ; Chickens easily reared. In and aljout New York, a few years since, this Fowl abounded — both the golden ftnd silver varieties. They may weigh, say, three and s, half pounds, for the female, and from four and a half to five and a half for the male. The Cock stands more than twenty inches high, and the Hen about eighteen inches. — Dixon & Ken's Ornamental and Domestic Pouliry. Comtnttmrattons. For the Farm Jonrnal. Mixing Plaster with Stal)le Manure. Mk. Editor:— In the December number of your aluable Journal, I find an article over the signature of A. L. H. on the subject of deep plowing, economis- ing manures, &c., to all of which I heartily assent, and have no doubt if the farmers of the State would adopt the suggestions, they would b(? amply remune- rated. It is very apparent that if A. L. H's. sugges- tions were carried into practical effect, that the crops of Pennsylvania would be increased at least one-third over the present yield. It becomes a matter of se- rious duty with our farmers to discard the present in- different and wasteful manner of farming, and adopt a system which will not only prove beneficial to our- selves, but to the interests of agriculture at large. — The grand requisite for the accomplishment of so de- sirable an end, is the advancement of intelligence amongst the farming community. Your Journal frir- nishes one of the means required, and its general cir- culation, containing as it does, so much valuable in- formation relating to the advancement of agriculture should be encouraged by all. Ui COMMUNICATIONS. [Febbuarv, Having premised thus much, permit me to state my mode of managing manures. I do not offer my plan, because it possesses any novelty, hut because there may be some who will peruse it to their advan- tage. For the last two years, I have always kept on hand a quantity of ground plaster, and whenever my sta- bles are cleaned and the manure drawn to the heap, I sprinkle over the fresh manure a portion of the plaster. My object in doing this is to retain as much possible of the fertilizing properties of the manure. We all know that oije great end to be secured, is the application of manure to the soil in as well rotted state as may be, without too much waste of ammonia. Chemists, I believe, agree, that the value of plaster for agricultural purposes, consists, not in any pecu- liar fertilizing properties it possesses but in its power to fix the gases essential to the life of plants, and my own experience satisfies me that it can be applied for this purpose in no way more beneficially than as above stated. I am led to think that stable manure will rot much sooner when plaster is mixed with it, and that as it fixes the ammonia, a load of it is far more valuable than where it is left exposed to the action of the sun and rain. J. F. ILerr. Utrashurg, Lancaster co., Jan. 5, 1852. For the Farm Journal. The dignity of labor. I honsr the man of achievement ! It matters not whether his employment be that of the hands or of the head, he of all others has my respect and venera- Ile who regards Labor as ennobUng and elevating, is the man who will earn respect and gains it, when the pride of the weaker and more indolent has been like a strong chain binding the faculties and powers, and dragging liim downward into obscurity, or want. Who tills our fields — rears our cities — builds our navies ? Who has invented and skilfully manufac- tured our world of polished machinery, and who drives it with a power that none can comprehend in labor for the good of mankind ? From what source starts into life and being, the magic works of Art, that ornament our public buildings, and private re- sidences ? It is patient, persevering Toil and Labor, that has achieved whatever is great, and good, and noble ! Then who would not be a, laborer, and hold in silent scorn the being who in his " low iliougld " -may consider it servile or degrading to wield a manly strenn-th in the useful and honorable achievements and occupations of life. It has been sAid, and that most truthfully, that " Aoricultural labor has the sympathies of the uni- versal conscience of mankind. It is indeed co-oper- atinf with Nature in the most interesting, because most useful parts of her work; and who like the farmer sowing the seed, reaping the harvests, culti- vating and gathering the fruits, rearing tlie animals and investigating subjects connected with such em- ployments, has higher claim to respect, if with it he connects that degree of intelligence which his suc- cess and advancement as an intelligent being de- mand. A brighter day is dawning on the Agricultural in- terests of our country. Chemistry is throwing now and brilliant rays into the secret operations of nature and is there unfolding the wants of the plant and the soil so plainly, that he who reads may understand, and the enriched eartli in consequence is pouring out her increased treasures into the granaries of the husbandman. Practical science has become a need of the farmer and a part of his business. The improvements and developments constantly coming to light, and given to the public, must and will have their effect. Peace, Plenty and Contentment are in his abode, even when discordant elements may l^e all around him. The domestic ties strengthen and the best af- fections are cultivated away from the noise and tur- moil of life. There is time and place also for calm thought, and intellectual improvement which gives dignity to the character and will inevitably command tlie highest respect of mankind. L. G. A. Chittenango, K. Y., 1852. For the Farm Journal. Mr. Editor : — I take the liberty of inquiring, through the medium of your valuable Journal, the best mode of cultivating the Flax Plant, also the pro- cess of rotting and preparing it for use. Can you inform me on this subject? I can find but fewbooks written on this subject, it being a comparatively new one in this country ; having, I believe, never been carried on to any great extent. If you, or any of your subscribers, can give me some information on this subject, you will much oblige your friend, W. H., a Philadelphia Subscriber. PJiiladelphia, Jan. 20, 1852. For the Farm Jouioal. Mr. Editor : — Can you, or any of your subscri- bers, inform me how I can obtain the Bush Cranber- ry, and also the Barberry ? If any one having them, or either of them, would be so kind as to send me a few seeds of each kind, properly labelled, or give me any information by which I might obtain them, I would be greatly obliged to them for their trouble. Respectfully yours, RoHERT Foster. Lewisberry, York co., Pa., Jan. 20, 1852. Office of the Pa. State Agricultural Society, \ Harrisburg, January 29, 1852. j There will be a meeting of the Executive Commit- tee of the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society, at their ofiice, in Harrisburg, on Thursday, the 26th of February, 1852. By order of the President, RoBT. C. Walker, Secretary. 1852 COMMUNICATIONS. 34 For the Farm Journal. luterestiiigl Experiments. Mr. Editor: — I senilyou below a short chapter of my experience in farming. Some years ag;o, wishing to hasten the improve- ment of my laud by extraneous manuring, and not understanding chemistry, I had to work for answers by experiments. The first one was in plowing down about three acres of oats after it was in head, and about the time it began to change color. The ground was sown with wheat along with the rest of the field, all of it having been manured alike from the yard. — ■ There was no perceptible diiference in favor of one part over the other. I considered the oats a total loss. The next experiment was in plowing down buck- wheat. On six acres of medium quality soil, I ap- plied 240 bushels of lime, and sixty-six three-horse cart loads of stable manure. The ground was pre- pared and the buckwheat sown sometime in June. — It grew finely, and when in full bio im, and much of it from four to five feet high, I drew the harrow over it in the direction that I wished to plow; we followed with Wiley's iron plow. No. 76, which, by the by, is admirably calculated for that kind of work. "While plowing it down, an aged neighbor, whose knowledge was drawn from observation and experience, assured me that it would not answer ; that there was no good in it applied in that way. However, I wished to try and see for myself. I therefore finished the job and sowed it at the usual time with wheat. The appear- ance of the crop was never promising, and resulted in a decided failure. The wheat was evidently spoil- ed by the buckwheat. My next experiment was with saw dust. A neigh- bor had a large heap of saw dust, which had been accumulating for several years, made chiefly from poplar and partly in a state of decay. This I pur- chased for ?5, and hauled it up in th« winter on part of a sod field that I intended-for corn. The dust was spread in the spring, and the whole field limed at the name time with from fifty to sixty bushels of lime per aoi-e. I guessed that the lime might neutralize the acidity contained, and easily detected in the saw dust. It was all plowed dovm together, and the ground planted with corn. Shortly after it came up, that part growing over the saw dust assumed a yel- low color, compared with the rest, and never grew so well. The result of this experiment was a loss of at least one-third of the crop on the dusted portion, which contained about seven acres. The next experiment was in hauling out barn yard manure in the spring of the year— a thing that is rarely done hereabouts, unless it be a few loads for potatoes. I had seen it recommended some .vhere on the authority of a distinguished farmer of New York, that manure so applied was worth as much to the suc- ceeding or second crop, as if it had been left lay in the barn yard during tlie summer. Seventy-five cart loads were applied to about five acres of sod ground, which was planted with corn. The corn crop was about doubled, I presume, in virtue of the manure. At the proper time the crop of corn was removed and shocked on a strip of sod ground, along one side of the field, — the stubs hoed ofi' — the ground plowed and partly manured again, and the whole sowed with Jlediterranean wheat. The result was a very heavy crop where the land had reeoivcd a second applica- tion of manure, and a very light one where it had not. I cannot say whether there was a loss or gain in this trial. But there arc difiiculties in the way of apply- ing stable manure on a large scale to spring crops with a view of securing the same ground in the fall, that cannot well be overcome, and will, I presume, always prevent it from being received into common favor. Hauling out and spreading would occur at a very busy period. The ground is generally too soft to haul over, and the manure much heavier than it is in autumn. Besides that, it makes a very heavy job in the fall, and must necessarily be done in a hurry, as the wheat should be sown about the tunc that the corn is fit to remove from the ground. Any consid- erable delay at that time from wet weather or any other cause, would generally be fatal to the wheat crop following. I have generally town clover with oats and plowed it down the following year for wheat, applying the stable manure to the same crop either before or after plowing down the clover. This appears to be an ad- vantage to the wheat, but there are sometimes difii- culties in getting it plowed at the proper time on ac- count of 'dry weather. I am not sure that the gain in the wheat will compensate for the additional trou- ble and partial loss of the land, for it is not best gen- erally to pasture it the same season after the oats has been removed. So far as my experience goes, there seems to be but little use in plowing down anything as food for crops, except stable manure, and that I apprehend had better be left on top. If there really is anything lost by evaporation from exposure, I have been unable, in a practice of more than twenty years, to discover it. On the contrary, manure so applied, has invariably done the best for me. If we can secure the solid and liquid parts of the ma- nure, we can, I think, afibrd to let the gasses go for the benefit of the world at large. A. W. "W. Cruihrieville, Chester co. Adulterated Te\ is becoming more common eye- ry day. There is scarcely a pound of good tea to be found ; it is adulterated first in China, and then it undergoes a finishing process when it comes here. Epitaph on a Ricu Mav.- ney — and died." ' He lived — made mo- 346 HORTICULTURAL. [February, CjortUultnral pcpartincnt. For the Farm Journal. The Circle of Fruits. A few years since, Nursery catalogues were gorg- ed with hundreds of names of good, bad and indif- ferent fruits, and the novice in fruit planting was completely bewildered by the array of hard words set before him " whence to choose." Public atten- tion was called to this evil, and so well was it shown up, that as a consequence, we have now the other ex- treme : — one thinks half a dozen sorts quite enough, and another avers that there are not many more first rate varieties of any fruit (pe.arsfor example) known to promologists. An old gentleman remarked In my hearing the other day, that he could not see any use in planting more than three or four sorts, some for summer, and some for winter. This man has no idea of over-indulging himself evidently, his appearance proves it. Although owner of hundreds of rich acres, he was out on a " raw and gusty day " without mit- tens or boots, or even a comfortable coat. Unthank- ful, grudging, niggardly acceptance of God's boun- ties is a wilful afirout to Divine Beneficence. Health demands a free supply of ripe and season- able fruit. A friend remarked the other day that he felt a want in the evenings which he could not for some time account for. He missed his evening dish of apples, and the loss affecting his digestion, rend- ered him uncomfortable during the day. One of the oldest and ablest physicians of our county says that apples and abstinence have been the only medicines he has used himself for many years. It is natural to man to desire change. Variety is the spice of life. There are hundreds of palatable flavors of fish, flesh, fowl and vegetable, but there is not one among them, nor any half dozen to which we would bo wholly confined. Much more, and more safely may wo partake of every fruit " pleasant to the eye, and good for food," their flavors are mingled by the hand of Nature, and the more acceptable to the palate, the more wholesome they are. Only un- ripe, unseasonable fruits, are injurious, in the free and constantuse of others there is no danger of excess. But how to hare a constant supply. Summer fruits arc transient. Many desirable kinds last but a few days, and we must accept these or go without for a time, deprived of the relish of their peculiar quali- ties. Many like to see a variety of colors, forms and flavors on the same dish, and choose to sip of this, and then of that, and there is no reason why this taste may not be indulged. To begin with Spring — who would not rejoice to have the benefit of a supply of refreshing, cooling, astringent cherries, during the first heats of summer, and who would prefer to wait for the latest, or having enjoyed the earliest would have none of the latest ? Who would not choose to have some acid enough to stew, as well as some to eat from the tree ; and who that has room to grow them would object to having two or three sorts glowing and laughing from the tree at one time ? Besides that, in this case, there is a triple chance for an annual sup- ply of one sort, if not of all. As to cherries then ; on account of the transient na- ture of individual sorts, and of the pleasure and en- joyment arising from variety and plenty, a cherry- grove should contain at the least, 12 different sorts, forming a succession from the last of May till Au- gust, and, when these are all in bearing, the posses- sor will rather add to the list other kinds than strike out. Of apples, pears, plums, which extend any over a longer season and have greater diviersity of flavor and of uses, a still greater variety will be de- manded. It requires some skill and care to select a suit of varietiesjudiciously, each one must consult his own pre- ferences for certain qualities of the fruits, and choose trees adapted in hardiness to his location. The Iland-Book advertised in your Journal gives a Table of maturity from which a list may be very conveni- ently fi'amed. It should then be corrected by refe- rence to the description of each particular sort. Boalsburg, Dec. 26, 1851. W. For the Farm Joamal. Gooseteiry. Mr. Editor : — Some years since I saw an article in some publication, how to treat gooseberry bushes to procure largo and fine fruit. Having tried many different plans, but always without success, I natu- rally had verj' little faith in this new recommenda- tion. Last spring, however, I made trial and the re- sult, I must confess, disappointed my expectations most agreeably. I had large and fine fruit, free from mildew. Though I had been cvdtivating the goose- berry for more than twenty years, I never succeeded in procuring the fruit free from the mildew. The plan simply is, to transplant the lushes every spring. It ought to be done early, as the gooseberry is one of the earliest growers, and the ground should be made rich. In a year or two the roots become mat- ted together, and the plants can be lifted with a ball of earth, attached to the roots, the same as if taken out of a pot. Whether this plaa will continue to succeed, I am not at present prepared to say, from a single year's trial, yet it is sufficiently encouraging to persevere in the same course. If any of your read 1858.] HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETIES. 847 ers have gooseberry bushes (and no doubt there are many) the fruit of which is annually destroyed by mildew, I would suggest that they take a few of them on trial this spring, and report the result for the Journal. I will give the result of my experiment hereafter. J. B. Garber. Floi-al Rdrcat, Jan. IZth, 1852. For the Furtn Journal. Asparagus. From the kind of stalks served up to Pittsburgh tables, and called " asparagus," one would naturally conclude our gardeners never read, and so there is no use talking to them: but somebody who does read, and likes this excellent vegetable, might take the trouble to tell them to salt their beds. Asparagus beds never require weeding, for there should be just as much salt put on them as to kill every vegetable except asparagus. The weeds should all be kiUed with salt ; and then the soil is in proper order, if rich enough, to bear asparagus like hoc-handles. We this spring put half a peek of salt, and three or four inches deep of well rotted stable manure, on a bed two feet and a half square. The stalks shoot up there about as thick as an ordinary candle, — a dozen of them about every two days. They will not bear more than ten minutes' boiling : fifteen reduces them to a pulp. The asparagus is entirely free from that bitter pungent taste which resembles bad salad; and has that delicious flavor peculiar to itself. Me. Spaxgler. — The above is taken from the Pitlshurg Saturday Visiter, edited by Mrs. Swisshelm — You will perceive that she is no novice,jeven in the garden. That she handles the hoe as well as the pen, you have an instance in the above paragraph. Now, who is not a lover of asparagus, and who would not admire it placed on the table " like hoe- handles," instead of the kind of stalk generally seen, tough as leather three-fourths of their length? — The fact is, asparagus is a marine plant, and natural- ly grows near the sea-shore, where the soil is strongly impregnated with salt. But who ever before placed " half a peck of salt, and three or four inches of well rotted stable manure on a bed tvro and a half feet square ?" Well, she is generally right, and I intend to try her plan, and would advise you, Mr. Editor, as you are going into the gardening line, to experi- ment on a part of your large bed, and give us the result through the Journal. J. B. G. Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. The stated meeting of this Society was held in the Chinese Saloon, Philadelphia, on Tuesday evening, January 20th, 1852. E. W. Keyser, V. P., in the chair. Notwithstanding the severity of the weather, a number of objects were shown. .iVnother beauti- ful flower of the Victoria regia, the thirty-eiglith pro- duced by Jlr. Cope's plant. The bud was cut and brought in carefully protected from the intense cold, and when taken out, it expanded handsomely, and was a perfect specimen of smaller dimensions than those shovra at recent meetings. A moss cov- ered Urn displaying fine flowers and a large basket of choice varieties among which were a raceme of fragrant flowers of the Stanhopea mandata a rare orchid and Cypripedium I'CTjasfaOT from the President's hot houses. And three boquets from other sources. Of fruits, there were dishes of Pears, the "Niles" va- riety from W. V. Pettit; the "caster beurr^" from II. W. S. Cleveland, and a winter Pear from N. Lott, Rea- ding, Pa. Of Apples, the "northern spy "from J. J. Thomas, Macedon, N. Y., and the "Keim" vari- ety from C.|Kessler, Reading There was a large table of esculent vegetables from the garden of Miss Gratz . The Library Committee presented their annual re- port on the condition of the library and a statement of its receipts and expenditures; and by which it appears there are now upwards of nine hundred and fifty volumes on appropriate subjects. The special committee on nominations submitted a ticket of oflicers to be voted for at the annual meeting, and a report descanting fully onthesubject of thePres ident's determination to decline a re-election, announ- ced a year ago, expressing regret thereat, and setting forth his meritorious services and showing the ad- vantages he, by his liberality, has rendered to the cause of Horticulture in this community: likewise al- luding to the course pursued by the Society on its profuse expenditure of means in its awards, and an- ticipating a hope that an association so useful may yet become the recipients of donations and legacies to enable it to establish what was originally contem- plated, a Botanic Garden, ending with a recommen- dation, that a committee be appointed to devise some suitable testmionial to Mr. Cope in appreciation of the good he has eifected. A communication from R. Robinson Scott was read, the subject of his remarks was in relation to the award made to him of premiums at the last meeting for new plants with observations — he will pursue the subject on some future occasion. The following premiums were awarded this eve- ning by the committee on plants and flowers : For the best design of cut Flowers, .John Ellis, gardener to C. Cope; for the best boquet for the hand to James Bisset, gardener to James Dundas : for tlie best basket formed of cut flowers, to John Ellis. The Committee observed with much pleasure a fine flower of the Victoria regia, from Mr. Cope's houses. By the Committee on Fruits : For the best Pears, the "Niles," to Wm. V. Pettit; for the best Apples, the "Northern Spy," to J.J. Thomas. The Committee noticed a very good specimen of Pears from Reading, called the Winter Pear, also the "Keim" Apple, both of good flavor and worthy of attention. Some specimens of the Easter Beurr6 were exhibited, which were passed prime. ::;;:By the Committee on Vegetables : — For the best display by an amateur gardener, to John Gallagher, gardener to Miss Gratz. Thomas P. James, Recording Secretary. The annual meeting was organized by calling Mr. J. J. Vanderkemp to the chair, and appointi^ J. E. Mitchell, Secretary. James D. Fulton and Dr. G. Watson, acted as tellers. The election for oflicers re- sulted as follows : President — Gen. Robert Patterson. Vice Presidents — Jas. Dundas, Joshua Longstreth, E. W. Keyser, Dr. Wm. D. Brinckl6. Treasurer — .John Thomas. Correspanding Secretary — Tho. C. Percival. Recording Secretary — Tho. P. James. Professor of Entomology — S. S. Haldeman, A. M. Professor of Botany — W. Darlington, M. D. Professor of Horiisultural Chcmistnj. — Robert Hare, M. D. 348 EDITORIAL. [Februarv, THE FARM JOURNAL. 2lssi0tant ^iiitor's JDcpartment. A. M. SP ANGLER, Assistant Editor. Agents. The Farm Journal may be had at the following places : — W. B. Zieber, South 3(1 St., principal agent for Philadelphia. W. II. Spangler, Lancaster, Pa. B. r. Spangler, Columbia, Pa. Geo. Bergner, Harrisburg, Pa. H. Miner, Pittsburg, Pa. J. R. Shryock, Chambersburg, Pa. H. M. Rawlins, Carlisle, Pa. A. L. Warfield, York Pa. and of Booksellers generally. Our Office. Those having business to transact with us will please call at the Book Store of W. H. Spangler, in North Queen street, Lancaster, where we or our re- presentative will at all times be in attendance. To old subscribers. Frequent inquiries have been made of us recently, whether old subscribers will be permitted to renew their subscriptions at club prices. As a general re- ply to these inquiries, we answer, most assuredly. — Our terms now, are the same as formerly, and we indulge the belief that not only shall we retain our old friends, but that our club lists (with large addi- tions of new names) will bo renewed. Back Numbers. — We repeat the notice given in former numbers, that we can supply any or all of the back numbers of the first volume. If any of our subscribers have failed to receive them regularly, we will, if advised of it, cheerfully supply any deficien- To Correspondents. — ^We have on file a number of excellent communications, which have boon una- voidablv crowded out by a press of other interesting matter. We are led to indulge the hope, that our readers will avail themselves of this season of leisure to the farmer, to write out facts for the forthcoming numbers of the Journal. Every man's experience is Taluablo, and every farmer in the State is competent to furnish something to enrich our columns. We care not how plainly these articles may be written, as we ask not for polished essays, but for plain facts. Give us the facts in your own language, and we will prepare them for publication. Valuable Farm for sale. — The attention of those desirous of purchasing Virginia lands, is directed to the advertisement of Mr. Boiling, of Petersburg, Va. who offers Sandy Point farm for sale. This is said to be a most valuable and desirable property. Dr. Brinckle's Essay on Entomology. — We ask the earnest attention of every reader of the Journal to the able and at the same time highly valuable and interesting essay of Dr. Brinckle on Insects. The importance of this subject to the farming community generally, has not heretofore claimed the attention it should have done. We are led to hope, however, that the familiar, yet scientific manner in which the able author has treated it, will induce many who have hitherto regarded it as of trivial importance, to study it more closely, and by their observations, aid in the extermination of what is a rapidly increasing foe to the farmer. We can only regret that the late hour at which the essay was received, prevented us from giving it entire in the present number. A Word to our friends. With the next number closes the first volume of the Farm Journal. In retrospecting the events of the past year, we cannot repress a feeling of honest thankfulness for the very cordial and encouraging support extended to our undertaking. We entered the field almost alone. All commended the enter- prise, but few had faith in its ultimate success. All agreed that Pennsylvania farmers ought to support an agricultural journal of their own, but few believed they would. Encouraged by a small number of con- fident friends, we launched our craft, and trusted to the generosity of the friends of agriculture through- out the State, to save it from being wrecked. With the issue of the first number came new friends. The skies brightened. Words of good cheer from good men encouraged our hearts, and with each succeed- ing effort to win for it an honorable position amongst the agricultural periodicals of our country, came re- newed and multiplied expressions of favor, until at length we felt that we had sufficient support to insure its permanency. Another number closes our first volume and we as- sure our readers that we shall enter upon the second with a hopeful though trembling heart. A thousand vague fears besot us. Has the Farm -Journal met the expectations of those who have kindly aided in giving it an existence ? Will the efforts of those who interested themselves in its behalf when in its infancy and so essential to its future prosperity, be again put forth, or will they be relaxed, and we compelled to strug- gle on with the cheerless prospect of a bare existence before us. Ours has never been a desponding spirit. We may not have succeeded in making the Journal what it should be, although we did all we could ; but we are consoled by the idea that "the world was not made in a day," nor should it be expected that in a single year it is possible to give our publication the high character at which we aim. Believing, and be- lieving confidently, that those who stood by us in the beginning will not forsake us now, we appeal to them again for their generous aid. WiU not those who 1853.] EDITORIAL. 349 furnished us with club lists, do so again ? AVe do do not like to promise much, fearing our ability to fulfil ; but if enlarged experience, increased facilities, and the assurance of strong support for our columns from a host of excellent men will be taken as a guar- antee, wo think we may safely promise that the next volume of the Farm Journal will approximate a little more closely to the standard of excellence we desire it to attain, than that which is about closing. Is this sufficient? If so, friends of agriculture, commence the good work. Let us enter upon the new volume knowing that we shall be sustained. Let us feel tliat we have your approbation, and though we real- ize nothing more than the mere expenses of publica- tion, we shall have the consciousness that our efforts to build up the character of Pennsylvania agriculture, if not profitable to ourselves, may have been so to others. Culture of the Upland Cranberry, A correspondent asks, " whether the Cranberry may not be successfully cultivated on upland." The practicability of growing the Cranberry on high land has been satisfactorily shown, by the success which has attended the effort wherever properly made. In the New England States, great attention has been given to the subject, and the result has settled the question beyond a doubt. INIr. Sullivan Bates of Bel- lingham, Massachusetts, gathered 400 bushels from a single acre, and other cultivators have been equal- ly successful, though we do not believe that this quan- tity is to be regarded as an average yield, nor indeed is it necessary that it should be in order to render the culture of the upland Cranbery a matter of pro- fit. Cranberries command from §1,50 to S3 per bu- shel, and as those grown on upland are said to be much larger than the Swamp berries, and equally well adapted to culinary purposes, there appears to be a decided advantage in cultivating the former. The culture of the Cranberry is simple, and at- tended with but slight expense. A clay soil mixed with a sufficient quantity of sand to prevent its ba- king, seems best adapted to its growth. Any soil that is suitable for the Strawberry will answer for the Cranberry, and as it is propagated both by runners and seed, there is little difficulty in growing them, if a proper begining is made. The land intended for Cranberries should be plow- ed, and if a quantity of swamp muck is applied so much the better. It should then be thoroughly har- rowed, and the plants set out in drills from eighteen to twenty inches apart. vSome hoeing will be neces- sary the jirst season, after which they require no cultivation. A very rich soil is not necessarj\ Mr. Bates contends that the soil should be so poor, that nothing will grow upon it to obstruct the growth of the Cranberry, and to accomplish this he recom- mends the removal of the top soil. We have frequently seen the Cranberry growing wild, Ijut never under cultivation, and are compelled therefore to glean our information in regard to the proper mode of culture fi'om other sources. We have however, not the slightest doubt that they will suc- ceed well on upland, and would be glad to see them introduced into Pennsylvania, as we regard it as a valuable and delicious fruit. Rockland. — Wo are pleased to state that in our next number we shall present our subscribers with a handsomely engraved portrait of the first premium Durham bull " Rockland," the property of James Gowen, Esq., of Mount Airy, Philadelphia county. Rockland is perhaps one of the finest animal.? in the State, and we hope to follow up his portrait with oth- ers of a similar character. Fanning Mills. — Among the many excellent Ag- ricultural implements exhibited at the State Fair, was a large variety of Fanning Mills, manufactured in in our own and the adjoining States, embodying all the recent improvements. The display was large, and no portion of the implement department attracts ed so much attention. A fau' and impartial trial was given each, and resulted in the award of the first premium to Jesse Roberts, of Norristown, Slontgom- ery county. Pa. This mill possesses mauy excellent qualities and attracted great attention, in regard to the simplicity and completeness of its machinery, as well the excellence of the work performed by it, — For a more particular description we refer our rea- ders to Mr. Robert's advertisement. Bamborough's celebrated mills were alsa on exhi- bition, and were awarded a diploma, the committee considering them of almost eqiial excellence with Robert's. The same compliment was paid to Grant's mill, exhibited by Messrs. Prouty & Barrett. A num- ber of other Mills of high merit were on the ground, which the committee mentioned as worthy of praise. These were exhibited by Whitman & Co.. of Balti- more; Montgomery & Bro., Lancaster; Lanphear & Jeffries, Lancaster ; S. N. Lacy, Wyoming co. : C. Schrciner, Cumberland co. ; J. Behel, Juniata, and E. Watkins, Washington county. Lancaster County Agricultpral Society. — The annual meeting of this society was held on Tuesday, January 13th. The attendance was large and re- spectable, and a deep interest manifested by all pre- sent. The annual address was delivered by James Gowen, Esq., and is said to be a most valuable con- tribution to the cause of agriculture. It is shortly to be published in pamphlet form by the society, when we will be able to speak more fuUy of its merits. — JIuch to our regret, the blocking up of the .lil roads by the snow, prevented us from reaching home in time to hear it delivered. 350 BOOK NOTICES. [Febkuauy, Book ^otUea. Lessons in Modern Farming, or Agriculture for Schools ; containing scientific exercises for recita- tion and elegant extracts from rural literature, for academic or family reading, bi/ Rer. Jno. L. Blalce, D.D. Mark 11. Newmivn & Co., New York. For sale by Lindsay & Blakiston, Philadelphia. The importance of agricultural education has been so much dwelt upon of late, that it is scarcely neces- sary for us to point out its claims now. The convic- tion that the son of the farmer should receive an edu- cation analogous to that provided for young men de- signed for the liberal professions, is daily strengthen- ing. There are those, and perhaps the greatest number, who advocate the establishment of agricul- tural colleges. While we heartily second their efforts and trust that the day will come when such institu- tions will abound, it is very evident to us that the day has not yet arrived. There are certain prelimi- nary steps necessary, whieh have not been taken. — However fiivorable public opinion may be to the es- tablishment of such institutions, it is apparent that to put them into successful practical operation will require mightier energies than can be brought to bear upon them now. To the rising generation — the youth- ful yeomanry of the land — we must look for help, and in order to interest them sufficiently, it is neces- sary that the importance of scientific agriculture bo inculcated into their minds at an early age, and the means to be used for the accomplishment of so de- sirable a result, must be placed within the reach of all. If it be asked how this may be done, we answer, tlirough the Common Schools of the Commonwealth. Agriculture must be made a branch of study, so that every youth in our State who is destined to become a farmer, may have the great leading principles of his intended profession instilled into his mind at an early age. If it be urged, that competent teachers could not ba procured, we meet the objection by asserting that so soon as it is ascertained that a general knowl- edge of the principles of agriculture is a necessary qualification of a teacher in the pulilic schools, just 80 soon will teachcis make it a study, as they are compelled to do the diflbrent branches of arithmetic, grammar, &c. The work before us is eminently cal- culated to promote this object, and we indulge the hope that those who have charge of our public schools will see the importance of giving to this subject the attention it so richly deserves. Address of Peter A. Browne, L.L.D., before the Agri- cultural Society of Bucks county. Pa., Oct. 1, 1851. This is a well prepared and useful address by an author well known to agriculturists by his writings upon wool. It traces the rapid growth of the flour- hing county of Bucks ; contrasts the condition of ^'\) American farmer with the system of " white sla- very" practised by the English in Ireland, gives va- rious statistical and historical facts of much interest to the citizens of the county, and includes some sug- gestions for the advancement of agriculture. The extent to which matters of local interest are treated is worthy of imitation on similar occasions, when the local audiences of county societies are addressed. Woman in her variotis Eclations, containing practical rules for American females, d'c, by Mrs. L. G. Abell, author of " Skilful Honseicife," " Gems by the Wayside," d-c. William Holdredge, Nexo York. The readers of the Journal will recognise in the author of this neat volume, one of our most esteemed contributors. We have examined its pages with feel- ings of deep interest, containing as they do, a mass of valuable hints upon subjects with which every wo- man should be familiar. It is designed to bring be- fore the women of our country, in their true colors, the weight and importance of the duties and respon- sibilities resting upon them, and with such a noble mission in view, we wish this excellent book God speed, earnestly hoping that the well directed efforts of its gifted author may be properly appreciated, and produce their desired results. A Catechism of Familiar Things; their history, aiui the events which led to their discovery. With a short explanation of some of the principal natural pheno- mena, &c. Lindsay & Blakiston, Philadelphia. A most excellent volume containing a mass of valuable and reliable information upon subjects which enter into the daily concerns of life. AVe have ex- amined its contents, and with honest sincerity recom- mend the volnme to the attention of our readers in general, and of parents and teachers in particular. — It is just such a work as every man who desires a general knowledge of useful things without the fa- tigue of wading through large volumes to find it, will need. The United States, its Power and Progress, by Guil- laume Tell Poussin, late Minister of the Republic of France to the Uniled Slates. First American from the third Paris edition. Translated by E. L. Du Barry, M. D., Surgeon TJ. S. Navy. Philadelphia. Lippincott, Grambo & Co. Every thing relating to the advance of our national greatness, is a matter of interest to the American reader. The author, for many years a resident of the United States, had ample opportunities for obser- vation and inquiry, the result of which is the volume before us, embodying much valuable information in relation to the progress we, as a nation have made in agriculture, commerce aud manufactures, and the degree of power we have reached. It abounds in sta- tistical information of much importnnce to the gene- ral reader, as well as many interesting observations on the practical working of our republican institu- tions. 1852.] advertisements; 351 The Practical Cool: Book; containinr/ upwards of one thousand recipes, consistiny of directions for select- ing, preparing and cooking all kinds of meat, fish, poultry and game, soups, broths, vegetables and sa- lads; ahofor making plain and fancy breads, pas- tries, puddings, cakes, creams, dr., together with various miscellaneous recipes, and numerous prepa- rations for invalids, by Jlrs. Bliss, of Boston. — Philadelphia, Lippincott, Grambo & Co. This useful volume is presented to the public as the result of many years practical experience, in the various departments of -which it treats. While the country is flooded with books relating to culinary matters, but few of the many yet published are suffi- ciently practical in their character for general use. Mrs. Bliss' work is an exception to this rule, and from an examination of its contents we cannot but think that it will prove a most valuable acquisition to evei'y family library. LittelVs Living Age. Boston, E. Littell &, Co. We have for some time past,_been in receipt of this excellent journal. For spirit and freshness it is un- doubtedly the leading periodical of the day. Its readers are furnished weekly with the spice of the foreign Reviews, &c., embodying a valnable exposi- tion of the current literature of the English language. The selections are, generally speaking, of a solid and substantial character, and as such eminently adapted to the tastes and wants of the American reader. The plan of the work is such as to commend it to all, and we are pleased to loarn that the enterprising publish- ers are meeting with the encouragement they so rich- ly deserve. The Model Architect, Ko. 7. E. S. Jonci & Co., Phi- ladelphia. This fine work continues to improve in character as it progresses. We again commend it to those who desire an excellent work on rural architeoture. B. P. Johnson, Esq., of Albany, will please accept our thanks for five bound volumes of the Transactions of the New York Agricultural Society, from 1846 to 1850 inclusive. These volumes are noble evidences of the interest manifested by the people of New York on the great subject of Agriculture. Benevolence is daily more and more generally acknowledged as the true rule of conduct. The max- im, "Live and let live," will soon be superseded by a still nobler principle of action, "Live and help live." ALDERNEY AND IMPROVED SHORT HORN CATTLE. THREE tlinrnii^h bred Alderney BL'LI-S, from nine to eleven months old, raised ;"rom the choicest imporfed slock. Also, two thorough iTbd youiiij short horn Bulls, ten months old, raised on the farm of Mr. J. P. Remington, near Philadelphia, and for sale by AARON CLEMENT, Agent for the purchase and sale of im- proved stock. Cedar street, above 9th street, Philadelphia. February 2d, lb52. HIGHLY IMPROVED ESTATES AND VALUA- BLE TIMBER LAND, On Lov-er James River, For Sale. THE undersigned prevented by engagements, requiring his un- divided attention elsewhere, from residing on his estate, will seU publicly, (niiless previously sold privately, of which due notice will be given,) before the Bollingbrook Hotel, in the city of Pe- tersburg, Virginia, at 11 o'clock, on Wednesday, the *26th day of May next, without reserve or regard to weather, that valuable body of highly improved arable and heavily timbered land, extend- ing up the north side of James river, from the Chickahomony riv- er, in the county of Charles City, Virginia, about Smiles, well known under the general designation of SANDY POINT. This estate lies 32 miles below Petersburg, 45 miles below Richmond, and about (i.5 above Norfolk, in what is justly considered the finest and most extensive grain glowing region of Virginia, and as healthy as any on tidewater. Spring and well water abundant and good The whole tract contains 4.4j4 acres of unsurpassed natural quality, of which 2,1 SO have been thrice limed, and are now in a high and successful state of cultivation, upon the five field ro- tation, with more than 500 acres well set in clover The balance chiefly in wood and timber, embracing a body of some of the best timbered land in Eastern Virginia, convenient to good navigation. Marl abounds on the river, and Stone Lime of excellent quality is 6 1-2 cents per bushel. The sub divisions are as follows — THE NECK — contains 9St acres, 551 limed, elovered, and in a high state of cultivation; 16S in wood and timber, and 2^*4 meadow omiarsh land well meadowed and reclaimable at small expense. A valuable winter Fishery belongs to this farm. BUILDINGS — A small new frame dwelling, smoke house, negro houses, stable and large barn, with stationary horse power and shelter. LOWER TEDINGTON— contains 834 acres, 550 limed, elover- ed, &c., 2J2 principally in w^ood and timber, aui 31 in reclairaable meadow. BL'ILDLVGS— A new frame dwelling with4 roomsand a passage, negro houses, a largeand well arranged barn, with sta- tionary horse power and shelter; two large stables for horses, ox- en, &c., extensive hay house and spacious and well arranged buildings, for the ^protection of wagons, carts and all farming utensils. &c. UPPER TEDINGTON— the Family Residence. Contains 775 acres, 532 limed, elovered, &c.. 2-29 principally in wood and tim- ber, and 11 in reclaimable meadow. BUILDINGS— a commodious wooden dwelling, large two storied kitchen and laundry, ice house, new and spacious carriage house and stable, servants' houses, &c., (fcc. Also, a new Barn, part wood und part brick, with 4 floors 80 by 36 t'eet.ind a wing 30 by 50 fee ■ wiih bone, plaster, saw and gristmills. In the barn there is alMthe necessary machinery for threshing and w^innowing wheat, sheiling and grinding corn anil sawing timber, all effectually driven by a 16 horsepower stationa- ry engine in complete order and coiuiition. A lar^e orcliard stock- ed with every variety of fruit, in successfu' bearing is attached to this faim- UPPER QUARTER— contains 035 acres. 54G limed, elovered. &c., 290 principally in wood and timber. BUILDINGS— A small frame dwelling, kitchen, laundry, smoke house, negro houses, bara wilh stationary horse power and shelter and stable. Each of the ab(tve four fnrms has a river front, with landings, at which wharves can be erected cheaply and conveniently if tie- sired. To "Uppper Tedington," within 100 feet of the barn, be- longs a new, commodious and substantial wharf, at which tb« largest size vessels lie, steamers, sea and river, pass twice a day, frequently oftener, plying between Petersburg, Richmond, Nor- folk, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York. In addition to the above described four farms and timber and wood land thereto attached, are the following valuable timber and wood lots eligibly situated, convenient to navigation, which will make farms as desirable and productive as those above described : No. 1. containing 215 acres ; No. 2, 193 acres ; No. 3, 244 acres ; No 4, 223 acres ; and No. 5, 147 acres. Mr. Nicol, residing at Sandy Point, will be prepared to show the property in my absence, and a particular and thorough examina- tion is invited at any time previous to the day of sale. Accurate plats of each sub-division have been prepared and are ready for inspection. Possesssion of the timbered lands given inmiedialely after the sale ; of the farms at the end of the year, with the privi- lege previously, of fallowing and seedinjr wheat. TERMS :— For the farms, one-tifth cash, the balance in five equal annual instalments from the 1st January, 1853. For the tinibered lands, one-third casii, and the balance in three equal annual instal- ments from day of sale. The credit payments to bear interestand to be secured by deeds and bonds, or notes with approved securities or endorsers. ROB'T B. BOLLING. Petersburg, Virginia, February, 1S52. WM. PANNILL & SONS, Anct'ra. FRUIT AND ORNAMENTAL TREES FOR SALE. 50.000 Peach Trees of one and two vears growth, from the bud ; '50.000 Apples; 5.000 Cherries ; 5 llOU Dwarf Pears, each contwin- iiig all the most e.-teemed varieties, and of large size. Also, Quinces, Plums, Nectarines, Apricots, Almonds, Grapes. Raspber- ries, Gooseberries, Currants. Strawberries, kc. Sec. 5U.0(j0 Silver and Ash-leaved Maple Seedlings of one years growth ; 50,000 Ap- ple Seedlings. The above will be sold on the most reaaonabla terms. Persons residing at the south and west should send their orders early. Catalogues with prices annexed will be sent to all applicants. ISAAC PULLEN, February, 1852— 2 mos.) Iligbstown, Mercerf o >i ersey. 352 ADVERTISEMENTS. [FEBEUARir, A. an air chamber — B. liody of ram— C. valve chambers — D. valve — F. coupling Tor delivery pipe— H. coupling for drivnigpipe. J. B. CHICHESTER, NO. 23, SOUTH EIGHTH STREET, PHILADELPHIA, AGENT for Birkinbines Patent improved Hytlraulie Ram, Force Pumps, Street Stops, Fire Plugs, and Hydraulic Machmery in general. Tlie superiority of these Rams over all others is the great amount oi water thrown to that wasted, the large size they can be constructed, the durability of them, as well as the small amount of attention and repairs they require— many running at present for 4 and 5 years, without any repair. At the present time there are in the United States, Cuba, Mexico and South America, about 2000 in successful operation. The town of Naples in the State of New York is supplied with water by one of these Rams, throwing 20,000 gallons a day. Many more could be mentioned if space would permit. Persons wishing Rams sent to them by measuring the amount of water their brook or spring aftbrds, per minute, the head and fall they can procure, the elevation to be overcome, and distance to be conveyed, can have the proper Ram and Pipe sent them, with di- rections for putting up. The expense, in most cases, is smaller than a well and pump. — Letters post-paid, will meet with prompt attention. When desired an experienced person will be sent to put them at a small addition- al expense. Lead and iron Pipe for sale. These Rams are war- ranted in every respect. (Jan. 1852. WHEELER'S PATENT I'ennsylvaum State AyricuUumI Society's Fiist Pre- mium Itailwaji Chain Horse Power and Occr- shot Thresher and Separator. THESE Machines were awarded the first Premium (of $10,) and a Diploma at the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Exhibition, in competition with many others, and they have also received the first for a monied) Premium at all the County Fairs wheiever they have been exhinited for Premium in the State of Pennsylvania, and numerous premiums in other States. To show the public that these Machines are none of the humbugs of the age, I WILL PAY ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS as a 'premium to any person who can produce a superior Horse Power and Threshing Machine for general purposes and to do more work with the same amount of labor, in any given time. For more detailed explanation, see Farm Journal of August, 1851, or address the subscriber, at Harrisburg. M. H. STEEVER. Harrisburg, February, 1852. 2moa IMPORTANT TO FARMERS! JESSE ROBERT'S PATENT UNITED STATES GRAIN AND SEED FAN. TO wnicn iv'AS attarded the FIRST PREMIUIM At the Pennsj-lvania Agricultural Fair, after a trial the fairness of which coukl not be disputed. These Kaiis, the inventor confident- ly asserts, are the only ones now in use entirely adequate to the wants of the farmer. The object of the inventor was not directed aione, to the purpose of cleaning grain, but of cleaning it and saving at the same time the farmer the trouble of gathering it from the floor, thus not only avoiding labor, but keepnig the grain from the dirt on the floor. In addition to this, these Fans, possess greater advantages than those constructed upon the old plan. — These advantages are as follows : First. The arrangement is such, that a quick shake can be ob- tained bv turning slowly, thus securing when desiredj a less quan- tity of for small seeds. Second. When necessary a slow shake can be secured, by rapid turning. This is of immense advantage, as it adapts the fan, to the cleaning of all kinds of seeds. Third. A new method of adjusting the riddles and screws. This gives the operator the advantage of placing them in any position bes". adapted to accomplish the purposes of ii grain Fan. Every riddle and screen has a separate adjustment, bo that each one can be fixed at any angle \vithout ilie necessity of taknig them out Fourth, The grain, instead o( falling on the floor, as is usually the case, is discharged, by means of a small trough, into the half bushel, or other measure that may be placed under it. By this ar- rangement the grain is all mensurcd, by the time it is cleaned, thus saving not only labor, but time, and consequently expense, as well as keepins^ the grain from contact with the dust and dirt on floor. For this reasr)n; the fan, can be put in operation anywhere, with as little trouble as the common fans can be used in a barn floor. Fifth, Tlie simplicity of their constructions renders them less liable to get out of repair than other mills. For the above reasons, we confidenily recommend our Fans to public patronage. Privileges to manulacture will be granted on reasonable terms. Satisfactory information can be promptly had by addressing postpaid, the subscriber at Norristown, Montgome- ry CO.. Pa. JESSE ROBERTS. Norristown, December, 1, 1851. 9-tf W« Seed and Ai^ricultural Warehouse. No. 29. Market Street, Pkila. HERE the subscriber has onened an extensive assortment of GRASS AND GARDEN SEEDS, of his owii raisiiig, oT recciit impo»- tation, and warranted to be as represented. He is, also, manufacturing all the most approved Agricultural Implements, among w^hicli he would call the attention of Farmers to a new article of Plow, of his own invention, called Cast-Steel, Extending Puint, Self-Sharpening, Surface and Subsoil Plows, which for durability and easy of draft is yet unequalled. The great advantages these Plows possess over all others, are their peculiar construction and the substitution of Cast-Steel in the place of Cast-Iron, which only wants to be seen to beappreciated; aJI of which will be sold on the most reasonable prices by May, 1801. C. B. RO&EHfc. 1852. ADVERTISEMENTS. 353 FARMERS PROTECT YOUR HOUSES & BARNS. So many accidents )iave happened from lightning during the past Slimmer, thiit every prudent and careful farmer should at once adopt such means as will be most eifectual in preventing tliem — When it is remembered that certain safety may be secured at a very tritliiig expense, it becomes tlie duty of every farmer and good citizen to avail himself tlie proffered means By so doing, he not only secures his property friil/l.>=,d, , ,„ „ . -,, .^^ The persons who have already used these ORAIN FAISShave not only spoken in flattering terms of them, but prefer them to all "her be'y have nsed-anO- very many of the best Agriculturials have Eiven their certificates that the laet of these machines screen- iag the grain twice by one and the same operation is the very im- nrovenwnt Ihev have long desired. Our farmers will now have Le most perfJc wmnowing machine, which spreads the gram o/er the upper screen more perfectly than any others now in use^ . This improvement is so valuable as to liave induced he inventors and raai ufuctarers to malie application for Letters Patent ll" orders far the machines will be proinptly attended to by the imdersit'ned J- M0NTG0M1.R\ & BROTHER, *Sept.!851. Lancaster city, I'a. THE FRUIT-GROWER'S HAND-BOOK. Fncoura"ed by the very warm commendations of this work, re- ceived alike from experienced Horticulturists and from the wholly inexperienced, the author ventures with some confidence to sub- mit it to the public at large. , .. u , A r.v. Notes of all the important questions on fruit culture asked of the writer durin» the last ten years, with a thorough research of Fo- luolo'ical works, have contributed to render this volume as cora- i.lete°as possible, in convenient compass. . - , , . To the lot-holder who wishes to make the most of a few plants and little room, as well as to the extensive planter who wishes to arrange and cultivate his gardens m the most economical and pro- fitable manner, the Hand Book will be found a useful companion lor frequent reference. » /• r «>. Cff- Price, FIFTY CENTS. Two copies, post free, for SI. @- i-rice, '■[^^^ ^VM. G. WARING, sept. 1851. Boalsburg, Centre co., Pa. DOUBLE-ACTING, LIFT AND FORCE PUMPS The subscriber munufactnrea Double-acting Lift and Force PHmps. of all sizes, for Factories Mines, Railway Water Stations, Breweries, Steamboats, Steamships, Tan Work's, Ships, Water Boats, Unt r ianids Family Purposes, &c. VILLAGE AND FACTORY FIRE ENGINES. Garden Engines, Cistern Pumps, Well Pnmps, for any depth re- mured, Hons Couplings, Copper Rivetted Hose of all sizes. Orna- mental aeCast-iron Fountains, Ice. Purchaters are respectfully invited to call. Anv comluunications by mail will have immediate attention. G.B.FARNAM, 31 Cliir St., near Fulton, N. Y PENNA. PATENT AGENCY OFFICE. Inventors and otheia, having business to transact at the United Stales Patent office, are hereby infcrmed. that the nmiersi^ned will attend promptly to all business connected with siiid office.Kand will complete Perspective and Sectional Drawings, and all requi- site papers, Cavtats. Specifications, Disclaimers, Assignments,' &.c. Rjid make the proper applications for the securing of Letters Pa- tent, according to law. MACHINISTS AND INVENTORS will save time, trouble and expense, by first consulting him, and the strictest secresy will be observed, relative to their inventions and claims The office is at present located In Centre Square, two doors south of the Ljxiicaster Bank, where the list nf patents granted since the year 17M to the present day can be examined, tngelher with nii- merousspeci6cations, drawings and models, and every information obtained relative to the laws and rules of the U. S Patent office. All the requisite papers, drawings and models will be promptly and carefully forwarded to Washington citv, free of charge by J. FRANKLIN REIGART, Lancaster, Pa Life Insurance for Horses, &c. THE American Live Stock Insurance Company, (Stockholders iti- dividuaily Liable) for the Insurance of Jiorses, Mule !■, Prize Bulh, She^.p] Cattlf,, 4-c , against Fire, Water, Accidents and Dis ease. Also, upon Stock driven to Eastern markets, or transporled South. JOHN H. FRICK. General Agent for Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. REFERENCES : Wood, Abbott & Co., ) Truitt, Brother & Co.. V Philadelphia. Coates & Brown, ) Agents: JOHN ZIMMERMAN, Lancaster Pa. CHARLES F. FRICK. Rea.ling, Pa. SAMUEL H. TAYLOR, Maurh Chunk, Pa. Dr. JouN G. ScovEKNi Veterinary Surj^eom, May, 1851.) Examiner for Lancaster Cowmy. ■\Vm. B. Wilet, Job Printer Lancaster, Pa. 1852.] ADVERTISEMENTS. 355 FRUIT & ORNAMENTAL TREES, &C. The subscribers solicit the attention of Nurserymen, Orchardists Mill Amateurs, to their present large and fine stock of Nursery Ar- ticles: Standard Frttit Trees, for Orchards ; thrifty, well grown, and bondsoine, of all the l)est varieties. DwAKF Trees, for Gardens. The largest stock iu the country, (Hid the most complete. Dwarf Pear Trees. Our collection consists of well known leading varieties, and numbers more than 150,UUU saleable trees — The superiority of these, being grown in the country, over import- ed trees is well known to every intelligent cultivator. Nothing, in fact, in this country, can equal our collection of Pear Trees,— They can be had from one to four years growth, some of which are now coveretl with fruit. DwAKF Apple Trees. We cultivate in large quantities the best and handsomest varieties of apples on Doucam and Paradise sttK-Us for Dwarfs and Pyramids, and can furnish them iu large quantities, from one to two years growth. Dwarf Cherry Trees. All the leading varieties are cultivated cai Mahaleb stocks, extensively. We can furnish by the hundred and tliousand, from one to two years growth. Cherry Currant, the largest variety known. Upwards of 1,000 plants on hand, English Gooseberries, all the best sorts. Large Fruited Monthly Raspberry, that gives a crop of fine fruit in the autunni. Strawberries, all the best sorts. Ornamental Shade Trees, of good size, for streets, parks, &c., targe and well grown. Choice Trees and Shrubs, for lawns and pleasure grounds, in- ciudin? all the finest, new and are articles recently introduced. Hardy E\"ergreen Trees. Norway Spruce and Balsam Fir, of Buiall size, in lar£;e quantities; and a mndt-rate supply of large (mes, besides nearly fifty new and "^ are Evergreens, including Deo- dar Cedar, Cedar of Lebanon, Ch'li Pine, Cryptomeria or Japan Cedar, Honaiayan Spruce, Sue, &c. Roses, Peonies, a large and complete collection, including the iuiest varieties. Phloxes. A collection of upwards of sixty varieties, including thirty new v:irieties imported last spring. Dahlus. Upwards of 100 select varieties, including the finest Enelish prize flowers of l:r*49 and IS50. The following Catalogues, giving full infcrmation as regards terras, prices. Sec... will be sent gratis to all who apply by postpaid letters or at the office. 1st, a General Descriptive Catalogue. 2d, a Wliolesale Catalogue. 3d, a Catalogue of Select Green House Plants. 4tb, a Special Catalogue of Dahlias and Bedding Plants, for 1851. ELLWANGER ^ BARRY, Mount Hope and Garden & Nurseries, Sept. 1851. Rochester, N. Y. THE MODEL ARCHITECT, ^1 series of' oriyinal designs for CoUages^ Villas, Su- burban Residences J Country Churches, School- nouses^ ct'C (IV,, hij Samuel Sloan, Arc't. The above work is designed to meet the wishes not only of those iireotly interested in building, but of all tliose who desire the ad- vancement of this noble art in our country, and wish to cultivate their taste and acquaintance with architecture. The handsome manner in which it is prepared and embellished, renders it a taste- fol ornament for the drawing room, while its accurate dehneatiuns give it the highest practical value. The projector will find in it evrry variety of style and design, Hccompanied,as mentioned below, by all minutia necessary to con- struction. By its aid he may build without danger of making those ludicrous and expensive mistakes which so often occur The operative artisan of every grade will find the work of ines- timable value. It is a complete book of reference, and all plates are drawn to a scale with the utmost accuracy, so that he has only to study them with his rule and compass. The work, in two volumes of twelve numbers each, to be issued monthly, until complete. Each number contains four Lithograph Engravings of original designs, varjing in cost of erection from $800 to S14,UU0. There are also four sheets of details accom- panying the designs, comprising ground plans, kc, &.c. Besides this, each number contains eight pages of letter-press, descriptive o£ the designs, giving extended accounts of the various styles adopted, essays on warming, ventilation, &c., iVc, elaborate spe- cifications, estimates, tables, and in short every thing desirable, erther for construction or for general information, in beautiful type; the whole being executed on the very finest paper, manufactured expressly for the work. Prick 50 CENTS A NUMBER. Address, post-paid, E. S. JONES & Co., Publishers, S. W, cor. 4th and Race sts., Phila., Pa. Persons forwarding a list of five subscribers accompanied wi^ the cash, shall receive a sixth copy gratis. sept-ly"^ riNE STRAWBERRY PLANTS. Strawberry Plants of several varieties and fine quality can be Sad by the hundred or thousand at the low jirice of SI per hundred, ^ addressing witii amount encl«sed, JAMES O'COIVNOR Safe Harbor, Lancaster Co., Pa AVTotimyriU receive prompt attention. (»ept. I85t ANALYTICAL LABORATORY, Yale College, Neiv Haven, Connecticut. JOHN P. NORTON, Pkofessor op Scientific Agricitlturk. This Laboratory is now fully organised for instruction in all branches of analyses connected with the examiimtiun of soils manures, minerals, ashes, animal and vegetable substances &c.— Full courses are given in each of these departments, and also in general Chemistry, both organic and inorganic. Students can thus fit themselves to become instructors in th« various branches of Chemistry, or to apply so much of that and kindred sciences as may be necessary to the practical pursuit of agriculture or manufacturing. The demand for teachers and pro- fessors in the various branches of chemistry, especially agricultu- ral, is now great and increasing, so that this is a fair field for those who have a taste for such pursuits. A course of Lectures ouScientific Agriculture, by Professor Nor- ton, commencesin January of each year, aad continues for two and a half months. This course isdesigned especially for the practical farmer, and has given great satisfaction to those who have attend- ed it in previous years. It embraces a plain connected outline of the leading points in improved agriculture, treating in succession of the composition of the soil, the plant and tiie animal; of their connections with each other, and of all the improvements in culti- vation, manuring, feeding, and fattening, which have been adopted in the best agricultural regions This course is made so plain and practical, thatthe farmer who attends itcan understand the whole and apply it in his own experience. ' More ean be learned by attendance upon such lectures, by read- ing in connection with them, and by associating with others who are also desirous of obtaining a better knowledge of their prufea- sion than in years away from such advantages. The young fanner learns to think for himself, to see that a practice is not necessarily right because it is old, to understand the reasons for all that he does, and with this increase of knowledge is better able to malte farming profitable as well as interesting. Board and lodging may be procured at from S2 to S3 per week, and the Ticket for the Lectures is glU. In connection with the Lectures is a short Laboratory course, by means of which those who desire it, are taught to test soils, mai»- ures, marls, &.C . in a simple way, and to make many elementarj' examinations of a highly useful character. The charge for thie course is S'25. To those students who go through the full Laboratory course, the charge isaboat S'200 per annum, and they can be admitted at any period of tlie year at a proportional charge. For further information apply to Prof, John V Norton, New- Haven, Conn. (3ept-4t I-; ' LIGHTNING ROD, THOS. ARMITAGE'S PATENT MAGNETIC LIGHTN1N9 ROD. — The patentee takes pleasure in informing his friends and the public in general, that after many years' close investigation and numerous experiments, he has finally arrived at the true prii>- ciple of manufacturing and putting up Lightning Rods and Poinla, and is now ready to serve his frn^nds and the punlic ni general, at the shortest notice, at his manufactory, VINJO street, above 12tti, Philadelphia, south side, where all persons ore respectfully invited to call and examine for themselves, this being the only place where they can be purcltased. This rod has been examined by the most scientific gentlemen now living, who have proimunced it to be tl>u only safe Rod that has been put up or seen. N. B. — Patent Rights are now offered for Stntes, counties or dis- tricts in the United States, Philadelphia and Chester counties ex- cepted. Agencies can be formed by calling at the Factory, Vine street, above Twelfth, south side, Philadelphia sept 1831. THOMAS ARMITAGE. COTTAGE FURNITURE. WARWICK & Co., are constantly manufacturing new and ap- propriate designs of enamelled, painted and Cottage Furniture, a£ warranted materials and workmanship Suits of Chamber Furni- ture consisting of DRESSING BUREAU, BEDSTEAD, WASH- STAND. TOILET TABLE, and FOUR CANE SEAT CHAIRS, as low as &;30 per suit, and upward to glUU, gotten up in the most superb style. Those who are about furnishing hotels, cottages, or city, resi- dences, should call and see this style of furniture, which for cheap- ness, durability and elegance is far preferable to tlie old heavy kinds of mahogany, kc. Orders from all parts of the country promptly attended to and carefully packed. WARWICK A CO., Warerooms, No. 4 and 0, South Seventh st., between Chestnut & Market streets, Philadelphia. sept.-gm HENRY A. DREER'S SEED AND HORTICULTURAL WAREHOUSE, No. 59, Chesnut st., near 3d, Philadelphia. Constantly on hand a large and well seleeted assortment Af Gardm, Field, Grasi and Gardtn Seeds, Fruit Treei, Grapt Tinu, Reses, fye. Hortieulturallmpleraentein great variety. Cotmlo^eo'forwarded on post paid application. («ep.-4t 356 ADVERTISEMENTS. [Februaky, PM08PECTfJS TIIE PUBLISHER would respectfully call attention to the followiug announcement of the most com- plete and beautiful -n-ork on American Trees now pu})Iished. It is of great value to Libraries, residents in the country, botanists, and nurserymen, and those who talie an interest in the cultivation of trees. Subscribers will please designate whether they wish the whole work, or Nuttall's Supplement sepa- rately. Subscriptions received by the publisher and by GEO. CLINTON SMITH, Travelling Agent for the United States and British America. Arrangements liave been made that it cannot be supplied through Booksellers. ''ijiiii ''«:« ''Bl \ii«W yiii ■■ 'yiiiiii Im \jKii iiii Wui ' ■«« \iiii iikii 'jii 'j.ia 'y'liiii W m '^S ^'^\wm'^ II OR A DESCR8PTION OF THE FOREST TREES OF THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AND NOVA SCOTJA. CONSIDERED PARTICULARLY WITH RESPECT TO THEIR USE IN THE ARTS, AND THEIR INTRODUCTION INTO COMMERCE; AVith a description of the most useful of the EUROPEAN FOREST TREES, illustrated by 156 finely colored copperplate engravings, by Redoute, &c. In Three Volumes. Translated from the French of F. ANDREW MICHAUX, Member of the American Philosophical Society, Etc., Etc. With Notes by JOHN JAY SMITH, Member of the Academy of Natural Sciences, &c. This work is of tlic highest standard value, with or without the Supplementary volumes by NUTTALL. PRICE TWENTY-FOUR DOLLARS. THE ryORTH AMERICAN SYLVA, Or a DESCRIPTION OF THE FOREST TREES OF TIIE UNITED STATES, CANADA AND NOVA SCOTIA, Not described in the work of F. Andrew Michaux, containing all the Forest Trees discovered in the Rocky Mountains, the Territory of Oregon, down to the sliores of the Pacific, and into the confines of California, as well as in various parts of the United States. Illustrated by 121 finely colored plates, in three volumes, royal octavo, BY THOMAS NUTTALL, F. L. S., Slcmbcr of American Philosophical Society, and of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia,^&c. [The Whole complete in Six Volumes, Royal Octavo, with 277 plates.] The figures in these three additional volumes comprise one hundred and twenty-one plates, fine color- ed, mostly of new subjects, or such as have not been before published in the Sylva, executed with the strict^ est fidelity to nature, under the eye of the Author. Additional remarks on the uses and economy of the Forest Trees of the United States will also be given, so as to complete, as far as possible the requisite infor- mation on this important subject. It is quite unnecessary to say anything in praise of MICHAUX'S magnificent work on the Forest Trees of our country — the well established reputation of NUTTALL, the author of the additional part of the work, is a sufficient guarantee for its accuracy and the style of its execution. The platesare finely and care- fully coloured equal to French editions ; and the two works form the most splendid series ever published in America. The persons who possessed the former edition of MICHAUX'S work can procure the three addi-ional volumes by NUTTALL separately, and thus complete their copies. CONDITIONS. The whole work in six volumes, Royal Octavo, in gilt edges, and gold stamped cloth, or in stamped sheep, will be furnished for forty-five dollars. Or in extra full turkey gilt, for fifty-five dollars. ROBERT P. SMITH, Publisher, 15 Minor street, Philadelphia. '-3 O: ^ =."- N*! nit 1^ 8 < ^^ 7; VOL. 1. LANCASTER, PA., M.ARCH, 1851 NO. 12. THE FARM JOURNAL S. S. HAtDEMAN, Editor. For the Farm Journal. Application of Poudrette to Corn Fields — Surface Manuring. Mr. Editor: — Believing that your Journal is des- tined to be the means through which the farmers of Pennsjlvania will eventually communicate all such fads and experiments as may be useful to each other, and feeling much indebted to those who have been leretofore contributors to other agricultural publica- cions, I, as a citizen of our good old commonwealth, intend to make her Farmer's Periodical, the medium of communicating my experience to the public. And if you can succeed in inducing farmers to give, in their own plain and intelligent manner, their success (and failures also) in the cultivation of crops, with minute descriptions of quantities, expense, &c., its usefulness would be greatly enhanced. To add -example to precept, I propose occasionally to report to you my operations at " Cream Hill," and shall at present confine myself to the subject of " Surface Manuring," or rather to give a detailed statement of my success in the application of pou- drette to a crop of corn. Some sis years since, in making an exchange of land with a neighbor (to straighten our lines) I came into possession of about four acres of cold, moist, poor clay land. It was covered with oxeye daisy and car- rot roots, with, in the lower parts, an occasional patch of alder bushes. After I had planted my or- dinary crop of corn in the beginning of May, I made several French drains through this piece of land, thereby effectually drawing off all the water which had heretofore risen to the surface. The drains are from two and a half to three feet deep with about fif- teen inches of small field stone in the bottom, covered first with shavings from the carpenter shop, which I deem best for the purpose, and filled up with earth. Afler preparing the land well, I procured from the VOL I — L. manufactory, thirty bushels of poudrette, at thirty cents per bushel, and commenced planting by putting first, about a gill, perhaps a little more, of the ma- nure in a hill, and dropping the corn thereon, cover- ing from two to three inches deep. After planting four rows in this manner, I put in four others with- out manure, then again four with, and four without. The remainder of the lot was planted, with poudrette used as above described, except the last twelve rows, which, from want of time, it being late in the even- ing, and having the appearance of rain, I was com- pelled to plant without manure. I should have said this was on the first day of June. On the next day, I put on the surface of the hills in the last named twelve rows, the same quantity of manure as on the other parts of the lot. The season was a fair one for the corn crop. The following was the result. On the four first rows ma- nured (outside) I had twenty baskets full, of well matured corn. On the first four without manure, fourteen baskets of very inferior corn, much of it un- ripe; on the third four rows manured, nineteen bask- ets; on the next four without manure, fourteen bask- ets of like quality as before ; and on the next four rows manured, nineteen baskets of good corn. I neg- lected to measure any more of it, although I have since regretted that I did not measure the four rows where the manure was placed on the surface at the same time, as I believe, from its size and appear?nce that it was little, if any better, than that where there was no manure. Afler I had plowed the land and before planting, I put on fifty bushels of lime per acre, which had been burned the year before, and contained about thirty per cent, of magnesia. The next season the lot was sown with oats, and during its growth I could distinguish at the distance of a quarter of a mile, where every corn hill in it had been manured. The efiect, however, was not as ma- nifest where it was manured on the surface, as where the poudrette was buried with the com. I have since that time used poudrette, guano and 358 COMMUNICATIONS. [March, bone-dust ■n'ith various results. So far, however, al- ways failing to derive any benefit from guano, and yet so satisfied with the advantages which some of my neighbors have derived from its application, that I have again bought a ton of the " best Peruvian " with which I propose to renovate an old field of six acres, of stale land, which has been thrown out for fifty years. I shall plow it in, in connexion with a like quantity of Plaster of Paris, leaving as I always Jo, a few rows without any manure to test its value. If the above should prove acceptable to you and your readers, I may, at a future period, give you the result of an experiment with barnyard manure, pou- drette and guano, upon a field of wheat, grown sub- sequently to the foregoing detailed experiment with corn. Kespectfully, H. Jones Brooke. Radnor, Del. cq. For the Farm Jonrnal. Dissolved Bones. Mr. Editor ; — Wishing to cultivate a field of five acres, that had been farmed for some ten or twelve years without any application of lime or other reno- vator, until it had become very poor, I determined in the fall of 1850 to put it in Wheat. It had been in corn and yielded a very meagre crop, then in oats, and after the oats in clover, that made a very scanty covering; the stocks keeping a respectable distance from one another, and even the clover was pastured off, so that the promise for a wheat crop was a poor one. After giving it a dressing of lime at the rate of 30 bushels to the acre, on the sod, it was plow- ed in August to the depth of six inches, the soil not permitting deep plowing. Then, when the ground was in its rough state, I applied the following prep- aration, viz : 13 bus. bones, dissolved by 300 lbs. of sulphuric acid — The bones were very coarsely ground, and required more acid and time to dissolve them than if they had been finer. When sufiiciently dis- solved, I had them mixed with a cart load of saw dust, and after leaving it for a few days in a pile to heat, mixed with it 500 lbs. of Guano, sowed it broad east on the field, at the rate of 2} bushels of bones and 100 lbs. of guano to the acre. The wheat grew finely in the fall, looked well through the summer, and when harvested, yielded a small fraction over 29 bushels to the acre; fuUy 15 bus. more to the acre than the land would have produred without the bone, sawdust and guano. It was seeded in clover and timothy,which grew so rank in the low and more wet part of the field,as in a measure to in- jure the wheat; making a thick mat aU over the ground, and promising a fineyield the coming season, which will abundantly compensate for all the outlay incurred, without the additional amount of wheat. lalsoapplied thedissolved bones, butvrithoutguano, on part of a field of cora. The result was equal to that of the wheat. The part of the field to which it had been applied, grew ofi' from the first, stronger and greener; so that many persons that examined the field were able to point out the very row where the bones had been applied. There was evidently from 10 to 20 bushels more to the acre on that part of the field. As ground bones are difBcult to be obtained in suflicient quantity to be largely appUed in their ground state, I believe it is much more economical and profitable to dissolve them in acid. The after crop of clover which it most benfits, will much more than pay all the expense of the acid. S. D. Oxford, Feb. 10, 1852. [The above communication from one of the best farmers in Chester county, will, we are sure, be read with interest, and should be, with profit, by every subscriber of the Journal, who is desirous of impro- ving the quality of his soil. The use of bones as a fertilizer, although extensively practised in England, and in portions of the United States, is not common in Pennsylvania. It is a well known fact that ship load after ship load of bones has been sent from the port of Philadelphia to England, by English agents located there expressly for that purpose. Many of these bones are collected in the interior of our State, and sent by canal and otherwise to Philadelphia. A gentleman residing near that city informs us, that a few years since, desirous of procuring several tons of bones, he found the bone market so completely mo- nopolized by English agents, that he eventually suc- ceeded in getting the quantity he wished, only because tha vessel designed to carry them to England, was unable to take them. Facts of such a character are worthy the most serious consideration of our farmers. If English farmers can afibrd to keep their agents in the United States to collect, pay the freight across the Atlantic, and yet find bones amongst the best and cheapest of their fertilizers, why should they not be equally valuable to the Pennsylvania farmer, who has them at his very door ? If other of our readers have experimented with bones, we respectfully request that they will enable us to lay before our subscriers the results of their experiments. — [Ed. For the Farm Journal. Agricultural Wuisances, No. 7. Horse Nettle. Carolina Nightshade. Adam's Ap- ple. Solanum Carolinense. Linnceus. It belongs to the 5th Class and 2d Order in the Artificial System of LinnjEus, and to Order Solanacea in the Natural System. The meaning of Solanum is uncertain. There are about 500 species of the gene- ra described, about ten of which are natives of North America. The Potato and Egg plants are species of this genus. The pilant under consideration is a na- tive of the Southern States. It grows to the height of 1 or 2 feet, has a shrubby appearance, but is an- nual, the stem is hollow, branched, and armed with sharp spreading prickles, the leaves are 4 or 5 inches long, and 3 or 4 inches vride, egg shaped but are va- 1852.] COMMUNICATIONS. 359 riously scalloped, prickly on both sides ; the foot- stalks, both of the leaves and flowers, half an inch to one and a half inches long ; the stem of the flow- ers grows opposite to the leaves, often 5 or 6 inches long. The flowers ore bluish white ; the fruit is or- ange yellow in little balls about one third of an inch in diameter. This vile weed, not much remote from the Canada thistle, is found growing in many parts of the State in cultivation under the name of "Adam's Apple." "When it gets fairly introduced it is almost impossible to get rid of it, it is so tenacious of life. In some parts of the Southern States it is very abundant. It grows in patches, and its numerous spines deter stock from feeding among it. It was introduced into Mar- shall's garden in Chester county, and has now be- come a pernicious weed in that vicinity. I can discover some beauty in every plant, but this is one that has but few characters to recommend it, and will hardly warrant the risk of seriously injuring the whole agricultural district for all the beauty it affords, and should be promptly eradicated wheiever it is found. J. M. M'Minn. Unionville, Ian. 9th, 1852 For the Farm Journail. The influence of the Moon. Mr. Editor : — I do not quite like the tone of the article with the above caption, in your January No. It appeared to me both uncandid and ungenerous. I would humbly suggest to your correspondent, that dogmatism is not argument, or ridicule, reason. This generation is emphatically " wise in its own conceit." Whatever it does not understand, it re- jects as foolishness. Even Science, in the pride of her newly fledged pinions, soars aloft, and imagines that her vision takes in all, that God has made visi- ble; and because she does not discern objects or colors, of which her teachers have spoken, declares positively that they never existed except in the brains of superannuated dreamers. Young people are always ridiculing " old women's whims," — but what do we learn from the fact, that as fast as they arrive at the age of matured experience, they invariably adopt those same " ridiculous whims?" only, that age has given them wisdom, also. Thus we have a class of philosophers who, in warring against Superstition, sometimes attack the invincible array of Truth. — Thus, because illiterate superstition imputes too much to the lunar influence, they deny that the moon has any influence whatever. But we must proceed with your correspondent's declaration as we would with a stocking which we designed to unravel ; we must commence at the toe If the Creator of all the " systems of vast and in. finite worlds" — deigns Himself to control the desti- nies of earth, and her feeble children, is it unreason, able to spppose that He has so endowed and arranged the "vast and infinite worlds" that they shall mutu- ally influence and benefit each other? If, as Astro- nomy teaches, the moon is a naked ball, without oceans, or rivers, or even a surrounding atmosphere, and therefore, is unfitted for the habitation of animal life, or the growth of any organic production ; for what purpose was she created ? To light the earth ? Certainly not, for Wisdom would in that case have so disposed her, that the illuminated hemisphere should always have been toward the earth. I am rather skeptical, however, as to the uninhabitableness of the m .on. I cannot believe that the God who has so bountifully diffused " the living creature" through our earth would have created so vast a waste. Yet if it be so, then the moon accompanies the earth, for the especial benefit of herself and her children ; and since it is not merely to give light, she must be ap- pointed for other purposes. Your correspondent ad- mits her agency in producing the tides, overlooking however the " spring tides" and " neap tides," eon- sequent upon her "changes." It is hardly probable that any ignoramus imagines that the moon "jumps" from one place to another, or that she changes her form or her substance. We have always ignorantly supposed that these changes had reference to the differences of her position with regard to the sun in the quadrature of her orbit. — Certainly the earth receives from her, more reflected sunlight when her whole bright side is toward us, than when she turns from us the half of her efful- gence, giving the remainder obliquely ; or when she turns her back altogether. This difference is demon- strated by the difference in the tides ; I mean that the position of the moon with respect to the earth, and the sun does cause this difference. If, then, the moon does so attract or influence the waters of the ocean, is it irrational to suppose,'that her influence acts upon all aqueous particles, either on the earth or in her sur- rounding atmosphere ? Does not the fact that the moon is specially appointed to wait upon the earth in her revolutions, suggest the beliaf, that she has some special office with reference to our earth ? This office is not merely to give light as we have shown ; and besides, it seems to me evident, that the Creator intended that we should sleep at night, which we can do very well without moonlight. It is, therefore, my humble opinion that the light which the moon re fleets upon us, is an influence intended for more im- portant purposes, than to light beasts to their prey, or robbers and assassins to their desperate work. If the water is influenced by the Moon, since our atmosphere is essentially an aqueous body, it must be subject to this influence. No person will deny that all vegetation is sustained by the water and gases of the atmosphere. Every observant gardener knoios, that some vegetables do grow taster when the Moon is near the full, than when she gives little or no reflected light, because the atmosphere, when satura- 360 COMMUNICATIONS. [March, tod by this Lunar influence, possesses in larger pro- portions, the properties on which they subsist. — Animal life is hardly less dependent upon atmospher- ic stimulus than are vegetable productions ; conse- quently -whatever influences the atmosphere, affects animated as well as vegetable nature. I have known three of that unfortunate class of '. insane persons, known as lunatic. In each of the three — the insane despondency, regularly at every full moon, became raging madness. I have also known monomaniacs, whose hallucination,-;, obviously "waxed and waned with the moon." Some corporeal chronic diseases also present the same phenomena. I therefore, at the risk of being classed with the unfortunates referred to above, assert my earnest faith in the venerable doc- trine of Lunar influence, not as exerted upon " meat tubs, crout barrels and cream pots," but upon every living thing which breathes atmospheric moonshine either by means of lungs, or green leaves. My belief is not a theory ; but a conviction founded upon long observation and repeated experiment. I am certain of it. It is a generally received fact, and obvious to all observers, that the full Moon does pow- erfully dispel the clouds or watery vapours. Even !Milton sang, '' And from before the brig]itiie83 of her face, White break the clouds away." Jloon gazing is exceedingly injurious to the eyes, or rather to the nerves, on which depend the power of vision. May not the other nerves, and through them the brain, suffer from the same injudicious practice? Did you ever know an habitual Moon gazer, who did not betray spots of moonshine in his intellect? — I would quietly remind your Correspondent that •' There are more things in Heaven and earth, Than are dreamed of in your philosophy." I shall next expect to read some wise man's assertion that the mineral known as loadstone, does not attract iron ; and that there exists no influence of attraction, for the needle, to the pole. There are few great truths that are not more or less clouded by superstitions, the murky exhalations of the human mind. But we should not attempt to overthrow, or extinguish the Truth, in order to dispel the superstition — inasmuch as superstition is always better than infidelity. Although the Almighty Crea- tor has given to Nature "imperative and inevitable laws," it does daily appear that the acting and counteracting of these laws, one upon the other does produce multifarious, and contradictory effects, upon ephemeral objects— and as far as my observation ex- tends, winds and clouds, and consequently weather, are subject to no special regulation or restriction, still that they are influenced by the Sun and by the Moon, no candid student of Nature will deny. Ltdia Jane Pieesoit. 1 Liberty, Jan. lltk, 1852. 1 Translated for Farm Journal. Agricultural Chemistry, No. 7. But the farmer must not content himself with per- mitting the plants he cultivates to appropriate to themselves the alimentary matters merely with which nature has supplied the soil. His efforts must be constantly directed to provide seasonably, additional supplies, not only to replace those of which the grow- ing crops have deprived the soil, but steadily to in- crease the fertility of his laud. This brings us to the subject of manures — with which it is primarily important that the farmer should acquaint himself and be able to avail himself of the'processes which nature herself adopts and pursues for enriching the soil. Thus, in order to furnish the needed supplies of gaseous nutriment, the farmer should pro- vide substances readily convertible into carbonic acid and ammonia ; as he must likewise supply the requi- site substances for the production of the more solid and incombustible matters. Now, in order to secure a constant supply of the incombustible elements, we find in nature a continual reciprocal action and reac- tion of substances on and among themselves, result- ing in their gradual disintegration and solution. — These processes are facilitated and improved by fal- lowing, and by repeatedly stirring the soil. But as nature is constantly varying the kind of plants she produces on the same soil, so that all the various nu- tritious matters contained in it may successively be consumed, she thus plainly intimates to the farmer the utility of making similar changes with the plants ho cultivates, or, in other words, to introduce a sys- tematic rotation of crops. In manuring land we should have constant refer ence to the following principles, which have been well established by experience. 1. Plants in general require nearly all those sim- ple substances which we have enumerated and de- scribed in the former part of this treatise. 2. They derive their elementary substances in part from the air, and in part from the soil. 3. Though all plants contain nearly all the sub- stances enumerated, still particular plants require a greater proportion of one of these substances than of another, and on the presence of this greater quantity in an available state, depends the full and thrifty de- velopement of the plant. In this view, systematic manuring might be conve- niently arranged under three subdivisions: 1, ma- nuring for the general improvement of the soil: 2, manuring to remedy some particular defect of the soil : 3, manuring to supply merely the special wanta of particular plants or crops. Manuring for general improvement is resorted to for the renovation of exhausted land, so as to re-es- tablish its fertility and productiveness. For this pur- pose, stable or barnyard manure is unquestionably cheaper, more generally available, and superior to any other. There are various kinds and qualities of 1852. COMMUNICATIONS. 361 stable manure. As regards the gases generated by and evolved from them, they may be divided into two principal classes — the one producing more car- bonic acid than ammonia; and the other, at least in its earlier stages, producing more ammonia than car- bonic acid. To the first class belong the manures produced by horned cattle ; to the second, that pro- duced by horses. The custom of applying the two kinds of manure in combination, or of using that of cattle in preference on light and warm soils, and of appropriating that of horses to colder or clayey lauds, is based on the fact that the latter evolves ammonia in large quantity, which in the absence of absorbents, in which light soils are deficient, acts injuriously on vegetation ; whereas such injury is not caused by it when used on clayey land. For the same reason, experienced practical farmers in general avoid apply- ing fresh manure to light soils, because, in such ma- nures the formation and evolution of ammonia pro- ceeds with great and not unfrequently destructive rapidity, owing to the absence of suitable absorbent substances. In other respects also, fresh or recent manure produces comparatively less effect than fol- lows the application of an equal quantity of well de- composed dung, for the vegetable remains which it contains, and from which humus is to be formed, are yet only partially in a decomposed state and not re- duced into a homogeneous mass, and its incombusti- ble elements are likewise too greatly diffused, so that proportionally a smaller amount is supplied to the soil. But where it is designed to effect a mere me- chanical loosening of the soil, it is useful to apply fresh manure, which should for this purpose be plow- ed in as thickly as possible. When the increased formation of carbonic acid is promoted by the use of fresh manure, the solution of the silicates in the soil is at the same timehastened, andthe incombustible elements, in which such manure is deficient, will thus be supplied, if the manure be applied in large quan- tity. On the whole, fresh manure acts with greater efficacy in wet seasons or wet soils than such as is well rotted; because decomposition does not then proceed with such rapidity as to cause an injurious evolution of ammonia, and the straw and coarser sub- stances mixed with it, which longer resist decompo- sition, prevent the soil from becoming compacted by heavy rains. The principal action of stable manure, as a fertil- izer, is based on the following facts. Domestic ani- mals are fed with grain and grasses or hay. By means of this food they receive all the various ele- mentary substances which the plants have withdrawn from the soil during their growth. The animals themselves require for their sustenance a proportion- ally small part only of these substances, the remain- der passing off mainly in the form of excrement. — The manure they produce must therefore contain and return to the soil, in the proper proportions, the ele- mentary substances required by plants or cultivated crops, and contain them in such state of solution, sub-division and combination, as is best adapted to promote vegetable growth. As regards the quantity of barnyard manure to he applied, as much as possible should be allotted to the land to be cultivated, yet not so much as to cause the cereals to Jodijc and thus prevent the formation of perfect grain. Still it is always better to manure too bountifully than too sparingly, because the effect of excessive manuring may be remedied by thin seed- ing, drill culture, and by frequently stirring the soil while the plants are growing, if the crop cultivated admit of it. Jloreover, plentiful manuring is allow- able and justifiable where neither straw, hay, nor grain is sold from the premises; because the quanti- ty of manure produced on such a farm is constantly increasing, since plants, by means of the elementary matters which they derive from the soil and the air, and by the continual decomposition of the mineral substances of the soil, are enabled to, and actually do, supply more than they receive from the manure, even after allowing for what is carried away in the form of beef, pork, butter, milk, &c. And it is this excess which goes to enrich and increase the fertility or productiveness of the soil. For litter, straw is undoubtedly the best material that can be used, because other substar:ces change and deteriorate the nature and composition of the manure produced, as well by the different proportions and mixture of their ingredients, as also by their in- ferior efficacy in promoting the loosening of the soil and the decomposition of its mineral ingredients. — Other materials can be used advantageously for litter only, when they can be properly mixed with straw. As to the treatment and preservation of manure, it should be constantly borne in mind that it consist^ of substances, some of which are volatile and others incombustible. The former naturally escape almost as rapidly as they are evolved, and escape the more easUy, the more the mass becomes heated in the pro- cess of fermentation. But the escape of these vola- tile substances is very injurious, and the farmer's ef- forts should be assiduously directed to prevent such escape and injury, as much as possible. As moisture absorbs both carbonic acid and ammonia, these two substances may be retained by keeping the ma^iure heap constantly in a moist state, so as to moderate the heat of fermentation and fix at least in part, the volatile matters evolved. Or the manure heap may occasionally be strewed over with fresh dug earth which will absorb the ammonia, whilst the carbonic acid will render soluble again the silicates present. — If, in addition to strewing earth over the manure heap, it be occasionally sprinkled over with dilute sulphuric acid, the volatile ammonia evolved will be retained and converted into sulphate of ammonia — a salt which is not volatile, but which is readily solu- 3G2 COMMUNICATIONS. [March, ble in water and is a powerful fertilizer. If gypsum 1)6 strewed over the manure it will underj^o decompo- sition. Its sulphuric acid will unite with the ammo- nia and form sulphate of ammonia, and the lime will talce up the carbonic acid ; thus the escape of their volatile substances will be prevented. As regards the depth to which manure should be introduced in the soil, much depends on the object which it is intended to accomplish. In this view we must distinguish between manures whicli are design- ed to operate rather by the volatile and soluble sub- stances they contain, and such as consist chiefly of incombustible though soluble substances. If the former — usually recent animal manures — are to be appliel, they should be covered deep, because the gases which will be evolved therefrom, naturally as- cend and m\ist find above the manure, the soil on which they are to act, and in sufiioient quantity or depth to be perfectly absorbed. The more rotted or decomposed manure is when applied, the less atten- tion do its volatile matters deserve, but the more careful should we be to preserve the valuable and liighly soluble salts it contains. These substances are washed or leached down into the subsoil by rainS' and are thus placed beyond the reach of many plants. The greater the amount, therefore, of soluble salts, which such manures contain, the more shallow should they bo plowed in. The crojis also, for which we manure, must be taken iato consideration. For tap-rooted plants the manure should be placed deeper in the soil than for those whose roots do not penetrate deep. As manure which is plowed in shallow acts more quickly than that which is covered deep, because the atmospheric air has more ready access to it, the farmer has it in his power in a great degree, to regulate the consumption of the manure in accordance with the wants of the plants he cultivates. It is also to be observed Uiat land which has been manured, may, in the ensuing years be plowed deeper than before, because much of the more thoroughly decomposed portions of the manure sink deep in the soil. In the last place, we may remark also that a principal effect of barnyard manure, is, that by its decomposition it serves to condense and store up in the atmospheric air imme- diately surrounding or in contact with it, large quan- tities.'of carbonic acid and nitrogen; thus providing the crop with an abundant supply of those substances, which plants by means of their leaves, are destined to absorb as nutriment. For the Farm Journal. Mules for general farming purposes. Mr. Editor: — There is one subject which should claim the special attention of our farmers in Penn- sylvania ; but which, for some unaccountable rea- son, has been strangely neglected. I refer to the in- troduction into more general use, of that valuable animal, the mule, for farm purposes. For some years I have been a practical farmer, and like most farmers in their noviciate, I purchased such horses as to me, appeared best adapted to my pur- poses. Little attention was paid to the quantity of grain necessary to keep them in decent condition from year to year. After using horses four or five years, I came to the conclusion that my farm work could be done as well and as quickly, and that nearly one-half of my horse feed might be saved; and I hoped to accomplish all this by substituting mules for my horses. For a year or two previous to the introduction of the mules on my farm, I urged upon my neighbors the expediency of using them. I did this on the ground of their superior activity, strength, hardiness, cheapness of keeping, longe\-ity, &e. But my neigh- bors, like the generality of farmers, had adopted the prevailing opinion that they were hard to manage, vicious and unruly. This slander upon the mule seems to have had its origin in the fact that iron masters, canal boatmenand others, who employ mules largely, entrust them to merciless hirelings, who in- humanly abuse the poor animals, by beating, whip- ping, &c., until fright, &c., producing something like a feeling of self-defence, drives them to desperation, and viciousness ensues. If gentle means were used, and tie mule treated as every useful creature should be, with a properdegree of humanity, they w„uld be- come as quiet and tractable as the horse. To those who would desire to purchase mules, I say, select and purchase them before they arc broken to harness, at the age of three years. Place them, one at a time, in harness beside a gentle horse, and work for a day or two. Let the most soothing means be used. If the mule becomes refractory, instead of beating him into submission, try the power of kind- ness, and my word for it, in a very short time he will work well wherever you choose to place him. For the purpose of illustration I will give you my own experience in the matter. I have now in niy possession, a pair of dun mules, three years old, that ten mouths ago never had bridle or harness on. — These mules are as perfectly broke to single or dou- ble harness, as any of the horses that I have worked for years. This was accomplished by gentle treat- ment, and I am satisfied that the same course, if gen- erally pursued, would soon redeem the character of the mule from the unjust censure so freely heaped upon him by those who have always treated him harshly. The mules above referred to, were awarded a spe- cial premium at the late State Fair. They are not only gentle and kind, but I can do more plowing with them in the same space of time, than with any two horses I ever had ; with this advantage in favor of the mules, that they keep sleek and fat on one-half the feed required for the horses. Another argument in favor of mules is, the com- 1852,] COMMUNICATIOxNS. 363 parative ease with which they can be reared. With such a, soil and climate as Pennsylvania, the cost of raising a mule need not exceed that of a three year old steer. The mule at that age, even though an ordinary one, will command one hundred dollars, and if a first rate one, from one hundred and twenty to fifty dollars ; while nine-tenths of our horses at three years old, are not worth more than eighty dollars, although the cost of feeding and attention is nearly twice as great. Samuel Mumma. Locust Grove Farm, Dauphin co. For the Farm Journal. targe Seed Potatoes vs. Small. Mr. Editor: — The question of large versus small potatoes for seed, seems at present to engage a large share of attention in several of our agricultural jour- nals. Perhaps a statement of an experiment on a larger scale than usual will be of interest at this time. In the fall of 1848 I measured oS two acres of ground and had it deeply plowed. The soil is a warm sandy loam, with a deep sandy subsoil, and was at the time of plowing, down to timothy meadow, three years from the sowing. It was plowed in the fall for the purpose of exterminating the cut worm,which abound- ed. The following April we hauled upon it one hun- dred two horse wagon loads of well rotted barnyard manure, spread it evenly and plowed nine inches deep, harrowed well, marked out drills four inches deep and three feet apart, and planted with fine large Neshannock potatoes, chosen and preserved carefully for the purpose. The potatoes were cut and planted at the rate of twenty bushels to the acre. The large seed was insufficient to complete the planting and we were forced to have recourse to the culls, about the size of walnuts. The whole patch was planted in one day. The plants came up well, and were well work- ed with the cultivator. No apparent difference be- tween the large and small seed. They were dug about the middle of September, commencing at the rows planted with the small seed, (about a quarter of an acre). We were surprised to find the potatoes so large and the yield so good, it having been a favorite theo- ry of mine that the largest potatoes alone should be planted, to make a good return. We measured care- fully several rows, and made large calculations on the probable yield of the large seed. Judge then of our surprise, when measuring several rows of the latter, to find that they fell a little short of the former, both in quantity and quality. Another acre and a half which we planted a few days later than the first patch, on deep alluvial soil, in a very careless manner and entirely with the smallest potatoes, produced as fine a lot of large po- tatoes as I have ever seen. The yield of the two acres was 400 bushels, and of the one and a half acres 200. In 1850 I lost aU of my seed potatoes by storing too large a quantity together ; and seed being very scarce in this neighborhood, I was forced to plant such as could be purchased, red potatoes, large and small mixed. I planted on newly cleared land at the rate of nine bushels to the acre, and had a much bet- ter crop than could have been expected from the quantity of seed, viz: 800 bushels from three acres. Vfe sorted out all the small ones, about the size of walnuts and hen eggs, for seed, and in April, 1851, planted 7| acres of rich new land in rows three feet apart, and at the rate of nineteen bushels to the acre, potatoes whole, or when an unusually large one oc- curred, cut in two. When dug, they were assorted on the ground, the large ones sent to market and the small ones stored for seed. I measured carefully the product of one acre, and found 320 bushels, of which one fourth were culls and the other three fourths the best quality of merchantable potatoes ; and as such they commanded a high price in market. I will also mention, that my potatoes have never been infected with the rot, except in one or two spots where the water of a spring occasionally flowed over the cround after heavy rains, although my neighbors for several years past, until the present season, have lost nearly their entire crops. I do not pretend to assign any reason for my exemption from the scourge, except perhaps, early planting. Yours respectfully, Paul A. Wat. SewicMey Valley, Jan. 12, 1852. Webb's Patent Straw Cutter. Our attention has been called to this Straw Cutter by S. Hayden, of Bradford county, who is now intro- ducing it into this State. He has sold most of the South Eastern counties to Paschall Morris, of West Chester, Chester county, of whom Machines may be obtained. The improvement consists in adapting two straight knives to a horizontal shaft, so as to strike obliquely against a circular plate of iron, giving the knife the position to cut with greatest ease, with the least force, and with the most expedition of any jMachine we have seen. The knives are attached to the shaft by movable arms, capable of being set at any angle you choose, may be sharpened without removal, and used for a great number of years without renewal. In short, the Machine is simple in its construction, and efficient in its execution. It was invented by .Joseph W. Webb, of Cayuga county. New York, and patented by him October 8th, 1850. Mr. Editor : — I notice in one of our Journals an enquiry. What will prevent Bugs from eating cucum- bers, etc.? I will tell you what I do with very good success — I put a box around the hill just large enough to enclose the plants about eight inches deep — place it before the plants emerge from the ground. This process has been very successful with me and such of my neighbors as have tried it. Yours, &c., Broohfield, N. Y. A. L. Sanders. 364 OUR POULTRY YARD. [Mahch, CDur Ipoultnj |)arii. THE TURKEY. This is one of those Fowls, that, as yet, are found in the wild, as well as in the domestic state. How long this may he, is hard to say ; prohably, not long; for as civilization and improvements advance in North America, the country to which they belong, tliey will doubtless share the fate of the Dodo and Bustard, and be known only in history, or by the specimens to be seen in the barn-yard. Among the living tributaries to the luxury of Man, the Turkey is an example of the results yet to be ex- pected from the exploring spirit of our day. It is the most recent, and, except the Hon and the Goose, the most valuable of our domesticated birds. We may, indeed, call it quite a new introduction : for what, after all, is a period of three hundred years compared with the time during which Man has had dominion over the earth and its brute inhabitants ? The obscurity which hangs- over the transmission of the Turkey from America, and -which there is little chance of clearing away, except by industrious fer- reting amongst old family records and memorandum books, shows that those who brought it to tlie Old World had no idea of the value of what they were importing ; but prohably regarded it like any other remarkable production of nature — a Macaw or a Tor- toise. The young would be distributed amongfriends with the same feeling that Golden Pheasants and such like are with us ; these again would thrive and increase, and the nation would suddenly find itself in the possession of a race, not of pleasing pets; but of a valuable prolific, and hardy stock of Poultry. When the lien has once selected a spot for her nest, she will continue to lay there till the time of her incubation, so that the Eggs may be brought home DOMESTIC TURKEYS. from_ day to day, there being no need of a nest Egg, as with the common Fowl. She will lay from fifteen to twenty Eggs, more or less. If thereare any dead leaves or dry grass at hand, she will cover her nest with these ; but if not, she will take no trouble to collect tliem from a distance. Her determination to sit, will be known by her constantly remaining on the nest, though empty ; and as it is seldom in a position sufficiently secure against the weather or pilferers, a nest should be prepared for her, by placing some straw, with her Eggs, on the floor of a convenient out- house. She should then be brought home, and gentr ly and kindly placed upon it. It is a most pleasing sight to witness the satisfaction with which the bird takes to her long-nest Eggs, turning them about, pla- cing them with her bill in the most suitable positions, packing the straw tightly around and under them, and finally sinking upon them with the quiet joy of anticipated maternity. Some ladies deem it necessary to turn the Eggs once a day, but the Hen does that herself many time? a day. If the Eggs are marked, and you notice their position when she leaves the nest, you will never find them arranged in the same order. A person who ob- tained ninety-nine Chicks from an hundred Eggs, took the great trouble to turn each Egg every day with her own hand, during the whole time of incuba- tion. The result appears favorable ; but, in fact, on- ly amounts to this, that sueh officiousness did no harm with a good, patient, quiet creature like the sitting Turkey, but it would probalily have worried and an- noyed any other bird into addling her whole clutch. We will at once reject, as utterly absurd and unnat- ural, all directions to immerse or "try" the Eggs in a pail of water, hot or cold. Give them nothing ; do nothing to them ; let' them be in the nest under the shelter of their mother's wings, at least eight or ten hours ; if hatched in the afternoon, till the following morning. Then place her on the grass, in the sun, under a roomy coop. — 1852.] OUR POULTRY YARD. 365 If the weather be fine, she may he stationed where you choose, by a long piece of ilannel-list tied round one leg, and fastened to a stump or a stone. But the boarded coop saves her ever-watchful anxiety from the dread of enemies above and behind — the carion- crow, the hawk, the rat, the weasel : and also pro- tects herself — and will protect her young from the sudden showers of summer. Offer at first a few crumbs of bread : the little ones, for some hours, will be in no hurry to eat ; but when they do begin, sup- ply them constantly and abundantly with chopped egg, shreds of meat and fat, curd, boiled rice mixed with cress, lettuce, aud the green of onions. Melted mutton-suet poured over barley-meal and cut up when cold : also bullock's liver boiled and minced, are ex- cellent things. Barley-meal, mixed thick and stiff with water or milk, nettle-tops, leeks, goose-grass, or cleavers, and many other things, might be added to the list ; but it is probable that a few of these may now and then be refused by gome fanciful little rogues. I think I have observed that little Turkeys do not like their food to be minced much smaller than they can swallow it: indolently preferring to make a meal at three or four mouthfuls than to trouble themselves with the incessant pecking and scratching in which Chickens so much delight. But, any rate, the quantity consumed costs nothing : the attention to supply it is every thing. — Dixon & Kerr's Orna- mental and Domestic Poultry. THE GUINEA FOWL. This Bird, in some measure, unites the character- istics of the Pheasant and the Turkey, it has the del- icate shape of the one and the bare head of the other. There are several varieties, as the White, the Spotted, the Madagascar, and the Crested. This latter is not so large as the common species : the head and neck are bare, of a dull blue, shaded with red, and, instead of a casque, it has an ample crest of hairy-like disu- nited feathers, of a bluish black, reaching as far for- ward as the nostrils, but in general turned backwards. " The whole plumage, except the quills, is of a bluish black, covered with small grayish spots, sometimes four, sometimes six on each feather." THE GUINEA FOWL. The best way to begin keeping Guinea Fowls is to procure a sitting of Eggs from some friend or neigh- bour on whom you ean depend for their freshness, and also, if possible, from a place ichere only a sin- gle pair is kepi. The reason of this will be explain- ed hereafter. A Bantam Hen is the best mother ; she is lighter, and less likely to injure them by tread- ing on them than a full sized Fowl. She will cover nine Eggs and incubation will last a month. The young are excessively pretty. When first hatched, they are so strong and active as to appear not to re- quire the attention really necessary to rear them. — Almost as soon as they are dry from the moisture of the Egg, they will peck each other's toes, as if suppo- sing them to be worms, will scramble with each other for a crumb of bread, and will domineer over any little Bantam or Chicken that may perhaps have been brought off in the same clutch with themselves. No one, who did not know, would guess, from their ap- pearance, of what species of bird they were the off- spring. Of all known birds, this, perhaps, is the most pro- lific of Eggs. AVeek after week, and month after month, sees no, or very rare intermission of the daily deposit. Even the process of moulting is sometimes insufficient to draw off the nutriment the creature takes to make feathers instead of Eggs, and the poor thing will sometimes go about half naked in the chilly autumnal months, like a Fowl that had escaped from the cook to avoid a preparation for the spit; unable to refrain from its diurnal visit to the nest, and con- sequently unable to furnish itself with a great coat. As the body of a good cow is a distillery for convert- ing all sorts of herbage into milk, and nothing else, or as little else as possible, so the body ef the Guinea Hen is a most admirable machine for producing Eggs out of insects, vegetables, grain, garbage, or what- ever an omnivorous creature can lay hold of. — Dixon <& Kerr's Ornamental and Domestic Poultry. 366 REMARKS ON ENTOMOLOGY. [March, REMARKS ON ENTOMOtOGY Chiefly in reference to an Agriculhiral henejit. BY W. D. BRINCKLE, M. D. CONCLUDED. Other insects of a different Order often commit ex- tensive ravages on our staple crops. Wheat, so essential in its diversified forms of man- ipulation to our comfort and sustenance, and consti- tuting^ what is emphatically termed the staff of life, is subject to the depredations of man}' insects. Some of the most destructive of these are the Hessian Fly, fCeoidomyia destructor,) the Grange-colored Gnat, (Cecidomyia tritici,) Miss Morris' wheat midge, {Ce- cidomyiaculmicola,) the Joint-worm, the Augoumois moth, and the AVolf, (Tinea grauella). These insects are pernicious only in their larva state; and each at- tacks a separate and distinct part of the plant. The larva or maggot of the Hessian Fly is usually found between the base of the leaf and the main stalk. Two_ broods of this insect are produced annually — one in the spring and one in the autumn. In Oeto- ber, the female deposites from twenty to thirty eggs, on the leaves of wheat, soon after the plant appears above the ground. These eggs are cylindrical in form, of a pale red color, one-fiftieth of an inch long, and one-five-hundredth of an inch in their transverse dia- meter. _ They are hatched in from four to fifteen days. The diminutive maggot, at first of a reddish color, crawls down the leaf, insinuating itself between it and the main stalk, till it reaches a joint, where it re- mains, with its head downwards. It continues sta- tionary in this situation, sucking {lie juices of the 2>lant, for four or five weeks, when it becomes fully grown, measures an eighth of an inch in length, and ce.ases to cat. The skin now hardens, assumes a bright chestnut color, and has some resemblance to a flax-seed. In this flax-seed or pupa state it remains till April or May, when it becomes transformed into the perfect or winged insect. Copulation then takes place, soon after which the eggs for the autumn brood arc laid. The larv« of the Orange-colored Gnat are found in the ears of wheat; where they feed on the pollen, and the germ destined to form the future grain, till they complete their growth. Then, after moulting, they fall to the_ ground, where they burrow to the depth of half an inch and undergo their final metamorphosis. The perfect insect does not emerge from its pupa case in the ground till May or June ; when it makes its ap- pearance about the time the wheat is in blossom, and after copulation lays its eggs in the scales of the flo- rets or in the center of the corolla. In eight or ten days, these eggs are hatched into, little footless mag- gots; which, when fully grown, are an eighth of an inch long. By ^feeding on the pollen, they essential- ly interfere with the fecundating process, and thus occasion many of the grains to be abortive. In this way, a twentieth part of the crop, not unfrequently, IS destroyed by them. The larva of Miss Morris' wheatrmidge inhabits the cavity in the center of the straw. In June, the egg IS deposited in the grain while in the soft or milky state, and remains unhatched till the wheat has been sown and has germinated. The young larva soon ascends the stalk, which it penetrates above the top joint, and enters the cavity in the centre of the culm, ■where it feeds, with its head doivnwards, till it ac- quires its full growth. It then passes down the cen- ter of the straw, cutting through the joints, till it reaches the root, when it emerges from the interior of the culm, ascends the stalk on the outside, attaches itself firmly to the straw, passes into the flax-seed or pupa state in its larval skin, and completes its final change in May or June. Before the larva arrives at ma- turity, the straw very frequently becomes so hard, that the worm, when done feeding, is unable to cut through the joints and make its exit at the root in its usual way. Under these circumstances, its transformations are completed within the cavity of the culm, where the imago must eventually perish, unless liberated from its confinement by some fortuitous means. Thus it appears, as Miss Morris has remarked in her commu- nications to the American Philosophical Society, and to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, that this destructive insect may be transported from place to place, and even from one country to another, in wheat straw, as well as in the wheat itself The Cecidomyia culmicola has been confounded with the true Hessian fly, which it resembles in appearance, and perhaps equals in its destructive ravages on the wheat crop. Under the impression that Miss Morris was describing the Cecidomyia destructor, her facts were called in question, and a controversy ensued. — The accuracy, however, of her observations have been triumphantly established ; and it is now conceded that the insect described by her is one which had es- caped the notice of other Entomologists. The larva of the joint- worm dwells in the paren- chyma or substance of the sheath, near its junction with the stalk; and can only be seen by cutting into the excrescence or blistered spot which constitutes its abode. Whether or not this insect prevails to any extent in Pennsylvania I am unable to inform you. But in some parts ef Virginia, the injury done to the wheat crop is sometimes very considerable. The Angoumois moth and the TFoT/'are two insects of another Order (Lepidoptera) that occasionally in their larva state attack the growing wheat ; though their principal depredations are committed on the grain stored in garners. Several insects, belonging to the Coleopterous Or- der, also do incalculable injury to stored up grain. — The most destructive of these is that which has been pre-eminently termed " the weevil " (Calandra gran- aria), one of the Rhyncophora. It is a minute insect, only one eighth of an inch long. The female depo- sites a single egg in each grain, the interior of which is entirely consumed by the larva. It has often been observed, that when the insects, justj noticed, as attacking the wheat crop, have in- creased to an alarming extent, a diminution in their numbers suddenly and unexpectedly takes place, cau- sing the wheat fields on the ensuing year to be, in a great measure, exempt from their depredations.* — Several causes combine to produce this happy and unanticipated result. To one of them — insect ene- mies— your attention will now be directed. These enemies are the Ichneumons, — a tribe of insects, be- longing to the Hymenopterous Order, and embracing many genera and species. They are all parasites ; and by checking the increase of the herbivorous or plant-feeding insects, prove the great insect benefac- *Since the above was written, I have received a copy of the Transactions of 1850 of the N. Y. State Agricultural Society, 108 pages of which are occupied with an able Report of an Agricultural Survey of the county of Seneca, taken under the direction of the State Society, by John Deiafield, Esq. From this report we make the following extract : *' In the year 1849, the Wheat crops of Ju- nius, Tyre, Waterloo. Seneca Falls and Fayette, exhibited theef- fect of the wheat fly's presence, they destroyed nearly one-fifth of the crops of these towns. In 1950 the evil was abated, and but little loss experienced ; this immunity was unexpected, and it is worthy of enquiry by Entomologists, how far the climate, season and condition of the crops may have presented obstacles to the ea- sy deposit of the egg, or what other cause so suddenly and effectu- ally checkjd the increase of the wheat fly." 1852.] REMARKS ON ENTOMOLOGY. 367 tors of our race, although many of them arc so mi- nute as scarcely to be risible to the naked eye. Some of them puncture, with their ovipositor, the eggs of the noxious wheat insects above alluded to, and place in them an egg of their o'\vn which soon hatches, and the little internal egg-parasite there lives, feeds and grows, till it has completed its larval and pupal sta- ges, when it emerges a little winged ichneumon. — ther species of ichneumon lay their egg within the larva and pupa of the Hessian Fly and its allied wheat midges, where it hatches, feeds and passes through its several transformations. Although these internal parasites do not kill the larva while feeding on the adipose tissue contained in their bodies, yet they eventually either deprive them of the power of completing their final metamorphosis, or cause them to pass through it in such an enfeebled condition as to be incapable of perpetuating their kind. These im- pediments to the multiplication of the noxious wheat insects must necessarily prevent their increase in a ratio equal to that of their iclmeumon foes. Conse- quently the latter will gain the ascendancy, and then the sudden disappearance of the former is the natu- ral and inevitable result. On seeing these ichneumon parasites in great num- bers in wheat iields infested with different species of Oecidomyia, many persons have very naturally at- tributed to them the destrnction of their crop. This conviction, they conceived, was corroborated by the f\ict that these ichneumons have been seen to emerge from the eggs and pupa of the Ilessian Fly and its allied wheat midges. But the remarks already made will give you the true explanation of this adventitious occurrence. Immense numbers of butterflies, moths, grass-hop- pers, borers, plant-lice, and a great variety of other insects injurious to vegetation, are, in this way de- stroyed by these parasites. Besides the ichneumons, certain other insects of the Hijmenopierous Order are also parasitical. Nor are the insect parasites confined to the Ilyme- noptera. Some of the two-winged flies (Diptera) possess the same habits ; hatching and feeding with- in the bodies of various kinds of caterpillars until they are about to complete their final metamorphosis. The Predaceous Insects constitute another class that are exceedingly beneficial to the Agriculturist. Among these are' many of the beetles, the sand-wasps; the dragon-flies, the Earwig (Forficula Auricularia) but more especially the Lion of the Aphides, (Chrysopa perla,) several varieties of the Lady Bird (Coccinella,) and some of the Syrphiau. The three last-mentioned Sredaceous insects while in the larva, and the Lady iird even in its imago state, prey exclusively on the different species of plant-lice. In conjunction with one or two minute varieties of ichneumon, they are the natural enemies of the Aphis; and where they abound, prove amply sufficient to secure vegetation against its exhausting ravages, notwithstanding the extraordinary rapidity with which it multiplies. The Aphis or plant-louse is probably the most pro- lific of all insects. A single female, in the fifth gen- eration, may have a progeny of five thousand million; and sometimes there are fifteen or twenty generations in a year. A most remarkable fact in relation to the propagation of the plant-house, is the sufSciency of one copulation to cause the female descendants of ev- ery subsequent brood, for a twelve-month, to continue the re-production of the species. In the autumn, the sexes pair, and the female lays her eggs ; after which the races for the time becomes extinct. In the spring the eggs are hatched, and the young are all females and wingless. They very soon arrive at maturity, and continue to re-produce their kind, not by laying eggs, but by bringing forth their ofispring alive. — Generation thus succeeds generation, without the agency or even existence of a solitary male until au- tumn ; when a brood is hatched eentaining winged individuals of both sexes ; and then the anomalous mode of perpetuating the species, jnst- alluded to, terminates for the season. The fecundity of many other insects is also truly wonderful. The Queen Bee lays forty or fifty thou- sand eggs in a year ; — the Ant between four and five thousand ; — the Silk-worm four or five hundred ; — the Wasp three thousand : — and some species of Moth, in the third generation, increase to more than a million. When we contemplate the immense number of spe- cies of insects, the countless individuals embraced in each, and their amazing powers of re-production, we cannot wonder at their being every where so abund- ant, and at times so operative in controlling our des- tiny. The earth, the air, the water, teem with innu- merable tribes. The food on which we subsist, the clothes we wear, our mansions, our furniture, our books, all the productions of the vegetable kingdom, in fine every form of organic matter however dimi- nutive or however colossal, are subject to their depre- dations. And though individually so small and insignificant, collectively they are capable of accom- plishing results of vast moment for good and for evil. Suchindeed is theirwonderfulvoracitj'andprocreative powers, that, without the intervention of counteract- ing influences, vegetation would be utterly destroyed. In the construction of the L^niverse, the Divine Architect, whose creative conceptions and consummate arrangements display the perfection of wisdom, form- ed it a harmonious whole, amply provided with well regulated checks T;nd balances. So long as these ad- justing powers were not disturbed by extraneous forces interposed by human agency, an inordinate increase of noxious insects was restrained, chiefly by the physical operation of the elements, and by the instinct and natural propensities of certain insectiv- orous animals. Among the latter, may be enumerated many of the smaller quadriqjeds* reptiles,! insectiv- orous birds, J bats, our domestic poultry and the par- asitic and predacious insects to which we have already alluded. The harmony of creation, however, has been interrupted by the wanton destruction of birds and reptiles, and by the intervention of other causes. In consequence of this derangement in the economy of nature, the inseot-vegetable-feeders have become more abundant, and necessarily more destructive. To counteract the increase of noxious insects, it is necessary that artificial appliances should be called into requisition. But to employ them successfully, the insects that produce such wide-spread devastation should be known to us, not only in their perfect form, but in every stage of their being. We should know on what food they subsist, whether they take it by suction or mastication — the duration of their larval, pupal and imago periods — and their habits. We should know the size, form, color, and usual number of their eggs — the season of the year when laid, — their usual locality and arrangement, as well as the length of time required for hatching. Finally, we should know their natural enemies, especially those belonging to the insect class. How all this information is to be obtained by the farming community, is a question of no little impor- •iMice, Moles, Squirrels, the Hed^e-hog, &.C. tSnakes, Lizards, Frogs and Toads. (Woodpecker, Martin, Swallow, Night-hawk, WhippoorwiU, Crow, Blackbird, Robin, Wren, Sec. 368 REMARKS ON ENTOMOLOGY. [March, tance. It cannot for a moment bo presumed that our practical agriculturists, whose time is so thorough- ly occupied by the cares and labors of their husbandry operations, have the leisure or inclination to glean it from the massive and voluminous tomes on Entomol- ogy, written as tliey are, for the most part, in lan- guage unintelligible to them. It is true, several valuable European publications, of a popular charac- ter, on insects destructive to vegetation have been is- sued. Among these are Ratzeburg's " Die Forst* Insecten ;'' published at Berlin ; and a treatise on "insects injurious to gardeners, foresters, and farm- ers" prepared under the auspices of the Austrian Government, by Vincent Koller, and translated from tiie German by J. and M. Loudon, with notes by J. 0. Westwood. Most of the insects described in these works, however, are peculiar to the Old World, or are less abundant and less destructiTe with us, than some others that are indigenous to our own country. Being impressed with the great importance ofh.av- ing the animal, vegetable and mineral productions and resources of the State fully developed, Massachu- setts, so early as 1830, authorized the commencement of a series of investigations, which resulted in the publication, at the expense of her Commonwealth, of several valu.able documents, having an agricultural bearing. Among these is an able Report by Dr. T. W. Harris, on the insects of Massachusetts injurious to vegetation, issued in 1841, more than ten years ago. The history of this Report was communicated to me in a letter, from this distingui.shed Entomolo- gist, in reply to one I had written to him on the .sub- ject, and is of so interesting a character as to induce me to lay it before you.* In it you will perceive that Massachusetts, not satisfied with the entomological information which she had caused to be widely diffu- sed, among her agi-icultural population, has already authorized the publication of another edition of this useful work. On this second edition, which will no doubt be much enlarged and greatly improved, the accomplished author is now engaged.* Will Pennsylvania do less for the advancement of her agricultural interests than the Bay State has done for those of Massachusetts ? We trust not. — An able Entomological Report, written in familiar language and adapted to the exigencies of our own Commonwealth, would impart to her rural population the entomological knojiledge they so much need and ought to possess. Then would they be able to recog- nise the insects that at times produce so much injury to their crops, as well as those that are of a beneficial tendency. Then would they bo furnished with the most approved natural and artificial means of com- bating their destructive ravages. Such a report would also accomplish other results quite as important as those now mentioned. By im- parting general and correct views of insect life, a spirit of enquiry and investigation into the economy, habits and transformations of the many insects with- in our borders would be engendered. Close, attentive, and well directed observation on these points, by our agriculturists, would probably lead to the adoption of more efficient counteracting remedies against in- sect depredations than any hitherto employed. Permit me, tlien, to press upon you th eimportance of urging our State Government to legislate at once on this subject. Let a bill be laid before the General Assembly, during its present session, making the ne- cessary provision for appointing an Entomologist to draw up a Report on the Insects of Pennsylvania injurious to vegetation, as well as those that are ben- eficial, with outlines or colored illustrations represen- ting them in every form of their e.xistence. The triumphant passage of a bill of this kind cannot for a moment be doulated.* In connection with this subject, the propriety of recommending legal enactments for the protection of Insectivorous birds, is also worthy of your calm and serious deliberation. Sooner or later, these and various other measures! necessary to the elevation of the agricultural p sition of our Commonwealth, must and will be carried out. The only question is as to time. Whether their ac- complishment be remote, or nigh at hand, must in a great measure, depend on the zeal and energy with which the State Society urges their consummation. — The present moment is auspicious ; agriculture is every where receiving an onward impulse ! — down- trodden as are the masses in the despotic governments of Europe, yet are the agricultural communities even of those countries now receiving from their Rulers, aid the most important — -the most efiicient.J Shall similar facilities be withheld from the rural popula- tion of Pennsylvania? We await the response from her Capitol. [APPENDIX.] DR. HARRIS' LETTER TO DR. BRINCKLE. Cambridge, Mass., Sept. 10, 1851. Dear Sir, — The report to which you refer is out of print, and a new edition of it was authorized by a Resolve of the General Court of Massachusetts, pas- sed in May, 1850. I am now at work on this new edition, the printing of which will probably be begun in the course of the next winter; but as my time is necessarily much taken up by my official duties in the Public Library of Harvard College, the work will make rather slow progress. The history of my re- port is this: On the 5th of June, 1830, in consequence of tie recommendation of His Excellency, Levi Lincoln, then Governor of Massachusetts, the General Court of Massachusetts, "Resolved that His Excellency, the Governor, by and with the advice of the Council, be and hereby is authorized to appoint some suitable person to make a geological examination of the Com- monwealth, in connection with the general survey, &c.," which had been previously authorized, March *See Appendix. } Althoueh the State of N. York ha» nobly and generouslf incarred an expenditure of nearly SIOO.UOO in her geological surveys, and in acquiring and disseminating inf innatioii •oncerning her beasts, birds, fishes, reptiles and shells, accompanied by beautiful and ex- pensive engravings, she has liitherto done comparatively little in the department of Entomology. Nevertheless, the eftbrts she is so zealously and successfully making to promote her agricultural pros- perity, warrant the belief, that ere long the Empire State will, with her usual liberality and aagacitA', bestow on insects the con- Bideratiou to which their number ant! importance entitle them. *Such an entomological report, in which the insects noticed are arranged under their various Orders, with appropriate introductory remarks to each Order, and accompanied throughout with minute and comprehensive explanatory notes, would become an able Man- ual of Entomology that could not fail to be productive of the most eitensivs usefulness to our agricultural population. tSuchaa the establishment of a State Agricultural College — the introduction of books on agricultural and collateral subjects into the rural public schools, &c tit appears from the report of the Commissioners recently ap- pointed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the subject of an agricultural school, that in Russia there are 68 such institutions established — in Prussia 32 — Austria 3.3 — Bavaria 35 — the other Germanic States 2S — Great Britain 70— France 75— Belgium 6— Italy 2 ; making in aggregate of 352 European AgriculturalSchools in full and successful operation. While alas, in the United States, with a republican form of government which recognises, as the basis of all legislation, the happiness and welfare of the people, the great body of whom are engaged in rural occupations, not a solitary Agricultural College or School has been established either by individual States or by the National Government. Nor has an Agricultural Bureau yet been organized, though it has been urgent- ly solicited, and its importance and necessity universally conceded. 1352.] REMARKS ON ENTOMOLOGY. 369 3d, 1830. The Governor accordinglj commissioned Prof. Edward Hitchcock, June 26, to make the Geo- logical Examination and to report thereon. On the •2d February, 1831, Prof. Hitchcock was directed "to annex to his report a list of the native Jlinoralogical, Botanical and Zoological productions of the Common- wealth." This report was ordered to be printed in 1832, and to be distributed. The result was the first edition of Prof Hitchcock's " Reports on the Geology of Massachusetts," printed in one vol. octavo, at Am- herst, Mass., in 1833. Before the work was finished. Professor Hitchcock requested me and others to fur- nish lists of animals and plants to be inserted in the appendix to the work, which will be found to contain my first catalogue of the insects of Massachusetts. In conformity to a Resolve of the Legislature, passed Feb. 17th, 1834, a new edition of Prof. Hitchcock's Report was prepared in one vol, 8 vo., at Amherst, in the year 1835. This contained an enlarged cata- logue of the insects, which Prof. Hitchcock requested me to furnish, together with catalogues of the other animals and plants, prepared by several scientific gentlemen. On the 12th of April, 1837, agreeably to a recommendation of His Excellency, Edward Ev- erett, the Governor, the General Court "Resolved that the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Council, is hereby authorized and requested to appoint some suitable person or persons to make a further and thorough survey of this Commonwealth, under his direction, particularly in reference to the discovery of Coal, Marl, and Ores, and an analysis of the various soils of the State, relative to au agri- cultural benefit. And he is hereby authorized to draw his warrant from time to time, upon the Trea- surer of this Commonwealth, for any sum not excee- ding §2,500 for the foregoing purposes.'' The Gov- ernor, mth the advice of the Council, thought best to give an enlarged interpretation to this resolve, so as to include as full an account of the animals and plants of the Commonwealth as could be obtained consis- tently with the means providod and with the spirit of the resolve, which pointed particularly to the agri- cultural benefits to be derived from the explorations. For the execution of this resolve. Prof. Hitchcock was appointed June 10, 1837, to continue the Miner- alogical and Zoological survey ; and Mr. George B. Emerson, Professors C. Dewev, E. Emmons, Rev. W. B. 0. Peabody, and Drs. T. W. Harris, D. H. Storer and A. A. Gould were commissioned lo take charge of the Botanical and Zoological surveys. The several portions of the work were distributed by agreement among these persons, and the department of insects devolved upon me. Other resolves, authorizing the printing of the several reports, and making appropri- ations for the same were subsequently passed, and the following works by the Commissioners, have been prepared, pr nted, and distributed gratuitously. " Final Report on the Geo'ogy of Massachusetts. By Edward Hitchcock, 2 vols, 4to., Amherst, 1841." " Reports on the Ichthyology and Herpetology of Massachusetts. By D. H. Storer ; and a Report on t!ie Ornithology of Massachusetts. By W. B. 0. Peabody, 1 vol. 8 vo. Boston, 1839." " Report on the Herbaceous Flowering Plants of Massachusetts. By C. Dewey ; — and Report on the Quadrupeds of Massachusetts. By E. Emmons, 1 vol., 8 vo. Cambridge, 1840." " A Report on the Insects of Massachusetts injuri- ous to vegetation. By T. W. Harris, 1 vol., 8 vo. Cambridge, 1841." " Report on the Invertebrata of Massachusetts, com- prising the MoUusca, Crustacea, Annelida, and Ra- diata. By A. A. Gould, 1 vol., 8 vo. Cambridge, 1841." " A Report on the Trees and Shrubs growing nat- urally in the Forests of Massachusetts. By G. B. Emerson, 1 vol., 8 vo. Boston, 1846." The Zoological and Botanical Commissioners re- ceived, if I mistake not, about $300 apiece for their services. Taking into consideration tha letter of instructions, in which Gov. Everett pointed out, as particularly desired, the economical and agricultural application of our remarks, and upon consultation with Mr. Em- erson, the Chairman of the Commission, I concluded it best to confine my attention in the report principal- ly to the insects injurious to vegetation ; but to meet a general want that had been observed of an introduc- tory work on our insects, I gave some general account of the subject, and arranged the insects treated ac- cording to a scientific classification of them, putting the whole, however, into such plain and familiar lan- guage as to be intelligible, I hoped, to uneducated readers. That the work has, to some extent, served the purpose for which it was designed, may be gath- ered from the fact that the whole edition of 1500 cop- ies (together with an impression of 250 copies extra, printed at my private expense,) has been exhausted, and that a new edition has been called for, and or- dered to be prepared and printed at the public ex- pense. No provision, however, has been made for the execution of figures to accompany the work; and, indeed, our artists are not only unskilled in such kind of illustrations, but their charges are so extravagant as to place these illustrations bej'ond the limits of any reasonable appropriation. Having now answered your enquiries in full, I beg to express a hope that the State of Pennsylvania may do something to promote investigations on the interes- ting subject of insect history and insect depredations. There already exists in your State an Entomological Society, consisting of several active members, and skillful naturalists, such as Dr. Melsheimer and Prof. Haldeman, who would be fully competent to under- take a work on the subject of destructive insects. With respect, your most obedient, Thaddeus William Harris. Dr. W. D. Brintkle. TJieLondoyi Quarterly Review, for January. Leonard Scott & Co., 79 Fulton street. New York. The re-publication of the foreign Quarterly Reviews by Messrs. Scott & Co. places the productions of the ablest vn-iters of Europe within the reach of the American reader, at so cheap a rate that every one should possess them. Embracing the views of the three great parties in England, they become al- most indispensable to a correct understanding of the nature of the great political events transpiring in Europe. The London Quarterly is the organ of the Tory, the Edinburg Review of the Whig and the Westminster of the Liberal party. For the benefit of those who wish to subscribe for these valuable re- prints, we give below the terms upon which they are offered by the publishers. For any one of the 4 Reviews and 1 Pre. Vol. ^ 3 For any two do. do. " j ^ u 5 For any three do. do. " 2 " " 7 For all four of the Reviews, " 2 " " 8 For Blackwood's Magazine, " 1 " " 3 For Blackwood and 3 Reviews, " 3 " " 9 For Blackwood and 4 Reviews, " 3 " " 10 370 HORTICULTURAL. [March, ^s^ 1 -'y>^ fjorticultural C'cpavtment. For the Farm Journal. Shrubs and Trees for Hedges. In continuation of my paper on the subject of hedg- es in the October number of the Farm Journal, I would add— The Viburnum pnmifolhcm,or Shcepber- ry tree, I believe might be used with advantage as a hedging shrub or tree ; not often attaining more than 15 feet in height and six inches in diameter ; very stiff and unyielding, with the ends of its spurs and branches performing the office of thorns, having sim- ilar properties as a hedge plant, with the buckthorn; and not so entirely occupying the adjoining ground with its very fine fibrous roots ; and beside, being a native shrub remarkably adapted to some localities. The Wild Plum Pnimis Americana of Marshall will make an excellent hedge in suitable soil. I planted some stones of the wild plum in my garden to raise stocks for grafting other fruits on. They were grafted at probably two years old, but the grafts did not grow, and each stock sent up several suckers, which were permitted to grow two years ; (1 believe with a view to grafting,) At the end of that time the row was a sufficient hedge of 6 feet or more in height, very stiff and thorny. To what extent this tree would bear trimming I do not know ; but when used as a stock for grafting, even the slow growing varieties of the common plum upon ; the graft usually overgrows the stock. It is a long lived tree, grows slowly, but attains a diameter of a foot or more. The English Sloe Pnmus Spinosa would probably be more easily managed as a hedge plant, but would require more time to make an effective hedge as it does not grow so vigorously — Thirty years ago,a hedge of this kind remained on the Bartram Farm near Philadelphia. It had the appearance of having been a good hedge, but had tlien been neglected for some time. The Sea buckthorn lUppopliae rhamnoides, is a Eu- ropean shrub or tree, found from Italy to Lapland^ generally near the Sea. It is a hardy, free growing shrub, attaining a height of 1.5 feet or more, stiff and armed with short thorns. It grows well on common soil and I judge, would make a good hedge; but as it naturally grows in wet situations, it is probably the best /Aorny plant for hedging in wet or low grounds. The leaves and young shoots of this (and of the Sliep- herdia next described) are of a dull white or silver color ; and therefore, these shrubs may be used with advantage by the skillful landscape gardener where hedges are required in pleasure grounds or ornamen- tal plantations. ShepJierdia Arcfcniea or Buffalo berry was first in- troduced by Long's party from the Rocky Mountains, and is described as being abundant there — Nuttall in his continuation of Michaux' Sylva, says that the great use of this plant ■will be for hedges or live fen- ces ; and describes a standard tree in AVinships Nur- sery near Boston, as 20 feet high, and as large as an apple tree. I have seen accounts of hundreds of thou- J sands of seedlings having been sent to Europe,'_but it ' is little known here. It produces fruit at 10 feet high in very great abundance. The fruit 'is of the form, color, and about half the size of a common red cur- rant. As to growth and armature, this tree may rank with the Buckthorn and I judge will be found at least equal for hedging. Of the Mesp'dus pyracantli a or evergreen thorn, 1 have seen one hedge, on a bank supported by a low wall, separating an ornamental plantation from the public road. As a hedge I believe it would have been suffi- cient for a farm enclosure without the wall. From observations, made on this plant, which I have culti- vated many years as an ornamental shrub, I be- lieve that with some care in staking and tying upthe branches for two or three years, (not requiring more time than is usually required to trim and head down) s hedge could be made sufficient to turn men, horses and cattle. It is evergreen, or nearly so ; in mild winters retaining its leaves till spring. In John Evans' grounds, in Delaware county, on the 9th of the present month, I saw a plant of this species about 12 feet high; variegated with a profusion of red ber- ries, forming, with its brownish green leaves, the most beautiful object in a large collection of rare and beautiful plants. As a shrub it is naturally strag- gling, throwing out long slender branches, nearly horizontally, but is easily kept trained as an upright shrub. This straggling habit may increase its value as a hedge plant, it being armed with short sharp thorns. Alan W. Corson. Montgomery co., 1st mo. 22d, 1852. For the Farm Journal. Effect of Frost on Peach Trees, &c. Mk. Editor : — Hereabouts the severe frost — (8°@ 10°) — has proved destructive to the peach crop. In low situations it is difficult to find a fruit bud that is not black at heart ; a few only, of the smallest, most compact, and ripest buds are yet uninjured. In wet ground, where the sapvessels were replete, the trunks of the trees have in many cases been rent by the in- tense cold. Thosh who feel a natural hesitancy about pruning off branches which promise fruit, may take advan- tage even of this disaster, by giving their trees a 1852.] HORTICULTURAL, 371 liearty " shortening in" to induce new and vigorous shoots. It should be -well remembered that the peach tree only bears on young -n-ood, and long, na- ked, sun and wind, and time-dried branches, convey sap no better than choked and rotten pipes convey water. Such trees should have the top reduced one half or more, and if healthy sprouts issue near the ground, the tree may renew its youth. If sprouts is- sue from the ground, it becomes difSoult to rid them of worms. On this account there should be but a single shoot stem. Of late years our peach trees lose their first leaves every spring ; the leaves become curled and blistered and eventually fall off. Towards midsummer, new leaves issue, and the functions of growth proceed ; but this late growth does not ripen fu.ly, and the trees suffer (in consequence ?) much more from frost than they formerly did. This disease is universal here, affecting, it may be said, every tree, and on that ac- count is perhaps more injurious than even the yellows. Will some of your correspondents who are expert in Peach-culture pronounce upon this. All lovers of good peaches, and all who find themselves bene- fitted by their use, (which classes every body, I be- lieve, without exception,) will be advantaged by any information that will lead to a restoration of fruitful- ness and vigor to the peach tree. The inner side of the diseased leaves is often cov- ered with aphides. Are they a cause or a conse- quence ? Infusions of tobacco and other applications usually applied to destroy aphide, do not appear to remedy or mitigate the evil. W. G. Waring. Boalsburg, Pa., Feb. Uth, 1852. For the Farm Journal. Caterpillars—Black Knot. Mk. Editor : — Desirous of information on a sub- ject which interests me much, I know of no way that I can obtain it better than by making a request through the columns of your very valuable Journal. When the great prejudice against " Book Farming" shall be removed, when we find the Journal in the hands of every farmer and its teachings followed, ■when " Agricultural Chemistry" shall be studied and practised, and the "good old way" cast aside, then our farms will assume a different appearance, and our farmers be more amply rewarded for their labor. Every summer my fruit trees are covered with millions of caterpillars. I have followed the advice of my neighbors, in endeavoring to destroy them, but hitherto without any good result.. Before the young caterpillars move from their nests in the morn- ing, I have taken the nest and all in my hand, and crushed it. I have tried tow and turpentine, and I have tried blowing them off with a gun ; but in a week after performing these operations, my trees would be full again. It has been three years that my trees have thus been affected. The caterpillars completely divest them of their foliage, and I lose my fruit. My plum trees also suffered much from what I supposed was the drought of last summer. Every branch is now covered with knots. The only way I know of removing them, is by paring them off smooth- ly and even with the branch, for if I attempt to cut them out altogether, it would be as well for me to cut the tree down at once. But if these knots extend entirely through the branch, which I believe they do, I see no way of preventing that part of the branch from dying — the sap cannot pass through these "tu- mors." I seen in some works on farming, that a long spell of warm weather causes it. I have however, two trees of the same sort of plum, which stand within a few feet of the affected one), and they are perfectly sound. Many of my plums rot on the tree, before they get ripe, and numbers of them fall — they are all planted in good earth. Jlost of them are in my garden, with a fair exposure to the sun, and all of them are young. Now cannot some of your sub- scribers tell us of a remedy for Caterpillars and knots on Plum trees ? Many of them know a remedy, and if they would only communicate it, perhaps it might be of service to many whose trees suffer like mine. Much fruit is lost annually by frost. If persons would take the trouble to pack snow around the base and trunk of the tree, they would find it of advantage. It keeps back the blossom, and the tree does not come in bloom until we can fairly count upon no more cold weather. Yours truly, W. D. Gwynedd, Montgomery co., Feb. 19, 1852. [The warts or knots referred to above, are very common to the plum and several varieties of the cherry, and are generally supposed to be produced by the punctures of beetles, and are the residence of their grubs. Dr. Peck says, the seat of the disease is in the bark. The sap is directed from its regular course and is entirely absorbed by the bark, which is very much increased in thickness; the cuticle bursts, the swelling becomes irregular, and is formed into black lumps, with a cracked, uneven and granulated face. One of the best remedies for the black knot, where the disease has not extended itself too widely, is to cut off the limb below the tumor and burn it. — Where this course would involve the destruction of large branches, another remedy may be tried, which is, to cut out the warts until every vestige of granu- lated matter is removed. Then rub the cut part with common salt. However, the most proper and effectual plan is to examine the trees carefully every spring, and so soon as there is any evidence of the black knot, let the branches on which they are found be amputated and burnt. We will offer some methods for the destruction of the caterpillars in our next.— IEd.] 372 HORTICULTURAL. [Mracii, For the Farm Journal. The Evergreens of our Capitol. Mr. Editor : — Will you be kind enough to suppress your smile at the novelty of the subject of my com- munication, and allow me to say, that it is not to the evergreens within the capital that I refer, but to the evergreens that ornament the grounds around it. The fine commanding elevation of these grounds, gives them attraction, which has been benefitted by the ornamental trees that are distributed along their walks, and within their lawns. ■ The ornamental trees of these grounds are mostly deciduous, and of course, have little beauty in winter. But among these trees are a few species of our native evergreens, which do much to enliven the winter scene, and render cheer- ful and attractive, grounds which are occupied at a season when other trees are stripped of their foliage, and only have the feathery flowers of frosts and snow. The evergreens of these grounds are comprised of but four species; and these are all natives of our State. The largest of these trees is the White spruce {Abies alba) and the only one of its species or genus which ornaments capitol hill. Where are its fellows, the Black spruce, (A. nigra) with its thick dark shade, and the Hemlock spruce {A. catiadensis) with its light and graceful foliage ? These, too, are natives of our State, and equally ornamental. The hemlock is the tree of the north, and no winter scene is com- plete without it. Pennsylvania may be said to be its southern boundary, and from her high hills to the frozen north, it characterizes nearly every landscape. Nearly resembling the spruce, but entirely distinct from it, is the Balsam Fir, (Abies balsamce). This is the dark conical evergreen with resinous terminal buds, that shows to such advantage from the steps of the capitol. There are perhaps a dozen trees of this species here. It is a beautiful tree as an ornament, and is interesting as affording the resin called Cana- dian balsam. There is another evergreen with a thick dark head, composed of fan-like branches. This is the White cedar [Cupressus thyoides). In its appearance it re- sembles the Arbor vitoe of the north, and is often mis- taken for that tree. The white cedar is also a native of our State, but is not generally distributed. It be- comes a beautiful tree by cultivation, but is wanting in those graceful airy forms, which distinguish many of our native evergreens. The last tree to be found of our evergreens in these grounds is the Savin, [Juniperus sabina.) The singu- larly thick fastigiate branches of this tiee, with its berries clustered among its prickly leaves and matr ted branches, will distinguish it from any other tree on these grounds. It is, however, wanting in stately form, and holds its place as a connecting link between the lofty trees and the lowly shrubs. No other species of the Junipers, or of the Pines, or the Larch, Yew, the Laurel, or the Rhododendron are found on these grounds, calling familiar scenes to the minds of those whose homes have been made cheerful by their shade. Might not every species of the evergreens of Pennsylvania bo appropriately grouped on the enclosure that contains our State buildings, giving cheerfulness to the winter scene, and if grouped with the deciduous trees of our native growth, give a panoramic view of the forests of Penn- sylvania. If it is a subject of interest to your readers, I will give in some future numbers.a catalogue and descrip- tion of the native forest trees of Northern Pennsylva- nia. Yours, S. Hatden. Athens, Bradford co., Pa., Feb. 20, 1852. Pennsylvania Horticultural Socictj-. The stated meeting of this Association was held in the Chinese Saloon, Philadelphia, on Tuesday even- ing, February 17, 1852. Gen. Patterson, on assuming the chair, took occa- sion to indulge in some very appropriate remarks, tendering his sincere thanks to the Society for having elected him unsolicited, their presiding officer. Ob- serving that he could forsee tlie many obstacles that would be presented by following in the footsteps of no ordinary man ; that the standard for efficiency in office was now placed so high, and he, from his long absence, being in a great measure, a stranger in the community, hoped that his administration would be looked upon with a lenient eye — that it should be his aim to perform the duties to the best of his abilities, and that until he should become fully acquainted with his new position, he would claim the indulgence of the Society towards any errors of commission or omission that might occur in tho performance of them. The display was excellent, for the season, and con- sisted of a large collection of Plants — fine specimens of Azaleas Spirseas, Ericas, Cinerarias, Stocks, etc., from Joseph Lovering's houses. Six large and very handsome Camellias, in half-flower, from Frederick Lennig's collection. A number of select rare plants — the Illiciumreligiosum,Salviagesneriacflora, (choice long bloomer) Camellia j. var. CoUetii, Metrosideras semperflorens, &c., by K. R. Scott, gardener to J. F. Knerr. A large oblong stand of four elevations, cov- ered with moss in which grew luxuriantly some fifty Hyacinths, exhibited by Peter Reabe, was an attrac- tive object. The designs of cut flowers and boquets were very creditable. A tall vase-shaped design formed of the finest ilowers, was shown by James Bisset, gardener to James Dundas. A large beautiful cone boquet crowned with a bud of the Victoria, tho forty-sixth from the same place, and a handsome basket of cut flowers, by Thos. Meehan, gardener to Caleb Cope. A fine basket and hand boquet by Thomas Mcghran, gardener to E. Cornelius, and another basket and bo- quet by Alex. Burnett, gardener to Joseph Ripka. Collections of cut Camellias were exhibited by John Sherwood, Robert Buist, James Ritchie, John Pollock, gardener to F. Lennig, and Benj. Gullip. Fruit — ^Thomas Hancock, Burlington, brought the " Eschasserie" and "Easter Beurre" Pears, and Wm. V. Pettit, the "Niles" Pear. Amost beautiful Apple of good quality, brought from Paris, was pre- sented by Charles Crugan. Two large tables of vegetables were shovm by Thos. Meghran, gardener to K. Cornelius, and John Gal- 1 S52. EDITORIAL. 373 l;i;;lier, gardener to Miss Gratz ; and line forced Tlliu- baili and Early Radishes by Ales. Burnett, gardener to Joseph Ripka. The follovring premiums were awarded — By the Committee on Plants and Flowers — Camil- lias, for the best six plants name 1, to John Pollack, gardener to F. Lenuig : — For the best six named cut flowers, to John Sherwood : for the second best do., to Robert Buist. Plants in Pots — for the most inter- esting collection, to John Miller, gardener to Joseph Levering ; for the best design of cut flowers, to Jas. Bisset, gardener to -James Dundas ; for the second best do., to Thomas Meehan, gardener to Caleb Cope; for the best hand boquot to Joseph Miller. For the best basket formed of cut flowers, to Thomas Me- ghran, gardener to R. Cornelius — for the second best do., to Thmas Meehan. gardener to C. Cope. And a special premium for a display of Hyacinths, to Peter Raabe. By the Committee on Fruits — Pears, for the best the "Eschasserie" to Thomas Hancock, A dish of the " Niles" Pear was exhibited of good flavor. Al- so one ot the " Easter Beurrf" the latter would have been entitled, from their excellence, to the Premium but not a sufficient quantity were sho'ivn. The atten- tion of the Committee was called to a single specimen of an Apple, directly from Paris, of good quality, and of a singutorly beautiful appearance, presented by Charles Crugan. By the Committee on Vegetables — For the best and most interesting display by a private gardener, to Thomas Meghran, gardener to R. Cornelius ; for the seco|jd best do., to John Gallagher, gardener to Miss Gtratz. Also a special premium for forced Rhu- barb and early Radishes, to Alexander Burnet, gar- dener to Joseph Ripka. The special committee to whom was referred the subject of a testimonial to the late President, report- ed that he be requested to sit for his likeness; which was agreed to, and ordered to be carried into effect. A resolution authorizing the committee for estab- lishing the names of fruits, to procure model fruits, was adopted. A package of seeds obtained at the World's Fair was presented, and the thanks of the Society ordered to the donor ; and the seeds referred for distribution. Notice was given by a member that at the next meeting he would move for the appointment of a committee to examine and report upon the condition of the green houses of the city and vicinity. The President appointed the standing committees for the ensuing year. Members elected — John G. Hoffman and W. C. Fowler. On motion, adjourned. Tho. P. James, Recording Secretary. Effpcts of the severe cold on Peach Trees. Serious apprehensions are entertained in regard to the peach crop for the coming season. We are in- formed from various sources, that nearly all of the buds are frozen. In some few localities we learn that such is not the case, but the exceptions to the general destruction are, we fear, very rare. We have exam- ined a number of buds, every one of which gave un- mistakeable evidence of the destruction of the germ. Any one may satisfy himself of the fact by cutting open a hud, and if the small germ inside be of a black or brown color instead of green, there will be no fruit from that bud, although there may bo a blossom. THE FARM JOURNAL, !3l3si3tant QrMtor's Ptpartmcnt. A. M. SPAXGLER, Assistant Editor.""'" Agents. The Farm Jourxal may be had at tho following places : — • W. B. ZiEBER, South 3d St., principal agent for Philadelphia. W. H. Spangler, Lancaster, Pa. B. F. Spangler, Columbia, Pa. Geo. Bergner, Harrisburg, Pa. 11. Miner, Pittsburg, Pa. J. R. Shrvock, Chambersburg, Pa. 11. M. Rawlins, Carlisle, Pa. A. L. Warfield, York Pa. and of Booksellers generally. Onr Office. Those having business to transact with us will please call at the Book Store of W. H. Spangler, in North Queen street, Lancaster, where we or our re- presentative will at all times be in attendance. To OUR Newspaper exchanges. — We have on sev- eral occasions tendered, through our columns, thanks to our brethren of the newspaper press for the very kind and flattering notices given of the Journal. — They have been of great service to us, and we feel deeply indebted for them, and can but regret that it is not in our power to reciprocate the favor. We trust that we shall not be considered unreasonable, if in addition to the favors already received, we ask that they notice the fact, that with the present num- ber our first volume closes ; and that the liberal en- couragement extended to the Journal during the past year, enables us to assure all who may feel disposed to subscribe, that it is now permanently established, and during the coming year it shall be our endeavor to render it still more worthy of general patronage. To old subscribers. Frequent inquiries have been made of us recently, whether old subscribers will be permitted to renew their subscriptions at club prices. As a general re- ply to these inquiries, we answer, most assuredly. — Our terms now, are the same as formerly, and we indulge the belief that not only shall we retain our old friends, hut that our club lists ( with large addi- tions of new names) will be renewed. To County Societies — An offer. We will send a copy of the Farm Journal gratis, to every county or township agricultural or horticul- tural society in the State, the Secretary of which will inform us where the headquarters of the society are and furnish us with a list of the officers. Any in- formation relative to the condition and prospects of the Society will also be very acceptable. 374 EDITORIAL. [Mabch, [Wo take great pleasure io asking the especial at- tention of our readers to the subjoined pedigree of the celebrated durham bull, " Rockland," bred and raised by James Gowen, Esq., of Mount Airy, Phila- delphia countj-. His owner, we understand, would have no objec- tion to selling him to some spirited breeder or club of gcntlomiMi, who would use him advantageously, Mr. O. having but a limited stock at present, and having two other young Durham bulls in course of rearing.] PEDIGREE of the Premium Bull, ROCKIAND, Whose Fortran forms the Frontispiece. RocKL.\ND — red and white roan — calved September 19th, 1848, by Bruce, a son of imported Prince of Wales, by Maggot, bred by the Rev. Henry Barry. Dam Victoria, a favorite Durham, of great milking properties, bred by the late Manuel Eyre, Esq., by Diego, a superior thorough bred Durham; gr. dam. Queen Bess, by Col. Powel's Frolic; gr. gr. dam, Leopardess, by Mr. Eyre's celebrated Durham bull Leopard, &c., &o. Rockland's dam. Lady, a Durham of superior dairy properties, and of extraordinary fine constitution, owned for several years by Mr. Gowon, formerly the property of Mr. Cliorloy — her sire. Tra- veller, a thorough bred Durham of reputed milking stock; gr. dam, an imported Durham of the herd of Jlr. Bancroft, &c., &o. Rockland was bred with the view of combining in him the properties of g lod milk- ing with fine constitution, easy feeding, and earl}- maturing. To this end, his dam. Lady, whose pro- perties were well known, was chosen on the one side, and Bruce, son of imported Prince of Wales, on the other, he having an array of the best Durhanis, in blood and individual qualities, of any Durham Ijull availalile. At the annual Agricultural Exhibition and Cattle Show of the Philadelphia Agricultural Society, in October, 1850, Rockland was awarded the first pre- mium, as the best two year old bull exhibited; and at the next annual exhibition he was awarded the first premium as the best Durham bull of three years old and upwards, in a class where the competition was both numerous and great. He likewise took the first premium, last October, at the State Agricultural Exhibition, held at Ilarrisburg, as being the best short horn buil exhibited. Send in the Club Lists. — We respectfully request those who are getting up club lists for the new vol- ume, to send them in at as early a day as possiljle, in order tliat we may know how large an edition to publish. They will not forgot that we do not require the whole of the club to bo sent to one office. We will mail the Journal to as many different post ofiiees as may be required, and will receive additions to club Hst.4 at club prices at any time during the year. Advance of Scientific and Practical Agriculture in In Pennsylvania. One of the most gratifying tendencies of the pnb- lic measures of the present day is their practical cha- racter. Although speculative theorists are still nu- merous, and impracticable novelties are daily pressed upon the attention of the public, it is evident that they are fast losing ground; while those measures calculated to advance the interests and promote the comfort of society, are gaining a firm loothold with the people generally. Science, like book-farming, was for a long time re- garded as adapted to those classes of the community only, whose ample means gave them time for reading and investigation, and whose pursuits were calculated to amuse rather than profit. It was not until the mechanic arts had enlisted the powers of science in their behalf and triumphed over the former seeming- ly insurmountable obstacles that interposed between them and complete success, that the minds of men were directed to the importance of a knowledge of the principles which lie at the foundation of agricul- ture. The efforts of a few strong-hearted, noble souled men, to introduce a system of farming which should be an improvement upon "the good old way," were met with derision. But despite the opposition with which they were called to contend, these brave spirits persevered in the good work, until eventually, they triumphed over the prejudices opposed to them, and now, science and agriculture go hand in hand — twin sisters, dispensing blessings on every side. — ■ "Book farming" is no longer decried as useless and unprofitable ; and those who avail themselves of the practical experience conveyed through the agricultu- ral publications of the day, are no longer regarded as mere theorists. This healthful tone of feeling Ls to be considered as the precursor of a system of farm- ing in Pennsylvania, which cannot but operate pow- erfully upon her future prosperity. With the spread of .scicJitific agricultural intelligence, we may right- fully expect increased crops, with lessened expenses. "Knowledge is power," and the farmer whose mind is most thoroughly trained to familiarity with the principles of agriculture — who understandingly atr tends to the duties of his calling, is c ;rtainly more likely to succeed, than he, who blindly follows the lead of those who have ever stood opposed to the in- troduction of modern improvements. By this we do not desire to be understood as claiming all the merit for scientific theory. Men may theorize, but prac- tice alone can realize. Theory can bo valuable only when reduced to practice ; hence, the man who com- bines the scientific with the practical, is the man who will eventually succeed best. Let the friends, there- fore, of our State and national prosperity, not forget the duties resting upon them. If applied agricultu- ral science is calculated to advance the interests of, the farmer, then the duty of every friend of the 18.'")2.] EDITORIAL. 375 farmer is, to lend his influence to such means as are calculated to spread broadcast throughout our State and the Union, a knowledge of those branches of science which stand most intimately allied to success- ful husbandry. These means are various; but none appear to us so completely within the reach of all, as agricultural periodicals. Embracing, as all good publications of this class should, something upon every department of farming ; and combining in a small space the practical experiments of hundreds of excellent farmers ; they become to the observing husbandman, a source, not Only of deep pleasure, but of large profit. Not that all the suggestions contain- ed in them are to be adopted ; or even a majority of, them ; but we cannot think that any attentive reader of the Farm Journal during the past year, can have failed to realize more than ten-fold the amount of his subscription, unless he was wilfully determined to disregard the many valuable truths, which have from time to time been presented through its columns. And the same may be safely said of other Journals of a similar character. Honestly believing this, we ask for it, increased support, and hope that those who have derived benefit from its perusal, will assist us in our efforts to spread still wider its good influences. Protection by law to Fruits and Fruit Trees. A bill is now pending before the Legislature which provides for the better protection of fruits and fruit trees, and we earnestly hope it may become a law. There is no class of the community so subject to in- roads and depredations upon their premises as the farmer and fruit grower. Orchards have come to be regarded as public property ; and the owner who undertakes to protect them against depredators is set down as mean and churli.sh. To our mind it is perfectly clear, that the trees and fruit in the farm- er's orchard are as much his property as the goods and silver of the merchant; and as such, as fully en- titled to the protection of the law. But, by one of those strange inconsistencies which sometimes cha- racterize law-making, a farmer's orchard may be plundered almost with impunity, while the theft of a single penny from the till of the merchant, subjects the ofiender to imprisonment. For the sake of justice therefore, to a class of the community, who ask but little from our legislators in behalf of themselves, we hope this bill may pass. In the vicinity of many large towns, the cultivation of fruit has been almost wholly abandoned. Those who for years attempted it, have given up in despair, their trees being broken down from year to year, and the fruit carried away by idle persons. The law which protects the fruit thief, gives direct encourage- ment to theft of all kinds. The man who will clan- destinely rob a neighbor's fruit tree, we should be very loath to trust within reach of our purse, for we cannot conceive the theft of money, a crime of any great«r magnitude than that of fruit. National Agricultural Bureau. At the last quarterly meeting of the Maryland State Agricultural Society, the following resolution in relation to the establishment of an Agricultural Bureau at Washington was adopted : Whereas, the President of the United States in his last annual message called the attention of Congress to the establishment of an Agricultural Bureau at the city of Washington. Be it therefore JiCfiohvil, That the thanks of this Society be, and they are hereby tendered to his Excellency, the Pre- sident, for the interest which he has not only on the pi-esent, but on other occasions manifested in behalf of American husbandry. And be it further Resolved, That this Society, regarding as it does, the paramount value of such an institution, at the seat of government, established upon liberal princi- ples, to the success of an improved system of Agri- culture in this country, a committee of be now appointed to proceed to Washington in order to pro- mote the establishment of said institution by using such efforts as may seem most appropriate in their judgments, as well as to press the subject respectful- ly upon the immediate attention of our Senators and Representatives in Congress, urging them to use their best efforts towards bringing up the matter for the consideration of their respective houses, at as early a day as practicable. It will be remembered, that resolutions similar in substance were passed at the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Societj'. The sub- ject is one of vital importance to the interests of agriculture in the United States, and demands the earnest attention of Congress. A Department of Agriculture exists in France and other nations, and the most beneficial results have flowed from it. Why should not the same results follow in our countrj' ? Agriculture is our leading interest. Three-fifths of our population are engaged in it, and all are dependent upon it for the necessaries of life. A National Agri- cultural Department at Washington, established upon such principles as would bring to its support the in- fluence of all the State and County Societies, could not fail to give an impetus to the farming interest which would be felt in every section of our great country, and would do much to promote our national strength and greatness. We shall take up this sub- ject again when we have more space and time than now. We observe also, that the Maryland Society highly approves of the plan proposed by the Pennsylvania Society, for the formation of a National Agricultural Society. The President has been authorized to ap- point a delegate from each Congressional district to represent Maryland in the Convention. We hope that other State Societies will follow up the good work and appoint delegates. Such a convention, re- presenting fully the agricultural interests of the ^ a- rious States, would exert a vast influence in securing the passage of a law establishing a Department of Agriculture at Washington. The communication of J. F. 11. is crowded out. 376 EDITORIAL. FMarc It Complimentary Resolution. IS with feelings of deep gratification that we give pLace to the following highly complimentary res- olution, passed by the State Agricultural Society, at its last annual meeting. To find our humble efforts to build up a character for the Farm Journal endor- sed by such high authority, is to us, a powerful in- centive to future exertion. During the year which closes with the present number, we have labored "in season and out of season" to present such matter to our readers, as we supposed best adapted to their tastes, and calculated to promote their interest. We dare not flatter ourselves that we have given univer- sal satisfac*^ion, but we can with pleasure refer to the high testimonial of favor at the hands of the State Society, and might, if we had room, furnish hundreds of individual testimonials equally flattering If our efforts to please have thus far been successful, may we not hope that with the coming year, our claim upon the favor of our subscribers will be increased. We think so ; and therefore only ask that those who think approvingly of what we have done, will aid us by their contributions of facts and subscriptions to do still better for the future. It was resolved by the Executive Committee, that we deem the estahlishmeiit and success of an Agricultu- ral Journal published in Pennsijlvania, as essential to the proper exposition of the principles of agriculture as practised in this State ; and that we approve of THE Pennsylvania Farm Journal, published at the city of Lancaster, by A. M. Spangler, and edited by S. S. Haldeman. retaries of the different Societies, in order that we may bo enabled to report to our readers, the progress agriculture is making throughout the State generally. To our Philadelphia subscribers. At the solicitation of quite a large number of our city subscribers, we have made arrangements with W. B. ZiEEER, South Third street, for the regular de- livery of the Farm Journal for the coming year. By this arrangement we hope to obviate the difficulties which have heretofore stood in the way of the regular receipt of the Journal by our city subscribers. Not- withstanding every precaution on our part during the past year, frequent complaints have reached us, and as we desire to please all, we have arranged as above. Should any of our subscribers prefer having them by mail, and will notify us of their desire, we will continue to send them as heretofore. State Agricultural Fair. — The nest State Fair.— At the last meeting of the Executive Commits tee, on Thursday, Feb. 6th, it was resolved that the next State Agricultural Exhibition should be held on the 20th, 21st and 22d of October. A committee consisting of the Hon. Fred'k Watts, James Gowen and David Mumma, to receive proposals from the dif- ferent towns desirous of competing for the fair. All proposals must be addressed to Hon. F. Watts, Car- lisle, Pa. We observe that the New York State Fair will be held at Dtica, on the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th of Sep- tember. The list of premiums having already been published. Liberal Subscription.— The citizens of Lancaster city have raised, by subscription, twenty-five hundred dollars, to secure the holding of the next State Agri- cultural Fair at that city. This amount can be largely increased, if necessary. Increase of County Societies. The past year has been a proud one to the friends of agriculture in Pennsylvania. On every side, we behold the rich fruits of the labors of those who were instrumental in securing the organization and incor- poration of the State Society. In almost every coun- ty of the Commonwealth an auxiliary Society has been formed, and we are pleased to observe that amongst those who have taken hold of them, are men who wers never known to falter in a good cause. Wo trust the work will not end here. Next fall will tell the tale. We shall be glad to hear from the Sec- CUMBERLAND NURSERIES. THE proprietor of the above establishment, in calling the atten- tion of the public to his present stock of Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Plants, Vines, &c., would call especial attention to his extensive stock of well grown and beautiful Apple Trees, em- bracing a complete collection, collected from several hundred va- rieties under culture at these Nurseries, and such only reserved fur general cultivation, as have proven by actual test to be worthy a place 111 the prudent man's orchard ; yet for the curious, or those who wish to test for themselves, he is prepared to supply in mod- erate quantities, nenrly every variety enumerated in the catalogue. In addition to the above, he has also a few hundred thousand eitra large and fine Sweet Apple Trees, eight to twelve inches high, (for stock feeding,) which he will sell at from 875 to 885 per thousand, at the Nurseries, and no further charges lor packing, simply to cover cost. These last are offered so unusually low on account of his wishing to clear a few acres of his ground this spring. All the above articles will be disposed of on the most lib- eral terms. &"A11 orders, post-paid, enclosing the cash, or a satisfactory reference, will be punctually attended to, and all trees carefully labelled, packed, and forwarded to wherever ordered Address, DAVID MILLER, Jr. Cumberland Nurseries, Carlisle, Pa. March, 1852. gm 1,000 AGENTS WANTED. THE life of Louis Kossuth. Governor of Hungary, with notices of the distinguished Men and Scenes of the Hungarian Revolution. To which is added an appendix, containing Kossuth's Address to the P«ople of the United States ; and the most important of the addresses, letters and speeches of the great Magyar Chief. By P. C. lieadley, author of " Life of the Empress Josephine," "Life of Lafayette," etc., with an introduction by Horace Greeley. In one elegant 12 mo. volume of 461 pp., with an accurate steel Por- trait. Price tl,23. *** The publishers confidently beli»ve that from the abundant materials in the possession of the author, together with his well known ability, that his Biography of the Great Hungarian Chief will not only be complete in itself, but well worthy to be ranked with the other popular productions of his pen. N. B.— Agents wanted 'in every county in the United States, (not already occupied,) to s ell the above popnlar woek It is be- lived that almost every reai/i'ng family will be glad of the opportu- nity of possessing the Life and Speeches of the noble Hungarian. Such is th« present indication from the unparalleled sale of the work. Address, DERBV & MILLER, Pubhshers of Popular Books, Auburn, N. Y. March, 1852. Wii. B. WiLBT, Jeb Printer Lancaster, Pa. 1S52. ADVERTISEMENTS. 377 FKUIT AND ORNAMENTAL TREES, &C. THE subscribers solicit attention to their immense stock of Nur- sery articles, comprising Staiidard Eind Dwarf Fruit Trees, fur the Orchard or Garden .strong healtliy and beautiful trees, of all the best varieties in cultivation. Hardy Onianieiital Trees and Shrubs, for parks, cemeteries, pleas- ure grounds, dooryards, ic. Roses and Dahlias, Phloxes and PcEniea, one of the best collections in the United Stat-is comprising every novel and fine variety to be obtained in Europa, selected by us in person. Green House and Bedding Plants, comprising the newest and best Fuchsias, Chrysanthemums, Verbenas. Petunias, and other pop- ular plants for Green Houses, or for the Summer declaration of ganlens. New and Rare Evergreens, such as Deodar Cedar, Auracaria (Chi- li Pine,) Cryptoraeria. Pinus excelsa, &c., Sec. the most com- plete collection. Besides all the common sorts inlarge quantities. AH orders executed and forwarded in strict compliance with directions and packing done in a style so perfect as to secure the safe transmission of articles to the most distant points. A general descriptive catalogue will be forwarded gratis to all who apply post-paid and remit postage 5 cts. under 500 miles, 10 c. from 500 to 1000 miles. A new catalogue of Dahlias, Fuchsias, Verbenas. Roses and Bedding Plants, for Spring of 1832, is ju'^t issued and will also be forwarded g-ra(i5. ELLWA^GER &. BARRY. Mount Hope Nurseries, Rochester, New York. March 1852: HIGHLY IMPROVED ESTATES AND VALUA- BLE TIMBER LAND, On Lower James River, For Sale. THE undersigned prevented by engagements, requiring his un- divided attention elsewhere, from residing on his estate, will sell publicly, (unless previously sold privately, of which due notice will be given,) before the Bollingbrook Hotel, in the city of Pe- tersburg, Virginia, at 11 o'clock, on Wednesday, the 26th day of May nest, witliout reserve or regard to weather, that valuable body of highly improved arable and heavily timbered land, extend- ing up the north side of James river, from the Chickahomony riv- er, in the county of Charles City, Virginia, about 5 miles, well known under the general designation of SANDY POINT. This estate lies 32 miles below Petersburg, 45 miles below Richmond, and about ti5 above Norfolk, in what is justly considered the finest and most extensive grain gtowing region of Virginia, and as healthy as any on tidewater. Spring and well water abundant and good The whole tract contains 4,454 acres of unsurpassed natural quality, of which 2,180 have been thrice limed, and are now in a high and successful state of cultivation, upon the five field ro- tation, with more than 500 acres well set in clover The balance chiefly in wood and timber, embracing a body of some of the best timliered land in Eastern Virginia, convenient to good navigation. Marl abounds on the river, and Stone Lime of excellent quality is 6 1-2 cents per bushel. The sub divisions are as follows — THE NECK— contains 93-1 acres, 551 limed, elovered, and in a high state of cultivation; 16S in wood and timber, and2fi4 meadow or marsh land well meadowed and reclaimable at small expense. A valuable winter Fishery belongs to this farm. BUILDINGS — A small new frame dwelling, smoke house, negro houses, stable and large barn, with stationary horse power and shelter. LOU'ER TEDINOTON— contains 831 acres, 550 limed, elover- ed, &C-, 252 principally in wood and timber, ana 31 in reclaimable meadow. BUILDLNGS— A new frame dwelling with4 rooms and a passage, negro houses, a largeand well arranged barn, with sta- tionary horse power and shelter ; two large stables for horses, ox- en, &c., extensive hay house and spacious and well arranged buildings, for the protection of wagons, carts and all farming utensils, &c. UPPER TEDINGTON— the Family Residence. Contains 775 acres, 532 limed, elovered, &c., 229 principally in wood and tim- ber, and 14 in reclaimable meadow. BUILDINGS — a commodious wooden dwelling, large two storied kitchen and laundry, ice house, new and spacious carriage house auJ stable, servants' houses, &c., &c. Also, a new Barn, part wood and part brick, with 4 floors 80 by 38 feet.^nd a wing 30 by 50 fee. with bone, plaster, saw and gristmills. In the barn there isalltthe necessary machinery for threshing and winnowing wheat, shelling and grinding corn and sawing timber, all effectually driven by a 16 horse power stationa- ry engine in complete order and condition. A large orchard stock- ed with every variety of fruit, in successfu' bearing is attached to this faim. UPPER QUARTER— contains 835 acres. 546 limed, elovered, &c.. 290 principally in wood and timber. BUILDINGS— A small frame dwelling, kitchen, laundry, smoke house, negro houses, barn with stationary horse power and shelter and stable. Each of the above four farms has a river front, with landings, at which wharves can be erected cheaply and conveniently if de- sired. To " Uppper Tedington," within 100 feet of the barn, be- longs a new, commodious and substantial wharf, at w^hich the largest size vessels lie, steamers, sea and river, pass twice a day, frequently oftener, plying between Petersburg, Richmond, Nor- folk, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York. In addition to the above described four farms and timber and wood land thereto attached, are the following valuible timber and wood lots eligibly situated, convenient to navigation, which will make farms as desirable and productive as those above described : No. 1, containing 215 acres ; No. 2, 193 acres; No. 3, 214 acres ; No 4, 223 acres ; and No. 5, H7 acres. Mr. Nicol, resuJiug at Sandy Point, will be prepared to show the property ill my absence, and a particular and thorough examina- tion is invited at any time previous to the day of sale. Accuiate plats of each sut)-divi3ion have been prepared and are ready f(rr inspection. Possesssinii of the timbered lands given immediately after the sale ; of the farms at the end of the year, with the privi- lege previously, of fallowing and seeding wheat. TERMS :— For the farms, one-fifth cash, the balance in five equal aunual instalments from the 1st January, 1853. For the timbered lands, one-third cash, and the balance in three equal annual instal- ments from day of sale. The credit payments to bear interest and to be secured by deeds and bonds, or notes with approved securities or endorsers. ROB'T B. BOLLING. Petersburg, Virginia, February, 1^52. WM. PANNILL & SONS, Ancfrs. ALDERNEY AND IMPROVED SHORT HORN CATTLE. THREE thorough bred Alderney BULLS, from nine to eleven months old, raised from the choicest imported slock. Also, two thorough bred young short horn Bulls, ten months old, raised on Uie farm of Mr J. P. Remington, near Philadelphia, and for sale by AARON CLEMENT, Agent for the purchase and sale of im- proved stock, Cedar street, above 9th street, Philadelphia. February 2d, 1652. FRUIT AND ORNAMENTAL TREES FOR SALE. 50,000 Peach Trees of one and two years growth, from the bud i 40,000 Apples; 5,000 Cherries ; 5.0U0 Dwarf Pears, eachcontnin- ing all the most e.-teemed varieties, and of large size. Also, Quinces, Plums, Nectarines, Apricots, Almonds, Grapes, Raspber- ries, GoLtseberries, Currants, Strawberries, kc, &c. 50,000 Silver and Ash-leaved Maple Seedlings of one years growth ; 50,000 Ap- ple Seedlings. The above will be sold on the most reasonable terms. Persons residing at the south and west should send their orders early. Catalogues with prices annexed will be sent to all applicants. ISAAC PULLEN, February, 1852—2 mos.) Ilighstown, Mercerr o N. Jersey. COTTAGE FURNITURE. AVARWICK & Co., are constantly manufacturing new and ap- propriate designs of enamelled, painted and Cottage Furniture, of warranted materialsand workmanship. Suits of Chamber Furni- ture consisting of DRESSING BUREAU, BEDSTEAD, AV ASH- STAND, TOILET TABLE, and FOUR CANE SEAT CHAIRS, as low as S30 per suit, and upward to SlOO, gotten up in the most superb style. Those who are about furnishing hotels, cottages, or city, resi- dences, should call and see this style of furniture, which for cheap- ness, durability and elegance is far preferable to the old heavy kinds of mahogany, A:c. Orders from all parts of the country promptly attended to and carefully packed. WARWICK & CO., AA'arerooms, No. 4 and 6. South Seventh St., between Chestnut & Market streets, Philadelphia. sept.-em HENRY A. DREER'S SEED AND HORTICULTURAL WAREHOUSE, No. 59, Chesnut st., near 3d, Philadelphia. CoMtantly on hand a large and well selected assortment of Garden, Field, Oraitand Garden Sleds, Fruit Trees, Grape Vines, Rases, ^c. Horticultural Implements m great variety. CatalogoM forwarded on post paid application. (sep.-4t Life Insurance for Horses, &c. THE American Live Stock Insurance Company, (Stockholders i«- dividually Liable) for the Insurance of Bmses, Mules, Pri3€ Bulls, Sheep, Cattle, ^c , against Fite, Water, Accidents and Dia ease. Also, upon Slock driven to Eastern markets, or transported South. JOHN H. FRICK. Ceneral Agent for Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. KEFEBE^CES : Wood, Abbott & Co., ) Truitt,Brother&Co.. > Philadelphia. Coates & Brown, j Agents: JOHN ZIMMERMAN, Lancaster Pa. CHARLES F. FRICK. Reading, Pa. SAMUEL H. TAYLOR, Mauch Chunk, Pa. Dr. JoHM G. ScovEKN-, Veterinary Surgeon, May, 1851.) Examiner for Lancaster Comity. STRAWBERRY PLANTS. THE subscriber offers for sale 4000 young and thrifty Strawie»- ry plants at low prices. This and the following month bajng the prop»r time to form new beds to bear fruit tie following yeen Aug. 1, 1851. No. 13, East King St., North side . ■m 378 ADVERTISEMENTS. [March, Power and Threshing Machine for general purpnseB and to do more work with the same amount of labor, in sny given time. For more detailed explanation, see Farvi Journal of August, 1851, or address the Bubscriber, at Harrisburg. M. H. STEEVER. Harrisburg, February, 1852. 2raoa A. an air chamber— B. body of ram— C. valve chambers — X>. Viilve—F. coupling for delivery pipe— H. coupling for driving pipe. J. B. CHICHESTER, NO. 23, SOUTH EIGHTH STREET, PHILADELPHIA, AGENT for Birkiiibines Patent Improved Hydraulic Ram, Force Pumps, Street Stops, Fire Plugs, and Hydraulic Machinery in general. The superiority of these Rams over afl others is the great amount oi water thrown to that wasted, the large size they can be constructed, the durability of them, as well as the small amount of attention and repairs they require— many running at present for 4 and 5 years, without any repair. At the present time there are in the United States, Cuba, Mexico and South America, about 2000 in successful operation. The town of Naples in the State of New York is supplied with water by one of these Rams, throwing 20,00(1 gallons a day. Many more could be mentioned if space would permit. Persons wishing Rams sent to them by measuring the amount of w^ater their brook or spring affords, per minute, the head and fall they can procure, the elevation to be overcome, and distance to be conveyed, can have the proper Ram and Pipe sent them, with di- rections for putting up. T he expense, in most cases, is smaller than a well and pump, — Letters post-paid, will meet with prompt attention. When desired an experienced person will be sent to put them at a small addition- al expense. Lead and Iron Pipe for sale. These Rams are wa nted in every respect. (Jan. 1852. t~ AVIIEELER'S PATENT Pennsijlvauia S!ate A<}ricultural Society's Fhsi Pre- mium Railway Chain Horse Power and Over- shot Thresher and Separator. THESE Machines were awarded the first Premium (of SIO,) and a Diploma at the Penneylvania State Agricultural Exhibition, in competition with many others, and they have also received the first (or a monied) Premium at all the County Fairs ^vheiever they have been exhibited for Premium in the State of Pennsylvania, and numerous premiums in other States. To show the public that these Machines are none of the humbugs of the age, I WILL PAY ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS as a premium to any person who can produce a superior Horse IMPORTANT TO FARMERS! JESSE ROBERT'S PATENT UNITED STATES GRAIN AND SEED FAN. TO WHICH WAS AWARDED THE FIRST PREMIUM At the Pennsylvania Agricultural Fair, after a trial the fairness of which could not be disputed. These Fans, the inventor confident- ly asserts, are the only ones now in use entirely adequate to the wants of the farmer. The object of the inventor was not directed alone, to the purpose of cleanmg grain, but of cleaning it and saving at the same time the farmer the trouble of gathering it from the floor, thus not only avoiding labor, but keeping the grain from the dirt on the floor. In addition to this, these Fans, possess greater advantages than those constructed upon the old plan. — These advantages are as follows : First. The arrangement is such, that a quick shake can be ob- tained bv turning slowly, thus securing when desired, a less quan- tity of for small seeds. Second. When necessary a slow shake can be secured, by rapid turning. This is of immense advantage, as it adapts the fan, to the cleaning of ail kinds of seeds. Third, Anew method of adjusting the riddles and screws. This gives the operator the advantage of placing them m any position bes; adapted to accomplish the purposes of a grain Fan. Every riddle and screen has a separate adjustment, so that each one can be fixed at any angle ^vithout the necessity of taking them out. Fourth, The grain, instead of falling on the floor, as is usually the case, is discharged, by means of a small trough, into the half bushel, or other measure that may be placed under it. By this ar- rangement the grain is all measured, by the time it is cleaned, thus saving not only labor, but time, and consequently expense, as well as keeping the grain from contact with the dust and diit on floor. For this reason; the fan, can be put in operation anywhere, with as little trouble as the common fans can be used in a barn floor. Fifth, The simplicity of their constructions renders them less liable to get out of repair than other mills. For the above reasons, we confidently recommend our Fans to public patronage. Privileges to manufacture will be granted on reasonable terms. Satisfactory inf"rmation can be promptly had bv addressinff poitpaid, the subscriber at Norristown, Montgome- ry CO., Pa. JESSE ROBERTS. Norristown, December, 1, 1851. 9-tf Seed and Agricultural Warehouse. No. 29. Market Street, Phila- WHERE the subscriber has ooened an extensive assortment of GRASS AND GARDEN SEEDS, of his own raising, OT recent impor- tation, and warranted to be as represented. He IS, also, manufacturing all the most approved Agricultural Implements, among which he would call the attention of Farmers to a new article of Plow, of his own invention, called Cast-Steel, Extending Point, Self-Sharpening, Surface and Subsoil Plows, which for durability and easy of draft is yet unequalled. The great advantages these Plows possess over all others, are their peculiar construction and the substitution of Cast-Steel inthe place of Cast-Iron, which only wants to be seen to be appreciated; all of which will be sold on the most reasonable prices by May, 1831. C.B.ROGERS. 1852.] ADVERTISEMENTS. 379 FRUIT & ORNAMENTAL TREES, &C. The subscribers solicit the attention of Nurserymen, OrcLard iats and Amateurs, to their present large ami fine stuck of Nursery Ar- ticlea : Standard Fefit Trees, for Orchards; thrifty, well grown, and handsome, of all the licst varieties. Dwarf Trees, f.>r Gardens. The largest stock in the country, and the moat complete. Dwarf Pear Tkek«. Our collection consists of well known leading varieties, and immbers more than 150,000 saleable trees — The superiority of these, being grown in the country, over import- ed trees is well known to every intelligent cultivator. Nothing, in fact, in this country, can equal our collection of Pear Trees, — They can be had frotii one to four years growth, some of which are now covered with fruit. ^DwARF ArpLE Trees. We cultivate in large quantities the best and handsomest varieties of apples on Doucam and Paradise stceks for Dwarfs and Pyramids, and can furnish them in large quantities, from one to two years growth. Dwarf Cherry Trees. All the leading varieties are cultivated on Mahaleb stocks, extensively. We can furnish by the hundred and thousand, from one to two years growth. Cherry Ctjrraxt, the largest variety known. Upwards of 1,000 plants on hand. English Goosebekries. all the best sorts. Large Fruited Monthly Raspbrrry, that gives a crop of fine fruit m the autumn. Strawberries, all the best sorts. Ornamental Shade Trees, of good size, for streets, parks, &c., hirge and well grown. Choice Trees and Shrubs, for lawns and pleasure grounds, in- cluding all the finest, ne^v and are articles recently introduced Hardy E\'ERgreen Trees. Norway Spruce and Balsam Fir, of small size, in large quantities; and a moderate supply of large ojiea, besides nearly fifty new and "^are Evergreens, including Deo- dar Cedar, Cedar of Lebanon, Chili Pine, Cryptumeria or Japan Cedar, Hima ayan Spruce, &c , &c. Roses, Peonies, a large and complete collection, including the finest varieties. Phloxes. A collection of upwards of sixty varieties, including thirty new varieties imported last spring. Dahlias. Upwards of 100 select varieties, including the finest En-jrlish prize flowers of 1849 and 1850 The following Catalogues, giving full infcrmation as regards terms, prices, &c-.. will be sent gratis to all who apply by postpaid letters or at the office. 1st, a General Descriptive Catalogue. ^ 2d, a Wholesale Catalogue. 3d. a Catalogue of Select Green House Plants. 4th, a Special Catalogue of Dahlias and Bedding Plants, for 1351. ELLWANGER *t BARRY, Mount Hope and Garden & Nurseries, Sept. 1851. Rochester, N. Y. THE MODEL ARCHITECT, A series of orirfinal designs for Cottages j Villas, Su burhan Residences, Country Churches, School- ffouse%, d'p., (fv., hi/ Samuel Shan, Arc't. The above work is designed to meet the wishes not only of those directly interested in building, but of all those who desire the ad- vancement of this noble art in our country, and wish to cultivate their taste and acquaintance with architecture. The handsome manner in which it is prepared and embellished, renders it a taste- ful ornament f'^r the drawing room, while itsaccuratedelineatujiis give It the highest practical value. The projector will find in it ev^ry variety of style and design, accompanied, as mentioned below, by all minutia necessary tocon- Blruction. By its aid he may build without danger of making those (udicrous and expensive tnititiikes which so often occur The operative artisan of every grade will find the work of ines- timable value. It is a complete book of reference, and all plates are drawn to a scale with the utmost accuracy, so that he has only to study them with his rule ai.d compass. The work, in two volumes of twelve numbers each, to be issued monthly, until complete. Each number contains four Lithograph FlnKravings of original designs, var\ ing in cost oC erection from ©600 to SI4,000. There are also four sheets of details accom- I>Hnying the designs, comprising ground plans, «Sce., Sec. Besides this, each number contains eight pages o( letter-press, descrijitive of the designs, giving extended accounts of the various styles adopted, essays on warming, ventilation, &c , Ac, elaborate spe- cifications, estimates, tables, and in sliort every tiling desirable, either for construction or for general infonnatioii, in beautiful type; the whole being executed on the very fiin:st paper, mauufactured expressly for the work. Price 50 CENTS A NU.MBER. Address, post-paid, E S. JONES & Co,, Publishers, S. W. cor. 4th and Race sts , Phila., Pa. Persons forwarding a list of five subscribers accompanied with the cash, shall receive a sixth copy gratis. sept-ly " FINE STRAWBERRY PLANTS. Strawhrrrv Plants of several varit-ties and fine quality can be had by the hundred or thousand at the low price of SI per hundred, by addreBsiug with amount enclused, JAMES O'CONNOR, Safe Harbur, Loucaster co., Pa Alt orders will receive prompt attcLtiou. {.^^S^ ^^^- MONTGOMERY'S unrivalled improved rockaway screener. This celebrated FAN has been tliorougli'y tested and found to excel all others now in use forcleaning the liiirereiil knidsiifgraln. This improvement hv Montgomery & Brother. euMsuts in a dou- ble shoe— the larger shoe— A as commonly attached to winnowing machines, having grooves into which the screens, sieves or sieve boards are slid and rest. , • , .. r „ „ B. The curved apron upon which the gram falls after passing through a hopper above. , . , ., , C rhe door which is made to extend across the curved apron B and opening back on hinges towards the front end of shoe A, rests flat upon the front part of the apron B. Ihe gram puEses aloii^ the curved apron B and through the aperture of tne door C and falls upon the 'screen D underneath. The apr.m is carried over the screen D on to the screen underneath, whilst the screen- ings pass through the screen D into tne shoe G underneatn, and are ea°rried alon" the bottom ot the shoe G to the cenlle, wherea spout H receives the screenings and carries them down behind into a bo.x below the Inittoniof the shoe A. The gram is carried bact ou to the grain board underneath perfectly screened. , ,„ „ , ^,„ , The persons who have already used these GRAIN FANS have not onlv spoken m flattering terras ..1 them, but prefer them to all others ihev have used— and very many ol the best Agriculturists have "iven their certificates that the fact of these machines screeli- in» th^e grain twice by one and the same operation is Ihe very im- provement they have long desired Our farmers will now have the most perfect winnowing machine, winch sircads the gram over the upper screen more perfectly than any "thers now in use. This improvement is so valuable as to have induced the inventors and manufacturers to make applicntion f,ir Letters Patent. All orders for the machines will be promptly attended to by the undersigned. J- MO.MTGOMERY & BROTHER, Sept. 1851. Lancaster city, Pa THE FRUIT-GROWER'S HAND-BOOK. Encouraged by the verv warm commendntions of tins work, re- ceived alike from (zp'rie'nccd Horticulturists and Irom the wholly inexperienced, the author ventures with some confidence to sub- mit it to the public at large. , , ,.. Notes of all Ihe important questions on fruit culture asked of the writer during the last ten years, with a tliorough research of I'lv inolonical works, have contributed to render this volume as coin- plete'as possible, in convenient compass. To the lot-holder who wishes to make the most of a few plants and little room, as well as to the extensive planter who wishes to arrange and cultivate his gardens in the most economical and pro- fitable manner, the Hand Book will be found a useful compaiiiou for frequent reference . ■ r ». rs^ Irice FIFTY CENTS. Two copies, post iree. frr $1 . '^ ' Address. WM.Ci WARING. sept 1851. Address, Boalsburg, Centre co., Pa- DOUBLE-ACTING, LIFT AND FORCE PUMPS The Bubseriher munufactures Double-acting Lift and Force Pumps, of all sizes, for «r . o Fact'iries Mines. Railway Water StatloilB, Breweries, Steamboats, Steamships, Tan Works, i'hips. Water Boats, fliitliouids Fanillv rnrposes, Ac "'"''"' VILLAGE AND FACTORY FIRE EXGIN'ES. Garden En^'ines, Cistern Pumps. Well Pumps, for any depth re- quired, Hons Couplings, Copper Rivetted Hose of all sizes. Orna- mental aeCast-iron Fountains, &r. Purchasers are respectlnly invited to call. Auv comiuunications by mail «ill have immediate attention. G B FAENAM,34 Cliir St., uearFulton, N.Y 380 ADVERTISEMENTS. [March, FARMERS PROTECT YOUR HOUSES & BARNS. So many aocidentshave happened from lightning (luring the past Snmmer, that every prudent and careful farmer should at once allopt such means as will lie most effectual in preventing them — When it is reraemhered that certain safety njay be secured at a very trifling expense, it becomes the duty of every farmer and giKjd citizen to avail himself the proffered means. By so doing, he not only secures his property from fire by lightning, but pro- tects also his family and tho le around him. These are important (XMisiderations and should have great weight. Those who desire a a Li^htniii" Rod, pronounced by the first Scientific men in our coui'try the very best in use, will End it on application to THOb^ ARMITAGE.at his Magntlic Light.nng Rod Factory, Vine Streetl 3 doors above ISth, Philadelphia. These Rods are finished with a , the improvements at nearly the same piices as the old kind. (tl. PAGE'S CIRCULAR SAW MILLS. GEORGE PAGE & CO. Shroeder street, between Baltimore and Fayette sts., Baltimore, Manufacture to order. Page's tdArattd Pctable Patent Cimda Saw Mills, with horse or steam powers, ot several sizes. Ihey also manufacture Sawing ar.d Planing Machines for railroad work. Thrashing Machines, GRIST MILLS for farm purposes Corn aud O.b CrusFiers, Tenoning Machines, SKED AND CORN PLANT- ERS LMPROVEDHOR-E POWERS, CORN SHELLERS,'Au- gers for boring wells, augers for boring fence posts, water wheels, f(*cing pumps, Sec. They respectfully solicit a share of public patronage, and would be permitted to remark, that their CircularSaw iMiU can do more work— aye, twice as much work as any other mill with the same amount of power, and do it better. (sept-9 PHILADELPHIA & LIVERPOOL LINE OF PACKETS-'l'o sail from I'luladulplun on the 13ih, suid from Liverpool on the Isi of each monih. I'rom Phila. From Liverpool f April 'Aug.